Spitfire Jane
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
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| Spitfire Jane | |
| Player: Confidential | |
| Origin: |
Natural |
| Archetype: |
Tanker |
| Threat Level: |
50 |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: |
Emily Grey |
| Known Aliases: |
Sporty |
| Species: |
Human |
| Date of Birth: |
1990 (age 34) |
| Height: |
5'4" |
| Weight: |
120 lbs |
| Eye Color: |
Blue |
| Hair Color: |
Blonde |
| Biographical Data | |
| Nationality: |
British |
| Occupation: |
College Student, Paragon University |
| Place of Birth: |
London, England |
| Base of Operations: |
Paragon City |
| Marital Status: |
Single |
| Known Relatives: |
Jane Grey, Grandmother (deceased) Edward Grey, Grandfather (deceased) Thomas Grey, Father (living) Molly Grey, Mother (living) |
| Additional Data | |
| Known Powers: |
Enhanced Strength, Limited Invulterability |
| Known Abilities: |
Is able to mimic a person's ability if they are within proximity to her for a while |
| Known Equipment: |
A Pipewrench |
| Footnotes: |
Has the ability to form rock formations after spending time with Terratonic |
| [ Source ] | |
Contents |
History
Emily Grey was born in London, England in 1989. Headstrong and recklessly active as a child, she was frequently in trouble at school, and even showed potential to become a bully, until the summer of 1997, when she spent her vacation in the countryside at her paternal grandparent's farm. Their stories from the years of WW II fascinated her, and seemed to provide her with a direction for her boundless energy, towards achievement and helping others rather than undirected and sometimes destructive activity. This was also where she discovered her interest in all things mechanical, spending time in the farm's well equipped barn workshop, in which her grandparents did auto and equipment repairs, and maintained their vintage de Havilland Tiger Moth biplane. In the years that followed, she spent every summer at the farm, and went from being a troublemaker to a model student and member of the British Girl Scouts.
In 2005, four men tried to kidnap her from the street outside her school. To their surprise, the teenage girl was able to fight back with considerably more strength and resolve than they expected, and managed to hold them off until the police could be summoned by a phone call from a witness in the school office. Upon questioning, it was determined that the men, local small time criminals, had been hired by a representative from the Council. The men had been warned that the girl might have some latent paranormal ability, which had apparently attracted the Council's attention, but they had discounted the warning. According to their leader “She ain't never done nothin' special like, no burstin' into flames or flyin' about or blastin' lightnin' out a' 'er eyes or liftin' cars, we thought, you know, 'ow tough could she be? Shoulda been easy, no one 'urt, just easy money.”
Following the attack, her interest in her grandparents and their stories seemed to intensify further. Her grandfather had passed away in 2004, with her grandmother following in early 2005, just weeks before the attack, and some of their belongings had been moved to the attic of her family home. Going through the clippings and photos brought everything together for her. She decided to apply to university overseas in Paragon City, selling her parents on the fine new mechanical / technical degree programs being offered by top notch instructors like Professor Chandler and Professor Topffer. She didn't mention to them her intent to register as a Superhero.
Other distinguishing features
Besides the glow that surrounds her while her abilities are at full manifestation, there is nothing too out of the ordinary about her personal appearance.
Strength level
Spitfire Jane would not be described as possessing superhuman strength, however, her strength level exceeds what would be expected, being closer to that of a strong, physically fit male of considerably larger build than what she possesses. She does not possess the weight or reach of a large, strong man, but she has similar strength, combined with the superior flexibility and agility of the athletic female frame she does possess. In a contest of arm-wrestling, it seems certain that her superior willpower could overcome her disadvantage in leverage to permit her to defeat male body builders considerably taller and twice or more her weight.
Known superhuman powers
Spitfire Jane possesses a superhuman strength of will, which allows her to resist most damaging forces directed at her, as well as pain, fatigue and other sources of discomfort and distraction. Unlike many techniques of mind over body, she is not required to enter into any sort of trance or altered mental state. Her physical capabilities, while not patently superhuman, are beyond what would be inferred from her build and conditioning. Some of this ability seems to be from increased activity and efficiency of adrenaline and endorphins, but it seems likely that there is a non-physical component to the ability as well. She was not considered physically different enough for her powers to be classified as Mutation in origin, nor does she utilize or embody strong Magic which would classify her in that sense, but it has been noted by Susan Davies of E.L.I.T.E. That she has family lineage tracing back to Lady Jane Grey, the nine-day queen of England who preceded the rise of Mary Tudor, and was said to have been a remarkably well educated and strong willed woman in her day. It has been theorized that there is a force of “indomitable will” associated with the British Isles and their people, and that at times, this force may manifest itself in a concentrated form through individuals, not through mystic rites normally used to call forth spiritual manifestation, but through the individual's own force of will and connectedness with their homeland and its history, especially in times of struggle and peril.
Spitfire Jane also subdues villains with a large, heavy wrench. While on the surface, this would not seem to be superhuman in application, but rather, a perfectly ordinary example of the laws of physics, through which, well, anyone, actually, can strike punishing blows with blunt, heavy objects, limited only by their physical strength, it has been noted that she seems to strike with an efficiency and force not normally seen in those who have no real training in the martial arts or hand to hand combat. It is likely that the increased focus of her superhuman will enhances her otherwise thoroughly amateurish fighting style. If actually taught how to fight, she could be considerably more formidable. It has also been noted that while forged from hardened steel, the wrench she uses should probably have suffered damage from its unintended utilization as a melee weapon by this point, and it has not, indicating that whatever force has empowered her may be strengthening it as well, perhaps due to intimate ties to her family history as it relates to her homeland.
In any case, she is young, and her abilities are far from fully manifested. Other abilities may be forthcoming.
Other abilities
Emily Grey has tremendous natural aptitude for mechanical and technical subject matter, and has extensive hands-on experience with mechanical repair, modification and construction. She drives a 1962 Triumph Spitfire Mk 1, which she restored from abandoned and junked status herself. It has been said by some that keeping a classic British sports car on the road qualifies as a superhuman feat, although not by the standards of Paragon City hero registration, as doing so is unlikely to dissuade even the Hellions who hang out in the Atlas Plaza parking lots. It has also been noted that the focus of her superhuman willpower likely assists her in dealing with the model's noted tendency to violently oversteer if pushed too hard. Given her custom performance modifications, it would be unwise for the typical criminal to steal her car, at least if they intend to drive away at speed.
While she doesn't yet have her pilot's license, she has had instruction and some experience in flying, and shows very good aptitude for it.
Limitations
Although it has not been fully demonstrated, minor fluctuations in her level of power seem to indicate that she needs to feel psychologically, perhaps spiritually, “connected” to her homeland in order for her abilities to manifest. Her powers would probably be stronger if she was operating at home, and permitting herself to “assimilate” into a foreign culture, or to fall prey to homesickness, could weaken her greatly. This seems to bolster the theories on the nature of her abilities.
Paraphernalia
Her costume, while made from the high tech and specially treated materials often used in superheroic tailoring, with the exception of her Grandfather's vintage WW II flying goggles, is not truly remarkable, though her abilities seem to shield it from most harm as well. The WW II goggles are the best protected part, seeming as durable as her trusty wrench.
Weapons/Arsenal
Spitfire Jane uses a large, heavy, hardened steel wrench as a bludgeoning weapon. It came from her grandmother's collection of tools, and was used to service her grandfather's plane during the war.
