Flare
(Ray Sah)
Context
Flare is one of the Fatal Five, a powerful team of super-villains that’s among the main opponents for DC Comics’ Legion of Super-Heroes.
However, like her colleague Caress, she appeared at the wrong time, in 1986. The Legion would soon enter a long series of continuity shocks, leaving little room for characters from that era to appear.
Background
- Real Name: Ray Sah.
- Marital Status: Unrevealed.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Base Of Operations: 30th century.
- Group Affiliation: Fatal Five.
- Height: 5’9” Weight: 130lbs.
- Eyes: Brown Hair: Black
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Powers and Abilities
Flare has the power to convert light energy into manipulable forms. She uses it to fly, or to concentrate into beams of destructive power.
When using her powers at their fullest, her body flows with a ruby light as though burning. Yet it generates no heat beyond ordinary human body temperature.
Asides from flying at great speed and being able to demolish spaceships, Flare has demonstrated the ability of blocking and in some cases redirecting some energy attacks. Such as blaster shots and particle accelerator beams. This makes her pretty much immune to small arms fire from the Science Police.
She’s also adept at Blocking thrown projectiles with her own energy attack.
History
Flare was first reported to the Science Police on Ventura, the gamblers’ world, in the latter half of the 30th century. Her early life and origins are mostly undocumented.
Nearly captured on Ventura for the theft of a cache of life jewels, the girl who called herself “Flare” was described as a young child with some form of solar powers.
Her daring escape from the SPs gained her systemwide notoriety and helped her launch her criminal career. A decade later, her file is much lengthier, but not much more detailed.
Science Police experts viewing holographic tapes of her have concluded that she is a mutant with the ability to manipulate solar energy.
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Known facts
Abandoned by her immigrant parents in the underworld of Rimbor, Ray Sah quickly learned how to use her mutant powers to steal a living.
Her power started out small. It gave her the ability to create subdued, cool flames that destroyed without burning. But it grew until she became one of those listed on the Science Police’s “most wanted” list.
Much of her career has consisted of thefts committed on commission. It is believed that she has considerable funds secreted away. Although her power could easily make her a killer, most of her crimes have involved theft or larceny rather than violence.
Few of her capers have placed lives in danger. She seemingly concentrated on heisting valuable objects in impossible situations for already known customers. Besides life jewels, she has been known to steal works of art from museums, records, and industrial information.
Fatal
Therefore, when the Emerald Empress was recruiting new members for the Fatal Five, the Science Police were surprised that Flare was selected. She was invited to join the new Fatal Five after a stunning theft and escape on Nullport. There she fought several Science Police officers while stealing an extremely fast prototype space cruiser for the Khunds.
Instead of delivering the ship to them, she brought it to the Emerald Empress. The more violent side she has displayed as a member of the new Fatal Five caused law enforcement officials to revise their opinion of her.
Although captured by the Legion of Super-Heroes in the ensuing battle, she has revealed no new or conclusive information on her background while imprisoned on Labyrinth.
Description
An attractive Black woman of formidable height and fitness. When using her power Flare’s entire body turns a glowing golden red, and her hair, which she wears in an afro, is suffused with a corona of energy.
She wears a golden leotard with thigh-high, high-heeled buccaneer boots and gloves.
Personality
Flare is a hard-bitten, cynical villain. But she found a surprising sense of camaraderie and even family with her teammates, such that she was willing to fight viciously to aid them and subdued any scruples she once had in order to fit in with them.
Left to her own devices, Flare is generally a non-violent thief. Along with the Five, Flare is ruthless and actively supports her comrades.
Quotes
“I take what I want, SP. Out of my way !”
“I’ll be the richest killer in the galaxy with five dead Legionnaires fueling my reputation !”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Flare
| Dex: 06 | Str: 03 | Bod: 05 | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 05 | Wil: 04 | Min: 05 | Occupation: Thief |
| Inf: 05 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 05 | Resources {or Wealth}: 007 |
| Init: 016 | HP: 060 |
Powers:
Flight: 12, Laser beam: 13, Reflection/Deflection: 06
Bonuses and Limitations:
- All other powers are Contingent on Laser beam.
- Reflection/deflection is limited to energy attacks.
Note:
While many secondary source mention Flare has the Flash powers (at roughly 08 APs), we haven’t seen it used in the actual comics. It *might* be a Serious Marginal Power, and Flare doesn’t bother using it since it’s not worth the Hero Points.
Skills:
Thief: 05, Thief (security systems): 07, Vehicles (Space): 04
Advantages:
Area Knowledge (Rimbor).
Connections:
Fatal Five (High), Underworld (Low), Khund warlords (Low).
Drawbacks:
Creepy Appearance (only when powered up, 0 pts).
Burnt out
After the 5-years gap, Flare appears as an agent of the Dominators ; however she has been mindwiped and/or cloned and has lost her edge.
For the Dominator-controlled Flare, lower all Action and Resistance Attributes (save BODY) by one AP, lower her HPS to 040 and change her Motivation to Thrill.
Laser beam also becomes Flame project: 10, as her energy attacks seem less focused.
Helper(s): Sean MacDonald. DC’s Who’s Who and Mayfair’s 2995 sourcebook were also used.
Source of Character: Pre-Crisis, pre-ZH, pre-reboot Legion of Super-Heroes comics (DCU).