Black Lotus
Context
Black Lotus is a minor martial artist. She was part of a 1983 team of assassins meant to be vintage action movie clichés à la James Bond.
She has since returned a few times, as a more fleshed-out and useful low-powered assassin with ninja ties.
Background
- Real Name: Unrevealed.
- Marital Status: Unrevealed.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Part of a short-lived group of assassins recruited by Damon Dran ; Superia’s Femizons ; the Nail of the Hand.
- Base Of Operations: Mobile.
- Height: 5’6” Weight: 120 lbs.
- Eyes: Brown Hair: Black
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Powers & Abilities
Black Lotus is an expert in at least one undisclosed style of martial arts, presumably of Japanese origin.
During the 1980s she fought empty-handed, but in 2010 she was seen using fighting fans and paired sai. The latter may have been a continuity mistake, since the fans are more distinctive and fill essentially the same role in combat.
In 2010 Lotus also used throwing spikes. It was a mix of boshaken hidden in her costume, her hair pins, and the detachable spikes on her fans.
History
(As usual we use publication dates as the dates for the events – see the Leòn Genetic Sequence article for more.)
Black Lotus (real name unrevealed) is from of a Japanese family closely affiliated with the Hand. For thousands of years, five women from five old bloodlines were chosen for their fighting prowess to form an elite fighting and assassination cadre called the Nail.
When Black Lotus was but a kid, their enemies caught up with them and eliminated all five agents, putting an end to the Nail. One can imagine that Black Lotus’s relative operating with the Nail was her mother, though it might have been an aunt or somesuch.
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Black Lotus became a mercenary, freelance assassin and elite martial artist. She presumably had no connection with the Hand, since she didn’t know about the association of her bloodline with the Hand until 2010.
In 1982, she was one of the international killers recruited by Damon Dran, the “indestructible man”. These were to capture the Black Widow as a part of an elaborate plan to destroy S.H.I.E.L.D.. Although they briefly managed to capture her, the Widow defeated them all.
Years later, Black Lotus was spotted among the numerous costumes female criminals assembled by Superia to hear her pitch about her Femizons project.
This is the hand, the hand that takes
In 2010, the new shōgun of the Hand, Matthew Murdock, reassembled the Nail after researching the Hand’s archives. This new version was led by Colleen Wing, the daughter of Azumi Ozawa – the woman who had led the previous version of the Nail.
Black Lotus was also summoned to do as her ancestors did. The other three operatives were Cherry Blossom, Yuki and Makro.
Black Lotus resented Wing’s leadership, thinking that she wasn’t decisive and bloodthirsty enough. As to Wing she was also chafing under Murdock’s leadership for ethical reasons.
When Wing decided to free a Hand prisoner she thought was innocent, Black Lotus pounced on the occasion. She turned the Nail against Wing. However, Cherry Blossom was hesitant and opposed murdering Wing. She discreetly helped Colleen escape.
Lotus claimed leadership of the Nail, but Wing returned to challenge her in a duel for leadership as per the Nail’s ancient rules. Wing narrowly won the fight and left, taking Cherry Blossom with her while Lotus, Yuki and Makro stayed with the Hand.
The reign of Murdock as shōgun of the Hand collapsed days later. It is likely that Lotus and the others now work for the Hand’s new overlord – Wilson Fisk.
Description
The bright green disco-style costume is the 1983 one. The darker one is the 2010 version.
Personality
A professional, precise and well-spoken martial artist with a strong pride. Black Lotus is so prideful that she operates better alone. Within a group she will chafe, want to take action now rather than wait and plot, prefer killing people first and pondering later, and jockey for leadership.
As can be guessed, she doesn’t take orders very well and clearly prefers being in charge. She also has an ambitious streak.
Quotes
“She’s mine, Kono – spare yourself. The Widow must pay for the indignities she has heaped upon my person.”
“Colleen Wing. I think your leadership is in question.”
“I understand what this team needs. If you stay with me, I will protect you, and I will make sure that the Lord recognises our value. Are you with me ?”
DC Universe History
The simplest is to have Black Lotus be a member of the League of Assassins.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Black Lotus
| Dex: 06 | Str: 04 | Bod: 05 | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 05 | Wil: 04 | Min: 05 | Occupation: Mercenary |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 05 | Resources {or Wealth}: 004 |
| Init: 017 | HP: 010 |
Skills:
Martial artist: 07, Military science (Demolitions): 04, Vehicles (Land): 04, Weaponry (Martial arts melee weaponry): 07
Advantages:
Language (Japanese).
Connections:
Mercenary world (Low), The Hand (Low).
Drawbacks:
MIA toward Pride.
Equipment:
During the 1980s Black Lotus was fighting empty-handed, but in 2010 she used these weapons:
- Fighting fans [BODY 03, EV 03 (05 w/STR, 08 w/Martial Artist].
- Throwing spikes (x15) [BODY 03, EV 03, Grenade drawbacks].
- Sai (x2) [BODY 04, EV 03 (05 w/STR, 08 w/Martial artist), /STR/ 05, Limitations : /STR/ only for the Disarm maneuver (-2) ; Note : when Blocking melee weapons with a sai or jitte, the weapon is considered to be the size of a shield (-1 AP to OV/RV for the Block)].
Game Stats — DC Adventures RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Black Lotus — Averaged PL 7.6
| STR | STA | AGL | DEX | FGT | INT | AWE | PRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 | 02 | 03 | 03 | 07 | 01 | 01 | 01 |
Powers
Left-hand fan ● 2 points (Sustained, Easily removable – requires a fighting fan) ● Descriptor: Skill
Enhanced Parry 1, Enhanced Dodge 1, Defensive Roll 1.
Right-hand fan ● 2 points (Sustained, Easily removable – requires a fighting fan) ● Descriptor: Skill
Weapon Bind, Defensive Attack, Takedown.
Combat Advantages
Close Attack 2, Defensive Attack (w/fans), Defensive Roll 2 (3w/fans), Power attack, Ranged combat 2, Takedown (w/fans), Throwing Mastery 1, Weapon Bind (w/fans).
Other Advantages
Equipment 2, Language (Japanese).
Skills
Acrobatics 3 (+6), Athletics 4 (+6), Close combat (Unarmed) 2 (+11), Close combat (Small martial arts weapons) 2 (+11), Deception 1 (+2), Insight 3 (+4), Intimidation 4 (+5), Perception 4 (+5), Persuasion 1 (+2), Ranged combat (Small bladed thrown weapons) 5 (+10), Stealth 2 (+5), Technology 4 (+5) (Limited 2 – to Demolitions application), Vehicles 4 (+7) (Limited 2 – to common land vehicles).
Equipment
Throwing spikes (as shuriken) 3 points
Fighting fan Strength-based Slashing Damage 2 ● 2 points (Feature 1 – one additional fan)
Offense
| Initiative +3 |
| Unarmed +11, Close, Damage 2 |
| Fighting fans +11, Close, Damage 4 |
| Throwing spikes +10, Ranged, Damage 2 Multiattack |
Defense
| Dodge | 11*/10 | Fortitude | 7 |
| Parry | 11*/10 | Toughness | 5**/4/2* |
| Will | 7 |
* Without Defensive Roll
** With Fighting fans
Complications
- Motivation Mercenary.
- Temper Very proud, aggressive.
- Honour
- Rivalry Anybody having long-term authority over her.
Power levels
- Trade-off areas Attack/Effect PL 8, Dodge/Toughness PL 8, Parry/Toughness PL 8, Fort/Will PL 7.
- Point total 95. Abilities 40, Defences 21, Skills 17, Powers 4, Devices 0, Advantages 11. Equiv. PL 7.
Source of Character: Marvel comics.
Helper(s): Darci, Ethan Roe.
Writeup updated on the 28th of May, 2011.