Kid Eagle
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
| |
| Kid Eagle | |
| Player: Confidential | |
| Origin: |
Magic |
| Archetype: |
Tanker |
| Threat Level: |
Unknown |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: |
John Soaring Eagle |
| Known Aliases: |
None |
| Species: |
Human |
| Date of Birth: |
1992 (age 32) |
| Height: |
5'8" |
| Weight: |
140 |
| Eye Color: |
Brown |
| Hair Color: |
Brown |
| Biographical Data | |
| Nationality: |
Native American |
| Occupation: |
John works as an assistant to Lucas Graves, an elderly gentleman who served with his grandfather |
| Place of Birth: |
Arizona |
| Base of Operations: |
Paragon City |
| Marital Status: |
Single |
| Known Relatives: |
Nathan Strikes with Talons (deceased) |
| Additional Data | |
| Known Powers: |
Enhanced Stamina |
| Known Abilities: |
Skilled hand to hand combat with Tomahawk |
| [ Source ] | |
Contents |
History
John Soaring Eagle was never terribly proud of his Native American heritage. He did okay in school and stood up well to teasing from the other kids who often made fun of him for being different. He lived with his grandfather, Nathan Strikes with Talons, after a drunk driver killed his parents. Like all teen-agers, he likes rock & roll, hanging with friends and hates to be singled out.
Living with his grandfather was tough. The old man was crazy fit, running every day, hunting for meat and growing his own vegetables. He lived off the land and did odd jobs around town while serving as a volunteer peacekeeper in the Navajo Nation. He drove John hard to stay in shape and rise above violence and hatred. If asked, John would probably say that Nathan understood it better than most.
It wasn’t until John was 14 that he discovered the old footlocker in the cellar. Inside he found the legend of Navajo Eagle, a costumed Native American who fought to keep the peace during one of America’s toughest periods. The newspaper clippings and magazine covers told the tale of a hero who protected everyone: white or black, male or female, young or old. He also uncovered his secret identity. John finally got up the nerve to ask his grandfather about this secret life. His grandfather just shrugged him off at first but John was persistent.
Finally, his grandfather told him he would tell him everything but first he had to train with him. For months, John followed his grandfather’s regime. Long runs through the desert landscape, climbing the sheer rock faces, swimming against the current in the river. There was also sparring: fighting bare handed, wrestling, and of course, the traditional weapon, the tomahawk. John had never worked so hard to hear some stories. At long last, Nathan Strikes with Talons took his grandson to the top of the mountain where they made camp and he told him his tale.
During World War Two the call went out across the Navajo nation for young men willing to set aside their opinion of the United States and serve the world at large. Nathan felt compelled to help and enlisted in the new unit. He was quickly trained and sent to the South Pacific to aid the efforts there. The Japanese seemed able to crack every code the U.S. was using but once the code talkers started swapping messages and delivering missions, the tide started to turn.
It was early in the morning when his unit realized their scout had been killed in the night. The Japanese troops had stealthily approached the camp and had the US unit surrounded. The gunfire erupted and five soldiers went down before the rest of the unit could grab their helmets and rifles. The machine gun took a mortar, killing the operator as he ran to load the ammunition. Everyone dove into any hole they could find and Nathan followed, his backpack radio clutched in his arms. He tried radioing for help but in the chaos and explosions, he was unable to get a clear line. Finally he said a prayer to Mighty Manitou asking for his help.
He felt a surge of energy and knew he had been blessed. Looking for a makeshift weapon, he grabbed two tent poles. He stood up in his foxhole and gave a thunderous war whoop, throwing the poles as he leapt from the trench. The poles impaled two soldiers charging the camp, and wounded the soldiers trailing. He began firing his rifle as he ran toward the machine gun. Bullets whizzed by his head, alarmingly close, yet he knew they would not strike him. With confidence high he loaded the machine gun and turned it on the charging Japanese troops. That’s when he was finally struck by Japanese gunfire. Except the bullets didn’t even break the skin.
Stunned by the magic flowing through him and driven by adrenalin he brought up the machine gun and opened fire. The Japanese unit began to fall back and soon the men of unit who were still alive were able to gather their wits and return fire, chasing the Japanese back into the jungle.
Nathan was given a field promotion and continued to use his native tongue to evade enemy troops and communicate mission objectives. He was given several commendations for bravery and retired a hero.
He spent the next few years fighting crime in California but eventually he settled back in Arizona, content with raising his family and serving in local law enforcement. This was fine until a drunk driver killed his son and daughter in law late one night. John was very young when it happened. The accident was deemed a hit and run but no one knew who had run them off the road. With no other vehicle damaged and no one coming forward, the police were stumped. Nathan went into a rage, determined to bring them to justice. He used all his tracking skills, and once called upon Eagle to give him keen site and Wolf to heighten his senses. He tracked the young man down and…
Well, let’s say he convinced the driver to turn himself in.
After hearing the story, John asked if he could help him be a hero. Nathan explained that a hero is someone who works hard, trains harder and does the right thing, even when no one is looking. John vowed that he would do what he could to live up to the legacy and began to train even harder. He would patrol the community at night, helping people and keeping the neighboring towns safe. He did this for about two years and then his grandfather told him they had one more climb to make together, the one that would begin his grandfather’s final quest.
Nathan and John began their climb to the peak, early in the morning. Throughout the day, they would stop to rest and Nathan would tell his grandson the first stories; stories of bear and wolf, eagle and raven, turtle and snake, and above them all, the Great Manitou. They reached the summit as the sun was setting. John quickly set up their camp while Nathan reverently built a fire and chanted the old songs.
They knelt before the fire and chanted together for a while and the Nathan turned to his grandson.
“John, tonight I go on my final adventure, into a world I have dreamed of often. I am not afraid for this is a natural progression. Before I go I wish to open your mind to the power in our family.”
John tried to hold back his tears. “Grandfather, you may not be scared, but I don’t know what I’m going to do. What will I do when you aren’t around to teach me, to train me?
Nathan Strikes with Talons smiled proudly and comforted his grandson, “You will continue to live as the hero you are. I have arranged for you to contact an old friend from my military days. He lives in Paragon City. He will help you get a place to live and provide you a modest income.”
“But I don’t want to leave the Nation.”
“The Navajo Nation will endure without you. Greater forces for evil gather in Paragon and all heroes are called to serve. I regret that I cannot make the trip myself.” Nathan coughed and shivered in the cooling night air, and then continued, “As you come into your own as hero, you will likely face that critical moment at which time your powers will come into being. Take this medicine bag; use the dust inside to shower yourself in the spirits blessings. When you do, you must be of brave spirit and heroic thought and you must say the words of power ‘Inuk Chuk’.”
John worked very hard not to smile, “You want me to say what? Inuk…”
“Quiet!” Nathan Strikes with Talons glared at his grandson. “This is nothing to trifle with. You will do this for me and for yourself. Now, go, keep the fire hot and keep watch.”
John kept watch reverently and thought about his life and the amazing sights his grandfather had seen. In his reverie, he lost track of his surroundings and so was quite surprised when the bear wandered across their campsite.
The bear came across John, reared up and bellowed. John scrambled away grabbing at the walking stick his grandfather often carried as his only weapon. He backed away and tried to draw the bear away from his grandfather. He threw some small stones, which served their purpose: the bear bellowed again and charged at him. John backed away, continuing to draw the bear away until he had backed into a small cave.
In the cave, John took stock. He had a walking stick, the medicine bag and his wits. With nowhere to go, he could feel desperation creeping into his mind. He stared at the stick and then at the medicine bag. What did his grandfather say? Use the powder, say the words. But that’s crazy right? Who sprinkles powder on themselves? What did he mean by right frame of mind?
John opened the bag and felt for the powder. Well, he had nothing to lose. Looking around, he took the powder in his hand.
“Ink Check.” Nothing happened. The bear growled at him from the cave opening.
“Num chuk.” Still nothing. The bear gave a half-hearted swipe of it paw at John.
John coughed and muttered, “In-ik Check. There I said it.” John looked around doubtfully. He didn’t feel different and he was starting to worry because the bear was starting to lose interest.
John collected his thoughts. His grandfather had said he needed to be in the right frame of mind before using the powder. “Brave spirit and heroic thought” had been his choice of words. John focused his mind.
“Inuk Chuk,” intoned John. That seemed right so he threw the powder over his head. He felt a surge of power and heard a voice echo through his bones, “You have chosen.”
John walked out of the cave, head held high. “Brother Bear,” he said. “I must ask you to leave us in peace. My grandfather has work to do and I have vowed to keep him safe.” The bear turned and charged at John, who sidestepped and quickly turned to pounce on the bear’s back. He reached around the bear’s neck, locked his arms in place and began to squeeze. The bear stood up and backed into the side of the hill, but John held on. The bear rolled onto its back, trying to crush John, but he held on. The bear stood upright and fell over onto its back. John felt the wind leave his chest, and yet, he held on.
Finally, the bear lay down on the summit and became still. John released his hold on the mighty ursine and, shaking, stood up. “You have represented well, great bear, but again, I ask you to go. For the spirit of my grandfather who has served you well.” The bear looked at John, rose up and padded away from the campsite.
John stretched and inspected himself for cuts and scrapes and was shocked to find that his skin was unmarked. He went back over the battle in his mind and pantomimed the battle noting every bash and slam doled out by the bear. Realizing his fortune, he ran to tell his grandfather. As he approached his grandfather’s kneeling frame, he realized how quiet the mountain had become. John knelt by his grandfather and saw how his chin rested on his chest, which no longer rose and fell. His face seemed so peaceful; a slight smile perched there almost as if his grandfather was winking at him.
“Okay, Grandfather, I get it. ‘Heroic thoughts, brave spirit, say the words’. I’ll make you proud. You stay out of trouble and have a good time.”
Other distinguishing features
Eagle tattoo on chest
Strength level
About average for a good athlete
Known superhuman powers
I'm pretty tough. The spirits and I guess the powder took care of that. I mean, when I'm really focused on an objective, I'm pretty unstoppable. "Heroic thoughts and brave spirit" works every time.
Other abilities
Nothing gets you fit like training in the desert with a former hero. I am as good as any Olympian athlete and weild a mean tomahawk. Don't get me wrong - it's dull. Knocks them out, an old tradition called counting coup.
Limitations
Um...none. I'm not super powered like some. A pretty face and good pizza will pretty much stop me down.
Paraphernalia
None.
Weapons/Arsenal
My tomahawk and my fists.
