Earthen Devil
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
| |
| A man of wealth and taste. | |
| Earthen Devil | |
| Player: IanTheM1 | |
| Origin: | Magic |
|---|---|
| Archetype: | Brute |
| Threat Level: | Security Level 50 |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: | Renaldo Javier Serineage |
| Known Aliases: | The Devil |
| Species: | Human/Mythological Entity |
| Age: | 20 (Approx. by appearance) |
| Height: | Unknown (Varies) |
| Weight: | Unknown (Varies) |
| Eye Color: | Blue green |
| Hair Color: | Black |
| Biographical Data | |
| Nationality: | Spanish |
| Occupation: | Devil |
| Place of Birth: | Paragon City, Galaxy City |
| Base of Operations: | Nerva Achipelago |
| Marital Status: | Single |
| Known Relatives: | Hector (Father), Rosa (Mother) |
| Known Powers | |
| Dark Melee, Stone Armor, Lightning | |
| Known Abilities | |
| Shape-shifting, teleportation, Earth-swimming, Earth manipulation | |
| Equipment | |
| N/A | |
| No additional information available. | |
Earthen Devil is a Security Level 50 Dark Melee / Stone Armor Brute, of the Magic origin. He is currently an unofficial Consigliere of the The Giordano Family. Earthen Devil was created and is played by IanTheM1.
The Earthen Devil, also known as Renaldo or simply "The Devil" among other names, is distinct in that he is not strictly good or evil. However, due to his methods and the general tone of his work, he is still muchly considered a villain. While taking some time to grow into a full fledged character, he now stands as both an archetypical and non-archetypical Devil.
Contents |
Origin
(Reposted thusly is a previously written origin piece for the Earthen Devil:)
Most people who have been gifted with the ability to commune with the Earth see Mother Nature as a force of growth, balance, and stability. However, that is not the mindset carried by Renaldo Javier Serineage.
To him, Earth is not the peaceful Mother of humanity, but instead the destructive bringer of chaos. It is the deadly maiden which whisks away sailors into the black seas, it is the whisp that tears apart man-made monuments, it is the demon who casts hellfire upon those who dare besiege it.
It all began when he was a mere thirteen years of age. The young Renaldo was exploring some cliffs near his home, when he discovered a cave. However, this was no ordinary cave. It was in fact an entrance into an ancient warzone, one that had been used during the last days of the war between Oranbega and Mu.
In the dim cave lay dozens of skeletons, draped in exquisite tapestries and charms. As the boy approached the center of the chamber, the earth rumbled furiously and split apart, a column of rock rising out of it. Atop the massive pillar of stone was a bizarre object.
It was an amalgam of earthen structures. Fused together were gems, precious stones of all kinds, as well as stone such as marble. However, at the very core of the rocky shapes was a nearly pitch black stone. It was not dull, yet not shiny. It was no crystal. It was most certainly from the earth, however. Non-living, and yet, sentient.
This black heart pulsed as Renaldo approached the magnificent column. The boy carefully climbed up it's length, carefully but surely. Finally, the youth reached the top, and went for the strange mass of rock.
At a single touch, black tendrils wrapped around him, whispering things to him... Suddenly he could feel another presence, a presence within him. This presence spoke to him, informed the boy of his destiny. He was to be the Terrigenus Diabolus, the Devil of the Earth. He would be the one to inherent the Earth Soul. Renaldo awoke, face down in the grass. The cave that he remembered entering was gone...
Time passed, and the Earth turned. Renaldo did not feel the presence. He did not truly remember the events that transpired in the magical cave, either. As time continued to move on, soon he could only grasp a single fragment of that memory: the title, no, the name Terrigenus Diabolus.
Four years later, Renaldo was now seventeen. He continued to do well in his studies and life, until one fateful day. It was a geology trip to a local quarry. Renaldo was quite bored with the tour thus far, he already knew about the different kinds of rock, and how it forms. To him, it was elementary.
"Now, you may be wondering: How do we cut the rock down into usable slabs?" babbled the quarry's tour guide, leading the group into a special observation room. Outside large, reinforced windows was the cutting area. Each person was given ear protection, just to be safe. Below, giant machines gripped the massive chunks of stone, and then came the huge cutters. Whirring as they slowly slipped into the rock, producing a cacaphony. Despite the room's soundproofing, despite the ear protection he had on, Renaldo could hear it.
The rock screamed as it was mutilated. It split apart and crumbled, shrieking in agony. Renaldo suddenly heard dark whispers and chants within himself once again...
Only a single workman surivived the collapse. The only thing he could tell the police was that he was working far out in the quarry, when suddenly the Earth roared, and every slab of rock tumbled. Not just down, but also whipped about widly towards an epicenter: the cutting house.
The official cause of the collapse was deemed an accident, due to a mechanical malfunction in one of the cutters. A quarry spokesperson, ten quarry workers, a school teacher, and twenty-nine out of thirty of the students' bodies were recovered from the most devestated area. A single person was missing: Renaldo.
"I'm sorry. There's no way he could have survived. Despite being an athletic seventeen year old, there's just no way he could have made it out of that mess. I think it will takes weeks or months to find his body." stated the Paragon Rescue squadman.
And so the excavation crews dug. And dug and dug. No body was ever recovered. A new theory was detailed: Renaldo must have been crushed or literally destroyed by whatever happened. Perhaps he foolishly touched some machine controls. Everyone knows how seventeen year olds can be, after all...
And yet, some days after the quarry incident, more strange occurances began across Paragon City. At first, it was merely a young woman getting her foot caught in some perfectly dry cement. Soon, it was factories being torn apart by shards of rock.
A dark figure rushed through the night. Such speed was easy when you had the power of the Devil. He could swim through the Earth and apparate from the air. He was no fool. He could never return to his former life. He would be locked away for what he had done.
As he sped through the waters of the Atlantic, fate steered his course. He could see his destination. A sprawling island chain, and at its center a massive tower. The Rogue Isles.
Would Lord Recluse and his city of villains be ready to meet the Devil?
On Hell's Behalf
After a sudden falling out with the Giordano Family, the Earthen Devil chose to proceed forward alone, simply stating that he was here "on Hell's behalf."
Powers, Abilities, and Quirks
Dark Melee
The Earthen Devil is a skilled physical combatant. Fueled by dark energies, he can dish out an endless stream of devastating blows, as well as summon horrors from beneath to scar his enemies. While at close range he can also sap the life force of his foes and use them for his own means, whether that means healing himself, rejuvinating himself, or giving him more raw power.
Stone Armor/Earth Manipulation
Due to his strong bond with the Earth, the Devil can use it to protect himself in several ways, including surrounding himself with massive amounts of rock to become a golem-esque monster.
Renaldo can also directly manipulate Earth and its elements, for use as a weapon or a tool.
Lightning
Having ties to the ancient Mu civilization, as well as being able to control meteorlogical elements to some degree, Earthen Devil can naturally call forth bolts of lightning to strike his opponents from afar.
Travel
The Devil has two primary methods of travel. One is simply teleporting, achieved by being able to slip into the ether. The other is his ability to swim through the Earth (and any natural element(s)) as if it were water.
Shapeshifting
Earthen Devil can shapeshift his clothes or entire identity as he sees fit, though is generally content to stay himself and in his battle suit.
Storylines
Earthen Devil has never actually starred in a storyline of his own, but instead is used as a powerful supporting character.
O Brother, O Sister
Main article: O Brother, O Sister
The Earthen Devil appears in O Brother, O Sister to test the mettle of Sunless Flame, as contracted by her father Gregory Noves.
His appearances in O Brother, O Sister are published beginning with Chapter 15 and continuing on IanTheM1's Stories Page.
2015 AD
The Renaldo of 8 years in the future plays a key role in the goings on of a Godby-controlled world. He is one of a group of five heroes that have banded together to work against the evil organization from a base in Paragon City.
His portions of the story, as well as the entire series, are published at IanTheM1's Stories Page.
A Story Tale
A one-off short story detailing a chance encounter between the Devil and Inki in Perez Park.
A Story Tale is currently unpublished.
Creator Notes and Trivia
- Earthen Devil was originally started as a character in need of a concept, due to IanTheM1 realizing the synergy between Dark Melee and Stone Armor.
- His initial angle as a character was termed "evil Captain Planet" due to a more strong tie to ecological matters.
- Often introduces himself by quoting a line from the song Sympathy for the Devil: "Allow me to introduce myself, I am a man of wealth and taste." No word on his ownership of any golden fiddles.
