COMICS-DERIVED CHARACTER ADAPTATIONS
GRENDEL
(Hunter Rose)
Val CHA Cost Roll Notes 15 STR 5 12- Lift 200 kg; 3d6 HTH Damage [1] 30 DEX 60 15- OCV: 10/DCV: 10 18 CON 16 13- 13 BODY 6 12- 26 INT 16 14- PER Roll 14- 23 EGO 26 14- ECV: 8 20 PRE 10 13- PRE Attack: 4d6 18 COM 4 13- 7 PD 4 Total: 7 PD (0 rPD) 6 ED 2 Total: 6 ED (0 rED) 6 SPD 20 Phases: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 8 REC 2 36 END 0 30 STUN 0 Total Characteristics Cost: 171 Movement: Running: 6"/12" Leaping: 3"/6" Swimming: 2"/4" Cost Powers & Skills Martial Art: Fencing Maneuver OCV DCV Damage 4 Evade -- +5 Dodge, Affects All Attacks, Abort 5 Lunge +1 -2 Weapon +4 DC Strike 4 Parry +2 +2 Block, Abort 5 Slash -2 +1 Weapon +4 DC Strike 5 Thrust +1 +3 Weapon Strike 1 Weapon Element: Blades, Fork 24 Grendal's Fork: Multipower, 49-point reserve, all slots OAF (fork; -1) 2u 1) Blade: HKA 1 1/2d6 (2 1/2d6 w/STR), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2); OAF (fork; -1) plus +1 with OCV; OAF (fork; -1) plus Ranged (+1/2); 1 Recoverable Charge (-1 1/4), OAF (fork; -1), Range Based On STR (-1/4) for up to 37 Active Points of HKA, [1 rc] 1u 2) Shaft: HA +4d6, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2); OAF (fork; -1), Hand-To-Hand Attack (-1/2) 1u 3) Shaft: Stretching 1", Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2); OAF (fork; -1), Only To Cause Damage (-1/2), Always Direct (-1/4), No Noncombat Stretching (-1/4) Grendal's Fork, all slots OAF (Grendal's Fork; -1) 8 1) Electrified Blades: EB 5d6; OAF (Grendal's Fork; -1), Linked (HKA; -1/2), No Range (-1/2), No Knockback (-1/4), END 2 2 2) Power Supply: Endurance Reserve (20 END, 1 REC), Reserve: OAF (Grendal's Fork; -1); REC: Limited Recovery (electrical outlet; -2), OAF (Grendal's Fork; -1) 5 3) Internal Radio: Radio Perception/Transmission (Radio Group); OAF (Grendal's Fork; -1) Grendal's Mask, all slots IAF (mask; -1/2) 3 1) Optic Filters: Sight Group Flash Defense (5 points); IAF (mask; -1/2) 3 2) Gas Filter: LS (Expanded Breathing); IAF (mask; -1/2) 3 3) Low-Light Lenses: UV Perception (Sight Group); IAF (mask; -1/2) Perks 10 Money: Wealthy 0 Numerous Followers, Base, Vehicles 3 Well-Connected 0 Numerous Contacts within New York City Skills 10 +2 with HTH Combat 12 +6 OCV with Sweep 3 Acrobatics 15- 3 Breakfall 15- 3 Bribery 13- 3 Bureaucratics 13- 3 CK: New York City 14- 3 Climbing 15- 0 Concealment 8- 3 Conversation 13- 3 Disguise 14- 3 Electronics 14- 3 High Society 13- 1 KS: Fencing 8- 3 KS: Literature 14- 3 KS: Poisons 14- 3 KS: New York Underworld 14- 0 Language: English (idiomatic; literate) 3 Lockpicking 15- 3 Persuasion 13- 3 PS: Crime Boss 14- 3 PS: Writer 14- 3 Security Systems 14- 3 Seduction 13- 3 Shadowing 14- 3 Stealth 15- 3 Streetwise 13- 0 TF: Small Motorized Ground Vehicles 1 WF: Blades 179 Total Powers & Skills Cost 350 Total Character Cost 200+ Disadvantages 30 DNPC: Stacy Palumbo 14- (Incompetent; Unaware of character's adventuring career/Secret ID) 15 Hunted: Argent the Wolf 11- (As Pow, Capture) 25 Hunted: New York Police Department 14- (Mo Pow, NCI, Limited Geographical Area, Capture) 20 Psychological Limitation: Casual Killer (Very Common, Strong) 15 Psychological Limitation: Manipulative (Common, Strong) 15 Psychological Limitation: Overconfidence (Common, Strong) 20 Reputation: Grendel, crime lord and killer, 14- (Extreme) 5 Rivalry: Professional (Argent the Wolf; Rival is As Powerful; Seek to Outdo, Embarrass, or Humiliate Rival; Rival Aware of Rivalry) 15 Social Limitation: Secret Identity (Hunter Rose) (Frequently, Major) 360 Total Disadvantage Points
Background/History: Grendel is the creation of Matt Wagner. Originally appearing in his own black and white series from Comico, Grendel ended up as a back up feature to Wagner's Mage series. Later, Wagner began writing further Grendel stories, illustrated by different artists, that examined the character's existence after the original Grendel died. This character sheet is an attempt to define the original Grendel, Hunter Rose. I've based this write up on material found in three sources, Devil by the Deed, which collected the entire run of Mage back ups into one book, Grendel issue #2 (of the original B&W series), and Batman Versus Grendel. As it stands, Grendel is a great Dark Champions villain
Grendel, the alter ego of Hunter Rose, (who's real name is Eddie) was created as a result of Hunter's desire to dominate those around him. Originally a flamboyant hitman, Grendel soon became the de facto leader of the New York underworld, and after much preparation, the most powerful underworld figure on the East Coast
As the story progresses, Hunter Rose adopts a young girl, seven year old Stacy Palumbo. He does this for several reasons, one of which is that he was responsible for her uncle's death. Eventually, Stacy discovers Hunter's secret, and is instrumental in bringing about Grendel's downfall. During this time, Hunter is very protective of Stacy, and can be quite ruthless in dealing with anyone who intends to harm her.
Personality/Motivation: Grendel is evil. Make no bones about it, Grendel is the ultimate user, blackmailing, killing, and disposing of people as if they were chess pieces arrayed for his personal amusement. He only really cares about Stacy Palumbo, and does his best to please her in any way possible. Grendel's impressive physical and mental abilities also make him supremely confident, to the point of almost being foolhardy in his actions
Powers/Tactics: According to information given early in Devil by the Deed, Hunter Rose is amazingly intelligent, capable of doing anything he wanted simply by applying himself. At the age of 14 he was one of the world's top fencers, easily defeating all opponents. Hunter is one of those people who utilizes much more of his brain than others, giving him fantastic abilities in logic, deduction, agility, and so on. It seems that early in life he never failed at anything he tried, and thus, became bored with everyday existence. It's this environment that led to his becoming Grendel.
Aside from his fencing prowess, Grendel carries a number of interesting devices. The first is his "fork." This is a long staff (about 5' in length) with a pair of razor sharp blades attached at one end. With it, Grendel can quite easily dispatch troublesome opponents. With a touch of a switch, Grendel can run an electrical charge through the blades, burning opponents as well as cutting them. He can also strike with the shaft if needed. Finally, there is a small radio built into the handle, allowing Grendel to call his other agents if needed.
Grendel's mask contains a few interesting devices to allow him to operate better. The eye panels act as filters against bright lights, as well as granting the wearer the ability to see in dim light. The nose panel acts as a gas filter, preventing inhaleable gases for affecting the mask's wearer. (Note: this information isn't given in Devil by the Deed, but is stated in the 12 issue mini-series that followed)
Grendel's skills were selected based on his actions, and presumed abilities. Some things (such as KS's) are open to GM interpretation and should be altered according to taste.
Appearance: Grendel, or more accurately, Hunter Rose, is a young man, looking to be of slightly below average height, with a slight, but very strong, build. He has short black hair, dark eyes, and a handsome face. Hunter is only 18 when he adopts Stacy Palumbo, and is probably no more than 21 when he is killed by Argent.
Hunter Rose wears only the best fashions—he is a wealthy writer after all. Grendel, on the other hand, dresses in a black bodystocking with white gloves and boots, and wears a black mask over his entire head. The mask has two vertical white stripes on either side of the face. These stripes intersect two large, white panels that cover the eyes. A small white dot covers the nose. Two long strips of cloth tie the mask in back
Designer's Notes: Argent the Wolf is a very strange being. He is half man, half wolf with grayish skin and black hair. Argent is very quick, strong, and has long claws on his fingers. Argent claims to be 300 years old, an Indian transformed into his state by engaging in a forbidden love affair. He hates Grendel with a passion and will do anything to bring him down. Grendel enjoys this "rivalry" and likes having Argent around as a way of testing his (Grendel's) skill.
(Grendel created by Matt Wagner, character sheet created by Michael Surbrook)
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