Name: Malcolm Richards
Codename: None, yet.
Age: 21
Date of Birth: August 12th
Height: 6'3
Weight: 190 lbs
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Black
Place of Origin: Virginia.
Nationality/Race: Caucasian/white
Classification/Origin of Powers: Mutant
Status: Trainee
Occupation: None yet, wants to be a landscaper, for obvious reasons.
Personality Profile: Malcolm was something of a nerd, in his youth. In fact, let's be honest, he still is. He plays video games, knows what 'M:tG' is, among other things. But he's also managed to stay in shape, partially because of his love of the outdoors. His social skills are sometimes a bit lacking, but he knows how to admit when he's wrong, and most find themselves willing to give him a second chance if he screws up.
Physical Description:
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Powerset: Earth, Nature related.
Ability One: 'Earth Form'(Primary) or Earthen Physiology. Currently Malcolm is unable to control when this form is activated. It appears to activate in times of stress or danger, and the only way to reverse it is to stay calm, meditate while surrounded by living things. (Typically plants/trees and such, a greenhouse would be good.) Malcolm's body transforms into a slightly larger and more imposing one, with some major changes. His skeleton turns from bone to something resembling organic stone. His flesh turns into a substance closely resembling hard-packed earth. Most interestingly of all, his body is threaded with plants. Vines, flowers, ivy..it appears that his vital organs, both internal and external sensory ones, are replaced by plant-like equivalents. He can see, hear, and even speak, though his voice comes out as a low, gravelly rumble. In this form, he's obviously a bit more resistant to damage. While most of the plants -appear- superficial, there are two large clusters of vines strung along his arms, more on this in Florakinesis.
Ability Two: Florakinesis(Secondary). Largely uncontrolled so far. Malcolm seems to have a positive impact on plants and even some animals, at least when he's careful to remain mostly still and not startle them. He can accelerate the growth of naturally occurring plants, or heal them, to a degree. He can turn regular plants into larger versions of themselves, though this could hurt them in the long run, as they'll need more space to grow and take root and so on afterwards. (Doing this to potted plants would be cruel unless you plan on re-planting them elsewhere.) Interestingly, plants seem to gravitate towards Malcolm, in his earthen form. Sickly plants improve when he enters the room, and larger plants will visibly lean towards him, as they would towards the sun. As a last note, while he has some rudimentary influence over his own 'personal' plants throughout his body in earthen form, the main aspect of his control is over the vines threading over his arms. He can cause them to grow, extend in a certain direction, and even grow thorns, and interact in a somewhat articulate manner. Essentially they function as pseudo-limbs with a limited range. It should be noted that so far, Malcolm has not learned how to control this, and most of these things would only happen as a matter of instinct, if then. He might heal a sickly plant by sensing its distress, and acting on it.
Ability Three: Terrakinesis(Tertiary). Malcolm can very slowly influence the earth around him. A good example of this would be him leaning down to flat lawnscape and 'urging' the earth to form a very small hill, (A rise, really, a foot tall, maybe a few feet wide.) but he could easily do more, with time and effort. For now though, this is a very minor trait. He can also 'shape' stone, but very slowly. It almost seems to be moldable in his grip, but it takes time and effort.
Drawbacks & Weaknesses: So far, the primary weakness is lack of control. He cannot control when he transforms, and has difficulty reverting to his regular form. Also, while the 'dirt' of his body and the stone skeleton beneath is fairly impervious to flame, (And one can only theorize what a bullet would do to him...) the plants throughout his body are not so lucky, and setting any of them ablaze on the surface will swiftly carry to the others within him.
Projected Power Growth & Development: Obviously he should someday learn to control the transformation back and forth. In time he may learn to focus his florakinesis, actively healing plants, controlling their 'growth' when he wishes it, perhaps scultping the plants as he does dirt/earth/stone. Growing trees into forms -without- torturing them. (See: Bonsai) While his Terrakinesis is unlikely to ever become a major force, he could learn to raise/lower ground and shape stone with increasing speed, requiring less effort.
Skills: Gardening, primarily, landscaping.
Background: Malcolm grew up in the suburbs of northern virginia, a ways out of Washington DC. His father was an environmental engineer, his mother..well, unfortunately, she died when he was very young. She was apparently a musician, however, though Malcolm never inherited that talent. His father made enough to keep the family going, though he was usually not around as much as his son would have wanted.
It could easily be said that Malcolm was an outdoorsy person, prone to long walks through the woods, on hiking trails or bike routes, whatever he could find, really, the fewer people the better. His father wanted him to pursue a career in engineering, but he had different ideas. He took up summer jobs in a landscaping firm, enjoying the ability to work with plants. They didn't argue like people did, or try to boss him around. One part of his job that he never enjoyed was when they were called to remove a dying tree or two. It was horrid...the tree might be 'dying', sure...but it was often still alive when it came time to cut it down. He'd be using his chainsaw on a living creature, in his mind...one in obvious pain.
The first time Malcolm transformed, he was in the woods, lying with his back against a tree. He closed his eyes, relaxed...and felt something was wrong. He opened his eyes, eyes that -felt- very different now, and saw things very differently. Colors were different, his sensation of light and heat -very- different, and his body still more so. He wasn't human anymore, that much was clear. He knew what this meant, of course..he was a mutant. He thought of trying to run away into the hills, but that was foolishness. Perhaps he could hide it? Well, he tried, for a few months...but after the second time he woke up in his bed transformed, his clothes burst and his bed creaking under his weight, he realized he'd have to face the music. His father took the news fairly well, and helped him arrange a transfer to the Salem Sanctuary...hopefully he can pursue his education there, (Even if he does simply want to work with earth as a living..) and learn to control his new 'disability' while he's there.
Criminal Record: None.
Quirks, Extras, Random Character Facts: Oddly, Malcolm was and remains a vegetarian. He also has an acute fear of flame now, thanks to his earthen form.