Count Hessler
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
| |
| Count Hessler | |
| Player: @Drimble Wedge | |
| Origin: | Magic |
|---|---|
| Archetype: | Mastermind |
| Threat Level: | 50 (+1) |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: | Ulrich Von Hessler |
| Known Aliases: | None |
| Species: | Human |
| Age: | 102 years |
| Height: | 5'10" |
| Weight: | 150 lb |
| Eye Color: | White |
| Hair Color: | None |
| Biographical Data | |
| Nationality: | German |
| Occupation: | Would-be Conqueror |
| Place of Birth: | Röckingen, Germany |
| Base of Operations: | St. Martial |
| Marital Status: | Widower |
| Known Relatives: | Margarete Von Hessler (daughter, deceased) |
| Known Powers | |
| Command over an assortment of protective demonic spells | |
| Known Abilities | |
| Use of the hellfire whip, control of demons | |
| Equipment | |
| Protective gear, cellular regenerator and scanner | |
| Knowledgeable in military strategy, science, and the occult | |
Contents |
Personal History
There is surprisingly little information about one of the most dangerous and evil of men of the last century. During the time of Himmler's special paramilitary force, the Schutzstaffel, he achieved the honored rank of Obergruppenführer. Today, living in the Rogue Isles of Lord Recluse, he styles himself a Count. Whatever title he takes, Ulrich Von Hessler is not to be underestimated.
House of Hessler
Stories tell of a powerful family that ruled over several of the villages surrounding Mt. Hesselberg in present-day Germany. The burgrave, or count, held dominion in a castle fortress overlooking the land. This nameless family is thought to be the source of a dozen strange and curious legends that are still told in this region today.
Some say the head of this household once found himself besieged by a band of Hungarian invaders. As the armies assembled, and began gathering wood and embers to burn the castle to the ground, he was so distraught that he called upon pagan devils to deliver him from his fiery fate. It is unknown whether or not he was properly answered, but when the onslaught came both castle and attackers were totally consumed by the fire, leaving no one alive. The count was yet survived by his wife and children, who had been safely removed days before. While this family would continue to live on in the surrounding townships, aided by wealth and standing, they were nonetheless feared and ostracized by the people, thinking they were cursed.
In the 1800's, when King Frederick of Prussia handed over the mountain area to Bavaria in a series of land exchanges, rights and records regarding the true ancestral owners were ignored and destroyed. Among them were the Von Hesslers, who settled in nearby Röckingen.
World War II and Nuremberg
Due to a loss of records during the war, both through accidental and deliberate means, much of Ulrich's early life remains unknown. It is mainly through second-hand reports that the quality of his character begins to take shape.
After gaining an education at the military academy in Dresden, he apparently joined the National Socialist party sometime during the late 1920's. As a man entering early maturity he was considered highly competent, ambitious, and entirely ruthless. This earned him special standing in Hitler's regime, and for many years he seemed to be in charge of various covert operations, secret projects whose full details remain unknown. Some reports of dubious origin say he was involved in the Nazi wonder weapon Die Glocke, and headed the Eisenübermensch project.
However, by 1943 his rank was clearly known as a lieutenant general in the SS. His penchant for cruelty seemed to have served him well as his job consisted of coordinating the efforts of several of Germany's notable death camps. It is the accounts from this time in his life that paint him as the most ghastly of individuals, responsible for numerous atrocities. This inhuman behavior did not extend only to the Jews, but enemies of all nationalities captured in the war, and even including his own men. One story tells of an officer who refused an order of extreme brutality toward one of the prisoners who reportedly was placed in the camp the next day, and later that week was joined by the rest of his family.
Days before Germany surrendered to Allied forces in 1945 Hessler attempted to leave his post in secret, but was stopped and detained by his own officers before all were captured.
First imprisoned, Hessler was eventually transferred to Nuremberg later that year, along with many former high-ranking Nazi officials, to stand trial for, among other things, crimes against humanity. Few fates were as certain as that as Ulrich Von Hessler, whose horrendous deeds would be paraded before a global tribunal before a righteous execution.
On October 16, 1945, two days before the start of the trial, Hessler was reported missing from his cell. To avoid an international incident, this was later changed to having committed suicide. Further evidence was covered up and destroyed to deter all scandal. No one would see or hear anything about him for the next 65 years.
Return to Power
In the year 2010, a man claiming to be Ulrich Von Hessler, now under the grandiose title of Count Hessler, made himself known in the Rogue Isles. Whether or not he is truly the same man of such a notorious reputation is unknown, as he has only always appeared covered head-to-toe, often leaving very little evidence of his presence besides scorch marks. This Hessler exhibits powers beyond anything recorded of the historical figure, summoning demons and wielding a lashing whip of flames. While his threat level noticeably rose, his activities remained mostly under the radar of those keeping tabs in Paragon City, which might leave some to wonder just what his true intentions really are.
During his most recent, brief stint of public activity, Hessler worked toward combining a quartet of dangerous super villains to act as a sort of terrible vanguard known as the Fatal Four. He was unsuccessful in maintaining the cohesion of the group, and so it was dissolved for the time being. His activities then brought him into contact with the V.S.T.F and its leader, Kazimer. Though some form of partnership was initially sought, Hessler eventually found the other to be unstable. When hostilities ensued, Hessler came out on top, thanks in part to the timely betrayal of Prototype Aegis, a member of V.S.T.F. with whom Hessler was secretly in collusion.
Physical Attributes
All reports indicate Hessler was just a man, and not a very physically intimidating one at that, when he disappeared from public record at the end of World War II. His abilities have since significantly grown to something far more terrible.
Powers and Abilities
During his day, Hessler was a soldier and a military strategist capable of rising in the ranks of the Nazi regime. His cunning and charisma were eventually overshadowed by his callousness and cruelty, earning the ire of all those he led. He was possibly put in charge of several secret military projects, and the level of just how intimately he was involved in such engineering exploits is unknown. He is probably adept in such fields as chemistry and explosives.
The current Hessler is able to summon demonic minions to do his bidding, and forces them on and attacks others with a fiery magic whip. He is able to protect himself and others by conjuring defensive wards, and has manifested several other magical abilities. Mystics have confirmed that the source of his powers are infernal in nature.
Weaknesses
While no exact weaknesses are currently known, it is generally understood that those who deal with demons typically gain their powers only at the cost of some kind of pact or special negotiation. Such arrangements rarely fare well for the humans involved at some point, though such a pay-off may only take place after a long period of time. It is therefore speculated that Hessler's powers come at a price, and one that may ultimately doom him or whatever enterprises in which he seeks to engage.
Paraphernalia
Hessler's outfit consists of black military uniform keeping with the style of the Nazi regime of his day. Rather than strict military regalia, however, it includes a layer of leather padding for protection underneath, black boots, and gloves. His face is typically covered in a gas mask with a custom filter and green-tinted goggles. For whatever reason, no skin is shown on his body.
Social Network
Hessler's connections at one point stemmed far into the seamy underbelly of Hitler's Third Reich and beyond. These relationships have since grown cold since his long departure and return. To this end he has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to build the infrastructure of a new power base.
Allies and Affiliates
Hessler at one time allied himself with Prototype Aegis, the brainchild of Horace McArthur, but they have not been seen together in some time. The members of the defunct Fatal Four have also been scattered to the winds. It is also not known, and considered unlikely, that Hessler would have any friends among the Council or 5th Column, despite sharing an origin with their fascist regimes. As such, it appears Hessler does not currently have any allies at all.
Enemies
Since operating in the Rogue Isles, the only person who might have labeled himself any kind of rival to Hessler is Kazimer, and he was dealt with long ago. In truth, it is all the free world that should consider itself an enemy to the Count, and the final confrontation between these two powers is yet to come.
