Brava
(Domenica Contreras)
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: Domenica Contreras.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: Father (deceased).
- Group Affiliation: Strikeforce Morituri.
- Base Of Operations: Morituri Mountain.
- Eyes: Black Hair: Black
Powers and Abilities
Like Marathon, Brava received enhanced physical strength and resistance above that normally granted by the Process.
While she was unable to increase her strength the way Marathon was, she was still by far the strongest Morituri on her team.
History
Domenica Contreras was an astronomer working at an observatory in Peru when the Horde came. With the market for astronomers gone, she returned to Spain to stay with her father until she learned of her eligibility.
With her great strength, Brava frequently served as point person for the team. She never was shy about leaping into the thick of the fray. Like the rest of her team, she became frustrated with what she saw as the government’s waste of their abilities and their treatment of the Morituri. But while she was often frustrated, she always followed orders in the end.
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Brava was the only member of her Strikeforce generation to actually survive until the end of the war. She considered herself the last true Morituri. She saw the sixth generation as having entered the war too near the end to be real participants.
She felt a great sense of foreboding at the end. All she wanted was to return to Spain and see the sights of her childhood before she died. She did return home, only to be assassinated by the Tiger on orders of the conspiracy that was trying to take over the world.
Description
Just under seven feet tall, Brava was a striking woman with long black hair secured by a red headband. She wore a white body suit with brown boots, shoulders, and shorts.
Personality
Brava was always the big sister of the team. She always had time to talk to people who were feeling down or just wanted a sympathetic ear. She never formed any close relationships within the team, but treated everyone with equal respect. In battle she was a savage fighter.
As the rest of her generation died off she became a bit more introspective.
Quotes
“As an astronomer, I’ve learned not to worry about time spans as short as 70 years — or just one as the (Morituri) process limits us to. Just a cosmic wink.”
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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Brava
| Dex: 08 | Str: 14 | Bod: 14 | Motivation: Responsibility of Power |
| Int: 05 | Wil: 05 | Min: 06 | Occupation: Soldier |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 04 | Resources {or Wealth}: n/a |
| Init: 016 | HP: 050 |
Powers:
Growth: 01
Bonuses and Limitations:
Growth is Always On (-1).
Skills:
Weaponry: 05
Advantages:
Credentials (Padeia Institute, Low), Expansive Headquarters, Limelight, Popularity.
Connections:
Strikeforce Morituri (High).
Drawbacks:
Public Identity, Morituri Effect.
Equipment:
FLIGHT SHOES [BODY 06, 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.