Scythe
(Early Iron Fist villain)
Context
This guy appeared in the second Iron Fist story and, mmm, that’s it. But he’s very easy to use in a game or story. And having been the first “named” guy to fight Iron Fist on Earth should have a little bit of cachet, dangit.
His sole appearance took place in 1974. Back then a kusari-gama was terribly exotic and cool-looking.
Background
- Real Name: Unrevealed
- Marital Status: Unrevealed.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Former employee of Ward Meachum.
- Base Of Operations: Presumably mobile.
- Height: 6’ Weight: 185 lbs..
- Eyes: Brown Hair: Brown
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Powers and Abilities
The Scythe wields a very well-crafted kusarigama. This is a hand scythe with a weighted chain attached to it. He prefers to wrap the chain around his victim’s neck, then close in and stab as convenient. In DC Heroes RPG terms, he’s Grappling using the Extra Limb Power of his weapon.
The Scythe is a master at whirling his weapon around so as to control his opponent’s movements. The goal is to make them hesitate, to keep them on the defensive. In DC Heroes RPG terms this is Charisma (Intimidation).
It is very likely that the Scythe is also a fairly proficient unarmed martial artist.
History
The Scythe is a mercenary who was after the open contract put on Iron Fist by Ward Meachum. Meachum knew that Daniel Rand would come back to kill him when K’un-Lun interfaced with Earth. He had not only fortified his mansion, but also hired killers to take down Rand — now known as Iron Fist — before he could reach him.
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The $10K Meachum offered (in 1974 USD, so about $52K in 2017 USD) drew in a large group of street toughs. Some found Iron Fist, but the K’un-Lun fighter defeated them all. However, a more dangerous opponent, the Scythe, was also after the $10K. After the punks told him about their encounter with Iron Fist, Scythe easily tracked Rand down.
The Scythe dominated much of the fight. That was in part due to Iron Fist being distracted by memories. But Iron Fist eventually pulverised the kama end of the Scythe’s kusarigama. Shocked by this display of power, the Scythe collapsed in a heap and told Iron Fist everything he knew.
Description
The Scythe was drawn as an Asian dude on the cover of the issue, but was White in the story.
Personality
A tough-talking mercenary, who keeps calling his opponent “joker”.
The Scythe talks big and talks tough as long as he’s on top of the situation, but when Iron Fist demonstrated unearthly power he collapsed as a pathetic wreck.
Quotes
“Thanks, joker – for saving me the bother of hunting you down ! Those other punks told me you were in the neighborhood — told me what you did to them — but you won’t have a chance to try your tricks on… Scythe !”
“Hey, you’re good, joker — even better than those muscle-bound morons made you out to be — but nobody can avoid my grapple-ball forever — and joker — that includes you !”
DC Universe History
Obvious member of the League of Assassins.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
The Scythe
| Dex: 05 | Str: 03 | Bod: 04 | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 03 | Min: 02 | Occupation: Killer |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 02 | Resources {or Wealth}: 004 |
| Init: 015 | HP: 020 |
Skills:
Charisma (intimidation): 07, Martial artist: 05, Weaponry (Kusarigama): 07
Bonuses and Limitations:
Charisma (intimidation) only has a 0 APs Range and requires the Scythe to actively wield a kusarigama (-2).
Advantages:
None demonstrated.
Connections:
Street (Low), Underworld (Low).
Drawbacks:
None demonstrated.
Equipment:
Masterwork kusarigama [BODY 06, EV 03 (04 w/STR, 06 w/Martial Artist), Sharpness (EV): 01, Extra limb: 05, Stretching: 00, R#02].
Game Stats — DC Adventures RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Scythe (Marvel Comics) — Averaged PL5.6
| STR | STA | AGL | DEX | FGT | INT | AWE | PRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 02 | 02 | 01 | 05 | 00 | 01 | 01 |
Powers
Master of kusarijutsu ● 5 points (Easily removable – needs a long chain) ● Descriptor: Skill
– Whirling his weighted chain around his opponent — Affliction 8 (Impaired, immobile), Reach 2, Resisted by Will. Concentration, Quirk (ineffective against a target impervious to his kusarigama).
Combat Advantages
Accurate Attack, Close attack 2, Defensive Attack, Defensive Roll 1, plus Advantages from his equipment.
Other Advantages
Contacts, Equipment 2.
Skills
Athletics 3 (+4), Deception 1 (+2), Insight 1 (+2), Perception 3 (+4).
Equipment
Masterwork kusarigama — blunt Damage 3 (Reach 2), Improved Trip, Improved Grab, Improved Hold, Imporved Critical 1, alternate descriptors (slashing, piercing) ● 10 points
Offense
| Initiative +2 |
| Unarmed +7, Close, Damage 1 |
| Kusarigama +11, Close (Reach 2), Damage 4, Crit 19-20 |
Defence
| Dodge | 08 | Fortitude | 06 |
| Parry | 08 | Toughness | 02*/03 |
| Will | 01 |
* Without Defensive Roll
Powers Levels
- Trade-off areas. Attack/Effect PL 8, Dodge/Toughness PL 6, Parry/Toughness PL 6, Fort/Will PL 4.
- Points total 56 Abilities 26, Defences 13, Skills 4, Powers 5, Devices 0, Advantages 8. Equiv. PL 4.
Source of Character: Marvel Premiere #16.
Helper(s): Gareth Lewis, Roy Cowan.