The Stone

Context

Hey there, gang! My DC Heroes role-playing game group is plunging headfirst into an Amalgam -style campaign. I thought I’d introduce you to a Character or two just for kicks.

Meet Benjamin J. Mason, aka THE STONE, a rich hearty blend of The Thing and Metamorpho.

Advertisement

History

A former pilot and war hero, Ben Mason was a treasure-hunter and soldier of fortune. He was famous for his death-defying exploits, most of which were financed by multimillionaire industrialist Justin Stagg. This arrangement was profitable for both men, until the day Mason began to take a romantic interest in Stagg’s daughter, the gentle blind sculptress Alicia Stagg.

Stagg, over protective of his handicapped child and just generally possessive, sought to destroy the relationship. He thus sent Mason to retrieve the Orb of Rama-Tut, a fabulous Egyptian artifact who’s secret resting place had killed many previous fortune-hunters.

Accompanied by Stagg’s servant Moon-Boy, a primitive humanoid from a prehistoric world discovered in a Stagg Industries experiment in dimensional travel, Mason found the pyramid. He even managed to overcome its traps and recover the Orb. On Stagg’s orders, Moon-Boy then knocked Mason out, taking the Orb an leaving him for dead.

However, after Moon-Boy left, Mason’s collapsing body accidentally open a hidden door to a secret chamber. It contained a cache of futuristic equipment left behind by Pharaoh Rama-Tut, who was later discovered to be a time-traveller from the far future.

It came from the future

Bathed in mysterious ray from a malfunctioning device, the unconscious Mason was transformed into his present freakish, rock-like multicolored form. He now had immense strength, and the power to transform his body into any of the basic elements that make up the human body.

Transforming into a gaseous state, Mason escaped the pyramid and returned to Stagg’s estate. With the encouragement of Alicia, whose love for Mason was unshaken by his transformation, he devoted his newfound power to fight evil.

Stagg, hoping to find a way to exploit Mason’s abilities agreed to finance this endeavor. When Stagg compared his abilities to those of the legendary Philosopher’s Stone, Mason chose ’The Stone‘ as a suitable alias. It reflected both his powers, and his rock-like appearance.

The Stone has been an irregular, knockabout hero, undertaking more missions for Stagg. He also assisted other heroes, including a brief stint in the Judgement League Avengers. Recently, after finally marrying Alicia, and incurring the wrath of his former patron, Mason has sought refuge in a new team of heroes backed by the enigmatic Dark Claw.

This group of odd, alienated heroes is officially known as the Defenders, but is often disparagingly referred to as The Outsiders. Only time will tell how successful they will be.

By Kevin Mulder.

Source of Character: Homemade.