Around the World With A New Character Each Week

[The Arc]

Re: Around the World With A New Character Each Week

 

JANUS (Moldova)

 

 

JANUS

 

Character Sheet (click here)

 

Background

Not much is known about the man calling himself Costel Popeseu, other than the fact that he is a Moldavian, and was one of the KGB’s top assassins. The reasons for little knowledge of Costel are twofold. One is that Costel is a known shapeshifter, what isn’t known is if his abilities were natural or artificial. His abilities to become almost anyone were legendary in the KGB before that agency was disbanded. Secondly the files on Costel that were kept were destroyed, as were all copies. Attempts to locate Costel since the breakup of the Soviet Union have proven fruitless.

 

 

While in the KGB, Costel went by the codename Doorway. His specialty was the elimination of defectors and dissidents. No one was ever sure when Doorway would strike. It could be your best friend, or even a relative. Costel used a variety of techniques from explosives to silenced weapons. One of few agents to ever rival Costel was the agent known as Sweeper.

 

 

After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Costel disappeared. Many thought that he had been liquidated, as were many KGB agents at the time. However, no records remain detailing his retirement, even though several Hunter and Killer squads were dispatched for such purpose. No traces of Costel Popeseu were found in the Russian Federation. Without further evidence of Costel, it was assumed that the assassin has returned to Moldova. Again, however, it has proven impossible to follow a man who could be almost anybody. Costel is still considered a threat to certain members of the Russian Federation government.

 

 

Costel Popeseu still lives. He did return to Moldova, a changed man, at least on the surface. The people of the village he lives in think of him as a true man of god, a caring man, loyal to his ailing mother who lives in the capital. The good priest often goes to visit his mother. Little do they know, the man who gives them communion, is really Costel Popesu, even though he doesn’t use that name. Nor is there an ailing mother. When Costel goes visiting, it’s for his old profession, a paid killer. However, Costel doesn’t go by his old codename that would bring too much heat from the Russians. Now Costel uses the codename Janus, and this time it’s not just political enemies who get visits from the assassin, but anyone who has paid his fee.

 

 

 

Personality

Costel is a well trained killer, possibly too well trained. He kills without remorse, because that is what he was trained to do. Just because the KGB isn’t anymore, doesn’t mean that Costel is going to change. Actually since becoming free of the entanglements of the KGB, Costel has actually killed more people. The KGB acted as a control for Costel, and now he’s a free agent. Costel is quite popular with the Russian Mob because not only does he get results, no one knows whom he is either. For Costel, killing is just part of the job, and it is something he’s really good at.

 

 

From his days with the KGB Costel was known as a pretty cold customer. However, the number of people who knew Costel from those days are dwindling because Costel has systematically eliminating them. Costel always has a plan, and contingency plan, in case the first plan falls through. A saying that went around the KGB for awhile was that ‘no one got past the doorway’. Needless to say, Costel has no great liking for Spartak, whom Costel feels has no professionalism. Spartak's willingness to protect innocents, is seen as a liability to Costel.

 

 

The KGB has instilled Costel with a sense of duty. Once he has accepted a contract, Costel doesn’t back down. While it might be possible to defeat him, that just means that Costel is going to regroup and try to take out the target from a different direction.

 

 

 

Quote

"Death always comes knocking on the door. In your case, I think it comes a little sooner."

 

 

 

Powers

Costel is an Uber who has superb control over his musculature. With a mere though he can either contract or expand his muscles in his legs allowing him to jump great distances or to run at superhuman speeds. Further Costel can augment the muscles in his arm, allowing him to lift a lot more than a normal human could, or by directing his am muscles, Costel can deliver crippling punches. His control also prevents attacks that would drain energy from him, and also allows Costel to quickly heal from almost any wound.

 

 

Costel’s greatest power is his ability to take on the appearance of almost anybody, male or female, adult or child. It’s almost impossible to differentiate Costel from the original. Telepathy and DNA testing are probably the only way to identify Costel when he’s imitating someone. Costel is limited to just humanoid forms. While he can appear as the President of Russia, he can’t take the form of a desk or a chair for example.

 

 

The KGB trained Costel to be an assassin. As such, Costel can use almost any sharp object as a weapon. In Costel’s hands a common pocket knife becomes a deadly weapon. It doesn’t matter if a target is up close or at a distance, all Costel needs is a pointed object. The KGB also gave Costel some training in hand to hand combat. His training makes Costel a brutal combatant.

 

 

 

Appearance

Costel can be almost anyone. With his powers he can appear to be almost anyone, from man to woman, from child to adult. Few have actually ever seen Costel in his true natural form. Currently Costel has taken on the identity of a Romanian Orthodox priest in a small village. In this identity, Costel has a long beard and wears black robes.

 

 

The few who remember Costel from his days with the KGB say that he’s a man of average height and weight, and usually looked like he could fit in almost anywhere. However, when on official business, Costel would take on the appearance of a man with short wavy hair, piercing blue eyes, and his favorite mode of dress were tight fitting jeans, shirts that showed off his hairy chest, and combat boots.

 

Notes

Tribe (Ben) has graciously invited me to help on his Around the World with a New Character Each Week project. Janus is my first real contribution. I hope everyone likes it.

[tribe]

#115 PRINCESS SUSAN (Monaco)

 

 

PRINCESS SUSAN

Princess Susan of Monaco

Character Sheet (Click Here)

 

Background

Susan Barras was an accomplished thief at the age of eighteen and established a name for herself, the Silver Phantom. She excelled at break-ins to expensive hotels and using her uber powers she was quite adept at melting room safes and making off with valuables. She was active between the west coast and Chicago, and worked in both Canada and the United States. She crossed swords with the super hero team Tribune in Vancouver, as well as Canadian Shield, but was never considered a serious threat.

 

Her criminal career came to an end when she attempted to burgle the hotel suite of Prince Albert II of Monaco. She cracked the safe but never made it out of the hotel. Instead, she was startled by the Prince and invited to an intimate dinner in the room which she agreed to. They spent hours talking over champagne and when the sun rose Susan explained that she had to leave. The Prince asked to see her again, but she didn't take him seriously. She agreed to see him again the next night in the same place, but had no plans to do so.

 

The Prince took her at her word and set up a beautiful dinner. Susan's curiosity got the better of her and she watched the Prince's suite from across the street in another high rise hotel. Her heart stirred as she watched the Prince wait for her. There was no security, no police trap. It was just the Prince and he was waiting for her. Susan stayed in her secret room for hours and never once did the Prince give up hope of her return.

 

She was touched.

 

But she knew it couldn't be possible for the two of them to continue such a relationship.

 

Susan had plans to leave Chicago the next day but something about watching the Prince patiently wait for her, made her change her mind. She snuck into the hotel the following night, as she had two nights before. When she slipped inside she found that the Prince was gone. Her heart sank immediately. She walked slowly through the suite and touched his belongings: those small things he had brought from Monaco to make his stay more comfortable. She didn't know much about him, apart from the tabloids which reported on his many social forays and many allegations of paternity. His father, Prince Rainier had recently died which made Albert the ruling monarch. He was unattached. Susan opened the wardrobe and looked at his immaculate suits.

 

And then the door opened. Security men walked in and then the Prince. Susan slipped into the wardrobe and closed it behind her. The security detachment swept through the suite and then retreated to another room. Susan watched as the Prince walked through the room passed her hiding spot.

 

He looked tired.

 

She opened the door and stepped out.

 

'You look like you could do with a back rub," she said softly.

 

He turned, and to his credit, he did not appear startled. Susan smiled. He looked relieved to see her.

 

"Ah," he said. "My intruder."

 

Two years later, in 2007, the two were married in Monaco, and Susan Barras became Princess Susan of Monaco. Any outstanding warrants for her arrest have been dealt with and she lives a high profile life in Europe, only returning to America and Canada with her husband. She has given up her uber-thief career and has given birth to twin children: Rainier and Charlotte.

 

Personality

Princess Susan is a confident woman but knows that she is now a part of a proud and important tradition. She is gracious and defers to Prince Albert, especially in public. Her life is focussed on children's charities and the lives of her young children, Rainier and Charlotte. Although she is the wife and consort of the ruling monarch of Monaca, she has friendly relations with Albert's two acknowledged former lovers and their illegitimate children, Alexandre Coste (born in 2003 to a Togo woman) and Jazmin Grimaldi (born in 1992, Palm Springs). Susan's children are the heirs to the throne as no illegitimate children will be considered in issues of succession.

 

Since becoming the Princess, Susan has vowed never to use her uberhuman abilities and has so far been true to her word. She has managed to oppose two members of the International House of Crime when they attempted to steal valuable paintings from the Princess' residence showing that she is capable of looking after herself and her loved ones. The International House of Crime has marked Susan as an important target so members of the organisation are encouraged to attempt robberies against the Royal Family of Monaco.

 

Quote

"Every day has the potential to change the world. One day we may live the life we always thought was ours, but the next may see a whole new life whether we are expecting it or not. There are people around the world, children around the world, who must deal with these changes every day and unlike my own life of fortune, these children are not living in fairy tales with happy endings."

 

Powers

The Silver Phantom was famous for her dazzling entries and exits from expensive hotels across the northern United States and Canada. She still retains her powers but refuses to use them. She had the ability to generate light in bursts as well as focussed bolts of energy. She was always in top physical condition as the Silver Phantom and was an evasive martial artist and acrobat. Since becoming Princess Susan she has allowed her training to slip away as she no longer feels the necessity of daily training. Nonetheless, Susan is still capable of defending herself and is very resourceful.

 

Appearance

Princess Susan is in her late thirties. She has silver-blonde hair which is cut in a bobbed fashion, and has a bubble-like nose which makes her seem younger than she actually is. As the consort of a monarch, she has access to high fashion and she has become the sponsor for a series of fashion designers in Paris and Monte Carlo. While she is frequently photographed by the paparazzi, Susan always appears dignified and composed. She prefers to wear simple designs and does not wear too much jewellery, except on official occasions.

 

As the Silver Phantom, Susan was famous for her silver catsuit with black domino mask. Her hair was a fuller blonde back then and her figure was more lithe with the element of mischief and danger. Incidentally, Susan still has the catsuit.

[Badger]

Re: Around the World With A New Character Each Week

 

I noticed you were on Montenegro. One of my last visits to http://www.infoplease.com/countries.html (I've mentioned this website here elsewhere before, anyhow) Motenegro basically was part of a combined state of Serbia and Montenegro until about a year and half ago. I think Serbia and Montenegro basically split into 2 countries.

[tribe]

Re: Around the World With A New Character Each Week

 

I noticed you were on Montenegro. One of my last visits to http://www.infoplease.com/countries.html (I've mentioned this website here elsewhere before' date=' anyhow) Motenegro basically was part of a combined state of Serbia and Montenegro until about a year and half ago. I think Serbia and Montenegro basically split into 2 countries.[/quote']

 

Yeah, I checked into that. Montenegro has always been very close to Serbia (and still is in many ways) but recently they took a referendum for independence and got more than the 55% needed. From what I've read it was a bit of a surprise to Serbia.

 

More recently, as in yesterday, Kosovo also gained independence which further upset Serbia.

 

I'll be doing a special Kosovo entry after Montenegro to help usher in the new country. Whatever the future for Kosovo let's hope it's peaceful. The majority of its population is Ethnic Albanian while the Serbian minority once used to have much of the power. The Serbs think they will be persecuted while the Albanians are finally in control of a country in which they were kept as almost second class citizens for over a hundred years.

[Badger]

Re: Around the World With A New Character Each Week

 

Sadly, I wouldnt hold my breath. There has always been the habit of the persecuted to become the persecutors when in power. And in the Balkans this seemed to have been expecially true. (only the Mid-East seems to "thrive" on turmoil more so)

 

 

Note: When I say thrive I dont necessarily mean the majority of people, just the officials in power, of course.

[tribe]

#116 MINGGAN (Mongolia)

 

 

MINGGAN

Besud Enkhbold Chuluun

Character Sheet (Click Here)

 

Background

They came out of nowhere.

 

A horde of Mongolians leapt through the air and landed all around the compound: some on the roof and others inside the actual courtyard. The Chinese workers scurried away in all directions but were cut off by more of the archers. Lightning streaked through the sky, crackling in the air. The Minggan killed everyone in sight: soldier, worker, child. And then they were gone just as quickly.

 

When news reached Beijing, the Gang of Five were informed. They dispatched spies to Mongolia in search of the men who were responsible for the murders. When no news was forthcoming, Snake was sent to personally investigate. She discovered that the horde of ubers were actually a single, troubled man and that he had the ability to multiply into hundreds of equally berserk warriors. Snake reported back to the Gang of Five and they came up with several plans. One of the plans was to capture the 'Minggan' and to turn his powers into a weapon for China. Another was to murder him.

 

Snake led a team of Rong Yu Jing Wei in Ulan Bator. They moved in secret to avoid an international scandal, but their purpose was clear. Snake discovered the Minggan's family and had them tortured and killed. No information was found, though, and Snake was forced to move on to family friends. While Snake and her team pursued answers in the city, Minggan was razing villages in northern India. News of his appearance reached Snake and she ordered her team to travel to the Indian border as quickly as possible.

 

As he retreated from the Assembly, which had eventually forced him away from his target, Snake and the Rong Yu Jing Wei attacked him. At Snake's orders, they were merciless. Minggan suffered many casualties and his bodies lay strewn across the steppes. But no matter how many they killed, there always seemed to be more of them. During the battle, Minggan sent one of his 'brothers' to safety, so that when Snake eventually succeeded in eradicating all of the warriors, Minggan was still able to survive although Snake and the Chinese government had assumed he was neutralised.

 

Minggan discovered his parents had been murdered and his fury was white-hot. He travelled towards Beijing: a horde of warriors capable of throwing lightning and leaping through the air. The Immortals stood between the hordes of Minggan and the Chinese Parliament. There was a massive battle which lasted for nearly a full 24 hours, after which Minggan was beaten senseless and incarcerated at the secretive Camp Zero.

 

The Chinese scientists attempted to discover the secret of his duplication, and the hero Pig was able to locate the specific ubergene responsible. However, before the scientists could attempt to replicate the gene, Minggan committed suicide in an electrical explosion.

 

Years passed and everyone assumed Minggan had perished, however, in the past few years he has been spotted in India again. His tactics seem to remain the same. He attacks outlying settlements which he feels encroach upon the land of Mongolians. He doesn't seem to accept boundaries, though, and has been influenced by the legendary exploits of the Khans. He may even consider the continent of Asia to be the rightful territory of his people.

 

Minggan means 'the thousand'. Although no exact number of duplicates has been counted, it is doubtful he could produce that number. Eyewitness accounts list the number of Minggan to be in excess of eighty at one time. Indeed, the battle in Beijing resulted in the bloody deaths of seventy-five Minggans over the twenty-four hour period.

 

Personality

Minggan is something of an enigma. He doesn't seem to have any kind of independent thought, but at the same time he remains fiercely independent and refuses to be controlled or influenced by others. His independence is focussed outwards while he is dominated by an internal collective. There doesn't seem to be any kind of mental connection between the Minggan, although they shout out tactics in a guttural Khalkha Mongol.

 

Since the death of his family, the man who was once Besud Enkhbold Chuluun has lost all contact with society. He remains loyal to his country but forever apart from it. He only communicates with himself, or 'himselves'. He is aggressive and bloody-minded, although his hatred applies only to outsiders.

 

Quote

"The war is composed of many, many battles. If we lose one battle, it does not matter, for we will still win the next ten."

 

Powers

Minggan is able to generate multiple bodies, or duplicates. Each duplicate warrior possesses the same abilities and memories. There doesn't seem to be an upper limit to the number of duplicate warriors he can create although he has yet to produce more than eighty at one time.

 

Each Minggan also possesses the ability to generate electricity. This grants them resistance to energy attacks as well as the offensive capability of generating electro-arrows. Each warrior carries a Mongolian bow which he uses to focus the energy. Without the bow the energy does not form correctly. The lightning blasts are devastating, and when faced with eighty warriors each with the ability to harness such power, the Minggan are truly awesome to behold.

 

The warriors also possess the ability to fly, although this is more of a super-charged leap, linked to their ability to create bursts of electricty.

 

Appearance

Chuluun was once a normal-looking young Mongolian man, but his bloody experiences as Minggan had permanently marked him. His eyes are ringed in dark shadows and his face seems to be haunted. His cheekbones are prominent and he wears a long black moustache which adds to the gauntness of his face. His armour is fashioned on ancient Mongolian armour, although it is made of modern materials which he has somehow come into possession. He carries a long curved bow but no arrows.

 

Presumably, when Minggan is not actively marching on the enemies of his country, he exists quietly in some village or township. During these times he presumably lies low and is unnoticed by the people around him. He possesses survival skills which would allow him to live off the land.

[The Arc]

Re: Around the World With A New Character Each Week

 

POBJEDA (Montenegro)

 

 

Dragoslav Petrovic

 

http://www.uber-world.com/characterpage.php?cid=922

 

Background

Dragoslav was lying on the roof of his apartment trying to get an all over tan. His passion was bodybuilding and if he did a little dancing on the side for the ladies, well at least paid the bills. One had to have a nice tan to really get noticed, and Dragoslav had slavered his body with coconut oil, and even went so far as to get one of those reflective things to focus the suns’ rays. Shades on, and the boom box next to him playing some of his favorite Montenegro tunes. Dragoslav was very relaxed. However, his relaxation seemed to be short lived.

 

Dragoslav had heard the sounds of artillery fire before. One didn’t live in Serbia-Montenegro without the sounds of war. So it didn’t surprise him too much when he thought he heard the sounds of incoming shells, but there hadn’t been any fighting in this area for weeks. Dropping his reflector, Dragoslav stood up, and he had to dig a finger into his thong to get it from ridding up. This was also when the artillery shell hit him. Dragoslav was physically thrown back across the length of the roof, and if wasn’t for the retaining wall at the edge of the roof, he’d surely have gone over.

 

Pain radiated out from his chest, from where he had been hit. Dragoslav knew he was going to die, and his life passed by his eyes. It didn’t take long. In that moment Dragoslav knew he had been a petty vain man, and he deeply regretted that he didn’t live a better life. Maybe a better life serving Montenegro, but alas he was going to die. Oh cruel fate. Dragoslav knew he was fated to die today; he hadn’t checked his horoscope that morning. He must’ve missed some dire warning.

 

After a half an hour, of careful contemplation, Dragoslav came to the startling conclusion that he wasn’t going to die. Actually he felt really good. Cautiously he opened an eye and looked down his body. An odd shaped stone lay on his chest, and the oddest part of it that the stone looked a lot like the double headed eagle on the Montenegro flag.

 

Standing up Dragoslav saw that he wasn’t actually hurt at all. His body was just as buff, or even more buff than it was before. It must have been the meteorite. Dragoslav felt like he had endless energy, and ran down to his apartment as happy as he could be. He never did see the rest of the meteor showing going on outside.

 

Dragoslav knew, just knew that the meteorite was a sign from the heavens, and he just knew how he’d use his new found powers, for a cause, and what greater cause could there be than the independence of Montenegro from Serbia. Montenegro had to break free from the chains of Serbia, and Dragoslav would be that man to help. Rushing into his closet Dragoslav threw together a costume. Stepping out came Pobjeda, who would give Montenegro the victory it needed. Nothing would stop the Victory that Pobjeda would give to the people of his country. Dragoslav was so excited.

 

Montenegro declared its independence from Serbia in 2006. Victory achieved, and now the newest nation in the world had a hero of it's own: Pobjeda.

 

Personality

Dragoslav has convinced himself that it is the meteorite that gives him his special powers. The truth is that Dragoslav always had a latent uber-gene for super-human strength, but it was the shock of the impact of the meteorite that triggered the transformation in his body. Taking the meteorite away from him will cause him to feel weak, but it’s all psychological. Eventually Dragoslav will figure it out, but that probably won’t be for years to come.

 

Dragoslav is a strong believer in the new age religions. He often checks his horoscope to see if an outing against a super-villain would be in alignment with the stars. He would really like to meet a psychic who could predict the future for him. Of course, he knows that he’ll be victorious.

 

Dragoslav is a staunch, some might even say jingoistic in his outlook. He’s a Montenegrin through and through, not like those ethnic Albanians, Bosnians, or Serbs. While not xenophobic, Dragoslav doesn’t particularly like any of them.

 

Quote

"We are sons of your rocks and keepers of your honesty!"

 

Powers

Dragoslav is an Uber-human with super-human strength. While not the strongest of uber-human, Dragoslav can certainly hold his own. He so strong that he can press a tank over his head. Throwing it is a different story. Dragoslav has a lot of control over his strength, and at times can become stronger still. Also because of his control, it’s very difficult to hold onto Dragoslav. During a battle with Doctor Kojic, Dragoslav was able to escape from the doctors’ grasp, even though Doctor Kojic is a lot stronger than Dragoslav. Finally Dragoslav can deliver punches that even armor platting can’t seemed to stand up against.

 

Other unusual effects of his uber-human powers, is Dragonslav’s ability to absorb damage. Bullets and blades have a tendency to bounce off of his skin. Other energy attacks often seem to have no effect on him. Dragoslav just seems to take it with no harm to him whatsoever.

 

Dragoslav has trained himself in the art of throwing things, from stones to even knives; whatever is handy. Backed with his super-human strength even the lightest of materials can cause a lot of damage.

 

Appearance

Dragoslav is a big man, standing over six feet in height, and weighing around two hundred pounds, and all of that sculpted muscle. He has been working on his body since he was a teenager, and the results show. Of course with his super-human strength he lifts cars instead of dumbbells. Dragoslav has short wavy dark hair, and constantly has a lock that falls across his forehead.

 

His usual costume is a red wrestling singlet, with a plunging neckline that reaches to his belly button. Dragoslav’s chest is totally hairless, to better show of his physique. In addition to his singlet he wears gold colored sweat bands on both arms and on his head. To hide his identity Dragoslav wears shades that really make him look cool. On his feet his wears white athletic shoes, with matching socks.

 

Hanging around his neck from a chain is a small meteorite that vaguely looks like a two headed eagle. The wings are up and connect with the chain.

 

Dragoslav likes to pose a lot. His favorite pose he calls his ‘Victory’ pose, in which he spreads his feet wide, and throws an arm forward splays two fingers in the ‘Victory’ sign. Of course Dragoslav is always smiling while doing this. Dragoslav smiles a lot. It’s is good to be Montenegrin.

[tribe]

#3P ONOMATOPOEIA (Aq Jibuji)

 

 

ONOMATOPOEIA

Onataru Tula

Character Sheet (Click Here)

 

Background

When Ona's sister ran away to see the world beyond the rises of the Aq Jibuji valleys, the matriarchs stood with their heads bowed. Whenever a daughter fled the republic, it was the Earth Mother's way of keeping the traditions strong. The rogues would leave and the strong ones would remain. But Ona couldn't let her little sister disappear into the wide and dangerous man-world, the place her people called Sidfurus, so she gathered together the essentials of her survival pack and headed out of her homeland.

 

The trail led Ona north, to Central America and then via air to New York City. Ona's sister had met a man and had fallen in love which was against all of the Aqjibujan rules. Ona was distraught and vowed to find her sister and bring her home, and be damned any man who stood in her way. When she arrived in New York she gravitated towards the bus terminals where she was assaulted by a gang of street youths. Their ferocity surprised her and despite her training Ona was hurt badly and subsequently robbed.

 

The dishonour of being manhandled drove her into hiding where she tried to cleanse herself of the images, but all she managed to do was become more and more confused by the burgeoning metropolis around her. She didn't understand this world of men, and her hearing implant had been damaged by the assault. It was created using advanced Aqjibujan technology but Ona had enough knowledge to fix it, although it took her a long time: time she used to decide her next move.

 

She returned to the streets under the cover of darkness, and did so as a warrior of Aq Jibuji rather than as a questing sister. She outfitted herself with two pistols which she had stolen from an apartment building full of abusive men, as well as her technologically advanced synthesisers. She used the implant to surprise criminals, by bombarding them with their own insecurities and the wild noises which seemed to inhabit the strange city. And when they were submissive, she would question them about her missing sister before tying them up for the police.

 

The newspapers reported her actions, and the NYPD sought her for questioning. Everyone began calling her Onomatopoeia because of her calling card sound effects. In a way she enjoyed the name and despite not being able to find her sister, Ona called in the support of another ex-pat Aqjibujan, Suprema. The princess was proud of Ona's activities and supplied her with advanced body armour and new components for her hearing implant.

 

Ona continued to stalk the streets, partly in search of her sister, but partly just to enjoy the thrill of the hunt. She turned her prowess on the street-level thugs, never tiring of beating the men who seemed to hold themselves above the women. Suprema mentored her, and cautioned her on using lethal force. Despite these warnings, however, Ona did kill one night.

 

She had finally found her sister who was living in a squat near the docks with a man who looked more like a shadow than a real person. Her sister had developed a drug habit. Ona was devastated. She lashed out at her sister, almost like when they were children in mock battles. But this time Ona was far more powerful than her emancipated sibling. She broke her sister's jaw and then killed the man who tried to protect the woman he claimed to love. Ona felt nothing, as if by killing the man who had drawn her sister into this Hell, she had somehow forever severed the link of blood and family with her sister.

 

Ona left.

 

She felt like returning to Aq Jibuji but found that she was now an outsider as well. There could be no way to return to the life she had before. So, taking the name Onomatopoeia, she etched out a life on the streets of New York. She protects the young runaways, hoping to save them before it is too late. She knows her sister is still alive somewhere in the city but she no longer has any time for her. It is as if she is dead.

 

The NYPD have come to distrust her and are actively attempting to arrest her for the murder of her sister's boyfriend. Ona has no respect for the male-dominated police force and has no intention of submitting to their rules.

 

Personality

In Aq Jibuji, Ona was a quiet and studious woman. Since birth, her hearing was limited, but with the help of advanced Aqjibujan technology she was able to hear as well, if not better than her sisters. The implants gave her the ability to hear into the ultrasonic range as well as the ability to project sound so that she could imitate sounds - something she later utilised in her role as vigilante in the streets of New York.

 

Ona is still a quiet woman, but she has cast aside any aspirations of becoming an inventor or scientist, so that now all that drives her is a desire to protect young girls from the predators she sees every night in the streets. She hunts around the Times Square and bus terminals and has established a series of safe houses where she can take girls who need help. With the assistance of Suprema (particularly her alter ego, Naomi Bridge) Ona has helped to find secure housing and lives for these girls, some of whom have been returned to their homes. Ona has also succeeded in sponsoring some of these young girls into Aq Jibuji where they have been granted citizenship.

 

Quote

"CRASH! BANG! PTTT, PTTT, PTTT. BANG! BANG! BANG! ARGH!!!!"

 

Powers

Onomatopoeia is known for her creative use of synthesised sound. Her hearing implants grant her the ability to hear into the ultrasonic range as well as being able to emit sound. She uses this mainly to mimic sounds of the city or even people's voices, but she can also use it as a high frequency stunning beam or as a deafening blast. She carries two pistols and wears protective armour.

 

Appearance

Ona is a lithe young woman with dark skin and jet-black hair which is straight and falls to her shoulders. She doesn't maintain a separate identity and keeps herself inside most of the time during daylight hours. When she ventures out she wears a black body armour with a full face mask. Her hair streams out of the back of the mask but otherwise her entire head is covered. On the face of this mask is an exclamation mark.

 

Notes

Ona is also active in the Golden Age, as the hero Murmur.

 

Character Sheet (Click Here)

 

Recently, Ona was caught in a temporal rift as she was breaking into an affluent apartment in Greenwich Village. She thought the owner was involved in illicit brothels, but it turned out her was a practitioner of mystic arts and somehow Ona tripped a security alarm. Before she could turn tail and run she was thrust backward through time and space until she arrived quite suddenly outside Brussels in 1942.

 

Originally terrified, Ona managed to pull herself together enough to make her way to a nearby farm. Her hearing implant had been destroyed and she had difficulty hearing anything. At the farm she was harboured by a kindly family, but within a few days she had left. She knew a little about the era from her school days and knew that the evil men of the Nazi Party were a real threat to her. She couldn't stay still in case they should capture her.

 

Her plan was to contact Princess Power who she knew operated in this Golden era, but before she could reach safety she was attacked by soldiers. She lost her advanced pistols and was captured and taken to the nearby town for interrogation. Despite being weaponless, Ona attacked the soldiers after regaining her composure, and fled.

 

She no longer had any connection with her own time.

 

Later she joined a cell of Resistance fighters, all of whom were French women. Ona convinced them that she was a Spanish woman on the run and they gradually trusted her. She found their company comforting, despite the war situation. During the days she and the other women worked in the village of Lille, France. Ona worked in an ammunition factory, which she found ironic. During the nights she and the other women waged more and more daring raids on the local soldiers.

 

She is currently at large in 1942 and despite having had the opportunity to send out a message to her compatriot Princess Power, Ona has put it off. Strangely enough she has found her new life in the past to be rewarding, unlike her vigilante days in New York City. In the tradition of the heroes of the future, Ona has taken on a new name: Murmur.

[Black Ops]

Re: Around the World With A New Character Each Week

 

Do only high Class Aq Jibujianis have the reduced Aging ?

(BTW : Suprema wears Armor of the Princess, but Aq Jibuji is a Republic ?)

 

 

But a nice Idea, about her two Identitys.

[tribe]

Re: Around the World With A New Character Each Week

 

Do only high Class Aq Jibujianis have the reduced Aging ?

(BTW : Suprema wears Armor of the Princess, but Aq Jibuji is a Republic ?)

 

 

But a nice Idea, about her two Identitys.

 

Good spotting, Black Ops.

 

Suprema is of the royal family, while Ona isn't. I'm going to say that Suprema is an unusual example of the Aqjibujans. She has excelled herself in all areas whereas Ona is an average citizen. So, I'm going to say the Aqjibujan royal line has developed some longevity, whereas the regular classes have had more outside influences such as adopting non-Aqjibujans and coupling with less than perfect mates.

 

As for the royal family clash with the republic idea, I took the model from Star Wars.

 

 

It's a republic run by elected officials but with a figurehead Queen.

 

I hope they're good enough answers.

 

Have some rep!

[FenrisUlf]

Re: Around the World With A New Character Each Week

 

Just want to say, I like Minggan as a villain. His power set, culture, and personality all fit together just right.

[tribe]

#118 EL-SAIF RAKKAS (Morocco)

 

 

EL-SAIF RAKKAS

Ibrahim ibn Ahmad

Character Sheet (Click Here)

 

Background

Ibrahim ibn Ahmad studied to become a Sufi at a very young age. His master saw greatness in the boy, and together they traveled all over Morocco and even into Algeria, and Egypt. Ibrahim was like a sponge, and absorbed all his master could teach, including sword dancing. When Ibrahim was twenty he and his master were attacked by strange garbed bandits while traveling back to Morocco from Egypt. His master was able to wound several of the bandits using the sword dancing technique of his brotherhood. Unfortunately, the two Sufi were greatly outnumbered, and Ibrahim’s master was mortally wounded.

 

The two Sufis fled into the Atlas Mountains where Ibrahim buried his master in a cairn, next to a hidden spring. Before he died Ibrahim’s master gave him his only real possessions, a pair of nimcas.

 

Ibrahim stayed in the area of the hidden spring for the next twenty years practicing sword dancing, and studying Sufism as an anchorite. Fortunately the spring provided water, and over the years Ibrahim found he needed he needed to eat less and less.

 

When Ibrahim returned to the civilized world he was astounded by all the changes. As he traveled he begged for food, and any money that fell in his bowl, he would give to others who were poor.

 

In one town he came across a mullah speaking to a crowd. He was extolling the people to let him know about any mystical artifacts saying that he would take them and destroy them because they were things of Shaitan. Ibrahim ignored the man as much as he could begging among the crowd. Little did he know that the mullah was actually Omar al-Rajastani, the super-villain leader of Fatwa known as Imam.

 

By poor luck, Imam caught sight of his nimca. Instantly Imam knew that the blades were mystical in nature and he wanted them. Imam was able to incite the crowd against Ibrahim, and the Sufi was forced to flee.

 

Ibrahim again returned to the Atlas Mountains sure that Imam would pursue him. In this he was mistaken. Soon several members of Fatwa were on his trail. Ibrahim led them on a merry chase through the mountains until they were completely lost.

 

Ibrahim returned again to his hideaway in the mountains to contemplate and pray for guidance. It finally came to him after a week of fasting. He would return to the world of men, and revel to his fellow men the charlatans among them.

 

Before Ibrahim knew what was happening he was fighting against forces he didn’t understand. The name Sons of Set was often spoken in back alley’s and Ibrahim came to realize that the Sons of Set were responsible for the death of his master. What had started out as a simple quest had taken on a new meaning. Calling himself El-Saif Rakkas of the Sword Dancer, Ibrahim would strike back at the world that was quickly heading for destruction and madness.

 

Personality

Ibrahim is a very devout Muslim, and even more so because of being a Sufi. He’s bound by an oath of poverty so keeps few material possessions. However, beyond that Ibrahim is a seeker of self-awareness, and thinks little of the real world.

 

Ibrahim has been alone for a good part of his life. Even when he was studying under his master, the two rarely mingled with others. Since the death of his master, Ibrahim has spent even more time by himself. He’s uncomfortable around most people, choosing instead to contemplate Allah on his own.

 

Like most Sufi, Ibrahim likes to make himself appear to be mysterious. Most people rarely understand what he’s talking about.

 

Quote

"I searched for Allah and I only found myself. I searched for myself and only found Allah."

 

Powers

Ibrahim is a master swordsman, of a unique style known only to him. He carries a pair of nimcha, which are a Moroccan type of scimitar. Ibrahim can cause the blades to practically blur; he’s so fast with them. Anyone getting too close to him could be easily cut. Armor has proven to be no obstacle to his fighting style. Ibrahim is so fast that he can strike a foe five times before they can react. Most foes cannot stand up to his sword Ibrahim is a master swordsman, of a unique style known only to him. One of his more obscure techniques is to instantly appear and then disappear right before the eyes of his foes.

 

He carries a pair of nimcha, which are a Moroccan type of scimitar. Ibrahim can cause the blades to practically blur; he’s so fast with them. Anyone getting too close to him could be easily cut. Armor has proven to be no obstacle to his fighting style. Ibrahim is so fast that he can strike a foe five times before they can react. Most foes cannot stand up to his swords. Ibrahim has been known to knock bullets out of the sky with his swords. In addition to his swords, Ibrahim wears voluminous robes. Most attacks against him cut into his robes, and not Ibrahim.

 

Ibrahim’s life has been dedicated to discovering Allah, as such material things mean little to him. He rarely has to eat much anymore, and for a man in his sixties he’s extremely fit. The heat of the desert and the cold of the mountains don’t affect him in the least.

 

Appearance

Ibrahim is a slight man who has been tanned so long from a lifetime in the wilds of the Atlas Mountains that his skin looks like leather. Whatever hair he might've had on his head has long since fallen out. Fortunately Ibrahim still has all his teeth. For a man in his sixties, he's still rather spry.

 

Ibrahim wears voluminous robes that are made from a patchwork of materials, so parts are a light brown to a dark brown. Similarily Ibrahim wears a long winding turban with a veil that he wraps around his face to keep out dust. Overall, Ibrahim looks like a begger, which in a way he is. However, his nimcha, which are similar to a scimitar except they're slightly more straighter, are obviously of extreme value, and flash brightly in the light. However, woe to anyone who would seek to take them from Ibrahim. The sufi has a pair of these blades, and seems to be able to secret them on his person.

 

Notes

Noah (The_Arc) finished this character a while ago, but it took me a bit of time to get the picture organised.

 

If you like this character please take the time to seek out The_Arc and give him some reputation.

[tribe]

#119 CUSTODIO GOUVEIA (Mozambique)

 

 

CUSTODIO GOUVEIA

Character Sheet (Click Here)

 

Background

After their parents died in a fire, the three Gouveia teenagers were sent to live with their enigmatic uncle in the northern city of Lichinga, to the east of Lake Nyasa. They began their life there as virtual slaves and rarely even had the opportunity to see their uncle. Nelson, Custodio and Helen were unaware that their uncle was a devotee of the demonic Black Skull and was attempting to find a way for the elder demon to cross over into the Earth dimension. After some time, Nelson was asked to perform assistant duties for his uncle which became more and more dangerous. At first Nelson was only allowed to clean up his uncle's experiments, but soon he had become the central component of them and his uncle attempted to have Nelson possessed by the Black Skull.

 

Meanwhile, Helen and Custodio maintained the large house and grounds. Custodio and Helen were Nelson's only confidantes and together they decided to run away. On the night of their plan, however, Nelson went missing and the two other siblings went to find him, somehow knowing that he would be found in their uncle's underground laboratory. When they arrived, Nelson was floating in the centre of the room, his eyes glowing red. There was no sign of their uncle.

 

At his siblings' appearance, Nelson seemed disoriented and floated back to the ground, passing out as the spirit of the Black Skull left him. During his fitful sleep, Nelson dreamed that his uncle had been shunted into wherever the Black Skull was to be found and that Nelson, Custodio and Helen were now alone... again. When he awoke Custodio confirmed his uncle's absence.

 

Rather than alert the authorities, the three teenagers decided to remain in Lichinga. No one ever visited and their uncle had already been considered a recluse. Nelson was drawn to his uncle's studies, but Helen warned against delving too far into them. Her warnings weren't heeded, of course, and Nelson soon found himself accidentally opening a doorway to a demonic realm. Three demons escaped and sought to take over the bodies of the Gouveias. They would have succeeded, too, if not for the timely intervention of Fata Morgana and her eclectic band of Protezoni.

 

Fata Morgana took the teenagers to Europe and they spent some time in Venice learning about the Black Skull and the Protezoni's mission to oppose his return. Nelson and the others agreed to assist wherever they could and Fata Morgana accepted their offer and sent them home. She told them that one day in the future they would be needed, and that Nelson's sacrifice would be needed to stop the invasion.

 

Once back in Mozambique, Nelson decided to become more active rather than waiting. He began investigating any kind of occult rumour around their town. The three were soon drawn into solving mysteries using their uncle's library and their own keen instincts. Helen reluctantly agreed to help, and her fighting prowess has come handy more than once. Custodio went along for the ride and has become more and more excited about their new lives. As the youngest brother he is still babied, somewhat, by his older siblings but he has begun to show more maturity as the months pass.

 

Personality

Custodio is the youngest of the three Gouveia children and has a hard time listening to his brother and sister. He knows they are only trying to help, but they aren't his parents. Custodio wants to do what he wants, when he wants. Luckily, his brother is too caught up in the thick books and Helen is too worried about everything to worry too much about him, unless he does something majorly bad. Custodio has become a clever and stealthy thief under the noses of his brother and sister.

 

Quote

"Ah, so the demons have yellow blood... that is kind of cool, no?"

 

Powers

His siblings think he is a regular kid, but Custodio has developed some fairly accomplished thieving skills which he actively uses in his adventurous life right under Helen and Nelson's noses.

 

Appearance

Custodio is fourteen and has been in the care of his brother and sister for three years. During that time he has grown into a teenager who is gangly but full of energy and enthusiasm. He is always smiling and always moving.

[tribe]

#119 HELEN GOUVEIA (Mozambique)

 

 

HELEN GOUVEIA

Character Sheet (Click Here)

 

Background

After their parents died in a fire, the three Gouveia teenagers were sent to live with their enigmatic uncle in the northern city of Lichinga, to the east of Lake Nyasa. They began their life there as virtual slaves and rarely even had the opportunity to see their uncle. Nelson, Custodio and Helen were unaware that their uncle was a devotee of the demonic Black Skull and was attempting to find a way for the elder demon to cross over into the Earth dimension. After some time, Nelson was asked to perform assistant duties for his uncle which became more and more dangerous. At first Nelson was only allowed to clean up his uncle's experiments, but soon he had become the central component of them and his uncle attempted to have Nelson possessed by the Black Skull.

 

Meanwhile, Helen and Custodio maintained the large house and grounds. Helen was also expected to work at a neghbours house, which had apparently been part of a deal struck between her uncle and this new man. Helen only ever called him 'Master' which was originally spoken as a servant to an employer, but rapidly became more of a student to a teacher. The Master required Helen to clean his house and prepare meals, but he also ordered her to undergo martial arts training. At first it was simply a matter of self defence training, but soon became more expert. The Master was aware of her uncle's activities and wanted to prepare her, at least, to avoid the grisly fate he expected for them. Meanwhile, Nelson was being drawn further into their uncle's plans.

 

Custodio and Helen were Nelson's only confidantes and together they decided to run away. On the night of their plan, however, Nelson went missing and the two other siblings went to find him, somehow knowing that he would be found in their uncle's underground laboratory. When they arrived, Nelson was floating in the centre of the room, his eyes glowing red. There was no sign of their uncle.

 

At his siblings' appearance, Nelson seemed disoriented and floated back to the ground, passing out as the spirit of the Black Skull left him. During his fitful sleep, Nelson dreamed that his uncle had been shunted into wherever the Black Skull was to be found and that Nelson, Custodio and Helen were now alone... again. When he awoke Custodio confirmed his uncle's absence. After finding her brother levitating, Helen rushed to see the Master but he was gone as well. There was no sign of a struggle. He had simply vanished.

 

Rather than alert the authorities, the three teenagers decided to remain in Lichinga. No one ever visited and their uncle had already been considered a recluse. Nelson was drawn to his uncle's studies, but Helen warned against delving too far into them. Her warnings weren't heeded, of course, and Nelson soon found himself accidentally opening a doorway to a demonic realm. Three demons escaped and sought to take over the bodies of the Gouveias. They would have succeeded, too, if not for the timely intervention of Fata Morgana and her eclectic band of Protezoni.

 

Fata Morgana took the teenagers to Europe and they spent some time in Venice learning about the Black Skull and the Protezoni's mission to oppose his return. Nelson and the others agreed to assist wherever they could and Fata Morgana accepted their offer and sent them home. She told them that one day in the future they would be needed, and that Nelson's sacrifice would be needed to stop the invasion.

 

Once back in Mozambique, Nelson decided to become more active rather than waiting. He began investigating any kind of occult rumour around their town. The three were soon drawn into solving mysteries using their uncle's library and their own keen instincts. Helen reluctantly agreed to help, and her fighting prowess has come handy more than once.

 

Personality

Helen is the middle Gouveia child and has taken on the role of de facto mother to her brothers (something she secretly hates). She worries about them getting into trouble, particularly since they have started to poke around further into areas they simply shouldn't - such as demonic dimensions. Helen looks back at her time with the Master with some suspicion. She now believes that he knew her future and was preparing her to help her brother, Nelson. She has attempted to question Fata Morgana on this, but the silver-haired Italian remains elusive.

 

Quote

"There is something wrong about the three of us poking around in here. It is not normal. We should be watching television, not looking in caverns for ghosts."

 

Powers

Helen has no unusual powers or abilities, although she has been trained in martial arts. The style seems to be similar to karate, but there are many differences. It is most likely that the Master was using a range of arts. Nonetheless, Helen has shown herself tough enough to stand against the odd demon now and then.

 

Appearance

Helen is seventeen years old, with wide eyes which seem more docile than she actually is. She has curly dark brown hair and is quietly attractive, which is probably more to do with her innate grace and balance than conventional beauty.

[tribe]

#119 NELSON GOUVEIA (Mozambique)

 

 

NELSON GOUVEIA

Character Sheet (Click Here)

 

Background

After their parents died in a fire, the three Gouveia teenagers were sent to live with their enigmatic uncle in the northern city of Lichinga, to the east of Lake Nyasa. They began their life there as virtual slaves and rarely even had the opportunity to see their uncle. Nelson, Custodio and Helen were unaware that their uncle was a devotee of the demonic Black Skull and was attempting to find a way for the elder demon to cross over into the Earth dimension. After some time, Nelson was asked to perform assistant duties for his uncle which became more and more dangerous. At first Nelson was only allowed to clean up his uncle's experiments, but soon he had become the central component of them and his uncle attempted to have Nelson possessed by the Black Skull.

 

Custodio and Helen were Nelson's only confidantes and together they decided to run away. On the night of their plan, however, Nelson went missing and the two other siblings went to find him, somehow knowing that he would be found in their uncle's underground laboratory. When they arrived, Nelson was floating in the centre of the room, his eyes glowing red. There was no sign of their uncle.

 

At his siblings' appearance, Nelson seemed disoriented and floated back to the ground, passing out as the spirit of the Black Skull left him. During his fitful sleep, Nelson dreamed that his uncle had been shunted into wherever the Black Skull was to be found and that Nelson, Custodio and Helen were now alone... again. When he awoke Custodio confirmed his uncle's absence.

 

Rather than alert the authorities, the three teenagers decided to remain in Lichinga. No one ever visited and their uncle had already been considered a recluse. Nelson was drawn to his uncle's studies, but Helen warned against delving too far into them. Her warnings weren't heeded, of course, and Nelson soon found himself accidentally opening a doorway to a demonic realm. Three demons escaped and sought to take over the bodies of the Gouveias. They would have succeeded, too, if not for the timely intervention of Fata Morgana and her eclectic band of Protezoni.

 

Fata Morgana took the teenagers to Europe and they spent some time in Venice learning about the Black Skull and the Protezoni's mission to oppose his return. Nelson and the others agreed to assist wherever they could and Fata Morgana accepted their offer and sent them home. She told them that one day in the future they would be needed, and that Nelson's sacrifice would be needed to stop the invasion.

 

Once back in Mozambique, Nelson decided to become more active rather than waiting. He began investigating any kind of occult rumour around their town. The three were soon drawn into solving mysteries using their uncle's library and their own keen instincts.

 

Nelson has recently suffered from a growing number of frightening dreams. The Black Skull seems to be restless.

 

Personality

Nelson Gouveia has been given a glimpse of his future and considering he needs to sacrifice his own life to save the world sometime down the track, he is a little upset about it. Despite Fata Morgana's conviction, Nelson believes there will always be a chance to exert control over his own future - he doesn't believe in fate. He has become an adept student of the occult and leads his brother and sister against any supernatural threats they come across, although so far they have only managed to secure a handful of 'jobs'.

 

Quote

"The three of us against a horde of locust-demons? Shouldn't take more than an hour or two, tops."

 

Powers

Nelson has been possessed by a fragment of the Black Skull. While he has no supernatural abilities he has developed a sensitivity to such powers in others as well as the tendency to experience dreams, some of which appear to be prophetic.

 

Appearance

At nineteen, Nelson is the oldest of the Gouveia family. He is handsome and outgoing, with dark eyes and short black hair. When he was possessed by the Black Skull his eyes were a fiery red colour and this sometimes returns when he is under intense pressure or has had a bad dream. Otherwise Nelson is an average young man.

 

Notes

It's probably obvious, but Nelson here would make an excellent plot hook for any demonic-styled adventures. He could be possessed or be a protagonist.

 

And since his fate is tied up with saving the world by sacrificing himself, he could be drawn into any major conflict.

 

I've got some ideas for Uberworld, but will hold off on them at the moment. The Black Skull is indeed on the move in Uberworld but he has a few jobs to finish before he starts to tie up loose ends like the Gouveia siblings.

[tribe]

#120 SEEKER (Namibia)

 

 

SEEKER

Jacob Ngatjizeko

Character Sheet (Click Here)

 

Background

Young Jacob Ngatjizeko never lost anything when he was young. Even as a baby he would always know where his mother was: whether she was in the fields or retrieving water. He was always calm for he knew exactly where his loved ones were and what they were doing. As he grew older he used his gifts to locate missing animals or even wayward children, whether they wanted to be found or not.

 

He began having visions as a teenager and these were sometimes debilitating in their starkness and horror. He would walk in a semi-trance for hours after stumbling across a site which had once witnessed a massacre or a beating or some natural disaster. His parents, who had always loved him for his talents, were concerned. Many others in their village stayed away from him during these trances and Jacob became a young pariah.

 

Jacob spent much of his time away from his home, preferring the solitude of the wilderness; but on returning from one such journey he discovered that his two sisters had been kidnapped. The entire village was distraught. There was talk of slavers or military raids, but Jacob knew immediately where his sisters were being kept. He walked directly to a neighbour's home and pushed the owner aside. Locked away in a small room at the back of the man's home were Jacob's sisters.

 

Without accusing the man, Jacob freed his sisters and returned to the wilderness.

 

His father came to see him and the two men sat on a ridge overlooking the sunset. His father told him that his gifts were from God and that without them his sisters would have been terribly hurt. Jacob nodded, knowing it to be true. His father told him that although everyone was grateful back in the village that Jacob was no longer a part of the society, that he did not fit in with the simple life they led.

 

Again, Jacob understood this.

 

His father suggested he use his gifts to help others, like in the old stories. Jacob was a hero, his father said. Jacob simply nodded, stood up and walk away from his father and his village. He travelled to the Kalahari Desert where he tried to lose himself in the land. What he found instead was an affinity for the land, and a connection to the animals who moved through its barren landscape. He used his gifts to search out the animals and spent many months following them, using their instincts to find water and sustenance, while watching them and even at times protecting them.

 

Jacob returned to society sometime later, although he was never sure how long he had been absent. He moved to the nation's capital, Windhoek, where he found himself drawn to manual work. He could not read or write and had limited opportunities even in the big city. One day he overheard a co-worker talking about a big murder case where a man had been captured who had been responsible for the deaths of seven women. Jacob was intrigued and went to the courthouse with the other workers, just to see what this man looked like. When he arrived there was a flurry of excitement for the accused had declared that the last girl, a sixteen year old from Rehoboth, was still alive and that if he was kept in custody she would die of starvation.

 

The man was kept in custody, but Jacob saw this as an opportunity to do some good in the world. He approached the newspaper men and asked them for details on the missing girl. That night he left the city and travelled to Rehoboth where he met with the girl's parents. Surprisingly they allowed him inside and talked about their daughter long into the night. As they talked, Jacob imagined the girl and began to search for her.

 

His mind wandered.

 

He had never had to search so far for someone or some animal before, but he was determined to save this girl. The next morning he had located her, and half-delirious from lack of sleep he stumbled out of the town and headed back towards the capital. The police caught up with him and offered him a ride to Windhoek. They had investigated him and discovered that he had a reputation for being able to find 'things'. They took him around the city and Jacob pinpointed the girl's location.

 

The police sheltered him from the massive uprising in publicity the rescue ignited. He was dubbed 'Seeker' but no one knew who he was, although there were rumours which circulated like the wind. The police asked him for help in other cases and before Jacob could fully grasp the situation his name and reputation had spread across Namibia and even into other countries.

 

The superhero team Africa Force Five requested his assistance in locating missing member, Neo. Jacob helped them find the young man in a Sons of Set compound and although he never participated in the rescue mission, he was present when Neo was returned to his family's compound. Jacob was invited to stay with the Tsholofelo family and he accepted, keen to experience the super hero life, even if for only a short time.

 

He and Sethunya Tsholofelo became friends as they both shared a reticence that the others seemed to lack. Sethunya and Jacob spent time away from the public, hiking through the wilderness, and soon they developed a tentative relationship. Sethunya was shy and pushed him away shortly after they began courting, but Jacob proved to be a patient man.

 

He returned to Namibia and continued working with the police there and in South Africa. During one case at Pretoria University, Jacob was reunited with Sethunya who was a student there, and although they are not officially in a relationship they enjoy each other's company and are moving towards more commitment.

 

Since then Jacob has been called in to assist the various Africa Force teams many times.

 

Personality

Jacob is a quiet man who favours listening over talking. He is confident in his abilities when it comes to tracking and survival in the wilderness, but has a sincere insecurity when it comes to areas of formal education. He cannot read or write and believes this is a sign of his innate hopelessness. His family's abandonment is still painful although he can understand their sense of helplessness. He knows they had no way of coping with such an unusual son.

 

Sethunya has begun teaching Jacob how to read and write, and the two of them have proven to be supportive and good for each other. Jacob has shown Sethunya that she is beautiful despite her poor self-image, and Sethunya has shown Jacob that even without knowing how to read properly, he has intelligence and wisdom beyond that of the people around him.

 

Jacob is a very sensitive and caring man who will never easily give up on a person or dream. He believes in the best outcomes and has no anger towards those who do harm. He doesn't display the aggression of other superheroes and will not go out of his way to hunt down criminals. He is always more concerned with the victims. The criminals must always be given a chance to redeem themselves.

 

Quote

"If he be still on this planet, ma'am, then I will surely find him."

 

Powers

Seeker is able to project his consciousness into the wider world which allows him to mentally search for any mind in a very large area: human or animal. He is able to locate minds, the ability which has led to his national and international reputation; but he is also able to see into the past, particularly if the area he is in has experienced some kind of major emotional stress such as a murder or crime. He is also able to see areas through his 'psychic eye' although this ability is more restrained than his mental probes and are generally limited to 1km.

 

Jacob is also an excellent tracker, even without his powers. He is comfortable in the wild and has excellent survival skills, including advanced first aid. He has developed a martial arts style which is effective, but something he only uses in defence. He is not a conventional superhero and does not seek to punish criminals.

 

Another point of difference between Jacob and other heroes is the fact he wears no armour and can not really be considered a combatant, despite invitations from Africa Force for him to join their team.

 

Appearance

Jacob is a solemn looking man in his late twenties who is very accepting of everything and asks of nothing in return. He wears simple clothing and doesn't draw attention to himself. When he travels in the wilderness, particularly in the Kalahari Desert, he wears hardy clothing.

 

Notes

And finally, a 'Seeker' returns to the Champions Universe, by way of the Uberworld, of course.

[Black Ops]

Re: Around the World With A New Character Each Week

 

I love Seeker and EL-Saif Rakkas, very nice both of them. As for that trio of plucky Kids don´t you think they need a pet?

A Dog or maybe something new a bumbling incompetent Cat ?

[tribe]

#121 SEA WITCH (Nauru)

 

 

SEA WITCH

Real Name Unrevealed

Character Sheet (Click Here)

 

Background

The true origins of the Sea Witch are shrouded in mystery and rumour. Stories of a 'sea witch' been around for hundreds of years around the Malaca Straits near Malaysia, although the creature calling herself by that name in the present day may or may not be the same creature who has appeared previously. What is known is that she preys on marine vessels travelling through the Straits and other shipping lanes in South-East Asia. Her attacks are aimed at disabling the vessels and then plundering their cargo and passengers. She has shown a shrewd interest in the illicit people smuggling operations and has often swept down on leaky boats to murder the handlers and take the 'human cargo' for her own ends. Sometimes she sells the people but other times they simply vanish.

 

Her activities are opposed around Indonesia by the Bidadari Angels, although their capacity to intervene is limited. There are only three Angels and a very large number of islands to patrol. In Australian territories, the Southern Knights have successfully dealt with the Sea Witch several times, although they have never managed to apprehend her. In contrast, the crime lord Evol Khan has entertained the Sea Witch in his elaborate hotels and has even extended assistance to her piracy activities. It is rumoured that she keeps a sanctum hidden in Singapore under the direct protection of Khan himself.

 

Personality

The Sea Witch is apparently immortal and if she was ever truly human, she has lost both the appearance and any admirable human traits she may have once possessed. She considers humans to be toys and will collect and discard them at will. She is cruel and wild and thoroughly unpredictable, seemingly able to change moods like the tides of the oceans she haunts.

 

Quote

"Your life in exchange for these pretty souls..."

 

Powers

A creature of magic, the Sea Witch is able to draw upon magical energies for a variety of effects most notably teleportation and the generation of a green energy. This energy can be used to create concave shields, powerful blasts and can be used to transform matter. She is also able to dominate minds as well as communicate with them.

 

In addition to these dynamic powers, the Sea Witch is immortal and cannot be harmed in any permanent manner.

 

Appearance

With green skin, matted black hair and wild black, pupil-less eyes, the Sea Witch is a frightening figure to encounter in the oceans. She has cultivated a reputation for murder and deeds most foul. She has a lean and dangerous frame but also appears somewhat ethereal, with wisps of sea mist dancing around her. She refuses to wear anything except a torn black dress which doesn't seem to worry her as she is immune to the adverse weather conditions she may encounter.

 

Notes

The Sea Witch isn't actually associated with Nauru, but the people she prays on may end up in the detention centre on Nauru, so if a superhero group were to investigate the Sea Witch they might be able to garner information from detainees on the island.

[tribe]

Re: Around the World With A New Character Each Week

 

I love Seeker and EL-Saif Rakkas, very nice both of them. As for that trio of plucky Kids don´t you think they need a pet?

A Dog or maybe something new a bumbling incompetent Cat ?

 

You're thinking Scooby Doo, right?

 

Nice touch.

 

And if you're not thinking about the Scoobster, then - still, nice touch.

 

 

Repped.

[Black Ops]

Re: Around the World With A New Character Each Week

 

You're thinking Scooby Doo, right?

 

Nice touch.

 

And if you're not thinking about the Scoobster, then - still, nice touch.

 

 

Repped.

 

Caught me in the Act.....

[tribe]

Nepal

 

The Nepalese super villain team is being written up as we speak... er, type. Glen Murie is doing the honours and he's got some great ideas so stay tuned.

 

In the meantime I'll jump ahead to the Netherlands.

[tribe]

#123 SLEDGEHAMMER (Netherlands)

 

 

SLEDGEHAMMER (DE MOKER)

Leona Kuijpers

Character Sheet (Click Here)

 

Background

Leona Kuijpers discovered her 'sledgehammer fists' during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands and became a costumed hero during the 1940s, even joining other Allie ubers against the seemingly insurmountable forces of the Ubermensch. She was outclassed by the likes of Max Uber and his peers, but she did manage to cause trouble at a local level and assisted the resistance movements in her country and the surrounding Low Countries.

 

After the war she retired from public view, although she was a part of the United Nations' investigation into the uberhuman phenomenon. She returned to Haarlem and worked in her father's post office, taking over its operation when he became ill and later died. During the late 1940s she began writing a comic book based on a character called De Moker (Sledgehammer) which allowed her to live out her superhero life through fiction. She dreadfully missed the times she donned her brightly coloured costume, but realised her time was past.

 

During the late 1960s she realised that she wasn't getting any older and she underwent a kind of metamorphosis. She began to live her life more recklessly, pursuing extreme activities such as hot air ballooning and alpine skiing. During the 1970s she reprised her role as De Moker and fought against crime in and around the Netherlands. This adventurous lifestyle lasted until late 1978 when she became tired of the super hero routine and again retired to her post office in Haarlem.

 

Leona only recently came out of retirement again, in 2003, when she aided The Brotherhood at The Hague against the sinister VENOM. She and Steppenwolf began dating after the adventure and Leona felt that her chances for a normal life were within her grasp. However, it soon became apparent to Leona and Steppenwolf that they were not meant to be together. They parted but have remained friends.

 

Personality

Leona has lived a long time, but hasn't really done much with her life (at least in her eyes). She is hungry for some kind of legacy but doesn't feel like the world of superheroes is really for her. She longs for some kind of real relationship but her longevity and independent personality seem to frighten potential boyfriends. She lives quietly in Haarlem and works at her post office. While most people have accepted that their local post mistress is nearly one hundred years old, but looks to be in her thirties, there are some who avoid her. Others even seek her out for ridicule or to test their strength. Leona treats these as moderately interesting diversions from her long life and has occasionally stepped out as De Moker to put thugs in their place.

 

Quote

"I have been around for a long time. Some days are good. Others are a little dull. Actually if I think about it now, I would say that the past two decades have been quite slow."

 

Powers

De Moker has the ability to make herself more dense. Her fists become like sledgehammers and can deliver resounding blows. She is resistant to most physical attacks, although she has some vulnerability to firearms and other 'killing' attacks.

 

Appearance

Leona Kuijpers is nearly one hundred years old, but looks like a regular woman in her early thirties. She has dull blonde hair and green eyes. Her fashion sense tends to be several decades out of date and she makes little attempt to stay with the times. She is a thick set woman but when her mind is in the right place she can be remarkably charming and full of sprightly enthusiasm.

 

As De Moker she originally wore a green and yellow dress with a red mask. Since reprising her role in recent times she has forsaken a costume. She doesn't need to hide her identity and considers those heroes who prance about in costumes as alternatively immature and exciting. She acknowledges that she no longer has the tenacity to pull it off but admires those who can.

 

Notes

Sledgehammer is a homage to the original De Moker which was published in 1948. I found it using Google, but I don't know much more than the title, its English equivalent, and that it was a superhero comic. But thanks anyway.

[gmurie]

Re: Around the World With A New Character Each Week

 

Well, here's the Nepalese team. Hopefully it's up to the standard set.

 

UBER SQUAD OF THE PEOPLE'S ARMY OF NEPAL

 

Background

Officially, the group is called the Uber Squad of the People's Army of Nepal. Foreign reporters have abbreviated this to the People's Uber Squad, and the name has stuck.

 

How it is that a modestly powerful Maoist insurgency in a very small country wedged between India and China gained so many powerful Ubers is a mystery. Though numbering only in the tens of thousands the People's Revolution of Nepal has four powerful super-humans working for it. It must be recognized that three of them are ex-patriots from other countries.

 

It begins with the Voice of the People, who just wandered into a rebel camp one day, and the rebels made the decision to welcome the odd creature with open arms. The Voice has been active in the Nepal for years, but has only recently come to the attention of the wider world. The Voice is an avatar of Communist ideals and philosophy, but it may seek concession with the government as the people around it tire of Nepal's civil war.

 

The Voice was joined by Mahesh Pradal some years ago, who leads the group in combat while the Voice oversees the group's work the rest of the time. He's a Gurkha who's powers were a result of an experiment by the government and as yet unknown allies. Like the Voice, he's not in a mood to forgive the Nepalese monarchy anything, and is deeply sympathetic towards the Communists. Technically he's not a Communist himself.

 

Red Mountain and Metal Girl are recent additions, and this has been both good and bad for the Communists, because it has brought the group attention from the wider world. Red Mountain is very much a Maoist, and Metal Girl embraces the feminism of the revolution while not being quite so enamored of the rebel's more radical beliefs.

 

Area of Operations

 

The People's Uber Squad operate exclusively in the countryside of Nepal where the Communist insurgency is strongest, with occasional forays into the cities. They might be goaded into pursuing an enemy past Nepal's borders, but the group would require a great provocation to do so.

 

Goals

Each of the members seeks to protect the people of Nepal and protect the Maoist rebels. This would almost be a laudable goal except that they consider themselves soldiers, and have no problem killing as a soldier would. In any game involving this group it's important to emphasize the fact that they are guerrillas in an active civil war. Any student of history would also know that Mao's revolution had devastating consequences for China, and the success of Maoists in Nepal would probably be no prettier.

 

Reputation

Among American, Chinese, and Indian intelligence services the People's Uber Squad is regarded with caution. They're unwilling to break Nepal's sovereignty (yet) but are deeply concerned by a group of powerful and mediagenic ubers promoting traditional old school Communism. The Nepalese monarchy and other conservatives within Nepal would like to see the People's Uber Guard dead, but are unwilling to take any assistance from China or India to deal with the problem.

 

Communists all over the world who know of the People's Uber Squad (and not a few of the more soft headed Communists in the West) see the People's Uber Squad as heroic revolutionaries.

[gmurie]

Re: Around the World With A New Character Each Week

 

The Voice of the People

 

Background The true origins and identity of the Voice of the People is unknown. For that matter, few people can even work out the Voice's true identity or even gender. What is known is that several years ago the Voice appeared in Nepal among the Maoist People's Liberation Army and began helping it in it's fight. Mostly by rooting out traitors and informers, but the Voice is also believed to have taken part in several battles. The Voice believes what the majority of it's allies and friends believe, and they mostly follow the philosophy of Mao Zedong. That political power grows out of the barrel of a gun, and that both military and civil power must be closely controlled.

 

Because the Nepalese Communist Party espouses a belief system that involves women being equal to men in the revolutionary fight the Voice's gender has become somewhat confused, though it is generally believed to be physically a male, though it has no real concept of gender identity any more.

 

It is known that the Chinese government feels ambivalent about the Voice, because the Voice is a hard core old school communist. Were the Voice to visit China, it's not clearly understood what would happen. Whether the Voice would adapt to its surroundings, or if it would try to enforce traditional Maoist belief in the face of the freewheeling capitalism that's taken over China.

 

The Voice is becoming a figurehead of sorts, but it has no clear identity other than that replicated from people around it. In many respects the Voice isn't just a Communist, it IS Communism, and as it has become better known to the wider world has made many powerful and important people nervous. Notably those in high places in the Nepalese, Indian, and Chinese governments; but also the United States.

 

Personality The Voice of the People, or simply "The Voice", is a cypher. It replicates the personalities and thought patterns of people around it, though it remains fixed on certain patterns of behavior longer than others. The more it stays with a particular group of people the longer it will retain their ideals and personalities unless separated from them for an extended period of time. It has spent several years in the company of militant Communist Nepalese mountain people, so it's now a sort of avatar of the Communist Nepalese mountain person. Oddly, it speaks English with a distinctly Southern United States accent from time to time, and uses American slang freely and easily, leading many to believe that the Voice is an uber who's powers have gotten the better of it. How it ended up in Nepal is anyone's guess.

The Voice's goals are to spread Communism throughout Nepal and free it's people from the brutal and unjust monarchy. Recently, the Nepalese Communists have been seeking compromises with the government, and this confuses and distresses the Voice. In time it may also moderate it's stance, but for now it remains a hard line Maoist.

 

Quote "You will turn aside from capitalism and cast down the monarchy. I speak with the Voice of the People."

 

Powers The Voice has a potent if poorly understood telepathic gift combined with the ability to shape light and sound to create convincing illusions, or even turn itself invisible. The Voice is also a skilled guerrilla soldier, and an expert with the AK-47. Most dangerous of all is it's ability to turn invisible or change shape while also being able to probe people telepathically. If the Voice had a more subtle frame of mind it'd be an expert infiltrator, but its staunch Communist beliefs keep it from doing much more than sneaking up on enemies and shooting them.

 

The Voice prefers to support others in combat, and would rather use it's powers to root out traitors and nuetralize threats to the party. If in a combat with other uberhumans it will generally turn invisible and snipe with its AK-47. Though it might try more sneaky tricks with Images or Shape Shift if some easy and obvious trick presents itself. The Voice is VERY difficult to fool or catch out of combat, and attempts to use NPCs to go after it will generally get the NPC in question killed.

 

The Voice is currently watched by three very powerful governments. They have too many pans in the fire to spend a lot of effort on a minor rebel leader in Nepal, but if the Voice starts getting out of line they might decide to squash it. All three governments trade information about the Voice to the Nepalese government for favors from time to time. The Voice hunts anyone that it thinks is a threat to the Maoists in Nepal.

 

To make the Voice less powerful reduce the active points of its powers. To increase its power increase its DEX, EGO, SPD, and skills.

 

The true identity of the Voice is up to the individual GM, the one presented is the child of an American embassy official posted in India. He eventually fell in with the communists and drifted into Nepal. The background can be altered to suit the GMs campaign.

 

Appearance The Voice of the People's powers make it inhuman in a very strange way. It looks like someone you know, but can't quite place, and the harder you look at it the more it's features blur and remain unfixed. The Voice's powers reaches right into the part of the brain that processes visual and auditory memories and combines with the voice's illusion casting abilities to make it look like anyone and everyone. It even works on photographs and against machines, and in images it looks very strange indeed; usually moving from one shape to another. In theory, the Voice might been seen for what it is (a Caucasian male in his early twenties) if kept isolated from others or if it's powers were fully suppressed, but no one has succeeded at this yet.

[gmurie]

Re: Around the World With A New Character Each Week

 

Mahesh Paudel

 

Background Budokaido is the official martial art of Nepal, and was developed as a street fighting style by Maha Guru Sagar Shrestha. It is fundamentally similar to karate, but has an emphasis on dodging or blocking attacks and simultaneously getting beside or behind an opponent to knock them off balance or grapple them. It is a practical full contact martial art, and Mahesh Paudel is one of the art's foremost practitioners. He is a Ghurkha, and like many Gurkhas has been training the Communist rebels for over a decade, but recently he's taken a more hands on approach.

 

A year ago he took part in an ambush against a military prison that was known to be torturing local farmers who were suspected of having Communist sympathies. What the group found within the prison was a charnel house, which was not to be unexpected. The government did have a history of brutality, but these people were being used as test subjects in some sort of insane experiment. Mahesh is positive that the Chinese, Indian, or American governments were responsible. Before the rebels could gather any information the facility exploded. Clearly it's creators were covering their tracks, but they never counted on the chemicals, toxic smoke, and stress activating Mahesh's ubergene.

 

If the intention of the Nepalese government (or whoever it was behind the experiments) was to create their own pet uber they both succeeded and failed. Because Mahesh is most certainly an uber, but he's only loyal to the guerillas. Since the accident he's been the nominal co leader, alongside the Voice, of the Uber Squad of the People's Army of Nepal. Foreign reporters have abbreviated this to the People's Uber Squad, and the name has stuck.

 

Mahesh has married a Nepalese woman, and has renounced his Indian citizenship. He'd like to start a family with his wife, but the accident that provided him with his powers has also rendered him sterile. He's not a Communist, and might be willing to abandon the guerillas if provided enough money or stable employment that didn't result in him betraying the Indian Gurkha regiments.

 

Personality Mahesh is a professional soldier more than anything, and though he's working as a mercenary for the Communists he likes them on a personal level. He's quite scrupulous about his behavior. He never betrays an employer either past or present, he will not kill or commit violence against allies, and he never leaves an ally behind. If at all possible Mahesh will finish a mission, but if an employer betrays he trust he's also obligated to take revenge against them.

 

Mahesh's only real motivation is to get revenge on the people who were responsible for giving him his powers, and setting himself and his wife up with a comfortable life. He will not join with the monarchists to do this, but might abandon them for work far enough away from Nepal that he'd not affect the outcome of their struggle.

 

Quote "Oh bloody hell!" - A MI5 officer on seeing video of Mahesh in action.

 

Powers Even before the accident that gave him his powers Mahesh was a professional soldier, and capable of fighting off any ten lesser men all on his own. Now he has an extremely powerful healing factor, and can regenerate wounds as quickly as they happen. Even his brain regenerates from traumatic damage, though exactly how is anyone's guess. He's immune to poisons and diseases, and has walked through clouds of tear gas and toxic smoke with no ill effect. He's an expert melee fighter and always carries a monomolecular kukhri that Metal Girl has made for him. He's capable of using any firearm, but only goes into combat with a pistol.

 

Mahesh is not stupid or overconfident. He knows that were he ever to be incapacitated among the enemy he could be captured or brutalized enough that he could be killed. He prefers to fight from ambush, and if he were ever to have other uberhumans as adversaries would only fight on his terms. In any combat situation the other three members of the People's Uber Squad will follow his orders.

 

To increase Mahesh's power give him a VPP for an arsenal of guns and explosives, and give him combat levels with guns. To decrease his power reduce his defenses and eliminate his DC bonus to martial arts. Mahesh is hunting the people who were behind the lab that gave him his powers to the exclusion of anything else.

 

Appearance Mahesh looks like any other Guerilla, because the People's Committee of the Nepalese Communist Revolution decided that superhero uniforms were oppressive, and made it look like Uberhumans were better than other people. Within Nepal he's pretty well known, so his most distinctive feature is that people are nervous or respectful of him whenever he's around. Typically he wears tough functional combat fatigues.