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Tejja the silek killer (Batman enemy) (DC Comics)

Tejja the silek killer


Comics DC Universe
Power Level:
Game system: DC Heroes Role-Playing Game
Role:

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Context

This bloke only appeared in one Batman story, in 1970. But :

  1. He’s a martial arts assassin who’s easy to use and has distinctive, signature techniques.
  2. He’s typical of Dennis O’Neil’s reinvention of Batman during this era, leaving behind the zany campy years.
  3. He’s also typical of O’Neil’s lifelong interest in the martial arts, which gave us the likes of Richard Dragon (early on) and, after much maturation, The Question (Vic Sage).
  4. He’s an early part of the whole League of Assassins and Ra’s al Ghul mythology.

Background

  • Real Name: Unrevealed.
  • Marital Status: Unrevealed.
  • Known Relatives: None.
  • Group Affiliation: League of Assassins.
  • Base Of Operations: Unrevealed, possibly Sumatra.
  • Height: 5’7” Weight: 138 lbs.
  • Eyes: Brown Hair: Black

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Powers and Abilities

Tejja is a master of an unspecified form of silat. “Silat” a generic term encompassing all of the numerous martial arts from the Malaysian archipelago.

More specifically, Tejja being from Sumatra, his style is a silek – the local form of the word. It is part of a complicated body of traditions held by older men. These incorporate combat and weapons techniques as well as folk dances and other traditions.

Tejja demonstrates two feats associated with the fearsome fighters of the area in 1970s literature.

  1. He is trained not to blink in combat so he doesn’t miss anything. In DC Heroes RPG terms, that can be Lightning reflexes.
  2. He is trained to handle his razor-sharp knives even with his feet.

Deadly silek secrets

Gamemasters familiar with styles of silat may give Tejja other abilities and weapons typical of that style. In particular I *think* that his “silek knives” may have been meant to be kerambits . Or maybe a type of rencong . I’m not sure.

Tejja also demonstrated a superb mastery of low-tech booby traps, such as :

  • The “Sumatran deadfall” (a heavy plate lined with sharp blades, which falls from a tree on its unsuspecting victim).
  • Fairly realistic dummies assembled from clothes and foliage.
  • Nooses that caught even the Batman’s ankle and left him hanging from a tree like a turkey.
  • Etc..

Traps are an important part of Tejja’s modus operandi. He will always make good use of them before he moves in for the kill.

History

Tejja may have been the first member of the League of Assassins to appear in the DC Universe. Batman first discovered the existence of the League when it assassinated 15 of Europe’s leading shipping magnates, then sent death threats to one K.C. Agonistes.

Tejja the Silek kicks a sailor

This eccentric billionaire refused to comply. He had his yacht turned into an incredible floating fortress with extensive security procedures.

Agonistes, during a stay in the Gotham Harbour, refused Commissioner Gordon’s offer for police protection. Therefore, Gordon had Batman infiltrate the yacht to protect the shipping tycoon. Although the security system spotted Batman, Agonistes and his fiancée were delighted to meet him and allowed him to stay aboard.

Killer island

This proved a life-saving move. The yacht was soon sunk by attack-trained dolphins fitted with plastic charges (!), defeating counter-torpedo measures. Batman, the captain, Agonistes and the young woman reached a nearby island. But it had been booby-trapped by a master assassin, Tejja, who was waiting for them.

The Batman defeated the first two attempts by the deadly silek. But he eventually fell into a trap and was captured. He freed himself in time to engage Tejja in combat before he could kill everyone. However, the Sumatran proved to be a veritable killing machine.

The tide turned when Batman fell backward into a campfire. The flames ignited several of his flares, dazzling the unblinking Tejja. This allowed the Batman to pummel him out.

AFAICT Tejja has not been seen since.

Description

See illustration.

Personality

Not much, really. His tactics were a bit weird, but this is a 1970s Batman story.

When fighting he did not speak, and concentrated entirely on the fight.

Quotes

“So… this is the great American Batman ! You do not appear formidable to me — Tejja !”

“Your gun is nothing against my training… my art !”

“I accept no bribe ! — For I am of the League of Assassins ! Have no fear ! Your deaths will be quick and painless — my blades are sharp, my skill great !”

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Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG

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Tejja

Dex: 08 Str: 03 Bod: 05 Motivation: Mercenary
Int: 06 Wil: 05 Min: 06 Occupation: Mercenary
Inf: 04 Aur: 04 Spi: 05 Resources {or Wealth}: 004
Init: 022 HP: 025

Skills:
Gadgetry (Low-tech booby traps): 06, Martial Artist*: 08, Military science (Camouflage, tracking): 07, Thief (Stealth): 07, Weaponry (Silat weapons): 08

Advantages:
Language (Unspecified language from Sumatra), Lightning Reflexes, Schtick (Paired knives, Foot Fetish).

Connections:
League of Assassins (Low).

Drawbacks:
None demonstrated.

Equipment:
Tejja has several “silek knives” – razor-sharp folding knives with a pistol-like grip. Knives (x4) [BODY 05, Enhance (EV): 01 (Cap is 06), Descriptor: Piercing, Slashing, Note: Can be thrown].

By Sébastien Andrivet.

Source of Character: Detective Comics #405 (1970).

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