Run Riot
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
| [[Image:|300px|]] | |
| Educator, Terrorist, Hero, Villain, Father. | |
| Run Riot | |
| Player: @Run Riot | |
| Origin: | Mutation |
|---|---|
| Archetype: | Brute/Controller |
| Threat Level: | 50 |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: | Jacob Cohen |
| Known Aliases: | Jake Cross, Sparky, Cueball, Baldy, Rum Riot |
| Species: | Mutant |
| Age: | 37 |
| Height: | 6'6 |
| Weight: | 230lbs |
| Eye Color: | Brown |
| Hair Color: | None |
| Biographical Data | |
| Nationality: | Citzien of the Rogue Isles |
| Occupation: | Terrorist/Revolutionary |
| Place of Birth: | Cap Au Diable |
| Base of Operations: | Aeon City |
| Marital Status: | Widower of Veridian Vision |
| Known Relatives: | Daughters, Ink Dyne Onteh Marks Son, Jonathon Cohen |
| Known Powers | |
| Confidential | |
| Known Abilities | |
| Supreme master of energy control. Accomplished Martial Artist. Exceptional Social Theorist. | |
| Equipment | |
| Confidential | |
| No additional information available. | |
Contents |
History
Jacob Cohen was born to Tyrone Cohen and Sarah Cohen years ago, during the earlier years of Recluse's reign over the etoile isles. Tyrone was from a family of Hatian immigrants, former slaves who had migrated to the isles nearly a century before. Sarah's family was a group of Jewish immigrants, survivors of the German Deathcamps of World War 2.
Tyrone and Sarah seemed an unlikely couple, but they took to one another quickly. Tyrone was studying at the local university while Working in the Scrapyard.Sarah assisted her Father in handling services for the Isles small Jewish population. Tyrone and Sarah were married within a year, with Tyrone officially converting over and changing his last name from "LaCroix" to "Cohen". A year later, Sarah was with child, and gave birth to a son.They named their son Jacob, and raised him with love as the Isles slowly but surely became more and more of a living deplorable hell under the rule of Lord Recluse.
Tyrone tried to help push for reformation. Unable to afford to emigrate to the United States like so many others, the Cohen family was forced to make due within the now Rogue Isles. Tyrone attempted to unionize the Scrapyarders when Jacob was 5. His body was found 3 weeks later as it washed up on the shores of Sharkhead, torn to shreds.
The Mambo
Tyrone's sister Coco Lacroix, practiced a very different sort of religion then the Cohen family. After his Father's Death, Coco took a special interest in her nephew Jacob. He had her run errands for her often, and help out around her shop. Coco was a Mambo, a High Preistess in the Religion of Voodoun. Her Augieries and questions to the Loa, pointed out her Nephew would accomplish many great things.
However, the Loa pointed out to her, that everything her Nephew accomplished would only be through increaible series of Hardships and strife, most of it from his own engineering. He would never have an easy life, and would struggle constantly.
Coco did her best to instill within her nephew a sense of responsibility to others and the community around them. Until one day, an Arachnos Patrol took her in the middle of the night, drafting her into their Fortunata program. Jacob never saw her again.
From this point on, the Cohen family kept to itself and tried to stay out of trouble. Jacob was mainly raised by his Grandfather, a Rabbi. All of this would change when he hit the age of 13.
Bar Mitzvah
At the age of 13, Jacob was ready to become a man. He had largely forgotten about the stranger practices of his Aunt Coco, and had instead taken to being a good Jewish boy, despite his mixed heritage. He had prepared and memorized every line he needed to recite for the ancient coming of age ceremony, and on top of it all, had even grown in some hair under his arms and other places he was quite proud of.
As he strode up to the front of the Synagouge, dressed in his best refinery, confidence swelled within the young boy, ready to become a man. Ultimately, disaster struck, in the middle of the recitation every light and power source in the room fluctuated at once, all of the electricity suddenly surged out of every avalaible socket and jumped to young Jacob Cohen. Screams filled the pews as it appeared the young man was Electrocuted to Death.
Only as Moments later he stood back up, smoking in his clothes, looking no worse the wear..except for the fact all of his hair began to fall from his body. It was here Jacob had his Awakening as a Mutant, and his life would never be the same.
Teenage Years
For most of his Teenage years Jacob kept largely to himself. Most of his former friends had been scared away from his mutation. The elders of his community treated the young man with respect for the sake of his Grandfather the Rabbi, however most of the community was afraid of him.
For that matter, every criminal organization in the area that heard of him, continued to try to force them to join their ranks. His Family hid his Mutations general knoweldge from Arachnos Greater, to protect the boy from being forced to join their ranks.
Still, the Isles are a dangerous place, and others began to hear about the young Mutants abilities. To Protect himself and his small neighborhood, Jacob crafted an Alternate Idenity. He became the Vigilante "Blue Rally" known for his blue costume and racing Scarf. His Superior Speed and Electric Powers keeping his little corner of the Isles a little safer, and giving his family some measure of peace.
Jacob did well in School too. Despite the conditions of the Isles, he managed to graduate with Straight A's from the School his Neighborhood had created themselves. His Family pushed him to apply for College out of the Rogue Isles, hoping the boy would be able to secure an escape from the depressing enviorment.
Listening to the wishes of his family, Jacob applied to Paragon University, where suprisingly he was accepted with a full ride Scholorship.
The College Years
Jacob put his past to the side as he studied intently while attending Paragon University in Steel Canyon. He Enjoyed Paragon, the Freedom Americans had, and he even looked up to the Superheroes which kept it's citzens safe. The isles themselves seemed like a Distant Dream. He kept in contact with his family through writing, but for the most part focused on his new life in Paragon.
Every once in awhile he'd don the costume of "Blue Rally" and even engage in a few public acts of service himself, but largely let the other Heroes handle it. He graduated with a Dual Major in Psychology and Sociology, and quickly entered Graduate school to begin focusing on a PhD in Social Theory.
As he was working on completing his Thesis, years later, Disaster struck.
The Birth of Run Riot
It was during the last year, as he was putting the finishing touches on his thesis ahead of schedule when Jacob received the news. His Grandfather, Rabbi Cohen, had been cut down in an Arachnos Purge.
Many members of his community back home were dead or scattered. His Mother was one of the few survivors. Jake spent the semester dumb founded and Numb. He was given a pass for the Semester from the Faculty due to the Traumatic events that had taken place. The University Facility tried to tell him he was better off now, in the United States, where such things didn't happen, but this only served to make Jacob Angry.
Jacob reasoned, the U.S. with all of it's power, and all of it's Superheroes could of done something, anything to stop the atrocities taking place in the Isles. Instead the Superpower had been selfish, he reasoned, and largely kept to it's own borders, while a Mad Man ran rampant controlling the lives of every civilian back in his home.
It was then that Jacob decided to strike out at what he percieved was a corrupt society. He would rob them of their riches, he would strike down their corruption. He would rage at the country which had sat idly by while his Father had been killed, while his Aunt had been Kidnapped, and while his Grandfather had been slain.
He would become the unbound rage of the people. A Force of anger made manifest, his powers had grown, given him the ability of a One man Riot, and thus, donning a new costume "Run Riot" Was officially Born.
The Terrible Trio
At first Run Riot Largely kept to himself. With his Combination of Lighting Fast Speed, and Brutal destructive capabilities, he quickly became feared among Armoured Car Drivers in Paragon City, but soon Riot was moving up to hitting Banks as well.
It was then, Heroes began to take notice. Two of the Heroes Riot ran afoul of often were PostHaste and Synapse. The Speedsters were able to Match Riots speed, which lead to Riot being Foiled in his attempts at striking back at Society.
Soon enough, however, Riot encountered two compatriots, two other Mutants who had discovered their abilities and were striking against Society in their own ways. A Young Blast shadow and a third member, who was then known as "The Shadow Thug". The Three then set about on a crime spree unlike any other.
Calling themselves "The Terrible Trio" The Three Mutant Criminals mostly ran afoul of Back Alley Brawler Manticore and once again Synapse . For the next few years the three were involved in their own schemes, and sometimes getting hired to be in the schemes of others as well.
Blast Shadow and the third member often alternated in terms of which had been sent to the Zig Last, with Riot teaming up with the other one to free their compatriot. Riot himself seemed to never actully be caught, and to this day has never actully spent time within the Zig involuntarily.
Eventually even the Terrible Trio needed a break from one another, and the Three went their seperate ways to find themselves.
Freelance Riot
The Next several years saw Riot involved in a variety of Schemes. He went underground and became heavily involved in fighting for Mutant Rights. It was in this period that Riot met BlackAgony for the first time, and studied under him. Agony was a master of Mutant powers, and filled Riots mind with the ideals of the proper place Mutants should have on the Earth, that of being superior to Normal Humanity! Riot spent a good deal of time Assisting the most powerful Psychic mind on the planet, helping out the Mutant cause where he could.
Often times, Blast Shadow and the Trio's third member would meet again to pull a few Heists together. This time The Terrible Trio claimed they were striking out for Mutant Rights, but in reality it was often simply a justification for the crimes they did.
Eventually, Riot lost contact with Agony, as he became fully focused on building the Mutant only country of Nation. Riot drifted as he himself really in his heart did not feel Mutants were any better then Normal Humanity. This Crisis of faith led him to dissapear for awhile until the Rikti War.
Rikti War
The Invasion of the Rikti war saw Riot come out of Hiding after being missing for so long. He had a new look and a new attitude, shockingly enough, he was seen to be fighting alongside the Heroes of the world in it's defense. Later he was seen to help with the Rebuilding process and the rescuing of civilians trapped in dangerous areas. Riot dissapeared again after the 1st Rikti war ended but he would return soon enough.
Modern Riot
Riot emerged shortly after the clean up of the Rikti war, with his new attitude and Agenda clear in his mind. His 1st order of Buisness ended with him attacking and destroying an Entire Garrison of Arachnos soldiers stationed in Mercy Island. Riot had come back home, with a Vengence. From there he only continued forward, violently attacking any and all Arachnos personal he came across, and providing aid and support to the Islands poor and oppressed.
This caused him to be lauded as a hero at first by the people of the States, who had thought perhaps Riot had turned over a new leaf. A Few weeks Later he was seen in Paragon, killing the CEO of a major multi-national coporate Bank Chain. Evidence provided later showed the CEO had direct links to sweat shops and the drug trade.
This pattern seemed to follow for a long while. Riot would attack oppressors all over the world, freeing the people present, and training them in how to protect themselves. Only to appear in the 1st world, brutally murdering a govermental or buisness official who was corrupt.
During this time Riot began freelancing as a Bodyguard for the Vampires of the Isles. A way to make money on the side to fund his private war, Riot saw he had nothing to fear from the vampires themselves. Often times he would bring up how he belived Mutants would ultimately lead to the extinction of Vampires. It was during this period that Run made two aquitances in particular that would change his life forever. One, much more latter then the other. Those two being Woefull and Ani Reaves.
The Birth of a Revolution
During his period of freelance work, bouncing from task to task, Riot began to notice something. Mutants were scattered, his people had no place to call home, no place to offer them santucary. They were often bullied, singled out for abuse, pushed around, and absorbed into other organizations that seemed to treat them as little more then resources to be exploited. In a sense he had even come to relise he was a sell out, working for blood sucking fiends and magical types who didn't value or care about the plight of Mutants.
During this time Riot met Woefull through mutual allies. Riot and woefull spent a great deal of time together. Riot enjoyed the young woman's energy. Woefull never backed down from a challenge and didn't take crap from anyone. The two found themselves working together often, soon enough forsaking their other allies to tackle challenges together. It was during this time, when they began to discuss the lack of a place for their people. Woefull and Riot both wanted a place to belong, and discussed it often. Soon enough, Woefull pointed out, the only way they would get such an organization would be to create it themselves.
At first Riot dismissed the young woman's statement. He lacked the courage to follow through, and thought perhaps she was only speaking theoretically. Soon enough, however, she was moving forward with the plan, and trying to decide on a name. It was during this period, while they were taking on the Circle of Thorns, in a Cave, Riot suggested the name "Inevitable Evolution". Woefull immidetately siezed on it, and said that would be the name of their organization. Riot simply chuckled to himself and dismissed it, thinking she would never follow through.
The very next Day, Woefull appeared, having officially founded "Inevitable Evolution" and there to grab Riot as Co-leader, whether he liked it or not. Although Reluctant at first, Riot took five days to put his affairs in order with the group he was working for, before leaving it and embracing his new role as a leader of I.E. He has never regretted the decision since.
Riot and I.E.
Things progressed rapidly in I.E. Riot and Woefull together began to call many people to their banner. Mutants and Metas and soon enough even mystics who were tired of taking orders from Demons and vampires flocked to the family of I.E.
Riot embraced his position as a Mentor and leader with enthusiasm. For the first time in years, He finally felt he had a home, a family. The work was rewarding, and fullfilling, even if difficult at times. It would be these early days that truly set the tone for Riot's life and the role he wold fullfill in the lives of others.
One of the first things Riot did, was to call up old friends of his, the Terrible Trio was re-united again, only now for a common purpose that would see their powers used for the benefit of others even while continuing to engage in their illegal activities.
Mentor
It was this period in I.E. that saw some of the most important changes that would happen to Riot. One of the most single, greatest important incidents that occured in Riot's life, was the day he would meet Ink Dyne.
Ink was a scrawny little Mutant Girl living in the Slums of Mercy. Woefull and Riot encountered her, and immidetly knew this was ne of the Reasons I.E. had been created, to help people like her. Ink joined the organization and Riot took a shine to the tough little kid. Perhaps recognising something of himself in her, he quickly went out of his way to take care of her, and assist her in the training and use of her Powers. Ink for her part, used Riot as a source for her pratical jokes, spied on every "Important" meeting of I.E. and never failed to dissapoint with her ingenuity and spirit.
This set the stage for Riot to become a mentor to many youthful figures, alot of them ending up as members of I.E. at one time or another. From First Person Shooter to Strawberry Poundcake to Ani Reaves Riot found himself most happy in teaching and being there for the meta youth, something that would carry on to the present day.
Trouble with Nation
It was during the Second Rikti Invasion, after Riot had established himself as a Global power alongside of I.E., his old mentor Agony Resurfaced. Agony had started the Mutant only country of Nation on a Satellite in Space. At first, Riot was happy to see his old Father figure and Mentor, though secretly had trepidation as well. An Alliance was formed between the two groups. Nation would take those Mutants who could not stand normal Humanity, while I.E. would take those Mutants who were more Tolerant as well as Non-Mutants who were forbidden from Nation.
This would become a point of consternation between Nation and I.E. Woefull herself at the time, didn't seem to support a Mutant only agenda, and Riot had come to completly abandon his Mutant supremacist notions. Arguments flared across the Coalition. Several friendly "Spars" happened between members of Nation and I.E. turning more violent then they should of. At one point, I.E. even planned to take over Nation's HQ until Riot decided to hold back from the plan at the last moment.
Things progressed this way for awhile but would not climax for some time.
Riot's 1st Actual Love
While by this time, Riot had begun to garner a reputation as a Skirt chaser, he eventually discovered a woman who captured his Heart more then any other at the time had. Bunny Anamalous was a sweet sexy Gun toting girl who made fast friends with Riot after working several jobs with hm. B and RR began to date one another exclusively and for a time had a charmed Relationship.
The "Death" of Riot
During the background of this conflict, I.E. began to have trouble within it's own house. Woefull and Riot were working over time, trying to decide if the relationship with Nation was worth Salvaging while trying to decide how leadership should actully work within I.E. At this point, after selecting Strawberry Poundcake as a third leader of I.E. to deal with the groups population explosion, it came forward she was being blackmailed and stalked by a being known as Addramalech.
Opinions of those who have fought beside Run Riot
Mortal Man- Run Riot Medical Notes: Run Riot's physical form has proven to truly be an energy construct, consisting primarily of electrons focused and arranged in such a way as to create seeming mass and form. The mechanisms by which Pure Energy Beings (PEBs) retain their forms are often as elusive as the forces they use to manipulate energy in the first place. In a hope to advance science and rectify this area of human knowledge, I have exposed Run Riot's left foot, or 'foot region' due to it's energetic nature, to a variety of forces. Heat, light, pressure, and several forms of radiation cause mild disruption, but no true dissolution of the binding forces that make the electrons take this shape. Using various edges and attempting to 'cut' this region proved mixed results, temporary disruption somewhat enhanced by leaving a physical object in the way, but this often proves difficult as his body displaces such impairments.
Use of nether/necrotic/dark energies seems to cause a more stable disruption to his form, as does anti-matter explosions. My current theory is that the necrotic energies interact to create a 'neutral' matter, unusable by whatever force holds him together, while the anti-matter explosion has such a broad energetic spectrum as to disrupt multiple physical forces on a small scale. He still seems able to recover from such attacks.
Occasionally, Run Riot has been recorded to become 'human' again from time to time, and managed to impregnate someone while in his energy state. This suggests Run Riot can actually convert matter to energy and vice versa, though he exact mechanics of this are daunting. My current theory is that he has a memory of his own physical form subconsciously that he can access through esoteric means.
On a mystical and martial note, Run Riot's primarily electronic form is suffused with chi energy as well as ley line energies. This seems to be proof of the bio-electromagnetic theory of chi control and magic, a micro unified theory of super powers in some ways. Small experiments with this have yielded amazing results and seem responsible for Run Riot's more subtle and direct energy control outside his form. Further experiments in his ability to boost chi or use as a magic source for spell work remain to be performed.
"Hoooo boy...Well, az much 's I love t' drive'im up th' wall, I gotta say 'e'z th' bes' fath'r ev'r. 'E ev'n put'z up w'th all my prank'z -- like that dye on 'iz birthday. An' I'd prob'bly be Snake food or worse by now 'f 't wuzn' f'r 'im. 'E stay'z strong through all th' bad shit that 'app'n'z t' IE, an' that'z 'lot more'n some c'n say. 'E'z b'come kinda a goody-goody lat'ly, b't I guess that'z a necess'ty 'e see'z f'r what 'e'z tryin' t'do 'ere, when bein' all terr'rist-like didn' work. 'Ll alwy'z be glad t'ave 'im f'r a dad an' mentor. Always. Ev'n when 'e duzn' 'zactly approve 'a m' fun." - Ink Dyne
" I uh...tend to steer clear of Riot if we're ever fighting the same enemies. Took one of his punches before and...well. I don't really recall the rest." - Colonel Gaunt
"Riot is... difficult to adequately classify. He's got a lot of power on his hands, but he's got an extreme goal. Now, I don't for a moment think he doesn't believe his goals are noble, and I think they're noble as well, but power can twist. Corrupt. What Riot seems to have difficulty coming to terms with is that he is not the Angel of Judgement, nor should he attempt to be such. He'll get by if he focuses on his goals, but I'm afraid that his group's persecution and hostility towards those they deem "threats" could eventually get them into something they can't handle. Still, while they're around, and they will be for a while, they sell a lot of seats." -Bad Dream
"The Rabbi is a good...man, he takes people...in and gives them something to hope for. He fights...so others...won't have to." - Eshet Lillah
"Riot? 'e is a good bloke. When the meta'uman community 'ated me fo' keepin' my word to Detective Parker that 'e would be safe when 'e discussed things, Riot was the only meta who believed me. He looked out fo' me an' put 'is trust in me--even though 'e rightfully 'ad a reason to watch out fo' me. Riot is one o' the few people on the isles you can trust." - Nicholas Williams
"Uncle Run's kind of more like my dad than just my uncle. ....but calling him Dad would have creepy implications involving my mom... plus Ink might get jealous and do terrible things to me with plants in my sleep. I don't wanna wake up with a sunflower sticking out of my-- ANYWAY... Uncle Run's been there for me when nobody else was. He's the only dad I've ever had that's really done that. ...Hell, out of all the people who've called themselves my parental figures... he's the only one that doesn't do it with some partially selfish motive in mind." - Ani Reaves
"I believe Jacob has an overwhelming faith in the human spirit, in the redemptive power of action and resistence. The world has thrown everything there is against him, and yet he finds not only the strength to raise himself up to that challenge but also shoulder responsibility for and the hopes of his family and his community. Few of us could make such a claim. There is much in him which is falliable and perhaps even broken. Jacob and I have as near to blows as two rational adults can, and I will not white wash his past or conceal his actions. But although his judgment could be questioned, or his personal life scruntinized as unworthy of a hero, or any host of flaws highlighted, the fact is this: A movement is more than its leader. Its strength and inspiration is drawn from its vision. I thank Jacob for bringing that vision, its hope, to those surrounding him. I know I would not have had the strength to do it myself." - Cryopulse
"...Delicious." - Kheldragon
"I cannot begin to imagine what it must be like to stand in the shoes of the "Riot." To many he is a great and powerful man, I know several young men and women who look to him for guidance, and several more who follow him into battle. Unfortunately, I feel that he is a man fueled by a terrible anger and there will come a time that he must face that horrifying wave of malignity either to break it.. or to be consumed by it." - Arlow
