Codename: The Ancient

Real Name: Manius Tettius Opilio/Manfred Tetter

Affiliation: Villain

Origin: Supernatural power did not begin with the first Metro City meteor strike.

Manius Tettius Opilio was born in Rome around the year 45 BC, and was a young man of eighteen years when Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus became Rome's first emperor. By that time Tettius was already a gangster on the Aventine Hill, shaking down merchants for protection money and setting fire to the businesses of those who didn't pay.

Tettius ran afoul of the cult of Coeus, an ancient Greek Titan so obscure that those outside his worship knew him only through passing references in Hesiod to having fathered Leto (herself the mother of Artemis and Apollo). The cult of Coeus, it turned out, were warlocks, and in the course of Tettius's dealings with them, their mysterious leader saw fit to induct him into their ranks, in which he rose through double-dealing and treachery, eventually gaining a spot at the leader's right hand. Later, through unknown dealings, he obtained the crystal Ono'apho'on (the language that gave rise to the name of the item has been long forgotten), which grants its wielder an unaging existence and great power.

Still living after more than 2000 years, the Ancient seeks what he has always sought - power. He seems to have some sort of long-term master plan for getting more power, which hinges on a number of thefts from museums, very often ones in Metro City. Until he achieves his goals, he is content to live a life of luxury as Manfred Tetter, fabulously wealthy restauranteur and master chef.

Powers/Abilities/Skills: Knowledge of two thousand years of history, common languages, legends, and literature; intimate familiarity with the occult; skill and talent at swordsmanship, having been trained in a number of styles over the centuries; world-class gourmet cooking.

o Level 1: The primary power of the Ono'apho'on is to create from mystic energy creatures to fight on the Ancient's behalf - these take the form of minor creatures from mythology, including minotaurs, myrmidons, and harpies. The Ono'apho'on can also form a phantom sword out of the same energy, or fire energy blasts that strike with the force of a sledgehammer. The Ancient can also teleport to his secret inner sanctum by reciting an incantation, in addition to some basic divination spells and a few sundry magical accoutrements. The Ancient is far more durable than a normal human, as well, and has impressive, though not superhuman, strength.
o Level 2: The Ono'apho'on can create more and larger creatures - if it summons a single creature, it can be as large and deadly as a gryphon or the Erymanthian Boar, and it can summon more myrmidons or other minor foes. The Ono'apho'on can also erect a force field of mystical energy around its user and allow its user to fly. The Ancient's durability and strength are increased, as well.
o Level 3: The Ono'apho'on's true powers are beginning to become unlocked. The creatures it summons are all more durable and can fight with less of the Ancient's direct supervision, and it is capable of summoning a monster in the form of Cerberus or a Cyclops. The blasts from the crystal are more deadly and the sword cuts deeper, and the Ancient has access to a variety of rituals and other spells. The Ancient's strength is enough to lift a grown man in each hand, and even without the Ono'apho'on's protection bullets do not slow him down overmuch.
o Level 4: The Ono'apho'on can summon a phantom of Cetus (Kraken) or the Lernean Hydra. The phantoms are almost real, and the Ancient does not need to give more than vague orders for them to carry out his wishes. The blasts from the crystal can easily damage buildings, and the sword is sharp enough to cut most normal materials. Tettius has also amassed a variety of minor magical items of various descriptions.
o Level 5: The Ono'apho'on can summon a veritable army of lesser creatures. If it is used to summon a single creature, that creature could be as powerful as the Colchian Dragon, which guarded the Golden Fleece, or the enormous automaton Talos. The blasts from the Ono'apho'on cause serious structural damage to buildings and splatter regular humans into paste. The Ancient's shield could protect him from even very heavy artillery, even when he has summoned a number of creatures. He also gains the ability to take the form of his god, the titan Coeus, for a brief time, unlocking greatly expanded power but aging himself several years in the process.
o Level 6: By this point, Tettius has unlocked the Ono'apho'on's full powers. He can use the crystal to summon a fearsome Hekatoncheir, a hundred-handed and fifty-headed giant. He can knock over a skyscraper with a single blast from the crystal, erect a shield so powerful that no amount of force could penetrate it, and fly to the edges of the solar system. When taking the form of his god, he can cause temporary but major changes to reality near him, trapping his enemies in a nightmare world he creates. He can also cook the best things.


Weaknesses: Using the Ono'apho'on's powers are draining on both the Ancient and the crystal. When the green light in the crystal is weak from overuse, the Ancient must fall back on his less impressive magics, often teleporting away to recharge himself and his artifact. Physically separating the Ancient from the Ono'apho'on will cause him to slowly begin to age again the longer they are apart.

Equipment: The crystal Ono'apho'on, which is embedded in a sword hilt with no blade, and is the focus of his powers. Also has a number of grimoires and sacred texts he refers to.

Appearance: (what you look like!)

o Civilian: A man in his 40s or 50s, just starting to go gray. He has looked like this for millenia. He prefers suits without ties and loafers when he is in civilian garb.
o Costumed: Purple robes covered in runes, the green Ono'apho'on embedded in a sword hilt, and a purple opera mask to hide his civilian identity.

Team (if applicable): None

Miscellaneous:

The Ancient is fluent in classical Latin, ancient Greek, Old German, Middle French, Middle English, modern French, modern Spanish, modern English, and Coptic. He can get by in Aramaic, modern German, Hebrew, Mandarin, Korean, and Japanese.