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| Portrayed by Tahmoh Penikett |
| Statistics |
| Full Name |
Paul Manning |
| Age |
35 |
| Height |
6'2" |
| Build |
Muscular |
| Eyes |
Blue |
| Hair |
Dark Brown |
| Factions |
SHIELD |
| Occupation |
Secret Agent Man |
| Alignment |
Hero |
Claim to Fame
Paul is the product of over a hundred years of deliberately chosen breeding. The only ones who know this are the one who oversaw the program, a group called the Galton Society. He now bears the Rapture, one of the 13 Artifacts.
Reputation
Paul doesn't really have a reputation outside of the NYPD. As a uniformed officer, he was a liaison with the GLBT community and being out was something some of the other cops had a problem with. Most of them kept it to themselves since they knew he was a former marine and a skilled fighter. He does have some excessive force complaints in his file but they all turned out to be unwarranted. Likewise, while many officers go twenty years without ever firing their gun on duty, he's not one of them. They too have all been determined to have been justified.
Biography
Vignettes In Time
The man at the desk is middle aged, white, and wealthy. When there's a knock at the door, he looks up and invites whoever it is in. "Manning is dead." the newcomer says without prelude. He too is middle aged and white though not quite as wealthy. "How?" The single word is all the reaction he gives as he waits for more information. "He got hit by a bus. It seems superior genetics doesn't guarantee a habit of looking both ways." His face doesn't betray any amusement but it's there in his tone. "That's unfortunate. His line was promising." "He does have one issue. A boy of three." "He should have had more. The woman is not one of us, correct?" "No." "Then we write off that line. But keep track of the boy. Even if we've lost our influence there, we have too many generations invested into Manning's line to just close the file."
***
I think I was twelve the first time I boosted. Mom and I were going to the grocery store. I remember it was a Saturday afternoon. The sun was bright and it was really nice out. April, maybe. It was the last day you'd expect trouble except that it was Gotham City and trouble comes no matter what in that neighborhood. I never did find out what it was all about but all of a sudden, gunfire started. Mom grabbed me and we ran toward a doorway to try to take cover. She cried out and fell. A bullet had hit her in the leg. There wasn't time to think or panic. I just picked her up and carried her. We got to the doorway and went inside the store. Then I passed out. After that, it happened more and more till I eventually learned to control it. Most people are never able to tap into the so-called 'hysterical strength' phenomenon but I am. I don't know why. Maybe it's for the same reason I've never been sick.
***
"Another rejection?"
Mom's voice was quiet and sympathetic. She didn't need to ask, it was clear on my face.
"That was the last one." With the help of my guidance counselor, I'd sent in applications for every scholarship I could qualify for. They all said no.
"We'll apply to others."
"There are no others. My grades aren't good enough for an academic scholarship. I might be good at sports but I just don't care enough about them and it shows." I didn't want to be a sports star, I just wanted the money for college.
"You can go to a community college. I can get another job. With both of us working, we should be able to afford it."
"No." I wasn't going to let her do that. Once the rejections started to pour in, I looked at other options. Anything illegal was automatically disqualified. "No. College can wait. I'm going to join the marines."
***
My shift doesn't start for several hours yet so I have time to work out. I'm warmed up after a mile or so and turn into an alley. A step up the wall and I'm on top of the dumpster. Up the wall again and I can reach the fire escape. I climb up the outside of it to the roof and run across it, flipping across an air conditioning unit. The gap between the next building is a lot wider than I thought it would be so I go into turbo mode. I can feel the adrenaline flood my body. Heart rate increases, breathing quickens, focus sharpens, muscles contract. With the extra strength and speed, I easily leap across the alley and land on the other roof with a shoulder roll. I'm back to my feet without pause and shut down the extra boost. The door is unlocked so into the stairwell, vaulting the railings so I only touch ground twice on each floor. Out the front door and back to the street. Half a block up is the Krav Maga school I train in. I can get an hour's practice in before I need to get ready for work.
***
"Welcome aboard, detective."
"Thank you, sir."
"It's not often someone requests a transfer to special cases."
"No, sir."
"You were a marine, I see."
"Yes, sir."
"But not an MP."
"No, sir."
"May I ask why you decided to become a police officer?"
"I wasn't qualified for much else, sir. And I could do some good."
"You're from Gotham."
"Yes, sir."
"But you decided to join the force here in New York."
"Yes, sir."
"Why?"
"I joined the marines to get out of Gotham, sir."
"I can understand that. Parents still there?"
"My mother, sir."
"Relax detective. You don't have to sir me every sentence."
"Yes, Captain."
"All right, Manning. Go meet your partner. She'll show you the ropes."
Well, that could have been worse. Meeting a new commanding officer is always tricky. You're never quite sure how spit and polish they are. I felt good about it though despite the third degree. Most of the answers to his questions were in my file he was reading. He just wanted to feel me out on the parts that weren't. I don't think he was satisfied but how could I convey just how bad growing up poor in Gotham or serving in Bosnia was. If you have to ask what jazz is, you'll never know.
***
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Character Details
Paul tends to be a bit gruff and no-nonsense, especially on the job. While he recognizes the importance of the rule of law, he knows that sometimes it needs to be administered with a certain discretion because life isn't black and white. He believes there's basically three kinds of people: those who try to make the world a better place, those whose absence would make the world a better place and those who are merely background noise. Which group he places someone into determines how they get treated.
| Firearms |
| As all police officers are required to be, Paul's proficient with handguns. Given his military background, he's a bit better than merely proficient though not a marksman. He's also able to use rifles, SMGs and other non-specialized military weapons. |
| Hand To Hand Combat |
| Building on the basics he learned in the Corps, Paul's extremely skilled in Krav Maga. It's a no-nonsense self defense form without the philosophical baggage a lot of the martial arts come with. His particular school uses the patch system in which he's ranked as an E1 and is qualifies to instruct, having taken the course. The equivalent would be a black belt. |
| Investigation |
| While not CSIs, detectives are trained to investigate. It's what they do. Paul's not the best but he's not the worst either. |
| Languages |
| In addition to English, his native language, he speaks Spanish but isn't fluent in it. |
| Parkour |
| Paul started learning Parkour as a kid on the streets of Gotham. Once he was no longer on active duty, he continued learning more formally and continues to do so. While his height and mass are a hindrance to some things, the added muscle and reach are a benefit to others so it evens out. |
| Boosting |
| Paul has the ability to, at will, turn on or off the adrenalin rush that produces the 'hysterical strength' phenomenon that is inherent in all humans. The most well known effect of this is that it increases his strength greatly, enough to easily flip an SUV or truck but not actually lift one though motorcycles and some smaller cars are possible for very short periods of time. Because of the greater strength, he can also run faster, jump further, and just about anything else that is dependent on muscular strength. It also focuses his concentration and increases reaction time along with all the other normal effects of the hormones produced in the adrenal glands. He can activate it for just a short burst of seconds as needed or leave it on for an extended duration that doesn't exceed five minutes. |
| Superior Genes |
| Like a thoroughbred, Paul was bred to be a superior example of the species. Physically, he can be considered to be at peak human condition and has the potential to excel at any activity he actually works at with less effort. He still has to learn the skills required but physically mastering them will come easier. He's as healthy as a horse and his immune system can fight off anything short of HIV or Ebola and drugs have a lessened effect. He heals very quickly and with minimal scarring. His eyesight is 20/10 and his nightvision is superb. Longevity is extended. Other physical attributes are either as good as they get or even just slightly better. There's nothing supernatural or superpowered about him, he's just top of the line breeding stock. The more ephemeral qualities of humanity were more difficult to get a handle on for 19th and early 20th century Eugenicists than the physical so mentally he's above average intelligence but not a genius. |
| Rapture-Brimstone Warrior |
| So long as the Rapture is in Paul's possession, he has the ability to transform into a supernatural creature. He takes on the appearance of a chiseled, rocky humanoid with coal black skin. His body is marred by cracks and pits, glowing with fire as are his eyes. In this form, he becomes extremely strong, capable of tossing around ten tons or so without straining, and gains a degree of invulnerability. Mundane weapons, even military grade, are ineffective against him and he's extremely resistant to physical trauma. Able to affect supernatural creatures normally immaterial to the mundane, he's able to best low level demons and hell creatures with ease and be on an equal footing with mid level and even some high level ones. |
| Rapture-Immunity To Fire |
| Regardless of whether he's transformed or not, Paul is immune to the effects of mundane fire and heat. Supernatural fire, such as hellfire, has a decreased effect due to his being resistant even to that. |
| Rapture-Hell Travel |
| Paul is able to travel to and from various infernal dimensions. It's not an 'at will' thing; he needs to find portals to where he wants to go and then get to them. Fortunately, as a bearer of the Rapture, he's able to see the portals and know which ones go where though he still has to get to them physically. Likewise, once in the hell dimensions, he's able to find portals that lead the way back or to other dimensions of a similar vein. The same ability also lets him bypass any wards or guardians of the portals as if he had every right to be there. Note that this applies only to infernal dimensions and those that lean that way (such as Limbo). On the down side, he's actually barred from setting foot in any beatific dimension such as various heavens, the Elysian Fields, etc. While he is able to take others with him, they need to stick close to Paul since if they get separated, they're pretty much stuck unless they could normally get out of hell themselves. |
| Rapture-The Sight |
| Because of the Rapture, Paul can sense the supernatural near him (infernal or not) whether it's person, place or thing. He can see through invisibility or disguises to the true appearance of what lies underneath. He can even sense it before seeing it and get a feel for the nature of what he's sensing even if he can't define it exactly. |
| Rapture-Immunity Hell Powers |
| When fighting demons, it helps a lot to be immune to their special attacks. The bearer of the Rapture can not be possessed or supernaturally tempted, guilt ridden, terrified, etc. He can certainly feel those things 'naturally' but they can't be imposed on him from an outside source. |
| Rapture-Bringer Of Hope |
| One of the main powers of the Rapture is to give hope to those who have none. It can be an incremental thing or an all or nothing deal. While it certainly has its uses on Earth, the biggest benefit is that it allows those who are trapped in Hell to escape, thus restoring them to life. |
| Police Authority |
| As an NYPD detective, Paul has access to a lot of tools cops need from day to day. He can check for criminal records, track license plates, get phone numbers and addresses, etc. Lots of things need a warrant but he can get one with enough justification. Also, many law abiding citizens are willing to helpfully supply information even without a warrant. And then, of course, there's access to other officers and the ability - requirement - to always go armed. |
| Streetwise |
| One good thing about being a cop is that you know who is whom. Paul knows who's dealing drugs, supplying guns, turning tricks. He knows who'll sell information or where that gang's territory is and where they like to hang out. He has over a decade's experience and contacts on the streets of NYC. |
| Police Responsibility |
| With power comes responsibility and that especially applies to the police. Paul has a duty to intervene in what others could normally walk away from as not being their business. He has a duty to enforce the law even if he would rather not. Sometimes, he can look the other way or bend the rules but he can be busted if he does it at the wrong time or to the wrong person or any number of things. Not to mention that he's under strict scrutiny when he's on the job and even when he's off it, details of his life can come under a microscope if he comes under investigation. It's a tightrope. |
| High Energy Req |
| Energy has to come from somewhere and when Paul boosts, it comes from his body. Increased physicality means increased use of energy. This is why he can't maintain the surge for more than five minutes. At that point, give or take depending on how much he's eaten recently, he'll go into hypoglycemic shock. If for some reason he doesn't shut it down at that point, he'll pass out. Accordingly, he eats a lot. Often. He also, almost always, has at hand high sugar, high carb food of some sort. Even when not boosting, he's required to eat more and more freqnently. |
| Too Efficient Metabolism |
| Drugs are drugs and just as he's resistant to the effect of harmful drugs, he's also resistant to the good ones. While he heals quickly compared to an average person, it's by no means a healing factor. Which means that when he's injured, he either has to find a doctor who's willing to prescribe double normal doses, obtain them through other means, or suffer. |
| Galton Society |
| A secretive group of Eugenicists funded by some powerful people. They've been in existence for over a hundred years. While they're normally content to just guide things and buy people, it's been over thirty years since Paul's father died before he could indoctrinate his son. Who knows what they might be willing to do? *This is mostly just for background purposes in case I ever want to do something with them. Or even if someone else would like to do something with them.* |
| No Place To Hide |
| Simply put, when Paul transforms into a brimstone warrior, he stands out like a sore thumb. He's also more than a little scary, looking rather demonic himself. There's really no way to hide that. He's just as weak and vulnerable in human form as anyone else so if he needs that kind of oomph, he needs to transform. And regardless of what form he's in, he radiates an aura of extreme supernatural power just as all the 13 artifacts do. |
| The Rapture |
| Depending on your mood, the Rapture is a double edged sword or even a monkey's paw. It's one of the 13 artifacts. It's an item of great power and like all such items, people covet it. And in the case of the Rapture, demons covet it too given its powers and influence regarding hell. On top of that, like all the 13 artifacts, the Rapture has its own goals. It's not quite sentient like the Trinity but it definitely has a purpose. It just never lets its bearer know what that is and it can subtly influence its bearer into doing things that it wants. Paul might, all unknowing, decide to eat at a certain diner he's never been in before only to discover the waitress is a demon that needs to be sent back to hell. Also, all his powers are tied to the artifiact. If he no longer possesses it, it's gone. On the bright side, it needs to be physically taken from him and the Rapture has been known to kill those who try to wear it that it doesn't approve of. |
Relationships
Many
Character Gallery
Logs
Primal Force: Hellgate and Leylines
March 30, 2015: Zee follows up with Paul about the Hellgates. Primal Force discovers something about the wya they are situated.
(log: 20150330-hellgatesandleylines | tags: aspect coyote paul_manning primal_force witchblade zatanna | posted: 01 Apr 2015 22:04)
Core Dimensions
March 28, 2015: Sue and Reed have examined the core from the Helicarrier and have information from Jericho.
(log: 20150329-coredimensions | tags: aspect invisible_woman mister_fantastic paul_manning zatanna | posted: 29 Mar 2015 12:42)
World on Fire: The Talking Horror
March 23, 2015: A warped creature comes through another portal - but this one can communicate.
(log: 20150323-world-on-fire:the-talking-horror | tags: booster_gold fitz paul_manning simmons witchblade world_on_fire | posted: 04 Apr 2015 16:23)
Why So Much Power
March 22, 2015: Jericho arrives at the Triskelian to discuss his findings. Simmons briefs everyone on what she found out at Stark Industries
(log: 20150322-whysomuchpower | tags: aspect emmett-argyle fitz paul_manning simmons skye the_cavalry witchblade | posted: 23 Mar 2015 21:39)
World On Fire: Stark and Ectoplasm
March 14, 2015: Howard Stark finally returns to New York and Pezzini, Manning and Simmons corner him to discuss Simmons' findings
(log: 20150314-starkandectoplasm | tags: howard_stark paul_manning simmons witchblade world_on_fire | posted: 15 Mar 2015 02:18)
The Short Artificially Lit Tea Time Of The SHIELD
March 13, 2015: Various SHIELD agents come and go, talking about various things over coffee and tea. There are no pastries or cucumber sandwiches.
(log: 20150313-the-short-artificially-lit-tea-time-of-the-shie | tags: black_widow emmett_argyle fitz paul_manning shield simmons the_cavalry witchblade | posted: 14 Mar 2015 15:50)
Lockdown: Slaughter Swamp
February 28, 2015: S.H.I.E.L.D. attempts to discern the connection between Fracture and the Winter Soldier with a good ol' fashioned group interrogation; it doesn't go quite as planned.
(log: 20150228-lockdown:shield | tags: captain_america falcon fracture mockingbird paul_manning the_cavalry who_is_james_buchanan_barnes? winter_soldier witchblade | posted: 25 Mar 2015 20:33)
Visiting the Jailbird
January 8, 2015: Manning and Pezzini visit Allen in jail. You know it's bad when Manning is the best tempered of the three.
(log: 20150108-visiting-the-jailbird | tags: age_of_sorrow booster_gold flash hammerman paul_manning witchblade | posted: 09 Jan 2015 03:21)
Picking up the Pieces
January 6, 2015: Detectives from the NYPD come to see what's happening at the Allen Household.
(log: 20150106-picking-up-the-pieces | tags: eventide flash paul_manning witchblade | posted: 07 Jan 2015 06:14)
Late Night In A Forensics Lab
December 17, 2014: Paul and Sara go find Barry in his lair.
(log: 20141217-late-night-in-a-forensics-lab | tags: flash paul_manning witchblade | posted: 19 Dec 2014 01:48)
Who You Gonna Call?
November 25, 2014: Trying to relax after work is futile.
(log: 20141125-who-you-gonna-call | tags: flash paul_manning witchblade | posted: 27 Nov 2014 02:36)
Gate Keys
November 21, 2014: Spook squad and friends arrive at a magical conflict in Brooklyn
(log: 20141121-gatekeys | tags: lucky mystique ozymandias paul_manning | posted: 22 Nov 2014 22:18)
Table Talk
November 09, 2014: Paul and Sara talk shop over some tasty breakfast food.
(log: 20141109-table-talk | tags: paul_manning witchblade | posted: 10 Nov 2014 02:33)
No Good Answer
November 5, 2014: Following The Face of the Mutant Menace, Paul sees if Barton has an ideas beyond the bad ones.
(log: 20141105-no-good-answer | tags: hawkeye paul_manning | posted: 06 Nov 2014 03:34)
The Face Of The Mutant Menace
November 4, 2014: Detective Paul Manning is called to the scene of a possible spontaneous combustion. Criminalist Barry Allen arrives to process the scene and comes up with his own theory.
(log: 20141104-the-face-of-the-mutant-menace | tags: flash paul_manning | posted: 05 Nov 2014 03:40)
Three Mystical Beings Enter A Bar
Nov 02, 2014: Paul and Sara have drinks with Morien, while discussing a variety of topics.
(log: 20141102-three-mystical-beings-enter-a-bar | tags: nyc ozymandias paul_manning witchblade | posted: 03 Nov 2014 06:38)
Attack of the Crap Demon
October 30, 2014: Hellboy, Paul Manning, Rain, and Fenris are drawn to the scene of an accidental demon summoning.
(log: 20141030-attack-of-the-crap-demon | tags: constantine fenris gotham hellboy paul_manning rain | posted: 31 Oct 2014 03:23)
Mystic Picnic
September 22, 2014: Paul, Hellboy, and Constantine meet in broad daylight, where the Elder Gods can't get them.
(log: 20140922-mystic-picnic | tags: constantine hellboy paul_manning | posted: 23 Sep 2014 01:13)
Elder Gods Bring People Together
September 17, 2014: Constantine shows up at 1PP to talk to Paul and Sara.
(log: 20140917-elder-gods-bring-people-together | tags: constantine paul_manning witchblade | posted: 18 Sep 2014 15:03)
Metropolis Mercs
September 14, 2014: Domino arranges a neutral meeting with Paul Manning which quickly goes bad when Winter Soldier makes his next move. (Violence/language.)
(log: 20140914-metropolis-mercs | tags: domino metropolis paul_manning winter_soldier | posted: 15 Sep 2014 21:04)
By Fire and Ice: Reactor
September 14 2014: The stealth team of the SHIELD attack on the Hydra base takes out the reactor
(log: 20140914-by-fire-and-ice:reactor | tags: aspect kitty_pryde lunair paul_manning shield vorpal wolverine x-men | posted: 15 Sep 2014 22:13)
By Fire and Ice: Aftermath
September 14 2014: The SHIELD Strike Team reconvenes in the Parking lot of the Tri, having been teleported away by an unknown agency.
(log: 20140914-by-fire-and-ice:aftermath | tags: aspect crickt falcon fitz hawkeye kitty_pryde lunair magik maria_hill metal paul_manning simmons vorpal wolverine | posted: 15 Sep 2014 23:43)
Six Degrees of Pezzini
September 8, 2014: Paul and Lara finally meet, and realize they are connected through Sara.
(log: 20140908-six-degrees-of-pezzini | tags: lara_croft paul_manning | posted: 09 Sep 2014 02:56)
Paranoid Criminal Friends
September 06 2014: Paul requests a meeting with Sara and a certain paranoid hacker.
(log: 20140906-paranoid-criminal-friends | tags: aspect k'nert paul_manning witchblade | posted: 09 Sep 2014 08:29)
Marked Hit
September 01, 2014: Simple hits aren't. (Language/violence)
(log: 20140901-marked-hit | tags: domino hawkeye lunair nyc paul_manning srd winter_soldier | posted: 02 Sep 2014 01:14)
Homeless Issues
August 31, 2014: Pepper wants to discuss the homeless with Paul. He arrives while Cricket is there.
(log: 20140831-homeless-issues | tags: crickt paul_manning pepper_potts | posted: 01 Sep 2014 04:33)
The Buzzard Bums
August 28, 2014: Sara and Paul encounter some familiar foes. Is the Buzzard about to show again? Emits by Arsenal and Iron Fist.
(log: 20140828-the-buzzard-bums | tags: arsenal iron_fist paul_manning witchblade | posted: 29 Aug 2014 03:43)
Questions
August 24, 2014: Paul decides to see Limbo for himself. Surprise, Illyana is there too.
(log: 20140824-questions | tags: magik paul_manning | posted: 25 Aug 2014 03:35)
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