Scatterbrain
(Will Deguchi)
Context
Strikeforce Morituri was an intriguing 1986-1989 Marvel series, taking place in its own universe. It was a military sci-fi saga, centred on superhuman soldiers fighting to repel alien invaders who very nearly crushed Earth.
The main twist was that the treatment giving powers to volunteers was invariably fatal, leaving little life expectancy to the super-soldiers. Hence the name, derived from the famous Latin phrase morituri te salutant (“those about to die salute you”).
Background
- Real Name: Will Deguchi.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Strikeforce Morituri.
- Base Of Operations: Morituri Mountain.
- Eyes: Black Hair: Black
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Powers and Abilities
In addition to the normal Morituri physical enhancements, Scatterbrain possesses formidable mental powers. At first, he was only able to broadcast emotions in a wide area with no control. Shortly before his death, however, he developed the ability to read the minds and emotions of others, as well as to send his senses away from his body.
History
Will Deguchi’s motivations for volunteering and history before joining the Strikeforce are unknown. Initially very hesitant, he felt his lack of control over his mental powers was as much a liability to the team as an asset.
Over time, however, he developed confidence in his abilities and used them to great effect, even if he did occasionally cause as much anguish to his teammates as he did to the aliens they were fighting.
All that changed, however, after an encounter with fourth generation of Morituri.
The government, in an attempt to increase the size of the Strikeforce, attempted to perform the process without Dr. Tulolema present. The result was monsters. While fighting the Horde near the secret base, Scatterbrain channeled a blast of energy from one of the anguished Morituri and led the team to investigate.
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After defeating the Horde, they granted the monsters peace by killing them, but for Scatterbrain nothing was ever the same.
Contact with the monster Morituri’s mind had greatly expanded his powers, allowing him to send his mind away from his body to observe things far away. He became obsessed with death and what lay beyond it, trying to use his powers to follow dying minds into the unknown. He failed, but the pain he felt caused him to turn his powers inward and he lapsed into a self-induced coma.
Not even the entreaties of Scaredycat, who had recently confided her affection for him, could bring him out of it. He spent the rest of his days hiding inside his own mind, the last of the third generation to pass on.
Description
A short Asian man with a bowl haircut and thin moustache. He wore a blue bodysuit with light blue boots, yellow belt, and yellow chest straps. He also wore a leg brace due to an injury he received during the Morituri Process.
Personality
Initially Will was a bit shy and retiring. As he developed confidence in himself and his abilities he became more outgoing and began forming an attachment with Scaredycat. The trauma of the experience with the monster Morituri was a crippling blow to his psyche from which he never recovered.
Quotes
“Hold on to your stomachs — and pray I’m smarter than I look !”
DC Universe History
As written, the Morituri were in their own stand-alone universe. However, the idea of the Morituri process works in any universe. Perhaps a new, more determined alien invasion attacks and earth’s normal superheroes are outmatched. STAR Labs or Lexcorp could develop this process to help turn the tide.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
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Scatterbrain
| Dex: 08 | Str: 09 | Bod: 10 | Motivation: Responsibility of Power |
| Int: 05 | Wil: 06 | Min: 08 | Occupation: Soldier |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 05 | Resources {or Wealth}: n/a |
| Init: 015 | HP: 050 |
Powers:
Broadcast Empath: 14, Empathy: 14, Mind Probe: 10, Remote Sensing: 10, Telepathy: 14
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Broadcast Empath and Telepathy are Area Effect (+1) Powers only.
- Broadcast Empath can go off uncontrollably when Scatterbrain is surprised (-1).
- Empathy is usable with Remote Sensing (+1).
Skills:
Weaponry: 05
Advantages:
Free Access, Headquarters (E), Limelight, Popularity.
Connections:
Strikeforce Morituri (H).
Drawbacks:
MPR (Damage leg), Public Identity, Uncertainty, Morituri Effect.
Equipment:
FLIGHT SHOES [BODY 06, Flight: 07].
The Morituri Effect
All Morituri have a lifespan of 1 year (23 APs) or less from the time they undergo the Morituri Process. Starting 1 month after the Process, the Morituri must roll against their R# each day. For the first six months the RN is 5. The next three months the RN is 11, and for the last three months the RN is 18. The Effect automatically occurs at the end of a year.
Each Morituri experienced a power surge shortly before the effect took place. Add 2 APs to their Powers (or STR, if that was their primary ability) when they fail their R# roll. The number of APs of their highest Power after this addition is the number of phases they have until the effect takes place.
The precise manifestation of the Morituri Effect varied from person to person, but was related to their powers. Scaredycat’s superspeed increased so greatly that she overheated and died. Snapdragon, Vyking, and Marathon exploded, with Snapdragon’s explosion affecting little more than herself while Marathon’s explosion destroyed a Horde mothership.
The GM should select an appropriate fate based on the powers in question and the dramatic potential of the moment.
Source of Character: Strikeforce Morituri (Marvel).
Helper(s): Roy Cowan.