Captain James T. Kirk
Context
Captain Kirk is the lead character of the original Star Trek TV show (1966-1969). This show had enormous impact on Western nerd cultures, and Kirk is arguably *the* figure of the “space hero”.
This is an abbreviated profile (Kirk is *amply* documented elsewhere on the Internet), focused on the DC Heroes stats.
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Background
- Real Name: Captain James Tiberius Kirk.
- Marital Status: Widowed.
- Known Relatives: Miramanee (wife, deceased stardate 4842.6), unnamed son (deceased stardate 4842.6), George Samuel Kirk, Sr. (Father, presumed deceased), Winona Kirk (Mother, presumed deceased), George Samuel “Sam” Kirk, Jr. (brother, deceased stardate 2387.2), Aurelan Kirk (sister-in-law, deceased stardate 2387.2), Peter Kirk (nephew), two unnamed nephews, David Marcus (son, deceased stardate 8210.3), Carol Marcus (companion, mother of David).
- Group Affiliation: Starfleet.
- Base Of Operations: USS Enterprise, Alpha and Beta Quadrants, occasionally an apartment in San Francisco, Earth.
- Height: 5’10” Weight: 170lbs Age: Mid 30s.
- Eyes: Hazel Hair: Brown
Powers and Abilities
James Kirk possesses no superhuman powers. Yet his skills, charisma, experience, and position as Captain of a Starship make him one of the most formidable humans in the Star Trek universe. He can beat Vulcans at chess, defeat low-level superhumans in hand-to-hand combat, and outwit Greek gods.
In short, he is an incredible problem solver, and can overcome adverse odds through sheer force of will. Or, as Lt. Uhura said upon his resumption of command of the Enterprise, “Our chances of coming back from this mission just doubled.”
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Personality
Kirk was a definitive pioneer, seeking out and finding new civilizations and occasionally saving the Federation from invasion and destruction. He was keen at identifying the root of most problems and finding a quick, if sometimes dicey, solution.
Kirk is the consummate leader. He is comfortable enough to spend time in the rec room wrestling with crew members, yet poised enough to charm and dazzle heads of state. His duty to ship and crew comes before all other passions and loves.
Spock once said “Commanding a starship is your first, best destiny. Anything else is a waste of material.”
Kirk has a reputation as a ladies’ man, although he had fewer relationships on-screen than most people think.
Quotes
“Not chess, Spock. Poker. You know the game ?”
“Our missions are peaceful… not for conquest. When we do battle, it is only because we have no choice.”
Mr. Spock: “Striking a fellow officer is a court-martial offense.”
Cpt. Kirk: “Well, if we’re both in the brig, who’s going to build the subsonic transmitter ?”
(To the recently freed Children of Vaal)
“You’ll learn something about men and women… the way they’re supposed to be. Caring for each other, being happy with each other, being good to each other. That’s what we call love. You’ll like that a lot.”
“Do you know the one ‘All I ask is a tall ship, and a star to steer her by…’ ? You could feel the wind at your back, about you… the sounds of the sea beneath you. And even if you take away the wind and the water, it’s still the same. The ship is yours… you can feel her… and the stars are still there.”
“A starship captain’s most solemn oath is that he will give his life, even his entire crew, rather than violate the Prime Directive.”
“Let’s get the hell out of here.” (After the death of Edith Keeler)
“I need my pain !”
“We tried it once your way Khan, are you game for a rematch.” (pause) “Khan, I’m laughing at the superior intellect.”
And, of course: “Khaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan !!!!”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
James Tiberius Kirk
| Dex: 06 | Str: 03 | Bod: 04 | Motivation: Upholding The Good |
| Int: 08 | Wil: 09 | Min: 08 | Occupation: Captain, USS Enterprise |
| Inf: 08 | Aur: 09 | Spi: 08 | Resources {or Wealth}: 006 |
| Init: 026 | HP: 070 |
Skills:
Acrobatics (Climbing, Dodging): 04, Animal Handling (Riding): 05, Artist (Actor): 05, Charisma (Persuasion): 10, Detective (no Legwork): 05, Gadgetry: 05, Martial Artist (plus techniques)*: 06, Military Science (Field Command): 07, Military Science (all others): 05, Scientist (Analysis, Observation, Research): 04, Thief (Security Systems): 03, Vehicles (Land): 04, Vehicles (Space)*: 06, Weaponry (Firearms, Heavy, Melee)*: 06
Advantages:
Area Knowledge (USS Enterprise), Attractive, Connoisseur,Familiarity (American History, 20th Century culture), Gift of Gab, Iron Nerves, Language (Morse Code), Leadership, Lightning Reflexes, Luck, Military Credentials (Medium, Starfleet Captain), Sharp Eye.
Connections:
High Level (Enterprise Crew), Low Level (Ambassador Sarek).
Drawbacks:
SIA to commanding the USS Enterprise and protecting his crew.
Later Statistics
Connections:
Ambassador Sarek (High), Former Officers (Sulu, Chekov, Rand, etc.) (High).
Advantages:
Local Hero (Federation) (ST I-III), Military Credentials (High, Rear Admiral/Captain), Popularity (after ST IV).
Drawbacks:
Age (Old, ST II and after), MIH (Klingons, ST III through ST VI), Limelight (after ST VI).
Mirror Statistics
Connections:
Terran Empire (High), Buddy (Marlena Moreau).
Equipment:
TANTALUS FIELD [BODY: 7, Disintegration: 12, Remote Sensing: 15].
Notes:
The Mirror Kirk took command of the ISS Enterprise after killing its Captain Pike, and was extorting Dilithium mining rights from the Halkans when an ion storm in their atmosphere caused him, along with Dr. McCoy, Mr. Scott and Lt. Uhura, to be exchanged in transport with their counterparts in the “Normal” Star Trek Universe.
This Kirk lacked the ingenuity to impersonate his counterpart, so he and his crew spent their time aboard the USS Enterprise in the brig until the two Spocks managed to beam the Halkan landing parties back to their own universes.
Optional rule
If playing in a humorous genre, or just for laughs, one can argue that Kirk has the following Equipment:
UNIFORM [BODY 01, Power Reserve: 02 (Martial Artist), Limitation — Power Reserve may only be used if RAPs are scored against the Uniform. Or, if the GM sings the “battle music.” (come on, you all know it, sing along! Da-da-daah-daah-daah-daah-daah-da-da-da-dum…)].
Helper(s): Roy Cowan, Jobe, Sébastien Andrivet, Woodrow Hill, Eric Langendorff, Shire Meadows, J. Scott Pittman, Adam Fuqua, Ecclectic Scholar, Azraelfl, Mike Winkler, Peter Piispanen, drphibes.
Source of Character: Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek movies 1-7. The new Star Trek movie (#11) is “alternate history” and as such is *not* covered by this write-up.