From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe

The She Serpent
Player: @Fanty
Origin:	Science
Archetype:	Brute
Threat Level:	50
Villain Group:	League of Sinister Intent
Personal Data
Real Name:	Rene Kinkade
Species:	Reptile/Human Hybrid
Date of Birth:	1984 (age 40)
Height:	8' 5"
Weight:	462 lbs
Eye Color:	Red
Hair Color:	Black
Biographical Data
Nationality:	American
Place of Birth:	Peoria, Illinois
Base of Operations:	Mercy Island, Rogue Isles
Marital Status:	Single
Known Relatives:	Samantha Kinkade (Mother) Anthony Kinkade (Father)
Additional Data
Known Powers:	Super Strength
Known Abilities:	Willpower
Footnotes:	Has trained with the Mu Mystics and has mastered several of their abilities.
[ Source ]

Character History

The villain now known as The She Serpent was originally Rene Kinkade, a graduate student at Paragon City University's physics department. She was born in Peoria, Illinois in the year 1984 to Anthony and Samantha Kinkade. Having a fairly unremarkable childhood aside from her scholastic achievements, Rene was eager to leave "flyover country" and see the big city. Moving to Paragon City when she received a scholarship to PCU, Rene arrived in mid 2002, starting classes during the summer intersession.

Her main fields of study were Quantum and Particle Physics as an undergraduate, and after earning her BS in 2006, Rene went on to begin work on her graduate studies. Working under Dr. Paul Lansky at the National Synchrotron Light Source Particle Accelerator operated by PCU, Rene engaged in a large number of experiments in X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS). XAFS is a specific structure observed in X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). By analyzing the XAFS, information can be acquired on the molecular structure and the electronic state. The X-ray radiation generated for most of the experiments was very high energy (X-ray with a wavelength approximately longer than 0.1 nm are called soft X-rays. At wavelengths shorter than this, they are called hard X-rays. Hard X-rays overlap the range of "long"-wavelength (lower energy) gamma rays, however the distinction between the two terms depends on the source of the radiation, not its wavelength: X-ray photons are generated by energetic electron processes, gamma rays by transitions within atomic nuclei.)

On September 10th, 2008, there was an accident at the accelerator while Rene was on duty. Caused by an unknown energy spike within the circular path of the Synchrotron, the particle energy and radiation levels started to climb in an uncontrolled and non-sustainable manner. While the other researchers tried in vain to reach Dr. Lansky or terminate the experiment, Rene entered the accelerator itself to attempt a manual shut down of the system. While she did manage to stop the cascade failure, the amount of high energy radiation her body sustained was very high. When paramedics arrived, she was rushed to the PCU medical center where she was found to be comatose. Remaining in that state for a period of three weeks, it was unclear if she would recover. After she finally did reawaken, she was held in the hospital until November 29th, when she was finally released to return home. Unable to return to work or classes, Rene had to content herself with the company of her only pet, an eighteen foot long Reticulating Python named Röntgen.

Rene had acquired the python over three years earlier, specifically drawn to their reputation of having an unusual level of intelligence and awareness compared to other species. Although their interactivity and beauty draws much attention, some feel they are unpredictable. Attacks are rare, but the species has been responsible for several human fatalities in both the wild and captivity. Retics are not out to harm their keepers, but they will bite and possibly constrict if they feel threatened or mistake a hand for food. The latter is what happened on the night of December 15th, 2008.

While moving to feed Röntgen, the snake bit down on Rene's hand and began to constrict around her arm. It was at this point that the terrible side affect of her accident at the particle accelerator became clear. As the snake moved to envelope more of her body, constricting down on it as it did so, both Rene and the snake began to glow. Apparently, from what had been gathered from her later interviews and scientific data, her genetic structure had been destabilized by the radiation overexposure. Requiring something to stabilize it, the protracted contact with the snake proved the catalyst. Rene was in fact absorbing the snake into her own body, bonding it's genetic and molecular structure into her own. The result was a hybrid snake/human that somehow resulted in a stable genetic structure. Rene also radically changed physically while undergoing the process. Originally a thin woman around 5'6" in height, the bonding changed her into a reptile like form that was over eight feet tall and well muscled.

After the process, Rene was unconscious for at least three days. She was discovered by her roommate Cally Headrick upon her return from a vacation to see her family over the Christmas school holidays. The girl panicked, and the resulting scream stirred Rene to wakefulness. As it can be hypothesized from her behavior since, Rene not only merged forms and genetics with the snake, but also merged something of minds, or at least instincts, as well. Feeling threatened, Rene reacted reflexively and struck Cally in the head. The blow sent Cally across the room where she hit a wall, and she was most likely dead before her body hit the floor.

As she realized what she had done, Rene suffered what can only be called a psychotic break. This, coupled with the already substantial changes to her mind, resulted in the persona that had once been Rene Kinkade being for the most part totally destroyed. Leaving the apartment Rene went onto the streets and began killing random citizens in the area. Longbow operatives were called in to capture her, and she was taken into custody at 10:00 pm on December 19th.

Confined and awaiting trial on multiple counts of second degree murder, Rene adopted another identity, namely that of "The She Serpent". However, before she could even face indictment, Arachnos staged a prison break. The invading forces, while having arrived to break out other prisoners specifically, were also under orders to bring back any "targets of opportunity". A tall, super strong half reptile half woman seemed to fall under that category. The She Serpent's status was at first unknown, until on the 21st of December she was re-acquired by Longbow surveillance at Fort Darwin.