Mintz

Age of Marvels - A Marvel Comics Roleplay [CLOSED]

Sounds good to me! I'll look forward to it.

Age of Marvels - A Marvel Comics Roleplay [CLOSED]

@udonoodles

Cool, that makes two of us so far! If ya wanna do any thorough planning on how we ought to have this play out, we can do it in PMs, but at the very least given this is closer to Victor's base of operations, I imagine he should be first on the scene? I don't have an exact location in mind for Beck's little secret warehouse, but I imagine it's pretty remote to prevent much snooping lol

Only question now'll be if anyone else is interested in cracking in on this.

Age of Marvels - A Marvel Comics Roleplay [CLOSED]

Sweet! I was drawing blanks on what to do with my first post, but the event really helps things out. Who else plans on getting involved? I'd be more than happy to plan things out with everyone for it :D

The Wards: A Grimdark Teenage Superhero Story (Rebooted!)

Date/Time: November 11th, 2022. 5:45 PM.

Location(s): Redline PRT Headquarters

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Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick....

Ugh, it was like he could feel the clock boring his skull open.

Truth be told, he had been dreading this day ever since it was dumped on him. All because he tried to be the smart guy in the room....Last time he made that mistake....Again. Fukuda could feel his eyebrows scrunching up in consternation; somehow, this was all going to blow up in their face. Maybe literally, given the fact they were bringing that Tinker girl on board. Speaking of...

To at least take his mind off his impending doom, Atsushi took to reading the files they had handed off to him yet again. The details on those who had been picked out by him, or in a few niche cases, those who came to them instead. The subtle clicking of the clock could still be heard, in spite of his best efforts. Fifteen minutes. He'd given the kids a deadline; 6 PM. Roughly thirty minutes after most of them would be out from school. Time to arrange for anything, maybe get some food, or just goof off before something this high-stress. He didn't know.

He tried getting comfortable. The meeting area they'd set up for The Wards, lying just below the prison sector, had some pretty cushy seats, so there was that. Beyond that, though...Pretty sparse. A few terminals for them to use, keep track of things, watch out for teammates from the safety of HQ when/if necessary...Probably play video games if they were slacking off. That, and the still hidden-from-view foldaway monitor, for when important people (like himself, heh) had to make some big announcements to the team without being there, or fill them in on dire information that couldn't be passed onto their terminals. Alright, enough beating the damn bush. His personal datapad flipped open (thanks, Tech Wizard, for these complicated damn iPads), he began scanning through the files once more.

Aurorea (Eleanore Evans) [Crystalline Visage: Breaker (Brute 9/Thinker 6/Mover 3)]

Memento (Morgan Reine) [Biomass Assimilation/Self-Duplication: Striker 6, Brute 4+, Master (tentative)]

Faeble (Wilbur Levins) [Parahuman Deception: Master 4/Stranger 4 (potential Thinker ability)]

Workshop (Beverly Hillshire) [Chaos Creations: Tinker 5 (tentative 2+ in other Classifications)]

Gress (Aaliyah Zaire) [Warp Gates: Mover 8 (Blaster. Tentative Thinker)]

Bastion (Demi Stevens) [Power-Nullifying Barriers: Shaker 5/Trump 7 (Brute 5)]

V (Carmen Foster) [Object Cloning: Striker 6/Tinker 1]

Bloodlet (Lito Walker) [Hemokinetic Weaponry: Striker 6/Brute 4]

Wattson (Jen Mackens) [Selective Tangibility: Breaker 9/Stranger 7/Striker 5/Mover 2/Trump 2/Brute 1]

Artemesia (Luna Chambers) [She-Devil: Changer 7/Stranger 7/Mover 3 (Brute 3)]

Astromancer (Alman Kastrati) [Concentrated Light Spheres: Blaster 6 (Shaker)]

The sheer volume of volunteers was concerning, and even moreso were how many he basically just plucked right off the damn streets. Seriously, this city had problems...Still, at least there would be strength in numbers, even if most of them were lacking any sort of formal training. A few stand-outs here and there, either on personal merits or the potential of their Parahuman abilities, but otherwise, this looked downright miserable.

As if an angel descending in his hour of need, his Vice Director, one Rachel Elton, had just now descended to the room from a side passage normally kept hidden; it was there for convenience, dramatic entry, and of course, when the elevator would inevitably not work due to something stupid or horrific occurring. Perhaps both. She was snugly dressed over her typical business attire, a thick pale blue scarf constricting her freckled face like a snake, with her mitted hands holding two fresh, steaming lattes as she strode to sit beside her ever-so-woeful 'boss'.

She couldn't help but give him a stern glare behind her cozy prison that entrapped a good half of her face; honestly, how could he be acting his dour when he was getting exactly what he wanted? Sometimes, she just couldn't understand him. "Sheesh, lighten up, Atsushi. You look like you're reading a KIA list, not looking at the faces of our best and brightest, y'know?" She quietly passed his hot beverage to him, which he took wordlessly and also proceeded to take a rather satisfying sip of. "Meh, I suppose you might have a point. Still, this is over double the estimated team size...Sounds like we're in for a lotta hassle."

Even underneath the scarf, Fukuda could tell she was smiling just by the glint in his Vice Director's eyes. "Like it isn't that way 24/7 around here? C'mon, we've handled worse, and besides, we're doing something really good here. A lot of these kids need something to lean on, and beyond getting them involved in the ridiculous world of superheroics, we can actually support them. Give them somewhere to belong. Isn't that great?" Ever the optimist. The Director just sighed. "Just don't count your chickens, or however the hell that saying goes. We've got our work cut out for us this time..." As if on cue, they could hear the silent 'ding' of the elevator, signaling one of their arrivals finally approaching. A silent dread creeped over the Director's face, whereas cheery and warm mirth at the thought of meeting one of the kids in person again reached Rachel's.

---

---

Well, that went to hell faster than he expected. To imagine that the bigwigs managed to pull these kids straight into the fire on day 1 was unfathomable, even by Fukuda's exceptionally low standards. Still, it was happening now, whether he liked it or not. The kids had gotten all dressed up, and with two convoys to carry the whole team (and Rachel, who ended up driving for Memento to make sure she got a clone body instead of the original), they were off to the scene of the predetermined crime, that being the Museum of Parahuman History. Honestly, as the Director oversaw the work of the techheads monitoring channels and debriefing PRT officers, he just couldn't wrap his head around it. From the precognitive information given to them, it seemed like this was somehow gonna end up a big event, but he just couldn't imagine why. The Museum had some interesting pieces lying around, sure, and maybe some of that deactivated Tinker crap could have some concerning implications in the wrong hands, but overall, it was far from the hot topic that the majority of the Guardians were going to confront, that being an attack on the mayor's own home. Stranger and stranger....

Taking his mind off of things, he spoke into his earpiece, reaching each of the Wards, as well as the Guardians who were en route to meet with the kids at the Museum, Fuse and Siren. Not exactly the team he would've picked for the job, but well...That was Risen's job. "ETA is 10 minutes now until you reach the museum; we don't know what to expect in there yet, so as per usual, the Capes - to be more specific in this case, Fuse and Siren - will be taking point until we can determine the threat and plan accordingly. For you Wards on the line, I'll drop a quick piece of advice. Property damage can get paid for, but loss of life? Not so much. It's doubtful there would be many visitors at this hour, but regardless, your priorities should always be toward civvies in the combat zone. And next in order of importance? Yourselves. A lot of you are new to this in more ways than one, so stick together and don't pull anything reckless. Follow the lead of the Guardians and you'll be fine. Director out."

He returned his focus back to theorizing, planning for what could potentially be there. Was this a preemptive Seven attack? Nah, that's next to impossible. Their last sighting placed them somewhere in Europe, near Germany. Only one who could be here that suddenly is the man himself, and he doesn't split off very often from his pack. Was it a Herald attack? Equally improbable. Sure, the timeframe is close to right, but only Gaia could emerge at a point like that, and she's currently recovering, even if the damage to London was pretty severe. With the concerning out-of-left-field possibilities pushed to the side, he began probing his brain and their databases for the likelier suspects.

The Mutants? Hm...Not impossible. If taken in a certain light, trashing this Museum could fit their M.O. Still, that didn't sound entirely right. The Knights? Not a chance in hell. There'd be little to no personal reason for them to pull it, and he doubted anyone could swing enough cash their way to bother with something that, at least in the scope Fukuda could see, seemed so miniscule in impact. Maybe The Skulkers? They were a small-time crew, but they've clearly been pushing to be let into the big boys' table, so to speak. While there might not be much money in this, perhaps notoriety could be the aim...There was also the Syndicate to consider, but the information was just too scarce; even if they were a part of this, being able to actually figure that out would be a pipe dream. Ultimately, Fukuda found himself back to square one, with nothing quite matching up.

So all that would be left is to wait and see....And hope that rat bastard Fuse didn't blow up half the museum and rake that property damage bill to sky-high rates.

The Wards: A Grimdark Teenage Superhero Story (Rebooted!)

@The Man Emperor

Alright, I'm finally running through and reviewing the stragglers to get this started. Not much to say about Alman here, except, uh...Isn't this just his original power? Y'know, the one we had ya change? xD. Point is, though, firing several hundred-feet spanning heat beams of death is a tad extreme. If what we came up with last time isn't to your liking anymore, we can figure something else out, but this one can't run as-is.

@RBYDark

This looks promising, but let's touch base on a few things; firstly, backstory. The main thing that strikes me as odd is how, er....Emotional his spiders come off as? That was my best way of describing it, but my point being this. End of the day, they're still spiders, so beyond being piloted by his intents (which is what some of this could be viewed as, but it's put forth in a kinda odd way), they're still very simplistic creatures. As for his power, the ability-copying needs to last for a far shorter frame; I'd say at most is perhaps 10 minutes, to prevent him from simply having access to a massive collection of powers of his choosing that can last him for potentially a whole hour lol. Oh, and also, how exactly do these 'power transfusions' work when it comes to giving him multiple Parahuman abilities at once, or when (theoretically, given this is not dismissed in the Power section itself) granted to other Parahumans? Does it simply not work? Or does he gain those multiple powers, perhaps at some cost, like the duration, potency, or control of said abilities? Some things to think on that I'd like to see handled before I fully accept him, but overall, it's lookin' good. :)

@LostDestiny

I honestly don't have a ton to say here, which is a good thing, cuz it means the sheet is really solid lmao. Accepted! Bring Fuse on board. It's not directly mentioned, but I suppose he's going to be apart of the Redline Guardians, correct? If so, no complaints here lol

@Crusader Lord

Aight Crus, apologies for the wait, but Luna is accepted!...Unsurprisingly, I mean ya personally worked with me for like 3/4ths of this sheet xD

Age of Marvels - A Marvel Comics Roleplay [CLOSED]

Sorcerer of Smoke & Mirrors

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Q U E N T I N B E C K ♦ E N G I N E E R ♦ N E W Y O R K C I T Y ♦ O S C O R P L A B S

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T:

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"It's a lot easier to believe a lie than the truth, I find; so I weaponized that."

Quentin Beck originally became a noteworthy name when he had his start in Hollywood as a professional SFX Designer and occasional Actor and Stuntman. While no A-Lister celebrity by any means, he had a fairly lavish lifestyle and accrued impressive recognition for his acting talents and excellent displays of special effects in his projects. However, Beck grew bored of his endeavors on the big screen and sought out more challenging prospects, wishing to test his steadily growing engineering prowess.

Around 2008, Quentin put his talents to work at Stark Industries creating new weapons of war, namely focusing on drones and the potential applications of remotely-piloted devices for warfare. Admittedly, this work didn't always sit well with the young man, but he chose to keep his concerns on his work over his morals. This came to a head when he was 28, and the Chitauri made their global assault. He survived, but the experience shook Beck, now having a more clear image in mind when it came to the terrors of war, however brief it had been. He resigned from Stark Industries, finding himself unable to work under the circumstances. Taking his work with him, he left to pursue his craft with Oscorp Labs.

His delve into superheroism was quite recent. It had been a factor for his life for quite some time now, after the invasion, but something clicked in him when news of an armored crusader striking Stark Industries complexes started to become big news. It was only now, with his attention properly drawn, had Beck figured out just how popular these so-called 'heroes' were becoming; and truth be told, he was finding his life to be quite dull once more, after steady years of working in Oscorp. So, he decided he'd put on the biggest show he'd ever conceived; he, too, would become a caped crusader and garner all the fame he had craved as the enigmatic 'sorceror' MYSTERIO.

***

This variant of a classic villain is inspired by both his comic and film adaptations; an attempt to marry the two together as best I could. What Quentin always seemed to desire were recognition, and a way to keep things interesting in his life. This puts him through a variety of roles, from the charismatic and savvy SFX Designer and Actor/Stuntman, to the cool and practical Drone Engineer, to his current profession as a Technician and Engineer for Oscorp Labs. But when even that grows dull, what's the next best thing? Well, while it's an extreme leap for him, acting as a 'hero' isn't far from his wheelhouse due to his Hollywood days, and perhaps when the actor lives his role long enough...It might just become a part of him. He's far from noble for now, certainly; more in it for fame (and perhaps some fortune down the line), but perhaps our fishbowl-headed 'master magician' can find some real courage behind his false heroics.

He hasn't been active as a hero for long, but he's made a big splash due to his overwhelming showiness and abundant charm. Still, time will only tell if Beck can manage his new dual life or have it all crashing down on him from any angle; precarious, certainly...But exciting as well. It's sure to keep him entertained for a while, at least.

C H A R A C T E R N O T E S:

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Supporting Cast

The Tech Crew - Quentin might be a technological genius on the levels of Tony Stark (his words), but even he understands the importance of a team...A tech team, that is. Gathering together old friends from his time in Hollywood and some disgruntled Stark employees who left after the disappearance of the titular man himself, Beck has formed a cohesive unit who aide him in selling the fantastical lie that is Mysterio. When he isn't out gallivanting as a caped crusader, they're also some of his closest (and only) friends.

Maguire (Terry) Beck - Quentin's cousin Terry is his closest confidant, sticking strong together from their early childhoods up to the present day. She was also the one to encourage Quentin's plans to try and become a superhero, going so far as to apply her skills in costume design for the project. She does however have lingering fears that her cousin may bite off more than he can chew eventually...

Vinnie Beck - Quentin's uncle and Terry's dad, Vinnie was always a supportive figure in young Beck's life where his father was not, and he holds a deep appreciation for the man. However, he and Maguire have both decided to keep him out of the loop of Mysterio for his own safety, should something occur.

Timeline

1982 - Quentin is born in Riverside, California as the son of Elmore and Henrietta Beck.

1987 - Quentin's love for movies and special effects begins to grow, as does his relationship with his cousin, Maguire Beck. He is also given a movie camera by his uncle Vinnie to foster this interest.

1988-89 - Quentin begins learning quickly, making his own homemade movies alongside his cousin and practicing in stop-motion effects. His father believes that his son is wasting his time on these pursuits, and one night shatters the boy's gifted camera in a blind rage. However, this does not dissuade Beck.

1994 - After his father assaults both Beck and his mother in a drunk rage, the family is separated, with Quentin and Henrietta living with his cousins.

2002 - Completing his high school education, both Quentin and Terry attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where they develop technical knowhow that helps to solidify their future careers.

2003-2007 - For a time, Beck pursues his childhood dream of being a SFX Designer for high-end movies, and occasionally taking on the role of Actor and Stuntman. He garners interest due to his surprising skills as an Actor and promising performances as a Stuntman, but also his innovative creations for special effects. However, this eventually bores him as he moves on to new horizons, moving to New York City in search of opportunity.

2008-2010 - Quentin becomes an engineer for the infamous Stark Industries as a designer of drone crafts. While somewhere inside him he knows that this is wrong, he instead chooses to focus on his work over his morals, feeling vindicated in his work by the praise of fellow Stark employees.

2011-2020 - After the incident of the Chitauri Invasion, having been confronted by the horrors of war, Beck resigns from Stark Industries, instead joining a competitor in Oscorp Labs, eventually becoming their Chief Engineer.

2021-Today - Intrigued by the emergence of an ironclad superhero and coming to realize the growing popularity of these caped vigilantes, Quentin is struck by an incurable spark of creativity. Gathering together both trusted teammates and invaluable resources, he forms the heroic identity of the 'sorceror' Mysterio, striking out as a flashy cape-wearing hero of New York. He has gained a notable following due to his stylish nature and surprising efficacy.

Current Tech/Skills

Seeing as how Mysterio usually has a wheelhouse of tricks and traps, I've ironed it down a bit for his initial go; he'll develop some more fun tools down the line, and up his game as the stakes do, as well.

The Mysterio Suit - The suit itself isn't especially teched out (at least, not yet), because as of right now it's effectively a polyester/Kevlar hybridization, courtesy of his cousin Maguire. It's comfortable, yet durable; not tough enough to let him get gut-punched by a superhuman, but it can take a few bullets without compromising Beck's safety. Hopefully. The hands and feet are reinforced to allow him to pack a bit more punch than he naturally could, as well. Additionally, his helmet functions as a voice modulator, preventing him from being recognized as Quentin (and also adding a bit more style to the whole thing, of course).

Quentin's Industrial Illusion Drones - This version of Mysterio might not use hallucinogens or hypnotic voice modulators (though that one could be down the line, perhaps), but he does have some high-grade drones courtesy of...Well, himself. While armed as wartime drones, they also possess a few more specialized pieces of equipment, namely a cloaking field to prevent most forms of detection, and the ability to generate illusions via holograms. They are also equipped with some smaller grade stuff meant mostly for being flashy, such as the harmless green mist they emit to aid in the mystical presentation Mysterio puts forward.

SFX Artist/Actor - Beck is a master of make-up, special effects, mechanics, and physical stunt work, which has all aided him greatly in his time as Mysterio, which more often than not has been him effectively bludgeoning crooks into submission while they're distracted by his party tricks. His acting finesse has also allowed him to finely craft the persona of Mysterio, working wonders in his perception by the public.

S A M P L E P O S T:

ISSUE #1: Mirror Images

AGE OF MARVELS: Mysterio

ISSUE #1: Mirror Images

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157th St. ♦ Queens, New York City

The biting chill of winter was coming full force this night, with a blanket of snow covering the busy streets of The Big Apple. However, something a bit more pertinent was occurring this night beyond the slow crawl of frost across windows. Abruptly, a group of armed thugs bust into a nearby convenience store, guns at the ready as their leader is quick to hold up the cashier. "Alright, lady! No funny business! Ya dump out the register, we snag what we please, and we're on our merry way for Christmas." Even underneath their mask, you could simply sense the smug grin from the man as the poor woman is left with little option but to comply.

However, this confidence was to be short-lived for the would-be crooks.

As if following right behind them, the doors slammed open once more, with a cloud of green mist flooding the entryway, gently gliding through the aisles. The petty thieves paused their criminal acts, their attention now turned to this strange phenomenon; even their leader, laser-focused as he had been mere moments before, turned away from the cashier. The woman took this chance, making a mad sprint for the exit. However, the head gunman and his trigger finger were too fast...

Fortunately, someone else was even faster.

What seemed to be a green barrier of some kind formed in front of her, guarding her from a hailstorm of bullets. "Well, that was just pointless. What exactly were you hoping to gain there?" With bravado in their steps, from out of the mysterious cloud emerged an unusual, almost alien figure. With an opaque glass dome on their head, vibrant green clothing, and a billowing purple cape, he made confident strides towards the lead gunner. The man had completely lost his target now, allowing the cashier to safely retreat. That should make things easier...

"Now, gentlemen, we can do this the easy way, or-" The figure found himself caught mid-sentence as a rain of lead hit him...Only for his form to puff away, as if made of smoke. If these thugs were confused before, they were now shaken; just what were they dealing with here?!

"Well, that was just plain rude."

The leader whipped around in a panic, but was only met with the resounding CRACK! of the figure's fist, having mysteriously manifested right behind him; he was out cold before he even hit the floor. The others took that que rather well, and began scurrying like the rats they were, darting to outside the store...Only to be confronted by another horrifying sight.

In front of them were nearly a half-dozen of the very same helmed vigilante that had just laid their boss out flat, with most of their menacingly floating overhead, and one standing right in front of them, arms crossed and posture clearly suggesting a sense of boredom. One of them, already flightier than the rest, had stumbled to the ground upon the sight, and could only squawk out a frightened response. "W-What the hell are you?!"

In unison, the figures laughed, and it felt as if it resounded across the entire street. They even spoke in unison, if only to compound the fears of these lowly crooks. "Us? We are the greatest sorcerer you shall ever know! But you may call us....Mysterio!" With a flourish from the ground-bound cape now known as Mysterio, another burst of green mist emerged, and only the shrill shrieks of the thugs could be heard in the cold dead of the night.

By the time all was said and done, the beaten and bludgeoned criminals were all rounded up, bound together in tight rope bindings; not the fanciest thing, but they got the job done. With a quick call to the NYPD to inform them of the incident, our glass-domed 'hero' took the chance to enter the convenience store once more. The cashier was long gone. No thanks for this job well done, of course...Still, he could take his own compensation. With a 10$ bill left behind as recompense, the enigmatic Mysterio left the scene...With a box of store-brand glazed donuts in tow.

Soon enough, Mysterio had arrived at a small warehouse being rented out by Oscorp's Chief Engineer, one Quentin Beck. What could he want with such a locale? Well, that became clear when he stepped inside, revealing an elaborate set-up; six individuals were hard at work, piloting drones, watching feed from micro-cams, prepping special effects remotely, and more. Indeed, these individuals, too, were part of Mysterio. As was the man behind the helmet.

Entering his self-owned lair, the 'sorcerer' removed his spherical helm, revealing none other than Quentin Beck himself, a smug grin on his face as he hoisted the box of sugary delights overhead. "Brought some spoils of war! C'mon, enough of staring at blue monitors for a night." His fellow creators were all too happy to oblige, putting their work aside for the moment to hail a night well fought. "You were great out there, Quentin! That entrance you planned was great, and the finale? Wow. Just wow." Victoria Snow was quick to congratulate him, but he shrugged it off. "Nonsense. Wouldn't have been possible without you; you're becoming an ace when it comes to those drones, and that save on the cashier? Couldn't have done it better myself."

From that point on, it became a storm of compliments both to and from Beck for everyone's efforts as they cheekily watched the footage from tonight's brawl. The Mysterio that had initially entered the store? Not even the real him; just a drone feigning him with some fancy holograms and a voice synthesizer. Like hell Quentin was just gonna wander headfirst into a gunfight. Same with that barrier trick; it was just the drone taking the shots, but the important thing was that the crooks bought it. And the big finale outside? More of the same; drones taking on his likeness as an intimidation factor. Though he was actually there, as the sole Mysterio on foot. It was risky, but it was worth it to really sell the ending. The mist? Well, it is actual mist, just not magical in any sense; the drones are simply loaded with some canisters they can vent at will. Granted, the finishing stunt means they'd need to restock sooner than later...Oh, and as for how all those grunts actually got laid out? Well, simply put...The drones just full-body smashed into them. Thankfully they were built sturdy...For the drones, that is. Those guys might have a few fractures.

So, with stale-sweet store-brand pastries in hand, Quentin and his tech crew celebrate another job well done. Tomorrow would be another day as the 'sorcerer' Mysterio, but for now? For now, they could sit back and relax.

P O S T C A T A L O G:

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Age of Marvels - A Marvel Comics Roleplay [CLOSED]

@Retired

Thanks for the heads-up, and happy to hear it looks good! Thought I'd let you know that the sheet also now possesses his Sample Post, Issue #1: Mirror Images :D

And also I need to add Norman Osborn as one of Beck's NPCs, given that, y'know....He's his boss. xD It'll probably be added by the time ya look.

Age of Marvels - A Marvel Comics Roleplay [CLOSED]

Sorcerer of Smoke & Mirrors

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Q U E N T I N B E C K ♦ E N G I N E E R ♦ N E W Y O R K C I T Y ♦ O S C O R P L A B S

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T:

---

"It's a lot easier to believe a lie than the truth, I find; so I weaponized that."

Quentin Beck originally became a noteworthy name when he had his start in Hollywood as a professional SFX Designer and occasional Actor and Stuntman. While no A-Lister celebrity by any means, he had a fairly lavish lifestyle and accrued impressive recognition for his acting talents and excellent displays of special effects in his projects. However, Beck grew bored of his endeavors on the big screen and sought out more challenging prospects, wishing to test his steadily growing engineering prowess.

Around 2008, Quentin put his talents to work at Stark Industries creating new weapons of war, namely focusing on drones and the potential applications of remotely-piloted devices for warfare. Admittedly, this work didn't always sit well with the young man, but he chose to keep his concerns on his work over his morals. This came to a head when he was 28, and the Chitauri made their global assault. He survived, but the experience shook Beck, now having a more clear image in mind when it came to the terrors of war, however brief it had been. He resigned from Stark Industries, finding himself unable to work under the circumstances. Taking his work with him, he left to pursue his craft with Oscorp Labs.

His delve into superheroism was quite recent. It had been a factor for his life for quite some time now, after the invasion, but something clicked in him when news of an armored crusader striking Stark Industries complexes started to become big news. It was only now, with his attention properly drawn, had Beck figured out just how popular these so-called 'heroes' were becoming; and truth be told, he was finding his life to be quite dull once more, after steady years of working in Oscorp. So, he decided he'd put on the biggest show he'd ever conceived; he, too, would become a caped crusader and garner all the fame he had craved as the enigmatic 'sorceror' MYSTERIO.

***

This variant of a classic villain is inspired by both his comic and film adaptations; an attempt to marry the two together as best I could. What Quentin always seemed to desire were recognition, and a way to keep things interesting in his life. This puts him through a variety of roles, from the charismatic and savvy SFX Designer and Actor/Stuntman, to the cool and practical Drone Engineer, to his current profession as a Technician and Engineer for Oscorp Labs. But when even that grows dull, what's the next best thing? Well, while it's an extreme leap for him, acting as a 'hero' isn't far from his wheelhouse due to his Hollywood days, and perhaps when the actor lives his role long enough...It might just become a part of him. He's far from noble for now, certainly; more in it for fame (and perhaps some fortune down the line), but perhaps our fishbowl-headed 'master magician' can find some real courage behind his false heroics.

He hasn't been active as a hero for long, but he's made a big splash due to his overwhelming showiness and abundant charm. Still, time will only tell if Beck can manage his new dual life or have it all crashing down on him from any angle; precarious, certainly...But exciting as well. It's sure to keep him entertained for a while, at least.

C H A R A C T E R N O T E S:

---

Supporting Cast

The Tech Crew - Quentin might be a technological genius on the levels of Tony Stark (his words), but even he understands the importance of a team...A tech team, that is. Gathering together old friends from his time in Hollywood and some disgruntled Stark employees who left after the disappearance of the titular man himself, Beck has formed a cohesive unit who aide him in selling the fantastical lie that is Mysterio. When he isn't out gallivanting as a caped crusader, they're also some of his closest (and only) friends.

Maguire (Terry) Beck - Quentin's cousin Terry is his closest confidant, sticking strong together from their early childhoods up to the present day. She was also the one to encourage Quentin's plans to try and become a superhero, going so far as to apply her skills in costume design for the project. She does however have lingering fears that her cousin may bite off more than he can chew eventually...

Vinnie Beck - Quentin's uncle and Terry's dad, Vinnie was always a supportive figure in young Beck's life where his father was not, and he holds a deep appreciation for the man. However, he and Maguire have both decided to keep him out of the loop of Mysterio for his own safety, should something occur.

Timeline

1982 - Quentin is born in Riverside, California as the son of Elmore and Henrietta Beck.

1987 - Quentin's love for movies and special effects begins to grow, as does his relationship with his cousin, Maguire Beck. He is also given a movie camera by his uncle Vinnie to foster this interest.

1988-89 - Quentin begins learning quickly, making his own homemade movies alongside his cousin and practicing in stop-motion effects. His father believes that his son is wasting his time on these pursuits, and one night shatters the boy's gifted camera in a blind rage. However, this does not dissuade Beck.

1994 - After his father assaults both Beck and his mother in a drunk rage, the family is separated, with Quentin and Henrietta living with his cousins.

2002 - Completing his high school education, both Quentin and Terry attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where they develop technical knowhow that helps to solidify their future careers.

2003-2007 - For a time, Beck pursues his childhood dream of being a SFX Designer for high-end movies, and occasionally taking on the role of Actor and Stuntman. He garners interest due to his surprising skills as an Actor and promising performances as a Stuntman, but also his innovative creations for special effects. However, this eventually bores him as he moves on to new horizons, moving to New York City in search of opportunity.

2008-2010 - Quentin becomes an engineer for the infamous Stark Industries as a designer of drone crafts. While somewhere inside him he knows that this is wrong, he instead chooses to focus on his work over his morals, feeling vindicated in his work by the praise of fellow Stark employees.

2011-2020 - After the incident of the Chitauri Invasion, having been confronted by the horrors of war, Beck resigns from Stark Industries, instead joining a competitor in Oscorp Labs, eventually becoming their Chief Engineer.

2021-Today - Intrigued by the emergence of an ironclad superhero and coming to realize the growing popularity of these caped vigilantes, Quentin is struck by an incurable spark of creativity. Gathering together both trusted teammates and invaluable resources, he forms the heroic identity of the 'sorceror' Mysterio, striking out as a flashy cape-wearing hero of New York. He has gained a notable following due to his stylish nature and surprising efficacy.

Current Tech/Skills

Seeing as how Mysterio usually has a wheelhouse of tricks and traps, I've ironed it down a bit for his initial go; he'll develop some more fun tools down the line, and up his game as the stakes do, as well.

The Mysterio Suit - The suit itself isn't especially teched out (at least, not yet), because as of right now it's effectively a polyester/Kevlar hybridization, courtesy of his cousin Maguire. It's comfortable, yet durable; not tough enough to let him get gut-punched by a superhuman, but it can take a few bullets without compromising Beck's safety. Hopefully. The hands and feet are reinforced to allow him to pack a bit more punch than he naturally could, as well. Additionally, his helmet functions as a voice modulator, preventing him from being recognized as Quentin (and also adding a bit more style to the whole thing, of course).

Quentin's Industrial Illusion Drones - This version of Mysterio might not use hallucinogens or hypnotic voice modulators (though that one could be down the line, perhaps), but he does have some high-grade drones courtesy of...Well, himself. While armed as wartime drones, they also possess a few more specialized pieces of equipment, namely a cloaking field to prevent most forms of detection, and the ability to generate illusions via holograms. They are also equipped with some smaller grade stuff meant mostly for being flashy, such as the harmless green mist they emit to aid in the mystical presentation Mysterio puts forward.

SFX Artist/Actor - Beck is a master of make-up, special effects, mechanics, and physical stunt work, which has all aided him greatly in his time as Mysterio, which more often than not has been him effectively bludgeoning crooks into submission while they're distracted by his party tricks. His acting finesse has also allowed him to finely craft the persona of Mysterio, working wonders in his perception by the public.

S A M P L E P O S T:

ISSUE #1: Mirror Images

AGE OF MARVELS: Mysterio

ISSUE #1: Mirror Images

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157th St. ♦ Queens, New York City

The biting chill of winter was coming full force this night, with a blanket of snow covering the busy streets of The Big Apple. However, something a bit more pertinent was occurring this night beyond the slow crawl of frost across windows. Abruptly, a group of armed thugs bust into a nearby convenience store, guns at the ready as their leader is quick to hold up the cashier. "Alright, lady! No funny business! Ya dump out the register, we snag what we please, and we're on our merry way for Christmas." Even underneath their mask, you could simply sense the smug grin from the man as the poor woman is left with little option but to comply.

However, this confidence was to be short-lived for the would-be crooks.

As if following right behind them, the doors slammed open once more, with a cloud of green mist flooding the entryway, gently gliding through the aisles. The petty thieves paused their criminal acts, their attention now turned to this strange phenomenon; even their leader, laser-focused as he had been mere moments before, turned away from the cashier. The woman took this chance, making a mad sprint for the exit. However, the head gunman and his trigger finger were too fast...

Fortunately, someone else was even faster.

What seemed to be a green barrier of some kind formed in front of her, guarding her from a hailstorm of bullets. "Well, that was just pointless. What exactly were you hoping to gain there?" With bravado in their steps, from out of the mysterious cloud emerged an unusual, almost alien figure. With an opaque glass dome on their head, vibrant green clothing, and a billowing purple cape, he made confident strides towards the lead gunner. The man had completely lost his target now, allowing the cashier to safely retreat. That should make things easier...

"Now, gentlemen, we can do this the easy way, or-" The figure found himself caught mid-sentence as a rain of lead hit him...Only for his form to puff away, as if made of smoke. If these thugs were confused before, they were now shaken; just what were they dealing with here?!

"Well, that was just plain rude."

The leader whipped around in a panic, but was only met with the resounding CRACK! of the figure's fist, having mysteriously manifested right behind him; he was out cold before he even hit the floor. The others took that que rather well, and began scurrying like the rats they were, darting to outside the store...Only to be confronted by another horrifying sight.

In front of them were nearly a half-dozen of the very same helmed vigilante that had just laid their boss out flat, with most of their menacingly floating overhead, and one standing right in front of them, arms crossed and posture clearly suggesting a sense of boredom. One of them, already flightier than the rest, had stumbled to the ground upon the sight, and could only squawk out a frightened response. "W-What the hell are you?!"

In unison, the figures laughed, and it felt as if it resounded across the entire street. They even spoke in unison, if only to compound the fears of these lowly crooks. "Us? We are the greatest sorcerer you shall ever know! But you may call us....Mysterio!" With a flourish from the ground-bound cape now known as Mysterio, another burst of green mist emerged, and only the shrill shrieks of the thugs could be heard in the cold dead of the night.

By the time all was said and done, the beaten and bludgeoned criminals were all rounded up, bound together in tight rope bindings; not the fanciest thing, but they got the job done. With a quick call to the NYPD to inform them of the incident, our glass-domed 'hero' took the chance to enter the convenience store once more. The cashier was long gone. No thanks for this job well done, of course...Still, he could take his own compensation. With a 10$ bill left behind as recompense, the enigmatic Mysterio left the scene...With a box of store-brand glazed donuts in tow.

Soon enough, Mysterio had arrived at a small warehouse being rented out by Oscorp's Chief Engineer, one Quentin Beck. What could he want with such a locale? Well, that became clear when he stepped inside, revealing an elaborate set-up; six individuals were hard at work, piloting drones, watching feed from micro-cams, prepping special effects remotely, and more. Indeed, these individuals, too, were part of Mysterio. As was the man behind the helmet.

Entering his self-owned lair, the 'sorcerer' removed his spherical helm, revealing none other than Quentin Beck himself, a smug grin on his face as he hoisted the box of sugary delights overhead. "Brought some spoils of war! C'mon, enough of staring at blue monitors for a night." His fellow creators were all too happy to oblige, putting their work aside for the moment to hail a night well fought. "You were great out there, Quentin! That entrance you planned was great, and the finale? Wow. Just wow." Victoria Snow was quick to congratulate him, but he shrugged it off. "Nonsense. Wouldn't have been possible without you; you're becoming an ace when it comes to those drones, and that save on the cashier? Couldn't have done it better myself."

From that point on, it became a storm of compliments both to and from Beck for everyone's efforts as they cheekily watched the footage from tonight's brawl. The Mysterio that had initially entered the store? Not even the real him; just a drone feigning him with some fancy holograms and a voice synthesizer. Like hell Quentin was just gonna wander headfirst into a gunfight. Same with that barrier trick; it was just the drone taking the shots, but the important thing was that the crooks bought it. And the big finale outside? More of the same; drones taking on his likeness as an intimidation factor. Though he was actually there, as the sole Mysterio on foot. It was risky, but it was worth it to really sell the ending. The mist? Well, it is actual mist, just not magical in any sense; the drones are simply loaded with some canisters they can vent at will. Granted, the finishing stunt means they'd need to restock sooner than later...Oh, and as for how all those grunts actually got laid out? Well, simply put...The drones just full-body smashed into them. Thankfully they were built sturdy...For the drones, that is. Those guys might have a few fractures.

So, with stale-sweet store-brand pastries in hand, Quentin and his tech crew celebrate another job well done. Tomorrow would be another day as the 'sorcerer' Mysterio, but for now? For now, they could sit back and relax.

P O S T C A T A L O G:

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Age of Marvels - A Marvel Comics Roleplay [CLOSED]

<Snipped quote by Mintz>
Important to keep in mind that Retired wants heroic POVs: "Likewise, these concepts must not be villainous in nature."

@TGM

Yeah, I'm well aware, don't worry; but I also read a snippet mentioning that they aren't against alterations of existing characters. In other words, I'll be making him...Heroic enough. He'll grow into it, with any luck. xD

Age of Marvels - A Marvel Comics Roleplay [CLOSED]

<Snipped quote by Mintz>
Always room in these games for new faces and more feet.

That sounded like a fetish. I promise its not.

@TGM

Hey, if ya say so....xD

Happy to be here then! I think I have an idea involving a twist on a certain illusion-weaving, globe-headed rat bastard >:3 I'll probably get to work on the concept sometime tomorrow. Hopefully it stacks up to the rest of y'all lol