Grinch
(1966 movie version, as voiced by Boris Karloff)
Context
How the Grinch stole Christmas is a well-known story by Dr. Seuss . It is about a hermit who despises Christmas and the folks who celebrate it, but learns to appreciate the true meaning of the holiday. It is an endearing, heartfelt classic.
This profile uses the 1966 animated adaptation of the tale, voiced by Boris Karloff .
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Background
- Real Name: Unrevealed.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: None, save the Who’s perhaps.
- Group Affiliation: None…he’s a hermit remember.
- Base Of Operations: Mount Crumpet.
- Height: 4’5” Weight: 145 lbs.
- Eyes: Yellow with red pupils (blue when Motivation changes to Upholding the Good) Hair: Green (covers entire body). Age: At least 53.
- Other Distinguishing Features: The Grinch has three fingers and a thumb on each hand. The Grinch has some extra and very crooked teeth.
Powers and Abilities
The Grinch really is a bizarre creature. He can twist his head completely around 360 degrees with no need to turn it back again. He can slither along the floor like a snake, even using his stomach muscles to climb a tree.
The Grinch can motivate with a whip better than the best. He got Max, his dog, after an all night moving job to pull an unbelievably over packed sleigh… how far?… ten thousand feet, to the top of Mount Crumpet! He and his dog live at that ten thousand feet, by the way, and have completely acclimated to the lower oxygen levels.
He is also extremely stealthy. Robbing every house in town in one night is quite a feat. He even stole candy-canes right out of the hands of children while they sleep.
History
The story of the Grinch gives us no hint to his past at all. From his appearance, he very well could have been a Who at some point.
The Grinch is a grumpy old hermit. On Christmas Eve he hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville. Bitter and hateful, the Grinch is irritated at the thought of the nearby village having a happy time celebrating Christmas.
So disguised as Santa Claus, with his dog made to look like a reindeer, he raids the village to steal all their Christmas things. He hopes that the Whos would be devastated by the deed.
Instead, he learns the true meaning of Christmas and with it, a radical change deep within him. Switching completely from Mercenary to Upholding the Good.
Welcome Christmas, bring your cheer. Cheer to all Whos, far and near. Christmas day is in our grasp as long as we have hands to clasp. Christmas day will always be. Just as long as WE have We. Welcome Christmas while we stand heart to heart and hand in hand.
Description
The Grinch has a tall stand of hair in the middle of his head. His face is seemingly frozen with a deep angry frown.
The Grinch is completely covered in green fur. When we first see him he’s got his hands in what appear to be pockets as if he’s wearing a coat. But there is no seam so; I assume he has small pouches similar to a kangaroo’s.
He also wears a pair of brown shoes that are too tight.
Personality
“Sour, rotten, and mean!” (in my best Boris Karloff voice).
The Grinch has grown jaded in his old age. His anti-social behavior has caused him to isolate himself at the top of a mountain. However, notice he hasn’t gone too far away from the Who’s. He’s put himself in a position so that he could look down on Whoville. This way he can still complain about them.
“You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch. You really are a heel. You’re as cuddly as a cactus you’re as charming as an eel, Mr. Grinch.”
Quotes
“I MUST find some way to stop Christmas from coming !”
“What a great grinchy trick ! With this coat and this hat, I look just like Saint Nick ! All I need is a reindeer…”
“Ho, ho to the Who’s”, he was Grinchily humming, “They’re finding out now that no Christmas is coming. They’re just waking up I know just what they’ll do. Their mouths will hang open a minute or two, then the Whos down in Whoville will cry Boo-Hoo. That’s a noise”, said the Grinch “that I simply must hear.”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Grinch
A 523 points Character
| Dex: 04 | Str: 03/07 | Bod: 03 | Motivation: Mercenary then Upholding the Good |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 04 | Min: 03 | Occupation: Hermit |
| Inf: 02 | Aur: 02 | Spi: 02 | Resources {or Wealth}: 005 |
| Init: 008 | HP: 020 |
Powers:
Cold Immunity: 04, Enchantment: 03, Gravity Decrease: 02, Running: 01
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Enchantment only affects his pet Max’s STR, and only if Max is motivated in some way. For the Grinch this means cracking his whip! (-2).
- Gravity Decrease is contingent on his Dex.(-1) Only useable on himself (-1). He cannot use it to propel himself (-1), The Grinch can’t completely negate his weight so that he floats in the air but he can make balancing at the top of a toy firetruck ladder look easy.
- Running may only be used when the Grinch is lying on his stomach.
- STR 07 is only available if the Grinch switches Motivation to Upholding the Good, revealed by his eyes turning blue. Otherwise STR is 03.
Skills:
Acrobatics (Climbing)*: 04, Artist (Actor, Musician, and Sewing): 04, Artist (Billiards): 05, Vehicles (Land): 05, Thief (Stealth): 07
Advantages:
Headquarters (Expansive), Pet (Max).
Connections:
None.
Drawbacks:
Age (Old), Minor Irrational Hatred of Christmas and those who celebrate it (bought off when he switched Motivations).
Genre:
Comedy or Action.
Design notes
- The Grinch may deserve a higher Dex, he has an uncanny knack for tossing items and having them land in order or stacking in odd ways. Without looking where they are going I might add.
- The Grinch doesn’t actually have an income but he does have a lot of “things”. I set his wealth at 005 because of this.
So, he took his dog, Max
Max is a very intelligent dog. He certainly understands the English language.
Max
A 062 point pet
(…) giving the “I don’t know” sign with his hands and shrugging.
| Dex: 03 | Str: 01 | Bod: 02 | Motivation: Upholding the Good |
| Int: 02 | Wil: 01 | Min: 02 | Occupation: loyal dog |
| Inf: 01 | Aur: 02 | Spi: 01 | Resources {or Wealth}: 000 |
| Init: 006 |
Powers:
Analytical/Tracking Scent: 05, Extended Hearing: 03, Running: 04, Shrinking: 03, Super Hearing: 03
Bonuses and Limitations:
Shrinking is always on.
Skills:
None.
Advantages:
None.
Connections:
None.
Drawbacks:
Other than being the Grinch’s dog? None.
Source of Character: Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas animated Christmas Special. Voiced by Boris Karloff.
Helper(s): Wikipedia, Dave, Jobe.
Writeup completed on the 16th of October, 2011.