User:MadHatter121/Asclepius Rexcobra

Aslcepius Rexcobra, sometimes known by his trollhandle doctorSlytherin, is one of the Trolls seen within Homestuck: Omega. His associated Zodiac sign is Ophiuchus (U) and his horns are modelled after a forked tongue.

His first name and the first half of his chumhandle are a reference to the mythological Asclepius, a healer from Greek myth who was the inspiration for Ophiuchus' constellation, and his profession. His surname, Rexcobra, is a portmanteau of Rex, the Latin word for king, and cobra, a species of snake, referencing the King Cobra. The Slytherin in his handle refers to Slytherin House from the Harry Potter books, and possibly to his ability to control snakes.

Adding to his snake theme is his role as a seducer for Benjamin and Mobia into committing actions that turn the tide against the humans. This is a likely reference to the Serpent from the Book of Genesis which convinced Eve to eat the Forbidden Fruit.

He mentions that his abilities are related to his Emerald blood colour; this references the Emerald Boa.

Appearance
Asclepius has vaguely reptilian eyes and a strange hairstyle vaguely resembling a Mohawk. His tongue is also forked, and his horns are modelled after said shape.

Following his eventful fall from grace, his eyes become even more reptilian, his fangs become sharper and he begins throwing the shadow of a coiled snake.

In terms of clothing he wears a simple get up of green and blue jeans, light green shirt with the Ophiuchus symbol and an orange jacket with a white collar. These colours come from the Tricolour Irish flag, whose nickname, the Emerald Isle, further ties in with his Emerald-blooded theme, and may foreshadow his involvement with an Irish human. Within the Medium, he alchemises a Minstrel's garb, referencing his role as the Bard of Hope, which consists of a simple white cloak with a hood. However, following the awakening of his powers, he gains the ability to generate wings of Hope-light from the cloak, which slightly resemble the hilt of Excalibur II.

Asclepius, as a Prospit dreamer, wears Prospitan dream pyjamas as his dream-self.

Asclepius's signature garb is that of the Serpent's Robes, which consists of a snake-themed, black, scaly full body-suit he created for himself after becoming trapped in the Medium. When he wears it, he becomes completely terrifying.

Personality
Asclepius is a greatly independent troll, often acting without the guidance or interest of his Lusus, which suits them both just fine. He mentions to Mobia that Draco became a bodyguard of sorts for him, keeping him safe in his childhood years, but that both of them were more interested in the Alternian snakes. He possesses a great deal of self-control, which is crucial for emerald-blooded trolls as they can be overpowered by a snake without it. Despite this, he begins to doubt himself as the war rages on and he winds up losing control over the snakes, which enter his body and turn him against his friends.

Despite his refusal to commit to a relationship other than his ongoing kismesisship, Asclepius is quite charming and has often used his slur and eyes to seduce other trolls (of both genders) into pailing with him, though he never really does anything to compensate them beyond a parting gift or two. This part of his personality is not really carried over to the Medium, but Aslcepius continues to flirt shamelessly.

His overall personality is best described as predatory. Following his possession by the snakes, this becomes a more extreme form of predatory, as his mentions an interest in cannibalism and becomes cynical, cold and self-serving.

His treachery, violence and sinister antics terrify him when he is restored to consciousness, and he attempts to hang himself out of shame. When Benjamin stops him and gives him a chance to atone for said actions, he takes it eagerly.

Abilities
Asclepius uses a Flutekind early on in his adventures. This flute can be used to summon and guide his snakes by channelling his mind into the music. His initial flute is the creatively-named Charming Flute but later versions are created after he enters the Medium. Despite the effectiveness of this instrument, he proceeds to abandon it in favour of his Scythekind specibus, which better suits his abilities post-awakening. His two main scythes are the Caledbolg and the Darkside, but it is the Holy Sickle, alchemised towards the end of the story, that best channels his Hope-themed abilities.

As the Bard of Hope, Asclepius's role in Sgrub Omega is to allow hope to be destroyed, or use Hope to invite destruction. His abilities as such are related to Hope, somehow involve the spirits from LODAS, revolve around destruction and are for the benefit of his team. Asclepius's signature ability involves dowsing himself with Hope energy, entering a powered-up state that greatly increases his abilities. In addition to augmented strength and speed, Asclepius gains a greater connection to/control over his snakes as well as holy Hope energy, and can mix them into his physical combat attacks. After his possession, Asclepius's abilities are increased and influenced by the snakes within his mind, causing Hope-themed snakes to emerge from his body.

He can transfer his Hope-state into his comrades, thus "inviting" them to commit destruction. This also allows him to upgrade their abilities, similar to the function of a Bard Class in the Final Fantasy series.