Giovanni, Mike

Vital Statistics UGoI-ESF Blotter Name: Mike Giovanni Age: 23 Eyes: Green Hair: Blue Gender: Male Height: 5'6" Weight: 190 lbs Birthday: Unknown Birthplace: Unknown Occupation: Illusionist, Initiative Commando Affiliation: UGoI-ESF-NP Rank:Corporal Screen Name: GiovanniMikeZESF Past Screen Names: Magitek First Appearance (AOL): Unknown First Appearance (UGoI): 1997 Love Interest: Dawn Loved by: Dawn Residence: Unknown Relatives: Unknown Rivals/Opponents: Tux Known Activities: Serving Dawn, creating illusions, manipulation Warrants: None Battle Tactics: Teleportation, energy blasts, energy shield, flight Blood Type: Unknown Weapon of Choice: Katana Vehicle of Choice: Bonepart MT-9 (tank) Played By: Mike

Profile: In the early 90s, Walker came across a girl named Shai, and through her was introduced to several of her friends, and he his, causing the creation of the UGoI. One of those people she introduced was her own boyfriend, and man named Mike Giovanni. However, their relationship was on the verge of breakdown, and Walker not knowing Mike really, felt he was romantically attracted to Shai and asked her out. What began here was initially a rivalry for her affections (albeit kept friendly with the full understanding of no animosity between either) that turned out to a great friendship, and Mike himself turning out to be one of the most loyal friends Walker could ask for.

By 1999, Mike was heavily involved with a land called Rhy'Din, a land that was virtually unknown to most of the UGoI at the time, with the exceptions of Lance and Rahan. One of his many times going there, he came back to the UGoI heavily involved in a war with guilds Orochi and ESF, and allied with a different ESF (a guild under the same name) and their leader Vent. Mike quickly joined the struggle, and worked to create UGoI more into a guild than just a group (he was the first to make UGoI into a Rhy'Din forum, as well). He joined Walker in hunting down additonal members through Anime Gaming channels, and found a great ally in Walker's friend Tux. Both of which were actions that Shai was not pleased with.

As the wars got worse with the introduction of other enemy guilds such as DSW, SOE, and ZRF, half the original UGoI broke away, feeling the wars shouldn't be fought, but this seemed mostly due to Walker and Shai breaking up, and let UGoI crumble. Likewise, Vent also left his ESF due to Jenn leaving him as well. Doomed for failure, Bean Kenzaki too command of the ESF and merged it with UGoI, and Mike was one of the few (along with Tux and Rahan) who were on board with that plan from the get-go. Through hard work and constant planning, Rahan, Tux, Walker, and Mike became a four-horsemen leading UGoI from it's torn apart world of Anime Gaming into Rhy'Din.

Mike's presence in the UGoI remained fairly constant, albeit variable, from that point on. He resurfaced a great deal of 2001, often stepping into duties that the House of Kane left behind, but then disappeared once more by the time 2003 came around and Abby left Walker Akero for good. This is mostly due to his new military career, and his constant affections towards his new wife, Dawn, as Walker found through journeying to his home to visit him. However, it is 2008, and it is highly hoped that Mike will make a return, along with the rest of the UGoI cast, as a powerful resurgance of the old school overtakes Rhy'Din to this very day.

Personality: Mike starts out as Walker Akero's rival, although this rivalry is never very serious. Walker and Mike quickly become close friends, and train together as students of for most of UGoI's early career. As the shortest cast member, Mike seems to be the butt of many jokes and slapstick scenes. Mike has an interesting code versus killing. Although he is more than willing to destroy "monsters," he is less than eager to kill a "human" opponent. He can't bring himself to run Walker through with Renki's sword for example, even though Walker was nearly responsible for the deaths of Azraelle, Ryan Moonstar, Issuria Moonstar, and Kilthana Draket (not to mention smashing Vent and Renki' around).

On the other hand, against people like Piccollo and Jasson, who are obviously evil to the core, Mike will use his powers to their fullest extent. Mike can also be suckered by a pretty face. We see this several times in both the UGoI and in the Night Parade. Any highly attractive female performing a presence attack on Mike should get a few extra dice! Though somewhat spoiled in the beginning, Mike eventually figures out and learns more about romance through his experiences and discussions with Dawn. He is slightly arrogant and will refuse to back down from a challange - however, he is honorable and fights as such. Most of his "attacks" are merely illusions that must be ignored in order to get to him.

Walker's Comments (Spoilers, misc. details)

Strengths: Mike's illusionary powers can be devistating to those who aren't expecting them. They will think that they are being ingulfed in fire by a powerful magical attack, or they will be confused when they punch him, but never feel the blow connect. Mike is also pretty quick, being able to avoid Joesph's wild grabs at the him during the spar, and later being able to get through Joesph's defenses with his fencing.

Weaknesses: After an opponent realizes that Mike's attacks are illusionary, they can take steps not to be drawn into his traps. Being a rather small fellow compared to many of the UGoI-ESF cast, he doesn't have a lot of endurance, so a few solid hits would probably be all it takes to take him out of action. In additon to this, he also has a little bit of an overconfidence problem, as many princes in the guild do.