Purple Primrose
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
The Purple Primrose is a compilation of many inspirations from film and literary characters. These include the Scarlet Pimpernel, the Three Musketeers, Zorro, and roles portrayed by Errol Flynn. The name and the idea of an entertainer taking on the alter-ego of a swashbuckling swordsman also draws inspiration from the 1956 film "The Court Jester" starring Danny Kaye.
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| Purple Primrose | |
| Player: @Drimble Wedge | |
| Origin: | Natural |
|---|---|
| Archetype: | Scrapper |
| Security Level: | 24 |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: | Rinaldo Giovanni |
| Known Aliases: | Charlatan |
| Species: | Human |
| Age: | About 35 |
| Height: | 6'3" |
| Weight: | 165 lb |
| Eye Color: | Green |
| Hair Color: | Black |
| Biographical Data | |
| Nationality: | Confidential |
| Occupation: | Hero |
| Place of Birth: | Paragon City, RI |
| Base of Operations: | Confidential |
| Marital Status: | Single |
| Known Relatives: | None |
| Known Powers | |
| None | |
| Known Abilities | |
| Swordsmanship, acrobatic agility | |
| Equipment | |
| Dual rapier blades, throwing knives | |
| No additional information available. | |
Contents |
Profile in Prose
Let villains take heed! This message confides
The Purple Primrose in this city resides!
When evil men see him their hearts are afraid,
But friends freely flock to his gallant crusade!
The color of passion, like a flower in bloom
Is the source of his mysterious nom de plume.
By daybreak assault or moonlight escape
His foes are undone, their mouths all agape!
In the crossing of blades there are none who compare;
His shining swords sing as they cut through the air.
He slashes with style and scores when he likes;
He laughs as he parries, he stamps as he strikes!
His visage his handsome; his address is fine.
His touches causes damsels to sigh and repine.
They beg his caress; at his parting they weep,
And they murmur his name full oft as they sleep.
Persona
Rinaldo Giovanni is already an established figure with some clout in the famed City of Heroes, though he is better known as the Charlatan. As such, he embodies the role of a magician who uses a combination of stagecraft, pyrotechnics, and hypnosis to battle crime as a master of illusions.
It is no surprise then that a man who openly acknowledges himself as a fake and pretender by virtue of his name would create multiple identities for himself. Enter the Purple Primrose, who fights the good fight for justice against villainy in a wholly different fashion!
Using those talents rarely seen by his Charlatan persona, the Primrose draws upon Rinaldo's skills as a swordsman as well as the fanciful acrobatics picked up during his years in a traveling circus. In cue with this additional personality, Rinaldo does not delve into his abilities as a mesmerist when wearing the purple finery of the Primrose, but relies solely on his physical prowess in quickness and cunning.
And so the city is doubly protected as its debonair defender takes to the streets, causing good men to cheer, bad men to fear, and women of all kinds to swoon when they hear that the Purple Primrose is near!
Paraphernalia
The Purple Primrose goes nowhere without his twin dueling sabres of Spanish steel. It is partly for this reason it is said that in swordplay and wordplay the Purple Primrose has a rapier wit.
The Primrose wears outfits brandishing his color of choice in a variety of dashing ensembles. Sometimes he wears a wide sombrero cordobés slanted smartly on his head or a simple purple bandanna. At all times he wears a purple domino mask to conceal his secret identity. He has been seen both in an elaborate 17th century-style purple doublet as well as an outfit consisting of simple black tights, purple gloves and sash, and the fleur-de-lis emblazoned on his chest. The Primrose always compliments these costumes with stylish black leather boots in purple trim. More recently he has been seen sporting a simple leather vest with single-shoulder cape.
People
The Purple Primrose is not yet a household name, but he is starting to get around. Few who make his acquaintance ever forget their meeting.
Protagonists
The Primrose is one of the first people to apply and join the Protagonist Auxiliary, the much-anticipated expansion force of the original Protagonists super group. At present he is arguably the most active member of this group since its installment.
Perils
Although he has his few detractors, no villain has yet been so foolish as to name himself nemesis to the Purple Primrose. However, as Charlatan's alter-ego it can be assumed that that costumed hero's enemies are also his. Regardless, the Primrose remains the enemy of all evil men who tread the grounds of Paragon City, and it is only a matter of time until they taste bitter justice at the end of a blade.
Presumptions
This section is reserved for any who wish to ride the Purple Primrose's coattails and achieve some small measure of fame by remarking on what they know or heard of him.
