Blaze of Glory
Context
This character is an original creation. We often call these “homemades” or “homebrewed” – think home cooking or craft beer.
Many of these characters were created to take part in tabletop role-playing game sessions. Others were invented as a creative writing exercise, often as part of a community event.
This specific character is part of the informal “Rockworld” writeups arc. People were coming up with character concepts based on pop-rock songs, and a few other genres.
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Background
- Real Name: Tao Mei.
- Other Aliases: Number 25.
- Marital Status: Widower.
- Known Relatives: Xiao Lai (wife, dead), Tao Kun (son, dead), Bismullah (father).
- Group Affiliation: Melomen, formerly Hong Kong Triads.
- Base Of Operations: Mobile, previously Hong Kong.
- Height: 4’10” Weight: 143lbs Age: 23
- Eyes: Green Hair: Black
Powers and Abilities
Tao may never draw first, but he sure draws first blood. He’s never ever failed a shot with a firearm and it’s quite sure he’ll never. With 99.9% cover, or in the midst of a rainy night, he always manages to shot down his enemies.
He’s without doubt the fastest, most accurate and devastating shooter in history. Some would add “…of the whole universe”.
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History
Growing up with the gangs in Hong Kong teaches a lot about discipline, obedience and the importance of honing your skills to be special to the clan. But Tao didn’t like what Mountain Master Kao was thinking for him when he was just 15. They wanted to turn him into a killer, as his proficiency with guns had shown to be remarkable.
He accepted for a while, as long as the target was rival gang member. Of course it came a day where the marked person was a police chief.
Stealing, counterfeiting, faking identities… all that was OK for Tao. But cold blooded murdering wasn’t what he intended to do for a living. Furthermore, he knew that after accomplishing the first, his life would be just an endless list of deaths. Neither his wife nor his newborn son deserved that man as a husband or father.
He faked a failure and returned to the base. But his bosses had discovered the truth. They killed the officer themselves and murdered Tao’s family to teach him the sudden, terrible consequence of failure or treason.
Crisis of infinite bullets
The young man was deeply shocked over his loss. His wrath was equally intense: he went to the triad base and killed everybody there, from the Blue Lanterns (temporary agents) to the Mountain Master, boss Kao. A body count of 47 amazed next day the police agents that investigated the case, specially when they noticed all bullets had been shot from the same gun.
Of course, the triads since marked him as a traitor and assigned him code number 25. Yet they recommended not to cross his path unless he attacks first.
Since, Tao journeyed around the world. First to Japan, next to Australia, finally to America. He tried to start a new life, but he had no real skills beyond crime. He always ended fighting wrongs with his uncanny accuracy; This earned him a reputation for killing seven men with just six bullets.
Lineage
The day he stepped into the US was terrible, although it explained his previous life. Tao learned that he was the son of the devil Bismullah. His birthright was the power to deliver death, and the curse of causing pain to everybody he loved. But Bismullah didn’t want Tao to join his hordes. He wanted his son to remain on Earth to keep killing and causing pain and despair, from which he would feed.
The poor young guy decided to do something to right his father’s wrongs and to break his curse. An old Chinese seer from San Francisco told him that Bismullah’s greatest enemy could have the answers to him. The oracle then pointed the way to meet the hero known as Bohemian Rhapsody.
Bohemian at first didn’t want to help Bismullah’s kin. But he soon learned to trust him, in part as The Trooper reminded the Melomen that it would be much better to have Tao on their side than against them.
Thus, more for fear than for friendship, Tao joined the Melomen and soon discovered Bon Jovi’s prophecy telling his story. Nothing Else Matters, though, trusts Tao since day one.
Description
A short young Asian man, Tao used to wear always in dark during his triad days. He now sports cowboy-like clothing: faded jeans, checkered buff brown shirt and cowboy hat, plus his twin French guns.
Personality
The tough live he’s been leading, and the determination of turning his gift to the side of Justice, compose a somehow somber demeanor. His outside may look cool and quite, but anybody really looking can notice pure tension under the skin, nerves on the verge to spring and an inexorable zeal against the unfair, a reckless stare that somehow looks like a death wish…
Quotes
“When you’re brought into this world they say you’re born in sin. Well, at least they gave me something I didn’t have to steal or have to win”
“I never drew first but I drew first blood. I’m the devil’s son, call me young gun.”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Blaze of glory
A 491 + 45 Points Character
| Dex: 05 | Str: 03 | Bod: 04 | Motivation: Seeking Justice |
| Int: 06 | Wil: 04 | Min: 05 | Occupation: Traveller |
| Inf: 06 | Aur: 07 | Spi: 08 | Resources {or Wealth}: 001 |
| Init: 019 | HP: 050 |
Skills:
Acrobatics:* 05, Evasion (Ranged only): 07, Thief (Escape Artist, Security Systems, Stealth)*: 05, Weaponry (Firearms): 20
Bonuses and Limitations:
Weaponry is a powered skill (-5 BC).
Advantages:
Area Knowledge [Hong Kong], Languages (Chinese, Japanese, English), Lightning Reflexes, Low Connection [South Asian Underworld], Schticks (Fast draw, Paired Firearms, Speed shooting), Sharp Eye.
Drawbacks:
SIA (never firing first), Guilt, Mistrust.
Equipment:
Manhurin MR-73 revolver (x2)[BODY 04, Ammo: 06, Projectile Weapons: 05, HP Cost: 15].
Source of Character: Bon Jovi’s “Blaze of Glory”.