[OOC] CLOSED - Ultimate One Universe: Season One

[Byrd Man]

<Snipped quote by Byrd Man>

...

How?

@Hound55

My Caitlyn isn't as high-maintenance as your Caitlin.

Also, I sleep like four hours a night.

[Mao Mao]

I wish I was able to sleep for four hours a night ;-;

[Retired]

I wish I was able to sleep for four hours a night ;-;

@Star Lord

No. No, you don't.

[HenryJonesJr]

Some of us just don’t work very hard during the day

[Hound55]

So they ironed out the bugs in C 2.0..?

[GreenGrenade]

Thwick.

[+]

G R E E N A R R O W

^{“Why, you speak treason!”
“Fluently.”
L A D Y M A R I A N & R O B I N H O O D}

_{N A M E}

---

Oliver Jonas "Ollie" Queen

_{A L I A S}

---

Green Arrow

_{P O W E R S A N D A B I L I T I E S}

---

The Island has transformed Oliver. Put through a gauntlet of violence and death, he’s come out the other side with skills his younger self would never have dreamed of. Oliver’s an archer, and a damn good one at that. The desperation of a life spent surviving has instilled within him a philosophy of never missing, and that’s reflected in his markmanship – when he shoots an arrow, it meets its mark. His years away have seen him become a formidable combatant in peak physical condition; struggles on the Island were quick and brutal, and his style reflects that. Urban and environmental traversal were essential then, and they’re essential now – and his knowledge of Russian and Japanese don’t hurt, either. The thing he got really good at, though… really good at… was the art of killing.

But he tries not to think about that.

_{O R I G I N A N D B A C K S T O R Y}

---

Oliver Jonas Queen was born to Robert and Moira Queen in Star City, California, in the year of 1990. His family was extremely wealthy, his father the founder and CEO of Queen Industries, a multi-billion dollar conglomerate with a strong foothold in the international technology market. Oliver wanted for naught, his every need provided for him, and then some. His view on life was that it was easy, and one only had to take a look at him to see it: he was lazy, arrogant, and ignorant of the struggles most other people faced. As a young teen, he took a brief interest in archery, and in typical Queen fashion, he was provided with the best instructor money could hire, taught privately at the Queen Family Mansion. This would last all of two years, Oliver’s focus shifting towards other, less disciplined hobbies. Together with his best friend, Tommy Merlyn, he barely scraped through boarding school, and after it was over, all they knew was booze and women. Oliver met Dinah Laurel Lance when they were twenty-two. He was an idiot, and she was unlike any other girl he’d been with before: one with character. Somehow, they started dating.

Sick of his son’s frivolous ways, Robert decided to take Oliver with him on a business trip to Beijing for his twenty-third birthday. Travelling on Robert’s yacht, The Queen’s Gambit, he hoped to talk some sense into Oliver, if not to convince him to get his MBA and take a position in Queen Industries, then to try and get him to try out philanthropy for himself, or, well... anything. Oliver saw this as an opportunity for something else; with their relationship on shaky ground, he invited Dinah along in an attempt to stabilise it, envisioning a romantic few weeks on the water. It was around then that he realised he might finally be taking something seriously. Before any serious talks, Robert gave Oliver his birthday present – Howard Hill’s bow from The Adventures of Robin Hood – in an attempt to remind Oliver of the last time he truly had a passion for something. He would attempt to broach the subject of responsibility tomorrow. But before he could do so, the Gambit was swept in a freak storm, and as it sunk, Oliver watched his father die – left to drift in a lifeboat with Dinah. They arrived at shore days later, stranded in a place they would come to know only as "The Island." Back home, Dinah Lance, and Oliver and Robert Queen were presumed dead, buried in empty coffins.

Five years later, Oliver and Dinah returned home. Much had changed during the time they were gone, and for the next four months, they would try to adjust to civilised life once more, intending to leave the horrors of the Island behind. But life has a funny way of spitting in your face.

_{W H A T M A K E S T H I S C H A R A C T E R " U L T I M A T E " ?}

---

The biggest differences, I think, are that A) Oliver and Dinah knew each other before they started dabbling in this superhero gig, B) they were on the Island together, and C) neither of them really wants to do anything with their abilities, and would really rather just try to adjust to normal life again. Obviously, this won’t work out for them, and before long we’ll see bad guys shot at with arrows, with their eardrums blown out. It’s just a matter of time.

A thing to note is that this isn’t the Oliver from the comics yet. He’s still dealing with his experience on the Island, and won’t get over them for quite some time. But he’ll eventually move past his damage, and (hopefully) come to take his place among the greats.

_{S U P P O R T I N G C H A R A C T E R S}

---

[+]

Dinah Laurel Lance – Oliver’s girlfriend, who shared in the nightmare of the Island.

Thomas "Tommy" Merlyn – Oliver’s best friend since diapers, now climbing the ranks of his father’s company, Merlyn Global.

Thea Queen – Oliver’s little sister, twenty years old. Sole resident of the Queen Family Mansion after Moira Queen’s passing one year ago.

John Diggle – Thea’s bodyguard, formerly Moira’s before her death. Ex-S.H.I.E.L.D., and before that, ex-Green Beret.

Walter Steele – CEO of Queen Industries, handed control of the conglomerate by Moira Queen in the late stages of her cancer. An honest man, good to Thea. Like a substitute father.

Captain Quentin Lawrence "Larry" Lance – A captain at the S.C.P.D., and Dinah’s father.

Dinah Drake – Dinah’s mother. Owns the Sherwood Florist, a flower shop at Orchid Bay.

Sara Lance – Dinah’s little sister, twenty-one years old. Became close friends with Thea following their siblings' presumed death.

Malcolm Merlyn – Mayor of Star City, founder of Merlyn Global, and father of Tommy Merlyn.

Roy Harper – ???

_{S A M P L E P O S T}

---

[+]

Sometimes he’d catch himself reaching for an arrow.

He could be eating breakfast. Exercising. Playing catch-up with the world. Something would move in the corner of his eye, or he would hear some sound – approaching footsteps, the crackle of leaves, a door’s strained creak – and all of a sudden he’d be back on the Island.

Back in the dirt and the forest, sticky with sweat and blood and ducking, something hot and fast flying past his head, as he reaches for his quiver and pulls out an arrow, his heart pounding in tandem with the gunfire. And as he takes aim he can feel his shoulders tighten, and he fills his lungs with air until they press against his ribcage, breathing out in an explosive burst as he lets the arrow loose. It meets its target with a thud, slamming into the gunman’s chest – the gunman, who lets out a windless cry, a wild shot from his rifle echoing through the woods. He’s on the ground now, and Oliver takes a moment to watch as the life leaves his body, his chin covered in red, the wooden shaft of the arrow rising up out of his sternum like a flag erected to lay claim to his life. Further away, lost among the trees, a piercing scream stabs into Oliver’s ears –

– and he would remind himself that he wasn’t on the Island anymore. His hand would lower itself from an imaginary quiver, taking its place back by his side, and he’d let out a shaky breath, trying for the thousandth time to get used to the idea that he didn’t have to fight anymore. That he was safe. It always felt like a lie.

Today was no different.

“Itchy back, Mr. Queen?” asked John Diggle.

The bodyguard stood in the doorway to his father’s old study. It was a large room, filled with old books and mahogany, the smell of paper thick and oddly comforting. Thea said that after the Gambit sunk, Mom had often come in here to think. It made her feel close to Robert. He’d spent so much time there… So Oliver would come in here, too. To feel close to both of them.

“Hm?” Oliver lowered his hand, turning to face Diggle. “Oh, Mr. Diggle. Yeah, actually, it’s – it’s kinda killing me. Do you mind…?”

The man stared at him blankly, unsure of how to respond. He was tall, built like a truck. Ex-S.H.I.E.L.D., apparently. Oliver had met a few ex-S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives on the Island. They weren’t that tough.

He smiled. “Kidding.”

Diggle returned a smile, but it wasn’t genuine. Not really. He seemed almost on-edge, as if something was bothering him. Rigid and unmoving, like prey that knew it was being hunted. It wasn’t the first time he’d been like this around Oliver.

“Everything okay?” asked Ollie. “Thea giving you a hard time again?”

“No, sir. Your sister’s fine, getting ready to leave in a couple of minutes. I just thought I’d check in on you, see how you’re doing.”

“Oh. Right. I’m doing pretty fine. Just thinking on stuff,” he said. “What about you? How’s the security life treating you?”

“As well as it always does, sir. I can’t complain.”

“Not even a little bit?” he joked.

“Not at all, Mr. Queen. You and your sister are great employers. So was your mother.”

It was like talking to a brick wall.

Oliver straightened up, walking towards Diggle. The bodyguard’s eyes never left him, following him across the room.

“Can I ask you a question?”

Diggle nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Why do you always look like you’re about to fight that Superman guy when I’m around?”

He blinked. “Come again?”

Oliver met his gaze, and held it there.

“Are you scared of me, Mr. Diggle?”

Diggle hesitated, taken aback.

“To tell you the truth?” he dropped his eyes, “Shitless, sir.”

He sighed, massaging the back of his neck. His jacket arm almost split as he bent it, his bicep flexing into that of a giant’s. “I can’t get a good read on you.”

Oliver gave a perplexed smile as he crossed his arms, leaning against the doorframe. “Why would you want to?”

“With all due respect, Mr. Queen,” he said, “I’m ex-Special Forces. I know damaged goods when I see them. And I just can’t tell whether you’re the dangerous kind.”

“I was stuck on an island with my girlfriend for five years, Digg,” laughed Oliver. “The most damage I have is from when she got sick of me. Let me tell you, if anyone’s the dangerous one, it’s her.”

Diggle allowed himself a smile at that. It was small, sure, and his eyes still spoke of discomfort, but some progress was better than none. Baby steps, and all that.

“Right,” he said, “Well, I’d better get going, sir. Your sister’s probably waiting at the car by now. My apologies if I was out of line.”

“Oh, psh-aw,” said Oliver, “I was the one who asked. I’ll catch you later, Mr. Diggle.”

The bodyguard nodded his farewell, his shoes creating a small echo as they clicked against the tiled flooring. Oliver watched him walk down the hallway – this tank of a man, who used to be a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, and a Green Beret before that. This man, who had probably seen his fair share of bloodshed and suffering. This man, who was scared by the twenty-eight year old son of a dead billionaire. And as he watched Diggle get further and further away, Oliver clamped his jaw tight, trying hard to repress a shudder as a thought ran through his mind...

… that Diggle had no idea how right he was to fear him.

[mickilennial]

#westcoastheroes

[Byrd Man]

#westcoastheroes

@Inkarnate

We gotta stick together.

[mickilennial]

We gotta stick together.

@Byrd Man

We'll form our own Justice League. It'll be great. Greater than great. It'll be like a wrestling stable. 10/10.

[Mao Mao]

<Snipped quote by Byrd Man>
We'll form our own Justice League. It'll be great. Greater than great. It'll be like a wrestling stable. 10/10.

@Inkarnate

Will it also have blackjacks and hookers?

[Enarr]

<Snipped quote by Inkarnate>
Will it also have blackjacks and hookers?

@Star Lord

And indents.

[stark]

<Snipped quote by Inkarnate>
Will it also have blackjacks and hookers?

@Star Lord

Their party won’t, but Tony’s party will.



#EastCoastRules

[Simple Unicycle]

Meanwhile, Frank's just sitting there sad because even the other east coast heroes don't want to hang out with him because he's 'too violent' and 'mentally unstable' and should 'get help'. Phooey.

[NinaDivine]

OK. Still a WIP. Just posting so y'all know I'm still here, I guess.
Background could use some tweeking, need to fill out the Ultimate section and write a sample post.

Flamehead

Character You're Applying For:

Powers And Abilities:

• Ghost Rider Transformation: Dani Ketch possesses the supernatural ability to transform into the Ghost Rider at night, in the presence of evil, or when innocent blood is spilled.
  • Superhuman Strength: The Ghost Rider possesses superhuman strength sufficient to lift up to 25 tons.
  • Superhuman Stamina: The mystical energy that empowers Ghost Rider prevents her 'muscles' from producing fatigue toxins during physical activities, granting her limitless superhuman stamina.
  • Superhuman Durability: While transformed into Ghost Rider, Dani's body was highly resistant to physical injury. She was capable of withstanding great impact forces, temperature and pressure extremes, powerful energy blasts, high caliber bullets, and falls from great heights without sustaining injury.
  • Regenerative Healing Factor: Despite her high resistance to damage and harm while she is transformed into Ghost Rider, Dani can still sustain any damage and/or harm. The mystical energies of the Ghost Rider enabled her to heal any damage and/or harm rapidly faster, greater and better than any ordinary human being is capable of. Her regenerative powers are powerful and quick, and they allow her to regenerate in a matter of moments/seconds depending on the damage and/or harm.
  • Penance Stare: The Ghost Rider possesses the supernatural ability to cause any individual who stares into her eyes to see and feel every bit of pain they have ever inflicted on anyone in their entire lifetime.
  • Hellfire Manipulation: The Ghost Rider possesses the ability to generate, control, and project mystical fire, or "hellfire" at will. Hellfire is an empyreal and supernatural flame that burns the soul of a person and can be used to burn their physical body. Ghost Rider can utilize this fire in various ways including: projecting it from her eyes, hands, mouth, or even channel it from her body into other weapons like her chain, form walls of hellfire, and even create a motorcycle completely out of hellfire.
  • Mystical Chain Projection: As Ghost Rider, Dani wields a mystical chain that is capable of growing in length, cutting through almost anything, and transforming into other weapons. She can also spew and project chains from her mouth or chest at will.

Origin And Backstory:
Daniela and Barbara were adopted by the widow Francis Ketch when they were still in diapers. The two sisters never knew their biological parents nor the curse their bloodline carried. Francis managed to keep the family afloat as a single parent. The Ketches were a lower middle class family in Brooklyn yet the kids wanted for nothing for the most part.

Dani was always a good kid. Of course, there have been hiccups, but what kid doesn't get into trouble from time to time? Barbara on the other hand became wilder and wilder as she grew older. So it came to one night of plentiful underage drinking that Barbara called her little sister to come pick her up. Always the dutiful sister, Dani got on her Kawasaki VN 900 and went to her sister. While driving home Barbara got sick, so Dani pulled over across from a cemetery. Loud pops and bangs could be heard coming from the graveyard. In her drunken stupor ran into the cemetery to see what was going on with Dani chasing after her. A gunfight was going on between two opposing organizations. When the girls were discovered they became targets. Barbara was shot in the gut. Dani picked up her sister and ran as fast as she could towards her bike, but she too would be shot in the back and leg. As she lie dying looking over at her sister as the gunmen approached to finish the job, Dani prayed. She prayed to anyone and anything that would listen. She prayed not for hope or sanctuary. No. Instead she prayed for vengeance.

Her prayer would be answered not by angels or any heavenly host. Mephisto, Lord of Hell, answered Dani's call. Mephisto told Dani that he would save her life and give the power to exact her revenge if she was willing to make a deal with the devil. Dani agreed if only her sister was promised to survive the night. Mephisto agreed to Dani's term. And then, the devil disappeared.

From that night on Dani Ketch found herself possessed by a supernatural Spirit of Vengeance. At night, in the presence of evil or whenever innocent blood is spilled nearby, Dani transforms into... the Ghost Rider.

What Makes This Character 'Ultimate'?:
My pretty font

Supporting Characters:

• Mephisto - He is often confused with Lucifer, and in truth often allows the people of Earth to believe that his is in fact 'the devil'.
• Francis Ketch - The only mother Dani and Barbara have ever known.
• Barbara Ketch - Dani's older sister by two years.
• Caretaker - Old dude in a cemetery who seems to know a little too much about the supernatural.
• Blackout - True name unknown...
• Stephen Lord - Crimelord.

Ghost Rider / Dani Ketch

Sample Post:

---

Also had a question.

@Master Bruce @Byrd Man @Morden Man and anyone else...

How are characters with the same names going to be handled?
I was thinking of using Marvel's Scarecrow as a villain, for example. Would I simply have to clarify which Scarecrow it is I'm using? Or is a name change required?

[mickilennial]

I sleep.

[Sep]

@Byrd Man did you... unlike my post to like it again just to send me a notification?

---

Still working on getting the pacing right, hopefully these Flash posts will get better as time goes on. Ironically I always had pacing issues when writing for speedsters.

[Master Bruce]

Before I actually sleep,a s I probably won't get a response tomorrow @Master Bruce what's the consensus on major events regarding our own cities? I.E. Central City for me.

@Sep

You can do whatever you want in your respective cities, major or minor.

Ultimate One Universe: Year One Application

Character You're Applying For:

Daniel Cassidy/Astaroth: Blue Devil

Origin And Backstory:

Daniel Cassidy is your average Generation Z high school graduate. He has few ambitions in life and no direction for his future. He likes pizza, has an annoying younger sister, and can probably kick your ass in Smash Bros..

Astaroth is an eons-old demonic entity from Hell. Formerly a foot soldier risen to the ranks of General of Hell. A loyal follower of Lucifer prior to the Morningstar's abdication of the throne, Astaroth has always had a fascination and certain fondness for Earth's culture and inhabitants. With the departure of Lucifer, the current ruler of Hell, Asmodel, plans to lead his demonic forces in a war against Heaven. To do this, Asmodel intends to take advantage of the recent passing of the former Sorcerer Supreme and invade Earth while its defenses are down and take by force the billions of souls present there to empower himself and his army.

Disagreeing with Asmodel's direction and methods, Astaroth has openly rebelled in order to preserve the Earth he's come to appreciate from afar. Knowing that in order to bring the entirety of Hell's forces to Earth Asmodel would have to utilize the Trident of Lucifer, Hell's most powerful artifact, Astaroth stole the relic and transported himself to Earth with the intent of keeping it from the grasp of Asmodel. Unskilled with the mystical arts, Astaroth attempted to cast a spell through the Trident to hide his demonic essence and avoid being tracked by possessing the comatose or deceased body of a mortal. Instead, he was drawn into the body of the very much living and confused Daniel Cassidy.

That was yesterday.

Powers And Abilities:

Daniel is a capable gamer with mediocre rankings and accolades in such games as Call of Duty, Dragonball Fighter Z, and Fortnite. He can chug a litre of Mountain Dew in less than 70 seconds. He has been known to open a jar of pickles unassisted. Thankfully, while fused with Astaroth, he can will himself to take on the demon's form and powers.

Astaroth is a powerful, high-ranking demon trained for millenia as an elite warrior and expert strategist. His raw physical might puts him as one of the strongest entities in Hell, Heaven, or Earth. Possessing levels of durability, speed, agility far above average demons, he has in the past gone toe-to-toe with beings such as Etrigan and Eclipso.

Enhanced regenerative abilities allow Astaroth to recover from life-threatening wounds in less than a day. However, any injuries suffered as Blue Devil will be transferred to Daniel's human form should he change back. Thus, any and all healing must be done while in demonic form.

While far from a master of the mystical arts, Astaroth possesses some low-level magical abilities, and is capable of casting several lesser spells with moderate success.

The Trident of Lucifer is host to many abilities. These include: sensing demons and other mystically linked beings, being able to banish low-level demons to Hell, blasts of Hellfire at varying intensities, teleportation, and enhancing the power of the spells and incantations of the holder. Not that Daniel is capable of properly using such an artifact.

What Makes This Character 'Ultimate'?:

Well, if you know anything about the comic-version, this Daniel is not only significantly younger, but the entire concept of Blue Devil is unique. As opposed to a man in a high-tech suit turned man who made a deal with a devil to gain true power, this Blue Devil is a blend of two entities sharing a body. As such, the conflicts, difficulties, and drama that will arise are inherently different. Both Dan and Astaroth act as the 'main character' in this story, both are equally as important. Also, the demonic visage is not a permanent form but an at-will transformation, and this allows me to also focus more on Daniel's personal and home/school life that the comics tend to shy from. Essentially, this is the tale of a young man with newfound powers who has seen the rise of the recent Cape Culture and wants a taste, and the tale of an ancient demon trapped in the body of an Earth adolescent while desperately wishing to safeguard and hide the Trident from the many dark forces who wish to possess it.

Supporting Characters:

In no particular order, and with more to be added as they appear/are mentioned.

- Asmodel: Current ruler of Hell, most powerful of modern Triumvirate, the Third of the Fallen angels.
- Beelzebub: Powerful demon lord, former first general of Hell, first of the newer generation of Triumvirate members.
- Belial: Most recent Triumvirate addition. Ruthless, former general of Hell and direct superior of Astaroth.
- Sharon Scott: Former high school classmate of Daniel's who will join him as a freshman at university come Autumn. Aspiring actress.
- Marla Bloom: Aunt of Eddie Bloomberg. Close friend of Daniel's mother.
- Eddie Bloomberg: Young boy and neighbor Daniel babysits for.
- Mary Frances Cassidy: Daniel's younger sister.

There are a handful of villains from DC and Marvel, both demonic and human alike, I intend to utilize, but I'll avoid from listing them until they are canonically introduced.

Shitty sample post I wrote pre-Guildfall for Gowi's first Maximum game. Non-canon to this, obviously.

Astaroth moved quickly and silently, using the large stalagmites for cover. He could hear the battle raging off in the distance of the wastelands. Not that it was much of a battle. After a decade at war, his forces had dwindled down to less than fifty demons; only seventeen of which were actual warriors. Astaroth expected the battle to last no longer than ten minutes. If all went well, that was all he would need.

He felt guilty about sending so many demons to their deaths. Good demons, as much of an oxymoron as that was. Most of them were like him; developing, at some point or another, an infatuation with Earth and it's inhabitants. None wanted to see it ravaged, and now they were willingly offering their lives, knowing they had no chance of winning. They were a distraction, and nothing more.

The closer he came to his target, the more resolved he became in his task. Astaroth knew that his mission, like his fellow soldiers, was also likely a suicide run, but it was the only chance they had left to save the Earth. He could see Lucifer's domain in the distance, growing closer with every passing minute. Astaroth didn't have long before they found him. Honestly, he had thought his presence would have been detected long ago, but whether by a miracle or by chance he had nearly made it the whole way safely.

Astaroth neared his destination, a small, single floor building located behind the front lines. It was as deformed as any other building in Hell, having been constructed from the bodies of the damned. It wasn't actually Lucifer's home - which was located miles away in the Pandemonia district - but a temporary command center for the Devil and his generals close to the battlegrounds. Judging from the lack of soldiers awaiting him, it seemed as if his presence truly had gone unnoticed. Odd, but Astaroth was not concerned with how or why at the moment, so long as fortune continued to favor him.

He surveyed the perimeter for guards as he crouched behind a particularly tall stalagmite. He knew that while Lucifer was personally out fighting the Trident would be left behind. The ruler of Hell was too proud and arrogant to use the full might of his abilities on beings he considered unworthy and beneath him. However, Astaroth doubted even Lucifer would be so arrogant as to leave his greatest weapon unprotected should, by some miracle, one of his foes reach it.

Astaroth waited, monitoring the building for some time before he was comfortable enough in his assessment. Two demons; that was all he had seen patrolling the grounds. Of course, there could be more inside, but Astaroth did not think Lucifer would allow anyone, especially not glorified watchdogs, in the same room as his victory ticket in the war with Heaven if he were not there. He eyed the two, appraising their fighting capabilities. Although he himself was extremely powerful, Astaroth was not willing to take any chances when it came to this mission. All it took was for him to get only a little overconfident, to barely let his guard down, and a lucky attack or surprise maneuver could end it all right then and there. He could not let that happen; too much was riding on this.

The first guard - a short, stocky demon with grey skin, and spiky protrusions - paced back and forth outside the front entrance. He was well muscled, but the aura he gave off was considerably lower than Astaroth's. The second - a tall, equally muscled demon of dark yellow - was doing a wider sweep of the area. He had a slightly stronger aura than the first, but still wasn't much of a threat. Astaroth decided it was time to make his move.

Once the short one was facing away, and the larger's repetitive route had taken him far enough from the entrance, Astaroth rushed from behind his hiding spot and pounced on the first demon. His leg snapped out and struck at the knees. The guard collapsed, a sharp cry of both pain and surprise escaping his lips before Astaroth's hands gripped both sides of his face and twisted suddenly to the right.

"Be silent." He snarled.

By now the second demon guard was coming back around, but he was of no consequence anymore as Astaroth pulled open the door and entered the building. Although there were several rooms, he did not need to search very hard for his target. Lucifer truly was a being too proud and overconfident for his own good. There, in the middle of the war room, floating in midair a foot off the ground, as if on display at an Earth museum was Lucifer's Trident. The most powerful weapon in all of Hell, and the fool did nothing to keep it out of unwanted hands.

He shot a hand out to grab it, and immediately recoiled in pain; his fingers feeling as if they were burning, and the skin beginning to melt away around the knuckles. An alarm began wailing, and Astaroth cursed his own foolishness. There he was mocking Lucifer's apparent arrogance, while he himself became too confident and made the mistake of not checking for any wards protecting the Trident. He knew the guard he had left alive would now be coming for him, and reinforcements would not be far away. Lucifer himself would likely be on his way. Astaroth did not have much time, and to make matters worse he was not adept at the mystical arts. They had never been his strong suit, and now he had no way to disarm the protective barrier. Just then Astaroth felt a pair of claws dig into his back as he was picked up and tossed into a wall by the taller demon.

"Blast! I underestimated his speed. I have to kill this one quickly, before reinforcements arrive. I will not allow this to all have been for naught."

He climbed to his feet and spun around with blinding speed, reacting fast enough to catch the leg of the demon who had aimed a kick at his head. Astaroth bent his arm at a ninety degree angle and brought his elbow down on the guard's knee with considerable force, an audible snap resonating through the room. He followed this with a slash across the guard's throat, his claws ripping through flesh. The yellow demon fell to the ground, hands clutching at his neck. For his credit, this one did not make a sound.

Returning his attention to the Trident, and the mystical barrier surrounding it, Astaroth attempted to work out a way around it. From what he could tell, the Trident was surrounded by an invisible wall of concentrated Hellfire, intensified to a level of disintegration - as was evident from the missing skin around his knuckles. Hellfire was the main source of offensive power for demons. An energy that could take many forms and be used for an endless variety of effects; including concussive beams, physical fire that could cause excruciating pain, summoning of spirits and entities, pure destruction, or even instant death depending on the level of the user and their intent. And with a being such as Lucifer casting the protective spell, Astaroth knew he had no chance of disarming it, even if he were mastered in the mystical arts. Had he been a weaker demon, such as one of the guards, simply touching the barrier would have been enough to utterly destroy him.

Lucifer's soldiers were likely to arrive at any second, and Astaroth saw no other way to retrieve the Trident than a direct approach; and even that was doubtful to succeed. Taking a deep breath and willing himself to be strong, he pressed his palm against the invisible wall and pushed with all his might. He could feel the skin on his hand slowly melting away as a burning sensation crept up his forearm and to his shoulder. The pain receptors in his entire arm were alive and screaming; he had never felt such pain in all of his existence. Still he pushed, the wrist of his hand now through the barrier. The Trident was only inches away, but that might be too far as he saw the entire outer layer of the skin covering the muscles and tissue of his hand dissolve away. He shouted, not in pain, but in determination, using all of the strength he possessed to push through.

Finally his fingers brushed against the metal of the weapon before they wrapped around the shaft. Gritting his pointed teeth, Astaroth yanked back as hard as he could, freeing the Trident from it's protective barrier. He immediately switched hands, holding the Trident in his left as he watched the remaining tissue and muscles on his right disintegrate, the bones from his wrist and below, no longer held together by any ligaments, clattered to the floor. He stared at his right arm, now effectively useless, as his skin finally stopped melting just below his elbow. Despite the pain he was in and the loss of his hand, Astaroth smiled. He had won, for now at least. With the Trident in his possession, Lucifer's plans to enslave humanity were ruined.

"Rejoice, brothers," he thought, remembering his fallen comrades. "For on this day we have achieved the victory we had all dreamed of."

Through the open doorway Astaroth could see a few dozen foot soldiers running towards the building, only a few hundred feet away. Just past the stampeding horde he could make out the distinctive, shining aura - one of the few to be visible to the naked eye - of Lucifer Morningstar, flying towards his command center at a breakneck speed. Though Lucifer was still of some distance away, Astaroth could swear he saw both desperation and anger in the Devil's eyes. This only broadened his grin as Astaroth raised the Trident high then slammed the base hard into the floor - channeling one of the few abilities the Trident possessed that he knew he could access - and uttered a single word.

"Earth."

@Retired

Thwick.

[+]

G R E E N A R R O W

^{“Why, you speak treason!”
“Fluently.”
L A D Y M A R I A N & R O B I N H O O D}

_{N A M E}

---

Oliver Jonas "Ollie" Queen

_{A L I A S}

---

Green Arrow

_{P O W E R S A N D A B I L I T I E S}

---

The Island has transformed Oliver. Put through a gauntlet of violence and death, he’s come out the other side with skills his younger self would never have dreamed of. Oliver’s an archer, and a damn good one at that. The desperation of a life spent surviving has instilled within him a philosophy of never missing, and that’s reflected in his markmanship – when he shoots an arrow, it meets its mark. His years away have seen him become a formidable combatant in peak physical condition; struggles on the Island were quick and brutal, and his style reflects that. Urban and environmental traversal were essential then, and they’re essential now – and his knowledge of Russian and Japanese don’t hurt, either. The thing he got really good at, though… really good at… was the art of killing.

But he tries not to think about that.

_{O R I G I N A N D B A C K S T O R Y}

---

Oliver Jonas Queen was born to Robert and Moira Queen in Star City, California, in the year of 1990. His family was extremely wealthy, his father the founder and CEO of Queen Industries, a multi-billion dollar conglomerate with a strong foothold in the international technology market. Oliver wanted for naught, his every need provided for him, and then some. His view on life was that it was easy, and one only had to take a look at him to see it: he was lazy, arrogant, and ignorant of the struggles most other people faced. As a young teen, he took a brief interest in archery, and in typical Queen fashion, he was provided with the best instructor money could hire, taught privately at the Queen Family Mansion. This would last all of two years, Oliver’s focus shifting towards other, less disciplined hobbies. Together with his best friend, Tommy Merlyn, he barely scraped through boarding school, and after it was over, all they knew was booze and women. Oliver met Dinah Laurel Lance when they were twenty-two. He was an idiot, and she was unlike any other girl he’d been with before: one with character. Somehow, they started dating.

Sick of his son’s frivolous ways, Robert decided to take Oliver with him on a business trip to Beijing for his twenty-third birthday. Travelling on Robert’s yacht, The Queen’s Gambit, he hoped to talk some sense into Oliver, if not to convince him to get his MBA and take a position in Queen Industries, then to try and get him to try out philanthropy for himself, or, well... anything. Oliver saw this as an opportunity for something else; with their relationship on shaky ground, he invited Dinah along in an attempt to stabilise it, envisioning a romantic few weeks on the water. It was around then that he realised he might finally be taking something seriously. Before any serious talks, Robert gave Oliver his birthday present – Howard Hill’s bow from The Adventures of Robin Hood – in an attempt to remind Oliver of the last time he truly had a passion for something. He would attempt to broach the subject of responsibility tomorrow. But before he could do so, the Gambit was swept in a freak storm, and as it sunk, Oliver watched his father die – left to drift in a lifeboat with Dinah. They arrived at shore days later, stranded in a place they would come to know only as "The Island." Back home, Dinah Lance, and Oliver and Robert Queen were presumed dead, buried in empty coffins.

Five years later, Oliver and Dinah returned home. Much had changed during the time they were gone, and for the next four months, they would try to adjust to civilised life once more, intending to leave the horrors of the Island behind. But life has a funny way of spitting in your face.

_{W H A T M A K E S T H I S C H A R A C T E R " U L T I M A T E " ?}

---

The biggest differences, I think, are that A) Oliver and Dinah knew each other before they started dabbling in this superhero gig, B) they were on the Island together, and C) neither of them really wants to do anything with their abilities, and would really rather just try to adjust to normal life again. Obviously, this won’t work out for them, and before long we’ll see bad guys shot at with arrows, with their eardrums blown out. It’s just a matter of time.

A thing to note is that this isn’t the Oliver from the comics yet. He’s still dealing with his experience on the Island, and won’t get over them for quite some time. But he’ll eventually move past his damage, and (hopefully) come to take his place among the greats.

_{S U P P O R T I N G C H A R A C T E R S}

---

[+]

Dinah Laurel Lance – Oliver’s girlfriend, who shared in the nightmare of the Island.

Thomas "Tommy" Merlyn – Oliver’s best friend since diapers, now climbing the ranks of his father’s company, Merlyn Global.

Thea Queen – Oliver’s little sister, twenty years old. Sole resident of the Queen Family Mansion after Moira Queen’s passing one year ago.

John Diggle – Thea’s bodyguard, formerly Moira’s before her death. Ex-S.H.I.E.L.D., and before that, ex-Green Beret.

Walter Steele – CEO of Queen Industries, handed control of the conglomerate by Moira Queen in the late stages of her cancer. An honest man, good to Thea. Like a substitute father.

Captain Quentin Lawrence "Larry" Lance – A captain at the S.C.P.D., and Dinah’s father.

Dinah Drake – Dinah’s mother. Owns the Sherwood Florist, a flower shop at Orchid Bay.

Sara Lance – Dinah’s little sister, twenty-one years old. Became close friends with Thea following their siblings' presumed death.

Malcolm Merlyn – Mayor of Star City, founder of Merlyn Global, and father of Tommy Merlyn.

Roy Harper – ???

_{S A M P L E P O S T}

---

[+]

Sometimes he’d catch himself reaching for an arrow.

He could be eating breakfast. Exercising. Playing catch-up with the world. Something would move in the corner of his eye, or he would hear some sound – approaching footsteps, the crackle of leaves, a door’s strained creak – and all of a sudden he’d be back on the Island.

Back in the dirt and the forest, sticky with sweat and blood and ducking, something hot and fast flying past his head, as he reaches for his quiver and pulls out an arrow, his heart pounding in tandem with the gunfire. And as he takes aim he can feel his shoulders tighten, and he fills his lungs with air until they press against his ribcage, breathing out in an explosive burst as he lets the arrow loose. It meets its target with a thud, slamming into the gunman’s chest – the gunman, who lets out a windless cry, a wild shot from his rifle echoing through the woods. He’s on the ground now, and Oliver takes a moment to watch as the life leaves his body, his chin covered in red, the wooden shaft of the arrow rising up out of his sternum like a flag erected to lay claim to his life. Further away, lost among the trees, a piercing scream stabs into Oliver’s ears –

– and he would remind himself that he wasn’t on the Island anymore. His hand would lower itself from an imaginary quiver, taking its place back by his side, and he’d let out a shaky breath, trying for the thousandth time to get used to the idea that he didn’t have to fight anymore. That he was safe. It always felt like a lie.

Today was no different.

“Itchy back, Mr. Queen?” asked John Diggle.

The bodyguard stood in the doorway to his father’s old study. It was a large room, filled with old books and mahogany, the smell of paper thick and oddly comforting. Thea said that after the Gambit sunk, Mom had often come in here to think. It made her feel close to Robert. He’d spent so much time there… So Oliver would come in here, too. To feel close to both of them.

“Hm?” Oliver lowered his hand, turning to face Diggle. “Oh, Mr. Diggle. Yeah, actually, it’s – it’s kinda killing me. Do you mind…?”

The man stared at him blankly, unsure of how to respond. He was tall, built like a truck. Ex-S.H.I.E.L.D., apparently. Oliver had met a few ex-S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives on the Island. They weren’t that tough.

He smiled. “Kidding.”

Diggle returned a smile, but it wasn’t genuine. Not really. He seemed almost on-edge, as if something was bothering him. Rigid and unmoving, like prey that knew it was being hunted. It wasn’t the first time he’d been like this around Oliver.

“Everything okay?” asked Ollie. “Thea giving you a hard time again?”

“No, sir. Your sister’s fine, getting ready to leave in a couple of minutes. I just thought I’d check in on you, see how you’re doing.”

“Oh. Right. I’m doing pretty fine. Just thinking on stuff,” he said. “What about you? How’s the security life treating you?”

“As well as it always does, sir. I can’t complain.”

“Not even a little bit?” he joked.

“Not at all, Mr. Queen. You and your sister are great employers. So was your mother.”

It was like talking to a brick wall.

Oliver straightened up, walking towards Diggle. The bodyguard’s eyes never left him, following him across the room.

“Can I ask you a question?”

Diggle nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Why do you always look like you’re about to fight that Superman guy when I’m around?”

He blinked. “Come again?”

Oliver met his gaze, and held it there.

“Are you scared of me, Mr. Diggle?”

Diggle hesitated, taken aback.

“To tell you the truth?” he dropped his eyes, “Shitless, sir.”

He sighed, massaging the back of his neck. His jacket arm almost split as he bent it, his bicep flexing into that of a giant’s. “I can’t get a good read on you.”

Oliver gave a perplexed smile as he crossed his arms, leaning against the doorframe. “Why would you want to?”

“With all due respect, Mr. Queen,” he said, “I’m ex-Special Forces. I know damaged goods when I see them. And I just can’t tell whether you’re the dangerous kind.”

“I was stuck on an island with my girlfriend for five years, Digg,” laughed Oliver. “The most damage I have is from when she got sick of me. Let me tell you, if anyone’s the dangerous one, it’s her.”

Diggle allowed himself a smile at that. It was small, sure, and his eyes still spoke of discomfort, but some progress was better than none. Baby steps, and all that.

“Right,” he said, “Well, I’d better get going, sir. Your sister’s probably waiting at the car by now. My apologies if I was out of line.”

“Oh, psh-aw,” said Oliver, “I was the one who asked. I’ll catch you later, Mr. Diggle.”

The bodyguard nodded his farewell, his shoes creating a small echo as they clicked against the tiled flooring. Oliver watched him walk down the hallway – this tank of a man, who used to be a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, and a Green Beret before that. This man, who had probably seen his fair share of bloodshed and suffering. This man, who was scared by the twenty-eight year old son of a dead billionaire. And as he watched Diggle get further and further away, Oliver clamped his jaw tight, trying hard to repress a shudder as a thought ran through his mind...

… that Diggle had no idea how right he was to fear him.

@GreenGrenade

Blue Devil and Green Arrow are both...

[Master Bruce]

Also had a question.

@Master Bruce @Byrd Man @Morden Man and anyone else...

How are characters with the same names going to be handled?
I was thinking of using Marvel's Scarecrow as a villain, for example. Would I simply have to clarify which Scarecrow it is I'm using? Or is a name change required?

@NinaDivine

I think a simple clarification would be enough, unless you wanted to go the route of changing the name and had something in mind. But I think people will know the difference if you mention that Scarecrow's identity.

[Sep]

@Master Bruce Gratzi. Just towards the end of my current arc I wanted to do something that I'd consider 'major' and just wanted to check first. Obviously if anyones visiting Central City at the time I'll let them know so they don't accidentally get caught up in it.

[Lord Wraith]

I assume due to the recent emergence of Metahumans, local law enforcement agencies wouldn't have access or be aware of ability suppression restraints or the like?