Red Lantern

Context

This character is an original creation. We often call these “homemades” or “homebrewed” – think home cooking or craft beer.

Many of these characters were created to take part in tabletop role-playing game sessions. Others were invented as a creative writing exercise, often as part of a community event.

(The concept is a reference to the tradition of bordellos signalling that the are open by lighting up a red lantern. Hence the expression “red lantern district” — Ed.).

(These are very old notes, far preceding the Red Power Rings. In fact, they’re so old that they assume that you speak DCH. In fact, it’s better to read the stats first — Ed.).

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Powers and Abilities

Red Lantern can cause an entire city to be overpowered with lust, seeking out sexual partners wherever they might be found. This is a necessary part of her activities, as this serves to power her other abilities. Of course, she can choose to use a smaller area of effect, though she would thereby gain less power.

This effect is widely disapproved by most city leaders, though she tries to keep the origin of this effect a secret.

Additionally, were she to engage in sexual activities, she would gain a massive increase as well. But she is uncomfortable with her newfound womanhood, and is reluctant to experiment until the need is truly great.

Also, note that when she is not using her Broadcast Empath, the APs of her Power Reserve may fluctuate greatly, depending on a variety of circumstances. A reasonable rule of thumb is to say that she always has at least 10 APs of Power Reserve at her disposal while she is operating in a city.

Her occult knowledge represents her readings into Tantric magic. She had thought that her powers might be somehow related to Tantrism, though this proved not to be the case.

History

Businessman Harold Jenkins took a trip to the Netherlands for a vacation. While he was wandering through the red light district, he came upon an odd Asian woman who asked him if what he sought was what he truly wanted. Would he not rather have power ?

Power was in fact what he wanted, what he had never had throughout his life growing up. She beckoned him inside, and showed him the mystic red lantern. She told him that the lantern would give power, but only to one who was worthy, one such as he.

However, she continued, this power is only meant for women. Do you still want it, she asked him. Of course, he said yes and found himself transformed into the Red Lantern, a female superhuman dressed in a scarlet outfit more appropriate for a hooker than a superhero.

He soon learned that the lantern could transform him into Red Lantern whenever he wished, though only for a maximum of 24 hours at a time. To transform (or to reverse the transformation) he only has to shine the lantern’s light upon himself/herself.

By Sean MacDonald.

Source of Character: Home-made.