Silverstorm

Context

This character is an original creation. We often call these “homemades” or “homebrewed” – think home cooking or craft beer.

Many of these characters were created to take part in tabletop role-playing game sessions. Others were invented as a creative writing exercise, often as part of a community event.

This specific character was part of a RPG campaign run by writeups.org contributor Bil.

Background

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Powers and Abilities

Silverstorm has the ability to generate faster-than-light particles known as tachyons, and use them for a variety of effects.

The most obvious of these is flight approaching eight times escape velocity in an atmosphere, and interstellar, translight speeds in space. While flying, the tachyonic field surrounds his body, producing the following effects:

• He is shielded from harm, as the tachyons divert away both energy and force.
• He becomes almost invisible to radar, and other sensors not directly based on sight.
• He can project a burst of tachyons from his hands or eyes, with incredible power.
• He doesn’t produce sonic booms, for unknown reasons.

Silverstorm is also one of the best pilots alive. His tachyon-enhanced reflexes enable him to deal with changing terrain extremely swiftly, while his increased durability allow him to withstand extreme g-forces produced by high-speed maneuvering.

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History

While a test pilot in the Air Force, Tom Richardson was flying an experimental plane with a bizarre energy source. It had been built by a metahuman  engineer who was his co-pilot. The engine used a tachyon field to both provide incredible thrust, and shield the plane from detection attempts.

Unfortunately, the engine developed a leak, and the plane crashed. Pulled from the wreckage by the man who would become Jackhammer, he was inundated with tachyonic energy. His co-pilot had been killed instantly. After months recuperating in a military hospital, he was medically discharged.

Three months after his discharge, Silverstorm was so depressed he grew suicidal. Riding up to the observation deck of the Empire State building, he threw himself off, expecting to die. Instead, he flew, leaving a trail of silvery tachyons, slowed down to visible speeds. Amazed, he lost himself in the thrill of flight, and forgot his depression.

When Black Lion moved to NYC, Tom helped found Power Core, and has never looked back.

Description

Normally dressed in a silver body suit, Silverstorm loves being as flashy as possible. In civilian garb, he wears whatever the current fashion is, and will dress to the nines if it will get him attention.

Personality

The glory hound of Power Core, and usually the one to talk to the media. Silverstorm is brash, headstrong, impulsive, rash, and a host of other good-natured adjectives. Stubborn would also work, but he isn’t hotheaded.

DC Universe History

Silverstorm could have been a test pilot for Ferris Industries, the military, Lexcorp, STAR Labs, or a host of other high-tech facilities. He could have been saved by Green Lantern, Superman, or some other main hero.

However, it’s best if Jackhammer and Silverstorm exist together, especially for Jackhammer’s sake – that act of courage made him a hero, not a gang-banger with super powers.

By William Chamberlin.

Source of Character: Homegrown.