Merrick Townsend [FANTASY]

Name: Eli Merrick Townsend

 

Birthday: July 1

 

Sexuality: bisexual

 

Distinguishing marks: Heavy scarring upon his right wrist heading up his arm and across his chest settling about his collar bone.

One eye is green while the other's sclera is entirely black and the iris of the eye is a hauntingly pale blue. Merrick usually tries to conceal these disfigurements (with longer hair and long sleeves) as they give away a demonic presence.

 

Occupation: Demon hunter/exorcist; Priest (renounced)

 

Strengths: Enhanced stamina, speed, and strength (when he has the demon in decent control).

Merrick has become a proficient empath. Able to sense fear, dishonesty, or any other strong emotion a person may be feeling. This power is limited to how well someone is able to conceal their emotions.

Because of the dual identity that he possesses with the demon, Merrick is invulnerable to telepathic attack or control. Attacks are often met with confusion in any attempt to separate Merrick's thoughts from the demon's hold on him which results in the inability to reach his mind entirely.

 

Weaknesses: The demon ravaging his soul often times leaves Merrick incredibly ill and weak for days on end.

Merrick suffers from chronic, widespread pain brought on by the demon.

Any prolonged use of demonic ability leaves Merrick in his worse state of pain and exhaustion.

 

Brief History: Merrick grew up in a small town along with his brother Lucas. The two were inseparable at a young age but the differences were immediately apparent. Merrick preferred caution and honesty while Lucas favoured mischief and danger. Amongst their parents favouritism was displayed for Merrick as he was 'such a good boy'. As the boys grew into adolescence, Lucas became more resentful of his brother's seeming perfection. They grew distant from one another.

 

Merrick pursued a life within the Seminary college, studying to become a Priest. Theological study was always preferred by those Merrick knew but as a boy he was never quite sure why. Eventually figuring the town was simply religious and faithful, he took the same morals. Top of his class and requested to watch over the Parish in his home town, Merrick soon discovered the reason that God was such a subject of talk.

 

Their town (and increasingly so, towns and cities spanning outward) was becoming plagued by demons. These demons did not appear in obvious forms. Instead, human souls played an integral part in demonic occupation. Merrick came to find that a human would have to invite a demon to use their body as a vessel. The invitation did not have to be formal but instead could come in the form of excess greed, hatred, or sadness. It was a beacon for demons to begin latching onto the soul.

 

When Merrick became entirely aware of the process he began studying exorcism with the Vatican and drove a number of demons out of those who fought possession. Of course, there were those who willingly accepted the demons' power and control.

 

Years of exorcisms gave way to physical demon hunts and Merrick, being the subject of many near-deaths at the hands of demons and no help from those who dispatch him, became bitter and sceptical of his religion. Constant confusion and anger had begun to eat away at Merrick's soul and exposure to demons and their spawn had poisoned him. Merrick had become an ultimate soul for infestation. He became ill and began to scar. Merrick recognized the signs of demonic possession immediately and while he is still bitter toward God, he doesn't believe his soul is so dark as to house a demon. He rejects it as strongly as he can.

 

His work as a demon hunter became quietly renowned in certain circles and he travels to find his marks. Merrick has become informed that his own brother, Lucas, whom he has had no contact with, has willingly allowed a parasitic demon to infest him. Lucas wants control and power and he has offered his body and soul for that exchange. Merrick is currently tracking his brother.

 

*This art was commissioned specifically for the character

Done