Crimelord Deacon

Crimelord Deacon is a central figure in the criminal underworld of Rocket City and beyond.

## Origin

Altman Deacon is a mystery to most people - being an almost mythical figure amongst the darker parts of Rocket City. His long-held control over the criminal activity of the city alongside a vicious reputation for those who cross him make him a dangerous individual to be in opposition to. Despite apparently being a man in his late-50's, Deacon has an intimidating physical presence, standing tall and strong. Over the years he has amassed a hidden empire that is unknown to most in the city. Not only is his influence felt in all levels crime but politics & management of the city itself; with many people suggesting him having ultimate control over the Mayoral office. His immediate criminal activities are known in the underworld as The Sermon; reflective of Deacon's conflicted relationship with his religion.

Some time in his history, Altman Deacon married his long-time partner Dolores. An equally corrupt individual, she works behind the scenes alongside Deacon to keep a tight control over their empire. While Altman is a mystery to most, Dolores Deacon is a well-known figure, keeping a public image inside the philanthropic elite of the city.

The couple have three children. Abramo Deacon is the eldest and most similar to his parents; having been groomed from a young age to naturally take over the family empire when the time was right. Kore Deacon is the couple's only daughter. An independent free-thinker, she is generally opposed to the family business and keeps an arms length from the family in general; travelling the world. Many years later, to the couple's surprise they had a second son, Aamon Deacon. Being so much younger than his brother & sister drove a wedge between the siblings, making Aamon the pride of his mother but seemingly ignored by everybody else. There are rumours of illegitimate children from Altman, but these are unsubstantiated.

## Descent

Although Deacon had a strong grip on the city, this started to be challenged by the rising amount of super-hero vigilantes inside the city itself. Initially he was a target of Mr. Midnight, with his young team causing kinks inside the carefully designed drug smuggling regime that Deacon had. Later he was challenged by heroes such as the Super Legion's second lineup (with Hummingbird particularly aware of his criminal activities through her investigative journalism). Eventually the successes of the heroes started fracturing Deacon's business more and more; causing him to descend further into darker territories. Deacon would enlist the help of the fallen sidekick Nightmare (now going by the name Grenade) and a mysterious magic-user called Chi to combat the super-powers his enemies now held.

## Night of the Netherworlders

Deacon descended further into dark and mysterious methods to uphold his empire & keep his enemies at bay. He would task Chi with unlocking a particular power source mentioned in ancient texts; described as the Netherworld. Organising a meeting with the mysterious creatures, they offered him an extreme measure of hunting and killing every super powered individual within the city; but at the cost of Deacon's youngest son's life. Despite intense refusal from his wife, Deacon agreed to the bargain in his obsessive pursuit to hold onto his empire. The deal in place; Deacon allowed access for the Netherworlders into the city via a mystical portal, flooding the city with the Netherworlders. Aamon Deacon was ripped from his mother's arms, dragged into the Netherworld and seemingly killed in the process.

Dozens of Netherworlder assassins entered the city, starting a murderous rampage against superhumans. The bloodbath went on throughout the night, with Deacon revelling in his victory whilst his wife mourned the loss of their son. Eventually the heroes would find a way to stop the attack, striking Deacon's base with a team up of Grenade and Phantom. The pair of heroes sacrificed themselves to close the portal, destroying the base and killing Deacon in the ensuring explosion.

Although the city was left reeling by the event; the next generation of heroes were able to regather to keep the city safe. Unknowingly to everybody - Altman did survived the attack on his base and was whisked away by his loyal wife and son (despite disagreeing with the sacrifice of Aamon).