Cosmic Traveller persona of Captain Trips (Wild Cards novels)

Cosmic Traveler

(Captain Trips persona)


Context

This profile is intended to be read after the Captain Trips character profile. It’s just that having a separate entry for Cosmic Traveler is much clearer.

Oh, and if you don’t know about Wild Cards novels, check our primer first.


Background

  • Base Of Operations: Mobile.
  • Height: 5’10” Weight: 145 lbs.
  • Eyes: Blue Hair: None


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Powers and Abilities

All of Cosmic Traveler’s powers reflect his desire to avoid harm. He can turn insubstantial and/or invisible or take on the appearance of any other person.

His immunity to psionic  attack is even greater than a Morakh’s. A Morakh is still detectable as a lacuna on the psychic landscape, while Strange is totally invisible, psychically speaking.

He can also survive in most any environment.


History

Cosmic Traveler’s imaginary history has never been addressed in detail. But the personality “template” that he is based on has been mentioned. Damon Strange was an insurance adjustor who was rendered comatose in a car accident. Two minutes after the plug was pulled, Mark Meadows manifested Cosmic Traveler for the first time.

Meadows usually only transforms to Traveler when he desperately needs to escape something, because more often than not he ends up coming back in a closet or a crate. Cosmic Traveler tries to find a safe isolated enclosure where Meadows can’t get into any trouble.


Description

Damon Strange is a scrawny blue-skinned man with a potbelly. He wears nothing except a jet black hooded cloak lined with a glowing star field.


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Personality

Strange is, to put it simply, a grade-A asshole. He’s arrogant, mean-spirited, mercenary, and cowardly. He enjoys all manner of vice, but not to the point that it would impair or endanger him.

While he prefers to avoid threats, he will cooperate with others to foil a menace that might ultimately threaten him as well.


Quotes

“Oh, do put that knife away, you dreadful little man ! You cannot harm *me*.”

“That ridiculous little man has sent me here to ascertain the whereabouts of our captors, and to inform you that he is concocting some no doubt utterly unworkable and highly dangerous escape plan.”


DC Universe History

See the Captain Trips write-up for Cosmic Traveler’s DC History in conjunction with Mark Meadows.

With Mark living in Opal City, Cosmic Traveler would probably be found during some huge upset, such as the Mist’s occasional rampages, trying to find a safe haven. He would reluctantly assist anyone who offered a good chance of ending the crisis.

Solo alternative

For a DCU history incorporating Cosmic Traveler as an independant entity, he might be a middling representative of some higher power, much as Deadman is. He would indulge in his hedonistic appetites between “missions.”

In this case, he would also have Occultist (Occult Knowledge): 07, and the Mystical equivalents of the Mental protection powers. All of his other Powers would become Mystically Linked.



Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG

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Cosmic Traveller

Dex: 03 Str: 02 Bod: 02 Motivation: Mercenary
Int: 05 Wil: 04 Min: 03 Occupation: Avoid harm
Inf: 03 Aur: 02 Spi: 02 Resources {or Wealth}: N/A
Init: 011 HP: 020

Powers:
Chameleon: 10, Dispersal: 18, Flight: 03, Invisibility: 08, Iron Will: 17, Mind Blank: 17, Mind Field: 17, Sealed Systems: 18

Bonuses and Limitations:

  • Flight can only be used while Dispersal is active, and is the only way that Traveler can move while Dispersed.
  • Iron Will, Mind Blank, and Mind Field are Always On and Elementally Linked.
  • Mind Field has No Range.

Skills:
Artist (Actor): 10, Detective (Clue Analysis, Legwork)*: 05, Thief (Stealth): 10

Notes:
Artist is a Powered Skill (Elementally Linked to Chameleon) and can also be used to mimic voices.

Advantages:
Life Support (No need to eat or breathe).

Drawbacks:
Distinct Appearance (Blue skin), SIFs (Bugs, getting hurt).

By Kansas Jim and Roy Cowan.

Source of Character: Wild Cards series (novels, comics), character created by Victor Milan.