History remembers the fall of the legendary Knights Templar, that on Friday the 13th in October of 1307 by order of the financially unstable ruler of France King Philip IV, the once illustrious faith based warriors of the crusades were labeled as heretics, enemies of God, and the almighty Catholic Church, and ultimately sentenced to death. But what history does not remember, or more importantly what it was not permitted to document, was the creation of a surreptitious cabal of assassins hand picked by Pope Clement V from the Templar's hated rivals, the Knights Hospitaller. These assassins would carry out systematic successions of sabotage, espionage, and state sponsored murder. Fraudulently laying the foundation for King Philips betrayal birthing the formation of a league of assassins who would one day become the Order of Sancta Camisa. Elite combat specialist of unorthodox warfare who's stealth based tactics were in stark contrast of honor bound codes of the autocratic Knights and viewed as unsavory though the undeniable success of their cloak and dagger covertness was unparallelled for its time. After the fall of the fabled Knights the entirety of their accumulated wealth was silently bequeathed to the Order of Sancta Camisa permeating their affluence helping to establish an underground authoritative influence which, much to the dismay of the Catholic church, superseded that of the Templars in many ways. Eventually the Order broke free from the bonds of religion and disappeared. Embarking on a commutation across the known World analytically collecting, cataloging, and compressing various veins of knowledge and skill tailoring them into a dogmatic system of philosophy and peerless combat education. Adopting the ways of the Japanese Shinobi and through the forbidden teachings of the Kuji-kiri perpetuating myth like fables of supernatural like abilities. Though do to the Orders enigmatic secrecy substantiation of how, or if, these special talents exist is all but impossible.

1963 - Birth of Bat

Five years into the Vietnam war during a period in which the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States instituted covert assassinations against perceived Left-Wing Communist threats, the military coup of South Vietnamese (and formally U.S. backed) President Ngo Dnh Diem was privately condoned. Presented to the World as having been carried out by Ton That Dinh and his ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam) when in truth the CIA, driven by paranoia and an unwillingness to trust such a task to (and I quote) "Slant eyed yellow bush monkey's" employed the services of an up an coming agent who's moral degradation pertaining to ones right to life had successfully guided him through several low key assassinations. Julian Knightfall and a few zealot minded Marine soldiers enamored with the stoic assassin triumphantly executed the removal of Ngo Diem which earned them each a promotion within the now infamous Phoenix Program. Codenamed the Bat for his innovative usage of the Man-Flying-Kite first referenced in the 636 Book of Sui. It is widely known in certain circles that Julian obtained the knowledge and practical application of the "MFK" from teachings handed down from his father and his father before him by way of ancient OsC techniques. The Knightfall Bat would implement the man lifting kites as means of stealth based infiltration into heavily fortified enemy strongholds for camouflaged assassinations. In the early 70's after Congressional hearings closed down the CIA's Phoenix program do to public outrage over wide spread rumors of (as former serviceman K Burton Osborn described it) "A sterile depersonalized murder program of Vietnamese civilians" the personalized army of Julian Knightfall were offered up as sacrificial lambs in order to protect the military's more high ranking conspirators. However, even though they had managed to escape the judicial system of the United States government, within a year each exonerated officer was found dead. Innocent of wrong doing in the eyes of the public, guilty of betrayal in the eyes of an assassin. Financially secure thanks in no small part to his off the books activities during the Vietnam war and blessed with an authenticated collection of antiquities procured through centuries of esteemed family heritage within the OsC coadunation, Julian settled down in the heart of New York city. Establishing a modest historical museum filled with rare artifacts that subtly astonished authenticated archeologists as they lay certified validation to the museums legitimacy. Eventually Julian and the Knightfal Sanctum of Heritage's (KsH) managing curator Carolyn Sands, fell in love and married in the summer of 1973 and shortly there after gave birth to their only child, Jayden Julian Knightfall. Future father of the Dark Knight, Quintus Knightfal

An Assassin unlike any Other:

From birth Jayden was thrust into the life of an assassin. CIA officials, as retribution for the past murders of the acquitted Phoenix Program directors, nearly killed the young Jayden when his fathers car exploded irreparably scarring 90% of his body. More devastating however was the mistaken death of his mother in the explosion meant for her husband. Enraged, the former assassin began immersing his son in the ways of the OsC forging him into the ultimate weapon of revenge. To old with a body no longer able to sustain the rigors of the Order's revolutionary training, he was forced to relinquish control of his son. Who was then flown and abandoned in an unknown location somewhere in the mountainous region of the Asiatic where he was molded by the constitutional prestige of the Order. Crafted into the perfected manifestation of a one man killing machine reflective of centuries old combat cultivation. Faster, smarter, and stronger then any normal human Jayden became the crowning achievement of the Order of Sancta Camisa, who was in no great hurry to return him to his father as to fulfill what they perceived to be a limited vision of his true potential. Orchestrating the death of Julian before brainwashing his son, who was now a young man, into forgetting his mothers tragic end. Ultimately Jayden came to believe his father had died in an accidental avalanche and thus he was raised by OsC elders in their sacred mountain temple. By the time the OsC were finished forging their instrument of death and intelligence Jayden was not only ready to take the reigns of his father's museum, but to lead the Osc into the future.

The Return of the Bat:

Purposely coupled with another OsC protegee deemed a genetic match who's more violently apathetic nature would serve as a prerequisite building block for a suitable Knightfall heir, the semi-celebrated philanthropist Jayden Knightfall married the martial arts prodigy Sandra Woosan and together they bore a set of twins, Quintus and (Name Withheld). Both trained and raised in the axiological requisites of the Order they represent the pinnacle of the Knightfall legacy. Arrogant, self-obsessed, and overtly conceited, the self-assured Playboy Prince already surpasses his predecessors in both mental acumen as well as physical attributes and skill. But a recent discovery made well on his annual pilgrimage to the temple of the Order of Sancta Camisa had caused the Knightfall heir to question everything about his families self-promoted reputation. Setting the stage for his eventual revolt against not only the Order, but his father as well.

A lot of angst and disappointment have been expressed concerning the formation of a rebooted universe. And without an actual thread for users to openly voice that concern the gap between the disenfranchised and those wanting to participate have grown which does not, and will not, benefit anyone. So if you bare with me I'd first like to share some things that I think are important pertaining to the CVnU as well as giving users a place to ask "some" questions as well as moderately voice their opinions.

I'll start by saying this, I can promise those of who worrying about the effect it will have on your character that, it will have no more effect then an Rpg you've decided not to participate in. I understand that the word Reboot (for whatever reason) stirs up some heated emotions as users immediately think the stories, canon, and history, they've worked hard to create will be lost. But I can assure you, they will not. Instead of calling or thinking of it as a reboot, think of it instead as an Alternate Universe Rpg. Cause thats pretty much what it is, an expansive Rpg set in a different universe. If no one had mentioned the word reboot, if no one had said anything about an Alternate U, if someone had just one day created an Rpg set in a different Universe with specific rules in the OP, no one would have said anything. Lets be honest, people would have gone into the Ooc and said, "Looks awesome" and "Good Luck." But once that evil Word got dropped (Reboot), panic set in.

Another concern may be that those wanting to participate in the Alternate U rpg will abandoned their main accounts and that will indirectly effect other people. A valid concern but an unnecessary one. No one is going to wipe out their main accounts just as no one is leaving or turning their backs on those who continue to rp exclusively with their main account. Rpgs for both Universes can, and still will, be coordinated through Pms and thread conversations. People are still going to interact in the threads, Rp in the main U, reply to users and comments that strike their interest, bullsh!t for hours on end in Rpg threads with off-topic banter. Its not going to change.

I'd like to give you an example. I recently made a "Walking Dead" rpg. Technically, is that not an Alternate Reality Rpg? Its here on the Vine but its a World/Universe all its own. There's no canon connection, no pre-exesting history, no powers. Some people joined, some didnt, some made new accounts, some didnt. But everyone involved is still active in the main U. Its the same principle.

The goal here isnt to divide, it isnt suppose to be a "Use against Them." The entire notion of "well you support the CVnU I'm disappointed" is lost on me. I dont get that. Its suppose to be an outlet, an option. A Universe (all be it an expansive one) set aside for people who want to build a U from the ground up. Everyone here makes Alts (or at least most of us). Why? Cause an alt allows for something new, a new direction, a new way of writing, new ways to interact. The CVnU is only expanding on that same principle only now its the Universe that is an Alt. New places, new rules, new everything.

Users can even look at the new set of guidelines that will hopefully be incorporated in the CVnU and decide if those would also work for the main U. "Oh hey, thats a good idea I think I'll use that in my next Rp." The important thing is that nothing is forced on those who wanted to keep their canon and history. We thought that was the major complaint.

"We dont want a Reboot." okay, we'll create a separate Universe rpg for those who do "No no we dont want you to do that either."

Can you see how that would be discouraging?

Like I said, I get it, canon and history are important. You dont have to tell me about the work you put into your character I know all about it. Which is why the idea that those who support the CVnU are simply abandoning their canon doesnt make alot of sense. It will still be here, your canon will still be here, they'll still be here.

You yourselves could start some dialog about how to change things in the main U that are perceived as problems. You can even ask the same people who participate in the CVnU for help, input, concerns, ideas, etc. Theres no reason why there has to be a real life line drawn between users on the Vine just because there is a fictitious one between fake Universes.

For anybody who actually read this, if you have some questions or just want to post an opinion feel free. Questions about the CVnU sadly will be limited as it is still in the early stages.

;)

(Work in Progress)

Photographic Reflexes -

Gambler's muscle memory is so profound it can perform a comprehensive action known as Photographic Reflex, allowing the Living Legend to perfectly copy any physical action he sees. Cataloging a complete list of the Wolds most exquisite techniques to memory, along with an extensive mental archive of some of the most legendary heroes and villains from around the globe, and off it, Jean Luc LeBeau has created an unparallelled hybrid amalgamation of variegated martial arts superiority that is impossible to duplicate. Stylistically blending his technique with a theatrical obsession of perfected dedication to unorthodox angles and analytical acrobatics. Breaking down the individual technique of each fighter essentially stripping away the components he has deemed unnecessary before incorporating them into his own illustrious customization. The authors of some of his more famous techniques include: Kurrent, Ketch, Sovereign Son, Cryo-Wolf, Akira Overdrive, Gannon, Sparda, Switch, Dormath, War Killer, Warlock, Surreal Diablo, Lady Tlieso, Fourpower, Mighty Magneto, Boken, Walkingstone, Esther Cotillard, Ziccarra Liafador, Florian Kincaid LeBeau, The Hunter, Andfrene, Nighthunter, Talon X23, Mark1212, Spartan, Genesis Archer, Nobody, Precise, The Assassin, Akube, Kratesis, and Mercy, among others. Notably, there have only ever been two opponents the Aristocratic Assassin was unable to replicate fully. The first was the decorated martial artist known as Morte Rapida, and the second, the Iberian Emperor, the cunning Impero. For understandable reasons, Gambler refuses to copy the fighting style of Darkchild who would rather tank an attack and allow his superhuman durability to absorb it, then to dodge it. Jean has also implemented the watching of television notably, Kung-Fu and action movies. Utilizing it to study Meta-Humans, Athletes, Stunt-men, Archers, Soldiers, Wrestlers, Mixed Martial Artists, and Parkour. Even expanding his range to include dancing, gymnastic, and painting. Understanding the techniques needed in the movement of a brush stroke are mirror images of the techniques used in the handling of a sword. The Cajun will even take time out to study street magicians, incorporating their slight of hand abilities, which, when combined with his superhuman speed, grants him the mesmerizing ability to catch bullets out of mid-air.

Telekinesis -

As part of Gambler's complex mutant physiology he has the mental ability to affect physical objects in a plethora of varying degrees. Strenuously trained from birth to master this extraordinary ability, the Cajun has meticulously engineered a fighting system that perfectly compliments the integration of spontaneous thought and instantaneous telekinetic action. Its amplification of martial arts techniques and strikes serving to heighten his unorthodox acrobatic combat applications. Gambler also boats a perfected form of Psychokinesis which in its sub-category of Mirco-TK, grants the Cajun a concentrated aptitude over atoms, molecules, and sub-atomic-particles. When, coupled with his Arashikage artistic form of Bloodbending, grants him the ability to break his opponent down on a purely biological level having never lifted a finger.

The New 52 version of Lady Shiva finally made her first appearance in the pages of, "Nightwing #0" and she was Beast Mode. I gotta start off by saying the Comicvine Battle Threads are a constant ping in the back of my mind every time I read a comic. I can see the arguments and comments before they're even posted and reading this issue was no different. But I'mma say it.....Lady Shiva beats Robin and Batman one right after the other, and it was a great couple of panels. Immediately I'd like to run into the Battle Forums, find every Batman vs Shiva thread, and say, Now what! Wont happen though. For although her victory was great story-wise (should be enough right?) its filled with context that any seasoned CV debate specialist would use with surgical proficiency to dismantle my fanboyish claims. Before I get into that though I wanna say that New 52 Shiva seems just like the old one (its early still but there are positive signs).Shiva comes across as methodical, cold, and calculating. She talks as if she's always testing, always teaching. And nothings changed here.

Okay back to the context. As I stated earlier Shiva defeats Batman and Robin, but here's the problem (as it pertains to the battle threads), Shiva poisons Batman before the fight. Which......IS F'N hilarious. Why? Cause for years in the original DCU Shiva would get defeated via pre-fight poison every time she appeared. Paybacks a b!tch lol Sadly this diminishes/taints her destruction of Batman. She then goes on to destroy Robin. Which is to be expected he's young, he's fresh in his first Robin costume so of course he gets beat down. So feat wise DCNU Shiva still needs some work, but dayumn was it a good first showing.

A couple things worth mentioning:

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As you can tell I could all but give a damn about Nightwing, honestly. Its all about Shiva baby. And her first Post New 52 appearance was everything I hoped it would be. Now someone go help Dick and Bruce clean up, they're embarrassing themselves.

"It Begins"

Obsessed with obtaining the highest forms of martial arts abilities, the apex of combat, Jean Luc LeBeau journeyed to South America to find a mythical bibliotheca said to contain the greatest literary works in existence. He spent countless hours examining ancient texts and scrolls deciphering the codes needed to unlock the darkest arts of the combat World, including the outlawed form of Bloodbending. An ability to control, distort, and manipulate the fluids inside the body. With deadly application one could boil, freeze, crush, pressurize, or even extract the blood of any opponent he or she faced. Long since forgotten, and even further sill un-mastered, Bloodbending was considered fantasy with only the oldest of clandestine martial artists retaining memory of the technique. One such Si-Fu was the Dark Arashikage, exiled member of the secretive ninja clan who had trained Jean Luc as a child. Sensing the boys great potential for evil the Arashikage hid their knowledge in the Shadow Fang catacombs beneath their Sand Temple. It was while researching the method in the Great Library that the Aristocratic Assassin not only discovered the location of the Dark Arashikage's prison, but that through his experimental abominations with the form, he had prolonged his life. Igniting a full scale archeological expedition funded by Jean Luc with reckless disregard for capital. However, although alive, the legendary Si-Fu had long since gone mad from centuries of unlit isolation, but not all was lost. Inside his putrefied antechamber the secrets of several Chi based techniques had been meticulously diagrammed along the walls. Over ten lifetimes worth of lost information decorated the fallen one's cell in analytical detail. A wellspring of dogmatic indoctrination had effortlessly fallen into the Cajun's lap. Establishing the his fallen League of Shadows directly over top of the Si-Fu's prison, Gambler had the means and resources to rebuild his empire passing down the base forms of the Arashikage to his assassins while concealing its darkest forms for himself. Destroying the prison as well as the crazed Si-Fu elevating himself through the use of forms only he knew existed. Before his death, Si-Fu, through a brief moment of clarity, revealed that although he was unable to personal pass down the art of Bloodbending, there was another who could from beyond the grave. Weaving a fantastic tale involving the Italian philosopher, Niccolo Machiavelli, and his lost tomb. Propertied to contain the missing documents required to master the Bloodbending technique.

Metaphysical Martial Arts:

Uncovering the exiled Arashikage has granted the self-proclaimed King of Kings a new wealth of devastating combat techniques which he has methodically incorporated into his already impressive combat arsenal with flawless ingenuity and finesse.

- Chi-Blocking -

This endowment allows Gambler the ability, through perfectly placed strikes along the body, to cut an opponents connection to his or her Chi by rendering specific muscles useless. In other examples it has the capacity to disrupt meta-human and super-human abilities. A master of this form is capable of going toe to toe with an opponent of far superior power. Light finger tipped strikes can penetrate dense metals, armor, skin, and even force-fields. (Classification: Un-mastered/Learned)

- Landscape Mapping -

With seismic vibrations carried through the ground Gambler is able to perceive his surroundings with echolocation visibility as long as the target is in contact with the Earth. (Classification: Unmastered/Studied)

- Airmanipulation -

Original utilized as an offensive weapon by the Arashiakge, the Living Legend has since modified this ability to elevate his elusiveness. Transitioning his mutant telekinesis through his body allowing him to evade attacks with unprecedented cinematic acrobatic prowess and theatrical agility. Transforming his movements into unpredictable classifications of innovation. (Classification: Mastered)

- Bloodbending -

The outlawed technique of the Arashikage and latest object of the Cajun's self-absorbed quest for dominance. The form and style used by a Bloodbenders mirrors the movements of a marinate who dictates his puppets maneuvers with choppy rigged hand gestures shaping his opponents body with violent contortions in which the opponents own body fluids are highlighted and manipulated against their host. Its teaching was forbidden due to its extensively evil foundation and focus on unmitigated lack of moral sensibility. With this abolished technique Gambler can cook, freeze, extract, or pressurize any and all liquids inside his opponent, even quelling ones internal organs. As a sub-catagory, Bloodbending does have applications in the field of healing as well. But that knowledge was lost along with its more sinister counterpart. (Classification: Unknown.....)

Its all about the Iron Dragon in here. Just some random yet to be seen, favorite, or downright badass Lee pics. 
 
 

Not a bad fight in my opinion, however there seems to be some confusion now as to whether or not Gambit can charge organic material. It was earlier shown and stated, he could. Gambit himself makes the claim after charging Sebastian Shaw, and then we see him do it again when he charges Daken. But now here comes the Cap throw down and well, you'll read ;)

In the latest TV Guide issue  they reveal (it may have been revealed before this, just sayin) that the current Wonder Woman tv show will portray the DC Icon with three separate identities. Wonder Woman the Amazonian Princess, bespectacled wearing Diana Prince (is she now Clark Kent?), and Diana Themyscira, owner of Themyscira Industries (Bruce Wayne anybody?). So basically its a combination of Superman and Batman's alter egos mixed in with Wonder Woman. Or at least thats my interpretation. I hope I'm wrong but I have a really bad feeling about this.

Deadly, elegant, and complicated, Lady Shiva may very well be the greatest assassin in the DCU. She is the mother of Cassandra Cain, grand daughter of the legendary O'Sensei, and former member of the League of Assassins. Here are some of my favorite Lady Shiva moments.
 

• Unarmed and caught by surprise, Lady Shiva kills twenty ninjas with one shot each.

• Learns a Dozen New Styles a Year.

• After a Great War with Conner Hawke Shiva proves to be his superior. But my favorite part comes at the end when Lady Shiva displays her somewhat unorthodox code of honor. Owing a life debt to Robin, she honors it by sparing her defeated foe.

• According to Batman, Lady Shiva is a Master of ALL fighting forms

•  Pre-Crisis Shiva was introduced in the original Richard Dragon series. She was often depicted as his equal.

• During the Blackest Night arc Lady Shiva makes an appearance just to test her skills against a Black Lantern, Vic Sage.

I would luv to see these two team up