Gem Breaker
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
Gem Breaker (born Darren Oliver Geary, 5 February 1988) is an American mixed martial artist and a part-time intermediate hero in Paragon City. While actually from Springfield, Massachusetts, he came to Paragon City at a rather early age and lived in Founders' Falls. He currently lives on his own in a new apartment complex located in New Overbrook, also known as Faultline.
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As A Child
Gem Breaker was born as Darren Oliver Geary on 5 August 1988. He is the youngest of two children to mother Pauline Iraheta, a restaurant manager, and to father Raymond Allen Geary, a chief train operator for Paragon Transportation Authority. He has an older sister, Fiona Olivia Geary (25).
At the age of 5, Darren was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder by their family doctor. Darren did not display impulsive behavior but he always had trouble paying attention. He was easily distracted, he easily forgot things, and always tried to do five things at once albeit being unsuccessful at it. Still, Darren remained upbeat, happy, and content with life.
Or so it seemed like...
Troubled
A troubled family life would begin to tear the family apart. While it seemed like Darren's condition was fairly tolerable to deal with, there were other things that would plant the seeds of separation between the parents. They had differing views on how to raise their children (especially since Darren had ADD), their parental ideals were very different from one another, and it seemed like the parents were drifting apart. And things were about to get worse.
There would be one night that their mother Pauline had gone home very late at night. Supposedly from work. Their father Raymond would somehow find out that she had an affair. With another woman. Instead of confronting his wife about this, Raymond would go on to do the same thing. With another man. And when Pauline found out about this, she immediately confronted him. As anyone would suspect, this would become a huge fight. The next few days they would go on to have arguments over every little thing. And because Fiona and Darren were children, they never did quite understand what the fights have been all about. Neither of them explained to the children why they were having these fights. Why they were yelling at each other. What was wrong. Nothing. The kids were pretty much left in the dark.
Ultimately, Raymond would seek a divorce lawyer and attempt to get half of all the assets they had acquired while in the marriage.
Successfully, both parents would get half of all the assets acquired during the marriage. Unfortunately, this included the kids. The judge who preceded their case determined that, because of Darren's condition, the father took better to the son than the mother did and so ordered Raymond to have custody of Darren and ordered Pauline to have custody of Fiona. Because of these circumstances, Raymond decided that it would be better if he was the one who moved away from Springfield. After finding a place to live and a job, he and his son moved to the Founders Falls sector of Paragon City, Rhode Island.
One of the conditions Raymond had for his son was that he never tried to contact his mother. Ever. At the time, Darren was saddened by it but obediently followed this request. But as he grew up in a city full of heroes, he really began to wonder why he had no mother. Every time, Darren was told to drop it. His father did not even bother to get remarried after all this time. (And has not remarried to this day.)
Darren would grow up fairly normal (or as normal as one can get) in Paragon City. It would seem like he would outgrow his ADD from his childhood and became a bit of a personality trait. Still, Darren did not entirely have a smooth ride growing up. Especially in high school. He would get into fist-fights with a lot of other guys. Particularly those who have... special powers. Unfortunately, he did not win any of those fights. He'd been burned, electrocuted, frozen, doused in water, and had broken bones. Because of Darren being a "normal", the superpowered people that fought with him were either suspended or completely expelled from the school he attended.
Thanks to his father, Darren would never be suspended every time this happened. He made it a point that these students should be disciplined on how to use their powers and to not abuse it against someone who was powerless. Additionally, his father also insinuated that the school is knowingly admitting students who do this kind of thing and if he had to sue the school, he would. Of course, Darren was verbally punished for these incidents by his father. That he should know better. That he should be the bigger person because his father didn't raise him to raise his fists first.
New Outlet
Despite being beaten, burned, iced, electrocuted, or what have you, something would catch Darren's attention that will change his life for the better. During his senior year of high school, Darren was riding on the yellow line coming home from Steel Canyon and he found an advertisement for a gym. It wasn't your regular gym like Bally's and 24 hour Fitness. It was an advertisement to a gym out in Talos Island that said they trained in mixed martial arts in all levels, beginner to advanced. This piqued his interest so Darren decided to check it out.
He did so and he was impressed by what he saw. It wasn't so much a gym as it was like an actual martial arts studio. He watched a class and became that much more interested in it. Promptly, he signed up for classes that his father somehow gladly paid for (at least the first year). His father thought that this place would teach him discipline, determination, and dedication. (Which it did, eventually.) However, training in mixed martial arts was no easy feat for Darren.
Compared to many people who were already at the gym, Darren was out of shape. He got tired fast, easily, it was obvious he was having trouble keeping up with the rest of the class and the other coaches. It went on like this for about nine months, even after he graduated high school. It would seem like Darren hit rock-bottom. He was tired. He was highly discouraged. He felt like he'd had enough. He didn't wanna do this anymore. His father, however, had second thoughts. He never took Darren to be a quitter and offered some tough love and encouragement. He reminded him of the fights he had in school and how weak he felt then. If he gave up now, he would never get over that hurdle. His father knew Darren could work hard and keep up with it. At his father's words and request, Darren would continue with the training.
With time, effort, tenacity, determination, and dedication, Darren would finally see and feel the results of the training. He felt much better about himself. He was (and is) attractive. He looked good. He could fight. He could take on most of the guys in the gym. Even the coaches themselves. Due to the few years of training he's gotten, he was encouraged by his coaches and fellow students to set his sights a bit higher. Tournaments.
Honor
Darren took the advice of his fellow students and coaches at the gym and decided to try for tournaments. He would would easily pass their fitness tests and requirements with flying colors and be placed at the gym's Fighter Team. He would regularly train and have practice fights with his fellow students and coaches to further develop his technique and his own style to the art. When he and everyone else felt that he was ready to enter tournaments, Darren would do so. He entered his first tournament in 2008 at the age of 20.
Like most things with his life thus far, Darren would find that these tournaments were not easy. While he knew that everyone was after the same thing (read: the first place trophy and prize money), all the competitors were fierce and formidable. During his first tournament, he would find that his training was not quite enough and lost courage. He ended up in 12th place, which of course does not earn him any trophies or awards. Before Darren could hit rock-bottom, however, his teammates gave him support and encouragement. Winning isn't everything. Losing strives them to train harder. And it did. It wouldn't be until his fourth tournament match in the spring of 2011 that he would finally be recognized for his efforts, ability, technique, and strength.
In that tournament, there was a mystery prize announced (and no one was told much about it, just that it existed) so Darren strove to be on his game face and defeat all the participants. Unfortunately, he would place second. The first place winner was a fighter from Ohio who made himself out to be "the best." That he was "number one." That he was "better than everyone else." In other words, he was absolutely arrogant and was very full of himself. Much to everyone's surprise, the first place winner was not awarded this mystery prize. Ultimately, everyone was told to go home. Later that night, however, one of the tournament officials called Darren back to the arena. Complying, he made his way to the empty arena and was given the mystery prize.
The mystery prize was a translucent shield with a ruby-like color and appearance. Darren questioned why the first place winner did not receive this and why did he. The officials informed him that they did not want to give something like this just to anyone. While they knew that Darren wasn't exactly chivalrous or anything like that, he definitely had dedication, determination, drive, and they knew he had good intentions. The officials also informed him that this shield was rumored to be previously used by a former member of W.I.S.D.O.M. though none of them could really confirm this. Darren didn't care, either way. He happily took this shield and felt honored that they'd give him something like this. It was obviously something they treasured that maybe had ties to a heroic group. Darren wasn't going to pass this up.
Current
During the next few months, something dawned on Darren. He was a martial artist. He could fight. He had a shield. He could use the extra cash. So what did he do? Initially against his father's wishes, he applied for a hero license. Granted that he still needed to keep up with his training, he figured that being a hero was something he could do on the side while he tried to live a relatively normal life in Paragon City. He would register with the name "Gem Breaker" as a shout out to his weapon and for his abilities. He received his hero license on 5 August 2011 on his 23rd birthday.
Finally leading a seemingly laid-back but a bit of an exciting life, Darren enjoys going out with friends barhopping and clubbing. He seems to have found out a new hangout spot in both a club called The Factory and more recently, an inter-dimensional dance club called Pocket D. He's met several people in both clubs that you can usually find him interacting with.
Noteworthy
- Darren doesn't really care if you call him a dumb blonde. He knows better and he's not going to get upset over it just because you said that.
- Despite his denial, Darren is actually a pretty good dancer. Patrons, club-goers, and the bartenders at The Factory will tell you as much.
- His favorite drink is a jaegerbomb. He will try most anything at least once.
- In any television or movie media, Darren would be played by model Anthony Baldwin. Look him up if you dare.
- When drunk, Darren tends to get loud. Additionally, he might become "friendly" with you. You've been warned.
- Darren has no barriers or hang-ups when it comes to dating. This includes race and gender. If you're an attractive person, there is that chance that he might date you.
- On the other hand, once Darren has declared you to be a panzy or a wuss, he will not give you that chance to go out on dates with him.
- Also on the other hand, he's weary of people with superpowers. See below.
- Some people will usually write off Darren as unintelligent because he has no verbal filter. This is intentional and Darren doesn't really care what you think.
- Still, once you get past that and you decide to be friends with Darren, he will more than likely befriend you in return.
- And just because Darren has no verbal filter does not mean Darren cannot keep secrets. He knows how to keep them. Hell, he might have a secret about you. Ooooh...
- Most opponents Darren has had in bouts and tournaments, he has befriended in some way or another. One exception to this is the opponent he lost to in the spring 2011 tournament he participated in.
- Darren is a bit of a free spirit. He thinks life is too short and lives his life with quite a bit of excitement. This also includes sexual encounters. He is capable of doing one night stands.
- However, he will not write off a person who shows emotional attachment towards him. He's capable of giving things a chance. Once he's taken, he becomes immensely loyal to this person he's taken to.
- Still, the above two things from this bullet has gotten him in trouble a few times. Still, he remains true to himself and his ideals about life.
- Due to his experiences with superpowered people in high school, Darren isn't very fond of them. They make him feel useless because of what they can do in comparison to what he can do. He tends to have an inferiority complex with them when it comes to hero work.
- While it's natural that Darren hates villains, he hates vigilantes and rogues even more because of being "in the grey."
- Darren is aware of his initials. While his parents claim innocence towards them, Darren thinks otherwise.
Tropes
Tropes to help understand Darren more.
- Badass Normal - Darren has no powers to speak of. He became interested in mixed martial arts before he got out of high school and has taken it up ever since he was 17.
- Badass Longcoat - He owns a black baron coat with a dragon brocade imprint on the back of it.
- Luckily My Shield Will Protect Me - As he is obviously a recipient of some ruby-made shield, he uses it to protect himself. Darren isn't entirely sure what it is made of and assumes it is made out of some kind of luminescent impervium. It protects him from blasts, close combat attacks, bullets, arrows, and anything else that may be harmful to him. Remember, he's a sideliner.
- Shield Bash - In addition to protecting himself with it, Darren also uses his shield to beat the crap out of his foes. Especially so when he starts becoming frustrated. This usually happens with tech-savvy groups of enemies like the Sky Raiders and The Freakshow, and the 5th Column and The Council to a lesser degree.
- Bare Fisted Monk - Halfway true. See Shield Bash above. Obviously expected from someone who's been at mixed martial arts for six years.
- Defeat Means Friendship - And sometimes, quite a bit more. During his most recent amateur tournament, Darren won first place and the prize money. An hour later, his opponent at the last match contacted him for a little midnight dinner. They had dinner alright, and proceeded to do the horizontal tango later that night despite the fact that there may be rules against that sort of thing. Darren does, however, seem to make friends with ones he's had bouts with, official or unofficial.
- Missing Mom - At the age of 7, Darren's parents were divorced due to irreconcilable differences (that's what they all say) and all the assets were split evenly 50 percent. This included the kids. His older sister stayed with his mom in Springfield and Darren left with his dad and they both moved to Paragon City. He has not seen his mother ever since and has been disallowed to contact her in any way, shape or form. To this day, Darren still doesn't know why they divorced in the first place even though he has actually tried to contact his mom behind his dad's back. Seems like mom refuses to talk, too.
Music
As a martial artist, Darren listens to music. While in the gym, training, or working out. Here's what he listens to.
- Kanye West feat. Rihanna - All of the Lights
- LMFAO feat. Lauren Bennett and GoonRock - Party Rock Anthem
- Black Eyed Peas - Just Can't Get Enough
- Bruno Mars feat. Damian Marley - Liquor Store Blues
- Flo Rida - Good Feeling
- Jessie J - Domino
- OutKast - Hey Ya!
- Kanye West - Heartless
- Dev - In The Dark
- B.o.B. feat. Bruno Mars - Nothin' On You
- Rihanna - S&M
- Flo Rida feat. David Guetta - Club Can't Handle Me
- 3OH!3 feat. Ke$ha - My First Kiss
- LMFAO - Sexy and I Know It
- David Guetta & Chris Willis feat. Fergie and LMFAO - Gettin' Over You
- Pitbull feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack, and Nayer - Give Me Everything
- Tinie Tempah feat. Eric Turner - Written In The Stars
- Usher - More (RedOne Jimmy Joker Remix)
- Bruno Mars feat. Cee Lo Green and B.o.B. - The Other Side
- Flo Rida - Right Round
Say What?
If your character has met Darren and has something to say about him, hit him with your best shot.
- "deine Mutter." Overhook
