Janissary

Janissary

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Dex:   3   Str:   2   Body:    3
Int:   4   Will:  5   Mind:    6
Infl:  7   Aura:  6   Spirit:  9
Initiative:14/17 Hero Points: 40

Skills:
Medicine: 5
Scientist: 2
Weaponry (Melee): 3

Advantages: Area Knowledge (Turkey); Connections: Ankara Numune Hospital (High), Turkish Government (Low), Turkish Police (Low), Justice League  (Low); Iron Nerves; Luck; Popularity (in Turkey); Scholar (Chemistry, Biology)

Drawbacks: Secret Identity; Minor Irrational Attraction to patriotism; Miscellaneous: As an observant Muslim, is committed to praying five times a day,giving alms to the poor and fasting during the month of Ramadan.

Alter Ego: Dr. Selma Tolon
Motivation: Upholding the Good
Occupation: Physician
Wealth: 4

Equipment:
Enchanted Scimitar [Dex: 5, Str: 7, Body: 6, Body: 25, EV: 8, Flight: 12, Weaponry: 7]

Eternity Book [Body: 15, Sorcery: 25, R#: 3] Limitation: Spells must be read aloud from the Book. This book requires either the Homo Magi Advantage, or enough AP's in Occultist (Occult Knowledge) to be properly used. Dr. Tolon has neither.  Her unskilled Occultist attempt to use the book requires a check using her Infl/Aura against an OV/RV of 5/5:

   Missed by 5 or more:    Nothing substantial occurs, though there might be some special effects.
   No RAPs:    GM’s choice – something superficially similar to what Janissary wanted, but without the desired effect. (Example: Instead of having the target burst into flames, it's sword becomes a flaming blade).
   ½ RV:   Roughly what Janissary wanted, but implemented in a different and less desirable way (Example: Instead of being neutralized by being turned into trees, the targets are neutralized by being teleported away).
   Full RV:   The correct spell is cast.



Source: adapted from Writeups.org



Ed's Notes: Following a long history of such racial tokenism (Apache Cheif, Samurai, El Dorado, the Global Guardians...) DC introduced a trio of sword-wielding, Mediterranean characters as part of their Planet DC event. They introduced many foreign heroes, but somehow all three form the Mediterranean ended up begin chicks with swords. And I've got nothing against that - my last relationship with such a chick lasted 25 years, so... yeah, bring on the sword-wielding badass chicks!

One thing that needs to be said... As usual with these sorts of ham-handed attempts at representation, DC screwed something up pretty badly with this one. Historically, the “Janissaries” were regimented slave-soldiers of non-Muslim origin. So it's not a terribly good name for a nurturing, Turkish, Muslim heroine. But yay for trying, I guess?

I see a lot of potential for the character though, especially in a post-9/11 world. (Which was not the world she was created in, it is worth mentioning.) The sword is cool, and the BOOK has the potential to be game-breaking... IF she can ever get it to work. I see a lot of "Greatest American Hero" hijinks going on with that. But she can access up to 8 AP's of Sorcery taking no Spiritual damage, and up to 15 without being knocked unconscious by it. And since it's bashing damage, she'd even survive the full 25, though she'd be out for a while afterwards. Could be good for a starting Character though, and if they eventually leaned the Occultist Skill (which would drop the OV/RV of the book reading attempt to 2/2. 

A note on that OV/RV of 2/2 BTW... According to Writeups: it was actually Occultist Skill vs. 3/3 or Infl/Aura (Unskilled) vs 5/5.  But that's not right... Unskilled isn't a a +2 penalty to the OV/RV, it's a +2 COLUMN SHIFT Penalty to the OV/RV. So, to really  make sense, either her OV/RV should be 7/7  (which would make using the book properly nearly impossible, requiring FIVE Column shifts past the required 11 (a 24!) to get full RV) -OR- the Occultist attempt should be against 2/2. Which... Is kind of pointlessly easy, but preferable to making it THAT difficult to use the book, I suppose. SO I'm going with 2/2.

First Appearance: JLA Annual #4 (August, 2000)

Forgotten Villains

The following Characters are member of the Forgotten Villains:

Atom-Master
Enchantress
Faceless Hunter
Krakow
Mr. Poseidon
Ultivac

Dr. Spectro (in 2nd edition Come On Down module)

Dr. Gym'll

Dr. Gym'll

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Dex:   2   Str:   2   Body:    2
Int:   8   Will:  4   Mind:    3
Infl:  2   Aura:  2   Spirit:  2
Initiative: 12  Hero Points:  60

Powers: 
Extra Limb (x2): 2

Skills: 
Medicine: 10
Scientist: 10

Advantages: Connection: Legion of Superheroes (High)

Alter Ego: none
Motivation: Upholding the Good
Occupation: Doctor
Wealth: 5

Equipment:
MEDICUS ONE [Body: 10, Lab Rating: 16]



Source: 2995 Legion of Superheroes Sourcebook, page 105



Ed's Notes: One of the top medical minds in the 30th Century and personal Physician to the Legion of Superheroes. BTW, Medicus One, if you didn't know, is his SHIP. So... the GM should probably use some discretion and fill in some additional stats for it.

First Appearance: Legion of Super-Heroes Vol 2 #284 (February, 1982)

Doctor Phosphorus

Doctor Phosphorus

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Dex:   2   Str:   2   Body:    2

Int:   7   Will:  5   Mind:    6
Infl:  5   Aura:  4   Spirit:  5
Initiative: 15  Hero Points:  60

Powers:
Flame Being: 12
Flame Immunity: 12
Poison Touch (Radiation): 6

Bonuses: Poison touch affect anyone coming into contact with his body.

Limitations: Flame Being and Poison Touch are Always On

Skills:
Medicine: 9

Advantages: Connections: Business Community (Low)

Drawbacks: Catastrophic Irrational Attraction to revenge; Strange Appearance

Alter Ego: Emil Sartorius
Motivation: Psychopath
Occupation: Former Doctor
Wealth: 0


Source: Adapted from 1st Edition Night in Gotham Module, page 24
Foe of: Batman 



Ed's Notes: I'm not sure that 2's for all his Physical Attributes do him justice. I mean... He was "transformed." Shouldn't that have at least toughened him up a little?! But it really doesn't matter. Anyone who tries to punch or grapple him will automatically be attacked by both his Flame Being AND Poison Touch powers. I did add the Bonus, Limitations and Strange Appearance Drawback to what otherwise came direct from the 1st Edition Module, but felt these were necessary to accurately represent the character. BUT, in the spirit of keeping as close as possible to published works, I left his Physicals as they were, in spite of feeling that they were weak, and I didn't give Poison Touch (or Flame Being) a range or area affect. I think adding that could be justified, but that really starts to beef up the character beyond what was in the published work. And he's a fair threat for any unprepared human-level character as he is. (I also changed his wealth form n/a to "0." he's BROKE, but he's still (approximately) human and would still need money. Lol)

First Appearance: Detective Comics #469 (May, 1977)

Dr. Helga Jace

Dr. Helga Jace
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Dex:   2   Str:   1   Body:    2
Int:   9   Will:  8   Mind:    7
Infl:  3   Aura:  2   Spirit:  3
Initiative: 12  Hero Points:  45

Skills:
Gadgetry: 11
Scientist: 11

Advantages: Connections: Outsiders (High), Markovian Government (High), Scientific Community (High), Manhunters (High); Genius; Scholar (topography, geology)

Drawbacks: Age (old); Dark Secret (Manhunter agent)

Alter Ego: none
Motivation: Psychopath (misguided)
Occupation: Research Scientist
Wealth: 6



Source: Atlas of the DC Universe, page 96
foe of: Geo-Force



Ed's Notes: Not much in the way of Powers, but a good example of a mad-scientist- spanner-in-the-works type characters that will start out as a trusted ally and then betray the PC's at the worst possible moment.

Dr. Medusa

Dr. Medusa

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Dex:   5    Str:   3  Body:    4
Int:   8    Will:  8  Mind:    6
Infl:  6    Aura:  4  Spirit:  5
Initiative: 19  Hero Points:  40

Skills:
Charisma: 6
Gadgetry: 5
Medicine: 7
Scientist: 8

Advantages: Connections: U.S. Armed Forces (European Theater/Low); Scholar (plastic surgery)

Alter Ego: Dr. Myna Rhodes
Motivation: Unwanted Power
Occupation: Doctor
Wealth: 4



Source: World at War Sourcebook, page 98
affiliation(s): Creature Commandos



Ed's Notes: The Team Medic for the Creature Commandos.  I can understand, since she's not actually a Gorgon, not having the Transmutation (Turn People to Stone) Power, but why not Poison Touch for her hair?!

Cyclotron

Cyclotron
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Dex:   6   Str:   9   Body:    9
Int:  10   Will:  8   Mind:    5
Infl:  7   Aura:  6   Spirit:  6
Initiative: 23  Hero Points:  35

Powers:
Energy Blast: 11
Flight: 11

Skills:
Charisma: 7
Gadgetry: 8
Scientist: 8

Bonus: Miscellaneous: Had the Power to release all of the atomic energy in his body simultaneously, resulting in a powerful nuclear explosion. When he chose to employ this ability, he was killed instantly and everything in the vicinity was affected as though an atomic bomb had exploded.

Advantages: Connections: Firebrand II (Low), Scientific Community (Low); Genius; Scholar (atomic energy)
  
Drawbacks: Guilt; Secret Identity

Alter Ego: Dr. Terry Curtis
Motivation: Unwanted Power
Occupation: Scientist
Wealth: 8



Source: World at War Sourcebook, page 76




Ed's Notes: This is a very sympathetic character as far as villains go. Yes, I said, "villains," even though he has a heroic motivation. Basically, he was blackmailed and turned into a monster by the Ultra-Humanite in exchange for curing his daughters radiation sickness. At the same time he was on the run from the government for refusing to turn over his discovery of the Atomic Bomb - in 1939 - due to the moral implications of inventing and using such a weapon. So think Mr. Freeze in the Batman Animated Series episode "Heart of Ice," crossed with Tony Stark from the first two Iron Man Movies. VERY complex and sympathetic character indeed.  I can't wait to run him!

BTW... I was going to suggest that his Miscellaneous "Bonus," which, even in this interpretation, is really a Miscellaneous Advantage, should have been written up as the Bomb Power with Full AP Usage, Killing Combat and Self-Infliction Limitations, but that ended up looking no less complicated, so instead I'll just include the information about the Atomic Bomb, per the 3rd Edition Rulebook, page 123. (Body and R# don't apply here, obviously):

ATOMIC BOMB [Body: 6, Bomb: 20, Flash: 12, Magnetic Control: 15, R#: 5] Limitation: Magnetic Control only generates an EMP. Use as AV/EV against all electronic equipment within normal range, with OV/RV's based on trhe amount of shielding the equipment has. Most home equipment would have OV/RV's of 2/2, while Government files might have OV/RV's of 12/12. RAP's are deducted from the equipment Mental Attributes and Recall Power, if any.

Robotman

Robotman

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Dex:   7   Str:   9   Body:   10
Int:   9   Will:  7   Mind:    5
Infl:  4   Aura:  4   Spirit:  6
Initiative: 20  Hero Points:  45

Powers:
Running: 7
Skin Armor: 3
Telescopic Vision: 6

Skills: 
Gadgetry: 10
Scientist: 10

Advantages: Genius; Scholar (robotics)

Drawbacks: Serious Irrational Attraction to restoring his human self

Alter Ego: Dr. Robert Crane / Paul Dennis
Motivation: Unwanted Power
Occupation: Scientist
Wealth: 7

Equipment:
JET PACK [Body: 4, Flight: 9, R#: 4]



Source: World at War Sourcebook, page 64
affiliation(s): All-Star Squadron



Ed's Notes: Like the Human Bomb, another scientist that got stuck into one of his experiments.  This guy would not only make a good "engineer" for any group, but a pretty solid tank as well. Skin Armor is a very cheap power to raise up, carrying none of the limitations of Force Field, yet all the benefits in game terms.  Plus... Scientist? Robotics expert? A PC can pretty much go ANYWHERE with that in term of modifying themselves!  It worth noting that this is the Golden Age Robotman, and NOT the one of Doom Patrol fame, although, I suppose he could be used as a stand in, or a template to create that character.  (At the time of this entry, I have not yet found any stats for the newer, Doom Patrol Robotman character.)

Dr. Leslie Thompkins

Dr. Leslie Thompkins

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Dex:   2   Str:   2   Body:    2
Int:   3   Will:  3   Mind:    3
Infl:  3   Aura:  3   Spirit:  3
Initiative:  8  Hero Points:   5

Skills:
Medicine: 2

Advantages: Connections: Batman (High), Gotham City Department of Welfare (High); Rich Friend (Bruce Wayne)

Alter Ego: None
Motivation: Upholding the Good
Occupation: Social Worker
Wealth: 4



Source: Batman Sourcebook, pages 27



Ed's Notes: Dr. Thompkins encountered a young Bruce Wayne in Crime Alley shortly after his parents were killed. She acted as his legal advocate and guardian for a time and (along with Alfred) was a surrogate parent for Bruce for many years. She currently treats  the poor and homeless of Gotham from her practice in Crime Alley.

Bonecrusher

Bonecrusher

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Dex:   5   Str:   7   Body:    6
Int:   8   Will:  8   Mind:    7
Infl:  4   Aura:  2   Spirit:  2
Initiative: 17  Hero Points:  25

Skills:
Gadgetry: 10
Medicine: 5
Scientist: 10

Advantages: Connections: Wayne Technologies (High), The Cartel (High), Street (Low); Genius; Scholar (neurology)

Drawbacks: Minor Psychological Instability; Serious Rage; Miscellaneous: Bonecrusher is an identity used by Dr. Harbinger when he inhabits the body of any one of several volunteers who have had biochips implanted in the brains, which make them receptive to the mind transfer abilities of the SABBAT Machinery. The Physical Attributes of the various Bonecrusher bodies may have slightly different AP levels.

Alter Ego: Dr. Kenneth Harbinger
Motivation: Power Lust
Occupation: Scientist/Researcher
Wealth: 6



Source: Batman Sourcebook, page 65
Foe of: Batman



Ed's Notes: Mister Freeze meets Man-Bat meets Ultron meets... Bane? (Be sure to check out Dr. Harbinger's entry as well, and he is the REAL man-behind-the-man here.)

Dr. Kenneth Harbinger

Dr. Kenneth Harbinger

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Dex:   2   Str:   1   Body:    2
Int:   8   Will:  8   Mind:    7
Infl:  4   Aura:  2   Spirit:  2
Initiative: 12  Hero Points:  25

Powers:
Hypnotism: 5

Skills:
Gadgetry: 10
Medicine: 6
Scientist: 10

Advantages: Connections: Wayne Technologies (High), The Cartel (High), Street (Low); Genius; Scholar (neurology)

Drawbacks: Age (old); Dark Secret: Has used the SABBAT Machinery to commit crimes as Bonecrusher; Catastrophic Irrational attraction to using the SABBAT Machinery to gain a new body; Catastrophic Physical Restriction: In his original body, was confined to a wheelchair; Minor Psychological Instability; Power Limitation: Hypnotism was only developed after he had permanently departed his original body.

Alter Ego: Bonecrusher
Motivation: Power Lust
Occupation: Scientist/Researcher
Wealth: 6

Equipment:
SABBAT MACHINERY [Body: 7, Personality Transfer: 10, R#: 2] Limitation: Power only works on subjects who have surgically implanted biochips in their brains. Dr. Harbinger later devised a permanent method of taking over a victim's body and transferred his mind into a series of host bodies. In these bodies, he possessed Physical Attributes of the person whose body he occupied.



Source: Batman Sourcebook, page 65
Foe of: Batman



Ed's Notes: Mister Freeze meets Man-Bat meets Ultron.

Golden Age Icicle

Golden Age Icicle

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Dex:   6    Str:   2  Body:    3
Int:   8    Will:  7  Mind:    4
Infl:  4    Aura:  4  Spirit:  4
Initiative: 18  Hero Points:  40

Skills:
Gadgetry: 9
Scientist: 11
Thief: 4

Advantages: Connections: Underworld (Low); Scholar (physics, thermal technology)

Drawbacks: Secret Identity

Alter Ego: Dr. Joar Makent
Motivation: Mercenary
Occupation: Physicist
Wealth: 8

Equipment:
Cold Ray Gun [Body: 4, Glue: 11, Ice Production: 12, Ice Control: 12, R#: 2]

INSULATED SUIT [Body: 7, Cold Immunity: 8]

Source: World at War Sourcebook, page 79
also see: Modern Age
affiliation(s): Injustice Society of the World



Ed's Notes: Here the thing (again, LOL...) Ice NEVER works. Think about it. Pick any movie, Anime or western animated series. What happens? The guys with Ice Powers freezes the hero(es) in a 6,000 ton pillar of ice. And what happens? Like, five seconds later you hear... crack... crack.... CRACK... and the hero (or villain) breaks free. Happens every time. Ice. Never. Works! 

But this guy's Ice IS considerably stranger that his modern age counterpart. ;)

Ice STILL never works!