Blackthorn
(Aline Pagrovna)
Context
Strikeforce Morituri was an intriguing 1986-1989 Marvel series, taking place in its own universe. It was a military sci-fi saga, centred on superhuman soldiers fighting to repel alien invaders who very nearly crushed Earth.
The main twist was that the treatment giving powers to volunteers was invariably fatal, leaving little life expectancy to the super-soldiers. Hence the name, derived from the famous Latin phrase morituri te salutant (“those about to die salute you”).
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Background
- Real Name: Aline Pagrovna.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: Daughter (Aline Harding).
- Group Affiliation: Strikeforce Morituri.
- Base Of Operations: Morituri Mountain.
- Eyes: Brown Hair: Brown
Powers and Abilities
Aside from the normal Morituri physical enhancements, Blackthorn had the ability to dissolve the molecular bonds of any substance.
History
Aline Pagrovna was the original wallflower, a short, plain girl that no one ever gave a second look.
When she learned she was eligible for the Morituri Process, she decided a year of glory was worth trading for the lonely life she saw ahead of her. She saw being a Morituri as giving her life the meaning and purpose it never had. Still, she continued to have doubts and fears, particularly when confronted with the brutality of the Horde.
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At a Hollywood party she met and fell in love with Guy Harding, a famous actor, who returned her affections in kind. She become pregnant, but did not find out until Adept discovered it while the Morituri were attacking a Horde mother ship. Returning to Earth, she and her teammates were attacked by the new generation of Morituri who thought they had become renegades.
During the battle, one of the new Morituri, Wildcard, began to suffer the Morituri Effect. As his dying act, he absorbed Blackthorn’s death, which in effect reset her year of life back to day one.
Finally, being the last of her generation became too much for her and she abandoned the team to live the rest of her days with Guy. Dr. Tulolema was able to devise a way to remove her unborn child to an incubator so it would survive after she died. She finally died in Guy’s arms at home.
Description
Blackthorn is a small woman with straight brown hair she wore at shoulder length. Plain and mousy before, the Morituri process not only expanded her bust line slightly (to her immense delight), but also cleaned up her skin and improved her appearance slightly.
She wore a gray body suit with a blue tabard that reached down to her waist.
Personality
Originally very shy and mousy, Blackthorn matured into a strong woman who only wanted a chance to live the kind of life she never had.
Falling in love with Guy Harding tortured her as she wanted to be with him yet had a duty to protect the planet. Once all her original teammates had passed on, she finally decided she had a right to some happiness and left the team to live out her days with Guy.
Quotes
“I promise not to destroy *your* molecular bonds, Cliff !”
DC Universe History
As written, the Morituri were in their own stand-alone universe.However, the idea of the Morituri process works in any universe. Perhaps a new, more determined alien invasion attacks and earth’s normal superheroes are outmatched. STAR Labs or Lexcorp could develop this process to help turn the tide.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
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Blackthorn
| Dex: 08 | Str: 10 | Bod: 10 | Motivation: Responsibility of Power |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 06 | Min: 08 | Occupation: Soldier |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 06 | Resources {or Wealth}: n/a |
| Init: 013 | HP: 055 |
Powers:
Disintegration: 14
Bonuses and Limitations:
Disintegration does not have a continuing effect (-2).
Skills:
Weaponry: 05
Advantages:
Credentials (Padeia Institute, Low), Expansive Headquarters, Limelight, Popularity.
Connections:
Strikeforce Morituri (High).
Drawbacks:
Public Identity, Uncertainty, Morituri Effect.
Equipment:
FLIGHT SHOES [BODY 06, RN #0, Flight: 07].
The Morituri Effect
All Morituri have a lifespan of 1 year (23 APs) or less from the time they undergo the Morituri Process. Starting 1 month after the Process, the Morituri must roll against their R# each day. For the first six months the RN is 5. The next three months the RN is 11, and for the last three months the RN is 18. The Effect automatically occurs at the end of a year.
Each Morituri experienced a power surge shortly before the effect took place. Add 2 APs to their Powers (or STR, if that was their primary ability) when they fail their R# roll. The number of APs of their highest Power after this addition is the number of phases they have until the effect takes place.
The precise manifestation of the Morituri Effect varied from person to person, but was related to their powers. Scaredycat’s superspeed increased so greatly that she overheated and died. Snapdragon, Vyking, and Marathon exploded, with Snapdragon’s explosion affecting little more than herself while Marathon’s explosion destroyed a Horde mothership.
The GM should select an appropriate fate based on the powers in question and the dramatic potential of the moment.
Source of Character: Strikeforce Morituri (Marvel).
Helper(s): Roy Cowan.