The Knight

Eric Reese (a.k.a. The Knight)

The drop out. The ex that ran out. The glamorous hero making it in LA. The dear friend. The loving husband. Absentee father. Best dad ever. The liar. The martyr.
The world of modern heroics was built on this superhero's tragic death, but he is far from an uncomplicated hero.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Eric Reese grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles in the 1960s. He struggled in school and dropped out before senior year, moving in first with his girlfriend and her family, and then couch surfing after a break up. He eventually ended up living with his uncle. While there, Eric got a reputation as a trouble maker and petty criminal, though he never served jail time. He had a few friends, save his girlfriend Linda Phase.
Linda was a year younger and by far the more romantic one. Still, the couple had a relatively good relationship. In spring of 1980, Eric started doing some self reflection. Linda was glad to see him cleaning up his act, and the couple talked briefly about moving in together.
But then Eric found a strange chest in his uncle's attic. It sparked his curiosity, and he got a friend of his to pick the lock. Within the chest, Eric found an ancient set of armour, a shield, and a spear, all in pristine condition. The surface of the shield was mirrored, and according to Eric's journals (c. 1982) warm to the touch. Underneath these startling finds was a piece of parchment that has been described as the magic letter. It encouraged the reader to leave behind their old life and sins, and to rise again 'as the knight I know you are.'
Whether these words were truly enchanting, or just what Eric needed to hear at that time, he immediately began plans to move out of his uncle's house and into LA. At the same time, he started doing a lot of research on spear fighting and distanced himself from Linda. In July of 1980, Eric officially ended things with Linda, saying he needed some time to figure stuff out. While their relationship was relatively short-lived and never got terribly serious, the break-up left Linda very distraught. She didn't want to speak to Eric again, and therefore never got his new address when he moved to LA a month later.
(It was soon after Eric moved that Linda learned she was pregnant, and she later gave birth to Cora Phase, Eric Reese's illegitimate daughter.) Eric arrived in LA in August of 1980, slightly heartbroken but determined to make his way as a hero in the big city. He got a job waiting tables and trained with the Knight armour by night. The Knight made his debut appearance in January of 1981. There was something about the costume, the name, and the mystery of a hero who covered their face that kept the tabloids buzzing about the Knight, and soon other costumed heroes who would follow. In the summer of 1984, Eric met Dalia Mejía, and the two became fast friends. They started dating a year later. It was in 1986 that the Knight officially teamed up with Lady Sol and the Spirit to form one of the best known superhero teams of the 80s. The three worked together almost every night, and Lady Sol and Eric became friends in their normal lives as well.
Eric and Dalia were married in the fall of 1986, and their daughter Addison Reece was born soon after. Eric started taking time off to spend time with his family, and only patrolled the city a few days a week. As his new family grew, Eric's thoughts turned to those he'd left behind at the start of his career. Now almost 10 years older and wiser, he repeatedly voiced regrets both in his journals and to his friends.
In 1988, Eric hired Lela the Detective to track down his parents, who he hadn't had contact with since he was 17 and had since moved houses. He later also asked after several friends, his uncle, and Linda Phase. While he was able to get back in contact with his parents in early 1989, he never made contact with the others. Lela was successful in finding Linda Phase, and went to see her after Eric's murder, though it isn't known if Eric ever knew where to find her or about his other daughter.
In October of 1989, Eric was patrolling alone due to pure (tragic) circumstance. He encountered some members of the gang/cult known as the Faceless Ones in the middle of what he assumed to be a drug deal. In actuality, they were buying the magically infused steroid The Elixir, from the mysterious and dangerous Alchemists' guild, and the danger was much higher than he'd ever know.
Eric was jumped by an Alchemist mercenary and two Faceless Ones when he tried to follow the main group of gang members leading the deal. WHile he put up a fight, he was overpowered and beaten almost to death in an alleyway. This was witnessed by {Golden Champion}, who called for an ambulance.
Eric Reese was announced dead on arrival. less than a day later, the story of both his death and secret identity were made public. This catapulted those closest to him into an unwanted spotlight, while those who knew him before the Knight were left with a million questions and no one to ask.

Current Status

Murdered =(

Age

28 (at time of death)

Pronouns

she/her

Sex

Male

Eyes

Icy Blue

Hair

Short and light blonde

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Very Pale, freckled

Height

5'9"