Silverblade
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Kendrick Andrew Mason is Silverblade, a world class swordsman with superhuman abilities and fighting skills. Incredibly gifted both mentally and physically, he began training at a very young age to be the ultimate fighting machine. Unknown to him at the time, he was being trained in preparation to inherit the Sword of Gaia from his father. The sword was passed to Kendrick sooner than expected when his father was killed in a car accident.
Discovering his father’s death was premeditated, Kendrick pursued the perpetrators with relentless conviction and eventually defeated them all. Now fully aware of his true calling, he donned a mask and dedicated his life in bringing criminals to justice and protecting the planet he calls home. Even though his powers and abilities allow him to combat global threats like Dr. Destroyer, he makes a conscious effort to patrol the city to fight “street level” crime when he is not engaged in saving the world.
Publicly, Kendrick is the sole owner of Synergy Technologies or SynTech, a global conglomerate with holdings and assets in various engineering, electronic, chemical, biotechnology and futurist research companies. It is headquartered in Los Angeles, California and is listed as a Forbes 20 company. Even though he is the owner, Kendrick stays out of the limelight by deferring all company decisions and planning to SynTech’s CEO, Dr. Timothy Coles, affording him a great deal of free time which would generally be impossible for a man of his position.
By most accounts, Kendrick is considered a handsome man and compounded with his great wealth has made him one of the most eligible bachelors in the world. He could easily exploit his position by embracing a playboy life but instead dedicates a considerable amount of his free time to philanthropy. He created the City Community Center Trust (CCC), a non-profit organization that helps underprivileged families and individuals by providing educational opportunities like tutoring and adult education classes. CCC facilities have opened up throughout the world’s inner cities and impoverished areas and is almost solely funded and managed by SynTech. The West Side Community Center (WSCC) was built in Millennium City three years ago to combat rampant poverty and decay in the area.
Contents
BACKGROUND
Early Life
Kendrick’s grandfather, Richard Clifton Mason was a lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Since he and his wife could not conceive, they adopted an orphan Korean boy named Jihun whom Richard rescued during his tour. The loving couple raised Jihun, now Michael, as their own child.
Michael Jihun Lee Mason grew up in New York City and eventually became a CIA agent working in Hong Kong to gather valuable Chinese government information during the 1970s. There he met Victoria Clark, a British MI6 operative who was also working in a similar capacity. The two paired up and successfully extracted valuable information for their respective nations. They fell in love and married a few years later. The married couple relocated to Los Angeles. Michael continued his work in the CIA while Victoria found a new position as a British liaison to the agency.
A couple of years later, wanting to raise a family, Victoria retired from her position while Michael reduced his field work with the CIA to concentrate on his family. Kendrick was born at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center two years later. Eight years after Kendrick’s birth, Michael retired from the CIA when both his parents passed away. Richard had left his successful engineering company to his son who converted the company into what is known today as Synergy Technologies.
Kendrick attended the most prestigious private schools where he excelled in both academics and athletics. From an early age, Michael knew Kendrick was special and pushed his son as far as he could by supplementing Kendrick’s studies with private tutors. He was very popular in school, especially with the ladies and used his connections with these future industry leaders to forge SynTech into a dominant global player when he legally took ownership later in life.
Outside of school, Kendrick trained in multiple forms of martial arts and combat styles. Michael heavily emphasized fencing and swordsmanship of various styles and traditions. Kyu Hyun Park, a renowned Korean martial arts teacher, was Kendrick’s private trainer. Initially Kyu Hyun refused but upon meeting Kendrick, he sensed the young boy was unique and after speaking with Michael he agreed to train Kendrick. By the time Kendrick graduated high school (as valedictorian), he was an expert in hand to hand combat but his primary skill was handling a sword.
At Stanford University, Kendrick continued his excellence in academics and sports, playing Division 1A football and baseball. He graduated with honors with a degree in Psychology and many expected him to enter professional sports. Instead, he entered the military as a commissioned officer.
Military Life
His superior officers were immediately impressed with Kendrick’s skill and intelligence. He seemed very ambitious and enrolled in the U.S. Army Special Forces Qualification Course at age 22 and successfully completed the course in two years.
During his time with the Green Berets and Delta Force, Kendrick was involved in multiple covert missions throughout the world, in some cases involving superhuman combatants. He achieved the rank of Major and also earned advanced degrees in Psychology and Criminal Psychology. Kendrick was honorably discharged by the U.S. Army after 11 years of service (7 years with Special Forces; 4 years with Delta Force).
Defining Point
A year after leaving the Army, two critical life events occurred in Kendrick’s life. Both his father and his long time mentor, Kyu Hyun died within the span of two months. Kyu Hyun died peacefully in his sleep and Kendrick was grateful he was able to speak with his longtime mentor before his death. His father on the other hand was killed in a horrible automobile accident when he was returning home from a business trip.
After the death of his father, Kendrick finally learned why he was pushed hard to hone his mind and his martial skills. Michael had left a priceless sword for him. When Kendrick gripped the blade, everything changed. Michael had discovered the weapon during his mission in Hong Kong when he met Victoria. He knew of the sword’s power and in death he knew the sword would be passed onto a new master. Michael made sure Kendrick would gain possession of the blade and would be prepared to use it wisely and with great effect.
Silverblade
Immediately Kendrick had suspicions regarding his father’s death. Using his investigative skills, he learned Michael’s death was planned. A highly secretive assassin’s guild known as the Red Hand (five fingers represented each member), orchestrated Michael’s death in order to retrieve the Sword of Gaia. Once they learned Michael had passed on the sword to Kendrick, the group pressed their attack against him and his mother.
Using his superpowers and training, Kendrick subdued the group but they refused to quit in battle. They would track and hunt him and his mother relentlessly. It was then Kendrick knew there was only one way to be free of the Red Hand. He slew all five members of the Red Hand and ended their quest to retrieve the fabled blade.
His experience with the Red Hand convinced him to keep his new identity a secret. He knew villains and criminals would always try to use his loved ones as leverage against him. Kendrick wished to deny them of that power. He began his hero career in Los Angeles and apprehended the Dollmaker serial killer with the help of the LAPD. Since then, he has travelled all over the world to combat crime in all its facets.
APPEARANCE
Kendrick is half Caucasian and half Asian, blessed with good genes from both sides. He is generally considered very handsome by most accounts with facial features resembling his mother but having a physique similar to his father. He has a very toned, athletic body with a moderate musculature due to his constant workout regiment and his superhuman regeneration. Aware that he is often in the public’s eye, he is often seen wearing exquisite tailored suits at all times, with or without a tie. His idea of casual wear would be jeans, oxford shirt and blazer.
As Silverblade, he wears a custom dark grey stealth body armor suit. Designed by Scott Hughes, the body armor is a flexible weave of super strong material that provides protection to small arms fire and force blunt trauma. His boots are for rugged work and his gloves come with sensors connected to his goggles. On his head is a helmet that looks like a mask but is in reality a hard composite. Goggles cover his eyes and offer him additional tactical information. Slung across his back is the Sword of Gaia in its scabbard. A utility belt is around his waist carrying pouches with various gadgets for use in the field.
He has alternate suits designed for underwater and space environments.
PERSONALITY
On assignment or as a hero, Kendrick is a cold and calculating warrior. He is quietly efficient and focused. To those whom he knows and trusts, Kendrick softens his personality, even in costume. When not donning a mask, Kendrick is a very personable man. Intelligent, full of wit and humor, he is quite capable and comfortable in a social setting.
His true personality is a mixture of both his masked identity and his public identity. Kendrick is a pragmatic man with a good heart. He is kind and caring with a great deal of empathy towards others. But he understands his particular career prevents him to have deep personal relationships. He has meaningful relationships with his support staff but those were developed out of necessity. A romantic relationship would be a personal choice which would potentially put his work at risk. It is why he has such a hard time committing to anyone because he believes it is just too dangerous. As a result, he sees himself a bit as a martyr, sacrificing his life for the benefit of others.
POWERS
Silverblade’s powers are derived from a variety of sources. He is a meta-human capable of supernatural regeneration with superhuman abilities and senses. His sword, the Sword of Gai, is magical in nature. He has trained countless hours perfecting his fighting skills as well as his skills as a detective. He wears an advanced technology stealth suit and employs various high tech gadgets and equipment. All this is by design as it allows him to counter all types of villains and criminals, whether they are magical, technological, specially trained or superhuman.
PRIMUS and UNTIL have basic information regarding Silverblade’s powers and abilities including their general limits and power levels. They would not have knowledge of specific weaknesses and vulnerabilities nor do they know his true identity.
The Sword of Gaia
The Sword of Gaia is an ancient blade forged when magical energies on the planet were coalescing. These magical energies combined with the energies of the earth, formed the blade. The sword and the Earth are forever linked; if the planet were to be destroyed, the sword would lose all its powers. Throughout history it took on the shape of an exquisitely crafted blade most suited to its master. Currently, it holds the shape of an single edge sword like a katana and is the primary weapon of the hero Silverblade. Even to the most casual observer the sword seems extraordinary and magical.
Silverblade is made of undetermined mystic metals and other rare alloys. The weapon is impervious to all damage and cannot be broken. The blade never seems to lose its keen edge and has been documented to easily cut through modern heavy armor plating. It’s most impressive power is its ability to take on the material properties of any substance that will be most efficient against a particular foe. For example, against werecreatures, Silverblade acts as a silver weapon even though the blade does not have any silver in it.
Although the blade is not sentient, its powers only work for its current owner. Anyone other than the owner using or holding the blade will find it dull and unbalanced. The magical blade will only take on a new master when the old one has died. Once the sword is transferred to a new master, it reshapes itself to best suit its new master.
Silverblade can never be lost. Even when forcibly separated from its owner, it can be called and retrieved. When called, the blade will return to the hand of the master through speedy levitation and/or teleportation. Distance is not a factor.
Silverblade cannot harm its owner. No matter how hard someone tries, the owner of the blade cannot be cut or stabbed by the blade, even if it means for the sword to teleport away from its current position. If the weapon is burning hot or freezing cold, the master of the blade can hold it without harm.
Regeneration
Silverblade’s meta-human physiology provides him with an accelerated healing factor. His body will rapidly heal him of any wound or damage at astonishing rates. Even damage to vital organs or amputations will eventually be regenerated without reattachment. Short of complete annihilation or disintegration, he will eventually fully heal although it may take a long time. As a result he is unable to have piercings or tattoos as they are eventually healed or absorbed.
His regenerative powers also makes him highly resistant to disease, fatigue, drugs, alcohol, toxins and other influences that may weaken him physically or mentally. In addition, his healing factor has stunted his aging. Physically, Silverblade remains perpetually around the age of 28.
Extraordinary Physical Attributes
Physically, Silverblade can perform abilities well beyond peak human potential. He is super strong (lift around 10 tons) and is blindingly fast and agile. He is capable of leaping long distances and his body and skeleton is superhumanly durable and resilient to absorb punishment of hard impact from such travel without damage. This durability also functions in combat where wounds that would typically cripple or incapacitate most people would be resisted and ultimately fully healed by his regenerative powers. This durability is capable of withstanding small arms fire.
His superhuman regeneration has also affected his mental capacity. Since his brain cells are supercharged and no longer deteriorate, Kendrick is able to retain information at a superhuman level. It is one of the reasons why he has mastered so many combat skills along with his other advanced academic knowledge.
Extraordinary Senses
Silverblade’s senses are also beyond the parameters of normal human beings. All his senses are highly acute making him very intuitive and aware of his surroundings. He can focus upon a single sense making it even more sensitive and powerful. He is capable of reducing the sensitivity of his senses to normal human levels at will.
WEAKNESSES
Although Silverblade has some great powers and abilities, he also has some specific weaknesses that can be exploited by a clever villain. These weaknesses are not common knowledge and to date only one of Silverblade’s nemesis know of his vulnerabilities and she would never make them public knowledge.
Sensory Overload
Because Silverblade has highly acute senses, they can be used against him. Due to his masterful control of his powers, he can adjust the sensitivity of his senses but if he is caught unaware or off-guard, he can be disoriented or even rendered unconscious by overloading his senses.
SKILLS/ABILITIES
Kendrick has had a wealth of training since he was a child. He was born and raised to be a very effective and dangerous field operative. Because of his excellent focus, intelligence, athleticism, drive and determination, Kendrick was an ideal student and as a result has a collection of skills and talents that few have in the world.
Martial Arts
Kendrick trained in martial arts at a very young age. As a teenager, he was privately trained by a very talented and knowledgeable sensei. He has mastered a wide range of forms and styles but his training with a sword is peerless. He can easily be considered one of the finest swordsmen in the world.
Academics
Kendrick attended Stanford University and received a degree in Psychology. He continued his studies and has advanced degrees in Psychology and Criminal Psychology making him a keen investigator and profiler. In addition, he has extensively studied chemistry, physics and engineering.
Besides English, he is fluent in Korean, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian, French and Spanish. He also is well versed in world cultures and can blend in almost anywhere.
Military
As a former U.S. Army Special Forces officer and later in his career a part of 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (Delta Force), Kendrick is a highly trained combat soldier. His specialty was counter-terrorism, infiltration and hostage extraction. In addition to his Special Forces and Delta Force training, Kendrick is also a very skilled helicopter and fighter jet pilot.
EQUIPMENT
Silverblade uses a number of high tech equipment to augment his powers and skills. His general set of equipment that he carries is listed below. On special assignment, he might have additional tools for a specific purpose or advantage. All his equipment is designed by Scott Hughes.
Body Suit
Comprised of a flexible Kevlar composite weave, the suit is light and sturdy capable to shrug off light arms fire. It is resistant to tear and will protect the wearer from basic edged weapons but against high velocity heavy caliber rounds or heavy blades, it provides little protection.
It also acts as an insulation suit, providing protection against the elements.
Advanced Optics Helmet: Silverblade wears a rigid full mask with matching goggles. The helmet provides the same amount of protection as his body armor but also contains psychic dampeners of Monstrous strength that prevents mind control. Unfortunately it also prevents benign telepathic communication as well. The goggles have advanced optics that allows telescopic, infrared, thermal imaging and ultraviolet vision. It can also record point of view video and audio data. The helmet contains radio, satellite and laser communication systems. Satellite relays also allows him to access data and information through the Synergy computer network and is displayed on his goggle lens.
Grapple Gun: To be used in multiple situations, Silverblade carries two grapple hooks with launchers attached to a high strength tensile line of Incredible material that can be extended up to 5 areas away.
Kunai Knives: Silverblade carries numerous throwing blades that he can throw up to 3 areas away doing Excellent damage. Some of the blades are made of silver or cold iron.
Smoke Bombs: Silverblade can toss smoke bombs that obstruct vision up a 2 area radius of Excellent strength.
SUPPORT CHARACTERS
Silverblade can’t do it alone. He has a few people in his life that he trusts implicitly. Not only are they there to offer him emotional and mental support but they also provide valuable knowledge and skills that allow Silverblade to be the hero he is today.
These people are also the main reason why Silverblade guards his secret identity fiercely. He would tear apart the world in order to save and protect these few individuals and would gladly sacrifice his own life for theirs. They are his greatest vulnerability but any villain who would use them as bargaining chips would bring the full wrath of Silverblade upon them.
Laura “Minerva” Bishop (NPC)
In her public role, Laura Bishop is Kendrick’s personal assistant. As Minerva or Minnie, she is his mission guide and operator. Minerva is an extraordinary hacker and computer specialist who works behind the scenes, collecting information and data for Silverblade while he is on the field. Silverblade’s comlink communicates directly to her station and often, she is his sole companion during his long nights patrolling West Side.
Laura is an attractive young lady with flowing dark hair and blue eyes in her mid-twenties. She is a French national and speaks French, English and Italian fluently. She has a mischievous personality and keeps Silverblade entertained with her sarcasm and snarky remarks. Laura also flirts mercilessly with Scott.
Scott “Vulcan” Hughes (NPC)
Scott is one of SynTech’s top researchers and engineers. He is also responsible for Silverblade’s high tech gadgets and equipment. When Minerva is unavailable, Vulcan takes her place as Silverblade’s mission controller and operator.
Scott is a geek at heart. He loves science fiction, fantasy and plays video games. He does not look like a stereotypical geek though. Silverblade’s encouragement and influence drove Scott to the gym and he is very physically fit. Unfortunately he is also very socially awkward. Graduating from MIT at the tender age of 16 prevented him from developing socially.
He is slightly older than Laura and he continues to be her favorite punching bag with her flirtations and snarky comments. But deep down they are good friends, dedicated to Silverblade’s cause and most likely attracted to one another but unable to express them openly.
Dr. Timothy “Doc” Coles (NPC)
Dr. Coles is the CEO of SynTech and handles all of Kendrick’s finances. He was also very good friends with Kendrick’s father. He used to run one of SynTech’s biotech companies experimenting with finding a cure for cancer. When Michael Mason was killed, Kendrick was able to lean upon his shoulder. Eventually, Kendrick promoted him to the position of CEO of SynTech where he continues to expand the company’s influence and success.
Dr. Coles never had children of his own and sees Kendrick as one of his adopted children. Besides his mother, there is no one in the world who loves and cares for Kendrick more than Dr. Coles.
Victoria Elizabeth Mason (NPC)
Victoria is Kendrick’s mother and a former MI6 agent. She is Kendrick’s foundation and support because she understands the risks he takes every day to be a hero.
ROGUES GALLERY
DOLLMAKER
Dr. Aimee Farrell was once a promising research scientist before a freak lab accident disfigured her beautiful face. The trauma of the accident, compounded by her dysfunctional childhood, brought upon her insanity. Unfortunately, the accident also granted her tremendous telepathic and mind control powers which she used as a tool for vengeance.
Silverblade encountered her in Los Angeles and it was his very first criminal case as a hero. With his detective skills, he managed to find her but was captured. Using her psionic skills and her chemistry training, she managed to siphon a portion of his healing factor allowing her to heal her face. The side effect of the procedure also linked their minds and as a result, Dr. Farrell and Silverblade have full knowledge of each other and their past.
She was captured with the help of the LAPD but later escaped. Dr. Farrell is still very insane and knows of Silverblade’s true identity but will never reveal or acknowledge her information. Her twisted mind fell in love with Kendrick during their mind link and her only goal is to claim him for herself.
She is a clinically insane ruthless cold blooded murderer with a genius intellect. Her psionic abilities are incredibly powerful and she continues to retain a weaker version of Silverblade’s healing factor. She bids her time waiting for the best opportunity to gain Kendrick’s attention and is willing to do anything to gain his love, even if it means the destruction of an entire city.
RED HAND
The original Red Hand band consisted of five of the most deadly assassins in the world. Their goal was to retrieve the Sword of Gaia but missed their opportunity when Kendrick’s father, Michael claimed it first. They tried again after orchestrating his death only to learn that Michaels’s son Kendrick now owned the fabled blade.
They believed they could easily defeat Kendrick only to learn he was even more formidable than his father. They hunted him for months and ultimately threatened the life of Kendrick’s mother. Unable to find a non-lethal solution, Kendrick dueled each of them, slaying them all.
The new Red Hand is led by the son of one of the original assassins. His thirst for vengeance is great. Unlike the original Red Hand, the new group is comprised of meta-human assassins. Their only goal in life is to kill Silverblade and to claim the Sword of Gaia for themselves.
THYRM
TRIVIA
Kendrick is a classically trained pianist and can also sing and play the guitar. He is a car and motorcycle enthusiast and has an impressive collection of classic cars and motorcycles. He sees choices as right or wrong, not black or white, which is a significant difference to him.
NOTES
- Unless discovered some way, almost all the information provided on this page is purely OOC, except for Kendrick’s public personae. Please do not metagame or godmode using information on this page if you wish to roleplay with me. If you think your character may know some information (former spy, soldier…etc), then let me know and we can discuss what information may be available.
- Due to the limitations of the game, Silverblade is seen as fighting with his katana at all times. He has enough superpowers, as well as his training, that typical thugs and low grade villains do not pose a real threat to him. In these cases, he would simply incapacitate them with his martial arts skills and not use the blade at all. The blade is only used when he encounters foes that are very powerful requiring a powerful weapon to defeat them. In all cases, he tries very hard not to kill anyone but he understands sometimes it is unavoidable.
- Silverblade is inspired by characters like Batman, Wolverine, Captain America, Black Widow, Snake Eyes, Musashi and Blade. He is also modeled after some of my old fantasy characters from my tabletop days who typically at some point could be recognized by a familiar weapon of power.
