Remo Williams, Reigning Master of Sinanju

[OddHat]

Remo Williams, as he is now, suitable for use as one of the most powerful NPCs in a campaign.

 

REMO WILLIAMS, THE DESTROYER, REIGNING MASTER OF SINANJU

Val Char Cost Roll Notes

30 STR 20 15- Lift 1600.0kg; 6d6 [3]

30 DEX 60 15- OCV: 10/DCV: 10

30 CON 40 15-

25 BODY 30 14-

23 INT 13 14- PER Roll 14-

23 EGO 26 14- ECV: 8

30 PRE 20 15- PRE Attack: 6d6

18 COM 4 13-

 

12/18 PD 6 Total: 12/18 PD (0/6 rPD)

12/18 ED 6 Total: 12/18 ED (0/6 rED)

7 SPD 30 Phases: 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12

20 REC 16

60 END 0

55 STUN 0 Total Characteristic Cost: 271

 

Movement: Running: 6"/12"

Flight: 30"/240"

Leaping: 6"/12"

Swimming: 2"/4"

 

Cost Powers END

Sinanju, Sun Source of the Martial Arts

12 1) Combat Luck (6 PD/6 ED)

Notes: Remo can take considerable punishment, but can be hurt by a blow or bullet that lands.

30 2) Moving with the blow / Pain Control: Physical Damage Reduction, Resistant, 50%

Notes: We often see Remo survive explosions and similar massive attacks that should kill almost anyone.

30 3) Moving with the blow / Pain Control II: Energy Damage Reduction, Resistant, 50%

65 4) Tapping to find the weak spot: Find Weakness 20- with Sinanju Attacks

Notes: This is the skill that lets Remo and Chiun achieve some of their most amazing breaking tricks. Remo is frequently seen carefully tapping on stone and steel, even tank armor, until he finds the spot that lets him shatter it.

27 5) Sinanju Honed Senses: Danger Sense (immediate vicinity, out of combat, Function as a Sense) 14-

14 6) Sinanju Honed Senses II: (Total: 14 Active Cost, 14 Real Cost) Nightvision (Real Cost: 5) plus Ultrasonic Perception (Hearing Group) (Real Cost: 3) plus +2 PER with all Sense Groups (Real Cost: 6)

11 7) Sinanju Lifestyle and Breathing: Life Support (Eating: Character only has to eat once per week; Extended Breathing: 1 END per Turn; Longevity: 200 Years; Safe in High Pressure; Safe in Intense Cold; Safe in Intense Heat; Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum; Sleeping: Character only has to sleep 8 hours per week)

5 8) Sinanju Vitality: Healing 1 BODY, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Persistent (+1/2) (20 Active Points); Extra Time (Regeneration-Only) 6 Hours (-2 1/2), Self Only (-1/2)

Notes: Remo heals incredibly quickly, but it's not full blown regeneration. He has often needed to be tended while incapacitated.

18 9) Avatar of Shiva: Healing 1 BODY, Resurrection, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Persistent (+1/2) (60 Active Points); Extra Time (Regeneration-Only) 1 Turn (Post-Segment 12) (-1 1/4), Self Only (-1/2), Resurrection Only (-1/2)

Notes: As the Avatar of Shiva, Remo can only die if his body is entirely destroyed, or if his Spirit is driven "beyond the void". Otherwise, Shiva will raise him from the dead, and posses his body (via Multiform) to take vengeance.

200 10) I am created Shiva, Destroyer of Worlds. Who is this dog meat that stands before me?: Multiform (2,000 Character Points in the most expensive form), Trigger (Activating the Trigger requires a Zero Phase Action, Trigger resets automatically, immediately after it activates, Character does not control activation of personal Trigger; Triggered by Death and Rebirth; +1/2) (600 Active Points); No Conscious Control (It might be justified to give Remo only a -1 for this limit, as he has recently gained some ability to control Shiva when in that form.; -2)

Notes: On his Death and Rebirth, Remo becomes the Avatar of Shiva. Until recently, Shiva and Remo were entirely separate personalities. Shiva is a full blown god, with his own agenda. He will generally kill anyone nearby who seems to be a threat, sparing Chiun and possibly Remo's allies and children. To get his stats, use the extra 1000 points to add Superhuman strength and durability to Remo at your campaign's top limits, and sink the rest into Remo's VPP. So far, Shiva has always eventually returned control to Remo, but it may be only a matter of time until he chooses not to.

154 Sinanju Powers: Variable Power Pool, 70 base + 84 control cost, Cosmic (+2) (175 Active Points); Limited Class Of Powers Available Slightly Limited (Super Skills and Martial Arts; -1/4)

Notes: This VPP originally required a skill roll to shift and featured Side Effects if the skill roll failed. The skill roll was sometimes expressed as a To Hit roll. However, the days when Remo would severely injure himself by missing a punch seem to be over. From a Special Effects point of view, almost any physical Super Skill fits into this VPP, as do a wide range of hand attacks. Remo has never shown the ability to use an ADSO hand attack, despite facing several ghost-like foes. Remo has displayed the ability to perform all sorts of subtle transformation attacks with a range of touch, as well as touch mind control. If you don't want those powers in this pool, move them out and up Remo's point totals. Note however that Remo is only getting a -1/4 limit on the control cost; allowing a wide range of Super skills seems fair.

0 1) Speed of Sinanju: Flight 30", x8 Noncombat (70 Active Points); Must Land At The End Of Each Phase (-1/2) Real Cost: 47 7

Notes: Remo and Chiun are absurdly fast, and can leap, climb, and run faster than any animal on Earth. Even running on water and up walls is within their range. Feel free to rebuild this slot with any advantages other than Mega scale. Note however that Remo and Chiun can not actually fly, even if their leaps come close. It would also be appropriate to break this power up into multiple slots.

0 2) Sinanju Touch: Major Transform 2d6+1, Improved Results Group (+1/4), Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4), Variable Healing Method (+1/2) (70 Active Points); No Range (-1/2) Real Cost: 47 3

Notes: Remo has used his Transform power to temporarily and permanently cripple targets, and to train them instantly in specific Sinanju skills. Possible healing methods include Chinese and Western medicine, or another application of this power. Feel free to break this power up into individual slots.

0 3) Sinanju Puppeteer: Mind Control 9d6+1, Telepathic (+1/4), Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4) (70 Active Points); Based on CON (Defense: PD; -1), No Range (-1/2) Real Cost: 28 3

Notes: Remo is able to control the nervous system of a target by touch. He most often uses this to paralyze a foe and force answers during an interrogation, but he has also used it to force a target to drive or to experience intense physical pleasure. For SFX purposes, this power may segue into Remo's Transformation Attack. You may wish to re-build this power as cumulative.

0 4) Paralytic Touch: Entangle 2d6, 3 DEF, Takes No Damage From Attacks Limited Group (+1/4), Works Against CON, Not STR (+1/4), Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4), Based On EGO Combat Value (Mental Defense applies; +1) (69 Active Points); Based on CON (Defense: PD; -1), Cannot Form Barriers (-1/4) Real Cost: 31 3

Notes: A very healthy person can free him or her self from this version of paralytic touch; if that seems too low powered for you, let Remo use one of his other super skills to simulate this effect.

0 5) I can tell if you're lying: Telepathy 5d6, Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4), Invisible Power Effects, Hide effects of Power (Fully Invisible; +1) (56 Active Points); Empathy All Emotions (-1/2), Receive Only (-1/2), Does Not Provide Mental Awareness (-1/4), Normal Range (-1/4), Limited Range (-1/4) Real Cost: 20 2

Notes: By watching closely and listening to the breathing and heart rate of his target, the Master of Sinanju may generally get a good idea of what that target is feeling. This process is not technically psionic, and the target does not know he is being observed in this manner.

0 6) Crippling Touch: Drain any Characteristic 3d6, any Characteristic one at a time (+1/4), Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4), Delayed Return Rate (points return at the rate of 5 per 20 Minutes; +3/4) (67 Active Points) Real Cost: 67 3

Notes: Another approach to Remo's many Sinanju Touch effects; used in a Sweep, this power can easily temporarily cripple a foe, or leave that target more open to Remo's other attacks.

0 7) His face never showed on the cameras: Invisibility to Sight and Hearing Groups , Costs END Only To Activate (+1/4) (31 Active Points); Only vs. Machines Power loses about half of its effectiveness (-1) Real Cost: 15 2

Notes: Remo and Chiun can and sometimes do use this Invisibility without the Only vs. Machines limit. Feel free to drop that limit from the build.

Sinanju, Sun Source of the Martial Arts

Maneuver OCV DCV Notes

4 Finger Strike -1 +1 5d6 NND

4 Block +2 +2 Block, Abort

5 Breaking Throw -2 -2 Grab One Limb; HKA 1 1/2d6 , Disable; Target Falls

4 Dodge -- +5 Dodge, Affects All Attacks, Abort

4 Knives of Eternity -2 +0 HKA 3d6 +1

4 Punch/Snap Kick +0 +2 14d6 Strike

5 All Out Offense -2 +1 16d6 Strike

4 Root +0 +0 75 STR to resist Shove; Block, Abort

4 Shove +0 +0 75 STR to Shove

3 Controlling Hold -1 -1 Grab Two Limbs, 70 STR for holding on

4 Escape +0 +0 75 STR vs. Grabs

4 Punishing Hold +0 +0 16d6 Crush, Must Follow Grab

4 Eye Gouge -1 -1 Flash 10d6

5 Takeaway +0 +0 Grab Weapon, 70 STR to take weapon away

5 Passing Strike +1 +0 12d6 +v/5; FMove

5 Flying Dodge -- +4 Dodge All Attacks, Abort; FMove

24 +6 HTH Damage Class(es)

 

Perks

13 Contact: Chiun, Master of Sinanju (Contact has extremely useful Skills or resources, Contact is slavishly loyal to character, Very Good relationship with Contact) 14-

Notes: Chiun thinks of Remo as his son, and will give his life to save Remo. At the same time, remember that Chiun is a strong willed free agent, and will not take orders. He's more likely to give them, and to expect them to be obeyed. Remo often adventures alone, though Chiun is usually there for the final conflict. If you wish to describe Chiun as a follower, use Remo's sheet, adjusting the physical stats somewhat downwards and using the saved points to expand Chiun's skill list.

27 Contact: Harold Smith and CURE (Contact has access to major institutions, Contact has extremely useful Skills or resources, Contact has significant Contacts of his own, Very Good relationship with Contact), Organization Contact (x3) (27 Active Points) 11-

Notes: By the later books, Smith often puts incredible resources into motion at Remo's request. At this point, Smith seems to be a full organization contact.

2 Deep Cover

Notes: Remo goes through endless covers working for CURE. You may wish to charge him more for this.

15 Fringe Benefit: Diplomatic Immunity, License to Kill

Notes: So long as he works for CURE, Remo is able to get away with murder. Or mass murder. Almost anything, really.

15 Fringe Benefit: Reigning Master of Sinanju

Notes: As the Reigning Master, Remo could exercise far more power than he chooses to. Royalty and religious leaders’ world wide know of Sinanju and crave its favor. Remo is also the appointed successor Sunny Joe of the Sun No Jo tribe, but has yet to see any benefits from this position.

3 Anonymity

Notes: Legally dead, his paper trail carefully erased.

15 Money: Filthy Rich

Notes: As Reigning Master of Sinanju, Remo has access to vast wealth. Furthermore, CURE has proven to be willing to give Remo almost any amount of money to keep him working for them.

2 Reputation: Reigning Master of Sinanju (A small to medium sized group) 14-, +2/+2d6

Notes: Those few who know of Sinanju outside of Sinanju itself (and the Sun No Jo reservation) will treat the Master with respect.

 

Skills

Sinanju Skills

Notes: This list is not all inclusive. Feel free to add any martial arts skill that seems appropriate.

3 1) Acrobatics 15-

3 2) Breakfall 15-

3 3) Concealment 14-

3 4) Shadowing 14-

3 5) Stealth 15-

3 6) Sleight Of Hand 15-

3 7) Seduction 15-

3 8) Analyze: Style 14-

3 9) Analyze: Combat 14-

3 10) Tactics 14-

3 11) Interrogation 15-

3 12) PS: Sensei 14-

Notes: Remo starts using this skill fairly early in the series, often in concert with his VPP in order to quickly teach an aspect of Sinanju skill. It is well established in the text that anyone can learn some Sinanju, though only rare individuals can master the art.

18 13) +6 with Martial Maneuvers

10 14) Defense Maneuver I-IV

10 15) Two-Weapon Fighting (HTH)

Notes: Two Weapon Fighting and Rapid Attack reflect Remo's inhuman speed. Together, they allow Remo to close with a foe and weep in a single phase while taking minimal penalties.

5 16) Rapid Attack (HTH)

60 17) +6 Overall

Notes: These skill levels had RSR: Sinanju and Side Effects when Remo first purchased them, but Remo has since paid those limits off. Remo rarely uses these skill level for his mental skills, unless a physical effect can be used to explain such use.

3 Linguist

Notes: This is a tricky one. Chiun is definitely fluent in at least a score of languages, to the point that Universal Translator: Languages he may have studied only (-1/2) may be appropriate. Remo shows this ability in only one book, and speaks only Korean and English in most books. However, he is also now the Reigning Master. If he has not already mastered the languages of potential clients, he should be doing so. Feel free however to ignore this list, save for the fluency in Korean.

1 1) Language: Arabic (fluent conversation) (2 Active Points)

1 2) Language: Cantonese (fluent conversation) (2 Active Points)

0 3) Language: English (idiomatic; literate) (5 Active Points)

1 4) Language: Japanese (fluent conversation) (2 Active Points)

4 5) Language: Korean (idiomatic; literate) (5 Active Points)

1 6) Language: Mandarin (fluent conversation) (2 Active Points)

1 7) Language: Mongol (fluent conversation) (2 Active Points)

1 8) Language: Russian (fluent conversation) (2 Active Points)

3 Scholar

2 1) KS: CURE (3 Active Points) 14-

1 2) KS: Criminal Law And Procedure (2 Active Points) 11-

2 3) KS: History of Sinanju and contents of the Sacred Scrolls (3 Active Points) 14-

1 4) KS: Marine History And Traditions (2 Active Points) 11-

2 5) KS: Martial World (3 Active Points) 14-

2 6) KS: Sinanju (the Martial Art) (3 Active Points) 14-

1 7) KS: Sinanju Legends and Lore (2 Active Points) 11-

Police Officer

Notes: Remo should probably know more about the business of being a cop. However, we don't see him use that knowledge.

2 1) PS: Police Officer 11-

3 2) Deduction 14-

3 3) Criminology 14-

3 4) Streetwise 15-

Marine Sniper

Notes: Remo's skill list could be much longer. In particular, he should be an expert with small arms. However, we never see Remo using most of his Marine training.

2 1) PS: Marine 11-

 

Total Powers & Skill Cost: 929

Total Cost: 1200

 

1000+ Disadvantages

15 Hunted: CURE 8- (Mo Pow, NCI, PC has a Public ID or is otherwise very easy to find, Watching)

15 Hunted: Rogues Gallery 11- (As Pow, Harshly Punish)

Notes: Remo has one of the best rogues’ galleries out there, from Mister Gordons to Nuihc to Kali to cyborgs, monsters and madmen of every description. Most of them are just a bit less personally powerful than Remo, a few are more so. Rather than list them one at a time, I prefer a single listing. Note that his more interesting foes rarely stay dead for long.

15 Social Limitation: Subject To Orders (Frequently, Major)

Notes: As Reigning Master, Remo is better able to decide which orders he will and will not take.

10 Social Limitation: Secret: The existence of CURE (Occasionally, Major)

15 Psychological Limitation: Loyal to Chiun, Sinanju, the Sun No Jo, and America (Very Common, Moderate)

Notes: Sometimes Remo finds himself in positions where these loyalties conflict.

10 Psychological Limitation: Yearns for a "normal" life (Common, Moderate)

Notes: Remo has tried to retire from CURE countless times over the years, but his duty to Chiun and America always drags him back.

10 Psychological Limitation: Overconfident and Impulsive, often makes very poor choices (Common, Moderate)

10 Psychological Limitation: Stubborn and Moody (Common, Moderate)

5 Psychological Limitation: Will not willingly use non-improvised weapons, never uses guns (Uncommon, Moderate)

15 Physical Limitation: May only eat minimally processed foods. Affected badly by drugs or alcohol. (Infrequently, Fully Impairing)

Notes: Remo’s relationship with food is actually variable in the early books. He gobbles down duck in oyster sauce, yet gets sick as a dog from a hamburger. Generally, alcohol or processed foods will at the least rob Remo of his extra DC until they pass through his system, and may render him completely helpless at the GM's discretion.

10 Physical Limitation: Hopeless with even simple mechanical devices (Infrequently, Greatly Impairing)

Notes: This waxes and wanes through the series, but generally Remo has trouble using any device more complicated than a basic telephone. Move any attempts to use mechanical equipment at least one or two steps down the time chart.

5 Distinctive Features: Dead eyes, freakishly thick wrists, steel hard fingernails (Easily Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)

15 Susceptibility: Certain frequencies of sound and types of radiation harmless to non-Sinanju trained men, 1d6 damage per Phase (Uncommon)

Notes: Several times Remo and Chiun have run up against types of sound, light and radiation harmless to normal men but deadly to Masters of Sinanju. If killed by this type of susceptibility, Remo will not come back.

10 Dependent NPC: Daughter Freyja, son Winston 8- (Slightly Less Powerful than the PC; Group DNPC: x2 DNPCs)

Notes: Remo's daughter Freyja is a natural Sinanju adept, while his son is a trained Navy Seal. Against the types of foes Remo faces at this stage of his life, that's not much protection.

10 Dependent NPC: The people of Sinanju and the Sun No Jo Tribe 8- (Normal)

Notes: Remo is responsible for the welfare of both of these groups.

30 Sinanju Bonus

 

Total Disadvantage Points: 1200

 

Background/History: His name was Remo, and if you're a fan of the books, you know the drill.

 

Marine turned Cop, framed for a crime he didn't commit, recruited into a secret government organization to save his country by killing those outside the law. The Dead White Night Tiger of Sinanju, destined to serve as the Avatar of Shiva and to be buried in the Arlington Cemetery under his own name.

 

The most important person in Remo's life is Chiun, Master of Sinanju, Remo's mentor, father figure and eventual partner. Early in the series Chiun primarily offers advice and training, but he soon moves on to full co-star status. Chiun is not a typical old Martial Arts Master; he is bloodthirsty, arrogant, self-centered, racist, and he nags. When written well, this is vastly entertaining. Chiun's Sinanju skills are superior to Remo's in the early books, and only now after thirty years has Remo finally surpassed the older man. Both characters have mellowed considerably in that time.

 

Also important to Remo is Harold Smith, head of CURE. Brilliant, fearless, ruthless, patriotic to the bone, and skilled at fading into the background, in WWII Smith was one of America's most successful OSS Operatives, earning the nick-name "The Grey Ghost". President Kennedy tapped Smith as head of CURE, a government agency so secret that only the President knows of its existence, and so powerful that the president can give the director of CURE only one order: Shut down. Using his mastery of the bureaucratic arts and near-unrivalled computer skills, Smith has effectively become the most powerful man in America. Only his virtually incorruptible nature has prevented Smith from becoming America's secret Emperor. Remo often bickers with Smith, but Smith, Remo and Chiun have formed an emotional attachment over the years that none will openly acknowledge.

 

Remo has in recent years become the Reigning Master of Sinanju (making Chiun the Master Emeritus), guardian of the people of the tiny Korean village of Sinanju. He has also rediscovered his biological father, Sunny Joe Roam, and his connection to the Sun No Jo Indian tribe. Most importantly, Remo has re-established his connection to his biological daughter Freyja, and has made a sort of peace with his estranged son Winston.

 

The Destroyer series has passed 140 books and is still going strong. Very much in the spirit of the pulps, Remo uses his increasing powers to face a long list of superhuman and supernatural foes. The better books in the series include a solid dose of satire. Not all of the books have been gems, and some can be offensive, but on the whole the early books hold up well, and Warren Murphy's active interest in the stories has helped maintain the quality of the series.

 

 

Personality/Motivation: Remo is a good man at heart, but he has become a master killer. His patriotism is still part of his personality, but it is eclipsed by his loyalty to his family and to the legacy of Sinanju. While no longer as casually violent as he once was, Remo still has a cruel streak, and will still coldly kill criminals and those who threaten him or his.

 

Remo is loyal to his daughter, Chiun, his father and son, Sinanju, the Sun No Jo tribe, Smith, and the United States of America, usually in that order. He is also loyal to his friends and his many lovers, but that hasn't stopped him from killing a few of them.

 

For all that Remo is now more heroic than he once was, his bloodthirstiness should not be underplayed. He has killed his way through armies, and colluded in the deaths of more than a few relatively innocent people. He still tortures to get information, seduces and abandons women, and generally resorts to violence first when frustrated. He won't harm an obvious innocent or a child, but all others between him and his target remain fair game.

 

 

 

Quote: That's the biz, sweetheart.

 

Powers/Tactics: At the start of his career Remo is not much more than an exceedingly highly trained and very tough martial artist. Now, as the Reigning Master of Sinanju, he's absurdly powerful. Even so, he runs into a fair number of foes more powerful still.

 

Remo starts out dealing with foes by striking from surprise. He will generally keep his VPP in movement and stealth slots unless he needs to apply one of his other skills. Remo could potentially solve many problems by making better use of his existing skills and powers, but is very often a victim of Plot Induced Stupidity.

 

Campaign Use: At this level Remo is only playable in the highest power campaigns. He might work as NPC support against a world class menace; in such a situation, the GM should consider using one of Remo's Sinanju susceptibilities or Physical Limits to allow the PCs more of a chance to shine.

 

I considered having Remo purchase Chiun as a follower, but due to Chiun's nature as a free agent that seemed inappropriate. To make Remo less powerful, drop some of his DCs and levels, and add back in the Skill Roll and Side Effects limitations to his VPP and Overall Levels. To make him more powerful, boost the points in his VPP.

 

Appearance: A slender dark haired man of average height with "the deadest eyes I've ever seen", dressed in chinos, a t-shirt, and expensive Italian shoes. His wrists are exceptionally thick, almost freakishly so. Women tend to find Remo exceptionally attractive.

 

Remo Williams by Warren Murphy and Richard Sapier. Character sheet by Robert Dorf.

[AlHazred]

Re: Remo Williams, Reigning Master of Sinanju

 

Hmmm... Some of the powers are a little on the light side, I think...

 

[OddHat]

Re: Remo Williams, Reigning Master of Sinanju

 

Hmmm... Some of the powers are a little on the light side, I think...

 

 

Maybe yes. And 700 points is meant to be "Galactic" Champions.

 

Usually the special powers get used against normals. In those cases, they should work more or less as they do in the book. He has faced a few Human foes (a Sumotori, other Masters of Sinanju) who were mostly immune to his nerve manipulation attacks; it's not much of a stretch to say that Supers should be as well.