ANIMAL : Lion (Panthera leo)
STRENGTHS : Natural Leader / Loyal / Hardworking / Efficient
WEAKNESSES : Mentally destabilizing due to age / Sentimental
ARC LEVEL : 4.6
NOTES : #01 maintains much of his original mortal personality and beliefs. His refusal to adapt to modern technology is unlikely to change at this point.
#01 is the de facto leader and oldest member of DDM Inc's group of Contractors. His authority is considered absolute on subjects relating to Contractor activities.
#01 serves as a contact point between The Council and DDM Inc.

#01 still believes in the Knight's Code of Chivalry.

#01 appears to feel a sense of duty and a level of protectiveness over all Contractors, though particularly #02. #01 seems to believe that Contractor #02 is the reincarnation of the heir he was sworn to protect in his mortal life as a knight, though #02 has no recollection of this event.

#01 Is the oldest Contractor currently working for DDM Inc.

And how can we win,
When fools can be kings?
Don't waste your time
Or time will waste you...

BACKGROUND

ORIGINAL DIMENSION
Earth-like, with medieval technology level. Magic system present [Law of Exchange variant].
Year of Contract : [Not Recorded]
Dominant Species : human (98.82% Match to Base Reality) albeit with longer natural lifespans (250~300 years).

Born the son of a blacksmith in the kingdom of Starfall, Richard left his small village as a young man to seek adventure and glory.
After rescuing a noble lady from bandits, Richard was taken into the local lord's care and trained by his personal guard.After proving his worth in battle and tourney, Richard was selected to become part of the royal guard. He became the personal protector of the heir apparent, and was a devoted and trusted companion to them until the heir was betrayed by another member of the king's guard and brutally slaughtered.Due to being present at the scene when the body was discovered, Richard was unjustly convicted of the murder and hanged.

ANIMAL : Arctic Wolf (Canis lupus arctos)
STRENGTHS : Charismatic / Strong-willed / Flexible / Receptive to Discipline
WEAKNESSES : Forms Emotional Attachments Easily / Anger Management / Distrusts Authority Figures / Dysmorphia
ARC LEVEL : 3.5 [medicated] - 4.2 [raw]
NOTES : Due to pre-existing relationships with notable SERAPH targets #02 should be monitored at all times.
#02 is noted to be overly sympathetic to humans and humanoid entities.
Due to #02's unique physiology, care should be taken when only one body is visible.
#02 is to be kept on emotional suppressants at all times.

#02 is composed of two human bodies controlled by one consciousness.It is understood that one of these bodies is a construct created by #02 through unknown means. It is not known which body is the "original", only that the second was created some point after #02's Original Death.#02 identifies itself as "Hana" in the feminine body and "Adam" in the masculine. It does not otherwise distinguish its bodies as separate identities, and appears to highly resent being referred to as such, especially being labeled as "siblings" or "twins".#02 is capable of controlling both bodies at once, essentially acting as two people, even across long distances and potentially dimensions.

forgiving who you are, for what you stand to gain
Just know that if you hide, it doesn't go away

background

ORIGINAL DIMENSION
Earth-like, with medieval technology level. Magic system present [Law of Exchange variant].
Year of Contract : [Not Recorded]
Dominant species : Human (98.82% Match to Base Reality) albeit with longer natural lifespans (250~300 years).

#02 held a position of power in this society, with connection to royalty.
#02 believes their OD may have been caused by a betrayal of someone close to them, but they do not recall the identity of this person.
#02 has near complete memory loss relating to their original life due to repeated resets.

• ace heat

by roku

ANIMAL : Black Bear (Ursus Americanus)
STRENGTHS : Strong-Willed / Disciplined / Ample Combat Experience
WEAKNESSES : Irritable / Impatient / Claustrophobic
ARC LEVEL : 3.8
NOTES :
#03 has an intense grudge against SERAPHIM and its agents due to losing several ACES in an incident six years ago.
Due to his intense claustrophobia, #03 will refuse missions that involve subterranean spaces even under threat of discipline.
#03 is known to have regular conflict with his fellow DDM Inc. employees.
#03 has extreme resentment towards his state of existence as a Contractor and resents all involved, including DDM Inc.

#03 is the 3rd most senior Contractor with DDM Inc. As the Contractor with the most experience in combat and leadership, #03 is in charge of DDM Inc's. private military.#03 has little concern for humans or other mortals.
#03 can manipulate metal at will.

I won't take no prisoners, won't spare no lives
Nobody's putting up a fight

background

ORIGINAL DIMENSION
Earth-19098, adjacent to base reality.
Year of Contract : 2508.
Dominant species : Human (99.89% Match to Base Reality)

#03, AKA Luka Sutter, was born on Earth in 2461. He was orphaned young alongside his brother, Nikolai, when his hometown was destroyed during a war with an alien species.Luka and Nikolai were then sent to an orphanage on Imperial Luna. The brothers hated both aliens (for invading) and the Empire (for failing to protect Earth), but eventually Luka became a soldier at 18 serving in the Great Astral Imperial Army ["G.A.I.A"].He became an officer at 24 after being rewarded for ruthless actions against rebels; Luka also gained the title "Ursa Major" at this time.Nikolai, a troublemaker with a natural talent for piloting, joined GAIA after Luka pulled a few strings, with Luka training his brother personally. Nikolai eventually became Luka's second in command (with the title "Ursa Minor") and the two were extremely close, with Luka being very protective of his younger brother who often violated GAIA’s rules.Tragically, Nikolai was killed during what was supposed to be a peaceful treaty signing, and Luka resultingly became increasingly depressed and unstable, drinking and violently lashing out until he was discharged from service. At that point, Luka started taking on whatever dangerous jobs he could, ultimately ending up working for and then leading a private security firm.Luka's Original Death occurred during a rebellion on station orbiting Venus which he was hired to contain. Whilst attempting to help a supposedly trapped woman and child, he was instead locked in an airlock which was then vented.Like all other contractors, Luka was offered a contract at the moment of his death. He wished for his brother to come back to life; this wish was granted, though his brother was immediately destroyed moments after as per the terms of the contract.

• primal play
• ace heat

ANIMAL : Irish Wolfhound (Canis Familiaris)
STRENGTHS : Highly Skilled / Impartial / Enthusiastic
WEAKNESSES : Easily Distracted
ARC LEVEL : 4.5
NOTES : #04 has considerable reality bending abilities and thus can be difficult to accurately track. However, it should be noted that #04 inevitably will assume that prevents his "face"* from being revealed.
While #04 is presumed loyal to DDM Inc., #04 appears to have no real issue with changing allegiances, particularly if he becomes "bored". It is therefore recommended to keep #04 assigned to a job at all times.
Due to the potentially negative cognitive impacts of interacting with #04, staff are recommended to use a neutral median (ideally an ACE) instead of directly consulting with #04.

*#04's true appearance is still unknown.

#04, who identifies him(/it)self as "Dullahan" or "Dully", has been employed at DDM Inc. for an unknown period of time, believed to be at least several decades.#04 shows a remarkable level of dedication to The Cause, often taking on extra missions or covering for other Contractors during their downtime.#04 has recieved "Employee of the Month" for (at least) eighteen [18] consecutive years.

I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy
Because I'm easy come, easy go, little high, little low
Any way the wind blows doesn't really matter to me, to me

background

ORIGINAL DIMENSION
Earth-121789, adjacent to base reality.
Year of Contract : [Not Recorded]
Dominant species : Human (99.99% Match to Base Reality)

#04 is a notably unreliable narrator, and thus records regarding his original life are frequently unverifiable.It is currently believed that #04 was an executioner (also known as a "headsman") for an extended period of time in a region not dissimilar to Base Reality Medieval France. #04's fluency in languages native to that time period and geographic location appears to lend credence to this theory, as does his preference for bladed, axe-like weapons.

• christmas party
• porno alt
• post-apocalyptic
• exhibitionist
• ace heat

ANIMAL : Domesticated Rat (Rattus norvegicus domestica)
STRENGTHS : Intelligent / Well-Educated / Obedient / Loyal to DDM Inc.
WEAKNESSES : Weak Mental Strength / Difficulty Maintaining Personal Relationships / Easily Manipulatable
ARC LEVEL : 3.9
NOTES : #05 rarely leaves DDM Inc. HQ. Due to severe anxiety, #05 has difficulty working with other personnel. #05 should be relegated to in-house duties where possible, up to and including containment and testing of anomalous artefacts and entities.

#05, also known as "Dr. Jakobsen", is the lead researcher of DDM Inc.'s Supernatural Objects and Entities branch (SOE), and specializes in researching the causes behind the formation of reality tears.
#05 is generally unpopular amongst his fellow DDM Inc. employees, possibly due to his "weak" nature.

background

ORIGINAL DIMENSION
Earth-82, adjacent to base reality.
Year of Contract : 2002.
Dominant species : Human (99.91% Match to Base Reality)

#05, born Johan Jakobsen, was born in Aarhus, Denmark. He was quickly recognized as a child prodigy, with a tested IQ of 208. Johan had an unhappy home life as a child, with both parents being neglectful and enduring constant bullying by his peers due to his timid nature.As a young adult, Johan became fascinated by animals and studied to become a wildlife biologist. Despite his interest in the field, Johan was reportedly afraid of most animals, particularly rodents.At age 28, Johan fell from a 6 story apartment building. Johan was offered a contract at the moment of his death due to fulfilling the requirements for eligibility.

• ace heat

ANIMAL : Common Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula)
STRENGTHS : Proficient in CQC / Stealth / Extremely determined / Follows Orders
WEAKNESSES : Antisocial Behavior / Addictive Tendencies / Questionable Loyalty
ARC LEVEL : 4.0
NOTES : #06 is known to engage in reckless behavior, often putting itself and other employees at risk. #06 should not be allowed to engage with civilians. #06 needs constant monitoring due to history of substance abuse.

#06 has been an operative at DDM Inc. for 12 years. During that time, #06 has accumulated 136 personal complaints, 29 reprimands for unprofessional behavior, and 18 separate assault charges.

background

ORIGINAL DIMENSION
Earth-9898, adjacent to base reality.
Year of Contract : 2210
Dominant species : Human (99.68% Match to Base Reality)

#06 was born as the result of a secret government program intended to create superhuman soldiers to partake in a war against a hostile alien species after Earth was invaded in 2206.#06 was trained as a killer since birth. He has little to no experience with conventional life, existing only to follow orders and destroy targets. He lived and trained in a dystopian megacity known as "The Edge".#06's original death occurred after, as a final resort, the US government elected to bomb its major cities rather than let them fall under alien control. #06 was tasked with manually setting off the detonation and was killed in the immediate blast.

• first meeting
• ace heat

The premise of a Contract is extremely simple : In exchange for their soul and an eternity of service to The Cause, any eligible mortal can have one (1) wish granted.
Contracts are only proposed to eligible candidates who are at the point of death
[ known thereafter as the Contractor's "Original Death" ]

Upon completion of the contract, a Contractor will become functionally immortal and gain a number of supernatural powers and abilities.


Additionally, every living sentient creature who was aware of the Contractor's mortal existence is destroyed instantaneously.
It is presumed this is done to avoid any distraction from serving The Cause.
 
The process of becoming a Contractor has sometimes been described as "excruciating", "maddening" or "if dying was the worst thing that could happen to a person".

CONTRACTOR ELIGIBILITY

Though there is some debate about the specific "rules" of eligibility, the following guidelines for the conditions a person must meet to become a potential Contractor have been established.

ABILITIES

Abilities vary for each Contractor, however each Contractor has the following abilties:

Contractors can still engage in mortal habits [eating/drinking/sleeping/etc] if they so choose, but they do not have to in order to survive.
NOTE:
If a Contractor avoids a certain mortal need for a long enough period of time they will stop experiencing that need. For example, if a Contractor doesn't eat they will cease experiencing hunger, potentially permanently.
Due to the negative affects on psyche, it is therefore not recommended for Contractors to entirely forego mortal habits.Though Contractors can still "sleep", they do not dream.Contractors who use their abilities for reasons other than in service to "The Cause" experience physical pain as a form of punishment.For example, a Contractor using their abilities to save a mortal's life could cause them to suffer intense migraines or randomly break a bone.

A NOTE ON IMMORTALITY

Though contractors are considered "immortal" it should be noted that this refers to functional immortality.
Contractors cannot age or die and they do not need to breathe or sustain themselves as mortals do, but they can be injured.Contractors have enhanced healing capabilities that are conditionally (and holistically) activated.
The general rule of thumb is that regeneration only kicks in when the injury is considered severe enough to impediment a Contractor's ability to serve The Cause. Consider the following examples as a guide:

Summary

Assistant Contractor Elite Specialists, ACEs (plural) or ACE (singular), are mortals who have formed soul contracts with Contractors, pledging service in exchange for demi-immortality, enhanced senses and increased physical ability.ACEs are loyal and experience desire and affection towards their Contractor regardless of their personal beliefs or feelings as a consequence of their soul bond. This experience is one-way.Within the context of their employment with DDM Inc., ACEs are most often used in small squads for minor jobs which don't necessarily require contractor intervention (i.e "MODERATE" or lower).An ACE must obey a direct order from their contractor or their body will begin to degrade.

ACE - - - CORRIN SNOW

a good boy

AGE : Appears late twenties
STRENGTHS : Enhanced sense of smell / Loyalty / Perceptive
WEAKNESSES : Flighty / Uncoordinated / Colorblind
ARC LEVEL : 1.2
BACKGROUND : Originally from an Earth-adjacent dimension where animals were sapient and capable of human speech, Corrin (then known as "Snowy") was a Borzoi owned by an elderly wealthy bachelor in that universe's equivalent of Liechtenstein.Snowy had a very spoiled life until accidentally stumbling upon a reality tear on his owner's property. He unknowingly interacted with an anomalous object which abruptly transformed him into a human. Distressed and disoriented, Corrin clung to the first person he saw - which happened to be Contractor #07.Corrin was then taken in to DDM HQ to be studied and observed in case he displayed any other anomalous properties. #07 often visited him and when Corrin was scheduled to be released back to his home dimension, he instead requested to stay with #07 and become their ACE.

ACE - - - CATHARSIS EIGHT

an unknown entity

AGE : ???
STRENGTHS : Efficient / Loyal to #07 / ???
WEAKNESSES : Unpredictable / Unknown quantity / Connections to SERAPHIM
ARC LEVEL : 3
BACKGROUND : Little is known about Catharsis’ past due to obvious difficulties with communication.It is believed that he came from a universe mostly populated by non-humans. Catharsis appears to be intrigued by modern technology, suggesting that he lacks experience with electricity-based equipment. Catharsis worked for SERAPHIM as a Seraph before meeting #07 during a raid on DDM HQ. Rather than attacking Contractor #07, he apparently became fixated and “imprinted” upon them. For almost a year Catharsis has simply followed #07 around, evading capture due to his ability to shift into an intangible form.

ACE - - - ARIA XENTHON

former mercenary, current troublemaker

AGE : 212
STRENGTHS : Literally very strong / Loyal / High mission success rate
WEAKNESSES : Unique diet / Aggression issues / Temperature sensitive
ARC LEVEL : 1.4
BACKGROUND : Born in 2251, Aria was the daughter of an Atresciun ambassador and a human bodyguard.
She enjoyed a life of privilege on her desert-like home planet of Atreiea, but as an adult she grew bored of the monotony of daily life. Aria ran away to join the military, but found the restrictions and order too stifling, so she joined a mercenary company instead.At one point, Aria accidentally stumbled upon a reality tear while drunk and managed to subdue the creatures emerging from it (believing they were just "playing"), which impressed the Contractor who came to clean up the tear so much that they brought her back to DDM Inc to become an ACE.

ACE - - - Orion Kovač

a faithful soldier losing his faith

AGE : 32 (Thirty-Two).
STRENGTHS : Combat Effective / Natural Leader / Experienced
WEAKNESSES : Questionable Loyalty / Stubborn / Sentimental About Mortal Life
ARC LEVEL : 1.6
BACKGROUND : Orion was born in a small town Serbia in an Earth-adjacent dimension, albeit in an alternate reality where thaumaturgy was a major part of society, with many major political positions being held by "saints" who could work miracles. Additionally, the most common belief system worldwide was the Ancient Greek religion focused around the Greek pantheon. Orion grew up deeply religious, originally desiring to be a priest of Apollo, though as he lacked any natural talent for thaumaturgy he ultimately failed in this goal, causing Orion to become bitter towards religious authorities though he remained personally devout.
Whilst working on his family's farm one day, Orion was inadvertently exposed to a reality tear being sealed by a Contractor. Perceiving them as a minor god of some kind, Orion begged for the Contractor to take him with them so that he might escape his tedious mortal life, which they agreed to do, making Orion their ACE.

ACE - - - Elias Carter

a disciplined soldier and loyal guard dog

AGE : 28 (Twenty-Eight).
STRENGTHS : Disciplined / Loyal / Combat Effective / Low-risk of Corruption
WEAKNESSES : Obsessive / Attachment Issues
ARC LEVEL : 1.8
BACKGROUND : Elias grew up a single child in the Southern united states in a Base Earth-adjacent dimension. Frequently bullied as a child and teenager, Elias was neglected by his mother who found his lack of emotional response was off-putting.
He joined the army at 18, seeking stability after a difficult childhood. In the military, Elias thrived and dedicated himself solely to bettering himself.At one point he encountered [REDACTED], a Contractor working for DDM Iinc., and formed a relationship with them. Elias was severely injured during an incident with an unstable reality tear and was close to dying when [REDACTED] offered to make him an ACE, thus saving his life.

1ST "KING" OF SERAPHIM

formerly CONTRACTOR #01

MOTIVATIONS : Freedom from immortality
ABILITIES : TELEPATHY / REALITY BENDING / CREATION / DISCUSSION
DESCRIPTION : Who or what Raphael was as a mortal is not known. At some point upon his death he was offered a contract by The Council and promised immortality and the granting of one wish. He then became the first Contractor, taking on the designation #01.For centuries Raphael alone maintained the fabric of reality on The Council's behalf, but after discovering that he too could create contracts with mortals (creating soulbound "ACEs"), Raphael would go on to found an organization that would employ countless beings in service of The Cause; this organisation later became known as "The Company" or "Direct Dimensional Management Inc.".

Additionally, The Council began to create more Contractors, and Raphael soon found himself leading a small group of the powerful immortals.
Over time Raphael became increasingly close to a specific Contractor - then known as #08. As their relationship deepened, Raphael became increasingly frustrated with The Council's control over his actions and the lives of his fellow Contractors, as well as the fact he was condemned to a life of immortal service.

This conflict came to a head when Raphael, through unknown means, managed to "kill"/destroy half of The Council in an event known as the "Broken Altar" incident, which left DDM Inc HQ in ruins and started rapidly increasing the number of tears throughout the multiverse.

Free from his contract, more powerful than ever but still cursed with immortality, Raphael was banished into the depths of voidspace by the remains of The Council, who also wiped all memory of him from the minds of the remaining Contractors and DDM employees.

Raphael would later emerge at the head of SERAPHIM, a new organisation with the sole goal of destroying the multiverse. Additionally, he enlisted three powerful allies - Prism, Chaos and Chorus - to act as "Kings" or leaders at his side.

• SERAPHIM

3RD "KING" OF SERAPHIM

unknown species, believed to be primarily composed of hyperlight

MOTIVATIONS : UNKNOWN
ABILITIES : REALITY SHIFTING / PHYSICAL AND METAPHYSICAL MANIPULATION / LOCAL TRANSFORMATION
DESCRIPTION : Prism spends most of his time in a private pocket dimension he calls "Utopia". He is able to manipulate the structure and contents of this dimension at whim.
Prism frequently captures and imprisons mortals from other dimensions to populate Utopia.
Prism's "head" is a large, white 2d triangle that floats just above his neck. This triangle sometimes changes into other shapes or colors depending on Prism's mood. It is not currently known how he is able to "see" or experience other senses.
Prism is an extradimensional being composed of hyperlight and can alter his body and surrounding reality at will.
Prism has no qualms with killing or playfully torturing mortals but is not sexually sadistic.

• SERAPHIM

2ND "KING" OF SERAPHIM

demonic origin / warlord

MOTIVATIONS : HATED TOWARDS DDM INC AFTER CAPTIVITY
ABILITIES : PYROKINESIS / SHAPE SHIFTING / SUPER STRENGTH
DESCRIPTION :
Chaos comes from a hell-like dimension and was a warlord until a reality tear sucked him out of his home dimension and dumped him into an Earth-like reality. Chaos immediately found that he enjoyed causing chaos and mayhem in this dimension, slaughtering humans with glee.He was ultimately captured by DDM Inc. agents, although he managed to kill several ACEs prior to being restrained. In containment, Chaos was experimented on and interrogated over several decades, causing him extreme agony.Ultimately, he was forced into a void-like pocket dimension by The Council in the hopes of sealing him away for good. Inside this dimension, with nothing but darkness around him, Chaos became even more full of hate and rage towards DDM Inc and all associated with it.He was ultimately freed by Raphael, the leader of SERAPHIM, who asked Chaos to join him in his goal of destroying reality and DDM Inc. Chaos gladly agreed, and has been one of SERAPHIM's four "kings" ever since.Chaos has absolutely no regard to human life and enjoys killing and torturing his victims.
Chaos dislikes the other kings, particularly Prism [who he considers "a complete weirdo"], but grudgingly respects Raphael.

• SERAPHIM

• Chevron Left

Chorus

• Chevron Right

4th "KING" OF SERAPHIM

corrupted by an anomaly

MOTIVATIONS : UNSTABLE / MANIPULATED INTO SERVICE
ABILITIES : ALTERING REALITY AT WILL
DESCRIPTION :
Chorus was born “Christian Attersfield” in Tennessee on Base Reality Earth in 1995, to human parents whose names Chorus no longer remembers. Chorus’ family was relatively poor. Chorus has suffered from schizophrenia and clinical depression since childhood. Chorus was bullied in middleschool and starting skipping school in their early teens, spending most of their time on Internet forums.At 15, Chorus unknowingly interacted with a powerful digital anomaly which manifested as a website only they could access, titled “whatwouldyouwishfor.com”, albeit with disastrous consequences. Chorus discovered that if they wished for something using the website, it would become real.By the time DDM Inc discovered the anomaly several years later [due to limited knowledge of internet-based phenomena], the anomaly had fully integrated itself with Chorus, giving them the power to make his thoughts manifest in reality, although as Chorus had no control over this ability this had disastrous effect, resulting in the loss of his entire hometown and thousands of lives.Chorus became increasingly unstable, completely losing their sense of self. At this point they were discovered by Raphael, who took Chorus under his wing and manipulated them into working for SERAPHIM.

• SERAPHIM