Rock (Modern)
Kieran Xyken (a.k.a. Rock)
Rock is a humunculous, spun off from his predecessor before the android's death. Having completed his individuation process, Rock has also joined the Jumpers.
Physical Description
Special abilities
Cruel & Unusual: Rock's special ability. This allows Rock to absorb attacks against him and reverse them, either directly by copying the move, or by unleashing the energy from the move in an attack of his own. If Rock were punched, he could return the punch directly: by copying said punch, placing the energy into a punch of his own, or by releasing the said energy as an "energy blast". But he can also store energy from multiple attacks and combine them into one. And if he's hit by an attack more than twice before using it, he can learn the attack and use it multiple times. Rock's Reversus Gear is specially designed so that even though they diffuse the blows from attacks, he can still return the attack at full force: Even if he "blocks" an attack with his gloves, he gets all of the energy of a direct attack to use.
Rock can't copy strictly magical or non-physical attacks. But he can copy weapon-based physical attacks, just without the weapon. If he was attacked with a lance, he could do the lance's attack back, but without the lance. And so forth. But if he did have the lance, he would be able to use the lance effectively to gain the attack's full reach. Projectile attacks can be replicated in the form of energy: were he to take a bullet, he couldn't fire back another bullet, but he COULD fire a bullet-shaped energy attack back. (In addition to punching someone with, well, a bullet punch.)
Iron Shirt: A Chinese martial arts technique that builds the user's resistance to impacts. This means Rock is more steadfast and isn't knocked around quite so much when defending against blows. The "Iron Palm" technique similarly allows him to attack others without receiving too much self-damage from the impacts. (Not a literal iron shirt)
Aura Manipulation:
Rock's aura is effectively an energy-based extension of his psyche, known as the Black Sun. Although faint, it constantly extends around him and can be seen on closer inspection as a warm or golden shadow in the shape of a bubble or sphere. He can control the shape, brightness, and "density" of his aura based on his state of mind. In this context, "density" refers to how solid it appears and how much it can interact with physical objects. It normally manifests in a quasi-solid state. This means it can interact with physical objects, but cannot leave a lasting impact on them. In a sword / spear shape it would be capable of stabbing someone and lifting them up. The recipient would have the experience and pain / immobility as a result, but would not bleed or sustain injury from the aura directly unless they were susceptible to such attacks. Of course, he can still be thrown into a real solid object to sustain damage.
When Rock shifts the aura to a fully solid state, he *can* physically injure people with the force of a real weapon similar to hot steel. However, the reverse becomes true as well - if Rock cannot sustain or defend against attacks with his solid aura, he will also take physical damage. In that sense it behaves more similar to a Stand. As such he doesn't use this often unless he intends to finish off his enemy. While not everyone can see his aura in its semisolid state, when it is fully solid it is always visible to others, as black with a gold outline / finish.
While mainly combat oriented, his aura can also interact with the psyche of others who pass through it. Anyone inside his aura he can communicate with subconsciously; that is to say hind-brain or via emotions and not linguistic or thought-based communication. This isn't foolproof and the success of it depends on how much Rock is on the same wavelength as his communicator. He can somewhat help this (and do other things) by "imbuing" his communicator with part of his aura. The person imbued can briefly see as Rock does (metaphorically) and have a better grasp of where he's coming from, but this too can fail on the most oppositional mind. Rock can also better identify / interpret their thoughts and can loosely track the location of someone he's imbued as long as the aura remains. The aura will fade from the imbued person over time or if they forcibly close their mind to outside thought. Rock can only imbue a limited amount of his aura before succumbing to fatigue, so there's also a limit to how much he does it.
Since Rock's aura is linked to his psyche, other entities won't be able to use Rock's aura manipulation if they control him or his body. Meanwhile Rock can still use it even if his body is inert or out of his control, with some difficulty. If he's of unsound mind his control over it will be weakened as well. In order to adopt his aura into his fighting style, Rock developed a set of stances to readily recall aura shapes and use them in combat. They are based off the Zodiac Constellations, and the set is referred to as Black Stars in the White Sky.
ZODIAC STANCES
Aries: Arms crossed over chest with fingers apart. His aura becomes symbolic of the legendary golden fleece rather than an actual ram. The fleece cushions him from physical impacts.
Taurus: Leaning forward with head down, arms bent at the elbows and also pointed forward. His aura forms a shield over his head in addition to large horns, which he uses to gore his foe as he charges into them.
Gemini: One arm extends out parallel to the ground. The other arm bends at the elbow in the same direction to form a continuous line. (Either arm works. The archetypal "fusion stance", if you will.) This stance summons an afterimage in the shape of Rock formed from his aura. It appears in the same space as Rock and may not be visible except for the minor overlap. By default it matches his movements, allowing him to effectively double the strength of his blows, but it can also divert its motions to allow feint attacks and one-two punches. Usually kept as a surprise.
Cancer: Legs spread apart and slightly crouched, arms bent at the elbows up in an L shape, his fingers together in the shape of claws. This allows him to extend his aura further in the shape of two large claws, like the crab. In their semisolid state, they have great restraining power. In a fully solid state, their cutting power rises to match.
Virgo: Hands interlocked in a praying gesture close to the chest, head tilted slightly up. This summons his aura around him in a spherical barrier designed to deflect primarily projectiles but some physical impact as well. By clasping his arms around someone in front of him, he can extend the barrier to protect an ally as well. While mainly a defensive maneuver, it can be used offensively provided Rock has some forward momentum; he can slam into foes akin to a bowling or wrecking ball.
Libra: Feet planted slightly apart, arms outstretched like a T. This stance immediately manifests his aura in the shape of large, heavy anvils surrounding his legs. The purpose is primarily to allow him to remain steadfast against strong winds or other forces that might push him away. He can also crush foes below him by activating the stance in midair. The anvils are mobile and can be moved to the arm level; once here they can be spun around him at great force to be used as blunt weapons. By winding up the anvils like preparing a pitch, he can "throw" the anvils forward and be carried along with them to reach great heights.
Scorpio: Leaning forward, arms slightly bent in the shape of triangles (or chevrons, like < and >). His aura manifests as claws similar to the Cancer stance, but not as long, mainly to be used as a feint or diversion. The real weapon is aura manifested as a long scorpion tail behind him. The scorpion's tail is fast and has a long reach. The stinger forcefully injects a fraction of Rock's aura into the target, in an attempt to psychologically paralyze them.
Sagittarius: One arm outstretched and balled into a fist; one arm in a fist and pulled back, like holding an invisible bow. Using the aura-shaped bow, Rock is capable of launching his aura or himself at his targets. Given the insane nature of doing either, it's not used very much.
Capricorn: Currently unknown.
Aquarius: Hands cupped and outstretched toward the sky. Rock receives in his hands his aura in liquid form, which he can drink for nourishment or to recover from injuries. Rock can also offer it to allies within his aura to drink as well.
Pisces: Fingertips at his cheeks (at the location of imaginary gills) OR at flat at his sides in a "twig" formation / stance. His aura forms a highly smooth surface around his body which allows him to slide around with greater ease.
SOUL ARMAMENT
The ultimate in both alchemy and soul mastery; this is Rock's ability to morph into a weapon, called a Soul Arm. When he does this, Rock extends and darkens his aura around him to create a sphere of total darkness. The aura sphere is then sucked back in as he transforms into a double-headed spear, pointed at both ends like a javelin. As a spear he can freely move using his own aura. Against unexpected foes he can rush through them like an autonomous arrow. He can also slightly alter his shape to grow spear-like arms and appendages if needed. By developing scythe arms, he plant one end in the ground and spin around like a killer top. Due to his form he can move in any direction or way to assault the enemy, including spinning and rotating around them.
Rock chose this form due to its lack of biological or mechanical weaknesses. In this form, he has no human or mechanical senses at all. Any attack that would attempt to target them would fail. He cannot be blinded, addled, starved, choked, drowned, fried, poisoned, and so on. Rock is only capable of sensing the aura of those surrounding him for orientation. So he wouldn't be able to detect physical obstacles such as a wall between him and his foe. He also has no hearing and he can only communicate subconsciously with those in his aura or anyone who wields him and grabs hold of him. Although rare, anyone who did not have an aura either due to masking it or lacking vitality / fighting spirit would also be invisible to him. So some thought has to go in before switching to this form. If he decides that senses or verbal communication are needed, he may opt to ally himself with a human (or other living being) to act as his "wielder."
Soul Arm Wielding
Upon grabbing hold of Spear Rock, the wielder will be in near-constant subconscious communication with him. Rock could for example transmit a sense of urgency if he detects a hostile aura approaching them. Rock's aura allows for the sharing of abilities, meaning that while together, the wielder will be capable of using Rock's aura powers and Rock can modify his abilities based on the wielder's - to the extent that they are capable of learning to use them. For example, in contact with a fire-wielder, Rock could potentially ignite ends of his spear shape or shoot fireballs as his wielder allows. Those who know Rock or his abilities well will find it easier to learn and wield him than those with a conflict of wavelengths or styles. A mismatch could lead to their powers being more unwieldy or even weaker than their powers alone. Rock can modify his shape and size as a weapon to accommodate different partners, but since his ideal form is a spear, the further he deviates from that archetype the weaker his powers will be. He can't be a sword because he hates them, but scythes and polearms would be acceptable substitutes. Depending on his satisfaction with his wielder, he can raise the temperature of the hilt to uncomfortable levels or turn it into a bed of spikes to deter wielding entirely. But allying with a wielder is the only way for Rock to use both his spear-related techniques and aura skills simultaneously.
The transformation ends the way it began - the black sun extends to form a dark field around Rock, then collapses into his original human form. He actually requires more aura to maintain his human form, and has to readjust to having senses again, so there's usually some fatigue afterword.
Rock can't copy strictly magical or non-physical attacks. But he can copy weapon-based physical attacks, just without the weapon. If he was attacked with a lance, he could do the lance's attack back, but without the lance. And so forth. But if he did have the lance, he would be able to use the lance effectively to gain the attack's full reach. Projectile attacks can be replicated in the form of energy: were he to take a bullet, he couldn't fire back another bullet, but he COULD fire a bullet-shaped energy attack back. (In addition to punching someone with, well, a bullet punch.)
Iron Shirt: A Chinese martial arts technique that builds the user's resistance to impacts. This means Rock is more steadfast and isn't knocked around quite so much when defending against blows. The "Iron Palm" technique similarly allows him to attack others without receiving too much self-damage from the impacts. (Not a literal iron shirt)
Aura Manipulation:
Rock's aura is effectively an energy-based extension of his psyche, known as the Black Sun. Although faint, it constantly extends around him and can be seen on closer inspection as a warm or golden shadow in the shape of a bubble or sphere. He can control the shape, brightness, and "density" of his aura based on his state of mind. In this context, "density" refers to how solid it appears and how much it can interact with physical objects. It normally manifests in a quasi-solid state. This means it can interact with physical objects, but cannot leave a lasting impact on them. In a sword / spear shape it would be capable of stabbing someone and lifting them up. The recipient would have the experience and pain / immobility as a result, but would not bleed or sustain injury from the aura directly unless they were susceptible to such attacks. Of course, he can still be thrown into a real solid object to sustain damage.
When Rock shifts the aura to a fully solid state, he *can* physically injure people with the force of a real weapon similar to hot steel. However, the reverse becomes true as well - if Rock cannot sustain or defend against attacks with his solid aura, he will also take physical damage. In that sense it behaves more similar to a Stand. As such he doesn't use this often unless he intends to finish off his enemy. While not everyone can see his aura in its semisolid state, when it is fully solid it is always visible to others, as black with a gold outline / finish.
While mainly combat oriented, his aura can also interact with the psyche of others who pass through it. Anyone inside his aura he can communicate with subconsciously; that is to say hind-brain or via emotions and not linguistic or thought-based communication. This isn't foolproof and the success of it depends on how much Rock is on the same wavelength as his communicator. He can somewhat help this (and do other things) by "imbuing" his communicator with part of his aura. The person imbued can briefly see as Rock does (metaphorically) and have a better grasp of where he's coming from, but this too can fail on the most oppositional mind. Rock can also better identify / interpret their thoughts and can loosely track the location of someone he's imbued as long as the aura remains. The aura will fade from the imbued person over time or if they forcibly close their mind to outside thought. Rock can only imbue a limited amount of his aura before succumbing to fatigue, so there's also a limit to how much he does it.
Since Rock's aura is linked to his psyche, other entities won't be able to use Rock's aura manipulation if they control him or his body. Meanwhile Rock can still use it even if his body is inert or out of his control, with some difficulty. If he's of unsound mind his control over it will be weakened as well. In order to adopt his aura into his fighting style, Rock developed a set of stances to readily recall aura shapes and use them in combat. They are based off the Zodiac Constellations, and the set is referred to as Black Stars in the White Sky.
ZODIAC STANCES
Aries: Arms crossed over chest with fingers apart. His aura becomes symbolic of the legendary golden fleece rather than an actual ram. The fleece cushions him from physical impacts.
Taurus: Leaning forward with head down, arms bent at the elbows and also pointed forward. His aura forms a shield over his head in addition to large horns, which he uses to gore his foe as he charges into them.
Gemini: One arm extends out parallel to the ground. The other arm bends at the elbow in the same direction to form a continuous line. (Either arm works. The archetypal "fusion stance", if you will.) This stance summons an afterimage in the shape of Rock formed from his aura. It appears in the same space as Rock and may not be visible except for the minor overlap. By default it matches his movements, allowing him to effectively double the strength of his blows, but it can also divert its motions to allow feint attacks and one-two punches. Usually kept as a surprise.
Cancer: Legs spread apart and slightly crouched, arms bent at the elbows up in an L shape, his fingers together in the shape of claws. This allows him to extend his aura further in the shape of two large claws, like the crab. In their semisolid state, they have great restraining power. In a fully solid state, their cutting power rises to match.
Virgo: Hands interlocked in a praying gesture close to the chest, head tilted slightly up. This summons his aura around him in a spherical barrier designed to deflect primarily projectiles but some physical impact as well. By clasping his arms around someone in front of him, he can extend the barrier to protect an ally as well. While mainly a defensive maneuver, it can be used offensively provided Rock has some forward momentum; he can slam into foes akin to a bowling or wrecking ball.
Libra: Feet planted slightly apart, arms outstretched like a T. This stance immediately manifests his aura in the shape of large, heavy anvils surrounding his legs. The purpose is primarily to allow him to remain steadfast against strong winds or other forces that might push him away. He can also crush foes below him by activating the stance in midair. The anvils are mobile and can be moved to the arm level; once here they can be spun around him at great force to be used as blunt weapons. By winding up the anvils like preparing a pitch, he can "throw" the anvils forward and be carried along with them to reach great heights.
Scorpio: Leaning forward, arms slightly bent in the shape of triangles (or chevrons, like < and >). His aura manifests as claws similar to the Cancer stance, but not as long, mainly to be used as a feint or diversion. The real weapon is aura manifested as a long scorpion tail behind him. The scorpion's tail is fast and has a long reach. The stinger forcefully injects a fraction of Rock's aura into the target, in an attempt to psychologically paralyze them.
Sagittarius: One arm outstretched and balled into a fist; one arm in a fist and pulled back, like holding an invisible bow. Using the aura-shaped bow, Rock is capable of launching his aura or himself at his targets. Given the insane nature of doing either, it's not used very much.
Capricorn: Currently unknown.
Aquarius: Hands cupped and outstretched toward the sky. Rock receives in his hands his aura in liquid form, which he can drink for nourishment or to recover from injuries. Rock can also offer it to allies within his aura to drink as well.
Pisces: Fingertips at his cheeks (at the location of imaginary gills) OR at flat at his sides in a "twig" formation / stance. His aura forms a highly smooth surface around his body which allows him to slide around with greater ease.
SOUL ARMAMENT
The ultimate in both alchemy and soul mastery; this is Rock's ability to morph into a weapon, called a Soul Arm. When he does this, Rock extends and darkens his aura around him to create a sphere of total darkness. The aura sphere is then sucked back in as he transforms into a double-headed spear, pointed at both ends like a javelin. As a spear he can freely move using his own aura. Against unexpected foes he can rush through them like an autonomous arrow. He can also slightly alter his shape to grow spear-like arms and appendages if needed. By developing scythe arms, he plant one end in the ground and spin around like a killer top. Due to his form he can move in any direction or way to assault the enemy, including spinning and rotating around them.
Rock chose this form due to its lack of biological or mechanical weaknesses. In this form, he has no human or mechanical senses at all. Any attack that would attempt to target them would fail. He cannot be blinded, addled, starved, choked, drowned, fried, poisoned, and so on. Rock is only capable of sensing the aura of those surrounding him for orientation. So he wouldn't be able to detect physical obstacles such as a wall between him and his foe. He also has no hearing and he can only communicate subconsciously with those in his aura or anyone who wields him and grabs hold of him. Although rare, anyone who did not have an aura either due to masking it or lacking vitality / fighting spirit would also be invisible to him. So some thought has to go in before switching to this form. If he decides that senses or verbal communication are needed, he may opt to ally himself with a human (or other living being) to act as his "wielder."
Soul Arm Wielding
Upon grabbing hold of Spear Rock, the wielder will be in near-constant subconscious communication with him. Rock could for example transmit a sense of urgency if he detects a hostile aura approaching them. Rock's aura allows for the sharing of abilities, meaning that while together, the wielder will be capable of using Rock's aura powers and Rock can modify his abilities based on the wielder's - to the extent that they are capable of learning to use them. For example, in contact with a fire-wielder, Rock could potentially ignite ends of his spear shape or shoot fireballs as his wielder allows. Those who know Rock or his abilities well will find it easier to learn and wield him than those with a conflict of wavelengths or styles. A mismatch could lead to their powers being more unwieldy or even weaker than their powers alone. Rock can modify his shape and size as a weapon to accommodate different partners, but since his ideal form is a spear, the further he deviates from that archetype the weaker his powers will be. He can't be a sword because he hates them, but scythes and polearms would be acceptable substitutes. Depending on his satisfaction with his wielder, he can raise the temperature of the hilt to uncomfortable levels or turn it into a bed of spikes to deter wielding entirely. But allying with a wielder is the only way for Rock to use both his spear-related techniques and aura skills simultaneously.
The transformation ends the way it began - the black sun extends to form a dark field around Rock, then collapses into his original human form. He actually requires more aura to maintain his human form, and has to readjust to having senses again, so there's usually some fatigue afterword.
Apparel & Accessories
Rock looks like a normal human, usually in exercise or training gear (shorts and shirt, usually black or white). His distinctive garb are his jade gauntlets and jade boots, which appear regal. Underneath his shirt he has a dragon-fanged necklace. He does dress-up for special non-combat occasions, however.
Specialized Equipment
Rock's Reversus Gear mimicks the old green wear he used to have. It's largely resistant to the elements (fire, water, and lightning). It's secured tightly to his arms and legs, and difficult to remove by external force. It's highly durable and effectively allows him to go fist-to-sword, tackling weapons and other tricky objects with just his hands. It protects from heat, cold, shock, etc. but is physically durable in his own right. The gloves are more resistant than the shoes; most of the shoes' durability is in the soles and the toe areas, to prevent further loss of speed. He does have alternative, lighter versions of the gloves (which are closer to plastic) when needed - but they sacrifice power for flexibility / speed.
Dragon Skin: When Rock takes the gloves or the shoes off, the part under them transforms into a dragon-like equivalent. The arms become more claw-like. The appearance is largely instant but they do go stronger after being exposed to the air for a few minutes - they become rougher / scalier. His claws have far more cutting edge and offensive power, allowing him to tear things to pieces, but don't offer him the protective edge the gloves do. If he takes off both gloves, he also gets fangs and fire breath. If he takes off both boots, he gains a metallic lightning-imbued tail. If he takes off all four (uncommonly), his entire body will become that way. (Among other things, undecided atm.) But he doesn't usually do that. And no matter what, Rock never grows wings. Ever.
Fang Necklace: Not a viable weapon on its own, it exists for the element of surprise. This simple chain necklace contains about 20 small fangs. They can store electric charges which can be fired off at a close range (a couple of feet). The entire necklace can also be thrown as an electric-sawblade effect.
Dragon Skin: When Rock takes the gloves or the shoes off, the part under them transforms into a dragon-like equivalent. The arms become more claw-like. The appearance is largely instant but they do go stronger after being exposed to the air for a few minutes - they become rougher / scalier. His claws have far more cutting edge and offensive power, allowing him to tear things to pieces, but don't offer him the protective edge the gloves do. If he takes off both gloves, he also gets fangs and fire breath. If he takes off both boots, he gains a metallic lightning-imbued tail. If he takes off all four (uncommonly), his entire body will become that way. (Among other things, undecided atm.) But he doesn't usually do that. And no matter what, Rock never grows wings. Ever.
Fang Necklace: Not a viable weapon on its own, it exists for the element of surprise. This simple chain necklace contains about 20 small fangs. They can store electric charges which can be fired off at a close range (a couple of feet). The entire necklace can also be thrown as an electric-sawblade effect.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
When Kurockbo was hit with the Merzbow, he gained an ability known as "from the shadows". This ability allowed him to travel / see into minds and see (as well as create) personifications of people's inner psyches, known as shadows (or shadow archetypes). In a very brief meeting, Kurockbo used his force ability to split his shadow archetype from himself, creating the Black Sun, before being crushed by the overwhelming weight of the Merz Bow's psychic resonance.
Through a series of events involving looting, mayhem, wanton destruction, and Titania, the Black Sun was eventually able to craft a body for itself. The Black Sun largely skimped on giving this new body memories, however, and so the new body adopted the name Zakuro. Through more misadventures, Zakuro & the Black Sun were able to recognize, rebuild, & reconcile the other elements of their psyches. At the end of the individuation process, the psychological parts combine to create a new "self", giving birth to the New Rock as he's known today.
This resulted in the creation of a homunculi, or human body to properly house the Black Sun. Whereas before, Zakuro had lived detached, just dragging around the rest of his consciousness, Rock lives with it inside of him, as his actual soul. However, the human body is not actually strong enough to "contain" the soul, without the aid of restraints. The "Reversus gear", Rock's gauntlets and boots, serve this function.
Through a series of events involving looting, mayhem, wanton destruction, and Titania, the Black Sun was eventually able to craft a body for itself. The Black Sun largely skimped on giving this new body memories, however, and so the new body adopted the name Zakuro. Through more misadventures, Zakuro & the Black Sun were able to recognize, rebuild, & reconcile the other elements of their psyches. At the end of the individuation process, the psychological parts combine to create a new "self", giving birth to the New Rock as he's known today.
This resulted in the creation of a homunculi, or human body to properly house the Black Sun. Whereas before, Zakuro had lived detached, just dragging around the rest of his consciousness, Rock lives with it inside of him, as his actual soul. However, the human body is not actually strong enough to "contain" the soul, without the aid of restraints. The "Reversus gear", Rock's gauntlets and boots, serve this function.
Social
Contacts & Relations
The Dragon island is his home. He has a reverence for the technological aspects of the island, as well as its residents. Although he's not accepted by some of the more elders for not being a "true dragon", he tries to push away from traditions and the younger folk generally get along with him.
The Jumpers he sees generally as interesting, although Rock sees them as generally not as forward-thinking as he is. He likes them overall, however.
Old Rock is someone he respects, but is *not* him. To be clear: Rock will always refer to Old Rock as Old Rock. He *never* identifies Old Rock as himself. Old Rock is Old Rock to him. Not like family, or kin, but he appreciates him like a "past incarnation" or progenitor.
Social Aptitude
Assertive is the key element. Rock is outward and direct, often approaching people and doing things without much hesitation. This often seen as a "cool" front, but it can also be seen as aggressive or highly determined. Rock enjoys making the most of things, so he usually gets himself into conflicts or heated scenarios without much apprehension or regret for doing so. But at the end Rock always has a deep fascination with finding the "true meaning" behind events, which usually leads to him respecting the truth and honesty. This is seen as him generally taking people seriously when he realizes it's important. Respecting the truth is important, which is generally seen as a form of strong loyalty of Rock to his actions and words, as well as his close friends.
Species
Currently Held Titles
Year of Birth
10005
4 Years old
Circumstances of Birth
A soul spinoff, born appearing age 17 and has continued growing
Birthplace
Children
Eyes
Jade
Hair
Gold
Height
5'10"
Weight
166lbs
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