Elpis, “The Orphic Veineline” is the antiheroic protagonist of BioMassCore’s storyline. He serves as an assassin and combat medic of the international military crusaders known as the “Tannin Jaegers”, within the sacred aerospace group titled the Talon Regime that uses guerilla tactics to keep mutant threats under control, stopping misuse of lifestream and liberating life together while recruiting them together to undermine various factions. He willingly converted himself into a cyborg through conditioning his body into conversion as a way to compensate for a genetical misfunction via scientific means when being inspired by his idol, utilizing restructured gear-like cells and molecules contained in his Exonaut suit. He lives with his human daughter, Birdy and his oath sister, Lyra who leads the Tannin Jaegers. A special division of Ultfinites administrating races of alien mutants labeled Fermials while he is under an enigmatic figure known as Lucius Verde whom understands more of his hollow forms than Elpis could know himself.
Elpis is often set onto missions involving the hunt of Ultfinites, Armigers or Nosoimones, making him believe that the hope he was destined in the future to find is twisted. A twisted hope he wishes to carry out onto others by achieving his wish for freedom by breaking out of what restrains him, and it is this humanly freedom he believes he can ascend to for the sake of forcefully protecting those he cares for. Engrossed in the idea of a place known as the “promised land” that he believes has answers to his means after sensing it in his failures of incantations due to his genetical misfunction during a plague.
– Personality –
Elpis is a stern and realistic person, shaped by his upbringing and experiences. He rarely shows his emotions to others, having been taught to suppress his right to think and feel. As a result, he struggles to comprehend emotional concepts such as happiness, which he perceives as abstract colors or chemical reactions that he himself cannot sense. Pain, however, serves as proof that he is alive, and he often relies on it as an anchor to reality. He follows no established moral code but his own, a trait that results in his blunt nature and occasional insensitivity. Often described as surgically precise due to how he’s meticulous on handling plans in the most efficient manner, putting off others by both his skill and his rigidity.
Elpis is driven by a relentless quest for truth and for his right to think freely, fueled by resentment toward those who attempt to control his life. He is openly rebellious when it serves his personal goals and remains deeply suspicious of authority. He fears having his trust exploited or being placed in situations where he is rendered incompetent. Believing competence to be one of the primary measures of a person’s worth, he shows little interest in others unless they prove themselves capable.
Elpis harbors a deep fear and hatred of mutation, viewing it as a disease that brings chaos to the world. When he encounters mutants who retain some degree of rationality, he feels profound guilt, believing their lives are being wasted and their minds forcibly reduced by the plague. Although he does not seek to harm others, he feels compelled to do so in situations he interprets as experiments orchestrated by a god to test his volition and right to freedom.
Elpis deals with those he does not respect in different ways: he may mock them with blunt realism or ignore them entirely. This behavior serves as self-defense, protection of others, or an expression of displeasure toward those who interfere with his direction. He frequently places himself in danger, either out of defiance or a desire to feel free, and is willing to endure significant injury if it means sparing others the burden or maintaining control over a situation. Despite his uncouth mannerisms and morally gray disposition, Elpis strives to be fair and insightful through constant introspection.
He desires to rise beyond his current circumstances, particularly in relation to Ritsueto, whom he met during the Genesis War. Though they feel like failures for different reasons, Elpis is driven by the need to surpass him. Elpis experiences synesthesia, seeing colors when he hears sounds. He associates bright colors with false happiness, while black and white represent his father’s fate and a simpler, more peaceful time. Purple and magenta signify tragedy and plagues, especially when he hears his parents’ names. He longs to see black and white more often, believing they embody peace and purity. To cleanse himself of perceived impurities, he seeks spiritual awareness, which he believes he will attain upon reaching the promised land.
– History – Origin –
Strange.. This specimen should have an analog disc of him somewhere. Could he be hiding something?
There must be some reason for this man’s potential.
I concur, but his name doesn’t even appear anywhere on our data libraries. It might not even be his real one.
No matter, I need to find as much as I can of him if he’s going to be with us.
As I’d expect you would.
– Abilities –
Elpis’ cyborg body is powered by a high-density atomic energy system, artificial muscle fibers composed of electroactive polymers, and a nanomachine-regulated power distribution network. In the center of this system is a reactor-mounted heart that compresses atomic energy into ultra-dense nano-cells. These nano-cells circulate through Elpis’ paralytic blood, ionizing it and converting his otherwise infested circulatory system into a conductive medium.
Within the heart reactor, atomic nano-cells are continuously processed in two states: To release energy, they are broken down to release a highly destructive output on his attacks through charging up, causing energy to circulate in a coherent loop through his veins and artificial muscles to amplify his next strike with an ionized shockwave.
– Low Charge -> Fast, sharp, efficient
– High Charge -> Heavy, devastating but delayed
To gain energy, he builds up nano-cells in his body over time as they merge together with blood cells at a slower rate, ionizing them. As Elpis exerts himself through attacking, an atomic charge is transmitted through his veins in controlled pulses. Each movement and attack triggers synchronized ionization waves, causing atomic energy to spike outward from his body in brief, localized charges. These pulses increase in intensity with how much energy he gains, allowing his physical output to bypass biological limits. When energy density exceeds stable thresholds, excess charge bleeds outward through Elpis’ circulatory system, manifesting as visible energy leakage and radiative pressure.
In Elpis’ body, his veins aren’t just passive blood vessels. After they were once infected with the virus and became merged with his cyborg system, they’ve become transmission points to carry both his paralytic blood and atomic charge without destroying his outer body. Veins are layered with suspended nano-cells mixed with paralytic blood, and ionize into discrete pulses. Through damage he receives, his body pulls atomic charge directly from his paralytic blood and forces the veins to act as pressure valves as his blood becomes unstable.
If his paralytic blood becomes unstable, Elpis enters a decay state in which atomic energy sheds uncontrollably over time. This raises offensive output but lowers structural defense, as containment fields weaken and atomic decay spreads through his body. Prolonged instability risks permanent damage to his internal systems, and his veins decay when unused due to how charging up energy without releasing it destabilizes him internally.
Elpis’ strength is generated by energy-driven artificial muscle fibers fused directly into his exoskeleton. These fibers contract through electrically induced phase changes, producing force in rapid pulses. As atomic energy is converted into motion, excess energy dissipates as heat, causing his body temperature to rise during sustained movement or combat.
As atomic charge accumulates within his system, transmission speed slows under increasing internal stress. The greater the stored energy, the more resistance builds within his circulatory and containment structures, forcing Elpis to release energy through movement or attack to prevent overload. On Elpis’ back, his exoskeleton features dorsal plates that serve as pressure valves. When energy builds, the plates glow and flows from his spine to his core, allowing him to fire off jetstreams of ionized radiation-laced plasma from his body’s exhausts or his core. The jetstreams across his arms enhance his hands to have claw-like cuts, creating an expulsion of ionized blood and superheated air When expelling an energy beam from his core, Elpis charges up ionizing radiation and his body opens every vein to release internalized energy with full pressure
His arms use a piston-like function that contains a canister of atomic energy on a rail. Inside of this rail is blood-filled vein cables. When Elpis’ punch lands, the piston rapidly extends forward and crushes the atomic canister as Elpis’ fist spins rapidly before impact, turning into a drill. On impact, Elpis’ fist releases a violent pulse. Elpis’ legs are equipped with vernier jets, allowing him to perform high-speed maneuvers.
A key strength of Elpis is his surgical capabilities, deeply analyzing the atomic structure of tissues, organs and other biological materials during surgical procedure. Enabling him to make precise adjustments and corrections at the smallest scales, ensuring that he’s on point. Such as sculpting tissues, removing tumors and repairing damaged organs with meticulous attention to detail. Through his Exonaut, he can accelerate healing processes for smaller wounds and reduce recovery times. However, he can only perform abilities like these if he understands enough during a situation and requires careful management through not rapidly transmutating, due to how it builds up more harm that could require a breathing rehearsal. If heavily damaged, Exonaut can consume parts of its own outer organic tech and recycle it through rapid atomic recomposition.
Elpis is able to release a radiation wave upon reaching critical mass to make a nullification field (Ouroboros Ring) to make a field where matter continuously fuses and fissions, destroying and creating at the same time.
– Weapons –
Gestalt: A pair of lengthy high-frequency blades with segmented edges that allow them to expand into chainblades. At the tip of both blade are fang-styled edges, much akin to a snake. These blades are composed of chain segments made from a magnetically responsive mercury alloy, contained within reinforced frames. These segments possess razor-sharp edges that project energy and are threaded along a superconductive magnetic cable running through the blade’s core. When the magnetic locks between each segment are engaged, the blades behave as rigid swords that discharge atomic energy as the chain segments lock together. Piercing into enemies to extract their vital fluids.
However, when released, the segments separate along the cable to flex freely, allowing the weapon to function like a segmented whip. When Elpis moves the handle, it sends an electromagnetic charge down the internal cable. This charge travels as a wave along the blade, separating and articulating the chain segments across the cable for flexibility. The motion of the swing can accelerate rapidly with charged energy for the whips to inflict multiple hits at once.
These swords are wielded with a reverse grip, allowing wider slash arcs and Elpis to simultaneously use his bare hands. They can also fuse into a singular sword, aligning internal cables to form a longer, more powerful blade. Its core is embedded with a device guiding currents of atomic energy, capable of releasing intense energy with each slash. In the core is a mini-shooter linked to an energy tank, generating energy during combat to accumulate within the tank. Once filled, the sword fires out shockwaves when the tank is filled.
The blade’s color changes based on temperature when charging, signifying how the edge of the blades vibrate at extreme speed to weaken molecular bonds. When charged, the inside of the blade glows brightly as streams of ionized energy flow through its internal channels like a jetstream.
Anaconda: A six-chamber revolver equipped with a high-capacity magazine that can hold an exceptional number of rounds. Inside of this revolver is an internal reactor that grants a faster rate of fire and great power when at higher energy output levels. This is achieved through charging it, briefly transforming the revolver as a series of accelerator rings unfold, forming into a gauss-style rifle across Elpis’ arm (Railbuster). The revolver’s barrel is spun to charge up for bigger shots. Once rotated, Elpis can either pull the trigger for a single powerful blast or hold it down to unleash a barrage of rapid-fire shots.
It’s temperature when charging causes the output shot to change color, size, and damage. Interconnected with the reactor is a set of two barrels, allowing two shots to be fired simultaneously. Upon shooting marked enemies, it fires homing lasers.
With Caduceus Cipher, Elpis modifies the gun into a shotgun-rifle combination.
When used in conjunction with his sword, it turns into a loaded gun-axe.
Bulwark: Elpis uses a shield carried on his left arm, hardening his armor with graphene. It could be used as a thrown weapon in the form of a shuriken. When thrown, the shield has a magnetic arc that links to Elpis, allowing it to be pulled back. Enemies caught inside of the magnetic arc become hit in it’s throwing path. The shield is highly durable and withstood massive concussive force. This shield can sheath Elpis’ swords briefly, heating it up over time.
Chiron Strata: A bio-organic horse hoverbike Elpis rides during missions on-road for faster travel via augmentation of his legs. Has turbines on the side linked to Elpis to boost in sync with him. Elpis’ Bulwark can be infused with the engine of Chiron to act as it’s battering engine block
– Trivia –
Elpis originally was going to have a set of 9 Styles inspired by the Nine Sons of the Dragon, where he would switch through a variety of elemental weapons.
Elpis originally would’ve had supernatural powers, involving the use of mercury fluids from his veins and atomic energy distributed across his body.
Gestalt Calibur was originally named “Bane of Destruction”, but this became the name of Perseus’ Harpe.
Elpis was going to have a string-related ability to reference the idea of Spaghettification to work well against Ritsueto
Nachash being bound to the spine of Exonaut is a reference to the Kundalini
Elpis’ Railbuster was originally a reference to the X Buster from Megaman X, being an arm-mounted cannon.
Elpis was formerly going to be a Devil Hunter that assisted Lin, being equipped with a rocket arm and an AWP rifle. He was linked to an entity named Stardust who calms him down and served as his Ultimatrigger that allowed him to fuse with others. Stardust was going to be linked to a “Stardust Head” from a Cerberus. This form was expanded upon as a separate consciousness from Alean that acts more calm and rational than him.
Elpis was originally going to be the leader of the Tannin Jaegers. This was changed for Lyra to be in the position for a more dynamic direction.
Elpis and Ritsueto share many thematic parallels with each other:
Elpis, with his black attire and focus on truth and self-perception, represents a quest for purity and understanding. His synesthetic perception of colors ties him to his past, emotions, and aspirations for spiritual awareness. On the other hand, Ritsueto’s white attire and emphasis on stability and adaptation showcase a commitment to collectivism and strength amid challenges.
Elpis’ stoic demeanor and obsession with uncovering the truth reflect his struggle with emotional complexity, happiness, and mutation. In contrast, Ritsueto’s charismatic yet passive-aggressive nature, rooted in his heritage and innate abilities, demonstrates his adaptability and fearlessness. Both characters exhibit loyalty towards those they care for, integrating personal relationships into their overarching goals and identities.
The snake-themed twisting, bending, and rotating nature of Elpis’ design contrasts with Ritsueto’s fish-themed movement akin to flowing water, suggesting two distinctive approaches to maneuvering and adapting to challenges. Both fish and snakes occupy different environments within the ecosystem. Fish are primarily aquatic creatures, thriving in water bodies like rivers, lakes, and oceans. On the other hand, snakes are terrestrial and can be found in various habitats such as forests, grasslands, deserts, and swamps. Fish and snakes have distinct physical characteristics. Fish have sleek, streamlined bodies designed for efficient movement in water, equipped with fins and scales. Snakes, on the other hand, have elongated bodies, scales, and venomous fangs in some species, facilitating their survival on land. Fish are agile swimmers that can move swiftly and change direction rapidly in water. Contrastingly, snakes are known for their slithering motion on land, utilizing their muscle contractions to move smoothly across various terrains. Fish represent emotions and adaptability while snakes represent cunning and flexibility.
While Elpis embodies logic, courage, and self-improvement through understanding and purifying impurities, Ritsueto represents adaptability, strength, and a strive for stability and dominance. Their contrasting ideals and abilities provide a rich narrative tapestry that explores themes of truth-seeking, control, balance, and personal growth amidst adversity.
Elpis’ Gestalt being able to be activated through a harp handle constrasts with how Drazenith’s hilt can simply be used like a flute
Various sound cues such as a hidden path or damaged terrain being hinted at causes Elpis to spark a certain color
Elpis, Ritsueto, and other player characters have poses when completing a mission
Agryo and Chryso Ciphers are named after terms referring to Chrysopoeia and Agryopoeia
Elpis originally was going to be able to perform executions on weakened enemies and slash when moving. This was passed to Ritsueto instead. There are more mechanics scrapped from Elpis’ Ciphers such as:
Ciphers originally being called Spectrum Modshifts. Each Cipher was going to be named after a child of Asclepius, and have a unique form of health signified by different scar locations on Elpis’ body. These scar locations would’ve been a reference to Dragon Marked for Death’s Dragonblood characters.
Aegle was the default Cipher. Not much changed from it besides the possibility of Aceso being it’s altered form during charges.
Panacea was the original version of Agryo. It used originally going to be able to camouflage underwater. It was also going to have a gliding hover and hook-like scythe attachments but the latter was changed for Aegle while the former was removed for balancing.
Podalirius was the original version of Caduceus, using a health regen mechanic and an axe-guitar.
Machaon was a scrapped Cipher that was originally going to use a gunblade that could alter shot trajectory and use a portal interface to explain how it warps. It went into several changes as the earth-based Cipher managing items until being scrapped.
Iaso was the original version of Chryso. It was going to have a move that combusts with an emerged smoke that’s in the form of a screaming soul. Was a potential move accessed when gaining high combos.
Telesphorus was the original version of Interior, using a barehands moveset with the element of fire and focused on damage. Early on, it used defense and could charge a special shield.
Hygeia was the original version of Diamondback that was originally going to be a counter-based Cipher like Telesphorus as well but using afterimages. Utilizing grieves and kunai along with a unique taunt stance before Elpis became a dual-wielder.
Aceso and Akesis were a split Cipher themed after fish, utilizing different forms. Aceso was originally going to have a mechanic of if Elpis happens to die with a full gauge activated pre-death, he will immediately respawn as Astaroth using Akesis and he’s put on a time limit to resurrect Elpis by collecting souls needed to rebuild a Rosa Cross tomb of him before turning into a Nosoimones if the time limit is met, forcing a reset of the mission if failing to do so. Akesis was originally going to have a mechanic in which it detaches Quinteseeds from Elpis to be set in different locations at the cost of having less defense. It also was going to have a dragging field pulling enemies toward Elpis when fully depowered down, manipulating phantasmic rapiers of rays to fire at enemies when aiming quickly. Akesis was later scrapped, yet the dual idea was kept for Iaso then Aegle before integrated into Elpis’ default moves.
Enigmatic Telesphorus was going to have a crystallized Elpis being picked up by Exonaut to attack enemies but must be protected from not taking damage due to an increase in vulnerability. An idea inspired by Tainted Forgotten from The Binding of Isaac, similarly to how Enigmatic Akesis has traits from Tainted Jacob
Chao Feng was originally going to be in Aratus Cipher while Ba Xia was going to be in Panacea Cipher. This was changed for a more thematic fit.
Enigmatic Machaon was originally going to have Enigmatic Hygeia’s ability. This was also changed for a thematic fit
Elpis’ scarf is threaded with wing strands
The second name of Elpis’ armor, “Alean” comes from the name of an old scrapped protagonist for BioMassCore whose premise would be having a bodily armor through infusing with an alien meant to protect Earth.
In his redesign from Alean, Elpis was going to be a nameless assassin simply referred to as the Historical Warrior. This was until the idea of Ophiuchuses were conceptualized.
Elpis’ skill is meant to be based on the idea of a weak but smart rejuvenating powerless Armiger
Elpis’ Ciphers are named after the children of Asclepius. Most of which were female, save for Podalirius and Machaon.
Exonaut’s current design is intended to reference various aspects of greek clothing around the torso.
Exonaut helping Elpis’ respiratory system and stabilizing with the air around him is based on how the god Aether rules the upper sky and how Aether is considered to be the essence breathed by gods.
Each Cipher’s form is based on the Nine Sons of The Dragon
The molded scars on Elpis’ chest are meant to be resembling of the Serpens constellation. This is a reference to Fist of the North Star’s Kenshiro.
– Gallery –
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