Raphael
Context
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (“TMNT”) was an indie comic book launched in 1984. It was an underground parody of popular comics of that time, such as Daredevil. Oddly enough it became a marketing phenomenon a few years later, with a massive media and merchandising presence during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Our TMNT profiles are currently based on the original, Mirage Comics run – specifically issues #1-#21. Everything else is ignored for now. At this point the book is still about 4 uplifted turtles trained in ninjutsu by an uplift rat. They chiefly fight evil ninjas in the city in a spoof of 1980s Daredevil noir atmosphere.
If you’re not familiar with the material, check our Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles team profile first.
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Background
- Real Name: Raphael.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: Leonardo (Brother), Donatello (Brother), Michelangelo (Brother), Splinter (“Father”).
- Group Affiliation: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
- Base Of Operations: Sewers of New York.
- Height: 4’6” Weight: 150 lbs.
- Eyes: Black Hair: None
Powers & Abilities
Known Superhuman Powers
While Raphael has no true superhuman powers, his mutation into a bipedal form did not remove any of the species wide adaptation that one would find in reptiles classified as turtles (chelonians).
He still:
- Possesses a durable bony shell that originates from his ribs and protects his chest and back.
- Can hold his breath underwater for approximately 10 minutes.
- Can draw his neck down into his shell.
- Can operate for extended periods in below-freezing conditions with little or no protection from the elements.
Though it has yet to be confirmed, Raphael’s mutation has most likely converted him into a warm-blooded organism (unlike normal turtles).
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Abilities
Through intensive life long training, Raphael has become a formidable hand to hand combatant. He is a practitioner of both the kobudō and qigong martial arts styles and has displayed a level of skill in both that one can only find in cinematic martial artists.
In addition, he is a superb athlete and world-class acrobat.
Finally, Raphael has mastered the art of ninjutsu; his skills of stealth and deception are so polished that he can virtually hide in plain sight.
Weapons
Raphael wields a pair of battered sai in battle. Other than his sai, Raphael keeps a reserve of shuriken on his person at all times.
History
(A general history of the Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles can be found in the team’s own entry.)
Description
Raphael appears to be a large bipedal turtle-like being. His body is hairless and his skin is deep green colour. Both his hands and feet are three fingered/toed, had his eyes are a jet black colour.
Unlike a regular turtle, his eyes point directly forward and are distinctly human in appearance (if not unusually large).
Raphael has a large and pronounced shell situated in the centre of his back. It is clearly a part of his body, and extends across the entirety of his torso. The portion of the shell that covers his chest, stomach and crotch area is a light brown in colour.
With his shell protecting his modesty as well as his vitals, Raphael doesn’t normally wear clothes unless he is attempting to hide his mutated features from humans.
The only clothing that he wears is a battered leathern belt that he utilizes as a harness/holster for his weapons, strips of cloths around his joints (wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles) and a red strip of cloth that he wears around his eyes when expecting combat.
The cloth resembles a domino mask while on, but in truth does little to protect his identity. Presumably, he wears the cloth for symbolic effect.
Personality
One could use several words to describe the Ninja Turtle named Raphael. Some of them are: argumentative, impulsive, hot-tempered, rebellious, volatile, and violent.
Perhaps the most telling description of Raphael can be found within April O’Neil’s journal. She once wrote that Raphael scared her, and that he was very “unbalanced” and “unpredictable.”
Generally speaking, Raphael is a loose cannon. He doesn’t respond well to authority (with the sole exception of Splinter) and does whatever feels right to him at the time.
His temper is legendary. Like many other characters in fiction he seems to suffer from a form of Intermittent Explosive Disorder which causes him to break out into a murderous rage whenever he is frustrated or in combat. He has turned this anger on his friends and foe in turn, but usually shows true regret when he has done so on the latter.
It is this single aspect of his personality, and his unusual energy levels, that make Raphael the deadliest of the 4 turtle brothers. Despite the explosiveness of his temper (and utter brutality in battle), Raphael is loyal to a fault and quick to forgive his friends.
Raphael’s relationship with his brothers and extended family is quite simple. He has a particular soft spot for both Michelangelo (who is often his playmate) and Casey Jones (who he considers the fifth Turtle brother). He deeply loves and respects Splinter and enjoys teasing Donatello. And then, there’s Leonardo.
As time has passed, Raphael’s impatient and volatile nature has chaffed at the relationship that he shares with his older brother Leonardo. Leo’s calm and steady nature often exists in stark contrast to Raphael’s, and like most siblings the two have exchanged heated words and blows over differences of opinion.
It is clear though that Raphael does love his “older” brother and even has a grudging respect for him.
Quotes
“Damn these Mousers !!! I knew I should have killed that BAXTER when I had the chance ! Grrr — I’ll go kill ’im NOW !”
“You just made you last mistake, bug-eyes, ’cuz nobody cuts up my best buddy an’ get’s away with it — NOBODY !”
“I’ve had just about as much as I’ll take from these pre-historic pukes ! Push us around — GRRRRR ! I’m gonna kill them all myself !!!”
Donatello: “Just cover us Buckwheat — no heroics ! Got it ?!”
Raphael: “No prob, kemo sabe ! Heh Heh…”
“Wugga wugga, gaijin — IT’s GO TIME !”
“Are you deaf —?! This place is driving me crazy — understand ?!!!”
“Leo’s lost it… he’s scared. He can no longer lead us…”
(To Leonardo) “You are a coward. I’m going back … alone.”
“ — Saki is mine !”
(After having his life saved by Leonardo)
Leonardo: “You are a FOOL !“
Raphael: “I know… almost a dead one. Can’t help it… don’t think… have no control. Splinter always said so…”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Raphael
| Dex: 06 | Str: 04 | Bod: 06 | Motivation: Unwanted Power |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 04 | Min: 06 | Occupation: Ninja Warrior |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 08 | Resources {or Wealth}: 002 |
| Init: 015 | HP: 035 |
Powers:
Cold Immunity: 02, Sealed Systems: 08, Skin Armor: 02, Suspension: 02, Swimming: 02
Bonuses and Limitations:
- All Powers: Have Form Function Bonus (+1FC each).
- Sealed System has the Free Diving Only Limitation.
- Skin Armor: Partial Armor, Can be bypassed by a Trick Shot (- 2FC).
- Suspension is a Skilled Power (a meditative trance once used to conserve oxygen).
Skills:
Acrobatics (Athletics, Climbing)*: 06, Martial Artist (AV, OV + Techniques): 06, Martial artist (EV, RV): 07, Military science (Camouflage, Danger Recognition): 06, Thief (Stealth): 09, Weaponry (Melee, Missile): 06, Weaponry (Sai): 07
Advantages
Familiarity (Ninja lore), Iron Nerves, Languages (Japanese), Schtick (Paired Weapons (Sai)).
Connections:
Leonardo (High), Michelangelo (High), Donatello (High), Splinter (High), April O’Neil (High), Casey Jones (High).
Drawbacks:
CIH (Foot Clan), Catastrophic Rage, Mistrust, MPR (Thick two fingered hands, and feet), Strange Appearance.
Genre:
Mock-Real.
Equipment:
- Sai (x2) [BODY 04, EV 03 (06 w/STR, 07 w/Martial artist), /STR/ 06, Limitations : /STR/ only for the Disarm maneuver (-2) ; Note : when Blocking melee weapons with a sai, the weapon is considered to be the size of a shield (-1 AP to OV/RV for the Block)].
- Shuriken (x10) [BODY 01, EV 02, Note: thrown weapons].
- Climbing claws on hand and feet [BODY 04, Prehensile Feet Advantage].
Raphael’s Rages
Raphael’s Rage Drawback can be triggered in any form of combat, including simulated/training exercises.
Source of Character: Mirage Comic Series – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, created by Kevin B. Eastman (author, illustrator) and Peter Laird (author).
Helper(s): Ethan Roe, Roy Cowan.
Writeup completed on the 20th of September, 2014.