Copied Data from Massassi
Story: Hero Force Ultimate
Name: Fungai Unter Nu (‘true’), Hunter F. Neuman (‘adopted’/assimilated)
Nicknames: P.I. Fun Guy, Hunter/Hun
Titles: Interstellar Detective of the Local Fluff District (past) / Gould Belt Domain (present)
Alignment: Lawful Good (at least his own if not others)
Home: American-born in Baltimore, Maryland, once with HFO, now has his own place to live in Zyba, center of the Zybal Underspace Network
System: Influences from Aquaman, as well as Green Lantern (specifically Guy Gardner with his hair, alien heritage, and less-popular status), Martian Manhunter, and to a lesser extent, Shazam of D.C., Thor of Marvel, and The Tick (for their personalities) - western superhero comics in large
Synopsis: (alien) Space detective with fungus-based powers, mocked in his early days for his ‘wholesome’ and ‘weak’ power among the Hero Force
PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES
Age: middle-aged approaching old age (40s-50s), looks slightly younger than his age and is physically younger due to a slower aging process
Gender: Male
Sexual Orientation: Asexual / Bisexual (that is, primarily asexual, but when not, he is bisexual)
Race: Human-Connu Hybrid - ethnically appears half-German, half-Zimbabwean
Height: 6’1” - tall but almost average for male Hero Force One heyday member. He’d have been shorter than The Patriot
Build: 235lbs - built but almost average for a male Hero Force One heyday member - he’d have been significantly less buff looking than The Patriot
Hair: Dark Brown, clean-cut semi-fro Bowl-cut (early days), little longer/triangular-ish & new beard (which on very close inspection is slightly teethy/gillish/pore-ish looking)
Eye color: Brown
Unusual features: vaguely mushroom-like features attributed to his Connu heritage. His cap-like shaped hair on his head is the only characteristic the average person would consider unusual looking - only doctors would on average possibly take notice of his non-human physiology
Outfits: (early days) old fashioned Inverness cape with bright browns/oranges/reds/whites over office attire and tie with Hero Force logo (modern) more “modern” inverness cape, darker with colored trims, no HF logo on tie (would wear old tie again), Zybal Network cufflink
Stance: Head leans (to the side by default, forward when working/walking) - sway and stride like a shroom at times
Diction: Sometimes loud and wordy, bombastic, sometimes reserved in a regal way.
HISTORY
When Hunter’s parents, both immigrants to America, were unable to conceive, fortune from above visited them. Literally. A small fairy-tale humanoid seemed to appear out of nowhere, gravely injured. The two took it in to take care of it, and it in turn examined them with its strange devices. The alien’s time was near, and it, claiming to be the heir to a power beyond their comprehension, pleaded for them to let it pass its “lifeforce” of sorts to them, and in turn, they would bear a child that would carry all their hopes. They agreed, and it left them a message and gifts for the child to come before passing away (on more than one level). They were visited soon after by two ominous agents who, after failing to find what they were looking for, left.
Hunter grew up in Baltimore, MD, initially unaware of his nature, though as the years passed, he noticed he was different than most others in more ways than one. In fact, he was good at noticing in general, and when he noticed that Hero Force was making a difference in the world, he set his mind to join them. Barring the founding members, Hunter was one of the first among to join, quickly making a name for himself.
Unfortunately for him, that name -- P.I. Fun Guy -- made for an embarrassing reputation as often the joke of Hero Force One, taken arguably less seriously than even a Company Kid when he was known for “talking to shrooms” and, as time passed, even viewed with some judging eyes. Sometime prior to the turn of the millenium, Hunter followed an extended personal assignment off-world involving attempting to find his missing sister. Hunter went MIA himself, his only lead prior to his disappearance would be the name of his new, mysterious arch-enemy who went by the moniker Interstellar Master of Sirius, a.k.a. I.M. Sirius.
After years, fate seems to have brought Hunter to Pandemonium, where he runs into Hero Force One in the middle of a fight with Medusa, aiding them in their time of need...
CHARACTER
Personality: Wholesome, largely light-hearted to puke-inducing positive, bombastic even at times, though occasionally (and strangely) reserved in a regal way. A team player who often charges the front even when not leading himself. A strong sense of justice, often seeking to find both evidence and motive for any given situation, becoming even obsessive-compulsive in that pursuit. Insightful, hit-or-miss inspiring and ineffectual, prone to being insufferable.
Perceptions: Some higher power (his heritage as well as his faith) has given him incredible gifts, and it’s his calling to use them to uphold his beliefs in truth,justice, life, and liberty. Heroes have a duty to pursue truth and justice and protect life and liberty. If you get to know the facts and motives of people, most people want the same (not evil), and in the end, knowing the truth will pave the way for good to triumph.
Politics: While serving as part of Hero Force historically discourages political affiliation, Hunter leans liberal/Democratic, particularly in matters regarding freedom of speech and information. As Hunter has spent more time among the stars and been exposed to alien governments and organizations, he’s had to adapt to work within various legal systems, though the Zybal Network often helps alleviate the subtler challenges. His political knowledge tends to be lacking when it doesn’t apply to law and his job, though.
Religion: Brought up Jewish (more from his father’s side). While Hunter is not a firm practitioner or very knowledgeable about even his own religion, he does what he can to observe in his private times. Despite encountering both occasional gods and faith-shuddering horrors in his life, Hunter senses truth in his faith, and so he holds onto it.
Beliefs: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; truth, justice, and liberty for all -- he firmly believes no one of those qualities should suppress another, even if he himself pursues truth and justice over personal life, liberty, and happiness. Information should (generally) be free.
Fears: Feeling useless (but not fearing failure itself), and feeling disconnected (from people, information, etc.).
Drives: To rise as the best hero and detective ever; to seek truth and justice so others can live happy; to cast the mysteries that cause pain aside for transparency.
Social status: Grew up lower-middle class. Initially, his status was high upon joining Hero Force, but quickly became a cultural joke to those that knew him on Earth. Among the stars, he’s grown to be respected by various authorities and within the Zybal Network. Among the Network, he now has a middle-high social class status (at least on a galactic scale), though his personality still will knock him down a peg or two at times.
Occupation: Hero Force One member (while MIA, his status was never revoked), Interstellar Detective. He tends to funnel much of his income back into his part of the Zybal Network as well as through charitable donations. He has a fairly well-to-do apartment of sorts in Zyba, though, which is filled with mementos of his history as a Hero Force member and cases as an interstellar detective.
Family: Sekai (mother - immigrant from Zimbabwe), Alter (father - immigrant from Germany), Scout (adopted sister, brought in when Hunter was 3 and Scout 4)
Relationships: I.M. Sirius has been his interstellar archenemy since Hunter went MIA from Hero Force. There may be Hero Force members past that liked him or not, and like many members of the time, he had a brief protege, Honey Fun, before she went off on her own in the A&CC as Deadwood. Most fungus-based life that have any sort of “mind” of their own are friendly to Hunter by default.
Hobbies: As once a high-profile hero and still an interstellar detective with a growing reputation, Hunter doesn’t have much time for hobbies. The most consistent “hobby” he’s been able to pursue is seeking out keepsakes for a given assignment: letters, souvenirs, confiscated enemy tech, etc.
Likes: Mushrooms, but not to eat. smooth jazz and broadway-style music (ex. “Jump Up, Superstar!” from Mario Odyssey), dogs that can sniff things out well, honest people.
Dislikes: Games (both literal and ‘mind’ games/’drama’), lounge music and musicals (he claims they’re different than the sort of music he likes), cats (such as the sort that get stuck hiding in trees), ’manipulative/deceitful people (it’s not rare for him to dislike how some of his superiors and peers might go about their jobs because of this).
TALENTS
Potential: Despite his early reputation on Hero Force One, Hunter even back then was one of the greatest heros of Earth, often acting then as the team’s eyes and ears in addition to shielding and absorbing attacks the other team members couldn’t and generally filling in when the team needed more of a particular strength. In addition presently, he has amassed a substantial network of contacts (these days largely off-world) and would be an ideal ‘tank’ for a Hero Force that now lacks many of its heyday prime fighters. In short, an old but reliable dog, ready to sniff out and bite down on crime.
Powers:
“Talk to shrooms” - Hunter is able to use any surrounding fungus to significantly augment his other powers. Commonly, he will gather information (such as even from the recently dead) and, without Contenu, can only command “mundane” growths and actions from them. The closer they are to him, the more he can benefit (the “signal” doesn’t degregate); using his power on the other side of the globe would require massive effort and time while using it within reaching distance is effortless and instant.
“Shroom sense” - His senses, particularly with light/sight, gravity, touch, presence, and ‘weakness’ of something, are heightened to superhuman levels.
“Trippin’” - Hunter can have a subject experience confusing hallucinations. As with many of his powers, the effects and effectiveness can vary based on what’s available to him.
“Mushroom Medicine” - While minor compared to the sort of healing Seraphim could do in her prime, Hunter can provide a certain amount of healing, particularly in the form of boosting immune systems and relieving “status effects” (stress, confusion, etc.)
“Symbiotic Spores” - Hunter can “‘borrow” physical traits of nearby things and transfer them to himself or others, akin to ‘buffing” them.
“Decomposer” -- Hunter’s fungal connection allows him to ‘decompose’ certain objects quickly (ex. parts of a wooden door to escape a room), and to weaken living targets (ex. making them feel sick), akin to “debuffing” them.
“Fungal sponge” -- Like other fungi that have been known to absorb high levels of radiation, Hunter has the ability to absorb certain energies (like radiation) that would be lethal to others
“Mighty M’old” -- Just as mold is difficult to kill, Hunter has a similar superhuman level of durability. This has also given Hunter a superhuman lifespan and slowed aging.
“Foxfire” - Hunter can make (parts of) himself or other fungus glow
“Mushroom Men” - Given a little time, Hunter can produce short-lived sterile ‘clones’, more akin to extensions of himself than truly independent beings. Think Naruto.
Abilities
Interstellar Detective - Hunter is recognized as an Interstellar Detective from the Zybal Underspace Network. He therefore shares similar abilities of other interstellar detectives regarding his intellectual skills (such as investigation, culture/law, and the sciences), physical skills (such as stealth, sleight of hand, and blending into a crowd), and social skills (such as networking, means of interrogating, and sensing the motive of others). In short, what you’d expect from all-star detectives. Among his interstellar detective peers, he’d be more socially skilled (thanks partly to his powers) but less intellectually so on average, whereas among his Hero Force peers (at least back in the heyday among the top tier members), it’d have been more so the reverse.
Hero Force One Member - Hunter has been recognized as one of the top-tier Hero Force members back in the day (despite his public reputation as something of a joke). He therefore also shares similar skills as other top-tier Hero Force One members regarding his intellectual skills (such as emergency medical triaging, ethical problem-solving, and resolve), physical skills (such as acrobatics, athletics, and martial arts), and social (such as crowd control, impressing others, and bureaucracy). Among his top-tier Hero Force peers in his heyday, he’d have been less socially skilled and more intellectually skilled, while among his interstellar detective peers, it’d have been more so the reverse.
Equipment:
Zybal Underspace Network Badge - usually hidden behind the coat he wears, he can easily show it to others to identify himself as an Interstellar Detective. It is also allows him easy access to Zyba and its network. His status as an Interstellar Detective would be revoked if this badge were lost or stolen, though fortunately, the badge itself is “bound” to Hunter, making its loss fairly difficult.
Stellar Scoop - Half-Lens of Truth and physical optical scope, half-multi-use spade. Used often to get stats on people and surroundings, to dig figuratively and literally for what he needs. He tends to keep this in his inside coat pocket.
Contenu - a.k.a. the Word Wand, the Blessed Brand, the Signal Septre, Contenu appears as an oversized mushroom knife of sorts (6” when its blade is not extended and 12” when it is) with a blunt tip. It carries an innate reputation allowing Hunter to command fungus instead of only communicating to them. It also acts as a stylus for writing as well as a “key” to unlock briefcases, safes, databases, and whatever else can be said to contain ‘contents’ in them. If he uses it to lock something, only Contenu can unlock it again. He tends to keep it in his shirt pocket.
Wardenwatch - Appears like a wristwatch. It has the ability to innately translate any language for Hunter as well as project a hard-light concave shield about 3 feet in diameter. He wears this on his left wrist.
Hero Force One Handgun - Issued to him when he joined Hero Force One. Holstered on his hip. Hunter has refrained from using it outside of non-lethal situations such as training and intimidation.
Interstellar Detective Railaser Pistol - Issued to him when he joined as an Interstellar Detective. Holstered by his chest under his coat. Hunter has refrained from using it outside of non-lethal situations such as training and intimidation.
META-STORY
Concepts: I wanted to introduce someone in the Hero Force cast that generally filled a role not already there as well as further build on the Hero Force history. I liked the idea of someone who used to be considered a joke, like Aquaman, and now having “grown the beard” to be a more effective and enjoyable hero. While Hunter will have grown up where I live, I’m also challenging myself to write some qualities (at least minor ones) that are the opposite of my own.
Choice: Who is your character? What choices (or lack thereof) define them, or could define them?
Hunter pursues truth and justice, and makes his choices based on that, commonly at the cost of self-reputation and how others perceive his actions.
Chance: What events revolve around them, plot or otherwise? What elements outside of their (and your) control have particular significance to them? What chances are you willing and hoping to take with them?
The usual Hero Force events that involve its members would also involve him, particularly for him when it comes to handling reputation and perception.
Conflict: How does their point-of-view(s) challenge and co-exist with everyone and everything else? What conflicts do you see arising in and out of the story with them?
His pursuit for the truth often rattles cages even among “the good guys” he works with, and his generally wholesome and boisterous attitude tire the more cynical and private sorts.
Context: Where and when do they interact, and how are those settings significant to them? What is their context in and out of the story?
Compared to most of the other Hero Force members (at least of the heyday), Hunter works out in the galaxy, so tends to have the “little blue orb” view of Earth as a small, delicate treasure to be protected instead of his whole world. His past likely will color his actions in the present.
Convention: Why do they exist? What themes do they bring forth? What conventions are you following and fighting against with them?
Hunter is a space detective, hunting for the truth and justice like an old dog. Any of the conventions that would apply to the likes of Aquaman and the other superheroes in the “system” section as well as other detectives such as Sherlock Holmes could apply for Hunter. Despite the mushroom theme, I’d want to use the “joke reputation” as a way to challenge the funny and/or gross ideas that come from mushrooms with Hunter.
Character Goals and Obstacles: What is the relationship between the character and their goal, what obstacles and antagonists are in their way, and do they transform to overcome it? See here
He pursues to be the best hero and detective he can, and the usual obstacles and antagonists that would get in his way are lies, misinformation, physical safe vaults, and those that use them. As a heyday Hero Force top tier member, Hunter has largely been successful at not resorting to un-truthful or injust means to his ends, instead putting his own reputation as a serious hero on the line. While I don’t envision Hunter sacrificing his principles, I do see him having to learn new ways to not have to do so, whether by relying on other people, finding information in unexpected ways, and possibly figuring out how to overcome his “weaknesses” in public perception.
Character Function: What role(s) does the character serve? See here
Protagonist, hero, sleuth
Character Traits: What tags, etc. apply to this character? See here under "Chraacters" and here
mushroom/fungi, detective/sleuth/sneak, hero, old dog, etc.
Character Grid: Where do other characters relate to this character on a grid of friendly/hostile and dominant/submissive? See here
In his heyday, he was largely friendly and dominant, and it’ll be seen how he falls in with others
Character Web: How does this character feel about the other characters? See here
I presume characters like Seraphim might butt heads with Hunter while those like Magick might get along well with him. We’ll see how it plays out.
Character Status: What is the character's general status? How is it shown? Is there a conflict of status with other characters? Does the character change in their general status in any circumstances? See here
Despite carrying himself with high status, his heyday reputation as a joke had often put him in lower status, though he largely seemed to play it off. His only known ‘low’ status would probably be with types like Seraphim and with I.M. Sirius.
Character Transformation: What transformation does the character make? How is it shown? Is it enough of a change? Is it surprising and interesting? Is it believable? See here
Hunter has “matured” since his heyday, though his wholesome and loud personality still comes off as child-like at times. It’s hard to say what other transformations he might make at this point.
MISCELLANEOUS/NOTES
Miscellaneous:
I.M. Sirius is likely to have done some sort of genetic modification to herself so that she’s not just an old woman in the present day. As a classic antagonist to Hunter, she’s likely to be all about lies, misdirection, manipulation, and the like. While I haven’t pinned down her motives, I could see something akin to misgivings about her brother’s outlook and approach to life.
Zybal Underspace Network: The idea is that Hunter should be able to use the “Underspace” to travel from place to place quickly without vehicles. I envision the physical location Zyba as sort of cavernous and lit with glowing star-like spots, and while technically massive (Forever-sized), is organized in a cell-like maze with maybe “marketplaces” or “dens” at largest so that any ‘compromise” would make it very difficult to take down the Network. Hunter and his peers, for instance, would be limited largely on a galactic scale at most. In short, a “Thieve’s Den” type of place with secret passwords and murder to outsiders and all that.
Notes: Random blubs, thoughts, etc. you have on your character.
Art: Descriptions and crediting art relating to your character.
