Discussion: A Eulogy for Statesman

It falls to me to speak a few paltry words about my fallen friend and comrade, Marcus Cole, the man known as Statesman. He was a beacon of strength, moral fiber, and inner will, a bastion of strength that protected Paragon City. This larger than life man, whose years have spanned further than many realize, was a hero, a paragon. He was also a steadfast family man, a tenderhearted and protective husband, father, and grandfather.

Husband. Father. Grandfather. Hero. Paragon. The man who championed Paragon City as Statesman has been all those things and more. As Marcus Cole, Statesman loved and married Monica Richter, sister of his best friend, Stefan. Monica and Marcus reconnected shortly after he returned to Paragon City in the 1930s. At that time, Marcus revealed to the world that he had unlocked his inner will, and he took on the persona of Statesman. He protected Paragon City alongside with the original members of the Freedom Phalanx from Nemesis's failed invasion on Brass Monday, cementing his place in history.

In the 1940s, Statesman led the US war effort in Europe, fighting for the Allies in World War II alongside Maiden Justice and the rest of the Freedom Phalanx. Allied with the British super group, Dawn Patrol, Freedom Phalanx pushed back the Axis powers on the western front. But Statesman's efforts didn't stop there. He was also seen operating in the Pacific theater on occasion. Whether those sightings were simply tall tales told by GIs to boost morale is unknown, but Statesman certainly did use his power to help no matter where on the globe he was needed.

As he continued to champion and safeguard Paragon City, Monica and Marcus welcomed a daughter into the world. This girl, Alexis, went on to become Miss Liberty in the 1960s. Alexis Cole-Duncan was killed in the disputed territories of Warburg after a peace conference came to blows. Marcus Cole, saver of countless lives, grieved immensely for not being able to save his own daughter, and conflicting reports link Alexis's death to the events surrounding the Statesman's death.

In the late 1980s, I [Positron] recruited Statesman to rebuild the Freedom Phalanx. Together, we fought off Arachnos. Statesman went on to lead the Freedom Phalanx throughout the '90s, and we were instrumental in fighting back the Rikti during the first Rikti War. He led the Alpha Team of heroes, fighting off the Rikti from our side of the Rikti dimensional portals while Hero 1 led the Omega Team and sealed off the portals from the Rikti side. Thousands of heroes died in that battle, but Statesman's team, due to his bravery and unfailing mental and physical strength, came through relatively unscathed.

Statesman only reluctantly let new heroes risk their necks in the perilous streets of Paragon. After the rebuilding of Paragon City, the influx of heroes moved to live in and protect Paragon City swelled, inspired by Statesman deeds and his principles. Paragon City earned the nickname "City of Heroes" primarily due to the influence Statesman held over new heroes. They flocked to fight by his side.

A few years back, Statesman went missing. It wasn't the first time he dropped off the radar, but his close friend and confidante, Maria Jenkins, had a suspicion that he wasn't simply on vacation (as some suggested). Maria enlisted a young, trustworthy, but experienced hero who looked up to Statesman. That hero uncovered a plot by Tyrant, a Statesman from an alternate Earth, to kidnap and steal our Statesman's power to augment his. It was only due to the valiant efforts of the hero Maria recruited that was Statesman was able to be with us in the years that followed to once again mentor his close family to see one of them become a hero of Paragon City. Statesman's granddaughter, the Vindicator known as Ms. Liberty, started off her career as Statesman's sidekick, but she quickly blossomed into a strong leader. Ms. Liberty vowed to continue her grandfather's tradition of mentoring and training new heroes, and her dedication to that continues to this day. Statesman spoke to me several times about how proud he was of his granddaughter, who has grown up to become a role model that is looked to up herself.

Statesman also made a positive impact on many villains, prompting them to shed their former lives and rededicate themselves as heroes in Paragon City. Statesman operated without a sidekick for quite some time until the demon summoner Desdemona crossed his path. This misguided villain believed that Statesman was responsible for the death of her mother. She confronted Statesman only to learn the truth behind her mother's death and that Desdemona had been living on a foundation of lies all her life. Statesman took the distraught young girl under his wing as his new sidekick, and she has quickly followed in his footsteps to prove herself as a full-fledged hero.

We may never know exactly how Statesman died. He was a great man, a great hero, and he doubtlessly died true to himself. Statesman's hand was a hand that lifted us up with inspiration. His back was the strong back of a sheltering protector. His wisdom, that of an insightful teacher and leader. His confidence, driven by a profound optimism about the human spirit.

Paragon City will never see the bright flash as he swoops by against a blue sky once more, never hear him rally us in the face of an uncertain future again, never fight side by side with him to stand for what we believe in our hearts. Yet in reality, we will see him, hear him, experience him in the faces of his family and friends, and in our hearts and minds forever.

Statesman is now one with the spirit of Paragon City. Godspeed, my friend.

Think that 'was' before Statesman needs to go.

Hehe...

Also, is Desdemona wearing the Praetorian Vanessa DeVore mask there?

Trickshooter's Characters | @Trickshooter @Brightside

Of course he's absent. He's off on the rooftops, watching over Paragon City as his friend is put in the ground.

See also: Batman @ Funeral for a Friend.

Looks like it, aye

Originally Posted by Zwillinger GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.

Originally Posted by Captain_Photon NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.

Sister Psyche is also missing, odds are he's with her. Also missing are Infernal and Swan, not sure if that has any significance.

Also, I bet 100mil inf that the girl behind and to the left of the coffin is Penelope Yin.

Give the man a break! His friend and leader just died, and another one of his best friends is in the hospital in a coma.

Originally Posted by Nethergoat it's NEVER too late to pad your /ignore list!

That's an impressive catalog of great deeds for a superhero and a multi-generational portrait of a family man. What's missing, though, is a fully articulated worldview that motivated him to become a hero, differentiating Primal Earth's Marcus Cole from the villainous versions apparently in every other parallel universe. All the classic superheroes (and their nemeses) have defining creeds or personal outlooks that ground their high-flying adventures. We certainly know the philosophies behind Lord Recluse's campaign for world domination and Tyrant's quest for total control - and they're justifiably celebrated or reviled from here to Praetoria. Statesman, however, never possessed any shades to his character besides a four-color "might for right" comic book heroism.

If we don't really know what Stateman stood for, why should we be moved by his fall?

Keep in mind that this Eulogy is delivered in the voice of Positron the character, not Positron the developer.

Positron the character probably wouldn't delve into all of that, especially not in a Eulogy.

Ever since UG she hasn't taken the damned thing off. It's either stuck or she just really likes it.

Both :P

Trickshooter's Characters | @Trickshooter @Brightside

That's precisely why it seems most relevant here, although an in-game speech from Statesman during the SSA would also have been suitable.

If Positron wishes to bury his friend, that's one thing, but this is a public eulogy that has more in common with a classical funeral oration. Positron is not merely extolling Primal Earth's pre-eminent hero in hopes of inspiring others to strive to fill the place in the city he leaves behind (or at least avenge his death), but also articulating a public expression of what it means to be a hero in Paragon City, since Statesman embodied that ideal.

I call shenanigans! Statesman has clearly publicly faked his death in order to avoid confronting Emperor Cole and the righteous forces of Praetorian Earth. This obsequious eulogy by his servile lackey is an obvious ploy to enlist the so-called heroes of Primal Earth for a show of force in order to have them gang up on our glorious leader at a later date.

I think it looks great! I keep looking at it and wondering if I'm missing seeing anyone else snuck in.

But when I noticed the Clockwork costume, I chuckled.

Trickshooter's Characters | @Trickshooter @Brightside

There's actually two praetorian clockwork there. I mean, one I can buy, but when two show up, ya gotta think that Tyrant is up to something.

edit -> Also, I'm seeing FIVE of the Elemental Order there. What's up with that? I sense an elemental plot! They're conspiring with the clockwork robots to bring death and destruction (or possibly muffins) to the heroes of Paragon City!

edit2 -> We're also missing Valkyrie.

So are Valkyrie and Woodsman.