The uncharted jungles of Ethiopia were seen as the most dangerous places in the world. Tales of fierce predators dominated the earliest myths passed down by tribes. Natives and those from faraway realms alike feared what they did not understand, adding to the mystique of the unknown. What had long been secret, however, was the nation of humanoid golems that flourished out of sight. Known to its denizens as "Baaj," the civilization hidden within the volcanoes of Erta Ale bred warriors sworn to protect wildlife and the environment. Faced with the growing ecological oppression of natural resources, Baaj's strongest individuals were trained to master the earth as a weapon to stop the evils that men do.
Baaj youth have always rapidly matured. One month after surviving an encounter with a lion, the first rite of passage for all of Baaj's warriors, Tremor was granted the privilege of protecting the land that birthed him. He soon began learning the science of natural healing through herbs under the leadership of the Baaj elders, transforming him into a truly versatile soul. During the three years that he studied the formation processes of crystals and gold, Tremor gained a deep appreciation of the earth and began to comprehend why it needed to be guarded from those who sought to rape it. On the day that Tremor received a blessing from all twenty of the elders that taught him, he set out on the second and final rite of passage that awaited him: beheading a human threat to nature's welfare. Stealthy like a veteran ninja, Tremor ventured to the surface world and took the life of a Spanish poacher and brought his head back as proof.
Entering the elite circle of Baaj warriors that rescued endangered species, Tremor desired to save the lives of hunted animals at all costs. As a rising member of the collective, his courage on solo missions to the surface world garnered much admiration from his peers. Once a mere child with high ambitions, he found himself mesmerized by the fact that those who came before him acted as if he were a hero. One day, while inspecting the carcasses of monkies, Tremor was filled with unfamiliar pain. Just when he thought he would faint, he heard the voices of the elders simultaneously speak. "Every thousand years, there is one being who truly exemplifies the values of our nation. We believe it is you this time. It is now your duty to form a bond with the universe as a whole and to teach those who will be your successors why they should do the same." They then bestowed upon him the power to create boulders and wield molten lava with ease.
Having been aware of the potential extinction of polar bears, Tremor sought to enlist the help of Sub-Zero, a Chinese martial artist able to control ice. Venturing to Beijing, he searched for him until discovering the heavily guarded hidden fortress of the Lin Kuei, a legendary band of assassins. After being denied entry, Tremor slammed his fists onto the ground, creating a small earthquake that sent the watchmen flying in opposite directions. Just as he prepared to enter, Sub-Zero appeared. Tremor attempted to explain the reason for his visit but it fell on deaf ears. By orders of the Lin Kuei's grandmaster, Oniro, Sub-Zero engaged him in combat. Tremor, having been inexperienced in hand-to-hand battles, tried to utilize his elemental abilities but was soundly defeated. Rather than executing him, Oniro saw promise in Tremor and claimed him as the newest trainee of the Lin Kuei. Under the tutelage of the their greatest fighters, he became a modern day ninja.
Upon becoming a full fledged member of the Lin Kuei, Tremor inherited the clan's rivalries. Loyal to their creed, he fought against every opposing force for nearly a decade. On the day that would have marked Tremor's tenth year of service, the Lin Kuei came into conflict with the Black Dragon Clan, a notorious international gang that specialized in trafficking arms. Wanting them to have no presence in China, the Lin Kuei sparked a war with them by killing one man a week. Their leader, Kano, did not back down. He called in Australian thugs from every corner of Melbourne to assist in the developing chaos. Both sides lost hundreds of lives. Thinking he was capable of capturing Kano, Tremor begged Oniro for the opportunity to prove his worth. He was denied and Sub-Zero was given the task. Furious that he was overlooked, Tremor aided Kano in escaping and defected from the Lin Kuei to join the Black Dragon Clan. Now active as the Sergeant at Arms for the gang's New York City chapter, Tremor supervises the manufacture of weapons and counterfeit diamonds to be sold to shady characters among other sheisty practices, a blasphemous twist of fate.
