Kinderspiel - an collection of ideas for Superheroes based on german childrens songs

[Christopher]

Recently found a you-tube channel with old german childrens songs. An interesting trip down memory lane. And also got a few ideas for superhereos based on said songs:

 

Frere Jacques/Brother Jakob:

This is a often translated song of french origin. Having been translate at least to german, english and spain. The song is about a monk in a church, who has to stand up in time to ring the morning bell. Or has issues standing up with the morning bell.

 

Powers:

Absolute Time sense, no need for sleep. Gadgets and tactics similar that clockwork themed villain from batman, but with background as a monk?

 

Bi-Ba-Butzeman:

Is about a Fairytale creature that dances at night in people houses, leaving apple and other healthy eating stuff for children, vanishing without ever being seen and without any sense of mischief.

 

Powers:
Martial Arist based on dancemoves. An unlimited satchel, bag or something the like full of apples. They are actually magically, being able to grant him extra powers for some time. Also for some reason children never have a problem to eat them, but they do not get any powers from them.

Also has the ability to enter every nearly every place undetected (desolid. Maybe ex-thief). But he is considered entirely harmless despite that ability.

 

Regenbogen:

The song "grün grün grün sind alle meine Kleider" (green are all my dresses) is about 6 girls, each with a preference for a certain color (green, red, blue, black, white and all of the colors at once) and a boyfriend whose classical job atire fits that color sheme (Forester, Jockey, Sailor, Chimmney Sweeper, Miller and a Painter respectively).

Presumeably to teach children colors.

 

Powers:

Either a team of related heroes (different Gender, age and orientation) or a single Duplicator whose Duplicates all have different prefered colors and loved ones.

The Duplicator would propably go for a combined combat style. While the seperate heros would instead all have a appropirate element (red = fire, blue = water)

They can combine into a single more Powerfull Hero. That btw. has thier own orientation and loved one(s). Yes, the relationship status(es) of the Duplicator are "it's complicated".

About them all getting lifepartners that kinda fit the color sheme - you always have to go at least 1-2 generations of the job attire into the past to fit this, so it might just as well be coincidence.

 

3 Chinese (with a double bass):

Somewhat cliche/racist song. Only one real line (about 3 chinese emigrants with a double bass meeting a policeman somewhat confused about the whole situation of meeting 3 chineses with a double bass)

But in every line after the first one the proper vocals of the words get all repalced with a single vocal (all A, E, I, O, U).

Propably to teach children proper pronunciation/awareness of vocals. In the visulations they characters also often imitate the currently used letters (Cheerleader lettering).

 

Powers:

We have 3 Chineses. One bass music instrument. One police man. 5 Vocals.

Maybe they are a team. Maybe another case for duplication? Maybe thier powers change a bit based on wich Vocal they use exclusively?

 

 

Kleine Wanze:

Song about a "kleien Wanze" (chinch; the type of bug) sitting on a wall, ready to jump. While also dancing ("tanzen").

With every strophe the last letter is removed both from the Substantive (Wanze) and verb (tanzen), until there is only a pause left.
Propably to teach awareness of either of those two concepts.

 

Powers:
A bug-themed martial arist perhaps? Maybe something like "The Tick"? Maybe he get's more power the less letters he uses, being strongest when he is effectively pantomiming?

[Lucius]

Okay, now I wanna see what you come up with for "Mein Hut er hat drei Ecken"

 

"Meikefer Flieg" is probably too easy.

 

Lucius Alexander

 

And hat es nicht ein Palindromedary Tagline, es ist nicht mein Post

[Christopher]

 

Okay, now I wanna see what you come up with for "Mein Hut er hat drei Ecken"

It is a tricky one for sure. Especially since it is very similar to the "kleine Wanze" song.

As the "Wanze" it starts with a full strophe/text, then words get progressively replaced with Gestures, Sounds or similar stuff. Until the 5 most common words of the text have been replaced with sounds. Usually the full song is sung once more at the end.

The timing of the song is fixed based on the melody used and historically different ones have been used. The current one needs about 18 seconds for one rotation. I am starting to get ideas here...

[Christopher]

3 Ecken Hut:

Magic can be wierd in it's rules and regulations, but it is nothing compared to people using it. Or the magical items they might come up with.

German Bardic Magic in particular tends to have the "rule" that you have to sing or perform along for it to have any effect. At the same time what exactly you perform or sing to it does not mater.

 

Now you know why one of the most powerfull heroes of germany is wearing a singing, 3 pointed hat that sings the childrens song "Mein hut der hat drei ecken" in the middle of a superfight.

That still does not make it any less hilarious to see (and hear) however. Well hilarious, unless you are on the other end of that heroes fists, magic or whatever the wearer has. For the hat makes the user a true powerhouse - for a time.

 

The hat grants it's power to whoever wears it as long as it sings that song and plays that melody (so anybody who can stomach that song). It improoves whatever inate combat ability the wearer has be it fists, weapons, magic or something else.

However the melody of power used can only be repeated 6 times per day without incident, wich limits how long per day you can use it's power.
The hat can be asked to perfom a 7th time per day in an emergency, but then the hat is unable to sing (and thus grant teh wearer it's power) while being on that persons head ever again. The hat calls this the "Finale Strophe"*.

 

*Yes, that is totally a joke on Bleachs "final/you loose your power" Forms. No this was not implemented by the original mage. The hat just picked that up while watching TV with an owner.