Artemis
(Coda)
Context
*This* Artemis is a baddie from the earliest days of the WildC.A.T.s, at a then-brand new Image Comics (1993).
She was part of the Coda, a sorority of assassins universally possessed of the dual powers of skimpy clothing and improbably idealised physiques. WHAT WERE THE ODDS ?
Background
- Real Name: Unrevealed.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Coda.
- Base Of Operations: Mobile.
- Height: 5’11” Weight: 127 lbs.
- Eyes: Blue Hair: Black
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Powers and Abilities
Artemis is one of the best Coda warriors. She mastered all the skills required to be a perfect spy and assassin.
Like her fellow Coda sisters, she endured the Blood Bond Ceremony, where they receive Kherubim blood, granting them near immortality.
History
Artemis was recruited in the Coda, in ancient Greece, by Zealot herself. She was very close to the Kherubim and received her Coda training by Zealot.
Again, it’s directly with Zealot that she made her Blood Bond Ceremony, the one that would tie her to the Order for ever. Along with her was Andromache, who would become Coda’s Majestrix after Zealot and the Kherubims stepped aside from the head of the Order.
Not only did the Blood Bond gave them near immortality, but it also linked the three of them. From now on, there was more than simple team work between them, there was also a powerful relation on the edge of enthralling love.
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Classical times
Years later, Artemis, along with Zealot, but without Andromache who already was the Majestrix, was inside the Trojan Horse for the final battle of this war. Hired by the Greeks, the Coda was tasked with killing every member of the Trojan Royal family. But when battle sisters Zealot and Artemis found the Trojan nobles, Zealot refused to kill them.
This broke one of the first precept of the Coda — accomplish the given mission at all cost — and Artemis confronted Zealot. Though the Kherubim tried to convince her that they had nothing to do with Helen’s behavior, nor the defense of the city, she would still refuse to let it go. They fought, and Zealot was victorious.
Artemis asked her to end her shame and kill her on the spot, but the Bond between them was too strong. She let Artemis live that day, making her the greatest insult a Coda would ever endure : to fail and live through it.
This episode marked the betrayal of Zealot, her death sentence pronounced by Andromache and the beginning of her hunt by the Coda. The shame also turned Artemis’ love in unstoppable hatred.
Modern times
When Artemis manages to find Zealot’s trail again, it was the 1990s. She was working for Hightower, a leader among the Cabal. But she was more on her personal crusade than on a contract. They made the deal of helping each other to capture the WildCATs. Hightower wanted to kill them all, Artemis wanted to defeat Zealot in a final death duel.
They captured Grifter by double dealing his informant, Lonely. Torturing him, they attracted Zealot in their trap. They started to fight. When the rest of the team arrived to the rescue, and were captured by Hightower. Zealot managed to tie the freedom of her teammates to the stake of the death duel ; Artemis agreed.
Zealot defeated her again, but Hightower refused to honor Artemis’ agreement. However, Artemis had further goals : she wanted to overthrow Andromache and become the head of the Coda.
Power struggle
If she had managed to vanquish Zealot, she would have used her head as a rallying trophy. If not, she would have been dead. But Andromache knew this all along, thanks to Delphae, and she went with a phalanx of her finest to kill Artemis. In the resulting battle, Artemis and Zealot fought together again, to repel the Coda’s fighters.
In the end, Artemis took a fatal blow aimed at Zealot (a violation of the Coda’s precepts).
The involvement of Zealot in a fight that wasn’t hers (Andromache was here for Artemis, not Zealot) made her understand that the Bond was still vivid in both of them. Meanwhile, the WildCATs freed themselves of Hightower’s grip. The battle ended when Grifter puts his gun to Andromache’s head ordering her to withdraw or die. She complied.
Description
Artemis is a striking woman who looks in her late 20s. She has long dark hair, and wears a ceremonial tattoo on her forehead (a red rectangle).
She dresses in black pants, black bra and dark blue cloak, with high heels black boots. She fights with the traditional Coda Clef Blade.
Personality
She is obsessed by the insult Zealot made her 2,000 years ago. This syphons all her rage and passion. Thus, when she kills, she does it just out of business, or reflex. She does it just like any other would toss a cigarette butt away. But when it comes to Zealot, she fights with all her heart.
DC Universe History
See Zealot.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Artemis
| Dex: 08 | Str: 04 | Bod: 06 | Motivation: Seeking Justice |
| Int: 08 | Wil: 07 | Min: 07 | Occupation: Coda Assassin |
| Inf: 08 | Aur: 07 | Spi: 10 | Resources {or Wealth}: 009 |
| Init: 028 | HP: 050 |
Skills:
Acrobatics*: 08, Charisma*: 08, Detective: 05, Martial Artist*: 08, Military Sciences: 05, Occultism (Occult Knowledge): 05, Thief (Escape Artist, Security Systems, Stealth)*: 08, Weaponry (Melee): 10, Weaponry (Other)*: 08
Advantages:
Attractive, Intensive Training, Iron Nerves, Near-Immortal, Lightning Reflexes.
Connections:
Coda (High), Cabal (High).
Drawbacks:
CIA (Stand or Die), CIH (Zealot).
Equipment:
Coda Clef Blade [BODY 10, EV 05 (09 w/ martial artist)].
Source of Character: Images Comics (Wildstorm Universe).
Helper(s): Sébastien Andrivet.