Kwara'vas
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
| |
| Kwara'vas, the Scarlet Knight | |
| Player: @ArdynnRavenheart | |
| Origin: | Natural |
|---|---|
| Archetype: | Controller |
| Security Level: | 50 |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: | Kwara'vas Constantine |
| Known Aliases: | Kwara, The Scarlet Knight |
| Species: | Human/Alien Hybrid |
| Age: | 21 |
| Height: | ? |
| Weight: | ? |
| Eye Color: | Gold |
| Hair Color: | Black |
| Biographical Data | |
| Nationality: | United States |
| Occupation: | Hero (E.L.I.T.E. and M.A.G.I.), Vanguard Operative, Midnight Squad Magus |
| Place of Birth: | San Francisco, CA |
| Base of Operations: | Mobile |
| Marital Status: | Single |
| Known Relatives: | Alan Constantine (father, deceased), Quaryn'vas (mother, deceased), Karen Constantine (aunt), Lily Constantine (cousin) |
| Known Powers | |
| Mind Control (Primary), Empathy (Secondary), Flight, Concealment, Teleportation and Primal Energy Mastery (Ancillary) | |
| Known Abilities | |
| Intelligent and charismatic, talented empath and mind-reader, magically skilled and educated. | |
| Equipment | |
| Semi-refurbished armor inherited from her mother, various sorcerous and technological toys. | |
| ' | |
Kwara'vas Constantine is a registered superhuman hero in Paragon City. Her identity was registered with the government along with many metahumans orphaned by the Rikti War. When she came of age, she registered with E.L.I.T.E., as her powers were largely natural to her, and not a form of magic or mutation. Her mother was a woman not of Primal Earth, but one next door, though the popular media portrayed her as a friendly and benevolent alien, meaning that Kwara was the subject of some focus for groups such as Vanguard. Her abilities are largely on the baseline with those demonstrated by her mother, Quaryn'vas, during the time of her existence among Earthlings.
Kwara'vas first made her appearance (albeit on a friend's account) in issue 8 of City of Heroes. This page is under heavy construction.
Contents |
History
In some respects, the story of Kwara'vas is not a unique one. Though her parents were powerful heroes, the Rikti War claimed both of their lives, leaving Kwara to be taken as a ward of the state. Fortunately, there was much her parents had left her in the event of their passing - funding and equipment should she decide to follow in their footsteps, instructions for her care for those who helped tend her in her childhood. They even left her records explaining why she wasn't like most of the other children. She wasn't a mutant, of course. Her mother had been a being from a different Earth in a dimension close to that of Primal Earth, but the media was quick to tout her as an alien - and Kwara as a hybrid child. The birth was a matter of intense curiosity and publicity in certain publications. Living in San Francisco, Kwara grew up as a relatively normal teenager - for thirteen years, before the Rikti showed up. During the invasion, the young girl was evacuated just before the aliens destroyed San Francisco, witnessing the devastation firsthand. Grouped in with a bunch of other teenagers, she was largely kept out of the War by those with cooler heads. this proved a bitter pill to swallow when she was later informed of the decease of both of her parents. Her father had joined the ranks of Statesman's Alpha Team, providing a distraction for the suicide mission led by Hero-1 of Omega - which her mother had joined. By the time the dust had settled, Kwara's father was dead, and her mother was presumed (hopefully) so. The hero who had been asked to watch over the group Kwara was kept with was canny and kind enough to keep the young girl from spiraling into despair, but couldn't quite keep the seat of bitter hatred from burrowing in. The Rikti had earned themselves an implacable, lifelong foe.
Despite this dark anger, Kwara managed to pull herself somewhat back into shape, becoming for all intents, the friendly, humorous person she had been before the War. Though she favored gothic themes, it would probably have been most appropriate to call her a Perky Goth. Always with a smile, often with a comment or a laugh, or even just a friendly presence. She eventually made her way to Paragon City, in order to develop her powers under the careful eyes of some of the mightiest heroes remaining on Earth. It was there that she learned responsibility and restraint. Though she never forgave the Rikti, she discovered in herself a willingness to protect, defend and support others with her gifts, and soon became a quiet but tangible force for good.
In 2009, Kwara celebrated her twentieth birthday, and the time capsule left by Omega Team was opened. Its contents contained many letters left by the members of the doomed team, including a recorded message to Kwara left by her mother. The message tore open wounds that had healed improperly, and began to restitch them together so that they would heal clean. Torn but bolstered by her mother's words and gifts (the City had, on Quaryn's request, stored her very own suit of armor in the event that Kwara would come to need it), she accepted her duty as a hero, and moved to join Vanguard.
As of 2010, Kwara remains a somewhat solitary but able force for good in the city. While her grudge against the Rikti is still inviolate, she understands that there is much that requires doing. And so, she can often be found around the city, responding to calls, offering assistance and just generally trying to be there for those in need.
Personality
Kwara is an introverted but approachable individual. When not heroing, she tends to fit the model of most 20-something kids out there. With an interest in video games, movies and music, and a distinct bent for comedy, she will often work in quips and jokes suitable for her surroundings. Though somewhat conforming to the goth culture, she really comes off as more of a Perky Goth. Her humor can be twisted and dark, but is never completely off-putting. All of this describes her cleanly. Only when she summons her armor, and goes 'on the clock' does she become professional, showing concern for the safety and well-being of the people of her city. Since the majority of her attacks are non-lethal, she will not willingly kill those she must subdue, abiding by the rules set up for licensed heroes. The only dark spot in an otherwise cheery disposition is her dealings with the Rikti. The devastation first of San Francisco, and then the deaths of her parents left deep psychological scars, and while they have healed over time, they never completely closed. In battle with the Rikti, Kwara shows none of the humor that otherwise streaks through her, opting instead to berate her foes in their own language. Even when dealing with allied Rikti, Kwara treats them with a cool, stony civility. While she admits that even they have the right to live in peace, Kwara makes no bones about her hatred for the Rikti, and her desire to see them driven from the Earth.
Known Powers and Abilities
Most of Kwara's powers seem to stem from her mother's side of the gene pool, including (but not limited to) mental prowess that can be used for both harm and healing, as well as non-lethal restraint. She can also fly through some unexplained genetic confluence. She has also studied magic with the Midnight Squad, and knows spells that manipulate primal energy, conceal her presence or summon friend or foe. Similarly, the armor she inherited from her mother was magical in origin and enhances her flight and magical capabilities, growing a pair of wings to aid in control over maneuverability.
Inspiration
- Kwara is largely drawn from a Star Wars character I played long ago. She eventually developed enough of her own character that she became one of those personalities who could easily have a translation in many games.
- Spider-Man, mostly for the quipping nature.
- Samus Aran.
Soundtrack
- Hero, Nickelback
- Vindicated, Dashboard Confessional
