Vyking
(Harold Emerson)
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”).
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Background
- Real Name: Harold Emerson.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: Justin Everson (father), Hilary Everson (mother).
- Group Affiliation: Strikeforce Morituri.
- Base Of Operations: Morituri Mountain.
- Eyes: Blue Hair: Blond
Powers and Abilities
Vyking has above-normal speed and strength for a Morituri, as well as a limited flight ability.
His main power is the ability to redirect energy. He showed the ability to take and deflect attacks from 5-10 different sources at a time, and once reflected the attacks of three aircrafts.
He also has some kind of psychic ability to sense the presence of other Morituri when they are in distress.
History
Four years ago, the alien Horde descended upon the Earth. A scavenging race, they stole their technology from a peaceful race that visited them and took up a campaign of pillage across the universe. When they find a hospitable world, they raid it for anything and everything of value including food, raw materials, manufactured goods, and slaves.
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Once they have taken everything a world has to offer, they move on to a new world.
Dr. Tuolema developed the Morituri Process, which bonds a foreign metabolism to the human body, granting it supernormal powers. However, only people with a specific type of metabolism could undergo the process and survive. Unfortunately, the Morituri metabolism was fundamentally incompatible with the human body and resulted in death within a year.
Volunteers
Despite this, he soon had five volunteers as the Horde was clearly winning the war with Earth. Two died in the process, but three survived to become the Black Watch. They attacked the Horde’s Earth command center and killed the leader of the ground invasion, the first Human victory against the Horde.
Harold Everson was one of the second generation of volunteers. A writer, he wanted to use his life in the best way he could and volunteered as soon as he discovered he was eligible to undergo the Morituri Process. Though he had some serious self-confidence problems at first, he quickly developed into a skillful leader and earned the respect of his fellow Morituri.
Vyking died en route to attack the Horde in space when the Morituri Effect finally caught up with him.
Description
Vyking wore a white body suit with blue shorts, blue shoulder pads, and blue gloves. He also had red stripes down his chest and along his arms. A handsome young man with short crop blond hair, he had a small braid of hair that hung down in the front.
Personality
Vyking was a natural leader, despite his early problems with self-confidence. The rest of his team looked to him for leadership and guidance. He keenly felt the responsibility of what he was and the duty he had to his planet.
Quotes
“I could die at any moment — but that doesn’t make a difference !”
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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Vyking
| Dex: 10 | Str: 10 | Bod: 10 | Motivation: Responsibility of Power |
| Int: 05 | Wil: 06 | Min: 07 | Occupation: Soldier |
| Inf: 06 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 05 | Resources {or Wealth}: n/a |
| Init: 021 | HP: 060 |
Powers:
Deflection/Reflection: 16, Detect Morituri: 08, Flight: 04
Bonuses and Limitations:
Detect is Discerning (+1 FC) and allows him to sense when his fellow Morituri are in trouble or distress.
Skills:
Artist (Writer): 06, Weaponry: 05
Advantages:
Credentials (Padeia Institute, Low) Headquarters (Expansive), Leadership, Limelight, Popularity.
Connections:
Strikeforce Morituri (High).
Drawbacks:
Public Identity, Morituri Effect.
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.