Kwai
Context
Kwai was a major character in Milestone Comics’ Blood Syndicate. This book was part of the Milestone launch in 1993.
Part of the Milestone brand was to have more super-heroes who aren’t wealthy White men.
Thus, most Blood Syndicate members — Kwai being the main exception — gained their abilities due to an experimental gas used in the streets of a minorities-majority American city, Dakota. This type of superhuman is colloquially called “Bang Babies”.
Background
- Alter ego: Nina Lam (this is the young girl Kwai possessed during this incarnation; when Kwai died Nina was left behind, returned to normal form but remembering all that had transpired).
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: The Jade Emperor (Father), The Demon Fox (Sister).
- Group Affiliation: The Blood Syndicate.
- Base Of Operations: Paris Island, Dakota City, midwestern US.
- Eyes: White Hair: Black
Advertisement
Powers and Abilities
As a mystic avatar, Kwai had numerous magical abilities, including flight and healing powers.
She was also a skilled fighter.
History
Nina Lam is the latest incarnation of Kwai, a mystic avatar. Throughout her incarnations, Kwai has fought her evil sister, the Demon Fox.
The Demon Fox’s emergence in Paris Island triggered Nina Lam’s transformation into Kwai. She intervened in the Blood Syndicate’s battle with the Demon Fox and chased her off, then healed the Syndicate’s wounds. Kwai joined the Syndicate soon afterward.
Eventually, Kwai decided that she had to leave the Syndicate and meet with her family. She traveled to her homeland, the Kingdom of Kwen Lun. There she met with her friend, the Monkey King. She then asked her father, the Jade Emperor, for another life, but was sentenced to death without reincarnation.
Advertisement
The Monkey King sought out the Syndicate and sent them to rescue Kwai while he fought the Jade Emperor. The Syndicate returned with Kwai and the Demon Fox. In a battle royale, Kwai finally destroyed the Demon Fox, dying in the process. After Kwai’s death the Syndicate decided to break up.
When the Blood Syndicate reformed, Kwai was with them again. It is unknown how she returned to life or if she is again possessing Nina Lam.
Milestone Forever
One result of the Final Crisis series was the integration of the Milestone Universe into the mainstream DCU. The cataclysmic events therein destroyed the universe in which Milestone took place but the powerful psychic Dharma was able to harness the power of Rift, the powerful being behind the original Milestone/DC crossover, to save his universe’s inhabitants.
The two realities have been merged as if they were always one, with Dharma altering “histories and memories of both, but only enough to smooth out any inconsistencies.”
The only people currently aware of the transition are Icon, Superman, and Dharma. Icon and Superman have agreed to keep the secret and help Dharma when necessary to complete the interweaving of realities.
This process was hindered by Starbreaker’s attempt to steal Dharma’s powers and is thus on-going. Dharma stated that it would be months, if not years, before it was complete. This was likely also a metatextual statement on the incorporation of the Milestone characters into DC Comics’ mainstream titles.
As of this writing (February 2010) it is unclear what alterations to the Blood Syndicate’s history may have occurred as a result of the merging.
Description
Kwai is an elfin Asian woman with a huge mass of flowing black hair, pointed ears, and amazingly high swept eyebrows.
She wore a blue body wrap with white shoulder panels and a yellow sash, blue gloves, yellow wrist wraps, and ornate earrings. She usually carried a wooden spear with her.
Personality
Kwai was a kind-hearted woman, though frustrated by the fates that kept her in perpetual battle with her evil sister.
Quotes
“It can’t be helped… but you’ll get over the shock. They always do.”
“You innocents are always in the way.”
“This is not such a bad life. I’ve found friends early… and refound an old friend. Truly I am blessed.”
DC Universe History
Kwai and the Blood Syndicate can dropped into any urban area where gang activity plays a major role.
Kwai can be used individually as a mystic guardian or as an assistant to a more established mystic character.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Kwai
| Dex: 09 | Str: 07 | Bod: 07 | Motivation: Upholding the Good |
| Int: 10 | Wil: 09 | Min: 11 | Occupation: Gang Member, Mystic Avatar |
| Inf: 08 | Aur: 12 | Spi: 09 | Resources {or Wealth}: 006 |
| Init: 031 | HP: 070 |
Powers:
Animate Object: 08, Damage Transference: 10, Empathy: 08, Flash: 03, Flight: 07, Mind Probe: 05, Neutralize: 15, Regeneration: 09, Suspension: 10
Bonuses and Limitations:
- All Powers are Mystic Linked.
- Neutralize has No Range, but an Area Effect of 2 APs radius (+0FC).
- Suspension does not subtract from time for healing purposes (+1FC).
- Animate Object only works on cloth materials.
- Flash, Neutralize, Regeneration, and Suspension can only be used together. Kwai forms a healing cocoon for herself that radiates a mystic light. This light neutralizes superhuman abilities within its radius, protecting Kwai from her enemies while she heals (-1FC each).
Skills:
Charisma: 07, Martial Artist: 06, Medicine: 07, Occultist: 06, Weaponry (Melee): 09
Advantages:
Expansive headquarters (The Factory, though the Blood Syndicate may have a new base of operations after its disbanding and subsequent reformation), Iron Nerves, Languages (Cantonese, Mandarin), Lightning Reflexes, Pet (Pearl).
Connections:
Blood Syndicate (High).
Drawbacks:
Altered Anatomy (While Kwai’s basic anatomy remains unaltered, she is often highly allergic to modern medicines), Arch Enemy (The Demon Fox), Mistrust, Miscellaneous (This was Kwai’s final reincarnation).
Equipment:
Spear [BODY 08, Enhance (EV): 02 (cap is 08), Descriptor: Bludgeoning, Piercing, Limitation: Bludgeoning has Limited penetration].
Source of Character: Milestone Imprint, DC Comics.
Helper(s): David J Oakes, Roy Cowan, The Milestone Rave – History section partially adapted from the Milestone Rave issue summaries