Doctor Fortuna
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
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| Doctor Fortuna in the middle of a coin trick | |
| Doctor Fortuna | |
| Player: @Doctor Fortuna | |
| Origin: | Magic |
|---|---|
| Archetype: | Controller |
| Security Level: | 11 |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: | James Byron |
| Known Aliases: | Mister Fortune |
| Species: | Human |
| Age: | 78 (?) |
| Height: | 6'0" |
| Weight: | 136 lbs. |
| Eye Color: | Black |
| Hair Color: | White |
| Biographical Data | |
| Nationality: | American |
| Occupation: | Professional Crimefighter, Stage Magician (retired) |
| Place of Birth: | Chicago, IL, USA (speculation) |
| Base of Operations: | Atlas Park, Paragon City, RI, USA |
| Marital Status: | Single |
| Known Relatives: | None |
| Known Powers | |
| Ability to deceive others and alter probability through magic | |
| Known Abilities | |
| Superior fitness and dexterity, owing to his former career | |
| Equipment | |
| Magically enhanced damage-resistant suit, bifocal sunglasses, various magical jewelry | |
| ' | |
Contents |
History and Origin
Doctor Fortuna has provided little information about his history other than his real name, James Byron, and his former occupation, a stage illusionist named Mister Fortune. He has said that he was born in October in the year 1929- of course, he has also stated that he’s “not a day over 65”, and even that he remembers reading about the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand in 1914. His age is assumed to be near 80 for simplicity’s sake.
Of his former identity as Mister Fortune much more is known. Mister Fortune came onto the scene in the early 1950’s. He performed cabaret magic in clubs throughout America, usually with a comedic bent to his performances. Levitating and vanishing objects were central to his performances, and most of his tricks were never duplicated by his fellow illusionists. The last trick he performed on a stage was possibly his most famous, in which a king cobra was shot out of a champagne bottle onto the floor near a few audience members. Mister Fortune then threw his jacket over the snake, and when the jacket was removed by an usher there was only a puddle of champagne on the carpeted floor beneath.
Mister Fortune’s last public appearance was in 1979, in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he has claimed to have lived in retirement until recently moving to Paragon City. Originally intending to turn his collection of magical artifacts over to M.A.G.I., he had a last minute change of heart and has instead chosen to become a crimefighter, “if only to knock some sense into those imbeciles, the Hellions.”
It is unknown where Doctor Fortuna gained his magical abilities. When pressed for information he usually smiles and changes the subject.
Description and Observed Behaviors
When watching Doctor Fortuna it is easy to forget how old he is, as he moves with the energy of a man no more than half his age. He speaks in a rather eloquent style, preferring to take his time in making a point rather than cutting to the chase. He is quick to criticize those around him, and is commonly heard lamenting the sorry state of youth these days.
Characteristics
Physical Appearance
Doctor Fortuna is extremely fit for a man of his advanced age, owing in no small part to his abilities as an escape artist. His face puts his age in the low to mid sixties, and his expression is usually fairly muted. It is difficult to gauge his feelings, due somewhat to his black sunglasses. He is always wearing one of his outfits from his days on stage; most recently he has been wearing a purple suit and hat that he is rather fond of.
Typical Combat Behavior
In combat the good Doctor focuses on winning a battle while looking good. He knows the importance of a good show, and uses theatrics to impress onlookers and opponents alike. He is rather fond of sneaking around a group of thugs in order to reach high ground, using some of his magical abilities to soften up a crowd, and making a grand appearance once sufficient chaos has been sown. He uses the occasional one-liner for good measure. He has never killed an opponent, something he finds distasteful and “amateurish”.
Typical Civilian Appearance
Doctor Fortuna’s civilian clothes are the same as his “working” uniform.
Powers
Illusions
Some mages manipulate the forces of the cosmos to a devastating effect. Doctor Fortuna knows that such feats are beyond him, but he is firm in his belief that it doesn’t matter what powers you have- only what powers your opponents think you have. As a result of this philosophy, he has honed his abilities to generate illusions to such a degree that they seem almost real, even to him. None of his illusory magic has ever been caught on film, since it all takes place in the minds of his targets.
Kinetics
Doctor Fortuna possesses a limited ability to affect fate, and this manifests itself as a control over the ebb and flow of activity around him. Through intense concentration, the Doctor can divert the currents of fate from one target to another, giving himself and his allies newfound strength while his foes feel more and more drained.
Magical Artifacts
Doctor Fortuna has a small collection of magical artifacts. His suits are all magically fortified against damage, and have been known to completely stop low caliber bullets. His rings, tie clip and cufflinks are all jeweled and each jewel contains a spell. These spells can do a great many things, such as heal his wounds, enhance his eyesight, toughen his skin or lend strength to his mental and physical assaults, amongst others. These spells require rare material components, so he does not use them lightly. He is working to construct a spell that will allow him to fly; he intends to bind this spell into a small feather for his hatband. He has also toyed with the idea of a stopwatch that would slow time around him, but has yet to work on such a thing.
