"In the world of shadows and secrets, Eli Mercer walks a fine line, serving as the Neo-Fatherhood's enforcer while maintaining a sense of self and justice."
Father Gideon, leader of the Neo-Fatherhood
Name: Elias 'Eli' Mercer
Alias/Nickname: The Hound—because when the Neo-Fatherhood needs something done, he’s the one who tracks it down and sees it through.
Age: 36
Occupation: Enforcer, Tracker and Fixer for the Neo-Fatherhood
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 180 lbs
Race: Caucasian
Hair Color: Dark brown, close-cropped
Eye Color: Cold, steel-gray
Skin Tone: Light, weathered from years in the field
Distinguishing Features: Jagged scar along his left cheek, faint knuckle scars from years of breaking bones.
Dress Style: Practical—dark jackets, boots, always armed. He blends into the city’s underbelly.
Physical Habits: Lights cigarettes but rarely smokes them; rolls his shoulders before a fight; cracks his knuckles when in deep thought
Upraising
Elias was born and grew up in Saint-Mort. He's the only child of Thomas Mercer and Rachel Mercer, who both also grew up in Saint-Mort. His house was ran by his father who worked at a factory in the industrial section of the city. He's the kind of man who believed in discipline, hierarchy and tradition, all the way down to his cup of whisky he drank every night before going to bed. He was a old school conservative, a believer in old traditional masculinity and family structure which... in his own practice, meant drinking too much, controlling everything in the household and treating his wife and son with a strict and at times violent hand.
Rachel Mercer, was the opposite of Thomas. She was idealistic, open-minded and longing to leave the factory district and live a better life that wasn't controlled by someone else. While Rachel and Thomas grew up together and were high school sweethearts and were brought together because of similar up bringing's, their differences became clear as time passed. She wanted to further her education, see the world and wanted a future for her son that wouldn't keep him trapped in the same cycle of hardship she was currently in. But Thomas demanded obedience, order and a son who would grow up to be "A real man" and not a "snowflake".
She left the house when Elias was ten years old. After a big fight with Thomas about moving out of Saint-Mort (which ended with a backhand to the face form Thomas), Rachel took a prepacked bag and left, leaving Elias behind with Thomas. Whether she ran off to another city, started a new family, or simply disappeared deeper into the decaying city of Saint-Mort, Elias never knew, and Thomas never attempted to find out. His father never spoke of her again, and any time Elias asked about her, it was answered with either a backhand or a cold, empty stare. Any pictures of her were taken down and any remaining of her belongings were taken to a pawn shop. There was nothing remaining of his mothers, with the exception of a very simple and worn, St. Jude pendent that his mother gave Elias the night she left. He never threw it and always kept it hidden from Thomas, normally tucked in his shoe. To this day, he still keeps it on him.
Even more his mother left, Elias learned very early and very quickly that emotions were a weakness and only made you soft which in turn got you hurt. Survival in a world like today meant adapting to the rules of whoever is in charge. Thomas' conservative, patriarchal beliefs became the foundation of Elias worldview once Rachel left. Not because he agreed with it, but because it was all he knew. Thomas drilled a saying into his mind "The world doesn't have room for weak men." and Eli took that lesson to heart.
Growing up was filled with silent dinners, cold stares and stings from his father's backhand whenever Elias did something he didn't approve of. But by the time he was 16, Elias began to fight back. The first time he knocked Thomas down, was the last time Thomas ever raised a hand to him. By then, Elias had already internalized that power and control were the only things that kept a man from being abandoned or broken.
Birth of "The Hound"
As soon as he became 18 he began working at the same factory that his father did, but after a month, he left and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at 18, seeking structure, discipline, and an escape from the bleak future his father had carved out for him. Quickly proving himself in combat, he was assigned to the elite Marine Raiders, specializing in black ops and high-risk missions. His relentless pursuit of targets, keen tracking skills, and sheer tenacity earned him the nickname “The Hound” among his unit—because once he was on a trail, he never let go. He served multiple deployments across the Middle East and Eastern Europe, excelling in reconnaissance, urban warfare, and counterterrorism.
However, his military career came to a brutal and abrupt end after a classified operation went south. A hostage extraction mission turned into a bloodbath, and Eli was forced to make a choice: disobey direct orders to save civilians or complete the mission as instructed. He chose to act on instinct, taking extreme measures that resulted in enemy casualties—but also the deaths of several non-combatants. The fallout was swift. He was quietly discharged under other than honorable conditions, stripped of his benefits, and blacklisted from government work. Betrayed by the institution he had dedicated his life to, Eli was left with nothing—until Father Gideon and the Neo-Fatherhood came calling. They saw in him a man willing to do what needed to be done, a soldier without a country who still had a war to fight.
The Recruitment of Eli Mercer
After Eli’s discharge from the Marine Corps, he drifted through the underbelly of Saint-Mort, doing mercenary work for private security firms and off-the-books enforcement jobs. He refused to go back to the factory and refused to get a typical security job as they had rules and protocols that just didn't work for a city like Saint-Morts. He had no loyalty, no cause, just survival. While he was making decent money on his off the books jobs, he still felt like he was lacking something in life. That was when Father Gideon found him. The Neo-Fatherhood had been watching Eli for some time, recognizing his unwavering discipline and ruthless efficiency as valuable assets. But it was Gideon himself who approached him, offering something no one else had purpose.
Gideon painted the Neo-Fatherhood as the only true force of order in a city drowning in corruption and decay. He framed Eli’s military betrayal as proof that the system was broken, that the world was run by cowards unwilling to do what was necessary. He promised Eli a place among men who didn’t flinch, who didn’t question, who acted with conviction. More than that, he assured him of protection, resources, and most importantly—a cause worth fighting for. With no benefits from the Marines, no future, and no family, Eli accepted.
Eli had grown respect for Father Gideon, which came rather quickly. He respects the Father like a soldier respects a general. He doesn’t see him as a father figure, but as a man who gives orders with absolute confidence and Eli follows without hesitation. Their relationship is based on mutual understanding: Gideon provides Eli with purpose, and Eli ensures the Neo-Fatherhood’s will is carried out. There’s no warmth, no camaraderie—only duty. Gideon will call Elias "Son" from time to time, but Eli will never call Father Gideon, Father. Many of the members of Neo-Fatherhood see it as a disrespect, but Eli doesn't care, he knows his position in The Neo-Fatherhood and isn't worried about what others think of him.
Eli tolerates other members of the Neo-Fatherhood, but he keeps his distance. Many of them see him as Gideon’s personal attack dog, a man with no true loyalty beyond the mission. He doesn’t care for their posturing, their rhetoric, or their camaraderie—he’s there to work. The only thing that matters is results.
When it comes to enemies of the Neo-Fatherhood, Eli is merciless. He ensures that problems don’t just disappear, they serve as warnings to other factions in the city. A journalist asking too many questions? A broken wrist and a burned manuscript send a message. A politician refusing to comply? A staged accident ensures obedience. A true threat to the organization? They vanish, leaving behind only rumors of what happens when you cross the Neo-Fatherhood.
Skills
Eli has many skills through his years in the USMC and being raised by a father like his. While it may seem like he is a track of all trades kind of individual, everything he knows is tied to survival, combat, and getting the job done.
- Hand to Hand Combat- While in The United States Marine Corps he was trained in their United States Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP). It’s a mix of boxing, wrestling, judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), and Krav Maga-style dirty fighting. It’s designed for real-world combat, not sport fighting. Marines are trained to disable or kill opponents quickly, whether armed or unarmed.
- Expert Marksman – Trained in rifles, pistols, shotguns, and machine guns. Can hit targets at long range or in close-quarters.
- Weapons Maintenance & Gunsmithing – Keeps his firearms in perfect condition and modifies them for efficiency.
- Vehicle Handling (Military & Civilian) – Can drive, hotwire, and handle cars, trucks, motorcycles, and military vehicles.
- Basic Hacking & Communications – Knows how to tap into radios, disable cameras, and break into secured systems.
- Urban & Wilderness Survival – Can survive in war zones, cities, and the wild with minimal resources.
- Escape & Evasion – Knows how to lose pursuers, blend in, and disappear.
- Infiltration & Espionage – Can sneak into enemy territory, bypass security, and gather intelligence.
- Camouflage & Concealment – Knows how to hide in plain sight or blend into the environment.
- Combat Medic Training – Not a doctor, but knows how to treat wounds, stop bleeding, and keep himself (or others) alive.
- Lockpicking & Breaching – Can pick locks for stealth or force entries with sheer aggression.
- Tactical Thinking – Quick decision-making, assessing threats, and adapting to chaos.
- Interrogation & Intimidation – Knows how to break people down, get information, or scare them into compliance.
- Mental Resilience – Hardened by war, trauma, and personal loss—he doesn’t break under pressure.
- Cold Reading & People Analysis – Can read intentions, spot lies, and manipulate when necessary.
Eli Mercer's Arsenal
Eli’s weapons are an extension of himself, practical, brutal, and efficient. He doesn’t carry anything flashy or excessive, just what’s necessary to get the job done quickly. His arsenal is tailored for urban combat, assassinations, and intimidation.
Primary Weapons:
These are weapons that Eli carries at all times
- Sig Sauer P226 (Modified) – His primary sidearm, customized with an extended magazine, suppressor-ready barrel, and night sights. It’s reliable, deadly, and works in any conditions.
- Custom Glock 19- A gift from Father Gideon himself, a custom-modified Glock 19 with "Deus Vult" engraved. Suppressed barrel. While he always has it on him, he reserves using it for symbolic kills meant to send a message, especially for an audience.
- Sawed-Off 12-Gauge Shotgun – When things get up close and brutal, nothing clears a room like a short-barrel shotgun loaded with buckshot or flechette rounds.
- KA-BAR Combat Knife – A military-style, all-purpose knife just like he had during his time with the USMC. Eli is lethal in close-quarters combat, and he’s just as comfortable using the knife as he is a gun.
- Garrote Wire – Silent, effective, and perfect for eliminating targets up close. He doesn’t use it often, but when he does, it’s personal.
- Brass Knuckles – Sometimes a message needs to be sent without bullets. Eli’s brass knuckles are reinforced to shatter bone and break wills in equal measure.
On Hand Gear:
These are some gear he keeps either on his person or in his vehicle. Just depends on the mission.
- Explosives (Small C4 Charges or Incendiaries) – Used sparingly, usually to cover tracks or send a message.
- Lockpicking & Infiltration Tools – Breaking in is just as important as breaking out. Eli keeps a set of lockpicks, glass-cutters, and other burglary tools for accessing restricted locations.
- Throwing Knives (Compact & Balanced) – For quick, silent kills at a distance. Eli doesn’t rely on them often, but they serve as a useful backup.
Armor
Standard Missions – Lightweight, Tactical Armor
For most of his normal everyday work, Eli uses lightweight body armor that allows for quick movement and close-quarters combat. Body armor that isn't too bulky, as he needs to be fast, silent, and deadly.
- Armor Type: Concealable Level IIIA Soft Armor Vest (stops most handgun rounds)
- Material: Kevlar or Dyneema for flexibility
- Extras: Trauma plates over vital areas (chest and back) for added protection
Heavy Combat – Military-Grade Plate Carrier
For situations where he’s expecting serious resistance (like taking out a rival gang stronghold or a high-risk assassination), Eli turns to a plate carrier with rifle-rated armor.
- Armor Type: Level III+ or Level IV Ballistic Plates (stops rifle rounds)
- Material: Ceramic or Steel Plates
- Extras:
- MOLLE webbing for carrying extra ammo, knives, or grenades
- Side plates for added protection
- Helmet (if needed, something like a FAST Ballistic Helmet)
Stealth/Infiltration – Minimalist Approach
When Eli needs to be silent and unseen, Eli tends to ditch traditional armor altogether and opt for:
- Undercover Vest: A thin, stab-resistant, and low-profile vest under his clothes
- Tactical Clothing: Reinforced jacket with Kevlar lining
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