Adept
(Jelene Anderson)
Context
Strikeforce Morituri was an intriguing 1986-1989 Marvel series, taking place in its own universe. It was a military sci-fi saga, centred on superhuman soldiers fighting to repel alien invaders who very nearly crushed Earth.
The main twist was that the treatment giving powers to volunteers was invariably fatal, leaving little life expectancy to the super-soldiers. Hence the name, derived from the famous Latin phrase morituri te salutant (“those about to die salute you”).
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Background
- Real Name: Jelene Anderson.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Strikeforce Morituri.
- Base Of Operations: Morituri Mountain.
- Eyes: Black Hair: Black
Powers and Abilities
In addition to the normal Morituri physical enhancements, Adept possessed the amazing ability to analyze and counter anything she came into contact with. She could read alien languages, decipher the function and operation of alien artifacts, and analyze and synthesize antidotes for any kind of toxin or disease.
History
Jelene Anderson was a strange soldier. A small, quiet woman with passionate religious beliefs, she felt it her duty to aid in the protection of her planet as best she could. She disliked physical conflict, though she was not shy about mixing it up with the rest of the team if needed.
During the team’s first attack on a Horde mothership, Adept discovered a Horde communication nexus that allowed her to spy on the Horde treasure ship out by Jupiter. Even just seeing the scores of devices the Horde had stolen from countless worlds gave her a glimmering of the technological secrets some of them held.
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She recorded as many of the devices as she could on a storage crystal and returned to Earth with the rest of her team.
Once the government found out what she had learned, they ordered her to stay out of the field and spend all her time deciphering the devices she had recorded. With only recordings to go on she was often unable to fully comprehend the nature of the devices, but she did her best.
On two separate occasions her irate teammates broke her out to join them, but for the most part she seemed to accept her situation.
When Radian pretended to agree to betray the team to the Horde, his main reason for wanting a Horde ship was so that they could take Adept to the treasure ship itself. This allowed her to analyze the devices in person. While the rest of the team held off the Horde, Adept studied as many of the devices as possible.
On the way back to Earth, she felt her Morituri Effect approaching, but held it off as long as she could so she could record what she had learned.
Unlike most Morituri, Adept passed peacefully into death and did not explode.
Description
A short, slim black woman with close-cropped hair; the Morituri Process made almost no change to her physical appearance. She wore a black tunic with white trim that came down to just above her knees, black leggings, white boots and a short black cape with a yellow lining.
Personality
Adept was a deeply religious woman who believed strongly in Christianity. She never sought to convert her fellow teammates, but was always ready and eager to offer spiritual guidance when needed.
DC Universe History
As written, the Morituri were in their own stand-alone universe. However, the idea of the Morituri process works in any universe. Perhaps a new, more determined alien invasion attacks and earth’s normal superheroes are outmatched. STAR Labs or Lexcorp could develop this process to help turn the tide.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
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Adept
| Dex: 08 | Str: 09 | Bod: 09 | Motivation: Upholding the Good |
| Int: 07 | Wil: 07 | Min: 08 | Occupation: Soldier |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 07 | Resources {or Wealth}: n/a |
| Init: 019 | HP: 050 |
Powers:
Comprehend Languages: 18, Systemic Antidote: 16
Bonuses and Limitations:
Systemic Antidote is Usable on Others on Others (+5) but only after Adept has accumulated RAPs equal to the intensity of the toxin on a Mental action check (OV/RV equal intensity of the toxin).
Skills:
Gadgetry (Identify Gadget): 22, Weaponry: 05
Bonuses and Limitations:
Gadgetry is a Powered skill (-5 BC).
Advantages:
Credentials (Padeia Institute, Low), Expansive Headquarters, Omni-Scholar, Popularity.
Connections:
Strikeforce Morituri (High).
Drawbacks:
Public Identity, Uncertainty, Morituri Effect .
Equipment:
FLIGHT SHOES [BODY 06, Flight: 07].
The Morituri Effect
All Morituri have a lifespan of 1 year (23 APs) or less from the time they undergo the Morituri Process. Starting 1 month after the Process, the Morituri must roll against their R# each day. For the first six months the RN is 5. The next three months the RN is 11, and for the last three months the RN is 18. The Effect automatically occurs at the end of a year.
Each Morituri experienced a power surge shortly before the effect took place. Add 2 APs to their Powers (or STR, if that was their primary ability) when they fail their R# roll. The number of APs of their highest Power after this addition is the number of phases they have until the effect takes place.
The precise manifestation of the Morituri Effect varied from person to person, but was related to their powers. Scaredycat’s superspeed increased so greatly that she overheated and died. Snapdragon, Vyking, and Marathon exploded, with Snapdragon’s explosion affecting little more than herself while Marathon’s explosion destroyed a Horde mothership.
The GM should select an appropriate fate based on the powers in question and the dramatic potential of the moment.
Source of Character: Strikeforce Morituri (Marvel Comics).
Helper(s): DCH List, Roy Cowan.