Compendium 2019.

-Name-
Riel Noctis

-Alias-
"Rinx", RNX

-Age-
43

-Previous Profession- 
Ship Engineer and Mechanic

-Appearance- 

-Personality- 
Although generally taciturn and introverted among strangers, Riel is best described as an thrill seeking and outgoing 'wise-ass'. He is full of contradictions, yet rarely a hypocrite, and never willingly so. Priding himself on his creed of honesty and devotion, Riel possesses an unnatural degree of determination. Once he makes up his mind to accomplish something, he literally stops at nothing until he has done so. Those who are close to him often claim he possesses a radiant personality, thus is often capable of unintentionally imprinting his moods onto others.

While the smug look that usually lines his face may, at times, suggest otherwise, Riel is in actuality a deeply loving and protective individual. Something which causes him to immediately hate any person or thing that causes harm to the things he cares for. As well as resent those that cause needless suffering. Interestingly, Riel also possesses a heavily cynical outlook on life. As an individual with a high level of self discipline, he is also impossibly slow to show anger - despite being quick to irritate. Making him formidably efficient at tasks when coupled with his genius leveled intellect and photographic memory.

Unfortunately, this, and his love of tinkering, often result in him being consumed by his work. So much so that he becomes inattentive or 'numbed' to the world around him. It should be noted that Riel also possesses a superiority complex, believing he is better than others because he is smarter, and in most cases, tougher than them. Thus, he finds most people to be slow witted and uninteresting.

-Augmented Gene Anomalies- 
The end product of Omnicorp's Templar Initiative. All graduates exhibit enhanced regenerative physical abilities. Each subject seems to manifest unique variations of this regenerative ability. However, instances of unrelated abilities have been seen to manifest.

Accelerated Cell Mitosis

As an result of the 'Templar Initiative', Riel's body is capable of rapidly repairing and replacing damaged or lost materials. Due to this his body has also acquired, via natural albeit quickened evolution, the following sub abilities;

Contaminant Immunity- Which allows an inherent immunity to external poisons, infections, etc. Standard Anomaly.

Enhanced Inherent Conditioning- Which allows him to remain in the peak physical condition with little to no maintenance effort. Results in greatly increased maximum levels of strength, speed and stamina. Standard Anomaly.

Decelerated Aging- Which causes him to age at nearly half the rate the average human would. Increasing expected lifespan. Standard Anomaly.

Regeneratively Enhanced Durability- Which allows his body to withstand up to ten times the damage received from blows. Compaired to the average human. Standard Anomaly.

Limited Self Sustainability- Which allows it to function at maximum efficiency approximately twice as long as the average human body. Can go longer without nourishment/demands such as oxygen, water and sleep. Standard Anomaly.

-History- 

Marius VI is one of the five small planets within the Sagittarius Arm of the Milky Way. Marius VI, unlike its siblings, Marius II thru V, is also now the only life-sustaining planet within said sector. The planets themselves orbit a trio of small stars locally referred to as 'Trias'. Though it remains unknown as to how this phenomenon occurred, it is known that this was not always the case. As it was during 
the formation of Trias that Marius Prime was destroyed. It is also because of Trias that Marius IV & V are now currently uninhabitable, with one possessing oceans of lava upon its surface, and the other a desert planet on which water no longer remains.

Having always been a planet known for its technological superiority, Marius VI was once a global metropolis comprised of impressive architecture and beautiful landscaping. At one time, it was also the most resource rich planet in the galaxy. However, following the 'Trias Event', two thirds of the planet's surface was destroyed. The remainder having been spared only due to the erection of a globally commissioned barrier. The likes of which was designed solely for the purpose of reflecting solar flares. Yet, despite this great feat, billions of lives had been lost. Along with most of the planet's wealth.

Since then, the rest of the planet has become a wasteland. There the wreckage of the old cities still remained, half swallowed up by the planet and buried by sand. Over time, these 'dead lands' became the place of exile for the undesirables of 'New Marius'. Banishment equated to death. The planet's core, which now possessed the only available drinking water, has since been hollowed out in the area beneath New Marius City. Where one could find the planet's only accessible well. Which the locals eventually came to call 'the hidden sea'.

Born to a post-Trias Marius VI, Riel had the fortune, and curse, of being the son of a prominent scientist. Which on Marius VI, had become equivalent to being born into nobility. Thus, Riel had been raised in a life of luxury, and robbed of a childhood. As his father, Andeal, had always forced the path of a Technologist upon him. Just as those who knew Riel always expected greatness to ooze from him.

Driven by the desire to impress his father, Riel spent living every moment studying. If it wasn't for a class test, then it was for his father's private ones. If his father wasn't around to quiz him, then it was so that he could impress him the next time he was. Still, to his disbelief, it was never enough. No matter how many perfect scores he achieved, or how many certificates of excellence he received, to his father, it was never enough. Within Riel's logic, there was always some sort of flaw. Some ghost of a calculation that he had failed to see.

By the time Riel had reached his late teens, it had just about drove him insane. That was, until he applied to the Marius Academy of Technology. Where, as was always required by M.A.T., Riel was made to under go an I.Q. test. Ironically, despite all his achievements, and having built his first space capable engine at age twelve. It was only after he got his results that the genius he was, was recognized. Graduating with scores which rivaled those of the late Technologist Legend Brax Ular, the designer and builder of Marius' protection field. Riel not only surpassed his father's impossible expectations, but also became globally revered as the most promising mind of his time. Among his people, he was almost a king.

As the years went by, Riel would go on to make several advances in technology. The most notable of which was done under the employment of 'ScionTech'. The company responsible for the mass production of Marius' two core sources of income, Weaponry and Spacecrafts. There Riel designed the 'Energy Recycling Converter'. Which when used in conjunction with Marius' protection field, would in theory allow the inhabitants of Marius VI to safely channel Trias' energy for a variety of uses. Potentially creating the first true method of clean, renewable energy.

Unfortunately, it would be that particular accomplishment, that would change Riel's life forever.

Shortly after the completion of Riel's device, Marius' government confiscated it and ordered Riel to turn over all research related it. Which he reluctantly destroyed instead. Fully aware of the political game that had now come into effect. While half of the government wished to use the device as it was intended - as a means of immediately bettering Marius VI's quality of life - the other half sought to additionally profit. Thus proposed weaponizing the device. So it was that as time dragged on, and tempers began to flare, the people of Marius VI also begun to divide. The planet came under threat of its first civil war.

Riel, who was now fearful of the destruction his invention could bring forth, then sabotaged the device. Which he was given access to when he falsely agreed to weaponize it. Using the ensuing explosion as cover, Riel then fled for his life. Certain that he would receive only banishment for his crime. Having planned his escape before he had planned the deed, Riel fled Marius VI in a ship fresh off of the assembly line. The XF-666 Varmint.

Now a fugitive with a bounty on his head for treason. Riel eventually came to take refuge on Titan. Saturn's largest moon was inhabited centuries ago, having since been developed into an incredibly diverse and utilized world. Over time it has became some what of a 'snobby' place, in which only the best of the best could live. As such, the Titan institute of knowledge or T.I.K was founded and advertised as the one place to send the youth of the future. It is largely believed to be the most prominent learning center in the galaxy.

Using most of his previously accumulated fortune for both bedding and bribes; Riel, who now called himself 'Thane', eventually managed to settle into a quiet life. However, this did not keep a certain crew of Bounty Hunters from tracking him down. Once in their possession, Riel could do little but explain his situation and offer to pay them everything he had. Which turned out to be nearly twice his bounty, in an attempt to dissuade them from completing their task.

Though they had originally planned to take his money, then turn him in for the reward, problems arose once they had returned to Marius VI. As the government decided it would rather shoot down their ship than pay them a credit. Ergo, it was only after Riel had used his engineering skills to keep the ship together during their escape, that the Captain surprised Riel with an ultimatum. He could either take the the freedom he had paid for, and be dropped off at the next stop. Or, he could continue on as the newest member of their crew. Feeling as if he still owed the crew for saving - and sparring his life, Riel agreed to join the crew.

Like most wars, the Varren War was the by-product of fear and greed. In prelude, the conflict between Mars and Earth was purely verbal. With Earth accusing it's sister planet of violating their interplanetary trade agreement, and Mars continually refusing these claims, tensions quickly rose. Yet it was the release of a controversial holo-vid - one showing the Martian Government in possession of 'planet busting weaponry' - that at last led to a call for arms. 

Thought to be the most ruthless and violent war to date in human history, The Varren War unofficially begun late in the year 749 of the Galactic Era. During which, Earth was attacked by a group of martian terrorists known as the "Varrens". In response, Earth sent 500,000 troops from the USA and Euroasia to Mars. They lost 67,000 on the first day. Another 95,000 followed on the second. Over the next two months, an additional 250,000 troops were lost.

Then disaster struck on March 15th, 750. In their largest strike against Earth, Germany, China, Japan and Lower California were hit by orbital rods, killing 30,500,000 people. Enraged by this, it was at this time that OmniCorp, the galaxy's largest private military corporation, begun testing for what would be their most successful military project. The Templar Initiative.

A now three year veteran of the bounty hunter's life, Riel, like many of the galaxies bounty hunters, soon found himself employed by the United Earth Battalion as guns for hire in the Varren War. Although the prospect of getting a free shot at the slug-bags who had attacked Earth was at first an appealing one, that quickly changed.

The battle was indescribable. As the battlegrounds lay covered in its entirety by a nightmarish carpet of flesh and corpses. The sight was so mesmerizing, so paralyzing, that Riel was unable to get so much as a single shot off before a Varren soldier put four golf ball sized holes through his chest. He could only watch on, helpless as what was left of his crew was quickly cut down by Varren troops.

When he awoke, just as surprised as the surgeon that he was alive, Riel was immediately given an ultimatum. He could remain in his bed a crippled and mutilated corpse, or opt in to OmniCorp's Templar testing. A process which, if he survived, would not only see him returned to an normal life, but supposedly improve his combative prowess as well. Desperate, and unaware of what was to come, he opted in.

Thus, he spent the next two years in and out of laboratories and training courses. During which, both his mind and body were subjected to tortures which pushed his sanity to its limits. 

When he wasn't being ordered to participate in mandated physical and psychological drilling, Riel would spend his time receiving unwanted combat training. While these were usually the result of a quick witted remark or joke at another's expense, they were frequently severe. It was this constant beating that would lend responsibility to for his exceptional combat prowess. 

It was also during this time that Riel was bestowed upon the moniker "Rinx", a colloquialism for his Templar Tag RNX. RN being his initials and X a roman numeral. Symbolizing the fact that he was the ten-thousandth and tenth Templar to complete his training.

While over 250, 000 people had eventually opted into the Templar Initiative, only 160, 000 survived testing. Disappointed, yet not surprised by this loss, OmniCorp immediately proceeded to deploy the full force of their new troops to the Martian front. Hence, the UEB's secret weapon, the Templars, were at last tossed into the fray. As one of the surviving few, it was with great anxiety and reluctance that Riel once again joined the fight in The Varren War.

At first, many galaxy wide were highly skeptical of the difference these alleged super-soldiers could make. After all, what chance did 160, 000 have against an enemy that had now so easily cut down nearly 100,000,000? Augmented or not. They were simply dead men walking.

Then, in September of 752 G.E. the Varren War was officially announced. Having unleashed their Templar army upon the Varrens for the first time, OmniCorp reignited humanity's thirst for war. Within the first week, the Templars proved their worth. For every 100 that died 10,000 - 25,000 Varren soldiers were killed. 

For the first time in five years, the UEB was winning. Unfortunately, as the months went by and more and more Templars fell, Earth's forward momentum eventually grinded to a stop. Still, it was only after a Templar, "Lucky", assassinated the leader of the Martian Terror Group, that things finally drew to a close. Hence, the Varren War came to a close on December 18th 753. At the end of it all only four Templars were recorded to survive the war. Including both Lucky and Riel.

Stripped of purpose, and left alone in a now almost alien galaxy. Riel took to serving as an Officer of the Epocholus City Police Force. Committed to protecting the citizens of his new home. Riel spent the last decade taking down local crime lords and thugs. But, as usual, there was never so easy a way out....
MysT3CH The Wordsmith / ★★★★★

MysT3CH The Wordsmith / ★★★★★

MysT3CH The Wordsmith / ★★★★★
