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History

	The Geologist
	Player: @Void Storm
	Status
Origin:	Mutation
Archetype:	Dominator
Security Level:	41
Base of Operations:	N/A
	Personal Data
Real Name:	Dr. Maxwell Dylan
Birthplace:	Boise, Idaho
Occupation:	Scientist, Traveler, Teacher, Occasional Hero, Freedom Fighter
Known Aliases:	None
Species:	Homo sapiens superior
Marital Status:	Single
Known Relatives:	Mark Dylan (father), Mary Dylan (mother)
	Biographical Data
Nationality:	Confidential
Age:	26
Height:	5'11"
Weight:	185 lbs.
Eye Color:	Blue
Hair Color:	Brown
	Known Powers
	Geokinesis, Geopathy
	Training / Abilities
	Earth manipulation, Earth sense, assisted flight/movement, rock armor and weapons.
	Equipment
	Costume, Fedora, Goggles, bandana, Tribal Arm Bands, Wristbands
	No additional information available.

Childhood

The Geologist's parents were liberal activists in college, who attended rallies and protests almost as often as school. They married in 1980. Mark Dylan became a practicing Optometrist, while Mary Dylan was a moderately successful artist. When Mary became pregnant, they decided the one thing that could take them from their political obligations had arrived...

Maxwell Dylan was born on September 22nd, 1984.

Since before he was born, the Dylans had high hopes for Max, and he didn't disappoint. Bright from the start, Max was a straight A's student. Though his record was not without an occasional scuffle on the playground or a less-than-safe exploration of the surrounding school grounds. Max was a good student, but a rambunctious kid, and had acquired a taste for defying authority. Even if it infuriated his parents at times, they were always supportive of him. After all, the spirit of rebellion is what brought Mark and Mary together in the first place.

As his progress continued throughout elementary school, he developed a strange fondness for rocks that confounded his parents. It arose naturally in him. Max would return home almost everyday with a different rock. It sometimes proved to be a nuisance (rocks getting caught in the vacuum cleaner, stepping on them in the middle of the night, etc.), but his parents allowed him to continue, fostering his curiosity with books on rock types and classification. This was the beginning of Max's obsession with geology. The dedication to Earth science wouldn't stop with academia, however.

With the onset of puberty at age 12, a latent mutation within the boy's genes expressed itself. He awoke one morning with a splitting headache and a profound, visceral awareness of the earth around him. He felt connected to it.

The boy knew something amazing had happened to him. He knew the ground as if it were his best friend. He could sort rocks with a thought. Max was quick to keep his gift secret, even from his parents and his best friend, Valerie Marx. Being young, and having seen the news once or twice, he knew that those who were different were mistreated. Max kept to himself.

Growing Up

It didn't take long for Max to learn what he truly was: a Mutant. This realization separated him further from his peers. He knew how mutants sometimes faced persecution, usually because of trouble controlling their powers at an early age. Though he felt isolated, he took on the challenge of mastering his powers, a rare act of volition for someone his age. He enjoyed it, seeing it as an exercise not only in betterment of the self, but an experiment. On weekends he would take a bus out of town and practice in secret. He even studied meditation techniques and Tai Chi. Thus, Max had a head start over most children in his situation, and rarely did he come close to losing control of his powers.

During High School, Max withdrew from his friends and family, falling into depression as adolescence and uncertainty about his condition took its toll. Being a mutant on top of the already trying pressures of high school was almost unbearable. Despite his caring and active parents, Max refused to believe they could understand him, and he remained isolated. His growing political and social awareness was stunted, and he even slowly fell out of touch with his best friend, Valerie Marx. He continued to rein in his powers and study in preparation for college, alone, which he believed to be the only two paths worth following. He graduated Valedictorian of his class in Spring 2001.

Max attended Paragon University in Fall 2001 for a major in Geology, with a minor in Physics. In college, he developed an interest in costumed heroics. It struck his good-hearted nature, and he decided to escape boredom and try something new with his powers. Max developed a costume and began fighting crime as "HardRock", often wearing self-fashioned rock armor. It was during this time that Max met "Plunder Girl", a light-hearted metacriminal, specializing in breaking and entering. Developing a fondness for Max, Plunder often pursued Max during his patrols. Eventually, Plunder approached Max and attempted to strike a deal: If Max would take her out to dinner, Plunder Girl would cease her criminal activity. Max accepted.

During the date, the couple agreed to reveal their identities. Plunder Girl revealed herself to be Valerie Marx, his childhood friend, who was also attending Paragon University on a gymnastics scholarship. They soon fell into love together, and began seeing each other on-campus and off, as costumed crime fighters. During their Junior year, however, a fellow hero spotted Valerie, and pegged her to several crimes she committed in the past. Valerie was ready to confess and serve time, but Max wouldn't have it. He believed Val had reformed, and was therefore absolved of all guilt. The other hero was insistent, and attempted to apprehend Val with force. In a rather destructive battle, Max fought and nearly killed the spotter before he could take Val into custody, and the PPD was hot on his trail soon thereafter. In a heated argument, Val kissed Max goodbye and fled to turn herself in before she was attached to the crime. Max escaped to his apartment, torn apart and disillusioned. The next morning he buried his costume two hundred feet beneath the ground. He was finished with costumed heroics for good, it seemed. It was a sham. His powers would be for safer, more profitable aims.

"The Geologist"

Max finished out school in 2006. with his Masters. A professor recommended him to a government official, citing his particular knack for finding oil and coal deposits during a Petrology field trip. The official worked for a program called The Pickaxe Intiative. A top-secret, small-time program co-developed by the United States Departments of Energy and Interior to scope out and begin covert excavation and mining operations for precious materials, the least of which not being crude oil. And to do all this without being noticed by the nations they were, essentially, stealing from. Ready to make money and a living, and to leave behind all he had before, including his conscience, Max wholeheartedly accepted when they invited him along.

The initiative was a congregation of scientists, technicians, engineers, and black-ops soldiers. Max was elected to be head of one of the teams right off the bat. As the lead geologist of Team Three, consisting of two soldiers, a technician, and a medical expert, Max began his missions in the west Indian Ocean, combing the seabed and islands for anything of value. The team wasn't much for hierarchy, except for the fact that Max was in charge of where the team went and when, as long as they followed mission parameters. The etiquette within the group was fairly informal, and the members mostly referred to each other by their trade. As such, Max was labeled and referred to as "The Geologist" from then on, and it sort of stuck with him.

For three years, Team Three traveled Eurasia and Africa, collecting data and marking possible mine sites. Little did the Initiative know that "The Geologist" wasn't conducting tests. He was "listening" for their targets. Max refused as much equipment as he could, and vehemently opposed an assistant. "The Technician" soon realized, within the second year of their expedition, that Max never used his equipment. The Initiative heads were informed, and with a bit of espionage by "The Medic", Max's nature was revealed. The Geologist was a mutant.

The Initiative did not act on the information, however. In fact, they were pleased that such an aberrant element was working for them. So they kept quiet, allowing Max to stake their secret claims, and make them and their benefactors money. Team Three was the fastest and most successful team, even finding oil where other teams had attempted before. It wasn't until Max received an anonymous tip that it all began to decay.

As it turned out, someone from the inside knew who Max was and what he was doing. The anonymous person warned him and provided him with information that might have saved his life. As it turns out, the Pickaxe Initiative was a corporately-sponsored government program, whose benefactors, among others, were oil and steel companies. And that several bureaucrats within the Executive branch, along with a 3-Star general in the US military were taking pay-offs to manage and secure the operation. Learning of the corruption turned Max on the spot. The values his parents had instilled in him could no longer be ignored, and neither could his own conscience. He made plans to leave the morning after receiving the information.

The Initiative had learned of the information leak, and frantically ordered Max's termination of contract...and his life. Black Ops attempted to kill him in his sleep, but Max was too quick. He unleashed his powers, turning their camp into a crater, and killing one of the soldiers. Under the resulting dust cloud, the Geologist escaped.

The Recent Past

The Geologist stayed mobile for nearly six months, hoping to evade any tracking attempts. After lying low and moving from place to place, including Prague, Jerusalem, Tibet, Paris, London, and Rio de Janeiro, Max was drawn back to Paragon City. Nostalgia got the best of him.

He returned under the auspices of finishing his school, earning a Ph. D. in Geoscience at Paragon University. During this time, he was contacted again, presumably by the same source who leaked the Initiative's true nature. Apparently, the Initiative had given up the chase, and though they kept a standing bounty, Max was relatively safe.

During his stay in Paragon, Max began to second guess his decision to give up costumed heroics. During a walk home, he thwarted a Tsoo attempt at armed robbery of a jewelry store. The experience revitalized his love of helping people. Returning to his apartment, he fashioned a costume from his old Pickaxe uniform. The Geologist was born.

Soon after his return, he met Sierra Six Echo. The two became friends, and Geologist became part of the Society Of Peers, and a place to stay.

A few months later, Max took a "vacation." His destination: The Etoile Islands, a.k.a. the Rogue Isles. There he examined the Isle's geologic formations (especially Mount Diable), fought villains, and explored. He now makes regular visits to the Isles, for the same reasons, though he maintains permanent residence in Paragon City.

Powers

The Geologist's mutations provide him with a strong psychic bond to the Earth's materials. Rock and mineral manipulation are Max's forte.

Power Grid

Statistic

1	2	3	4	5	6	7

Intelligence

Strength

Speed

Durability

Energy Projection

Fighting Skill

Geopathy

This is what Max calls his extraordinary ability to sense geologic events. This is perhaps his most impressive ability at present, and takes far less energy and concentration to use effectively than other processes. Max can "feel" any fundamental change in the Earth for roughly 40 miles beneath the surface. This means he can feel changes within the geology of the Earth as far down as the Upper Mantle. His topographical sense is much wider, allowing him sensory input from changes up to 60 miles. This is far, far more extensive than his manipulative range.

Some things Max can do because of Geopathy:

Immediately know the composition of any rock.
Sense earthquakes and volcanic activity before most instruments
Sense footsteps if his surroundings are quiet enough.
Accurately map surrounding geography, including temperature, depth/elevation, direction of flow, and pressure.

Geokinesis

This is a very broad power, as it can mean anything from bringing rock or lava to the surface, shaping marble, or throwing boulders. The Geologist's range of manipulation is roughly 1 mile on the surface, and about a 1/2 mile beneath. Max can lift rock, throw rock, crystallize it, melt it, disintegrate it, shape it, polish it, sort it, wear it, launch it, and just about anything else he can think of.

Earthly Prisons - The Geologist can quickly bring Earth forth from the crust, and surround his enemies in stone. Some of these prisons simply immobilize his enemies, and some even encase his foes, restraining them from movement and attack. With a little concentration and effort, Max can immobilize several targets. He has yet to achieve the ability to fully encase multiple adversaries, as it would require great effort and concentration, something nigh impossible in most combat scenarios.

Earth Mimicry - The Geologist can mimic nature's geological processes on a smaller and more controlled scale. He can call existing or created magma from beneath the surface in a miniature volcano. He can literally shake the ground beneath him, inducing a localized earthquake. If lucky enough to be near a hot spring or gas pocket, he can also bring those to bear, creating geysers or gas eruptions. Landslides and faults are also possible. All of these options require great concentration, luck, or both to pull off. The Geologist saves these tactics for higher risk situations, where collateral damage isn't a concern, or it's absolutely necessary.

Stone Arsenal - Max can arm himself with an arsenal of different earthly weapons. While anything he can imagine is possible, the Geologist tends to keep it simple. Swords, knives, cudgels, gauntlets, spears, boulders, etc. Usually he employs non-lethal measures like the stone fists or the stone hammer. He uses his geokinesis to assist in the throwing of large chunks of rock, catapulting them at large or well-armored foes. Stone Spears erupt out of the ground with powerful force. Sometimes they are blunt, rocky objects for debilitating strikes on one or multiple targets. However, in dangerous confrontations, Max concentrates a little harder, crystallizing and sharpening them, to impale his enemies. These lethal attacks are usually saved for deadly and inhuman enemies, or people that absolutely must be taken down.

Earthen Armor - The Geologist can, as one might imagine, defend himself from physical attacks with the earth itself, by encasing himself in earthly materials. Generally, stone is easiest and the best choice, though if he chooses, Max may also don full crystal armor, geode armor, and if he's careful: molten armor. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, though all generally restrict his movement, and as movement is necessary for his powers to be most effective, he doesn't often wear these suits of earth.

Molten Attacks - This is a separate category because the Geologist only uses lava when his enemies are particularly powerful. He most commonly brings magma to the surface, or heats a rock, and essentially launches a burning stone at his enemy. He can even reproduce the conditions of a more felsic volcanic eruption, raining down bits of molten rock over a large group of adversaries. With enough concentration, any of the Geologist's attacks can become lava-based.

Earth Golem - The Geologist has only recently learned to animate stone in such a specific and interesting fashion. It takes a special focus to bind stone, lava, or crystal together in a moving mass. Through meditation techniques, Max has learned to create a humanoid companion that can take hits he simply cannot. So long as the Geologist keeps focus, the golem will follow him, attack on command, and defend its master. Max is working on more complex behaviors, but it takes a lot of time. Currently, his golems can follow him, engage in melee combat, and throw objects, including trash cans, pieces of concrete, or even pieces of themselves!

Levitation - Simply enough, surrounding himself in earth, or using a platform of earth, the Geologist can propel himself into the air, hovering or moving as he wills the piece of earth around.

Terrasurfing - Using self-propulsion of a superhardened piece of earth and heating of the earth beneath that, Max can actually skim across the surface of the planet at very high speeds, reaching 100 mph. Max's superspeeding leaves a cooled remnant of molten earth in a streak behind him. So long as he remains on actual crust, he can maintain his moving platform. He can also employ this technique indoors if he can muster enough material, though it's much harder on him and much slower.

Earth Vortex - This is generally flashier than most of the Geologist's powers, but it's effective. Hardening a piece of earth as a pivot, and rotating rapidly, Max mentally latches onto the earth around him and rips it from the ground, kicking up pebbles, stones, sand, dirt, dust in a vortex of stone. What's more is, this technique also whips up the air into a corresponding whirlwind, kicking up even more particles and other debris. Thus, the Geologist doesn't need to put as much effort into this as one might think. The power builds on its own motion. This power is generally only effective outdoors, with some exceptions, and Max uses it in short bursts to stun, disorient, or beat back enemies that have gotten too close for comfort. He may also increase the radius of this power, creating a larger vortex, hitting more enemies, and protecting him and anything else inside.

Other abilities

Mind

The Geologist's greatest power is his creative and scientific mind. As cliché as it sounds, Max and his powers would be far less effective if he were without his intellect and cunning. The Geologist possesses volumes of knowledge on a full range of subjects, notably Geology. Years of rigorous study and reasoning have trained his mind to be critical of situations at face value. He isn't quite a "genius", but sharp nonetheless. This allow him the information he needs to effectively manipulate and alter earth. On top of his educated and scientific mind, Max is a naturally creative and spontaneous individual. Even bordering on chaotic. His affinity for scientific thought can betray this aspect of his personality, but it really shows in combat. This, if anything else, is what gives him a dangerous edge. The Geologist has become very adept at using his powers efficiently, and unpredictably.

Body

Through his travels and adventures, Max has gotten to be in very good shape, and honed his fighting skills. He's no martial arts master or boxing champion, but he knows how to throw and take a few good punches. This further compounds the Geologist's ability to confuse, surprise, and shock his opponents. For instance, he might encase an enemy's body in stone, only to close in and knock them out with a right hook to the head.

Experience

The Geologist is a well-traveled individual, having seen much of the known world, and some parts unknown. He's also seen his fair share of combat in the more dangerous parts of the world, even anonymously assisting the downtrodden of several countries. This has made him a little wiser when it comes to other cultures and battle.

Max has no formal combat training, but is able to fight and maneuver without the assistance of his powers well enough to put up a fight. A chance encounter with a Malta Sapper encouraged Max to develop his skills outside of his powers, to ensure he could survive should he ever lose them. The Geologist can use most firearms, though he is certainly not a marksman. He's also slightly more informed than the average citizen about security and combat protocols. If cornered, without powers, the Geologist still has a slight chance to escape capture or death.

Limitations & Weaknesses

The Geologist's powers are not without their restrictions.

Ranges & Materials

Max cannot exercise his control or senses outside of certain "spheres of influence". These ranges also seem dependent on his level of concentration and well-being. His emotional, mental, and/or physical state can positively or negatively affect his powers' efficacy.

Strangely enough, certain materials are simply invisible and unusable to the Geologist. Generally, this pertains to anything "refined" or otherwise shaped. Things that are generally referred to as "manmade." For instance, Max simply cannot sense or control steel. Even concrete and asphalt escape his abilities. There is currently no explanation for this phenomenon, and the exact limits of its effects are not known.

Proprioception

An interesting aspect of the relationship between his powers and his mind are the Geologist's movements during combat. When employing Geokinesis, Max "pulls," "pushes," and "throws" with his body. Despite the fact that his control of earth is essentially psychic, the Geologist's control is better suited when he moves as if it were an extension of his body. Though he is anything but a psychologist, he theorizes that his mind can cope with his powers better when operating under an existing proprioception. That is, a sense of where his body's pieces are in relation to one another, especially when in motion. Moving earth with only his thoughts is possible, but far more difficult. Therefore, restricting the Geologist's movement (even a nod of his head might assist a geokinetic attack) will cripple his abilities.

Location

There are also environmental limitations on his powers. Max has to be in very near to the ground for his Geopathy and in actual contact for "Immovability" to function.

This does not, however, apply to his actual manipulations, which he can perform so long as earth material is present. So, in an airplane, Max could levitate a boulder, but could not sense a volcanic eruption the way he normally would. Proximity also makes a difference. For example, standing in an open field instead of inside a building yields a stronger Earth Sense. Even wearing shoes makes a small difference. Max has sometimes taken to removing his shoes before a dangerous battle.

The extra-planar night club, Pocket D, being completely without Earth material, is a problem for Max. Being without his Geopathy is disorienting and somewhat distressing for him. He frequently visits the D, regardless, subjecting himself to this "earth blindness" so that he may become more accustomed to it, seeing it as a necessary skill. Max would say the beautiful women and the drinks "are completely coincidental."

Alien geologies also pose a problem for the Geologist. During an academic exploration of Firebase Zulu, Max discovered he was completely "blind" and unable to use his powers. Max hypothesized that he was able to manipulate Earth's materials, and only Earth's. At this point, it seems that the Geologist is unable to manipulate or sense any geology other than his home planet's.

Human

But the Geologist rarely has cause to leave Earth, aside from Pocket D. No, Max's most obvious weakness is that, aside from the aforementioned powers and skills, he's only human. He can be injured, incapacitated, or killed just like any other. While he does not suffer from any delusions of invincibility, and he knows when to be cautious, the reality of being just one bullet away from death threatens him daily.

The Geologist does extremely well against common thugs like Skulls, Hellions, the Family, and Vazhilok, as well as other Earth-manipulating enemies, particularly Outcasts, Trolls, and Devouring Earth. Enemies like the Council, 5th Column, Malta, Nemesis, and Arachnos pose much more of a problem because of organization and heavier weaponry. Magic and Psychic enemies like the Circle of Thorns, Carnival of Shadows, and the Rikti are some of the most challenging, because they can more easily bypass Max's powers. Despite his intellect, he is still quite susceptible to psychic attack.

Personal Info

Personality

The Geologist is generally a friendly, laid back person with a few exceptions. He's free spirited, rebellious, and still a bit of a nerd.

In normal social situations, Max isn't always gregarious. Some times he will keep to himself and listen, unless asked to involve himself. Other times he'll start a conversation, despite being somewhat socially awkward. It depends on his mood and the circumstances.

To most strangers, he offers a bold smile and a firm handshake, and rarely fails to flirt with beautiful women or the occasional guy. He's energetic about life, and naturally charming to most, though he wouldn't know it. Max can live in his head sometimes, and doesn't always interpret social cues correctly, if at all. This makes for awkward conversation sometimes, though for some, it only makes him more charming. Max makes no apologies for who he is.

Even in combat, the Geologist is all smiles. He enjoys the challenge, and the look on his enemies' faces when he encases them in stone. Though, if the going gets tough, Max knows how to up the ante. It is in these battles where lives are on the line that the Geologist's powers show their ferocity. Depending on his adversary, he will do what he can to end the situation as quickly and efficiently as possible. So when common thugs are concerned (Family, Skulls, Freakshow), he'll make an effort to use non-lethal force, but against inhuman enemies like the Devouring Earth, Rikti, or the Undead, he won't hesitate to drive a stalagmite through them. Enemies like the Malta group, 5th Column, Nemesis, or Arachnos get harsh treatment because of their lethal nature, but Max never kills if he can help it.

Apart from intense combat, only a few other things can diminish his energetic and friendly attitude. He takes his academic work very seriously, and doesn't have much tolerance for interruption or disruption. When in the field, doing research, or the occasional experiment, the Geologist is not very open to social interaction. Science consumes him, and he can get frustrated with people that persist, even if they don't mean to bother him.

This, along with his sometimes withdrawn and always free spirited nature, makes for short-lived romances. Though he is passionate, caring, and protective in romantic relationships, Max never stays involved with someone for long. He doesn't see this as a bad thing, however. He remembers most of his relationships fondly, as great times had with great people. Though some of them were doomed to fail from the start, most went well up until the point Max had to leave or the strain of his work simply became to great. Max prefers one-night stands and flings, and his work generally reinforces that. Whether it's solely because he's free spirited, or because he's afraid of commitment has been debated.

The Geologist doesn't share the particulars of his life easily. He maintains a secret identity. It generally takes a while for him to divulge anything personal about himself, especially his past. Like most anyone, he has his own share of trauma and guilt. But he's not one to lean on a sob story. It's his business, and only close friends get to hear about it, if at all.

The Geologist tends to be more confident, outgoing, and sociable in-costume, though there isn't much of a difference in personality between the Geologist and Dr. Maxwell Dylan. Generally, this isn't a problem, as the Geologist almost never encounters people he knows as Dr. Dylan, and vice versa.

Acquaintances, Enemies, & Friends

Sierra Six Echo - The Geologist's first new friend after his return to the City of Tomorrow. Sierra and Max share a drink or two occasionally, and she offered him housing for a few months before his travels to the Rogue Isles and his subsequent return.

Ionic-Man - W.I.P.

Sireyn - W.I.P.

Organizations

Miscellaneous

Word On The Street Is...

This space functions as an In-Character Discussion area. Leave an IC comment by your character concerning the Geologist. Impressions, experiences, rumors, whatever! Please keep it in quotes and be sure to "sign" your character's name!

OOC Notes

The Geologist is a Dominator (though an Earth Brute is well on its way) because I think it suited him better than the Controller AT, which didn't allow for an Earth-based secondary. This in no way implies he is or ever was a villain, IC.

Also, the Geologist is a Vigilante almost solely because he operates outside of the law by refusing to register. Though occasionally he will protest and even break some other laws he doesn't agree with, the Geologist is definitely more heroic than the common Vigilante arc would imply. He does not kill (unless absolutely necessary) and is not a "ends justify the means" kinda guy. Also, being a Vigilante allows him to travel to the Isles. Which is damn nifty. Max might be considered Neutral Good.

Influences

The Geologist was inspired by several characters in fiction, including Indiana Jones, Mr. Fantastic, the Flash (particularly the WB animated version), and Terra, of the Teen Titans. Also, like all my characters, I bring a lot of myself to the table.

The Geologist