Melaka Fray
Context
Fray was a 2001 comic book series by Joss Whedon. It expands on the universe of Buffy the Vampire Slayer by chronicling the adventure of another Slayer, who exists in a dystopian future of Earth. Time constraints have meant that Whedon produced a small body of material, but Fray and Buffy intersected on several occasions.
The History section is not as detailed as it could be. There are so many twists and turns in the story, I tried to have the write up accessible for those who have not yet read the series, and without spoiling anything major.
It’s highly recommended, btw, whether you watched Buffy or not (though reading our Buffy profile first would help in the latter case).
Background
- Real Name: Melaka Fray.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: Erin (elder sister), Harth (twin brother, undeceased).
- Group Affiliation: Slayers.
- Base Of Operations: Haddyn, city somewhere in the future US.
- Height: 5’3” Weight: 110 lbs. (note: height and weight just assumed).
- Eyes: Blue Hair: Dark, with blue and mauve highlights.
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Powers and Abilities
Born with the physical power of a Slayer, Fray has demonstrated enhanced reflexes, strength, endurance and recuperative powers. She is an expert brawler, and highly skilled with both her Slayer Scythe and her Blaster pistol.
Unlike previous Slayers, however, she has no memories of former Slayers lives. The psychic bond between the Slayers was instead imparted to her twin brother Harth, leaving Melaka as half a Slayer.
Melaka wields the Scythe. This is a weapon magically crafted for the use of the Slayer. It is very effective in killing, when used by a Slayer. Melaka also carries her Blaster, or Stungun. It fires bolts of electricity which may be used to stun or blind an opponent.
History
In a world far in the future, demons have been eradicated and removed from that plane of existence. With no demons, there have been no Slayers. The only remaining demons are vampires, known as Lurks. And of these, only a few understand their true origins, and purpose. Even less fully comprehend their powers.
With the re-emergence of these vampires, and their gathering together, a new Slayer was born. However, she was born a twin. Whilst Melaka inherited all the physical attributes of the Slayer, her twin brother Harth gained all the mental and psychic abilities.
As such, as Fray grew, she had no understanding of where her physical skills came from, and what they were for. Harth kept quiet about his recurring dreams of girls from history.
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Lord of the Lurks
Melaka Fray used her abilities as a Runner, or Grabber, engaging in theft for various criminal elements of the community. With her skills, Fray was the best. On one job, Melaka took her brother Harth along, but on completion they encountered a Lurk. It beat Melaka, throwing her from the roof of a building. The Lurl then proceeded to feed on Harth.
Harth, however, having an understanding of vampires from his dreams, bit into the Lurk, drinking in his blood, thus turning himself into one, under the belief it would save his life. What it actually did was give the Lurks a leader. Harth understood what vampire and Lurks were, and had a full comprehension of their mystic abilities.
Fray, believing her brother dead, continued her career as a criminal. Meanwhile, her elder sister joined the police department.
A Slayer after all
A while later, Fray was approached by a large demon, Urkonn, who showed her her heritage as a Slayer. Fray beat back a vampire assault on Haddyn, led by her twin, and has proven herself a worthy Slayer.
She has recently found an old Watchers library, and has started to learn even more about herself.
Description
The body of an athletic teen girl, attractive without being beautiful. She has a scar starting on her top lip, extending to her left cheek, a nose piercing, and her ears also have several rings in each. Fray also has an unusual tattoo on her upper left arm.
Melaka is normally dressed in big boots, baggy pants, and a short loose top.
Personality
As most Slayers tend to be, Fray is highly independent and capable. Before discovering her true heritage she was a mostly selfish person, although very fierce in defending those she cared for. After discovering her origins, she has evolved into a protector of all people. As most Joss Whedon characters, Fray has a highly developed sense of sarcasm.
Melaka Fray has always blamed herself for the “death” of her twin brother at the hands of the Lurks. She has since discovered the truth of her brother’s “death”, although this has not eased her guilt in any way.
Quotes
“Bad day. Started bad, stayed that way.”
“I’ve met you ten thousand times. I’ve killed you a hundred ways… in a rage, cool as ice, giggling like a schoolgirl…”
“I don’t think the Slayer’s supposed to have a twin and he got… the memories, the heritage… I just got the strength.”
“I am the only one in the world… but I am not alone.”
DC Universe History
Have not got a bloody clue. Need some help with this one… not really sure if she will fit with the Legion, but I haven’t read it in years. Any ideas ??
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Melaka Fray
| Dex: 08 | Str: 04 | Bod: 06 | Motivation: Responsibility of Power |
| Int: 05 | Wil: 07 | Min: 07 | Occupation: Runner (thief) |
| Inf: 05 | Aur: 06 | Spi: 06 | Resources {or Wealth}: 005 |
| Init: 022 | HP: 045 |
Powers:
Jumping: 03, Regeneration: 04, Running: 05
Skills:
Acrobatics: 09, Martial Artist: 08, Thief: 09, Weaponry (Melee, Firearms): 09
Advantages:
Area Knowledge (Haddyn); Iron Nerves; Lightning Reflexes.
Drawbacks:
Guilt (over Harth, her twin brother). At the beginning of the limited series, she also had the Mistrust drawback, and suffered Traumatic Flashbacks when facing a Lurk. Loo could also have been considered a Dependant. She had lost these by the end of the series.
Connections:
Gunther (Underworld Boss, High) ; Police (Low) ; Underworld (Low).
Equipment:
- Scythe [BODY 09, EV 06 (09 with Martial Artist), Sharpness (EV): 06. The scythe may only be harnessed effectively by a Slayer, and as such if wielded by any other, the EV and Sharpness power are rated at 2 APs].
The Scythe has a stake embedded on the end of the staff, while the other end has a curved blade. The weapon resembles a hand axe much more than a scythe, and is believed to be called such due to the fact it is designed just to kill, or reap, as the reaper of legend itself. - Blaster [BODY 03, Lightning: 05, Flash: 05, R#2, Limitations : Flash has a range of 0APs. The APs of power used are added to the R#. So if Fray uses a blast at 5APs, that turn the R# is 7. If next phase, it is used at 2APs, the R# is 4, and so on].
Source of Character: Joss Whedon’s Fray.
Helper(s): Roy Cowan.