Spleen
Context
Mystery Men was a 1999 super-hero comedy, depicting a non-team of lamentable would-be heroes attempting to rise to greater heights. It had it’s-okay-but-a-bit-chaotic movie critics, bombed commercially, and was considered awesome by many who wanted to see a super-hero comedy.
Background
- Real Name: Unrevealed.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Mystery Men.
- Base Of Operations: Champion City.
- Height: 5’ 11” (6’ 1” in the platform shoes) Weight: 150 lbs. Age: 20’s
- Eyes: Brown Hair: Brown
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Powers and Abilities
The Spleen’s power is in the incredible stench he can generate on command. He is flatulent at the best of times, but apparently he can launch an appalling amount of bodily gas at need.
He usually has a comrade “pull his finger” to activate the stench, but this may or may not be necessary to do so.
The Spleen’s personal “stink aura” is so powerful that it attracted a skunk to have marital relations with his leg while he and the Invisible Boy were on watch at Casanova’s Place.
History
The Spleen sought out Mr. Furious, The Shoveler, and the Blue Raja when he heard that they were recruiting for superheroes to help them fight Casanova Frankenstein.
Despite their denials, Spleen wound up taking part in the raid that attempted to rescue (and wound up killing) Captain Amazing. He and the Invisible Boy were keeping watch outside Casanova’s mansion, entertaining a skunk.
Despite his obvious fear at dealing with guys with automatic weapons, the Spleen turned out to be instrumental in defeating the gangs that were defending Casanova and the psychofrakulator.
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Description
Spleen originally wore a hodgepodge of late-60’s, early-70’s “hippie” garb, including huge platform shoes.
His “costume” that he made under the Sphinx’s tutelage is marginally better, a combination of gold lamé and brown velvet with a short cape and (again) platform shoes.
The Spleen speaks with a slight lisp, and has REALLY bad teeth.
The Spleen was played by Paul Reubens.
Personality
The Spleen’s odd origin notwithstanding, he has for years sought to be a respected superhero in a world that really doesn’t want him.
He doesn’t get any respect (even less than the Shoveler, which is really saying something), and he seems unaware that he’s actually pretty unappealing, socially.
Sometimes he can be pretty pathetic in his attempts to be social. He’s not actively offensive, he’s just not at all attractive.
The easiest way to become Spleen’s friend for life is to pay attention to him. ANY attention. At all. Unfortunately this may bring more attention from Spleen than one is willing to put up with.
Spleen is actually a good team-player, and is eager to combat the bad guys because only then he can be with the good guys.
DC Universe History
The Mystery Men (in the movie) are definitely part spoof and part homage to the “mystery men” of early comics history. As such they can be inserted dang near anyplace, but the feel of their movie is slightly skewed… They don’t feel very Golden Age , and don’t fit the humor genre.
But as low-level supers in a street-level campaign they actually might work, as long as they aren’t overpowering their foes. Their main bad guy ought always to be one who is on the surface more than they can handle.
Quotes
“Pull my finger.”
Spleen: “Why are you guys always dissing me ? It hurts my feelings. I’m a superhero too. I have powers.”
Invisible Boy: “Really ? Like what ?”
Spleen: “So glad you asked. Well, it all started when I was just 13 years of age. One day, while walking with some friends, I accidentally cut the cheese. Well, in my adolescent awkwardness, I blamed it on an old gypsy woman who happened to be passing by. BIG MISTAKE ! The gypsy woman placed a curse upon my head. Because I smelled it, she decreed I would forevermore BE HE WHO DEALT IT !”
Shoveler: “I’ll take point, you two flank. Let’s triangulate.”
Spleen: “Equilateral or isoceles ?”
(Bowler swats him)
(Spleen approaches Bowler at the bar, making smooching noises)
Bowler: “There’s not enough beer in the world, Spleen… I’m sorry.”
[The Spleen is shot in the rear]
Spleen: “Medic ! Man down ! Man down ! I can’t feel my ASS !”
Invisible Boy: “What ?”
Spleen: “ I CAN’T FEEL MY ASS. I CAN’T FEEL MY ASS !”
Invisible Boy: “Does your power still work ?”
Spleen: “My powers ? Weapons check.”
(Invisible Boy pulls Spleen’s finger. Spleen breaks wind, wiping out the Susies)
Spleen: “It’ll do.” (faints)
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
The Spleen
A 217 Point Character (does not include Gadget fee for the Blame Thrower, which belongs to Dr. Heller)
| Dex: 03 | Str: 02 | Bod: 04 | Motivation: Unwanted Power |
| Int: 02 | Wil: 02 | Min: 04 | Occupation: Superhero Wannabe |
| Inf: 02 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 03 | Resources {or Wealth}: 003 |
| Init: 007 | HP: 020 |
Powers:
Knockout Gas: 08
Skills:
Weaponry (Firearms): 04
Advantages:
Schtick: Reputation (Stink).
Connections:
Mystery Men (High), Street (Low).
Drawbacks:
Public Identity, Socially Inept (Serious), MIA (The Bowler).
Equipment:
Blame Thrower [BODY 05, Range: 03, Broadcast Empathy: 10, R# 3, HP Cost: 35. Limitations: Broadcast Empathy only works to turn the targets hostile to each other.]
Spleen’s Stinky Reputation
Anyone who’s heard of the Spleen’s Power or has been subject to it suffers an Intimidation attack from Spleen’s mere presence.
Game Stats — DC Adventures RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Spleen — Averaged PL 6
| STR | STA | AGL | DEX | FGT | INT | AWE | PRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00 | 02 | 00 | 01 | 01 | 00 | 00 | 01 |
Powers
Flatulence ● 45 points ● Descriptor: Gypsy curse, Stink
– Silent but Deadly — Ranged Affliction 10 (dazed and impaired, stunned and disabled, incapacitated), Accurate, Extra Condition, Multiattack ● AE — Area (cone) Affliction, Extra Condition 10 ● Activation (move)
– Enhanced Advantage (Precise Attack 1 [Ranged Cover]), Limited (stink attack)
– The Smell — Enhanced Skill (Intimidate 4), Resistible (Fortitude); Enhanced Advantage (Startle) ● Uncontrolled
Devices
Blame thrower ● 7 points (Easily Removable) ● Descriptor: Mad Science, Emotion Control
Area (cone) Affliction 10 (resisted by Will; dazed, compelled, controlled), Cumulative, Limited (only to turn targets hostile), Subtle, Unreliable (5 uses)
Combat Advantages
Defensive Roll 1, Ranged Attack 2.
Other Advantages
None demonstrated.
Skills
Athletics 2 (+2), Close Combat: Unarmed 2 (+3), Expertise: Tailor 2 (+2), Perception 1 (+1), Ranged Combat: Guns 3 (+6), Ranged Combat: Flatulence 11 (+14)
Offense
| Initiative +0 |
| Unarmed +3, Close, Damage 0 |
| Silent but deadly stink blast +14, Ranged, Affliction 10 |
| Blame Thrower, Area, Affliction 10 |
Defense
| Dodge | 4 | Fortitude | 6 |
| Parry | 2 | Toughness | 3/2* |
| Will | 3 |
* Without Defensive Roll
Complications
- Unwanted Power The vengeful gypsy’s curse has basically ruined the Spleen’s chances at a normal life, although he makes the best of it.
- Public Identity The Spleen can’t really disguise who he is. Most people who have smelled his powers at work are automatically unfriendly to the prospect of being in proximity to him.
- Relationships The Spleen is basically a friendless loner seeking out any form of acceptance. He is particularly attracted to the Bowler, who is not only a lovely young woman but does not seem judgmental toward him or his powers. However, the attraction is decidedly not mutual.
Power levels
- Trade-off areas Attack/Effect PL 12, Dodge/Toughness PL 4, Parry/Toughness PL 3, Fort/Will PL 5.
- Point total 88. Abilities 10, Defences 12, Skills 11, Powers 52, Devices 0, Advantages 3. Equiv. PL 6.
Helper(s): Dr. Peter S. Piispanen, International Hero for Illo, Original Mystery Men script .
Source of Character: Mystery Men (Film).