The Gentleman's Story (Tobyverse)
Edward Advent was brilliant chemist, a scientist thought by many to be without equal. And while there was some truth to that statement, Edward was also seen as something of an eccentric. He was an old-fashioned sort, embracing the ideals of an era long gone, even more so than most of Atlantis. He was a perfect gentleman, of course, and had adapted to the modern era's views on things such as, say, women's rights, but he was still a man out of time. Only in Atlantis can you still be a gentleman chemist.
Then one day Advent began a project that started to consume his life. He had come across a book that spoke of using chemicals and something that could only be described as alchemy to separate oneself, or to purify oneself, the translation was somewhat rough. Something about this drew Advent in. He told one of his closest friends that he hoped to be able to refine himself, turn himself into a better person, that he'd make himself his own guinea pig, so that everyone could become better, if they wished. A noble and selfless goal. He spent hours slaving over beakers and vials. He spent huge amounts of money on rare ingredients and reagents, hoping to find one that would be successful.
And eventually, he did. Somehow he created a potion that he hoped would enhance the best parts of him, physically, mentally and morally. And nothing ventured, nothing gained. He drank his untested formula and passed out for a week. When he came to he discovered that he had changed. He had achieved his goal, to a degree. He had become a version of himself that exemplified all the good he had done, all the good he hoped to do. A sort of reverse Mr. Hyde, if you may. Then his lab caught on fire, and only his new-found strength and durability allowed him to escape. Later he found out that the fire had been deliberate. Someone had tried to kill him. Still, he didn't allow that to bother him. He found that not only had he enhanced his moral sense, transforming himself into his vision of a perfectly courteous gentleman and human being, but he had also grown, his proportions shifting him to nearly nine feet tall. His strength and stamina had also become herculean, and he soon began to use his new abilities to protect and serve, foiling super-villains and saving kittens in trees alike. He also learned tha t his body was very, very good at putting itself back together again.
Calling himself The Gentleman, Edward Advent is now one of the premier heroes of Atlantis and Progress City, his huge frame (always impeccably dressed) a not uncommon sight at locations of trouble or strife. He has found that someone or something is trying very hard to kill him, however. He's been the subject of several assassination attempts of increasing complexity after that first one, when his lab burned down, and he is beginning to suspect a single hand at work. He also has yet to duplicate his formula, an inexplicable sense of unease preventing him.
Personality: Edward Advent is a bit like Hank McCoy with better manners. He is the epitome of an old-school charmer, always willing to hold the door for a lady or go “bravo” for a chap. He is exceptionally hard to ruffle, his cool being literally super-human. He's always ready with a classical allusion or jibe, but never when he thinks it would be crude or hurtful. He is, after all, the ideal of a paragon, even if it's one man's view of a paragon.
Powers: Edward Advent is really, really, really strong and getting stronger. Originally he could, say, lift a car, but as he continued his fight against crime he realized that the bigger challenges he faced, the harder he was put down, the stronger he got. Currently his strength level is unknown but he easily caught an experimental engine that weighed at least ten tons. Its suspected that he will probably reach Legendary level strength soon, and some in Atlantis are hoping to push him towards Baldur levels. His regeneration factor is also continuing to increase, and he has already shown the ability to regrow parts of his body that are ripped off.
