Lizard King
Context
The Lizard King (possibly a Jim Morrison reference) appeared in 1990s comics series Aztek, from DC. For context, we suggest that you first read the Aztek character profile.
He can be a viable choice for a master villain for a new time. Especially if you like Mark Millar-style sordid and cruel unpleasantness, which many people seem to do.
Background
- Real Name: Unrevealed.
- Marital Status: Presumed single.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Former member of the Q-Society.
- Base Of Operations: Vanity.
- Height: 6’4” Weight: 215 lbs.
- Eyes: Blue Hair: Brown
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Powers and Abilities
The Lizard King was one of the fully-trained champions of Quetzalcoatl. He was trained to the peak of human strength, speed and endurance and armed with the secret knowledge of the Q-Society.
His mind was later damaged, however, and it is unclear what amount of his skills he retains.
He seemed more of a technologist than Aztek. In DC Heroes RPG terms, between his high, full Gadgetry, his Scientist and his Scholar, he can build many creepy, unclean things.
History
The Lizard King was the number two of the previous champion of Quetzalcoatl — Emilio, Aztek’s father. When Emilio left to live with a native of Vanity, the Q-Society ordered the future Lizard King to kill him and become the new number one.
Loyal to his friend, the number two refused and paid a dire price for it. The Q-Group psychically tortured and damaged him then cast him aside before killing Emilio themselves. Then they took Emilio’s son to become the next champion.
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A miserable little pile of secrets
Now demented and diminished, the fallen number two declared himself to be the Lizard King in a moment of madness. He then started a strange existence hidden deep within Vanity.
Still obsessed with the coming of the Shadow God, he started tinkering up many horrible things. What he created was a grotesque imitation of a one-man Q-Society. But he knew he could not hope to defeat the god of darkness without the real helmet and suit of armour of Quetzalcoatl.
When Aztek appeared in Vanity, the Lizard King realized how young the new champion was. He became convinced that one so young could not possibly face the imminent return of the Shadow God. The King thus decided to kill Aztek and take the helmet to become the new de facto champion and save the Earth.
But enough talk…
He first took the measure of Aztek by sending two junk cyborgs piloted by tortured innocents after him. He then kidnapped Joy Page, the nurse dating Aztek in his secret identity, and experimented on her. Several hours within this, he phoned Aztek to taunt him.
Aztek swiftly traced the call and confronted the villain. The fight proved brutal and harrowing for both men, physically and psychologically. But the Lizard King eventually managed to stun Aztek. He took the young man’s helmet and put it on.
However, one of the secrets he had forgotten, or was never taught, was the mind games to keep the spirits within the helmet occupied. His soul was quickly destroyed, which also skinned his body and killed him. Joy was recovered by Aztek, but too late. She had been shrunk into a hideous, monstrous toddler.
Ironically, the demented Lizard King seemed right about many things regarding the Q-Society, as Aztek may have later discovered.
Description
Since Aztek was himself 6’1”, the Lizard King is a pretty big and powerful guy.
Personality
The Lizard King is fallen and demented. He’s a cross between a psychotic killer and a Silver Age villain. Like a Silver Age villain he sets deathtraps, builds experimental weapons, kidnaps loved ones, etc.. But it’s all horrible, and murderous, and goes fatally wrong for all innocents involved.
He rants a lot in a disquieting fashion. Although he sounds paranoid, he isn’t clinically so – “they” are really after him. The Lizard King is convinced he’s Earth’s only hope, and will regretfully sacrifice anyone or anything to prepare against the god of shades.
The Lizard King casts a really bad vibe. It is obvious he’s gone yet absolutely determined and can do anything, no matter how horrible or unpredictable.
Quotes
“I am the Lizard King ! I can do anything !”
“I will kill you. That much is certain. I just want you to understand that I’m doing it to save you. I’m doing it to save everyone.”
Lizard King: “I came to Vanity because I want a job. The post’s already occupied at the moment but you’re going to help remedy the situation. You’re going to be a kind of pilot. It’s hard to explain but you’ll understand soon enough. I chose you and your unit because of the inherent decency you share. The pure should be spared the horrors which are to come.”
Tortured man: “Unit ? Wh-what unit ?”
Lizard King: “Your daughter, of course. She was a good deal smaller than you to begin with. Probably consumed less fatty food and candy bars. Her modification took half the time. She’s going to be your co-pilot.”
“I am what you are.”
“I’ve trained every day. 40 years. Almost.”
“My materials are crude, I admit, but the technology is sound. It’s a kind of virtual reality. Look.”
“You have one hour. I’ve prepared a little… ummm… deathtrap. Isn’t that what they call it ? A deathtrap ? In this new life you’ve created for yourself, you’re a superhero, aren’t you ? Protector of the city, defender of the weak, that sort of thing. And if you’re the super-hero, I must be the inevitable villain. Hence the… ah, deathtrap. I can’t stop saying that word. Deathtrap. Do you understand ? Or am I talking to myself ? It’s the first sign of madness, apparently. So they say.”
“Perhaps you’re beginning to see how little it takes to create the perfect deathtrap ; no elaborate machinery, no tricks. Just this room and me and you. Just information.”
“Only I’m old enough or smart enough now to face the god of shades. I have to kill you, to save the world. You can’t trust them anymore. They can’t be trusted to save us. Don’t you understand ?”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Lizard King
| Dex: 07 | Str: 04 | Bod: 06 | Motivation: Psycho |
| Int: 08 | Wil: 09 | Min: 08 | Occupation: Madman |
| Inf: 08 | Aur: 08 | Spi: 08 | Resources {or Wealth}: 005 |
| Init: 025 | HP: 050 |
Skills:
Acrobatics: 05, Charisma: 09, Gadgetry: 06, Martial artist: 07, Medicine: 04, Scientist: 05
Advantages:
Headquarters (Expansive), Iron Nerves, Scholar (Q-Society technology), Sharp Eye.
Connections:
None.
Drawbacks:
Serious Rage, Serious Psychological Instability, Misc: Much of the information about the Q-helmet and armor has been destroyed in his mind.
Equipment:
- ARMOUR [/STR/ 08 /BODY / 08, Claws: 10, Flight: 08]. The Lizard King and Emilio wore armour that seemed less powerful and much less sophisticated than Aztek’s. It is possible this suit had a few more Powers similar to Aztek’s suit, though a few APs lower.
This suit doesn’t have a helmet anymore, but the Lizard King stole an antique Spartan helmet to replace it. It includes a retractile katar-like punch dagger in at least one bracer. - Eyes-fork [BODY 01, Flash: 12, Postcognition: 25, Remote sensing: 25, Bonus: Remote sensing and Postcognition can be Combined ; Limitation: Flash only on an untrained person using the Eyes-fork]. This weird and disgusting piece of technology seems to be two human eyes (one blue, one brown) impaled on a thick tuning fork.
Described as “a kind of virtual reality”, it could be used to witness events far away in the distance, and occasionally in time. - 10 APs Lab in his Vanity HQ.
Design Notes
The Lizard King’s full capabilities are unknown. Since he was trained as a champion by the Q-Society they are likely considerable, but on the other hand he was brain-damaged. Given those unknowns, I have based speculation on Aztek’s abilities.
Source of Character: Aztek series (DC Universe).
Helper(s): Roy Cowan.