Beast-Man
Context
Beast-Man appeared in the 1983-1984 He-man and the Masters of the Universe animated TV series.
For more about it, see our Masters of the Universe setting primer.
Beast-Man, as his name implies, is a strong bestial warrior with claws and fangs. He’s reminiscent of the original Wolf Man, and is one of the most recognizable villains from the series.
Originally, he was Skeletor’s right hand man. Later, he fell to the role of cowardly minion.
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Background
- Real Name: Beast-Man.
- Other Aliases: King of beasts. Epithets have include Fur-Face, Beast brain, Beastie, Beast, Fur-brain, Flea bag, Oaf, Rug-face, and Fuzz-face.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Skeletor’s Warriors.
- Base of Operations: Snake Mountain.
- Height: 5’2″ (1.57m). Weight: 185 lbs. (84 Kg.).
- Eyes: Black. Hair: Orange.
- Other distinguishing features: Short orange fur covering his entire body.
Powers & Abilities
Beast-Man is one of the strongest warriors in Eternia, displaying “Class 5” strength. Because of this, his tactics are usually to charge in and snatch up his opponent in a crushing bear hug.
Beast-Man employs a whip as his weapon of choice. It’s most often used to entangle opponents but sometimes cracked loudly to aid in intimidation.
He is a capable intimidator.
Other assets
All manner of beasts are manipulated telepathically by Beast-Man. But during the time he was exiled from Snake Mountain, Beast-Man said his powers over beasts became weaker.
Beast-Man is an expert at disguises. He uses rubber masks and costumes to fool crowds of people – and even Prince Adam and the Royal Court.
Working with Skeletor and Evil-Lyn, Beast-Man is adept at using the many magical artifacts and scientific devices around Snake Mountain. When necessary, Beast-Man aids in the casting of powerful spells.
He’s a better climber than Mer-Man.
History
Skeletor left Hordak’s side to set up his own rule at Snake Mountain. His first warrior and right hand man was Beast-Man. Presumably, Skeletor saw potential in this muscular bully.
Many more villainous warriors joined Skeletor. But after many defeats at the hands of He-man, Skeletor vented his anger by banishing Beast-Man.
Beast-Man attempted to prove his worth by capturing King Randor. He succeeded, but He-man came to the King’s rescue.
Beast-Man had to answer once again to Skeletor. Still, he was allowed to take his place in Snake Mountain if only as Skeletor’s whipping boy.
Description
His red armor is minimal, only covering a portion of his chest and upper arms.
Beast-Man has what I’d call a werewolf style face from classic movies. He has large vicious canines and large pointed ears.
Beast-Man is heavily muscled. He looks as massive as his villainous male counterparts but stands in a semi-crouched stance making him appear much shorter.
He runs with a stumbling gait.
Adνеrtisеmеnt
Personality
In the beginning, Beast-man saw himself as nearly Skeletor’s equal. He often voiced his disdain for Skeletor’s treatment.
Beast-man even went so far as to mutter his mutiny in Skeletor’s presence. Alone with his friend and rival Mer-man, Beast-Man has been known to openly laugh and proclaim his future rule over Eternia, in place of Skeletor. Yet he always backed down quickly when confronted.
None of the other warriors seem to get along with Beast-Man.
He’s a bit dull, but ambitious. Howbeit, he’s not a great strategist. All of his plans leave him with nothing but stuttering excuses before Skeletor.
Beast-Man quickly claims victory if things are going his way but soon begin to fail, he quickly becomes a sniveling wretch begging Skeletor’s pardon.
Other traits
Imagine you’ve grown up strong, really strong! You can overpower any opponent. This was Beast-Man before He-man. Suddenly along comes He-Man and he is so impossibly strong. He’s able to toss Beast-Man around like a child.
It wasn’t long until anytime He-man showed up Beast-Man would look shocked and scream out a warning, “It’s He-man!”. You can see the damage to Beast-Man’s psyche and self esteem over time.
As time progresses, Beast-Man settled into his role as minion. He only attempts to please Skeletor or Evil-Lyn. He sees them both as his betters.
He no longer stands up for himself, and takes their berating with astonished and fearful glances. At this point he is a coward and will hit his knees begging in an instant.
Beast-Man uses his beast telepathy.
Quotes
“As you wish, Skeletor.”
Beast-Man: “What makes you think you can always order me around ?”
Skeletor: “This !” (Raises his Havoc staff threateningly)
Skeletor: “Hehehehe, I’m so powerful I even impress myself !”
Beast-Man: “Bah, but you don’t impress me, some day I’ll show you what power really is.”
Skeletor: “Did you say something ?”
Beast-Man: “No, nothing, Skeletor.”
Beast-Man: “I will not fail !”
Skeletor: “You better not fail, fur brain.”
Skeletor: “Beast-Man, use your mental power to tame and command that creature.”
Beast-Man (using his power over beasts): “There. Tame as a kitten.”
“Giant crawler, arise ! Hehe, this should bug them a little ! hehehe!”
Skeletor: “It’s He-man !”
Beast-Man: “That muscle-bound meddler, let me take care of him !”
“Move, slave.” (When the slave obeys) “Hahahaha.”
“Whenever something doesn’t work around here, I catch the blame !”
“Almost forgot, Skeletor doesn’t want me to touch the controls.” (looks around) “Oh, he’ll never know.”
“I get no respect !”
(A savage wolf charges)
Skeletor: “Stop him Beast-Man !”
Beast-Man: “I-I-I can’t !” (They run for their lives)
DC Universe Adaptation
(This section proposes ways of using this character in DC Universe stories).
Beast-Man isn’t smart and would end up look for someone to lead him. Choose any of the many masterminds needing thugs and Beast-Man is easily coerced into joining.
DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Beast-Man
A 528 points Character (Without equipment).
| Dex: 03 | Str: 08 | Bod: 06 |
| Int: 03 | Wil: 02 | Min: 04 |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 04 |
| Init: 010 | HP: 050 |
Powers:
Animal Control: 04, Cold Immunity: 01, Eye of the Cat: 06, Telepathy: 10
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Animal Control affects native Eternian “beasts” as well as normal animals. This includes, Wolf-bats, dragons, pre-historic creatures, and more (+1).
- Eye of the Cat is audial instead of visual. Beast-man may only hear what a beast he is controlling may hear (+/-0).
- Telepathy may only be used on animals. Animal Control may be used through Telepathy (-1).
Skills:
Acrobatics (Climbing): 07, Animal Handling: 05, Artist (Actor): 06, Occultist (Occult Knowledge): 02, Occultist (Ritual Casting): 04, Vehicles (Air, Space): 04, Weaponry (Full, w/Exotic: Whip): 04
Advantages:
Expertise (Animals and Beasts of Eternia).
Connections:
Skeletor and his warriors(Low), Merman (Low).
Drawbacks:
Distinct Appearance, Minor Rage, Minor Irrational Fear of Skeletor.
Motivation:
Mercenary.
Occupation:
Minion.
Wealth:
000
Equipment:
- Heavy Whip [BODY 07, EV 02, Snare: 06, Stretching: 02, Limitation : Stretching allows no fine manipulation (-2), R#0, Cost: 39].
- Rope and Grapple [BODY 09, Cost: 27]. Rope is 04 APs long.
- Beast-Man has access to Skeletor’s many vehicles, artifacts, and weapons at Snake Mountain but may not be trusted with them.
Design notes
Beast-Man’s control over beasts and animals is fairly consistent with only a couple of outliers.
- Beast-Man reports to Skeletor that he can’t control Cringer. He tried but there’s something different about Cringer (episode “A Beastly Sideshow”).
- Man-E-Faces in beast form was controlled but it didn’t look easy (“The Mystery of Man-E-Faces”).
There are modifiers that GMs should consider when Beast-Man is trying to control creatures. Like the time he couldn’t control the mother dragon because she was protecting her eggs.
Source of Character: Filmation’s 1983/1984 animated series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and the animated movie The Secret of the Sword and TV Special Skeletor’s Revenge, voiced by John Erwin.
Helper(s): Animals File on W.org, Wikipedia, WikiGrayskull , IMDB.
Writeup completed on the 25th of February, 2019.