Theo Anders

<infobox> <title source="name"><default>Theo Anders</default></title>

<image source="Image"></image> <image source="image"></image> <group><header>Basic Information</header> <label>Civilian Name</label> <label>Aliases</label> <label>Gender</label><default>Unknown</default> <label>Death</label> <label>Age</label><default>Unknown</default> <label>Post-timeskip</label> <label>Ward start</label> <label>Relations</label> <label>Family</label></group> <group><header>Professional Status</header> <label>Occupation</label> <label>Classification</label> <label>Unique Features</label> <label>Alignment</label>

<label>Status</label><format>

Active

</format>

<label>Location</label> <label>Teams</label> <label>Previous Team(s)</label> <label>Base of Operations</label></group> <group><header>First Appearance</header> <label>Worm Debut</label> <label>Ward Debut</label></group> </infobox> Theo Anders, cape name Golem, is the son of Kaiser and Heith, the stepson of Kayden Anders, and Aster's half-brother.

Personality

He often worried that he was unsuited for life as a hero; but according to Weaver, he was extremely brave when faced with a real threat based on their patrols together.<ref name="25.2"/>

According to Crusader, he was "sharper than he looks sometimes. Sharper than he acts."<ref name="18.y"/> Jack Slash agreed with this assessment.<ref name="I11b e2">“Maybe he thought you’d respect him for it, sir? He was always good at reading people.” And making them do what he wanted. Even me.

“Is that so? I’d like to think I’m much the same. A people reader. But my interest is in the design of people. What makes them tick? What holds them together? All too often, it’s one little thing. In architecture they call it a keystone. The one stone that keeps the entire arch from collapsing. The weak point. And I’m very, very good at finding those weak points. Can you guess what I’m talking about here? Why I’m in this apartment?”

“Aster, sir?”

“And you say you’re nothing like your father. You’re sharp, little boy.” - Excerpt from Interlude 11b</ref> He dedicated his life to a purpose.<ref name="Tarot">Strength
"Upright: Strength, courage, patience, control, compassion
Reversed: Weakness, self-doubt, lack of discipline"

Golem

A two year wait - patience indeed. To kill a monster, though he has no confidence - courage. He's a character raised by the hateful who became caring regardless. His crisis is one of an inability to find power, self-doubt (before and after he has powers) and a lack of training. - Major Arcana, bolded addition by Wildbow.</ref>

Unlike many of the people he grew up with, Theo was not a Neo-Nazi,<ref name="18.y"/> and specifically chose his name because of its Jewish origins.

Relationships

Kaiser

Kaiser is Theo's father. His dad being a neo-nazi, Theo did not buy into his beliefs.

Rune

Kaiser attempted to pair them up. It did not work out.<ref name="II17.7"/>

Taylor Hebert

Taylor helped to train Theo. He admitted that he was at least somewhat interested in her romantically, but knew they would never work.

Cuff

Theo and Ava are happily together.

Rain O'Fire Frazier

Theo has shown interest in befriending Rain, due to their similar upbringing.

Appearance

As Golem, Theo wears a costume with a segmented skirt or kilt composed out of different materials and a mask depicting a solemn expression.

As Theo he is somewhat husky but he is able to put on and take off weight rather easily.

In Ward he appears bigger than Weld.<ref>Polarize 10.10</ref> His armor is obsidian black with subtle etchings of hands, and material panels are framed in silver.<ref>Golem, I saw, had removed or hidden away the kind of silly looking fans or ‘fins’ that were part of his costume, a series of different common materials. Nice looking armor that was obsidian black with hands and arms etched in it in a way that only showed in the right light. Each panel was trimmed in silver. He wore a serious-looking mask. - Excerpt from Breaking 14.4</ref>

Abilities and Powers

Theo received martial arts training from Crusader<ref name="18.y">Interlude 18.y</ref> though Crusader was initially dismayed with Theo's poor form, and further training for his powers under the mentor-ship of Weaver<ref name="25.2">Scarab 25.2</ref> during their time with the Chicago Wards. Theo lost all his sparring matches with Weaver barring one near the deadline for the end of the world, which he suspects to be an intentional loss from Weaver in an attempt to encourage him.<ref>It reminded Golem of sparring against Taylor.

He hadn’t won those fights either.

Hadn’t won any, up until the point where the deadline for the end of the world was imminent.  He suspected that was a mercy, a small encouragement.  An intentional loss. Excerpt from Interlude 26b</ref>

Theo has the ability to embed his limbs into a surface in order to create larger versions some distance away from surfaces with a similar material. Theo is able to use this power with his face though this is not considered useful. The effect works more slowly the larger he works.<ref>“Alright.  Golem?”

Golem had to stop running to demonstrate.  He dropped to one knee and plunged a hand into the street.

Ahead of us, there was a crash, a grinding noise.  A hand made of pavement was reaching out of the ground, five feet long from the base of the wrist to the tip of the middle finger.  The fingers seemed to move in slow motion as the hand pushed against stopped cars that were sort of in our way, shoving them to one side of the road.

The hand submerged back into the road as he withdrew his own hand from the street.

“Okay,” I said.  There’s synergy with Annex.  Maybe Tecton too.  “Anything I need to know?  Limitations?”

“Whatever I use my hand on, has to match the exit point, pretty much.  Asphalt for asphalt, metal for metal, wood for wood.”

I nodded.

“Bigger the thing I’m making, slower it comes out, slower it moves when I try to use my fingers.”

“Anything else?”

“Lots more, but mainly I can only use my hands, arms, feet and legs.  My face, but that’s not too useful.” Excerpt from Crushed 24.1</ref> Theo's power is not hampered by wearing gauntlets or boots as his powers extends through them, resulting in large gauntlets and boots being created when Theo sinks his limbs into surfaces while wearing his costume.<ref>Golem started to push his hands into the plate.  The gauntlet’s fingertips were already emerging, a mirror-replica to Golem’s own gauntlet.  A hand half as wide as a house, slowly rising from the platform. Excerpt from Crushed 24.1</ref><ref>It had backfired, if anything.  The hand caught the tip of the blade, but the sword slid free of the grip and flew around with more force.  Golem leaped back, letting himself fall, and let his feet slide into the pavement.  Two boots rose from the ground, shielding him as the slash caught the surface. Excerpt from Interlude 26a</ref>

Theo's costume includes plates made from common materials, which allows him more mobility while using his powers. The material plates on his costume includes steel, iron, aluminum, woods, stone, brick, asphalt, concrete, and porcelain. Theo is able to sense the position of surfaces with materials similar to the ones touched by his limbs, and by touching the plates on his costume in succession he is able to create a mental map of the terrain.<ref>Golem appeared a full four feet above the ground.  He hit the ground and let his legs sink in, absorbing some of the fall.  A second later, he pushed himself out.

Just the use of his power gave him a sense of the area.  Touching the pavement gave him a sense of how all of the pavement around him was organized.  It had been folded into itself, folded around, thinned, thickened, bent at right angles.

[...]

Jack let the blade’s point swing idly at calf-level, pointed off to one side.  Cuts gouged the road’s surface.  Theo let his fingers trace the panels on his armor.  Steel, iron, aluminum, woods, stone…

His second sense marked various items in the surrounding area that were made of the same substance, even marked the trap off to his left, but it didn’t touch any part of the sword.

“All on your lonesome,” Jack said.

“Yes,” Theo answered, sounding braver than he felt.

His finger touched other panels.  Brick, asphalt, concrete, porcelain…

The sword remained out of his power’s reach.  He’d put so much stock in being able to disarm Jack.

With each contact, he felt the accompanying flashes, tried to put together a mental picture of his surroundings.

Two false building faces, just a little ahead of him.  They had to be Nyx-made.  If he advanced, she’d break the illusion, and he’d be surrounded in the noxious smoke.  At best, he’d pass out.  At worst, he’d pass out and wake up to permanent brain damage and organ failure.  Or being in the clutches of the Nine. Excerpt from Interlude 26a</ref> To prevent himself from being disarmed by Theo's powers, Jack Slash acquired a claymore and knife made from materials too different from the ones Theo has on his costume, which were likely made by a Mannequin clone.<ref>“No.  It’s very, very real, Theodore,” Jack said.  He paced a little, letting the sword drag on the ground.  The blade was white, Golem noted.  White, exceptionally sharp.

Mannequin-made? Excerpt from Interlude 26a</ref>

His ability to create limbs and faces comes from his mother's powers while the mechanism itself comes from his father.<ref name="R1">*The progression of Allfather -> Kaiser -> Golem is largely informed and inspired by interactions with other shards. Golem from his mother, namely. This isn't a 'progression'. Just the shard reaching further afield. It could just have easily backtracked from Blade projectiles -> Blades from surfaces -> Blade Projectiles, given the right inspiration. - Second Gen Capes, Buds, Pings, and Second Triggers (Wildbow, Reddit.com, 2016)</ref> Weaver took inspiration from Kaiser's use of his abilities to teach Theo how to use his, though she kept this a secret as Theo is unlikely to appreciate it.<ref>Golem had both hands free, and he used the same double-hand technique to strike again.  A second hand, sprouting from the first, which emerged from the rooftop in turn.  The hands caught Crimson in the side of the leg, slamming into the knee, using the curve of the thumb to catch the leg and limit the range of movement.

Strong as Crimson was, he was still bound by physics and general physical limitations.  Being struck in the knees hurt, and he still needed to maintain a sense of balance.  He toppled.

Another double-hand strike, and Golem caught Crimson in the groin as he landed on his hands and feet, shoved him off to the right.

Two more strikes, this time not doubled-up, catching Crimson in the left arm and left leg, respectively, keeping him off-balance.

The key was to deny leverage.

An arm looped over one leg and one arm, binding them to the rooftop.  Crimson tore free with little effort, but the act meant he shifted his weight to one side.  Golem capitalized on it with another double-speed strike to his side, pushing in the same direction the blood-gorged killer was already moving.  That was followed in turn by one larger hand, moving slower, to scoop Crimson up and tip him off the edge of the rooftop.

Crimson fell.  Not a fatal fall, but it would hurt some.

A gauntlet of concrete seized the large hand Golem had just created and tore it free of the rooftop, then let it roll free to fall right on top of Crimson.

With the villain in an alley, the ensuing takedown was just as brutal and tenacious as before, with the added advantage that there were walls on either side to strike from.  Hands struck out, and they remained there.  As the villain was denied any footing, any balance, the hands around him increased in number, folding around him, sliding into gaps.

It was a parallel to Kaiser’s pyramid of blades technique, that he’d used to try to entrap Lung.  I’d passed it on to Golem, but I hadn’t told him the source.  I got the sense he wouldn’t appreciate it. Excerpt from Sting 26.2</ref>

History

Background

Theo was raised by Kaiser, whom he disliked. His father was disappointed that he never followed in his footsteps as an athlete and fighter. Theo did inherit his father's intelligence.

Before gaining his powers, he didn't have any friends. <ref name="26a">Interlude 26a</ref>

After his father's death Theo was raised by Purity, but she was distant, considering him less important than her daughter or her mission. Nevertheless, they did care about one another.<ref name="26a"/>

Post-Leviathan

When the Slaughterhouse Nine attacked Brockton Bay, Jack Slash invaded Kayden Anders' home. Something about Theo piqued Jack's curiosity and prompted him to start a conversation. Theo stated that he wanted to become a hero, and when Jack asked if he would try to capture people like him, he replied that he would kill them.

Jack decided to spare his life, and told him that in two years, if Theo had developed powers he should come to kill Jack. If he failed, Jack would kill one thousand people, ending with Aster and then Theo.

Post-Slaughterhouse Nine

When he triggered, he took the name of Golem to show his disapproval of the behavior of his family by referencing a Jewish story. He joined the Chicago Wards.

Post-Echidna

Was picked up by the protectorate and given the chance to make up for all the ill his family had caused.

Weaver helped prepare him for stopping Jack and the villain's attempt to End the World.

Post-Timeskip

He started dating Ava.

Was the point man for The Slaughterhouse Nine-Thousand crisis.

He lost all the family members he had to the mad men.

Went to Los Angeles with Weaver's strike team to try and stop Jack. He succeeded in stopping Jack but he still failed in stopping the end of the world.

Gold Morning

Dealt with his perceived failure.

In the final push, he used his abilities to create faces of the companion to break Zion's spirit.

He survived the event.

Early Ward

Theo was active with the Wardens, although he was rarely seen.<ref>Interlude 10.x II</ref>

Post-Goddess' Takeover

He was mobilized during the African crisis.<ref>Polarize 10.10</ref> Once it was resolved, he accidentally met Victoria Dallon on a train station, and alongside some other heroes followed her to The Navigators ambush location.

Golem was protecting Vista during The Wardens attempt to stop March from reaching Brockton Bay time-bubbles.<ref>Heavens 12.all</ref>

Post-Time Bubble Pop

Golem was one of The Wardens that escorted Breakthrough to Earth Shin,<ref>Breaking 14.4</ref> and was imprisoned alongside them. He saved Victoria Dallon from a worse mutilation.

Fought in Cinereal-led group during the second Wardens' assault on Teacher's Compound.<ref>Dying 15.6</ref>

Post-Attack on Teacher

Golem welcomed Breakthrough to the Wardens' operations room, introduced them to developments related to Dinah Alcott, and questioned them about Contessa. He also confirmed their surprise mission and arranged the portal to the objective.<ref name="16.3II">From Within 16.3</ref>

He was present during the second Shin crisis, and accompanied Rain.<ref name="II17.7">Sundown 17.7</ref>

The Ice Breaks

Golem was in the Chevalier's team during the assault against the Titans and The Simurgh.<ref name="II20.1">Last 20.1</ref><ref name="II20.6">Last 20.6</ref>

Fanart Gallery

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  Art by THINKING IN BASE 4
• Error creating thumbnail: File missing
  Art by Ughzubat

References

<references/>

Site Navigation

Empire Eighty-Eight
Leader	Allfather {{#switch: deceased	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Kaiser {{#switch: deceased	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }}
Leiutenants	Hookwolf {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Krieg {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Purity {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }}
Members	Alabaster {{#switch: deceased	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Cricket {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Crusader {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Fenja {{#switch: deceased	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Fog {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Heith Anders {{#switch: deceased	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Iron Rain {{#switch: deceased	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Menja {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Night {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Othala {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Rune {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Stormtiger {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Victor {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }}
Associates	Aster Anders {{#switch: deceased	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Theo Anders {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }}

The Pure
Leader	Purity
Members	Theo Anders {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Crusader • Fog • Night
Associates	Aster Anders {{#switch: deceased	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Krieg

The Wards
Anchorage	Auroch • Feint • Roulette • Vellum
Austin	Hoyden
Baltimore	Houndstooth • Avenguard • Avian • Stungun • Keychain • Blush • 10-59 • Pigeonhole • Optics {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }}
Boston	Hunch • Reynard • Roulette {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Weld {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }}
Brockton Bay	Aegis {{#switch: deceased	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Battery • Browbeat {{#switch: deceased	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Chariot • Clockblocker {{#switch: deceased	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Crucible • Flechette {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Gallant {{#switch: deceased	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Glory Girl {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Kid Win {{#switch: deceased	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Shadow Stalker {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Toggle • Triumph • Vista • Weld
Chicago	Annex • Bearach • Cuff • Garnett • Golem • Grace • Raymancer {{#switch: deceased	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Romp • Tecton • Wanton • Weaver {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }}
Houston	Gentle Giant {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Chronicler • Young Buck
Los Angeles	Arbiter • Auroch • Flambé • Leister • Vantage
New York	Flechette {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Jouster • Shelter
Raleigh	Cask {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }}
San Diego	Gully {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Scapegoat
San Francisco	Trapper {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }}
Texas	Chronicler • Intrepid • Strapping Lad • Young Buck
Unknown Location	Eviction • Fisherboy • Greenhorn • Hype • Sunflower
Inaugural Wards Team	Chevalier {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Miss Militia {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Mouse Protector {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }} • Reed {{#switch: former	deceased=†	noncanon=≠	former=‡	unknown=*	#DEFAULT= }}