Carnifex
Context
Carnifex appears in Wild Cards super-hero novels by Melinda Snodgrass, George R. R. Martin et al. For more context about that, we suggest that you first read our primer to the Wild Cards setting.
Powers and Abilities
Carnifex is an agent for the Justice Department, who finds in his jobs a legal release for his love of violent combat.
He’s extremely fast, mean, strong, tough and aggressive, and is a natural master of hand to hand fighting. While he never studied martial arts, he just knows how to move.
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History
Carnifex (Latin for “executioner”) is a mutant. His power was revealed when he broke his leg when playing in the Rose Bowl and regenerated his fractures before halftime was over. While he couldn’t play football anymore, he was recruited by the Justice Dept.
Carnifex has been a very successful agent. While he’s been tried a few times for unnecessary bloodshed, he’s still one of the President’s top men.
Description
Carnifex is of average height and weight. He often wears his fighting suit : a white jumpsuit, with a black hood over his face and head, and black gloves and boots.
His face has often been broken and regenerated, and doesn’t quite come together anymore : he lacks chin, has too much nose, his eyes aren’t on the same level and his jaw is canted.
He does occasionally undergo plastic surgery to restore his face when too much damage builds up. One such operation had just been done at the beginning of the third book in the second series. By the end of the book his face was a wreck again, in no small part due to deliberate self-mutilation at one point to help Ray pass as a Joker during an infiltration mission.
Personality
Carnifex is a badass and a braggart, obsessed by neatness, sex and violence. He’s extremely mean and never hesitates to kill. He also loves engaging fighters who are apparently more powerful than him.
Quotes
After getting clubbed by Bludgeon, Ray gets back to his feet with a smile:
“Sucker, I’m going to kick your ass. You’re under arrest for assaulting a Federal agent.”
DC Universe History
Carnifex would be Major Victory’s successor, and would cause far fewer problems on moral issues.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Carnifex (William Ray)
| Dex: 10 | Str: 07 | Bod: 07 | Motivation: Thrill Seeker |
| Int: 05 | Wil: 07 | Min: 06 | Occupation: Justice Dept agent |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 04 | Resources {or Wealth}: 008 |
| Init: 023 | HP: 030 |
Powers:
Mind over matter: 10, Regeneration: 07, Running: 05
Bonuses and Limitations:
Regeneration does not necessarily heals in the proper way. Carnifex’s face is messed up, and sometimes has to rebreak his bones so that they’ll set properly (-1).
Skills:
Martial artist*: 10, Charisma (Intimidation, interrogation): 06, Detective: 05, Military science: 06, Vehicles (land): 04, Thief (Stealth): 08, Weapons (firearms): 07
Advantages:
Free Access, Iron Nerves, Lightning Reflexes, Medium Security Clearance, Sharp Eye.
Connections:
Justice Dept (High).
Drawbacks:
MIA toward attractive women, SIA toward impulsive and overconfident actions, Major Rage, Creepy Appearance.
Helper(s): GURPS Wild Cards, Kansas Jim, Roy Cowan.
Source of Character: Wild Cards novels.