<div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Azrael (IV): The Heretic<strong></strong></strong></span></div><br/><div class="floatright">(http://cdn-static.denofgeek.com/sites/denofgeek/files/1/09//scott-adkins-karate.jpg)</div><br/><strong>Age:</strong>28<br/><strong>Real Name:</strong>Scott Van Zandt<br/><strong>Occupation:</strong>Caretaker<br/><strong>Residences:</strong>Dienne, France & Gotham City<br/><strong>Appearance/Costume Description:</strong>Scott stands at an imposing 6'4 and weighs 230 pounds with no obvious body fat, a consequence of a lifetime of physical training. When not on a mission his typical garb is either a battered white gi or loose fitting tops and shorts. His hair is black and his eyes brown, and anyone viewing Scott out of the armor would quickly notice the many scars that mark his body head to toe.  The Azrael costume, also known as the 'Suit of Sorrows' is a completely custom heavy chain and plate mail armor set decorated in patters of white and red which reflect a longstanding heritage as it has undergone many redesigns over the years for maximized functionality even into the modern age.<br/><br/><strong>Personality:</strong>Scott's personality can be initially off putting for many individuals as he's not the type prone to humor or mixing words. He is a man who was raised to never forget the mission no matter the cost and always seems to have three trains of thought at any moment. However once he grows trusting of an individual he will open up revealing a depth of traditional learning, deep metaphysical considerations, and come to recognize a man struggling against fate to answer an impossible question.<br/><br/><strong>History:</strong>Scott's history actually begins generations before his birth with the history of the knight Azrael. Originally the title belonged to the champion of The Order of St. Dumas, a faction of the Knights Templar. The order was reformed several times over the many years with that day's Azrael serving as either lauded hero or whispered villain depending what faction controlled the order.<br/><br/>It continued as such until the modern age when ten years ago the previous bearer of the Azrael suit, Scott's mentor was forced to commit an atrocity so horrific he threw himself on his apprentice's sword as an act of repentance. Still soaked in his mentor's blood, the new Azrael was quickly tasked with achieving and defending the ultimate goals of the Order by it's zealot leaders. Taking the mission to heart and remembering the sacrifice and lies upheld by every previous Azrael, Scott took up both of the sacred swords "Salvation and Sin" and immediately "confessed" the entire order leadership (to death).<br/><br/>While Azrael still sees purpose in his mission beyond the corrupted leadership of his 'former' order, he no longer recognizes any other member of the order as legitimate and as such has been branded a traitor by those he once served. However once free of the leadership obligations, Scott was finally able to begin considering the more difficult tenants of his mission and he began to rebuild the legacy of Azrael not as an assassin, not as a tool of the order, but as a hero.<br/><br/><div class="floatright">(http://orig14.deviantart.net/c96e/f/2016/064/f/7/azrael_jpv__earth_27__commission_by_phil_cho-d9tzi0z.jpg)</div><br/><strong>Abilities/Equipment</strong><br/><em>Enhanced Strength, Agility, Stamina, and Durability</em>: A lifetime of genetic modification, conditioning electric shocks, and brutal daily training has honed Scott's body to the peak of physical human capability surpassing even Olympic level athletes but not at the level of the 'Meta Gene'd' heroes or villains.<br/><em>Iron Will</em>: Scott spent a lifetime preparing for his role as Azrael and knows every detail of the terrible heritage that carries. While his mental and physical facilities are under constant duress from the spirits that haunt him he remains stoic- an island of calm in a sea of chaos. Had he not been bonded to the sacred swords at such a young age Scott would have likely been a Green Lantern candidate.<br/><em>Toxin Resistance</em>: While Scott can still be affected by foreign substances or toxins entering his body he has a strong innate resistance requiring three or four times more contact to react if at all. As a result it is nearly impossible for Scott to get drunk.<br/><em>Superior Martial Artist and Swordsman</em>: Another byproduct of daily training since childhood, Scott is a phenomenal fighter who's augmented physical capability allows him to stand toe to toe with the best warriors in the world.<br/><em>The Suit of Sorrows</em>: A heavily developed set of unique combat armor adorned in Red, White, and Gold. It is magically enhanced to give the wearer significant boost in strength and speed bordering on super human, prevents the wearer from feeling pain and also stabilizes injuries during combat but at great cost. The suit is bullet and flame proof without restricting Azrael's movement. The mask has a built in heads up display and can filter gasses. The left wrist gauntlet contains a flamethrower, while the right contains a high density cable launcher and both are capable of firing shuriken.<br/><em>The Holy Sword Salvation</em>: Salvation, when used on a target, can conjure the truth of a matter in both the mind of the target and the wielder. Being stabbed by the sword stimulates a neurological reaction, where the victims are overwhelmed by the burden of their past tragedies and their minds start seeking redemption. Used in conjunction with The Cursed Sword Sin, it can bring up both the sins & guilt and the reasons behind them in the mind of the target and the wielder. Like it's sister sword Sin, it is capable of cleaving through a target while doing no damage and it is said that it cannot harm anyone who is pure of heart. Its blade is often surrounded in a smoke-like aura of cool blue energy. The sword is divine in nature rather than magical and possesses a benign spirit that advises the chosen wielder.<br/><em>The Cursed Sword Sin</em>: The Sword Sin can be ignited with the mind of the wielder, if the person is powerful enough. The sword has the ability to conjure in the mind its victims all of the sins for which they are guilty or have not atoned for. Like it's sister sword Salvation, it is capable of cleaving right through a target without leaving a mark. Used on a target at the same time as the Sword Salvation, it can bring up both the sins and guilt and the reasons behind them in the mind of the target and the wielder. It is often surrounded in an aura of flaming energy. The sword is divine in nature rather than magical and possesses a malignant spirit that advises the chosen wielder.<br/><br/><strong>Weaknesses</strong><br/><em>Physically Peaked</em>: Using every conceivable method to enhance his abilities since childhood Scott has reached his penultimate peak. Without magical, technical or mutative enhancement Scott will never improve further physically.<br/><em>Mentally and Spiritually Stressed</em>: Both Salvation and Sin contain spirits which spiritually latch onto their chosen champion simultaneously guiding and feeding off of him every moment even when he is not in the suit or holding the swords.<br/><em>The Suit of Sorrows</em>: While the suit exponentially increases it's user's combat readiness it also corrupts the wearer making them more prone to accept the malignant spirit, with each act of violence becoming permanently etched in Azrael's soul. It temporarily fixes injuries by binding bleeding wounds, reinforcing broken bones, and fixing dislocated joints, piercing the flesh from within the armor with thin barbs and spikes if required. Previous knights found some solace in confessing their sins daily, but Scott has developed his own techniques for overcoming the dark taint of the suit.<br/><em>Repeating History</em>: Literally every previous Azrael knight was replaced by their protege after being driven insane by the constant conflict generated within them. A fact Scott is well aware of but stands on the razors edge of every day. So far he has remained vigilant but on any given day he fears he will be faced with an impossible decision or to taint his purity.<br/><em>International Enemies</em>: When Scott took up the Swords and slew the standing leadership of his order he became marked for death by the remaining members of the order. The reach of this enemy is wide and as such Scott must remain constantly vigilant of assassins and deception.