Ant
(John Miller)
Context
Freedom Force was a 2002 squad tactics video game, with a 2005 sequel. It received excellent reviews, and remains one of a puzzlingly small number of successful PC games about super-heroes.
It takes place during the 1960s, with a strong Silver Age style and Kirbyesque character designs.
Background
- Real Name: John Miller.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Freedom Force, former servant of Shadow.
- Base Of Operations: The Freedom Fortress.
- Height: 5’7” Weight: 150 lbs Age: 18
- Eyes: Brown Hair: Black
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Powers and Abilities
Thanks to Energy X, John Miller has what he believes to be the proportionate strength, etc, of an ant. Though not quite as strong, overall, as Minuteman, he is still remarkably strong, and extremely durable. And he can lift and carry heavier loads than even his overall strength would suggest.
He can climb walls thanks to small claw-like pads on the inside of his fingertips and feet. His exceptional metabolism grants him an increased resistance to acid, radiation, and other toxins. He also can dig through most earthen materials at a rapid rate.
Other assets
Miller is also capable of communicating with ants. Under normal circumstances, the most he can do is summon a swarm of flying ants to blind an opponent by covering their face. But he has on occasion run into one of the giant ants provided to him originally by Shadow. These would promptly join up with him and fight alongside him.
By effectively “shouting” in the ultrasonic frequencies he uses to communicate with the insects, he can cause a significant neural feedback in anyone within a certain distance from him.
He is also an exceptional scientist and engineer, with a paricular fondness for insects. To assist him in combat, he carries grenades filled with the acid from the giant ants from Shadow.
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History
John Miller was a High School Senior enjoying himself by studying an anthill when he was accosted by the local bullies, “Rex” and the Gang (not to be confused with Kool and the Gang). Laying spread-eagled on the ground and somewhat dazed, he could not move in time when he saw, to his shock, a beam of energy headed right for him.
Amazingly, this energy granted him superhuman powers. Powers he promptly used to protect the kindly old man who ran the local candy store when Rex and the Gang decided to accost him.
The Shadow knows
At some point he encountered the super-villainess named The Shadow, and fell under her hypnotic sway. She supplied him with either the means to create giant ants, or the giant ants themselves. Shadow had him use his ability to speak with them to convince them to help her steal things from the surface world. This eventually included entire neighborhoods.
When Freedom Force investigated, she ordered him to kill them. This was so against his personal code that he was able to break free, and helped them defeat her.
Ever since, The Ant has been a trusted member of Freedom Force. His scientific ability, backing up Mentor’s own knowledge, has proven as invaluable as his physical prowess.
Description
In his secret ID, John Miller is a slightly short young man of average build, wearing glasses and (usually) a v-necked sleeveless sweater over a white collared shirt and brown trousers.
As the Ant, he wears a red and brown bodysuit with a stylized ant pattern, as well as goggles with decorative antennae on them.
Personality
Eager and willing to do what it takes both to help his team, and make them like him, the Ant’s geekiness is still just as strong as ever. He’s quite light-hearted in combat, though not as skilled at the verbal quips as the character he’s obviously patterned after.
DC Universe History
Most of Freedom Force should really be kept together. They tend to compliment each other nicely, and have most of their ’bases’ covered.
In this case, they could be dropped in whole cloth into the period between the Golden and Silver ages. Perhaps they held the title of the “World’s Premier Team” after the Justice Society ended, and before the Justice League started up.
Alternatively, Mentor could have been trying to escape with the Gene Bomb during Invasion, and when he fails, gathers many of the Energy X powered individuals as Freedom Force.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
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The Ant
| Dex: 07 | Str: 08 | Bod: 09 | Motivation: Responsibility of Power |
| Int: 08 | Wil: 07 | Min: 05 | Occupation: Freshman College Student, Adventurer |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 05 | Resources {or Wealth}: 004 |
| Init: 019 | HP: 055 |
Powers:
Cling: 05, Digging: 08, Sonic Beam: 09, Systemic Antidote: 06, Flash: 09, Speak With Animals: 06, Gravity Decrease: 02
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Sonic Beam has No Range, and Area Effect (-0 total).
- Flash represents a swarm of ants summoned into the eyes of the target.
- Speak With Animals only affects Ants (-1).
- Systemic Antidote also adds to RV vs acids as well as toxins, etc. (+1).
- Gravity Decrease has no range (-1), and cannot reduce the weight of an object below 0 APs (-0).
Skills:
Acrobatics: 08, Scientist: 07, Gadgetry: 07
Advantages:
Expansive HQ (The Freedom Fortress), Familiarity (Entomology).
Connections:
Freedom Force (High). It is possible he may still have a Low connection to Shadow, if she survived.
Equipment:
Acid Bombs (x10) [BODY 05, Acid (No Range, Area of Effect 1 AP): 07. Grenade Drawback].
Pet: Giant Ant
| Dex: 03 | Str: 09 | Bod: 05 |
| Int: 01 | Wil: 01 | Min: 02 |
| Inf: 01 | Aur: 01 | Spi: 01 |
| Init: 005 | HP: 000 |
Powers:
Cling: 05, Digging: 08, Sharpness (bite): 02, Acid: 08
Helper(s): KennX, Jobe.
Source of Character: Freedom Force and Freedom Force vs the Third Reich computer games.