MU8 - Gamers Handbook 1992 Update

functions as an auto-pilot. will give as good as she gets. In many When she realized she was battling the
ways the embodiment of modern Israel
Energy Quills: Each of Sabra's wrist Sabra is a hero of honor, who is a stran: Hulk, she stepped-up her attack, in part
ger to fear, and who will never again sub-
bracelets contains a neuronic-frequency mit to ~urderous tyranny. She has a dry, because SHIELD had circulated word
analytical sense of humor in combat but
stunner. These devices can fire quill- if her back is against the wall, she has a that Hulk was now more dangerous than
tendency to restate Zionist party line.
shaped bundles of low-density plasma ever. (Banner's friend and psychologist,

which travel below the speed of sound Leonard Sampson, had informed Nick

(about 738 mph at sea level) and can Fury of the Hulk's capture by Pantheon.

par~lyze t~e nervous system of any or- Fury, aware of Pantheon's activities and

ganic be_m9 alm~st instantaneously. rea~izing their intent was probably to re-

These quills effectively ignore Body Ar- cruit the Hulk as an operative, alerted

mor and targets struck by them must HISTORY: law enforcement agencies world-wide of

make an Endurance FEAT versus Re- Little is known of Ruth Bat-Seraph 's the danger.)

markable Intensity Stun. Failure indi· background before she became Sabra. Sabra fired three energy quills at Ban-

cates the target is unconscious for 1 to 2 !he source of her super-human powers ner, one of which entered his open

hours. Individuals with an Endurance is not yet known, though they are known mouth. and stru_ck his larynx. This para-

rank of Monstrous or higher can localize to have surfaced in pmreu-taandtoolersigcienn. cAte~ lyzed 1t, rendering him speechless. Un-
which might suggest a
or ~esist_ the effects of the quills, and ~ble to communicate, Banner engaged

their saving versus the quills' effect can ter her powers surfaced, she and her m a protracted battle with Sabra, which

be considered automatic. Called shots P'.l~ents were taken to a special kibbutz took them through the streets and walls

!O ~e.nsitive areas may still affect these (living community) by the Israeli govern- of ?_Id Jerusalem, culminating at the
md1v1duals. A shot in the ear would force W~1lmg Wall. Stripped of her cape, out of
ment where her powers were be studied ,,...-..
an Endurance FEAT. the failure of which quills, and facing a physically superior ,...---.
and nurtured. She was the first graduate ~
would indicate the target's equilibrium foe, Sabra was prepared to make her fi-
of the government backed, Israeli ,..._
has been affected and all Fighting, Agili- nal stand before the Wall. As she waited
"super-agent" program and is officially
ty, and Movement FEATs are at - 2CS for the Hulk's final attack, she delivered
appointed to protect the state of Israel.
!or 10 to 1oo_ rounds. Each bracelet pro- a speech which affirmed her nation's
As a cover for her activities, she works
iector can frre up to 1O quills before an~ her personal courage and determi-
as a police officer.
needing to be recharged. na~1on. At this time, the effects of the
After thwarting an attack on the family
Talents: Bat-Seraph has Law Enforce.- quill which had paralyzed his larynx
of the Draburg ambassador to Israel, Sa-
ment Training and as such fires guns at wore off. Banner, realizing further vio-
bra, Israel's " top agent," was assigned
+ 1CS to Agility and + 1CS is added to lence would be pointless, and wanting to
the task of protecting them. This first at-
Reason FEATs involving the law or cor- shut Sabra up so he could get a word in
tack ~a? been carried out by Achilles
rect legal procedures. As a police officer, surrendered. '
and his intent had been to kill Ambassa-
she may legally carry a gun and make Banner and Sabra reached an under-
dor Meer's thirteen-year old son, Max.
arrests. Sabra is a Weapons Specialist standing and joined forces tracking
Delphi had seen a vision that Max Meers
'.1nd Marksman with her energy quills, fir- down Achilles. They saved Max Meers
~oul~ become the next Hitler, marshal-
m~ them at + 2CS to Agility. She also from falling to his death. While Hulk and
gains a + 1 to Initiative rolls and does not ling his homeland of Draburg into one of
Sabra .were distracted by Achilles's ex-
the most devastating war machines on
suffer the range penalty when using pla_natr_on of why he tried to kill the boy,
Earth. He would do this through a mu-
them. Her fighting skills include Martial "'.'h1ch included a recounting of his expe-
tant power of mind control. Pantheon
Arts B and Aerial Combat. rience at the German concentration
planned to avert this disaster in the mak-
Contacts: As Bat-Seraph, Sabra has camp Dachau , Me~rs was trampled by
ing by killing Meers before he could rise
cIsornatealictssuwpeithr-iangtehnet,psohliecew. AousldSahbarva~ an an angry mob. This mob, which was
at to power.
chasing Rick Jones, was being mind
After this failed attempt, Bruce Ban-
least one government contact at a na- c?ntrol _and had been sent by Meers to
ner, the Incredible Hulk, was sent to Isra-
tional level. Though she battled the Hulk kill Achilles. After the accident, the boy
el to bring both Achilles and the boy
on at least two occasions, she could was tak~n to Jerusalem Hospital, but the
back to Pantheon headquarters. Banner
probably now count on him for help. prognosis was that he would remain a
was accompanied on this mission by his
vegetable _for the rest of his life. Aga-
long time side-ki~k , Rick Jones. They
ADDITIONAL NOTES: me_mno~ lied to Banner on this point,
were told that Ach1lles's original mission
telling him the boy was fine. He had also
had been a similar one: to convince the
lied about Achilles's binosytrfurcotmiontsh~wshtaicrht..
boy's parents that the best place for their had been to kill the

son was with Pantheon and that in at- No one yet realized that Meers never ac-

tempting to kill the boy he had turned tually had mind control powers, but rath-

rogue. er was the vehicle through which Gretta

Banner found Achilles in pursuit of the R<l:~i~ siphoned her own will-dominating

Meers boy and his friend Gretta Rabin ab1lit1es. It would be Gretta, working be-

and started to follow them through the hind the scenes, who would cause Max

street of old Jerusalem. The tour were Meer~·s rise to power foreseen by

spotted by Sabra who was flying over- Delp~1. Any further investigation by the

ROLE-PLAYING NOTES: head looking for Meers. She did not rec- Israeli authorities into this series of inci-
Sabra is a staunch defender of Israel
and though she may look sweet, those ognize the Hulk because he was dents, or how they have chosen to deal
who dare to invade her homeland will
feel her thorns. In her own words, she wearing a long hooded robe, but en- with Sabra's failure to protect the Meers

gaged him in combat because he was boy, have not been reveal ed.

the largest and closest target to her.

100

STATISTICS: SCARLET SCARAB

F AM(SO) 101

A IN(40}

s AM(SO)

E AM(SO)

R TY(6)

I/ GD(10)
p GD(10)

Health: 190

Karma: 26

Resources: GD(10)

Popularity: O(20 in Egypt)

BACKGROUND:

Real Name: Mehemet Faoul
Occupation: Protector of Egypt
Legal Status: Citizen of Egypt with no
criminal record

Identity: Secret
Place of Birth: Unrevealed
Marital Status: Unknown
Known Relatives: Abdul Faoul (father,
deceased)
Base of Operations: Egypt
Past Group Affiliations: None
Present Group Affiliations:

KNOWN POWERS:

Scarab: The Scarlet Scarab's scarab tal-
isman has the following powers:

Heightened Abilities: Without the Scar-
ab, Faoul's characteristics are as fol-
lows:

FASER I P
AM EX EX EX TY GD GD
Health: 90

Karma: 26

Flight: The Scarlet Scarab can reach
Amazing airspeeds.

,..-..._ Strength Absorption: Every turn that the
Scarlet Scarab maintains physical con-
tact with an opponent, the opponent
must make a yellow Endurance FEAT
roll or have one rank of Strength ab-
sorbed by the Scarab. The Scarab can
raise his Strength to Unearthly by this
method. The Scarab retains this
stren gth for ten rounds, when it drains
away, one rank per turn, until the Scar-
ab's Strength returns to Amazing.

Crimson Bolts: The Scarlet Scarab can
use his amulet to fire force bolts. These
bolts have a four-area range, and the
same Intensity as his current Strength
rank.

Force Field: The Scarab is protected by
an Incredible force field.

Talents: The Scarlet Scarab has the
Wrestling and Archeology talents.

Contacts: The Scarlet Scarab is an ac-
quaintance of the Mighty Thor. He has
no other known contacts.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: HISTORY: The son of the elder Faoul, Mehemet,
During World War II, Egyptian archeolo- found the scarab. Using the scarab, the
/ gist Abdul Faoul discovered the location younger Faoul became the new Scarlet
of an artifact which predated even the Scarab. A devout archeologist, Faoul
ROLE-PLAYING NOTES: first Egyptian dynasty, a scarab that vowed that his powers would be dedi-
The Scarlet Scarab is an impetuous and would give its wearers vast magical cated to protecting Egypt from those
impatient person, extremely confident in powers. He duped the Sub-Mariner and who would despoil its ancient treasures.
his abilities and usually presuming the the original Human Torch of the Invaders
worst motives for his opponents. He to help get this scarab, though the In- These powers were tested when
does not believe in talking or thinking vaders were unaware of Faoul's true thieves stole a valuable statue, the Eye
about a problem; his solution is always goal. When Faoul touched the ruby scar- of Horus. The Scarab came to America,
action. He does have a respect for an- ab, he was transformed into the first where he tracked the thieves to a muse-
cient artifacts, and a love of his country, Scarlet Scarab, the mystical protector of um. The thieves had tried to sell the
if not his government. Egypt. statue to the museum curator, who
refused. The Scarab believed the cura-
The Scarlet Scarab then battled the tor to be in league with the thieves,
two Invaders. He defeated both the which brought him into contact with the
Torch and Namor, the two most powerful Mighty Thor. They fought to a draw, then
members of the Invaders. He then
sought to use the scarab to expel first teamed their might to fight the thieves.
the British "invaders,'' and then the Na- The Scarab recovered the statue, and
zis, from Egyptian soil during the second then returned to Egypt. His current activ-
World War. ities are unknown.

After the war, the scarab mysteriously
vanished one day from the strongbox in
which Faoul kept it. Abdul Faoul spent
the remainder of his life trying to find it.
He failed, but passed along the clues he
had gathered to his son. It seems that af-
ter the scarab is used over a period of
time, its power drains away. When it is
completely drained, it magically returns
to its resting place, where Faoul first
found it. The elder Faoul never thought

to look there.

102

SHADOW KING

STATISTICS:

F TY(6)
A TY(6)

s GD(10)

E EX(20)
R GD(10)
I GD(10)
p MN(75)

Health: 42

Karma: 95

Resources: RM(30)
Popularity: - 30

BACKGROUND:
Real Name: Amahl Farouk
Occupation: Saloon owner, power bro-
ker, mastermind
Legal Status: Egyptian citizen, de-
ceased
Other Known Aliases: Karma, Jacob

Reisz, David Haller
Identity: Secret
Place of Birth: Cairo, Egypt
Marital Status: Unrevealed
Known Relatives: None
Base of Operations: Cairo, Egypt; Cai-
ro, Illinois; Muir Isle
Past Group Affiliations: Former leader
of the Gladiators

Present Group Affiliations:

KNOWN POWERS: durance if the Shadow King is forced to • Amazing ability to directly Mind
use his powers extensively). Before En- Control a person he has corrupted.
Astral Projection: The Shadow King has durance reaches 0, the Shadow King
CL3000 Astral Projection with a world- must find a new host. • Amazing ability to release the raw
wide range, and is skilled in creating as- animal within individuals, turning them
tral scenery to confuse those victims he • Monstrous ability to corrupt the into ferocious "hounds" under his con-
meets on the astral plane. The Shadow psyches of other beings. This is resolved trol. An attempt to create a hound is re-
like the Possession power with the target sisted by the individual's Psyche vs. the
King receives + 1 CS to Psyche when receiving a Psyche FEAT to resist vs. the Intensity of this Power Stunt. A hound
Intensity of the attack. Instead of totally has + 1 CS with Fighting and Agility, but
fighting on the Astral Plane. dominating the victim, the Shadow - 2 CS with Psyche and Intuition, and
Astral Detection: The Shadow King has King's power taps the latent evil that lies Reason drops to 0.
CL1000 Astral Detection. inside all but the purest souls. The
Psi-Screen: Shift X Rank. Shadow King does not directly control • Detection of other telepaths within
Telepathy: The Shadow King possesses the minds of those he has corrupted. Monstrous range as long as they are us-
Monstrous rank Telepathy. He has mas- They retain a degree of free will, their old ing their ability. If the telepath opens up
tered the following power stunts: skills, and evil versions of their previous his mind by using a mind-amplifying de-
personalities, but they revel in wicked- vice such as Cerebro, the detection
• Monstrous rank Mental Bolts. ness. There is no limit to the number of
• Monstrous rank Mental Probe. beings the Shadow King can corrupt in range is increased by +2 CS.
• Monstrous ability to leave his host this fashion.
body and possess another body. Unlike Nexus Creation: The Shadow King turn-
normal Possession, the Shadow King ed Lorna Dane (Polaris) into a psychic
link between the real world and the as-
must gain a red power FEAT to succeed.
If he fails, he may not try again for 1d10
days. If the attack succeeds, the effects
are permanent and the subject may not
spend Karma to influence his actions.
The only way for a host to escape is if the
Shadow King voluntarily decides to
leave (it may do so if threatened with its
host's death). As well as possessing live
bodies, the Shadow King can possess a
newly-dead corpse. A possessed corpse
has the same statistics it had before
death, but will gradually deteriorate, los-
ing 1 Endurance point per day (1d10 En-

103

tral plane. At that time, Polaris had been and the X-Men. Just after the Second Storm had been reverted to infancy, and
mutated into a catalyst for negative emo- World War, Charles Xavier was visiting was now working in Cairo, Illinois as a
tions. By coupling her power to his own, city of Cairo, Egypt. There he had his child thief. He began the hunt for Storm,
the Shadow King formed Lorna Dane in- pocket picked by a young girl. As he his second oldest enemy. But thanks to
to a psychic magnifier that increased all opened up his mental shields to probe her own indomitable will, and the timely
her mind, he was suddenly smashed intervention of Gambit, Storm was able
his powers by + 1 CS. This also gave down by a psychic attack. Leaving the to escape the Shadow King's hounds,
child (who would grow up to be Storm) regain her memories, and link up with
him Monstrous rank Emotion Control Xavier traced the assault to a nearby sa- the X-Men . They had already been
with CL3000 range, the only limitation loon run by a fat Egyptian, Amahl Fa- aware that some force of evil had been
being that he could only use the power to rouk, ruler of the city's Thieves' Quarter. at work: now they could put a name to it.
spread hatred. Farouk, a master telepath, was steeped They began preparations to assault Muir
Limitation: The Shadow King is power- in such foul evil that Xavier compared Isle, which seemed to be the source of
ful, but not Without weaknesses. After his mind to wading in a sea of maggots. the evil.
the Farouk body was slain by Xavier in
Cairo, the Shadow King could only main- They began a psychic duel which end- The Shadow King had begun his ulti-
tain a material existence if he possessed ed when Xavier destroyed Farouk's mate plan. He formed Lorna Dane into a
other living or dead beings: first Karma, brain with a mind-bolt. That should have magnifying "nexus" for his power. Using
then Jacob Reisz (slain by Mystique), her, he began spreading his malign influ-
then David Haller. Once the Shadow been the end of the Shadow King, but it ence throughout the world, causing
King transformed Lorna Dane into his wasn't. His malignant presence lingered mindless outbreaks of hate and preju-
Nexus, he gained raw power, but be- on the astral plane as a being of pure dice.
came dependent on her continued exist- psychic energy, hungering for
ence as a link between the astral plane revenge- and a body. He finally found Led by Storm and Forge, the X-Men
and the real world. Disruption of the both when he possessed Karma of the mounted an assault on Muir Isle. Forge
Nexus (getting a Stun result on Polaris New Mutants, whose own psychic invented a method to block out the
with a psychic attack, or killing her) sev- powers were similar to his own. Shadow King's telepathic influence. But
ered this link, thereby destroying him. even with this device, the X-Men faced
To sate his thirst for evil, he became defeat.
Aside from Professor X, Storm is the the mastermind behind a gladiatorial
only mind the Shadow King had encoun- arena that came close to corrupting Daz- By this time, Professor Xavier had re-
tered which he could not corrupt. Add zler, Sunspot, and Magma. When this turned to Earth. Determined to end the
+ 5 CS to Storm's Psyche when resisting plan was foiled, he returned to Cairo, still threat posed by his oldest foe, he as-
his power. possessing Karma, and reopened his sembled a second strike force of govern-
Talents: The Shadow King has consider- saloon, humiliating its patrons for his sa- ment agents (including Dr. Valerie
able personal knowledge of international distic amusement. He lured the other Cooper and Jacob Reisz), SHIELD es-
espionage and Egyptian Law. He is flu- New Mutants to Cairo to be his slaves, pers, and his old students, X-Factor.
ent in English and many Arabic lan- but Storm and Magik frustrated his Their goal was to face the X-Men on Muir
guages, including Egyptian. plans. The Shadow King left Karma and Isle and destroy the Shadow King.
Contacts: For many years the Shadow retreated to the Astral Plane. There he
King acted as the ultimate power broker waited, regaining his strength , and nurs- The Shadow King believed Xavier was
in the game of international espionage. ing hatred of a new enemy: Storm. walking into his trap. At the height of the
His activities gave him contacts in the attack, he and Cooper attacked Xavier-
KGB, in Western intelligence agencies, His chance to strike back at the X-Men only to be betrayed! Valerie Cooper was
and in the spy and criminal organiza- came when Xavier's son Legion used really the shapechanger Mystique, who
tions of the Middle East and the third Cerebro from Muir Isle which accidental- had been masquerading as his slave.
world. His possession of Jacob Reisz ly opened his mind to invasion. The
gave him access to fop-secret U.S. gov- Shadow King detected this telepathic Mystique shot Reisz, destroying his
ernment files. probe, and found Muir Isle ripe for cor- body. But the Shadow King had not yet
ruption, thanks to Polaris, one of the is- been defeated, for his nexus remained
ROLE-PLAYING NOTES: land's residents. As a side-effect of her untouched. He quickly possessed Le-
A "nightmare whose fondest desire is to adventures in the Savage Land, Polaris gion and used a powerful telekinetic-
be a man," the Shadow King enjoyed was subconsciously radiating a mental pyrokinetic discharge to destroy most of
freeing the evil within human souls in or- influence that intensified negative emo- Muir Island, and then engaged Xavier in
der to gain mastery over their bodies. tions among those around her. In short a psychic duel.
The nobler the spirit being degraded, the order, he was able to corrupt the minds
more the Shadow King reveled in the of Dr. Moira MacTaggert and the other in- Thanks to the mental powers of
process of corruption. His goal was to habitants of Muir Isle. Marvel Girl, the X-Men and X-Factor sur-
destroy his old enemies, Charles Xavier vived Legion's assault. Xavier held off
and Storm, then to drown the world in a With an island of super-beings under the Shadow King at the cost of his own
psychic ocean of hatred and evil. his domination, the Shadow King began legs. The two teams used Psylocke's
his plan. He took possession of the psychic knife to sever Polaris's link with
HISTORY: corpse of Senior FBI investigator Jacob the astral plane. This final act caused a
Little is known of the early life of the man Reisz. Using Reisz's government con- psychic shock that resulted in Legion's
who would become the Shadow King, tacts, he was able to score a major coup: death and the apparent destruction of
and what has been revealed is closely the domination of Dr. Valerie Cooper, the the Shadow King, although whether a
tied to the history of Professor Xavier federal official responsible for mutant af- being of such power can be truly de-
fairs. stroyed is open to question.

With Cooper's files and Reisz's super-
lative investigative skills at his com-
mand, he was able to discover that

104

STATISTICS: SHATTERSTAR

F RM(30) 105
A RM(30)

s IN(40)

E IN(40)
R TY(6)
I GD{10)
p RM(30)
Health: 140
Karma: 46
Resources: PR{4)
Popularity: 0/20

BACKGROUND:
Real Name: Shatterstar
Occupation: Former entertainer, former
rebel
Legal Status: No criminal record
Identity: Not generally known on Earth
Place of Birth: Mojo's dimension, 100
years in the future
Marital Status: Single
Known Relatives: None
Base of Operations: Abandoned Senti-
nel base in Adirondack Mountains
Past Group Affiliations: Cadre Rebel-
lion, X-Force
Present Group Affiliations:

KNOWN POWERS:
Mystic Blades: Shatterstar fights with a
double-bladed sword forged using both
science and sorcery. It has the following
abilities:

• The sword is made of an alien metal
with Unearthly Material Strength. Shat-
terstar can inflict up to Incredible Edged
Weapon damage with the blades.

• Shapechanglng: Allows Shatterstar
to reshape the sword into different weap-
ons, such as batons that infli ct up to In-
credible Blunt damage. He can also
separate the blades and wield two identi-
cal weapons in order to make multiple
attacks.

• If he does not have time to change
the blades into batons and does not
want to risk killing a foe, Shatterstar can
also strike with the spiked handguard,
inflicting Remarkable Blunt damage.

• Because of its sorcerous nature,
the sword can cut through magical force
fields and body armor, severing mystic
bonds of up to Shift X Strength.

• Shatterstar can also focus his will
through his sword into a force beam of
Amazing Intensity and range. Doing this
fatigues him-reduce his Strength by 5 if
he uses the ability more than once in a
day. Lost Strength recovers at a rate of 1
point per hour of rest.

If the blades are separated, the dam-
age and range of the blast are only Re-
markable.

Talents: Shatterstar has the Edged and ultimate warrior and combat-performer,
Blunt Weapon talents, and is considered but eventually joined the Cadre Alliance,
a Weapon Specialist ( + 2 CS) with his a rebellion against Mojo V's tyranny.
swords. He also has the Acrobatics and Shatterstar has fought all his life: first as
Tumbling talents. a performer, later as a Blood Warrior of
Contacts: Besides being a part of X- the Alliance, becoming their greatest
Force, Shatterstar is a member of the warrior.
Cadre Alliance in his own dimension.
Hoping to get help from the legendary
ADDITIONAL NOTES: X-Men, the Cadre Alliance sent Shatter-
star into the past, hotly pursued by Mojo
V's warriors. Instead of the X-Men, he
found the New Mutants (soon to be X-
Force) and fought with them against his
pursuers. After the battle, he became a
founding member of X-Force. In return
for a promise of later help in his war, he
agreed to make their struggle his own.
Since then, Shatterstar has fought val-
iantly alongside his new teammates,
fighting a variety of foes including the
Mutant liberation Force, Harness, Jug-
gernaut and Black Tom Cassidy, and the
New Brotherhood of Evil Mutants.

ROLE-PLAYING NOTES:
Shatterstar lives to fight, but for all his
confidence and battlelust, he isn't a ber-
serker, and will not fight needlessly or
foolishly. He believes that combat is the
center of his being, and war is a game to
be played for victory and honor. As such,
he prefers to kill his foes, but is willing to
temper his aggressive instincts to suit
his teammates. He trains constantly to
maintain his fighting skills, working out
at least three times a day.

His flashy combat style, good looks,
and love of battle have earned him the
nickname " MTV warrior" from his team-
mate Feral. Although he believes words
are the resort of the weak, Shatterstar
shows an occasional glimmer of humor,
especially when carving up an adver-
sary. But he is at his core a serious, pri-
vate person, and can get tired of the
snappy patter of Boom-Boom, Feral, and
Domino.

Shatterstar is still unfamiliar with
some English phrases, especially units
of time and measurement. When he
talks, he speaks precisely, and rarely us-
es slang terms. He sometimes refers to
foes by derisive names from his own di-
mension, such as " Mojo Kisser."

HISTORY:
Shatterstar was created in a dimension
ruled by Mojo V-the same reality that
Longshot came from, but 100 years in
our future. He was bio-engineered as the

106

STATISTI CS : SHINDBI

F GD(10) 107
A TY(6)

s TY(6)

E GD(10)
A EX(20)
I TY(6)
p GD(10)
Health: 32
Karma: 36
Resources: AM(SO)
Popularity: 10

BACKGROUND:
Real Name: Shinobi Shaw
Occupation: Dilettante, industrialist,
mastermind
Legal Status: American citizen, no crim-
inal record
Identity: Secret
Place of Birth: Unknown
Marital Status: Single
Known Relatives: Sebastian Shaw (le-
gal father), Harold Leland (Uncle, possi-
bly real father)
Base of Operations: New York pent-
house
Past Group Affiliations: Upstarts
Present Group Affiliations:

KNOWN POWERS:
Density Manipulation-Self: Shinobi's
mutant ability is the Amazing rank power
to alter his own density, increasing or de-
creasing it as desired. His Power Stunts
include:

• Gain body armor equal to his cur-
rent Density power rank.

• Use the power rank instead of his
Strength when attacking.

• At Shift 0 density, Shinobi is im-
mune to physical attacks, but not energy
or force attacks.

• Shinobi can disrupt living and non-
living material by touching the target or
victim and solidifying inside that object
or person. Damage equals Shinobi's
chosen density rank. Body armor is ig-
nored, but force fields are not.
Equipment:
As his father's heir, Shinobi commands
Hellfire Ch,1b mercenaries and has ac-
cess to high-technology equipment from
Shaw Industries, such as advanced
weapons, computers, power neutraliz-
ers and Sentinels (Mark VI designs, plus
newer models just coming into service).
Shinobi does not use personal weapons
or armor, relying on his mutant power.
Talents: Shinobi has the Business/
Finance, Leadership and Politics tal-
ents.
Contacts: As the head of Shaw Indus-
tries and a member of the Upstarts,

Shinobi has contacts throughout the resources, and began assembling a per-
business and financial world, the Hellfire sonal guard of Sentinels and merce-
Club, and the United States govern- naries. But Shinobi soon found himself
ment. Through Shaw Industries access in a deadly game with another rival for
to the Hellfire Club's computers, he control of the club, fellow Upstart and
doubtless has information on the club's mutant, Trevor Fitzroy. With his superior
main adversaries, such as the X-Men. Sentinels, Fitzroy separately defeated
Donald Pierce, Emma Frost, and finally
ADDITIONAL NOTES: Shinobi himself. Shinobi suffered the hu-
miliation of having Fitzroy cut Shaw's
ROLE-PLAYING NOTES: ring from his finger, and was left to bleed
Shinobi is a young man consumed with to death.
ambition. At present, his main goal is
taking his father's place as Black King of But Fitzroy's victory was sloppy.
the Hellfire Club and humiliating or de- Shinobi's personal Sentinels reached
feating the form·er Hellfire members and him more swiftly than Fitzroy had ex-
his rival Upstarts. Although he is a good pected , and they acted quickly to reat-
strategist, his youthful overconfidence, tach the finger. The operation was
short temper, and preference for a deca- successful, though Shinobi still feels a
dent lifestyle sometimes interfere with little stiffness. Martialling his organiza-
his own plans. tion's power, Shinobi prepared for
vengeance against Fitzroy.
Shinobi's stated belief is to not let per-
sonal feelings cloud his wisdom, but his The reverses that Fitzroy suffered at
pride in his own abilities often prevents the hands of the X-Men and the time-
him from living up to his words. He en- travelling Bishop gave Shinobi a chance
joys dramatic gestures and showing off, to regain his place and his pride. Shino-
and likes to be on hand personally to bi's retaliation was swift and gaudy. He
gloat over his enemies before finishing sent his men to Fitzroy's iceberg lair.
them off. Shinobi is deliberately careless They secretly mined the base with pow-
about what he says, and his speech is of- erful explosive charges, then placed
ten peppered with youthful slang. Fitzroy under surveillance.

HISTORY: Soon , the X-Men and Bishop attacked
The (supposed) son of Sebastian Shaw, Fitzroy's lair. The X-Men were trying to
Shinobi grew tired of waiting to inherit retrieve Jean Gray, whom Fitzroy had
his father's wealth and wearied of the el- captured while Bishop was in pursuit of
der Shaw's contempt for his decadent mutant criminals entering our reality
lifestyle. When his own mutant powers through Fitzroy's time-portal. Fitzroy
manifested after puberty, he discovered tried to escape when he realized he was
they closely resembled those of his "un- outmatched, but Shinobi's minions were
cle," Harry Leland. Believing himself to waiting and they took Fitzroy captive.
be Leland's son rather than Shaw's, the
last vestiges of Shinobi's loyalty to Se- Shinobi retrieved his father's ring,
bastian Shaw vanished. He soon be- then ordered the explosives detonated
came involved with the mysterious to kill the X-Men and destroy Fitzroy's
group of power-seekers known as the base. Although the X-Men and Bishop
Upstarts. escaped the blast, Shinobi believed he
had killed them. In any case, he had
Using his own business acumen, thoroughly humiliated his enemy, mak-
Shinobi amassed a private fortune of his ing up for his earlier defeat, and the
own and bought out Shaw Industries chance to gloat over the captive Trevor
from under his father's feet. Confronting Fitzroy made the victory even sweeter.
Sebastian Shaw with this coup, Shinobi
drove him into a rage and then used his
own mutant abilities to slay Sebastian.
Taking Shaw's ring as the symbol of his
victory, he announced his triumph and
claimed the rulership of the Hellfire
Club.

Shinobi quickly took control of Shaw's

108

STATISTICS: SILHOUETTE

F EX(20) 109
A EX(20)

s EX(20)

E GD(10)
R TY(6)
I RM(30)
p EX(20)
Health: 70
Karma: 56
Resources: GD(10)
Popularity: 5

BACKGROUND:
Real Name: Unknown
Occupation: Former vigilante, now an
adventurer
Legal Status: American citizen with no
criminal record
Identity: Secret
Place of Birth: Unknown
Marital Status: Single
Known Relatives: Chord (father), Miy-
ami (mother), Tai (grandmother), brother
(Midnight's Fire)
Base of Operations: Taylor Foundation
Past Group Affiliations: Midnight's Fire
gang, New Warriors
Present Group Affiliations:

KNOWN POWERS:
Uving Silhouette: Silhouette has the Re-
markable ability to assimilate and recor-
porate herself into and out of any area of
darkness or shadow, shifting into the
Darkforce dimension. While in shadow-
form she effectively vanishes, becoming
totally insubstantial. This ability is simi-
lar to Phasing, except that it only works
in darkness or shadow and doesn't dis-
rupt electrical systems. Silhouette
doesn't seem to be able to walk through
solid materials, although she can slip be-
tween the cracks of a door or through a
villain's grasp with ease. A drawback to
her power is that her normal clothes (and
crutches) do not become insubstantial
with her. When not in her special cos-
tume made of unstable molecules, this
can lead to embarrassing situations!
Enhanced Sensory Perception: Silhou-
ette has a Remarkable level Combat

Sense and gets + 1 CS when using her

normal senses (sight, hearing, etc) to no-
tice things or avoid ambush.

Equipm ent :
Weapon: Sil can strike with her crutches,

using them as + 1 CS weapons of Excel-

lent Material Strength, inflicting Good
Blunt damage. Night Thrasher recently
built an electrical taser charge into them,
allowing her to cause Excellent Energy
damage by touching someone with them

(Fighting FEAT). HISTORY: White Queen and her Hellions, Psionex,
Limitations: Silhouette suffered a seri- Harness, and Gideon. Most importantly,
ous spinal injury and moves with the Silhouette grew up knowing little of her she has acted as a pillar of strength, pro-
help of two crutches. Walking without past, believing her parents to have been viding crucial emotional support for
them is uncomfortable to her, but she killed in a car accident when she was a Night Thrasher during the recent revela-
possesses super-normal strength , baby. Silhouette had known of her mu- tions of corruption within his Taylor
speed, and reflexes. In time of need, she tant powers from childhood, but kept
can move as fast or faster than a normal them concealed. As a teenager, she Foundation.
person (with or without her crutches), worked with her brother, Midnight's Fire, Silhouette's personal life has lately
hence her high ratings for Agility and using their enhanced speed and senses
Fighting. But if forced to stay on her feet to battle street crime. Together, they ran been rocked by revelations about her
for more than a few minutes without her a series of sting operations, gaining true parentage. Night Thrasher's guard-
crutches, the Judge should reduce her criminals' confidence, then busting their ian, Tai, turned out to be Silhouette's
Fighting and Agility by at least 1 CS. gangs. During this period she met Dway- grandmother, and told Sil that Chord,
Talents: Silhouette has the Acrobatics ne Taylor, and fell in love with him. Dway- Night Thrasher's other guardian, is her
and Martial Arts talents, and can speak ne joined them, and the crimefighting real father. It has now been revealed that
accented Korean. duo became a trio. Miyami, Silhouette's mother (and thus
Contacts: Besides being a member of Tai's own daughter) faked the deadly car
the New Warriors, Silhouette is on favor- One night Silhouette was infiltrating a accident in order keep Silhouette and
able terms with the Punisher. Chinatown gun-running operation with her brother out of Tai's hands. When Tai
Dwayne and Midnight's Fire as backup discovered this and learned of Silhou-
ADDITIONAL NOTES: when a police officer unexpectedly ap- ette's true parentage, she killed Miyami
peared. Things quickly went sour; afraid and attempted to slay Silhouette, all to
ROLE-PLAYING NOTES: the policeman was going to shoot Sil-
Silhouette is a quiet person, who never- houette, Midnight's Fire prepared to further a mysterious "pact."
theless believes in helping people who throw a knife at him. Dwayne stopped
are in trouble. She loves Dwayne Taylor him, but the result was a firefight with
(Night Thrasher), but feels that he is Silhouette caught in the middle. A stray
overprotective of her, obsessed with his bullet struck her in the spine, and she
guilt over her injuries, and often too collapsed, mortally injured . Midnight's
grim, tense, and withdrawn for his own Fire blamed his sister's fate on Dwayne
good. Silhouette sometimes tries to Taylor's interference and the two parted
draw him out of his shell and get him to bitter foes, Dwayne believing Silhouette
share his troubles or take decisive was dead.
action . She is usually successful.
When their paths crossed again,
Silhouette is disgusted by the criminal Dwayne was Night Thrasher, and Mid-
activities of Midnight's Fire, and no long- night's Fire had turned to crime for real,
er considers him her brother. However, running another Chinatown gang with
she still cares for the person he once connections to Advanced Idea Mechan-
was, and might help him if he were in ics. With the help of the New Warriors,
trouble if she saw a chance to reform Dwayne defeated Midnight's Fire. He
him. might have killed him except that Silhou-
ette reappeared. She hadn't been slain
As a physically active person, she is after all, but the desperate operation that
sometimes frustrated with the limitations saved her life had left her scarred and
her disability places on her fighting crippled.
prowess: she once exclaimed that she
" wasn't whole anymore." However, Sil- Silhouette was disgusted at the reve-
houette is a determined woman who has lation of Midnight's Fire's criminal activi-
learned to live with and transcend her ties and she abandoned her brother,
handicaps, and she has recently begun resuming her close relationship with
functioning once more as a costumed Dwayne. Since then, they've been trying
crime fighter. to work out their feelings for each other.

Her shadow-shifting ability makes her Silhouette revealed her shadow-
the New Warrior's best scout, and in bat- shifting powers to the New Warriors
tle she usually waits on the sidelines, us- when she helped protect her friend Fa-
ing her insubstantiality to sneak up on ther Janes against the assassin known
foes, then turning solid to make a quick as Bengal. She has begun wearing a
slashing attack with her crutches. costume, and is functioning as a full-
fledged member of the team. She has al-
so assisted the taciturn Night Thrasher
in his role as team leader, arranging a
reconciliation between Night Thrasher
and Nova, who had resented the high-
handed way Night Thrasher had dra-
gooned him into joining the New

Warriors.
As a New Warrior, Silhouette has

fought a variety of foes, including the

110

STATISTICS: SLEEPWALKER

F IN(40) 111

A RM(30)
IN(40)
s

E IN(40)

R EX(20)

I RM(30)
p RM(30)

Health: 150

Karma: 80

Resources: PR(4)

Popularity: 0

BACKGROUND:

Real Name: Unknown
Occupation: Protector of the Mind-
scape, adventurer
Legal Status: None
Identity: Public
Place of Birth: Unknown
Marltal Status: Unknown
Known Relatives: None
Base of Operations: New York City
Past Group Affiliations: None
Present Group Affiliations:

KNOWN POWERS:

Warp Beams: Sleepwalker can manipu-
late material objects with beams that
shoot from his eyes. He can alter the ma-

terial strength of an object by +/ -2CS,

and manipulate objects as if he had

Monstrous Telekinesis. He typically uses
this power to ensnare his opponents. He
has vowed never to use this against a liv-
ing opponent, so it is unknown what this
power would do to organic material.

Flight: Sleepwalker has Good rank flight.

Body Armor: Sleepwalker has Amazing
resistance to physical and energy at-
tacks. This Body Armor is reduced to Re-
markable in the Mindscape.

lmaglnator: This device is what a Sleep-
walker uses to teleport a captured crea-
ture to another part of the Mindscape. At
present, Sleepwalker's device is lost.

Limitation: Sleepwalker can only be-
come active in our world when Rick
Sheridan is asleep. When Rick is awak-
ened, then Sleepwalker must return to
Rick Sheridan's mind and can no longer
affect the physical world. He can leave
communications behind for Rick, like
messages on a telephone answering

machine.
Talents: Sleepwalker has the Resist
Domination talent.

Contacts: Sleepwalker's chief contact is
Rick Sheridan, the human mind that he
has unwillingly found himself stranded in
during Rick's waking life. He also has
found friends among some of the people
he has helped in New York and has
worked with Spider-Man in the past.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: ture in his dreams was more than just a
figment of his imagination. Sheridan de-
ROLE-PLAYING NOTES: cided to avoid sleep as long as possible,
Sleepwalker is a being with absolute in order to avoid releasing the being
dedication to the protection of life. He again.
has sworn never to harm a living being
with his powers. He finds himself con- Sleepwalker continued to try to es-
strained by his current predicament: he cape however, whenever Sheridan did
must be a hero because his function is to sleep, and Sleepwalker discovered sev-
protect people, yet ours is a very violent eral interesting things. He could enter
world. This causes much confusion for Rick's world when Rick slept. He learned
Sleepwalker, who does not understand that Earth was a place full of those who
why some of those he helps react nega- preyed upon the innocent, just like Cob-
tively, even violently, to him. Despite web and the malevolent entities of the
this, Sleepwalker has a formal, dignified Mindscape. He became a crimefighter,
manner that manages to avoid seeming fighting against costumed villains such
arrogant. as Eight-Ball, Bookworm, the Chain
Gang, and Lullaby after he and Sheridan
reached an agreement made whi le
Sheridan slept and Sleepwalker entered

his dream.
At present, Sleepwalker remains a

prisoner of Rick's mind , and continues to

try to find a way back to his home.

HISTORY:

The Mindscape-it borders on the minds
of all sentient creatures, and contains
entities both good and evil. The evil en-
tities often seek to enter the minds of
sentients and drive them mad; without
protection, the madness would prevail.
Protection comes from the Sleepwalk-
ers, entities sworn to prevent the evil be-
ings from entering the minds of
innocents. Minds such as that of Rick

Sheridan.
Sheridan was a college student from

New York City who had enjoyed a rela-
tively normal life until the night that one
of these malevolent entities, Cobweb,
tried to enter his mind while he slept.
Cobweb was stopped by a Sleepwalker,
but the Sleepwalker became trapped in

Sheridan's mind during the battle.
As the Sleepwalker tried to leave

Sheridan's mind he found himself ap-

pearing in Sheridan's dreams. Sheridan
reacted to this strangely dressed figure
haunting his dreams. Sheridan soon
fought Sleepwalker in his dreams, and
grabbed his lmaginator, which vanished

in a flash of light.
Now, Sleepwalker was trapped inside

of Sheridan's mind, able to escape only
when Sheridan was asleep. At first,

Sheridan believed that Sleepwalker was
just a character in his dreams , until
watching the evening news and seeing a
report about an attempted robbery. The
robbery had been broken up by some-

one who, according to a police sketch
drawn from the description given to
them by eyewitnesses, looked exactly

like the being in Sheridan's dreams.
Sheridan then realized that the crea-

112

STATISTICS: SPHINX II

F EX(20) 113

sA GD(10}
UN(100)
E AM(SO)
R EX(20)
I EX(20}
p EX(20)
Health: 180
Karma: 60
Resources: IN(40)
Popularity: 0

BACKGROUND:
Real Name: Unknown
Occupation: Unknown
Legal Status: Egyptian citizen with no
criminal record
Identity: Secret
Place of Birth: Egypt
Marital Status: Single
Known Relatives: None
Base of Operations: Egypt
Past Group Affiliations: None
Present Group Affiliations:

KNOWN POWERS:
Sphinx ll's powers stem from her expo-
sure to the energies of the mystical Ka
Stone.
Perpetual Reincarnation: Any time she
dies, Sphinx II is reborn into the youthful
body of another person. She retains all
her memories and abilities, and gains
those of the person she is reborn as. She
possessed this power even before the
destruction of the first Sphinx.

Since merging herself with the
Sphinx's energies via the Ka Scepter,
she has gained most of the powers of the
original Sphinx. Although no longer con-
sciously capable of reconstructing reali-
ty on a grand scale, her abilities remain
formidable .
Body Armor: The Sphinx's flesh and cos-
tume combine to give her Body Armor
offering Amazing protection against
physical attacks and Remarkable pro-
tection against other types of damage.
Energy Absorption: Monstrous Intensity
ability to absorb energy and channel it
into Strength and/or Endurance scores,
or to increase the rank of any existing
powers. She can drain up to 150 points
of energy. This energy drains away at a
rate of 10 rank points per round.
Eye Beams: Project heat, light, and force
bolts of Amazing range and Intensity
from her eyes.
Flight: Flight at Amazing speed.
Growth: Up to Monstrous Growth, for +3
CS to hit in combat.
Life Support: Unearthly Intensity.
Mental Probe: Amazing Intensity ability

-

I

to probe minds. Teleporta- eons-old tomb in the Temple of Ka.
. Wielding both modern technology and
Teleportation: Monstrous rank the ancient power of the Ka Scepter, she
tlon.
Telepathy: Incredible ability to communi- HISTORY: used its jewel to gather the Ka-stone en-
Thousands of years ago, an Egyptian ergies that had been scattered through
cate with other minds at a distance. magician in the service of Pharaoh !ost a
II can draw on the m_em- toinhfgethhEeearSrstephlh'sf iwnaxitth.mStohhseephpseourwceceewr eoitdhf ethdtheeinSdpieh~fibenuxa­,t
Talents: Sphinx of countless previous battle against Moses and wasy_unished
ories and skills by being exiled from Egypt. Living as a
incarnations-as such, she may con-
ceivably possess any talent the Judge nomad in the desert, he stumbled upon but in her eagerness, she was over-
wtSEhhageenyAptsstrpicahehneae,rkoastolnoEdghnyaigsvaleipsn.rhdoI,nbALaparbaanlrbgytiiuccfla,uugaleaennrsd,t s_itnhaalenoect~hihteasens.rt the ancient temple of Ka, where he dis- whelmed by the mighty energies cours-

covered a mystical gem, the legendary trinhegoaultihtgyrhoIttussghehlef,huaeslretebdroitndhyge.stWeheiethnweorougrtilcd~ossnths~cistiwotouirssyt
wKaasSttroannes.foPrmlaceidnginittootnhehiismfmoroerhtaelabde, i.nhge
wDhaozewd obuyldthebepcoowmeerfuklneonwerngia~ss. Sphinx.
languages as well. . surging to the way she wished it had always

Contacts: Sphinx II has contacts in the tlahprosuedgh. Hheiswabsodfoyu, ndtheanmd angu1rcs1eadn col· been, creating a cosmic lie. .
fields of archeology and international fi- back In this new reality, the Sphinx had not
left her those millennia ago in Egypt. In-
nance. If necessary, she can muster a to health by a lonely outcast woman. had returned her love and they
large number of skilled and devoted fol- shtaedadli~heed happily together for millennia
lowers. This woman, whose name is not re-
with Sphinx, but he
ADDITIONAL NOTES: corded, fell in love love and walked out as immortals. The Sphinx and his lover
could not return her had defeated Moses, and they used their
of her life. For the rest of her days, she
sought and dreamed of him. She finally powers to ensure that Egyptian culture
dominated the world until the twentieth
deinedi~ lonely and bitter-only to reawak- cwehnictuhry.bEecgaympteevkennowconlonaiszetdheAmUenr.iitcead,
the body of an Egyptian boy from a

wealthy family! SSolenptaahvtheiininssxgogaefrevAmeasyntsstyputrioaicawlc.leyaIrntt~iitrnhetfoidusshf~earfsdlslcewif~eirnt,ehsaoph!lair1tsys,,slotbihnvueget
Her next life was an improvement: as
an upper-class Egyptian male she b~­ as a keepsake for her.
chaemr reesaenarachrcehsi,teschtealoncdatsecdhtohlearl,oastntde~in­
ple of Ka. She deciphered the cryptic
parchments found in the temple, and un- But reality was not so easily changed.
covered many of the Ka Stone's secre~s . existed who were connected
Two beings Stone: Sayge, a mystical em-
Finally she died, but was reborn again, with the Ka
bodiment of Truth who had been com-
once more a woman, this time of noble nemesis of the original
panion and Richard Ryder, the_ man
birth. In her third life, she woulO ma_rry Sphinx, and
the Pharaoh. Her wisdom and memories Nova. They could subconsciously
ipehnnoataevwicrnegtg;ieoassfbhpwseeohrrdepbeneedtdusuhascoeel mdrteeeitnnhodcaefatdtrh_nseahthtKeieoanh~Sapdtdhuoi~entehx~e.so called the basic wrongness of the al-
sense
tered timeline. With the help of a mutant
rebellion who opposed the Egyptian he-
Seeking to increase her link with the gemony, Nova and Sayge were a_ble to
stone, she arranged for her body to pierce the self-deception of Sphinx II.
b~
Unable to maintain the truth of her own
entombed with the Scepter of Ka, an arti- created reality when confronted with it,
temple which would attun_e
fact from the energies of the stone still Sphinx ll's own self-deception was shat-
her with the . tered, and this returned the Earth to nor-

worn by the Sphinx. mal.
Realizing that she was also immortal,
she began a grand scheme to reunite The second Sphinx survived her de-
herself with her loved one. Over the cen- feat but was bitter and heartbroken at
turies, she plotted, living scores of live~ her perfect world. Swearing
the ioss of against Nova and the New
and accumulating many fortunes. Fi- vengeance
nally, in the latter half of the twentieth Warriors, she vowed that _if she could not
she was reborn in the body of change the past to suit herself, she
century, Egyptian woman, just as the would change the present!
another
Smpahdienxplasnhsofworetdhehirimresuenlifona,gbauint .beSfohree
ROLE-PLAYING NOTES: she could meet the Sphinx once more,
While her endless life has given her her dreams were shattered. Her loved
stinhogemdelorinpveeantliinebenyscsee,moSfoptichoeinnn.xtuTIrI~ieerse,lmosathsineosfbali_totbeveer--, one, tiring of immortality, h~d come into
fisdperfeesaetn, talynfdoctuhseeddeosnirNeo~foararned- conflict with Nova, then with Galactus
ness o himBsuet l~f haenwd abseennotdedestfreoayteedd.. Using her
venge,
the other New Warriors. Her passionate poergrsaonnizaaltifoonrtuonfed, esvhoetebduiflot lulopwaerssi.zaSbhlee
nature makes her a dangerous enemy,
but someone who is easy to emotionally
manipulate. and her underlings then journeyed to her

114

STAINED GLASS SCARLET

STATISTICS:

F EX(20)
A EX(20)

s GD(10)

E GD(10)
R PR(4)
I EX(20)
p GD(10)
Health: 60
Karma: 34
Resources: GD(10)
Popularity: O

BACKGROUND:
Real Name: Scarlet Fasinera
Occupation: Nun, vigilante, terrorist
Legal Status: Citizen of the United
States, wanted on multiple counts of
murder.
Identity: Secret
Place of Birth: New York City
Marital Status: Widowed
Known Relatives: Vince Fasinera (hus-
band, deceased), Joe "Mad Dog" Fa-
sinera (son, deceased)
Base of Operations: New York City
Past Group Affiliations: None
Present Group Affiliations:

KNOWN POWERS:
Crossbow (Equipment): Stained Glass
Scarlet carries a crossbow that has
Good range. She can aim a crossbow
with such accuracy that it does Remark-
able damage, and can fire it one-handed
without penalty.
Link: Stained Glass Scarlet has a psy-
chic link with Moon Knight of Unearthly
range, during moments of extreme
stress, her thoughts will become inter-
woven with those of Moon Knight. This
link is not continuous; it only occurs
when Scarlet needs Moon Knight or
when both individuals are undergoing
severe trauma. Communication be-
tween the two is possible, though the
.communication may more resemble a
dream than anything else. This link de-
mands the attention of both characters,
making it potentially dangerous should
the link take place during a stressful situ-
ation like combat. It is possible that
Scarlet is herself the reincarnation of
someone who was very close to Khon-
shu, which would explain this strange
bond.

Talents: Stained Glass Scarlet is + 1 CS

with knives and crossbows. She also has
Martial Arts C and E.

115

Contacts: Scarlet has contacts among stairs of a church. By that time, Scarlet
the homeless women of New York City. was pregnant with their son, Joseph.
These followers wear robes similar to
Stained Glass Scarlet's, and have the She spent the next few years of her life
following stats: trying to raise Joseph. When he was 13,
however, he fell under the influence of
FASER I P Manny Sindone, who hooked him on
GD GD TY GD TY TY TY heroin. Within a year, he was working for
Health: 36 Sindone, under the well-deserved epi-
Karma: 18 thet of "Mad Dog" Fasinera. His crimi-
nal actions eventually brought him into
The followers are armed with knives. conflict with Moon Knight. To prevent
him from killing Moon Knight, Scarlet
ADDITIONAL NOTES: shot and killed her own son. Several
months later, Moon Knight again en-
ROLE-PLAYING NOTES: countered Scarlet, who was now work-
Scarlet Fasinera was the daughter of an ing as a crossbow-toting vigilante calling
abusive father. As a result, she grew up herself Stained Glass Scarlet. Despite
with terribly low self-esteem. Moon Knight's attempts to stop her,
Scarlet killed Manny Sindone and broke
Stained Glass Scarlet was a vigilante up his gang. Moon Knight allowed Scar-
at first, devoted to killing criminals such let to escape.
as Manny Sindone. Lately, her overrid-
ing need to see her sins forgiven has Moon Knight did not encounter Scar-
driven her insane, and she has begun let again for quite some time. During that
committing random acts of arson. Since time, her guilt had driven her over the
escaping from her last confrontation edge. She had begun roaming the
with Moon Knight, there have been no streets of New York, killing those guilty of
known attacks from her. At the scene of "sin" as she saw it. Her victims were all
each of her crimes, Scarlet leaves her men, the homeless being the easiest tar-
mark, a diamond figure with an "S" gets. At this time, Scarlet had gathered
etched on a wall, usually in blood. Scar- several young homeless women as fol-
let is mentally unstable, being fixated on lowers. She trained them in personal
Moon Knight, her own gnawing guilt, combat, skills she picked up as a vigilan-
and fire, which she hopes would te .
"cleanse the world of her guilt."
It was soon after this that Moon Knight
HISTORY: (Marc Spector) became aware of Scar-
Scarlet's father constantly abused her let's presence via the link they shared.
as she grew up, both physically and psy- They met and did battle, but the results
chologically. In order to cover his own were inconclusive. Not long thereafter,
sins, Scarlet's father kept blaming her Scarlet appeared at Spector's Manhat-
for all of his problems, telling her that tan penthouse, apparently seeking
she was a sinner, and that she could not Moon Knight. Instead she found Spec-
be forgiven. Finally, one night, she lit a tor's aide, Frenchie, and his girlfriend,
cigarette and placed it in her father's Chloe. Scarlet wounded Frenchie,
bed. Her father burned to death and the warned Chloe of the "demons" (men) of
police assumed the tire was an accident. the world. Scarlet then left her symbol
Scarlet was sent to live with her aunt and (with her own blood) on he wall, and fled.
uncle.
Soon, Scarlet had a passionate re-
Scarlet's childhood immediately im- union with Moon Knight atop a bridge,
proved, despite the intense guilt she felt then stabbed him in the back while they
tor her father's death. She devoured the kissed. She threw his body into the East
poetry of the romantic poets, especially River. Moon Knight barely survived.
William Blake. She grew up and joined a
convent. Then her luck changed again. Scarlet then became convinced that
She fell in love with and married a petty the only way to purge New York of its
criminal named Vince Fasinera. He was sins was to burn it down. She began a
an abusive husband, who eventually series of random bombings, designed to
died when he was shot to death on the burn the evil from New York. She saw
Moon Knight as an angel of mercy, who
was the only person capable of redeem-
ing her and ending her madness. Even-
tually, Moon Knight confronted Scarlet
on the Brooklyn Bridge and forced her to
reject some of her fantasies about him.
She leapt off the Brooklyn Bridge and
has not been seen since, despite Moon
Knight's attempt to save her at the
bridge.

116

STATISTICS: BTRDNGGUV

F EX(20) /
A GD(10)
117
s AM(50)

E AM(50)
R TY(6)
I TY(6)
p TY(6)

Health: 130
Karma: 18
Resources: GD(10)
Popularity: 15

BACKGROUND:
Real Name: Guido, last name unreveal-
ed
Occupation: Former investor and body-
guard, now adventurer
Legal Status: American citizen with no
criminal record
Identity: Publicly known
Place of Birth: Unrevealed
Marital Status: Single
Known Relatives: Father and mother,
deceased
Base of Operations: X-Factor, New York
Past Group Affiliations: Muir Islanders,
X-Factor
Present Group Affiliations:

KNOWN POWERS:
Guido enjoys the mutant abilities of su-
perhuman strength and endurance,
making him strong enough to knock a
man out by flicking his fingerl He also
has one special power:
Kinetic Energy Absorption: Guido can
absorb kinetic energy from punches and
other Blunt physical attacks and use that
energy to increase his Strength. He can
absorb such attacks of up to Unearthly
Intensity. The rank of the attack deter-
mines Guido's enhanced Strength rank
(his Health does not increase). Physical
attacks of less than Amazing (50) Inten-
sity do not affect his Strength; it simply
remains at his natural Strength rank of
Amazing. Because he absorbs the blow,
Guido takes no damage from Blunt
physical attacks of less than Shift X In-
tensity. However, Guido must expend
the absorbed kinetic energy on the fol-
lowing turn by striking a target (whether
it is the ground, a building, or a foe) or he
suffers blunt damage equal to the en-
ergy he absorbed.
Talents: Guido has some experience
with high finance, and extensive knowl-
edge of the music and entertainment
business, including its seedier sides.
Contacts: Guido was the former door-
man and bodyguard of Lila Cheney. He's
a friend of Dazzler and is acquainted
with the X-Men and X-Force.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: new term "Genetically Challenged"
(Geecee) as a politically-correct alterna-
tive to "mutie."

ROLE-PLAYING NOTES: HISTORY:
Guido is new to the hero business, but Guido has never told X-Factor his last
as Lila Cheney's doorman, he has had name (they're afraid to ask), but he has
long experience with mutants and weird revealed his life story.
happenings. A lot more intelligent than
he looks, Guido considers himself a Guido lived a life of ups and downs.
"nineties guy"-sensitive with the ladies He was a nerdy-looking kid, bullied by
the other children. Until he reached pu-
but macho when he needs to be. He berty. Then he started growing, and no
doesn't take superheroing very seri- one bullied him again . ..
ously, but it pays well and since it lets
him associate with various tab babes in But he had other problems. Guido's
scanty outfits, hey, why not try it? parents were skinflints who saved all
their money for the future and insulted
Guido has an epicurean philosophy: him because of his size and his spend-
Have fun, live the good life now, and let thrift attitude-until a falling satellite
tomorrow take care of itself. But he has a crushed them. Guido settled out of court
good heart, and is willing to help people with the owners for a vast amount of
(especially attractive women) who are in dough. For a while, he lived a life of luxu-
trouble. He has a warm, bantering rela- ry. Then he was wiped out by bad invest-
tionship with his fellow teammate Po-
laris. ments. To make ends meet, he took a job
as a bodyguard for the singing thief Lila
Recently, Guido has developed an Cheney, but that dried up when Lila van-
easy manner with the news media and ished into space. He was minding her
has proven very quotable: he coined the house and worrying about cash when
Dazzler dropped in to visit. The X-Men's
enemies weren't far behind, and before
he knew it, Guido had became one of the
Shadow King's slaves on Muir Isle.

After the fall of the Shadow King freed

him, he and several other Muir Islanders
became founding members of the new
X-Factor team with Guido serving as the
team's muscle. Since joining X-Factor,
Guido has taken the name "Strong
Guy" and become X-Factor's defacto
press spokesman.

On his first mission, he fought Slab
(one of Mister Sinister's Nasty Boys) who
had taken the Washington monument
hostage. Guido defeated Slab, but in the
process destroyed the Washington Mon-
ument. Guido felt bad enough to think
about quitting the team, but X-Factor's
lawyers got him off the hook, and it was
later discovered that he had been set up
for a public relations disaster by Senator
Steven Shaffram, a pawn of Mister Sinis-
ter. At present, Guido remains a media
darling.

118

In order to neutralize the uncontrollable
powers of Lt. Aamskov, the Russian he-
ro of Chernobyl, the Avengers Thor and
Sersi transported him into an alternate
dimension. Accompanying them were
Captain America, Iron Man, She-Hulk,
as well as the adventurer Rage, a Soviet
operative named Zhukova, and a civil-
ian, Doctor Estivez. Unbeknownst to the
heroes, this particular dimension, due to
its power-dampening properties, was
used as a prison world for psychotic ali-
en criminals. These alien prisoners at-
tacked the Avengers and company with
the intention of killing the intruders. The
Avengers, realizing they were the inter-
lopers in this world, battled the alien
creatures, taking care not to kill or seri-
ously injure any of them. The leader of
these alien prisoners, Ngh the Unspeak-
able, did not enter into the fight. He real-
ized that the Avengers could pass in and
out of the dimension at will and launched
a plan tor his escape.

Ngh had one of his minions, a small,

winged female called Xa, befriend the
Avengers and turn the tide of the battle
in their favor. Ngh then critically wound-
ed Xa, knowing that the Avengers would
take her with them to their own dimen-
sion for necessary medical attention.
Thus Ngh could establish a toe-hold in
Earth's dimension. He used Xa's re-
stored powers to open a portal which

would allow the prisoners to escape from
their exile. To further insure her coopera-
tion in carrying out this mission, Ngh
placed Xa under hypnosis. Ngh's plan
worked to perfection and once carried to
the other side by the Avengers, Xa was
able to rend the barrier and loose Ngh
and his horde upon the unsuspecting
world.

The four governors of the Dimension
of Exile, who called themselves the Te-
trarchs of Entropy, traveled to Earth's di-
mension after discovering that the

prisoners had escaped from their jail. In
one of the great cosmic kangaroo courts
of all time, they convicted the Avengers
of allowing the escape of the criminal
Ngh . The punishment for this crime-
that the Avengers would spend eternity
in the Dimension of Exile- was passed
down without so much as a defense. The
sentence was to commence immedi-
ately and the Tetrarch Yod transported
the Avengers to the Dimension of Exile.
It is interesting to note that while neither
Quasar, Black Widow, nor the Vision
were involved in the events which lead to
Ngh's escape, they were punished for
the " crime." Having vanquished the pri-
mary Avengers' team, the Tetrarchs re-
pelled an attack from the Avengers'
reserve substitutes with a force field.

119

- - - - ---;-~-:_-~-~~-=--~-- --------=-_.____-- ----=.----~ ---::;--~--~~-;.. - - ------ - --- • -- -. --: . ~-- -- ;

-_, -_ I

• -==- --- -~- ~ -- - - - • - - ----I

- =----- _.._--~-~-·--~-- ~~--------- -~-~---
-------p-----------~--------

Then, claiming to be forces of the uni- not instruments of ultimate good-yet of the banishing business.
verse, they embarked on their search for capable of compassion and restraint, Ngh's thralls, who had reverted to
Ngh. and therefore not instruments of ulti-
mate evil. The Tetrarchs then decided to their true forms (Kree, Skrull, etc.),
The Tetrarch named Hafga claimed release the primary team claiming that asked what was to become of the prom-
that the release of Ngh upset the inexo- due to their " goodness" they could not ises which Ngh made to them now that
rable tendency towards entropy. Entropy be in league with the evil Ngh. Ngh and Ahh had been reintegrated.
is a measure of the randomness, disor- Many of them were from distant gal-
der, or chaos in a system. Tetrarchy is Though Cap and Thor questioned the axies, other realities , and far-flung
rule by four governors jointly. To rule logic of beings who care nothing for right times. Though the composite being's
over chaos could be said to be enig- or wrong aligning themselves with the good side felt compassion for their
matic, paradoxical, even recondite or in- cause of good, they realized they could plight, its rational side knew restitution
congruous. Still, the Tetrarchs seem to do nothing but trust the Tetrarchs. How- would be impractical. With more impor-
have set themselves up as the protec- ever, they were on lookout for the inevita- tant things to do, like saving entire civili-
tors of Chaos in the universe. ble double cross. The Tetrarchs' actual zations and basking in the glory, it
plan was to banish Earth to the Dimen- abandoned them.
Once in the Dimension of Exile, the sion of Evil once the Avengers had led
primary team found that both Thor's them to Ngh. Quasar and Cap had the last word on
hammer Mjolnir and Sersi the sorceress the Tetrarchs of Entropy. Quasar pro-
had been imprisoned in solid fields of The Avengers did eventually catch up claimed that they were not Forces of the
anti-probability. These fields negated the with Ngh at the home of Rage, now a re- Universe, but deluded individuals. He
psionic manipulations of probability serve substitute Avenger. Ngh had taken then contained them and their powers in
which is sometimes referred to as mag- Rage's maternal grandmother and legal a sphere of "solid light," and threw them
ic. Using team work, the Vision, Quasar, guardian, Edna M. Staples, hostage. As
and She-Hulk were able to free Mjolnir. most of the Avengers' primary team, through a portal into the Dimension of
As they worked on a similar plan of free- along with a large crowd of bystanders Exile.
ing Sersi, the Tetrarchs appeared and and the media, gathered outside the
while they commended the Avengers on house, Rage acted as sort of chief hos-
their self-sacrifice and cooperation, they tage negotiator. He told Ngh to let his
would not allow them to escape the Di- granny go or he would " come in and rip
mension of Exile. those scales off your ugly face." (Negoti-
ation was probably not Rage's strong
When Captain America proclaimed suit). The Tetrarchs showed up about
that the Avengers' imprisonment was an this time and joined with the Avengers in
injustice, Yod explained that the Te- attacking Ngh and his forces. For all
trarchs were not concerned with justice, their posturing and saber-rattling, the Te-
but in overseeing the dissolution of cos- trarchs were very ineffective against
mic laws into Chaos. He claimed Order Ngh and had only limited success
is anathema to the Tetrarchs. Though against his minions. Ngh claimed he was
certain forces in the universe strive for actually the focal point through which
ultimate good or ultimate evil, the Te- powerful and undeniable elemental
trarchs believe these goals are unattain- forces moved, and that the Tetrarchs
able, but that both sides are capable of were delusionary maniacs. This is in
creating order of sorts. The Tetrarchs keeping with what Doc Strange was able
see their role as maintaining the balance to uncover about the Tetrarchs and re-
for disorder. vealed to Captain America. (Doc
Strange could find no mention of the Te-
During this exchange, Thor led Cap- trarchs in any of his mystic tomes, nor
tain America and Sersi in an attack on from consulting sages in other planes.
Yod . The three apparently crossed He feels they might well be nothing more
through a portal into another reality. Sim- than extremely powerful entities with
overblown egos.)
ilarly, Black Widow, She-Hulk, Quasar,
and Vision were wrapped in Vug's Coils Thor and Sersi then returned from the
of Infinity, and after falling "into the ex- Dimension of Exile with the being known
quisite blackness that is the void be- as Ahh. Ahh was actually the wholly
tween the universes," they ended up in a good side of an entity of which Ngh was
place which looked like the set for the wholly evil side (Ngh's better-half, so
Dante's Inferno. While each group bat- to speak). Before Thor freed her, Ahh
tled the inhabitants of their respective had spent ten thousand years impris-
worlds, Thor noticed a familiarity to the oned by the Tetrarchs. Ahh, Ngh, and Xa
gait and demeanor of the loathsome merged into one being. The entity had
creatures that were attacking them. divided itself into two separate beings as
Captain America realized that the evil an experiment, but had not foreseen
creatures were an illusion and that they how the Tetrarchs would take advantage
were actually battling the other set of of its lessened powers. This being then
Avengers. Sersi cast a spell which de- stripped the Tetrarchs of their ability to
stroyed the illusion. These actions open dimensional doorways and pass
caused a quandary, as the Avengers had between realities, thus putting them out
shown themselves as creatures pre-

pared to use violence-and therefore

120

HAFGATHE HEMLOFTHE VUGOFTHE
BURNING MYRIAD OF
VISAGE COILS OF
STATISTICS :
STATISTICS: INFINITY
F AM(50)
A AM(50) F AM(50) STATISTICS:
N/A A AM(50)
s UN(100) AM(50) F GD(10}
EX(20) s UN(100) A EX(20)
E MN(75) EX(20)
R MN(75) E MN(75) s AM(50)
I R MN(75)
p I E ShX(150}
R EX(20)
Health: 200 p I RM(30)
Karma: 170 p MN(75)
Resources: TY(6) Health: 250 Health: 230
Popularity: O Karma: 170 Karma: 125
Resources: TY(6) Resources: Unrevealed
BACKGROUND: Popularity: O Popularity: 0
Real Name: Hafga
O cc up atio n :· Tetrarch B AC KG R O U ND : BACKGROUND:
Identity: Publicly known Real Name: Vug
Real Name: Heml Occupation: Tetrarch
KNOW N POWERS: Occupation: Tetrarch Identity: Publicly known
Flight: In the atmosphere, Hafga can fly Identity: Publicly known
at Excellent air speeds (150 miles per KNOWN POWERS:
hour). KNOWN POWERS: Flight: In the atmosphere, Vug can fly at
Energy Generation: Hafga can shoot Flight: In the atmosphere, Heml can fly Excellent air speeds (150 miles per
bolts of fire whi ch inflicted energy-type at Excellent air speeds (150 miles per hour).
damage. These bolts are not above hour). Illusion Generation: Vug has Illusion
Amazing Intensity. Energy Generation: Heml can fire bolts Generation at Remarkable rank. One of
Body Armor: Hafga's fiery form provides of force which inflicted energy-type dam- his illusions causes his victims to believe
him with Remarkable Body Armor from age. These bolts are not above Amazing they are falling into the blackness that is
Intensity. the Void Between Universes. This is
physical attack without benefit of the Te- Body Armor: Heml's alien physiology done by wrapping them in his Coils of In-
trarchs' force field. provides him with Remarkable Body Ar- finity.
Talents: None known mor from physical attack without benefit Energy Generation: Vug can fire bolts of
Contacts: None other than his fellow Te- of the Tetrarchs' force field. force that inflicted energy-type damage.
t rarchs. Talents: None known These bolts are not above Amazing In-
Contacts: None other than his fellow Te- tensity.
ADDITIONAL NOTES: trarchs. Body Armor: Vug's physical form is com-
prised of a scaly substance which pro-
ADDITIONAL NOTES: vides him with Remarkable Body Armor
from physical attack without benefit of
the Tetrarchs' force field .
Talents: None known
Contacts: None other than his fellow Te-
trarchs.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

ROLE-PLAYING NOTES: ROLE-PLAYING NOTES: ROLE-PLAYING NOTES:
Hafga seldom speaks. Though the con- As his name suggests, Heml of the Myr- Though the Tetrarchs are deluded about
stantly burning flame which constitutes iad of Visage is represented by different their own importance in the cosmic
images. In fact, Heml is often repre- scheme, Vug is a particular windbag
his physical form can take the shape of a sented by more than one image at once. among even the Tetrarchs.
humanoid head, he generally appears Heml looks to Yod as the group's leader
as a shapeless mass and is usually lo- and goes along with his decisions.
cated behind one of the other Tetrarchs.
He pretty much follows the lead of Yod.

12 1

-- -_--~-=-- - -- - - -....:- - -- - -

-~-=-_--::._ ...: - - -

VOD OF THE ALL Energy Fields: Energy fields seems to be
SEEING EVE the Tetrarchs' strong point. Within the
Dimension of Exile, they can create solid
STATISTICS: f~elds of anti-probability. Though these
fields are not above Shift x in hardness,
F NA they negate all magic, or the psionic ma-
A AM(50) nipulations of probability, within them.
AM(50) The Tetrarchs are better defensively
s ShX(150) than offensively. They can manifest a
MN(75) force field of Shift Z Intensity. This force
E MN(75} field cannot be used for Power Stunts,
R Un(100} and the Tetrarchs can take no action oth-
I er than dimensional travel while behind
p it. It is unlikely this field is generated by
one specific Tetrarch. It appears that
Health: 250 none of the Tetrarchs can generate this
field independently of the others, it is
Karma: 250 likely that this field could only be gener-
Resources: TY(6) ated as a group effort. In fact, many of
Popularity: 0 the.Tetrarchs' abilities, including Yod's il-
lusion Generation and Dimensional Trav-
BACKGROUND: el powers, seem to involve a cumulative
Real Name: Yod or communal effort. It could be that the
Occupation: Tetrarch Tetrarchs themselves were at one time a
Identity: Publicly known single being who split off as Ngh and
Ahh have.
KNOWN POWERS: Body Armor: Yod's physical form is com-
Dimensional Travel: Yod has the Un- prised of a substance which resembles
earthly ability to create openings be- stone and provides him with Remark-
tween dimensions which allow passage able Body Armor from physical attack
to these various worlds. Banishing con- without using his force field.
victed prisoners to the Dimension of Ex- Talents: None known
ile is considered an automatic FEAT for Contacts: None but his fellow Tetrarchs.
Yod. Reaching a specific location in an-
other dimension is a yellow FEAT. Re- ADDITIONAL NOTES:
turning to a familiar location in the
Dimension of Exile only a requires a ROLE-PLAYING NOTES:
Like all the Tetrarchs, Yod claims to be a
green result. force of the universe, but is merely an
extremely powerful individual with an
Flight: Like all the Tetrarchs, Yod can overblown ego. Order is anathema to the
hover in the air. Yod hasn't demon- !~trarchs, and though self-appointed
strated much in the way of flight speed. It Jailers, they admit they arer,'t concerned
is probably Feeble or 2 areas per round with justice, but rather with preserving
(30 miles per hour}. Using dimensional entropy. As Yod is the only Tetrarch who
travel, Yod can certainly travel at beyond can travel between dimensions, he is
light speed. probably the first among equals in their
hierarchy. The other Tetrarchs will even
Illusion Generation: Yod can generate ask Yod what their next move is to be
three-dimensional illusions at an Un- and his word seems to be final.
earthly level. He is so skillful that even
when a character realizes he is seeing
an illusion, he will still subconsciously
believe that it is real and act accordingly
(an obstacle will still seem like an obsta-
cle, opponents cause damage, fire feels
hot enough to burn}. While damage is
imaginary, it is still removed from Health
with O Health resulting not in death but

oin unconsciousness for 1-1 rounds.' On-

ly characters who make a Psyche FEAT
versus Unearthly Intensity may see
through the illusion and not be harmed
by it. Yod has been known to make team-
mates appear to one another as mon-
sters so that they will attack one another.
The damage which occurs in these bat-
tles is real and can result in death.
Energy Generation: Yod can fire bolts of
force that inflict energy-type damage.
These bolts have Amazing Intensity.

122

The Brethren owed their existence, or at alizing that for his collection to be truly tracted to Sersi that he allowed her to
least their existence as sentient human- singular, his specimens should be the read the sacred scrolls which recorded
oid beings, to the enigmatic space gods last of the species, launched a plan for the Brethren's proud military conquests,
called the Celestials. In the time before Terran decimation. This plan involved and he also told her the truth about the
recorded history, the Celestials visited the Collector allowing his starship to Brethren's origin and their secret
many worlds and conducted genetic ex- crash on Earth's moon and allowing the shame. Ector's dream was that the
periments on the life-forms they found Brethren would one day overcome their
there. The Celestials are known to have Brethren to escape. genetic predispositions and become the
visited Earth on four different occasions. For their part, the Brethren believed proud people legends proclaimed. This
Their genetic manipulations are respon-
sible for the two sub-species.of humanity they had actually escaped from the Col- truth , even among .the Brethren, is
known as the Eternals and the Deviants, lector's prison. When they learned they known only by the Thane and his Fool;
as well as the dormant DNA complex were orbiting Earth, the planet that first only the quick thinking of the Fool saved
which is responsible for benevolent mu- defeated Galactus, they felt it was their Ector from being deposed as Thane for
tations in the mainstream human race. destiny to subjugate the planet and consorting with the outsider.
Seeing a need for a counter-balance, make it their new home world. From the
lest one of their creations rise to threaten start, the Brethren's plan and practices When Ector learned that the Avengers
did not sit well with Earth's mightiest he- had freed the Brethren's jailer, and op-
their own preeminence, the Celestials roes, the Avengers. For three days, the pressor, the accursed Collector, he per-
remixed the genetic coding of bacteria to Avengers with SHIELD and the com- sonally led an attack on the Avenger's
create a humanoid race. This race be- bined military might of Earth battled the Headquarters. Ector made his way
came known·as the Brethren. The Breth- forces of the Brethren in several major through the Avengers, though Hercules
ren were reportedly used by the population centers. Meanwhile, reserve delayed him for a time, to the Collector.
Celestials as executioners of the life Avengers Dr. Henry Pym, the Beast, and As Ector attempted to kill him, the Elder
forms of planets which they deemed un- Black Panther, along with active mem- of the Universe "pulled aside the cur-
worthy. Eventually they were let loose to ber Quasar, traveled to the Moon in the tain;• revealing his true form and plan.
conquer planets after their own fashion. hope that they could revive the Collector As Ector lay unconscious at his feet, the
It was during this period of self- and learn a way to defeat the Brethren. Collector, now transformed to a cosmic
determination that the Brethren were energy-channeling giant, told those as-
discovered by the Elder of the Universe In Paris, during an encounter between sembled that he had actually engi-
Taneleer Tivan, the Collector. The Col- neered the escape of the murderous
lector had long been about the business the Avengers and the Brethren, Thane Brethren for the purpose of laying waste
of collecting living beings and artifacts Ector captured the Avenger and Eternal the Earth's population. Only a small rem-
throughout the known universe and the called Sersi. Though he claimed to have nant would survive in the Collector's
Brethren ended up as part of his collec- taken ' her as prisoner to learn more safekeeping. Feeling that it was time
tion. The Collector, having long wanted about the Earth, Ector knew that the that the Brethren, and most specifically
to add humanity to his collection, but re- Eternals, like the Brethren, were the Ector's betrothed Sybyl Dorn , know the
products of genetic manipulation on the truth about their race, the Collector told
part of the Celestials. He also felt a great
attraction for her. In fact, Ector was so at-

123

;.;--~~~--"

-..... ~ _....._~--- ~--

the story of the true origin of the Breth- THANE ECTOR muscle and bone are more dense than
ren. He explained that ther_e are t~ree
similar human tissue, thus contributing

genus or shapes of b~~~eria: ~ac1!l,us , STATISTICS: to his superhuman strength and also
spirilla, and cocci, the little things to
causing him to weigh more than a hu-

which the Celestials looked to when they F IN(40) man of similar size. His skin may also be
A RM(30)
set about the task of fashioning the more dense than that of a normal hu-
s MN(75)
Brethren. The exact nature of the basic mans.
E IN(40)
genetic components that make up the R EX(20) His cellular regeneration is different,

Brethren was never clearly defined. Evi- I EX(20) and functions at a higher level, than a
p AM(50)
dence provided by the autopsies of the Health: 185 human's. He has Regeneration of Poor

Brethren's victims, that their bodies had Karma: 90 rank and has the Recovery power. He re-
Resources: MN(75)
no trace of bacteria or germs in them, in- gains lost Health at a rate of three times
Popularity: -100 (100 with the Breth-
dicate it might have been bacteriophag- his Endurance rank per day and he re-
ren)
es, bacterial viruses which infect and covers lost Endurance ranks at a rate of

destroy bacterial cells. From the Gre~k one per day during normal action. Due to

phagein meaning "to eat," a b~cterio­ his enhanced cellular regeneration, Ec-

phage is a virus which eats bacteria. The tor's aging process is far different from

nature of viruses are not fully under- BACKGROUND: that of humans. In fact, the Brethren

sstuogogd~sbtsuttthhaet simplicity of their structure Real Name: Ector may grow or age more quickly as a ch~l­
they are not individual mi-
Occupation: Thane dren and more slowly as adults due this

croorganisms. They may be compo- Identity: Publicly known on Earth and same cellular regeneration. Ector once

nents of normal cells which have gotten among his own people. spoke of being told the truth of ~i~ peo-

out of control, descendants of subcellu- Legal Status: Deceased ple on his fifteenth birthday, but 1t 1s un-

lar units that infected the earliest cellular Place of Birth: Unrevealed, though th~ clear if these were the equivalent of

organisms and evolved with th~m, or Brethren's home planet is Omega Ch- Earth years.

products of degenerating bacteri.a .that mion Six The Brethren are known to have been

gave up independenc~ for a spe~1ahzed Marital Status: Ector was betrothed to prisoners of the Collector for decades.

parasitic life. Though in humanoid form Sybyl Dorn At the time of his death, Ector appeared

the Brethren may have been able of sex- Known Relatives: Fool (brother), Sybyl to be middle-age. His actual age in Earth

ual reproduction, a normal virus cannot Dorn (betrothed) . years was never revealed. .

reproduce except in the host cell. Base of Operations: Mobile As his metabolism and the chemical

Having told the Brethren the truth, the Past Group Affiliations: Rightful leader processes of his musculature are differ- ...........

Collector reduced all of the Brethren, of the Brethren ent than humans, he does not produce,

save Ector and his Fool, to their basic Present Group Affiliations: and is unaffected by, fatigue poisons.

genetic components. This was done to His respiratory system is developed in

hasten the destruction of Earth. Presum- KNOWN POWERS: such a way as to allow him maxim~m En-
Body Armor: Like many of the Bret~ren,
ably, either a Thane or his Fool must re- Thane Ector wears Body Armor. This ar- durance with minimum oxygen intake.
mor may be made of th.e same b~sic
main sentient for the Brethren to bacteria components which comprised This allows Ector to make exertion
the Brethren's humanoid form, mak~ng it
function properly as a collective organ- a shell-like epidermis. If a Brethren 1s r~­ checks at Unearthly Endurance.
verted to its original form, its armor will
ism. The Collector appeared to ~~ve Resistances: The nature of Ector's being
also revert. Should they resume their hu-
planned to take these last two remain~ng man form, their armor will reappear in- grants him CL5000 resistance to toxi~s
tact. It is also possible, however, th~t
individual Brethren into his collection their armor is not a part of them, but is and disease. In fact, germs and bacteria
comprised of unstable molecules whi~h
once more. Whatever the case, Ector are what the Brethren feed upon.
takes the form of armor when they are in
and his Fool remained sentient and in humanoid form. Either way, this armor Iron Will: Ector is bred to be the most per-
provides Excellent protection from phys-
telepathic contact with the disembodied fect of warriors, even down to his mental
ical and energy attacks. . .
host of the Brethren. This proved to be Alien Physiology: Presumably, 1f Ecto~ 1s conditioning. He doesn't feel pain from

the Collector's undoing. With the aid of reduced to his base components he, hke traumatic shock or injury. His Unearthly
the rest of the Brethren, will appear as a
Ssuerms~i oEncttohre and his Fool were able to rank Iron Will can absorb the first 100
Brethren into the "collec- simple, multi-celled organism. The con-
sciousness, or sentience, he po~sesses points of damage he suffers in battle.
in humanoid form will quickly dissolve.
tive will of a race made incarnate" that is Ector is composed of many cells which Berserker: In combat, the Brethren are
make up different tis~ues and or.gans
called the Unimind. The Unimind reach- specialized for particular functions. berserkers and enter a mental state

ing out with tentacles of flame, grab.bed Based on other humanoid aliens who ex- which allows them to ignore Stun re-
hibit superhuman physical characteri~­
the Collector, then both exploded in a tics, it may be assumed that Ector s sults. As Thane, Ector's role is usually to

blaze of light. Though the strain of sum- keep the blood lust of the other Brethren

moning the Unimind prove~ to great .tor in check, but he too can enter a berserk

Ector and his Fool, they died kno~ing state if sufficiently angered.

what it was to heal rather than to kill. In Telepathic Rapport: A Thane of th.e

the end, the Brethren became the noble Brethren and his Fool have a telepathic

race which Ector had dreamed they rapport with their people. In the past, this

could be. power was used to control the blood lust

of the Brethren in battle. Thane Ector

and his fool, together with Sersi, u~ed

this power to summon the disembodied

Brethren and form the Unimind .

124

Ocular Beams: Ector's most powerful at- SYBYL DORN ECTOR'S FOOL
tack is his ocular beams which can inflict
up to Unearthly force or energy damage. STATISTICS: STATISTICS:
Ector is only known to use his beams at
close range, no more than two areas F IN(40) F GD(1 0)
away. A RM(30) A RM(30)
Lightning Speed: Ector has the Lightning
Speed power at Amazing rank and can s RM(30) s GD(10)
run at 120 mph or 8 areas per turn for
short distances. E IN(40) E RM(30)
Limitation: The Thane of the Brethren R GD(10) R EX(20)
and his Fool are children of the same I EX(20) I EX(20)
parents. Upon reaching the fifteenth p EX(10) p AM(50)
birthday of the boy chosen to rule, the Health: 140 Health: 80
two are told the true origin of their peo- Karma: 50 Karma: 90
ple. The role of the Fool is to remind his Resources: MN(75) Resources: MN(75)
brother of the biology of the Brethren Popularity: - 75 (75 with the Brethren) Popularity: - 25 (5 with the Brethren)
and the niche they are destined to fill in
the cosmic order. Should the Thane ig- BACKGROUND: BACKGROUND:
nore his bro)her's counsel and overstep Real Name: Sybyl Dorn Real Name: Unrevealed
his authority or attempt to upset the an- Occupation: High Lady of the Brethren Occupation: Fool
cient balance, the Fool, through the tele- Identity: Publicly known on Earth and Identity: Publicly known among his own
pathic rapport they share, can attack or among her own people people.
even kill the Thane. This system of
checks and balances has apparently KNOWN POWERS: KNOWN POWERS:
kept the Brethren on their appointed Resistances: The nature of Sybyl Dom's Resistances: The nature of the Breth-
mission of destruction for centuries. very being grants her CL5000 resistance ren's very being, including the Fool,
Talents: Ector is a great warrior, trained to toxins and disease. In fact, germs and grants them CL5000 resistance to toxins
in all combat forms known to the Breth- bacteria seem to be what the Brethren and disease. In fact, germs and bacteria
ren. This training grants him the equiva- feed upon. seemed to be what the Brethren feed
lent of Martial Arts A through E. Berserker: In combat, the Brethren are upon.
Contacts: Ector's only true confidant, Berserkers and enter a mental state Telepathic Rapport: A Thane of the
the only one who shares the knowledge which allows them to ignore Stun re- Brethren and his Fool have a telepathic
of the secret shame of the Brethren, is sults. Dorn has been known to revert to rapport with their people. In the past, this
his Fool. her base components in battle. Presum- power was used to control the blood lust
ably, she has no memory of this transfor- of the Brethren in battle. Thane Ector
ADDITIONAL NOTES: mation after returning to human form. and his Fool , together with Sersi, used
Ocular Beams: Sybyl Dorn can fire ocu- this power to summon the disembodied
ROLE-PLAYING NOTES: lar beams which inflict up to Incredible Brethren and form the Unimind.
In life, Thane Ector was a troubled, even force or energy damage. She cannot fire Relationship to the Thane: The Thane
tortured man. He carried the secret that them more than two areas away. of the Brethren and his Fool are children
the legend of the Brethren as a proud of the same parents. Upon reaching the
warrior race was an empty one. He ADDITIONAL NOTES: fifteenth birthday of the boy chosen to
wished it were not so. In his death, Ector rule, they are told the true origin of their
the warrior, the leader, the dreamer ROLE-PLAYING NOTES: people. The role of the Fool is to remind
made this wish a reality. Dorn was in love with Ector and became his brother of the biology of the Brethren
intensely jealous when Ector's atten- and the niche they are destined to fill in
tions turned to the Avenger Sersi. She the cosmic order. Should the Thane ig-
was well versed in Brethren law and was nore his brother's counsel and overstep
determined to uphold their proud warrior his authority or attempt to upset the an-
traditions, even to the point of challeng- cient balance, the Fool, through the tele-
ing Ector's right to reign. She was a pathic rapport they share, can attack or
known participant in the Unimind which even kill the Thane. This system of
defeated the Collector. checks and balances has apparently
kept the Brethren on their appointed
mission of destruction for centuries.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

125

---· - -~~~~ ~~--=-~:--~--~·~!- ~=- -~ -=-~~~ --~---~- ~-
~-------:==--~--------~-----.~~~~ ~J

- •- - - -; 4'

:.--~~~=---~--~_-::.,.--:.,..~-- ~--:..:..-:.--___ - ------------ --~- __-:_- __ ---~ - ~: -- - - -~~ _- ----·- ---~-=--~-=-~-_::;_~_-_____:::-.:-_~-::""----·- - __--::;;.~

ROLE-PLAYING NOTES: TYPICAL germs and bacteria seemed to be what
Ector's Fool did all that he could to help the Brethren feed upon.
Ector maintain power and preserve the BRETHREN Berserker: In combat, the Brethren are
ways of the Brethren. Until their race's Berserkers and entered a mental state
last moments on Earth, only he and Ec- STATISTICS: which allows them to ignore Stun results
tor know their true origins. Though the and grants a -1CS to their fighting with
Fool always sought to give his brother F RM(30) resulting Health benefits.
good council, in the end, he was wrong A EX(20) Ocular Beams: Typical Brethren can fire
about the Brethren's inability to rise ocular beams which can inflict up to In-
above their biology and was instrumen- s RM(30) credible force or energy damage,
tal in the creation of the Unimind which though they can not fire them more than
defeated the Collector. E IN(40) two areas away.
R TY(6) Equipment:
I TY(6) Battle Armor: The Brethren Elite Guard
p EX(10) wears highly sophisticated Battle Armor.
Health: 120 Five members of the Brethren are known
Karma: 22 to have been wearing this armor when
Resources: Unrevealed they established a parameter around the
Popularity: - 25 (6 with the Brethren) Citadel of Thane Ector which was
perched atop the World Trade Center in
BACKGROUND: New York City. This armor is large, in ex-
Real Name: cess of 17' tall, granting it permanent
Occupation: Warriors
Identity: Publicly known on Earth and Feeble Growth and making it + 1CS to
among their own people.
be hit. It raises each of its wearers FASE
KNOWN POWERS:
Alien Physiology: Typical Brethren are abilities by +4CS and provides them
human-sized beings with pointed ears.
Many of the men are bald with bumps or with Amazing Body Armor. Weaponry
other formations on their heads and varies, but includes wrist-mounted
bodies. Some Brethren are less human- throwers able to fire force beams of Mon-
oid in appearance with tentacles rather strous Intensity and a Monstrously
than arms or legs, but these are what the strong tractor/repulser mounted on their
Brethren themselves refer to as genetic helmets.
throw-backs. The Fool is included in this
class, presumably because he has a tail. ROLE-PLAYING NOTES:
Resistances: The nature of the Breth-
ren's very being grants them CLSOOO re- By tradition, the Brethren were all about
sistance to toxins and disease. In fact, soldiering and conquest. By biology,
they were all about destroying life. They
were very good at what they were all
about.

126

STATISTICS:

I II
F GD(10) TY(6)
A TY(6) TY(6)
TY(6)
S TY(6) GD(10)
GD(10)
E GD(10) TY(6)
TY(6)
R EX(20)

I GD(10)
P GD(10)

Health: I: 32; II: 28
Karma: I: 40; II: 22
Resources: RM(30)

Popularity: O

BACKGROUND:
Real Name: (I): Unknown; (II): Nigel Fro-
bisher

Occupation: (I): Crimelord; (II): mer-
chant banker and crime lord
Legal Status: (I): British citizen with
criminal record; (II) British citizen with no
criminal record

Identity: Secret
Place of Birth: England
Marltal Status: (I): Unknown; (II): Single
Known Relatives: None
Base of Operations: London, England
Past Group Affiliations: (I): None; (II):
Underling of Courtney Ross
Present Group Affiliations:

KNOWN POWERS:

Vi xen I: None. Vixen I started out as a
normal woman with no super powers;
now she's a normal fox of unusual color.

Vixen II: Shapechange: Vixen II can sha-
pechange from Nigel Frobisher into the
female form of Vixen II whenever he
wishes in one round.

~ Equipment:
Vixen's connections enable her to pur-
chase advanced weapons and equip-
ment for her troopers.

Talents:

Vixen I: Vixen has a good understanding
of the criminal mind (since she is one),
giving her the Criminology talent. She al-
so has the Leadership talent.
Vixen II: Nigel is a merchant banker, with
the Business/Finance talent. He is learn-
ing to become a criminal.

Contacts:

Vixen I: She has an extensive network of
criminal contacts in the London under-

world, and a web of less developed crim-
inal connections throughout the south of
England.

Vixen II: Nigel has worked to expand
Vixen's criminal influence. In his normal

127

identity as Nigel Frobisher, Nigel has HISTORY: VIXEN'S
business contacts in the city (the London Vixen I grew up in the London area, and TROOPERS
financial district), especially with bank gradually fought her way to a place as
executive Courtney Ross. He some- the top dog of the London underworld, STATISTICS:
times works with Gatecrasher's Technet specializing in risky crimes such as
and Jamie Braddock. He has met with armed robbery and hiring out her troop- F GD(10)
(and made a bad impression on) Excali- ers as high-tech mercenaries. She built A GD(10)
bur, but they are unaware of his dual up an impressive lair containing TY(6)
identity. advanced criminal laboratories, and s GD(10)
fought Captain Britain on numerous oc- GD(10)
ADDITIONAL NOTES: casions, once even capturing him and E
stealing his power-enhancing costume. R TY(6)
ROLE-PLAYING NOTES: TY(6)
Vixen I: The original Vixen's main inter- Vixen's success lastecj until she met 1·
est was money and power. She boasted Nigel Frobisher. An up-and coming mer-
that she'd never help anyone if she chant banker whose only contact with p
wasn't paid to do so, and lived up to that superheroes was a number of failed at-
motto. Despite her cockney origins and tempts to meet Rachel Summers (Phoe- Health: 36
accent, Vixen enjoyed being treated as a nix II), Nigel had the misfortune to catch Karma: 26
fine lady by her henchmen, and reacted the attention of financier Courtney Ros-
violently to any disrespect. She had an s+ or rather, Courtney's evil extradimen- Resources: TY(6)
brazen, domineering personality, and sional counterpart, Opul Lun Sat-yr-nin
was never one to back down from who had murdered her and taken her Popularity: 0
threats from vigilante heroes or rival place. While visiting a British branch of
criminals (although she knew how to cut the Hellfire Club, Nigel lost a million- KNOWN POWERS:
her losses and run in the face of danger). dollar gambling wager with "Courtney" None. All of Vixen's troopers gain their
" There is no honor among thieves" and rather than suffer the social humilia- abilities from their equipment.
sums up her working philosophy. She tion of publicly welshing on a debt, he
thought little of betraying other supervil- was persuaded to enter her service. Equipment:
lains, such as Slaymaster, who had Since then, he has been used as a pawn The equipment of Vixen's troopers (and
worked with her. Appropriately enough, in his mistress's scheme to control the sometimes Vixen herself) includes:
she was eventually betrayed herself. London underworld. Body Armor: Some troopers wear Body
Armor with Typical rank protection vs.
Vixen II: Nigel Frobisher is an aver- Following her orders, Nigel contacted physical and energy attacks. Vixen
age person whose overreaching ambi- Gatecrasher's Technet and arranged for doesn't use it, preferring more fashion-
tion saw him thrust willy-nilly into the role them to rescue Jamie Braddock from Af- able camouflage pantsuits.
of a supervillain. As Vixen II , Nigel Fro- rica. After convincing Braddock to coop- Guns: Vixen's troopers are armed with
bisher tries to act as close as possible to erate, he then arranged a meeting with assault rifles and pistols (Excellent
the original Vixen in order to maintain his Vixen I. Vixen I expected to hear a busi- range, Good Shooting damage).
masquerade. However, although he is a ness proposition. Instead, Nigel intend-
good organizer and negotiator, Nigel is ed to eliminate her and take over her Jet Packs: Vixen's gang have sometimes
fundamentally a coward and would be gang. Jamie Braddock's new reality- used jet packs enabling them to fly at
sorely tested in any serious crisis. When altering powers transformed Vixen into a Good speed.
Nigel is in his own body, he is an over- white fox and Nigel was turned into a du- Talents: All troopers have the Guns tal-
confident boor and a rather crude wom- plicate of Vixen, with the ability to as- ent, and Vixen's troopers usually include
anizer whose deepest desire is to be as sume his own form at will. individuals skilled in a variety of special-
cold, elegant, and ruthless as his boss,
Courtney Ross. It remains to be seen if In service to Courtney Ross, Nigel has ized criminal talents, such as Safecrack-
his humiliation by Courtney and his life since used his masquerade to take over ing.
as Vixen will alter these tendencies for and expand Vixen's criminal influence
better or for worse. among the various London mobs. The

original Vixen is now an ill-tempered
house pet of Jamie Braddock.

Vixen commands a large number of
criminal underlings. Their statistics are
given below:

---..

128