American Safeguard
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
| |
| How heroic! | |
| The American Safeguard | |
| Origin: | Magic |
|---|---|
| Archetype: | Brute |
| Security Level: | 50 (+3) |
| Identity | |
| Real Name: | Brian Jeremy Sanders |
| Known Aliases: | Richard Sanders, "Fatty" |
| Nationality: | American |
| Occupation: | Superhero |
| Place of Birth: | Suburbia, Maryland |
| Base of Operations: | Founders' Falls, Paragon City, Rhode Island |
| Marital Status: | Married to Penny Sanders |
| Known Relatives: | Penny Sanders (Wife), Aiden Sanders (Son) |
| Physical Data | |
| Species: | Human |
| Age: | 30 (April 18th) |
| Height / Weight : | 6'4" / 240 lbs. |
| Eye / Hair Color: | Blue / Black |
| Known Powers | |
| Superhuman, Magic Lightning | |
| Known Abilities | |
| Kirk-Fu, Journalism, makes a decent Americano | |
| Equipment | |
| The Shield | |
| Updated: 4/4/2012 - Player: @Amarlex | |
"True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else." - Clarence Darrow
Contents |
History
Brian has a rather long history and I don't really want to clutter up his VV page with an essay about things that don't really affect his character. So, here's a little list of things that are important.
- Brian was born on April 18th, 1981 in Columbia, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore.
- Brian's parents are an embarrassing pastiche of negative stereotypes of Americans. They are unintentionally racist, unintelligent, obsessed with unrealistic ideals (the "American Dream"), nationalistic, and generally just unpleasant people to be around. Although he does not necessarily hate them, he avoids visiting them whenever possible.
- Brian is a college dropout. He majored in Journalism for the two-and-a-half years he was studying at Paragon University.
- Brian was a member of the Zenvious Foundation for a short time. While he was there, he called himself "Richard Sanders", his grandfather's name, in an attempt to keep a secret identity.
- Brian is a founding member of the Battle Ready Organization, although it was originally called "B.R.O.F.I.S.T. '09". He led the group for a short while, but stepped down after the birth of his son.
- Brian's grandfather was also the American Safeguard, who wielded the same shield on the battlefields of World War II.
- Brian discovered the Shield in a box in his parents' attic. Brian, upon discovering that his father had known about this incredible artifact for so long without telling anyone, allegedly said "What the fuck, dad?"
- Brian met his wife, Penny Sanders, early in his heroing days. Now they're married and they have a little baby named Aiden.
- Brian retired from active hero work on April 2, 2012. He currently works as an FBSA agent in the MAGI division, working with heroes who use ancient artifacts.
Personality
Brian does not quite conform to the common stereotype of a 'goody two-shoes', patriotic hero. He is usually soft-spoken and keeps to himself when not wearing the tights and cape, usually not caring to start his own conversations unless he's with people he already knows. He has little bravado, and although he often finds himself acting as "Dad" for his peers when they are trying to "get even", he still remains a bit of a child at heart, staying up late to play the newest rehash of Modern Warfare or simply goofing off with his friends.
Brian does adopt a bit more of an assertive personality when he dons his costume, feeling that he should appear more intimidating to the criminal element. To quote Brian himself, "I just feel like a huge guy in tights should at least act a little intimidating. After all, what kind of mugger would put the knife away after being asked nicely?"
Brian abhors killing, and prides himself on having never killed or permanently crippled any of his living foes - even Rikti and IDF soldiers. This has caused Vanguard a few issues in the past, as a few officers have noted; 'arresting' a dimensional invader is almost always more expensive and risky than simply killing it. If he knows that a friend of his uses lethal force, he will always attempt to persuade them to maybe switch to rubber bullets - or, say, just suggest that they not punch peoples' heads off.
Powers
Over 9000, power is maximum, etc.
Superhuman
The bearer of the Safeguard's shield has abilities that far exceed the average human's. Brian has - big surprise - Super Strength, able to lift an empty freight train car above his head without breaking a sweat. In addition, he possesses superhuman endurance, agility, and durability, and at least some degree of super-vision and hearing. He can hold his breath for up to 30 minutes and is able to "leap tall buildings in a single bound!", although he still can't really fly.
In times of extreme duress, the Shield will grant Brian practically unlimited amounts of strength; instead of topping out at around 30 tons, he can push his limits upwards of 100 tons. However, this burst of strength always comes at a cost: for at least a minute afterwards, he'll barely have enough strength to lift even his own body weight, and his reactions will be sluggish and delayed, even for a normal human.
Brian seems lose these extraordinary powers when he isn't in costume; in fact, he even loses a few inches of height (and bicep width) when he's seen in his "civvies", even going from having eagle-eyed vision to requiring a fairly thick pair of glasses.
Magic Lightning
Brian's powers aren't always "on". To use his abilities, he has to actually be wielding his Shield. When he dons the shield, there's a bright flash of light and the crackle of lightning as he's transformed from a mild-mannered blogger into the American Safeguard!
Aside from just transforming into his more muscular (and better-groomed) alter ego, Brian is capable of manipulating mystical electricity in a number of different ways, from calling up a static field to disrupt robots and electronics to simply hurling a lightning bolt at something.
Unless the Safeguard is fighting a particularly dangerous foe, he avoids summoning lightning. After all, high voltage arcs of electricity are generally considered to be just slightly lethal, and that's not how the American Safeguard does things.
Weaknesses
Fighting Skill
Brian, although his super strength does a good job of concealing this, has no formal training in hand-to-hand combat. When he first started out as a superhero, he learned most of his 'technique' from old Star Trek fight scenes, and although years of experience have made him a decent fighter, someone with formal training and advanced technique could easily best him, as long as they could match his prodigious strength and endurance.
Not Actually Superman
Although the American Safeguard is extraordinarily durable and can briefly lift a tank above his head, he does not have the invulnerability of Statesman or the limitless strength of a Ka'narrian. Bullets bruise, cold bites, and fire still burns; the Safeguard can be easily beaten by someone with ranged powers, as long as they have the accuracy to hit him and not the Shield.
Acquaintances
((If you'd like to see Brian's opinion on your character, feel free to post their name here. I promise I'll get to it!))
Friends
- Penny Sanders - Brian's wife and the sexiest person he knows. He has a great time hanging out with her, and he loves her dearly.
- Freedom Star - Apparently, Brian's sidekick. He's not really sure how this happened, but he definitely appreciates the help.
- William Carrigan - The most intelligent person Brian knows, and a partner in crime(fighting). Will trusts Brian enough to allow him to use one of his precious sets of armor, and Brian knows that this isn't something Will gives away lightly.
- Radiopath - Brian thinks Fenny's a great guy, although he sometimes worries about his Irish friend's lack of hesitation when it comes to killing.
- Call of Valor - Although Brian doesn't know Daryon very well, he knows him well enough to consider him a good friend and stalwart ally. He's also pretty sure that Daryon's a drag queen, considering he walked in on the guy wearing a black evening gown.
- RX-P41N - Brian usually just calls him by his nickname "Brobit". Brobit is a reliable ally and friend, and has even helped Brian stress-test his Shield - by shooting it with a huge railgun. Fun for both parties involved!
- Gnit - Brian only recently met this film noir bug-man, but he feels like they've gotten along pretty well so far. Brian even let Gnit crash on his couch this one time when he was drunk.
- Kasun - An experienced and kind - but often stern and humorless - hero, Brian thinks that the extraterrestrial sets an example that any hero who wants to wear the tights and cape should follow.
Neutral
- Son of Encouragement - Although Brian likes Web well enough, Web's tendency to use lethal force is a bit of a roadblock in Brian genuinely considering him an ally.
- Shrouded - Another lethal vigilante, Brian again finds it hard to call himself friends with a self-proclaimed murderer of magicians.
- Twez'ruk - Twez'ruk stole Brian's powers at one point, and Brian really, really doesn't appreciate that. However, Twez'ruk has a noble goal, even if Brian doesn't entirely agree with his methods. He's currently not actively pursuing the visionary Mu Mystic, provided that Twez'ruk doesn't act against him or his friends again.
Enemies
- Doctor Crom - Although The American Safeguard and the good doctor have never met in battle, Brian and Lazarus have had a great many "heated discussions" about heroism and the greater good. Every time they argue, Brian comes away thinking that he really should have paid attention in his Philosophy 101 class.
- Cammi Armitage - The woman who is technically Penny's "mother", she has been nothing but possessive and cruel towards both Brian and his wife. Although Brian is pretty sure that she's dead, he keeps hearing about sightings of her...
- The Soviet Safeguard - Brian is pretty embarrassed by this Soviet Earth counterpart of his. He'd really rather keep the whole fiasco private.
- The Bloodied Flagg- A sinister alternate version of the Safeguard from a bizarre alternate dimension where, in the 1990s, every hero on Earth suddenly gained several pounds of body mass (whether in their muscles or breasts) and extra pouches. His grim attitude and violent ways have caused Brian and his duplicate to clash several times, with Brian ending the victor every time - the Bloodied Flagg has trouble keeping his balance on Primal Earth due to his abnormally small feet.
- The Martian Safeguard - Another alternate of the American Safeguard, this one is from... "The Mars Dimension", where everyone is a Martian and Earth is Mars. After doing battle with this green-skinned gremlin, Brian allegedly said, "Okay, seriously, this is getting ridiculous."
- Imperial Peacekeeper - Brian got off on the wrong foot with his Praetorian double, and their opposing political and ethical views have done little to help them close the gulf between them. Almost all of their encounters end with trading blows.
- Might Makes Reich - A 5th Column vampyr with an incredibly ridiculous name, Brian and this Nazi have clashed several times in the past. Although the fascist is believed dead, Brian isn't so sure; vampyr, like the legend they're named for, are notoriously difficult to kill.
- Ghost Division - History says that the first American Safeguard, Brian's grandfather, died at the hands of Gespenst. As far as Brian knows, Gespenst is still at large, and knows little of the former Wehrmacht hero's new goals.
Opinions!
Have an opinion on Brian? Post it here.
Oh. Hey. That guy! I saw him at McDonald's. Boy does he like his fries. Guy like that can't be bad. - Andy
Brian is a better hero than most of the idiots and glory hogs you see running around the city. Besides that, he's a good family man, and can hold an intelligent conversation. Plus, he's a BRO with a great wife and son. He's a good guy. - Jo
I could take him. But I don't wanna. Anyway, Brian's an okay dude. We should go golfing. I bet we could fuck up the moon from a driving range. - Web
You know, normally I'd have a lot of things to say--but my brain just blanked. He's my husband. I love him, and he's a great guy. I'm lucky for having him. Oh! Also, he needs to do the dishes. Penny
The guy let me crash on his couch this one time after I got drunk after some Mu attacked me and I forgot I was a lightweight--I mean, I was human at the time--it was after that, uh, Twez'kur guy or Mu or whatever the hell he's called attacked me in an alley that afternoon on Talos and--Y'know what? He's a... a good guy. Nice guy. Needs ta loosen up, but, uh, yeah. Good guy. - Gnit
What the shit! It was JUST NISKA. I'm not a sociopath!! - Fen
Notes
- Despite living in the suburbs for 18 years, Brian has never actually learned how to drive. His mother insisted on driving him everywhere before he left home, and he used the city buses and taxis exclusively before he gained his powers.
- Brian has been approached twice for marketing and product endorsement deals. Brian has declined both times, stating that he "wasn't saving people for fame and money". Also, it was because the Ascendant Action Power Hour makes him cringe whenever he sees a rerun.
- Brian runs a small, mostly-unknown political news blog in his spare time. He tries to encourage honesty and "playing fair" in modern American politics; however, Brian suspects that he and his wife are the only actual readers.
- Brian used to try and hold a secret identity, but he gave that up fairly quickly. He believes that his loved ones are safe enough that he doesn't have to protect them by concealing his face.
- Alcohol is not a thing that Brian drinks. If he has more than, say, a glass of wine, it tends to end badly for him.
- Brian occasionally works alongside Longbow, helping them flush out Arachnos cells hidden within Paragon City. In return, Longbow has granted him access to a Cataphract that he can call for when he's in trouble.
- Brian eats a lot of fast food. If it weren't for the constant exercise he gets while heroing, he'd probably be very overweight. In fact, this habit of overeating has earned him the nickname 'fatty', much to his chagrin.
- Although I don't really like to assign "theme songs" to my characters, I do like listening to the Metal Gear Solid 2 main theme if I'm doing something especially heroic while playing American Safeguard. It tends to evoke some rather patriotic feelings.
