Hardcase
(Burke O'Halloran)
Context
Strikeforce Morituri was an intriguing 1986-1989 Marvel series, taking place in its own universe. It was a military sci-fi saga, centred on superhuman soldiers fighting to repel alien invaders who very nearly crushed Earth.
The main twist was that the treatment giving powers to volunteers was invariably fatal, leaving little life expectancy to the super-soldiers. Hence the name, derived from the famous Latin phrase morituri te salutant (“those about to die salute you”).
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Background
- Real Name: Burke O’Halloran.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Strikeforce Morituri.
- Base Of Operations: Morituri Mountain.
- Eyes: Brown Hair: Brown
Powers and Abilities
In addition to the normal Morituri physical enhancements, Hardcase had the ability to fortify the molecular bonds of any object, making it ultra-hard. He could:
- Make a paper airplane hard enough to pierce a tree.
- Make glass sharp enough to damage other Morituri.
- Immobilize people by making their skin super hard.
- Damage machinery by making parts of it hard enough to damage the rest.
- Harden his hands or those of his teammates to do extra damage in hand-to-hand combat.
History
Burke O’Halloran was one of the few Strikeforce member with any real previous military training.
A West Point cadet and 2nd lieutenant in the defense forces, his eligibility was discovered through the required testing program for cadets. He immediately volunteered upon learning he was eligible and never looked back, seeing it as his duty for his planet.
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Hardcase always did his best to back his teammates up and follow orders. But near the end when rogue elements in the government were trying to drag out the war for their own personal profit, he began to feel frustrated that his limited time was being wasted.
Like so many of his teammates, just before he died he and Silencer fell in love. The two of them died in battle together, killed by a microwave satellite burst from orbit.
Description
A medium-sized, somewhat stocky man with a military haircut and thin moustache. He wears a black uniform with yellow buttons, white belt, and red trim.
Personality
Hardcase was a professional soldier to the end. Though he was often unhappy with the orders he was given, he did his best to follow them.
As the rest of his teammates began to die, he began to grow even more somber and serious. Falling in love with Silencer broke him out of his gloom, if only briefly before he died.
Quotes
“I joined because of duty — and honor.”
DC Universe History
As written, the Morituri were in their own stand-alone universe. However, the idea of the Morituri process works in any universe. Perhaps a new, more determined alien invasion attacks and earth’s normal superheroes are outmatched. STAR Labs or Lexcorp could develop this process to help turn the tide.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
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Hardcase
| Dex: 08 | Str: 10 | Bod: 10 | Motivation: Responsibility of Power |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 05 | Min: 06 | Occupation: Soldier |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 04 | Resources {or Wealth}: n/a |
| Init: 015 | HP: 050 |
Powers:
Claws: 12, Petrification: 14, Power Reserve: 14, Projectile Weapons: 12, Skin Armor: 08
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Projectile Weapons has No Range (-1) and requires an object of opportunity to harden and throw (-1).
- Claws requires an object of opportunity to harden and wield (-1).
- Petrification hardens the target’s skin to the point that they are unable to move, target gains RAPs of Skin Armor (maximum of 8) (+2).
- Skin Armor is Usable On Others Only (+3) and only in conjunction with Petrification (-1).
- Power Reserve adds to STR and BODY and must be split equally (-1).
- Power Reserve is Usable on Others (+5).
- STR from Power Reserve only to increase EV in hand-to-hand combat (-1).
Skills:
Military Science: 05, Weaponry: 07
Advantages:
Credentials (Padeia Institute, Low), Headquarters (Expansive), Limelight, Popularity.
Connections:
Strikeforce Morituri (High).
Drawbacks:
Public Identity, Morituri Effect.
Equipment:
FLIGHT SHOES [BODY 06, Flight: 07, R#02].
The Morituri Effect
All Morituri have a lifespan of 1 year (23 APs) or less from the time they undergo the Morituri Process. Starting 1 month after the Process, the Morituri must roll against their R# each day. For the first six months the RN is 5. The next three months the RN is 11, and for the last three months the RN is 18. The Effect automatically occurs at the end of a year.
Each Morituri experienced a power surge shortly before the effect took place. Add 2 APs to their Powers (or STR, if that was their primary ability) when they fail their R# roll. The number of APs of their highest Power after this addition is the number of phases they have until the effect takes place.
The precise manifestation of the Morituri Effect varied from person to person, but was related to their powers. Scaredycat’s superspeed increased so greatly that she overheated and died. Snapdragon, Vyking, and Marathon exploded, with Snapdragon’s explosion affecting little more than herself while Marathon’s explosion destroyed a Horde mothership.
The GM should select an appropriate fate based on the powers in question and the dramatic potential of the moment.
Source of Character: Strikeforce Morituri (Marvel).
Helper(s): Roy Cowan.