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{{quote|Two-nine-three. Incapable of talking, barely able to move. Limbless, obese. Another key member of the staff.|[[The Number Man]]|[[Interlude 21.x]]}} | |||
{{Infobox character | {{Infobox character | ||
| name = | | name = | ||
| alias = Two-nine-three<ref name="I21"/> | | Image = | ||
| gender =Male | | alias = Two-nine-three<ref name="I21" /><br>Armless dude (By [[Imp]])<ref name="29.5 eDead">There were cheers. I looked at my phone, and I could see the weirdly pretty man. Chains stretched out from the armless, legless figure’s stumps, extending to the high ceiling and the floor, suspending him fifteen or so feet in the air. Dead, or close enough it barely mattered.<br><br>I could also make out Mantellum, at the center of the crowd. He stood beneath the guy they’d strung up, blood running off of the shroud that seemed to flow from his back and the edges of his face. His expression was hard to read, but the fact that he seemed to be luxuriating in the blood rather than avoiding it… it didn’t put him in my good books.<br><br>“''It looks like we’ve got a full-on riot here'',” Imp commented. “''Armless dude’s good as dead, they’re splitting up the crowd, so anyone that’s not inside the circle has a few guys who can deal with the ghost janitor''.” - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/09/28/venom-29-5/ Excerpt] from [[Venom 29.5]]</ref> | ||
| gender = Male | |||
| age = | | age = | ||
| | | family = | ||
| | | occupation = Brainwasher, Power Remover | ||
| classification = [[Master]]<ref name="Master Reference">Number: 1<br><br>Estimation: Poses a threat only just above human norms, an unexceptional individual may be able to cope with the ability or walk away unharmed from an altercation where the abilities in question were leveraged. Ability should be assumed to be a nonthreat and need not be identified if other matters prove more pressing.<br>[...]<br>'''Master'''<br>Has the ability to control others. Can include degrees of control (swaying attitudes or emotions) and a wealth of controlled entities (individuals, animals, objects, created beings). - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hqJy4YEDqpKLwbatFVBLXnhs7dDTNykSYtDUCiR9ZBo/edit#heading=h.dx2yvddcqgz6 PRT Master Reference - Classifications]</ref> 1<ref>But in all seriousness, the Slug. No arms, no legs. You just need a heavy object to bludgeon them with. - Comment by Wildbow on Reddit, archived on Spacebattles</ref><!-- https://forums.spacebattles.com/posts/70243766 --> (Speculative) | |||
| alignment = [[Villain]] | |||
| status = Deceased | | status = Deceased | ||
| team =[[Cauldron]] | | team = [[Cauldron]] | ||
| previous team = | | previous team = | ||
| base of operations = [[Cauldron | | base of operations = [[Cauldron Compound]] | ||
| | | web serial = [[Interlude 21.x]] (Mentioned)<br>[[Venom 29.5]] | ||
}}'''The Slug''' was a member of Cauldron. | }}'''The Slug''' was a member of Cauldron. | ||
==Personality== | ==Personality== | ||
It is unknown how his deviation affected him as he was rendered mute by it.<ref name="I21"/> He essentially acted as a tool for the people who changed him.<ref>PitaEnigma: So basically Contessa refused to talk to anyone other than Doctor Mother<br>PitaEnigma: and people outside of Cauldron?<br>Cyrix: eeeeh<br>Cyrix: I am unsure how and why you jump to that conclusion<br>Mishie: Uh<br>PitaEnigm>: Because it's a funny mental image, mostly<br>Mishie: Wat<br>Cyrix: thats not a very good reason<br>Wildbow: Not refused. Just wasn't necessary. The Triumvirate would've felt like their hands were being forced if Contessa got involved.<br>Wildbow: Doctor Mother speaking is a little less threatening & a little more organic.<br> abyssonym: that's right, they agreed to let her do most of the talking<br>Wildbow: They're ~surrounded~ by mostly mute people acting as tools.<br>Wildbow: The clairvoyant, doormaker, the custodian, countless deviants.<br>Wildbow: The slug. - [https://forums.spacebattles.com/posts/35365744/ Wildbow on IRC, archived on Spacebattles]</ref> | It is unknown how his deviation affected him as he was rendered mute by it.<ref name="I21"/> He essentially acted as a tool for the people who changed him.<ref>PitaEnigma: So basically Contessa refused to talk to anyone other than Doctor Mother<br/>PitaEnigma: and people outside of Cauldron?<br/>Cyrix: eeeeh<br/>Cyrix: I am unsure how and why you jump to that conclusion<br/>Mishie: Uh<br/>PitaEnigm>: Because it's a funny mental image, mostly<br/>Mishie: Wat<br/>Cyrix: thats not a very good reason<br/>Wildbow: Not refused. Just wasn't necessary. The Triumvirate would've felt like their hands were being forced if Contessa got involved.<br/>Wildbow: Doctor Mother speaking is a little less threatening & a little more organic.<br/> abyssonym: that's right, they agreed to let her do most of the talking<br/>Wildbow: They're ~surrounded~ by mostly mute people acting as tools.<br/>Wildbow: The clairvoyant, doormaker, the custodian, countless deviants.<br/>Wildbow: The slug. - [https://forums.spacebattles.com/posts/35365744/ Wildbow on IRC, archived on Spacebattles]</ref> | ||
==Appearance== | ==Appearance== | ||
The Slug is a limbless, hairless man with a goiter-like mass around his neck.<ref name="I21">Two-nine-three. Incapable of talking, barely able to move. Limbless, obese. Another key member of the staff. - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/04/27/interlude-21-donation-bonus-1/ Excerpt] from [[Interlude 21.x]]</ref><ref name="29.5">The roaring reached a climax. They had a man with no arms or legs, not fat, but with a goiter-like mass around his neck… hairless. A case fifty-three.<br><br>“This one,” Imp said, repeating what the mob’s ringleader was saying. Shouting, judging by the way he was acting on camera. “This traitor, he is how they controlled us. How they planned to control you. He was going to brainwash these ones into a private army… he’s pointing at the weird looking ones they brought from downstairs. This traitor was going to send the rest of you out without any memories, without identities, as Cauldron’s trash.” - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/09/28/venom-29-5/ Excerpt] from [[Venom 29.5]]</ref> | The Slug is a limbless, hairless man with a goiter-like mass around his neck.<ref name="I21">Two-nine-three. Incapable of talking, barely able to move. Limbless, obese. Another key member of the staff. - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/04/27/interlude-21-donation-bonus-1/ Excerpt] from [[Interlude 21.x]]</ref><ref name="29.5">The roaring reached a climax. They had a man with no arms or legs, not fat, but with a goiter-like mass around his neck… hairless. A case fifty-three.<br><br>“This one,” Imp said, repeating what the mob’s ringleader was saying. Shouting, judging by the way he was acting on camera. “This traitor, he is how they controlled us. How they planned to control you. He was going to brainwash these ones into a private army… he’s pointing at the weird looking ones they brought from downstairs. This traitor was going to send the rest of you out without any memories, without identities, as Cauldron’s trash.” - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/09/28/venom-29-5/ Excerpt] from [[Venom 29.5]]</ref> | ||
==Abilities and Powers== | ==Abilities and Powers== | ||
The Slug is a monstrous cape | The Slug is a monstrous cape whose power allows him to edit brains. For example, he can brainwash individuals,<ref>The plans had failed. Only Khonsu and the Indian capes were still active. Capes brainwashed with a deathwish, working in coordination with an Endbringer who could move them to any location instantly, and who could theoretically block some of Scion’s attacks. - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/10/12/interlude-29/ Excerpt] from [[Interlude 29]]</ref><ref name="29.4" /><ref name="29.5" /><ref>If the Accord/Taylor/Coil types didn’t work out as leaders, they intended to brainwash -capes-. Probably capes in captivity. Thus ensuring they had cooperative leaders who would stay in bounds. - Comment by Wildbow on [[Venom 29.4]]</ref><!-- https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/09/26/venom-29-4/#comment-43598 --> erase memories,<ref name="27.x">“It means a great deal,” Alexandria said. “We lost a great deal of power, leverage, trust. The heroic organizations are going to be sundered by this knowledge. Try as we might, we can’t erase their memories.”<br><br>“No,” Doctor Mother said.<br><br>“Unless you wanted to use the slug?” Alexandria mused.<br><br>Doctor Mother shook her head.<br><br>“The slug,” Legend spoke. “I was wondering how the case fifty-threes came to lose their memories. Not something of Manton’s, because he wasn’t involved in making them. It’s yours.”<br><br>“It and others,” the Doctor said. - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/08/27/ Excerpt] from [[Interlude 27.x|27.x (Interlude, Eidolon)]]</ref> and implant knowledge of English into individuals.<ref>She knew English even though she didn’t know why, like she knew Russian. This was her first time using it. - [https://www.parahumans.net/2019/05/14/13-z/ Excerpt] from [[Black 13.z]]</ref> [[Wildbow]] speculates that the Slug was responsible for setting up the Nemesis weakpoints for their [[Cauldron#Nemesis_Program|Nemesis program]].<ref name="discord eBrains" /> | ||
[[Weld]] is not immune to his power.<ref>He was responsible for rescuing Weld after Weld had been dropped off, an amnesiac with a head and part of a chest, left in a scrapyard. - [[Breaking 14.11]]</ref> | |||
===Power Removal=== | |||
As a possible countermeasure for clients that willfully renege on their deal with [[Cauldron]], [[Doctor Mother]] claims they have an in-house cape that can allow them to [[Corona Pollentia#Power Removal|remove powers]] if necessary.<ref>“What kind of countermeasures? Would you kill me?”<br><br>“We try to avoid murder in the course of doing business, not just because of the moral issues, but because it draws attention. For leaks, our usual procedure is to discredit the individual in question and deploy our in-house division of parahumans to drive them into hiding, remove their powers or both.”<br>[...]<br>“We’ll see. In terms of cost, Cauldron requires that the client pay two-thirds of the total amount in advance, and pay the rest over a six year period or ''default''.”<br><br>“Meaning you employ those countermeasures you talked about.”<br><br>“Revoking your powers in the worst case scenario, yes.”<br><br>“Is that revoking of powers a part of the process of however you give people the powers, or is it something that one of your in-house capes does?”<br><br>The Doctor was typing on the computer. Without taking her eyes from the screen, she said, “The latter. You don’t need to worry about someone using a loophole or flaw in the process to take away your abilities.” - [[Interlude 12.5]]</ref> [[Wildbow]] speculates her claim is real because of the Slug: as an example, he can choose to edit the brain of an affected individual so that a spoken key word or phrase will permanently take away their connection to their powers, i.e., individual loses their powers for good. He can also set a spoken key word or phrase that temporarily removes that individual's powers.<ref name="discord eBrains">'''Wildbow:''' Reneging on Cauldron favors - probably a firm reminder. Very firm if it's ~that~ against the spirit of the deal. "What we gave you we can take away. There's a new cape in this city with a key word or phrase that will temporarily take away your connection to your power. They now have license to use it if they run into you, and they'll retain that license until you make it up to us. If you don't shape up and follow through on your commitments, you will lose those powers permanently, and we'll tell your enemies where you are, should you try to run."<br><br>'''Jicker:''' harsh, but fair<br><br>'''Forgery:''' Huh, I didn't expect their first response being an empty threat like "We can say a word and your power disappears".<br><br>'''Wildbow:''' Empty?<br><br>'''Forgery:''' Wait, can Cauldron powers be removed with a single word?<br><br>'''Wildbow:''' If the person has been slugged.<br>[...]<br>'''Forgery:''' I thought Slug was just the amnesia maker?<br><br>'''Wildbow:''' Slug edits brains. Took away memories, set in blocks, set up the Nemesis weakpoints... - Conversation with Wildbow on Parahumans Discord</ref><ref>When characters start willfully disengaging from the commitments made to Cauldron, then Cauldron is liable to start applying heavier pressure. They maintain the ability to drop the hammer on the player - a visit from Contessa or Number Man, but they would always prefer to get people back on course, instead. We might see scenarios like…<br>[...] | |||
* “We always knew you would be hard to manage, so we took precautions,” the voice says on the phone. “While you were unconscious after getting your powers, we implanted a key phrase in your head. One of our agents in the city now has that phrase, and they can use it to turn off your power at an inopportune time. What we gave you we can take away.” The threat becomes one of the powers being turned off for good. - WD Cauldron</ref><!-- https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D8y2aVXfuk35S-54ycdoaz0qQeFHHIBMoJbQGOBYG90/edit --><ref>'''Jicker:''' if Cauldron is investing in these capes, it's better to get them back on track if possible<br><br>'''Wildbow:''' It's better<br><br>'''Jicker:''' at least, that was my line of thinking<br><br>'''Wildbow:''' But if they're being total asshats with no sign of redemption, or if there's risk they blab, remove. - Conversation with Wildbow on Parahumans Discord</ref> | |||
[[Wildbow]] speculates that [[Cauldron]] can set up this countermeasure by subtly asking a client to check in with the Slug.<ref name="discord eCheck">'''Lune:''' so would slugging a cauldron cape be something like, "hey once you get your power, check in with this cool sluggy dude before you leave"?<br><br>'''Wildbow:''' Could be a check. Good guys tend to talk to a therapist, they talk to the in-house doctor (if they don't go with a Cauldron sanctioned one), they get vetted, they get their vial in a controlled circumstance.<br><br>'''Bluejue:''' Can customers be slugged at a later time if they prove to be surprisingly uncooperative or untrustworthy?<br><br>'''Wildbow:''' Bad guys? Villains? "We need to check you're on the up and up. Our friend here will touch his forehead to yours as part of that."<br>Yeah, Blue. - Conversation with Wildbow on Parahumans Discord</ref> However, he also speculates that this countermeasure was only set up for certain capes that they were not sure they could trust (e.g., those without enough pre-existing strings to pull),<ref>'''Forgery:''' So is there a word that can shut down c53s, given they were slugged? Are all cauldron capes slugged?<br>Sorry about the questions, its just that this information feels like a huge revelation on how Cauldron capes work, if they can be shut down at Cauldron's digression.<br>[...]<br>'''Wildbow:''' I think it'd be specific to certain capes they weren't sure they could trust, Forg<br><br>'''Inky || Hellraiser:''' Probably a lot of the more villainous leaning cauldron capes<br><br>'''Wildbow:''' Probably ones where there weren't enough blatant, pre-existing strings to pull. If a player ended up going down that road, it might be that Cauldron predicted it as a possibility. - Conversation with Wildbow on Parahumans Discord</ref> or if a client later proves to be surprisingly uncooperative/untrustworthy.<ref name="discord eCheck" /> Indeed, it would probably be too taxing for the Slug to hit all Cauldron capes with this process.<ref>'''Ryneron:''' Is there a reason they don't just do it to everyone they can?<br>[...]<br>'''Forgery:''' I assume because having the slug hit every cape would be taxing<br>[...]<br>'''Wildbow:''' And you're right, Forge. It'd probably be taxing. - Conversation with Wildbow on Parahumans Discord</ref> | |||
===Restrictions=== | |||
[[Wildbow]] speculates his power is touch-based.<ref name="discord eCheck" /> [[Cauldron]] was presumably unable to use the Slug against [[Mama Mathers]] because of her power.<ref>She had been saved by people who had worked at this facility before. They had given her power and then by faith or by fortune her power had outstripped their ability to deal with her. They had asked her for favors and she had done only some of those favors, as she pleased. They had, after all, enabled her to hold her Elijah without being his slave. - [[Interlude 15.z II]]</ref> | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
===Background=== | ===Background=== | ||
A deviant created by Cauldron. His emergence and that of others paved the way for [[Case 53]]'s to be released into the world as amnesiacs.<ref name="29.4">''“There are backup plans if the whole parahumans-as-leaders thing didn’t work out. Brainwashing leaders like they brainwashed the case fifty-threes. So the leaders were absolute and could be trusted. Um. Distribution and organization for getting things going again, depending on how many threats remain after we make it through this. They didn’t know what the end would be like, what we’d be up against, so they could only ballpark here. The reason for these offices? Cauldron’s going to staff this place. It’s going to be a hub, police, a whole lot more, up until humanity’s got the ball rolling again.”'' - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/09/26/venom-29-4/ Excerpt] from [[Venom 29.4]]</ref> | A deviant created by [[Cauldron]] sometime after the [[Clairvoyant]] drank a vial.<ref>Two-six-five. No name. - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/04/27/interlude-21-donation-bonus-1/ Excerpt] from [[Interlude 21.x]]</ref> His emergence and that of others paved the way for [[Case 53]]'s to be released into the world as amnesiacs.<ref name="29.4">''“There are backup plans if the whole parahumans-as-leaders thing didn’t work out. Brainwashing leaders like they brainwashed the case fifty-threes. So the leaders were absolute and could be trusted. Um. Distribution and organization for getting things going again, depending on how many threats remain after we make it through this. They didn’t know what the end would be like, what we’d be up against, so they could only ballpark here. The reason for these offices? Cauldron’s going to staff this place. It’s going to be a hub, police, a whole lot more, up until humanity’s got the ball rolling again.”'' - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/09/26/venom-29-4/ Excerpt] from [[Venom 29.4]]</ref> | ||
===[[Gold Morning]]=== | ===[[Gold Morning]]=== | ||
The Slug was crucified by a member of the army of monstrous [[parahumans]] using chains when [[Cauldron]] fell. [[Taylor]] and [[Imp]] both assumed he was on the verge of death, although neither actually saw him die.<ref name="29.5"/> | The Slug was crucified by a member of the army of monstrous [[parahumans]] using chains when [[Cauldron]] fell. [[Taylor]] and [[Imp]] both assumed he was on the verge of death, although neither actually saw him die.<ref name="29.5 eDead" /> | ||
==Chapter Appearances== | |||
{{Appearance/The Slug Worm}} | |||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
| Line 40: | Line 56: | ||
[[Category:Cauldron]] | [[Category:Cauldron]] | ||
[[Category:Males]] | [[Category:Males]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Masters]] | ||
[[Category:Case 53s]] | [[Category:Case 53s]] | ||
[[Category:Vial Capes]] | [[Category:Vial Capes]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:39, July 7, 2024
| “ | Two-nine-three. Incapable of talking, barely able to move. Limbless, obese. Another key member of the staff. | ” |
| {{#if:The Number Man| —The Number Man{{#if:Interlude 21.x|, Interlude 21.x}} }}}} | ||
<infobox> <title source="name"><default>The Slug</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><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>The Slug was a member of Cauldron.
Personality[edit]
It is unknown how his deviation affected him as he was rendered mute by it.<ref name="I21"/> He essentially acted as a tool for the people who changed him.<ref>PitaEnigma: So basically Contessa refused to talk to anyone other than Doctor Mother
PitaEnigma: and people outside of Cauldron?
Cyrix: eeeeh
Cyrix: I am unsure how and why you jump to that conclusion
Mishie: Uh
PitaEnigm>: Because it's a funny mental image, mostly
Mishie: Wat
Cyrix: thats not a very good reason
Wildbow: Not refused. Just wasn't necessary. The Triumvirate would've felt like their hands were being forced if Contessa got involved.
Wildbow: Doctor Mother speaking is a little less threatening & a little more organic.
abyssonym: that's right, they agreed to let her do most of the talking
Wildbow: They're ~surrounded~ by mostly mute people acting as tools.
Wildbow: The clairvoyant, doormaker, the custodian, countless deviants.
Wildbow: The slug. - Wildbow on IRC, archived on Spacebattles</ref>
Appearance[edit]
The Slug is a limbless, hairless man with a goiter-like mass around his neck.<ref name="I21">Two-nine-three. Incapable of talking, barely able to move. Limbless, obese. Another key member of the staff. - Excerpt from Interlude 21.x</ref><ref name="29.5">The roaring reached a climax. They had a man with no arms or legs, not fat, but with a goiter-like mass around his neck… hairless. A case fifty-three.
“This one,” Imp said, repeating what the mob’s ringleader was saying. Shouting, judging by the way he was acting on camera. “This traitor, he is how they controlled us. How they planned to control you. He was going to brainwash these ones into a private army… he’s pointing at the weird looking ones they brought from downstairs. This traitor was going to send the rest of you out without any memories, without identities, as Cauldron’s trash.” - Excerpt from Venom 29.5</ref>
Abilities and Powers[edit]
The Slug is a monstrous cape whose power allows him to edit brains. For example, he can brainwash individuals,<ref>The plans had failed. Only Khonsu and the Indian capes were still active. Capes brainwashed with a deathwish, working in coordination with an Endbringer who could move them to any location instantly, and who could theoretically block some of Scion’s attacks. - Excerpt from Interlude 29</ref><ref name="29.4" /><ref name="29.5" /><ref>If the Accord/Taylor/Coil types didn’t work out as leaders, they intended to brainwash -capes-. Probably capes in captivity. Thus ensuring they had cooperative leaders who would stay in bounds. - Comment by Wildbow on Venom 29.4</ref> erase memories,<ref name="27.x">“It means a great deal,” Alexandria said. “We lost a great deal of power, leverage, trust. The heroic organizations are going to be sundered by this knowledge. Try as we might, we can’t erase their memories.”
“No,” Doctor Mother said.
“Unless you wanted to use the slug?” Alexandria mused.
Doctor Mother shook her head.
“The slug,” Legend spoke. “I was wondering how the case fifty-threes came to lose their memories. Not something of Manton’s, because he wasn’t involved in making them. It’s yours.”
“It and others,” the Doctor said. - Excerpt from 27.x (Interlude, Eidolon)</ref> and implant knowledge of English into individuals.<ref>She knew English even though she didn’t know why, like she knew Russian. This was her first time using it. - Excerpt from Black 13.z</ref> Wildbow speculates that the Slug was responsible for setting up the Nemesis weakpoints for their Nemesis program.<ref name="discord eBrains" />
Weld is not immune to his power.<ref>He was responsible for rescuing Weld after Weld had been dropped off, an amnesiac with a head and part of a chest, left in a scrapyard. - Breaking 14.11</ref>
Power Removal[edit]
As a possible countermeasure for clients that willfully renege on their deal with Cauldron, Doctor Mother claims they have an in-house cape that can allow them to remove powers if necessary.<ref>“What kind of countermeasures? Would you kill me?”
“We try to avoid murder in the course of doing business, not just because of the moral issues, but because it draws attention. For leaks, our usual procedure is to discredit the individual in question and deploy our in-house division of parahumans to drive them into hiding, remove their powers or both.”
[...]
“We’ll see. In terms of cost, Cauldron requires that the client pay two-thirds of the total amount in advance, and pay the rest over a six year period or default.”
“Meaning you employ those countermeasures you talked about.”
“Revoking your powers in the worst case scenario, yes.”
“Is that revoking of powers a part of the process of however you give people the powers, or is it something that one of your in-house capes does?”
The Doctor was typing on the computer. Without taking her eyes from the screen, she said, “The latter. You don’t need to worry about someone using a loophole or flaw in the process to take away your abilities.” - Interlude 12.5</ref> Wildbow speculates her claim is real because of the Slug: as an example, he can choose to edit the brain of an affected individual so that a spoken key word or phrase will permanently take away their connection to their powers, i.e., individual loses their powers for good. He can also set a spoken key word or phrase that temporarily removes that individual's powers.<ref name="discord eBrains">Wildbow: Reneging on Cauldron favors - probably a firm reminder. Very firm if it's ~that~ against the spirit of the deal. "What we gave you we can take away. There's a new cape in this city with a key word or phrase that will temporarily take away your connection to your power. They now have license to use it if they run into you, and they'll retain that license until you make it up to us. If you don't shape up and follow through on your commitments, you will lose those powers permanently, and we'll tell your enemies where you are, should you try to run."
Jicker: harsh, but fair
Forgery: Huh, I didn't expect their first response being an empty threat like "We can say a word and your power disappears".
Wildbow: Empty?
Forgery: Wait, can Cauldron powers be removed with a single word?
Wildbow: If the person has been slugged.
[...]
Forgery: I thought Slug was just the amnesia maker?
Wildbow: Slug edits brains. Took away memories, set in blocks, set up the Nemesis weakpoints... - Conversation with Wildbow on Parahumans Discord</ref><ref>When characters start willfully disengaging from the commitments made to Cauldron, then Cauldron is liable to start applying heavier pressure. They maintain the ability to drop the hammer on the player - a visit from Contessa or Number Man, but they would always prefer to get people back on course, instead. We might see scenarios like…
[...]
- “We always knew you would be hard to manage, so we took precautions,” the voice says on the phone. “While you were unconscious after getting your powers, we implanted a key phrase in your head. One of our agents in the city now has that phrase, and they can use it to turn off your power at an inopportune time. What we gave you we can take away.” The threat becomes one of the powers being turned off for good. - WD Cauldron</ref><ref>Jicker: if Cauldron is investing in these capes, it's better to get them back on track if possible
Wildbow: It's better
Jicker: at least, that was my line of thinking
Wildbow: But if they're being total asshats with no sign of redemption, or if there's risk they blab, remove. - Conversation with Wildbow on Parahumans Discord</ref>
Wildbow speculates that Cauldron can set up this countermeasure by subtly asking a client to check in with the Slug.<ref name="discord eCheck">Lune: so would slugging a cauldron cape be something like, "hey once you get your power, check in with this cool sluggy dude before you leave"?
Wildbow: Could be a check. Good guys tend to talk to a therapist, they talk to the in-house doctor (if they don't go with a Cauldron sanctioned one), they get vetted, they get their vial in a controlled circumstance.
Bluejue: Can customers be slugged at a later time if they prove to be surprisingly uncooperative or untrustworthy?
Wildbow: Bad guys? Villains? "We need to check you're on the up and up. Our friend here will touch his forehead to yours as part of that."
Yeah, Blue. - Conversation with Wildbow on Parahumans Discord</ref> However, he also speculates that this countermeasure was only set up for certain capes that they were not sure they could trust (e.g., those without enough pre-existing strings to pull),<ref>Forgery: So is there a word that can shut down c53s, given they were slugged? Are all cauldron capes slugged?
Sorry about the questions, its just that this information feels like a huge revelation on how Cauldron capes work, if they can be shut down at Cauldron's digression.
[...]
Wildbow: I think it'd be specific to certain capes they weren't sure they could trust, Forg
Inky || Hellraiser: Probably a lot of the more villainous leaning cauldron capes
Wildbow: Probably ones where there weren't enough blatant, pre-existing strings to pull. If a player ended up going down that road, it might be that Cauldron predicted it as a possibility. - Conversation with Wildbow on Parahumans Discord</ref> or if a client later proves to be surprisingly uncooperative/untrustworthy.<ref name="discord eCheck" /> Indeed, it would probably be too taxing for the Slug to hit all Cauldron capes with this process.<ref>Ryneron: Is there a reason they don't just do it to everyone they can?
[...]
Forgery: I assume because having the slug hit every cape would be taxing
[...]
Wildbow: And you're right, Forge. It'd probably be taxing. - Conversation with Wildbow on Parahumans Discord</ref>
Restrictions[edit]
Wildbow speculates his power is touch-based.<ref name="discord eCheck" /> Cauldron was presumably unable to use the Slug against Mama Mathers because of her power.<ref>She had been saved by people who had worked at this facility before. They had given her power and then by faith or by fortune her power had outstripped their ability to deal with her. They had asked her for favors and she had done only some of those favors, as she pleased. They had, after all, enabled her to hold her Elijah without being his slave. - Interlude 15.z II</ref>
History[edit]
Background[edit]
A deviant created by Cauldron sometime after the Clairvoyant drank a vial.<ref>Two-six-five. No name. - Excerpt from Interlude 21.x</ref> His emergence and that of others paved the way for Case 53's to be released into the world as amnesiacs.<ref name="29.4">“There are backup plans if the whole parahumans-as-leaders thing didn’t work out. Brainwashing leaders like they brainwashed the case fifty-threes. So the leaders were absolute and could be trusted. Um. Distribution and organization for getting things going again, depending on how many threats remain after we make it through this. They didn’t know what the end would be like, what we’d be up against, so they could only ballpark here. The reason for these offices? Cauldron’s going to staff this place. It’s going to be a hub, police, a whole lot more, up until humanity’s got the ball rolling again.” - Excerpt from Venom 29.4</ref>
Gold Morning[edit]
The Slug was crucified by a member of the army of monstrous parahumans using chains when Cauldron fell. Taylor and Imp both assumed he was on the verge of death, although neither actually saw him die.<ref name="29.5 eDead" />
Chapter Appearances[edit]
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References[edit]
<references/>
[edit]
| Blackforest • Brickhaus • Circe • Chantilly • The Custodian • Egesa • Egg • Engel • Fen • Fishy • Gentle Giant • Gregor the Snail • Gully • Grackle • Gwerrus • Hexie • Hunch • Mantellum • Matryoshka • Newter • Nyx • Peat • Sanguine • Shamrock • The Slug • Softball • Subject 3016 • Sveta Karelia • Thud • Trainwreck • Vulturehawk • Weld • Wendigo • Whippersnap | |
| Leader | Doctor Mother {{#switch: deceased | deceased=† | noncanon=≠ | former=‡ | unknown=* | #DEFAULT=
}} | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Members | Alexandria {{#switch: deceased | deceased=† | noncanon=≠ | former=‡ | unknown=* | #DEFAULT=
}} • Balminder {{#switch: former |
deceased=† | noncanon=≠ | former=‡ | unknown=* | #DEFAULT=
}} • Contessa {{#switch: former |
deceased=† | noncanon=≠ | former=‡ | unknown=* | #DEFAULT=
}} • The Clairvoyant {{#switch: former |
deceased=† | noncanon=≠ | former=‡ | unknown=* | #DEFAULT=
}} • The Custodian {{#switch: former |
deceased=† | noncanon=≠ | former=‡ | unknown=* | #DEFAULT=
}} • Doormaker {{#switch: deceased |
deceased=† | noncanon=≠ | former=‡ | unknown=* | #DEFAULT=
}} • Eidolon {{#switch: deceased |
deceased=† | noncanon=≠ | former=‡ | unknown=* | #DEFAULT=
}} • Harbinger Clones {{#switch: former |
deceased=† | noncanon=≠ | former=‡ | unknown=* | #DEFAULT=
}} (Harbinger I {{#switch: former |
deceased=† | noncanon=≠ | former=‡ | unknown=* | #DEFAULT=
}} • Harbinger II {{#switch: former |
deceased=† | noncanon=≠ | former=‡ | unknown=* | #DEFAULT=
}} • Harbinger III {{#switch: former |
deceased=† | noncanon=≠ | former=‡ | unknown=* | #DEFAULT=
}} • Harbinger IV {{#switch: former |
deceased=† | noncanon=≠ | former=‡ | unknown=* | #DEFAULT=
}} • Harbinger V {{#switch: former |
deceased=† | noncanon=≠ | former=‡ | unknown=* | #DEFAULT=
}}) • Hero {{#switch: deceased |
deceased=† | noncanon=≠ | former=‡ | unknown=* | #DEFAULT=
}} • Legend {{#switch: former |
deceased=† | noncanon=≠ | former=‡ | unknown=* | #DEFAULT=
}} • William Manton {{#switch: former |
deceased=† | noncanon=≠ | former=‡ | unknown=* | #DEFAULT=
}} • The Number Man {{#switch: former |
deceased=† | noncanon=≠ | former=‡ | unknown=* | #DEFAULT=
}} • Pretender {{#switch: deceased |
deceased=† | noncanon=≠ | former=‡ | unknown=* | #DEFAULT=
}} • The Slug {{#switch: deceased |
deceased=† | noncanon=≠ | former=‡ | unknown=* | #DEFAULT=
}} |