Naireus
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
This page is about the Naireus of Primal Earth. For the Praetorian version, see Naireus Rex.
| |
| Naireus | |
| Player: @Drimble Wedge | |
| Origin: | Natural |
|---|---|
| Archetype: | Scrapper, Brute |
| Security Level: | 50, 20 |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: | Naireus |
| Known Aliases: | Aqua Prince |
| Species: | Merman |
| Age: | Approximately 200 years |
| Height: | 6 ft |
| Weight: | 167 lb |
| Eye Color: | Black |
| Hair Color: | Blue-Green |
| Biographical Data | |
| Nationality: | None |
| Occupation: | Hero |
| Place of Birth: | Indian Ocean |
| Base of Operations: | Talos Island |
| Marital Status: | Single |
| Known Relatives: | None |
| Known Powers | |
| Able to summon and control water aura | |
| Known Abilities | |
| Skilled combatant, able to live in ocean | |
| Equipment | |
| Armor, swords | |
| Naireus has returned to Paragon City. | |
Contents |
Biography
The life of Naireus is one of exploration and adventure, yet it seems to be doggedly set in a backdrop of tragedy. Although possessing the qualities of great bravery, resourcefulness, and cunning, and having a body both fair and strong, he remains a man of brooding intelligence and a quiet, austere disposition.
Under the Sea
Born at the bottom of the Indian Ocean floor, his earliest memories are of life in the remains of an underwater village, deserted and empty. The last of his kind, his origins shrouded in ancient mystery, Naireus raised himself for untold years, living off the remains his people's dead civilization. Educated by his surroundings, he learned to live off the land and survive into a callow youth.
As the years went on and the child grew older, curiosity and a wanderlust eventually took him farther and farther away from the village during his wanderings. Finally he left his home with the desire to explore the unknown expanse of the ocean floor into which he was born. What followed would be the stuff of legend as Naireus traveled into watery depths never known by man. Over the years he met other creatures of varying intelligence, some kind, others not so. He would encounter great monsters of the deep, as well as the untouched domains of many sea-faring people.
Naireus learned of tyranny and the suffering a people could endure at the hands of an evil despot when he encountered a land conquered by the terrible Coral Creatures during one of his most harrowing adventures. He would eventually be captured and imprisoned in the cavernous Coral Keep, only to escape and slay the wicked Coral King, delivering peace unto the land. He learned of love when he chanced to save a mermaid from a sinister cult of sea serpents, and he learned of loss when their paths became separate. He learned of humans and the surface world when he ended up saving a tanker that had become adrift in the sea, the result of an attack by the deranged Squid People.
And so, many years later, now a young merman, Naireus once again found the abandoned village of his birth. With an intelligence greater and more subtle than was his as a child, he searched out the ancient dwelling and discovered what secrets it had to teach him. He found and understood crafts of various kinds, gear and old weapons forged by unknown means, as well as texts and carvings worn with age. Although unable to understand the last of these fully, it told a story of a nomadic people long removed from their homeland, a great city too far for Naireus to fathom. When Naireus again left his village for the last time he was equipped with not only a pair of ancient swords, but knowledge and the idea that there may be others of his kind.
His resumed travels eventually brought him to the Atlantic, where along the way he discovered Devil's Den and clashed blades with the wily ghost pirate Black Charlie. Certain of the treasures and information gained there told of this mystery people from whom his own had been sundered centuries ago. By this time had encountered humans enough to become very curious about them and their world above water, which represented adventures of a whole new sort to the wanderer. Stories told and information garnered drove him to head for the shores of a supposed great city on the eastern edge of a land mass called North America, specifically New England. Thus Naireus finally found himself among the waters of Paragon City.
A Tale of Two Cities
It was not long before Naireus learned that his arrival to Paragon City coincided with a great exodus of another sea-faring race, the legendary people of Atlantis. Spurred on by one of the first of such to come to the surface, the then notable scout and warrior, Leviathas, many Atlanteans and merfolk heeded what was known as the "Call of Poseidon." Thus many creatures whose previous home had existed only under the waves set foot on dry land in Paragon, of which Naireus was unwittingly a part. Upon meeting up he recognized them, and they he, as long lost kindred, and soon Nairues was accepted into the ranks of the surface dwelling province of the aquatic peoples, the Empire of Atlantis.
And so an entirely different time began for the merman as he adjusted himself both to life on the surface city and among his people. As a warrior and adventurer there were many great deeds to be done in the City of Heroes, and battles were fought alongside fellow Atlanteans that provided him great experience, honor, and standing in the eyes both cultures. Characteristically a loner, Naireus had some difficulty adapting to social interaction, inadvertently alienating some, while others found his blunt demeanor and lack of tact refreshing. Also unaccustomed to being surrounded by so many dazzling beauties as the women of Atlantis, Naireus often dallied in several romances, denying his attention to no one.
As time went on his decisive skills in battle did not go unnoticed by his superiors, and Naireus was promoted. Finally, after accompanying his people on several adventures and dangerous campaigns while the Empire sought to establish itself, Leviathas offered him a seat on the High Council, which Narieus soon took. Thus Naireus was given honor, rank, and respect in Paragon and Atlantis, and he served, unarguably for a time, with all due diligence.
Naireus soon came to take his newfound place in the Atlantean hierarchy seriously, and strove to make his actions more fitting to the role. He attempted to acquire a more diplomatic demeanor, speaking his mind in a more reserved manner. He ended his cavalier approach to romance and instead chose a mate in the form of the beautiful and intelligent Yllandria, an Atlantean woman skilled in magic. For a time he knew peace and prosperity with this comfortable arrangement, but things would eventually change.
Exile of Atlantis
It came to pass that after a long time of doldrum inactivity within the ranks of the surface-dwelling Atlanteans that Leviathas, now king of all Atlantis, was displeased with the current state of things. Beyond this, however, he cited Naireus, as well as Yllandria, who had also been granted a seat on the High Council by this time, as failing to meet expectations in not doing enough to prevent the situation. Naireus disagreed, and spoke on behalf of himself and his mate, but the king quickly silenced all protest and demoted both of them to their previous positions.
Naireus could not help but resent this state of affairs, particularly as they applied to his beloved as well as he. The prevailing belief was, however, that since their union, both he and Yllandria had replaced their interest in Atlantis with that of each other. Disagreeing with this, as well as noting that no other member of the High Council was similarly blamed or humiliated for the floundering energy of the empire, Naireus began to harbor a grudge toward Leviathas, as well as the system of rule by which a single man could wield ultimate power as king.
With his love of Atlantis now soured, Naireus began to speak openly of his dissatisfaction while planning departure. Finally he did so, and while some might have been disappointed at his passing, there was no great surge of sentiment to beg him to reconsider, though others did still claim respect for the headstrong young merman. Yllandria likewise departed with him for reasons much the same.
Thinking to devote his life in the city to super heroics, Naireus and Yllandria applied for and were accepted as Global Defenders. While meaning well, and finding the organization to be a well-run, diverse society of superheroes, Naireus found he could summon no great interest in the group or its members. After several weeks he appeared less and less, instead returning to a life of peace in the waters not far from Paragon City, alone in contemplation.
Recently, however, Naireus has returned to the surface with the air of confidence and determination that were once his. Officially breaking ties with the Defenders, he is one again alone, though with the desire to do great things. Finally, he has decided that he would once again like to visit the Empire of Atlantis, though this time in a manner of his own choosing. Little progress has been made on this front, however, and the notion seems more like distant fantasy than inevitable reality.
Physical Attributes
Naireus has many traits which are common to mermen and some that are unique to himself.
Powers and Abilities
Born to live a life at the bottom of the sea, yet capable of breathing air above it, Naireus possesses a body that has become naturally stronger, faster, and more resilient to harm than any human. His survival and combat skills have been supremely tempered through experience, allowing him to handle many adversaries of all kinds at once.
Naireus has honed an ability called his "Water Aura." This power works by drawing in the moisture in the air to coalesce into a watery vapor all around him, enhancing his abilities. With variations of the use in this power Naireus can defend himself, harm others around him, and heal much faster from injury. More recently he has worked to channel this power into an attack style he calls "Watery Melee." With this technique he is able to unleash hydraulic bursts from his hands, fashion a scimitar with aquatic energy, and even spit out a spray of water with the force of a crashing wave.
Naireus is proficient in bladed weapons, and first mastered a pair of swords in his battles below and above the waves.
Weaknesses
Like most mermen, Naireus is vulnerable to an excess of dryness and heat, although this is countered well by his Water Aura. Although a pure warrior with a strong will, he is also vulnerable to psychic assault, against which he has no other defense.
Paraphernalia
When first arriving to Paragon City, Naireus wore only leggings made from the hide of a great whale monster he had slayed in his youth, as well as a gold chain and bracelets of Atlantean make recovered from Black Charlie's treasure.
During his time among the other Atlanteans Naireus acquired a full set of mail of Atlantean design. He later received a lighter style of armor as a reward for his work in Cimerora. Finally, as he prepared to become a member of the Global Defenders and become a full time superhero, he designed his own streamlined outfit that he typically prefers in the city.
Naireus formerly fought with two light swords, a weapon he now mimics with the concentrated use of his Water Aura.
Social Relations
Naireus has met many people throughout his adventure, made friends with some, and even loved others. In the end, however, he is a solitary creature, use to a life alone.
Group Membership
Most of the time Naireus has spent on the surface has been defined by his membership in the Empire of Atlantis. From joining and rising in its ranks, being promoted and then demoted from a place of honor, and then finally leaving in a state of disgrace, it remains a source of bittersweet memory.
Naireus then served a stint as one of the Global Defenders, working as a superhero, though this group was not for him.
Currently Naireus is not a member of any group.
Allies
Many friends were made among his fellow Atlanteans. Although formal ties have been broken, Naireus expects that tenuous strands of friendship still exist among some such as Bahamutas, Cretia, Dexamene, Varcy'th'shk, Jalanili, Queen Nereidia, the nymph Sybellea, and the titan Aegaeon. Of course, Naireus harbors no misconceptions about where their loyalties lie.
Among the Global Defenders, Golden Blizzard is the individual Naireus saw the most of and considers capable and trustworthy.
Finally, of all the women Naireus has come to know, his former mate Yllandria will always hold a special place in his heart.
Enemies
While living underwater Naireus made several enemies of various evil people and races. Above ground he has made himself the adversary of every criminal threat that tries to make its home in Paragon. He also considers himself an enemy to any who threaten the peace and well-being of his sundered kindred in Atlantis.
The Other Naireus
As Naireus is from Primal Earth he has become aware of his own Praetorian double, Naireus Rex. Both originated in the Indian Ocean, seemingly the last of their kind. They have the exact same build and a similar bone structure. Both have a form of vegetative substance that grows from their body instead of regular hair, found on their head, shoulders, and legs. Of course, both are a breed of Merman.
In contrast, the Naireus of Praetoria is red instead of blue. His skin is scaly, not smooth, and possesses an armored tail. There are subtle differences in the shape of his face and color of his eyes. Finally, his powers are completely different, calling upon the formation of hardened coral to aid him in combat. He has far more advanced mental powers, including telekinesis and levitation, as well as advanced telepathy that allowed him to find Naireus in the first place. In terms of personality, the blue-skinned Naireus considers the other to be buffoonish and arrogant, unable to see past his own petty and ultimately futile pursuit of power.
Trivia
- The name "Naireus" is an adaptation of the name "Nereus," a titan of the sea in Greek myth.
- An alternate version of this character with the handle "Aqua Prince" is currently being played.
