Bavmorda
Context
Bavmorda is the evil Queen in the 1988 film Willow.
She fights a prophecy that says a child born bearing a mark will cause her downfall.
This profile is full of S P O I L E R S.
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Background
- Real Name: Bavmorda.
- Known Relatives: Sorsha (Daughter).
- Group Affiliation: Her own Kingdom.
- Base of Operations: Nockmaar Castle.
- Height: 5’6+½” (1.68m). Weight: 135 lbs. (61 Kg.).
- Eyes: Blue. Hair: Brown.
Powers & Abilities
Bavmorda is the most powerful and feared sorceress in her world.
She has at least a couple of acolytes who act as advisors and attend her in spell casting.
(According to the novelization, which includes much more backstory for many characters, those acolytes were at one time Bavmorda’s mentors and teachers in the arts of magic. But she became so powerful so quickly that they submitted to her power. They now serve her in these more menial tasks).
As Queen, she controls the lands and all its peoples. Bavmorda commands a huge army. She deploys her troops in small bands of 20 to 100, but thousands can be called on for larger battles.
Her daughter, Sorsha, and General Kael are some of her best fighters.
History
Bavmorda defeated her rival Fin Raziel years ago. Raziel was transformed and exiled to an island.
In her old age, her magic has grown. She raised herself to a Queen and built a powerful army.
This military, led by General Kael, was crushing everything in sight.
Then, along came a prophecy
A prophecy. Seers told of a child would be born and bring about her downfall. The child would have a birthmark in a specific shape on their arm.
Bavmorda believed it – or believed it enough to make sure it didn’t come to pass.
She locked up all the expectant mothers in the kingdom. Finally, a girl was born bearing the prophesied mark. Bavmorda rushed to see for herself, but the nursemaid had already made off with the baby.
Bavmorda spent her time and energy trying to find and destroy the prophesied child, Elora Danan.
See the Willow character profile for a complete history.
Description
She wears mummy wrappings covering her entire body, save her hands and face.
Bavmorda’s robes are dark. The cowl of her robes is white and red.
Her crown is black metal twisting up like a pair of horns.
Though elderly, with her magic, Bavmorda may appear much younger.
Personality
Ruthless. She will do anything to keep the power and control she has gained. Bavmorda will crush those who oppose her.
She hates failure. Bavmorda will always abuse those who fail her and praise those who do what she wants. Sorsha, her daughter, is a usual target.
Adνеrtisеmеnt
Quotes
“Sorsha, you’re useless.”
“I need that baby alive. I must perform the ritual that will exile the child’s spirit into oblivion.”
Advisor: “I read the signs. I fear one day your daughter will betray you.”
Bavmorda: “I trust her loyalty more than I do yours.”
Bavmorda: “Kael, have you found the child ?”
General Kael: “The search goes on my Queen.”
Bavmorda: “Why with my powers, with the strength of my great army can you not find one little child ?” (Her anger rising)
General Kael: “We look even now. It won’t be long.”
Bavmorda: “Find the child. Find the child !” (backhands Kael) “Time is running out.”
“Begin the ritual. This baby will not destroy me.”
Bavmorda: “Now you will watch me draw upon the power of the universe to send that child to another world ! Now place it on the altar !”
Willow: “No !”
Bavmorda: “No ?”
Willow: “You stupid hag. With my magic, I’ll send her into the… into a…”
Bavmorda: “You’re no sorcerer.”
Willow: “Into a realm where evil cannot touch her.”
Bavmorda: “Impossible ! There’s no such place !”
More aged appearance as Bavmorda fights against petrification.
DC Universe Adaptation
(This section proposes ways of using this character in DC Universe stories).
Given her archetypal role, Bavmorda could certainly be channelled by the Queen of Fables. Thus making the Willow story part of her toolset in the DC Universe… or elsewhere.
DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Bavmorda
A 1,554 points Character (without Rituals).
| Dex: 02 | Str: 02 | Bod: 02 |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 04 | Min: 04 |
| Inf: 07 | Aur: 05 | Spi: 09 |
| Init: 011 | HP: 020 |
Powers:
Sharpness (Transform): 03, Sorcery: 08, Telekinesis: 05, Transform: 08
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Sharpness has no effect on targets magical in nature or those with the Magic Background Advantage (FC -1).
- Transform has Area Effect (FC +1).
- Transform w/Area Effect may also be Selective (+1 FC) targeting only her enemies for instance.
- Transform is permanent (FC +5).
- Only one power may be used at a time except for Sharpness and Transform.
Skills:
Occultist: 08
Advantages:
Headquarters (Expansive, Nockmaar castle), Scholar (Ritual Discipline: Transformations), Magic Background.
Connections:
Nockmaar Castle (High).
Drawbacks:
Age (Old), Authority Figure, Miscellaneous: A prophecy pointing to her downfall.
Motivation:
Power Lust.
Occupation:
Queen.
Wealth:
015
Rituals:
The Ritual of oblivion was used to model her other off-screen Ritual. Thus, the casting time, Components, and Special Restrictions are the same. GMs are free to change these details if something else makes more sense.
Ritual of Oblivion
Effect: Dimension Travel (Banish Only): 08
Casting Time: 14 (12 hours).
Components: 00 (Cost in APs).
Special Restrictions: A large stone altar, several rites to recite and act out, candles, and more, the preparation takes several hours. Must be performed during a thunderstorm.
Comments: This Ritual can end the prophecy by expelling the child’s soul into another dimension. Bavmorda chose “the 13th night”!
Cost: 115.
Turn to stone curse
Effect: Petrification: 08, Bonuses and Limitations: Petrification has Range: Normal (+1) and Area Effect (+1), Selective (+1 FC) targeting only her enemies for instance.
Casting Time: 14 (12 hours)
Components: 00 (Cost in APs)
Special Restrictions: A large stone altar, several rites to recite and act out, candles, and more, the preparation takes several hours. Must be performed during a thunderstorm.
Comments: This Ritual was used to encase all the people of Tir Asleen in stone.
Cost: 18
Design notes
All magic-users in Willow use transformation magic.
Bavmorda transforms an opposing army into a herd of pigs. She uses area-effect but doesn’t initially target her daughter Sorsha. Also, the enemy’s horses are not harmed. Therefore the “Selective” bonus was added.
It appears by the spilling of liquids and the lightning strike that Bavmorda’s Ritual of Oblivion spell took effect on herself.
Scholar (Ritual Discipline: Transformations): This Discipline covers transforming a person into another form or undoing that magic. Powers: Enlarge, Diminution, Neutralize, Petrification, Shape Change, Transform.
Whenever a Power is listed like Telekinesis or Transform, use that power instead of mimicking it with Sorcery.
Sorcery – Uses of Sorcery were:
- Flame Control – Bavmorda threw a candle wick’s worth of fire at Raziel and intensified the flame to engulf her. Raziel matched her with Sorcery from Cherlindrea’s wand.
- Mental Blast – Raziel in turn used an icy blast (Ice Production) to freeze Bavmorda in a block of ice. Bavmorda used Sorcery to blast the ice away and free herself.
- Power Reserve – Adding her full APs of Sorcery to her Body to resist Petrification from Willow’s magic acorn (Petrification: 09). This wasn’t enough on its own, her hand began turning to stone. Looking worried, Bavmorda boosted her RV with Hero Points.
Source of Character: The 1988 film Willow, Bavmorda played by Jean Marsh.
Helper(s): Pufnstuff, IMDb , willowufgood.fandom.com .
Writeup completed on the 18th of December, 2020.