Widow Salem
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
Known mostly by name alone, Salem is an former high-ranking Widow from the Arachnos organization, known for having served directly beneath Lord Recluse for several years' time. A phenomenally powerful psionic shrouded in mystery, she appears between both Paragon City and the Rogue Isles seemingly at random and fighting mainly as a vigilante of sorts.
Last updated 28 December 2011.
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| Salem, in her Widow uniform | |
| Widow Salem | |
| Player: @Brimstone | |
| Origin: | Natural |
|---|---|
| Archetype: | Night Widow |
| Security Level: | <50 |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: | unknown |
| Known Aliases: | "Salem" |
| Species: | considered human, unverified |
| Age: | unknown |
| Height: | 5'8" |
| Weight: | 125 lbs. |
| Eye Color: | Violet |
| Hair Color: | Light brown |
| Biographical Data | |
| Citizenship: | Confidential |
| Occupation: | unknown |
| Place of Birth: | unknown |
| Current Residence: | unknown |
| Marital Status: | unknown |
| Known Relatives: | unknown |
| Known Powers | |
| telepathy (long-range), psychokinesis, Fortunana psionic training, Night Widow training | |
| Known Abilities | |
| minor clairvoyance, transvection, remote viewing, minor retro/precognition (sporatically) | |
| Equipment | |
| Confidential | |
| Footnotes | |
| No additional information available. | |
Contents |
Character History
Truth be told, not much is known about the individual known as Salem. Much like everything else about her, no records seem to exist about her life: Though she introduces herself as Salem, there is no actual proof of it being her real name.
Arachnos
What is known about Salem is what Arachnos recruits, former or present, speak of in rumors; she is said to have become a fairly high-ranking Widow very suddenly, with little to no time known spent as a soldier. Her name first became known among recruits when she came into commanding a portion of the soldier training divisions, working alongside others her rank for some time before being promoted into an overseer for all recruit-related areas: registration, training, even allotting minor missions for teams. All the while, the individual called Salem was known in name only; she herself remained secretive and diligent to her work, rarely -- if ever -- sharing areas of her personal life with co-workers, and never removing her Widow helmet in the presence of others. Only on extremely significant or dangerous missions did she fight alongside other high-ranked Arachnos operatives in the field, exposing them to surprising power and prowess in both psionics and Widow training even from the start.
At a point -- around two or three years' service -- Salem moved again, this time placed by direct order of Recluse to work as an overseer and supervisor to all departments, often having the last word on issues of higher importance. She no longer fought in the field, instead providing support and direction to varying departments, often on Recluse's behalf when he was unavailable. Most often, Salem was seen observing departments from afar, and was known to be reporting her findings directly to Recluse himself. Though stiff and by-the-book, Salem was known to be a fairly benevolent commander, omniscient in Arachnos activities and areas yet hardly harsh in her directions. Many recruits grew to like her for her particular gentleness in the presence of harsh limitations and commands. However, her rank required a certain level of aloofness and disconnect from members, likely adding to the lack of personal knowledge about her.
Post-Arachnos
Salem's resignation was sudden, quiet, and never quite addressed with other members. After over at least two to three decades' work, Salem retired from her rank and broke away from Arachnos, under an agreement that she would not be "hunted" (as per the norm) for the disconnect. After her retirement in late 2010, Salem began a long streak of ambiguity, appearing at random between the Rogue Isles and the Paragon City, though her business and reasoning for doing so are unknown. She has mentioned that she lives in Praetoria.
As she is not known for being associated with any criminal organizations at the present time -- and because she has aligned herself with the hero-mercenary group, The Legionnaires -- Salem has been seen as a vigilante of sorts, if only for the fact that it is difficult to consider an ex-Widow a true hero. For the most part, she seems to be innocent in her post-Arachnos career, working usually within Paragon City to help clear the streets of crime.
Powers
Though her psionics and physical attack skills are fairly equal in strength, Salem seems to favor using mind over motion in almost all circumstances. A phenomenally powerful psychic, Salem easily identifies others like herself and maintains mental defenses completely impenetrable by other psychics. One attempting to delve into her mind unwillingly would be met only with a high-pitched, warding noise in their head. When meditating, a faint white noise can be heard by others in her proximity; long exposure to it may cause headaches, but it seems otherwise harmless.
Major Skills
- Telepathy: Able to communicate to others through the mind long range. Communicating overseas requires a considerable amount of more energy, typically more than she is willing to spend. Also involves reading thoughts and emotions, fairly effortlessly, at the same range.
- Psychokinesis: Able to lift objects with her mind, up to a few tons. In this way, she is easily able to freeze people in place, though those with stronger mental resistance or physical strength may find it easier to break free.
- Invisibility: Literally "tricks" the brains of those around her into not seeing her. While invisible to most, only those with psychic abilities near her level would be able to detect her.
- Psionics (Fortunata training): Able to attack targets' minds with a variation of techniques, warping and corrupting the mental system to the point of blocking brain patterns, shutting down organs and interrupting the body's normal flow, leading to death.
- Hand-to-Hand Combat Mastery (Widow training): Proficient in physical combat, though it is more rarely used. Weapon of choice remain the generic Widow claws.
Lesser Skills
- Retrocognition/precognition: Minor. Glimpses of the past or future, typically sporadically and without warning. Particularly energy-draining; usually mentally out of commission thereafter.
- Remote viewing: Minor. Able to see glimpses of faraway objects or people set in present time. Particularly energy-draining; only able to see within roughly a city, and not for very long.
- Clairvoyance: Minor. Able to gain very basic information through physical contact with an object, rather than telepathy.
- Transvection: Levitation and flight at an average speed.
Personality
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Needless to say, Salem's ongoing reputation as a secretive, mysterious and private individual is ongoing. Salem chooses to share very little information about herself, instead far more interested in the ways of those who have lived "normal" lives (at least compared to her own), particularly the heroes of Paragon City as she strains to understand their goals and motivations. The psychology of heroes and villains alike -- what has or continues to drive them to do the things they do -- greatly intrigue her, yet Salem maintains a surprisingly respectful approach to learning of their lives: Through willing conversation and acquaintanceship, rather than reading minds. In fact, Salem very rarely reaches into the minds of others without prompt, emergency or necessity: She wishes for others to respect her own need for privacy by respecting theirs.
Though she is nearly always seen in the Widow uniform of olden days, Salem no longer partakes in Arachnos, though she openly admits to having ongoing, friendly connections still active in the organization. The ex-Widow is undoubtedly intelligent, often learning a surprisingly amount about acquaintances through sheer observation, rather than telepathy. After many years at a very high, authoritative rank, Salem remains strikingly charismatic and accountable, seeking and openly listing answers to problems she often has no business in. A natural-born leader, the woman is wise, patient and kind -- yet stiff and with expectations for comrades in matters of professionalism. She always approaches problems gently, and remains unfazed by anything thrown her way. She seems out for the good of people, though her background inevitably raises suspicion that, when voiced, reveals a rarely-seen discouraged Salem. Needless to say, she highly prioritizes trust, despite the gap of information she is able to provide about herself.
All in all, Salem seems and is perfectly polite and personable upon meeting, with a sly sense of humor and a to-the-point attitude. She does, however, pick and choose her answers to questions, and is able to breeze her way through any conversation while maintaining her privacy with the utmost subtlety.
Appearance
Although having retired from Arachnos many years ago, Salem still wears the uniform unabashedly. Skin-tight and revealing no skin other than her face, the Widow uniform is designed in red and black, with details in gold. She is never seen without the chest guard and tall-standing collar, behind which the woman speaks without distraction. A red streak is painted over her eyes, its origin unknown but presumably a mark of authority from her role in Arachnos beneath Lord Recluse. Over her arms and torso are gold twirling and moving lights, evidence of a very restrained psychic power that still cannot be entirely contained.
Physically, Salem stands at average height, with a thin build shaped for neither speed nor strength. Her face -- her only exposed skin -- is of a tanned shade, only slightly lighter than her walnut-hued hair, which reaches past her lower back. Stunningly beautiful, Salem seems calm and relaxed in appearance at all times, her violet-blue eyes focused and analyzing all she sees.
