Claude “Torch” Weaver
Context
Black Lagoon is a 2002+ manga series, which began receiving its anime adaptation in 2006. It is about a band of modern-days pirates and mercenaries. They are based in Roanapur, a mobs-dominated pisshole of a city in Thailand.
Black Lagoon is steeped into the aesthetics of ultraviolent 1990s and early 2000s action movies and “gun opera” movies, with a dark overall tone. It is a seinen manga, meaning that it is aimed at older and more kanji-literate readers than shōnen manga (aimed at boys).
That said, “Torch” Weaver is a generic baddie. Very little info given on him so he’s pretty much a blank slate that could be inserted anywhere.
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Background
- Real Name: Claude Weaver.
- Marital Status: Widowed.
- Known Relatives: Unnamed wife (deceased).
- Group Affiliation: Roanapur bounty hunters.
- Base Of Operations: Roanapur, Thailand.
- Height: 5’8” Weight: 180lbs.
- Eyes: Blue Hair: Blond
Powers and Abilities
Claude is a pyrotechnics specialist. He is skilled at using flame based weapons and burning things.
Of course his pyromaniac tendencies often get in the way of him being able to professionally perform a job without leaving a flaming inferno in his wake.
As Revy put it he’s also fairly agile for a “lard ass.” Typically in firefights he will spend Hero Points to win initiative and then keep his enemies pinned down with flailing attacks until he gets the chance to finish them off. Of course he has no problems tormenting weaker opponents with his reign of fire.
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History
Claude claimed to have burned his wife to death. He was present in the hunt for Green Back Jane. While the Black Lagoon office was under siege Jane ran into him. Instead of catching her he proceeded to chase her back into the office with his flamethrower before burning down the entire building.
Later Jane managed to escape to the Black Lagoon ship with the help of the Lagoon Team members. Claude and several other bounty hunters were able to board the ship before it pulled out of the port. Dutch managed to throw most of the bounty hunters off the ship with some evasive manuevers. All but Claude and Groovy Guy Russell, who had gone below to search for Jane.
Claude stayed above and engaged Revy in a firefight. Claude had the upper hand due to his superior firepower, but Dutch pulled off another series of evasive maneuvers. Thus, he was finally able to throw Claude off. While airborne Revy managed to shoot him in the stomach. The bullet went all the way through him and ruptured the gas tank to the flame thrower her was carrying.
Claude disappeared in the fiery explosion. A fitting end to a pyromaniac!
Description
Claude is pudgy man in his late 30s. He wears glasses and fairly ordinary clothing. There’s nothing terribly remarkable about his appearance.
Personality
Not much to go on. He’s a bounty hunter who loves to light things on fire.
He enjoys taunting his victims and even terrorizing people that can’t stand up to him. He also claims that he doesn’t drink alcohol because of his religion (the exact faith is never stated.)
Quotes
“Hi miss. Would you care to join my beautiful barbecue.” (Proceeds to torch the house with his flamethrower.)
“Oh my, it is a lot of fun playing chase with a young lady like you. But my body just can’t keep up. How about you give up and be burned? It only takes moments. My wife didn’t take five minutes. I’ll be content as long as smell your skin char. This’s wonder weather isn’t it, little lady. It’s perfect for a barbecue party.” (Fires his flamethrower.)
DC Universe History
He’d make an excellent Batvillain. A team up with other fire themed Batvillains such as Firebug or Firefly would seem appropriate.
That or they could give Bats a real headache if they had a professional rivalry going on and decided to settle matters by seeing who could torch the most of Gotham.
Marvel Universe History
He’s best saved for lower powered campaigns. He could easily fit into a lot of the other lower level villain groups. HYDRA might be a good match considering his Aryan appearance.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Claude “Torch” Weaver
| Dex: 06 | Str: 04 | Bod: 04 | Motivation: Psychopathic mercenary |
| Int: 05 | Wil: 04 | Min: 03 | Occupation: Bounty Hunter |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 02 | Spi: 05 | Resources {or Wealth}: 005 |
| Init: 016 | HP: 030 |
Skills:
Evasion (Ranged only): 08, Weaponry (exotic): 08
Advantages:
Iron Nerves, Lightning Reflexes, Scholar (pyrotechnics).
Connections:
Underworld (Low), Street (Low).
Drawbacks:
SIA (pyromania), MPI (pyromaniac).
Genre:
Gritty.
Equipment:
- Flame-thrower [BODY 04, Flame project: 07 (Area of effect 0 APs), Range: 03, Ammo: 07, R#04, Limitations: Flame project has No Range – use the Range given next instead, MPR (cumbersome), No Reload In The Field] He tends to carry this on the heavier jobs.
- Zippo [BODY 03, Flame project: 04 (Range of 0 and Area affect), Ammo: 7, R#4, Drawback: Long reload time]. Claude carries this on his person at all times. He will use to by default if the job isn’t too dangerous or even if he wants to merely show off his love for fire.
Source of Character: Black Lagoon (animated series).
Helper(s): Wikipedia, Sébastien Andrivet, Surbrook .