John Hancock

## Backstory

Growing up in the ruling class of Vektan-Noveria, he was raised in a strict, disciplined environment, trained by his father, Atriox, and maternal uncle, Ruman Set, to become a warrior. John's mother died from an illness when he was a child. John initially refused to believe his mother was gone: going to a nearby forest to search for her, he became lost for three days until being rescued in the nick of time by his father.

The Kaesar Machines under Kaesar launched an invasion of the Novus Empire in 2293. John was one of eighty warriors who were sent in a desperate suicidal attack against the machines on a Vektan-Noverian borderworld, aiming to slow the invasion force down before they reach Vektan-Noveria. During the battle, John was grievously wounded and left for dead. John eventually recovered and gained valuable allies and skills which enabled him to capture significant portions of territory from the machines, becoming known as the **Raging Storm**. At the cost of this, however, was John's adherence to the warrior's code; this damaged his relationship with his mentor. John and his mentor, General Vilgefortz, eventually fought resulting in John being grievously wounded and left for dead. With the war over and rumours of his death circulating, John used an experimental form of travel to escape his world. Resulting in his DNA being altered from unprotected exposure to the void. Following his arrival on Earth, John became an aimless drifter, hiding for the following decades.

## Personality

> "My mentor taught me that a warrior masters his emotions. Like you master a horse. Or a blade."
>
>

John is, for the lack of a better word, complicated. John is perhaps the most feared member of The Trashmen, often dispatched for his lethal combat skills, ruthlessness, near-indestructability and extraordinary strength. His reputation is such that the mere mention of his name is able to strike fear into the hearts of the public.

One quality that John lacks entirely is tact, which is one of the main reasons that he is disliked so heavily by so many people. He often doesn't notice when his accurate deductions about other people's personal lives offend them. It does seem, though that, over time, John is becoming increasingly aware of his ability to insult, occasionally asking "Not good?" when he does see that he has upset someone. John appears to be the silent loner type and is somewhat socially withdrawn from other members of the peacekeepers. He rarely speaks but is apparently very in touch with his emotions as while being completely ruthless towards his opponents, he appears to have a soft spot for innocent life and his compassion also extends to animals.

Despite showing the capacity for compassion towards others, Noir shows he has no hesitation when it comes to using deadly force to take out targets or killing any witnesses that could pose as potential problems. Additionally he can become extremely ruthless when on missions, such as tearing a mans head apart to stop him from screaming. In many ways, John behaves less like a superhero and more like a soldier, in order to defend the city and it's interests. John is also someone who has no patience for speeches or memorials, and was allergic to politics and suspicious of causes. He also hates bullies and could never stand down when confronted with them, and when he took on a difficult mission, he was never interested in knowing the odds of success. John, deep down, is a traumatized man, He developed an emotional armour to keep himself safe from the world. He usually doesn't open emotionally with anyone and most people don't know what's going on with him and wonder what is behind the mask he wears literally and symbolically.

## Powers and Abilities

* **Superhuman Strength, Speed and Durability:** The combination of his dimensionally charged body gives John the ability to exert **1 ton of force without his mask**, with it, He is able to exert **25 tons** of force. Without his mask, John is able to run at a speed of **30mph** and with it he is able to **fly at 600mph** and **run at 100mph**. Without his mask, John has above-average human durability, and can withstand moderate impacts. However, whilst he uses his mask, John is near-invulnerable, capable of withstanding extreme physical force, energy-based attacks, and environmental hazards. Relying on enemies to remove his mask in order to harm him significantly.
* **Regenerative Healing Factor:** John possesses a regenerative healing factor, which allows him to recover from injuries at an accelerated rate. However, this healing factor is not instantaneous and has its limitations. Minor injuries heal almost instantly **(1 turn**), moderate injuries heal within minutes (**5-10 turns**), and severe injuries may take hours to recover from (**2-3 Full RPs**).

* **Energy Manipulation:** John has the ability to manipulate the Midnight Essence energy within him. He can generate and project focused energy blasts in the form of an electricity like substance, utilizing the essence as a form of offensive attack. The size and intensity of these energy blasts can vary, but they are not overwhelmingly destructive, typically capable of causing damage to structures and incapacitating opponents rather than obliterating them. The energy manipulation requires concentration and focus, and excessive or prolonged use may deplete his energy reserves.
* **Reality Warping & Dimension Manipulation**: John possesses a limited ability to manipulate the Midnight Hour. He can subtly influence the environment and alter certain aspects to his advantage. However, these manipulations are not all-encompassing and are subject to certain limitations. He can readjust the planes of dimension within a localized area, allowing him to create temporary portals or access the Midnight Hour, but he cannot reshape reality on a large scale or alter the fundamental laws of physics. While he can create small black holes within the Midnight Hour, these are not planet-consuming entities but rather localized anomalies with limited duration and effects.

### Weaknesses

* **Energy Depletion:** John's powers and abilities are fuelled by the Umbric Essence within him. Overexertion or sustained use of his powers can deplete his energy reserves, leaving him temporarily weakened and unable to access certain abilities until he has had time to replenish his energy. He needs to be mindful of his energy usage and conserve it during prolonged conflicts.
* **Mental Vulnerability**: John's extensive exposure to the Midnight Hour and the Umbric Essence has left him susceptible to psychic or mental attacks. His mind, already influenced by the energies he wields, can be targeted by skilled telepaths or individuals with psychic abilities. Psychic assaults can disrupt his focus, impair his decision-making, or temporarily disable his powers.
* **Emotional Instability:** The power at John's disposal, coupled with the influence of the Essence, can amplify and heighten his emotions. Extreme emotional states, such as anger, fear, or despair, can negatively impact his control over his abilities, making it more difficult for him to harness his powers effectively. It is crucial for John to maintain emotional balance and clarity to avoid unintentional destructive outbursts or loss of control.
* **Dimensional Instability**: John's connection to the Midnight Hour and his ability to manipulate dimensions can sometimes lead to unforeseen consequences. Excessive or careless use of his abilities may destabilize the fabric of reality or cause unintended side effects. It requires careful focus and understanding to avoid unintentional disruptions or endangerment to himself and others.

## Trivia

* It is unknown if John is the Vektan-Noverian Jonarr Vektelarian or he simply is unable to accept the memories of the mask are not his own.