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BASIC INFO
name// Peter Benjamin Parker //
alias
// (Friendly Neighborhood) Spider-Man //
age & dob
// 41 | 27 June 1983 | cancer //
pronouns
// he | him //
height
// 5'8" //
build
// similar to a decathlon athlete //
classification
// altered human (mutate) //
notable features
// unique structures, similar to spider spinnerets, located in each wrist that launch silk lines of varying properties //
family
// open marriage with Mary Jane Watson, no children //
PERSONALITY
Peter is intensely introverted. He will get lost in his thoughts to the point of going still and not moving (even if he really should). His sense of humor is rather dry, and he needs to be comfortable with a person to share such observations. In normal situations, it is rare for him to show his emotions in full. Despite all this, he does feel emotions strongly -- to the point of sometimes taking on guilt and blame for events in far greater degree than he should.Part of the work that he's put into himself is addressing his tendency to hold on to bitterness and resentment. Especially when he was younger, he enjoyed throwing people's words back at them when he felt they had wronged him. This has its roots in how poorly he was treated by his peers growing up -- as a frequent target of bullies, with vanishingly few defenders, Peter internalized the idea that social power includes tearing people down. He's still a work in progress. At the heart of it, despite his own shortcomings, Peter believes deeply in justice and the need to personally do what he can to bring it about for others.
He finds the anonymity of his superhero identity freeing. He's far more likely to voice the quips that come to mind under the mask of Spider-man than in his day to day life as Peter Parker.
HISTORY
Peter Parker was 17 years old, in his senior year of high school, when a field trip to Columbia University changed his life forever. One of the genetically engineered 'super spiders' escaped its enclosure and eventually bit Peter on the hand. This ended up genetically altering Peter as well, and giving him a whole slew of superpowers. As Peter discovered his new abilities, he reacted selfishly at first -- using them in a bid to earn money, and standing aside rather than stopping a thief. This selfishness resulted in his Uncle Ben being shot and dying.His superheroics as Spider-Man started out as a way to atone for that terrible mistake. But also, Peter found that helping the people around him was its own reward -- he found that once he started, he could no longer look away when others were in danger, no matter the type or degree. For several years early on, his personal life suffered because he could not balance the demands of his normal life and superhero life. Peter lost several mentor figures as their own attempts at scientific advancement went wrong; friendships broke down; any attempts at romance were stymied.
But slowly, as time went on, Peter figured out how to make space in his life for both "Spider-Man" and Peter Parker -- realizing that he could not neglect himself in the pursuit of justice. As far as he knows, he's the only superhero in his world... or at the very least, within New York City. He may not be able to be the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man indefinitely, but he'll try to be there for his city as long as possible.
Peter is currently married to Mary Jane Watson, and they practice parallel polyamory. She splits her time between Los Angeles and New York City as her various acting jobs demand, and sometimes has a casual partner on the West Coast. Peter has occasionally pursued his own relationships as well. While their metamours don't meet due to distance, both MJ and Peter have discussed their 'outside' relationships at times.
ABILITIES
["spider-sense" | extrasensory clairvoyant reaction]//one of the spiders used in the genetic engineering experiments, referred to as a "grass spider" was said to hunt prey with nerve conduction so fast it nearly borders on precognition. Peter inherits this ability thanks to the spider bite he receives. He feels a tingling at the back of his skull as a warning of imminent danger, which is linked to his superhuman kinesthetic sense and allows him to dodge danger without even seeing it, at times.
[wall-crawling]
//Peter's skin grows microscopically fine, barbed hairs which allow him to cling to surfaces. This is specifically shown on his hands, but is likely all over his body.
[organic webbing generation]
//likely linked to the abilities of the Kukulcania genus of spiders, called 'net web spiders' by the researcher at Columbia University. The tensile strength of the web strands being proportionate to the wires of suspension bridges, and the funnel shape of the webbing, were both mentioned. While there are spinneret-like structures in Peter's wrists, they are not completely analogous. Spider silk needs to be pulled from spinnerets, while Peter's can launch (and cleanly release) a line of webbing. Normal spider silk has various different types and properties -- such as some being sticky, and other lines being non-sticky. Peter can produce such variants in his webbing as well.
the less spider-y powers...
[regenerative healing factor]
//Peter's injuries heal much faster than a normal human being's would. During his second battle with the Green Goblin (in the burning apartment building), he got a cut on his arm. It healed entirely within a few hours.
[superhuman strength]
//Spider-man can lift and throw large objects, such as a standard-sized automobile, with ease. He was also able to support the weight of a cable-car full of children using one arm, though he showed definite strain while doing so.
[superhuman durability]
//the density of Peter's muscles and bones have increased in order to support his superhuman strength. This also lends itself to the durability to withstand falls from great heights. He is able to survive a pumpkin-bomb to the face with minimal damage.
[superhuman speed]
//likely linked to the Agelenidae family of spiders, as they are very fast runners especially on their non-sticky, funnel-shaped webs. In a combat situation, Peter is able to move with blinding speed -- as seen during his fist-fight with Flash Thompson, everything else was moving incredibly slowly to his senses.
[superhuman stamina]
//even extended sprinting and combat do not seem to raise Peter's heart rate and breathing. Even after stopping a train and pushing his muscular endurance, he fainted from exhaustion only for a few minutes.
[superhuman agility and reflexes]
//likely linked to the abilities of the Delena genus of spiders, huntsmen spiders known for their jumping ability. Peter's equilibrium, dexterity, flexibility, and reflexes are enhanced beyond the natural limits of an Olympic-level athlete.
