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[riddleme]

Player Information ;
Your Nickname: Kate
OOC Journal: Prefer not to share
Under 18? No
Email/IM: thenextreveur [gmail]; grayace [plurk]
Characters Played at Singularity: Peeta Mellark

Character Information ;
Name: Edward “The Riddler” Nygma
Name of Canon: Batman the Animated Series
Canon/AU/Other Game CR: Canon
Reference: Wiki & DC Wikia & Batman Wikia
Canon Point: During season 3, episode 2.. after Nygma is released from Arkham and first begins working with Baxter at the new toy company, before his final trap.

Setting:
The setting is Gotham City. Gotham, in this sense, is an urban metropolis from around the 1990's, much like our real world. The city is darker, grungier, and known for its crime. It's said that no city in the world matches it (excepting, maybe, Bludhaven). The episode “Trial” suggests that the villains came first, that normal people in strange circumstances with rare insanities began to become the first of “super villains.” They were average people who donned a costume and took on another name to cater to their interests without a thought for the public that lived in the city.

As a result of their actions (though some would argue it's the other way around), a powerful businessman named Bruce Wayne took up the mantle of 'Batman' and became a vigilante, roaming Gotham's streets to help reduce its crime and keep a handle on the newly emerging super villains. Batman was already a well-known presence in Gotham when Eddie was fired from his job and donned the name “The Riddler.” Lucky for him, Batman doesn't believe in killing and instead sends the criminals to Arkham Asylum when they're caught.

Arkham Asylum is notorious for the levels of insanity it holds, like a mental ward on crack. It serves as a prison for the emotionally deranged, most of whom are sociopaths and freaks or mutants in some way. In addition to keeping the criminals held from time to time (it's the victim of frequent breakouts), it allows a convenient location for the underbelly of Gotham to communicate and catch up, making alliances and breaking them. Anything it takes to return to the streets and rid themselves of the Batman.

Dick “Robin” Grayson, Batman's first sidekick, was also a well-known vigilante figure in this particular Gotham (around the age of 15). Gotham City also has a police department, of course, but they never did much except help Batman clean up. As much as they tried, they were often outmatched, outwitted, and outgunned by the best and the craziest the city had to offer.

Other heroes also exist in this universe, though not within Gotham at this particular point in time. Superman keeps the glamorous and shiny Metropolis as crime free as possible, and other supers (John Stewart/Green Lantern, Diana/Wonder Woman, and the martian J'onn for example) in their respective areas -- even if that's not yet Earth (as is the case of the three named). Eventually they come together to join various groups; the aforementioned join the Justice League, the largest and most universally recognized entity with Batman as its founder. But that's the future for Nygma. Right now, it's only Batman.

Personality:
Nygma is extremely selfish, putting his own needs above all others and always taking time as needed to do what he wants regardless of his work situation. Empathy is hard to come by, especially with his preoccupation with his self-importance and self-interest. In this, he also tends to be insensitive to the feelings of others because his own feelings are clearly more important. He always expected (and really still does) favorable treatment for his genius and to be showered with admiration and praise.

He's a decent liar and has no moral qualms with lying if it suits his purpose or what he needs, however. The kind of guy with a million excuses for any situation. Because his vision of right and wrong are defined only by their relevance to games, Nygma has few qualms and a nearly non-existent set of morals, which he secretly prides himself on. From theft to betrayal, very little would be considered too much for the man.

Overall, he's a token narcissist. He believes himself to be better than everyone else because of his high-end genius IQ and ability to create and solve complex thinking systems. Not afraid to pursue his own path, he would definitely be considered an opportunist as well. He believes in pleasure and the things which bring it to him, preoccupied with ideals and fantasies. Nygma is genuinely saddened when, not long after his canon point, he believes he's successfully killed Batman – because Batman is the only one who can match him intellectually and that's most important to him.

He is demanding. The villain wants things done his way on his schedule and will get angry if they are not. He lacks patience and makes no attempts to change or cover that fact. When he loses his patience or is criticized, he is quick to anger, volatile and with no real conscience. To get what he wants, he will often choose the most complicated route in order to watch it all unfold. When he is confident that things are going his way, he is fairly laid back and likes bantering with people. Generally, he likes to feel in control at all times and enjoys toying with those he sees as lesser people (or even equals). When his control, power, or authority are threatened, he may snap quickly.

Despite his role as a “super villain,” Nygma is not particularly violent and has no real desire to murder people. He enjoys the thrill of the game, win or lose, and doesn't care much for the things that come after. A victory is only enjoyable so long as it leads to another challenge. Whether addiction or OCD isn't entirely clear, but Nygma always feels compelled to leave clues as to his upcoming schemes and can't help but obsess over every puzzle for as long as it takes him to solve it, which sometimes isn't long at all given his intellect.

As an individual, separate from his Riddler persona, Nygma is a smooth intellectual in his shallow dealings with people, but reveals himself to be awkward and not above begging when the situations change. He's uncomfortable with women, though it's clear he enjoys their company (if you know what I mean). He commands henchmen with relative ease, but goes crazy when Batman cheats at his puzzle or concocts a riddle of his own.

His demeaning attitude makes him less popular than other villains in the Asylum, but he's also considered to be more sane and predictable than most. In the end, they all just want to get rid of Batman; he knows that he'll be the one to do it, so anything in the meantime is an enjoyable game. Often apathetic and nonchalant, he can become flippant and angry when pushed. He cares much more about being admired and praised rather than respected or genuinely liked. Despite believing himself above normal things, he still carries a need to prove it, which translates into trying to show up others as often as possible. The man seeks to find control in everything to ensure the situation benefits him and/or that he is the center of attention, yet it's never enough. While he can be patient when focused on a goal, he is otherwise generally unmotivated and may become impatient in his boredom.

He strives toward power, success, and victory. Overwhelming pride was instilled in him since he was fired. Nygma has very little loyalty. He has difficulty forming any lasting relationships and is extremely self-centered. A hint paranoid and sometimes fast to shallow anger, he has a tendency to slip into tantrums with his needs are not met as he had hoped. He's not particularly hardened to criticism, despite his arrogance, and will avoid admitting his faults where possible (partially because he believes he has none and partially because, even if he has to admit he does, his pride won't allow him to say it aloud). With strangers, he is constantly on display to prove how wonderful and magnificent he is.

What is, perhaps, the most important thing to realize about Nygma is that there is no squishy inside. He's not covering for insecurities or striving to prove something to make anyone proud. Nygma, as a case of Narcissistic Personality Disorder, genuinely believes all of these things. He knows that he is superior and gets frustrated when others don't immediately recognize that. It's also why he expects preferential treatment, attention, adoration, etc. He's the best. Obviously.

Abilities, Weaknesses, and Power Limitation Suggestions: Nygma has no particular physical advantages, but he is an almost unparalleled genius, matched only by the likes of Batman himself. He has an amazing memory and gifts for long, complicated schemes and pattern recognition. He can memorize complex mathematics and do great things with words. But, seriously, he's a genius.

This obsession with puzzles and riddles is also his weakness. He can't live without a challenge or a game and gets frustrated when others solve them too quickly or cheat their way around his riddles. It also bothers him not to know the answer to a puzzle of someone else's making and he always feels the need to warn of his upcoming schemes through his games. He's a planner and a long-term kinda guy. It's definitely an addiction that he can't help and won't really be able to stop.

He also shows signs of OCD, though would not be diagnosed (or as only a mild case).

Inventory: A black cane with a metal sphere atop it; his usual costume; a pair of small, red spheres (small enough to fit in the palm of his hand) which act as two-way radios.

Appearance: Approximately 5' 10”, Nygma has a lantern shaped jaw and bright red hair. He's neither stunning or unattractive. The man is slim, with average proportions and strong hands. He is most often seen in a green suit jacket with black pants, a matching green bowler, purple gloves, and a light purple mask. His suits are always complete with a tie, generally white with a purple question mark or some shade of green if in normal clothes.

Age: mid-30s

OC/AU Justification ;
If AU, How is Your Version Different From Canon, and How Will That Come Across? N/A
If OC, Did You Run Your Character Through a Mary-Sue Litmus Test? N/A
And What Did You Score? N/A

Samples ;
Log Sample:
Nygma let out an exaggerated sigh as he eyed the pocket watch in his hand, his mind unconsciously beginning to wander with all the possible meanings of 7:17 – a natural palindrome, but one which was also a palindrome in base 2. As quickly as he began to devise ideas, he put the watch away and cast his attention up to the skylight where Batman would most certainly be making his entrance within the next 3 minutes. Two minutes, 47 seconds, to be precise. 167 seconds, minus 1, 67, another palindrome in the right bases. Tut tut. Too bad Batman was always too slow.

Tapping the end of his cane idly on the wall beside him, he began clicking out the Morse code for 67 in base 6 until the sound of crashing glass pulled him up short. He immediately silenced his cane and instead flicked the switch beside him, illuminating a single spotlight in the otherwise dark warehouse. Nygma himself was hidden up on a balcony high above, but he could see the silhouettes of his three henchmen below and the shadow of Batman beside the giant puzzle box. It was a mame puzzle, stolen from the Japanese, and half the size of the dark knight. Riddler estimated that Batman would be able to solve it in no time at all and – true to form, the box clicked with the audible sign of victory before it sprayed forward the gas that would put a normal person unconscious but only disoriented the fast-acting Batman.

Immediately his henchmen moved in and only then did he begin to descend the steps toward the action, enjoying the view. When a batarang hit the light and cast them all in darkness again, he let out a laugh. It was like the Joker to do so, true, but even the Riddler could appreciate a good joke. “I can tell you're having a gas, but don't lose your head now. You're only halfway there.”

Network Sample:
Well, well. From Noah's Christmas dinner to the wasted lawn. The accommodations are improving, are they not?

[...] What does a soaring fable have in common with apples and cherries? Aside from being better when red.

Oh. You better start guessing. Time's already running out.