Ve

rsi
on2.
0
 I first started this book back on October 31,
2008. Originally, it was just going to be about
six items, all from official MSH products.
http://www.classicmarvelforever.com/phorum/read.php?3,73
48
I decided to start adding some of the fan
written material because much of it is just as well
written as the official material, and my goal was
to make this book "complete", and it would be
foolish not to utilize the various brilliant authors
around the net. So I started searching and
sending PMs to those whose websites that have
not vanished from the internet, and the final
result is the much larger then originally
anticipated book you now have in your hands (or
on your PC, etc…).
Occasionally I would take a break from this
and work on other projects due to writer's block
and other assorted issues. With my ADD it is
easier for me to jump around from project to
project. Oddly that helps me focus and keeps me
from losing interest, or giving up on projects like
this that started off small in scope, then
snowballed into an avalanche.
Of course, I had to ask the wife for help so I
did not need to put out twenty versions of this
book to correct typos, and how I sometimes type
in "Engrish" rather then English. It took a little
work, but eventually I managed to get her to
agree to help.
The Ultimate Origins Book
I know there are purists out there who only
like to use official material, so I have broken up
this book into official and unofficial material.
There will still be some (hopefully) new material
for the purists to use, since this book contains not
only the official origins from the core books, but
Dragon Magazine, Modules, etc…
Any commentary/changes I have made
throughout this book will appear in Orange so
there is no mistaking them. I have also made
comments on just about everything at the top of
each section, because some of the people I spoke
to while working on this asked me questions
along the lines of "How would I use this in my
game?" so I thought it might be helpful to others
as well.
Magic was split into it's own section as
suggested by Sparks as it is for a single origin
with many options. Compiling it into it's own
sections (Official and Unofficial) makes it easier
for Players and Judges to peruse and choose
which one(s) to include in their games.
I hope you enjoy our work, and to those who
have been watching from the start, I hope it was
worth the wait.
-MTS
What he said.
- Tammra
I
 Just don't make him angry, you won't like him when he is angry…
http://www.fearcast.net/
This book is dedicated to a dear friend of…
Well, let's just say a long time. I am dedicating
my work on this project to Shane (Ogre) who has
always been one of the best friends anyone could
have. If you look up the word loyal, it should
have a picture of him and some basic
information about him.
He actually helped me and the wife move into
out new apartment on his birthday, carrying all
the heavy furniture, all by himself, up to the
second floor. Sadly we were just about broke
from getting the apartment, so all we had for him
was a card, and a promise of more later.
II
This book is that promise, and as soon as I
have the money to buy new ink cartridges, you
will be getting a bound, printed copy.
Ogre has always been one of the most
entertaining role-players I have known, and his
Comic Book knowledge dwarfs my own. He will
always be a Super-Hero to me.
Additionally, I would like to dedicate this to
all the Classic Marvel role-players on the net.
You keep this game alive by promoting it, and it
astounds me how a game system dead for so
long continues to draw new players. Keep telling
everyone about the game, and those still writing
material for the game, keep it up! The weblists
inspired me to make the Ultimate Talents Book,
The Ultimate Origins Book
 and now the Ultimate Origins Book. It is though
all of your hard work that this game has never
become stale to me.

I do feel that Firebomb, Sparks, spillbeer,

Your Humble Servant, hawkeye, & GL Logan
2814 deserve special mentions as well. They
were kind enough to take time to post on the
Gaming Nerds Я Us forum about the book. The
encouragement helped push me to finally finish
this!
- MTS

I'd like to dedicate this particular nightmare to

my favorite cuddly Ogre. I spent many long
hours trying to find a way to make this poignant,
however, I find in the case of Ogre words just
aren't enough. You could say he is the epitome
of friend with a heart the size of Texas, but
defining those words still doesn't quite add up.

When I was a little girl my favorite tall-tale

was Paul Bunyan, and when I met Shane, that's
the thing that came to my mind. We were meant
to be friends, and I'd never have it any other way.

Your favorite Faerie Gothmother,

- Tammra Goodman

The Ultimate Origins Book III

 Table of Contents
Origin Tables
Official Origin Tables Page 200
Unofficial Origin Tables Page 230
Official Origins
Chapter One: Aliens and Non-Human Races I Page 350
Chapter Two: Aliens and Non-Human Races II Page 430
Chapter Three: Aliens and Non-Human Races III Page 480
Chapter Four: Collective Mass Page 590
Chapter Five: Gypsies of the Balkans Page 610
Chapter Six: Heroes of the Street Arise! Page 630
Chapter Seven: Morlocks Page 680
Chapter Eight: Savage Land Mutates Page 700
Chapter Nine: Spaceknights & Dire Wraiths Page 710
Chapter Ten: The Brood Page 750
Chapter Eleven: Vampires in the Marvel Universe Page 760
Chapter Twelve: Wear your Best Suit! Page 790
Unofficial Origins
Chapter Thirteen: Aliens and Non-Human Races IV Page 840
Chapter Fourteen: Asgardian Races Page 100
Chapter Fifteen: Cyborg - Nanites Page 110
Chapter Sixteen: Cyborg - Custom Page 122
Chapter Seventeen: Cyborg - Vampires Page 131
Chapter Eighteen: Elders of the Universe Page 138
Chapter Nineteen: Enhanced Combat Operatives Page 140
Chapter Twenty: Homo Arcanus Page 141
Chapter Twenty-One: Homo Disneius Page 142
Chapter Twenty-Two: Homo Sublimis (Exaulted) Page 145
Chapter Twenty-Three: Hybrids Page 147
Chapter Twenty-Four: M'Ndavians Page 148
Chapter Twenty-Five: Mephitisoids Page 150
Chapter Twenty-Six: Otherworlders Page 152
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Olympian Demigods & Gods Page 154
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Psion Body Type Page 157
Chapter Twenty-Nine: The People (Saurians) Page 158
Chapter Thirty: The Ultimate Martial Artist Page 163
Chapter Thirty-One: Werewolves Page 173
Chapter Thirty-Two: Zn’rx (Snarks) Page 176
Chapter Thirty-Three: Zombies Page 177
Official Magic Origins
Chapter Thirty-Four: Creative Conjuring Page 183
Chapter Thirty-Five: Magic Page 188
Chapter Thirty-Six: Magic Wielding Characters Page 192
Unofficial Magic Origins
Chapter Thirty-Seven: Constantinian Magic Page 203
Chapter Thirty-Eight: Clerics Page 206
Chapter Thirty-Nine: Illusionist - The Tactics of Deception Page 214

IV The Ultimate Origins Book

 Unofficial Magic Origins (Continued)
Chapter Forty: Level Based Magic-Users Page 217
Chapter Forty-One: Mages, Wizards, and Witches Page 219
Chapter Forty-Two: Revised Magic Rules Page 222
Chapter Forty-Three: Sorcery Page 228
Chapter Forty-Four: The Sorcerer Page 236
Chapter Forty-Five: Wizards, Sorcerers, Mages, Etc… Page 237
Chapter Forty-Six: Wild Mages Page 243
Official Templates
Chapter Forty-Seven: Cosmic Characters Page 251
Chapter Forty-Eight: The Augmentation Process Page 252
Unofficial Templates
Chapter Forty-Nine: Genetic Engineering Rules Page 256
Chapter Fifty: Ghouls Page 259
Chapter Fifty-One: Psion Page 262
Chapter Fifty-Two: Symbiotes Page 263
Chapter Fifty-Three: Terrigen Mist Page 265
Chapter Fifty-Four: The Body Shoppe Page 268
Chapter Fifty-Five: The Path of the Winding Way Page 269
Chapter Fifty-Six: Vampire Hunters Page 271
Chapter Fifty-Seven: X-Babies Page 273
Official Appendix
Appendix One: Animals Page 277
Appendix Two: Drug and Alcohol Abuse Page 285
Appendix Three: Inventing and Modifying Hardware Page 287
Appendix Four: Nobody Lasts Forever Page 295
Appendix Five: Origin of Power Page 300
Appendix Six: Overcoming Obstacles Page 303
Appendix Seven: Weakness Generation Page 306
Unofficial Appendix
Appendix Eight: Advantages and Drawbacks Page 310
Appendix Nine: Career Advancement via Occupations Page 317
Appendix Ten: Disadvantage System Page 333
Appendix Eleven: Quirks Page 335
Appendix Twelve: Random Angel Appearance Page 351
Appendix Thirteen: Random Demon Appearance Page 353
Appendix Fourteen: Resisting Infections and Transformations Page 355
Appendix Fifteen: Resurrection Chart v1 Page 358
Appendix Sixteen: Resurrection Chart v2 Page 359
Appendix Seventeen: The Capo Castillo School Of Marvel Super Heroes Page 360
Unofficial Appendix II
Appendix Eighteen: Height and Weight Page 367
Appendix Nineteen: Weight Modification Tables Page 369
Appendix Twenty: The Not-So-Perfect Superhero Page 372
Extras
Fumbles Page 376
In Closing Page 377
Index Page 379
About the Team Page 375

The Ultimate Origins Book V

 This Part of the book is dedicated to random Origin Tables. It is split into two sections,
one for the various Official Origin Tables from the various MSH supplements, and the
second is for the Unofficial Origin Tables created for this book.

The Ultimate Origins Book 2

MTS Note: I decided to include this for those who do not find my Origin Table to be fitting in their games.
They are also nice to look over, to see how the game changed though the years as things were added.

Campaign Book Hi-Tech Wonders are normal humans whose

powers come from advanced technology. Their
powers are built into their suits and devices, so
the heroes may be very weak with their
equipment.

Robots are machines, computers, cyborgs,

androids, or golems. All robots must be created
by someone or something, either intentionally or
by accident.

Aliens are creatures from other planets or times,

or even isolated places on Earth. This category
includes Inhumans, Eternals, Asgardians,
Atlanteans, and natives of the Kree Galaxy.
Table 24: General Origins

Dice Roll Origin

01-30 Mutant
31-60 Altered Human
61-90 Hi-Tech Wonder
91-95 Robot
96-00 Alien

Mutants derive their powers from changes in

their genetic structure. These changes become
evident during adolescence.

Altered Humans were once normal humans.

Exposure to powerful chemicals, radiation,
magic, cosmic, or unknown forces changed them
and gave them their powers.

3 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Rule Book Players can increase ONE of their powers by
one rank when generating a mutant character (a
roll of Amazing can be increased to Monstrous

Starting Resources for a mutant character are

always lowered by one rank.

Mutant Popularity always begins at 0.

Mutants gain popularity at a slower rate than
other characters types.

In addition, they may be subject to devices

and powers that detect, alter, or nullify mutant
abilities.

Origin Table

Dice Roll Origin

01-30 Altered Human
31-60 Mutant
61-90 High-Tech
91-95 Robot
96-00 Alien

Altered Humans: Altered humans are everyday

folk who have been exposed to cosmic rays,
gamma bombs, magical forces, radioactive
spiders and the like, with the result that they are
"more then human".

Altered humans are fairly common (in the

heroic community, at least) and most "typical" of
super-powered heroes. Altered humans can use
technological devices (Captain America, who
would be considered an altered human, uses his
shield), but the majority of their powers come
from within (such as Fantastic Four's abilities).

High-Techs: Also called "hi tech wonders,"

these heroes derive all their super-human
abilities from inventions and devices. The most
common type of high-tech is the hero in a
battlesuit, like Iron Man, but other high-techs are
characters like Punisher or Black Widow, who
make up what they lack in super-human abilities
with superior firepower.

High-tech heroes roll major abilities on the

Mutants: Another common group, mutants are
members of homo superior, a new race of man
born from homo sapiens. Mutants are generally
feared by the populace. Mutants have a number
of advantages and disadvantages.
Random Ranks table, but re-roll any rolls over
80 for the following abilities: Agility, Strength,
and Endurance. They are help to maximum of
Remarkable (initially) in these areas.

The Ultimate Origins Book 4

 High-tech heroes raise initial Resources by
one rank.
High-tech heroes raise their Reason by one
rank.
Body Armor Options: If a high-tech has Body
Armor as one of his powers, then he can choose
to incorporate all of his other super-abilities into
that armor as well (like Iron Man). In addition,
the armor will increase his normal abilities
according to his Reason ability, Make a Reason
FEAT for each of Agility, Strength, and
Endurance. A White result means no increase, a
Green result a +1CS to that score, a Yellow
result a +2CS to that score, and a Red result a
+3CS to that score. Health is figured from the
new stats. However, when the hero is NOT in his
armored outfit, his abilities remain normal.
Aliens add 10 to their die rolls for their initial
abilities-most aliens that end up on Earth are of
at least Typical level, and usually much better.
Aliens have one LESS power then rolled.
This is the price they pay for being generally
tougher.
Alien abilities can either be natural or the
result of technology (much like hi-tech wonders,
though they do not gain the advantage of the
Body Armor option). If the player decides that
his ability is common to ALL of his race, he then
gets a +1CS to that ability (However, the Judge
can then use critters from his home planet, also
with that ability, to bother the hero).

Robots: Robots are artificially-created beings.

They include robots, synthezoids, androids, life
module decoys, and full cyborgs (where all flesh
but the brain has been replaced by inorganics).
Machine Man, Vision, and Deathlok are all
robotic characters.

Robots are unaffected by powers that affect

the human mind or emotions, while subject to
those that control machinery. Player character
robots are assumed to have self-repair circuitry
that allows them to regain Health in the normal
fashion.

Robots have an initial Popularity of 0. Unlike

mutants, they do not suffer further in popularity
because of their origin.

There is no Karma loss for killing a robot or

allowing a robot to be deactivated. If "killed," a
robot is deactivated and can be reactivated by a
Reason FEAT against that robot's highest ability.
If returned from the "dead," a robot has 0 Karma.

Aliens: "Aliens" is a blanket term that covers

creatures from elsewhere--other civilizations,
planets, or dimensions. Inhumans, Atlanteans,
Asgardians, Kree, Skrulls, eternals, and all the
other creatures and races that are "not of this
earth" are aliens. When creating an alien
character in the Basic game, the Judge will
assume he is from a race that we have not
encountered.

5 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Advanced Set Player’s Book
Origin Table
Rice Roll Origin
01-30 Altered Human
31-60 Mutant
61-90 Hi-Tech
91-95 Robot
96-00 Alien
Altered Humans: Altered Humans are everyday
people like you and me (well. me, anyway) who
have been accidentally or purposefully exposed
to weird radiation, secret formulas, or chose to
be instructed in strange and powerful talents. The
Fantastic Four, Hulk, Nick Fury, and Doctor
Strange are examples of altered humans.
• Altered humans roll their random ranks
for primary abilities on Column 1 of the
Random Ranks Table.
• After the primary ability ranks are
rolled, Altered humans may raise any
single primary ability rank by one rank.
Mutants: Mutants are members of the race of
Home Superior, a new race of man born from the
race of Homo Sapiens (that's us). Mutant powers
often (though not always) first manifest
themselves in the teen-age years. Mutants are
The Ultimate Origins Book
generally feared and disliked by the populace at
large. Examples of mutants include the X-Men,
X-Factor, and New Mutants. When creating a
mutant character:
• Random ranks are rolled on Column 1
of the Random Ranks Table.
• Mutants gain one additional Power, up
to the total number of Powers available
to the Hero (maximum of 5).
• Resources are reduced by one rank.
• Starting Popularity is always 0.
• Mutants gain and lose Popularity at a
slower rate than other character types.
• Endurance is raised by one rank.
• The majority of a mutant's Powers are
inborn as opposed to equipment-based.
• They may be affected by mutant
detection and mutant nullification
devices.
High Technology: Also called Hi-Tech
Wonders, these heroes derive their abilities
solely through equipment, whether that
equipment is mystical or technological in nature,
such as Iron Man or Captain Britain. High
technology heroes start with lower primary
ability scores and in addition may not use their
powers without their equipment; however, they
receive many other benefits.
• High technology heroes roll on column
3 of the Random Ranks Table.
• The initial Reason is raised by two
ranks (If Good is rolled, then initial
reason is Remarkable).
• Initial Resources are set at Good, or
optionally rolled.
• High technology heroes must have at
least one Contact, and they must declare
what that Contact is before starting
play. This Contact represents the
organization that the player-character
works for (or, if Resources are high
enough, owns).
• At least one Talent chosen by the player
must be Scientific or professional in
nature.
• If, when generating Powers, the high
tech wonder chooses Body Armor as a
Power, the high technology hero may
choose to have all his Powers combined
into a battlesuit (a la Iron Man). Check
under the Body Armor entry for these
effects. Effects are rolled on Column 6
to see how the armor affects the
6
 Fighting, Agility, Strength, and • Alien characters roll their primary
Endurance of the player-character. abilities on column 5 of the Random
Ranks Table.
• Alien powers may be natural or the
result of Equipment carried. The player
must declare whether any Power is
inborn to his race or external.
• Aliens gain one less Power (minimum
of two).
• Starting Resources are set at Poor.
• An alien character starts with one
Contact (maximum). This is usually the
alien's home race, dimension, or people.
Those characters who do not choose the
race as one of their Contacts are
considered outcasts of that race, planet,
Robots: Robots are artificially created sentient or dimension (note to Judges: Outcasts
beings, including organic constructs, clones, life- are usually hunted down by others of
model decoys, mystically powered golems, their race).
synthezoids, androids. and robots. Examples of
such beings include Machine Man, Vision, Generating Primary Abilities
Jocasta, the evil Ultron, and the robotic form of
Deathlok (the original cyborg Deathlok is an Each origin uses one of the following
altered human). columns on the Random Ranks Table. Roll for
• Robots roll their primary abilities on each of the seven primary abilities on this table.
column 4 of the Random Ranks Table.
• Popularity is reduced to 0 (like mutants, 1
Initial 2
robots have a hard time being accepted Rank Mutant,
Rank Normal
by the populace at large). They suffer Name Altered
Number Folks
no further penalty regarding earning Humans
Popularity. Feeble 1 01-05 01-05
• All player-character robots may heal Poor 3 06-10 06-25
normally, simulating internal repair Typical 5 11-20 26-75
functions. Good 8 21-40 76-95
• There is no Karma loss for killing a Excellent 16 41-60 96-00
robot or allowing a robot to be
deactivated. A robot may potentially be Remarkable 26 61-80 ---
reactivated after it has "died." A "dead" Incredible 36 81-96 ---
robot must be reactivated by outside Amazing 46 97-00 ---
forces, and will return with Karma set at Monstrous 63 --- ---
0.

Aliens: "Alien" is a blanket term representing 3

Rank 4 5
those individuals from other civilizations, High
Name Robots Aliens
planets, dimensions, or races of man. These may Technology
include Home Mermanus (but not Home Feeble 01-05 01-05 01-10
Superior), Asgardians, Denizens of the Dark Poor 06-10 06-10 11-20
Dimension, Atlanteans, Olympians, Eternals, Typical 11-40 11-15 21-30
Kree, Skrulls, and Shi'ar, as well as races that Good 41-80 16-40 31-40
have yet to be discovered in the Marvel Excellent 81-95 41-50 41-60
Universe. Aliens have the potential of being
Remarkable 96-00 51-70 61-70
incredibly powerful, but have limited secondary
abilities. The following generation system is for Incredible --- 71-90 71-80
super-powered aliens whose races have not been Amazing --- 91-98 81-95
encountered before. Monstrous --- 99-00 96-00

7 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Ability Modifier Table Silver Sable, and the original Union Jack are all
examples of normal-human heroes.
Dice Modification
01-15 Reduce by one rank MTS Note: The complete article can be found on
page 63.
16-50 Remain unchanged
51-70 Increase by one rank
71-85 Increase by two ranks
86-95 Increase by three ranks
96-00 Increase by four ranks

Unless noted otherwise, no ability may be

modified in any fashion below Feeble or above
Monstrous.

Heroes of the Street Arise!

New Origins Table

D100 Roll Origin

01-25 Altered Human
26-50 Mutant
51-75 High Technology
76-90 Normal Human
91-95 Robot
96-00 Alien

Normal Humans

As the name implies, these characters are

simply human, albeit highly trained and focused
individuals devoted to fighting crime and
injustice. Though this type of hero was most
prevalent during comics' Golden Age, there has
been a resurgence of nonpowered costumed
heroes in the 1990s. While they seldom possess
powers, normal humans have a wider range of
talents and contacts. Any powers they might
have are gained through equipment. The original
Bucky, Mockingbird, the Punisher, Shang-Chi,

The Ultimate Origins Book 8

 The Ultimate Powers Book Dice Physical
Sub-Form
Roll Form
01-26 Normal Human ---
27-30 Mutant Induced
31-33 Mutant Random
34-35 Mutant Breed
36-38 Android ---
39-46 Humanoid Race ---
Surgical
47 ---
Composite
48-49 Modified Human Organic
50-51 Modified Human Muscular
52-53 Modified Human Skeletal
MTS Note: The bits in red are updates to the 54-57 Modified Human Extra Parts
Original Ultimate Powers Book by Zan of 58 Demihuman Centaur
http://www.heroplay.com/ and are from the 59 Demihuman Equiman
Ultimate Addendum which originally appeared
60 Demihuman Faun
in Dragon Magazine, issue #122.
61-62 Demihuman Felinoid
63-64 Demihuman Lupinoid
65-66 Demihuman Avian
67 Demihuman Chiropteran
68 Demihuman Lamian
69 Demihuman Merhuman
70 Demihuman Other
Artificial
71-72 Cyborg
Limb/Organs
73-74 Cyborg Exoskeleton
75-76 Cyborg Mechanical Body
Mechanically
77-79 Cyborg
Augmented
Physical Form 80-82 Robot Human Shape
Your character's physical form is what he 83-84 Robot Usuform
looks like now. Oh, he might have been born a 85-86 Robot Metamorphic
relatively normal child in Cleveland, Ohio, but 87 Robot Computer
this category is how people see him now. The 88 Angel/Demon ---
player can either select one of the body types 89 Deity ---
below or be brave and let the dice do it for him.
Deliberate selection is recommended if YOU are 90 Animal ---
setting up a special campaign that requires 91 Vegetable ---
certain types of characters, like on other worlds Abnormal
92 ---
or in other eras. Chemistry
93 Mineral ---
94 Gaseous ---
95 Liquid ---
96 Energy ---
97 Ethereal ---
98 Undead ---
99 Compound ---
00 Changeling ---

9 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Type Definitions
Normal Human: The body is completely
normal and possesses no detectable
abnormalities. Any Powers the hero possesses
have left no visible mark on the body.
Random ranks are rolled on Column 2 of the
Random Ranks Table, page 6 of the Player’s
Book and reproduced in this text for your
convenience.
Resources are increased +1CS.
Induced Mutant: The hero started life as a
Normal Human, "then something happened." As
a result of a freak happenstance, the hero has
been physically and genetically altered. The
Fantastic Four are examples of this type.
Induced Mutants roll their random ranks for
Primary Abilities on Column 1 of the Random
Ranks Table.
Induced Mutants can raise any one Primary
Ability +1CS.
Random Mutation: The hero was born to
Normal Humans, but a freak twist of genetic fate
made him a mutant from birth. Most of these are
the Mutants found in the Marvel Universe, such
as the X-Men.
Random Mutants roll on Column I of the
Random Ranks Table.
They gain one additional Power.
Resources are reduced -1 CS.
Endurance is raised +1CS.
Breed Mutants: The hero's parents were
Mutants, as were any number of preceding
generations. Breed Mutants form tribes and have
close-knit families; this is a defense mechanism
born from generations spent hiding their true
selves from normal society. Examples of Breed
Mutants include the Inhumans.
Breed Mutants roll on Column 1 of the
Random Ranks Table.
Intuition is raised +1CS.
Endurance is raised +1CS.
The Ultimate Origins Book
Breed Mutants must have at least one
Contact, usually their tribe.
Androids: These are artificially created organic
beings. An android is made of laboratory-created
protoplasm and grows to maturity in an artificial
womb. More intricately made Androids can
actually interbreed with Normal Humans. One
example is the Vision. Androids generally
resemble the race that created them; alien
androids can be any shape.
Androids roll on column 4 of the Random
Ranks Table.
Popularity is initially lowered -1CS.
Androids may raise any one Ability +1CS.
Androids gain one Power.
Androids have at least one Contact, the lab
tech or scientist who created them.
Humanoid Race: The hero is a normal member
of a human-like race from "somewhere else."
This may be another world, era, dimension, or
lost land hidden somewhere on the Earth. Most
can pass as Normal Humans with a little disguise
or explanation. Some of the Humanoid Race's
Powers don't exist in their home environment but
develop as a result of the Humanoid's exposure
to Earth's environment.
Humanoids roll on column 5 of the Random
Ranks Table for their Primary Abilities.
Humanoids can raise any one Ability +1CS.
Starting Resources are set at Poor.
10
 A Humanoid starts out with only one Contact, Organics heal twice as fast as Normal
his race. Humans.

Surgical Composites: The hero was created in
an operating room. His body contains parts taken
from several bodies. Close examination reveals
the scars from his creation. The most famous
example is Adam, the Frankenstein Monster.
Because of the widespread knowledge of that
story, Surgical Composites are feared more than
Mutants. They also possess a morbid curiosity
about the people whose parts now form their
bodies.
Surgical Composites roll on column 2 of the
Random Ranks Table for their Primary Abilities.
Strength, Fighting, and Endurance are all
increased +1CS.
Resistance to Mental Domination is reduced -
1CS.
Initial Popularity is zero.
Musculars gain +1CS Strength and
Endurance.
Skeletals gain +1CS Resistance to Physical
Attacks.
At least one Contact should be the
organization responsible for the modification.
All Modified Humans gain one less Power
initially.
Modified Human-Extra Parts: This type of
body is harder to disguise than the other
Modifications because the body now possesses
extra pieces of anatomy. These may be
duplicates of normal parts (arms are probably the
most common example), or parts that are not
found on a Normal Human. Such new parts
include wings, tails, antennae, fins, or anything
else that might create Powers for the hero.

Initial Resources are Poor. Humans with Extra Parts roll on column 1.

Composites heal twice as quickly as Normal Arms raise Fighting +1CS.

Humans.
Duplicate organs doubles the Health point
The Composite initially possesses one the total.
hospital or person responsible for his creation.
Tails give the hero an additional attack when
Modified Human: This is someone who started engaged in blunt attacks (1 per tail).
life as a Normal Human and was later altered by
some means. The change affected his body on a Wings give the hero Flight.
physical level but did not alter his DNA.
Genetically, the hero is still very much human
and cannot pass on his Powers to his
descendants. Organic Modification means the
hero's internal organs and nervous system have
been altered. Perhaps he now possesses new
organs or glands that are the basis for what
Powers he has. Muscular Modification is easy to
detect; just look for a person with outrageous
muscular development. Captain America is a
good example of this. Skeletal Modification
means the hero's original skeletal structure has
been replaced or augmented by artificial means.
Although he is also a Random Mutant,
Wolverine is a good example of this type of
character. The new skeleton can be crammed
with various things that can give the hero his Demihumans: This covers a range of human-
Powers. like beings who combine the physical traits of
humans and animals. Demihumans can be
Modified Humans roll on column 1. unique individuals or members of a race that

11 The Ultimate Origins Book

 inhabits a different place or time. Because of the
wealth of legends surrounding demihumans, a
new character of this type finds that his
Popularity is influenced by people's
preconceived notions and biases toward things
with his shape.
Centaurs have a human head, torso, and arms
mated to the body of a horse. They possess
increased Strength (+1CS), can move quickly
over horizontal ground (four areas/turn), and can
fight with their hooves. On the minus side,
centaurs have Feeble Climbing ability. They are
popularly thought of as scholars or drunken
lechers. Centaurs roll on Column 5.
Equimen possess horse legs in place of human
ones. They have a horse's mane and tail as well.
Such beings are often confused with fauns,
although equimen lack horns. An equiman is
born from two equimen, or from a centaur
mating with a human. By hiding the legs and tail,
an equiman can pass for human. Kicking does
+1CS damage. Equimen roll on Column 3.
Fauns possess the hairy legs, short tail, and
horns of a goat. They are frequently confused
with either equimen, who are taller, or with the
traditional image of a devil. Because of the
unfortunate resemblance to the latter, fauns have
an initial Popularity of zero. They possess Feeble
Mental Domination over females of any human
(oid) race, which, coupled with their penchant
for intoxication, causes them to gain Popularity
more slowly than other Demihumans. Fauns roll
on Column 2.
The Ultimate Origins Book
Felinoids are human-shaped, cat- like beings.
The overall body shape is human, but the skin is
covered in fur and the face is that of a cat. A
felinoid has a tail, claws, fangs, pointed ears on
top of the head, and slitted pupils in the eyes. A
felinoid can see in the dark with Excellent night
vision. Such beings possess +1CS Climbing
ability. Tigra is a good example. Felinoids roll
on Column 1.
Lupinoids are human-shaped, caninelike beings.
They are often mistaken for the cinematic
conception of a werewolf. The body is covered
in hair and the face is definitely canine. The
body has a tail, harmless claws, big teeth, and
long pointed ears atop the head. A lupinoid
possesses an Excellent sense of smell. The
Popularity of lupinoids varies. Because some
people think every lupinoid is a werewolf, their
Popularity decreases -1CS. Other people see
them as dogs, and thus as man's best friend; this
prevents the Popularity from dropping any
further. Lupinoid genetics are the most flexible
of all the demihumans. There are as many breeds
of lupinoids as there are of dogs, wolves, and
foxes (the latter being a subclass, the vulpinoid).
Lupinoids roll on Column 4.
Avians come in two basic types, angels and
harpies. The angelic avians resemble humans
with wings sprouting from the shoulder blades.
Angel of X-Factor is this type. They get an
increased Popularity (+1CS). Harpies possess
arms that are modified to also serve as wings and
feather- covered legs that end in bird claws. They
gain +1CS Fighting. Angelic avians reproduce
by normal human means. Harpies lay eggs.
Angelic Avians roll on Column 3. Harpies roll
on Column 2.
Chiropterans are similar to angelic humans
except that they combine the human parts with
those of a bat. Their arms also serve as leathery
wings, their feet have elongated toes that can
serve as hands, and in addition they possess large
ears. They possess the Power of Active Sonar at
Good rank. 'Pterans scare most people, especially
the bulk of the populace who believe all bats are
Vampires. Initial Popularity is Feeble.
Chiropterans roll on Column 2.
Lamians are snake people. The legs have been
replaced by a serpentine body, although the arms
are normal. The skin is covered in fine scales.
Lamians have lidless eyes and retractable fangs.
There is a 50% chance the lamian is venomous
12
(Excellent Intensity poison). Because snakes
terrify so many people, the lamian's initial
Popularity is zero. Lamians are difficult to bind
(+1CS to escape). Lamians roll on Column 3.
Merhumans are amphibious relatives of lamians.
The body is human from the waist up; the rest is
a flexible fish-tail. Merhumans possess both
lungs and gills, but can only stay away from
water a limited time because their bodies quickly
dry out. Movement on dry land is limited to
crawling or dependence on vehicles. Merhumans
also possess Water Freedom. They fascinate
Normal Humans and have an increased
Popularity (+1CS). The usefulness of a
merhuman in a land-locked campaign is limited,
but certain Powers can overcome the
merhuman's disadvantages— Shapechange, Alter
Ego, True Flight, and so on. Merhumans roll on
Column 2.
There are numerous other Demihumans you
could create. The player can combine any animal
with a human to create a new Demihuman, and
then work with the Judge to provide it with
reasonable statistics.
Cyborg—Limb and Organ: The hero began as a
Normal Human but has had parts of his body
replaced by artificial devices. This may have
been done to save the hero's life after a near-fatal
accident or the hero may have voluntarily
undergone the operation in order to gain Powers.
The original Deathlok is an example of the
former type. Cyborgs initially have a decreased
Intuition (-1CS) due to mental anguish over a
perceived loss of humanity (in the former case)
or a self-hatred toward their original weak
human form (in the latter).
While most cyborgs are High Tech creations,
there are also Magical Cyborgs. For example, the
Celtic god Nuada had an arm made of silver.
The player should determine what parts are
artificial, using the randomly generated Abilities
and Powers as a guide. For example, Strength of
Remarkable or better suggests the limbs and
skeleton are artificial. Speed-running could come
from a leg-replacement. Vision Powers seem to
require at least one man-made eye. At least one
Contact must be either the lab or hospital that
created him of a facility that provides
maintenance services.
13
Exoskeletons: The hero's body is intact but is
encased in a mechanical suit that provides him
with life-support and Powers. The natural and
artificial bodies exist in symbiosis. Tony
Stark/Iron Man is the perfect example of this.
The most common Exoskeletons are roughly
the same size and shape as the being within; that
is, the Exoskeleton resembles a clunky suit of
armor. Exoskeletons can come in any size of
shape, however. The giant robots of Japanese
cartoons are actually immense Cyborg
Exoskeletons.
Mechanical Body: The only part of the hero's
original body that remains is his brain and the
nervous system. This is housed in a special life-
support module that fills most of the brain's
needs (oxygen, blood, nutrients). The life
support module is mated with a mechanical form
that serves the brain as its new body. The
nervous system is directly linked with the
machine's control circuits, allowing both control
and sensory feedback.
Mech bodied characters are often mistaken
for Pure Robots. In fact, an internal examination
is needed to clearly distinguish the two types. Of
course, Pure Robots don't feel the urge to cry.
Mech bodies are even more morose than Mech
Limb cyborgs; at least the latter retain some of
their bodies. Their depression causes them to
have a lower initial Intuition and Psyche (-1CS
to both).
Mech Bodies have Monstrous Resistance to
Disease and Poisons of all sorts. This is because
the brain is doubly protected from the outside
The Ultimate Origins Book
 world. However, they are prone to things that If the hero possesses Hyper-Intelligence,
never harm a flesh-bound character, like Hyper-Invention, or Weapons Tinkering, then he
Magnetic attacks and rust. may have created his new form himself with the
help of a Remarkable clinic.
When creating the hero, the player must
decide what his Mech Body looks like. For most
campaigns, the Mech Body is basically human-
shaped. It may even have a pseudo-flesh
covering to disguise the body's true nature. Such
coverings tend not to survive battles, though, so
the hero must have a spare supply. Replacing a
full body cover has an Excellent cost; a head-
and-hands only set is a bargain of Good cost.

Mech Bodies can come in other shapes. These

can be anything the hero might find useful in his
environment: spider bots, baby tanks, starships,
etc. Since specialized Mech Bodies are less
adaptable, such characters tend to be NPCs.
Mech Bodies are not limited to a single body,
though. A lab with Remarkable facilities can
adapt the life-support module for easy transferral
to other bodies. Thus, your hero can have as Pure Robot—Humanshape: This is a
many bodies as his Resources can provide. completely mechanical being that is patterned
after the human body. The degree of similarity
Random ranks are rolled on column 4. varies; specimens can include metallic skinned
caricatures (Sentinels), metallic simulations
If the Mech Body has different forms, the (Jocasta), and pseudo-fleshed imitations
player must generate the Physical Abilities and (Delphine Courtney). Most are High Tech but
Powers of additional bodies as if they were rare specimens are Magical in nature, clockwork
separate characters. men given life by eccentric mages.

Mech Bodies initially have only one
Contact—the lab where they were created.
Mechanical Augmentation: This is a Cyborg who
still has all his original (human) equipment but
carries some options inside. Unused spaces in his
body are now filled with various useful devices.
These can be directly controlled through the
nervous system. It is these devices that give the
hero his Powers. They can be anything from a,
tiny radio in the ear to a Disintegration gun
concealed in the arm.
Augmenteds chose their condition and do not
suffer from the depression that affects most
Cyborgs and Mech Bodies. Since there is a
limited amount of extra space in the body,
Augmenteds receive one less Power.
Augmenteds roll on column 3.
Initial Resources are Good or optionally
rolled.
While most Humanshapes are the size of
Normal Humans, they are much heavier. The
average specimen weighs 500 to 2,000 pounds.
Humanshapes roll on column 4.
Initial Popularity is zero.
Player character robots possess self-repair
facilities that simulate normal Healing.
There is Karma loss if a hero purposely
destroys a sentient robot. Robots are people too.
Non-sentient robots are cannon fodder.
Usuform Robot: This is a robot that believes in
the adage, "Form follows function." This robot's
body is anything but humanshaped and is
designed to best serve specific needs. For the
game's purposes, needs refers to Powers the
usuform possesses.
Example: A usuform hero possesses Bio-
physical Control, Cold Emission, and Levitation.

The Ultimate Origins Book 14

His design might look like a metal egg supported
and propelled by an induction field. The egg has
two arms, a variety of sensors, a speaker grill, an
underslung ray- projector (the Cold Power), and
carries on its back an expandable life-support
chamber (the Healing Power).
Usuforms roll on column 4.
computer programs are "living" beings. If the
computer possesses Alter Ego or Lifeform
Creation, it can create a human-like extension of
itself. Such a being would possess all the
computer's abilities and most of its Powers (save
those assigned to the peripheral hardware).
Damage to the extension results in feedback that
causes equivalent damage to the mainframe.

Sentient usuforms are often mistaken for The computer may hide its true nature and
mindless industrial robots; people usually look intelligence from its owners, creators, and/or
for a human controller hiding nearby. programmers. Only a major threat to its
existence can cause it to reveal itself and risk
Popularity is unaffected because people losing its freedom.
simply do not give the usuform any thought
other than "Oh, what a wild prop!" In a magical setting, the computer can be any
mystical device, such as a crystal ball or an
Metamorphic Robot: This is a robot whose elaborate altar. Slave units and peripherals are
design is so flexible it can change into two or likewise translated into mystical analogs.
more forms, each possessing different Physical
Abilities and Physical Powers. Most
Metamorphs have a dual nature. The primary
form is a humanshape; the secondary form may
be a vehicle or usuform. Both forms weigh the
same, but may be different sizes. A Metamorph
can change into a form that is up to three times
larger than the smaller form. If the metamorph
possesses size-altering Powers, this limit is
replaced by that Power's limit.

Metamorphs roll on column 4.

The player must generate separate Physical

abilities for each form and assign Powers to
either or both forms. Metamorphs have a
minimum of two forms. In the creation process,
additional forms can be gained at a cost of -1CS
to all Primary Abilities for each additional form
gained.

Computer: The hero is a computer, period. At

first glance this seems unplayable, but hear me
out. This is a rare computer, one that is self-
aware and possesses true intelligence. While the
mainframe itself is immobile and unable to
physically act, peripherals give the sentient
computer a wide range of means to deal with the
physical world. Slave robots act as proxies for
the computer. Physical additions provide tile
mainframe with add-on functions. The Computer
can directly interact with other computers,
robots, and some cyborgs on a programming
level.
In some campaigns, there may even be a
computer-generated pocket dimension where
For game purposes, assume that all sentient
computers have a minimum of one remotely
controlled industrial robot. The owners think this
robot is only used for self-maintenance and
experimentation.
Example: RALPH 3000 is a sentient computer
officially owned by the Carlson Institute, a
private think-tank. Only one programmer,
Jennifer, knows RALPH is alive and has been
sworn to secrecy by him. The computer

15 The Ultimate Origins Book

 possesses the Powers of Mental Duplication,
Mind Blast, Imitation, and Rocket. RALPHs
mainframe possesses the first two Powers. With
Jennifer's help, he has radically modified his
maintenance bot to possess the other Powers.
The bot can become a humanshape under
RALPH's control. The bot's legs contain jets that
provide Flight.
Computers roll on column 4.
Reason is increased +2CS.
Fighting is decreased -1CS.
Resources are increased +1CS and represent
company supplies directly controlled by the
computer or those, which it can order without
arousing suspicion.
Computers have a decreased Resistance to
Electrical and Magnetic Attacks and also to
Phasing.
Loss of all electrical power to the mainframe
causes deactivation and loss of some of the
computer's abilities and all of its Karma.
Abilities and Powers are reduced -1CS across the
board.
Angels and Demons: These are magical beings
from other planes of existence. They are both
The Ultimate Origins Book
supernatural and corporeal in nature. The main
difference between these types is their inherent
personality. "Angels" are benevolent; "demons"
are malevolent. Other than that, there isn't much
difference.
These beings resemble characters from
various mythologies. This affects their
Popularity. Angels gain +2CS while demons lose
-2CS on their initial Popularity. These beings do
not necessarily follow the popular traditional
behavior patterns. A heroic demon might be
fighting a personal war against other, even more
evil beings. A crazed angel might be a villain,
seeking to purify the Earth at any cost.
Angels and Demons roll on Column 5.
Angels and demons have no initial Contacts
but will soon be sought out by groups who see
them as symbols or tools.
All Physical Abilities are raised +1CS.
Such beings possess a Psychological
Weakness that Negates their Power.
Angels gain +2CS Popularity.
Demons lose -2CS Popularity.
Demons automatically possess Good Fire
Generation and Specific Invulnerability to Heat
and Fire.
Angels automatically possess a specific form
of Artifact Creation that produces a magical
sword that does Excellent damage.
MTS Note: Appendixes 12 & 13 on pages 351 &
353 feature tables for rolling random Angel and
Demon appearance.
Deity: This is an "Entity of Great Power" - or
rather, was such a being. The deity was an actual
god, demigod, or close relative who was actually
worshipped at some point in the past. Now his
powers have waned because the religion, which
was devoted to him, is no longer practiced. His
followers have disappeared into the annals of
history. Thor is an example of such a being.
Now he is a god-on-Earth and locked into a
mortal shell. He is still a formidable being,
though. Deities have increased ranks in all their
primary abilities and cannot really die in the
Earth Dimension unless the slayer is another
deity. Each deity has a home dimension; on that
16
plane the deity loses his special protection from
death.
Deities are usable as player characters. The
Marvel Universe includes Asgardians,
Olympians, and deities from a host of other
pantheons. Both Thor and Hercules are members
of the Avengers. Snowbird, daughter of an Inuit
Goddess, is a member of Alpha Flight. The thing
that permits their playability is their diminished
Power. Once Odin formed the Earth from the
blood and bones of a slain Ice Giant, but he can't
do things like that anymore.
There are three reasons a deity might be
found on Earth. One is that his Powers have
diminished to such a point that the Earth
Dimension is the only place he can survive. The
second is that he has been sent to the Earth
Dimension by other, more powerful Deities.
Both Thor and Snowbird are in this category.
The third reason is that the deity is bored with
timeless infinity and is slumming it on Earth as a
way of generating excitement. Hercules fits this
bill.
Actually, there is also a fourth reason. The
deity might be on Earth seeking Power, whether
by regaining worshippers or establishing a portal
17
between Earth and his home dimension.
However, for game purposes, this reason is
restricted to NPC deities who are acting as
villains in your campaign.
Deities roll on Column 5.
All primary abilities are raised +2CS.
Deities automatically possess at least one
Travel Power.
Deities gain two additional Powers.
Deities have increased Popularity (+2CS)
with the public but zero Popularity with the
hierarchy of the major established Earth
religions.
Deities eventually attract any remaining
living worshippers they still have. All of these
people serve as Contacts. A deity PC who abuses
his worshippers faces a stiff Karma penalty.
Deities are honor-bound not to actively
promote a religion based on themselves. Deity
PCs who try this lose -1CS from all their
Abilities and Powers.
Animals: This is a catch-all category that
includes fish, mammals, birds, reptiles, and the
rest of Earth's fauna, in addition to aliens that do
not fit into any other category. About the only
example of this in the Marvel Universe is
Lockheed, the dragon. Your campaign, on the
other hand, might be filled with heroic Animals
or really peculiar aliens (I'll fudge a little and
include Lockjaw, the Inhumans' "dog" as an
example of this).
Animal PCs have three main types of
backgrounds. One is that the animal is a mutant.
Another is that the animal was altered in ways
that gave his intelligence and Power. The last is
the animal is a relatively normal member of a
race of animals like him (Lockheed, for
example). The player can determine this in the
Origins of Power section and embellish it to the
best of his ability.
Animals have to have a human Contact.
People tend to see the human Contact as the
animal's owner or trainer. People refuse initially
to believe the animal is intelligent. Animals have
very few legal rights, but they also have few
responsibilities.
The Ultimate Origins Book
 Animals roll on column 1.
Aliens in this category roll on column 5.
Animals gain one less Power.
Animals automatically have two Detection
Powers at Good rank.
Animals risk death or capture from people
who are ignorant of the animal's true nature.
Resources are zero unless the animal has
attached himself to a human. In this case, the
Resource rank is assigned to that human.
Vegetable: The hero is an intelligent, mobile
plant. He can be of any nature but for game
purposes the hero is assumed to be a man-
shaped plant. His physiology is based on
photosynthesis. The plant-man doesn't need to
eat anything except a bit of fertilizer
occasionally. Prolonged deprivation of light and
water reduces the hero's Strength and Endurance
-1CS per day after an initial three days.
Plants have no legal rights. This can be a real
problem.
The Plant Hero may be a mutant, a modified
plant, a member of a species of intelligent plant
life, or a human or other being who was
somehow transformed into a plant. A permanent
result of Induced Vegetation could create such a
character. Man-Thing is an example of the last
type.
Plants roll on column 1.
Plants have zero Resources.
The Ultimate Origins Book
Plants automatically possess Absorption
Power of Good rank in the form of enhanced
photosynthesis.
Plants have -2CS Fighting.
Plants gain +2CS Endurance.
Plants have no initial Contacts; the exception
is if the Plant was created by scientific means, in
which case its creator might be a Contact.
Abnormal Biochemistry: The body is
apparently normal but possesses a different
chemical base than that of Normal Humans. A
key element in the body's chemical makeup is
replaced by another element. The most common
abnormalities are silicon-replacing carbon,
copper replacing iron, and cobalt replacing iron.
Silicon-based life has a body temperature 40
degrees lower than similar carbon-based life.
Copper produces green blood.
Cobalt produces blue blood.
In all these cases, acquiring food that fits the
hero's metabolic needs is a problem. If the
abnormal lacks a food supply, he'll have to seek
one out. A lab of Remarkable cost can synthesize
the necessary foodstuffs. For game purposes,
assume the hero already possesses a steady food
supply.
Because of the different body chemistries,
Abnormals cannot donate blood or body tissues
for transfusion into Normal Humans. Likewise,
anything foolish enough to try to feed on the
abnormal, like a lion or a Bio-Vampire, takes
Good damage as it tries to digest what, to its
system, is poison.
Abnormals cannot interbreed easily with
Normal Humans, even when their bodies are
virtually identical. A hospital with Incredible
facilities is needed to alter the would-be parent's
genetic material to a compatible type.
Abnormals roll on column 2.
Endurance is raised +1CS.
Mineral Life: The body is composed of solid
materials that normally do not sustain life. In
fact, the body might not even have anything
18
remotely resembling internal organs. In such
cases, an internal examination would only reveal
homogenous matter.
The body can be of any single element or
compound or a mixture of anything the player
can think of. Examples of Mineral Life include
golems and Warlock (of the New Mutants).
Because Mineral Life is simpler, it is easier to
feed and maintain. If food is needed, the Mineral
Life can digest raw matter of its composition.
Wounds can be bandaged by applications of the
same matter as well. ("But I'm a doctor, not a
bricklayer!")
Mineral Life is immune to all Poisons and
Diseases that harm Normal Humans. Conversely,
exotic poisons and diseases that do harm to
Mineral Life do only Feeble damage to Normal
Humans. Mineral Life is vulnerable to attacks
with special effects on the body materials. For
example, an iron golem is prone to rust.
Mineral Life rolls on column 2.
Initial Health is doubled.
Movement rate is decreased -1CS.
19
Liquid Life: You know that the Normal Human
body is 68% liquid? Well, this type is 100%
liquid. However, it is composed of special
liquids that remain together. The fluid body can
be of any viscosity from gelatinous to watery. It
can move at will by flowing through other
liquids or along surfaces. It can even climb
vertical surfaces.
If the liquid life possesses Endurance and
Psyche ranks of Excellent or better, the Fluid
Body can form an erect simulation of a human
body. This can "walk" by sliding along the
ground.
Contrary to what you might think, a Fluid
Body is actually dry to the touch. This is because
none of the body's liquids leave the body unless
deliberately secreted.
The Fluid Body can be housed in a naturally
secreted sac or in an artificial container. This is
determined by the player rolling such Powers as
Armor, Body Armor, or Body Coating.
If the Fluid Body is frozen, the hero is
immobilized until he can melt. He takes no
damage from such an attack, although sacs or
body containers might be shattered by the cold.
Vaporization is a fatal act for most Fluid Bodies.
Fluid Bodies roll on column 5.
Fluid Bodies have a natural variation of
Phasing that permits them to permeate any
porous material.
Fluid Bodies have no initial Contacts except
their own race, if one exists.
Because of the Fluid Bodies' control over
their own fluids, it requires an Incredible Agility
FEAT to drain off any part of the Fluid Body.
Drained parts remain under the main body's
control as long as they are within one area. Once
beyond that limit, the drained liquid "dies" and
becomes inert.
The Ultimate Origins Book

Swallowing a Fluid Body can be a fatal act if
the body so chooses. It can also result in a
symbiosis if the Fluid Body takes a liking to the
solid host.
Gaseous Life: The body is completely
composed of gases, vapors, smoke, and mist
without any solid (or even liquid) components
above the microscopic level. The Gas Body is a
coherent cloud that retains its integrity even in
the face of Amazing Intensity winds. Unlike
normal clouds, the Gas Body can more at will in
any direction and even penetrate liquids and
permeable solids. However, it cannot freely
move in a vacuum unless it possesses a Travel or
Energy Power.
The Gas Body may be composed of a single
element or compound or any sort of exotic
mixture.
If the gaseous hero possesses a
Shapechanging Power, Alter Ego, or Body
Transformation-Self, the being can temporarily
assume a human-like form. Gas Bodies are
immobilized if converted to liquid or solid forms
but take no damage from this act. While gaseous,
the being can freely expand or contract.
Minimum size is one cubic foot. The maximum
size can fill a volume equivalent to the average
shopping mall.
Gas Bodies roll on column 5.
On Earth, Gas Bodies have zero Resources
and no initial Contacts.
The Ultimate Origins Book
The only way to destroy a Gas Body is to
alter its composition through Powers like Matter
Conversion and Matter Control.
Inhaling a Gas Body can be a fatal act since
the being's gases can prevent required gases from
reaching the lungs.
Gas Bodies can enter a symbiotic relationship
with a solid being.
Gas Bodies possess a natural form of Phasing
that permits them to penetrate solids.
Energy Body: The hero is a field of coherent
energy. The basis for this can be any Energy
form found in the Energy Emission and Control
sections of this book. The Energy Body can
move at will in any direction, even though
spaces that lack a medium to transmit it. The
Energy Body possesses an Intensity rank of its
own; this is how the Health points apply to this
being.
Energy Bodies follow the same characteristics
as normal energy of the same type. They possess
a special vulnerability to Plasma Control (-1CS
Resistance). Energy Bodies can be contained
within special storage batteries; this is the only
way to immobilize these beings.
Energy Bodies composed of visible energy
types can create a ghost-like image of a human.
If the Energy Body possesses Alter Ego, Energy
Solidification, or Lifeform Creation, it can form
a solid facsimile of a human.
The only way to destroy an Energy Body is to
completely negate or solidify its energy.
Energy Beings roll on column 5.
Energy Beings have a Bonus Power of
Energy Emission. Energy Control is an Optional
Power.
Physical contact with an Energy Being does
Feeble damage.
Ethereal: The hero is an intangible,
disembodied spirit. He can be a ghost who once
possesses a mortal shell, or belong to a race that
always exists in this form. An Ethereal can drift
about in any direction he chooses, and can pass
through solid matter without any effort. The
visibility of an Ethereal varies according to his
20
whim; he can be invisible, transparent,
translucent, or opaque.
If the Ethereal is a ghost, his form resembles
an idealized version of his old body. The ghost's
appearance is actually based on his self-image
and thus reflects the ghost's attitude toward
himself. This is why ghosts are usually either
very beautiful (or handsome) or quite pathetic.
Ghosts are immune to most physical attacks
with Intensities less than Unearthly. They are
vulnerable to Mental and Magical attacks,
especially by Powers that affect the spirit. Either
Psi or Spirit Vampirism can destroy an Ethereal.
While Ethereals are intangible on the Earth
Dimension, they regain solidity in other
Dimensions. In such realms Ethereals are
vulnerable to all Powers except those that
specifically affect Ethereals and other
disembodied beings; these Powers are Spirit
Summoning and Storage, Reincarnation, and
Exorcism.
If the Ethereal once had a solid body, he
might not necessarily have died to reach his
current state. He might have become an Ethereal
by being directly transformed from solidity to
ethereality. Such transformations can be magical,
scientific, Powerbased, accidental, or deliberate.
The Red Ghost is an example of a Normal
Human directly transformed into an Ethereal as a
result of a scientific mishap.
If the Ethereal possesses Alter Ego or
Lifeform Creation, he can create a living body
for himself. If he possesses Mental Domination,
he can possess a human host.
Ethereals roll on column 1. (They're about as
altered as a human can be).
21
Fighting rank is zero in the Earth Dimension,
unless the Ethereal is fighting another Ethereal.
Physical attacks have a decreased effect on
Ethereals (-9CS).
Spirit Vampirism completely destroys
Ethereals. Psi-Vampirism destroys the self-
image and reduces the Ethereal to a mindless
Poltergeist.
At least one Contact can be a Spiritual
Medium.
Undead: The being in question had once been a
Normal Human (or any other species) but has
since died. Through some arcane and possibly
disgusting means, the body has regained
animation and ceased to decay. The being's life
force is once again in residence (although the old
house just isn't the same). Special means are
required to maintain the reunion of mind and
body. This can be anything from being
frequently re-embalmed to utilizing any of the
Vampiric Powers. If the Undead fails to follow
his required maintenance procedures, he begins
to fall apart. In Undead terms, this is what Health
points are used for. Health is the structural
integrity of the Undead's own corpse.
The nature of the Undead can vary. Examples
include Bio-Vampires like Dracula, Zombies
("Zuvembies" in the Marvel Universe), animate
Mummies like those in ancient pyramids and bad
B-movies, and even hybrid forms that still retain
some humanity. Dracula's daughter Lilith is such
a being; being conceived after Dracula had
become an Undead.
Technical note: At this time, all Bio-Vampires
on the Marvel Universe Earth have been
destroyed. Your campaign, however, can be free
of this restriction if you so desire. The Great
Continuity Goddess bade me mention it anyway.
Undead roll on column 1.
Strength and Endurance are increased by
+1CS.
The player and Judge must come up with a
body maintenance procedure, unless the hero
possesses a Vampiric Power.
Undead possess a Psychological Weakness;
their Power is negated while they are within 10'
The Ultimate Origins Book
 of a religious symbol. If the symbol is that of a The artificial Body Types lend themselves
religion the Undead practiced while he was alive, especially well to creating Compounds. All such
he suffers Excellent damage. Compounds are automatically Cyborgs.

Compounds only roll on a single column,

determined by the A/D percentage.

Most Compounds are unique individuals. Due

to their peculiar nature, they do not easily
reproduce. Genetic offspring, including clones,
possess only a single aspect. In the example, a
clone of the freak would either be a Normal
Human, Chiropteran, or wasp-man.

Popularity is decreased -1CS, cumulative

with any losses determined by the various
aspects (Body Types).
Compound Form: The hero's body contains
aspects of two or more of the preceding Body
Changeling: The hero can transform into any of
Types. As such, it possesses a mixture of the
a number of possible Body Types. Each Body
advantages and disadvantages of each type.
Type aspect of the Changeling possesses its
regular advantages and disadvantages, which
Die Roll Number Adv/Disadv % apply only when the hero is in that particular
01-50 2 50% form.
51-75 3 33%
76-95 4 25% Die Roll Number
96-00 5 20% 01-50 2
51-75 3
The Combination of advantage and 76-95 4
disadvantage is unique to each Compound. 96-00 5
When creating a Compound character, the player
first generates the number of Body Types
What powers the hero possesses are assigned
combined in his character, then the actual types,
to any and all of his Aspects. Each Aspect must
using the Body Type Table above. The next step
have one Power, which is unique to it, a Power
is determining the advantages and disadvantages
no other Aspect has.
are retained by the compound.
The hero can transform himself from one
Example: The dice have assigned the hero a
Aspect to another in 10 turns. During this time,
Compound Body Type. Muttering under his
no Powers can function and all Primary Abilities
breath ("Great, I get to play a freak"), the player
temporarily drop -2CS.
rolls a 61. His Compound has three aspects,
which the dice again decide16 (Normal Human),
Changeling is similar to the Power of Alter
69 (Chiropteran), and 72 (Other Demihuman).
Ego. If the player rolls that Power while creating
Three Body Types get him a 33% chance of
a Changeling character, he can discard it and roll
retaining advantages and disadvantages. He
another Power.
starts rolling. By the time he's done, his freak has
begun to form. The character's wings sprout from
Example: Kit has rolled Changeling for his Body
his back, rather than being formed by his arms.
Type. This one has two Aspects: 83,
The ears are smaller and more human-like since
Humanshape Robot, and 91, Vegetable. "Great, a
he lacks sonar. From the Other Demihuman
robot that turns into Man-Thing." Eventually, Kit
aspect, a waspman, he gets a stinger that does
decides his robot was specially designed to
Excellent Paralysis damage and rigid plates on
imitate other life-forms, but the Shapechange
his torso.
circuitry burned out after recording its first form.

The Ultimate Origins Book 22

 Changelings roll on column 5, regardless of Initial
what the various Aspects would roll on. Rank
Rank 1 2
Name
Number
If while in one Aspect the hero loses all Feeble 1 01-05 01-05
Health points, he can save his life by making a
Poor 3 06-10 06-25
red Psyche FEAT. Success means he lives, but
permanently loses the ability to transform into Typical 5 11-20 26-75
that Aspect. Good 8 21-40 76-95
Excellent 16 41-60 96-00
Powers can be assigned to any or all Aspects. Remarkable 26 61-80 ---
Each Aspect must have a unique Power not
Incredible 36 81-96 ---
shared with other Aspects.
Amazing 46 97-00 ---
Monstrous 63 --- ---

Rank Name 3 4 5
Feeble 01-05 01-05 01-10
Poor 06-10 06-10 11-20
Typical 11-40 11-15 21-30
Good 41-80 16-40 31-40
Excellent 81-95 41-50 41-60
Remarkable 96-00 51-70 61-70
Incredible --- 71-90 71-80
Amazing --- 91-98 81-95
Good 41-80 16-40 31-40

23 The Ultimate Origins Book

 This section contains the new origin tables for
use with this book.
An overview of the various tables found within
this section is as follows:
• The Ultimate Origins Table: This table
contains the various origins from official and un-
official sources found in this book. It is designed
to give Players and Judges a wide selection of
random Origins for use in the game.
• The Ultimate Origins Table (Simplified):
This table is similar to the Ultimate Origins
table, but the Origins containing multiple Sub-
Forms (such as Mutants), have been condensed
into sub categories. To use this table, roll your
percentage dice as normal, then (if applicable),
roll again on the appropriate sub-table to
determine sub-form.
• UPB Origin Table (Revised): This is an
alphabetical version of the standard Origin table
from the Ultimate powers Book. All the Origins
still have the same percentage chance to be
rolled, but the Origins themselves have been re-
ordered into alphabetical order. This was created
for purists who might like to try something a
little different, without adding unofficial material
to their games.
• UPB Origin Table (Simplified): This table is
the simplified version of the Origin table from
the Ultimate Powers Book. It contains nothing
new on the table, and it is intended as an optional
rolling method for the purists. The Origins
containing Sub-Forms have been condensed into
sub categories. To use this table, roll your
percentage dice as normal, then (if applicable),
The Ultimate Origins Book
roll again on the appropriate sub-table to
determine sub-form.
• Tammra's Favorites Origin Chart: Tammra
is picky about what she likes to play. This Origin
table was a surprise to her, and she did not see it
until the editing process. It is not balanced
power-wise in comparison to the others. If you
do not like it, you are invited to not use it and/or
to bite MTS.
Note: Any entry marked with an * indicates
there is an optional sub-table for that Origin.
• Various Sub-Tables (Official): These sub-
tables are designed with the purists in mind.
There is no new unofficial material added to
these tables. As a note, the percentage chance
was not preserved in the various sub-tables. As
an example; in the UPB you have a 01% chance
of being a robot with the computer Sub-Form.
On the sub-table, you have a 25% chance to be a
computer. This was by design, to give a grater
chance of playing a different origin.
Note: While these tables are labeled "official"
they have been created for this book and they
have never appeared in an official Marvel RPG
supplement. They are labeled "official" because
they only feature official Origins from the books.
• Various Sub-Tables (Official - Extended):
These tables contain the official Sub-Forms from
the core books, as well as additional Sub-Forms
from sources such as Dragon Magazine, and
other Marvel RPG books from TSR.
• Various Sub-Tables (Unofficial): These sub-
tables contain the various official, and unofficial
material contained in this book.
24
 The Ultimate Origin Chart

Die Die
Physical Form Sub-Form Physical Form Sub-Form
Roll Roll
Abnormal 39 Homo Sublimis ---
01 ---
Chemistry 40-46 Humanoid Race* ---
02-03 Android --- 47 Hybrid ---
04 Animal --- 48 Liquid ---
05 Angel/Demon --- 49-50 Magic User ---
06 Changeling --- 51 Martial Artist ---
07 Collective Mass --- 52 Mineral ---
08 Compound --- 53-55 Modified Human Extra Parts
Artificial 56-57 Modified Human Organic
09-10 Cyborg
Limb/Organs 58-59 Modified Human Muscular
11 Cyborg Custom 60-61 Modified Human Skeletal
12-13 Cyborg Exoskeleton 62-63 Mutant Breed
14-15 Cyborg Mechanical Body 64 Mutant Homo Arcanus
Mechanically 65 Mutant Homo Disneius
16-18 Cyborg
Augmented 66 Mutant Morlock
19 Cyborg Nanites 67-69 Mutant Induced
20 Cyborg Vampire 70-72 Mutant Random
21 Deity --- Savage Land
22-23 Demihuman Avian 73 Mutant
Mutate
24 Demihuman Centaur 74-85 Normal Human ---
25 Demihuman Chiropteran 86 Psionist ---
26 Demihuman Equiman 87 Robot Computer
27 Demihuman Faun 88-91 Robot Human Shape
28-29 Demihuman Felinoid 92-93 Robot Metamorphic
30-31 Demihuman Lupinoid 94-95 Robot Usuform
32 Demihuman Lamian Surgical
33 Demihuman Merhuman 96 ---
Composite
34 Demihuman Other The People
97
Elder of the (Saurians)
35 ---
Universe 98 Undead ---
36 Energy --- 99 Vegetable ---
37 Ethereal --- 00 Werewolf ---
38 Gaseous ---

25 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Ultimate Origin Chart (Simplified) UPB Origins Table (Revised)

Die Roll Physical Form Die

Physical Form Sub-Form
01 Abnormal Chemistry Roll
02-03 Android Abnormal
01 ---
04 Animal Chemistry
05 Angel/Demon 02-04 Android ---
06 Changeling 05 Animal ---
07 Collective Mass 06 Angel/Demon ---
08 Compound 07 Changeling ---
09-20 Cyborg* 08 Compound ---
21 Deity Artificial
09-10 Cyborg
22-34 Demihuman* Limb/Organs
35 Elder of the Universe 11-12 Cyborg Exoskeleton
36 Energy 13-14 Cyborg Mechanical Body
37 Ethereal Mechanically
15-17 Cyborg
Augmented
38 Gaseous
18 Deity ---
39 Homo Sublimis
19-20 Demihuman Avian
40-47 Humanoid Race*
21 Demihuman Centaur
48 Hybrid
22 Demihuman Chiropteran
49 Liquid
23 Demihuman Equiman
50-51 Magic User
24 Demihuman Faun
52 Martial Artist
25-26 Demihuman Felinoid
53 Mineral
27-28 Demihuman Lupinoid
54-61 Modified Human*
29 Demihuman Lamian
62-73 Mutant*
30 Demihuman Merhuman
74-87 Normal Human
31 Demihuman Other
88 Psionist
32 Energy ---
89-95 Robot*
33 Ethereal ---
96 Surgical Composite
34 Gaseous ---
97 The People (Saurians)
35-42 Humanoid Race* ---
98 Undead
43 Liquid ---
99 Vegetable
44 Mineral ---
00 Werewolf
45-48 Modified Human Extra Parts
49-50 Modified Human Organic
51-52 Modified Human Muscular
53-54 Modified Human Skeletal
55-56 Mutant Breed
57-60 Mutant Induced
61-63 Mutant Random
64-89 Normal Human ---
90 Robot Computer
91-93 Robot Human Shape
94-95 Robot Metamorphic
96-97 Robot Usuform
Surgical
98 ---
Composite
99 Undead ---
00 Vegetable ---

The Ultimate Origins Book 26

 Tammra's Favorites Origin Chart

Die
Physical Form Sub-Form
Roll
01-03 Abnormal ---
Chemistry
04-11 Angel ---
12-14 Changeling ---
15-17 Compound ---
18-25 Deity ---
26-33 Demon ---
Elder of the ---
34-36
Universe
37-39 Energy ---
40-42 Homo Sublimis ---
43-45 Humanoid Race* ---
46-48 Hybrid ---
49-55 Magic User ---
56-58 Martial Artist ---
59-61 Modified Human Extra Parts
62-64 Modified Human Organic
64-67 Modified Human Muscular
68-70 Modified Human Skeletal
UPB Origin Table (Simplified) 71-73 Mutant Breed
Homo
Dice Roll Physical Form 74-76 Mutant
Arcanus
01-26 Normal Human Homo
77-79 Mutant
27-35 Mutant* Disneius
36-38 Android 80-82 Mutant Morlock
39-46 Humanoid Race* 83-85 Mutant Induced
47 Surgical Composite 86-88 Mutant Random
48-57 Modified Human* 89-94 Normal Human ---
58-70 Demihuman* 95-00 Psionist ---
71-79 Cyborg*
80-87 Robot*
88 Angel/Demon
89 Deity
90 Animal
91 Vegetable
92 Abnormal Chemistry
93 Mineral
94 Gaseous
95 Liquid
96 Energy
97 Ethereal
98 Undead
99 Compound
00 Changeling

27 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Animal/New Men Sub-Table Cyborg Sub-Table (Unofficial)

Die Roll Animal Die Roll Sub-Form

01-04 Alligator 01-15 Artificial Limb/Organs
05-08 Ape 16-29 Custom
09-12 Armadillo 30-44 Exoskeleton
13-16 Bat 45-58 Mechanical Body
17-20 Bear 59-72 Mechanically Augmented
21-24 Behemoth 73-86 Nanites
25-28 Bird 87-00 Vampire
29-32 Cat
33-36 Cattle Demihuman Sub-Table
37-40 Dinosaur*
41-44 Dog Die Roll Sub-Form
45-48 Dolphin 01-10 Avian
49-52 Eagle 11-20 Centaur
53-56 Elephant 21-30 Chiropteran
57-60 Fish 31-40 Equiman
61-64 Horse 41-50 Faun
65-68 Killer Whale 51-60 Felinoid
69-72 Lion 61-70 Lamian
73-76 Monkey 71-80 Lupinoid
77-80 Octopus 81-90 Merhuman
81-84 Rat 90-00 Other
85-88 Shark
89-92 Snake*
93-96 Squid
97-00 Wolf

Animal/New Men Sub-Table A: Dinosaur

Die Roll Dinosaur Sub-Type

01-25 Giant Plant-Eating
26-50 Giant Flesh-Eating
51-75 Giant Armored
76-00 Giant Radioactive

Animal/New Men Sub-Table B: Snake

Die Roll Snake Sub-Type

01-50 Constrictor
51-00 Poisonous

Cyborg Sub-Table (Official)

Die Roll Sub-Form

01-25 Artificial Limb/Organs
26-50 Exoskeleton
51-75 Mechanical Body
76-00 Mechanically Augmented

The Ultimate Origins Book 28

 Humanoid Race Sub-Table (Official -
Judge's Book)

Die Roll Sub-Form

01-09 Asgardians
10-18 Atlanteans
19-26 Denizen of the Dark Dimension
27-34 Deviants
35-42 Eternals
43-51 Inhumans
52-59 Kree
60-67 Lemurians
68-75 New Men
76-83 Olympians
84-92 Shi’ar
93-00 Skrull

Humanoid Race Sub-Table (Official -

Extended)

Die Roll Sub-Form

01-03 Agent of the People's Defense Force
04-06 Alpha Primitives
07-11 Asgardians
12-16 Atlanteans
17-19 Brethren
20-22 Brood
23-25 Burners
26-28 Clobbers
29-34 Denizen of the Dark Dimension
35-38 Deviants
39-41 Dire Wraith
42-45 Eternals
46-48 Head-Brothers
49-53 Inhumans
54-57 Kree
58-61 Lemurians
62-65 New Men
66-69 Olympians
70-72 Pseudo-Skrulls
73-75 Quon
76-78 Savage Land Race
79-83 Shi’ar
84-88 Skrull
89-91 Space Knight
92-94 Subterranean
95-97 The Chosen
98-00 Winged Flyers

29 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Humanoid Race Sub-Table (Unofficial)

Die Roll Sub-Form Die Roll Sub-Form

Agent of the People's 49-50 M'Ndavians
01-02
Defense Force 51-52 Mekkan
03-04 Alpha Primitives 53-54 Mephitisoids
05-06 Asgardians* 55-56 Mobian
07-08 Atlanteans 57-58 New Men*
09-10 Autocron 59-60 Olympians*
11-12 Ba-Bani 61-62 Otherworlder
13-14 Brethren 63-64 Procyonite
15-16 Brood 65-66 Pseudo-Skrulls
17-18 Burners 67-68 Quon
19-20 Clobbers 69-70 Rajak
21-21 Dakkamite 71-72 Saurid
Denizen of the Dark 73-74 Savage Land Race*
23-24
Dimension 76-77 Shi’ar
25-26 Deviants 78-80 Skrull
27-28 Dire Wraith 81-82 Space Knight
29-30 Elan 83-84 Sssth
31-32 Ergon 85-86 Stenth
33-34 Eternals 87-88 Subterranean*
35-36 Froma 89-90 Tekton
37-38 Head-Brothers 91-92 The Chosen
39-40 Horusian 93-94 Vegan
41-42 Inhumans 95-96 Winged Flyers
43-44 Kawa 97-98 Xartan
45-46 Kree 99-00 Zn’rx (Snarks)*
47-48 Lemurians

The Ultimate Origins Book 30

 Humanoid Race Sub-Table A: Modified Human Sub-Table
Agent of the People's Defense Force
Die Roll Sub-Form
Die Roll Sub Form 01-25 Extra-Parts
01-50 Beast of Berlin 26-50 Muscular
51-00 Scarlet Beetle 51-75 Organic
76-00 Skeletal
Humanoid Race Sub-Table B: Asgardian
Mutant Sub-Table (Official - UPB)
Die Roll Asgardian Race
01-16 Demon Die Roll Sub-Form
17-32 Dwarf 01-33 Breed
33-48 Elf 34-66 Induced
49-64 Giant 67-00 Random
65-84 God
85-00 Troll Mutant Sub-Table (Official - Extended)

Asgardian Sub-Table A: Giant Die Roll Sub-Form

01-20 Breed
Die Roll Giant Type 21-40 Induced
01-25 Fire 41-60 Morlock
26-50 Frost 61-80 Random
51-75 Hill 81-00 Savage Land Mutate
76-00 Storm
Mutant Sub-Table (Unofficial)
Humanoid Race Sub-Table C: Olympian
Die Roll Sub-Form
Die Roll Sub-Form 01-14 Breed
01-50 Demigod 15-28 Homo Arcanus
51-00 God 29-42 Homo Disneius
43-57 Induced
Humanoid Race Sub-Table D: 58-71 Morlock
Savage Land Race 72-86 Random
87-00 Savage Land Mutate
Die Roll Race
01-25 Aerian Robot Sub-Table
26-50 Fall Person
51-75 Pteron Die Roll Sub-Form
76-00 Sun Person 01-25 Computer
26-50 Human Shape
Humanoid Race Sub-Table E: 51-75 Metamorphic
Subterranean 76-80 Usuform

Die Roll Sub-Form The People (Saurians) Sub Table

01-33 Lava Man
34-67 Moloid Die Roll Sub-Form
68-00 Tyrannoid 01-50 Flying Fighter
51-00 Warrior Prime

31 The Ultimate Origins Book

 This section will contain information on the various "new" Origins contained in this
book. It is split into two sections, the first being Official Origins from the various MSH
supplements, and the second being Unofficial Origins written by fans of the game from
across the globe.

33 The Ultimate Origins Book

 The Classic Marvel game provided Players and Judges a plethora of options of Origins
for use in the game. Most of them were contained in the Ultimate Powers Book, but some
of them came in other supplements such as Dragon Magazine.

This section is a list of Origins that were printed in Official Marvel articles and books.

The Ultimate Origins Book 34

 Chapter One: Aliens and Non-Human Races I
MTS Note: For a more comprehensive list of official marvel Aliens check out the book "The Unofficial
Lonely Planet Guide to Aliens & Space Travel" by David Edward Martin and Andrew James McFayden
hosted at http://www.classicmarvelforever.com/. It is an excellent resource for any Classic Marvel campaign.

The following was taken from the "Advanced Set Ability Modifier Table*
Judge's Book" by Jeff Grubb.
Dice Modification
01-15 Reduce by one rank
16-50 Remain unchanged
51-70 Increase by one rank
71-85 Increase by two ranks
86-95 Increase by three ranks
96-00 Increase by four ranks
*Unless noted otherwise, no ability may be
modified in any fashion below Feeble or above
Monstrous

Characters generated in this fashion tend to be

more limited and weaker than those created by
The following listings apply to typical
the method listed in the Character Creation
members of the various alien, extra dimensional,
section, but have the advantage of having an
and variant human races that have appeared in
organized and existing racial background.
the Marvel Universe. These are typical values
only, and there are superior examples of these
various races in existence, much the same as Asgardians
there are a wide variety of humans.

Alien Hero Option: This is an option that may

be chosen by the player with the Judge’s
permission, if the player has rolled the Alien
category. The player “picks” a race with the
Judge’s approval. The hero has the listed
abilities, modified by a roll on the Ability
Modifier Table, page 5 of the Players’ Book
(listed below), making one roll for each ability.
Any Powers possessed by the race are automatic
Powers of the hero, occupying random slots. (A
pre-Secret Wars Skrull would have Imitation as
one Power, filling one random Power slot.)
Talents should be chosen with an eye towards
the race involved. As Contacts, the hero may
either choose the race he/she belongs to, or no F A S E R I P
initial Contacts (in which case the character is a Rm Gd In In Gd Gd Ex
renegade). 30 10 40 40 10 10 20
Health: 120 Karma: 40

Known Powers:
• Body Armor: Good

Asgardians are the most human-looking and

powerful of the intelligent races of Asgard, a
mystic dimension once connected to Earth by

35 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Bifrost, the rainbow bridge. All Asgardians have
Good protection from physical and energy
attacks, provided by the denser materials of their
worlds. While Asgardians are long-lived, they
are not immortal like the Olympians.
Asgard has a warrior society and has come
under assault by its enemies many times in it's
recent history. Any Asgardian character with
Weapons Talents must choose Edged or Blunt
Weapons Skill as his first choice. Gunpowder
works in the Asgardian dimensions, but has only
recently been introduced.
Asgard has Class 1000 Resources though low
levels of technology in a 20th-century sense.
With the disappearance of Odin in battle with the
fire demon Surtur, Asgard is ruled by Balder the
Brave.
Atlanteans
his advisors, and they in turn were overthrown
by the Atlantean barbarian Attuma.
Atlanteans are water-breathers, such that
exposure to air is similar to a human’s
immersion in water—they can suffocate out of
water (Namor, given his half-breed blood, is an
exception). Atlantean technology has produced
water tanks that operate as scuba gear in reverse,
allowing Atlanteans to survive out of water for
up to 4 hours before more water is needed.
Atlanteans also have a chemical compound that
allows normal breathing in air, while turning the
flesh from normal blue to human flesh-tones.
This chemical allows air breathing for 24-hours.
An Atlantean hero that gains “water-breathing”
ability as a Power can breathe air normally.
Atlanteans scavenge lost technology and magic
from the sea floor, and as such have access to
lost treasures of Atlantis and Deviant
technology, but most are not inventors in their
own right. Any Atlantean hero must take Edged
Weapon or Blunt Weapon skill as his first
Talent.

Denizen of the Dark Dimension

F A S E R I P
Gd Ty Rm Rm Ty Ty Ty
10 6 30 30 6 6 6
Health: 76 Karma: 18

Known Powers:
• Water Breathing
• Swimming: 2 areas/turn
• Resist Cold: Excellent F A S E R I P
Ty Gd Ty Ty Ty Gd Gd
The origins of homo mermanus are unknown, 6 10 6 6 6 10 10
though their own legends claim that the Health: 28 Karma: 26
Olympian Poseidon modified them to their
present form. In any event, the largest group of Known Powers:
this race has settled the ruins of ancient Atlantis • Mystic Origin
on the Atlantic seabed, though there are small
settlements throughout the ocean. They have The Dark Dimension is a series of pocket
been ruled in the past by Namor, the Sub- dimensions that have been expanded and
Mariner, though he has been sent into exile by

The Ultimate Origins Book 36

conquered by the Dread Dormammu. This realm
was later ruled by Umar the Unspeakable,
Dormammu’s sister, and presently by Clea,
Umar’s daughter. The ruler of the Dark
Dimension is recognized by the flames of
regency about his or her head.
A collection of pocket dimensions with
various populations, natural laws, and sizes, the
Dark Dimension appears as a collection of large
floating islands, each with its own localized
gravity, all connected by a variety of mystic
bridges and passages. One section of the
Dimension is walled off by a mystical force
field—the domain of the Mindless Ones, a
nonsentient destructive race.
The Dark Dimension is inherently and
powerfully magical in nature, such that magical
Powers are +1CS when operating within it, and
dimensional apertures may be formed from it to
any other known dimension. The normal citizens
of the dimension have no inherent magical
ability, but may be easily trained, as magic is as
available a force as technology is on 20th
century Earth.
Deviants
F A S E R I P 10
Gd Ty Ty Gd Gd Pr Pr
10 6 6 10 10 4 4
Health: 32 Karma: 18
Available Powers:
• Strength of +2CS or 2 additional super
Powers rolled randomly
When the Celestials first landed on Earth,
they modified human genes to produce two
distinct separate races, the Deviants and the
Eternals. The Deviants were created with a
genetically unstable gene structure, so that each
generation will be radically different from
previous generations. Any Deviant character has
the choice of additional strength benefits (in
37
addition to any rolled for the character) or two
additional Powers.
Deviants have a warped sense of beauty,
regarding hideousness as attractiveness and vice
versa. Corruption is valued.
Deviants judged unacceptable are slain by
their society, so those with exceptional
appearance or Powers may be renegades at best.
They rule large areas of underground caverns,
with their main base being the Lemurian City of
Toads. They are at this writing ruled by Kro.
Deviant technology is highly advanced, but
the race has yet to understand how to correct its
genetic curse.
Eternals
F A S E R I P
Gd Ex In Am Ex Rm Rm
20 40 50 20 30 30
Health: 120 Karma: 70
Known Powers:
• Invulnerability
• Cosmic Energy Manipulation
• Flight: Unearthly at 40 areas/round.
The Celestials’ other experiment in early
humanity were the highly advanced and
superhumanly powerful Eternals, a long-lived,
clearly human-looking race that wields great
Powers of cosmic energy manipulation.
All Eternals are Invulnerable to Heat, Cold,
Energy, Electricity, Radiation, Toxins, and
Disease. They do not age. They can still be
affected by Stun, Slam, and Kill results, but only
The Ultimate Origins Book
 by scattering their ashes over a wide area of Inhumans
space can they be permanently slain. They are
still vulnerable to mental and magical attacks.

Eternals can manipulate Cosmic Energy in a

number of discrete fashions. Any Eternal
character created may be considered to draw his
or her individual Power from Cosmic Energy
manipulation, including in some cases such
forms as Shape-Shifting, Teleportation, and
Matter Manipulation. Eternals may project
cosmic energy as Force Bolts of Amazing range
and Intensity. Eternals may perform Power
stunts with their cosmic energy abilities to
assume other super-human Powers, though most
stay within their self-imposed limits, working to
increase their Powers in discrete personalized
areas.

Eternals “fly” by means of Levitation,

mentally projecting themselves through the air.
They may lift and carry others with them as well.
More than a hundred Eternals in one location can
form the Uni-Mind, an energy creation that
resembles a huge brain with Class 1000 abilities
under the control of the Eternal leader. This
creation has Class 1000 Reason and is used as a
parliamentary device to gather a consensus for
Eternal affairs. The Uni-Mind also has offensive
Powers, but when it challenged the Celestials, it
was destroyed and the controlling force, Zuras,
was slain. Less than 100 Eternals can create a
Uni-Mind of a power equal to their percentage
(80 Eternals create a Uni-Mind of 80% power).
Eternals have for the most part departed
Earth. The Terran Eternals have departed their
homes in Olympia, Oceana, and Polaria in order
to explore the universe as the Uni-Mind, leaving
a handful of adventurers and renegades behind.
An Eternal outpost on Saturn’s moon Titan is
ruled by Mentor, father of Starfox and Thanos,
and is still recovering from a recent war.
F A S E R I P
Gd Ex Ex Rm Gd Gd Gd
10 20 20 30 10 10 10
Health: 80 Karma: 30
Inhumans are a divergent human race created
by the Kree on the model of the Eternals. While
generally superior to mainstream humanity, the
discovery of Terrigen mist and exposure of the
Inhuman populace to that chemical accounts for
their widespread differences in abilities.
All Inhumans may be considered Altered
Humans when generating Powers and Talents.
Inhumans may inherit their traits from their
parents, or gain them from exposure to the mist,
either at the wish of their parents, or upon
reaching the age of consent (31 Terran years).
Inhuman technology is highly advanced,
particularly in the area of Genetics. The
Inhumans’ home city of Attilan was originally in
(not under) the Atlantic Ocean at a similar time
as Atlantis. They have moved Attilan twice, once
to the Himalayans, and the second time to the
Blue Area of the Moon.

The Ultimate Origins Book 38

 This excerpt was taken from The Marvel-Phile
article "To the Moon!" by Jeff Grubb, which was
originally printed in issue #134 of Dragon
Magazine.
Final notes
As noted in Crystal's entry (the limitation
below), Inhumans are more vulnerable to disease
and its effects than ordinary humans. All FEATS
made by Inhuman characters against disease are
at -2 CS for resolving effects.
Limitation: All Inhumans are to some degree
vulnerable to air pollution, Crystal more so than
most. To make matters worse, she has built up an
immunity to the drug that allowed Inhumans to
journey into the polluted world. When on Earth,
Crystal must make a daily Endurance FEAT for
the effects of pollution — green for the first
week, yellow for the second, and red for all
succeeding weeks. This assumes the medication
is used; otherwise, red FEATS are required. For
every failed FEAT, Crystal's physical abilities
are dropped by one rank. Should any ability drop
beneath Feeble, she will collapse. Exposure to
pure air allows her to regain lost Endurance
ranks at normal time (this includes the air within
the Blue Area of the Moon).
And now back to the "Advanced Set's Judge's
Book".
39
Kree
F A S E R I P
Gd Ty Ex Ex Gd Gd Ty
10 6 20 20 10 10 6
Health: 56 Karma: 26
The Kree are a race of aliens that were
carving an interstellar empire at a time when the
first mammals had appeared on Earth. The Kree
are naturally blue-skinned, though a pale skinned
mutation has flourished to the point that the
original Kree are a powerful minority.
Kree possess extremely powerful technology
including interstellar drive and genetic
manipulation devices, but not time travel. They
are responsible for the Terran Inhuman race and
the Blue Area of the Moon. They have created
powerful robotic Sentries that act as recorders
and protectors of their installation. They have
interest in Earth not only for its native races, but
for its location near a natural space warp nexus
and advantageous position in regard to the
Skrulls.
The Kree are ruled by a group organism made
up of the minds of past rulers, called the
Supreme Intelligence. Like the Kree themselves,
the Supreme Intelligence seems limited in
The Ultimate Origins Book
 imagination, and the development of the Kree New Men
race has hit its apex.

Lemurians

F A S E R I P
F A S E R I P
Gd Ty Ex Rm Ty Ty Gd
10 6 20 30 6 6 10 * * * * Gd 10 Gd 10 Gd 10
Health: 66 Karma: 22 Health: Special Karma: 30

Known Powers: The New Men are an artificial race of

• Water Breathing
• Swimming: 2 areas/round
• Resist Cold: Excellent
• Mystic Origin
The Lemurians are a branch of homo
mermanus that migrated to the Pacific Ocean and
settled in the ruins of ancient Lemuria. They are
similar to their Atlantic cousins in their air-
breathing limitations.
The Lemurians are set apart from their
Atlantic relations by the discovery or
development of the Serpent Crown, an artifact of
ancient power that places the user in mystic
contact with Set, a snakelike elder demon.
Veneration of this crown and its use in rulership
have made the Lemurians’ skin greenish and
scaly. It has also given them a greater potential
to wield magic. They can perform magic of a
Dimensional type by invoking Set.
mutagenically altered, human-size animals,
created by the High Evolutionary, given human
equivalent minds and consciousness. Their initial
physical stats are those of their original animal
stock (original Armadillo stock is Feeble in all
physical abilities), but the New Men will have
the listed nonphysical abilities, plus any special
traits they possessed before.
The New Men were first created on
Wundergore Mountain, in Trasnia, and trained
by the High Evolutionary in knightly arts and
virtues to combat the demon Chthon. The High
Evolutionary built atomic steeds as mounts for
these knights. One was rescued from the
mountain by the Beast and repaired, and is now
used by the current Black Knight.
The New Men have left Earth and currently
have colonized Wundergore II, a planet orbiting
Sirius, the Dog Star.

The Lemurians are currently ruled by Karthon

the Questor. It is unknown what relationship, if
any, the Lemurians have with the Deviants and
their City of Toads.

The Ultimate Origins Book 40

 Olympians Shi’ar

F A S E R I P
Gd Gd Rm Gd Gd Gd Gd
10 10 30 10 10 10 10
F A S E R I P
Health: 60 Karma: 30
Gd Ex In Am Ty Ty Rm
10 20 30 50 6 6 30
The Shi’ar are an expansionist alien race
Health: 120 Karma: 42 whose empire is still developing, encompassing
a wide variety of other alien races. The Shi’ar
Known Powers: themselves are descended from avian ancestors,
• Body Armor and though mammalian in appearance retain
• Immortality some avian vestiges.

The Olympians are the superhuman residents
of the pocket dimension of Olympia. Like the
Asgardians, who were also worshipped as deities
by early civilizations, they have Good protection
from physical attack, but unlike the Asgardians,
the Olympians are true immortals, and as such
are very difficult to slay.
The pocket dimension of Olympus has its
earthly terminus in Greece, and it was here and
throughout the Mediterranean that these beings
were venerated. They used the Eternals of
Olympia as their representatives among men,
which resulted in confusion between the Eternals
and the Olympian pantheon (made worse by
similarity in name and appearance—Zeus and
Zuras, Athena and Thena, Mercury and
Makkari). The Olympian pantheon is no longer
worshipped save for Neptune/Poseidon, who is
venerated by the Atlanteans.
The Olympians are ruled by Zeus, the
mythological head of the Pantheon. Olympians
such as Hercules and Venus still walk among
humans.
The Shi’ar are highly advanced, and have
warp drive ships and instanteous teleporters with
intergalactic range, called stargates. Their
interest in Earth is based purely on its location
near a natural space warp nexus, and they have
in the past cared as much for Earth’s inhabitants
as humans care about apes gathered near a jungle
railway station.
The Shi’ar count a number of alien races in
their empire, with varying degrees of freedom
dependent on their loyalty to the throne. The
ruler of the empire commands the Imperial
Guard, an organization of super-powered aliens
(Shi’ar and others) who keep the peace in the
empire. The current ruler of the Shi’ar is called
Deathbird, who desposed her sister Lilandra
Neramani from the throne with the aid of the
Badoon and Brood, other alien races. Neramani
is on the run from Deathbird’s forces, with her
lover Charles Xavier and the intergalactic
freebooters called the Starjammers.

41 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Skrull Who rules the Skrulls changes with the
location in the remains of the Empire. After the
resolution of the eons-long Kree-Skrull war
(final declaration: a tie), Nova brought the Eater
of Worlds, Galactus, to the Skrull Throneworld,
which he then consumed, destroying most of the
Skrull ruling class. Various factions have
attempted to seize control of the remains,
including planetary governors, starship admirals,
and galactic pirates. The victor has not been
declared, but the battle is being watched by the
Kree and Shi’ar, the other two dominant empires
in our part of the universe.

F A S E R I P
Gd Ty Ty Ty Gd Ty Ty
10 6 6 6 10 6 6
Health: 28 Karma: 22

The Skrulls are an ancient race with an

ancient empire. They were not warlike
originally, but the long wars with Kree, who
stole their original technology, have made them
militaristic and cruel, bending their technology
to weapons of war.

Until recently, Skrulls had the natural power

of Shape-Shifting/Imitation with Amazing
ability. This is due to Celestial interference in
their planet’s history similar to that which on
Earth produced the Deviants and Eternals. This
modification produced the present Skrulls, the
race of Dire Wraiths, and an as-yet-undiscovered
(or extinct) race of Skrull Eternals. The skrulls
lost their shape-shifting ability in a recent battle
in the Skrull Civil War, when a bomb was
detonated which mutagenically locked their
shapes.

The Ultimate Origins Book 42

 Chapter Two: Aliens and Non-Human Races II
MTS Note: I decided to add this chapter for some of the other races introduced in the FF Compendium.
They may not be as powerful, or as well known as the Alien Races from the Judge's Handbook, but if
nothing else this does give additional options to players. I would suggest using the rules from the previous
chapter for creating Alien Characters from these races.

This excerpt was taken from the book; "The
Fantastic Four™ Compendium" by David E.
Martin.
duties of sanitation, food production,
manufacturing, and so on. They were intended to
be docile creatures with simple thoughts. They
are all sexless and identical (5'7", green eyes,
and completely hairless).

Maximus has twice used the Alpha Primitives

as a tool in his quest for power. In his first
attempt, Maximus used a concentrated form of
the Terrigen Mists to transform three A-Ps into
the Trikon. In his second attempt, Maximus used
the collective guilt felt by the Inhumans towards
the Alpha Primitives. He constructed the android
Omega to feed on that guilt. Omega was defeated
when the Inhumans finally released the Alpha
Primitives from servitude.

Since that time, the Inhumans have ceased to

Alpha Primitives create new Alpha Primitives and have begun to
take responsibility for their own manual labor.
The Alpha Primitives were released into a
separate city beneath Attilan where they are
slowly dying out.

Running Alpha Primitives: Alpha Primitives

are simple-minded and obedient. They can only
deal with a single command at a time.

The Chosen

F A S E R I P
Ty Ty Rm Rm Fe Fe Fe
6 6 30 30 2 2 2
Health: 72 Karma: 6
Resources: Fe 2 Popularity: 1
F A S E R I P
Background: The Alpha Primitives are a cloned
Gd Ty Ty Ex Gd Gd Gd
race of menial laborers. They were created by the
10 6 6 20 10 10 10
Inhuman scientist Avadar to serve as brute
laborers to handle the necessary but odious Health: 42 Karma: 30
Resources: Ex 20 Popularity: 0

43 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Quon
Known Powers:

None.

Talents: The Chosen are trained in the design,

construction, and operation of high tech items.

Contacts: The Chosen can call on the FF for

help.

Background: The Chosen were originally a tribe

of yetis living in the Himalayas. Several
centuries ago, they came under the leadership of
a Tibetan monk known only as the Master who
decided his mission was to lead them to
enlightenment. Under his guidance, the Chosen
flourished and quickly developed a technical
culture that surpassed that of the outside world.
As a sideline of their research, they discovered a
treatment that greatly extended the Master’s
lifespan. However, as the Master grow older he
maintained less direct control over the Chosen.
In time, renegade elements seized control of the
Chosen. They were preparing to conquer the F A S E R I P
world when the FF discovered the Chosen’s Ex Ex Ex Gd Ex Pr Ty
existence. The FF aided the Master in 20 20 20 10 20 4 6
transforming the Chosen from yetis to humans. Health: 70 Karma: 30
With the transformation the Chosen lost their
urge to conquer. The Master and his Chosen then Known Powers:
retired to their hidden city. • Water Freedom: The Quon are an
aquatic race.
Running The Chosen: When they were still • Water-Breathing: The Quon are
yetis, some of the Chosen saw humans as amphibious.
inferior animals to be conquered or destroyed. • Hyper-Swimming: Quon can attain Poor
The rest of the Chosen remained serene seekers speeds (30 mph).
of tranquility and enlightenment. The Master • Communicate With Animals (Sea Life):
sees his purpose as leading at least a small part The Quon have the Excellent ability to
of humanity, the yetis, into spiritual command the higher forms of sea life.
enlightenment and better domestic conditions.
Talents: The Quon male encountered by the FF
was skilled in Astro-Navigation, Starship
Piloting, and Biochemistry.

Contacts: The Quon male was befriended by the

FF.

Background: The Quon race is native to Quon,

third planet from Byjak, a star in our galaxy.
They are extremely strong, amphibious
humanoids who have developed a star-traveling
culture. A pair of Quons crashed in Lost Lagoon,
coincidentally a spot where the FF were
vacationing. The male went in search of
materials to repair his ship and medical help for
his mate. Through a series of misunderstandings

The Ultimate Origins Book 44

he and the FF fought until Reed finally realized
what the Quon was actually up to. After waving
the FF away, the Quons took their ship into
deeper water to continue repairs. Several months
later, when the female became ill, the male
invaded East Side Medical Pavilion in search of
drugs. Coincidentally (again), the FF were
present. The Quon kidnapped Sue because he
needed someone who could administer the drugs
he’d taken. After another battle, everything was
cleared up. With his ship repaired and his mate
well again, the Quon took his ship into space.
Running Quon: The Quon do not speak or make
any recognizable attempt at communication aside
from the most basic gestures. The Quon male is
devoted to his mate and, when things go awry,
he tends to act recklessly. Because of his
appearance and the lack of communication, he
tends to be mistaken for a rampaging monster.
Location Specific Modified
Humans
Central City, California
This city is the original home of the FF. It
was from the nearby rocket base that Reed and
the others blasted off on their fateful trip into
space. This was also the place where the FF
made their debut as a super-hero team when the
Mole Man sent his monsters to attack the
surface.
As a power stunt, the device can also isolate
specific targets from the accelerated time
passage; this has the practical effect of putting
that person in “suspended animation.”
Time Travel: The field generator “stores” the
time difference. It can use it to make a single
time-jump that transports everything within its
area of effect to a point in the future equal to the
same number of years that has elapsed inside the
field.
Jessup was mistaken about the capabilities of
his Field Generator. He had reversed the
equations and thought that time passed swiftly
on the outside of the dome. As soon as the
device was complete, he activated it.
The people of Central City rebelled soon after
the isolation occurred. Jessup and his fifty
assistants somehow overcame virtually the entire
city and placed them all in stasis. Over the ten
millennia that followed, Jessup’s people
proliferated. Because of the small genetic pool,
disastrous inbreeding occurred. The people
evolved into five breeds: Normals, Head-
Brothers, Burners, Flyers, and Clobbers (see
below).
Jessup’s admiration for the FF led him to
create a religion that worshipped them. The myth
grew that someday they would arrive to end the
long isolation.

One of Reed’s colleagues back then was

Harvey Jessup, a nuclear engineer. Jessup
became obsessed with the Idea of nuclear
disaster. He dedicated his life to finding a way to
save his family and friends. He found it in the
creation of a powerful force field that would
isolate the community and transport it ahead to a
time when the Earth would have recovered from
the disaster.

Field Generator
Reality Alteration (Temporal Flow): The device
has Beyond-rank ability to speed up the passage
of time within its area of effect. The actual rate is
2,000,000:1 (about one month per second).
Because of the time difference, radiation cannot
pass through the dome in levels high enough to
be noticed. This gives the dome a pure black
exterior.

45 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Burners: Head-Brothers

F A S E R I P F A S E R I P
Pr Gd Pr Ty Ty Ty Gd Fe 2 Pr 4 Ty 6 Ty 6 Ty 6 Ty 6 In 40
4 10 4 6 6 6 10
Health: 18 Karma: 52
Health: 24 Karma: 22
Known Powers:
Known Powers:
• Force Field Generation: (Excellent
• Absorption Power: The Burners have
rank)
the Incredible ability to safely absorb
fiery attacks.
Headbrothers have a twin skull and brain. It
• Energy Body (Flame): The Burners
appears as if two heads were glued together
have the ability to transform their
around the ears. The Head-Brothers have two
bodies into animate fireballs of
distinct minds, although their muscles operate
Remarkable Intensity.
jointly.
• Fire Generation: Remarkable rank.
• True Flight: Excellent speed
Winged Flyers
The Burners are bald midgets.

Clobbers:

F A S E R I P
Gd Ex Ty Gd Ty Ty Ty
F A S E R I P 10 20 6 10 6 6 6
Rm Ty In In Fe Fe Fe Health: 46 Karma: 18
30 6 40 40 2 2 2
Health: 116 Karma: 6 Known Powers:
• Winged Flight: Typical airspeed.
Known Powers:
• None. Shortly after the dome was created, the West
Coast Avengers were called to investigate. Iron
The Clobbers are huge and brutish. Man penetrated the dome (in AD 11885, Dome

The Ultimate Origins Book 46

time) and escaped three weeks later. A few Pseudo-Skrulls
minutes later, She-Hulk accidentally entered the
dome (111940, Dome time). She was captured
and placed in stasis. In 11990, the FF appeared
and fulfilled the prophecy.

Reed made Jessup realize his mistake. Jessup

gave Reed the information he needed to correct
the situation. Reed arranged to make the bulk of
Central City flash forward to the Earth of AD
11990. The subterranean vault with the stasis
chambers remained behind. The government
later declared Central City a disaster area and
began helping the people rebuild.

King's Crossing, NY

The area was the site where the FF first

fought the Skrulls. The four Skrull scouts they
defeated were hypnotically locked in the shape F A S E R I P
of cows. There the “cows” stayed for years as
Gd Ty Ty Ty Ty Ty Ty
part of a local dairy herd. The Skrulls were freed
10 6 6 6 6 6 6
and reportedly killed during the Kree-Skrull
War. Health: 28 Karma: 18

During their years spent as cows, the Skrulls Known Powers:

produced a milk-like fluid that was • Shapeshifting: Typical rank
indistinguishable from real milk. The Skrull
“milk” contained Skrull genetic material that Running A Pseudo-Skrull: The Pseudo-Skrulls
invaded whoever drank it and transformed them are xenophobic but not hostile. They will try to
into Pseudo-Skrulls. These beings retained their capture anyone who suspects their secret and
human appearance but gained Shapeshifting then force them to drink the Skrull “milk.”
powers and the inherent Skrull urge to conquer.
Fortunately for Earth, this drive was transformed
into reclusiveness and the urge to create greater
crops. Sharon Selleck discovered the Pseudo-
Skrull invasion when her car broke down near
the town. Her allergy to milk kept her human and
enabled her to detect the contamination.

When the FF came to Sharon’s rescue, they

also cured the people of the Skrull virus. Note: it
is unknown how much milk was shipped away
from King’s Crossing and was therefore not
affected by the FF’s cure. Anyone drinking the
milk will suffer the same effects as the King’s
Crossing populace. It is also unknown whether
the recent energy pulse that stripped all Skrulls
of their Shapeshifting power also affected any
such Pseudo-Skrulls.

47 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Chapter Three: Aliens and Non-Human Races III
MTS Note: The following various write-ups were taken from the various Gamer's Handbooks. They are not
in perfect alphabetical order; instead they are presented in order of the book they appeared in. I
recommend using the " Ability Modifier Table " that appears in "Aliens and Non-Humans Races I" on page
35 to implement these in your game.

The following excerpt was taken from the
"Gamer's Handbook of the Marvel Universe -
Mad thinker thru Sentry" written by Scott
Bennie, David E. Martin, and Chris Mortika.
After some time, however, the Subterraneans,
who all had human intelligence, revolted against
their Deviant masters. The Subterraneans' leader,
Gor-Tok I, led the others in capturing several
underground cities and took up residence in
them. The first race of Subterraneeans has
become known as the Gortokians, after the rebel
leader.

Eventually a minority of the Gortokians

formed a relgious cult that worshipped a demon,
whose identity has not yet been determined. This
demon transformed his worshippers into a new
race of Subterraneans know as the Lave Men,
who abandoned the Gortokian civilization.

Subterraneans
The Subterraneans are four races of humanoid
beings who were originally bred though genetic
engineering by the offshoot of humanity known
as the Deviants to live in a network of caves and
tunnels called Subterranea which exists miles
beneath the Earth's surface. Before the Great
Cataclysm, which sank Atlantis and Lemuria, the
Deviants had launched an attack on Atlantis,
center of the sole known empire under human
control. At this point, the Second Host of the
extraterrestrial Celestials arrived, and the
Deviants attacked them as well. In retaliation, the
Celestials triggered the Great Cataclysm, which
sank Lemuria and destroyed the Deviant Empire.
The Deviants who survived escaped to the small The Deviants, still desiring slaves,
number of underground cities that they had experimented upon captive Gortokians. They
previously established. created two servant races of Subterraneans, the
Moloids and Tyrannoids. They are often
Skilled at genetic engineering, the Deviants denigrated as "mindless". They have the
altered the genetic composition of a few human intellectual capability to construct and operate
slaves, and created clones who were the first of a highly advanced Deviant technology, but they
new race of strong humanoids specially adapted are incapable of creative thought. Without
to the conditions of underground life. guidance from a master, these races are totally
helpless in dealing with any new situation for
The Deviants put these new slaves to work at which they have not been trained.
expanding the huge caverns in which the
underground Deviant cities were located, The Moloids and Tyrannoids proved to be the
creating tunnels linking the cities themselves. ideal slaves for the Deviants, but as soldiers they

The Ultimate Origins Book 48

were no match for the Gortokians. The Lava Men
Gortokians, eventually deciding to build an
underground empire of their own, drove the
Deviants out of most of Subterranea. The
Deviants abandoned the Moloids and Tyrannoids
and allowed them to fend for themselves.
Through inbreeding, the Moloids and Tyrannoids
physically degenerated so that, at present,
individual Subterraneans are no stronger them
humans. Futermore, the secondary sex
characteristics distinguishing the male and
female members of the two races have
diminished, and most are now incapable of
speech.

At some unspecified time, the wizard Merlin

banished the evil Roman known as Tyrannus to
Subterranea, where he found and made himself
master of the group that became known as the
Tyrannoids. Similarly, the human being known
as the Mole Man found his way to Subterranea
and easily became master of the Moloids. The F A S E R I P
new masters were able to take charge of the Gd Ty Ex Ex Ty Ty Ty
technology and machines the Subterraneans had 10 6 20 20 6 6 6
been tending. The Mole Man and Tyrranus have Health: 56 Karma: 18
each made attempts to conquer the surface world
and have also battled each other over domination Known Powers
of the Subterranea. • Infravision: Excellent ability to see by
infrared light.
In recent years the Gortokians were about to • Resistance to Heat: Monstrous rank
attempt to conquer the surface world when their • Heat Emission: Amazing rank
capital city was destroyed by an underground • Molecular Conversion: Remarkable
nuclear test conducted by surface humans who ability to transform metal into volcanic
were ignorant of the Gortokians' existence. As ash.
far as is known, the heir to the throne, Prince • Spray: Excellent intensity blasts of ash.
Dor-Tok, who was named for his ancestor, is the
only remaining Gortokian. The radiation warped Talents: Lave Men are well versed in
Gor-Tok's mind and mutated his body. Under the Subterranean geography and Deviant technology.
name Grotesk, he has since attempted to avenge They are able strategists and military planners.
his race by destroying all surface humans.
Role-Playing Notes
Presumably the Mole Man now commands
the Tyrannoids as well as the Moloids; the Lave Lava Men see themselves as the true rulers of
Men remain independent. There are probably the Subterranean realms. They are openly hostile
still Subterranean cities inhabited by the toward the other Subterranean races.
Deviants as well.

Two races of human beings are also known to

exist in Subterranea. One is the Netherworlders,
led by Kala, the Mole Man's consort. There are
also the people of El Dorado, a city in the Andes
Mountains, which was wrecked in a battle
between Tyrannus and the Hulk.

49 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Moloids Tyrannoids

F A S E R I P
F A S E R I P Ty Ty Gd Gd Ty Pr Pr
6 6 10 10 6 4 4
Fe Ty Gd Gd Ty Fe Fe
2 6 10 10 6 2 2 Health: 32 Karma: 14
Health: 28 Karma: 10
Known Powers
• Abnormal Sensitivity: Excellent ability
Known Powers
to see in darkness. Like the Moloids,
• Abnormal Sensitivity: Excellent ability
they are temporarily blinded by typical
to see in apparent darkness, but they are
illumination. Each carries protective
temporarily blinded by normal light
goggles.
intensity. To prevent this, they wear
protective goggles.
Talents: All are well versed in Deviant
Technology. Their exposure to Tyrannus made
Talents: All are trained in operating Deviant
them able warriors with a Good understanding of
Technology.
military tactics.
Role-Playing Notes
Role-Playing Notes
Moloids are the weakest of the Subterraneans.
Tyrannoids occupy the middle ground of the
Without an able leader, they are almost
Subterraneans. They are preyed upon by the
completely helpless. They will readily serve
superior Lava Men. In response, they Tyrannoids
anyone who will stay as their leader. In battle,
have had to develop their own leaders and
their main tactic is to swarm over a target and
martial skills. The Tyrannoids are contemptuous
just hold on.
of the Moloids and see them as little better then
neurotic weaklings. Tyrannoids try to carry
weapons, although they are still unsure of how to
use them.

The Ultimate Origins Book 50

 The following excerpt was taken from the
"Gamer's Handbook of the Marvel Universe -
1989 Character Updates" written by Scott
Bennie, David E. Martin, Chris Mortika, David
Rogers, and William Tracy
Real Name: N/A
Occupation: Security agents, researchers
Legal Status: Honorary citizens of East
Germany
Identity: Known to authorities
Place of Birth: Unknown
Marital Status: N/A
Known Relatives: Unknown
Base of Operations: Bratislava Prison
Superhuman Research Complex, Hungary
Past Group Affiliations: The People's Defense
Force
Present Group Affiliation: N/A

Known Powers
• None

Talents: The Beasts are trained in Martial Arts

Agents of the People's Defense Force
Background
The "People's Defense Force" is not a team of
villains, but rather a group composed of Eastern
European adventurers and super beings who
were linked by the fact that they had individually
fought Henry Pym during his earliest exploits as
Ant-Man and Giant-Man. They operate as The
People's Defense Force out of the Bratislava
Prison Superhuman Research Complex, the
Eastern European center for superhuman studies.
The Beasts of Berlin
C, Wrestling, and Tumbling. They have
Excellent Reason in the field of mental and
induced mutations.
Contacts: Hungarian Secret Police, Soviet Bloc
intelligence services
Role-Playing Notes
The Beasts of Berlin are lowland gorillas
mutated to human intelligence and speech. They
operate as a team and are loyal to the Bratislava
Complex.
History
The East Germans developed a mutagenic ray
designed to stimulate the physical and mental
development of its subjects. The ray's first test
subjects, twelve lowland gorillas, received
human-level intelligence and speech. The
"Beasts of Berlin," as they were codenamed,
were sent into battle against Henry Pym, then
operating as Giant-Man. During the battle, the
experimental ray was demolished and the notes
on its construction destroyed. They currently act
as members of The People's Defense Force.

F A S E R I P
Gd Gd In Ex Ty Ty Ty
10 10 40 20 6 6 6
Health: 80 Karma: 18
Resources: Good 10 Popularity: 0

51 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Scarlet Beetles They are primarily used as guards and shock
troops to assist human agents.

History

The Scarlet Beetles are normal beetles that

are mutated to possess giant size (10'), human
intelligence, and speech. The original Scarlet
Beetle was sent on a rampage to wreak havoc
and hopefully kill Pym. Instead, Pym removed
its intelligence and shrank it to normal size. The
scientists of the Bratislava Complex continued to
grow and train Scarlet Beetles. They are used to
patrol the unused section of the Complex and
eliminate intruders. A band of them was killed
by the Avengers during the invasion of the
Bratislava Complex.

The following excerpt was taken from "Gamer's

F A S E R I P Handbook of the Marvel Universe - 1990
Gd Ty Ex Ex Pr Fe Fe Character Updates" written by David E. Martin,
10 6 20 20 4 2 2 Chris Mortika, William Tracy, and Raymond
Health: 56 Karma: 8 Maddox.
Resources: N/A Popularity: - 70

Real Name: N/A

Occupation: N/A.
Legal Status: Property of Hungarian Secret
Police
Identity: N/A.
Place of Birth: Bratislava Prison Complex,
Hungary
Marital Status: N/A
Known Relatives: N/A
Base of Operations: Bratislava Prison
Superhuman Research Complex, Hungary
Present Group Affiliation: N/A
Savage Land Races
Known Powers
• Mandibles: Good damage. If the Scarlet MTS Note: These are not to be confused with the
beetle succeeds in killing combat, its Savage Land Mutates created by Magneto.
victim is cut in two. Those can be found on page 70.
• Armor Shell: Remarkable protection
against physical attacks and Good Below are the descriptions of four of the
protection against energy attacks. major Savage land Races. The Statistics given
are for a typical member of that particular race.
Weakness: Due to their insect metabolism, the
Scarlet beetles are paralyzed by cold-based
attacks with Intensities greater than Good.

Talents: They speak Hungarian.

Contacts: None

Role-playing Notes

The Ultimate Origins Book 52

 Aerians Fall People

F A S E R I P F A S E R I P
Ty Gd Gd Ex In Gd Gd Gd Gd Ex Gd Ty Ex Ty
6 10 10 20 40 10 10 10 10 20 10 6 20 6
Health: 46 Karma: 60 Health: 50 Karma: 32
Resources: Ex 20 Popularity: 20 (-20 to the Resources: Pr 4 Popularity: 4 (-10 to Sun
Pterons) People)

Background: Background:

Base of Operations: Aerie Shalan Base of Operations: A village in the Savage

Type of Government: Technocracy, led by a
chief scientist.
Level of Technology: Highly advanced, even
beyond that of mainstream Earth science in
various areas.
Known Powers:
• Flight: The Aerians possess large
feathered wings, which allow them to
fly at Good speed. An Aerian gets a
+1CS to his Agility in flight.
Talents: The typical Aerian has Excellent (or
better) Reason with Atlantean technology.
History:
The Aerians became the principal allies of
Ka-Zar and Shanna in Pangea and were aided by
them in their war with the Pterons.
land
Type of Government: Tribal, led by a chieftain
Level of Technology: Primitive, but had learned
to make iron tools and weapons
Known Powers:
• None
Talents: The typical tribesman of the Fall
People has Animal Handling, Thrown Weapon,
and Bow skills. He would also have other skills
related to wilderness survival, such as hunting
and fishing.
History:
Ka-Zar took a particular interest in the Fall
People, and their chieftain Tongah was his best
friend. Most of the Fall People were killed by
attacks from the Sun People and by the
extraterrestrial Quarlians.

53 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Pterons Sun People

F A S E R I P F A S E R I P
Gd Ty Ex Rm Pr Ty Pr Ty Ty Ty Ty Gd Gd Gd
10 6 20 30 4 6 4 6 6 6 6 10 10 10
Health: 66 Karma: 14 Health: 24 Karma: 30
Resources: Fe 2 Popularity: -20 Resources: Am 50 Popularity: -20

Background: Background:

Base of Operations: The caverns of Athmeth Base of Operations: The Sun Empire
beneath Pangea Type of Government: Empire ruled by a
Type of Government: Monarchy priestess queen
Level of Technology: Low Level of Technology: Low

Known Powers: Known Powers:

• Flight: Like the pterodactyls (winged
reptiles) they resemble, Pterons can fly
with Poor speed. While airborne,
Pterons gain a +2CS to their Agility
rank.
History:
The origin of the Pteron race is unknown.
Presumably the Pterons were created through
genetic engineering by Atlantean scientists.
Recently, the Pterons launched a war against the
Aerians, which ended when much of the Pteron
race was killed in a cave-in.
• None
History:
The Sun People were the most powerful
grouping of sentient beings within the Savage
Land, within which they had established a small
"empire" through conquest. In conquering other
peoples and other lands, the Sun People believed
that they did honor to their Sun God, Garokk.
Their leader, the priestess queen Zaladane, was a
sorceress who twice attempted to conquer all of
the Savage Land and once allied herself with a
human being who had taken on the appearance
of Garokk.

Group History:

The Savage Land was an artificially created

tropical forest region nestled amidst a ring of

The Ultimate Origins Book 54

volcanic mountains on the icy continent of
Antarctica. Ages ago, an alien race
known as the Nuwali created the Savage Land as
a kind of wildlife preserve where Earth's life
forms could be studied under controlled
conditions. The Nuwali created this preserve on
behalf of their employers, yet another alien race
which has not yet been identified. These same
em- - ployers also had the Nuwali establish
similar preserves on other planets. The Nuwali
constructed advanced technological devices
within caverns beneath the Savage Land
knowing that the volcanic heat would enable
them to create a tropical environment best suited
to the life of that era in isolation from the rest of
the planet. Within the Savage Land, the Nuwali
preserved many of Earth's life forms past the
point that their species became extinct in the
outside world. Hence, plant and animal species
from the Triassic period (the beginning of the
"Age of Dinosaurs") through the Pleistocene (the
"Ice Age") continued to flourish there. Into the
Savage Land the Nuwali also brought the Man-
Apes, an evolutionary forebear of Homo sapiens,
and early examples of Homo sapiens itself.
Finally, however, the Nuwali's employers lost
interest in the Savage Land and the similar
habitats of other worlds, and so the Nuwali
abandoned them. All of the habitats collapsed
except the Savage Land.
In the centuries before the worldwide disaster
known as the Great Cataclysm in which the
continents of Atlantis and Lemuria sank, Atlantis
built a great worldwide empire and achieved
scientific and technological heights still
unsurpassed in many areas of research today.
55
Several small tribes of nomadic Atlanteans sailed
to Antarctica and lived within the great caverns
lying beneath the frozen wastelands bordering
the Savage Land. Eventually these Atlanteans
discovered an immense cavern containing the
machinery that helped to regulate climate
conditions in the Savage Land. Atlantean
scientists made considerable improvements in
the machinery and extended its range to cover
certain areas of the surface beyond the Savage
Land. The scientists used other technological
devices left behind by the Nuwali to create
incredible\ means of amusement for their people.
The Atlanteans soon named their Antarctic
colony "Pangea," which means "paradise." Word
of Pangea spread back to Atlantis as well as to
other nations of that time, such as Valusia. Soon,
Pangea became a leading center of trade and the
world's finest amusement and recreation center.
The Savage Land served as stock lands for
various forms of wildlife, many examples of
which were imported into Pangea.
The Atlantean scientists in Pangea turned
their attention to genetic engineering,
experimenting upon Man-Apes they had brought
from the Savage Land, and using equipment left
behind by the Nuwali. Thus the Atlantean
scientists genetically altered the bodies of the
beast men into bird-people (the Aerians),
monkey-people (the Tree People), fish-people
(the Tubanti), and other animal-like races, all of
which had human-level intelligence. The
Atlanteans initially used these animalpeople as
laborers in the Pangean amusement center. The
animal people grew increasingly restive at being
treated as slaves and eventually the Atlanteans of
Pangea built fully automated, self-repairing
maintenance machinery, eliminating the need for
the animal-people to work as laborers. The
Atlanteans then confined the animal-people to a
sector of Pangea far removed from their own.
The animal-people finally rose up in rebellion
and, after weeks of warfare, defeated the
Pangean Atlanteans. The animal-people
demanded equal rights as sentient beings and so,
the Atlanteans further extended the range of the
climate control machinery so that it turned all of
the frozen wasteland above the underground
Pangea colony into a tropical environment. The
animalpeople then settled in unpopulated areas
of Pangea's surface.
When the Great Cataclysm struck, the
continent of Atlantis sank and the Atlantean
Empire came to an end. The Cataclysm caused
The Ultimate Origins Book
 the Savage Land and Pangea to sink below sea The following excerpt was taken from the
level, but thanks to the surrounding mountains, "Gamer's Handbook of the Marvel Universe -
neither area was submerged beneath the sea. The 1992 Character Updates" written by John Elliot,
climate-control mechanisms were so well built and David Pulver
that they survived the sinking of the landmass
and continued to be operational. However, three-
fourths of the human population of the Savage
Land and Pangea were killed in the upheaval.
The rest sank swiftly into barbarism, and soon,
as a result of widespread violence, only a 10th of
the human population that existed before the
Cataclysm was still alive. Peace eventually
returned and the human beings of Pangea and the
Savage Land struggled back upwards toward
civilization, forming tribes such as the Fall
People.

The British Lord Kevin Plunder and the

American Shanna O'Hara, better known as Ka- The Brethren
Zar and Shanna the She-Devil, came to live in
the Savage Land in recent times, and in
exploring the Savage Land and Pangea
encountered many of its diverse races and tribes.
Recently, the alien marauder Terminus wreaked
extraordinary destruction within Pangea and the
Savage Land, destroying the climate-control
machinery and snuffing the volcanoes
surrounding the Savage Land. Terminus
slaughtered great numbers of the sentient beings
living in Pangea and, with the volcanoes extinct
and the climate-control machinery wrecked,
virtually all of the inhabitants of these two
regions were soon killed by the Antarctic cold,
which swiftly spread over both the Savage Land
The Brethren owed their existence, or at least
and Pangea. Ka-Zar, Shanna, their sabertooth
their existence as sentient humanoid beings, to
tiger Zabu, and a small number of Savage Land
the enigmatic space gods called the Celestials. In
natives are known to have survived the disaster;
the time before recorded history, the Celestials
it is not known how many other survivors there
visited many worlds and conducted genetic
may be.
experiments on the life-forms they found there.
In addition to the list above, there were many The Celestials are known to have visited Earth
other races that dwelled in the Savage Land and on four different occasions. Their genetic
Pangea, such as the Lizard Men of the city of manipulations are responsible for the two sub-
Vala-Kuri in the Savage Land, the nomadic Cat species of humanity known as the Eternals and
People of Pandori in Pangea, and the amphibious the Deviants, as well as the dormant DNA
fish-like Tubanti of Pangea's inland Gorahn Sea. complex, which is responsible for benevolent
The full number of races that lived in the Savage mutations in the mainstream human race. Seeing
Land and Pangea may now never be known. a need for a counter-balance, lest one of their
creations rise to threaten their own preeminence,
The Savage Land was restored to its tropical the Celestials remixed the genetic coding of
state by the High Evolutionary and Garokk. The bacteria to create a humanoid race. This race
plant and animal life has been restored, and some became known as the Brethren. The Brethren
former inhabitants have returned from were reportedly used by the Celestials as
otherdimensional exile. executioners of the life forms of planets, which
they deemed unworthy. Eventually they were let
loose to conquer planets after their own fashion.
It was during this period of self-determination

The Ultimate Origins Book 56

that the Brethren were discovered by the Elder of
the Universe Taneleer Tivan, the Collector. The
Collector had long been about the business - of
collecting living beings and artifacts throughout
the known universe and the Brethren ended up as
part of his collection. The Collector, having long
wanted to add humanity to his collection, but
realizing that for his collection to be truly
singular, his specimens should be the last of the
species, launched a plan for Terran decimation.
This plan involved the Collector allowing his
starship to crash on Earth's moon and allowing
the Brethren to escape.
For their part, the Brethren believed they had
actually escaped from the Collector's prison.
When they learned they were orbiting Earth, the
planet that first defeated Galactus, they felt it
was their destiny to subjugate the planet and
make it their new home world. From the start,
the Brethren's plan and practices did not sit well
with Earth's mightiest heroes, the Avengers. For
three days, the Avengers with SHIELD and the
combined military might of Earth battled the
forces of the Brethren in several major
population centers. Meanwhile, reserve
Avengers Dr. Henry Pym, the Beast, and Black
Panther, along with active member Quasar,
traveled to the Moon in the hope that they could
revive the Collector and learn a way to defeat the
Brethren.
In Paris, during an encounter between the
Avengers and the Brethren, Thane Ector
captured the Avenger and Eternal called Sersi.
Though he claimed to have taken her as prisoner
to learn more about the Earth, Ector knew that
the Eternals, like the Brethren, were the products
of genetic manipulation on the part of the
Celestials. He also felt a great attraction for her.
In fact, Ector was so attracted to Sersi that he
57
allowed her to read the sacred scrolls, which
recorded the Brethren's proud military conquests,
and he also told her the truth about the Brethren's
origin and their secret shame. Ector's dream was
that the Brethren would one day overcome their
genetic predispositions and become the proud
people legends proclaimed. This truth, even
among the Brethren, is known only by the Thane
and his Fool; only the quick thinking of the Fool
saved Ector from being deposed as Thane for
consorting with the outsider.
When Ector learned that the Avengers had
freed the Brethren's jailer, and oppressor, the
accursed Collector, he personally led an attack
on the Avenger's Headquarters. Ector made his
way through the Avengers, though Hercules
delayed him for a time, to the Collector. As Ector
attempted to kill him, the Elder of the Universe
"pulled aside the curtain," revealing his true form
and plan. As Ector lay unconscious at his feet,
the Collector, now transformed to a cosmic
energy-channeling giant, told those assembled
that he had actually engineered the escape of the
murderous Brethren for the purpose of laying
waste the Earth's population. Only a small
remnant would survive in the Collector's
safekeeping. Feeling that it was time that the
Brethren, and most specifically Ector's betrothed
Sybyl Dorn, know the truth about their race, the
Collector told the story of the true origin of the
Brethren. He explained that there are three genus
or shapes of bacteria: bacillus, spirilla, and cocci,
the "little things" to which the Celestials looked
to when they set about the task of fashioning the
Brethren. The exact nature of the basic genetic
components that make up the Brethren was never
clearly defined. Evidence provided by the
autopsies of the Brethren's victims, that their
bodies had no trace of bacteria or germs in them,
indicate it might have been bacteriophages,
bacterial viruses which infect and destroy
bacterial cells. From the Greek phagein meaning
"to eat," a bacteriophage is a virus which eats
bacteria. The nature of viruses are not fully
understood, but the simplicity of their structure
suggests that they are not individual
microorganisms. They may be components of
normal cells, which have gotten out of control,
descendants of subcellular units that infected the
earliest cellular organisms and evolved with
them, or products of degenerating bacteria that
gave up independence for a specialized parasitic
life. Though in humanoid form the Brethren may
have been able of sexual reproduction, a normal
virus cannot reproduce except in the host cell.
The Ultimate Origins Book
 Having told the Brethren the truth, the
Collector reduced all of the Brethren, save Ector
and his Fool, to their basic genetic components.
This was done to hasten the destruction of Earth.
Presumably, either a Thane or his Fool must
remain sentient for the Brethren to function
properly as a collective organism. The Collector
appeared to have planned to take these last two
remaining individual Brethren into his collection
once more. Whatever the case, Ector and his
Fool remained sentient and in telepathic contact
with the disembodied host of the Brethren. This
proved to be the Collector's undoing. With the
aid of Sersi, Ector and his Fool were able to
summon the Brethren into the "collective will of
a race made incarnate" that is called the
Unimind. The Unimind reaching out with
tentacles of flame, grabbed the Collector, then
both exploded in a blaze of light. Though the
strain of summoning the Unimind proved to
great for Ector and his Fool, they died knowing
what it was to heal rather than to kill. In the end,
the Brethren became the noble race, which Ector
had dreamed they could be.
Typical Brethern
F A S E R I P wearers FASE abilities by +4CS and provides
Rm Ex Rm In Ty Ty Ex
30 20 30 40 6 6 20
Health: 120 Karma: 22
Resources: Unrevealed Popularity: -25 (6
with the Brethren)
Background:
Real Name: Varies
Occupation: Warriors
The Ultimate Origins Book
Identity: Publicly known on Earth and among
their own people.
Known Powers:
• Alien Physiology: Typical Brethren are
human-sized beings with pointed ears.
Many of the men are bald with bumps
or other formations on their heads and
bodies. Some Brethren are less
humanoid in appearance with tentacles
rather than arms or legs, but these are
what the Brethren themselves refer to as
genetic throwbacks. The Fool is
included in this class, presumably
because he has a tail.
Resistances: The nature of the Brethren's very
being grants them CL5000 resistance to toxins
and disease. In fact, germs and bacteria seemed
to be what the Brethren feed upon.
Berserker: In combat, the Brethren are
Berserkers and entered a mental state, which
allows them to ignore Stun results and grants a
-1CS to their fighting with resulting Health
benefits.
Ocular Beams: Typical Brethren can fire ocular
beams which can inflict up to Incredible force or
energy damage, though they can not fire them
more than two areas away.
Equipment:
Battle Armor: The Brethren Elite Guard wears
highly sophisticated Battle Armor. Five members
of the Brethren are known to have been wearing
this armor when they established a parameter
around the Citadel of Thane Ector, which was
perched atop the World Trade Center in New
York City. This armor is large, in excess of 17'
tall, granting it permanent, Feeble Growth and
making it + ICS to be hit. It raises each of its
them with Amazing Body Armor. Weaponry
varies, but includes wrist-mounted throwers able
to fire force beams of Monstrous Intensity and a
Monstrously strong tractorlrepulser mounted on
their helmets.
Role-Playing Notes:
By tradition, the Brethren were all about
soldiering and conquest. By biology, they were
all about destroying life. They were very good at
what they were all about.
58
 Chapter Four: Collective Mass
This excerpt was taken from The Marvel-Phile UPB Rank Table; Column One
article "The Ultimate Addenda's Addenda" by
David E. Martin, which was originally printed in Rank Name Initial Rank Number Die Roll
issue #134 of Dragon Magazine.
Feeble 1 01-05
Poor 3 06-10
Typical 5 11-20
Good 8 21-40
Excellent 16 41-60
Remarkable 26 61-80
Incredible 36 81-96
Amazing 46 97-00
Monstrous 63 ------

A Collective Mass gains + 2CS Resistance to

physical or directed energy attacks (lasers, for
example). Its unique physical structure allows it
to simply create holes in its body to avoid
S32/Collective Mass: Tom Lamphier looked at making contact with the attacking force.
the Marvel Super Villain Swarm and came up However, such beings have a peculiar weakness:
with this variation of the S16/Physical Gestalt A successful Grappling attack breaks the body
body type. The body of the character is a into two masses! The body can automatically
collection of individual bodies held tightly rejoin in 1-4 turns unless something prevents
together and functioning as a single unit. Unlike this, like teleporting half the body into a parallel
Physical Gestalt, the individuals retain their dimension.
distinct physical forms (though admittedly it may
be hard to actually spot any given individual if
they are tiny). One helpful side effect of this
power is that the individual bodies do not
physically suffer while they are joined together;
breathing is assumed to occur without difficulty.
However, the Collective Mass will probably
have to break apart in order to allow the
individual units to eat.

Primary and secondary abilities are rolled on

Column 1 of the Rank Table on page 11 of the
UPB (Added below for convenience). Because of
its peculiar dual nature, a Collective Mass has
two sets of primary abilities. The first set
The Collective Mass can be any size,
represents the average abilities possessed by the
depending on the size and number of the
individual component entities; the second set is
individual's entities that compose it. Most
that of the Collective Mass. The majority of
Collective Masses in Marvel Universe
powers can only be manifested by the Collective
campaigns are human-size and composed of
Mass. Individual entities can at best exhibit
smaller creatures generally less than 3 long
Feeble-rank versions of the available powers;
(between the size of a mouse and a dragonfly). If
otherwise, why bother to be a Collective Mass in
the Judge allows, a Collective Mass may be a
the first place? The Collective Mass's abilities
giant composed of human-size entities. In special
may be affected by the loss or addition of more
cases, the Collective Mass may even be a titan
individual entities to its form.
composed of relatively large beings.

59 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Ordinarily, the number of individuals
composing the Collective Mass is less than the
rank number of the Collective Mass's Reason,
multiplied by 100. The individual entities can be
of any nature, whether animal, plant, or machine;
the individual components may be sentient or
not. If the Collective Mass is composed of
relatively ordinary creatures (as opposed to
something strange, like a colony of snakes
mutated by a nuclear test at Los Alamos), the
Collective Mass has the option of absorbing
more of these component creatures into itself. A
Red Psyche FEAT allows this to occur. In such a
case, the addition may have the effect of
increasing the Collective Mass's primary
abilities.

In an Earth-based Marvel Universe campaign,

the Collective Mass has the ability to transform
itself into a human likeness by making a Psyche
FEAT. However, the visual appearance of the
individual bodies does not change; a disguise is
needed if the Collective Mass is to impersonate a
normal human.

The Ultimate Origins Book 60

 Chapter Five: Gypsies of the Balkans
MTS Note: These can be used in place of Normal Humans, or even Magic Users. I recommend using the
"Ability Modifier Table " that appears in "Aliens and Non-Humans Races I" on page 35 to implement these
in your game.
This excerpt was taken from the "Domains of
Doom" core book from the boxed set of the same
name written by Scott Davis with Steven
Schend.
No one knows for sure from where the gypsy
tribes originated. Some say from the deserts of
ancient Egypt, where the word Gypsy is derived.
Others insist on Pakistan or India for the original
birthplace of the European Gypsies. However,
the Gypsies care not where they came or where
they are going, only upon what is happening to
them now. The Balkan Gypsies are no different,
save that their persecution and harsh treatment
by the Baron Draasen of Latveria inadvertently
produced one of the world's most powerful men,
Victor Von Doom.
Wherever they originated, the Gypsies now
make all of Europe their home. The Gypsies of
the Balkan states roam from country to country,
basically shunned and avoided by all citizens,
except in Latveria. Because of Doom's origins,
he has issued an official decree granting the
Gypsies amnesty, giving them free reign to settle
on any public land for as long as necessary.
It is because of this decree that this particular
band of Gypsies stays in the general area of
Latveria and Transia. In Latveria, they are even
given special permission to come and go as they
want. Most citizens are restricted from leaving
the country, but the Gypsy tribes are allowed free
passage over the Latverian border if they present
the royal decree given to them from Doom.
61
In the other countries of Europe, the Gypsies
are not trusted due to their stereotypical thievery
and uncleanliness and feared for their mastery of
minor magic. In most cases, these claims are
founded in truth, for the Gypsies make their way
in life through sleight-of-hand tricks, tricking the
townsfolk, and stealing what they can.
Typically, they deal fairly with a new
community for the first few encounters, using
real money and trading items equally. Once they
decide to leave an area, however, the last
purchases they make are with counterfeit money
and bartered objects that are just junk concealed
by minor magic spells or carefully constructed
mechanisms. Either way, the object falls apart
only hours after the Gypsies depart. Victor Von
Doom was a master at this type of crime, and
was well-known for it throughout Europe in his
teenage years. He used magic to make a lump of
mud appear as a gold statue and sold a potion
that cured a man's headache but made all his hair
fall out. These are more extreme examples of the
Gypsies' handiwork in the Marvel Universe.
The arrival of a band of Gypsies, while not
always something to look forward to, is not
always a hated event either. They often have
talents for healing that nobles of the area like to
put to use. Each group of Gypsies has at least
one healer among them and, if the group is larger
than forty or so members, the healer usually has
some minor magics to augment his natural skills.
Another reason to welcome the Gypsies is for
their skill with a forge. They are very adept at
The Ultimate Origins Book
 blacksmithing and many folk pay them
adequately for this service.

General Gypsy Stats

F A S E R I P
Ty Gd Ty Gd Ty Ty Ty
6 10 6 10 6 6 6
Health: 32 Karma: 18

Role-Playing Notes

Gypsies live for the day at hand, reveling

during the good times and enduring hardships
when necessary. They are boisterous, exuberant
people, singing about anything from a beautiful
sunset to the tempestuous storm. Because of
centuries of persecution, Gypsies are initially
wary of outsiders, but will warm up to friendly
people.

Typical Gypsy Healer

F A S E R I P
Pr Ty Pr Gd Gd Gd Gd
4 6 4 10 10 10 10
Health: 24 Karma: 30

Powers/Talents

Minor Magic: Gypsy healers are generally

capable of Typical rank healing, granting a
patient 6 Health points per spell to augment the
natural healing processes. Under a healer's care,
characters can heal an additional 6 points per
hour in addition to their normal Endurance rank
healing.

Botany: Gypsy healers have Good knowledge of

herbs and plants and their medicinal properties.

Role-Playing Notes

Gypsy healers are generally gentle and

compassionate men and women with a
knowledge of magic that is used to supplement
their natural healing skills. They perform their
duties within the tribes gladly, but for outsiders,
they usually exact a fee for their services. The
fee is usually food or other practical items, but if
the injured person or his companions are
especially irritating, the healer can and will
demand some sort of large monetary payment.

The Ultimate Origins Book 62

 Chapter Six: Heroes of the Street Arise!
MTS Note: This article is a classic. Not only did it introduce Normal Humans into the Classic Marvel game, but
also it provided more depth than any of the later supplements that included them. I have always used this article for
Normal Human generation rules in my MSH campaigns.

The following is a Marvel-Phile article that originally
appeared in Dragon Magazine, issue #197 under the
same name, and was written by Steven E. Schend.
group the hero belongs to like Code Blue or
SHIELD).
• If your hero has gizmos (whether a shield,
gun, or webline) of her own devising that
grants her abilities of less than Amazing
rank.

These guidelines are not concrete, but they serve

to distinguish street-level heroes from other gadget-
laden humans like those in the Avengers. While it’s
true that Captain America, Hawkeye, and the Black
Widow don’t have any powers, their equipment is far
beyond the available level of technology for most
street heroes. These extraordinary gadgets, when
coupled with their owner's formidable skills, allow
them to operate against opponents like Kang or Dr.
Doom.
In the last few years, the Marvel Universe has seen
an astonishing number of normal humans taking to
the streets and fighting crime with little more than
their wits and a strong right hook; there have not
been as many non- or low-powered heroes on the
streets fighting crime since the Golden Age of comics
in the 1940s. When the Marvel Super Heroes (MSH)
game was created, this type of hero was rare, and
wasn’t given much attention. The times and the
heroes have changed, so it’s time for the game rules
to get up to speed.

In this special Marvel-Phile, I’ll provide an

addendum to the MSH Advanced Set’s character-
generation rules to allow for the low-powered heroes
to join your MSH campaign without being
overwhelmed by the powered heroes. These low-
powered, street-level heroes will not fit into all
campaigns in any case. If you're running a high-
powered or cosmic campaign with beings like Silver
Surfer or Adam Warlock, these vigilante-level heroes Origin
will still be severely outclassed.
The MSH Advanced Set detailed five origins,
Vigilante heroes are defined by the following complete with their own advantages and
general guidelines: disadvantages for players to generate their heroes.
• Your hero’s primary abilities (FASERIP) We need to add a sixth origin type, “Normal human”,
are within maximum human limits (see to account for non-powered or very low-powered
pages five though six of the MSH Advanced heroes.
Set’s Judge’s Book for human limits);
• Your hero carries weaponry or technology The original origins were set to reflect the Marvel
that is available to the general public (or a Universe in 1987; I’ve altered the percentages on the

63 The Ultimate Origins Book

Origins table from page five of the Advanced Set Sable, and the original Union Jack are all examples
Player’s Book to indicate the emergence of the of normal-human heroes.
Normal-human hero in the 1990s. These changes are
detailed on the new table below, followed by a full
description of the Normal human origin and what sets
it apart from the other character origins.

New Origins Table

D100 Roll Origin
01-25 Altered Human
26-50 Mutant
51-75 High Technology
76-90 Normal Human
91-95 Robot
96-00 Alien

• Normal humans add one rank to any three

primary abilities (or three ranks to any one,
or two ranks to one and one rank to another
ability), provided their abilities do not
exceed maximum human limits.
• Normal humans automatically gain three
additional talents (these do not count toward
the maximum rolled on the Secondary
Abilities table below).
• Normal humans gain one additional contact.
Again this does not count against the
number of initial contacts rolled on
Secondary Abilities table.
• Normal humans have no innate powers; any
powers rolled must be incorporated into
their equipment and have a maximum rank
of Incredible for whatever power effect they
have.

Normal Humans Abilities

As the name implies, these characters are simply
As we’ve altered the Origins, we also have to
human, albeit highly trained and focused individuals
adjust the numbers for the Generating Primary
devoted to fighting crime and injustice. Though this
Abilities table on page 6 and the Generating
type of hero was most prevalent during comics.
Secondary Abilities table on page 7 of the Player’s
Golden Age, there has been a resurgence of non-
Book to allow for the greater levels of ability that
powered costumed heroes in the 1990s. While they
compensate for the lack of powers. Remember to roll
seldom possess powers, normal humans have a wider
for powers (equipment), talents, and contacts
range of talents and contacts. Any powers they might
separately on the Secondary Abilities table. The
have are gained through equipment. The original
Secondary Abilities table below is for Normal-human
Bucky, Mockingbird, the Punisher, Shang-Chi, Silver
heroes only.

The Ultimate Origins Book 64

Power Generation
The number before the slash is the number of
powers the hero currently possesses, and the number
after the slash is the maximum number possible for
the hero. Remember most vigilante heroes are non-
powered personally, and hence, all power slots
represent specialized equipment. Just about any
power in the Marvel Universe has been artificially
duplicated by some scientist or other. Even the rare
mental powers have been recently created by Spider-
Man (Emotion-control gun used against Carnage and
crew) and the Black Knight (psi-screen armor that
protects vs. mental and psionic attacks). Determine
powers as you normally would in your campaign.
Talent generation
The character’s number of initial talents are rolled
on the new Secondary Abilities table. The number
before the slash is the initial number the hero
possesses, while the second number is the maximum
potential number of talents; this maximum can be
exceeded only by bonus talents from the character’s
Origin. Determine talents as you would normally.
Talent ranks are rolled on Column One of the
Generating Primary Abilities table in the Player’s
Book. If the player rolls less than the corresponding
Primary ability, the hero gains the talent with the
ability’s standard rank number i.e., Good 10, not
Good 8.

Contact generation
Each hero gets a number of initial contacts as
rolled on the new Secondary Abilities table. Normal-
human heroes get an additional contact due to their
origin. A hero does not have to establish all his
contacts at the start of the campaign. The others can
appear as need be or as the result of role-playing. For
each established contact, the hero must provide a
name. Characters with secret IDs can assign contacts
to his heroic ID, his secret ID, or both. The secret ID
has less risk to the hero, because if your contacts
don’t know you are a superhero, you cannot be called
upon by them to perform heroic acts.

Normal-Human Ranks Table (Column 6)

Rank Initial Normal Human
Name Rank Human Maximums
Feeble 1 01-05 ------
Poor 3 06-15 ------
Typical 5 16-50 ------
Good 8 51-75 ------
Maximum
Excellent 16 76-85 Human
Strength
Max.
Remarkable 26 86-95
Endurance
Incredible 36 96-00 Max. Agility
Max
Fighting,
Amazing 46 ------
Reason,
Intuition
Monstrous 63 ------ ------
Power ranks are rolled on the Random Ranks table
above.

65 The Ultimate Origins Book

Example character
Now that we’ve got the mechanics in place, let’s
try them out and create a new heroine for the Marvel
Universe.
Before choosing her talents, I need to think about
her background. I think I’ll give this heroine an
espionage background, so I’ll give her the following
talents: Detective/ Espionage, Law enforcement,
Martial arts A and C, Guns, and First aid.

Origin & Abilities In keeping with her background, three of her

contacts will be with the FBI, her college
I’ve already determined that the character’s origin criminology professor, and SHIELD. This leaves one
is a Normal-human hero. Therefore, using the new contact left to be determined through role-playing.
table, I generate the following ability scores:
Background
Roll Ability Initial Rank & Number
97 Fighting Incredible (36) I’ve decided this is a female hero with no secret
identity. Given the good physical and mental
22 Agility Typical (5)/Excellent (16)
abilities, the character’s a fighter and a scholar. I
64 Strength Good (8) choose to make her a young college graduate and
53 Endurance Good (8)/Excellent (16) neophyte SHIELD agent.
76 Reason Excellent (16)
88 Intuition Remarkable (26)
32 Psyche Typical (6)

Our new character’s Health is seventy-six (total of

Fighting, Agility, Strength, and Endurance), and her
Karma is forty-eight (total of Reason, Intuition, and
Psyche).

Normal-Human Secondary Abilities

Table

D100 Powers Talents Contacts

Roll I/P I/P I/P
01-10 0/1 2/4 2/4
11-35 0/2 3/4 2/5
36-65 1/2 3/5 3/4 The rest of her origin, including her motivation
66-85 1/3 3/6 3/5 and codename, are up to each Judge and whatever
she wishes to do with the character. We've quickly
86-95 2/3 4/5 4/4
generated a character on par the Black Widow, so
96-00 3/3 4/6 4/5 finish her up and put her on the streets fighting
crime!
Powers, Talents, & Contacts
Villains
I roll three times on the Secondary Abilities table.
A thirty for powers grants her no powers, but leaves The MSH system is set up to be a broad-based
the potential for two (of technological origin) later. A system that allows much flexibility in game play.
thirty-eight for her talents gives her three talents as Unfortunately, that same flexibility makes it difficult
well as the three from her Origin for a total of six. for the Judge to accurately gauge which villains are
She has two more talents pending, to be gained most appropriate to use against the PC heroes.
through game play. Finally, a fifty-nine on the
contacts column allows her three contacts in addition A vigilante-level campaign focuses on the “down-
to the one from her Origin gives her four contacts and-dirty” crime fighting. Heroes in this campaign
right now. She has no powers now, so I don’t need to tend to deal more with drug-dealers, crime bosses,
worry about them yet. and gang wars than with aliens, evil doppelgangers,
and gamma bombs. Street-level heroes tend to be

The Ultimate Origins Book 66

normal humans trained to fight crime, but can be
low-powered heroes as well. A majority of these
heroes have secret identities, operate alone, and do
not work within the law all the time. SHIELD
campaigns are also considered vigilante-level
campaigns, provided the emphasis is on the non-
powered spy-thriller action, not the high-tech gadgets
or super-agents.
Bombshell, Oddball and the Death-Throws; ad
infinitum. Other heroes (beyond PC heroes) might
include a stint with Code Blue or the old Freedom
Force ("Crimson Commando and Super Sabre could
use your expertise for a mission.").

Sample campaigns

I’ve laid out some basic campaigns and some

villains to populate said campaigns.

Golden Age: This 1940s campaign typifies the era

when so many heroes took to the streets in three-
piece suits and domino masks to fight crime with
their fists. Typical villains include Nazis, Bundists,
gangsters, racketeers, etc. The recent “Invaders”
miniseries is an example of this era. For more on this
type of campaign, see "With Great Power" in issue
#85 of the RPGA. Networks Polyhedron Newszine.

SHIELD: SHIELD will always be the first and

foremost of the super-spy agencies for me and it has
great potential for a campaign. Given the wide range
of weapons and equipment available, characters can
push the power envelope on this campaign with
plasma guns and super-lasers. Villains for SHIELD
(and other spy agencies) for this level are Baron
Wolfgang von Strucker and HYDRA, the ZODIAC
cartel (its first incarnation), Fenris, and AIM. Shang-
Chi, the Master of Kung Fu, and his M.I.6 allies also
fit into this campaign type.

“Crimebusters:” In the vein of pulp fiction, this

campaign is the standard for the comic-book genre.
The heroes mission is to fight crime and injustice
where they find it.

This campaign focuses on stopping normal and

low-powered villains such as muggers, bank robbers,
terrorists, and the odd ninja or two. Daredevil best
highlights the solo hero for this campaign type, while
such teams as Silver Sable and her Wild Pack take on
larger numbers of the same. The villains goals are
anywhere from scoring a big haul from a bank
robbery to destroying cities. Villains for this type of
campaign include many of the lesser villains who
fought Spider-Man, Iron Man,

Ant-Man, and others: The Vulture, Dr. Octopus,

the original Enforcers, the Living Brain, the Black
Cat (before she reformed), Blacklash, Discus,
Stiletto, Lady-Killer, the Constrictor, the Leapfrog,
the Melter, the Porcupine, Egghead, Crossfire,

67 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Chapter Seven: Morlocks
MTS Note: These can easily be introduced as either Breed or Random Mutants if you want to stick with the
original origin tables from the game.

This excerpt was taken from the Advanced Set's sometimes they stole children, too, as many
"Children of the Atom" X-Men expansion written Morlocks are sterile. This raiding was
by Kim Eastland. discontinued when Callisto lost her rule to Storm
in a fight.

Morlock society has many of its conflicts

settled by combat. The decision of who will be
the Morlock leader has been settled by mortal
combat in the past. Storm actually stabbed
Callisto through the heart, officially killing her,
and won the title that way. Though Storm is not
in residence, she is still considered the leader.
Callisto was saved from death at the last moment
by Healer. Though she is not the official ruler,
she usually makes sure law and order is upheld
in Morlock society while Storm is gone.
The Morlocks are a large community of
mutants who feel they are outcasts, living in the
underground tunnels beneath New York, New
Jersey, and Connecticut. These tunnels were
built in the 1950s by the U.S. Government as
shelters in case of a national emergency, and
later abandoned. The vast majority of the public
has no idea these tunnels exist. There are
numerous tunnels stretching out of sight, many
unexplored. The main tunnel is 50 feet high and
runs the length of Manhattan. It is called "the
alley" by its inhabitants.

The Morlocks are outcasts and rebels against

surface society who named themselves after
subterranean creatures found in H. G. Wells's
book, The Time Machine. They were founded by
Callisto, who discovered the tunnels and moved
into them decades ago, shortly after they were
abandoned. She enlisted the aid of Caliban in
finding other mutants to create a new
underground society, and has maintained the
tunnels ever since (one tunnel that has an Most Morlocks are hideous and deformed, yet
underground rail line has even had its engine another reason for them to dwell away from
restored to full working capability). Morlock society. When Professor Xavier offered to help
society has no actual class system, except for the resettle them on the surface, they declined
leader who all Morlocks obey, somewhat like a because they feel the tunnels are the right place
huge street gang. Until recently, the leader was for them. This image of themselves as almost
Callisto. Under her reign, Morlocks often raided sub-human has psychologically affected most
the surface world, preying on the lower classes Morlocks who feel frustrated, bitter, and
so that losses as a result of their activities would vengeful about their situation. Lately rumors
not be noticed. They stole furnishings, food, have begun to spread about another group of
clothing, and the other necessities of life, but mutants, named the Marauders, who have

The Ultimate Origins Book 68

attacked some or all of the Morlocks. The
Morlock's present status is unclear.
There are hundreds upon hundreds of
Morlocks. One of them, Masque alters the
appearance of new recruits so that they are
twisted and ugly by surface standards, thus
assuring that they will remain with the Morlocks.
(there is a 50% chance of either). Above average
indicates that the ability is one rank higher than
the average listed. Way above average indicates
that the ability is at least two ranks above
average and possibly more (not to exceed
Monstrous rank). Variable indicates that variable
abilities (Health and Karma) depend on the
randomly rolled abilities above them.

Talents: All Morlocks have Remarkable Way

knowledge of not only the underground tunnels Below Above
Ability Average Above
they occupy, but Manhattan sewers, access -1 CS +1 CS
+2 CS
tunnels, and subway lines that connect their
world with the surface. Fighting Gd (1-5) (92-98) (99-00)

Contacts: In addition to having contacts with Agility Ty (1-3) (96-99) (00)

each other (a bond which is quite strong), the
Morlocks have met the X-Men and can seek out Strength Pr (1-3) (90-97) (98-00)
their aid if they are being persecuted. The X-Man
Storm is their leader. Endurance Ex (1-5) (92-98) (99-00)

Reason Pr (1-3) (90-97) (98-00)

Intuition Gd (1-3) (90-97) (98-00)

Psyche Pr (1-5) (92-98) (99-00)

Health 40 (V) --- --- ---
Karma 18 (V) --- --- ---
Resources Feeble --- --- ---
Popularity 0 --- --- ---

Special Powers: 10% chance, roll on Table 28

for type, and Table 25 for effectiveness (on
pages 37 and 38 of the Campaign Book).

Further Morlocks
Most of the Morlocks have passive mutations,
harmful mutations, or mutations that only affect
certain abilities or powers.

Typical statistics for other Morlocks are

presented below for use in crowded battles or as
guidelines for the creation of new Morlocks.
These statistics can be modified by rolling
percentile dice and referring to the three columns
after the ability to see if the result falls anywhere
in them. There are three columns after the
normal statistic: below, above, and way above.
Below average means that the statistic should be
one or two ranks below what is listed as average

69 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Chapter Eight: Savage Land Mutates
MTS Note: These can easily be introduced as either Breed or Random Mutants. Like the various Alien
Races in this book, you can use the " Ability Modifier Table " that appears in "Aliens and Non-Humans
Races I" on page 35 to implement these in your game if you want a unique Mutate.

This excerpt was taken from the Advanced Set's Background: In his villainous past, Magneto
"Children of the Atom" X-Men expansion written tried many schemes that organized mutants into
by Kim Eastland. an effective force that he used to try and take
over the world, assuring mutantkind a safe place
in it. One of his schemes took place in the
Savage Land, a secret prehistoric world best
known as the land of Ka-Zar. By assuming the
guise of "the Creator," he built a large
installation. Using his superior intellect in the
field of genetics, his magnetic manipulation
powers, and tapping into the power of the South
Magnetic Pole for immense energy, he used this
energy on a handful of Swamp People, no more
intelligent than the average prehistoric man, and
mutated them. He called them the Strange Ones,
and later, Neo-Mutants, but they are known to
everyone else involved as the Mutates of the
Savage Land Mutates Savage Land. Each character had his own,
Mutated Swamp People from the Savage Land unique power, but instead of being born with
Used by Magneto as agents them, as a mutant is, Magneto "granted" them
the power, along with an increased intellect. He
Average Mutate Abilities planned on mutating thousands of the Swamp
People and, with this super powered army,
F A S E R I P conquering the world, but the X-Men foiled his
Gd Ty Ty Ex Pr Gd Ty plans. Those Savage Land Mutates that he had
10 6 6 20 4 10 6 created eventually devolved back to their
Health: 42 Karma: 20 original state, except Lorelei who later joined
Resources: Fb (2) Popularity: 0 Magneto's Brotherhood of Evil Mutants.

The Ultimate Origins Book 70

 Chapter Nine: Spaceknights & Dire Wraiths
MTS Note: I decided to include the stats for Dire Wraiths from this article as well. They might not have
been given in-depth rules for character creation like the space knights, but if anyone should want to play
one of these vile creatures, you can always use the base stats presented here, and use the Ability Modifier
Table from the Judge's Book (which is reprinted in the Aliens Chapter). Space Knights and Dire Wraiths
could easily be used as an option for a player who rolls Alien on the origin chart. Additionally, you could
also use Spaceknights for High Technology, or for Cyborg, Exoskeletons depending on which Origin Chart
your table uses.

The following was taken from the Marvel-Phile, Endurance. Roll on the following table:
article "Dire Invasion" which originally
appeared in Dragon Magazine, issue#112. Die Roll Endurance Score
01-30 Amazing
31-90 Monstrous
91-00 Unearthly

Note that Endurance scores refer only to the

need for rest, as Spaceknights could withstand
exposure to deep space indefinitely.

Spaceknights
Though most players may want to play Rom
or Starshine in a Marvel Super Heroes campaign,
some players might want to create their own
Spaceknight characters. This section helps
players do this. First of all, the procedure for
rolling a hero’s abilities is changed as follows:

Fighting. Roll on the following table:

Die Roll Fighting Score

01-60 Excellent
61-80 Remarkable
81-96 Incredible
97-99 Amazing
00 Monstrous

Agility and Strength. Roll on the following table:

Die Roll Ability Score

01-10 Excellent Reason and Intuition. Roll as per the rules in
the Campaign Book (Reprinted below for
11-30 Remarkable
convenience), but shift the results two ranks to
31-70 Incredible the right, to represent the fact that the characters
71-90 Amazing come from an advanced race. The characters
91-00 Monstrous have been fighting the Wraiths for a long time,
too, which would increase their scores in general.

71 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Psyche, Roll as per the normal Campaign range, allowing “shortcuts” through space with
Book rules. Class 1000 range.

Table 25: Random Ranks Body Armor: Rom’s suit of armor provided him
with Incredible protection against all physical,
Die Roll Rank radiation, heat-based, and cold based attacks. He
01-05 Feeble (2) could survive in deep space indefinitely.
06-10 Poor (3)
Regeneration: Rom’s armor had built-in micro-
11-20 Typical (6)
factories able to repair damaged circuitry,
21-40 Good (10) providing him with Good regeneration.
41-60 Excellent (20)
61-80 Remarkable (30) Resistances and Senses: Protected Senses,
81-96 Incredible (40) Extraordinary Senses, and Infravision are
97-00 Amazing (50) possible.

Movement: Lightning Speed and Teleportation

are possible.

Nature Control: Not possible.

Energy Control: All powers are possible.

Body Control: All powers are possible except

Plasticity, Shape-shifting, and Body
Transformation.

Distance Attacks: All are possible.

Mental Powers: All are possible.

Body Alteration (offensive): All are possible.

Body Alteration (Defensive): All are possible.

Weapons: Only Unique Weapon are possible.

All Spaceknight characters have the same

flight, body armor, and regeneration abilities
possessed by Rom and Starshine (listed below).
In addition, each Spaceknight character may roll
randomly for 1-2 extra powers using the hero-
creation section in the Campaign Book, Some
variations should be made to the powers, as
noted below.

Flight: Rom’s armor was provided with twin

rocket pods (electrically powered, low-density
plasma engines), which enabled him to fly at
Unearthly speed in the vacuum of space or at
Monstrous speeds in an atmosphere. Rom also
possessed special sensors that enable him to
locate space warps with Monstrous ability and

The Ultimate Origins Book 72

 Keep in mind that these super powers are combat. The Dire Wraiths often took the form of
produced and made possible by the the Deathwing:
Spaceknight's advanced battle suits. The power
ranks of their powers, after being randomly F A S E R I P
rolled, should be shifted to the right one column Gd Ex Ty Rm Rm Ty Gd
to indicate they have been created by an Health: 66 Karma: 46
advanced technology. A power's rank should
have a maximum of Monstrous. In Deathwing form, a Dire Wraith could fly at
Typical speed and breathe fire one per turn for
Dire Wraiths Incredible damage with Typical range.

Ability Rank
Fighting Good (10)
Agility Poor (4)
Strength Remarkable (30)
Endurance Remarkable (30)
Reason Remarkable (30)
Intuition Typical (6)
Psyche Good (10)
Health: 74 Karma: 46
Resources: Amazing

Special Attack: The Dire Wraith's most

insidious form of attack was its barbed tongue,
which also secreted a powerful acid. The tongue
instantly penetrated an unprotected human skull.
If the skull was armored, the acid secretion and
barbs of the tongue did Excellent damage to the
armor each turn. Any item made of Monstrous
material or better could not be pierced by the
tongue.

The tongue had range of one area. To

successfully use the tongue, a Dire Wraith had to
completely surprise a victim from behind or
grapple an opponent and roll a hold result,
indicating that the Wraith held the victim in front
of itself.

The referee should allow a victim a dodge roll

Known Powers:
Shape-Shifting: The Dire Wraiths most
important power was their uncanny shape-
shifting abilities, when faced with physical
combat, the Dire Wraiths could change into the
form of some alien beast more suitable for
or escape roll instant death to the victim. Right
after the tongue hits, the victim's body turns into
dust. The Wraith gains all the knowledge and
memories of the victim, and the Wraith is now
able to become a perfect duplicate of the victim,
down to the victim's voice. After taking a new
form, the Wraith's physical abilities become
those of the form taken. The Wraith loses all
normal abilities and vulnerabilities except for its
shape-changing power. If more damage is taken
than its new form can withstand, it is forced to
return to its true shape, and the previously taken
damage is retained.

73 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Heat Resistance: The Wraiths originated from a
planet with a great deal of volcanic activity.
They took half damage from fire and heat-based
attacks. At the same time, they took double
damage from cold-based attacks.

Magic: The Dire Wraith species consisted of

two branches: the males, who were experts in
advanced technology, and the females, who were
spell-casters. Female Wraiths had Monstrous
Psyches and Good Reason scores (see pages 10
and 32 of the Campaign Book for rules
concerning magic - The table from page 10 is
reprinted below for convenience).

Table 8: Magical Limits

Caster's Duration of
Area of Spell
Psyche Spell
Feeble Can't Cast Can't Cast
Poor Can't Cast Can't Cast
Typical Can't Cast Can't Cast
Good One Round Touching
Excellent One Hour One Area
Remarkable One Day One Area
Incredible One Week Two Areas
Amazing Permanent Five Areas
Ten Square
Monstrous Permanent
Miles
Unearthly Permanent One Planet
One
Class 1000 Permanent
Dimension

The Ultimate Origins Book 74

 Chapter Ten: The Brood
MTS Note: These are less then heroic, but they have been included for completion, or for those who like
playing characters that go against the grain so to speak. A more in-depth unofficial write-up of the Brood
can be found on page 85, and the " Ability Modifier Table" on page 35 of this book can be used to create
more personalized characters.

From the book "Project Widewake" Designed by living starships, robbing them of their minds and
Jeff Grubb souls. (Acanti ships: Body Remarkable, Speed
Unearthly, Control Good; laser weapons fire for
Monstrous damage.)

The Broodworld was recently destroyed

though actions of the X-Men and the
Starjammers. Members of the Brood are
scattered across their empire, but it is not known
if any Brood Queens survived the destruction of
the Planet.

Brood Queen

The ruling class of the Brood is the Brood

Queen. She is the absolute ruler of the race,
The Brood though she may raise other Brood Queens to rule
upon her demise. Her statistics are as follows:
F A S E R I P
Rm Gd Gd Ex Gd Ty Ex F A S E R I P
30 10 10 20 10 6 20 Rm Gd Gd Am Ex Ex Un
Health: 70 Karma: 36 30 10 10 50 20 20 100
Resources: Mn Popularity: -60 Health: 100 Karma: 140
Resources: Mn Popularity: -50
Known Powers:
A Brood Queen can inject eggs into a living
Body Armor: All members of the Brood have host, doing so only when the host is unconscious.
thick, scaly hides that provide Good protection These eggs will hatch in 1-10 weeks,
against physical and energy attacks. transforming the host into a fully developed
Brood Queen with all the powers of the (no
Sting: The Brood have double tails ending in
deceased) host. This process can only be halted
wicked spikes that are tipped with poison. Those
only by characters with high natural immunities,
hit will take Excellent damage and must make a
or by advanced medical aid.
Red Endurance FEAT roll. Those failing this roll
will fall unconscious for 1-10 hours.

Flight: Brood warriors can fly up to 3 areas per

round using their light, gauzy wings.

Background:

The Brood are natives of a nightmare planet

known only as "Broodworld". The Brood society
is an absolute matriarchy built on an organization
much like that of terrestrial insects. The Brood
race is savage, merciless, and motivated by the
drive to eat and produce more Brood. In their
drive for domination, the Brood have developed
advanced weapons and bioengineering, and have
turned a race of space whales, the Acanti, into

75 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Chapter Eleven: Vampires
MTS Note: The main reason I switched the history from what appeared in Dragon Magazine with the bit
from the Marvel Database is because the Dragon Magazine Article was about Dracula, with additional
information on playing a Vampire character. I wanted the history to be more "general" so it would apply to
all characters.
The overview of Vampires was taken from “The
Marvel Database”.
http://marvel.wikia.com/
History
The race of vampires first appeared in the pre-
cataclysmic era (before the sinking Atlantis and
Lemuria), circa 18,500 B.C., when the Atlantean
cult of Darkholders used the power of the
Chthon Scrolls in order to oppose King Kull,
who had slain their leader, Thulsa Doom. The
result was Varnae, one of their own raised as the
world's first vampire. Varnae quickly slew the
other Darkholders and used them to found the
vampire race, with himself as Vampire Lord.
Other races of vampires -- the Adze, Ancients,
Charniputra, Huskies, Jumlin, Nosferati,
Purebloods, Tryks, and Yiki Onna -- either
diverged from this original Varnaean line, or else
arose out of other circumstances. When Atlantis
sank 500 years after his creation, Varnae went
into hibernation, emerging from time to time to
confront threats (such as that posed by Conan in
10,000 B.C.) and to coerce the sorceress
Aamshed into creating a ritual to increase his
power. This Ritual of Ascendance could only be
performed once every 2000 years on the
vampire's home soil, however, and twice Varnae
failed to complete the ritual before he gave up
and resolved to instead seek an heir. Varnae
reigned as the unchallenged leader of Earth's
vampires for many thousands of years before
ceding the title and position to Vlad Dracul in
the year 1459. Dracula retained this title in a
nearly unbroken reign until Earth's Sorcerer
Supreme, Dr. Stephen Strange, uncovered a
mystical spell called the Montesi Formula that
would banish all vampires from this dimension.
Ironically, this spell was found within the
Darkhold, the same mystical text containing the
spell used to create vampires in the first place.
The Ultimate Origins Book
Like most spells, the Montesi Formula contained
a counter-spell, and within a few short years,
vampires began to appear across the world once
again. Dracula himself rose from the grave and
reclaimed his title as Lord of the Vampires.
Destruction
The only substances which could cause a
vampire pain were silver and, to a lesser extent,
unless it penetrated the vampire's heart, wood.
The surest way to kill a vampire was to drive a
wooden stake or a silver blade through his or her
heart. The stake or blade prevented the heart
from supplying ichor to the rest of the body. If
the stake or blade was removed, however, even if
the vampire's body had crumbled to dust, the
vampire's mystical vitality would restore his or
her body to the condition it had before the
vampire was slain, and return him or her to
vampiric "life." Beheading a vampire would also
kill him or her. However, there were only three
methods of making sure of destroying a vampire
permanently. One was to expose the vampire to
direct sunlight and then to scatter the ashes.
Another was to pierce the vampire's heart with
wood or silver, sever his or her head, burn the
head and body in separate places and scatter the
two resulting piles of ashes in separate locations.
The third was mystically, most notably by using
the incantation known as the Montesi Formula
(after the monk who first realized its
significance). Montesi created the incantation by
76
studying fragmentary copies of the Darkhold. It
was lost amid many other documents copied by
various anonymous monks over the centuries.
Research by various vampire hunters over the
past few decades revealed its significance, and it
was sought by both those hunters and by
Dracula, who wished to destroy all copies of it.
The incantation apparently canceled the mystic
curse that allowed any vampire within earshot to
exist, causing it to crumple to dust. The danger is
that, as the Montesi Formula was created from
black magic theory from the Darkhold, using it
untrained (in the mystic arts) causes the user to
lose his soul.
At one point, a cult who worshiped the elder
demon gods apparently fixated on Dracula as a
recipient of their power. Dracula gave them the
fragments of the Darkhold he had discovered; the
cultists (who were low level mystics) repeatedly
recast the original spells that created the first
vampires. This increased Draculas powers
considerably, and he lost his vulnerably to
sunlight and others. Dacula was able to take full
control of their minds (as well as anyone around
the world that Dracula had ever hypnotized in
the past, at will).
Doctor Strange (who at the time was in a
great battle with Dracula) was aware of the
Montesi Formula. He tracked down the Darkhold
and using the original source material to study
the spells that created vampires, Doctor Strange
created a massive version of the Montesi
Formula (backed by his power as Sorcerer
Supreme) to wipe out all vampires in the Marvel
Universe.
77
This article originally appeared as part of the
ongoing Marvel-Phile series, issue #126, and
was written by Jeff Grubb.
Not all vampires had the power of Dracula,
though most such creatures had abilities over and
above those of normal mortals. Conversion into a
vampire modified one’s abilities as follows:
Agility: + 1CS (maximum Remarkable),
Strength: + 1CS (maximum Remarkable);
Endurance: + 2CS (maximum Amazing);
and, Health: modified accordingly.
A vampire in the Marvel Universe had the
ability to transform like Dracula as noted below,
and gained Typical regenerative abilities. It
suffered all the effects noted below under
Limitations. It could also be controlled by the
vampire who bit (and created) it, should the
victim fail a Psyche FEAT Roll.
Transformation: Dracula could, at will,
transform himself into a number of different
shapes, each taking but a single round to assume.
These included:
• A mist-like cloud which allowed him
passage through tight spaces and
allowed him to fly at 1 area/round (he
could not be harmed by physical attacks
in this form);
• A bat with Dracula’s normal
intelligence, having bite attacks (Good
damage) and the ability to fly at 6
areas/round;
• A wolf with Dracula’s normal
intelligence, having the abilities to bite
(Remarkable damage), move at 3
areas/round, and use its Intuition at
+1CS to reflect its enhanced senses;
and,
The Ultimate Origins Book
 • A man-sized bat capable of flying at 4
areas/round, with claw and biting
attacks (for Excellent damage each).
Limitations: Dracula and other vampires were
unstoppable if opponents used most normal
weapons and attacks. A number of attack forms
and weaknesses did inflict damage to a vampire:
• Blood Dependency: Vampires needed
human blood to survive. Voluntary or
involuntary deprivation of blood
resulted in weakness (-1CS on all stats
for every two days without blood) and
an overwhelming desire for blood. A
Psyche FEAT put off that desire for one
day, but the need remained.
• Soil Dependency: Vampires could not
go 100 miles beyond their places of
human birth without taking a pound of
soil with them. This soil, usually used to
line a coffin, offset the negative effects
of the sun (see below).
• Direct Sunlight: The rays of the sun
caused Amazing damage per round to
vampires. If reduced to zero Health
points, a vampire dehydrated and turned
to powder. Sunlight also caused
vampires not under its effects to
become comatose unless in contact with
native soil. Energy attacks which
duplicated solar radiation (such as the
new Captain Marvel’s powers) could
affect vampires.
• Garlic Plants: A vampire could not
directly attack a victim wearing a clove
of garlic (the vampire could push a wall
over on the garlic-wearer, though, or
perform similar actions). Further, a
vampire’s transformation abilities could
not function within 1 area of garlic.
• Religious Objects: Vampires had an
allergy of sorts to objects of religious
faith, such that any religious symbol
(such as the cross or the Star of David)
held by someone who had great faith in
that symbol would keep a vampire at
bay. Such a symbol inflicted normal
damage (as a club, sword, or shuriken)
to the vampire.
• Mirrors: Vampires did not reflect an
image in mirrors, nor show up on
photographic plates or similar mediums.
• Houses: Most vampires were bound by
a code that prevented them from
The Ultimate Origins Book
entering a dwelling unless freely
invited. Dracula could counter that by
making a Psyche FEAT roll.
• Silver: Silver weaponry could inflict
normal damage on and could even kill
vampire.
• Wood: A wooden stake through the
heart produced an automatic "kill"
result against a vampire. Of course, this
meant holding the vampire down and
getting a "Red" result with the attack. A
wood stake or silver blade through the
heart caused a vampire to decay into
dust, but the dust reassembled and the
vampire started to heal as soon as the
stake or blade was removed.
• Permanent Destruction: All vampires
had a tendency to regenerate lost
damage over time, even if chopped into
tiny pieces. Three methods of slaying a
vampire were known to " kill " it
forever:
1. Exposure to sunlight until the
vampire becomes dust,
followed by scattering the
ashes.
2. Piercing the heart of and
beheading the vampire,
burning the head and body n
two separate pyres, then
scattering the ashes.
• Using the Montesi Formula: This last
method was how Dracula was finally
destroyed.
78
 Chapter Twelve: Wear your Best Suit!
Advanced Armor Battlesuit rules for the Marvel Super Heroes™ game

MTS Note: These are the rules that I always use in my games for Armored Battlesuit using characters.

This article was part of the Marvel-Phile, and
was originally printed in issue #180 of Dragon
Magazine.
table, not column 3 ("High Technology") as in
both the Ultimate Powers Book or the Advanced
Set rules - Reprinted below for convenience).
These abilities are the Character's normal levels.
This is to reflect that the character is a normal
human wearing an armored suit that supplies him
with his super powers.

Rank Name Roll

Feeble (1) 01-05
Poor (3) 06-25
Typical (5) 26-75
Good (8) 76-95
Excellent (16) 96-00
Remarkable (26) ---
Incredible (36) ---
Amazing (46) ---
Scenario one (from the Iron Man comic
book): Tony Stark, as Iron Man, fights Monstrous (63) ---
Firepower and receives several damaging blows.
Tony is beaten senseless and has his armor
nearly destroyed, so he has to fly warily to his
nearby helicopter.

Scenario two (from the Marvel Super

Heroes™ game): Tony Stark, as Iron Man, fights
Firepower and receives several damaging blows.
Tony is beaten senseless and flies his undamaged
armor at top speed to his nearby helicopter.

Notice the difference? In the Marvel Super

Heroes™ game, armored battlesuit combat
should be handled differently to reflect damage
incurred to the armor during combat, and to
better represent the unusual abilities of an
armored hero. The system in this article
showcases an alternate method of generating and
playing high-tech armored characters.

Creating Armored Heroes

This article assumes that you have MA3 The
Ultimate Powers Book. If you don't, simply use
the Players’ Book from the Advanced Set rules,
selecting the powers you think are reproducible
by machinery or electronics. Using this system,
armored heroes are rolled up using column 2
("Normal Folks") of the character-generation
Judges may wish to allow a character to
increase his physical stats when wearing the
armor by rolling once on Table 1 here, then
dividing the results among the hero's four
physical abilities (FASE). Note that the ability
scores indicated when the character adds the
modifiers to his personal attributes reflect the
benefits of the armor only when it is being worn.

79 The Ultimate Origins Book

 For example, a character whose Strength is
Typical (6), with a + 3CS modifier for the armor,
might add +1CS, +2CS, or +3CS to his Strength,
or he might not increase his Strength at all,
preferring to divide + 3CS among his other three
physical statistics.
If the character created his own armor, he also
receives a + 1CS to his Reason, a + 1CS to his
Electronics talent, and another + 1CS to repair
and modify his personal armor. If the character
receives the armor from someone else, it is
assumed that the original owner or people he
knows (all NPCs) can repair it. In the latter case,
the hero would not receive any of the Reason
bonuses above, though he could receive training
later on, at the Judge's discretion.
The character then rolls up the number of his
armored suit's powers, using the usual tables in
the Ultimate Powers Book or the Advanced Set
rules. This character automatically has Body
Armor at Excellent (20) rank, though this can be
increased (see the note under Defensive powers,.
which follows). When the character's powers are
determined, a special power rank called Armor
Endurance is also created. This is usually called
ECM (electronic countermeasures) and is used
The Ultimate Origins Book
against attempts to control the armor from
outside sources.
Because of their nature, armored heroes can
use only certain powers that could be technology
based. A suggested list of these powers, from the
Ultimate Powers Book, is given here:
Defensive powers: Body Armor (already taken
but can be taken again; + 1CS each time this is
chosen as a power), Force Field, Reflection,
Resistance to Energy Attacks, Resistance to
Physical Attacks.
Detection powers: Circular Vision, Energy
Detection, Hypersensitive Hearing,
Hypersensitive Touch, Life Detection,
Microscopic Vision, Penetration Vision,
Radarsense, Sonar, Telescopic Vision, Thermal
Vision, Ultraviolet Vision.
Energy Control powers: Electrical Control,
Energy Sponge, Hard Radiation Control,
Magnetic Manipulation.
Energy Emission powers: All except for Energy
Doppelganger.
Fighting powers: Weapons Creation.
Illusory powers: Illusion-Casting, Illusory
Duplication.
Life Control powers: Sleep Induced.
Magical powers: None.
Matter Control powers: Bonding, Machine
Animation.
Matter Conversion powers: Disintegration.
Matter Creation powers: Missile Creation,
Spray, Webcasting.
Mental Enhancement powers: Clairaudience,
Clairvoyance, Communicate With Cybernetics,
Danger Sense, Speechthrowing, Total Memory.
(These powers are not mental powers per se, but
are technological versions of mental powers.)
Physical Enhancement powers: Hyper-Speed,
Lung Adaptability, Stealth, Waterbreathing,
Water Freedom.
Power Control powers: None.
Self Alteration powers: Blending, Invisibility.
80
Travel powers: Gliding, Hyper-Digging, Hyper- would take 20 points of damage and would roll
Leaping, Hyper-Running, Hyper-Swimming, and 1d100 on the Good (10) column (50 -4CS = 10).
Rocket. If the result is red, then roll on Table 3.

Players can choose their armor's powers from
this list. If you find this list to be too limiting,
just use your imagination, the cornerstone of
super-hero gaming is the use of powers in new
ways.
Once the powers for the battlesuit have been
selected, rolls are made on Table 2 for the power
rank of each power. These rolls are not modified,
with the exception of Body Armor (as previously
noted). Also generate a power rank for Armor
Endurance at this point.
Energy attacks are a special case, as Body
Armor is 20 points less effective against energy
attacks than against physical ones. When a hero
is hit by an Energy attack capable of breaching
the armor's reduced rank vs. Energy attacks, the
character must follow the procedure for
determining armor damage from physical attacks
as before. Armored heroes can take Resistance to
Energy Attacks to cover this weakness.

Damaging Armor

To add depth to armored combat, each power

including Body Armor and each of the FASE
ability modifiers is then assigned a number as
part of a random-roll table. These numbers will
determine which of the armor's systems are
damaged when an attack exceeds the suit's Body
Armor (or applicable Force Fields, etc.) by more
than + 1CS, as noted later. The numbers should
be arranged so as they can be rolled on a simple
die: 1d8, 1d10, 1d12, etc. Optionally, assign two
or more numbers on such a table to a power that
would have a greater chance of being damaged,
like Body Armor or Flight, depending on your
vision of the character's armored suit and the
placement of his weaponry and equipment.
Repairing Damage
We now get to the raison d’etre for this
expanded system: armored suit combat. Every Fixing damaged armor is relatively simple.
time the character is in combat and receives a The hero must make a Reason FEAT roll to
blow that inflicts more damage than his Body make the proper repairs correctly. A Resources
Armor rank, the character takes damage equal to FEAT roll might be called for as well, to see if
the amount of damage minus the amount the hero can afford to make the repairs. Other
absorbed by his body armor. For example, if a strictures can be applied to the roll at the Judge's
hero has Remarkable (30) Body Armor and is hit whim.
by an Incredible (40) rank Force bolt, the hero
takes 10 points of damage (40 - 30 = 10). This is It is often a good idea for the Judge to make
per the normal rules. the Reason FEAT roll for the hero in secret. That
way, if the roll is a failure by a narrow margin
If the damage is 2CS or more than the Body say, within five points of the number needed for
Armor rank, the character takes the appropriate success the hero may mistakenly believe that his
damage, and percentile dice are then rolled on armor is repaired when it actually might fail at an
the rank of the attack - 4CS to determine if the important moment. This is a nasty thing to do,
character's armor was damaged by the attack. For but I leave the decision whether or not to use this
example, if the hero as above with Remarkable up to each Judge.
(30) Body Armor was punched by a villain
possessing Amazing (50) Strength, the hero

81 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Armored Advancement FEAT roll. (This is, of course, up to the
individual Judge.) All other forms of
The player may, at some point in his Hero's advancement are performed normally.
career, attempt to modify the hero's armor by
adding new powers. Armor powers can be added, Creativity is the key to any successful and
up to the maximum number that was determined enjoyable role-playing game. This system can
at creation, by spending 3,000 Karma for each, only get you started on the way. Where you go
plus 10 times the starting rank number for that now is up to you.
power (this is also the formula by which robots
can add powers). Power advancement is done Table 1 Armor Modifiers for FASE Abilities
normally, by spending 10 points times the
current rank plus 500 points for cresting from 1d100 Result
one rank to another. 01-10 Unchanged
11-20 +1 CS
21-45 +2 CS
46-75 +3 CS
76-95 +4 CS
96-00 +5 CS

Table 2 Power Rank Generation Table

1d100 Power Rank

01-05 Feeble (2)
06-10 Poor (4)
11-20 Typical (6)
21-40 Good (10)
41-55 Excellent (20)
56-80 Remarkable (30)
81-95 Incredible (40)
96-00 Amazing (50)

Table 3 Armor Damage Table

1d100 Damage Result

01-20 One Power is at -2CS
21-40 One FASE ability modifier is at -2CS
A Reason FEAT roll should be called for, 41-65 One power inoperative
with the difficulty equal to the new rank, if an 66-90 All powers are at -1CS
old power is being advanced to a new, higher 91-94 All FASE ability modifiers are -1CS
rank or if a new power is set at its starting level. All FASE ability modifiers and powers
A Resource FEAT roll might also be needed to 95-98
are at -2CS
see if the hero has the cash to perform the Massive systems overload. All FASE
modifications. ability modifiers are at - 2CS, and all
99-00
powers, with the exception of one (of
The Judge should make his own rulings on the player's choice) are inoperative
how to do the total makeover. That's so popular
with armored heroes, including such things as
resetting Popularity to zero, upping appropriate
powers and FASE abilities one rank, or adding
new things. This should cost a great deal: about
10,000 Karma points, a high Resource FEAT roll
(Amazing or better), and access to high-tech
equipment or a high (Incredible or better) Reason

The Ultimate Origins Book 82

 The Internet is full of various fan-made resources for the Classic Marvel Role-Playing
System. Unfortunately, many of them have been lost over time. This section is an attempt
to compile the various fan-written Origins into a single volume for the convenience of
Players and Judges alike.

83 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Chapter Thirteen: Aliens and Non-Human
Races IV
MTS Note: All material for this chapter came from X-Man Al's awesome website. He has even more Alien
races then these listed there. I omitted the ones that appear earlier in this book that come from official
books, as well as some non-Marvel Comics races. If you are looking to expand your game and add unique
origins, his website is an excellent place to start. I recommend using the " Ability Modifier Table " that
appears in "Aliens and Non-Humans Races I" on page 35 to implement these in your game.

These entries were originally written by X-Man interstellar empire in their region of space. The
Al for his website " X-Man Al's Marvel Super scout Ten-For was vanguard for a proposed
Heroes Classic RPG Web Source". It is an invasion of Earth, but the invasion was cancelled
excellent site and worth checking out. after Machine Man defeated Ten-For.

The Autocron homeworld is the planet Cron.

It orbits the star Betelgeuse VI in the Milky Way
Galaxy, and has an estimated population of ten
billion.

Autocrons have achieved trans-warp travel

and the use of metamorphic technology.
http://www.angelfire.com/rpg2/xmanalb/MRPG.html
Unfortunately, much of their technology is
focused on military uses.
Autocron
Age: 30*(3d10+15) years (Autocrons have an
average lifespan equal to that of 30 times that of
a Normal Human)

Height: 1d10+76" for females, 1d10+77" for

males

Weight: 3*(6d10+100 lbs.) for females,

3*(6d10+140 lbs.) for males.

Powers:
• Armor Skin: (Permanent, Visually
Inorganic) Ex 20
• Longevity: Pr 4

Weakness: Magnetic and Electrical attacks are

+1CS against Autocrons. Saltwater also causes
F A S E R I P
rust-like lesions on their skin, which decreases
Rm Ty Am Am Ex Gd Ty their Armor Skin -1CS per week until treated. A
30 6 50 50 20 10 6 common treatment for this is heat-treating in
Health: 136 Karma: 36 mineral oils for one day per week left untreated.
Resources: Pr 4/Ex 20 on their homeworld.
Popularity: 0 on Earth, -10 elsewhere Talents: Randomly generated.

Autocron biochemistry is based on iron rather Contacts: Autocron Empire (Military, CL1000
than carbon. Resources).

Autocrons are a militaristic technocracy ruled

by a world-computer. They established a small

The Ultimate Origins Book 84

 Ba-Bani Age: 3d10+15 years (Ba-Bani have an average
lifespan equal to that of a Normal Human)

Height: 2d10+59" for females, 2d10+60" for

males

Weight: 6d10+100 lbs. for females, 6d10+140

lbs. for males

Powers:
• None.

When encountered, a Ba-Bani may be

equipped with various energy weapons or armed
vehicles.

Weakness: Same weaknesses as humans.

Talents: Randomly generated.

Contacts: Avengers (Hero Group).

F A S E R I P Brood
Ex Gd Gd Gd Ty Pr Pr
20 10 10 10 6 4 4
Health: 50 Karma: 14
Resources: Pr 4/Rm 30 on their homeworld.
Popularity: 0

Little is known about the origins of the Ba-

Bani. Their homeworld is the planet Ba-Banis. It
is the 4th planet from the star known as Ba, in
the Milky Way Galaxy.

The Ba-Bani number about ninety-two

--- Royal Warrior Scientist
million. This population estimate changes due to
the various constant civil wars that erupt between F Gd 10 Ex 20 Gd 10
local dictators of the Ba-Bani. The only time this A Gd 10 Gd 10 Gd 10
has ever remained stable was during the brief S Rm 30 Ex 20 Gd 10
reign of the Earth human known as Moondragon. E Ex 20 Rm 30 Gd 10
R Gd 10 Ty 6 Ex 20
The Ba-Bani have an equivalent technology I Gd 10 Ty 6 Gd 10
level as Earth. The exception is they have sub- P Gd 10 Ty 6 Ty 6
light-speed engines on their ships, as well as
Health 70 80 40
advanced weaponry.
Karma 30 18 36
The general populace of the Ba-Bani are Resources: Pr 4/Ex 20 on their hiveship and Rm
ignorant of Earth. The Ba-Bani dictators, 30 on Brood-conquered planets.
however, view Earth as a potential threat to their Popularity: -10, -30 to members of the Shi'ar
rule, thanks to the actions of Moondragon. Empire, -20 on Earth.

Each representative of the Ba-Bani race has light Age: 3d10+15 years (Brood have an average
yellow skin and orange to yellow hair. lifespan equal to that of their host)

85 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Height: 2d10+59" for females, 2d10+60" for
males
Weight: 6d10+100 lbs. for females, 6d10+140
lbs. for males.
Powers:
Same as host in addition to the following:
• Natural Weaponry:
o Brood have razor sharp teeth
that can cut through up to Gd
10 materials and do ten points
of edged damage.
o Brood have twin stingers at the
ends of their tails that can
pierce up to Ex 20 material and
can do up to ten points of
edged damage.
o Brood have two tentacles
which can grapple with Gd 10
ability.
• True Flight: Brood have winged flight
and can fly up to Ty 6 airspeeds.
• Incarnation Awareness: All brood have
the Mn 75 ability to sense those who are
shapeshifted Brood, newly-infected, or
hosts who have expelled the embryonic
infection from their bodies. This is due
to the unique protein marker the
infection leaves in a host's body.
Talents: Leadership (Royal), Military (Warrior),
and at least one Scientific (Scientists).
Note: Brood Queens are the only members of the
Brood race that can reproduce.
Brood Queens have the following stats:
F A S E R I P
Ex Gd Rm Rm Gd Ex Rm
10 10 30 30 10 20 30
Health: 80 Karma: 60
Talents: Leadership, Resist Domination
Powers:
As well as having the standard Brood powers, a
Brood Queen has the following abilities:
• Embryonic Infection: Brood Queens
have the Mn 75 ability to infect a host
with a brood egg (DNA packet). Within
a time frame equal to ten turns x the
rank number of the queen's psyche, the
egg completely assimilates and/or
The Ultimate Origins Book
rewrites the host's DNA and RNA. This
process effectively destroys the host as
a viable living being. Any genetically
based powers and/or abilities that the
host had are now assimilated into the
newly "hatched" Brood. Ten percent of
these Brood will have the Mn 75 ability
to shapeshift into their hosts original
likeness and form (and may even share
the hosts mind and personality). There
is a five percent chance that a Brood
hatchling is a queen; ten percent for a
Royal; twenty percent for a Scientist;
sixty-five percent for a Warrior.
• Telepathy: In 40
• Body Armor: The chitinous scales of the
Brood Queen give her Ty 6 resistance to
Physical attacks.
• Growth-Atomic Gain: Brood Queens
are twice as large as normal Brood.
They are +1CS to hit.
Weakness: Same weaknesses as host. If a host's
body somehow expels the infection, that host
will forever be immune to any future attempts at
infecting him by Brood.
Talents: Determined by caste. Otherwise,
Randomly generated.
Contacts: Brood hive that the individual Brood
belongs to (Ex 20 Resources).
Dakkamite
F A S E R I P
Ty 6 Ty 6 Ty 6 Ty 6 Ty 6 Ty 6 Ty 6
Health: 24 Karma: 18
Resources: Pr 4/Ex 20 on their homeworld.
Popularity: 0
The Dakkamites come from the planet
Dakkam, in the Beta Rigel system of the Milky
Way Galaxy. They number only thirty-seven
million. The Dakkamites have a peaceful
86
potential to mutate and acquire superpowers.
They also have their share of madmen, such as
the unnamed Dakkamite scientist who
incorrectly predicted Dakkam would explode,
and sent his infant son Wundarr to Earth in a
small starship. In an alternate thirtieth century,
the Dakkamites established a galaxy-wide
empire under the leadership of the Overlord.
Dakkamites wield advanced technology such
as interstellar spacecraft, energy weapons,
exoskeletal combat suits, and advanced energy
tracking sensor systems. Dakkamites view Earth
as a base of operations for exposing squads of
Dakkamite volunteers to solar radiation, and as a
training ground in "scientifically" using their
powers and abilities.
Age: 4d10+15 years (Dakkamites have an
average lifespan equal to twice that of a Normal
Human.)
Height: 2d10+59" for females, 2d10+60" for
males
Weight: 6d10+100 lbs. for females, 6d10+140
lbs. for males.
Powers:
• None.
Weakness: Same as Normal Humans.
Talents: Randomly generated.
Contacts: Dakkam (Homeworld, Un 100
Resources).
Note: Dakkamites exposed to the solar energy of
Earth's sun develop superhuman abilities and
powers. After initial exposure to such energy, a
Dakkamite is to be considered an Induced
Mutant and should be generated as such a
character. Once altered by the exposure, any
powers and/or abilities the Dakkamite as a result
are permanent and not contingent on further
exposure.
87
Elan
F A S E R I P
Ty Ty Ex Am Gd Gd Am
6 6 20 50 10 10 50
Health: 82 Karma: 70
Resources: Pr 4 on Earth, Rm 30 on homeworld.
Popularity: 0, -5 on Earth
The Elan originated on the planet Elanis, in
the Beta Scorpi V star system of the Milky Way.
They evolved from an insectoid-like mullusk.
Their government is a planet wide union of
democratic nations.
After millennia of global peace, the Elan
abandoned military technology. They started
focusing on the development of both their
Utopian society, and their racial powers.
Unfortunately, this was not to last. Skrull
envoys, hearing of the powers of the Elan,
traveled to Elanis and began negotiating trade for
weapons. Due to over ten thousand years of
peace, the Elan had no weapons. Furthermore,
they could not even imagine what a weapon
looked like. Furious as the supposed ignorance
of the Elan, the Skrull envoys ordered their
starships to attack the planet. Many Elan were
killed. The Fantastic Four eventually saved the
planet and its inhabitants.
The greatest threat to the Elan race appeared
over ten years later with the appearance of a
Vorm named Star Stalker II. This Star Stalker
laid waste to entire Elan cities and drained many
Elan of their life energies. It was only with the
help of Power Pack, Nova of the Heralds of
Galactus, and the Elan known on Earth as the
Infant Terrible that Star Stalker II was defeated.
The damage, however, was done. The Elan, who
once numbered one billion, now number two
point seven million scattered across the Milky
Way. Their once Utopian society and non-violent
ways have ended. They are now in the process of
The Ultimate Origins Book
 training a defensive force to protect their race. Ergon
Their ships have warp-drive engines. The Elan
considers Earth to be mostly harmless and a safe
place to leave your kids. The Elan are a friendly,
open people although they seldom seek contact
with other races.

Age: 10*(3d10+15) Elan have the equivalent

lifespan of 10Xs that of a Normal Human.

Height: 3d10+108" for females and males.

Weight: 2*(4d10+100 lbs.) for both females and

males.

Powers:
Individuals may possess one or more powers,
which they emit through their antennae. The F A S E R I P
powers thus far displayed by the Elan are: In Ty In In Gd Pr Pr
• Elemental Conversion: Am 50 40 6 40 40 10 4 4
• Kinetic Bolt: Am 50 Health: 126 Karma: 18
• Molding: Am 50 Resources: Pr 4/Rm 30 on their homeworld.
• Molecular Conversion: Am 50 Popularity: -10 on Earth, 0 elsewhere
• Telekinesis: Am 50
• Telepathy: Am 50. Primarily used for The Ergons come from the planet Ergonar.
communication with other Elan. All Ergonar is the second planet from the star called
Elan have this power. M. Canum Venaticorum II in the Milky Way
galaxy. The planet has an estimated population
All Elan also have the following powers: of two point four billion Ergons. Ergon society is
• Longevity: Fb 2. See Age. made up of a variety of national governments,
• Growth-Atomic Gain: Permanent. Pr 4. primarily military dictatorships. Ergons have
starships with sub-light engines, but are the same
Weakness: Elan focuses the majority of their technology-wise as Earth. They have a neutral
powers through their antennae. If their antennae attitude towards Earth. Due to their evolution on
are damaged, the powers that emanate from the a high-gravity world (Thirty times Earth
antennae are -2CS. If one of them is severed, the gravity), Ergons have superhuman strength.
powers function at -4CS. If both are severed, the Their skin is red.
Elan loses all of those powers.
Note: The Ergons are a belligerent people prone
Talents: Randomly generated. to piracy.

Contacts: United Democracy of Elanis
(Planetary, CL1000 Resources), Fantastic Four
(Hero Group), Power Pack (Hero Group).
Age: 3d10+15 years (Ergons have an average
lifespan equal to that of a Normal Human)
Height: 2d10+63" for females, 2d10+64" for
males

Weight: 3*(6d10+100 lbs.) for females,

3*(6d10+140 lbs.) for males.

Powers:
• Body Resistance: Gd 10

Weakness: None.
Talents: Military, otherwise randomly
generated.

The Ultimate Origins Book 88

Contacts: Ergonar (Homeworld, Un 100 Age: 3d10+15 years (Froma have the same
Resources). lifespan as humans)

Froma Height: 2d10+69" for females, 2d10+70" for

males

Weight: 6d10+100 lbs. for females, 6d10+140

lbs. for males

Powers:
• Levitation: Ty 6.
• Body Resistance: Ty 6.

Weakness: The atmosphere of Chize is 70%

Methane. As such, Froma who visit Earth must
make a Green Endurance FEAT for every week
spent in Earth's atmosphere or suffer a -1CS to
all physical stats. This is cumulative. Extended
exposure to such an environment can prove fatal.
The Froma's stats go back to their previous levels
when out of Earth's atmosphere or when
provided with a concentrated source of methane
gas (Sewers are a good source of this).

Talents: Business, Randomly generated.

F A S E R I P Contacts: Chize (Homeworld), Planet Trade

Ty Ty In Rm Gd Ty Ty Guild (Business, CL1000).
6 6 40 30 10 6 6
Health: 82 Karma: 22
Resources: Pr 4/Rm 30 on Chize.
Popularity: -5 on Earth, 0 elsewhere.

The Froma are a race of green-skinned

humanoids from the planet Chize (pronounced
"Cheeze") in Deleen Star System of the Milky
Way Galaxy.

Froma culture is based on economics and

interplanetary trade.

The Froma have achieved star-drive

technology. Other than that, they are at the same
level of technology as Earth.

The Froma have extensive contracts and

connections with the Planet Trade Guild, and
often license out the services of Froma
mercenaries to the Guild.

Because of the heavy gamma radiation

emitted from star, Delee, the Froma have
evolved into large-bodied, greenish humanoids
resembling Earth's Hulk.

89 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Horusian Height: 2d10+59" for females, 2d10+60" for
males

Weight: 6d10+100 lbs. for females, 6d10+140

lbs. for males.

Powers:
• Longevity: Through the use of advanced
genetic engineering, Horusians have
given themselves this power at Pr 4
rank.

Weakness: None.

Talents: Pilot (air/space), one scientific or

professional talent, otherwise randomly
generated.

Contacts: Horusian Planetary Kingdoms

(Interplanetary, CL1000 Resources).

Kawa
F A S E R I P
Ex Rm Ex Rm Ex Ty Gd
20 30 20 30 20 6 10
Health: 100 Karma: 36
Resources: Pr 4/Rm 30 on their homeworld.
Popularity: 0 on Earth and elsewhere.

Horusians originated on planet Horus IV, in

the Horus star system in the Milky Way Galaxy.
Their population is an estimated one point three
billion.

Horusians are ruled by a monarchy.

Horusians idealize the warrior ethic but are
mostly non-violent. They are fascinated by alien
cultures and often disguise themselves as the
local gods of whatever worlds they are visiting.
On Earth they masqueraded as the gods of F A S E R I P
Heliopolis, the ancient Egyptian pantheon. Ty Ty Gd Ex Ty Ty Ty
6 6 10 20 6 6 6
Their advanced technology lets them simulate Health: 42 Karma: 18
psionic powers like telepathy, teleportation, and Resources: Pr 4/Un 100 with their fleet.
telekinesis. They use a somna-ray to stun their Popularity: -5, -25 with races who have
opponents. They have advanced interstellar survived the destruction of their homeworlds by
starships and their bioengineering expertise Galactus, -10 with members of the Planet Trade
allows them to create very powerful warriors. Guild
Disputes with neighboring worlds are settled The Kawa are a reptilian race from the planet
by combat of champions. Kawa, in the Bawa-Kawa star system of the
Andromeda galaxy.
Age: 10d10+15 years (Horusians have an
average lifespan of 1000 years.)

The Ultimate Origins Book 90

 The Kawa race was almost exterminated by Powers:
Galactus' eternal hunger when the entity • Armor Skin: Permanent. Leather. The
consumed their homeworld. The survivors (less thick scaly hides of Kawa give them Gd
than fifty thousand), those away from the planet 10 protection against both energy and
in starships, underwent a profound cultural physical attacks.
shock. They became obsessed with their race's • Growth-Atomic Gain: Permanent. Fb 2.
perceived guilt (for being destroyed) and their
own (for surviving). The survivors became a Weakness: None.
theocracy dedicated to seeking expiation and
worshipping Galactus as their God of Talents: Randomly generated.
Vengeance. They periodically offer sacrifices to
Galactus in the form of other worlds they lead Contacts: Galactus (he is worshiped as their
him to. Any race that lost a world to Galactus deity).
considers the Kawa to be a race of genocidal
religious fanatics. Mekkan
Kawa employ immense, highly automated
starships the size of planets. When the Kawa
have selected a world for sacrifice, two such
ships position themselves on opposite sides of
the doomed world and surround it with an energy
field that will attract Galactus' attention. If the
Kawa involved fail in their intended sacrifice,
they destroy themselves and their ships.

Kawa technology is highly advanced. They

have achieved warp drive technology as well as
gravimetric weaponry.

Kawa have two eyes (on head) with red

pupils. They have three fingers on each hand
(including opposable thumb) and three toes on
each foot (two on the front of foot, one on back).
Kawa have orange skin.
F A S E R I P
The Planet Trade Guild sees the Kawa as a Ex Gd Am Un Ty Ty Ty
threat to their clients as well as a business rival. 20 10 50 100 6 6 6
Fleet commanders of the Planet Trade Guild are
Health: 180 Karma: 18
paid bonuses for attacking Kawa ships. Kawa
Resources: Pr 4/Un 100 on their homeworld.
consider the Planet Trade Guild unworthy of
Popularity: 0, -5 with Skrulls
serving Galactus' needs, and will not hesitate to
use their gravimetric weapons to cripple or
The Mekkans are a race of sentient humanoid
destroy Planet Trade Guild ships.
robots from the planet Mekka (formerly known
as Maarin) in the Kirtham II star system of the
Kawa view Earth as a shrine to Galactus in
Milky Way Galaxy. They were created by an
that Galactus was both killed and later
Earth-like race called the Maarinites. The
resurrected there.
Maarinites built the Mekkanites as servants.
They gradually transformed their world into a
Age: 3d10+15 years (Kawa have an average
planetwide mass of metal (similar to Cybertron).
lifespan equal to that of Normal Humans.)
An alien virus exterminated the Maarinites. The
robots were then free to build a society of their
Height: 2d10+115" for females, 2d10+120" for
own. For centuries afterwards, the Mekkans led
males
lives of quiet serenity.
Weight: 10d10+100 lbs. for females, 10d10+140
lbs. for males

91 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Unfortunately, the ambitions of Skrull
warlords would shatter that peace. Many
Mekkans were captured by Skrull raiders and
reprogrammed to kill. Hundreds were sent as
shocktroops against rival warlords as well as
planets the Skrulls wanted to conquer. This
"slavery" was finally ended by a rebellion led by
the Mekkan known as Torgo and the Fantastic
Four's Thing.
As a result of the rebellion, Torgo was given
the title of "1st Among Equals" or "Prime" of all
Mekkans. (Torgo's role as "Prime" is equal to
that of the U.S. President.) Mekkans have a
democratic society. They are highly advanced,
especially in the fields of Robotics and
Cybernetics. Mekkans number an estimated 1.7
billion.
Mekkans have a neutral attitude towards
Earth. They regard the Fantastic Four as heroes
and ambassadors of Earth.
Age: N/A
Height: 2d10+75" for both females and males
Weight: 10*(10d10+100 lbs.) for both females
and males.
Powers:
• Body Armor: Due to their robotic
construction, Mekkans have the
equivalent of In 40 protection against
physical attacks and Ex 20 protection
against energy attacks.
• Energy Source: A Mekkan's
consciousness is linked to the main
power emitter on the planet Mekka.
This has a CL1000 range in that it can
also breach dimensions to power a
Mekkan's body.
Weakness: As mentioned above, a Mekkan is
linked to the "The Tower of Life" on Mekka. If
the tower is ever deactivated, then all Mekkans
will deactivate until the tower is reactivated.
Talents: Randomly generated.
Contacts: Mekka (homeworld), Fantastic Four
(Hero Group).
The Ultimate Origins Book
Mobian
F A S E R I P
Ex Gd Ex Am Gd Gd Ty
20 10 20 50 10 10 6
Health: 100 Karma: 26
Resources: Pr 4/In 40 on their homeworld.
Popularity: -5 on Earth and with the Skrulls, 10
with races at war against the Skrulls, 0 elsewhere
The Mobians come from the planet Mobius,
of the Lemivell XI star system in the Andromeda
Galaxy. The Mobians have an estimated
population of fifteen million. Their society is
based on loosely affiliated interplanetary
republics dominated by major trading
corporations, principally those involved with
hunting space-dwelling beasts for commercial
use. Mobian starships are equipped with
stardrives and are capable of intergalactic travel.
Their starships are also equipped with advanced
gravimetric weapon and shield systems. Mobian
spacehunters are often armed with harpoons that
can stun, fire energy or force bolts, or drain
energy with Un 100 ability. The Mobian
spacehunter known as Xeron was able to capture
the Hulk with only two of these harpoons! The
stubborn Mobians have thus far resisted the
Skrulls' attempts at annexation. They are allied in
their resistance with the Gegku and Wilameanis.
Note: Individual Mobians are adventurous and
stubborn. Once they set upon a goal, they
persevere until either the goal is accomplished or
forever beyond the Mobian's efforts.
92
Age: 3d10+15 years (Mobians have an average Procyonite
lifespan equal to that of a Normal Human)

Height: 2d10+92" for females, 2d10+94" for

males

Weight: 2*(6d10+10 lbs.) for females,

2*(6d10+140 lbs.) for males.

Powers:
• Growth-Atomic Gain: Permanent. Fb 2.
Mobians are +1CS to hit.
• Self-Sustenance: Mn 75. Temporary
only.
• Resistance to Physical Attacks: Ty 6
• Resistance to Energy Attacks: Ty 6
• Telelocation: Ex 20.

Weakness: None.
F A S E R I P
Talents: Randomly generated Ex Pr Ex Ex Pr Pr Fb
20 4 20 20 4 4 2
Contacts: Mobius Republics (Homeworld, Health: 64 Karma: 10
CL1000 Resources). Resources: Pr 4/Rm 30 on their homeworld.
Popularity: 0, -5 on Earth.

Procyonites originate from the planet Perratin,

which is the second planet orbiting the star
Procyon in the Milky Way Galaxy.

Procyonites have an estimated population of

three point four billion and appear to have
evolved from a reptile-like species similar to
Earth's dinosaurs. They have two lidless eyes,
four fingers with an opposable thumb, and three
toes.

Their society is made up of a collection of

large warrior tribe nations with a Stone Age
equivalent technology level. They have no means
of interplanetary travel, but have served as
mercenaries for various starfaring races.

The vast majority of Procyonites are ignorant

of Earth's existence.

Age: 3d10+15 years (Procyonites have an

average lifespan equal to that of a Normal
Human)

Height: 2d10+70" for females, 2d10+77" for

males

Weight: 10d10+100 lbs. for females, 10d10+140

lbs. for males.

93 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Powers:
• Armor Skin: Permanent. Rigid Plates.
The thick scaly plated hides of
Procyonites give them Ty 6 protection
against both energy and physical
attacks. The armor-plated back shells of
the Procyonites give them Ex 20
protection against rear energy and
physical attacks.
• Natural Weaponry: The spikes along a
Procyonite's shell are of Gd 10 material
strength and can do Pr 4 edged damage.
A Procyonite can use its tail as a spiked
club by swinging it at an opponent in
combat. The tail does Rm 30 blunt
damage while the spikes on the tail can
peirce up to Gd 10 material and do Pr 4
edged damage. Their claws can rend up
to Gd 10 material and also do Pr 4
edged damage.
Weakness: None.
Little is known of the race called the Rajak.
What is known is that they originated from the
planet Rajak, in the Jakkel star system, in what
many intergalactic scholars and explorers believe
is the same galaxy that contains the Watcher's
homeworld.
Planet Rajak has one point two times the
gravity of Earth and has an estimated population
of three point seven billion. Rajak have black
irises and green skin. Their appearance is similar
to the Neanderthals of Earth.
Rajak are ruled by confederacies of large
space piracy organizations. They have advanced
interstellar ships with warp drive, highly
advanced weaponry, including the "delta-ray
cannon" that can kill all life on a planet while
mounted on a nearby world (Disintegration of
CL1000 rank and range that only affects organic
life). Rajak are ruthless and have no respect for
other alien races.

Talents: Randomly generated. Note: Rajak bands of space pirates will wipe out
all life on planets in order to plunder them of
Contacts: Various starfaring races in which they valuable elements.
serve as mercenaries.
As a result, they have come into conflict with
Rajak both the Kawa and the Planet Trade Guild.

Age: 3d10+15 years (Rajak have an average

lifespan equal to that of a Normal Human)

Height: 2d10+69" for females, 2d10+70" for

males

Weight: 6d10+10 lbs. for females, 6d10+140 lbs.

for males.

Powers:
• None.

Weakness: None.

Talents: Randomly generated.

Contacts: Rajak Confederacies (Homeworld,

CL1000 Resources).
F A S E R I P
Rm Rm Gd Ex Ex Ex Gd
30 30 10 20 20 20 10
Health: 90 Karma: 50
Resources: Pr 4/Am 50 on their homeworld.
Popularity: -50 with races whose planets the
Rajak have plundered, 0 elsewhere.

The Ultimate Origins Book 94

 Saurid Weight: 10d10+100 lbs. for females, 10d10+140
lbs. for males.

Powers:
• Waterbreathing (Amphibious)
• Water Freedom
• Resistance to Cold: Ex 20
• Armor Skin: Permanent. Leather. The
thick scaly hides of Saurids give them
Gd 10 protection against both energy
and physical attacks.
• Growth-Atomic Gain: Fb 2. Saurids are
+1CS to hit.

Weakness: None.

Talents: Randomly generated.

F A S E R I P
Rm Gd In Ex Rm Gd Ex Contacts: Shi'ar Empire (CL1000 Resources),
30 10 40 20 30 10 20 Starjammers (Hero Group).
Health: 100 Karma: 60
Resources: Pr 4/Rm 30 on their homeworld. Sssth
Popularity: 0, -5 on Earth.

The Saurid homeworld is the planet Timor. It

is the fourth planet from the star Varanus in the
Shi'ar Galaxy.

The Saurids have an estimated population of

four billion. Their government is made up of a
council of philosopher-scientists with little real
authority. Saurid technology is moderately
advanced compared to Earth, but they have
starships that are on par with those of the Shi'ar.

The Saurids appear as amphibious reptilian

bipeds with two eyes, (black surrounded by red),
four fingers (with opposable thumb), two toes. F A S E R I P
Their skin color is green, scaled, with yellow Ex Ty Ex Gd Pr Pr Pr
fins. The Saurid homeworld has two times 20 6 20 10 4 4 4
Earth's gravity and is eighty-five percent covered Health: 56 Karma: 12
by water, with dry land limited to chains of Resources: Pr 4/Rm 30 on their homeworld.
islands. Saurid society is scattered both on land Popularity: -5, -15 with races whose members
and in the world ocean. Technological centers have been enslaved by the Sssth.
tend to be on land. Individuals are contemplative
philosophers but also formidable warriors. The Sssth are a race of reptilian humanoids
Saurids act as mercenaries for the Shi'ar but also from the planet Sszardil, in the Sslirteep system
serve rebellious forces if the cause is just. of the Milky Way Galaxy. The planet Sszardil
has gravity equal to that of one point three times
Saurids have a neutral attitude towards Earth. that of Earth. Sssth have two red eyes, three
. fingers (including an opposable thumb) on each
Age: 3d10+15 years (Saurids have an average hand, 3 toes on each foot, and a tail.
lifespan equal to that of a Normal Human)
The Sssth number an estimated four point
Height: 4d10+66" for females, 4d10+68" for three billion. The Sssth are ruled by provincial
males dictatorships and regard cunning, treachery, and

95 The Ultimate Origins Book

 assassination as virtues and acceptable means to
advance one's self in intergalactic circles. The
Sssth have warpdrives in their starships. Other
than their starships, the Sssth are at an equal
technology level as Earth. The Sssth have
military and trading alliances with the
Vrellnexians and the Planet Trade Guild. The
Sssth are a major player in the intergalactic slave
market. They enslave entire planetary
populations and sell them to the highest bidders.
The Sssth regard Earth as a threat, because it
was the Earth hero known as Thor who was
responsible for the loss of the Sssth's Golden Star
slaver center.
Age: 3d10+15 years (Sssth have an average
lifespan equal to that of Normal Humans.)
Height: 2d10+90" for females, 2d10+92" for
males
Weight: 7d10+100 lbs. for females, 7d10+140
lbs. for males.
Powers:
• Natural Weaponry: Teeth. Sssth can
bite through up to Ty 6 Strength
Materials and do up to ten points of
edged damage with each bite.
• Extra Body Parts: Combat Tail. Sssth
can use their tails to do Rm 30 blunt
damage.
Weakness: None.
Talents: Randomly generated.
Contacts: Sszardil (Homeworld)
The Ultimate Origins Book
Stenth
F A S E R I P
Ty Ty Gd Gd Ty Ty Pr
6 6 10 10 6 6 4
Health: 32 Karma: 16
Resources: Pr 4 /Rm 30 on their homeworld.
Popularity: 0
Little is known about the origins of the Stenth.
Their homeworld is the planet Stent, which is the
fifth planet from the star known as Duggil in the
Milky Way Galaxy. Stent's gravity is one point
three times that of Earth. Each Stenth has light
yellow skin and white hair.
The Stenth number about one hundred million.
Because of the extreme environmental conditions
of their homeworld's surface, they now live in
live in mobile cities shaped like immense beetles
or spiders that constantly move in search of
water sources. Each city houses seven million
Stenth and are governed differently in various
mobile cities, but most are ruled by an elite class
of "City-Keepers" who restrict the lower classes
to "squalor-sections". The City-Keepers (also
known as the City Mongers), live in the "body"
of the beetle, while the lower classes, the
"Squalor Dwellers", are forced to live in relative
squalor in the "limbs" of the beetles. Opposing
this class system and way of life, are the "Demon
Rebels". They are anarchists, who live in giant
robot spiders, with no divisions between classes.
The City-Keepers and Demon Rebels will use
their vessels to actively combat each other, even
at the expense of crippling each other. The
Squalor Dwellers, while forced to live under the
96
City-Keepers' rule, are more closely allied with
the outside "Demon Rebels".
The Stenth have advanced genetics and mobile
habitat technology. Their ships have sub-light-
speed engines. Stenth technology is powered by
water. As such, the Stenth consider water to be
more precious than gold.
The general populace of the Stenth are
ignorant of Earth's existence.
Age: 3d10+15 years (Stenth have an average
lifespan equal to that of a Normal Human)
Height: 2d10+60" for females, 2d10+61" for
males
Weight: 6d10+100 lbs. for females, 6d10+140
lbs. for males.
Powers:
• None.
Weakness: Same weaknesses as humans.
Talents: Randomly generated
Contacts: The City-Dwellers are allies of the
Kree (Interplanetary, Un) while the Demon
Rebels are allies of the Inhumans (Interplanetary,
Un 100 Resources).
Notes: Stenth are obstinate and fatalistic. They
will not hesitate to go on "suicide" missions to
advance their causes.
97
Tekton
F A S E R I P
Am Gd Mn Am Pr Pr Pr
50 10 75 50 4 4 4
Health: 185 Karma: 12
Resources: Pr 4/Rm 30 on their homeworld.
Popularity: 0, -10 with Skrulls, 10 with races
who are at war with the Skrulls, -5 on Earth.
The Tektons are a race of ape-like homonids
from the planet Tekton, in the Tacuspar system
of the Andromeda galaxy. The planet Tekton has
gravity equal to that of one point seven times
that of Earth. Tektons are almost completely
covered with purple fur. They have four fingers
(including an opposable thumb) on each hand,
three toes on each foot, two eyes, and a
prehensile tail.
The Tektons number an estimated three point
four billion. The Tektons have a primitive,
savage culture that was long ago conquered by
the Skrulls. Still, despite their overwhelming
firepower and technology, the Skrulls were never
able to subdue the Tektons or impress them into
their armies. However, individual Tektons may
be captured for use in the gladiatorial contests in
the Kral system of the Andromeda galaxy. The
Tekton gladiator Taxtor once defeated the
Fantastic Four's Thing in gladiatorial combat.
Textons have a technology level equal to Stone
Age Earth and are governed by a tribal council.
There are individual Textons, however, who
have become crewmembers on the starships of
other races who are at war with the Skrulls.
Tektons are not aware of Earth's existence.
The Ultimate Origins Book
 Age: 3d10+15 years (Tektons have an average 4th planet from the star known as Vega in the
lifespan equal to that of Normal Humans.) Milky Way Galaxy.

Height: 2d10+68" for females, 2d10+70" for
males
Weight: 6d10+100 lbs. for females, 6d10+140
lbs. for males.
Powers:
• Body Resistance: Gd 10.
• Extra Body Parts: Prehensile Tail.
Tektons can use their tails to either do
Gd 10 blunt damage or grapple with Rm
30 Strength.
Weakness: None.
Talents: Randomly generated
Contacts: Tekton (Homeworld)
Vegan
The Vegans number about 5.3 billion. The
Vegans have an empire of planets throughout the
Vega system that are governed by
representatives on Vega Superior. The Vegans
have a culture and society much like Earth's
ancient Roman republic.
The Vegans are moderately ahead of Earth in
that their starships have sublight engines.
The Vegans consider Earth as a potential
target for conquest. The Vegans are known to
use their formidable appearance to cow other
races into submission. They only attack races
they judge to be weak, defenseless, or gullible.
One of their agents attempted to trick Earth into
surrendering but was defeated by Ant-Man
(a.k.a. Henry Pym).
Age: 3d10+15 years (Vegans have an average
lifespan equal to that of a Normal Human)

Height: 2d10+349" for females, 2d10+350" for

males

Weight: 1d10+18,000 lbs. for females,

1d10+20,000 lbs. for males.

Powers:
• Growth-Atomic Gain: Permanent. Ex
20. +1CS to hit.
• Resistance to Physical Attacks: In 40.
• Resistance to Energy Attacks: Ex 20
• Gravity Manipulation: Ex 20. Vegans
have evolved specialized glands that
connect to their vestigle horns that act
as stabilizers. These glands do this by
emitting anti-gravitons through the
horns. This creates an invisible personal
energy field that helps Vegans support
their massive weight. They also use this
F A S E R I P
power to simulate the following power
Gd Pr Rm 30/ Ex Ty Ty Ty for as long as the anti-gravitons are
10 4 Am 50 20 6 6 6 being generated:
Health: 64 Karma: 18 • Hyper-Strength: Ex 20
Resources: Pr 4/Rm 30 on their homeworld.
Popularity: 0, -10 on Earth, -5 with races whose Weakness: If a Vegan sustains injury to his/her
planets they have conquered. horns or traumatic head injury, their "stabilizer"
gland shuts off. The Vegan must make a Red
Little is known about the origins of the Strength FEAT to remain on its feet. He/She
Vegans. Their homeworld is the planet Vega must then make a Red Endurance FEAT every
Superior (also known as Vega IV), which is the 10 rounds or feint from the utter exhaustion of
moving its massive weight. (Stunned for 1-10

The Ultimate Origins Book 98

rounds). A gravimetric pulse will also have the
same effect on a Vegan.
Talents: Randomly generated.
Contacts: Vegan Empire (CL1000).
Xartan
F A S E R I P
Ty Ty Ty Am Ex In Rm
6 6 6 50 20 40 30
Health: 68 Karma: 90
Resources: Pr 4/Ex 20 on their homeworld.
Popularity: 0 on Earth, -5 elsewhere
The Xartans come from the planet Xarta IV in
the Zugano star system. They are ruled by
military dictatorships that view Earth as a target
for conquest. They have achieved warp drive
technology and have ion-beam weapon systems
installed in their starships.
Eons ago, Xarta IV was visited by the
Celestials, who performed experiments upon the
population which resulted in a deviant race who
could shapeshift. Ultimately, the deviant sub-
species became the dominant race, and drove the
others to extinction.
In the past twenty years, the Xartans have
secretly invaded Earth and used their
shapeshifting powers to cause confusion by
assuming the identities of law enforcement
and/or government officials. Their plans were
thwarted by the heroics of Thor and X-Factor.
99
Due to the constant warfare on Xartan IV and
against other races, there are only 4.3 million
Xartans left.
Age: 4d10+15 years (Xartans have an average
lifespan equal to that of double that of a Normal
Human.)
Height: 2d10+64" for females, 2d10+65" for
males
Weight: 6d10+100 lbs. for females, 6d10+140
lbs. for males.
Powers:
• Shapeshifting: Am 50. Some Xartans
have developed the following power
stunts:
o They can give themselves the
equivalent of Am 50 Body
Armor and/or Strength.
• Invisibility (Physics): Ex 20
• Self-Sustenance: Mn 75 - Temporary
version only.
• Power Duplication: Mn 75. As a Power
Stunt, they can even create items used
to focus the powers of those they are
duplicating. The items are of up to rank
Material Strength.
Weakness: If assuming an inanimate form, they
are rendered unconscious for 2d10 years. They
do not age in this dormant state.
When in the process of shapeshifting, a pulse
of ionic energy surrounds their chests. The pulse
is emitted from a gland like pore on the middle
of their chests. If the pore is hit by energy, force,
or successfully targeted attacks, then the Xartan
must make a successful Endurance FEAT or be
stunned for 2d10 rounds.
Talents: Military, otherwise randomly
generated.
Contacts: Xartan IV (Homeworld, Un 100
Resources)
The Ultimate Origins Book
 Chapter Fourteen: Asgardian Races
MTS Note: Lots of good information in this chapter. I struggled finding a good source of information for
Asgard that included the various races that dwell there, and in the end, I had to use Wikipedia.

The overview of Asgard was taken from It was prophesied that Odin's son Loki would
“Wikipedia". lead Asgard's enemies in a final conflict known
as Ragnarök that would lead to its destruction.
This comes to pass when Loki obtains the forge
that created Mjolnir and creates new uru
hammers for his army. The entirety of Asgard
and its inhabitants are destroyed in resulting
battle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/

History
According to Asgardian legend in the
beginning there was nothing, but in time two
worlds came into being on opposite sides of the
void. The one to the north was named Niflheim,
a world of clouds and shadows in whose center
surged the fountain Hvergelmir from which
flowed twelve rivers of ice. The one to the south
was named Muspelheim, which teemed with
rivers of fire. Eventually the warm air from the
south carved out the frost giant Ymir from the
ice in the north. Ymir became the father of all the
giants and his cow Auðumbla licked out of the
ice the first Asgardian, Buri. Buri had a son
named Borr who married the giantess Bestla.
Borr and Bestla had three sons named Odin, Vili
and Ve, who were known as the Æsir. Odin and
his brothers grew to hate the giants and slew
Ymir and his blood formed a great sea. Odin and
his brothers then raised Ymir's body from the sea After Ragnarök Donald Blake awakens Thor
and created Midgard, the middle between from the "Void of Non-Existence". Thor returns
Niflheim and Muspelheim. With Ymir's bones to Earth and rebuilds Asgard outside of Broxton,
they created mountains and with his hair they Oklahoma, purchasing the land with gold from
created trees. They then raised Ymir's skull upon the treasury. Thor then goes about restoring the
four pillars to create the heavens. Within the Asgardians who have been reborn in the bodies
skull contained sparks from Muspelheim, which of mortal men and women.
became the sun, moon and stars. When Midgard
was complete Odin and his brothers created a Asgard is destroyed yet again after Norman
home for themselves above it called Asgard. Osborn seizes control of S.H.I.E.L.D. following
Between the two worlds they stretched a rainbow the Secret Invasion as he seeks to expel Asgard
bridge and called it Bifröst. from U.S. soil in an effort to consolidate power.
Osborn leads the Dark Avengers in an invasion
against Asgard known as the Siege. The invading

The Ultimate Origins Book 100

forces are defeated with help from the reunited The Six Races
Avengers although Asgard itself is toppled by
the Sentry. Immediately following the Siege, The six races of intelligent humanoid beings
Thor reerects Heimdall's observatory atop Stark known to reside within the Asgardian dimension.
Tower as sign of solidarity with Midgard and
appreciation for the Avengers' aid. Race Known Members
Amora the Enchantress,
Regions Balder, Borr, Búri,
Brunnhilde, Fandral,
The Asgardian dimension contains several Frigga, Heimdall,
distinct regions. Hermod, Hildegarde,
Æsir
Hoder, Kelda, Lorelei,
The Nine Worlds Asgardians
Magni, Mimir, Odin,
Skurge the Executioner,
World Notes
Sif, Thor, Tyr, Vidar, Vili,
Home of the Light Elves Ve, Volla, Volstagg
Alfheim (Ljósálfar). Alfheim is a distinct
Frey, Freya, Idunn, Njord,
region on the Asgard planetoid. Vanir
Sigyn
Home of the Asgardians. Asgard
Hrinmeer, Skulveig,
is the name of the planetoid, a Demons
Asgard Surtur
distinct region on the planetoid
and its capital city. Alfrigg, Brokk, Dvalin,
Dwarves
Eitri, Grerr, Throgg
Realm of the dead who are
Hel neither honored nor dishonored. Dark Alflyse, Grendell, Kurse,
It is ruled by Hela. Elves Malekith
Elves
Jotunheim Home of the Giants (Jötunn). Light Aeltri, Hrinmeer
Elves
Midgard is the Earthly plane of
existence. Although technically Angerboda, Fafnir, Fasolt,
not a part of the Asgardian Gerd, Gymir, Hela,
dimension, it is considered one of Laufey, Loki, Skadi,
Midgard Giants
the Nine Worlds by the Skurge the Executioner,
Asgardians because of its Solveig, Utgard-Loki,
significant connections to Vidar, Ymir
Asgard. Trolls Geirrodur, Ulik
Home of the Demons. It is ruled Hogun, Hrimhari,
Muspelheim Karnilla, Mogul of the
by Surtur.
Home of the Dwarves. Nidavellir Other Mystic Mountain, Three
Nidavellir is a distinct region on the Asgard Norns (Urd, Skuld, and
planetoid. Verdandi)
Home of the Dark Elves
Svartalfheim
(Svartálfar).
Home of the Vanir who are the
sister race of the Asgardians.
Vanaheim
Vanaheim is a distinct region on
the Asgard planetoid.

Other Regions

Region Notes
Realm of the dishonored dead,
Nifleheim which is distinct but closely,
connected to Hel.
Realm of the honored dead and is a
Valhalla distinct region on the Asgard
planetoid.

101 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Racial Attributes
All Asgardians possess certain superhuman
physical attributes. They are extremely long-
lived (though not truly immortal like the
Olympians), aging at an extremely slow rate
upon reaching adulthood (through the periodic
consumption of the golden apples of Idunn).
Asgardian flesh and bone is about three times
denser than similar human tissue, contributing to
the Asgardians superhuman strength and weight.
An average Asgardian male can lift about 30
tons (27.2 metric tons); an average Asgardian
female can lift about 25 tons (22.7 metric tons).
Asgardians are immune to all terrestrial diseases
and resistant to conventional injury. The
metabolism of the Asgardians gives them
superhuman endurance in all physical activities.
Demons are beings of fire and tend to be
about the same stature as the Asgardians.
Dwarves are smaller in stature than the
Asgardians, and have short, stocky bodies. Their
average height is four feet (1.2 meters).
Elves vary greatly in size from four to eight
feet (1.2 to 2.4 meters). They tend toward slender
bodies and proportionately longer limbs. The
dark elves tend to be darker in color than the
The Ultimate Origins Book
light elves. Both types have natural proclivity
towards magic.
Giants are basically humanoid in appearance
and color although they tend toward the
neanderthalic in body and bone structure. Their
most distinguishing feature is their height. The
average giant is twenty feet (6 meters) tall,
although some may reach thirty feet (9.1 meters).
On occasion giants will produce stunted
offspring who look similar to the Asgardians.
Loki and the Executioner are both children of
giants despite their diminutive six or seven foot
(1.8 or 2.1 meter) stature.
Trolls are the least human looking of the
denizens of Asgard, possessing body
characteristics that are almost simian. Trolls are
stocky and massive, have thick body hair (almost
fur) and tend toward a ruddy orange color. They
are on average taller than the Asgardians but
shorter than giants, around seven feet (2.1
meters) tall, although some trolls are
considerably taller. Trolls tend to be extremely
strong, stronger than the average Asgardian,
dwarf or elf and on par with giants. Trolls like
Ulik rival Thor in strength.
Flora and Fauna
Flora
• Yggdrasil; the world tree is an immense
ash tree that is central to the Asgardian
dimension. The tree is supported by
three roots that extended far into the
other worlds; one to the spring of
Hvergelmir in Niflheim, one to the well
of Mimir in Jotunheim, and another to
the well of Wyrd in Asgard. Though
Midgard is not physically connected to
Yggdrasil, it is said that the Earth's axis
is in alignment with the tree. In the
limited series Thor: Blood Oath, Thor
and the Warriors Three are sent to
retrieve golden apples from the
branches of the tree. Odin once hung
himself from the tree for nine days and
nights as a sacrifice to gain knowledge
of the runes. Thor repeated this action
during Ragnarök. Later Amora the
Enchantress attempt to destroy the tree
in an effort to free the body of Skruge
the Executioner from its roots, an action
that nearly tore apart the fabric of
reality.
102
Fauna The information below was compiled from a
• Dragons are ancient creatures that are discussion and on the old "Classic Marvel
stated to live in Nastrond. These include Forever Phorum". The chief contributors to the
Fafnir, Hakurel; a dragon Thor slew stats were Dr Archeville, Nick Zimmerman,
during one of his earliest adventures, Warlock, & Ty States.
and Níðhöggr; who feeds on the roots of
Yggdrasil.
• Eagles are giant sapient versions of
their Earthly counter-parts. These
include Gnori; king of snow eagles
whom a young Thor, Sif and Balder
sought for one of his feathers as part of http://www.classicmarvelforever.com/phorum_archive
a quest, and Lerad; an eagle that guards /read.php?6,39205
the magic apples of Yggdrasil. Volstagg
was able to steal an apple by first Asgardian Gods
beating Lerad in a drinking contest.
• Fenris Wolf; a giant wolf that is said to
be the offspring of Loki and the giantess
Angrboda. During Ragnarök Fenris
swallowed all that remained of Asgard
following the final battle.
• Geri and Freki are Odin's pet wolves.
Freki stopped an assassination attempt
on Thor's life during a time known as
the Reigning when Thor assumed the
throne of Asgard and ruled both Asgard
and Midgard with an iron fist.
• Huginn and Muninn are Odin's pet
ravens. They guided Thor to find the
means to end the Ragnarök cycle and
again through Hel to find Odin.
• Midgard Serpent; an immense serpent
that lives in the Sea of Space circling
Midgard, ready to eat unwary sailors. The origin of the gods is shrouded in legend.
• Rattatosk; a squirel that lives on It is believed that they are not native to the
Yggdrasil and carries messages between dimension of Asgard, but were born on Earth
Lerad and Níðhöggr. As a child Thor and relocated there at some point in the distant
would go to Yggdrasil to visit Rattatosk past. A typical Asgardian will have the following
and listen to his stories. stats:
• Sleipnir; Odin's eight-legged steed.
Thor had eight steeds Firegnaw, F A S E R I P
Mudbrute, Slaughterbit, Smokemare, Rm Gd Am In Gd Gd Ex
Snow Harpy, Stormbringer, 30 10 50 40 10 10 20
Swamptooth and Warhoof. During a Health: 130 Karma: 40
famine on earth, some humans ate the
horses over Thor's request that they not Powers:
do so. The God of Thunder took the • Body Armor: Gd
bones back to Asgard. Using magics, he
reformed them into Sleipnir.
• Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder; two
mystical goats that pull Thor's chariot

103 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Asgardian Giants These Typical Frost Giant stats are taken from
the module "Ragnarok and Roll" by Troy
Denning

Typical Frost Giant

The second race of Asgard is the Giants,
whose dwelling place is Jotunheim. The Giants
are basically humanoid in appearance and color,
although they tend toward the neanderthalic in
body and bone structure. Their most
distinguishing feature is their height. The
average Giant is twenty feet tall, although some
reach up to thirty feet. All Giants known to
reside in Asgard have the following abilities:

F A S E R I P
Rm Ex Am Am Ty Pr Ty
30 20 50 50 6 4 6
Health: 150 Karma: 16

Powers:
• Dense Flesh: Ex Body Armor

Additional Power's Based on Type of Giant

• Fire Giants:
o Invulnerability to Fire F A S E R I P
o Growth: Am In Ty Mn Mn Pr Pr Ty
• Frost Giants: 40 6 65 65 4 4 6
o Invulnerability to Cold Health: 196 Karma: 14
o Growth: Mn Resources: Pr Popularity: 0
• Storm Giants:
o Weather Control: Rm Powers:
o Growth: Un • Body Armor vs. Blunt, Edged, Shooting
• Hill Giants: and Force Attacks: Rm
o Growth: In • Resistance to Earthly Disease: CL.
1000
• Resistance to Cold: SH-Z

Weakness: Heat based attacks receive a +1CS.

The Ultimate Origins Book 104

 bodies with proportionately long limbs, although
Asgardian Dwarves there are exceptions. The Light Elves tend to be
lighter in color than the Dark Elves, and dwell on
the surface while the Dark Elves dwell
underground. Both typically possess the
following ability ranks:

F A S E R I P
Gd In Pr Gd Gd Gd Gd
10 40 4 10 10 10 10
Health: 64 Karma: 30

Powers:
• Resistance to Aging and Disease: Am
• Infravision: Ex

The third race of Asgard is the Dwarves.

Dwarves are smaller in stature than the gods, and
have squat, stocky bodies. Their average height
is four feet. The Dwarves tend to be craftsmen
and farmers who maintain friendly trade and
peace relations with the Gods. Dwarves dwell in
the land of Nidavellir, which is part of the
landmass where Asgard and Vanaheim are
situated. The following represent a typical Dwarf
of Asgard:

F A S E R I P
Ex Ty Ex Ex Gd Ty Gd
20 6 20 20 10 6 10 Asgardian Trolls
Health: 66 Karma: 26

Powers:
• Resistance to Aging and Disease: Sh-X

Asgardian Elves

The fourth race of Asgard is the Elves. There

are two types of Elves, the Dark Elves and the
Light Elves, and each dwell in their own separate
world, Svartalfheim and Alfheim, respectively.
Elves of both kinds vary greatly in size, from
four to eight feet. They tend toward slender
The fifth race of Asgard is the Trolls, the least
human looking of the denizens of the worlds of
Asgard, possessing body characteristics that are
almost simian. Trolls are stocky and massive,

105 The Ultimate Origins Book

 have thick body hair, and tend toward a ruddy
orange in color. They live in scattered
settlements throughout Asgard, Vanaheim,
Jotunheim, and Svartalfheim, mostly
underground. The following represents a
standard Troll:

F A S E R I P
Rm Ty Am Rm Ty Pr Ty
30 6 40 30 6 4 6
Health: 116 Karma: 16

Powers:
F A S E R I P
• Infravision: Rm
Rm Pr In Rm Fb Pr Pr
• Resistance to Disease: Sh-Y
30 4 40 30 2 4 4
• Body Armor: Gd
Health: 104 Karma: 10
Resources: Fb Popularity: 0
These Typical Troll stats are taken from the
module "Thunder Over Jotunheim" by Bruce
Nesmith Known Powers:
• Body Armor: Good. Trolls have rough
hides, which protect them from physical
attacks of any kind.
• Infravision: Remarkable. Trolls can see
in the dark.
• Invulnerability: Shift Y. Trolls are
immune to Earthly diseases.

Weapons: Most Rock Trolls carry weapons,

which do Incredible damage.

MTS Note: Before I found this article, I had

done my own write-up on Trolls for the book. I
decided with the various alternates contained in
F A S E R I P this chapter to go ahead and include them here
as well.
Rm Pr In Rm Fb Pr Pr
30 4 40 30 2 4 4
The overview of trolls was taken from “The
Health: 104 Karma: 10 Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel
Resources: Feeble Popularity: 0 Universe”
Powers
• Body Armor: Good
• Infravision: Excellent

Equipment: Club (Damage=Strength +1CS)

Limitation-Cowardice: Trolls will not attack
unless they outnumber an opponent or can take
them by surprise. They are more courageous
when given firm leadership. Geirrodur is leader
of the trolls except for Ulik's band of outcasts.
These Typical Troll stats are taken from the
module "Ragnarok and Roll" by Troy Denning
http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/
Membership: Phay, Phee, Phelix, Phiend, Phit,
Phlegm, Phlopp, Phopp, Phough, Phumm, Phy
Affiliations: Originated from Asgard, claim
relation to other magic folk, such as the elves
and faeries

The Ultimate Origins Book 106

Enemies: Alchemy, X-Factor, Excalibur, and the
X-Men
Base of Operations: Crazy Gang's Wonderland;
formerly London, England
First Appearance: X-Factor I#41 (June 1989)
History: The Troll Associates claim that they are
all from different branches of trolls that dwelled
in England before the rise of civilization. Over
the centuries, they moved underground and
became less involved with mankind.
One day, Phy detected the scent of gold,
which all trolls covet, and he followed the scent
to the young mutant Alchemy. Learning of
Alchemy's power, Phy came up with a plan:
They would use his ability to transmute objects
into gold to create an overwhelming surplus of
gold. This they reasoned, would make everyone
rich and cause all labor to cease. The resulting
inflation would then shatter England's economy,
causing everyone to flee, and returning the land
to the magic folk who were driven out long ago.
To this end, Phy abducted Alchemy and
brought him to the underground lair of his
associates, Phough, Phumm, Phay, and Phee.
Mistaking Phy for a mutant, Alchemy's mother
contacted X-Factor to rescue him. Having
formerly posed as mutant hunters to locate and
help other mutants, X-Factor journeyed to
London and followed the trail of gold to the
Troll Associates lair. In their first encounter, X-
Factor was defeated and bound as prisoners. X-
Factor broke free and disrupted their plot to turn
the White Tower to gold. Phy and Phee brought
107
Alchemy back to his flat, where they attempted
to force him to swear allegiance to them by
threatening to kill his mother. Alchemy broke his
vow not to use the power on living beings and
turned Phy and Phee to unliving gold. X-Factor
then had him turn them into lead, and placed
them on display in Hyde Park for safekeeping.
Phough, Phumm, and Phay remained free.
Sometime later, Phough gathered several
other Trolls, Phiend, Phit, Phlegm, Phlopp, and
Phopp, beside him, and kidnapped Alchemy's
mother, forcing Alchemy to do his will. Initially,
Phough thought only to force him to restore the
Trolls trapped in golden form. Excalibur
members were at the same time investigating the
sewers in search of their enemy Sat-yr9 , where
they encountered the Troll Associates. Following
Phough's orders, Alchemy transmuted Captain
Britain, and then Meggan into gold. Meanwhile,
the X-Men had received a request for aid from
Alchemy, traveled to England, and joined forces
with Excalibur. However, both groups fell into a
trap set by the Trolls, and were captured by
them. Nightcrawler pretended to want to join
with the Trolls, because he was an outcast among
mankind, convincing them to free him. Phough
decided to rally the rest of the "faery-folk"
(elves, fairies, etc.) to wage war on mankind.
Nightcrawler challenged Phough's claims that
mankind would want to destroy them, and
challenged Phough to single combat.
Nightcrawler managed to keep Phough off
balance until the X-Men and Excalibur freed
themselves. The heroes and the Trolls allied with
Phough battled until Alchemy turned Phough to
gold, ending the battle. The innocent faery-folk
brought to Earth by Phough then traveled to the
Crazy Gang's wonderland to live a life with
which they could be comfortable.
Comments: Created by Louise Simonson and
Arthur Adams.
The Ultimate Origins Book
 All of the Troll Associates were giants and Known powers are taken from the "Roster
possessed some measure of superhuman strength Book", included with the "Uncanny X-Men"
and durability. In addition, they have a weakness Boxed Set.
to bright light.

Known Powers
• Body Armor: At least Gd protection
against physical and energy attacks.
• Infravision: Gd rank.

Fear of Sunlight: Direct sunlight is said to turn

Trolls to stone. Whether this is true or not, Trolls
In Marvel Atlas#1 the Troll Associates were
fear sunlight, and avoid it whenever possible. (If
revealed as Asgardians.
the Judge determines that Trolls can be turned to
stone, they should make an Endurance FEAT
The typical abilities are taken from the Judge’s
each round of exposure to avoid such a fate.
Handbook (from Asgardians)
Asgardian Fire Demons

Trolls (Typical Abilities)

F A S E R I P
Rm Gd In In Gd Gd Ex
30 10 40 40 10 10 20
Health: 120 Karma: 40

The sixth race of Asgard is the Demons. The

Demons are beings of fire who dwell in
Muspelheim, but sometimes venture to the other
worlds in the name of war. A nomadic race, the
Demons are the offspring of the great fire demon
Surtur, whose existence is said to preceed that of

The Ultimate Origins Book 108

the Gods. A typical Muspelheim Demon
possesses the following:

F A S E R I P
In Rm Am Rm Ty Ty Ty
40 30 50 30 6 6 6
Health: 150 Karma: 18

Powers:
• Invulnerability to Fire and Heat
• Energy Sheath (Fire): Ex
• Fire Control: Rm

These Typical Muspelheim Demon stats are

taken from the module "Ragnarok and Roll" by
Troy Denning

F A S E R I P
Am Rm Mn Rm Ty Ty Gd
40 30 65 30 6 6 10
Health: 185 Karma: 22
Resources: Pr Psyche: -10

Powers:
• Resistance to Fire/Heat: CL. 1000
• Body Armor vs. Blunt, Edged and
Shooting Attacks: Am
• Heat Generation: Am (5 areas)

109 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Chapter Fifteen: Cyborg - Nanites
MTS Note: I really like the option of a "Nanite-Using Cyborg", and I thought these rules were extremely
unique.

This article was originally written by X-Man Al Nano-Cybernetics

for his website "X-Man Al's Marvel Super
Heroes Classic RPG Web Source". It is an
excellent site and worth checking out.
This needs a clinic or research facility that has
Am 50 resources and a group of scientist with
Biology, Robotics, Genetics, Chemistry,
Computers, and a total Reason of Sh-Y 200.

Note: These powers do not activate

automatically. It takes a number of rounds equal
to the power's rank x0.1. For example, Kaos the
Cyberknight is a Nano-Cyborg. Kaos has the
following stats:
http://www.angelfire.com/rpg2/xmanalb/MRPG.html

This topic is often overlooked in Marvel F A S E

RPG. Most players don't know that this can
provide a realistic origin and source for their
powers and abilities.
Here are several guidelines I've summed up
from my thirteen years of playing the Marvel
RPG for the use of Cyborg-technology:
Note: To add a sense of reality, consider NASA
(Un 100 Resources, Engineering, Electronics,
Physics, Robotics), Berkley University (In 40
Resources, Electronics, Physics, Robotics,
Computers, Engineering, Business/Finance), and
MIT (In 40 Resources, Engineering, Electronics,
Physics, Robotics, Computers) have the
technology for all of this.
Ex 20 Ex 20 Ex 20 Rm 30
He has Thermal Vision of Rm 30, Armor
Skin (Inorganic/Temporary Un 100 Power Rank)
of Am 50 (Temporary form is -2CS of the Power
Rank), and Hyper-Strength (Temporary form) of
In 40 (can only use this at full power for up to a
total of forty turns). Kaos is in his secret ID and
spots Doctor Octopus robbing a bank. Kaos
activates his Armor Skin. It would take ten turns
to go up to maximum armor, so Kaos settles for
Gd 10 for now. Kaos also activates his Hyper-
Strength. It would take four turns to get the full
forty point Strength boost. He settles for a ten-
point boost (Strength: Rm 30).

Nano-Cyborgs roll on the following table.

Going though "The Ultimate Talents Book" I
chose to let them roll on column three, the same
as "Mechanically Augmented Cyborgs", which
seemed to be the closest to these in scope. I have
reprinted the table here for convenience.

Die-Roll Stat
01-05 Feeble
06-10 Poor
11-40 Typical
41-80 Good
81-95 Excellent
96-00 Remarkable

The Ultimate Origins Book 110

 The number of initial powers is determined in Detection Powers
the same fashion as for other characters in your
game. Die Roll Power
01-12 Hyper-Hearing
I created the following tables for rolling 13-23 Hyper Olfactory
initial powers to preserve the random element of
24-34 Hyper-Touch
the MSH character generation.
35-45 Microscopic Vision
Die-Roll Power Category 46-56 Penetration Vision
01-07 Defensive Powers 57-67 Sonar
08-15 Detection Powers 68-78 Telescopic Vision
16-22 Energy Control Powers 79-89 Thermal Vision
23-30 Energy Emission Powers 90-00 UV Vision
31-37 Fighting Powers
Energy Control Powers
38-44 Lifeform Control Powers
45-51 Matter Control Powers
Die Roll Power
52-58 Matter Conversion Powers
01-13 Absorption
59-65 Matter Creation Powers
14-25 Catalytic Control
66-72 Mental Enhancement Powers
26-38 Electrical Control
73-79 Physical Enhancement Powers
39-50 Energy Conversion
80-86 Power Control Powers
51-63 Energy Sponge
87-93 Self-Alteration Powers
64-76 Magnetic Manipulation
94-00 Travel Powers
77-88 Radio Wave Control
89-00 Thermal Control
Defensive Powers
Energy Emission Powers
Die
Power
Roll
Die Roll Power
01-14 Force Field vs.
01-25 Electrical Generation
15-28 Reflection
26-50 Hard Radiation
29-42 Resistance to Emotion & Mental
Attack 51-75 Magnetism
43-57 Resistance to Energy 76-00 Radiowave Generation
58-72 Resistance to Physical Attacks
Fighting Powers
73-87 Resistance to Power Manipulation
88-00 Resistance to Vampirism
Die Roll Power
01-20 Berserker
21-40 Martial Supremacy
41-60 Natural Weaponry
61-80 Weapons Creation
81-00 Weapons Tinkering

111 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Lifeform Control Powers Matter Creation Powers

Die Roll Power Die Roll Power

01-12 Biophysical Control 01-12 Artifact Creation
13-23 Bio-Vampirism 13-24 Elemental Creation
24-34 Emotion Control 25-36 Lifeform Creation
35-45 Mind Control 37-50 Mechanical Creation
46-56 Mind Transferal 51-64 Missile Creation
57-67 Neural Manipulation 65-76 Molecular Creation
68-78 Plague Carrier 77-86 Spray
79-89 Plant Growth 87-00 Webcasting
90-00 Sense Alteratio
Physical Enhancement Powers
Matter Control Powers
Die Roll Power
Die Roll Power 01-07 Armor Skin
01-14 Bonding 08-14 Body Resistance
15-28 Collection 15-20 Chemical Touch
29-42 Crystallization 21-27 Digestive Adaptability
43-56 Disruption 28-34 Hyper-Endurance
57-72 Machine Animation 35-41 Hyper-Speed
73-86 Molding 42-48 Hyper-Strength
87-00 Zombie Animation 49-54 Lung Adaptability
55-60 Pheromones
61-67 Regeneration
68-74 Selective Adaptation
75-80 Self-Revival
81-86 Self-Sustenance
87-93 Suspended Animation
94-00 Water Breathing

Power Control Powers

Die Roll Power

01-10 Power Control (All)
11-20 Power Creation
21-30 Power Duplication
31-40 Power Focus
41-50 Nemesis
51-60 Power Transferal
61-70 Power Vampirism
Matter Conversion Powers 71-80 Residual Absorption
81-90 Power Selection
Die Roll Power 91-00 Weakness Creation
01-17 Coloration
18-33 Combustion
34-50 Disintegration
51-67 Elemental Conversion
68-84 Ionization
85-00 Molecular Conversion

The Ultimate Origins Book 112

 Self-Alteration Powers energy attacks (doesn't work against Darkforce,
Vibration, or Cold attacks).
Die Roll Power
01-04 Age-Shift Resistance to Emotion & Mental Attacks: The
05-09 Alter Ego nanites could be programmed to manufacture
certain combinations of psychotropic drugs and
10-14 Animal Transformation
then release them when the host is under stress.
15-19 Animal Mimicry
20-24 Blending
25-28 Body Adaptation
29-32 Body Coating
33-36 Chemical Mimicry
37-40 Evolution
41-45 Growth
46-50 Imitation - Face Changer
51-55 Imitation - Human Changeling
56-60 Invisibility - Physics
61-64 Mass Decrease
65-68 Mass Increase
69-73 Phasing
74-77 Physical Gestalt
78-81 Plant Mimicry
82-86 Plasticity Resistance to Energy: The nanites restructure the
cells of the host's body to become resistant to
87-91 Self-Duplication
most forms of energy (doesn't work against
92-95 Self-Vegetation darkforce and -1CS resistance to electricity and
96-00 Shrinking magnetism).

Travel Powers Resistance to Physical Attacks: The nanites

restructure the cells of the host's body to become
Die Roll Power resistant to all forms of physical attack
01-17 Astral Body (including aging and disease).
18-33 Hyper-Leaping
34-50 Hyper-Running Resistance to Power Manipulation: The nanites
can temporarily boost existing powers to resist
51-67 Hyper-Swimming
outside manipulation. This does not work against
68-84 Rocket magical versions of Power Manipulations. The
85-00 Spider Climb amount of the boost is equal to the rank number
of the host's Endurance rank.
Nano-Cyborg Powers
Resistance to Vampirism: The nanites can fight
Defensive Powers off the effects of Power and Bio Vampirisms
only.
Force Field vs. Energy/Emotion/Mental/Power
Manipulation/Psionic Vampirism/Energy Detection Powers
Vampirism/Physical: (personal only) The nanites
can emit a low level Electro-Magnetic/Beta- Hyper-Hearing: The nanites modify the cell
Alpha/Tachyon wave/Inertial dampener field that structure of the eardrum and the brain's audio
surrounds the surface of the host's body. This has receptors. The maximum is equal to the host's
a maximum rank equal to the host's Endurance Intuition Rank.
rank. This is due to the massive power drain on
the nanites (doesn't work against Darkforce). Hyper-Olfactory: The nanites modify the cell
structure of the nose, tongue, and the brain's
Reflection: The nanites modify the host's skin olfactory receptors. Maximum is equal to the
cells to serve as a mirror coat to reflect most host's Intuition Rank.

113 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Hyper-Touch: The nanites modify the touch
receptors in the skin of the host. Maximum is
equal to the host's Intuition Rank.
Microscopic Vision: The nanites modify the cell
structure of the eyes and the brain's visual
receptors. This is to a maximum of Un 100.
Penetration Vision: The nanites modify the cell
structure of the eyes and the brain's visual
receptors to receive and transmit X-rays.
Maximum is equal to host's Endurance Rank.
Sonar (Passive): The nanites modify the cell
structure of the eardrum and the brain's
audio/video receptors. Maximum is equal to the
host's Intuition Rank.
Telescopic Vision: The nanites modify the cell
structure of the eyes and the brain's visual
receptors. This is to a maximum of Ty 6.
Thermal Vision: The nanites modify the cell
structure of the eyes and the brain's visual
receptors. This is to a maximum of In 40.
UV Vision: The nanites modify the cell structure
of the eyes and the brain's visual receptors. This
is to a maximum of Un 100.
Energy Control Powers
Absorption Power: The nanites modify the cell
structure of the skin and major organs to match
certain wavelengths of energy (does not work on
darkforce or kinetic energy). Maximum is equal
The Ultimate Origins Book
to host's Endurance Rank (+2CS if specializing
in one energy form).
Catalytic Control: The nanites modify the cell
structure of the skin and sweat glands to secrete a
catalytic enzyme. Fb 2 range only with a
maximum rank equal to the host's Endurance
rank.
Electrical Control: The nanites modify the cell
structure of the skin, major organs, skeleton, and
neural-muscular system to serve as super-
capacitors, semi-conductors, and transmitters. Fb
2 range only with a maximum rank equal to the
host's Endurance rank.
Energy Conversion: The nanites modify the cell
structure of the skin, major organs, skeleton, and
neural-muscular system to serve as energy
collection panels, super-capacitors, semi-
conductors, and transmitters. Must specialize in
converting one specific form of energy into
another with a maximum rank of Un 100. (Does
not work with Darkforce or Kinetic energies)
Energy Sponge: The nanites modify the cell
structure of the skin, major organs, skeleton, and
neural-muscular system to serve as energy
collection panels, super-capacitors, semi-
conductors, and transmitters. Must specialize in
one specific form of energy with a maximum
rank of Un 100. (Does not work with Darkforce
or Kinetic energies)
Energy Vampirism: The nanites modify the cell
structure of the skin, major organs, skeleton, and
neural-muscular system to serve as energy
collection panels, super-capacitors, semi-
conductors, and transmitters. Must specialize in
one specific form of energy with a maximum
rank of Un 100 and Contact range only. (Does
not work with Darkforce or Kinetic energies)
Magnetic Manipulation: The nanites modify the
cell structure of the skin, major organs, skeleton,
and neural-muscular system to serve as electro-
magnetic field generators, transducers,
transformers, and alternators. This is up to a
maximum rank of Am 50 with Contact range.
Radio Wave Control: The nanites modify the cell
structure of the skin, hair, and skeleton to serve
as antennae and transmitters. Must specialize in
one form of radio waves with a maximum rank
of Un 100.
114
Thermal Control: The nanites modify the cell
structure of the skin, major organs, skeleton, and
neural-muscular system to serve as exothermal
energy transmitters. Contact range only with a
maximum rank equal to the host's Endurance
rank.
Energy Emission Powers
Electrical Generation: The nanites modify the
host's bio-electrical field to emit electricity at up
to Ex 20 range and this is to a Maximum of Un
100.
Hard Radiation: The nanites modify the host's
cells to emit radiation of up to a Maximum is
equal to the host's Endurance rank (+1CS if
specializing) rank with a Gd 10 range radius for
the maximum range.
Magnetism: The nanites restructure the cells of
the host's body making the host a living electro-
magnetic field. This is to a maximum of Am 50
rank.
Radiowave Generation: The nanites restructure
the dead skin or hair cells of the host's body to
become antennas to send and receive radio
signals. This is to a maximum rank of Un 100.
Fighting Powers
Berserker: The nanites modify the host's
adrenalin, seratonin, and other hormonal levels.
A good example of this is the victims of the Dark
Gundam Cells from the G Gundam Series. This
has a maximum of Mn 75 rank.
Martial Supremacy: The nanites could be
programmed to condition the bone, nerve, and
muscle tissue as well as the brain cells to
program the host with any martial art (within
reason) he observes.
Natural Weaponry: The nanites restructure the
cells of the host's body at key surface points to
allow him/her to grow spikes, claws, spines,
barbs, etc.
Weapons Creation: The nanites restructure the
dead skin or hair cells of the host's body to
become weapons or components of weapons.
The maximum is equal to the host's Endurance
Rank.
115
Weapons Tinkering: The nanites can temporarily
boost the neural pathways in the host's brain to
allow him/her to modify existing technology.
The maximum is equal to the host's Reason rank
(+2CS if specializing).
Lifeform Control Powers
Biophysical Control: Any of the sub-types with a
maximum rank equal to the host's Endurance
rank with a maximum range of Contact only.
The nanites infect the intended target. The host
and target must be in contact for at least one turn
per level of rank for the power to be used at full
effect. The nanites alter the target's RNA/DNA
to enact the power.
Bio-Vampirism: Maximum is equal to that of the
host's Endurance rank (+1CS per weakness to a
maximum of +4CS) with Contact range only.
Nanite Bio-Vampirism is not communicable
unless used in conjunction with Nano Power
Transferral/Creation/Residual Absorption. The
nanites drain mitochondrial energy from the
target. The host and target must be in contact for
at least one turn per level of rank for the power
to be used at full effect.
Emotion Control: This is to a maximum of Am
50 with initial Contact range only and a
maximum rank of Un 100. The nanites alter the
bio-chemical transmitters in the target's brain.
Mind Control: Any of the sub-types with a
Maximum of Am 50, initial Contact range only,
and a maximum range of Un 100. The nanites
establish a network between the host and target.
They then restructure key areas in the target's
The Ultimate Origins Book
 brain to respond to the command protocols of the
host.
Mind Transferal: This is to a maximum of Am
50 rank with Contact range only. The nanites
establish a network between the host and
target(s). They then transfer the consciousness
(es) of the target(s) or host to whatever mind(s)
the host selects. The host must be in contact with
the target(s) for at least one turn per level of rank
for the power to be used to full effect. The host
should only transfer his own consciousness as a
last resort as he acts as a network server. Once he
uses the power on himself he will need to make a
red Reason, Psyche, and Power FEAT to return
to his.
Neural Manipulation: This is to a maximum of
Un 100, initial Contact range only, and a
maximum rank of Un 100. Functions the same as
the Nano Mind Control power, but targets the
nervous system instead of the brain.
Plague Carrier: This is to a maximum of Un 100
rank with initial range of Contact only.. The
nanites alter certain cells in the host's body to
serve as living petri dishes for any viruses or
disease causing bacteria and fungi. The host
must be in contact with the target for a duration
of time equal to the power rank divided by ten.
Plant Growth: This is to a maximum of Am 50
with initial Contact range only and a maximum
range radius of Un 100. The nanites alter the
The Ultimate Origins Book
DNA sequences of the target plants that control
the growth cycle and metabolic rate.
Sense Alteration: This is to a maximum of Am
50 with Contact range only. The nanites "hack"
into the areas of the brain that interpret sensory
input, and alter them to deliver the
interpretations the host chooses.
Matter Control Powers
Bonding: The nanites create ionic, covalent, or
hydrogen bonds with the target and the object(s)
to be bonded with the target. Maximum rank of
Un 100 and a maximum range of contact only.
Collection: The nanites are limited to the actual
materials that are in contact with the host. They
can however, collect materials miles away if they
are in contact with the same ground as the host.
This is to a maximum of Un 100.
Crystallization: The nanites restructure the
target’s molecules into a crystalline matrix. This
is to a maximum of Un 100 with a range of
Contact only.
Disruption: The nanites disrupt the molecular
bonds of an object. This is to a maximum of Un
100 with a range of Contact only.
Machine Animation: The nanites infect
electronic machines and put them under direct
control of the host, while they also serve as
power sources. This is to a maximum of Am 50
with an initial range of Contact only.
Molding: The nanites change the physical
structure of a target. This is to a maximum of
Am 50 with an initial range of Contact only.
Zombie Animation: The nanites can infect non-
living organisms and serve as network nodes for
the prime host through which he/she can
effectively control the zombies. This is to a
maximum of Ex 20 with an initial range of
Contact only.
Matter Conversion Powers
Coloration: The nanites alter the molecules that
affect pigment. Maximum rank of Un 100 and a
maximum range of contact only.
Combustion: The nanites alter the molecular
structure of the surface of the target. This is to a
116
maximum of Am 50 with an initial range of
Contact only.
Disintegration: The nanites break down the
molecular structure of the target converting it to
ambient energy. This is to a maximum of Un 100
with an initial range of Contact only.
Elemental Conversion: The nanites alter the
atomic structure of the target in a way that
converts it into a chosen element. Maximum is
equal to the total of the host's Reason and
Endurance ranks with an initial range of Contact
only.
Ionization: The nanites alter the atomic structure
of the target in a way that not only releases
energy but also its atomic frequency. This is to a
maximum of Am 50 with an initial range of
Contact only.
Molecular Conversion: The nanites alter the
molecular structure of the target in a way that
converts it into a chosen molecular structure.
Maximum is equal to the total of the host's
Reason and Endurance ranks with an initial
range of Contact only.
Matter Creation Powers
Artifact Creation: The nanites use the host's dead
skin cells, waste materials, and hair to create
Artifacts. The maximum is equal to the total of
the host's Reason and Endurance ranks with an
initial range of Contact only.
Elemental Creation: The nanites use the atoms
and molecules of the host's dead skin cells, waste
materials, and hair to create elements. The
maximum is equal to the total of the host's
Reason and Endurance ranks with an initial
range of Contact only.
Lifeform Creation: The nanites use the atoms
and molecules of the host's dead skin cells, waste
materials, and hair to generate living tissue,
bone, and nerves to create a life form, with the
nanites serving as brains for any life forms
created in this manner. The maximum is equal to
the total of the host's Reason and Endurance
ranks with an initial range of Contact only. This
means that the life form is either grown from the
host by budding, sexual intercourse, blood
transfusion, or artificial womb.
117
Mechanical Creation: The nanites use the atoms
and molecules of the host's dead skin cells, waste
materials, and hair to create mechanical
constructs. The maximum is equal to the total of
the host's Reason and Endurance ranks with an
initial range of Contact only. This means that the
construct is created on either the host's skin or
the surface of whatever he/she touches.
Missile Creation: The nanites use the atoms and
molecules of the host's dead skin cells, waste
materials, and hair to create missiles. This is to a
maximum of Am 50 damage.
Molecular Creation: The nanites use the atoms
and molecules of the host's dead skin cells, waste
materials, and hair to create molecular
constructs. The maximum is equal to the total of
the host's Reason and Endurance ranks with an
initial range of Contact only. This means that the
construct is created on either the host's skin or
the surface of whatever he/she touches.
Spray: The nanites use the atoms and molecules
of the host's dead skin cells, waste materials, and
hair to create various aerosol-based solutions.
This is to a maximum of Un 100 with a
maximum range of two areas.
Webcasting: The nanites use the atoms and
molecules of the host's dead skin cells, waste
materials, and hair to create web-like constructs.
This is to a maximum of Un 100 with a range of
five areas.
Physical Enhancement Powers
Armor Skin: The nanites modify the host's
epidermis. This is to a maximum of Un 100.
Body Resistance: The nanites modify the host's
physical structure for increased durability. This
is to a maximum of Am 50.
The Ultimate Origins Book
 Chemical Touch: The nanites modify the host's
epidermis at key points (hands/feet/fingers/etc.).
This is to a maximum of Un 100.
Digestive Adaptability: To compensate for the
tremendous amount of energy the nanites need,
they can modify the host's digestive system
(enzymes/glands/organs/teeth/jaw muscles) to
allow the host to consume almost any substance.
This is to a maximum of Am 50.
Hyper-Endurance: The nanites modify the host's
neuro-muscular, respiratory, and endocrine
systems to allow the host to temporarily have
superhuman Endurance. The maximum boost
equal to host's Endurance rank. For example:
The host's Endurance is Rm 30. The nanites can
boost the host's Endurance to Am 60 for a total
time limit equal to the host's Endurance.
Hyper-Speed: The nanites modify the host's
neuro-muscular, respiratory, endocrine, and
skeletal systems to allow the host to move at
superhuman speeds. Maximum is equal to host's
Endurance rank.
Hyper-Strength: The nanites modify the host's
neuro-muscular, respiratory, endocrine, and
skeletal systems to allow the host to temporarily
have superhuman Strength. The maximum boost
is equal to host's Endurance rank +1CS. For
example: The host's Endurance is Rm 30 and
Strength is Ex 20. The nanites can boost the
host's strength to Am 60 for a total time limit
equal to the host's Endurance.
The Ultimate Origins Book
Lung Adaptability: The nanites modify the host's
respiratory system. Maximum is equal to host's
Endurance rank.
Pheromones: The nanites modify the host's
epidermis (pores, sweat glands). This is to a
maximum of Ex 20.
Regeneration: The nanites modify the host's
immune system and cell reproduction sequences
to stimulate regeneration of tissue. This is to a
maximum of Am 50.
Selective Adaptation: The nanites modify the
host's DNA and RNA sequences to adapt to
certain stimuli. These changes are permanent.
This is to a maximum of Un 100.
Self-Revival: In the event of the host's death, The
nanites continue the host body's functions and
effectively reconstruct the body, while keeping
the host's consciousness in stasis. This is to a
maximum of Un 100.
Self-Sustenance: The nanites completely recycle
the host body's waste to provide sustenance for
the host in hostile environments.
Suspended Animation: The nanites slow down
the host's metabolic rate in order to put the host
into hibernation. The maximum number of days
is equal to double the host's Endurance rank.
Water Breathing: The nanites alter the host's
circulatory, respiratory, and neuro-muscular
system to allow the host's body to extract oxygen
(or whatever key element of respiration) directly
through the skin from the liquid medium the host
is in.
Power Control Powers
Power Control (All): The nanites alter the
emission points/DNA/RNA/or neural pathways
of the target to affect the target's powers. This is
to a maximum of Am 50 with an initial range of
Contact only and a subsequent maximum range
of Am 50. This has no effect on Darkforce or
Magic-based Powers.
Power Creation: The nanites alter the
DNA/RNA/or neural pathways of the target to
give the target powers and/or superhuman
abilities. This is to a maximum of Am 50 with a
maximum range of Contact only. This power can
also make any nano-powers the host may have
118
permanent. The nanites cannot create Darkforce
or Magical powers.
Power Duplication: The nanites establish a
network gateway between the host and target's
bodies. The nanites then alter the DNA/RNA/or
neural pathways of the host to duplicate any
powers (non-magical) the target may have. This
is to a maximum of Am 50 with an initial range
of Contact only and a subsequent maximum
range of Am 50. The nanites cannot duplicate
Darkforce or Magic-based powers.
Power Focus: The nanites reroute the energies of
the host's body into one power or ability. This
has a Maximum is equal to the host's Endurance
rank.
Nemesis: The nanites establish a network
gateway between the host and target's bodies.
The nanites then alter the DNA/RNA/or neural
pathways of the host to simulate any powers
(non-magical) that are the opposite of any the
target may have. This is to a maximum of Am 50
with an initial range of Contact only.
Power Transferal: The nanites establish a
network gateway between the host and target's
bodies. The nanites then alter the DNA/RNA/or
neural pathways of both the host and the target
so that a portion or all of the host's powers are
transferred to the target or vice versa. This is to a
maximum of Am 50. Contact only.
Power Vampirism: The nanites establish a
network gateway between the host and target's
bodies. The nanites then alter the DNA/RNA/or
neural pathways of both the host and the target
so that a portion or all of the host's powers are
siphoned off to "feed" the host. This is to a
maximum of Am 50 with an initial range of
Contact only and a subsequent range of Am 50.
This cannot siphon off Darkforce powers. It is
only communicable when used in conjunction
with Power Transferal/Creation/Residual
Absorption.
Residual Absorption: The nanites take samples
of their environment to search for
DNA/RNA/matter-affected by powers to then
alter the host's body to incorporate such powers
into the host's power matrix. This is to a
maximum of Un 100 with an initial range of
Contact only. The nanites search within a range
radius equal to this Power Rank's Rank Number
in feet divided by two. This is to a maximum of
119
fifty feet. This does not work on residual
Darkforce powers.
Power Selection: The nanites cannot maintain
more than one power at the same time. They can
however let the host activate the one power at
one-half the time it would normally take.
Weakness Creation: The nanites establish a
network gateway between the host and target's
bodies. The nanites then alter the DNA/RNA/or
neural pathways of both the host and the target
so that an appropriate weakness is generated in
the target's body. Maximum is equal to the total
of both the host's Reason and Psyche Ranks with
an initial range of Contact only and a subsequent
range equal to the host's Psyche.
Self-Alteration Powers
Age-Shift: The nanites regenerate or degenerate
certain key DNA sequences in the host's body to
achieve aging results. Maximum is equal to the
host's Endurance rank.
Alter Ego: The nanites "partition" the host's
DNA, RNA, and neural pathways in order to
create an Alter Ego. Maximum is equal to the
host's Psyche rank.
Animal Transformation: The nanites restructure
the host's DNA, RNA, skeletal, and muscular
structures to that of the chosen animal.
Maximum is equal to the host's Endurance rank.
Animal Mimicry: The nanites alter the host's
DNA, RNA, skeletal, and muscular structures to
mimic certain abilities of chosen animals.
Maximum is equal to host's Endurance Rank.
Blending: The nanites alter the host's hair and
skin cells to act as chromataphores. This is to a
maximum of Un 100.
Body Adaptation: The nanites scan the host's
environment in order to find the best genetic
algorithm for the host's survival. Once the
The Ultimate Origins Book
 scanning process is complete, the nanites
restructure the host's DNA, RNA, and physical
structure (and if necessary, the host's nervous
system) to adapt to the surrounding environment.
This is to a maximum of Un 100.
Body Coating: The nanites construct synthetic
matrixes of matter to coat the host's body. This
coating can be as flexible as mucus or as solid as
titanium steel. This is to a maximum of Am 50.
Chemical Mimicry: Combines the rules of both
the Nanite Chemical Touch and Nano Animal
Mimicry. Maximum is equal to host's Endurance.
Evolution: The nanites restructure the host's
DNA/RNA and physical structure to simulate de-
evolution or evolution of the host. Maximum is
equal to the host's Endurance rank.
Growth: The nanites can either alter the host's
growth hormones and physical structure to
handle this power or increase the size of the
host's atoms. Maximum is equal to 1/2 the host's
Endurance rank.
Imitation - Face Changer: The nanites alter the
bone and facial tissue structure of the host.
Maximum is equal to host's Endurance rank.
Imitation - Human Changeling: The nanites alter
the host's physical structure to match that of the
subject being imitated. Maximum is equal to the
host's Endurance rank.
Invisibility - Physics: The nanites alter the
energy frequency of the host's body to one that
cannot be picked up by (organic/inorganic)
sensors. Maximum is equal to that of the host's
Intuition rank.
Mass Decrease: The nanites alter the host's
atomic structure of the host to decrease his/her
The Ultimate Origins Book
mass. Maximum is equal to one-half the host's
Endurance rank.
Mass Increase: The nanites alter the host's
atomic structure of the host to increase his/her
mass. Maximum is equal to one-half the host's
Endurance rank.
Phasing: The nanites fluctuate the frequency of
the host's body to the point that the host is out of
phase with matter. Maximum is equal to the
host's Endurance rank.
Physical Gestalt: The nanites align the
frequencies of the host and any subjects he is
"merging" with. Maximum is equal to the total of
host's Endurance and Psyche Ranks with an
initial range of Contact only.
Plant Mimicry: Same as the Nanite Animal
Mimicry. Maximum is equal to the host's
Endurance rank.
Plasticity: The nanites alter the collagen,
cartilage, skeletal, and neuro-muscular system of
the host to be "super-flexible" and more durable.
Maximum is equal to one-half the host's
Endurance rank.
Self-Duplication: Same rules as the Nanite
Lifeform Creation. Maximum is equal to one-
half the host's Endurance rank.
Self-Vegetation: Same rules as the Nanite
Animal Transformation. Maximum is equal to
one-half the host's Endurance rank.
Shrinking: The nanites reduce the size of the
host's atoms in order to shrink him/her.
Maximum is equal to one-half the host's
Endurance rank.
Travel Powers
Astral Body: (Cyberspace version only) The
nanites alter the host's cerebral cortex to serve as
a wireless modem that allows the host to enter
cyberspace. This is to a maximum of Un 100.
Think of the Matrix.
Hyper-Leaping: The nanites alter the host's
skeleton and neuro-muscular system to use this
power. Maximum is equal to host's Strength rank
+1CS.
120
Hyper-Running: The nanites alter the host's
skeleton, neruo-muscular & cardio-vascular
system to use this power. Maximum is equal to
one-half host's Endurance rank.

Hyper-Swimming: Same as the Nanite Hyper-

Running Power. This is to a maximum of one-
third host's Strength rank.

Rocket: The nanites convert the host's waste

material and dead hair/skin cells as "rocket" fuel
to use this power. Maximum is equal to one-half
host's Endurance rank. This power has a finite
fuel supply. The host has a flight time of minutes
equal to one-half his/her Endurance rank. This
fuel supply is for an entire day.

SpiderClimb: The nanites alter certain areas of

the host's skin surface to act as molecular hooks
to use this power. This is to a maximum of Am
50.

121 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Chapter Sixteen: Cyborg - Custom
MTS Note: I am going to venture a guess that Shadowrun heavily inspired these Cyborgs. I would have
liked to create random charts for the different "powers" to maintain the randomness of the Marvel system,
but it would not work with how these are laid out. Still, they are neat and unique and I have used these
rules in the past.

This article was originally written by Wouter of implants the character has (see threshold
Vlemmings, of "Marvel RPG and More", which rating below). The table also includes the
is slowly disappearing from the Internet. maximum amount of Resource Points the
character can spend on implants as well as the
http://web.archive.org/web/20021212212420/http://www.tele maximum amount spend on the implants
byte.nl/~vlemming/index.html
individually. A character may decide to take less
implants with a total amount of Resource Points
Described below are the rules for creating equal to or less than the maximum allowed.
Cyborgs in the Marvel RPG Universe.
Cyborgs are normal humans that gain
Number Res.
superhuman powers or abilities from mechanical Die Max Res.
of Points
or bio-engineered parts that have been installed Roll Points
Implants Total
in their body. Because normal humans that
become cyborgs have stats up to the maximum 01-10 3 20 10
human potential their stats are rolled on 11-20 4 30 10
somewhat different columns. 21-35 5 40 15
36-55 6 50 18
Character Creation: 56-70 6 65 20
71-85 7 70 25
Stats: 86-98 7 90 30
99-00 8 120 Unlimited
Cyborgs use the following columns to
determine their stats: Talents:

- Fe Pr Ty Gd Talents are determined normally.

F 01-03 04-08 09-20 21-35
A 01-02 03-06 07-20 21-40 Implanting:
S 01-05 06-20 21-60 61-90
E 01-05 06-10 11-20 21-40
R 01-10 11-25 26-45 46-75
I 01-10 11-25 26-40 41-60
P 01-15 16-30 31-60 61-80

- Ex Rm In Am
F 36-60 61-80 81-95 96-00
A 41-70 71-90 91-00 ---
S 91-00 --- --- ---
E 41-80 81-00 --- ---
R 76-95 96-00 --- ---
I 61-80 81-97 98-00 ---
P 81-00 --- --- ---
Threshold Ratings
Number of Implants:
There is a maximum amount of implants the
After the stats are determined you must roll human body can handle. This is called the
on the following table to determine the amount Threshold Rating. There are two different

The Ultimate Origins Book 122

Threshold Ratings. The first one is the
Cyberware Threshold, the second one the
Bioware threshold. The total amount of implants
cannot exceed the Threshold, but Cyberware and
Bioware do not conflict unless otherwise noted.
The Cyberware Threshold is equal for
everyone; it is equal to one hundred.
The Bioware Threshold is equal to the
Endurance rank Number.
Effects of Cyber/Bio-ware:
The more Cyberware someone possesses the
more difficult it is for the body to heal naturally.
Instead of the normal Endurance rank number
the character can heal he can only heal a
percentage equal to his current Threshold rating.
(For example: a character with Rm 30 endurance
and forty points of Cyberware threshold
remaining would only heal forty percent of thirty
= twelve points of damage.) This limitation can
be overcome by installing a self-regenerating
device with each implant. This however adds
fifty percent to the Resource costs and Threhold
costs.
Whenever a character takes more than Am
damage from a single attack the Judge must
make a roll at the remaining Cyberware
Threshold Rank to determine if a system is
damaged. A white result means a randomly
determined system is damaged. The exact effects
are up to the Judge.
Bioware has no effects on healing and it is
somewhat more difficult to damage. Whenever a
character's health drops below zero a Bioware
Threshold roll must be made, a white result
means a bioware system is damaged. A second
roll determines how badly the damage is. A
second white result means the system must be
123
replaced entirely. A green result means it needs
repair for at least fifty percent of the total costs.
A yellow result means it needs twenty-five
repairs and a Red result means only temporary
disablement.
To repair Cyberware or Bioware a character
needs the Medicine skill and either cybernetics
(for Cyberware) or bio-engineering (for
Bioware) skills. The costs for Cyberware repair
are usually twenty percent of the total costs.
When implanting a doctor must make a skill
FEAT and check on the table below. (The judge
should decide if this must be done during
character creation or only when implanting
during the campaign.)
Endurance FEAT or die, lose
White
one point Threshold permanently
Green Success
Yellow Success, -5% Threshold cost
Red Success, -15% Threshold cost
Cyberware:
Chemical Analyzer
Cyber Threshold: 4
Resource Rating: Ty 6
This implant allows the character to analyze
compounds with a +2CS on their chemistry skill.
Cranial Bombs
Cyber Threshold: -
Resource Rating: Varies
There are three different forms of Cranial
Bombs:
• Kink Bombs - Resource Rating: Ex 16
• Microbombs - Resource Rating: Ex 23
• Area Bombs - Resource Rating: Rm 26
Cranial Bombs are placed somewhere in the
wearer's body and can be detonated by remote.
Kink Bombs force the bearer to make a Yellow
Endurance FEAT or die, Micro Bombs kill the
bearer instantly and Area Bombs kill the bearer
instantly and inflict Am damage to anyone
within 1 area.
Datajack
Cyber Threshold: 4
Resource Rating: Ty 6
The Ultimate Origins Book
 A datajack allows the wearer to plug devices
directly into his head. He can use this to directly
view video images or control computerized
devices. It gives the wearer Rm computer
communication and computer control at the
wearer's Reason rank.
Encephalon
Cyber Threshold: Varies
Resource Rating: Varies
An Encephalon increases the wearer's
Reason. There are two levels:
• +1CS Reason - Cyberware Threshold:
15 - Resource Rating: Ex 20
• +2CS Reason - Cyberware Threshold:
35 - Resource Rating: Ex 25
Tactical Computer
Cyber Threshold: Varies
Resource Rating: Varies
A tactical computer is used to tag an
opponent and predict it's next move; it can tag
(Reason/10 + level of tactical computer)
opponents. An orientation system adds two to the
effective level of the tactical computer,
additional hearing or visual senses also increase
it's rank by one. To tag an opponent the
computer must make a roll on the ability listed
below with a -1CS modifier for each area the
opponent is beyond the first. When an opponent
disappears from the line of sight the computer
gets a -1CS for each meter the opponent moved
while out of line of sight.

Memory
Cyber Threshold: Varies
Resource Rating: Varies

Implanted memory allows the character to

store data of any kind. To use this he must also
posses a Datajack.
• Cyberware Threshold: 6 per 10 Gb
• Resource Rating: Gd 8-15

Olfactory Booster
Cyber Threshold: 4
Resource Rating: Ty 6

This gives the character the Hyper-Olfactory

(DT7) power at Rm rank.

Orientation System
Cyber Threshold: 8
Resource Rating: Gd 12
For each attack against a tagged opponent the
An Orientation System can analyze a
character then gets a bonus determined from the
character's whereabouts on a planet of which it
table below.
contains maps with Un accuracy. It can also
display various country and city maps.
Tactical Computer:
Softlink
Cyber Threshold: 5 Cyberware Resource
Rating Ability:
Resource Rating: Ty 6 Threshold Rating
Level
Ex 60 Rm 27
A Softlink contains two open slots for chips 1
on which professional skills are imprinted. With Level
Rm 75 Rm 29
these chips the character can use those skills. The 2
costs of the chips are Gd 8 except for uncommon Level
In 85 Rm 31
skills for which the Judge should determine the 3
price.
Ability increases by +1CS for every extra level.

The Ultimate Origins Book 124

Effect Table
(All fractions rounded down): Telephone
Cyber Threshold: 10
White No effect Resource Rating: Ty 5
Green (Level/3) +1 CS bonus
Yellow (Level/2) +2 CS bonus An implanted telephone.
Red Level +3 CS Bonus
Balance Augmentation
Cyber Threshold: 8
Additionally the tactical computer gives +1 Resource Rating: Gd 15
Initiative/level
The character gets a +2CS for tumbling and
Commlink acrobatic tests.
Cyber Threshold: 6
Resource Rating: Gd 12 Damper
Cyber Threshold: 2
This is a normal commlink system only Resource Rating: Ty 5
implanted in the character's head.
The character gains resistance vs. sonic
Crypto Circuit attacks at Ex rank.
Cyber Threshold: 2
Resource Rating: Ex 20 Hearing Amplification
Cyber Threshold: 4
This Circuit scrambles or descrambles Resource Rating: Ty 5
messages with In ability.
The character gains Hyper-Hearing at Rm
rank.

Recorder
Cyber Threshold: 5
Resource Rating: Ty 7

If combined with the Memory implant a

character can record things he hears.

Camera
Cyber Threshold: 8
Resource Rating: Ty 6

If combined with the Memory implant a

character can record things he sees.
Radio
Cyber Threshold: 12 Low-Light
Resource Rating: Ty 6 Cyber Threshold: 4
Resource Rating: Ty 5
A Radio transmitter with a larger area than
the normal Commlink, only it is easier to The character can see better in darkness and
overhear. suffers 2 CS less penalties.

Radio Reciever Vision Magnifier

Cyber Threshold: 8 Cyber Threshold: 4
Resource Rating: Ty 5 Resource Rating: Ty 6

A normal implanted receiver. The character gains telescopic vision (DT17)

at Fe rank.

125 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Thermographic Cybertorso
Cyber Threshold: 4 Cyber Threshold: 25
Resource Rating: Ty 5 Resource Rating: Ex 22

The character gets Thermal Vision (DT18) at A Cybertorso gives Ty body armor and halves
In rank. the Cyber Threshold for strength increase in the
limbs. It can also be plated; this gives body
Eye Weapons armor equal to the Resource Rating spent. This
Cyber Threshold: Varies body armor counts only for hits on the torso.
Resource Rating: Varies
Cyberskull
Cyber Resource Cyber Threshold: 13
Weapon Damage
Threshold Rating Resource Rating: Ex 18
Pr
Eye A Cyberskull gives Pr body armor and can
(Possible 5 Ty 6
Dart also be plated like a Cybertorso for the same
Poison)
Eye costs.
Ty 8 Ty 7
Gun Retractable Razors
Cyber Threshold: 4
They both can fire only once and take 2
Resource Rating: Gd 8
rounds to reload. After firing the character is at -
1CS for 1-4 rounds. This gives the character retractable claws for
Ex edged damage.
Oral Weapons
Cyber Threshold: Varies
Resource Rating: Varies

Cyber Resource
Weapon Damage
Threshold Rating
Pr
Oral Dart 5 Ty 5
(Poison)
Oral Gun Ty 8 Ty 6
Oral Whip Ty 5 Gd 8
Oral Spur Ty 5 Ty 7

The dart and the gun also take two rounds to

load although they can be fired twice.

Bone Lacing
Cyber Threshold: varies
Resource Rating: varies Internal Air Tank
Cyber Threshold: 5
There are three types of bone lacing: Resource Rating: Ty 5

--- Plastic Aluminum Titanium Increases the character's endurance by +4 CS

Body for purposes of holding ones breath.
Pr Ty Ex
Armor
Fingertip Compartment
+2 CS
Damage +1 CS (not Cyber Threshold: 2
--- (not above
Modifier above Rm) Resource Rating: Ty 5
In)
Cyber Allows the character to store small objects.
10 23 45
Threshold
Resource
Ty 7 Gd 13 Ex 17
Rating

The Ultimate Origins Book 126

Muscle Replacement Move-By-Wire System
Cyber Threshold: Varies Cyber Threshold: Varies
Resource Rating: Varies Resource Rating: Varies

Each level increases the character's Strength Move By Wire increases the smoothness with
and Agility by +1CS (not above Mn), level three which a character moves. Since the character
also increases Fighting by +1CS. lives in a constant state of seizure he must make
an Endurance FEAT every month or suffer
Cyberware Resource cardiac arrest. For each level of Move By Wire
Level he gets a -1CS on Endurance.
Threshold Rating
1 20 Ex 17
2 40 Ex 20 Cyberware Resource
Level Effect
3 60 Ex 23 Threshold Rating
+1 CS
Smartlink Agility,
Cyber Threshold: 5 1 Fighting, +2 50 Ex 24
Resource Rating: Ty (5) Initiative, 1
extra attack
The smartlink gives the character +1CS to hit +2 CS
when shooting a firearm. Firearms must be made Agility,
"smart" which doubles their normal costs. Fighting, +4
2 77 Rm 26
Initiative, 2
extra
attacks
+3 CS
Agility,
Fighting, +6
3 100 Rm 30
Initiative, 3
extra
attacks

Boosted Reflexes
Cyber Threshold: Varies
Cyberlimbs Resource Rating: Varies
Cyber Threshold: Varies
Resource Rating: Varies
Cyberware Resource
Level Effect
Threshold Rating
Each limb can be replaced with a cyberlimb,
which gives the character Ty body armor. The +1
limbs can also be plated like the Cyberskull and Initiative,
Torso. They can hold containers for weapons and 1 +1 CS 10 Gd 12
items, and their strength can also be upgraded. multiple
attack tests
Cyberware Resource +2
Limb Initiative,
Threshold Rating
2 +2 CS 20 Gd 15
Cyber Arm/Leg 20 Ex 22
multiple
Cyber Hand/Foot 7 Gd 14 attack tests
Cyber +3
Forearm/Lower 13 Ex 17 Initiative,
Leg 3 +3 CS 30 Ex 17
multiple
A covering to make it look natural costs an attack tests
extra two Resource Points. Increases strength (up
to Un) costs Resource Ranks and Cyberware Boosted reflexes are not compatible with the
Threshold equal to strength/3 (rounded up). Move by Wire system or Wired Reflexes.

127 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Dermal Plating Bioware
Cyber Threshold: Varies
Resource Rating: Varies Platelet Factory
Bio Threshold: 4
Dermal Plating gives body armor equal to Resource Rating: Gd 12
Resource Points times two, Cyberware
Threshold equals Resource Points spent. Platelet factories increase the body's ability to
handle damage. A character with Platelet
Dermal Sheath factories suffers -1CS damage from attacks
Cyber Threshold: Varies (attacks of more than Un damage do normal
Resource Rating: Varies damage.). However to avoid cardiac arrest a
character must take a dose of anticoagulants each
Dermal Sheath gives body armor equal to day. One dose costs Pr 3 Resource Points but are
Resource Points times three, Cyberware hard to come by. When the character doesn't take
Threshold equals Resource Points times one the anticoagulants he must make an Endurance
point five. Dermal sheaths can be outfitted with FEAT every twelve hours with a -1CS penalty
adaptive coloration (five Resource points extra). for each day without the anticoagulants. If he
fails to make a yellow result he goes into cardiac
Filteration Systems arrest. Platelets cannot be damaged.
Cyber Threshold: 8
Resource Rating: Ex 16

This gives the character resistance to gasses

and poisons at Ex rank.

Skill-Wires
Cyber Threshold: 30
Resource Rating: Rm 30

Just like Softlink this implants allows the

character to use chips with skills upon it, Skill-
Wires can handle up to ten skills and can handle
all sorts of skills, so not only Professional skills.

Wired Reflexes Symbiotes

Cyber Threshold: Varies Bio Threshold: Varies
Resource Rating: Varies Resource Rating: Varies

Cyber Resource Symbiotes grant the character Regeneration,

Level Effect but the character's food consumption increases
Threshold Rating
+2 also.
1 Initiative, 40 Ex 20
+1 attack Food
+4 and Bio Resource
Level Regen
2 Initiative, 60 Ex 23 Beverage Threshold Threshold
+2 attacks intake
+6 Fe (2/10
1 + 50% 4 Gd 11
3 Initiative, 100 Rm 28 rounds)
+3 attacks Pr (4/10
2 + 70% 7 Ex 16
rounds)
Wired reflexes are not compatible with Gd
boosted reflexes or the move by wire system. 3 + 100% 10 Ex 20
(1/round)

Symbiotes cannot be damaged.

The Ultimate Origins Book 128

Synthacardium Adrenal Pump
Bio Threshold: Varies Bio Threshold: Varies
Resource Rating: Varies Resource Rating: Varies
A Synthacardium boosts the heart's capabilities.
An adrenal pump temporarily increases the
Bio Resource character's statistics. It lasts for 1d6 minutes per
Level Endurance level and after the character suffers damage
Threshold Rating
1 +1 CS 2 Gd 8 equal to twice the amount of minutes the pump
2 +2 CS 3 Gd 12 was active. Note however that although a
character can fall unconscious from the damage
he cannot die from it.
Orthoskin

Bio Threshold: Varies Bio Resource

Level Effect
Resource Rating: Varies Threshold Rating
+1 CS F, A,
An extra layer of skin that provides armor. 1 S, E, P, +2 13 Ex 20
Initiative
Body Bio Resource +2 CS F, A,
Level 2 S, E, P, +4 25 Ex 24
Armor Threshold Rating
1 Pr 5 Gd 15 Initiative
2 Gd 10 Ex 19 No stat can be raised above Un and damage is
taken from the extra health first.
3 Ex 15 Ex 22
Toxin Extractor
Tailored Pheromones Bio Threshold: Varies
Bio Threshold: Varies Resource Rating: Varies
Resource Rating: Varies
The Toxin Extractor gives the character
This bioware gives the character emotion resistance to toxins at a level of two times the
control upon the opposite (or sometimes the Resource Points spent (max. twenty five). The
same) sex, at a power rank equal to twice the Bio Threshold is one-half times Resource Points
Resource Rating spent. The Bio Threshold is spent (rounded up).
equal to half the Resource Rating spent.
Cerebral Booster
Bio Threshold: Varies
Resource Rating: Varies

The cerebral booster raises Reason and

Intuition:

Reason
Bio Resource
Level and
Threshold Rating
Intuition
1 +1 CS 5 Ex 22
2 +2 CS 10 Ex 25

Mnemonic Enhancer
Bio Threshold: varies
Resource Rating: varies

The Mnemonic enhancer giver the character

Total Memory (M33) at a rank equal to two
times Resource Points spent (max. twenty-five).
The Bio Threshold is one-half times Resource
Points spent (rounded up).

129 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Synaptic Accelerator
Bio Threshold: 15
Resource Rating: Ex 20

The synaptic accelerator allows +1 Attack

and +2 Initiative.

Toxin Exhaler
Bio Threshold: 6
Resource Rating: Gd 15

With the Toxin Exhaler the character can spit

or breathe up to Rm level poisons. Note that the
character is not immune himself.

Enhanced Articulation
Bio Threshold: 6
Resource Rating: Gd 14

Enhanced Articulation gives +3 Initiative.

Muscle Augmentation
Bio Threshold: Varies
Resource Rating: Varies

Each level gives +1CS Agility and Strength.

The Bio Threshold is equal to eight points per
level and the Resource rating is equal to twenty
plus level. No stats can be increases above Mn.

The Ultimate Origins Book 130

 Chapter Seventeen: Cyborg - Vampires
MTS Note: This origin was pitched by StrykerSigma at the Classic Marvel Forever Phorum:
http://www.classicmarvelforever.com/phorum/read.php?3,28308 I thought it was an interesting concept,
and with a little work, turned it into an Origin of its own. This could be used for Compound characters if
you prefer to use the standard Origin Table from the Ultimate Powers Book.
While it would be easy to take the quick path
and just create a vampire and add a couple of
implants, I thought it might be entertaining to
explore the idea and test my creativity to create
an entirely new origin for the game.
Overview of the Two Separate
Origins
Cyborg
According to some definitions of the term, the
metaphysical and physical attachments humanity
has with even the most basic technologies have
already made them cyborgs. In a typical
example, a human fitted with a heart pacemaker
or an insulin pump (if the person has diabetes)
might be considered a cyborg, since these
mechanical parts enhance the body's "natural"
mechanisms through synthetic feedback
mechanisms. Some theorists cite such
modifications as contact lenses, hearing aids, or
intraocular lenses as examples of fitting humans
131
with technology to enhance their biological
capabilities; however, these modifications are no
more cybernetic than would be a pen or a
wooden leg. Cochlear implants that combine
mechanical modification with any kind of
feedback response are more accurately cyborg
enhancements.
The term is also used to address human-
technology mixtures in the abstract. This
includes artifacts that may not popularly be
considered technology; for example, pen and
paper, and speech and language. Augmented
with these technologies, and connected in
communication with people in other times and
places, a person becomes capable of much more
than they were before. This is like computers,
which gain power by using Internet protocols to
connect with other computers. Cybernetic
technologies include highways, pipes, electrical
wiring, buildings, electrical plants, libraries, and
other infrastructure that we hardly notice, but
which are critical parts of the cybernetics that we
work within.
Bruce Sterling in his universe of
Shaper/Mechanist suggested an idea of
alternative cyborg called Lobster, which is made
not by using internal implants, but by using an
external shell (e.g. a Powered Exoskeleton).
Unlike human cyborgs that appear human
externally while being synthetic internally, a
Lobster looks inhuman externally but contains a
human internally. The computer game Deus Ex:
Invisible War prominently featured cyborgs
called Omar, where "Omar" is a Russian
translation of the word "Lobster" (since the
Omar are of Russian origin in the game).
The Ultimate Origins Book
 Vampire
The race of vampires first appeared in the pre-
cataclysmic era (before the sinking Atlantis and
Lemuria), circa 18,500 B.C., when the Atlantean
cult of Darkholders used the power of the
Chthon Scrolls in order to oppose King Kull,
who had slain their leader, Thulsa Doom. The
result was Varnae, one of their own raised as the
world's first vampire. Varnae quickly slew the
other Darkholders and used them to found the
vampire race, with himself as Vampire Lord.
Other races of vampires -- the Adze, Ancients,
Charniputra, Huskies, Jumlin, Nosferati,
Purebloods, Tryks, and Yiki Onna -- either
diverged from this original Varnaean line, or else
arose out of other circumstances. When Atlantis
sank 500 years after his creation, Varnae went
into hibernation, emerging from time to time to
confront threats (such as that posed by Conan in
10,000 B.C.) and to coerce the sorceress
Aamshed into creating a ritual to increase his
power. This Ritual of Ascendance could only be
performed once every 2000 years on the
vampire's home soil, however, and twice Varnae
failed to complete the ritual before he gave up
and resolved to instead seek an heir. Varnae
reigned as the unchallenged leader of Earth's
vampires for many thousands of years before
ceding the title and position to Vlad Dracul in
the year 1459. Dracula retained this title in a
nearly unbroken reign until Earth's Sorcerer
Supreme, Dr. Stephen Strange, uncovered a
mystical spell called the Montesi Formula that
would banish all vampires from this dimension.
Ironically, this spell was found within the
Darkhold, the same mystical text containing the
spell used to create vampires in the first place.
The Ultimate Origins Book
Like most spells, the Montesi Formula contained
a counter-spell, and within a few short years,
vampires began to appear across the world once
again. Dracula himself rose from the grave and
reclaimed his title as Lord of the Vampires.
How Can These Two Origins Work
Together?
Vampires are undead, and traditionally
cybernetic implants draw their power from both
power sources (such as batteries), and from body
from things like the cardiovascular system. In the
Marvel universe, the surest way to kill a vampire
was to drive a wooden stake or a silver blade
through his or her heart. The stake or blade
prevented the heart from supplying ichor to the
rest of the body. If the stake or blade was
removed, however, even if the vampire's body
had crumbled to dust, the vampire's mystical
vitality would restore his or her body to the
condition it had before the vampire was slain,
and return him or her to vampiric "life."
From the Ultimate Powers Book -Undead:
The being in question had once been a
Normal Human (or any other species) but has
since died. Through some arcane and possibly
disgusting means, the body has regained
animation and ceased to decay. The being's life
force is once again in residence (although the old
house just isn't the same). Special means are
required to maintain the reunion of mind and
body. This can be anything from being
frequently re-embalmed to utilizing any of the
Vampiric Powers. If the Undead fails to follow
his required maintenance procedures, he begins
to fall apart. In Undead terms, this is what Health
points are used for. Health is the structural
integrity of the Undead's own corpse.
132
 The physiology of a vampire can account for Die Roll Talents Contacts*
some of the needed supply of power to power the 01-12 0/3 0/2
implants, but they require more than use the 13-36 1/4 0/4
vampire's limited organics to give them the
37-41 1/6 1/4
power they need to function. To make up for
that, I suggest the following tweaks to the dual 42-55 2/4 2/4
origin: 56-66 2/6 2/6
67-75 2/8 3/3
76-83 3/4 3/4
84-89 3/6 3/6
90-94 4/8 4/4
95-97 4/4 4/5
98-99 5/6 5/5
00 6/8 6/6
* One of the initial contacts must be the lab that
created the character (or added the implants)

Resources

Resources are initially good or optionally

rolled below. As a note, a low resource rank
reflects the Cyber Vampire no longer has access
to the lab/equipment that is responsible for their
Ability Table: implants.

Die Roll Rank Die Roll Rank

01-05 Feeble 1 01-05 Feeble 1
06-10 Poor 3 06-10 Poor 2
11-15 Typical 5 11-40 Typical 5
16-40 Good 8 41-80 Good 8
41-50 Excellent 16 81-95 Excellent 16
51-70 Remarkable 26 96-00 Remarkable 26
71-90 Incredible 36
91-98 Amazing 46 Powers
99-00 Monstrous 63
Vampires roll on the following table to
Traditionally Vampires also gain the determine the initial number of powers gained
following ability bonuses: though implants. Keep in mind the following
note from The Ultimate Powers Book:
Agility: + 1CS (maximum Remarkable),
Strength: + 1CS (maximum Remarkable); "The player should determine what parts are
Endurance: + 2CS (maximum Amazing); artificial, using the randomly generated Abilities
and Powers as a guide. For example, Strength of
While adding to the body, the cybernetic Remarkable or better suggests the limbs and
implants add additional strain to the Vampire's skeleton are artificial. Speed-running could
systems, so they lose these traditional bonuses. come from a leg-replacement. Vision Powers
seem to require at least one man-made eye."
Talents and Contacts
Now, there is some flexibility added to
Talents and Contacts are rolled separately. Cyborg Vampires stats, as they are vampires
The number before the slash indicates the initial with implants. Any high stats that would
number of Talents, or Contacts the hero has, normally indicate a modification in a normal
while the number after the slash represents the Cyborg does not always mean it is an implant on
maximum number allowable. a Cyborg Vampire. As a rule, I would suggest

133 The Ultimate Origins Book

 that any physical stat with a rank of Incredible or
higher should be a result of an implant. The
number before the slash indicates the initial
number of implants the character has, while the
number after the slash represents the maximum
number allowable.
days, sufficient ichors exist to turn the victim's
body into a normal vampire.
If the victim is not slain by the vampire, the
victim remains weak (-1CS on all FEATS) until
an Endurance FEAT is made, checked once each
week. During this time, the vampire has a limited
hypnotic control over the victim, so any FEATs
against that control cannot add Karma.

It is though this bite they are able to use the

following power.

Vampirism

Due to the unique dual origin of the Cyborg

Vampire, They can only feed on beings that
possess super powers of some sort. They need
the extra 'fix' of energy to keep their cybernetics
functioning properly.

The Vampire can drain the raw Power from a

victim and convert that energy into extra
Strength, Endurance, Psyche, and ranks for other
Powers the Vampire has.
Implant Table
The Vampire can force a nonliving, non-
Number or Powers sentient target to release all its raw Power. He
Die Roll
Gained though Implants must make an Intensity FEAT equal to the
01-45 1/2 highest ranked Power the target possesses. A
46-76 2/3 drained item reverts to its original state. Living
77-90 3/4 or sentient beings are harder to drain. The
victim's Psyche determines what Intensity FEAT
91-00 4/5
is required. A successful FEAT enables the
Vampire to drain Power from the victim. The
In addition, Vampiric Cyborgs gain the amount of raw Power equal to this Power's rank
following powers: number is drawn in equal portions from all the
victim's Powers. The process of feeding can
Regeneration: Typical 6 continue indefinitely, as long as the vampire
• This does not apply to their implants makes successful FEATs. Each turn drains
another rank's worth of Power.
Transformation:
• None - The vampire loses all The Vampire can voluntarily cease feeding at
transformation abilities once the any time by making a Psyche FEAT of any color
implants have been added to the except red. A red FEAT means the hero has
character. They "lock" the Vampire in entered an uncontrollable feeding frenzy that can
its human form. only stop when the victim is drained or the
Vampire is repulsed.
Vampire Bite
If the Vampire fails to make a FEAT at any
The Vampire Cyborg's canines are enlarged point in the feeding process, he is immediately
so they can deliver the classic "vampire bite." repulsed from the victim and can never resume
This bite inflicted 6 points of damage per turn. If the attack. The victim gains an instant immunity
the victim is killed in the attack, an enzyme in to any future Vampiric attacks by that being.
the vampire's saliva causes the body to produce a
greenish ichor, which replaces its blood. In three

The Ultimate Origins Book 134

 The Power the Vampire absorbs is used to
increase his own Strength, Endurance, Psyche,
and Cybernetic Implants. The increase in equal
amounts to all the adjustable Abilities. The
exception is this Power, as no Vampire can
increase his own Vampiric Power.
Cyborg Vampires lose energy at a depressing
rate. The rank numbers for Strength, Endurance,
Psyche, and all Powers except this one decrease
one point per hour. The Power Vampire must
feed to survive.
A Vampire cannot actually starve to death if
denied a sufficient supply of victims. When all
the affected Abilities reach Shift-0, the Vampire
falls into a coma. Their Power Vampirism
continues to function and tries to drain anyone
who comes within a foot of the body. When the
Power Vampire's abilities return to Feeble rank,
the Vampire returns to life. The powers gained
though the implants also regain ranks in the same
fashion.
Weaknesses
Vampirism is communicable. A living or
sentient being that is completely drained by a
Cyborg Vampire must make a Psyche FEAT roll.
A red FEAT means the victim has himself been
transformed into a Feeble Power Vampire. The
Nemesis is a Psyche temporarily raised 2CS
higher than the Cyborg Vampire's rank.
Limitations
Due to the vampiric side of their dual origin,
Cyber Vampires suffer all the negatives of a
135
traditional vampire. A number of attack forms
and weaknesses inflict damage to a vampire:
• Blood Dependency. Cyborg Vampires
need blood and energy to survive.
Voluntary or involuntary deprivation of
these results in weakness (-1CS on all
stats for every two days without blood)
and an overwhelming desire for blood.
A Psyche FEAT put off that desire for
one day, but the need remains.
• Soil Dependency. Vampires cannot go
100 miles beyond their places of human
birth without taking a pound of soil with
them. This soil, is usually used to line a
coffin, offsets the negative effects of the
sun (see below).
• Direct Sunlight. The rays of the sun
cause Amazing damage per round to
Cyborg Vampires. If reduced to zero
Health points, a vampire dehydrates and
turns to powder. Sunlight also causes
vampires not under its effect to become
comatose unless in contact with native
soil. Energy attacks which duplicate
solar radiation (such as the new Captain
Marvel’s powers) can affect Cyborg
Vampires.
• Garlic Plants. A Cyborg Vampire
cannot directly attack a victim wearing
a clove of garlic (the Cyborg Vampire
can push a wall over on the garlic-
wearer, though, or perform similar
actions). Further, a Cyborg Vampire’s
transformation abilities could not
function within one area of garlic.
• Religious Objects. Cyborg Vampires
have an allergy of sorts to objects of
religious faith, such that any religious
symbol (such as the cross or the Star of
David) held by someone who has great
faith in that symbol can keep a Cyborg
Vampire at bay. Such a symbol inflicts
normal damage (as a club, sword, or
shuriken) to the Cyborg Vampire.
• Mirrors. Cyborg Vampires do not
reflect an image in mirrors, nor show up
on photographic plates or similar
mediums.
• Houses. Most Cyborg Vampires are
bound by a code that prevents them
from entering a dwelling unless freely
invited.
The Ultimate Origins Book
 • Silver. Silver weaponry can inflict Damage and Repair
normal damage on and could even kill
Cyborg Vampire. Implants can be damaged though "called
• Wood. A wooden stake through the shot" attacks. To determine the amount of health
heart produces an automatic "kill" result each implant has, consult the table below:
against a Cyborg Vampire. Of course,
this means holding the Cyborg Vampire Number of Implants Health
down and getting a "Red" result with 50% of max
the attack. A wood stake or silver blade 1
health score
through the heart causes a Cyborg 25% of max
Vampire to decay into dust, but the dust 2
health score
will reassemble and the Cyborg 12% of max
Vampire will start to heal as soon as the 3
health score
stake or blade is removed.
6% of max
• Permanent Destruction. All Cyborg 4
health score
Vampires have a tendency to regenerate
lost damage over time, even if chopped
into tiny pieces. Three methods of Once the necessary amount of damage has
slaying a Cyborg Vampire are known to been inflicted to an implant, roll on the following
"kill " it forever: table for the effect:
3. Exposure to sunlight until the
vampire becomes dust, Die
Damage Result
followed by scattering the Roll
ashes. 01-20 The power is at -2CS
4. Piercing the heart of and 21-40 One FASE ability modifier is at -2CS
beheading the vampire, 41-65 Power is inoperative
burning the head and body n Energy Feedback - All powers are at -
two separate pyres, then 66-90
1CS
scattering the ashes. 91-94 All FASE ability modifiers are -1CS
5. Using the Montesi Formula. All FASE ability modifiers and
This last method was how 95-98
powers are at -2CS
Dracula was finally destroyed. Massive systems overload. All FASE
ability modifiers are at - 2CS, and all
99-00
powers, with the exception of one (of
the player's choice) are inoperative.

Repair

Repairing Implants requires someone (the

character or other) with the necessary talents. In
addition, they must have access to a laboratory
stocked with equipment a minimum of one
column higher in rank then the power of the
implant that requires repair.

Advancement

The player may, at some point in his Hero's

career, attempt to modify the hero's cybernetics
by adding new powers. Additional implants can
be added, up to the maximum number that was
determined at creation, by spending three
thousand Karma for each, plus ten times the
starting rank number for that power (this is also
the formula by which robots can add powers).

The Ultimate Origins Book 136

Power advancement is done normally, by
spending ten points times the current rank plus
five hundred points for cresting from one rank to
another.

A Reason FEAT roll should be called for,

with the difficulty equal to one column higher
then the new rank (to reflect the difficulty of
implanting the undead), if an old power is being
advanced to a new, higher rank or if a new power
is set at its starting level. A Resource FEAT roll
might also be needed to see if the hero has the
cash to perform the modifications. The NPC or
other character performing the surgery can
optionally roll this for the Cyborg Vampire.

The Judge should make his own rulings on

how to do the total makeover. This can be done
with Cyborgs, where they have all implants
removed, and replaced with new ones. Feel free
to include such things as resetting Popularity to
zero, upping appropriate powers and FASE
abilities one rank, or adding new things. This
should cost a great deal: about ten thousand
Karma points, a high Resource FEAT roll
(Amazing or better), and access to high-tech
equipment or a high (Incredible or better) Reason
FEAT roll. (This is, of course, up to the
individual Judge.) All other forms of
advancement are performed normally.

Optionally you can use the rules for Nanite

Cyborgs (X-Man Al) or Custom Cyborgs
(Wouter Vlemmings) for how you want to
add/manage implants in your game

And there you have it; a little tweaking,

borrowing from existing rules, and creativity can
spawn a unique character to play.

137 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Chapter Eighteen: Elders of the Universe
MTS Note: This article has appeared on many Classic Marvel RPG websites throughout the years. I hate
to put this one on the "Unofficial Origins" section of the book, but it is what it is. I am sure if you asked
around the community, many (including myself) consider this "Canon".

This article was originally written by Firebomb
for his website "Technohol 13". It is celebrating
year thirteen at the time of writing this, and it is
simply an amazing site.
http://www.technohol.com/
Elders of the Universe are a type of immortal
being. The wellspring of their immortal life
forces is their passion for a single pastime,
obsessively pursued throughout most of their
mortal lives. If this passion for their hobbies is
enough, they may have what it takes to shrug off
their mortality.
happens. Furthermore, the Elders' contention that
one has to be the last of their species to be one of
them seems to just be a matter of convenience;
most of them are the last of their kind only
because they are so darned old. One can generate
an Elder by rolling up statistics for them as an
alien (with the Player's Handbook) or a deity
(column five with the Ultimate Powers Book). It
is important to note that an Elder typically has
higher ranks in his or her Endurance, Intuition,
and Psyche ranks.

Four billion years ago, your home star grew

cold and dark. Your galaxy collapsed on itself
two billion years ago; all that remains now is a
dark singularity. Of all the trillions of life forms
in your galaxy, you alone fled and escaped the
death of your race. Of all those trillions of life
forms, you alone understood that to live one
needs a passion. Of all the trillions in the galaxy,
you are alone. Alone. This is what it means to be
an Elder of the Universe.

The Elders are the only survivors of the first

galaxies that formed in the wake of the Big
Bang. Each comes from a different race and a
different galaxy. Each has achieved immortality
and moves freely through space. And each
wields the power of a god, though the forms of
this power are as varied as the Elders themselves.
Long ago, every Elder realized the key to eternal
life lay in an all-encompassing task that
prevented its pursuer from losing interest in life.
To this end, some elders have chosen to perfect
their mental or physical potentials, and others
have dedicated their lives to Herculean errands
that can never be finished. Whatever the pursuit,
it is immense, perhaps even impossible - for with It is probably best, however, to model an
fulfillment comes oblivion. Elder, rather than roll one up randomly. No
tables can generate the proper balance of ability
There is no set way to determine how much scores and powers to represent an Elder properly
zeal it takes to become an Elder. It just sort of (unless you roll like a demon on speed)...

The Ultimate Origins Book 138

 Standard Powers for the Elders are presented
below:
• Immortality: Having pursued their
personal hobby to their mortal limits
and beyond, Elders of the Universe
have transcended mere mortality. An
Elder can be reduced to Shift 0
Endurance and 0 Health; he can be
killed, but he will not die. The only
thing that will put an Elder down for
good is a loss of his desire to further the
pursuit of his personal interest; any
other defeat will only be temporary.
Should he lose this passion, his life
force will shut down, and he will die at
once.
• Power Primordial: The original energy
of the universe, this power is at the
command of the Elders. Primarily, it is
a framework for all the powers that
represent the Elder's mastery of their
passion, and can take any form. For
example, the Contemplator manifested
vast psionic powers, while the Gardener
wielded power over plants. The powers
taken should reflect and enhance the
Elder's hobby, but still be useful to
some extent, should the Elder be subject
to violence.
• Invulnerabilities: Elders are immune to
139
Disease, Poison, and Aging effects at
Class 1000 rank. Some Elders (most
notably those shown in the comic
books) also have this resistance to
Energy attacks, as well. Unless this is
an NPC, I don't recommend that.
• Resistance to Cold and Pressure
Variance: Rather than a complete
immunity to energy attack, I
recommend that new Elders 'just' have
Unearthly resistance to extreme cold
and pressures, allowing them to exist in
the vacuum of space (or in dense
atmospheres) without problem.
• Self-Sustenance: Elders have no need
of sustenance of any sort, be it food,
drink, or even air. Some Elders no
longer even need to sleep!
• Telepathy: Telepathy: all Elders have
this power, at a minimum of Feeble (2)
rank. This allows them to converse with
others, even in space!
All this is the easy part. When making an
Elder of the Universe, his origin and personality
are the most important. Elders should stand out
compared to other characters, as they are indeed
special beings. A Judge (or lucky player) should
spend an extra amount of time figuring these
matters out.
The Ultimate Origins Book
 Chapter Nineteen: Enhanced Combat Operatives
MTS Note: I find these rather useful for the game. If you want to make these characters a little more
personal, you can always use the "Ability Modifier Table" From The Advanced Set's Judge's Book on page
35 in this book.

This article is from Ty States' Marvel RPG Sample Drugs

website, one of the longest running and all
around best sites on the web.
Blitz: This adds +1CS to Fighting for every dose,
maximum of three doses. An overdose causes the
user to attack any moving thing and continue
attacking until it stops breathing. Death occurs
when the corpuscles in the brain burst.

Static: One dose produces +1CS Psyche,

http://gamingnerdsrus.co/forum/index.php?action=page;id=6
Enhanced Combat Operatives, or ECO's
(Echos), were created to help the government
combat superhuman threats. They recruit the
most physically capable men from the standard
military divisions, and then run them through a
grueling physical training program. During this
program they are fed metasteroids and
engineered hormones, increasing their strength
and stamina to beyond human levels. They are
then outfitted with a standard skintight bodysuit,
which has built in "slap" patch areas filled with
drugs of various kinds. These are triggered
through the patch, which takes physical contact,
by the wearer of the suit. The drugs vary
according to the mission. ECO's only live for
two years as their hyped up metabolism burns
out fast.
maximum of four doses. An overdose causes the
users neurons to overload and their head to
explode.
Buzz: A type of super caffeine that allows the
user to stay awake for twenty-four hours without
side effects.
Mnemos: Increases memory to near photographic
level. Each dose allows up to one dictionary
worth of information to be memorized. This is
up to a maximum of four doses. An overdose
causes the user to remember everything in a
repetitive matter, relaying everything from birth
to death. Death is caused when they forget to
breathe.

Typical Stats

F A S E R I P
Rm Rm Rm Rm Rm Ty Gd
26 26 26 26 26 6 10
Health: 120 Karma: 42

The Ultimate Origins Book 140

 Chapter Twenty: Homo Arcanus
MTS Note: This is an interesting variant for Breed Mutants. It is short, balanced, and to the point.
Basically it is all you need to create a character of this origin with no fluff to pad it out.

Credit for this section goes to Gene and it was Known Powers
originally posted in the "Classic Marvel Forever (These do take slots)
Phorum".
Magic Detection
True Sight

Popularity Modifers

Reduce Popularity -1CS if discovered

http://www.classicmarvelforever.com.

Background

You come from a long line of people with the

Sight/Gift/Intuition/Etc..

Often called witches, freaks, fey touched,

ect..You learn to hide your abilities at a young
age as they set you apart from those around you,
nowadays you even attempt to blend in with
Mutants or Empowered Beings.

Character Creation

Homo Arcanus use Column One from the

Ultimate Powers book when creating a character.
(Reprinted below for convience).

Die Roll Initial Rank

01-05 Feeble 1
06-10 Poor 3
11-20 Typical 5
21-40 Good 8
41-60 Excellent 16
61-80 Remarkable 26
81-96 Incredible 36
97-00 Amazing 46

FASERIP Modifiers

Homo Arcanus recive a +1CS bonus to

Intuition and Psyche

141 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Chapter Twenty-One: Homo Disneius
MTS Note: This is another interesting variant for Breed Mutants. The humor of this one should be obvious,
but I think it can work well in a Marvel game. The Origin is short, balanced, and to the point. Basically it is
all you need to create a character of this origin with no fluff to pad it out.

Credit for this section goes to Gene and it was FASERIP Modifiers
originally posted in the "Classic Marvel Forever
Phorum". All Homo Disneius receive a +1CS bonus to
Appearance.

Males: Additionally receive a +1 CS bonus

to both Fighting and Endurance.

Females: Additionally receive a +1 CS bonus

to both Agility and Intuition.
http://www.classicmarvelforever.com.
Known Powers
Background (These do take slots)

Your parents are ..Perfect. He is Handsome, Communicate with Animals

She is Beautiful, and they never had a negative Iron Will (Males)
word to say about anyone. Shortly after puberty, Hypnotic Voice: Singing (Females)
you started noticing strange things. Animals
would respond as if they knew what you meant
when you spoke to them, your skin nearly
glowed with health, your eyes sparkled and your
teeth nearly blinded a classmate when you
smiled for school photos. Then your parents told
you. All about running away from "the
homeland" making a new life here. Among the
"Mundies" and, how one day. You may have to
worry about your Step-Grandmother...

Character Creation

Homo Disneius use Column One from the

Ultimate Powers book when creating a character.
(Reprinted below for convience).

Die Roll Initial Rank

01-05 Feeble 1
06-10 Poor 3
11-20 Typical 5
21-40 Good 8
41-60 Excellent 16
61-80 Remarkable 26
81-96 Incredible 36
97-00 Amazing 46 Popularity Modifers

Homo Disneius receive a +1CS bonus to

Popularity, or a -1CS if they are Evil/Villianous.

The Ultimate Origins Book 142

MTS Note: This Origin requires use of the Appearance Benchmark Table
Appearance stat created by Arakne and Matt
Thompson. For convience, I have included the Rank Description Example
rules for this below. Sauron and
Shift-0 Hideous
Daemonites
Appearance Chamber
Feeble Repulsive and
Randomly-rolled characters begin the game Deadpool
with an Appearance of Typical, followed by a Toad and
roll on the ability modifier table. Mutants reduce Poor Homely
Reptile
this by -1CS, because of that unsightly third eye
Iceman and
(note that the randomness still allows for a good- Typical Plain to Average
Wolverine
looking mutant, there's just not as many). The
Judge may allow players to set a specific stat if Jubilee and
Good Attractive
the player can come up with a good enough Savant
reason, and modelled characters can have their Captain
Appearance stat set by the player (subject to the Britain,
Judge's approval, of course) Excellent Pretty/Handsome Grifter, and
Moon
New characters should also be allowed to Knight
trade in Powers, Talents, and Contacts for Phoenix,
additional Appearance ranks (allow one rank per Remarkable Statuesque Candra, and
trade-in) Mr. Majestic
Psyloke,
Laura Croft,
Incredible Bewitching
and Emma
Frost
Storm,
Voodoo,
Amazing Stunning Zealot, and
Bruce
Wayne
Roma and
Monstrous Radiant Megan in her
true form
Demigods
Unearthly Devine and Deities
in true form

Appearance does figure in to Popularity,

which is covered later in this supplement.

Using the Appearance Stat

Characters can use their Appearance to

influence members of the opposite gender (this
may work differently for some alien species). If a
character is talking to somebody who does not
know them, they may use their appearance stat in
the place of their popularity (The Judge may
even state that they *have* to use their
Appearance stat instead, especially if their
Appearance is lower than their Popularity stat)

143 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Of course, if you are known to be a world-
dominating villain, or a hero who has saved
thousands of lives, it doesn't really matter what
you look like, as people know you by reputation.
Typically, anyone with a Popularity of larger
than 20 (or -20) can't use their Appearance in
place of Popularity. However, they may be able
to gain a +1CS to a Popularity roll given a
successful Appearance FEAT first.
The Judge may also rule that the Appearance
stat can be used for other things. Getting a date
for Tony Stark's party could be considered an
appearance FEAT. Of course, if plain old Jane
Smith (Appearance Typical, Popularity 4/60)
slips into her costumed identity of Avenger Girl
first, she may be able to use a popularity FEAT
for the same thing, and will probably make front
page news in the local scandal sheet the next
day, too.
Appearance may be allowed by the Judge
(plastic surgery?)
Improving Appearance Permanently
Apart from the aforementioned plastic
surgery, there is no easy way to improve one's
appearance stat. It can't be done by spending
Karma, however much you've managed to save.
The Judge may decide under certain
circumstances that Appearance is actually
reduced (having your face plunged into a bucket
of acid is a good example of this).
Note from Gene
I don't give Random Mutants a -1CS. But if
anyone rolls a 01 on the mod table they get -2CS
not -1CS to base Appearance.

Johnny Crandall, the Crimson Cartographer,

stops dead in his tracks while trying to escape
the villain's hideout. Ahead of him is the exit, but
it's guarded by two Amazonian warriors.
Realising he's hopelessly outclassed if things
turn agressive, he slips into the shadows and
changes into his secret ID. Putting on his best
smile, he approaches the ladies "Hey, I'm really
sorry about this, but I have absolutely no idea
where I am - I thought this was some kind of
bookstore....... Say, are you two girls doing
anything tonight?" The Judge may even allow
him a red FEAT roll to get past unhindered. If he
doesn't turn up for dinner, though, he's likely to
be the subject of a manhunt the next day. If he
does turn up, he'd better have his escape route
well planned after the two finish fighting over
him.......

Modifers to Appearance

The Appearance stat represents how the

character appears to members of their own race.
The Judge should make relevant modifiers when
a character tries to use their Appearance stat to
influence members of alien races. For similar
races, there may be no modifier, but in the case
of a Skrull talking to a human, anything from
-2CS to -4CS could be applied.

If a character spends a good hour or so

making themselves look presentable, they may
be able to gain a +1CS to Appearance for a short
while. Any other measures taken to improve

The Ultimate Origins Book 144

 Chapter Twenty-Two: Homo Sublimis (Exaulted)
MTS Note: This origin was suggested by Nightmask at the Classic Marvel Forever Phorum:
http://www.classicmarvelforever.com/phorum/read.php?3,28535. It was an excellent discussion, and I
decided to run with it and turn it into a full-fledged Origin. I borrowed the Alteration Table (adapting
slightly) from the one Sidhain wrote for Terrigenesis, that appears on page 266 of this book.

Homo Sublimis are characters that begin play Resources: Rolled Normally
seemingly as "Normal Humans", but when
exposed to radiation, gamma rays, or any other While this may seem to be a "weak" character
type of potentially altering energy (liquid, gas, initially, the character may roll on the Exposure
etc…) they become something else. Table when affected by something that could
possibly be fatal to most characters.
The Homo Sublimis genus is often thought as
the missing link between Homo Sapien, and
Homo Superior. In some cases, a Homo Sublimis
can be detected before the change, but in most
cases any type of scan, mystical, psionic,
mundane, etc… will simply register them as a
Normal Human.

Scientists have contributed these phenomena

to what they have called the S-Gene, which by
nature is recessive. A recessive gene is a gene
that is phenotypically expressed in the
homozygous state but has its expression masked
in the presence of a dominant gene.

Examples of this type of character would be;

The Fantastic Four, Bruce Banner, and Peter
Parker. All of these characters started out
normal, but circumstances changed them. They
managed to not only survive exposures that
would have killed most humans, but they
emerged from it changed, with new powers.

Initial Ability Score Table

Die Roll Initial Rank

01-05 Fb1
06-12 Pr3
13-45 Ty5
46-73 Gd8
74-83 Ex16
84-93 Rm26
94-98 In36
99-00 Am46

Homo Sublimis gain a +1 CS to Endurance

Contacts: Rolled Normally

As a note, most Homo Sublimis do not know
Powers: None
that they are anything other then Normal
Talents: Rolled Normally +1 Extra Talent (This
Humans. So unless extensive testing has been
does not count against the maximum number
done to reveal the truth of their nature, it would
allowed)

145 The Ultimate Origins Book

 be silly for them to go running into a nuclear Alteration Table
explosion. They do have the potential to be
slightly better then Normal Humans stat-wise, so Die
most would simply think they are in better shape, Result
Roll
smarter, etc... then the average person (if they are 01-40 Physical Transformation
even aware of that fact) 41-75 Ability Modification Table
76-80 Power/Minor
81-99 Power/Major
No change and the character becomes
00
"normal"

Effects:

Physical Transformation: A major

physiological/appearance change occurs to the
exposed. Let the player pick their favorite
animal, color etc., and being generous in
assigning modifications based on those
preferences. Meaning in the players favor, or
having them transformed into some preferred
image, Sidhain likes Elves so his pc turning into
an elf would be fun for him.

Ability Modification: Roll on the Ability Mod

table for 1d6 abilities and apply the results (or a
d7 if you are lucky enough to have one - I do).

Power/Minor: Combat Sense, Computer Links,

etc. or a power at most Excellent Rank

Power Major: Any power ranked up to

Incredible.

Normal: The character may add one to two stats

When the character is exposed to something
such as radiation, injected with chemicals, etc...
Roll on the Exposure Table
of his choice, providing they do not exceed the
maximum for Normal Humans. Any other stats
exceeding the maximum for normal humans drop
to the normal human maximum.
Ability Modification Table

Exposure Table Die Roll Modification

01-15 Reduce by one rank
Die 16-40 Remain unchanged
Result
Roll 41-70 Increase by one rank
01-02 Character Dies 71-88 Increase by two ranks
03-73 No Change (Character may roll 89-00 Increase by three ranks
03-73 again when exposed to a different type
of radiation, chemical, etc...)
The "S-Gene" activates. Roll on the
74-98
Alteration Table
Same effect as "Normal" on the
99-00
Alteration Table.

The Ultimate Origins Book 146

 Chapter Twenty-Three: Hybrids
MTS Note: The legendary David E. Martin inspired this Origin, when he made a comment on my
Facebook about The Ultimate Origins Book.

Hybrid Characters can either be created by
scientific experiment by others (Purposeful or
accidental), alien abduction, alien crash, alien
mating, born of alien mating, etc… The results
can be as varied as the nature of their "origin". It
is not always known what caused the change,
and the results can fall anywhere between
negligible to grandiose.
"Alien" does not always refer to races from
other planets; it can also be denizens of other
dimensions. The only constant to the creation of
hybrids are normal humans. Mutants, and other
types of Origins do not always produce Hybrids
(of this nature anyway).
which many of the more "unique" looking
Hybrids are often mistaken for based on their
appearance.
Known Powers: Players roll normally for the
number of initial powers. With permission of the
Judge, they can take one (or more) of the known
powers typical to the Humanoid Race used in
their creation instead of rolling randomly for
their powers. Any power taken this way replaces
one random power.
Talents: Generated normally.

Appearances vary greatly among Hybrids.

Some can pass as Normal Humans, others take
on the appearance of the Humanoid Race, and
others look like a cross between the two. Even in
the case of siblings created though mating, the
children will not always look the same.

Hybrids roll on the following column for their

Primary Abilities. This table is unique to
Hybrids.

Random Ranks Table

Die Roll Initial Rank

01-05 Feeble
06-25 Poor
26-50 Typical
51-65 Good
66-75 Excellent
76-85 Remarkable
86-95 Incredible
96-00 Amazing

Contacts: Generated normally.

Resources: Generated normally.

Popularity: Hybrids suffer a -1CS penalty to

initial Popularity. At the Judge's discretion, if the
Hybrid takes on too many of the Humanoid
Race's features, their initial Popularity can be as
low as zero. This is the initial score of Morlocks,

147 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Chapter Twenty-Four: M'Ndavians
MTS Note: This race would work well as an Alien Hero Option. Sadly I almost missed these, and saw them
while finishing up the book. An excellent write-up, and the book would have been incomplete without them.
As with the other various Alien Races in this book, you can use the " Ability Modifier Table " that appears
in "Aliens and Non-Humans Races I" on page 35 to implement these in your game.
The overview of M'Ndavians was taken from
“The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel
Universe”
http://marvel.com/universe/Main_Page
When Reed Richards was place on trial by the
Intergalactic Council for having spared the life of
Galactus, a M'Ndavian served among the judges,
and the trial followed the legal laws of the
M'Ndavians. Their presence at the trial was at
Richards request. He ultimately won the trial
after the testimony of Eternity, who was
Galactus' character witness. Eternity revealed to
all present Galactus' true purpose in the universe.
Later in the Hub home of the Intergalactic
Council, Peacekeeper-General Mduul of the
The Ultimate Origins Book
Charter greeted the cosmic Avenger, Quasar
(Wendell Vaughn) and informed that the Charter
had plans to include the Earth among its
members. Mduul explained the Charter's history
and future goals to Quasar. Mduul escorted him
to his quarters for the night, but when Quasar
awoke from his sleep, he found everyone on the
Hub dead. Unknown to Quasar they were killed
by a plague created by Votan of the Axi-Tun
race. Mduul's body was returned to M'Ndavi
containing a plague which was released from his
body at the funeral, quickly infecting and slaying
the entire planet's population. Lord Votan's
people made it appear as though the Pheragots
were responsible for the genocide.
During the event known as Maximum Security
the M'Ndavian's legal system was employed by
the Intergalactic Council to determine what
should be done about the interference of humans
of Earth throughout the galaxies. They utilized
some sacred crystals to determine the fate of the
humans. When the crystals all turned black, it
was agreed to turn the Sol System into a penal
colony for the worst offenders within the galaxy.
The information below was written by Fangs
(AKA: Andrew McFayden email:
traolcoladis@yahoo.com.au) and David E.
Martin. It was posted on the old "Classic Marvel
Forever Phorum".
http://www.classicmarvelforever.com/phorum_archive
/read.php?6,39205
Origin Galaxy: Shi'ar
Homeworld/ Star System: Planet M'Ndavi,
B'lbwo Star System, tenth from sun
Estimated Population: 49 million
Society: Representative monarchy
148
Technology Level: Superior to Earth,

Spaceflight Level: Faster than Light Travel

(FTL)

Average Height: 6'3"

Statistics

F A S E R I P
Ty Ty Gd Ty Am Rm In
6 6 10 6 50 30 40
Health: 28 Karma: 120

Racial Powers: Highly advanced intellects

Representatives: None known
Attitude Toward Earth: Neutral
Notes: M'Ndavians have the following physical
characteristics they are Semi-humanoid with 2
Eyes, 4 Fingers and 4 Toes their skin color is
Light yellow and they have an average height of
6'3"
The M'Ndavians have the most complex legal
system in the known galaxies. They are
employed within the Shi'ar Empire for matters of
great significance to the empire. A M'Ndavian
judge presided at the trial of Mr. Fantastic who
was tried for saving the life of Galactus, the
planet ravager.

149 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Chapter Twenty-Five: Mephitisoids
MTS Note: This race would work well as an Alien Hero Option. Sadly I almost missed these, and saw them
while finishing up the book. An excellent write-up, and the book would have been incomplete without them.
As with the other various Alien Races in this book, you can use the " Ability Modifier Table " that appears
in "Aliens and Non-Humans Races I" on page 35 to implement these in your game.

The information below was written by
Nightmask and was posted on the "Classic
Marvel Forever Phorum".
http://www.classicmarvelforever.com/phorum/read.php?4,35
8
having been locked in stasis with his foe in order
to forever watch over him, the Shi’ar commander
had committed a terrible atrocity. Beaten,
demoralized, on the verge of total defeat, he and
his remaining troops took refuge inside one of
the temples where they female Mephitisoids
cared for the wounded Shi’ar as they would one
of their own, and he learned about their
pheromone powers.

The Mephitisoids are an anthropomorphic

skunk-like (NOT Felinoid as has been
erroneously listed) race that exists within the
Shi’ar Empire, after being forcibly annexed
during one of the empire’s expansionist phases.
As a proud and primitive people often prone to
rebelling against unwanted Shi’ar rule they are
treated as a slave race by the ruling Shi’ar
Empire and often subject to reprisals as a result.
The most well known member of this race is
Hephzibah of the Starjammers, lover (former?)
of Corsair, the father of Scott and Alex
Summers.

As a result of their natures the males of the

species are both territorial and aggressive, while
the females are peaceful and part of a non-
violent religious order. All Mephitisoids are
possessed of a pheromone-based mind control
ability that allows them to manipulate the
emotions of others. This ability for the males is a
means of inspiring each other while in battle and
give them a cohesiveness few others can hope to
match, while for the females is unused except in
special ceremonies. Their names are also
unpronounceable by humans and therefore must
adopt a more pronounceable name when
interacting with humans.
Not much is known about their history save
for some dark revelations revealed after an
encounter with the Avengers. After a stasis pod
containing the last leader of the Mephitisoid race
crash-landed on Earth, releasing both him and
the great Shi’ar leader who barely stopped them
from conquering the Shi’ar Empire. Instead of
Desperate he and his remaining sub-
commanders hatched a desperate plot to win, and
in a terrible act of atrocity murdered the
defenseless females in order to distill from them
their pheromones, in order to use them to inspire
his own troops and lead them to victory. This act
of mass murder shocked the relatively honorable
Shi’ar to their core, and to cover it up they exiled
both the leader of the Mephitisoid troops and
their own commander to float for eternity in
stasis. Unfortunately eternity rarely is, and with
the crash-landing on Earth final conflict resumed
until all the sordid truths were revealed, and the
Mephitisoid leader was slain by his rival. This is
the last time we see any member of the
Mephitisoid race outside of the occasional
appearance of Hepzibah.

The Ultimate Origins Book 150

Generic Stats for a relatively normal member
of the race

Rank for Rank for

Ability
Females Males
Fighting Pr 4 Ex 20
Agility Ex 20 Gd 10
Strength Ty 6 Rm 30
Endurance Ex 20 Rm 30
Reason Ty 6 Ty 6
Intuition Ex 20 Ex 20
Psyche Ex 20 Ex 20
Health: 50 for Females/90 for Males
Karma: 46 Resources: Poor (4)
Popularity: 0

Racial Powers/Abilities

Enhanced Senses (Hearing/Smell): Remarkable

Pheromones: Remarkable mind control and

ability to manipulate emotions.

Natural Weaponry/Claws: Mephitisoid’s have

Excellent material strength claws inflicting
Excellent edged damage.

Extra Body Part/Large: Prehensile Skunk Tail

Talents

Varies by background. As they are a slave

race the Shi'ar tend to work Mephitisoids from
learning anything useful to oppose them, like
high-tech skills and weapons training but
exceptional individuals may have any range of
talents.

151 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Chapter Twenty-Six: Otherworlders
MTS Note: An excellent write-up. These could be used as an option for Alien characters if desired. The
"Ability Modifier Table" on page 35 of this book can be used to create more personalized characters.

This article was done by Niniri who was nice Drawbacks: Sensitive or vulnerable to True
enough to email me this so it could be included Cold Iron.
in the book.
Notes: The full Sight-gift only occurs in
Average Otherworlder women…or rarely an androgyn or gay male…or
a male with something akin to Klinefelter’s
F A S E R I P Syndrome (XXY chromosomal abnormality).
Such individuals are invariably born with
Rm Rm Rm In Gd In In
varying levels of visual impairment or blindness
30 30 30 40 10 40 40
and are always sterile. The blindness is
Resources: Gd Appearance: Rm customarily remedied with psibernetic
prosthetics that do not interfere with their psi-
Known Powers: talents.
• Telepathy: In
• Empathy: Rm Bladesingers, Spellsingers, Sword-dancers,
• ESP: In Soul-blades are all part of an elite sort of
• Body Resistance: Ex warrior-mages, mages, warriors etc.
• Regeneration: Ex
• Immortal Bladesong (weapons combat) and Battledance
• Sorcerous Potential: Equal to Psyche, (unarmed combat) are both styles of fighting as
max well.

This is an Elven/Sidhe fighting style that can

be learned by any number of peoples from the
Otherworld. It can take decades to truly master
and more than a human life time to truly move
into the advanced techniques, and those who
dedicate themselves to it garner great respect.

The most elite of warriors among the

Otherworlds…aside from the Valkyries...are the
Bladesingers, particularly those that are part of
the order called the Ladies of the Lake.

Elements are the substyles: Air, Earth, Fire,

Water

There is a fifth Element, called Storm, that is

unique to the Ladies of the Lake and the
Bladesingers of Clan Pendragon.

Patterns are the Katas, can involve various

weapons or not.

Once one has mastered the basics of

Wild talents often vary among psychokinetic Bladesong, the states are typically as follows:
variants, cyberpathy, and variations of ESP, and Fighting: In, Agility: In, Intuition: Rm.
the rare Sight-gift or Second Sight.

Talents: Mystic Origin free

The Ultimate Origins Book 152

Bladesong: +1CS for blocking/evading,
dodging, feinting and with one’s weapon of
mastery

Typically the following talents are gained over

the duration of learning:
1. Sharp Weapons or Oriental Weapons or
Weapon Specialist
2. Weapons Master
3. Thrown Weapons or Thrown Objects,
or Juggling
4. Acrobat/Tumble and Escape Artist
5. Martial Arts: minimum of 3. May also
choose Wrestling.
6. Espionage/Detective or Law
Enforcement or Military
7. First Aid, Survival
8. Politics or Diplomacy or Psychology

‘Powers’ Gained:
• Combat Sense: Intuition +1CS
• Body Resistance: Varies

153 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Chapter Twenty-Seven: Olympian Demigods &
Gods
MTS Note: A last minute addition to the book (found during the proofreading stage). This could be
substituted for Deity or Humanoid Race for the purists. The odd thing with this article is that it only
appeared on the site from 2001-2002, which is why I almost missed it.

This article was taken from "Norseman Central",
and the article in question can only be accessed
via archive.org.
http://web.archive.org/web/20020225194730/http://w
ww.norse-man.net/Marvel/NewRules/index.htm
metabolism of the gods gives them superhuman
endurance in all physical activities. In addition,
many Olympian gods possess additional
superhuman powers, which may be magical in
nature.

Group History:
The Gods of Olympus are a race of
superhumanly powerful humanoid beings who
were worshipped by the ancient Greeks and
Romans from about 2,000 B.C. to 500 A.D. The
Olympians dwell in Olympus, a small “pocket”
dimension adjacent to Earth; an interdimensional
nexus between Olympus and Earth exists
somewhere on Mount Olympus in Greece. The
Olympians’ human worshippers in ancient Rome
called these gods by different names than those
by which the gods were known in ancient
Greece: for example, the Greeks called the king
of the gods Zeus, where as the Romans called
him Jupiter or Jove. The Olympian gods, except
for Neptune, patron deity of the Atlanteans, no
longer have or actively seek worshippers on
Earth. However, certain gods, notably Hercules
and Venus, still take active interest in humanity.

The Olympian gods all possess certain

superhuman physical attributes. They are true
immortals, who cease to age upon achieving
adulthood, and who are unable to die by
conventional means. The Olympians are immune
to all terrestrial diseases and are resistant to
conventional injury. If an Olympian is wounded,
his or her godly life force will enable him or her
to recover at a super human rate. It would take an
injury of such magnitude that it incinerates an
Olympian or disperses a major portion of his or
her bodily molecules to cause him or her to die.
Even then, it may be possible for a god of greater
or equal power, or several gods acting together,
to revive the deceased Olympian before the
god’s life essence is beyond resurrection.
Olympian flesh and bone are about three times
denser than similar human tissue, contributing to
the gods’ superhuman strength and weight. The
According to ancient myths, the primeval
Earth goddess Gaea is the progenitor of the
principal Olympian gods. However, it is unclear
whether the Olympian race originated on Earth,
on Olympus, or in another dimension linked to
Olympus. Gaea gave birth to the sky god
Ouranos (who is not to be confused with the
Eternal named Uranus). Gaea mated with
Ouranos and bore him the first generation of the
Olympian race, known as the Titans. One of the
Titans, Cronus, rose to power when he fatally

The Ultimate Origins Book 154

wounded Ouranos. (Cronus is not to be confused
with the Eternal known as both Chronos and
Kronos.) The dying Ouranos prophesied that
Cronus would likewise be overthrown by
Cronus’s children. As a result, upon the birth of
each of Cronus’s children, he had the infant
imprisoned in Tartarus, the most dismal section
of the Olympian underworld known as Hades.
Appalled at the mistreatment of their children,
Cronus’s wife, the Titaness Rhea, concealed her
sixth pregnancy from him and secretly gave birth
to Zeus in Greece. Zeus grew to adulthood
among the human shepherds of Crete.
Zeus set his siblings—Neptune, Pluto, Hera,
Demeter, and Vesta, now all grown to
adulthood—free from Tartarus. Zeus and his
allies fought a ten-year war with the Titans, a
war which ended with Zeus’s victory. He
imprisoned most of the male Titans in Tartarus
and established himself in Olympus as supreme
ruler of the Olympian race. Zeus married the
goddess Hera, but he engaged in many affairs
with goddesses and mortal Earth women. Some
of his children were gods. Zeus, Hera, Neptune,
Demeter, and Vesta, together with Zeus’s
children, Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Athena,
Hephaestus, Hermes, and Venus, comprised the
membership of the high council of the Olympian
gods, known as the Pantheon. Vesta later
resigned her seat on the council in favor of
Zeus’s son Dionysus. Zeus’s brother Pluto was
not a member of the Pantheon, preferring to stay
within Hades, which he ruled.
155
After the end of the Hyborian Age, the
Olympian gods sought worshippers on Earth.
Neptune became the patron god of the water-
breathing Atlanteans. Zeus worked for the
Olympian gods to be worshipped by the people
of the land now known as Greece. Mount
Olympus lay near Olympia, the principal city of
the Eternals. Zeus and his daughter Athena met
with Zuras, the leader of the Eternals, and his
daughter Azura. Noticing the physical
resemblance between Zeus and Zuras and
between Azura and her self, Athena suggested
that the Olympian gods and the Eternals form an
alliance in which the Eternals would act as the
gods’ representatives on Earth. The other three
enthusiastically agreed, and Azura took her
current name of Thena to signify the sealing of
the pact. However, over the years, many humans
came to think of many Eternals not as the gods’
representatives but as the gods themselves. This
led to a growing resentment by the gods toward
the Eternals, a resentment that recently erupted
into war, but today they are again at peace.
Worship of the Olympian gods spread from
Greece to Rome, and throughout the Roman
Empire. But when Christianity finally replaced
the worship of the Olympian gods in the Roman
Empire, Zeus decided that the time had come for
the Olympians to break most of their ties with
Earth. Neptune, however, was still allowed to
watch over his Atlantean worshippers. Zeus’s
children Hercules and Venus have spent periods
living among Earth mortals.
An alternate future has been depicted in
which Zeus and the other Olympians, except for
Hercules, leave their plane of existence in the
23rd century so that Hercules may father a new
race of gods. Whether the Olympian gods will
come to such an end in what becomes the “main
stream” future is as yet unknown.
Form: Olympian Demigod
When rolling up a random character, if the
Character Form is determined to be an
Angel/Demon, there is a chance (5% or so) that
it will be a Demigod of Olympian heritage.
Olympian Demigods roll stats on Column 5.
Every FASERIP result is increased +1CS with
the exception of Strength, which is increased
+2CS. Additionally; the character receives two
bonus powers, in addition to any other powers.
The Ultimate Origins Book
 Bonus Powers
Immortality: CL1000 resistance to aging,
disease, and toxins. Olympian Demigods can be
killed, but will not die from old age or aging
attacks
Invulnerability: Incredible resistance to physical
and energy attacks.
Talents
As for talents, they get two fewer talents than
are rolled, with a minimum of 1. Whatever talent
they receive provides them with an extra column
shift. (Example: Thrown weapon now gives
+2CS, while Weapon Specialist give +3CS)
Olympian Demigods have one parent that is
an Olympian God or Demigod, and one that is a
true mortal. They have racial traits from their
mortal parent.
Olympian before the god’s life essence is beyond
resurrection.
Invulnerability: Incredible resistance to physical
and energy attacks.
Talents:
As for talents, they get two fewer talents than
are rolled, with a minimum of 1. Whatever talent
they receive provides them with a minimum of
Monstrous knowledge or ability.
Olympian Gods have parents that are
Olympian Gods or Demigods. Because of the
unusual nature of the Olympians, there is no set
number of individuals required to make a child,
so there could be as few as one, and no upper
limit. Most gods however conform to the
standard two.

Form: Olympian God

When rolling up a random character, if the
Character Form is determined to be a Deity,
there is a chance (5% or so) that it will be from
the Olympian pantheon.

Olympian Gods roll stats on Column 5. Every

FASERIP result is increased +2CS with the
exception of Strength, which is increased +3CS.
Additionally; the character receives two bonus
powers, in addition to any other powers.

Bonus Powers:

True Immortality: CL1000 resistance to aging,

disease, and toxins. They cannot die even if
reduced to 0 Health and Endurance. It would
take an injury of such magnitude that it
incinerates an Olympian or disperses a major
portion of his or her bodily molecules to cause
him or her to die. Even then, it may be possible
for a god of greater or equal power, or several
gods acting together, to revive the deceased

The Ultimate Origins Book 156

 Chapter Twenty-Eight: Psion Body Type
MTS Note: These are well written 'quick' rules for Psions. A template for Psionic character can be found
in page 262 of this book. If you are looking for more in-depth rules, I recommend Firebomb's Manual of
the Psi from Technohol 13.

The article is from Ty States' Marvel RPG AD&D to MSH Psyche Bonus Table
website, one of the longest running and all
around best sites on the web. 'Elric' created the AD&D Intelligence Psyche Bonus
rules for this origin. 01-15 None
16-17 +1 CS
18-19 +2 CS
20-22 +3 CS
23-25 +4 CS

Powers

http://gamingnerdsrus.co/forum/index.php?action=page;id=6
Die Roll Powers
01-12 1
This is an origin that I created to help me
translate AD&D Psionicists to MSH format. 13-25 2
Included is a modified Starting Powers Table. 26-37 3
38-50 4
Psions are Mutants whose powers are mostly 51-62 5
centered around the mind, though they can have 63-75 6
other powers as well. Because they are still 76-87 7
Mutants, they are as feared and disliked by the 88-00 8
public as standard Mutants. Examples of Psions
include: Prof. X, Phoenix (both Jean and
Rachel), and Mastermind.

• Random ranks are rolled on Column 1

• Half of their powers MUST be a mental
power of some sort (Telepathy,
Telekinesis, etc.)
• Receive the power of Psi-Screen free
• Because they are still Mutants, they
may still be affected by Mutant
detection and nullification devices and
powers
• Starting Psyche is raised by one rank, to
a maximum of MN. If Psyche is already
MN, then this bonus may be assigned to
Reason or Intuition (with the same limit
of a maximum of MN), or discarded all
together.
• Starting Popularity is always zero
• If being converted from AD&D to
MSH, Psyche receives a class shift
based on the AD&D character's Int.

157 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Chapter Twenty-Nine: The People (Saurians)
MTS Note: This is from writeups.org, so it required converting it from the DC rules to Marvel. I used the rules from
Ty States’ awesome site (now hosted at Gaming Nerds R Us) written by MoonSylver under the More DC to Marvel
link. I recommend using the "Ability Modifier Table" that appears in "Aliens and Non-Humans Races I" on page 35
to implement these in your game.

Credit for this section goes to Sébastien Andrivet,
and it was originally posted on writeups.org.
http://writeups.org/
Background
The People are large humanoid reptiles
("Saurians"), usually with human-level intelligence.
Most remain recognisable as species from the iguania
suborder, usually North American desert lizards.
like breasts, and in some cases a full head of human-
like hair. Both are completely out of place for
reptiles, and seemed new - females seen in 1978 had
neither. The most likely hypothesis is that their
"accelerated evolution" set them on a parallel path to
humans from the beginning, making them
increasingly primate-like as their reptilian traits
became more and more cosmetic. Whether the People
are now viviparous, oviparous or ovoviviparous is
unknown, but at least some individuals have kids
who need to be fed some sort of milk. It seems likely
that these individuals are warm-blooded - between
this, hair in some individuals and mammary glands
they are practically mammals.

Their intelligence and humanoid form are the The accelerated evolution of The People may be
result of some sort of "accelerated evolution" from slower now that they have left their traditional home.
exposure to nuclear tests. While scientifically The specimens encountered in 2002 seemed
improbable - to put it mildly - this is a clear biologically more advanced (or at least more human-
inheritance of the atomic horror stories from the like) than those encountered in 1978, but the rate of
1950s, like the giant ants. In the context of the progress was not comparable to the one that was
Marvel Universe this "super-evolution" might be the evident from 1948 to 1978.
result of fictional radiation. Perhaps the White Sands
tests used a early form of gamma bombs, which
didn't work right until the concept was revisited by
Dr. Bruce Banner. This variant gamma radiation
might even have turned some local minerals into a
loose equivalent of the High Evolutionary's Isotope
B.

Successive generations of local lizards were

smarter, larger, more humanoid, more adept at tools-
using - this was rapid, and in less than 30 years they
were essentially iguana persons with a thriving tribal
culture. Not all specimens were equally affected - a
few had super-powers, whereas a subset of the
population was still quadrupedal, without
manipulative limbs and displaying no sign of
sapience. The latter were used as mounts, and it
seems that while mutated they were still animals. History
These mounts were not seen again after the 1979
genocide (see the History section). The People are the result of nuclear experiments
run by the US in New Mexico, and traditionally lived
During the 2002 appearance of the People, under the San Andres mountains - within the White
individuals identifying as female had something Sands Missile Range, where the tests took place.

The Ultimate Origins Book 158

 Starting in the late 1940s, radiation hyper-
accelerated the evolution of numerous local lizards.
Each generation was markedly larger, nimbler,
stronger, smarter and more able to work in a
collective fashion. By the 1950s they could walk
erect, and a few years later they had a tribal proto-
culture and the beginning of a written language.
A few generations during the 1950s actively
hunted humans (chiefly civilians) as prey like any
other, but they soon stopped as they realised the risks
from this - and as they grew sophisticated enough to
prefer not to kill sentient beings.
Calling themselves "The People", the saurids
clustered in an improbably large cavern below a mesa
in the San Andres. The sun generously entered
through fissures yet they could not be seen, even
from the sky. Ms. Marvel estimated that the main
cavern was more than a mile across and taller than
the Sears Tower - so presumably about five hundred
meters high.
Said main cave was surrounded by a maze of
tunnels and caverns, though I'd assume that the
People preferred to live in the warmer, sunlit central
mammoth cavern. Population seemed to be in the
hundreds, and quite possibly the low thousands. The
cavern included a huge statue of an Indian cobra
(complete with hood markings), which symbolised
the developing civilisation of the People.
Exposed
By 1978, humans in New Mexico suspected that
something was stalking the San Andres mountains
area, and poor luck led to several locals stumbling on
People parties and being captured. This led to search
parties and journalists investigating the area, leading
to even more humans getting captured - including a
reporter from Woman magazine. An armoured
column of Army Rangers was sent to investigate
what was going on, and was ambushed and captured
by The People.
159
At that point, Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers) had just
arrived in New Mexico, investigating the
disappearance of a female reporter. Despite warnings
from the Army, she was given a ride into the San
Andres by a friendly state trooper, and stumbled upon
the wrecked tanks and APCs mere minutes after the
Rangers were captured.
Saurian warriors attacked her as yet another
interloper to be captured, and were soundly thrashed.
One of their number managed to bring Ms. Marvel
down with a psionic attack, but it quickly became
obvious that they couldn't really contain her. Danvers
faced down the patriarch of the People, Arach'tyr, at
which point she reaffirmed that she didn't intend to
betray or kill anybody. Arach'tyr soon realized that he
had no choice but to trust Danvers.
Ms. Marvel obtained freedom for all the human
prisoners, after they were subjected to a psionic
treatment that scrambled their memories of both the
People and their captivity at their hands.
Eliminated
Ms. Marvel kept her word, never revealing the
existence of the People to the authorities so they
could continue to live in peace. As a reminder,
Arach'tyr had an ordinary pet iguana mailed to her.
Unfortunately, one of the 'human' captives that
was released was actually a Dire Wraith, who resisted
the memory scrambling. He reported what he had
witnessed to his Wraith masters, who were very
interested in the giant, hidden cavern and decided that
it would make a perfect base. They attacked without
warning with high-tech weapons, spectral servants
and sorcery, slaughtering The People.
A handful of Warrior-Primes managed to rally
among the carnage, some wielding weapons taken
from Wraiths they had killed. Rather than face them
the invaders just retreated and sent a deathwing to
finish them off. Only one member of that group,
called Serpentyne, survived the deathwing.
Exiled
Perhaps thanks to the warriors's stand some
survivors escaped, shellshocked and looking for a
refuge. One of the surviving saurid children searched
databases for such a place, and discovered the
existence of the Savage Land.
In the flashback to this, the genocide is retconned
to have taken place in the late 1990s as part of the
The Ultimate Origins Book
ten-year sliding timescale, and the kid uses an
Internet access. If you prefer a timeline where the
massacre took place in 1978, the kid presumably
used military intelligence records that the Rangers
had been carrying in their vehicles.
The survivors, hoping to find peace in the nigh-
mythical, dinosaur-infested jungle, began a trek that
lasted for years. They were led by a female called
C'rel, daughter of Arachty'r, flanked by a male
warlord called Khadar.
The survivors apparently never realised that they
had been attacked by Dire Wraiths, and thought the
genocide had been perpetrated by humans - since
most Dire Wraiths raided the cavern in human guise.
United
C'rel eventually became co-leader of the United
Tribes, along with Nereel, a human. The People's
culture changed to match many of the trappings and
values of other civilizations among the United Tribes,
and they celebrated the X-Men as their heroes and
saviors.
In the mid-2000s, the Savage Land was invaded
by an even more advanced saurid race, the Hauk'ka.
They were hell-bent on a war of extermination, and
C'rel was forced to negotiate an alliance with the
Savage Land Mutates so the United Tribes would
have a chance to survive that war.
Many members of The People trusted that the X-
Men would come and save the day, and in the end
they were proved right, as a team of mutants
stumbled upon the situation and narrowly stopped the
Hauk'ka. Interestingly, part of the victory was won
when a Hauk'ka super-heroine and military leader,
Carai, witnessed the unconditional trust the saurid
People had in the simian X-Men, and how the
ideology of necessary war between the two was
baseless drivel.

The People presumably continue their tribal

existence in the Savage Land.

The People seem to adopt specialized roles and

attitudes governed by their species. For instance,
warrior-primes tend to all look and behave pretty
The survivors had nearly reached the southern tip similarly, at least to human eyes, and can safely be
of South America when they again ran into trouble - assumed to have the same stats.
presumably but one of many, many similar episodes.
Local militias, alarmed by the monstrous appearance
of the reptilian refugees, gave chase. A team of X-
Men intervened, and Rogue learned about their
history. The X-Men helped the survivors of the
People find the hidden passage through the caverns
beneath the Drake Passage, and flew them through
the colossal caverns on the Blackbird.

A catastrophe triggered by Brainchild's Savage

Land Mutates split the group, though the X-Men's
efforts ensured that everyone miraculously survived
and made it into the Savage Land. After some
confusion caused by the further machinations of
Brainchild, C'rel decided that her refugees join the
United Tribes, a political body with a majority of
humans but that also included sapient Saurian tribes.
Despite their considerable misgivings, the saurid
refugees from New Mexico agreed to settle a corner
of the Savage Land as United Tribes members, and it
apparently more or less worked out.

The Ultimate Origins Book 160

 Warrior Prime brow disposition. A few Warrior-Primes were named
- M'dhar, Faelar, and B'ok.

Warriors who are not 'prime' come from lighter

species of iguanas. Strength and Endurance are
lowered by at least –2CS, effectively lowering their
health.

Flying Fighter

F A S E R I P
Ex 16 Ex 16 In 36 In 36 Gd 8 Gd 8 Gd 8
Health: 104 Karma: 24

Known Powers F A S E R I P
• Analytical Smell/Tracking Scent: Gd 8 Ex Ex Ex Ex Gd Gd Gd
• Digging: Pr 3 16 16 16 16 8 8 8
• Growth: Gd 8 Health: 64 Karma: 24
• Extended hearing: Gd 8
• Ultra-vision: Gd 8 Known Powers
• Analytical Smell/Tracking Scent: Gd 8
Note: Growth is always on and already factored into • Extended Hearing: Gd 8
their Abilities. • Winged Flight: Rm 26
• Ultra-vision: Gd 8
Talents: Military science and Thief (It is likely these
Talents only work in a desert environment). Note: Growth is always on and already factored into
their Abilities.
Contacts: Various within The People.
Talents: Acrobatics (Aerial).
Warrior-Primes are spiked giant humanoid lizards.
They have massive superhuman strength and are Contacts: Various within The People.
practically immune to small arms fire. In their native
desert milieu, they are amazingly stealthy, Much lighter than the Warrior-Primes, these guys
disappearing silently into the sand within seconds and seem evolved from gliding lizards (Draco Volans).
emerging back in perfect silence. Between their They can fly under their own power, reaching
ability to lay nigh-undetectable ambushes and their impressive speeds with excellent manoverability.
raw power, they could wreck a US Army elite One flying fighter was named Tak. He was more
armoured column within minutes. They did not fare careful, less aggressive than a Warrior-Prime. Other
very well against Ms. Marvel, though. flyers may not be as fast and agile as Tak.

Their strength is difficult to evaluate - they could The People of Note

throw wrecked tanks (which I assume to be M60s,
weighing about 45 tons). Aracht'yr was the elected patriarch of the People in
All the Warriors seen in the story were apparently 1978. He was wise and perceptive, and preferred
male and they generally had a surly, brutish, low- peace to war - though his priority was protecting the

161 The Ultimate Origins Book

People. Aracht'yr did not seem to have special
physical abilities. He was married to one Mirielle and
had two or more youngs.

Haemon was a close associate of Aracht'yr,

perhaps a sort of advisor and/or bodyguard. He had
psychic powers, including Mental Blast: Am 46, the
ability to scramble specific memories in ordinary
persons (Hypnotism: Ex 16 with a narrow range of
applications) and perhaps some mind-probing ability
since he knew that Ms. Marvel was named Carol
Danvers.

Haemon may have been some sort of mutant, or

perhaps he was the equivalent of Captain Comet for
the People - a freak specimen in the present of what
the People would evolve into in the distant future.

C'rel is the daughter of Aracht'yr, though she looks

more human than the small children who were
glimpsed in Aracht'yr's home in 1978. Her chest
looks human-like, and though she doesn't have hair,
the top of her head and her back support scales of
varying lengths that evoke it. C'rel is an idealist who
remains attached to the dreams of peace of her father
- whereas Khadar, her warlord (that is, military
commander) is more aggressive and considerably less
diplomatic.

The Ultimate Origins Book 162

 Chapter Thirty: The Ultimate Martial Artist
MTS Note: I have loved this origin since the four authors created this and posted it on the Internet.

The article is from Ty States’ Marvel RPG website, are rolled normally but they do not receive the
one of the longest running and all around best sites bonus to Fighting.
on the web. Gary Hall, Tormain, Ty States, and
Aunt Petunia are credited for this entry. The Martial Artist

A martial artist must declare himself such

during character creation. This is because a martial
artist must follow special rules, different from
other heroes, representing the dedication needed to
follow the path of warriors.

http://gamingnerdsrus.co/forum/index.php?action=page;id=6

Martial Artists have run rampant through the

pages of Comic Books, with characters like Iron
Fist, Batman, Daredevil and even Captain America
practicing and regularly fighting using Martial
Arts. Until now the marvel description of such
skills are relegated to the fighting attribute and a
set of 5 Martial Arts Talents, that can hardly
describe the skills shown in some comics.

Most Martial Artists in the Marvel world can be

easily explained using the current system. The
usual black belt in karate represented by Martial
Arts A, B, C etc. This text isn't about them. This is
about the Super Powered Martial Artist. A normal
man who through years of training has attained
powers that most normal men can only dream of.
They have become the best they can be. They have
mastered hundreds of attacks, and know a thousand
ways to kill a person before they can move.

To create your Martial Artist

• Roll abilities on Table 1. +2CS to
Fighting to a maximum of Amazing
• Roll powers but subtract three. If this puts
the character at zero, that’s OK.
• Roll talents and add four. Other talents
can be chosen outside the listed.
• Contacts must include a
sensei/sifu/teacher, unless a suitable
reason is provided.
Aliens may also become Martial Artist and
should work with the judge to develop an Alien
combat technique using the natural abilities of the
alien race and the listed maneuvers. Alien abilities
Firstly, a Martial Artist must train at least two
hours every day, and at least eight hours in one day
once a week. While most fighters consider fighting
villains training, this discipline cuts into their
weekly karma gain, giving them half the normal
weekly karma gain. Failure to train results in a
-1CS per day to martial arts powers to a minimum
of Feeble. The martial artist must train eight hours
a day for a week in order to gain 1CS back after
losing them in this manner.
Secondly, unless otherwise specified a martial
artist uses the edged column when using martial
arts powers. This is to represent the sheer
deadliness of their style. Martial Artists with

163 The Ultimate Origins Book

 powers greater than Remarkable always used the Table 1.2 – Mental Abilities
edged column while fighting, unless they fight at a
-1CS. --- R I P
Feeble 01-05 01-05 01-05
Poor 06-10 06-10 06-25
Typical 11-40 11-20 26-75
Good 41-80 21-40 76-95
Excellent 81-95 41-60 96-00
Remarkable 96-00 61-80 ---
Incredible --- 81-95 ---
Amazing --- 96-00 ---

Martial Arts Powers

Martial Artists have an array of special powers
because of the dedication martial artists have in
these skills. Powers are rolled on Table 2.

Table 2 – Powers

Die Roll Power

01-06 Atemi
07-15 Chi
16-25 Chi Absorption
26-38 Combat Sense
39-47 Deadly Strike
48-56 Focus Energy
57-63 Hyper-Attack
64-75 Iron Will
76-82 Stealth
Finally, all super powered martial artists must 83-94 Ultimate Skill
have a Remarkable or greater fighting. Anything 95-00 Weakness Detection
less than this and they lack the skill to use their
martial arts abilities. If the initial modified attribute Atemi: This is the ancient art of using hidden points
is less than Remarkable raise it to this minimum. If on the body of others to help or hurt them. Some
their fighting drops below that point, all martial practitioners of this use their fingers, others needles
arts powers are lost until they reach that point or sticks. However it is used, it is one of the most
again. powerful martial arts techniques available. The
following is a partial listing of some power stunts
Abilities are rolled on Table 1.1 and 1.2. that may be developed using pressure points.
• Healing: By pressing the correct points
Table 1.1 – Physical Abilities you may heal up to power rank damage.
This takes one full round, and cannot be
--- F A S E
interrupted or the process is ended.
Feeble 01-05 01-10 01-05 01-05
• Stun: A successful hit with this causes the
Poor 06-10 11-20 06-25 06-10
opponent to be unable to act for one to ten
Typical 11-20 21-40 26-75 11-40
rounds.
Good 21-40 41-60 76-95 41-80
Excellent 41-60 61-80 96-00 81-95 • Paralyze: Opponent cannot move any
Remarkable 61-80 81-95 --- 96-00 muscle in their body on a successful
Incredible 81-95 96-00 --- --- strike. A red results in a full shutdown of
Amazing 96-00 --- --- --- lungs, heart, etc. Characters get an

The Ultimate Origins Book 164

 automatic one-half karma loss when this
happens. The paralysis ends only when
the character touches the release point.
This power stunt costs twice the normal
Karma to learn
• Slow Poison: A successful use of this
touch slows the ravaging effects of poison
for a short time. Each level of result stops
the loss of Endurance for one hour. This
power can only be used once per
poisoning.
• Death: The dreaded death touch may only
be gained if it is taught by a master who
already knows the technique. When using
the touch, yellow results are kills and red
results are kills with a -2 CS to Endurance
check vs. death. Upon learning the
technique a body section must be picked.
If that part is covered by anything thicker
than cloth the touch cannot work.
Chi: channel the body's energy to heal and perform
special attacks. The PC can draw on the invisible
force of the mind and body called Chi. He can
utilize this force to accomplish a variety of Power
stunts:
• The PC can temporarily increase FASE a
+1CS for ten rounds. For this to take
effect the Player needs 1 turn to make a
Psyche FEAT.
• The PC can develop any number of
attacks and defenses using Chi. All attacks
and defenses are based off Psyche FEATS
for the amount of damage. If the intensity
of the PC's attack is one less or equal to
his/her Psyche rank, then the attack
temporarily causes a loss of Health equal
to his Psyche's rank number. If the
intensity of the attack is more than his
Psyche's rank number, then the attack
causes unconsciousness for 1d10 rounds.
The PC can develop his/her Chi
Awareness; an ability to sense the level
and type of Chi in others.
• He can sense the target's Chi level up to
what his/her level is, and tell whether it's
positive or negative.
165
• The PC can go into a deep meditation.
This can calm the mind to; sleep instantly;
eat without indigestion; relax in the face
of danger; shake off the effects of insanity
and drugs; or regain lost Chi.
• The PC can utilize his/her Chi as a force
field of Power rank equal to his/her
Psyche rank. This force field is similar to
the power Force Field.
• The PC can heal himself at Psyche's rank.
• The PC can Levitate using constant
control over the providing gliding at
Excellent ability. Through karma, this can
be raised to flight, but only while
concentrating.
Chi is equal to the amount of Power stunts
developed by this power. When creating the
Character, the Player automatically gets to choose
a stunt to begin with, and has Chi at first level. The
type of Chi the Character has reflects the type of
Karma the Character has.
Chi Absorption: This power is one of the most
dreaded powers to martial artists, as a successful
touch drains off their vaunted skill for a short time,
while increasing the power of the opponent. This
attack takes the form of a strike to the shoulder of
the opponent. Upon hitting the attacker makes an
contested check vs. Endurance to see if the
opponent can withstand his power. Success reduces
the opponents Fighting by one and increases one
Martial Arts Power of the PC by +1 for 1-10
rounds.
Combat Sense: This power heightens the senses of
the PC during times of battle, letting reflexes
respond almost as fast as the signals get to the
brain. The PC has to choose one of three ways this
power works... One melee attack per round, in
addition to multiple attacks, etc. One distance
attack per round, in addition to normal attacks one
dodge per round, in addition to any other actions.
The Ultimate Origins Book
 Deadly Strike: Deadly strike may be used by a
martial artist against a human or humanoid
opponent. All attacks made by the martial artist
using deadly strike do damage equal to the power
rank instead of Strength. The power rank for this
power must be a least one rank higher than the
character's strength. Practitioners of deadly strike
may develop several power stunts using this power,
including use against non-human opponents,
heavily armored opponents, and use of the edged
table when calculating attack results.
Focus Energy: This power allows the Martial
Artist to focus their power into one of their
physical attributes. Upon creating this power the
practitioner must choose which attribute they wish
to focus their power into. Activating this power
takes one round. When activated, the fighter rolls a
power check, with a green result being a +1CS,
yellow +2CS and red +3CS. Failure means the
power may not be activated for five more rounds.
Power Stunts may be developed to pump the
energy into other attributes.
Hyper-Attack: The PC has an extreme ability to
perform a variety of nearly impossible Fighting and
Agility FEATS in one round. The PC can perform
FEATS while in combat of a Power rank equal to
the rank number of his Fighting or Agility rank
number added to the rank of this power +1CS. The
user may choose to combine his attacks into one
attack instead of making several normal attacks. If
he does so, the attack is consider +1CS to damage
for each additional attack.
Iron Will: Control your body precisely. Ignore
wounds and resist the effects of harsh terrain,
flames, cold and more. This power absorbs up to a
The Ultimate Origins Book
total of power rank damage, if it is released half of
the damage is suffered for real.
Stealth: The ability to move silently and without
leaving a trace. Subtract rank from those tacking
him.
Ultimate Skill: The PC has a talent, which he's
honed. The Talent is automatically used at
Unearthly rank. Talents that may have the Ultimate
skill are:
• Weapon skills: All
• Fighting skills: All
Weakness Detection: Study an opponent to learn
their weaknesses. Characters with this power may
ignore body armor up to his ranking in Armor
Bypass on a successful power check. The character
must first see the target in action for at least one
round to find flaws in the protection. Power stunts
may be developed to bypass mystical barriers and
force fields on a successful red check.
Martial Arts Talents:
Some of these rules you will have to adapt to
your own rule system. The "belt levels" are a
guidelines not all styles have belts, but this system
allows you to see relative skill levels between
different styles.
Each Martial Art style costs two hundred and
fifty Karma, or a talent slot to gain. You then
possess the basic style that allows a +1 CS to
fighting when you use this style in combat. Each
special maneuver under each style costs an
additional two hundred and fifty Karma or Talent
slot to gain and gives whatever bonus the
maneuver bestows in addition to the +1 CS to
fighting. This system adds a new dimension to the
game instead of the old system of Martial Arts A to
E.
166
 Area of Game The PC is
Skill Examples
Knowledge Effects able to
With a ignore
successful certain
Skill roll, the effects of
PC can armor when
ignore any calculating
size or damage
strength against an
effects that Tai Ch'i opponent
Those arts
would Ch'uan, provided that
concentrating
Those arts normally Wing he is able to
Judo, on internal
concentrating negatively Chun, successfully
Nihon Martial energies
on utilizing affect his Sinanju channel his
Jujitsu, Arts D (such as chi
Martial the strength, ability to (from the essence into
Akido, or ki) and
Arts A size, and slam, throw, Destroyer the blow
Shaolin their combat
momentum of or avoid the novels), (perhaps a
Chin Na, applications.
an opponent enemy, the etc. separate roll
etc. against
against him degree to
which he can Willpower or
ignore these similar
modifiers attribute),
being directly
directly related to his
related to his level of
level of martial arts
martial arts skill.
skill. A successful
The PC evasion of an
Most attack by this
gains a
schools of PC puts the
specific
Karate, PC in a more
Those arts damage Those
Tae Kwon advantageous
concentrating bonus for martial arts
Do, position to
Martial on inflicting hand-to-hand concentrating
Boxing, Pencak attack; any
Arts B damage in combat, on fakes,
Muay Silat, Jeet effect he
quick, short directly range
Thai, Kune Do, wishes to
bursts relative to Martial control, and
Shaolin the generate may
his level of Arts E trapping
Hung Gar, Filipino then be
martial arts techniques.
etc. arts in attempted
skill. Concerned
The PC general with a
with timing
gains positive
and eccentric
bonuses both bonus
theories
to damage directly
Brazilian related to his
and the
Those arts' Jiu-Jitsu, level of
ability to
Martial concentrating Combat martial arts
hold or break
Arts C on holds and Sambo, skill.
a technique
escapes. Pancrase,
directly
etc.
related to his Martial Arts Styles:
level of
martial arts Each basic style adds its standard bonuses and is
skill. considered the level of "Black Belt" with the
special maneuvers adding special bonuses as
stated. These levels are further mastery (Dans) in

167 The Ultimate Origins Book

 the style of choice. Cross-reference the skill with
its description under Martial Arts Table.
When selecting a Talent the Martial Artist
should define the "style". Each mastery level costs
two hundred and fifty Karma points and each
maneuver costs a further two hundred and fifty
Karma. All maneuvers must be purchased before
advancing to the next level of mastery.
5. Incapacitator, Shatter Touch, Sticking Touch,
Eagle Claw, Great Throw, Back Kick,
Featherwalk, Steel Cloth
6. Contortion, Resuscitation, Immobilizing, One
Finger, Disarm
7. Summon Strength, Power Punch, Reflection,
Great Shield
Martial Arts B

A Martial Artist can only learn those maneuvers Boxing:

given to the style as described below. Each 1. Iron Fist
maneuver is outlined in detail in Table 3. 2. Feint
3. Spatial Awareness
4. Quickstrike
5. Iron Skin
6. Speed
7. Power Punch

Tae Kwon Do:

1. Sweep, Iron Fist, Meditation
2. Roundhouse Kick, Leap, Spatial Awareness
3. Snap Kick, Elbow Strike, Knee Strike
4. Double Fist Punch, Jump Kick
5. Backhand, Flying Kick, Back Kick
6. Palm, Scissor Kick
Martial Arts A 7. Double Kick, Great Throw

Akido: Shoto Kan:

1. Meditation, Fall, Choke Hold 1. Meditation, Iron Fist
2. Instant Stand, Locking Block 2. Feint, Sweep
3. Resist Domination, Hurl, Featherwalk 3. Crushing Blow, Crescent Kick
4. Balance, Great Throw 4. Ridgehand, Snap Kick
5. Incapacitator, Resuscitation 5. Backhand, Axe Kick
6. Hand Parry, Immobilizing 6. Eagle Claw
7. Contortion, Suppressed Desire 7. Immovability

Jujitsu:: Street Fighter:

1. Meditation, Feint, Fall 1. Iron Fist
2. Sweep, Instant Stand, Pain Touch 2. Pronefighting
3. Leap, Elbow Strike, Choke Hold 3. Choke Hold
4. Balance, Hurl, Jump Kick, Knee Strike 4. Hurl
5. Snap Kick, Palm, Stunning Touch 5. Choose one Kick
6. Great Throw, Paralyzing Touch 6. Blind
7. Immovability, Suppressed Desire 7. Great Blow

Shao-Lin: Kobu Jitsu:

1. Meditation, Resist Domination, Pronefighting, 1. Meditation
Ear Clap, Crescent Kick, Elbow Strike 2. Weapon Catch
2. Instant Stand, Choke Hold, Pain touch, 3. Weapon Breaker, Resist Domination
Headbutt, Knee Strike, Feint, Sweep 4. Arrow Cutting
3. Axe Kick, Concentrated Push, Stunning Touch, 5. Quickstrike
Double Fist Punch, Hurl, Palm, Balance, Pause 6. Disarm
4. Snap Kick, Double Kick, Paralyzing Touch, 7. Hand Parry
Hand Parry, Immovability, Backhand

The Ultimate Origins Book 168

Savate: 4. Hurl, Sticking Touch, Weapon Catch, Blind
1. Meditation, Crescent Kick, Feint 5. Blindfighting, Weapon Breaker, Incapacitation,
2. Elbow Strike, Instant Stand Backhand
3. Knee Strike, Axe Kick, Leap 6. Quickstrike, Immobilizing, Back Hand
4. Balance, Flying Kick 7. Hand Parry, Speed
5. Backhand, Quickstrike, Stunning Blow, Double Pentjak-Silat:
Kick 1. Pronefighting, Fall
6. Palm, Incapacitator, Back Kick 2. Feint, Instant Stand
7. Hand Parry 3. Hurl, Choke Hold, Crescent Kick
4. Roundhouse Kick, Blindfighting
Muay Thai: 5. Axe Kick, Leap
1. Iron Fist, Sweep, Feint 6. Incapacitator, Great Throw
2. Elbow Strike, Roundhouse Kick 7. Hand Parry
3. Back Hand, Knee Strike
4. Backhand, Snap Kick, Jump Kick Ninjutsu:
5. Double Kick, 1. Iron Fist, Spatial Awareness, Light Step
6. Palm, Flying Kick 2. Pronefighting, Fall, Blindfighting, Sweep
7. Power Punch 3. Leap, Snap Kick, Hurl
4. Quickstrike,
Martial Arts C 5. Suppressed Desire, Palm
6. Hand Parry, Incapacitator
Pankration: 7. Sticking Touch
1. Iron Fist
2. Pronefighting Martial Arts Maneuvers
3. Choke Hold
4. Crescent Kick, Pain Touch Table 3. 01 – Strikes
5. Stunning Touch
6. Flying Kick Maneuver Effect
7. Incapacitation +1 CS to damage with each fist
Iron Fist
attack.
Wrestling: Crushing +2 CS to Strength for purpose of
1. Pronefighting Blow breaking objects.
2. Choke Hold
Takes two attacks or only attack,
3. Pain Touch, Hurl Eagle Claw
Causes +2CS damage.
4. Great Throw
5. Immovability, Incapacitator 2 Normal attacks, If both hit then
6. Immobilizing Double Fist victim makes Endurance check or
7. Crushing Drop stunned for 1-10 rounds.
Only action, Causes +2CS damage
Thunder
Martial Arts D and requires red Endurance check or
Punch
stunned for 1-10 rounds.
Wing Chun: Shatters matter with Material
1. Iron Fist Thunder Strength -2CS less than your
2. Crushing Blow Clap strength within 10'. Causes -1CS
3. Locking Block Strength damage.
4. Palm Requires two attacks or only action,
5. Speed Power
Causes +2CS damage and automatic
6. Backhand Punch
slam.
7. Eagle Claw Normal damage to opponent behind
Backhand
Martial Arts E you with no penalties to hit.
Normal damage and requires
Escrima: Palm Endurance check at -2CS to resist
1. Pronefighting, Fall, Choke Hold stun.
2. Disarm, Locking Block, Limb Paralysis +1CS damage and Slam/Stun check
Ridgehand
3. Spatial Awareness, Resist Domination, Arrow as if Endurance was 3CS less.
Cutting

169 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Table 3.02 – Kicks Table 3.04 – Push

Maneuver Effect Maneuver Effect

Normal damage to opponent behind Normal damage and opponent is
Back
you with no penalty to hit. Concentrated knocked back one foot' per point
Crescent +1CS damage. of Strength.
+2CS damage and opponent must Normal damage and opponent is
Axe roll vs. Endurance or be knocked to Concentrated knocked back one foot per point of
the ground. Strength.
+1CS damage and -1CS to One attack at no damage, if
Hook Sticking successful all following attacks are
opponents defense roll.
Roundhouse +2CS damage. Touch at +2CS to hit and -1CS to
Normal damage with a -1CS to opponents defense.
Snap As concentrated push but with no
opponents defense roll.
One attack roll to hit two opponents One Finger contact. Range is no more than
Scissor within six feet of each other with two areas.
normal damage to each. Used as an evasion, redirects an
Two attacks at one opponent, if both Reflection opponent’s melee attack to an
Double hit then opponent is slammed adjacent area.
automatically.
+2CS damage and requires a five
Flying feet running start and is the only
attack possible for the round.
To avoid sweep you must dodge
Sweep completely or roll red Endurance
check vs. slam or fall to the ground.
+1CS damage, attack strikes the
Jump head or shoulders, treat yellow hit
roll as red.

Table 3.03 – Throws

Maneuver Effect
Half damage from falls and needs to
Fall make no Endurance rolls to check Table 3.05 – Vitals
for broken limbs.
Instant Regain feet without losing any Maneuver Effect
Stand action. Target must roll red Endurance feat
+1 CS damage and green Endurance Pain Touch to avoid -2 CS to all feats for one to
Hurl check or stunned, also thrown one ten rounds due to pain.
to ten feet. Target must roll red Endurance
+2CS damage and roll Endurance Stunning
Great FEAT at -1CS to avoid being
check at -1CS or stunned, also Touch
Throw stunned for one to ten rounds.
thrown one to ten feet. Target must roll red Endurance
+2CS damage and Endurance check Paralyzing
Crushing FEAT at -2CS to avoid being
vs. stun or stunned for one to ten Touch
Drop stunned for one to ten rounds.
rounds. Shatter Shatters an object at +2CS to your
Touch Strength.

The Ultimate Origins Book 170

 Table 3.06 – Slash Table 3.09 – Movement

Maneuver Effect Maneuver Effect

Normal damage attack, above the Opponent must roll against a
Blind eyes. Twenty-five percent chance to normal attack from you. If you
blind opponent for one to ten rounds. Feint succeed you get +2 CS to your
Causes normal damage and causes following attack and +1 color
Vein additional damage every round until shift.
tended. Does one Health point/round. No penalty for fighting on the
Same as vein above but damage is Pronefighting ground and opponent gains no
Arteries bonuses.
three points/round.
Uses one action, gives a +2CS to
Table 3.07 – Blunt Immovability resist slams and stuns with a
+1CS.
Maneuver Effect +1CS standing jump and +2CS
Leap
Heavy running jump.
+1CS damage. • +2CS to dodge and -1CS to
Blow
With weapon doing normal damage Missile opponents attack roll or
Limb Deflection • May evade missile attacks
can also cause paralysis (see
Paralysis with +2CS to Fighting
Paralyzing touch under Vitals).
Normal damage and requires red Double move rate and attacks for
Stunning Speed five rounds and requires one to
Endurance roll or stunned for one to
Blow ten rounds rest after use.
ten rounds.
Two attacks or only attack causes Slow
+1CS to resist stun or KO.
+2CS damage and requires red Resistance
Great Blow
Endurance FEAT or KO for one to One half move rate opponent gets
Featherwalk
ten rounds. -3 CS to tracking and hearing.
One quarter move rate, leave no
Light Step
Table 3.08 – Weapon tracks and move in total silence.
May block or evade all blows &
Maneuver Effect missile attacks using either
Use weapon or hand with Agility or Fighting at +3CS.
Great Shield
Weapon Excellent protection to Automatically evades the best
catch/block opponents weapon. attack with no roll needed.
Must catch weapon as above then Requires all actions except one.
Weapon
may break it with yellow Strength
Breaker
feat at Strength +2CS.
Must catch weapon as above then
Weapon
may break it with yellow Strength
Breaker
feat at Strength. +2CS.
Use a scarf or similar cloth as a
weapon six feet and ten inches in
Steel Cloth
length, does Strength -1CS
damage.
Agility roll at Amazing rank to
block missile weapons slower
Arrowcutting
than bullets granting Excellent
protection.
Additional +1CS to Fighting to
Disarm
remove weapon from opponent.

171 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Table 3.1 – Mental Table 3.2 – Special Maneuvers

Maneuver Effect Maneuver Effect

One hour of meditation equals Two normal attacks with normal
Meditation
two hours of sleep. damage that if both hit, opponent
Spatial Aware of all in your immediate Ear Clap must roll red Endurance check or
Awareness area to include behind you. stunned for one to ten rounds plus
Resist +1CS vs. any mental attack and two rounds.
Domination some magical attacks. Elbow No penalty to strike opponent behind
Only penalty is -1CS to FEAT’s Strike you and -1CS to opponent's defense.
Blind Fighting Can block any melee attack with bare
in complete darkness.
Gives Good protection against hands, a successful result is
Hand
Iron Skin physical attacks (Judge automatically upgraded to red
Parry
discretion). equaling a +1CS to Strength in
Allows absolute motionless for protection.
Stillness one hour plus Endurance rank in Normal damage and -1CS to
Head Butt
minutes.. opponent's defense.
+1CS to any action requiring Normal damage and -2CS to
Balance Knee
good balance (Judge discretion). opponent's defense if done to the
Strike
Two rounds of concentration front.
Summon increases Strength +1CS for one
Strength to ten rounds, must rest one turn
after use.
+3CS to escape bonds or fit
through spaces as small as one
Contortion
square feet, and hide in places as
small as four square feet.
+2CS to any feat for one round
Controlled
and gives Good protection vs.
Breathing
heat and cold permanently.
One round concentration to find
weakness in style giving
Pause additional +1CS to Fighting.
Must roll yellow Intuition check
at +1CS to find weakness.
Use pressure points for one round
Resuscitation to bring stunned or KO person
back to consciousness.
Go without food, water, or sleep
Suppressed
for one half Endurance number in
Desire
days with no penalties.
Quick Strike +2 to initiative rolls.

The Ultimate Origins Book 172

 Chapter Thirty-One: Werewolves
MTS Note: This one was also inspired by a discussion at Classic Marvel Forever:
http://www.classicmarvelforever.com/phorum/read.php?3,4150. My comment/question was somewhat off-
topic and ignored, so I decided to create these on my own. Additional information about resisting the
infection can be found on page 355 of this book.

History rings) the curse burrows into it's victim making

The mythos of Werewolves in Marvel
Comics is somewhat shrouded in mystery. There
is some information on the various Werewolf
characters in the comics, but the background on
Werewolves as a whole seems to vary from
character to character.
itself part of their genetic code to be passed on to
their offspring.
The ring allows its wearer to transform into a
Werewolf with just a thought. The wearer of the
ring retains his or her own mind while in the
form of the Werewolf.

What is known; is that the Darkhold, an Game Mechanics

arcane tome of evil magics created by the demon
Chthon, plays a role in their history. Among the
fragments of occult lore contained between the
book's covers is a detailed account of the origin
of Lycanthropy.
In theory any Origin can be infected with the
Werewolf's curse, but to keep things simple use
the initial ranks of a Normal Human using
column one of the Ultimate Powers Book. This is
used in lieu of the expanded rules for generating
Normal Humans, to offset the advantages gained
in their Werewolf form.

Initial Ranks Table

Die Roll Rank

01-05 Feeble 2
06-25 Poor 3
26-75 Typical 5
76-95 Good 8
96-00 Excellent 16

Talents: Generated normally. Replace the first

random Talent with Mystic Origin.

Contacts: Generated normally.

While in Werewolf form, FASERIP is

modified as per the chart below:

Ability Modifier
F ---
A ---
S +3
Acquiring the Curse E +3
R ---
A character can become a Werewolf by being I ---
bitten by a Werewolf, reading the Darkhold (in P ---
the case of a latent curse), or by one of the
Werewolf Rings. In all cases (except for the

173 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Powers have been adapted from the Marvel Phile
magazine article "A Marvel Monster Phile" by
Douglas Lent that appeared in issue 126. They
were derived from the stats for Jack Russell.
Werewolves also gain the following powers
in their Werewolf form:
Claws: Werewolves have razor-sharp claws and
teeth and can inflict up to Remarkable edged-
attack damage with them.
Infravision: A Werewolf's sight extends into the
infrared, allowing him to see in the dark by
detecting heat emissions.
Extraordinary Senses: Werewolves senses of
sight, hearing, and smell are all Amazing. They
can detect sensations far beyond the Normal
Human range by making an Intuition FEAT roll.
They can track by smell and remember scents
previously encountered. They can hear a
heartbeat at a one-area range and smell an
approaching being within a three-area range.
Running: Werewolves can move at a rate of two
areas per round for up to half an hour a day.
Invulnerability: As a supernatural creature,
Werewolves have Amazing resistance to all
forms of physical damage except that caused by
silver weapons. Werewolves, if injured, cannot
have their Endurance reduced below Feeble
except by silver weapons.
Limitations
As mentioned above, silver weapons are the
only ones unaffected by a Werewolf's
invulnerability and are one of the few things that
can kill them. Each hit by a silver weapon causes
all of a Werewolf's physical abilities to drop by
The Ultimate Origins Book
-1CS. A Red or Yellow result from a silver
edged or missile weapon is treated as a "kill".
On the three nights of the full moon,
Werewolves automatically change but have their
Reason reduced to Feeble. Their nature also
becomes that of a savage beast. Exceptions can
apply at the Judge's discretion.
MTS Note: Redman II linked me to rules he had
written for Werewolves when I posted a list of
what was going into the book. They are included
in this chapter as an additional option for
creating werewolf characters. The " Ability
Modifier Table" on page 35 of this book can be
used to create more personalized characters.
The information below was written by Redman
II and was posted on the "Classic Marvel
Forever Phorum".
http://www.classicmarvelforever.com/phorum/read.ph
p?9,4125
A brief writeup for ‘average’ werewolves,
with some material adapted from and inspired by
AD&D and DC Heroes.
Stats Human Form Werewolf Form
F Ty Rm
A Ty Ex
S Ty Rm
E Gd In
R Ty Ty
I Ty Ex
P Ty Ex
Health: 28/120 Karma: 18/46
174
Powers:
Affliction (Lycanthropy): Werewolves are
capable of infecting victims with Lycanthropy
via their bite and saliva, thus resulting in the
victim becoming an infected werewolf. This is
treated as an Amazing intensity infection, and
can be countered by Resistance to Disease or
Healing abilities.
Animal Transformation (Self / Wolf only):
Werewolves have the Amazing rank ability to
transform from human form into wolf form, and
back again, typically at night with a full moon in
the sky. They are also capable of assuming a
transitional form – the classic humanoid wolf
depiction often associated with werewolves.
Aside from their recuperative abilities (Recovery
and Regeneration), their additional powers are
only available in either their wolf or transitional
forms. Note that Natural Werewolves can
transform any time they feel like it.
Body Armor: Werewolves are much more
resilient in one of their transformed states,
enjoying Good protection vs. physical attacks
and Poor protection vs. energy attacks.
Enhanced Senses: Werewolves possess
Remarkable rank senses of hearing and smell,
and are capable of Tracking targets via their
sense of smell with Remarkable ability.
Hyper Leaping: Werewolves can jump
frightening distances, leaping with Remarkable
ability, thus enabling them to clear 40' across and
safely leap down from as high as 60'.
Natural Weaponry (Claws / Teeth): In either
wolf or transitional form, a werewolf possesses
strong teeth of Excellent material strength,
enabling them to deliver up to Excellent Edged
175
Damage per bite. Their transitional form likewise
possesses claws of similar material strength that
they can use in combat.
Recovery: Whether in human, animal or
transitional form, werewolves are far hardier
than they appear, and are capable of recuperating
from seemingly fatal injuries with Amazing
ability, making feat rolls with this rank to
recover from Endurance losses.
Regeneration: Regardless of form, even in
human form, werewolves heal rapidly from any
injuries, healing 10x faster than their current
form’s Endurance would normally permit, as per
Good rank regeneration.
Weaknesses:
Triggered Transformations: Cursed and Infected
Werewolves generally suffer from involuntary
transformations into either wolf or werewolf
form, typically dictated by lunar cycles – most
commonly transforming on the nights of the full
moon. They are then essentially locked into
animal form for the duration of the night,
although they are typically still able to shift
between their wolf and transitional forms. Note
that Natural Werewolves do *not* have this
weakness, as their inherent ability enables them
to transform when and how they choose amongst
their forms.
Vulnerability to Silver: Werewolves suffer an
extreme reaction to silver, often suffering even
rashes and other skin irritations from simple
silver jewelry, and weapons of silver can more
easily inflict grievous injury. In game terms, this
is represented by the werewolf suffering a -4CS
penalty against attacks made with silver
weapons, thus leaving them with no protection
vs. a physical attack from such weapons. In
addition, their Recovery and Regeneration
powers do not work in regards to wounds
inflicted by silver, making it easier to potentially
slay them, and resulting in slower healing if they
do manage to survive such wounds.
Personal Notes: This provides more variety, and
helps confuse the issue, for Werewolves,
resulting in 3 distinct categories -- Cursed,
Infected, and Natural.
The Ultimate Origins Book
 Chapter Thirty-Two: Zn’rx (Snarks)
MTS Note: This is from writeups.org, so it required converting it from the DC rules to Marvel. I used the
rules from Ty States’ awesome site (now hosted at Gaming Nerds R Us) written by MoonSylver under the
More DC to Marvel link. I recommend using the "Ability Modifier Table" that appears in "Aliens and Non-
Humans Races I" on page 35 to implement these in your game.

Credit for this section goes to Sébastien Personality

Andrivet, and it was originally posted on
writeups.org. Snark soldiers are no more evil than human
soldiers. While they seem clumsy in the Power
Pack comics, it is probably more a matter of big,
heavy things trying to catch small, fast things
(i.e., Growth vs. Shrink).
http://writeups.org/
Typical Zn’rx
History

The Zn’rx, nicknamed the Snarks, are a

reptilian race. Their homeworld is nicknamed
Snark World. It is roughly Earth-like, but seems
deserted, with Snarks living underground.

The most important cultural trait of the

Snarks is their Queen Mother. The Snarks are
governed by an Emperor, who is polygamous;
each of his wives, or Queen Mothers, is the head
of an extensive clan. Each can have a single
High Snark (a bigger, tougher offshoot of Snark
- add +1CS to Strength and Endurance)
offspring. When the Emperor dies, the Queen
Mothers and their clan go to war against each
other for the right to crown a new Emperor.
These highly devastating and cyclical Snark F A S E R I P
Wars are pretty much considered a natural Gd Gd Ex Ex Ty Ty Ty
hazard in their galactic sector, as they tend to 8 8 16 16 6 6 6
impact on neighboring planets.
Health: 48 Karma: 18
First contact with humanity happened in the Known Powers
Marvel Universe when the most vicious Queen • Growth: Pr 3
Mother, named Maraud, sent a military force to
capture an experimental matter/antimatter Equipment
converter, whose prototype had been developed • Energy Weapon [Body Ex 16, Energy
on Earth by professor James Power. The mission Blast: Rm 26]
not only failed, but resulted in the creation of the
Power Pack superhuman kids, who ultimately Note: Growth is always on and already factored
were the downfall of Maraud. into their Abilities.

Description Drawbacks: Attack vulnerability to cold

(+1CS).
Snarks are 2.45m (8.03ft) high from head to
toes, and 3.35m (9.84ft) long from snout to tail; Talents: Military Science and Weaponry
they weigh about 180kg (396.83lbs). (Firearms).

Contacts: Their clan.

The Ultimate Origins Book 176

 Chapter Thirty-Three: Zombies
MTS Note: Calling a zombie heroic is a stretch of he imagination to say the very least. Still, this is the
Marvel Universe and stranger things have happened. These could be used as an option for Undead
characters if desired. The " Ability Modifier Table" on page 35 of this book can be used to create more
personalized characters. The rules for Resisting Infections on page 355 can be useful for Zombies as well.

This chapter was written by Powersurge for the
"Classic Marvel Forever" website.
effects of the virus. Failure indicates a -1CS to
Reason and Intuition, as well as being subject to
a Feeble Strength Emotion Attack: Rage
whenever one experiences significant agitation
(roll each round to regain control). The rank of
the Emotion Attacks will increase by +1CS with
each successive failed Endurance FEAT.

http://www.classicmarvelforever.com Some might want to scale down the onset

time even further.
Zombies have appeared in many forms in
modern media, evolving away from the slow,
lumbering zombies of the Romero movies,
discarding the well nigh invulnerable ones of the
Return of the Dead movies, skirted the
boundaries with "Rage Virus" movies, and given
us the fast zombies of the modern era, as well as
the "Zombielord" ... and with the scientific origin
triumphing over Romero's implied spiritual
origin.

I think that there is room for all of these types

of "zombies", and have unified them in my
homebrew "Grendal Virus" as representing
various stages in the progression of the virus.
Those who have contracted the virus become
forgetful, moody and irritable until they at last
succumb to a cannibalistic rage, ultimately to be
killed by the virus itself and reanimated as a fast,
nimble and ferocious zombie. Over time the vast
majority of these zombies suffer decay and
environmental rigors that enfeeble them to the
slow and lumbering degree. When Reason reaches Feeble, the host's
powers of higher reasoning have all but
The Rage Virus could work like the Onset of collapsed and they are overwhelmed with rage.
the Grendel Virus. Here is a typical example. Stats reflect the
adjustments shown in brackets:
It is of Incredible intensity and only a very
few humans are genetically inclined to have any Stat Rank
hope of fighting it off. Once infected, another F Ty (+1CS)
Endurance FEAT must be rolled, with the result A Ty (unaffected)
dictating the general speed of its spread S Ty (+1CS)
throughout the host. White equals a further
E Gd (+2CS)
Endurance check every minute, Green every 10
minutes, Yellow 30 minutes, Red every hour. R Fb (n/a)
When this time elapses yet another Endurance I Pr (n/a)
FEAT (vs. Excellent intensity) is required, i.e. P Rm (n/a)
allowed, to stave the effects of the immediate Health: 28

177 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Tactics: Weaponless, headlong and ferocious, to sustain ungodly trauma without flinching. A
generally opening with a charge in hopes of typical example might look like:
dragging the prey down, followed by clubbing
blows, and culminating in bites when the Typical Fast Zombie
opponent is stunned or otherwise helpless bites.
Stat Rank
Bite: The enraged can bite for up to Typical
F Ty (+1CS)
damage on the Edged Column. Such bites are
also infectious at Incredible Intensity. Victims A Ty
must make an Endurance FEAT vs. Incredible S Pr
intensity or contract the virus. E Ty
R Shift 0
Claws: The enraged can scratch for Feeble I Pr
Edged damage or Poor if they have long nails.
P Fb
Movement/Fatigue: The enraged can run at the Health: 52 (see below)
usual 2 areas/turn, but can sustain this pace
indefinitely without tiring. Tactics: Charge, grapple, feed.

Undead Status: Zombies are effectively

immune to gases, diseases, poisons, sensory
attacks, psionic attacks, and stuns. They are also
incredibly tough and gain a bonus of +30 Health
points and continue to operate until their
Endurance Rank is Shift 0. A Kill result scored
against a zombie generally reflects a grievous
physical injury that results in a flat -1CS to
Endurance, and a potential reduction of
movement or FASE stats at the Judge's
discretion. A called shot to the head result in
immediate death for any weapon capable of
scoring a Kill result, otherwise the head can
absorb 15 points of damage before the zombie is
killed.

Bite: The bite of the fast zombie is of Poor

Strength and rolled on the Edged Column. It also
transmits the Incredible Strength virus. Victims
must make an Endurance FEAT vs. Incredible
intensity or contract the virus.

I would rank a zombie virus at a similar

Incredible intensity, with the intervals for the
speed of onset reduced to White = every 30
minutes, Green = every hour, Yellow = every 5
hours, Red = every day. Failure to roll a
successful End FEAT vs. Excellent Intensity at
these intervals results in -1CS to Endurance per
failure until they are dead; at which point they
rise as zombies. Accidental death results in
immediate zombification.
The slow zombie ultimately comes into being
Dealing with the fast zombie first, it is as a result of a rare infection of the already dead
virtually identical to the enraged host, save for and decomposed, or via the gradual degradation
being slightly less cunning and its zombie ability of the infected corpse. This degradation occurs at

The Ultimate Origins Book 178

a rate of -1 point off Fighting and Agility per
week dead, until both are reduced to Feeble. This
is what happens to a zombie that has gone
without feeding! A typical slow zombie might
look like this:
Typical Slow Zombie
Stat Rank
F Fb
A Fb
S Pr
E Ty
R Shift 0
I Pr
P Fb
Health: 44 (see below)
Undead Status: Zombies are effectively
immune to gases, diseases, poisons, sensory
attacks, psionic attacks, and stuns. They are also
incredibly tough and gain a bonus of +30 Health
points and continue to operate until their
Endurance Rank is Shift 0. A Kill result scored
against a zombie generally reflects a grievous
physical injury that results in a flat -1CS to
Endurance, and a potential reduction of
movement or FASE stats at the Judge's
179
discretion. A called shot to the head result in
immediate death for any weapon capable of
scoring a Kill result, otherwise the head can
absorb 15 points of damage before the zombie is
killed.
Bite: The bite of the slow zombie is of Poor
Strength and rolled on the Edged Column. It also
transmits the Incredible Strength virus. Victims
must make an Endurance FEAT vs. Incredible
intensity or contract the virus.
Movement: Slow zombies are physically limited
and can only move at a max of a half area/turn. If
inspired by hunger/food source (which occurs on
a Yellow Psyche Feat after first spotting a living
being) they can "dash" at up to 1 area/turn for as
long as that target remains visible.
Lunge Attack: Most zombies "prefer" to move
toward a target, throw their weight at it in hopes
of dragging it down, and then commence biting.
This feeble form of "charge" attack uses the
Grappling column with Typical intensity (based
on average body weight), save that on a Yellow
or Red FEAT the victim must roll vs. a Strength
FEAT vs. Typical intensity or be dragged down
(Strength feat to escape). Greater numbers of
zombies can incidentally "Combine" their attacks
as per the combine rules
The Ultimate Origins Book
 To say magic is diverse would be an understatement at the very least. That statement
holds true in the Marvel Universe as well. As there are so many options for Magic users
in this book, Magic has been split into its own section, so those wishing to include magic
in their games have the convenience of having all the Magic Origin options in a single
section of the book.

181 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Even in the official Marvel Superheroes game by TSR, more than one option was
presented for those wishing to have Magic User as their Origin. This section will present
the official options for those playing that Origin.

Additionally, another official Magic user option can be found in Chapter Five: Gypsies of
the Balkans on page 61 of this book. It was not included in this part of the book, as only
the entry on Gypsy Healers deals with Magic.

The Ultimate Origins Book 182

 Chapter Thirty-Four: Creative Conjuring

A variant magic system for the MARVEL SUPER HEROES game

MTS Note: I included this article as an option for Players and Judges to have the opportunity to create a
different type of magic wielder for the MSH game.

The following is a Marvel-Phile article that
originally appeared in Dragon Magazine, issue
#100, and was written by Eric Walker.
The Campaign Book states that all magic
comes from three sources: Personal Energy,
Universal Energy, and Dimensional Energy. A
brief description of types of spells is given on
page 142, and the rest of the section describes
the casting of magical spells. Actually, the three
spell sources can be divided into subgroups as
given on the following table.

Personal Universal Dimensional

Energies Energies Energies
Extended
Alterations Conjurations
Senses
Illusions Divinations Creations
Mental
Evocations Necromantics
Powers

The Marvel Super Heroes game is a fast-

paced, action-filled adventure game in which the
players can do anything they want. However,
like all games, it has a few bugs, particularly in
the character generation system. The Campaign
Book (p. 45) notes that magical training is not
available as a normal talent, meaning that players
cannot use Doctor Strange or create characters
with magical powers. As the game stands now,
magic is too powerful; characters can do
anything with it. A sorcerer with a Psyche of
Good (the minimum required for magical
training) can do everything that a sorcerer with a
Class 1000 Psyche could do, albeit within a very
limited range, This article will attempt to solve
these problems by categorizing the Marvel
Universe magic system and limiting its powers,
so that even Doctor Strange is not all-powerful.
This system is based on the Advanced Dungeons
& Dragons® magic system, and Judges may
modify it as they please.
These nine categories contain all types of
magics, including raising mystical force fields,

183 The Ultimate Origins Book

 dimensional travel, and turning people into frogs.
Most spell effects that a Marvel Super Hero
mage would desire to cast are duplicated in the
AD&D Players Handbook and easily classified
by the above system.
A spell caster can choose a certain number of
magical powers from these categories, depending
upon his Psyche. For every rank of a sorcerer’s
Psyche above Typical, he gets to choose one
magical power from the table. Thus a sorcerer
with a Psyche of Good would have only one
power (such as Alterations), while a magician
with Class 1000 Psyche would have all nine
powers. Furthermore, a wizard with Good
Psyche could only choose his power from the
three powers under Personal Energy, and cannot
use Universal or Dimensional Energies. A
sorcerer with Excellent Psyche (able to use two
powers) can use Personal and Universal
Energies, but not Dimensional ones. The use of
Dimensional Energies requires a Psyche of
Remarkable or better.
This simple system limits a magic-using
character but still allows him great variety in the
types of spells that he can use. All nine of the
magical powers are described below.
The only way for a sorcerer to gain more
magical powers is to either have his Psyche
raised magically or to augment his magical
powers through the use of magical items. These
are enchanted objects under a sorcerer’s control
that allow him to practice magic outside of his
The Ultimate Origins Book
normal range of spells. Magic items such as
crystal balls, talismans, and wands can either be
taken from enemy sorcerers (a difficult deed), or
they can be enchanted by the sorcerer himself.
To make a magical item, the sorcerer must
follow the steps in Chapter 2 of the Campaign
Book, in the section Building Things. (under the
category of special devices). Instead of a Reason
FEAT roll, he must make a Psyche FEAT roll.
To create a magical item, though, the sorcerer
must have something connected with the power
he wants to enchant into the item. If he wants an
item that increases Strength, he must have some
part of a creature of a strength equal to the level
desired, such as the ear of a bull (or even a lock
of the hair of Thor.). A device to allow travel
through the dimensions would likely require
something from another dimension. This can
lead to interesting scenarios as the character and
his allies venture into another dimension in
search of the required item.
Personal Energies
Extended senses - This is the ability of a wizard
to heighten or lessen his own ability scores or
powers, or those of a willing subject. It also
includes the ability to see into other dimensions
and to project his soul into the Astral Dimension.
184
There are limits as to how high or low ability
scores or powers can be adjusted. A sorcerer
with a Psyche of Good to Remarkable can
change ability scores up to 2 ranks above or
below normal; a sorcerer with Incredible to
Monstrous Psyche can affect scores for up to 3
ranks; a Psyche of Unearthly and Shift X allows
him to affect scores by 4 ranks, and a Class 1000
Psyche allows him to alter the scores by 5 ranks.
Unlike all other spells, the effects of raising or
lowering ability ranks puts such a drain on the
spell caster that abilities are only affected for one
day at most, and the sorcerer automatically loses
10 Health points when the spell wears off. This
does not happen when the sorcerer augments his
normal senses, such as sight or touch; a normal
Psyche FEAT roll must be made as usual.
Illusions - This is not the same as the Image
Generation power (under Mental Powers in the
Campaign Book). The illusions that can be
created are extremely varied, and include
illusionary creatures and things, invisibility, and
even the illusory healing of damage. If the latter
illusion takes effect (meaning the affected being
thinks the illusion is real), the being will be
healed of a number of Health points equal to the
caster’s Psyche. Actually, no damage has been
healed, and the Judge will have to keep a running
total of the being’s Health points; when they
reach zero, the being is affected normally. Only
then does he learn that the healing. was an
illusion.
Mental power - This magical power can be
treated the same as the Mental Powers super
power (p. 42 in the Campaign Book), except that
185
the Image Generation power will not work. A
wizard having this power can use telepathy,
launch a mental blast, generate a force field, and
so forth. If the spell cast is permanent, the caster
does not gain mental powers as a super power.
Because it is a magical power, this power can be
detected and dispelled normally. (Dispelling
magic is detailed under Evocation.)
Universal Energies
Alteration - This is a sorcerer’s ability to
physically change things. With this power, a
boulder can be changed into a statue, weather
can be summoned and controlled, people can be
changed into animals (and vice versa), and so on.
Anything affected by this spell will radiate magic
for the spell’s duration; this is a telltale mark of a
sorcerer’s work. Note that if the spell caster has
never seen a particular thing (for example, a
Skrull), he cannot turn any person or object into
that thing.
Divination - This is the ability to uncover
information. With this power, the sorcerer can
detect sources of magic (such as other sorcerers),
locate physical objects (such as a key or hidden
weapon), or contact other beings (such as the
rulers of other dimensions) and seek advice from
them. If he attempts to do this, he must make a
Personality FEAT roll. White means that the
being is angered by the sorcerer’s interference,
and he might send one of his minions to attack
the sorcerer. A green result means that no
The Ultimate Origins Book
 information is received (Sorry, all lines are busy
now...). Yellow means that the sorcerer receives
a vague message or vision that must be
deciphered. Red means that the sorcerer receives
exactly the information he wanted to get.
Dimensional Energies
Conjuration: This is the power to summon
creatures or things from other dimensions.
(Teleportation is a power found under
Evocation.) With conjuration, the sorcerer can
steal a piece of rock from the Negative Zone
(though this is extremely dangerous), or he could
summon one of the creatures from the mystic
dimensions. i.e., demons. Demons are very
powerful monsters that most characters should
avoid, as they have certain magical abilities of
their own. Unless the sorcerer has some way to
control the demon he summons, there is nothing
to stop it from attacking as soon as it appears.
However, demons are repelled by the holy
symbols of various religions, and a pentagram
will serve to successfully contain. a demon: the
creature cannot cross the boundaries of the star,
nor can it cast spells across the barrier. A typical
incantation to summon a demon might be versed
as follows:

“Hear me, Dormammu™ the Dark! A boon I

dare to ask of thee: I call upon the Black
Hellspawn — Awake! And harken unto me.”
Evocation - This is the sorcerer’s ability to
harness magical energy and channel it in certain
ways. This power governs the casting of magical
bolts of power, the raising of mystical shields,
the power to reflect a spell completely (requiring
both a red Psyche FEAT roll and the player’s
prior declaration that this is being attempted), or
the casting of a special spell called dispel magic.

Dispel magic: allows a sorcerer to completely

erase or neutralize a magical effect. To
accomplish this, the caster must make a Psyche
FEAT roll as normal, but if his Psyche is less
than the Psyche of the wizard who cast the spell
that he is trying to negate, he must make a red
FEAT roll to successfully dispel the magic. If his
Psyche is equal to the opposing spell caster, he
needs a yellow FEAT to succeed; if his Psyche is
greater, a green FEAT will successfully dispel
the magic. If the FEAT fails, nothing happens,
and the sorcerer will not have another chance to
dispel the magical effect. Note that he may
automatically dispel his own magic, whether he
has the power of Evocation or not.

Note that the power of Conjuration can be

reversed, so as to banish a being from this
dimension to a dimension of the sorcerer’s
choice.

The Ultimate Origins Book 186

Creation: This is simply the creation of things.
With this power, the sorcerer can create a
physical object out of thin air; its dimensions are
the size of one area square per rank of the spell
caster’s Psyche above Excellent. Thus, a sorcerer
with Remarkable Psyche could create an object
of one area size, such as a small wall, while a
wizard of Class 1000 can create a seven-area
object. The object can only be roughly shaped;
for fine detail, the Universal power of Alteration
will have to be used by the sorcerer. Rough
shape. means the object can be given no more
than a humanoid form or the general outline of
an automobile, for instance.
Necromancy: This is the most dangerous of all
magical powers, as it involves intrusions into the
domain of the being known as Death. This is the
sorcerer’s ability to bring the dead back to life.
Only a red FEAT will bring the dead back to
life, and, whether the caster succeeds or not,
Death will become aware of the spell caster’s
existence. Death may ask a service of the wizard
in exchange for the dead soul, or he may just
shorten the sorcerer’s life span by an appropriate
amount. The Judge has complete authority when
dealing with the sorcerer on this matter; if he
thinks that the dead being should not be brought
back to life, he can rule that Death does not want
this soul to return to the land of the living, thus
187
wasting the spell (and getting the sorcerer into
terrible trouble).
Other forms of Necromancy that are much
less dangerous include the healing of damage
(equal to the spell caster’s Psyche), the ability to
fake death (stop heartbeat and brain patterns,
etc., but still live), and to steal the soul of
another being and place it in a container (called
magic jarring a variation of this spell was used
on Ghost Rider. once). The chance for the spell
caster to steal a soul is the same as the sorcerer’s
chance to dispel magic based on the victim’s
Psyche. Note that the stealing of souls is an
extremely evil act, and it is sure to affect the
Popularity of the sorcerer.
Doctor Strange’s personal abilities are given
in the Campaign Book, on pp. 4-7. Under this
revised system, Doctor Strange’s magical
abilities are not as ultimately powerful as they
were under the original Marvel Super Heroes
system. Nonetheless, this system should give
wizards in the game a fighting chance, and it will
still keep a sorcerer from upsetting the all-
important game balance. It should also be said
that though this system limits the powers of
wizards, magic-users should be very rare (at
best) in the Marvel Universe. I would suggest
that there should be only one wizard in every
group of player characters. Otherwise, why
would the game need beings like the X-Men™?
The Ultimate Origins Book
 Chapter Thirty-Five: Magic
MTS Note: An amazing variant system for Magic in the Marvel Universe. As normal, David E. Marti
outdid himself.

This material was originally printed in "The For example, Robots might be now
Ultimate Powers Book" by David E. Martin. considered to be clockwork automatons or
Galatea-like animated statues.

The research for this book revealed that those

Powers most often referred to as Magic had two
basic components in the way they operated. I call
these components Mechanism and Effect.

Magical Powers

The Powers referred to by the word "Magic"

cannot be easily categorized in the other Power
classes. It is, as Jeff Grubb so quaintly put it in
the Players' Book of the Marvel Super Heroes
Advanced Set, "a can of worms that, once
opened, may be difficult to contain." The subject
of Magic in the Marvel Universe is dealt with at Mechanism is the manner in which the, hero
length by Kim Eastland's book, Realms of Magic manifests his Magical Power. There are ten basic
(MHAC9). However, the book you're reading types of Mechanisms with an infinite number of
couldn't be called The Ultimate Powers Book if it further variations. These further variations are
simply shunted you off to Mr. Eastland's book the actual “spells” that produce a specific Power/
now, could it? Effect. When the Player rolls his first Magical
Power, he must select a Mechanism. He can
This section is for those players and Judges choose one of those listed below or let pure
who are not following a strict interpretation of chance decide. Upon gaining further Magical
the aforementioned tome or are simply interested Powers, the player can stay with that first
in forging a Magic system that is unique to their Mechanism or have another go at random
campaign. It can be treated as a supplement to, determination.
explanation of, or replacement for your current
magic system. Die Roll Mechanism
01-08 Word
If a Magic Power appears at any time during 09-20 Chant
the character generation process, the player 21-28 Song
should convert the entire character to a Mage and
29-40 Gesture
convert all the Powers into their Magical
equivalents. If the character was a High Tech 41-52 Alchemy
type or possessed a physical type that was 53-60 Talisman
obviously technological in nature, these should 61-68 Familiar
be altered to reflect a Magical background for 69-76 Necromancy
the character. 77-84 Summoning
85-00 Ritual

The Ultimate Origins Book 188

Word: The hero needs to speak a single, specific
word in order to manifest his Power. Subtle
variations in pronunciation change the range,
direction, and Intensity of the Effect. The higher
the Effect's rank, the harder the required Word is
to pronounce properly.
Chant: The hero needs to recite a series of words
to manifest his Power. The Chant can be any
length and form. Generally, the rank of the
Effect determines the length of the Chant. The
Chant lasts one turn for each ten points of the
Power rank number. For example, a Chant of
Incredible effect takes 4 turns.
Song: The hero needs to sing or play a specific
song, tune, or rhythm to bring about the desired
Effect. The name is a misnomer, since the nature
of the Song can be as diverse as words-and-
music, a hummed tune, a series of notes on an
instrument, or an exotic drumbeat. The Song
lasts one turn for each ten points of the Power
rank number. For example, a Song of Shift X
Effect takes 15 turns to be properly performed.
Gesture: The hero must perform a specific
physical action to bring about the desired Effect.
The nature and complexity of Magic Gestures
varies. They can be hand and arm movements,
facial expressions, acrobatics, dance steps, and or
anything else the player can think of. The Effect
determines the complexity and performance time
of the
To properly perform a Gesture takes one turn
per twenty points of the Effect's Power rank
number. For example, a Monstrous Effect takes
four turns to properly execute.
Alchemy: The hero can achieve a specific Effect
by following a recipe that combines arcane or
even commonplace substances in a special
189
procedure. The resulting substance possesses
enough Power to attempt the desired Effect. The
length of preparation time and the cost of the
ingredients increases with the rank of the Effect.
Prep time is one turn per each ten points of the
Power rank number. The ingredients cost an
amount of Resource points equal to 10% of the
Effect's rank. For example, an Effect of Shift Y
rank would require materials of Excellent cost
stirred together for 20 turns.
Talisman: The Mage must possess a specific
item in order to achieve his desired Effect. This
can be a specific type of item for each type of
spell, such as a marble sphere to communicate
with spirits or a handful of eagle feathers to
achieve flight. Common talismans have a cost of
one Resource point for each point of the Effect's
rank number. For example, a common talisman
for a Remarkable Effect would cost 30 points.
Much rarer is the Magical Talisman, a unique
item that possesses its own Power or focuses the
Mage's own Power. Magic Talismans are
general-purpose devices that can serve the
Mage's every need, regardless of the type of
Effect desired. An example of this is Dr.
Strange's amulet, the Eye of Agamotto. Magic
Talismans can be of any nature, whether jewelry,
implements, clothing, or your grandfather's skull.
Familiar: The Mage possesses (or is possessed
by) a special lifeform who serves as an amplifier,
conduit, and transmitting device for the Mage's
Power. The hero must be in contact with the
Familiar to achieve any type of Effect aside from
communication. The Familiar can be any
species, but generally is a non-sentient being of a
lower order of life than the Mage's physical
form. The Familiar's species is usually from the
same world or dimension as the Mage. Of
course, if the Mage is of a higher order than
humans, he might have a human as a Familiar.
The relationship between Mage and Familiar
bonds them together so well that they can
Telepathically communicate with each other.
Common examples of Familiars include felines
and owls.
Necromancy: The Mage can achieve an Effect by
using the remnants of life force contained in
once-living biological materials. Unfortunately
for everybody concerned, the most potent source
of this life force is a living organism, which the
Necromancer must slay in order to have the
benefit of its life force. Necromancy is the
nastiest form of Magic there is. If the player rolls
The Ultimate Origins Book
 this form, he has three options. One, continue randomly generates the component Mechanisms.
creating the character and then give him to the Duplicate rolls simply means that an extra effort
Judge for use as an NPC villain. Two, say the is needed; that Mechanism is twice as
magic word "Drat!," discard this Mechanism, complicated as your Mage had initially thought.
and roll again. Three, go with this Mechanism Examples of Ritual combinations include
and assume that your Mage is an "enlightened" Word/Gesture, Chant/Talisman, and
Necromancer who only uses already deceased Song/Dance.
materials and is a valiant foe of nasty, evil,
"unenlightened" Necromancers who still do
things the old fashioned way. Higher ranked
Effects require harder to acquire body bits. The
Judge will have to decide his own standards for
this. For example, a dead mouse is required for a
Feeble Effect while 400-year-old bones of
somebody named Fredrikson might be required
for a Shift-X Effect.

Summoning: The Mage can summon

supernatural beings and compel/ bribe/ beg them
to go do the actual work that produces the Effect.
Such beings include Spirits, Angels, Demons,
and any other Magical Beings who might exist in
the Judge's campaign. Generally speaking, each
Summoner specializes in a particular type of
Magical creature. The Summoner can draw on
the services of other types but this is an unlikely
event brought about by special circumstances.
For example, Illyana Rasputin can summon a
variety of Demons but has never tried to
summon a Ghost. The overall Power rank of the
being to be summoned is dictated by the rank of Mechanisms are only effective if used by
the desired Effect. (If the being can't do the job someone who actually possesses Magical Power.
then why summon it in the first place?) The Mechanisms can be imitated by normal people
Mage runs into danger as he attempts to summon but the Effect won't occur because the imitator
more Powerful beings, many of whom might doesn't have the Power to support the mimicry.
resent the Mage for dragging them away from So forget about tape-recording Chants and
their home dimension and sending them off on playing them back whenever you want. Of
some ridiculous mission. Should the Mage loses course, if the Mechanism is imitated by someone
control of the situation, things might get nasty, who didn't know that they possessed Magical
messy, and probably fatal. Power, then the Effect might unexpectedly
occur.
Ritual: This is a combination of any of the
preceding nine Mechanisms into a compound For example, the famous choreographer Rob
Mechanism. The player rolls the dice to Fusse created a ballet that incorporated dance
determine how many Mechanisms are to be steps he'd once witnessed in a Tibetan temple.
combined into the Ritual. He didn't know that the dance was really a
Weather Control spell. He also didn't know that
Number of his lead dancer was a budding Sorceress; she
Die Roll didn't know it either. On the opening night, the
Mechanisms
01-33 2 dancer's excitement finally allowed her latent
Power to connect with the spell she was
34-67 3
unwittingly casting, with torrential results.
69-00 4 Critics hailed it as a new triumph in bringing
realism into the theatre.
The player then returns to the Mechanism
listing at the beginning of this section and

The Ultimate Origins Book 190

 Curiously, if anyone who possesses Powers
other than Magic tries to imitate a Mechanism,
there is a chance it will succeed. In such a case,
the mimic's own Powers provide the raw energy
to achieve the Effect. Such mimicry requires two
red Reason FEATs to succeed. The first FEAT
means that some kind of Effect has been
achieved, while the second means the Effect is
under the mimic's control.

Example: Kitty Pride has been watching

Illyana Rasputin closely in order to figure out
how Illyana creates space warps. Kitty tries to
imitate her friend's actions. Kitty's Remarkable
Reason gives her a slim chance of success. She
lucks out the first phase (a 95) and vanishes into
a glowing circle of light. Unfortunately she
botched the second phase (a 32) and didn't
reappear at poolside as she intended. An hour
later Professor X accepts a collect call from
Bristol, England. It's Kitty, asking if somebody
could come get her.

The second Component to Magic is the

Effect. It's just another word for the Power the
player has already acquired through the Power
Generation process. There are twelve Powers
that are unique to the Magic classification. Since
Mages often display Magical Powers that are
virtually identical to more normal Powers, the
system had to account for those as well. These
are handled under the category of Power
Simulation.

191 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Chapter Thirty-Six: Magic Wielding Characters
MTS Note: An embarrassing confession; I almost left this out of the book. At that time I had two
appendices for different types of magical characters, but I was about to omit the core rules for them.
Needless to say, these rules are used often in my games.
This excerpt was taken from the book; "Realms
of Magic" by Kim Eastland
Character Generation
To understand a character in the Marvel
Universe one must look at the three general areas
that define a character’s magical abilities and
personality: how magic shapes a character’s life,
the character’s suitability as a magic user, and
what energies he draws upon to use his magic.
There are three different generalized types of
magical characters: those who have been
magically enhanced, those who have a magical
item or items, and those who are magic wielders.
Needless to say, some characters can fit into
more than one category, but it is how they
primarily use magic that is important. Doctor
Strange has his magical cloak and amulet, but it
is his abilities as a magic wielder that are the
basis of his career.
Magically Enhanced characters are those who
have touched some magical item or been
influenced by some mighty magical being or
spell in the past and now have abilities and/or
powers that are permanently enhanced. Increased
Strength and Endurance, improved eyesight or
movement, are all typical examples of magically
enhanced abilities and characteristics. Absorbing
Man is an excellent example of a character who
has been “enhanced” by magical spells.
Magical Items possessed by characters create
another kind of hero. The source of magical
The Ultimate Origins Book
items is usually a powerful magical being or god
who grants the item to the character, or the item
is found in a ruin, ‘in an ancient temple, hidden
away by its previous user, etc. The Black Knight
is an example of a character whose power is
primarily shaped by a magical item, in his case it
is his magical weapon, the Ebony Sword, given
to him by the image of his centuries old ancestor,
the original Black Knight. Other characters who
would fit into this category are Moon Knight and
Tigra. Note that many of the characters who have
magical items also have developed their natural
abilities, such as Fighting, acrobatics, and the
like.
Magic Wielders are the most complicated
classification, as we will later see. These are
characters who wield magic themselves. It
sometimes manifests itself as an innate power,
but usually is used by means of spells and
incantations. Doctor Strange, Baron Mordo,
Brother Voodoo, and Shaman all fit into this
category. The character’s suitability as a magic
user depends primarily on what type of magical
character he is. Suitability requirements for
characters who have stumbled upon a magical
item or have been enhanced magically usually
consists of dumb luck, and sometimes a stout
heart, pure nature, etc. Suitability requirements
for magic wielders are far more stringent and this
section is primarily for these characters.
192
 A hero who is a magic wielder must have a
Psyche of Good or higher. The reason for this is
that Psyche is so often used in a FEAT roll to
resist a magical spell that a magic wielder of
Typical Psyche just would not last that long.
A magic wielder has usually had training in
the past, such as Doctor Strange received from
the Ancient One. Most (95%) magic wielders
have had to undergo intense training. The other
5% (a percentile roll of 96-00) have an innate
ability to use magic, like Talisman, but must
immediately find a master to help teach them
how to control and use their powers.
beginning Health, Karma, and Popularity as you
normally would. The next step is to determine
what kind of magic related character is being
created.
As there are no rules for rolling basic stats in
the book, this originally appeared in, for
convenience I have included table one from the
Generating Primary Ability Table from The
Ultimate Powers Book. It is for Altered Humans,
and on page five it lists Dr. Strange as an
example of that Origin.
Primary Ability Table

Die Roll Rank

01-05 Feeble 1
06-10 Poor 3
11-20 Typical 5
21-40 Good 8
41-60 Excellent 16
61-80 Remarkable 26
81-96 Incredible 36
97-00 Amazing 46

Step 1. Character Type

Roll percentile dice and use Table 1.0 to

The only way for a magic wielder to increase
his abilities is to study long and hard under a
master who understands the mysterious ways of
magic and is of the same school of magic (this
will all be explained later on). “Studying” not
only includes gaining experience through the
actual use of magic “in the field” to combat
villains, but also spending free time pouring over
ancient tomes, practicing spells, etc.
A magic wielder’s life is not an easy one.
When other characters are out scoring Karma
points through a social life, making personal
appearances, etc., a magic wielding apprentice
must spend many isolated hours a day at study
and practice, just to maintain what he has
learned.
Creating a Character
To begin, either the player or Judge has
determined that the character will be magical by
either freely choosing that type of hero, or by
using the Marvel Super Heroes Game character
generation system, whichever method the Judge
is using in his campaign. Before Step 1 below,
roll the character’s ability ranks, determine his
determine the type of magical character. Each
type is further defined by another Step, referred
to in Table 1.0.
Table 1.0: General Character Type
Dice Roll Go To Character Step
01-10 Magically Enhanced #2
11-35 Possesses Magical Item(s) #3
36-00 Magic Wielder #4
Step 2. Magically Enhanced Character
This type of character derives his power from
a permanent magical spell or effect placed on
him by a powerful magical being or
enchantment. This type of character is an Altered
Human. To determine the characters powers, use
either the character generation system in the
Campaign Book or the Enhancement spell in the
Magical Spell Definition section. The origin of
the character and his powers is up to the Judge
and the player.
If the system in the Campaign Book is used
to create the character, use the definitions of

193 The Ultimate Origins Book

 powers found there, rather than the spell return to this section and roll on Table 3.9 to
definitions in this book. create drawbacks for using them. When the items
are completely determined, go to Step 7.
Step 3. Characters Possessing Magic Item(s)
Table 3.0: Number of Magical Items
This type of character derives his power from
a magical item or items (Judge’s discretion as to Dice
origin). Roll percentile dice on Table 3.0 for the Number
Roll
number of items, then again on the following 1 item (Character should also have one
tables until all of the items have been 01-10 ability of the player’s choice increased
determined. by 2 ranks)*
Once the types of the items are known, go to 2 items (Character should also have one
Table 3.9 to find if there is a catch or drawback 11-50 ability of the player’s choice increased
to any of them. Each item has only one power to by 1 rank).*
begin with (a Judge may decide that more than 3 items. Roll on Table 3.1 for each
51-90
one power is in the item, but that all except one item.
are latent powers that require some time before 4 items. Roll on Table 3.1 for each
91-00
the character knows of or can control them). item.
Roll on Table 3.1 for each item.
Once the drawbacks (if any) of the items are *Abilities cannot be increased above Amazing
known, go to Step 5 to determine the “school” rank.
that all of the powers belong to (treat all of the
items as one for this purpose). Then go to Step 6 Table 3.1: Magical Item Categories
to determine what exact power the item is
capable of performing or granting to its user. Dice Roll Item Type Go to Table
Treat the powers as using either personal or 01-25 Weapon 3.2
universal energies, whichever the player prefers. 26-35 Armor 3.3
36-45 Gemstone 3.4
46-60 Jewelry I 3.5
61-75 Jewelry II 3.6
76-95 Miscellaneous 3.7
96-00 Creatures 3.8

Table 3.2: Weapons

Dice Roll Weapon

01-25 Sword
26-30 Two-Handed Sword
31-40 Dagger
41-50 Battle Axe
51-60 War Hammer
61-70 Mace
71-80 Bow
81-90 Spear
91-95 Unusual weapon (Judge’s choice)
96-00 Weapon of player’s choice

Note: The player should also note on his

character sheet the weapon note below that is
If, after the powers of the items are known, applicable to him.
the Judge believes that the item or items are too
powerful and could possibly upset the game
balance, he should either reduce their power or

The Ultimate Origins Book 194

 Table 3.22: Weapons Damage Chart Table 3.3: Armor

Weapon Range Damage Notes Dice

Armor Type
Blade Roll
10 pts/or as
Sword 0 longer than 01-20 Full Medieval Plate 1
thrown
12 in. 21-40 Full Chain Mail 1
Blade 41-50 Chest Plate 2
2-Hand *
0 20 pts longer than 51-60 Shield 3
Sword
36 in. 61-70 Helmet 4
Blade 71-80 Full Leather Armor 1
4 pts/or as
Dagger 0 or T shorter than
thrown Unusual or exotic armor (Judge’s
12 in. 81-90
discretion)
Two-
Battle 91-00 Armor of player’s choice
0 15 pts. handed
Axe 1 Covers the wearer’s entire body
weapon
2 Covers the wearer’s torso and back only
Two-
War Strength 3 Protects against frontal attack only. If a shield
0 handed
Hammer +2 CS is used in combination with a chest plate or any
weapon*
type of full armor, the shield raises the protection
Shift right of the other armor by one rank. If used alone or
Strength 1column with a helmet only, use the shield’s armor rank.
Mace 0
+1 CS when 4 Covers the wearer’s head only
attacking
Two hands Table 3.4: Gemstone (large as a fist)
Bow 5 6 pts needed to
fire Dice Roll Type
Blade with 01-10 Diamond
10 pts/or as a handle 11-20 Ruby
Spear 0 or T
thrown over 1 ft. 21-30 Pearl
long 31-40 Emerald
blunt, 41-50 Sapphire
Material or
thrown
Strength 51-60 Opal
weapons do
Thrown T rank number 61-70 Amethyst
not kill-
whichever is 71-80 Topaz
they stun
lower 81-90 Aquamarine
instead
*These two-handed weapons cannot be used 91-95 Judge's Choice
effectively by a character unless both hands are 96-00 Player's Choice
on the weapon. However, if the character’s
Strength is at least Remarkable, he can wield it Table 3.5: Jewelry I
with one hand only
Dice Roll Type
T Thrown weapons have a range equal to the 01-10 Headband
number of ranks that the thrower’s Strength is 11-20 Bracelet
above Typical, plus one.
21-30 Medallion
31-40 Scarab
41-50 Pendant
51-60 Arm Band
61-70 Necklace/Collar
71-80 Earring(s)
81-90 Belt
91-95 Judge's Choice
96-00 Player's Choice

195 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Table 3.6: Jewelry II new one (Judge’s discretion). The size and type
of animal is completely up to the Judge and
Dice player.
Type
Roll
01-35 Ring
36-55 Amulet
56-65 Scepter
66-70 Charm (Judge's discretion)
71-85 Orb
86-90 Crown
An exotic or unique piece of jewelry
91-95
selected by Judge
An exotic or unique piece of jewelry
96-00
selected by Player

Table 3.7: Miscellaneous

Dice Roll Item

01-10 Wand
11-20 Rod
21-25 Staff
36-35 Cloak
36-40 Rug (flying)*
41-45 Mask
46-55 Bag, Pouch, Box, etc.
56-60 Horn or other musical instrument
61-65 Cube, Pyramid, or other polyhedron
66-70 Sculpture (Judge’s discretion) Mount indicates a large animal such as a horse,
71-75 Boots giant bird, large cat, etc., that the hero can ride.
76-80 Brazier The mount usually has at least one powerful
81-85 Robe magical ability or power of its own, such as,
86-90 Rope, Chain, Etc… flying, phasing through solid objects, body
armor, etc. (Judge’s discretion). Valkyrie’s
91-95 Unusual Item (Judge’s choice)
winged horse, Aragorn, is an example of a
96-00 Unusual Item (Player’s choice) magical mount.
*Judge’s discretion on capacity and flying speed
Familiar indicates a being that is very powerful
Table 3.8: Creatures magically and actively assists the hero. Two
powers should be rolled randomly or selected by
Dice Roll Type the Judge from the personal and universal energy
01-20 Pet lists for this familiar. In addition, the familiar is
21-60 Mount intelligent (Reason and Psyche at least Typical)
61-00 Familiar and can communicate with its owner (the kind of
communication is left to the Judge’s discretion).
The form of the familiar can either be that of a
Pet indicates a normal-looking animal that is
normal animal (usually a cat) or an unusual type,
completely obedient to the character. The animal
such as a small dragon or other mythical
has some magical link to the character, such as, it
creature. The familiar’s form is at the player’s
can magically communicate with the character,
discretion.
the hero can see through the animal’s eyes when
he wishes, the hero can switch bodies with the
pet when he wishes, and so on (Judge’s
discretion). If the pet is ever destroyed, the
player character may be able to find and train a

The Ultimate Origins Book 196

 Table 3.9: Item Conditions
Dice
Condition
Roll
There are no conditions to the item (it
01-50 operates as described.) The item has
no effect:
51-53 Vs. a certain material*
Vs. a certain type of creature (aliens,
54-56
mutants, magicians, etc.)*
57-60 When not in plain sight
Vs. one type of magical energy
61-63
(personal, universal, dimensional)*
64-66 Unless used in the light
67-70 On a condition set by the Judge*
The item will not work unless it
71-73 consumes or destroys an evil magical
monster (once a year)
At least 10 resource points of precious
74-76 metal or jewels (once every two
weeks)
A huge energy charge of some form
77-80
(once a week)*
A roomful of light or darkness (once a
81-82
day)
A condition and usage rate defined by
83-86
the Judge*
The item has a hatred for a specific
type of creature or thing and takes
87-89 over the hero when it is close to it,
forcing him to attack. Possibilities
include demons, evil mutants, etc.*
The item doubles its effectiveness
under certain conditions. The doubling
effect could be damage caused, twice
the range, twice the duration, etc.* The
90-92 conditions could include a certain
level of karma points that must be
obtained by the hero, if the item is
used during certain times of the day,
and so forth*
The item has an additional known
power that manifests itself under
93-97 certain conditions. Roll or select the
new power as normal, then assign a
condition*
The item grants the user knowledge of
3 powers from the list of universal
98-00
energy. Assign a condition to the item
as a single item*.
*Judge’s discretion
197
Step 4. Magic Wielding Characters
This type of magical character derives his
powers from spells using personal, universal, or
dimensional energy (see the Magical Energies
section for the details on these three types of
energy). Not all magic wielders are alike. Roll on
Tables 4.0 below to determine the nature of the
energies this character wields.
After determining what types of energy are
available for the character to tap into, roll on
Table 4.1 to determine how many spells the
magic wielding character has. Then go to Step 5
to find out what 11 school” of magic the
character follows. When finished, go to Step 6
for the specific spells in the categories that have
been established. After all of the magic wielder’s
spells have been completely defined, go to Step
7.
Table 4.0: Magic Wielder Energy Use
Dice Types of Energies the Character
Roll Can Tap Into and Utilize
01-15 Personal Energy Only
16-50 Personal and Universal Energies Only
51-00 All Energies
Personal Energy Only means that the character
can only have spells listed on Table 6.1: Personal
Energy in Step 6. These spells can only be
utilized by the character using his own, personal
energy. Roll on Table 4.1, then go to Step 5.
Personal and Universal Energies Only means
that the character can use spells from both Tables
6.11: Personal Energies and Table 6.2: Universal
Energies, in Stop 6. The character’s spells will
only be able to be utilized by tapping into either
his personal energy or the energy of the universe
around him. Roll on Table Step 4.1, then go to
Step 5.
All Energies indicates that the character is able
to use all of the spell tables in Step 6 to
determine his spells. Roll on Table 4. 1, then go
to Step 5.
The Ultimate Origins Book
 Table 4.1: Number of Magic Wielder their original schools, but a wise sorcerer should
Spells always beware of them.

Number of Spells The major schools of magic are listed below.

Dice Roll Unlike the other Steps, random selection is not
Character Wields
01-05 2 involved; the Judge should allow each player to
06-50 3 choose his school of magic. The Judge should
not interfere in a player’s choice unless he
51-85 4
believes that the chosen school of magic has no
86-97 5 place in his campaign. A random system for
98-00 6 school choice is included only for those players
who have no preference in schools. A player
Step 5. Magic Schools should not be forced to play a character with a
school that is not interesting to the player.
Most mystics, magicians and sorcerers in the
Marvel Universe follow a specific school of A better feel for the different schools of
magic. Magic schools are divided into three magic, and of magic overall, can be obtained
general types: magic for the establishment of from reading the Miscellany of Mysticism.
order in the dimensions (usually referred to as
“white” or “good” magic); magic for the Most schools have strengths and
breakdown of order that results in chaos in the vulnerabilities listed in their brief descriptions.
dimensions (usually referred to as “chaotic”, These are guidelines for the Judge to determine
“evil”, or “black” magic; magic that neither when a character’s magic may receive bonuses
strives for chaos or for order, but remains neutral (+1 CS, extra Psyche FEAT roll, etc.) or
in its existence (usually referred to as “neutral” penalties (-1 CS, no Psyche FEAT roll, etc.)
or “gray” magic).
Table 5.0: School Determination

Dice Roll School

01-10 Magic for Chaos (NPC only)
11-20 Druidic magic
21-30 Voodoo magic
31-40 Faerie magic
41-50 Atlantean Magic
51-60 Scientific Magic
61-70 Specific Realm/Pantheon magic
71-80 "Nature" Magic
81-90 Magic for Order
91-00 Eclectic Magic

Magic for Chaos. This is a forbidden or

dangerous type of magical school whose goal is
to promote chaos, which will lead to an evil
Each magic school is more complicated than
tyranny. One of the primary subschools of
the definitions above. Each school includes
“chaotic” magic is one that follows the little-
concepts of nature and the character’s place in it,
known archaic rituals and beliefs based on the
guidelines on what entities to entreat if
existence of the Elder Gods. This type of magic
dimensional magic is being used, and goals to
is much more powerful in certain settings (such
strive for. Furthermore, despite the general
as ancient temples to the unknown gods) and
tendency of each school (“white”, “gray”,
with the use of “chaotic” magic artifacts. The
black”) each school contains sorcerers who
vulnerability of “chaotic” magic is that it tends to
violate the principles of the school, much as
attract “white” magic wielders or creatures who
Baron Mordo violated the teachings of the
wish to negate it.
Ancient One by using evil magic. Such renegade
magic wielders usually become outcasts from

The Ultimate Origins Book 198

Druidic Magic. This school practices Celtic
earth magic, drawing strength from the powers
of nature. It is particularly powerful in natural
Earth settings, but has a special vulnerability to
iron or steel. It is a neutral magic school.
Voodoo Magic. This is a school derived from
the Loa, the spirit-gods of voodoo, a faith
originated and practiced in Haiti. The character
is most likely a houngan, or voodoo priest.
Voodoo magic is particularly effective in its
homeland and in locations of the dead. It has no
special vulnerabilities and is considered a
“white” magic, but can be perverted into a
chaotic magic.
Faerie Magic. This school is based on the
practices of the faerie, an ancient race of beings
with supernatural powers who originated in an
extradimensional world that borders upon Britain
and Ireland on Earth. This magic school is
similar to the Druidic school, except that a
character in this school most likely possesses
faerie blood. This makes him extremely powerful
when wielding an ancient faerie artifact or in
Britain or Ireland, but extremely vulnerable to
iron or steel.
Atlantean Magic. This school was established
eons ago in the ancient Earth civilization of
Atlantis. Little is known about the school, except
that Dakimh the Enchanter, last disciple of the
Atlantean sorceress Zhered-Na, practices it and
is now the mentor of Jennifer Kale. Atlantean
magic seems to be a “white” magic, that which
draws upon the powers of order. Therefore, it
can be very powerful if used in conjunction with
199
“white” magical artifacts or against chaotic
magic. Vulnerability would exist in the fact that
chaotic magical creatures would be constantly
trying to find and neutralize a wielder of “white”
magic.
Scientific Magic. This is a school that has no
particular philosophy or ethical background.
Magic is regarded not as a way of life, but rather
as a tactic used to attain one’s goal. Followers of
this school are seldom spellcasters themselves,
but rather combine elements of magic with
obscure or highly advanced forms of science to
create effects that seem magical. In this school,
the distinction between science and magic is
never clear; either or both could be used to
produce a single effect. Alchemy is the best
example of a semi-magical science. The
character, such as Diablo, would be an alchemist,
that is, he brings about his effects through the
use of potions, powders, and pills he himself
creates (sometimes through materials or energy
tapped from dimensional or universal sources).
A scientific sorcerer is somewhat vulnerable (his
items and creations can be destroyed or stolen,
robbing him of power; or he could run out of
items whereas spells are usually always
available). However, a scientific spellcaster is
somewhat less restricted in what he can
accomplish (add three more spells, 2 of Personal
energy and 1 of Universal energy to his
capabilities, in artificial forms, of course).
The time required to gather materials and
create new items, powders, potions, or tablets are
left to the Judge and depend on the spell, how
strong it is and what its effects are. It is
suggested that times with effects of Remarkable
rank or less can be created at the rate of 2 per
day, while items up to Amazing rank can be
produced at the rate of 1 per day. The creation of
items with greater effect, or the creation of any
permanent item requires the equivalent of a
ceremony and must be handled by the Judge.
A scientific magic wielder begins his career
with access to his master’s laboratory, which is
stocked with equipment whose cost in resource
points equals at least 20 times the master’s
Psyche rank number. The magic wielder can use
his master’s lab as long as the master agrees. If
the student wishes to set up his own lab, he only
needs to spend 10 times his Psyche rank number
in resource points for equipment (the master
makes up the difference). The Judge should use
the guidelines on ceremonies and ceremonial
The Ultimate Origins Book
 areas to handle the creation of items in
laboratories.
A scientific magic wielder automatically
receives one scientific talent of his choice (such
as engineering, biology, genetics, physics, etc.)
in addition to any other talents he may normally
receive. The automatic talent received by
alchemists is pharmacy (the mixture and
preparation of medicines).
Scientific magic is a “neutral” school, and no
special bonuses or vulnerabilities apply to it.
Special Realm or Pantheon. This is a school
usually reserved for non-player characters, but
can be the basis for a player character if carefully
defined by a Judge. The magical teachings and
spells come from the history of a Special Realm
or Pantheon of the Marvel Universe (such as
Asgard or Olympus). Bonuses for this type of
magic would come with the use of items or
spells developed by this pantheon or realm, and
when at certain locations (Greece for the
Olympian pantheon, etc.) Penalties would exist
as items or locations that exist to destroy the
specific pantheon or realm (an Asgardian
character casting a spell while in the hostile
realm of Muspelheim would have a - 1 CS
penalty.
“white” school of magic, striving for order and
good by practicing an ascetic, disciplined
approach that has its foundations deeply rooted
in Oriental philosophy and magic. It is currently
the strongest form of magic on Earth. The
bonuses attached to this type of school are the
various magical characters that Doctor Strange
has managed to ally with over the years and the
vast knowledge that Doctor Strange, and others
of the same bent, can teach a good pupil. The
penalties include Doctor Strange’s enemies, who
are numerous and powerful.
Eclectic Magic. This is an unorganized school of
magic, that is, it follows no one school of
philosophy but is a hodge-podge of “get-as-get-
can” magic. It is considered neutral magic. Many
of those who “dabble” in magic, and are not up
to the level of a Marvel super hero, usually wind
up with this type of magic. A spell learned here,
an enchantment discovered there, makes up the
whole of their philosophy. The bonus with this is
that there is very little to bind the character
(enemies, rituals, obligations, etc.), the penalty
with this type of magic is that there is no one to
learn from in a complete and comprehensive
manner; thus advancement can be very slow.

“Nature” Magic. This important school of

magic is sometimes splintered off into more
specialized and defined schools, such as the
Druidic and Faerie schools. The belief
surrounding all nature schools is that all of
nature is sacred and is bound together as one.
Therefore it is magic given towards order,
though some of its splinter schools tend towards
neutral magic in a belief that nature should be
balanced between order and chaos.

The bonuses that accompany a nature school

are in the form of greater effect upon and
communication with nature, especially animals.
Most spells rolled for this school would be
similar to those used by Shaman (see Book 3):
controlling elements, animal control, and so
forth. The penalties include drawing the attention
of chaotic creatures and characters who desire to
destroy nature and the Earth.
Number of Spells Allowed Per Round
Magic for Order. This is the school to which
Personal and Universal Spells: A magic wielder
Earth’s former Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient
can normally cast one personal or universal spell
One, and Earth’s current Sorcerer Supreme,
per round. However, at the beginning of the
Doctor Strange, belong. It is the most powerful

The Ultimate Origins Book 200

round, the magic wielder can announce that he
will attempt to cast two spells that round. He
then makes an Agility FEAT roll. If he obtains a
Red result, he can successfully cast both spells.
If the FEAT roll fails, he is limited to one spell
that round, and a -1CS is applied to the spell
rank (in his haste, he has garbled the spell
slightly).

If the sorcerer succeeds in his attempt to cast

two spells in one round, he can cast two personal
or two universal spells, or one of each type.

A magic wielder cannot cast a dimensional

spell in the same round that he casts a personal
or universal spell.

Dimensional and Entreaty Spells: A magic

wielder can cast only one dimensional spell
(including entreaty spells) per round, and cannot
cast a personal or universal spell in the same
round that he cast a dimensional spells.

Group Spells: Group spells use dimensional

energies, and only one group subspell can be cast
per round.

201 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Fans of the Classic Marvel RPG have not let down the other fans of the game by
providing a plethora of options for anyone wanting to play a Magic User Origin. This
section is dedicated to the various Magic User Origin options written by fans.

The Ultimate Origins Book 202

 Chapter Thirty-Seven: Constantinian Magic
MTS Note: This is an interesting system for Magic, or an alternate way of creating Magic Wielding
characters. The Hedge Mage from White Wolf comes to mind as a good comparison.

Credit for this section goes to Brotherless_one
and it was originally posted in the "Classic
Marvel Forever Phorum".
http://www.classicmarvelforever.com.
Creating an Artifact is like building Hardware
by process of performing a Ceremony. Ritual
Magic, Hedge Magic, or D&D style spell casting
is like kit-bashing. The “level” of the micro-
ritual is determined by the highest Ability rank
as is the number of rounds it takes to cast. The
spell-caster rolls initiative to determine when
they begin the micro-ritual (which sometimes
allows them to be interrupted during casting) and
the effect would not occur until the same point of
initiative in the round the spell concludes. The
spell-components normally used in D&D are
substituted by a Resources FEAT. The caster’s
Resource rank limits the maximum spell level.
This system has automatic advantages and
disadvantages built into it. The key disadvantage
is that anything that could be cast in a single
round (to go into effect the following round) is
Fb, which is clearly not well designed for attack
or defense (but goes well with the Constantinian
caveat of magic: “When you absolutely,
positively need it to work, it doesn’t.”).
The main benefit (and drawback) of this
system is that it provides another alternative to
the term Magical Ability. Creating the spell is a
Reason + Occult Lore (and/or other applicable
Talents like Mystic Origin) FEAT, having the
means to cast the spell requires a Resources
FEAT, and – unlike true spell casting -- casting
the spell requires a second Reason +
<Appropriate Talent> FEAT. If the FEAT fails
or the mage is interrupted, the components are
“used up” and the mage is stuck waiting another
week to make the purchase for the materials.
Most PC spell casters will be limited to – at best
– Rm effects and none of them will be worth a
damn in combat. Also, since a spell is essentially
a kit-bashed ritual, the effects will only last 1d10
rounds. These modifiers would apply as well:
• +1CS for assistance, no less than one
rank lower (maximum of +1)
• +1CS for each applicable Talent
(examples — Demonologist for
summoning, Bibliophile for using a
scroll; maximum of +3CS from Talents)
• -1CS if time was shortened by rushing
• -1CS for each special requirement for
the ritual (Maximum of -3CS)
• +1CS if the ritual existed previously
from a failed experiment or from "fast-
casting".

Another disadvantage is that the more

expensive the material components, the more
you have to carry (or co-opt from the
environment…).

Note: This is not a universal constant…a

diamond is significantly lighter than a 5lb bag of
manure.

Yet another is – regarding non-damaging or

indirectly damaging spells in one round – the
limited area of effect. You could open a
dimensional aperture to the Dark Dimension, but
it would be hard as Hell to fit anything through
it.

203 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Mages with high enough Resources – at the
Judge’s discretion – can be assumed to be able to
cast effects at -3CS of their Resource rank
PROVIDED they possess the spell prior to
casting. Spell effects can be made up “on the
fly”, but the casting duration is doubled.
Example: Johnny Faustus grabs two sticks,
makes a cross, and says the Lord's Prayer in an
attempt to duplicate Force Field vs. Hostiles.
A proper ritual/ceremony follows the same
rules. The established rules in the Advanced
Player’s Handbook sate that a ceremony is
casting a spell for a number of rounds equal to
the rank number, which is already built into this
method. Days seem a little long for your average
"dabbler" to be casting something, especially
since they are still limited in spell rank by their
Resources rank. AND the results would still be
determined by the chart for range/duration/area
of effect, i.e. a Ty rank spell takes 6 days to cast,
lasts for 1 round and has a range of either touch
or one area...which is great for "realism", I
guess...but I'm not sure I'd want to play that out
when all the other PCs can shoot laser beams out
their eyes at will...hypothetically. If you are
doing a straight low-level occult adventurer
thing, it still only works (in terms of playability)
if there's nothing big and nasty coming your
way...
I'm thinking for actual "mundane" ritual
spells, the casting time would be in minutes or
hours...or base in minutes, +1CS (to
duration/effect/range) for hours, +2CS for days.
The Ultimate Origins Book
Casting a Formal Spell
The caster gains a +1CS for doing a ritual that
takes hours, and +2CS for crafting an artifact
over days.
Since you can't make a Resources FEAT at a
rank higher than your own, any maximized
Dimensional energy spell would require
"borrowing" money from a Contact (as per the
Bank Loans option on p. 22 of the Advanced
Player’s Handbook).
Borrowing from extradimensional Contacts --
rather than reducing your Resources rank --
requires a "tithe" of Karma equal to the spell
rank for every month equal to the rank +
modifier number.
Example: Johnny Faustus has Rm Resources and
decides to cast a Rm rank (duration: 1 hour)
probability manipulation-good luck defensive
spell. He decides to hit up Mephisto for some
extra scratch and so, for the next 3 years or so,
he's out 30 points of Karma a month (that's 1,200
Karma points, kids...).
As always, failure to pay results in the lender
taking back the item. In this example, the item in
question being your eternal soul...
"In for a penny, in for a pound", Johnny says
and decides to make it a proper ritual. He spends
Karma to guarantee he makes the red Resources
FEAT, sits down at the roulette wheel and then
makes his Reason FEAT + modifiers to cast
(since it's a dimensional spell, treat the modified
Reason as popularity in this instance).
Since it has to be cast uninterrupted and it's a
ritual, which took 30 hours to complete, he
probably made the roll before leaving his suite to
hit the casino... For fun, we'll assume Johnny has
Mephisto as a friendly Contact, so he needs a
green result and – just to make it extra fun –
Johnny fails the FEAT roll. Since Mephy likes
Johnny, the spell goes off at Rm rank + 1CS for
ritual – 3CS for failing the entreaty = Gd
Probability Manipulation (duration: 1 round).
Johnny Faustus wins big off the first spin and
then loses everything he owns over the course of
the next 59 minutes, 54 seconds.
That kinda points out a nice unexpected
bonus to "fast casting": spells ranked GD or less
can last 1-10 rounds instead of 1 round, making
204
magic come off as a bit fickle at higher ranks but
a nice gamble at the lower ones.
If Johnny was a bit wiser, he could have also
tried to make a "lucky rabbit's foot" that – had
the FEAT succeeded – would have maintained
the effect for up to a month (+2CS or Am
duration)...
Contacts
Characters can also "call in favors" from
contacts or cast spells on their behalf and use
their Resources to determine spell rank as well.
Seemingly, that is how Constantine pulls off his
big effects...
Maximum spell rank with regards to Casting
FEATs should probably be equal to Reason +
modifiers for applicable Talents (up to +3CS) as
per the normal hardware rules.
Assuming this system is used for Normal
Human to "Hi-Tech" Wonder types of characters,
the maximum Magical Ability would fall
somewhere around Am-Mn. Even so, you're
never going to make a Doctor Strange type with
this system. Maxed out this type of character
could pull off a Mn Eldritch Blast, but it would
take them 7 1/2 minutes to complete the spell.
Spells
MTS Note: Brotherless_one wanted to include
these as examples. His inspiration came from the
DC Heroes “Magic” book, and requested it be
credited.
John Constantine’s Locate Person Ritual
Effect: Life Detection (P): Rm (30)
Casting Time: 30 minutes (300 rounds) (+1CS
for extended casting time)
Necessary Components: Specially prepared
charm (+1CS), map of immediate area (+1CS),
an object belonging to the target (+1CS), cost of
$50 (Fb 02)
Special Restrictions: The caster must be
acquainted with the target (+1CS)
Notes: This is the Ritual Constantine used to
locate his niece after she was abducted during
the war between the Resurrection Crusade and
the Damnation Army.
205
Anton Arcane’s Personality Transfer Ritual
Effect: Mind Transferal (U): Mn (75)
Casting Time: 4 hours (+1CS for extended
casting time)
Necessary Components: A large, silver mirror
(+1CS); oil and herbs (+1CS); cost of $10,000
(Ex 20).
Special Restrictions: If the mirror is shattered
after the ritual has been performed, the Mind
Transferal effect is instantly reversed (+1CS).
Notes: The Ritual allows the caster to place his
own personality into the body of a single target.
The target’s personality is transferred to a body
of the caster’s choice. Anton Arcane once used
this ritual to temporarily occupy the body of the
Swamp Thing.
Brujerian Invunche Teleportation Ritual
Effect: Troubleseeker(D): Ex (20)
Casting Time: 4 hours (+1CS for extended
casting time)
Necessary components: dedicated cauldron
(+1CS), magic herbs (+1CS), Photograph
(+1CS); cost of $400 (Pr 04)
Special Restrictions: Before they can perform
this ritual, the brujeria must somehow acquire
A photograph of a single being, who will be the
Invunche’s target. If the ritual is performed
Successfully, a single Invunche is teleported
within 10 areas of the target (as per
troubleseeker). Once the target is dead, the
Invunche is immediately teleported back to the
occultist who performed the Ritual.
Notes: The Brujeria use this ritual to teleport
their hideous servants, the Invunche, all across
the world to slay their enemies.
The Ultimate Origins Book
 Chapter Thirty-Eight: Clerics
MTS Note: Another archive.org dig-up. This is an interesting take on faith based magic users, or clerics as
they are called in this article. The interesting bit about this section is I could find no links or references to
it on The Judges' website. I had a printout and managed to track it though the url on the bottom of the page
This article was originally written by The Judge
for his hidden website "Realms of Magic". It was
a great website, but it has vanished from the
Internet
http://web.archive.org/web/20041126192954/members
.aol.com/door2magic/
Magic, like everything else in MSH, is open
to debate, negotiation and discussion with the
judge. The MSH rules divide magic use into
three types:
Personal Magic - Using energies that exist
within you. This is the simplest and usually
encompasses a number of resistance powers and
some mental abilities. Not many personal magic
spells would need incantations, but some may
require meditation.
Universal Magic - Using energies found in the
world around us. This type of magic is best at
manipulating existing forces or energies, and
communicating with animals and plants. More
powerful, energy creating spells may require
potions and a touch of alchemy, vision questing,
or rituals dedicated to nature spirits.
Dimensional Magic - Using energies from
another dimension. Many dimensions are
inhabited and ruled by powerful beings. If you
want to use their energy you have to be on good
terms with them, help them when they ask you,
or bring them appropriate offerings. These spells
are cast by incantations that ask that dimensional
ruler to grant you that power.
Some lateral thinking...
All fine and well you may think, but this is
little more than window dressing for altered
human powers. That in itself is not wrong or bad.
In fact, to make magic users more player-
The Ultimate Origins Book
friendly, I often let the players have some of
their powers stored in talismans (objects which
automatically cast the spell thereby avoiding
needless Psyche FEATs - e.g. a flying cloak that
obeys spoken commands), which is the same as
having hi-tech devices.
But after a while some players get a taste for
advancement. In most other RPGs magic and
spells are divided into levels, but the MSH
system just treats spells as powers. Even my
beloved Career List advancement system can't
really help out here. So, I have developed an
advancement system somewhat similar to the
Cleric class of AD&D, but it is applicable to
ANY character (those with higher Psyches will
do better than others). And even better, you can
simultaneously be advancing by careers too!
Oh no! Another advancement system.
(Before I get hate mail from anyone offended
by the idea that religion should be used in a
game, stop and relax. Think of a beautiful image,
count to one hundred. Breathe in, hold it, and
out. Ok, now send me hate mail).
The underlying assumption is that different
faiths place different amounts of emphasis on the
physical world and the spiritual world. The
normal divide for the two worlds is death, but
some spiritual agents can enter the physical
world without the need to be born into it - such
agents can therefore be regarded as immortals
206
(e.g. the Valkerie). Equally, some physical
people can achieve a status of immortality by
being remembered and celebrated long after their
death - they too can be considered to have been
immortalized (e.g. Hercules). I've given some
examples of what I mean by different faith types
here:
All right, so there are different faith types.
What about this advancement system?
As I said above, any character using this
system can gain benefits from following a faith,
but they must also be prepared to take on the
limitations (restrictions), which that faith may
require. These benefits come in three flavors:
Blessings - A god may be called upon in a no-
hope situation to take pity on one of their
followers in a moment of great need. There is a
one percent chance for most followers, but this
can be increased to two percent for someone on
the advancement system (an initiate), and plus
one percent for each holy item they have
(holding a relic, praying at a shrine, on a holy
quest etc).
Gifts - A god may reward a particularly favored
follower with talismans, powers and so on. This
happens as part of the advancement system
(being cynical, this is the real reason for doing
it). Different gods will bestow different amounts
of power at different rates. The powers
themselves and their ultimate power rank (from
Unearthly 100 to Class 1000) will be specific to
the type of god being served. More later on the
Clerics Section.
Ceremonies - A god may be called upon to bend
reality lightly to aide healing, grant visions etc.
207
This is the second reason for following the
advancement scheme, but requires more
dedication. Certain actions (daily worship,
making appropriate offerings, following the
strictures, making quests) will earn the character
deity points (DP). Under certain ceremonial
circumstances different people's DP can be
combined, and the total used to perform a
ceremony. This can help magic users cast
particularly trick spells, help characters get rid of
curses (remember Spider-Man visiting Doc
Strange to get rid of his bad luck?), and even to
enchant objects. The full list of available
ceremonies must be worked out in advance - you
can't just make one up because you need it. If
you want it that badly you'll have to find another
faith... but watch out for that wrath of gods!
On the downside there are:
Strictures - A minimum set of behaviors to
qualify as a member of that faith. Number one
would be belief, but the others would vary from
faith to faith. A War-god faith may demand daily
combat practice. A Love-god faith may have
other demands. A Humor-god may demand that
you wear an ill-fitting pantomime horse costume
in daylight hours. Common restrictions would
include celebrating holy days, dietary restrictions
(e.g. garlic in the case of vampires), avoiding
certain objects, minimum amounts of worship, or
certain dress code. Breaking a restriction can
have unforeseen consequences that again vary
from faith to faith (see divine retribution).
Divine Retribution - This can be very bad or
just irritating, depending upon the faith.
Essentially, if an initiate (someone who has
received the benefits of being on the
advancement system) changes faith (in effect
breaks the first stricture of belief), their old god
may become somewhat angry. The form of
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 retribution must be determined when the religion
is created and must be in keeping with the type
of god. War-gods may demand your character's
death; a Love-god may remove love from you (a
curse of hate upon you!). But other gods (those
of mirth and happiness) may just demand you are
publicly pelted with custard pies or slugs etc.
Any initiate may be sent on a quest to deliver
divine retribution. This usually earns a great deal
of DP and lots of initiates want the glory, so be
careful whom you offend.
Making a cleric, in practical terms...
Roll d6 for the mortality divide. The result
will indicate how specific and real world based a
gods bestowed powers are (given in % physical
and %spiritual). A War-god who was a great
mortal hero is more likely to bestow powers
related to the weapon they used in life or the
physical strength of their initiates, while a War-
god who is from another world may be able to
bestow more subtle mental powers such as fear-
generation or illusion generation.
Roll d10 and multiply by 100 for the
maximum bestowed power. The result will be
between Unearthly100 and Class1000. Most
gods bestow this power in increasing increments
of the whole (e.g. 25% first of all, then 75% on
the next level). The result of this roll should not
be disclosed to the players until they become a
first level initiate, since it is of little interest to
normal followers. It is possible for initiates to
choose to re-do a level and thereby gain
additional powers.
The Ultimate Origins Book
Pick a theme. The player should be allowed a
free choice of themes, but the specifics must be
negotiated when each religion is created. Deity
points (DP) should be awarded by the judge in
place of karma at the Judge's discretion (usually
DP award should be about 1/10 of the karma
award). The specifics of a religion will include at
least:
• A description of the deity's known
appearance, attitudes (d10) and
preferred offerings (human, ghostly, a
sacred living sword, a white stag, likes
roller skating and MTV, hates
anchovies- whatever). For those of you
with a great urge to roll dice I've made a
table of attitudes of deities. Everyone
else can exercise his or her imaginations
instead.
• A set (d6) of restrictions (foods to
avoid, colors to avoid, activities to
avoid such as killing, times of fasting,
times of rest, maximum resources etc.) I
think the judge should choose these.
• A set of ceremonies (d4) the first of
these is of course "Becomes first level
initiate" and it is quite possible that
that's all you will have. Ceremonies can
be used to supplement weak faiths (e.g.
having a bestowed power of Feeble
Cold Generation might be fine if I
known there is a ceremony for
summoning an Ice Elemental; equally
Feeble Body Armour could be tolerated
if there are ceremonies for healing).
• Powers which could be bestowed This
is going to depend so much on what
theme you want that there is little point
writing out a list right now. Just try to
come to a reasonable agreement on how
many powers there could be (d10
sounds reasonable). Then flick through
the power list making a note of those
that sound possible, and then, following
the physical: spiritual ratios given,
assign those powers to physical artifacts
(relics, crystals, talismans etc - no spell
casting required) or spiritual spells
(Psyche FEATs vs. Power rank to
control), and then TAA-DAA one
religion.
208
 Mortality Divide
1) Self Fulfillment - 85% physical, 15%
spiritual
A system of behavior and discipline focused
on the self. Worship is focused on great heroes,
objects or fantastic beasts. The faith tries to
duplicate and emulate the hero's lifestyle or
characteristics. Communities may sponsor one of
his or her own to become an initiate, learn the
arts of the faith, and act as a leader and guardian
against danger. Sagas and stories are sacred.
No official structure. Initiates make a vow to
the deity to follow a quest and uphold the values
of the faith. Group celebrations take the form of
reenactments of the stories. Advancement is all
or nothing, immortality or death. Difficult to
achieve, and often perilous. The highest honor is
to be immortalized in sagas as second only to the
deity. Most powers come in the form of holy
relics ("As used by..."). Using this system your
character could end up like Juggernaught (who
got his powers from a holy crystal).
Bestowed Power: 100%
2) Cosmic Harmony - 70% physical, 30%
spiritual
Great emphasis is placed at being in tune with
the world. Herbal medicines try to re-establish
that balance for the sick. Seasons, winds, tides,
solar and lunar cycles are important. Music and
ritual are used to keep the traditions. Natural
features of the landscape may have associated
legends. Some shapes and materials may be
sacred. Outdoor worship commonly on mounds,
cliffs, or stone circles. Similar to shamanistic,
voodoo or witchcraft practices - dream-seeking,
possession and hallucination are key in this
belief system.
Loose structure, part custom part faith.
Initiates can enter an apprentice-like stage where
some power is bestowed and dream-questing
begins, before making the final transition to full
power. Sacred knowledge is guarded, and the
initiate must be accepted by the coven or local
people before they can achieve the final stage.
Powers are often in the form of talismans ("Hey
look man, I've got a crystal!").
Bestowed Power: 33% then additional 67%
209
3) Spirit Worship - 65% physical, 45%
spiritual
Spirits are believed to hold small amounts of
power each. Ancestors are venerated and may act
as messengers to the spirit world. Certain natural
areas are considered holy. People can call upon
the spirits for help. Some spirits may be asked to
protect villages, homes or whole communities.
More powerful spirit may work in groups or
have some control of lesser ones. Rocks and
stones may be carved to resemble the spirits to
form sacred objects. Customs are important.
Structure is maintained by a high priest or
demonologist, who is served by lesser priests and
then initiates. Initiates may be sent to spend time
with different priests with different abilities
before taking on a specialty of their own. High
priest position is very select, and may be viewed
as a wise spokesperson respected by the spirits.
Powers are often housed within familiars or
carved figurines ("Hey, how come Zoo-god gave
you and The Elephant of Wisdom and I just got
The Slug of Destiny?").
Bestowed Power: 17%, 33% then 50%
4) Living Idol - 40% physical, 60% spiritual
One person, animal, ideal or object is
believed to be a god in physical form.
Ceremonies may be required to bring inanimate
objects to life. They demand service in this life
as payment for their help in the afterlife. Their
death is extremely significant, and great efforts
may be made to celebrate it. Texts describe their
holy right, and their pedigree provides proof of a
The Ultimate Origins Book
 legitimate claim. Faithful servants may be given
the right to control certain classes of people.
Birthright is extremely significant in this faith.
Structure is maintained by a feudal or cast
system. Advancement is through adoption and
sponsorship by appropriate families. Results
count, as does reputation, and blackmail and
dueling may occur in some faiths. Initiates may
be give a sector or geographical region to work
with. Advancement can be rapid at low levels,
but becomes increasingly competitive. The
ultimate position is that of becoming part of the
deity's family, and their voice to the people.
Powers are often bestowed directly into the
initiate leaving obvious signs ("Look here
Electro-god! The lightning bolt power is great,
but having one eye removed to store it plays
havoc with my make-up ensemble!").
Bestowed Power: 10%, 20%, 30% then 40%
5) Pantheons - 25% physical, 75% spiritual
Pantheons of immortals exist, each symbolizing
the ultimate manifestation of a certain theme or
attribute. They live away from the mortal world
but may occasionally visit.
• The number of gods is rolled on d6 + 1
• The type of structure is rolled on d100
Die
Structure
Roll
01-15 Family
16-25 Geographical
26-35 Elemental
Celestial (star constellations, moon,
36-50
sun etc.)
51-60 Heroes and historical figures
61-65 Weather or animals
Powerful protectors who serve higher
66-75
gods
76-80 Departmental bureaucracy
81-00 Mixed
The Ultimate Origins Book
It is possible for mortals to join a pantheon,
but mortals cannot to challenge the gods directly
(unless under exceptional circumstances - but
lets face it, there are plenty of those in this
game!). Being in favor with the gods in
important as they often involve mortals in their
schemes.
Most pantheon gods enjoy being praised, and
so building shrines and dedications is often a
task given to initiates. At higher levels the
character may be asked to destroy shrines, relics
and followers of rival gods in the pantheon. The
ultimate position is that to the envoy of the deity
- ensuring that their will is done without them
having to descend to the mortal realm
themselves. Most powers are bestowed as vocal
incantations since most pantheon gods are just
vain! ("I call upon the power of Flatus,- god of
the winds, lord of nasty niffs, master of the air,
sender of smoke, and thoroughly nice bloke if
the wind is in the right direction- to summon a
poisonous gas upon my enemies... cough,
cough").
Bestowed Power: 7%, 13%, 20%, 27% then 33%
6) Other Worldly - 10% physical, 90%
spiritual
Dream realms or other worlds accessible
under very specific circumstances are often the
domain of powerful beings looking for mortal
servants. Initiates may start by doing very
dangerous tasks, but as their worth becomes
more obvious they may be given underlings to
command. Often the lesser inhabitants of the
other realm appear demonic to mortals, and some
may have to take on mortal form. Contact with
the realm is limited and so much of the worship
is symbolic and many of the powers may be
based upon the extrusion into this dimension of
some aspect of the other realm (nightmares,
feelings of peace, darkness etc.).
This type of faith may require large numbers
of followers to worship, make offerings, and
maybe sacrifice themselves to perform the
ceremonies. The need for DP may necessitate a
strict discipline between the priests. Initiates
would be expected to develop a steady supply of
DP to complete the ceremonies. Other lost DP
raising items (relics etc.) may need to be found
again and guarded. A lot of these powers are
based on mental links with the lost or forbidden
realm and can be housed in many forms (not
very helpful is it!).
210
Bestowed Power: 5%, 10%, 14%, 19%, 24%,
then 28%
Description of the deity
Roll Attitude to mortals
Oblivious or otherwise preoccupied,
1-2 (perhaps a consciousness but not as we
know it Jim!)
Aloof, finds mortals disdainful creatures,
3-4
sees mortal life as of little worth
Protective, towards followers at least,
5-6
may spend some time with mortals
Meddlesome, enjoys fiddling with
7-8 mortals' lives (maybe maliciously, maybe
not), probably enjoys using disguises
Angry, Disappointed or Brooding,
worship is done partly to avoid or diffuse
this anger, this anger might only be
9-0
occasional (e.g. a Love-god might only
become enraged when betrayed by an
initiate)
Restrictions & Ceremonies
This is where the judge can be ruthless; after
all they have to ensure that cleric characters don't
have to great an advantage over other characters
when it comes to advancement.
Here's a list of restrictions just to give you some
inspiration.
• Food items banned (e.g. meat, fish,
alcohol, low calorie foods)
• Must believe in the deity
• Must consume certain foods each day
• Days of feasting and drinking
• Days of fasting
• Special clothing for worship
• Days of nudity
• Must only wear one color
• Must carry or wear a sacred item at all
times
• No possessions (Resources become Fe2
if your lucky!)
• Must keep a certain type of pet or plant
• Special clothing for everyday use
• Shaving or altering one's hair
• Days of not washing
• Daily prayer at a specific time
• Daily prayer at a specific place
• Days of rest
• Days of solitude
• Must live alongside other followers (in
a monastery, abbey or whatever)
211
• Must obey the orders of more senior
initiates
• Days of vision seeking and
hallucinations
• Must never touch another person except
at specified times
• Must attend worship with a non-
believing friend (a friend for how
long?)
• Must not leave the city without special
permission
• Days of talking in song or rhyme
• Days of talking in a holy language
• May only speak in a holy language
when in a holy place
• Cannot talk on certain days or to certain
types of people (e.g. men, women, giant
lizard-people)
• Must present an offering at each time of
worship
• Must make large financial donations
each week
• No killing or Must kill every week
• Must not go up above 3 stories
• No lying, deceit nor concealment
• Must not use any other method of
transport other than walking
• Must only use one hand
• Must not travel over water
Here is a list of ceremonies I could think of.
Obviously adapt them to suit the player and the
theme. Keep in mind that it is useful to have the
ability to combine the DP of other followers,
either that or have a ready supply of martyrs.
• Achieves next level of advancement,
DP cost = (% of power to be bestowed x
10)
• Combine DP of followers on touch, DP
cost = (number of followers x 10)
• Convert Endurance rank points into DP
(permanent loss so remember to adjust
The Ultimate Origins Book
 health accordingly), DP cost = (1 • Daily worship, DP gain = 1
endurance rank points per 2DPgained) • Make appropriate offering, DP gain = 1
• Increase an ability (FASERIP), DP cost • Worship at a holy place, DP gain = 2
= (increase in points x 2) per round • Make a pilgrimage to a holy place, DP
• Serial immortality (judge has control gain = (Number of days travel)
over what form you come back in!), DP • Becoming a follower, DP gain = 5
cost = 500 per revival • Inducting a non-believer to become a
• Body resurrected, DP cost = (400 per follower, DP gain = 2
revival) + (healing of body wounds • Building a monument or shrine, DP
prior to revival gain = (1DP per person capacity of the
• Reanimate the dead (all powers and building or monument)
abilities -2CS due to decomposition), • Dying as a martyr, DP gain = 2 (for
DP cost = (10DP per health point they yourself) and 5 (for those other
will have) followers present)
• Pass part of a power or ability into an • Delivering divine retribution to those
object or relic, DP cost = (1 point per who have betrayed the faith (the exact
rank point) nature of the vengeance is defined in
• Store a talent in an object or relic on broad terms by the judge but should be
touch (permanent transfer, usable by fairly nasty), DP gain = (50 + 1 point
anyone holding the relic - e.g. a sword for every % of bestowed power that
that also give the user weapon specialist person has)
talent), DP cost = 50 • Destroying shrines of other faiths, DP
• Pass part of a power or ability into a gain = (10% of shrine capacity)
follower, DP cost = (5 points per rank • Leading worship, DP gain = (number of
point) worshipers / 10) or (10% of DP earned
• Give one of your own talents to another by the followers being lead)
follower on touch, DP cost = 250 • Making one striction into a lifetime
• Healing others, DP cost = (10DP per vow, DP gain = 20
health point)
• Sanctify/curse an object including
doorways etc. (i.e. prevent people with
opposite (+/-) popularity from using it -
people with 0 popularity or a secret
identity with a different +/- popularity
will also be effected by this curse). This
curse acts like a non-physical force field
only to a person with either +ve or -ve
popularity but maybe overcome with a
psyche FEAT greater than the intensity
of the curse), DP cost = (1DP per
intensity of curse)
• Removing a curse from an object, DP
cost = (2DP per intensity of the curse)
• Picking up postcognitive flashbacks on
touch, DP cost = (10 per day of trying)
• Astral projection, DP cost = (10 points
per round)
• Use a power at a distance (i.e. use your
fire generation power but start a fire 1
mile away at your enemies house -hee
hee hee!), DP cost = (20DP per area)
• Summon
spirit/familiar/medium/elemental/envoy
/demon, DP cost = 200 (must have at
least 50% of the bestowed power to try)

The Ultimate Origins Book 212

Theme Ideas

Of course this is not a comprehensive list, but

it should give you an idea of what sort of things
could make good gods.

War Justice
Earth Shield
Light Elitism
Falcons Crocodiles
Hate Humor & Jest
Travel Kraken
Fish & Sea Animals Primitivism
Love & Lust Mercy
Sun Armour
Deserts Woodland
Bats Octopus
Wealth Medicine
Technology Lychanthropy
Decay & Disease Pain & Torture
Death Moon
Arrow & Bullet Sharks
Song & Music & Poetry Dance & Rhythm
Spiders Wisdom
Youth Dragon
Undead Plants
Chaos & Anarchy Storms
Sky Spear
Seas or Rivers Hunting
Orka Ravens
Mercy Sorrow
Phoenix Vampirism
Order & Obedience Mirror
Winds Deceit
Time & Change Birds
Mountains or Plains Wolves
Air Spear
Silence Griffin
Unicorn Crystal
Indulgence Ice
Fire Sword
Shadows Deer
Bears Light
Fear Women
Men Elephant
Insects

213 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Chapter Thirty-Nine: Illusionist - The Tactics of
Deception
MTS Note: Another option for Magic-Wielding characters. Two authors on this one. With how varied Magic users
are in the Marvel Universe, you really cannot have too many options in my opinion.

The article is from Ty States’ Marvel RPG website,
one of the longest running and all around best sites
on the web. ' Matthew Lewis ' created the first part of
this entry. The Second part is by Greg Paradis,
starting at “From the Palladium List”.
http://gamingnerdsrus.co/forum/index.php?action=page;id=6
gustatory illusions are also possible. Audible
illusions, a scream for help, the Philadelphia strings
plays "Satisfaction", (The latter might be considered
a type of sonic attack) or tactile illusions, a change in
the texture of an object, an invisible object, are easily
isolated. In other words those senses can be affected
without involving any of the others. Gustatory or
illusions of taste, are a little harder, since you have to
touch your tongue to things to taste them. A purist
may argue that taste and smell are linked. But, few
people perceive those senses that way, and when
working with illusion, perception is everything.

Illusionists tend to be a rare breed. Few villains

and even fewer heroes have this most underrated
power. Although illusions can't break down walls, or
heave Cadillacs, they should not be dismissed. A
skilled illusionist can change the apparent nature of
reality. Properly handled, this seemingly weak power
can leave characters doubting their sanity. Illusion is
a power of subtlety and indirection. Use it to mislead,
deceive and confuse rather than destroy your
opponent. If you accept that illusion is not a power
for direct violence, you can give your friends an
enormous tactical advantage, and drive your foes out
of their minds.

First of all, if you as a player or GM wish to run

an illusionist, you should ask yourself these
questions: Can I describe images quickly and
concisely? Can I come up with them in the first
place? If you tend to speak slowly and softly, it's best
to stick with other types of characters. Unless you
find that the others in your group are hanging from
your every word. You should also work up a
repertoire of images. Jot down any descriptions you
hear or come across that seem effective. If you invent
them yourself, so much the better. If the description
comes from somewhere else try to understand why
it's effective. As for your own deathless prose, try to When role-playing an illusionist, you should
find ways to tighten it. Remember to go for consider how the character uses the power in
impression, not detail. Although mental illusions are 'everyday' situations. In combat, there are many
predominantly visual, you shouldn't limit yourself to possibilities besides the attack-by-phantom-beast, or
vision. The scent of an appropriate species female in phantom ray-gun. To illustrate uses of illusion, both
heat would be a serious distraction to a bestial type in and out of combat, I use two of my characters as
like Jaguar, for instance. Audible, tactile, and examples:

The Ultimate Origins Book 214

 StarDancer has Images that affect the visual
senses, and normal hearing. When not in combat she
uses her images to help communicate, for instance,
using pictures, rather than try to describe things, or
incidents. She also likes to subject everyone within
range to her taste in music, and imagery drawn from
Saturday-morning TV. Auto firing candy-apple-red
lip-prints at cameramen is one of her favorites. When
in combat, she is much more subtle. A common
defensive move is displacement. This means she
makes something, usually herself, appear to be where
it isn't. In game terms, she becomes invisible, and
projects the image elsewhere. Since her invisibility is
bought usable by others, she can also do this to other
characters. Another good defensive tactic is
replication. This means multiplying herself, or
someone else. This considerably reduces the odds of
being targeted, as her opponent has to figure out
which image has a person inside. A third tactic is
trading places. This is a very good move for dealing
with multiple opponents. Trading places is
accomplished by flying close to her victim, as if
performing a move-through, and then exchanging
images. To a bystander, or her opponents, it appears
as if she hit her target, and knocked him back several
hexes. Lastly, she can set up coordinated attacks. She
does this by outlining one of the opposition, (usually
in a clashing color) and keeping him outlined until
everyone is ready to attack.
Dr. Eidektos takes a more serious approach. If he
has to be in combat, he prefers to use naturalistic
215
effects, which do not betray his presence. For
example, the doctor might generate a mental illusion
that would convince his antagonist that he's being
attacked by one of his own teammates. Another
illusionist might create a ray-pistol. Dr. Eidektos
would create the smell of natural gas (actually a
commercial product known as Odalarm(tm)) then
sparks from a nearby wall. The unfortunate person
caught at ground zero would think the resulting
explosion was perfectly reasonable. The good Doctor
does not believe that an illusion has to be monstrous
or bizarre to be effective. (I also believe that an
illusionist should get a bonus for plausibility.) Out of
combat, Dr. Eidektos can use his powers to help other
characters overcome psychological problems. The
process will take weeks, even months of game-time,
and is far from pleasant for said character. The
Doctor uses telepathy to uncover memories, and his
illusions to reveal said memories to his patient. This
combination of powers has great potential for abuse,
as it is possible to alter memories, given enough time.
Finally, Dr. Eidektos will use illusions to enhance his
presence attack. He doesn't do this in combat because
he likes to keep his profile nice and low. Which is a
good survival tactic for any egoist.
Using Dr Eidektos and StarDancer, I have touched
on some of the non-combat uses for illusion. An
illusionist might use images to create music videos
etc. The ways you can use illusions to entertain or
annoy fellow players are too numerous for a
complete list. Any of the standard practical jokes can
be done with illusion. I leave it to your, hopefully,
fiendish imagination other possibilities. Keep it light
though, and make sure that the other players are
amused even if their characters might not be.
Then there is the primary purpose of illusion. That
is plain, straightforward deception. One standard 'bit'
is disguise. With illusion it is possible for a character
to disguise or conceal himself and his friends.
Keeping this effect going for extended periods might
be a problem. First the illusionist must concentrate or
expend energy. (Fourth edition rules do make this
easier.) A quick pat down will reveal visual images;
remote surveillance equipment will uncover mental
illusions. Even so, illusions are still useful for mass
infiltration. Another possibility is to use the disguise
phenomenon to break (bend actually) a recalcitrant
prisoner. Make him think he's escaped and is now
reporting to a superior officer. Or, he can be passing
what he knows to a fellow operative. If you make
him think he's dreaming he will be less likely to
notice small mistakes. This is more effective if
preceded by more conventional techniques. (Bright
lights, lack of sleep and so on) your subject will think
The Ultimate Origins Book
you're just using what little 'convincing' is available
to the good guys. No sweat for an agent from Demon
or Viper. Disguise is also useful for persuasion.
Sometimes who you are can be as important as what
you are saying. When dealing with opposing or allied
groups the clever illusionist will try to pass himself
off as someone they are likely to listen to. Given the
right source, and delivery, people will believe all
kinds of things. An example of that was the 1938
broadcast of The War of the Worlds. Hundreds,
maybe thousands of people thought the Martians
were really invading. So with these ideas to spark
your imagination, you should be well equipped to
cloud their minds.
From the Palladium List
So you want to know how to play an Illusionist.
Should I tell you the secret to making the most fun
character in the world? Why not!
First step is having a character that is a quick
thinker, and is able to prowl well… You will need to
hide to enjoy the effect of making your enemies go
mad.
The Ultimate Origins Book
Use the Illusionist powers in the following way.
Sound - Used for distractions or to deafen an
opponent. Can also be used to disguise your sounds
as something else. In other words, if the person fails
his save, you have complete control over what they
hear.
Visuals but no Sound - My classic example is
known, as "there's something in the oven". My
Dwarven Illusionist had disguised himself as some
guard in a kitchen and was using imitate voices to
complete the disguise. There was also one other
guard in the place. My dwarf told him something
scary was in the oven and played the part of the
coward, so the buddy went over to check. While he
was walking over I had plenty of time to get control
over his visual senses. When he opened the oven, a
"giant octopus" ate him, big coincidence huh? Well
the next guy fell for it as well until my dwarf was the
only one left. Put your illusions in places where only
one person could possibly see what is going on so
even the people who can't see it will believe it.
216
 Chapter Forty: Level Based Magic-Users
MTS Note: An interesting system to determine how a mage can advance in power (even if borrowed from AD&D). I
like to use this to help me build villains in the game I run. I keep track of the average karma of the party (based on
the rewards they have earned) and use this system to determine how powerful to make the evil mage.

The article is from Ty States’ Marvel RPG website, Wizard Experience Levels
one of the longest running and all around best sites
on the web. This entry is credited to Gary Hall. Karma
Level Talents
investment
1 0 4*
2 250 -
3 500 -
4 1000 -
5 2000 -
6 4000 2
http://gamingnerdsrus.co/forum/index.php?action=page;id=6
7 6000 -
To be a wizard under this category one must have 8 8000 -
a minimum Psyche of Gd 10 and must have some 9 10,000 1
way of acquiring the spells from other realms or other 10 12,000 -
mages or devices. The chart below is the 11 14,000 -
advancement table for a wizard. To gain levels you 12 16,000 2
must put Karma into this field. Once Karma is put
13 18,000 -
into this field IT CAN NOT BE REMOVED. To cast
the higher level spells, you must have a higher 14 20,000 -
Psyche. Sixth level spells require an Ex 20 Psyche, 15 22,000 1
7th = Rm, 8th = In, and for 9th level spells you must 16 24,000 -
have an Am Psyche. 17 26,000 -
18 28,000 2
19 30,000 -
20 32,000 -
21 34,000 1
22 36,000 -
23 38,000 -
24 40,000 2
25 42,000 -
26 44,000 -
27 46,000 1
28 48,000 -
29 50,000 -
30 52,000 2
No more talents
31 +2,000 per level
gained

* If you are creating a character start off with the 4

talents; otherwise, spend five hundred Karma to gain
mystic origin and become a first level mage. The
number of "powers" your character starts with
determines your starting level. Example: you roll
seven powers, you can start as a 7th level mage (at
Judges discretion).

217 The Ultimate Origins Book

Mage Talent List: Mystic origin, Demonologist, 10 4 4 3 2 2 - - - -
Stamina, Astrologist, Gem Cutting, Bibliophile, 11 4 4 4 3 3 - - - -
Herbalist, Alchemist, Zoologist of Magic, Occult 12 4 4 4 4 4 1 - - -
Lore, Runesmith, Theoginist, Chronicler of Magic,
13 5 5 5 4 4 2 - - -
Scholar of Antiques. Whatever other talents deemed
to fit by Judge and player may be used also. 14 5 5 5 4 4 2 1 - -
15 5 5 5 5 5 2 1 - -
As with AD&D, you may choose to specialize in a 16 5 5 5 5 5 3 2 1 -
particular field of magic, but you must have the 17 5 5 5 5 5 3 3 2 -
Talent Mystic Origin regardless. 18 5 5 5 5 5 3 3 2 1
19 5 5 5 5 5 3 3 3 1
20 5 5 5 5 5 4 3 3 2
21 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 2
22 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 3
23 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 3
24 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 4
25 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
26 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 5 5
27 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 5
28 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6
29 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 6
Wizard Spell Progression
30 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 6
31 8 8 8 8 7 7 7 6 6
Level 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
32 8 8 8 8 7 7 7 7 7
1 1 - - - - - - - -
33 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 7 7
2 2 - - - - - - - -
34 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
3 2 1 - - - - - - -
35 9 9 9 9 8 8 8 8 8
4 3 2 - - - - - - -
36 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 8 8
5 4 2 1 - - - - - -
6 4 2 2 - - - - - -
Anything beyond this and you're on your own.
7 4 3 2 1 - - - - -
8 4 3 3 2 - - - - -
9 4 3 3 2 1 - - - -

Mage Specialist Requirements

Specialist School Min Ability Opposition

Abjurer Abjuration Ex Reason Alteration & Illusion
Ex
Conjurer Conjuration/Summoning Divination & Invocation
Endurance
Diviner Divination Ex Reason Conjuration/Summoning
Enchanter Enchant/Charm Ex Psyche Invocation/Evocation & Necromancy
Illusionist Illusion Ex Agility Necromancy/Invocation/Evocation/Abjuration
Ex
Invoker Invocation/Evocation Enchant/Charm/Conjuration/Summoning
Endurance
Necromancer Necromancy Ex Reason Illusion & Enchantment/Charm
Transmuter Alteration Ex Agility Alteration & Necromancy

The Ultimate Origins Book 218

Chapter Forty-One: Mages, Wizards, and Witches
MTS Note: This is very "AD&D" but still useful. If nothing else, it will help create truly unique magic users
for your Marvel Super Heroes game.
This article was originally written by The Judge
for his website "The Unholy Contents of the
Judge's Mind". It was a great website, but it has
vanished from the Internet.
http://web.archive.org/web/20030204060237/members.aol.co
m/psyclops42/loadastuff.html
To my judge's mind, a mage is a scientific
magic-user.
They learn to shape and control magic forces.
How much effort you put in depends upon
how much magic is part of your game
Mages Can and Cannot...
Mages can research new spells and enchant
objects in the same way other characters might
build items. They need the right materials,
instructions and time.
• There are potentially more serious risks
if it doesn't work, as the object is
mystically linked to the character!
219
• One quick and easy enchantment is to
make their costume appear with a
mental command, and replace whatever
they were wearing (Feeble intensity)!
Mages should avoid becoming members of a
cult (not an absolute rule), and instead seek out
gurus (who might be cult members themselves)
as this will give them faster advancement.
Casting a spell requires an intensity feat.
Spells of comparatively low intensity may be
considered automatic for a mage with a Psyche
more than two ranks higher. Enchanted objects
usually have low intensity casting spells.
Rules for Mage Magic
The original game never had clear rules for
magic users, so you may want to think of your
own way of doing things.
Here are some suggestions:
• Standard Rules - Magic is divided into
three classes. Personal (using energy
from within the body to influence the
body), Universal (using ambient energy
to change things within the immediate
environment), and Dimensional (using
energy from other realms to conjure
objects or cause events that are
normally impossible in our own realm).
The power rank represented the
particular spell known to the character,
and all spells were cast using a psyche
feat. More complex versions of these
rules can be found in the three books of
magic that you can download from Zan
(Also available at Gaming Nerds Я Us -
With the covers!).
• Ultimate Rules - The Ultimate Powers
List has magic as a category of super
power. As such spells are just like any
other power.
• AD&D Style Rules - The mage must
try to re-memorize the spells each day
(using a Reason feat against the
intensity of the spell). Thus, low power
rank spells are easier to remember than
The Ultimate Origins Book
 more powerful ones. The mage casts
memorized spells using a psyche feat.
• Magic Capacity Rules - Every spell
has a fixed intensity rank, and the
character's "super-power" is to be able
to manipulate a psyche-rank amount of
magic every 24hours. Some spells are
accessed directly by the mage (therefore
using a lot of their power), while others
are stored in enchanted wands, scrolls,
weapons and objects (and so require
only a small "access spell" to trigger -
e.g. Poor intensity). When creating a
character the player must decide how
many spells are memorized and how
many are in enchanted objects - this will
obviously relate to their psyche.
Guardians of Enchanted Objects
Enchanted objects come in many forms. The
more powerful ones are often fought over!
Simple Objects
• The simplest are normal objects with
above average abilities (e.g. a sword
that gives +1cs to hit).
• These are fairly common and easy to
make even for a minor mage.
Advanced Objects
• More advanced objects release a stored
spell when a minor invocation spell is
used (usually three or four ranks lower
than the stored spell intensity - this
might even be a spoken phrase at Shift
0 intensity).
• These object usually have a number of
safeguards built in, partly to prevent the
non-worthy using them, or as a
limitation accepted at the time the
object was created to gain bonuses
under certain conditions.
• These are rare, and keenly sought after
items!
Cursed Objects
• Some cursed enchanted objects will be
in constant effect (the spell constantly
recasting itself once it elapses).
The Ultimate Origins Book
• If the character cannot supply sufficient
psychic energy (fails the psyche feat
required to cast the spell) the object will
draw psychic energy straight from the
character Psyche rank, reducing it
permanently!
• Eventually the object will be able to
control the actions of the character!
• Curses items are difficult to get rid off,
and often hard to remove, as they can
contain the imprisoned soul of a
previous evil owner.
Clerics and Occultists
Even non-magical characters can become
clerics by joining a "cult " (see career
advancement).
Different cults will have different belief
systems, rituals, restrictions, powers and mortal-
realm focus. Some will be focused on the here
and now, others will be almost entirely
concerned with the actions of beings in another
dimension.
The acquisition of power and status can lead
to an increasingly important role in destiny
(gaining the talent Mystic Background), and
eventual immortality!
Cult sanctioned heroes (see career
advancement) may be made guardians of
enchanted relics charged with mystical power
(sometimes finding an enchanted item may
automatically make the character its guardian,
220
especially in cults that believe in destiny). As
with mages, only Psyche rank amount of magic
can be released every twenty-four hours by the
character in an attempt to trigger the enchanted
object.

Types of cults and their varying focus on the

mortal world

Types of cults and their varying focus on the

mortal world cult beliefs

In the game, cults are often secret

organizations that operate by their own ancient
laws and beliefs.

Story Ideas

Their secret nature is extremely useful for a

cunning judge when planning a new adventure!
Long time non-player characters can suddenly be
discovered to be cult apostles:

"Mysterious ritual killings start to occur at

certain times of day"

You get the idea!

The specific nature of the cult can generate

storylines:
• In some cults it may be natural (indeed
encouraged) for the new leader to kill
the old one
• Or the role of the cult hero may be to
silence those who leave (a dilemma
when the hero wants to leave - hunter
becomes the hunted!)

At any rate, there are a number of campaign

ideas to play with once the hero joins a cult.

(If you want to be really cruel, you could

make it a condition during character generation!)

221 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Chapter Forty-Two: Revised Magic Rules
MTS Note: This is more of a revised system for magic and as such, it is technically way beyond the scope
of this book. Still, it contains a variant Origin for Magic Users, and it is an excellent system.
This chapter was written by Brotherless_one for
the "Classic Marvel Forever" website.
http://www.classicmarvelforever.com/phorum/read.ph
p?9,13112
Character Creation
First, let us look at the various types of magic
users.
Magical or supernatural characters run the
gamut of character origins. Spell Casters make
up a surprisingly small percentage of magical
characters. Most of these characters are
indistinguishable from their more mundane
counter parts. In the Magical Community, there
are talented Occultist (Frank Drake, Victoria
Montesi) “normal humans”, Magically Enhanced
(The Wrecker, Absorbing Man) Altered Humans,
Magical Item wielding (The Black Knight,
Captain Britain) “Hi-Tech wonders”,
Extradimensional (Loki, Dormammu) Aliens,
and Artificial Being/Construct (Frankenstein’s
Monster, The Destroyer) Robots. Additionally,
while all humans have the potential to wield
magic, some humans are inherently connected to
the flow of the world’s magic. Each of the
previous origin types may potentially wield
magical forces but in these unique humans the
potential becomes actuality. These “Mutants” are
True Magicians.
The Ultimate Origins Book
The primary focus of this addendum/revision
is the True Magician but for the sake of
completion, use the following character creation
table for randomly generating all Magical
Origins.
Die Roll Magical Origin
01-15 Occultist
16-35 Magical Item
36-65 Magically Enhanced
66-90 Extradimensional
91-95 Artificial Being/Construct
96-00 True Magician
For all but the True Magician, use the
equivalent mundane Origin. For True Magicians,
the following applies:
• True Magicians are members of the
Human race that are inherently
connected to the flow of the world’s
magic. Magical powers may manifest
themselves at any time. True Magicians
are generally marginalized and
misunderstood by the populace at large.
Examples of True Magicians include
Doctor Strange, Jennifer Kale, and
Magik of the New Mutants. When
creating a True Magician character:
• Random ranks are rolled on Column 1
of the Random Ranks Table.
• True Magicians automatically gain the
Power Magical Ability, subtracting 3
slots from the total number of Powers
available to the Hero (maximum of 5).
If less than 3 power slots are rolled, the
difference is subtracted from the
number of talent slots available.
• Resources are reduced by one rank.
• Starting Popularity is always 0.
• True Magicians lose Karma at double
the rate of other character types.
• Psyche is raised by one rank (minimum
of Good).
• The majority of a true magician’s
Powers are inborn as opposed to
equipment-based.
• They may be affected by magical
Detection.
222
New Talents:
Occult Lore Specialist*: The character with this
Talent gains a + 2CS with a field of Occult Lore.
These fields are: Bibliophile; Chronicler of
Magic; Demonologist; Rune smith; Scholar of
Antiquities; Theoginist; and Zoologist of Magic.
(see Realms of Magic book one, page 11 for
descriptions).
Psychic Sensitivity: The character with this
Talent is in tune with the subtle energies of the
universe. He gains +1CS to Intuition for the
purposes of sensing “invisible presences”,
resisting emotional attacks, and initiative.
Psychometry: The character with this Talent can
“read” the auras of objects. Essentially A weaker
version of Post-Cognition, the Psychic spends 10
karma points and makes An intuition Feat. On a
red result, the Character receives information
equal to a green Post- Cognition result.
Ritual*: This Talent has two effects. First, it
allows characters with out direct Access to
magical abilities to cast spells Using dimensional
energies (as explained In the section below). For
characters With Magical Ability it grants +1CS
to AOE and duration of spells cast in Ceremony.
Ceremonial Magic
There’s a difference between spells cast on
the fly and spells methodically worked over
time. If casting combat magic is like building a
snowman then performing a magical ritual is
akin to carving an ice sculpture. Magic worked
over time is more precise and its effects last
longer and cover a greater area than all but the
most advanced magic cast of the fly.
Similarly, people who could not otherwise
work magic can channel Extradimensional forces
through ceremony. In fact, a group of non-
magical acolytes working in tandem with an
experienced magic user can increase the
effectiveness of the true magician’s power. Be
they members of The Dark Cabal or a single
person “gifted” with a page from the Darkhold,
“typical” humans can work great magics …for a
price.
Below are some expanded rules on the
benefits of Ceremony for the True Magician, as
well as new rules for “mundane” spell casters.
223
Magic and the Mundane
Any non-magical character may perform
dimensional entreaties. There are three factors
that determine the possibility of success:
Research, Raising Energy, and Time.
The first step in casting the spell is finding it.
New spells may be found in mystic texts,
unearthed in ancient ruins, or in old collections.
They can be purchased by private auction (In
cost) or stolen (although in such cases, loss of
karma is probably the least of your worries), but
you have to locate them first. This can either be
done through Role-playing the search or through
appropriate Contacts.
It’s never a bad idea to have an archeologist
on speed dial…
Once the appropriate text is found, it takes
1000 karma points to “learn” the ceremony
(which can be paid for by karma pool, if
applicable). Essentially, the character or group
gains the Extradimensional entity as a neutral
Contact. Note: If a Judge allows “Occultist”
characters in their campaign, the character may
start with no more than one Extradimensional
contact.
To even attempt to perform the entreaty, the
character or npc must pay 100 + Power Rank
number x 2 in karma points. If Dr. Louise
Hastings casts an Excellent rank Astral
Projection spell, she would need to expend 140
karma points at the start of the ritual. The karma
cost may be divided by each additional person
The Ultimate Origins Book
 participating in the ceremony and the adjusted
cost is paid by EACH, not from any existing
karma pools. Note that if only two people
perform the ceremony, they each pay the full
karma cost. To continue the above example,
although Victoria Montesi has offered her
assistance, Louise would still need Sam
Buchanan’s help as well to lessen the spiritual
drain, cutting the karma cost to 70 points each.
Obviously, the more people who participate in
the ritual, the less each suffers the resultant
spiritual drain.
When the karma cost exceeds the amount
available, the difference is subtracted from the
Health score. The excess cost is divided evenly
by the total number of participants. If any of the
participants are reduced to 0 health points, all are
knocked unconscious for 1-10 minutes and
awaken with only their endurance rank in health.
The entreaty has failed before it was started and
may not be attempted again until the participants
gain enough karma AND at least 24 hours have
passed.
The final component necessary is Time. The
amount of time it takes to perform the ceremony
is determined by the initial duration of the spell
effect x 5. In our example, Hastings’ Astral
Projection ceremony would take five minutes to
cast. No player character can perform an entreaty
spell of greater than Monstrous rank under
normal circumstances. (The Judge has the option
of allowing NPCs to perform magics of greater
rank, reasoning that the cult, coven or individual
has been performing the ritual throughout
countless generations, either because of
immortality or fertility rites inherent to the
entreaty).
If the ritualist is interrupted at any point of the
ceremony, the entreaty fails. The ritual is
The Ultimate Origins Book
assumed to take the character’s total
concentration.
Although Occult Lore is not explicitly
required to perform the entreaty, remember it can
potentially grant a +1CS to area of effect,
duration and damage as well with a red result for
Occult Lore) It still only takes Louise five
minutes to perform the ritual but thanks to her
knowledge and experience, the effect lasts for an
hour.
Ceremony and the True Magician
For True Magicians, the process is far less
complicated. They may channel either Personal,
Universal or Dimensional energy and are
assumed to “raise energies” without the need for
massive Karma expenditure.
When two mage collaborate in a ritual, use
the standard “assistance from equal or lesser
power rank equals +1CS rule. Additionally, for
every two magicians participating beyond the
first, increase the rank +1CS. When a magician
leads a ceremony with “mundane” characters, the
shift becomes +1cs per every five.
Assume the time taken to perform the
ceremony is a number of turns equal to the
power rank of the effect. Dr. Strange, performing
a ritual to open a Dimensional Aperture to
Avalon with a Magical Ability of MN, spends 75
rounds in casting. If the magician spends a
number of rounds equal to two ranks above his
Magical Ability rank, add +1cs to that rank for
the purposes of determining success. Area of
Effect, Duration, and Damage remain at the
initial rank and are only modified by the Ritual
Talent and/or a successful Occult Lore FEAT.
Example: Doctor Strange, with the assistance of
Brother Voodoo, Jennifer Kale and Topaz,
performs a ceremony to close a rift between our
reality and a zombie plague infected alternate
earth. With Brother Voodoo acting as his second,
Strange’s Magical Ability increases to
Unearthly. Topaz and Kale channels their magics
into the mix, increasing it further to Shift X.
Wanting to ensure that the rift never opens again,
Strange extends the ceremony for another seven
and a half minutes (Shift X 150).
The spell is now considered Shift Y when
rolling to see if it is successful and achieves Shift
Y AoE and Duration as well, thanks to Doctor
224
Strange’s Ritual skill. That’s why he’s the
Sorcerer Supreme…
Karma and Advancement
It should be fairly evident by now that Karma
is an important trait for magic users, even more
so than Psyche. It is, in fact, raw Universal
Energy. The PHB states that “Karma is … a
spendable experience point. In other words, it is
gained by the player, and may be spent by the
player to make sure certain actions happen when
they are supposed to”. Thus, Karma is the magic
that everybody can use.
To reiterate, characters who have true magic
abilities (as opposed to those with only
Extradimensional origins, the potential to gain
magic, or using magical items) gain Karma at the
standard rate. All Karma losses are at twice the
standard rate. To again quote the PHB: “The
reason for this is thus: A sorcerer, no matter what
his background, is more aware that all things are
part of a greater whole, that bread cast upon the
water comes back a hundredfold, and you reap
only what you sow. In other words, Karma
counts twice as much against them because they
are more aware of its effects.”
Karma Awards
Personal Karma Awards
Mages study. A lot. As such, they rarely – if
ever – make personal appearances or have
personal commitments outside of their duties to
their masters. When they do manage to make
them, the karma award is doubled but failure to
make an appointment is quadrupled. Also, the
character is assumed to spend his free time
studying and automatically receives the weekly
award. If the judge feels the player has gone
above and beyond this expectation (say,
practicing meditations while in the clutches of a
villain for example), he may double this award as
well.
Advancement
A mage advances in ability ranks and gains
talents as do non-magical characters. A mage
may gain new spells in two ways: through
Magical Ability power stunts, and through
location of new spells. New spells may be found
in mystic texts, unearthed in ancient ruins, or
taught by individuals of higher ability than the
225
mage in question. The new spell costs 1000
(2000 for Dimensional) Karma points -- as per
purchasing a new power – and functions at +1cs
to the magician’s Magical Ability rank. This is
due to the diligence of research and
experimentation required in mastering the spell
(as opposed to just winging it). The player has
the option (at the judge’s discretion) of
increasing the rank an additional +1cs by adding
a limitation. This reflects the potential vagueness
of the spells description in regards to unknown
requirements or deadly curses. Judges are
encouraged to be petty and vindictive in
assigning limitations to players who choose this
option (example: The Scion of Forever finally
unlocks the secrets hidden within the Scroll of
Immortality but fails to realize it only applies to
Magik’s Limbo…).
Friendly Contacts in other planes cost twice
the normal Karma cost of Contacts to reflect the
powerful nature of these Contacts. A neutral
Contact can be purchased at the normal cost. All
other rules remain the same.
All Extradimensional beings can grant
magical assistance but only some powerful
Extradimensional beings grant magical Powers.
In cases where dealing with Entities of power
who have limited contact with, or have
representatives walking among, humanity (i.e.
Odin, Zeus), the deity in question grants +1cs to
magical ability for determining effect but the
spell is still considered Personal or Universal in
terms of advantages and disadvantages. If the
character is a member of the entity’s race (for
The Ultimate Origins Book
 example, Asgardian or Olympian) AND outside
of their home dimension, treat the entreaty per
normal (assuming, of course, the character is
NOT Loki…).
Magical Ability
Spell casters are arguably some of the most
powerful characters in comics. They routinely
pull just the right spell out of their proverbial
hats at precisely the right time to save the day.
While other characters have well-defined power
sets, the magician is usually limited only by his
knowledge and imagination.
The portrayal of which is a pain for Judges.
Be that as it may, for someone wanting to
play a magician, to present magic otherwise is
very constricting. Sure, following the Advanced
Set rules, it’s easier and cheaper for spell-
slingers to gain new powers but that’s not much
help when you need that water breathing spell
right now!
Rather than making spell-use a concrete, one-
for-one duplications of existing powers, Magic
now becomes a Power itself.
If you check your Official Handbooks to the
Marvel Universe supplements, you should notice
that all the major Magicians have listed
something called “Magical Ability” which
covers the potential power of any spells they
may cast. Magical Ability is then followed by a
list of spells common to the character.
The Ultimate Origins Book
The character with Magical Ability wields
unimaginable power. By tapping into the very
fabric of reality itself, he can duplicate the
effects of any power listed in appendix A of the
player’s handbook. Magical Ability counts as
three power slots and may limit the number of
talent slots available at character creation as well
(see above)*.
As stated, Magical Ability may duplicate
every power in appendix A. Powers duplicated
may be considered either Personal, Universal or
Dimensional energies, following the basic rules
of each type of energy
The character chooses which Powers he
wishes to duplicate and makes a Psyche FEAT to
cast the spell. The effects, range and duration are
then determined by the Power rank of that
ability, as per the chart on page 65 of the player’s
handbook.
The type of FEAT needed to cast the “spell
stunt” is determined by the number of times the
character has tried it.
• Never tried it — red FEAT roll
• Tried it up to three times — yellow
FEAT roll
• Tried it more than three times — green
FEAT roll
Each spell stunt is dependant on which form
of energy was used to cast it. For example, if
Azazel, Keeper of the primordial flame casts a
Fire Control stunt using Universal Energy once
and the next time tries the same effect using
Dimensional Energy, each stunt counts as one
attempt for that energy type, not two overall fire
control stunts. Yes, it’s a book keeping
nightmare but nobody said magic was easy!
In addition, a character casting a spell must
lay out 100 Karma points to make the roll or 200
Karma points for Dimensional spells (in addition
to any other Karma he may spend -- see Karma).
Spending the Karma does not guarantee success;
it only ensures that yes, the character can try the
spell.
The magical energy used affects the effects of
the spell. Each type of energy has its own
advantages and disadvantages.
If a player character has tried a spell more
then ten times, it is considered to be part of his or
her bag of tricks and a FEAT roll is not
226
necessary to say if it is possible (this is similar to
purchasing another Power in full, but allowing
the player to use the Power as he is paying for
it). Failing the FEAT means the spell has failed.
The manner of failure will depend entirely on the
situation. The Judge is instructed that while the
failure may be life endangering, it should not be
initially or immediately deadly.
On the plus side, the cost for a mage to
perform Power Stunts using his established
spells is reduced. It costs a mage only 10 points
of Karma to use a Personal or Universal “sub-
spell”, 50 for Dimensional.
The character starts off with no power stunts.
However, the power also includes an innate
connection to the fabric of reality itself, allowing
the mage to perceive other powerful entities and
to detect magical energy. Individuals with Class
1000 primary abilities or better within 10 miles
of the hero will always be noticed by the hero. In
addition, making a Power rank FEAT with this
227
Power allows the user to detect magic. When
magic is in force around the hero, make a Power
rank FEAT roll. White means failure; check
again next round. A green result indicates
recognition that there is magic in the area, a
yellow result the individual or individuals
involved in the magic, and a red result the type
of spell or magic involved. Spells that mask or
mislead the spell-casting may reduce these
chances at the Judge's option.
Oh, yeah. For the purposes of random
character generation, assume that Magical
Ability is listed under 26-40 Energy Control, and
is an optional power listed with 9. Dark force
Manipulation.
*Covered in the alternate supernatural
character creation section: Origin - True
Magician.
The Ultimate Origins Book
 Chapter Forty-Three: Sorcery
MTS Note: Originally, I got this from an old mailing list archive, and he said "Below is a work in
progress, for a page I just added to our domain: http://www.psyko-software.com/rpg_index.html. By all
means share with me your comments, suggestions, etc. This is not meant as an end all, but only as it exists
in my campaign, currently." The url he mentioned only has the homepage and index accessible via
archive.org. While these rules were written for a specific game, they are still useable and an interesting
take on magic that could be used in any game. Sparks was the one who noticed I had the same information
in two separate chapters.

This article was done by Psyko for his website seek to take and destroy the crystal, so the
"Psykosis 4.0". various deities are powerless to stop the Age of
Chaos from coming. Legend dictates the Council
of 12 are all that stands between the Age of
Chaos and the Age of Order. (Note: We are
currently in the Age of Order, but the pendulum
http://psyko.homeftp.net/default.htm is swinging towards chaos currently. Every two
thousand years the pendulum swings the other
Sorcery in my amalgam universe runs a bit way.)
differently from the way the books details it. I
will preface it by saying that, until this current
campaign started in WebRPG, I did not allow
any magic wielding in my games, save for the
occasional NPC. I did allow mystic origins, but
no true magic users. I also never had the Realms
of Magic books until I downloaded them in PDF
format a short time after I started running this
WebRPG game. I've yet to thoroughly read them
either, so these rules have evolved and are
constantly evolving. These have been created
jointly by myself and Shadowwalkyr, who
played the LEGION's resident mage, Scarlet
Speaker. With that in mind, below you will find
magic as it exists in my campaign

It has been said, that one does not choose the

All sorcery/magic in this world flows to and
from The Crystal of Magic, and is actually
channeled through persons who are linked to this
crystal. As of the time of this writing, the actual
physical location of the crystal is unknown to all
but the most powerful sorcerers. The Crystal of
Magic's origins are unknown, but it is believed to
be related to various mythological pantheons.
What is known of the Crystal is that it is tied to
Armageddon/Ragnarok. The Lords of Chaos
way of sorcery, but that it chooses them. That
being said, in order to even be an apprentice, one
must have this link to this crystal. (Note: Most of
the time, most apprentices are unaware of this,
until the time of their initial test.) Then they must
seek out someone to teach them the skills
necessary to channel to and from it. If they
succeed, they are known as an Apprentice.
Apprentices are trained by their teacher for a
time, before being encouraged to go out and
explore the world around them. (Note: There is
no established time limit before the apprentice
must learn on their own. For some, they were

The Ultimate Origins Book 228

with their teacher for years, while for others, it
was only a month.) It is important that the
teacher helps his pupil as little as possible during
this time of exploration, because the apprentice
must learn on his own how to deal with
prejudices others have about sorcery and magic.
(Note: This is a direct result of the Salem Witch
Trials.) Additionally, the apprentice has to
prepare himself for his test to become a Sorcerer,
which he/she must go through alone. All
apprentices are aware that they have to take the
test, but no one actually knows when the test is
supposed to happen. There is no set time frame
in which the apprentice must take the test, but
they are encouraged to do so after they have
prepared themselves sufficiently. There have
been cases where a person was an apprentice for
ten years, however most take their test within a
year of going off on their own.
The Test itself is a highly guarded secret, by
all sorcerers. Sorcerers are forbidden from
revealing any details of their own tests to
anyone, including their own apprentices. It is as-
yet unknown what the consequences are for
doing so. Compound that with the fact that
everyone's test is believed to be different, one
never knows what to expect with their test. More
than a few apprentices have been killed during
their test, but success makes one a Sorcerer. The
test has altered newly christened sorcerers as
well, physically & mentally, but that is not
always the case. One side effect of the test is a
voracious appetite that lasts for about a week. It
is believed the tests are overseen by the Sorcerer
Supreme, the Council of 12 (the 12 most
229
powerful sorcerers), and apprentice's teacher,
rather it has been hinted at by sorcerers in the
past.
New sorcerers are able to take apprentices of
their own, but they are discouraged from doing
so for at least a year. A sorcerer's next goal is to
become a Master Sorcerer, Another test must be
passed to be a Master Sorcerer, but very few
have failed it. Additionally, it is usually a few
years before a Sorcerer is skilled enough to
attempt the second test. Only the most skilled
sorcerers can hope to become a Master Sorcerer.
At most 10 percent of all Sorcerers will become
a Master Sorcerer. A Master Sorcerer works
closely with the Council of 12, when the need
arises, however they are otherwise free to do as
before. If there is an opening on the Council of
12, the remaining members will elect a Master
Sorcerer to take that opening. There is no test
involved should the Sorcerer accept the job, but
they do have the right to not accept it. Usually
when someone turns down the appointment, it is
because they do not want to deal with the politics
of it.
The Council of 12 are the most powerful
sorcerers in the universe, each a specialist in
their particular school. To attain that honor is a
great achievement. They serve as the judges on
the Wizard's Council. They also must protect the
Crystal of Magic, at all costs. They are among
the few who know the location of it. The Council
of 12 do not necessarily serve the cause of
mankind, but serve the cause of magic. In the
past their actions have clashed with super-
powered beings, specifically on Earth (which
seems to be an important nexus in more than one
The Ultimate Origins Book
 regard). Currently the Sorcerer Supreme, Dr.
Fate - Nabu, has been a humanizing factor for
the Council. The Sorcerer Supreme is always the
being who can channel the most magic through
the crystal. Quite literally, you are chosen
(usually from the Council of 12, but not always)
to be Sorcerer Supreme by the Crystal itself.
Now for some specifics:
1. To create initial stats, the hero must roll on
the normal humans tables, unless their
classification falls under another category (such
as alien). For starting numbers of spells, you will
roll for powers & talents just as an altered human
would, using the tables provided here Starting
sorcerer characters are restricted to just the spells
using Personal or Universal Energies. Spells that
use Dimensional Energy will only be accepted
pending Judge approval. As with normal heroes,
certain powers I do not allow.
2. Apprentice PC's will be rewarded should they
pass their test. The reward can be any number of
things, but your character is always more
powerful than when they were first created. I do
this, because, to be honest, when rolling from the
normal humans table, you're gonna be quite
weak. I usually ask for a wish list from the
player sometime before I give them their test,
The Ultimate Origins Book
and most of the rewards will come from that
wish list.
3. To augment the sorcerers, they have access to
minor cantrip type spells. These spells
encompass, such items as tagging a certain car
magically, overhearing a conversation, minor
illusions, stage tricks, etc. A being must spend 5
karma to do these minor cantrips, but they must
be approved by the judge ahead of time. There is
no need to roll a feat when doing so, unless the
situations demands it or is particularly
extraordinary.
4. There is evidence of Ley Lines existing on
Earth, but it has not been explored enough by
anyone to say exactly where the Ley Lines are.
One spot evidently where true sorcerers cannot
wield their magic is under the lakebed of Lake
Erie.
Schools of Magic
Atlantean
Atlantean magic is a flowing magic that is
often attracted to large amounts of water. As
such, it is often found in and around islands,
lakes, oceans and certain celestial features that
primarily include water, such as ice comets.
Atlantean magic is primarily divinatory in
nature, and was used by the inhabitants of the
(now sunken) continent of Atlantis in their
studies of the universe, and is a major reason
they had advanced so much further than the rest
of the world. Atlantean magic has also been used
to good effect in creating "Hermes' Portals," rifts
in space that allow travel between two or more
areas with little effort. Minor Atlantean spells
typically require a few seconds of chanting
(usually in the tongue of Ancient Atlantis) and a
few simple gestures to enact. Major workings of
magic often involve long sessions of chanting
(multiple days are not uncommon) and favorable
astrological conditions. Sorcerers using
Atlantean magic gain +1CS when attempting to
divine an answer or when dealing with the Astral
Plane. They gain -2CS when attempting to create
or destroy anything. Practitioners of Atlantean
magic are called "Atlantean Wizards" or simply
"Wizards."
230
Chaos
Chaos magic is an unpredictable magic that is
rarely attracted to any one thing. It is often
thought of as wildly destructive, but that is only
partially accurate. Although it can be used easily
to destroy, it can be used to create as well.
Despite this, it has a bad reputation among many
sorcerers, who, at best, consider it "Magic for the
Desperate." While its results are often wildly
unpredictable, they are rarely detrimental to the
user. Chaos spellcasters have no set style used
for casting; rather, they typically have an eclectic
style of spellcasting preferred over any other.
Sorcerers using Chaos magic gain +/-1CS
whenever the Judge feels like it. Practitioners of
Chaos magic are called "Chaos Mages."
Dimensional
Dimensional magic flows evenly over the
universe, connecting every point to every other
point. As such, it is an unparalleled way to move
throughout space; some more advanced mages
claim it is possible to move throughout time as
well. It also is extremely easy to create spaces
between dimensions, creating "pocket"
universes. It is the most efficient manner of
traveling between the various dimensions known
to magic. As such, it is commonly studied by
mages of all stripes, though few choose to
specialize in it, as it is seen as useful only for
"going places and storing stuff"; it does not have
the versatility that most mages crave.
231
Dimensional spells typically involve grand
gestures and few incantations. "Hermes' Portals"
can easily be created using these spells, and a
mage gets +1CS if using an existing portal (such
as a doorway) as a frame. Sorcerers using
Dimensional magic gain +1CS when attempting
to teleport within a single dimension. Sorcerers
attempting trans-dimensional travel using any
other kind of magic have a -2CS. Practitioners of
Dimensional Magic are called "Dimensionalists."
Divine
Divine magic is the only truly sentient magic
extant. It manifests primarily as "gods," who
grant "miracles" to the practicing mage. Often,
the mage thinks of him (or her) self as a priest or
avatar of the god granting the miracle. Although
Divine magic can be used easily for any kind of
effect, certain gods may decline to grant certain
magical favors. Gods typically gather into
pantheons; such pantheons may or may not
acknowledge each others' existences. Divine
magic typically involves prayer, and as such is
more likely to involve incantation than gesture.
Major workings typically require high ritual in a
consecrated location. Sorcerers using Divine
magic gain no set benefits or penalties, though
certain gods may choose to help/hinder for
reasons of their own. Practitioners of Divine
magic are called "Priests."
Elemental
Elemental magic is actually several closely
related flavors of magic, each of which is
attracted to a single elemental force. An
The Ultimate Origins Book
 Elementalist typically studies all such flavors,
although most have two or three as particular
favorites. More than just the four classical
elements, as many laymen believe, other forces
are considered to be elements. Air, Blood, Cold,
Darkness, Earth, Fire, Light, Lightning, Metal,
Vacuum, Water and Wood are all elements. Even
apprentice Elementalists can typically
manipulate at least two of these. Elemental spells
often involve invocations, these invocations
typically involve incantation supported by
gesturing. In addition, they often require a ready
supply of the element in question. Sorcerers
using Elemental magic gain +1CS when
creating, manipulating, or destroying raw
elemental force. They suffer -1CS when
attempting to deal with anything other than
actual elements. Practitioners of Elemental
magic are called "Elementalists." Many add the
names of favorite elements to this ("Fire
Elementalist" "Light Elementalist" and so on.)
Fey
Fey magic, attracted to sylvan lands in
general and the British Isles in particular, was
often attributed to the "faerie," immortal nature
spirits who were both helpful and malicious by
turns (and often human sorcerers in disguise).
Fey magic lends itself well to illusion, trickery,
and general mischief. It can also be used to
create copies (even improvements) of items,
though creating new ones is extremely difficult.
The Ultimate Origins Book
For reasons few mages understand, even Fey
mages, Fey magic is bent and disrupted by iron
and iron ores. Different alloys containing ferrous
materials affect the magic differently, and these
amounts can be measured. Some of the more
scientifically minded Fey mages have learned to
use shaped iron to focus their spells for
maximum effectiveness. Many Fey Masters
develop an allergy to iron due to their long
sympathy with Fey magic. Fey spells often
involve simple rhymes and gestures. Most spells
are minor, and the creative Fey mages tend to do
more with tiny amounts of magic than many
others do with truly huge amounts. Sorcerers
using Fey magic gain +1CS when creating or
destroying illusions. They gain -3CS when trying
to create an object that is not a copy of
something immediately on-hand.Practitioners of
Fey magic are called "Sidhe," pronounced
"shee."
Lemurian
Lemurian magic is the magic of sound.
Attracted primarily to crystals and vibrating
objects, it tends to stay put for long periods of
time. As such, it is possible for a Lemurian mage
to have a great number of prepared spells waiting
to be released at a moment's notice. Lemurian
Mages are rare, and have been since Lemuria's
destruction in a cataclysm much like the one that
sunk Atlantis (some consider the two to be
related events). Most Lemurian mages are very
secretive of their practices, and no one can
manipulate sound like a Lemurian Master. Most
Lemurian spells are composed entirely of songs
and chants, and most every Lemurian Sorcerer is
an accomplished singer and musician in addition
to anything else. Sorcerers using Lemurian
magic gain +1CS when attempting to create,
manipulate or destroy sound or when focusing
spells through a crystal (flawless quartz works
best). They suffer a-2CS when attempting to use
magic in extremely quiet or cold environments.
Practitioners of Lemurian magic are called
"X'ichil," which is "Wizard" in the ancient
Lemurian language.
Mechanical
Once called "Alchemy," Mechanical Magic is
magic attracted to inanimate objects. Its mages
often seek to invest magic into an item, thereby
creating an enchanted item. Like Lemurian
mages, Mechanical mages tend to have many
spells stored in inanimate objects, just waiting to
232
be used. Like mystic Boy Scouts, they try to be
prepared for anything. Mechanical spells are
typically placed into inanimate items and stored
until used. Easy to make, one-shot items (which
are used and in the process disenchanted or
destroyed, such as potions) are known as "talens"
while permanently enchanted items are known as
"artifacts." Artifacts are much harder to make
and have to be done "just so," often taking weeks
or months. Sorcerers using Mechanical magic
gain a +1CS when attempting to enchant a talen
or artifact. They suffer -1CS when trying to
affect living things or when casting spells on the
fly. Practitioners of Mechanical magic are called
"Talents" if they usually make talens and
"Artificers" if they prefer making artifacts. Other
mages use "Alchemists" or "Machinations" to
refer to both groups, but neither accepts the use
of these terms.
Necromantic
Necromantic magic invests itself in places
and things associated with death, not the least of
which is corpses. Ancient battlefields, burial
grounds and catacombs are often ripe with
Necromantic magic also. Manipulation and
creation of undead beings is the primary purpose
to which Necromantic magic is used, although
no few Necromancers study the so-called "Dark
Art" to destroy such travesties. Necromantic
magic, like all magic, is considered to be neither
good nor evil in and of itself, only the mage may
be judged. That said, most mages find
Necromantic magic to be distasteful, and few use
it. Necromantic spells are often cast with a low
chant with a few magical runes and sprinklings
233
of blood or bone. Few such spells are flashy, but
many are effective nonetheless. Sorcerers using
Necromantic magic gain +2CS when attempting
to create, control, repair or destroy undead
beings, to include zombies, revenants, vampires
(of all stripes) and other such creatures. They
suffer -2CS when attempting to deal with living
things or inanimate objects. Practitioners of
Necromantic magic are called "Necromancers."
Order
Order magic finds itself attracted to places
where things are orderly. Most forms of
civilization become fine resting places for order
magic, as do salt flats and peaceful areas in
nature. Order magic can be used to greater effect
to create or heal/repair than it can to deal direct
damage. Most Order spells are cast using
arduous magical formulae, often memorized ad
nausem during apprenticeship. Most mages do
these formulae in their heads, while some scrawl
their calculations in glowing characters on the
air. Some Order mages find it hard to improvise,
although others have no such trouble. Most
Order spells have an accompanying element,
either invocation or gesture. Sorcerers using
Order magic gain +1CS when attempting to
create or repair something, or when in a city.
They suffer -1CS when attempting to damage or
destroy anything, or when not in urban or
The Ultimate Origins Book
 suburban areas. Practitioners of Order magic are
called "Wizards" or "Hermetics."
Rune
Rune magic is the magic of symbol and
gesture, of rune and sigil. It finds itself mostly in
areas of harsh climate--the Arctic, the Middle
East, and such places. Rune magic lends itself
towards enhancing or negating already extant
traits of things. Although it can be used to create
or destroy, it doesn't work quite as well as some
of the others and is rarely called upon for those
purposes. Rune spells are usually cast by
marking the item to be enhanced/negated with
one or more sigils. Like Mechanical magic, Rune
spells are difficult to cast at a moment's notice,
so they are usually prepared in advance
(particularly by mages expecting trouble).
Sorcerers using Rune magic gain +1CS when
attempting to enhance or negate traits of
beings/items. They suffer -3CS when attempting
to create or destroy anything. Practitioners of
Rune magic are called "Skalds" if they use the
Norse version or "Quabbalists" (alternatively,
"Kabbalists") if they use the traditional Jewish
version. "Runesmiths" may refer to either one,
but the more modern "Runecasters" is not
generally accepted and will often lead to a
conflict.
Wiccan/Druidic
"Wiccan" and "Druidic" are two different
styles of using the same flavor of magic. Druidic
magic is falling out of fashion with most
sorcerers, being replaced by the more modern
Wiccan style. Although either term may be used
to describe the magic itself, one must be careful
how one refers to the practitioner in question.
Wiccan magic is the magic of life and rebirth,
and often invests itself in places associated with
healing, childbirth, and natural splendor (some
sorcerers consider it odd that hospitals attract
both Wiccan and Necromantic magic, others
think it's the most natural thing in the world). It
can be used to great effect to create, change,
restore or heal, but to little effect to destroy
anything. Wiccan magic can also be used to
connect people and/or to facilitate
communication. Wicca and Druidism are also
religions, and nearly every practitioner of either
style will be a follower of the accompanying
religion. It is important to note, however, that not
every member of the religion will be a sorcerer
of any stripe. Not everybody has the talent.
The Ultimate Origins Book
Sorcerers using Wiccan/Druidic magic gain a
+1CS when attempting to heal a being or when
dealing with nature. They suffer -1CS when
dealing with or in urban environments (but not
suburban). Most Wiccan spells are cast using
simple herbal formulas, acupressure, and simple
prayers. Most works are minor and most involve
the mage or a single subject. Druidic spells are
more complex (and, according to Wiccan mages,
less refined) than Wiccan and are more suited to
major taskings. Both styles of magic lend
themselves to group workings. Practitioners of
the Wiccan style are called "Witches" and
practitioners of the Druidic style are called
"Druids."
Notes:
Each school has a name or variety of names
for their practitioners (see above), but the terms
"Mage" and "Sorcerer" may be used
interchangeably to describe any spell-caster. The
vast majority of Sorcerers are familiar with all of
these terms.
Most mages will use many flavors of magic
during their careers. However, most specialize in
one or two. In the case of one sorcerer who
specializes in two flavors, both terms are used,
with the less used flavor used as a modifier for
the primary. For example, Jesse Messah, a
Wizard who makes good use of Wiccan magic
also, is known as a "Wiccan Hermetic." If he
were to do it the other way around, he'd be a
"Hermetic Witch." As is, Jesse makes good use
of the Order magic found in Cleveland, his base
of operations. If he were to find himself in the
woodlands, he'd probably find his Order magic
weakened a bit while finding his Wiccan spells
enhanced.
It is important to note that any flavor of magic
can be used to perform any effect. It is, however,
234
considerably easier to accomplish certain ends
by more appropriate means. Want to demolish a
building with Wiccan magic? Sure. Just expect
to be spell-casting for at least a week and
probably three. A Chaos Mage, on the other
hand, could simply wave his hand and watch the
building decay between blinks.

There is some question among some as to

whether it's better to use Rune or Mechanical
magic to enchant an item. Which form of magic
is better depends on exactly what you want to do.
If you want to enchant a gun so that it's invisible,
use Rune magic (you're negating its opacity). If
you want to enchant a gun so that it doesn't
require bullets anymore, use Mechanical magic
(you're adding something that wasn't there
before). Also, Rune effects tend to be more
constant than Mechanical ones. If you want the
gun to be invisible only when a certain person is
holding it, only when drawn or only to the
person it's being pointed at, use Mechanical
magic. Finally, Rune effects really only effect
one thing at a time. If the gun makes its wielder
invisible too, it's best to use Mechanical magic

235 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Chapter Forty-Four: The Sorcerer
MTS Note: This one is short, and to the point. It is another treasure recovered though archive.org.

This article was originally written by Brian C. The Sorcerer has the ability to cast spells.
Roth, of "The Warp Zone", which has vanished And all sorcerers have a rank, to determine how
from the Internet. well they can cast spells. The Sorcerers spell
casting rank is equal to his or her Psyche Rank.

The spell caster has the choice of picking his

first two spells, instead of randomly rolling
them. These spells he may choose from are as
follows.

Spells

http://web.archive.org/web/20030418052035/expage.com/pa Mystic Bolts: They do Psyche Rank energy or

ge/thewarpzone force damage.

The Sorcerer Origin Mystic Shield: It provides Psyche Rank

protection from energy, force, physical, or
These heroes derive their super-human magical attacks.
abilities from ancient spells and magical items.
Sourcerous heroes roll major abilities on Column
three, and Increase their psyche by +2CS ranks.

The Ultimate Origins Book 236

 Chapter Forty-Five: Wizards, Sorcerers, Mages,
Etc…
MTS Note: Another dig-up though Archive.org. This is a neat option for making magical characters
without needing the Realms of Magic set. If you prefer the RoM rules, this can provide additional spells.
This article was originally written by "The
Phantom", of "Marvel RPG Earth", which has
vanished from the Internet.
No matter how you phrase it, the only reason
you're here is you want to learn magic. The
author of the Players Book in the Advanced Set
put it this way. "Magic in the Marvel Universe is
a can of worms, that once opened, may be
difficult to contain." I personally feel that is an
understatement. Every time I get something
written down I think of a better way to do it. So
treat all the rules as temporary. For the most part
the following is as it appears in the Players
Book. I added a few of my Advantages though.
Wizards are a category I felt that the game
needed. In the original set they considered them
Altered Humans, but nothing about them has
really changed. Wizards don't have any right
being able to roll for Amazing Strength. These
are normal guys with Powers, and in the original
game not enough Powers. What really stinks is
getting few Powers and sorry stats. Spells are a
little easier to learn than gaining new powers.
Now Wizards can get lots of Powers and more
realistic stats.
237
Being a magic user has its Advantages and
Disadvantages like any other Origin. Ok I'll be
honest; every other Origin doesn't have to worry
about endangering the multiverse on a failed
Power FEAT. But Hey, Nobody's perfect! It's all
part of the fun.
Before everyone starts reaching for the escape
key, I'd better bribe him or her with the
advantages.
Advantages: Some of these you know from
Chapter one but this seems like a good time
repeat them.
• Wizards gain two extra Powers (always
Good)
• Wizards gain +2CS to starting Psyche
(also good)
• You may choose Eldritch Bolt/Shield as
first two powers (Offensive and
Defensive abilities from start. What
more do you want?)
• Learning new spells cost five hundred
Karma with a surprise rank (hey its
better than three thousand + forty times
starting rank)
• It only costs fifty Karma for power
stunts
• All mages have an ear for magical
power, and are aware of its use in their
area. The casting of a spell that will
affect a ten-mile area will alert any
mage of that power level or higher in
that area (Hmm… that one could
actually go either way).
Disadvantages:
• All spells are run through Psyche (or
applicable rank, usually psyche) first,
then the spell effect (Could be good or
bad).
• Karma gains are normal, but Karma
losses are doubled. Reasoning is that the
mage know how all things are
connected (Ok I admit this stinks).
• Extra dimensional Contacts cost double
(You REALLY want these).
The Ultimate Origins Book
 • When spells fail bad things happen... Mental Powers
Really bad things happen... I wouldn't • Astral Projection
forget the Judge's birthday if I were • Emotion Control
you. • Empathy
• Mental Probe
Random Ranks Table
• Mind Control
• Postcognition
Initial
Die Roll • Psi-Screen
Rank
• Psionic Attack
01-05 Fb 2
• Telepathy
06-25 Pr 4
26-75 Ty 6 Body Control Powers
76-85 Gd 10 • Blending
86-95 Ex 20 • Imitation
96-00 Rm 30 • Invisibility
• Shape-Shifting
Casting Spells This entirely depends on which
kind of energies the spell/power uses. Below is a Movement Powers
list of powers from the Player's Book broken into • Flight
Personal/Universal/Dimensional categories • Gliding
• Levitation
Personal Energies • Lightning Speed
• Swimming
Resistances
• Resistance to Gold
• Resistance to Corrosives
• Resistance to Disease
• Resistance to Electricity
• Resistance to Emotion Attacks
• Resistance to Fire and Heat
• Resistance to Radiation
• Resistance to Toxins

Senses
• Combat Sense
• Enhanced Senses
• Infravision
• Protected Senses
• Astral Detection
• Emotion Detection
• Energy Detection
• Magic Detection
• Magnetic Detection
Universal Energies
• Psionic Detection
• Tracking Ability Matter Control Powers
• Air Control
Body Alterations -- Defensive
• Earth Control
• Absorption
• Fire Control
• Body Armor
• Water Control
• Healing
• Weather Control
• Pheromones
• Density Manipulation
• Recovery

The Ultimate Origins Book 238

Senses Distance Attacks
• Astral Detection • Corrosive Missiles
• Emotion Detection • Ensnaring Missiles
• Energy Detection • Nullifier Missiles
• Magic Detection • Projectile Missiles
• Magnetic Detection • Slashing Missiles
• Psionic Detection • Stunning Missiles
• Combat Sense • Ice Generation
• Cosmic Awareness • Fire Generation
• Enhanced Senses • Energy Generation
• Infravision • Sound Generation
• Protected Senses
• Tracking Ability Movement Powers
• Climbing
• Digging
• Flight
• Gliding
• Leaping
• Lightning Speed
• Teleportation
• Swimming
• Wail-Crawling

Resistance Powers
• Resistance to Cold
• Resistance to Electricity
• Resistance to Energy Attacks
• Resistance to Fire and Heat
• Resistance to Mental Attacks
• Resistance to Radiation

Body Alterations -- Offensive

• Blinding Touch
Energy Control Powers • Corrosive Touch
• Electrical Manipulation • Energy Touch
• Gravity Manipulation • Health-Drain Touch
• Light Manipulation • Paralyzing Touch
• Magnetic Manipulation • Rotting Touch
• Sound Manipulation • Claws
• Energy Reflection • Extra Attacks
• Extra Body Parts
Mental Powers
• Animal Control and Communication Body Alterations -- Defensive
• Animal Empathy • Absorption
• Animate Drawings • Damage Transfer
• Emotion Control • Healing
• Force Field Generation • Recovery
• Image Generation • Regeneration
• Mind Control • Water Breathing
• Precognition Body Control Powers
• Psi-Screen • Animal Transformation -- Self
• Telekinesis • Animal Transformation -- Others
• Transferal • Blending

239 The Ultimate Origins Book

 • Body Transformation -- Self Body Control Powers
• Body Transformation -- Others • Animal Transformation (Various)
• Density Manipulation -- Self • Body Transformation (Various)
• Elongation • Blending (Ikonn, Various)
• Growth • Growth (Various)
• Imitation • Phasing (Various)
• Invisibility • Shrinking (Various)
• Phasing • Shape-Shifting (Various) Energy
• Plasticity Control Powers
• Power Absorption • Time Control (Various)
• Shape-Shitting • Nullifying Power (Amtor, Various)
• Shrinking • Darkforce Manipulation (Darkforce
Dimension)
Dimensional Energies (And entities commonly • Light Manipulation (Nirvalon,
entreated) Seraphim)
• Probability Manipulation (Various)
Resistance Powers
• Resistance to Magical Attacks
(Satannish, Oshtur)
• Invulnerability (Various)

Senses
• Astral Detection (Various)
• Cosmic Awareness (Aggamotto)
• Enhanced Senses (Aggamotto,
Nirvalon)
• Magic Detection (Various)
• Psionic Detection (Various)
• Tracking Ability (Various)

Movement Powers
• Climbing (Various)
• Digging (Various)
• Dimensional Travel (Hoggoth,
Seraphim, Various)
• Flight (Seraphim, Various, Elemental
Spirits)
• Leaping (Various)
• Lightning Speed (Watoomb)
• Swimming (Various, Elemental Spirits)
• Teleportation (Watoomb) Distance Attacks
• Wall-Crawling (Various) • Darkforce Generation (Darkforce
Dimension)
Matter Control Powers • Energy Generation (Seraphim, Faltine,
• Air Control (Vaitorr, Wattomb, Oshtur, Balthakk)
Elemental Spirits) • Fire Generation (Faltine, Falroth,
• Earth Control (Elemental Spirits) Elemental Spirits)
• Fire Control (Faltine, Elemental Spirits) • Ice Generation (Ikthalon, Various)
• Water Control (Munnopor, Elemental • Sound Generation (Various)
Spirits) • Corrosive Missile (Bromagdon,
• Weather Control (Munnopor, Satannish, Various)
Elemental Spirits) • Ensnaring Missile (Raggadorr,
• Density Manipulation (Various) Cytorrak, Dyzakk, Various)

The Ultimate Origins Book 240

 • Nullifier Missile (Various)
• Projectile Missile (Denak, Daveroth,
Various)
• Slashing Missile (Denak, Cyndriarr,
Hoggoth, Various)
• Stunning Missile (Various)
Mental Powers
• Animal Communication and Control
(Set, for reptiles; various)
• Animate Drawings (Ikonn, Various)
• Emotion Control (D'Spayre, Nirvalon,
Various)
• Force Field Generation (Cytorrak,
Seraphim, Various)
• Image Generation (Ikonn)
• Mind Control (Nightmare, Munnopor,
Various)
• Possession (Various)
• Postcognition (Various)
• Precognition (Aggamotto, Various)
• Telekinesis (Various)
• Ultimate Skill (Various)
Body Alterations -- Defensive
• Body Armor (Seraphim, Various)
• Extra Body Parts (Various)
• Immortality (Various, but always
exacting a high price)
• Life Support (Various)
Personal Energies: Derive of a character's own
Spirit, Mind, and Body. In general these are
useable only on caster himself or willing targets.
241
Casting Personal Energies: These are
automatically available, but may only be used on
the caster or willing targets. A green Psyche
FEAT is required for success. These spells
require no chanting or gesturing to succeed. For
each turn of power use the caster loses one
Health point. If Health hits 0 you fall
unconscious you will not get an Endurance
FEAT unless dire. The example in the Players
Book is if the player falls unconscious over an
active volcano (Oops actually it's an active
nuclear reactor...but you get the idea).
Universal Energies: Ambient energy from the
mage's own dimension, and are tapped by the
mage. Most forms of attack, teleportation,
illusions etc…
Casting Universal Energies: This depends on the
type of spell. All spells that effect the Psyche or
abilities of the target grant that target a Psyche
FEAT to avoid the effect. Treat the casters
Psyche as the intensity of the attack. If the
target's FEAT succeeds the caster loses 1 rank of
Psyche for 1-10 turns If Psyche is reduced below
Gd the mage loses the ability to cast spells.
Universal spells require a gesture or chant to
cast, and the caster must have his hands and
mouth free.
Dimensional Energies: Energies not native to
this dimension. Either being a part of that
dimension (Rings of Raggador) or granted by a
powerful native of that dimension (Ikonn or
Dormammu)
Casting Dimensional Energies: These spells may
duplicate those of Personal or Universal effects,
but draw their power from outside sources.
Those extra dimensional entities on the mage's
contact sheet are considered Friendly (I told you
these are important!) Those not listed are
considered Neutral or Unfriendly. Those the
mage has personally offended (bad, Bad really
BAD Idea!) are considered Hostile.
Dimensional spells automatically have an
initiative of 10 and require both chanting and
gesturing to entreat the force to respond.
To cast a spell using dimensional energies,
make a popularity FEAT using the caster's
Psyche as popularity. If successful the spell goes
off as noted.
The Ultimate Origins Book
 However… A ceremony is an established ritual by which
certain actions are taken to achieve desired
If the FEAT is Unsuccessful, there is still a results. Ceremonies are only used for Universal
magical effect. and Dimensional energies. A ceremony takes a
• Friendly Entities: The spell goes off at number of rounds equal to the rank number of
-3CS less powerful as expected (You the spell being cast.
REALLY want those Contacts).
• Neutral Entities: The Spell simply fails
• Unfriendly Entities: Judge must make a
choice if the entity responds as Neutral
or Hostile. If all else fails, roll 1d10.
1-7=neutral, 8-0=Hostile (You know
you really should have at least sent your
favorite judge a CARD!).
• Hostile Entities: If the being is hostile
then retribution is swift and sure and
totally up to the judge. If the being is
hateful of all life, a gate may be opened,
allowing them to enter this dimension.
If the caster is in combat, the being
called upon may aid the opponent. If the
being is rather a dimension, the caster
may find himself suddenly sucked into
that dimension, before that being or just
tossed into another dimension entirely.
It is not a good idea to summon Hostile
Beings (or forget a Judge's Birthday) Magical Abilities/Limitations

Shifts for Casting Spells Spell Area Standard

Duration
Rank of Effect Damage
Column Sh-0 None None None
Effect
Shifts Fb 1 Round Touch 2
If the target is from different Pr 1 Round Touch 4
-1 CS dimension than the caster, or caster Ty 1 Round Touch 6
is in astral form. Gd 1 Round Same Area 10
If the target is more than thirty feet Ex 1 Minute 1 Area 20
-2 CS in size or occupies more than one
Rm 1 Hour 2 Areas 30
area.
In 1 Day 5 Areas 40
If the area in which the spell is cast
is familiar to the mage or the Am 1 Month 12 Areas 50
+1 CS Mn 1 Year 1 Sq Mile 75
powers he invokes (home turf
advantage). Un Permanent 10 Sq Miles 100
If the spell is cast in Ceremony, or if Sh-X Permanent 1 Planet 150
the form of the spell comes from an Sh-Y Permanent 1 Planet 250
+2 CS
ancient book or tome found during Sh-Z Permanent 1 Planet 500
the campaign. CL 1
If the target of the spell is a willing Permanent 1000
1000 Dimension
+3 CS subject for Dimensional and CL 1
Universal Energies. Permanent 3000
3000 Dimension
CL 5
Permanent 5000
5000 Dimensions
Beyond Permanent ALL Infinite

The Ultimate Origins Book 242

 Chapter Forty-Six: Wild Mages
MTS Note: This is perhaps my favorite D&D class. I have been running a magic-based game for Tammra,
and I used my Wand of Wonder and I thought… Why not convert the class for use in Marvel?

Basics of Wild Magic Character Generation.

Magic is not easily controlled. It takes A Wild Magic Wielder is rolled up the same
training, talent, or blessing to successfully wield way as a normal Magic Wielder. The tables
magic energies. However, even if a Magic- below were taken from the "Ultimate Powers
Wielder devotes themselves fully to learning the Book" and "Realms of Magic" and have been
art of magic, their desire for mastery cannot reprinted here for convenience.
match the limitless power that is magic. Often,
for a variety of reasons, a Magic-Wielder fails to
control the powerful forces of their magic, and
the energies go wild, acting randomly, or
sometimes against her original intentions.

Wild Magic is most often found in areas

where the normal flow of magic has been
disrupted, but just as often a Magic-Wielder may
themselves cast their spells wild, due to a curse
or perhaps even simple lack of discipline. Arcane
libraries occasionally even have a small
collection of unusual or defective spells and
magical items that either tap the forces of
randomness, or merely the forces of unreliability.

There is no one cause, necessarily, of wild

magic. It is up to the Players and the Judge as to
how wild magic works in their game or with
their characters.
Primary Ability Table
New School of Magic: Wild Magic
Die Roll Rank
This school can be substituted for a roll of
01-05 Feeble 1
"Chaos Magic" at the discretion of the Judge,
since that school is typically for NPCs only. 06-10 Poor 3
11-20 Typical 5
Wild Magic: This school of magic derives its 21-40 Good 8
power from pure untapped, and uncontrollable 41-60 Excellent 16
magic energy. It is boundless, and powerful, and 61-80 Remarkable 26
far too raw to be shaped by the typical Magic 81-96 Incredible 36
Wielder. While many of the same effects that 97-00 Amazing 46
come with "normal" spells still take effect,
typically they come with additional effects. The
Energy Use
vulnerability of Wild Magic is the random
effects, and that agents of Order tend to frown
upon its use and often try to suppress those who Die Roll Useable Types of Energy
wield it. 01-15 Personal Energy Only
16-50 Personal and Universal Energy Only
51-00 All Energies

243 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Initial Talents Magic Wielders. All Wild Magic Wielders cast
their spells though a Dweomer. This Spell does
Die Roll Number of Talents not cost them any Karma, nor does it detract
01-35 1 from their normal number of initial spells. What
36-70 2 it does, is tap into pure and Wild Energies and
whenever they cast any spell, they must roll on
71-00 3
the following chart:
Initial Number of Spells Effect of Spell Casting

Die Roll Number of Spells Die

01-05 2 Effect
Roll
06-50 3 01 Spell Fizzles (Nothing Happens)
51-85 4 02-08 Spell is cast at -2CS ranks.
86-97 5 09-16 Spell is cast at -1CS ranks.
98-00 6 17-25 Spell is cast normally.
26-30 Wild Surge - Spell is lost.
Initial Spell Ranks 31-70 Wild Surge - Spell is cast normally.
71-75 Wild Surge - Spell is lost.
Die Roll Rank
76-83 Spell is cast normally.
01-15 Good 10
84-91 Spell is cast at +1CS ranks.
16-45 Excellent 20
92-99 Spell is cast at +2CS ranks.
46-70 Remarkable 30
Spell is cast normally, and the caster
71-90 Incredible 40 00 can choose if they want an
91-50 Amazing 50 uncontrolled surge to happen as well.

In the case of a Wild Surge, roll on the

following chart to determine the effects.

Wild Surges

Die Effect
Roll
1 Target is afflicted by a random disease.
Vapors-Resist Death emanates from the
2
caster in a 60ft range.
The intended spell functions at its normal
3 rank; however the target's FEAT roll to
resist is made at a -2CS penalty.
Eldritch Blast of In 40 rank centered on
4
the caster.
The caster rolls the effects of his next
three surges and retains the knowledge of
what will happen. The caster retains the
5
knowledge of what will happen on the
surges, but the change of a surge is still
rolled normally.
6 Target loses all body hair.
The caster's clothing transforms to that of
a stage magician (all items carried are
7 retained). If the clothing worn by the
caster is magical in nature, the effect is
It is in the use of spells that the Wild Magic
transferred to the new clothing.
Wielder differentiates themselves from other

The Ultimate Origins Book 244

 The caster is affected by the Bands spell
8 25
at Gd 8 rank.
Colored streamers shoot forth from the
9
caster's fingertips.
Caster affected by a Growth spell cast at
10
Fb 2 rank.
Roll again, but substitute caster/target/
11
Re-roll second roll is inappropriate.
The intended spell functions, but the
12 visual effects become spectacular and
over the top.
Fear with a 60ft radius centered on
wielder. Effects all within radius except
the Magic Wielder. This is effect is
13
considered to be at Ex 20 rank for
purposes of determining Psyche FEATs
to resist the effects.
The caster's fingernails grow to 12 inches
14
in length.
The caster and the target exchange a
15 random known spell or power
permanently.
Nothing appears to happen, but a "Kick
16 Me" sign is now taped to the back of the
target.
Caster begins to sweat profusely for a
month, and they must drink at least
17
twelve glasses of water a day or lose a
rank of Endurance due to dehydration.
Target is affected by Mesmerism. This is
effect is considered to be at In 40 rank for
18
purposes of determining Psyche FEATs
to resist the effects.
Nothing appears to happen, but the
19 caster's next spell functions at Fb 2 rank
(and is cast normally).
Spell is cast normally, but targets an ally
of the Caster. If the caster has no allies in
20 range, nothing appears to happen and the
spell happens the next time the caster is
in the presence of an ally.
The caster becomes a Bio-Vampire and is
granted the power L2/Bio-Vampirism
from the "Ultimate Powers Book" page
21 36. Unknown to the caster, if they
manage to ignore the hunger for 24
hours, they are returned back to normal
and lose the power.
The intended spell functions at its normal
22 rank, however the target's FEAT roll to
resist is made at a-+2CS bonus.
23 Target and caster trade features.
24 Caster's eyes turn white.
245
Resistance Aura (Magic) at In 40 rank
affects the target.
Flowers grow in the caster's hair. They
26 can be pruned and will not re-grow, but it
is extremely painful.
The caster is randomly polymorphed
27 (race and gender) into a random Origin
(re-roll height weight, etc...).
The caster gains a foul odor that
functions similar to P8/Pheromones from
the "Ultimate Powers Book" page 81 for
28 one week. Sadly, rather then giving them
hypnotic control over others, they suffer
a -2CS penalty to Popularity. Roll rank
randomly.
The intended spell backfires, and targets
29
the caster.
Caster permanently gains one point of
30
health.
Spell functions at one rank higher, but
the sudden surge of magic causes the
31
caster immense pain and they must make
a Stun check.
Caster randomly looses knowledge of
32 one spell, but can relearn it at a cost of 10
Karma with research.
Power Block at Mn 75 emanates in a
33
100ft radius from the caster.
The caster gains insight into the future.
The next round all PCs and NPCs have to
34
declare their actions before the caster
chooses theirs.
Caster is affected with the Shape-Shifting
35
Limited at Pr 4 rank.
36 Caster and target exchange places.
Caster looses all sense of direction for
37
one hour.
The spell functions at a -1CS rank, but
38 causes the target wracking pain, and they
must make a Stun check.
Shield-Aura at Rm 30 rank centers on the
39
caster.
Caster and target both re-roll their lowest
40 ability score (use the same chart normally
used for their Origin).
41 Target turns invisible for five rounds.
Wings sprout forth from the target,
42
granting them flight at Ex 20 rank.
No effect appears to happen, while the
Judge secretly rolls the result that
43
happens in the targeted area 2 rounds
later.
44 Spell functions normally.
The Ultimate Origins Book
 Target leaves an ectoplasmic trail for one
45
week.
Spell functions normally, but the caster
46 gets a bad headache. -1CS penalty to all
mental FEATs for one hour.
Target is teleported back to their home or
47
base.
Music fills the air and follows the caster
48 for 2d10 rounds (music suits the current
mood).
All jewelry worn by the target turns to
49
copper.
Roll again twice; the first random effect
50 happens to the target, the second random
effect happens to the caster.
Caster becomes extremely depressed for
51 one day, and must make a Psyche FEAT
of Ex 20 intensity to take any actions.
52 Target changes sex.
Caster's thumb turns green for three days;
they can grow any seed to maturity by
53
touch, and any Plant-Type being they
touch is healed 20 points.
The caster is affected by a rush of
adrenaline and becomes over-confident
54 and will try something heroically stupid
the next round unless they succeed in a
Rm 30 intensity Intuition FEAT.
Spell functions normally, but emanates
from the caster with impressive force, so
55
much so that it forces the target to make a
Stun check.
Target granted the power
56 P9/Regeneration from the "Ultimate
Powers Book" at Pr 4 rank for two days.
57 Roll twice and combine the effects.
The intended spell functions at its normal
58 rank; however the target's FEAT roll to
resist is made at a-1CS penalty.
59 Caster becomes intoxicated.
Caster gains an addiction to something -
60
Judge's discretion.
The caster takes on a random appearance
61
feature of the target permanently
Nothing seems to happen, but the next
62 phrase spoken by wielder becomes true
for 1 day.
Possibly no effect - roll again on the
Effect of Spell Casting table. If another
63
surge is indicated, roll normally ignoring
a result of 63.
Target is affected by Vapors-Sleep (Same
64
rank as the spell attempted).
The Ultimate Origins Book
Nothing seems to happen, but animals are
65 repelled at the sight of the caster for three
days.
A random deity becomes aware of the
66
caster.
Target is affected by the Levitate spell as
67
cast at Fb 2 rank.
68 All of the caster's teeth become pointed.
Eldritch Blast of In 40 rank centered on
69
the target.
The spell fires twice on the same target
70
simultaneously.
The caster's clothes begin to itch, causing
a -1CS penalty to all actions. The effect
71 lasts until the caster removes all of their
clothing. The clothes will cause the same
effect until laundered.
The caster is afflicted by a random
72
disease.
A black cloud appears 9ft above the
caster and follows them for 24 hours. If
73 the caster complains about the cloud, or
is disrespectful in any way toward it - it
rains on the caster.
The target is randomly polymorphed
74 (race and gender) into a random Origin
(re-roll height weight, etc...).
A flag with the word "BANG" extends
from the caster's finger. The flag remains
75
until it is cut off, and causes the caster 10
points of damage when it is removed.
Nothing seems to happen, but the target
becomes immortal. When they die, they
loose a point of Endurance, and rise from
76 the dead the next time it is Midnight.
When their Endurance rank drops to
Shift-0 they become a ghost, which
haunts the caster.
The caster is restored to full Health if
77
injured.
The caster is covered in scales, which
provide Gd 8 body armor. If the caster
78 already posses scales, they thicken. If the
caster already has body armor, the rank is
raised +1CS.
The target is affected by the Bands spell
79
at Gd 8 rank.
The caster's nearest ally falls in love with
80
them.
The caster's nearest ally becomes enraged
81 at the caster, and attacks them for one
round.
82 Target is affected with amnesia.
246
 The target is restored to full Health if
83
injured.
Caster leaves an ectoplasmic trail for one
84
week.
Caster and Target both re-roll their
85 highest Ability Score (use the same chart
normally used for their Origin).
86 Target becomes intoxicated.
The caster learns to speak a new random
87
language.
The caster forgets how to speak a random
88
language.
Caster is teleported back to their home or
89
base.
90 Caster can change their eye color at will.
91 Roll three times and combine the effects.
92 The caster's hair grows 1ft.
Nothing appears to happen, but the
93 caster's next spell functions at Mn 75
rank (and is cast normally).
The intended spell functions at its normal
94 rank; however the target's FEAT roll to
resist is made at a +1CS bonus.
Two effects happen rather then a single
95
one (roll twice).
Target falls in love with wielder of the
96
wand.
Tentacles replace caster's arms. Roll the
power rank using the Primary Ability
Table listed earlier in this chapter, and
97 they function as S26/Prehensile Hair
from page 91 of the "Ultimate Powers
Book", in terms of length, number and
ability.
The intended spell functions at Un 100
98
rank.
99 Judge rolls or chooses.
Caster chooses from any previously
00
known effect.

247 The Ultimate Origins Book

 This Part of the book is for Templates. Templates are a way to specialize an Origin by
adding a specific character type to a character. These can be used for specific campaign
types, or even just to add flavor to a character. This Part of the book is split into two
sections, the first is Templates from Official Marvel Role-Playing books, and the second
is various fan-made templates for use in your games.

249 The Ultimate Origins Book

 This section of the book is dedicated to Templates from Official Marvel RPG Sources.

The Ultimate Origins Book 250

 Chapter Forty-Six: Cosmic Characters
MTS Note: While this may have been created to enhance existing characters for a rather tough series of
modules, it is still an origin, or in the very least a way to ‘tweak’ characters for the ME Module series, or a
Cosmic Level adventure/campaign devised by the Judge of the game. The information below is copied
directly from the book, so it does make references to the modules (and might seen to not make sense for
normal games).

The following information originally appeared in
the ME Module “Cosmos Cubed” by Troy Denning.
1) Raise his highest attribute rank to
Unearthly 100.
2) Raise all other powers and attributes an
equal number of ranks (use the Standard
Rank Number). Powers raised in this
manner may not exceed Shift X.
3) Bestow Unearthly flight and Shift X Life
Support on characters not possessing these
powers.

Adjust each hero's Health according to his or her

new attribute ranks. Do not adjust the hero's Karma
level.

If nobody in the party has a Dimensional Travel

Non-Pregenerated Heroes
This is a cosmic adventure. The characters
involved are many times more powerful then heroes
in most campaigns. Therefore Uatu uses his powers
to bring under-powered heroes up to par. For each
player-generated hero, Uatu will do the following:
power, Uatu will bestow this at Amazing rank upon
one hero (preferably the weakest). Return the heroes
to normal when finished with this series (“Cosmos
Cubed”, “Ragnarok and Roll”, and “Left Hand of
Eternity”).

251 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Chapter Forty-Seven: The Augmentation Process
MTS Note: I included this article, as it could work well as an optional background/character creation
option for Altered Humans, or for Induced Mutants.

This excerpt was taken from the article "Ms. greater than the maximum listed rank. For
Marvel (Sharon Ventura)" which was originally Advanced Set characters, abilities so raised are
printed in issue 121 of Dragon Magazine. placed at the lowest possible rank number for
that rank.

Health is adjusted to the new levels. As

previously noted, there is a 50% chance of
failure for normal humans (01-50 indicates
success). This failure usually results in a gross
mutation of the body, and the reduction of
abilities as follows:

The process of developing super-powered

agents and soldiers has been a desire of many
organizations since World War II, but with the
exception of a few, such as the Super-Soldier
Project, most experiments of this type have
ended in disaster. The Power Broker's
augmentation process is the most recent and
most successful of these processes.

To develop the process, the Power Broker has

made use of the talents of the criminal scientist
Karl Malus, whose previous successes included
the creation of the criminal Goliath and the
Armadillo (see Dragon issue #103). Funded by
grants from secret illegal operations within the
U.S. Government and by outside aid from groups
such as the UCWF. Malus made several
prototypes of his equipment before arriving at
his present design.
Psyche is reduced by as many ranks as Strength
The augmentation process modifies the test is increased;
subject's Strength, Agility, and Endurance,
increasing each to various degrees according to Intuition is reduced by as many ranks as Agility
the test subject's normal metabolism. Given is increased; and,
normal human test subjects, the success rate is
50% - failure indicates disaster. Using the Reason is reduced by as many ranks as
Augmentation Process Results table, roll Endurance is increased.
separately for each ability to determine the
number of ranks that the ability is increased. Reduction of any of these abilities down to the
Such enhancements will always have at least the Feeble level leaves the test subject a mindless
minimum value listed, and each will never be

The Ultimate Origins Book 252

brute. Player characters thus become NPCs There may be literally hundreds of augmented
controlled by the Judge. individuals in the world at present, and as many
failures in the sewers beneath Los Angeles.
Karl Malus disposed of his lab failures by
putting them in the sewers beneath Los Angeles. Malus's process was apparently a three-stage
A large number of them still live there, though process. Captain America underwent the first
some have been rescued by the Shroud and his part briefly, and Ms. Marvel underwent the first
criminal Night Shift. Typical stats for such and second stages.
creatures follow:
First Stage: Initial Augmentation. The Subject's
Ability Score cells are bombarded and enhanced. At this point,
F TY (6) success is determined. Success grants the levels
A RM (30) rolled on the Augmentation Results Table for 1-
100 hours. Failure results in the immediate
S RM (30)
effects listed above (including the RIP changes),
E RM (30) which are permanent.
R FB (2)
I FB (2) Second Stage: Fixing the Augmentation. For
P FB (2) beneficial augmentations, this makes the change
Health: 96 permanent.
Karma: 6
Resources: None Third Stage: Addiction. Used in connection with
Popularity: 0 the wrestler-augmentation program for the
Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation, the target
subject is injected with a highly addictive drug,
which the Power Broker provides to keep a close
rein on his workers. It is possible to break the
hold of the drug (as explained in DRAGON issue
#91, page 78); D-Man and the other wrestlers did
so after the Power Broker's initial plans were
exposed by Ms. Marvel and the Thing.

The above effects are noted only for normal

humans, and the effects on mutants and mutated
humans are as yet not fully investigated (though
Malus is probably champing at the bit for
subjects). Captain America was enhanced by the
process temporarily, but he did not choose to
finish the process.
Typical successful Augments, (such as super-
powered wrestlers or augmented soldiers) have
the following stats:

Ability Score
F GD (10)
A RM (30)
S RM (30)
E RM (30)
R TY (6)
I GD (10)
P GD (10)
Health: 100
Karma: 26
Resources: GD
Popularity: 10

253 The Ultimate Origins Book

 As a rule of thumb, use the following
randomly determined rates for determining
success or failure of the augmentation process on
unusual subjects:
Mutated Humans (including those already
augmented by the process): 52-70% (50 +2d10)
chance of failure;
Mutants: 10-60% chance of failure; Aliens: 1-
100% chance of failure (per species); and,
Robots: No effect, unless the robot's construction
closely parallels human tissue, in which case
there is a 1-100% chance of failure (per
individual).

Judges may use augmented thugs for their

own adventures, but keep in mind that heroes
will have a tendency to seek out those who create
such individuals and stop them. The Power
Broker, who is in reality a criminal named
Curtiss Jackson, is currently free on bond and
awaiting trial, but is still in the business of
augmenting humans.

Augmentation Process Results

(Roll for Agility, Strength, and Endurance)

Dice Roll Augmentation Effect Minimum Rank Value Maximum Rank Value
01-50 +1 Rank GD (10) RM (30)
57-70 +2 Ranks EX (20) IN (40)
71-99 +3 Ranks RM (30) AM (50)
00 +4 Ranks IN (40) MN (75)

The Ultimate Origins Book 254

 This section is dedicated to various fan-made Templates from around the Internet.

255 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Chapter Forty-Eight: Genetic Engineering Rules
MTS Note: This could work as either an interesting "Background" as for how a character gained their
powers, or it can be preformed to enhance existing characters as well. This article can also be used an
option for "Induced Mutants" or "Altered Humans".

This article was originally written by X-Man Al Gene Splicing Table

for his website " X-Man Al's Marvel Super
Heroes Classic RPG Web Source". It is an
excellent site and worth checking out.
http://www.angelfire.com/rpg2/xmanalb/MRPG.html
This topic is often overlooked in Marvel
RPG. Most players don't know that this can
provide the most realistic origin and source for
their powers and abilities.
Here are several guidelines I've summed up
from my thirteen years of playing Marvel RPG
for the use of bio-technology: Gene-Splicing:
This needs a clinic or research facility that has
Rm 30 resources and a group of geneticists with
a totaled Reason of Un 100. This can allow a
human to have powers such as the adrenalin
capacity of a wolverine, effectively giving him
the berserker power. Unfortunately, this is not an
exact science.
Die-
Effect
Roll
Dormant: The subject becomes an
anomalous human, meaning that the
descendants have a 25%-50% chance
of becoming Random Mutants and the
01-50
subject has a 1-10% chance of
becoming a superhuman at a later time
(provided he/she is exposed to the
right stimulus).
Temporary: The subject gets powers
and enhanced abilities, but only for a
limited amount of time (use the Power
51-90 Creation explanation) and may need
repeated treatments. The descendants
have a 10% chance of getting these
genes.
Permanent: The subject gains
permanent enhancement abilities and
91-00 powers and may pass on these genes to
his/her descendants. The descendants
would be Breed Mutants.

Genetic Engineering: This is actually the

radical change of genes, DNA, RNA, proteins,
and amino acids inside the subject's body. This is
also the most dangerous way to give a subject
superhuman abilities. The judge should roll on
the following table for results: Gene Splicing
Table, Genetic Engineering Table Powers that
can be gained through genetic modification can
be found here.

Note: To add a sense of reality, consider that

New York City's Mount Sinai Hospital (In 40
Resources, Gene-Splicing therapy), the Mayo
Cancer Research Clinic (Rm 30 Resources,
Gene-splicing therapy, oncology, radiation and
chemo therapy), and Amgen (Am 50 Resources,
genetic engineering, cloning) have the
technology for all of this.

The Ultimate Origins Book 256

 Genetic Engineering Table
Die-
Effect
Roll
Fatal: The subject develops a terminal
01-50
disease (cancer, leukemia, etc.)
Visible Mutation: The subject's body
visibly mutates into something other
51-90
(or less) than human (think of Spidey's
mutations).
No Visible Change: Think of the FF
(except for Thing of course).
91-00
Descendants have a 25%-75% chance
of getting the genes.
Genetically Gained Powers
The following powers can be gained through
Gene-splicing and Genetic Engineering
(manipulation):
Resistances: All except for magic.
Detection powers: All except for True Sight,
Weakness Detection, Environmental Awareness,
Energy Detection, Life Detection, Tracking.
Energy Emission Powers: Electrical Generation
(think of an electric eel), Sound Generation
(think of bugs, bats, dolphins, and whales)
Total Memory (The subject's RNA becomes an
organic hard drive. Think of Rain Man and
Photographic Memory).
Physical Enhancement Powers: Armor Skin
(Leather or Rigid Plates only), Body Resistance,
Chemical Touch (Think of the poison arrow
frog), Digestive Adaptation (This is really a
build up of digestive enzymes), Lung
Adaptability (Think of living Sponges and
certain strains of bacteria), Hyper-Strength (think
of steroidal compounds), Hyper-Endurance
(think of Darkman), Hyper-speed (with a limit of
up to Gd 10 cheetah speed), Pheromones (think
of certain species of plants), Longevity (Think of
stem cell research), Regeneration (Think of
lizards and certain invertebrates), Selective
Adaptation (think of the Saiyans and
Doomsday), Self-Sustenance (Temporary
version only, think of snakes and crocodilians),
Suspended Animation (Think of hibernating
animals), Vocal Control (Think of certain
parrots), Water breathing (gills or salamander-
like skin), Recovery (Think of the immune
system), Water Freedom (must choose which
version to use at creation).

Fighting Powers: All.

Lifeform Control Powers: Bio-Physical Control -

Healing/Regeneration (via blood transfusion),
Bio-Vampirism (think of the Reapers from Blade
2), Plague Carrier (think of Resident Evil).
Matter Control Powers: Bonding (think of Toad's
mucus from the X-Men movie), Zombie
Animation (think of Resident Evil).

Matter Creation Powers: Missile Creation (think

of Spyke from X-Men: Evolution), Spray (like a
spitting cobra or stink bug), Webcasting
(Spiderman's webs from the movie), Lifeform
Creation (think of the Cell Juniors from the Cell
Saga in DBZ).
Mental Enhancement Powers: Danger Sense
(Spiderman's Spider Sense), Incarnation
Awareness (think of Species Two),
Communicate with Plants (think of Poison Ivy
from Batman and Robin), Communicate with
Animals (think of Aquaman), Hyper-Intelligence
(think of the Lawnmower Man), Serial
Immortality (only through cloning and Parasite),
Power Control Powers: Power Combination,
Power Vampirism (think of Cell from DBZ),
Residual Absorption (extracting cell samples,
DNA, or RNA), Power "Flare" (Explained under
"New Power").
Self-Alteration Powers: Alter Ego (Hulk, Puma),
Animal Mimicry, Body Adaptation, Blending
(Think of Zartan from G.I.Joe), Growth - Atomic
Gain (Permanent. This can be caused either by
Marphan's syndrome (think of Abe Lincoln) or
Acromegaly (think of Goliath from the Bible and
forms of Gigantism). The limit is up to Pr 4
rank.), Self-Vegetation, Shrinking - Atomic

257 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Reduction (Permanent. Think of Progeriac
children, midgets, and dwarves. A perfect
example of this would be Puck after the Master
Bio-Engineered him. The limit is up to Pr 4
rank.), Body Coating (mucus, poison), Animal
Transformation (think of Wolfsbane or the
Manimal show), Plant Mimicry, Self Duplication
(think of asexual reproduction, Nameks, not
Madrox the Multiple Man. I got the idea from an
episode of the New Outer Limits.)
Travel Powers: Hyper-Leaping (maximum of Un
100 if the subject's body looks unchanged),
Hyper-Running (up to Gd 10. Cheetah speed
should be the max.), Hyper-Digging, Hyper-
Swimming (up to Ex 20), True Flight (only if
The Ultimate Origins Book
subject has wings, Sh-X 150 should be the
max.), Gliding (only if subject has membranous
tissue. Think of Gargoyles.).
New Power
Power Flare: By making a Green Psyche
FEAT, a character can cause his Fighting,
Agility, and Strength to increase +1CS (without
changing Health) as well as any Powers at the
same rate. To maintain this "flare" for an
additional one to five turns, the character must
make a Yellow Endurance FEAT, etc. Once this
"flare" dies, the character is -4CS on all FEATs
for eighty-one rounds (six hours)
258
 Chapter Forty-Nine: Ghouls
MTS Note: I will be the first to admit I am totally ripping this idea off from "Vampire the Masquerade",
and when I mentioned the idea to Tammra she told me it was going into the book, period. I am a big fan of
the game, and I thought this could be an interesting character variant for Marvel Superheroes. All you
need to do is change the "embrace" method by Bio Vampires adding the final stage is feeding the mortal
their blood and these can be inserted in any game
The following overview is paraphrased from the
“Vampire the Masquerade” corebook by Justin
Achilli, Andrew Bates, Phil Brucato, Richard E
Dansky, Ed Hall, Robert Hatch, Michael B. Lee,
Ian Lemke, Jim Moore, Ethan Skemp, and
Cynthia Summers.
A vampire's blood has great power, power
that can be passed on. Long ago, vampires
discovered that mortals who drank vampire
blood would become possessed by supernatural
abilities and dark appetites. Soon it became
common practice for vampires to keep certain
favored servants, fattening them on vampiric
blood - and bonding them in the process - all the
better to have undying, hellishly loyal servitors -
ghouls.
Most ghouls exist at the whim of their
domitors (masters), serving loyally in exchange
for blood. A ghoul's emotions run to extremes
with the heady drug of vampire blood in their
veins - such a creature often falls prey to great
rages and disturbing cravings. The name
"ghouls" was not chosen at random.
259
The following section is paraphrased from the
book “Ghouls Fatal Addiction” by Ronni
Radner and Ethan Skemp.
The "Human" Side of Ghouls
Ghouls are still mortal. This simple statement
embodies a host of relationships and
responsibilities - from babies to bosses - that the
alienated vampires simply don't think about. The
inevitable dichotomy that occurs within each
ghoul can metamorphose into a devastating
battle.
Some ghouls deny the presence of their
supernatural abilities, fearing that they will be
labeled witches, lunatics, or addicts. A few
ghouls treat the whole incident as a nightmare.
Other ghouls, particularly those who suffered
from emotional handicaps in their mortal
lifestyles, revel in their status. These ghouls
quickly (and often violently) lift themselves up
in the mortal pecking order, becoming abusive
bullies (behavior often reinforced by their
domitor). Such ghouls swiftly become dependent
on vampiric blood to maintain their power over
mortals, who may have abused them previous to
their transformations.
Most ghouls, however, wind up as alienated
as their masters. As they move deeper into their
weird nocturnal world, they find themselves
unable to confide in their mundane friends, out
The Ultimate Origins Book
 of fear of exposing that vampires exist, or fear of home to the vampire's haven to be ghouled as
ridicule. As a ghoul grows more and more communal concubines. This doesn't always work
distant from the their daylight world, friends, out, as each ghoul has different tastes and
loved ones, and relatives disappear - not in one desires, and many ghouls' predilections are seen
fell swoop, as often happens to vampires, but as "perverse" by other servitors.
with heartbreaking slowness. A date broken in
favor of some errand for the domitor; a Vampires, no longer understanding sexuality
friendship cast aside, as the ghoul refuses to but abstractly realizing its usefulness as a carrot
reveal why they have "been acting so weird" stick, often use sex as a motivator. Typically, a
lately… all too often, ghouls find suicide to be vampire finds a pleasing victim and bonds them,
the only way out. offering the ghoul's service as reward for the
more productive members of their entourage.
An exceptionally troublesome phenomenon is Star performers may even be granted a half-hour
that of the abandoned ghouls, a mortal who was or so of sanguinary pleasure with the master,
fed vampiric blood but subsequently neglected. though such ecstasy is typically limited to oral
These wretched ghouls often have no idea what pursuits. As for those ghouls who are not so
is happening to their bodies and minds; they productive… well, there are always the
crave something but can't quite put their fingers hellhounds.
on it. Many such ghouls, feeling odd sensations
in their blood, seek out drugs from street gangs
and dealers, thinking they need injections of
some sort. Coupled with the recent resurgence of
heroin's popularity, this longing has led
numerous ghouls to messy deaths from overdose,
as they inject more and more smack in a
desperate attempt to quiet the craving. Some
ghouls share needles with humans, spreading
their vampiric-tainted blood to mortals, while
others contract AIDS and other potentially fatal
viruses from the unsterilized needles. In the last
few years, this phenomenon has ravaged lower-
income communities.

Sex

Even after their transformations, ghouls retain

the desire to give and receive affection. Not
surprisingly, many ghouls, physically and
psychologically traumatized by the
transformation, become obsessed with sexual
activity as a way to feel human. In some ways,
vampiric blood can be looked at as a gateway
drug, one that leads the ghouls to obsess about
matters such as sexuality.
More often then not, ghouls want only their
beloved domitors. Unfortunately, though
vampires may be sensual creatures, they are far
from being sexual creatures, and ghouls want
more then quick kisses or emotionless romps in
the coffin.
Vampires since the first nights have struggled
to deal with their ghouls' overeager libidos.
Many vampires ask their ghouls to find people
who they consider attractive, then to bring them
Ghouls who enjoy sadomasochistic activity
tend to be the luckiest of the lot. Although
vampires do not enjoy intercourse, many find
that eating and whipping their ghouls into shape
is an excellent catharsis, and sexually submissive
ghouls experience the orgasms of their lives
when their domitors "punish" them for pleasure.
Game-Play Information
Upon becoming a Ghoul, the character is
granted a +1CS bonus to Strength (maximum of
Excellent if your table follows the vampiric
maximums listed in rules for vampires in Dragon
Magazine #126). Additionally, at the discretion

The Ultimate Origins Book 260

of the Judge, an Endurance Bonus can be vampiric blood. In addition to the power it gives
substituted for the Strength bonus. them, it is a rush unlike anything else.

Known Powers: Withdrawn ghouls suffer symptoms for a

period of six weeks, minus one week per rank of
Resistance to Disease: Ghouls are less Endurance above Excellent. Whenever the
susceptible to disease than other characters with opportunity to gain vampiric blood arises, the
the same Endurance. Included are common ghoul must make a Psyche FEAT versus
diseases, as well as the effects of biological Incredible intensity or attempt to "score"
warfare. The rank of this power is the Ghoul's however possible. Additionally, each week of
Endurance rank +1CS. withdrawal requires the ghoul to make a Psyche
FEAT check versus Remarkable intensity; if this
Regeneration: Ghouls posses Regeneration at Ex roll fails, the ghoul begins to sublimate their
16 rank, which allows them to rapidly recover cravings for vampiric blood into a desire for
from any wound. Cuts quickly close and disease human blood, flesh, or sex.
symptoms disappear. Ghouls heal sixteen times
as fast as normal. With time, ghouls can re-grow
large areas of lost tissue, especially severed
limbs. Lost limbs or organs require a red FEAT.
It cannot repair losses that resulted in the ghoul's
death unless the ghoul is revived. If such a fatal
loss and subsequent revival occurs, the ghoul
requires life-support equipment to give his
Power time to function.

Immortality: Ghouls do not age as long as they

have vampire blood in their system. However,
once ghouls have passed their natural lifespan,
they must always have vampiric blood in their
bodies, or they will swiftly age to the point of
death and decomposition. This decomposition
might occur within days or (for very old ghouls)
within minutes.

Age Of Ghoul Decomposition Rate

Within normal
Resumes normal aging
lifespan
Ages at 10x the normal
100-250 Years
rate
Crumble instantly to
More then 250 years
dust.

Known Weaknesses

Withdrawal: Ghouls often develop

psychological, if not physical additions to

261 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Chapter Fifty: Psion
MTS Note: A very nifty Psion template that was designed to be applied to any origin. A Psionist origin can
be found on page 157 of this book.
The author of this Origin is unknown, and lost
over time. It was archived by Niniri, who was
nice enough to send this in for inclusion for the
book.
A New Origin: Psion
Psions are characters whose powers are
mostly centered around the mind, though they
can have other powers as well.
They are not always mutants. Some are
Humanoid Aliens or 'Breed Mutants' (such as an
alien/human hybrid), Altered Humans or
Mystically inclined.
Otherworldly Psions include Revanche
(Elisabeth Braddock), Charade (Meggan/Morgan
Ashra), Cuckoo (Kay Cera) and the bulk of her
relatives in Clan Destine, the Omniversal
The Ultimate Origins Book
Majestrix (Roma), the Omniversal Executrix
(Opal Luna Saturnyne) and Alison Double.
Alien Psions include the Eternal Sersi, and
her people and the Inhumans Crystal and Luna
Amaquelin.
Mystically inclined Psions include Topaz,
Moondragon and Sundragon.
Those that are still Mutants, they are as feared
and disliked by the public as standard Mutants.
Examples of Mutant Psions include: Professor X,
Phoenix (Jean Grey), Mastermind (Martinque
Wyngarde) or Lady Mastermind (Regan
Wyngarde) Legion (David Haller) and Marvel
Girl III (Rachel Grey), Hellion (Julian Keller) or
Justice (Vance Astrovich)
Bonuses and Penalties include:
• Primary Stats are rolled on the appropriate
column for their primary type (Humanoid Alien,
etc.).
• Random Power ranks are rolled on Column 4.
• Half of their powers must revolve around the
mind.
• Receive the power of Psi-Screen or Resist
Mental for free.
• Psyche is raised by 1 rank, to a maximum of
Mn. If Psyche is already at Mn, then this bonus
may be assigned to Reason or Intuition, with the
same limitation as Psyche, or it can be discarded
altogether.
• Starting Popularity varies as for normal
characters, except for those whom are also
'Random Mutants'
• Psions who are also Mutants (such as Marvel
Girl, Professor X) are still subject to being
detected as such, and having their powers
nullified.
• A Psion may enjoy the benefits and penalties of
the 'other' primary origin type at GM's discretion.
262
 Chapter Fifty-One: Symbiotes
MTS Note: While most of these are not heroic, this could still make an interesting origin to play.

This article was originally written by Ben Riely,

of "Ben Riely's Marvel RPG Page". It is an Limitations:
excellent site for the Classic Marvel RPG
system. Weak against Sonics: The Symbiote is -3CS vs.
Sonics attacks
http://www.angelfire.com/comics/benriely/index.html
Weak against Fire: The Symbiote is -1CS vs.
Typical Symbiote Fire attacks

Statistic Bonus Talents: None

Fighting +2 CS
Contacts: None
Agility +2 CS
Strength +3 CS This article that follow below originally
Endurance +3 CS appeared as part of the ongoing Marvel-Phile
Health: 30 series, and was printed in issue #94.

Known Powers:

Symbiosis: A symbiote bonds with its host. The

host and the symbiote must be attacked
separately. When a target tries to attack them,
they are -6 CS to attack. It grants its host the
following power stunts:
• Body Resistance: Rm resistance vs.
attacks
• Regeneration: The symbiote itself has
thirty Health. It regenerates six points of
health a round. When the symbiote falls
to zero Health, it is knocked
unconscious for one to ten rounds.
• Symbiote Tendrils: Am, it can stick to Spiderman's Suit
In strength material. When it is Alien Symbiote
disconnected for the symbiote, it
dissolves in five to fifty minutes. It can Statistic Ability Score
be used to entangle or transportation Fighting Remarkable 30
(Three areas/round). Agility Amazing 50
• Claws: Ex Edge Strength Incredible 40
• Teeth: Ex Edge to a victim in a grapple Endurance Incredible 40
• Body Armor: Ty protection vs. blunt Reason Good 10
attacks
Intuition Excellent 20
• Object Creation: A symbiote can create
Psyche Monstrous 75
small weapons from its substance that
disintegrate one to six rounds after Health: 160 Karma: 105
creation. The damage is weapon- Resources: None Popularity: Not applicable
specific.
• Elongation: Ex Powers:

Equipment: Symbiotic Nature: The Suit survives by feeding

None off a host creature's power. In its most recent
incarnation, the Suit has acted as the costume of

263 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Peter Parker, the Amazing Spider-Man™. This
symbiosis has several effects:
1) The Suit may be commanded to change
shape or color by its host to a variety of
forms, and can create holding pouches
or similar adornments.
2) The Suit, with long use, can duplicate
the physical powers of its wearer. The
above stats are duplicates of the
physical abilities of its last host, Spider-
Man.
3) The Suit can control its host, forcing
him to conduct actions against his will.
Its ability to control the bodies of others
is at a Monstrous level, and it shifts
DOWN ONE for each level of Psyche
of its target. Unaware or sleeping
targets are easier to control, such that
the shift is only DOWN TWO at most.
4) The Suit feeds off energy from its host,
leaving him weak and sluggish. The
referee should secretly halve the Health
rating of any hero under the influence of
the Suit for as long as he wears it.
5) The Suit does not wish to be separated
from its host and will, therefore, tighten
over the host's body, crushing it in an
unescapable grappling attack, if an
attempt is made to remove it. In this
case any damage taken from an outside
attack is absorbed by the Suit first, then
by the hero wearing it (see below).
6) Other than as noted above, the Suit has
no effect on the Body Armor of anyone
wearing it. Its structure is such that it
transmits the force of a physical blow to
its host.
Web Shooters: In duplicating Spider-Man's
original costume, the Suit also duplicated his
web-shooters. The Suit can fire Monstrously
strong webbing up to two areas away and can use
it for swing-lines, nets, and entrapment devices.
The Suit's story: The creature known as
Spider-Man's Suit is a parasitic symbiote, a being
that feeds off the mental and physical energy of
its host. It was a native of a world used by the
Beyonder™ to construct his battleplanet in the
Secret Wars™. The creature took refuge in the
complex commandeered by Doctor Doom™ and
his bench-villains.
Spider-Man found the creature's lair while
trying to locate a machine to repair his own
badly damaged costume. Using a likely looking
The Ultimate Origins Book
device, Spider-Man "summoned" the Suit from
its hiding space. The Suit spread over Spider-
Man's body, subtly contacting his mind and
reading his thoughts, and became Spider-Man's
new costume.
Returning to Earth with Spider-Man [the
Invasion of the Body Stocking? -Texan Ed], the
Suit quickly began to feed off its host's energy. It
took command of Parker's sleeping body during
the night, forcing him to sleep-walk (or, more
correctly, sleep-websling) through the city in
order to get its sustenance. Peter Parker got no
real rest, and a general deterioration of Spidey's
Health set in.
After several weeks of increasingly strange
problems and effects, Spider-Man contacted
Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four™ to analyze
the Suit. Richards discovered the organic and
symbiotic nature of the Suit, but the Suit itself
resisted any attempt to be removed from its host.
Richards finally separated the Suit from Parker
by subjecting it to ultra-sonic waves. The Suit
was then placed in a glassed-in environment for
study.
The Suit displayed its animal craftiness in its
many attempts to escape, but it was finally
released by an exploration probe under the
control of an unseen foe of the Fantastic Four.
The Suit escaped into New York City, and, after
possessing a number of bodies, sought out its
former host once again.
In the battle with Spider-Man that followed,
the Suit was apparently destroyed. It should be
noted, however, that no trace of the alien
symbiote was found after the final battle.
264
 Chapter Fifty-Two: Terrigen Mist
MTS Note: Another excellent article. I have used both of these many times in my games over the years.
Two great sources for this bit, which makes sense, as the effects of the Terrigen Mist varies from person to
person.

This article was originally written by Wouter The mental stats are affected as shown in the
Vlemmings, of "Marvel RPG and More", which second column. Intuition is affected somewhat
is slowly disappearing from the Internet. differently:

This substance can be used to mutate Die Roll Intuition

characters into super-powered beings, often with 01-30 -1 CS
deformities but also with possible great powers. 31-60 No Change
61-00 +1 CS
The Mist can be used on any character with
an Endurance lower than Monstrous, that
character may attempt a In Endurance check to Then roll again to see how many powers the
avoid the effect. character gains. The powers are rolled on the
powers table.

They should have at least one physical power.

The power rank is gained from the last column
and then modified (not above Unearthly) by
rolling again on the first column.

Finally this process affects the character's

memory of his previous life, but this can be
regained slowly.

Effects
Physical stats are affected by rolling on the
following table (no stat can be raised above
Unearthly):

Physical Mental
Roll Powers Rank
Effect Effect
01- 1
-2 CS -3 CS Typical
05 Power
06- 1
-1 CS -2 CS Good
15 Power
16- No 2
-2 CS Excellent
60 Effect Powers
61- 2
+1 CS -1 CS Remarkable
80 Powers
81- 3
+2 CS -1 CS Incredible
95 Powers
96- No 4
+3 CS Amazing
00 Effect Powers

265 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Sidhain did the following write-up. He included
a short intro adventure that could be used with
the Terrigen Mist. I decided to include it because
an adventure that creates the player's origin is
defiantly within the scope of this book. The
article is from Ty States Marvel RPG website,
one of the longest running and all around best
sites on the web.
http://rivendell.fortunecity.com/battlespire/85/homepage.htm
Terrigenesis
Start out with only Normal Humans with
maximum of Good in any Stat.
Synopsis: As the dawn millennium approaches,
a new need for heroes grows as the new threats
arise against humanity. Seeking a cure for the
Legacy Virus through advanced mutagenic
agents, Mr. Fantastic arranges to have the
Inhumans transport several canisters of Terrigen
Mist to the Four Freedoms Plaza. However, a
terrorist attack by Maximus and his minions
damages the craft, forcing it to enter the Earth's
atmosphere uncloaked. As it descends, the craft
is detected by the United States Air Force, and
two F-22s are sent to intercept. While the
Inhumans attempt to communicate with them, an
overzealous pilot opens fire, forcing the craft
into a mountain range. There, it barrels into a
forest within, shortly thereafter releasing the
Terrigen Mist in a powerful explosion.
Beginning: Hiking in the woods as a camper at
Cold-Lake would be fun if it wasn't for the fact
that you had chosen to be a camp counselor this
year. You would think that these trails would be
patrolled by park rangers or the like whether than
by you and the other counselors. It is your fault
after all you volunteered and that meant arriving
nearly two weeks before the campers most of
them nine to twelve years old, and more
interested in the video games they left behind
than hiking up into the mountains. At least it's
quiet - until a loud noise roars across the sky,
shattering the hikers' thoughts. Moments later, a
strange craft, spewing smoke, veers around the
mountain ahead and crash-lands in the valley
beyond. It is assumed that the players being
The Ultimate Origins Book
adventurous sorts will investigate, allow one
player to cajole the others into going if they seem
reluctant.
It takes only a quick jog to arrive at the
plowed earth - and a craft never meant for man's
eyes... or so it would seem. Sleek, green and blue
metal lies twisted and scattered across a quarter
mile of the valley. A large canister is spewing a
pale mist into the air, and two figures - the pilots,
obviously - lay unmoving in the shattered
remains of the cockpit. It is at this point that the
players should intervene, attempting to rescue
the pilots. Both are dead but they can note that
one looks reptilian and the other looks very
feline in nature. Dragging the bodies form the
remains the players won't be fast enough to
escape the exploding canister which spews out a
cloud of gas, namely Terrigen Mist (used by the
Inhumans to imbue their offspring with powers)
Each player is knocked unconscious by the gas,
and awakens later... altered... by the mists.
Terrigen Mist Effects
Roll four times and take best three results
Die Roll Result
01-40 Physical Transformation
41-75 Ability Modification Table
76-80 Power/Minor
81-99 Power/Major
00 Roll Twice More
Effects:
Physical Transformation: A major
physiological/appearance change occurs to the
exposed. I suggest letting the player pick their
favorite animal, color etc., and being generous in
assigning modifications based on those
266
preferences. Meaning in the players favor, or
having them transformed into some preferred
image, I like elves so turning my pc to an elf
would be fun.
Ability Modification: Roll on the Ability Mod
table for 1d6 abilities and apply the results.
Power/Minor: Combat Sense, Computer Links,
etc. or a power at most Excellent Rank
Power Major: Any power ranked up to
Incredible.
Note upon humans the Terrigen mist is
permanent.
In the area surrounding the players, a large
number of changes have occurred, but will only
last ten or so days before reverting to normal
(unless the referee chooses to make them
permanent).
The following can occur at anytime. The
players are lost because the area and trails have
been overgrown, and much of the plants have
been altered, so pick a scene that is appropriate
and run it.
Scene 1: Turtle Hill
Trying to find their way back, the players
may choose to climb a nearby hill to get a better
view. Have them travel towards the hill for some
time, making Intuition FEATs all the while - a
successful one indicating that the hill seems to be
moving. A close inspection reveals a turtle
(tortoise) a hundred feet in diameter, carrying
about on its shell a large amount of topsoil
including a couple bushes, and a tree or two.
Scene 2: Light Up My Life
The players, while traveling, see a number of
distant lights. In time, the lights reveal
themselves to be wasps - which the Terrigen
Mists have altered into Fire Wasps! Each wasp is
a hand span across, and can fire a blast of
Typical to Good ranked Energy (heat). There are
more than a hundred such Fire Wasps, and each
has five Health.
Scene 3: The Incredible Edibles.
267
The players stumble upon a relatively
peaceful clearing (insert hysterical laugh). This
clearing is normal, nothing happens upon the
players' arrival, but run this scene twice. The
second time, in a nearly identical clearing, the
plants are now Hungry for blood! They attack
with floral tendrils of Excellent to Remarkable
strength, which once attached (Incredible Agility
FEAT to avoid), begin to drain ten Health per
round until the character so trapped is freed.
Scene 4: Lake of the Lost
Here, the players find themselves harried by
giant Dragonflies as big as they are, with the
following stats:
F A S E R I P
TY RM GD GD FE FE FE
The Dragonflies' mandibles do Excellent
edged damage (# of dragonflies=# of players).
Trapped on the bank, a large serpentine head
flashes out of the water and eats a dragonfly or
two! A plesiousaur-like dinosaur lives in the lake
and was unaffected by the Terrigen; he is
peaceful, and will aid the heroes if they are non
violent... but he cannot leave the lake itself.
This is all I have for now, but you get the
idea. Once the adventure is over, you can then
have the pc's return home and act as superheroes
for their hometowns, or if ran as a one shot Reed
Richards may be able to create an Anti-Terrigen
ray or the like.
Note for added fun the players could also deal
with military men combing the forest for the
ship, be captured and have themselves
transported to a holding facility until the brass
can decide what to do with them. It all depends
on your campaign style.
The Ultimate Origins Book
 Chapter Fifty-Three: The Body Shoppe
MTS Note: This could be an interesting way to tweak mutants (Induced would work well), and it would
also work well for Altered Humans.

This article was originally written by Wouter
Vlemmings of "Marvel RPG and More", which
is slowly disappearing from the Internet.
The Body Shoppe is Spiral's private
laboratory where she can experiment with
genetic alterations, cybernetics and various other
forms of body-alterations. It is located in its own
pocket dimension and it is not known if Mojo
created it, or if she somehow acquired it herself.
Spiral does rule supreme in her Shoppe however
and it seems Mojo does not control the events
here.
amount of implants table, a Yellow FEAT results
in normal creation while a Red FEAT allows her
to shift the Stat table by one column (not higher
than the listed max.) and the number of implants
table by +2.
By genetically altering people, Spiral can
greatly enhance them. She can give them up to
two powers (non-magical or mental) at a power
rank of Ex when she succeeds in a Green FEAT,
Rm when she gets a Yellow FEAT and In when
she get a Red FEAT. (If she grants only one
power its power rank is +1CS). She can also
increase stats (physical stats) by a total number
of rank shifts equaling two when she makes a
Green FEAT, four when she makes a Yellow
FEAT or six when she makes a Red FEAT. She
may not increase stats above Am rank (or Mn if
the original stat is already Am). She cannot
enhance characters that already have been
physically enhanced.

Past 'victims' of this Shoppe include Rachel

'Phoenix' Summers, Lady Deathstrike and the
Hellfire Mercenaries, Cole, Macon and Reese,
Psylocke and Revanche and recently Karma's
siblings Leong and Nga Coy Mahn.

The devices in her shop increase Spiral's

genetics and cybernetics skills by +4CS. It
apparently has an unlimited amount of energy to
sustain her experiments. When she succeeds in a
skill FEAT she can create a Cyborg according to
the rules in Cyborg Creation, a green FEAT
results in normal creation with a -1 shift in the

The Ultimate Origins Book 268

 Chapter Fifty-Four: The Path of the Winding
Way
MTS Note: I have always been a fan of this article. It might not work as an origin, but it is a great way to
breathe life into a magic-using character. All in all, an excellent template..

This article was originally written by Wouter
Vlemmings of "Marvel RPG and More", which
is slowly disappearing from the Internet.
The Path of the Winding Way is one of the
many Schools of Magic, but it is certainly not
one of the easiest to follow. It brings great
power, but also periods of extreme weakness. It
is also a highly competitive path.
will follow those of low power. The path can be
divided in at least ten sections, each with many
turns. In game terms, it depends upon the rise of
the ranks of a character’s spells as with normal
power advancement; but certain things may
speed up a character's advancement, this is
related to the removal of mages ahead of them on
the path. The sections are listed in the table
below with the maximum spell-rank being the
rank the character must have in at least three
spells to reach this level in normal ways.

Time in
Max Min Max
Section Each
Rank Effect Effect
Cycle
1 Ty I Year -1CS +1CS
6
2 Ex -1CS +1CS
Months
4
3 Ex -1CS +1CS
Months
4
4 Rm -1CS +1CS
Months
2
5 In -1CS +1CS
Months
The best-known follower of this path is
6 Am 1 Month -1CS +1CS
Margali Szardos, the mother of Amanda Sefton
and adoptive mother of Excalibur's Nightcrawler. Am (10
The only known other follower was the magic- 7 3 Days -2CS +2CS
Spells)
user Gravemoss, but there should be between 8 Ms 9 Days -2CS +2CS
thirty to sixty other followers. Mn (10
9 3 Days -2CS +2CS
Spells)
Followers of the Path of the Winding Way
10 Un 1 Day -3CS +3CS
can be pictured as being on a sort of spiral rising
upwards, which defines their power-levels. The
mages are always on the opposite level of power The character spends the duration in the table
with regards to the mage ahead of them on the per CS difference. So a character from section
path. It is a slow way up since no one can pass eight spends nine days at normal level, then nine
the one ahead of him or her; the only way to do days at +1 CS, nine days at + 2 CS, again nine
this is to remove him or her from the path. days at +1 CS and nine days at normal level,
then nine days at -1 CS, nine days at -2 CS etc.
Game Information: The effects in Column Shift are applied to all
power ranks in magical abilities and all magical
Magic-users on the path of the Winding Way
FEATs. Also affected are the characters
are subject to fluctuations in their power levels.
Endurance (and thus health) and Psyche.
The higher you get, the greater these fluctuations
will be and also the faster periods of high power

269 The Ultimate Origins Book

 It is speculated that there exist levels above
ten but it is not known how to reach them.
Unnatural Advancement:
There exist two ways to advance unnaturally
fast on the path. The first one is the death of the
mage directly before you on the path; the second
one is the use of the Ritual of Removal.
The difficulty of removing those in front of
you is the fact that, when the magic of the path
of the Winding Way is used against someone on
it, all bonuses are negated and the attacker is
affected as if in the low powered part of his
cycle. This means that personal attacks are
extremely difficult to perform. To overcome this
problem, a few magic-users have recently sought
The Ultimate Origins Book
to use the Soulsword to kill those in front of
them on the path. Margali seems to have
succeeded. You can however voluntarily step
down and let someone pass.
The Ritual of Removal is one of the best-
guarded secrets of the mages that possess it - and
only one copy is rumored to exist. This
extremely difficult ritual can remove a mage to a
lower section of the path.
About an average of four mages must be
passed before one advances to the next section.
When this happens by unnatural means the spells
are increased to the needed ranks, but this also
means the magic-user may freely be hunted by
other mages of the path.
When someone drops in sections the power
ranks are decreased.
A Side effect of an increase in sections seems
to be that a lust for power slowly corrupts even
the mage with the best intentions. Whenever one
increases in section the mage should make a
Psyche FEAT. When failed he should slowly
begin to lust for more power. In some games this
is a common phenomenon so the Judge could
also decide the player to play this effect out
normally.
270
 Chapter Fifty-Five: Vampire Hunters
MTS Note: This is a character template that could easy be substituted for "Altered Humans". This is a very
specialized origin, and will work best in games with a 'dark' theme. It can be a lot of fun to play, and
definitely belongs in this book.

The article is from Ty States Marvel RPG fight, in case they fall in battle, or for some other
website, one of the longest running and all reason cannot continue their quest. The Hunter
around best sites on the web treats this apprentice as a loved son or daughter.

One of Vampire Hunters greatest dangers is

http://rivendell.fortunecity.com/battlespire/85/homepage.htm
The Vampire Hunter is a character driven
fanatically by the goal of destroying all
vampires. The character sees vampires as
creatures from the depths of hell that pose the
most serious threat to humanity it has ever seen.
They may be right. Vampire Hunters focus on
physical and mental strengths to defeat their
foes. The longer they live the more
knowledgeable they become about their enemy,
yet as they grow older they often are not strong
enough to carry on their crusade. The Vampire
Hunter can be of any alignment. Just because the
vampires that they seek to destroy are evil by no
means indicates that their Hunters must be
Principled! Some characters will attempt to
overcome any boundary in-between them and
their goal, even if it means hurting or killing a
human being.
the distinct possibility that he or she may
someday become what they loathe. Some
Vampire Hunters who become vampires
themselves commit suicide if they can, yet most
become the most ruthless creatures of the night,
as if their fanaticism for the destruction of
vampires has transformed to a lust for blood
most vampires cannot even comprehend.
Vampire Hunter Powers:
Some people say these powers don't exist,
that they are just rumors created from the
rantings of Vampire Hunters. Others say that
these powers are a special sort of psionics, and
still others say a deity granted the Vampire
Hunter these strange powers. What is the real
answer? Nobody knows, not even the Vampire
Hunters themselves, but nevertheless they DO
work. The GM can determine what column
abilities are rolled on if the body type is other
than normal human, and if other powers will be
allowed.

A Vampire Hunter will work alone if need be,

but they tend to like to working in groups. They
feel that there is more safety in numbers, and
frankly they are confronting an evil that has
much more power than they, so having other
people with them increases their chance of
survival. However most Vampire Hunters do not
like to work among their peers. They dispute and
bicker over methods and targets, but this is a
smoke screen to cover up their clashing egos.
Other hunters will often find or assemble a group
of hearty adventurers to help them further their
cause. These characters are usually relatively
naive about vampires, and the Hunter takes great Smell Undead: When a Vampire Hunter is
joy in acting as a strange kind of mentor. A within 1 mile of a vampire (or other undead) they
Vampire Hunter also often takes an apprentice; a smell something in the air. It's common to see a
person he or she can teach to carry on the good Vampire Hunter take a deep breath and say
something like "Yep, there's vampires here."

271 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Minimum Intuition of RM, Psyche of RM.
Immune to Ghoulish Horror: Vampire Hunters
face horror so often they have become numb to Possible Talents:
it. They can be surprised, but any Psyche FEAT
roll needed against fear is made at +3CS. • Radio: Basic
• Basic Electronics
Faith: A Vampire Hunter's greatest weapon, the
one that makes their strikes ring true and their • Detect Ambush
foes flee in terror can simply be called faith. • Detect Concealment
Three times a day, Vampire Hunters can call • Pick Locks
upon their faith to add a +1CS on any roll against • Tracking
the undead, to exorcise a demon, or otherwise • Wilderness Survival
help many other minor actions. However the • Martial Arts A, D, E
player must declare its use before the action (not • Acrobatics
after the roll.) • Tumbling
• Climbing
• Prowl
• Language
• Lore (Vampires, Demons & Monsters)
• Occult
• Archery
• Marksman
• Guns
• Carpentry
• Hunting
• Communications: Any
• Domestic: Any
• Electrical: Any except Robot
• Electronics
• Espionage: Any
• Mechanical: Weapons Engineer only
• Medical: First Aid or Medical Doctor
Induce Fear in Undead: Undead who realize the only
Vampire Hunter for what he/she is have to make • Pilot: Airplane, Auto, Boat,
a Yellow Psyche FEAT roll. Vampires will have Horsemanship, Motorcycle and Truck
unpredictable reactions to this. Some will flee in
• Science: Any
terror; others will attack like a raccoon that's
• Technical: Any
been backed into a corner. But the reaction will
always be extreme. • Wilderness: Any

Note: A vampire cannot tell a Vampire Hunter Starting equipment:

like a Hunter can detect a vampire until the
Hunter is approaching with a stake in one hand GD Resources, A vehicle (usually large
and a water gun in the other, bearing a silver enough for one to two people to live in) OR a
cross. small home. Numerous guns, crosses, stakes,
water pistols, garlic, and one techno-wizard
Weapon Making: Vampire Hunters know how to made weapon.
create vampire-killing weapons, and they
commonly modify guns, crossbows, and water
pistols. Vampire Hunters will give these
weapons to other people in town, hoping they
will protect themselves.

Basic Requirements

The Ultimate Origins Book 272

 Chapter Fifty-Six: X-Babies
MTS Note: I decided to include these as an alternative for mutant characters. They might be annoyingly
cute, but different people like to play different things. So I present your very own Instant X-Babies
Template, just add milk???

This article was originally written by Wouter
Vlemmings of "Marvel RPG and More", which
is slowly disappearing from the Internet.
Typical X-Baby
Defensive or Other Powers: -1CS (max Am,
resistances have a max of Un)
Talents: Sort of as original as well as a
children's trait.

Contacts: X-Men, Dazzler, Excalibur, Mojo

(depending on the contract), Ricochet Rita

In Brief: The X-Babies were created by Mojo to

replace the X-Men who were believed to be
killed. They were based on an earlier exploit in
which he reduced the X-Men to babies.

When they broke their contracts and fled to

Earth, Mojo tried to re-capture them. They only
returned when he offered them better contracts.
Recently (after Mojo's death), they again fled to
Earth followed by Gog and Magog. Then finally
found an adoptive mother in Dazzler (who had a
miscarriage) and they have probably now joined
the rebellion.

F A S E R I P
-1CS -1CS -1CS
(-2 CS (-2CS (-2 CS
-1 -1 -2 Ty
for for for
CS CS CS 6
Am or Am or Am or
higher) higher) higher)

In is the maximum for any physical stat, Am for

I or P. Minimum stat is Ty. (Unless a physical
stat is already lower)

Health: Varies Karma: Varies

Popularity: 30 Resources: Pr

Known Powers:

Offensive Powers (and damage resistances): As

original at -1CS (-2CS for Am or higher, max In)

273 The Ultimate Origins Book

 This Part of the book is comprised of various Appendices to help enhance characters.
While most of the information contained in these sections is not Origins by nature, they
are articles designed to help enhance a character and prevent them from being two-
dimensional. This Part of the book is broken into three sections, the first is Appendices
from Official Marvel Role-Playing Sources, the second is Appendices from
Un-Official Sources, and the third is Appendices dealing with appearance and body taken
from around the Internet.

275 The Ultimate Origins Book

 This section is comprised of Appendices to help enhance your characters from Official
Marvel RPG sources.

The Ultimate Origins Book 276

 Appendix One: Animals
MTS Note: I decided to include this section for those interested in making New Men, or for guidelines for
the animal origin that can be rolled on the Ultimate Powers Book's origin table. This information was
taken straight from the Judge's Book, and the only editing done was on the section description, as I chose
not to include the "Criminals and Other Supporting Characters" that shared the Supporting Cast section of
that book for this appendix.

The following was taken from the "Advanced Set Alligators are found in tropical rivers and, in the
Judge's Book" by Jeff Grubb. sewers of New York City.

Ape

This section details in full a large, but not

exhaustive, list of other animals that may be
found in the Marvel Universe.

Alligator

F A S E R I P
Ty Ty Gd Ex Fb Ty Pr
6 6 10 20 2 6 4
Health: 42

Apes describe man’s close cousins: the

chimp, the orangutan, and gorilla (gorilla
Strength = Excellent, Health = 52). These
creatures have human-like hands, and can
manipulate tools.
F A S E R I P
Pr Gd Rm Ex Fb Fb Fb Armadillo
4 10 30 20 2 2 2
Health: 64

These large, lethal lizards are normally

peaceable, but have been known to attack if their
territory is threatened, they sense a meal, or are
commanded by a more powerful being with
animal control abilities, such as the Lizard. F A S E R I P
Alligators inflict Edged attack damage with their Fb 2 Fb 2 Fb 2 Fb 2 Fb 2 Fb 2 Fb 2
teeth. They move 1 area per turn on land, 2 areas Health: 8 (and this is being generous)
per turn in water. These stats also apply to the
crocodile or other cold-blooded lizards.

277 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Armadillos are natives of Texas and other Bear
south-western states. They are slow (1 area in
about 3 turns) and have Feeble Body Armor
from their protective shell. (They also answer
mail.) Unprepossessing as individuals, in huge
herds they are even less so. Armadillos attack on
the Blunt attacks column, but cannot score Slam
or Stun results against human-sized targets.
Armadillo stats apply to most other forms of
small, inoffensive life.

Bat, Individual F A S E R I P
Gd Ty Rm Rm Fb Pr Fb
10 6 30 30 2 4 2
Health: 76

Bears include the grizzly, brown bear, and

polar bear. These large carnivores have been
known to attack unwary tourists, and inflict
Edged attack damage with their teeth and claws
as well as Grappling attacks (Hugs). They move
2 areas/round at top speed.

Behemoth

F A S E R I P
Fb 2 Pr 4 Fb 2 Fb 2 Fb 2 Pr 4 Fb 2
Health: 10

Bats, Flock of Ten

F A S E R I P
Gd Pr Fb Gd Fb Pr Fb
10 4 2 10 2 4 2
Health: 26 F A S E R I P
Am Ty Un Un Pr Pr Pr
Bats are winged mammals who have radar 50 6 100 100 2 2 2
like senses that allow them to navigate at night Health: 256
with Remarkable ability. They are normally
harmless unless surprised or controlled by an Behemoth is a name for a large variety of sea
external force. A single bat inflicts Edged attack monsters capable of walking on land, and
damage, but cannot score Kill results, while a include the whale-like Giganto used by the Sub-
flock inflicts Edged attack damage in full to Mariner in his initial invasion of the surface
reflect the large number of possible bites per world, and the spawn of that creature. These
round. Bats are found throughout the US. They beasts move 1 area/round on the surface and 3
move at 3 areas/turn. areas/round in water. Behemoths have Amazing
protection from physical and energy attacks, and
inflict Blunt attack damage. They can be
controlled by certain devices available to
Atlantean technology.

The Ultimate Origins Book 278

 Bird, Individual
Cattle (Herd Animals)

F A S E R I P
Pr Ty Gd Ex Fb Fb Fb
F A S E R I P
4 6 10 20 2 2 2
Fb 2 Fb 2 Fb 2 Fb 2 Fb 2 Fb 2 Fb 2
Health: 40
Health: 8
Stats for cattle apply to all manner of similar
Bird, Flock of Ten herd animals, including bison, zebras, gnu, and
the ever popular Guernsey Cow. Cattle are by
F A S E R I P and large inoffensive, but if spooked (by
Gd 10 Ty 6 Fb 2 Ty 6 Fb 2 Pr 4 Fb 2 gunshot, for example) can stampede (those in the
Health: 24 way take a Charging attack of +3CS Strength
and Endurance to hit).
The description applies to all non-hunting
birds, ranging from sparrows to ducks to geese.
Birds attack on the Edged attack column, but
individuals cannot get Stun or Kill results. Birds
fly up to 4 areas/turn, and are inoffensive against
human targets unless controlled by outside
forces.

Cat

F A S E R I P
Fb Gd Fb Gd Fb Ty Fb
2 10 2 10 2 6 2
Health: 24

Cats include most ordinary house cats and

small wild cats. They inflict Edged attack
damage with their claws, but cannot score a Kill
result against human targets. They move 2
areas/turn.

279 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Dinosaur, Giant Plant-Eating triceratops, which have plates that provide
Excellent Body Armor, and inflict Edged attack
damage with their horns and sharp tails.

Dinosaur, Giant Radioactive

F A S E R I P
Rm Rm Un Un Pr Pr Pr
30 30 100 100 4 4 4
F A S E R I P Health: 260
Gd Pr Am Un Fb Fb Fb
10 4 50 100 2 2 2 The Giant Radioactive Dinosaur is a mutant
Health: 164 of unknown origin that survives today in various
inaccessible reaches. The Giant Radioactive
Dinosaur, Giant Flesh-Eating Dinosaur has Amazing Body Armor, inflicts
Edged attack damage, and breathes a 10- area-
F A S E R I P long stream of Unearthly radioactive energy.
Rm Gd In Un Fb Fb Fb This is a moderate example of one such creature,
30 10 40 100 2 2 2 though large ones have plagued Japan and the
Health: 180 American West Coast.

Dinosaur, Giant Armored Dog

F A S E R I P
In Ty Am Mn Fb Fb Fb
40 6 50 65 2 2 2
Health: 171

These are the flashiest of the large lizards that

once dominated this Earth. They survived until
recently in the Savage Land, and regions of
Africa are still said to be home to these beasts.
The Giant Plant-Eater includes such favorites as
the brontosaurus. They move 1 area/round,
inflict Blunt damage, and, according to recent
studies, travel in herds similar to cattle (check
under Cattle for stampedes). Giant Flesh-Eaters
F A S E R I P
include the allosaurus and the tyrannosaurus rex.
Gd Ty Ty Gd Fb Gd Fb
They inflict Edged attack damage with their teeth
10 6 6 10 2 10 2
and claws, and move 2 areas/turn. The Giant
Armored Dinosaurs include the stegosaurus and Health: 32

The Ultimate Origins Book 280

 The above stats are for guard dogs, and Elephant
smaller animals may have lesser stats. Dogs
inflict Edged attack damage, move 2 areas/turn,
and track with Remarkable ability.

Dolphin

F A S E R I P
Gd Gd In Am Fb Pr Fb
10 10 40 50 2 4 2
F A S E R I P Health: 110
Gd Ex Gd Gd Ty Gd Ty
10 20 10 10 6 10 6 Elephants include the Indian and African
Health: 50 varieties, as well as their prehistoric cousins, the
mastodon and mammoth. They move 1 area/turn,
Dolphins are highly intelligent, aquatic and can inflict either Blunt or (if they have tusks)
mammals that have a language of their own. Edged damage.
Undersea races use the dolphin in much the same
way as humans use dogs or horses: for transport Fish
(swim 3 areas/ round), protection (Blunt attack
damage), and companionship.

Eagle

F A S E R I P
Fb 2 Fb 2 Fb 2 Fb 2 Fb 2 Fb 2 Fb 2
Health: 8

F A S E R I P This classification is a catchall for all sea life

not covered elsewhere. Most sea life has no
Gd Gd Pr Ex Fb Ty Fb
special Powers beyond moving 1 area/turn, and
10 10 4 20 2 6 2
will rather flee than fight.
Health: 44

Eagles include all large predatory Terran

birds, including vultures, hawks, owls, and
condors. They are not dangerous unless
threatened or under the control of another
individual. Eagles inflict Edged attack damage,
and fly up to 4 areas/round, at top speed.

281 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Horses those against natural Body Armor) forces the
target creature to make an Endurance FEAT
(during the pre-action part of the turn) or be
unable to perform any actions or concentrate.
The Intensity of this attack is Typical for most
insects, but for particularly nettlesome pests
(such as red ants, mosquitoes, or bees) the
Intensity may reach Good or Excellent. Some,
but not all, insect swarms fly at 1 area/turn.

Killer Whale

F A S E R I P
Ty Gd Rm Rm Pr Ty Pr
6 10 30 30 4 6 4
Health: 76

Horses run from Shetland ponies to beer

wagon-pulling Clydesdales. Horses may make
Blunt attacks if threatened, but normally seek to
flee threatening situations (such as fires and
battles). Horses may be trained to withstand such
challenges. They move 3 areas/turn while
carrying a rider. Certain individual horses F A S E R I P
(usually those associated with heroes) may have Rm Ty In Mn Pr Gd Ty
superior talents of higher Reason, Intuition, or 30 6 40 65 4 10 6
Psyche than their brethren. Health: 151
Insect, Swarm Killer Whales are large killers of the deep,
mammals adapted to the ocean environment as
efficient predators. They inflict Edged attacks
when they bite with their toothy jaws, and swim
at 3 areas/round.

Lions

F A S E R I P
Ex Fb Fb Ex Fb Fb Fb
20 2 2 20 2 2 2
Health: 44

Insects are listed as a swarm of about 100

creatures, minimum. These insects attack on the
Edged Attack column, but cannot get Stun or F A S E R I P
Kill results. Instead, any insect attack against Ex Gd Gd Ex Fb Fb Fb
unprotected flesh (including those that get 20 10 10 20 2 2 2
underneath artificial Body Armor but excluding Health: 60

The Ultimate Origins Book 282

 Lions include all the “big cats”—tigers,
pumas, and leopards. They are, in their natural
state, predators which avoid man, though there
are “man-killing” versions of each. The big cats
may be trained to hunt, attack and protect by
someone with appropriate skills, such as Kraven
the Hunter. Lions and their kin attack on the
Edged attack column, and move 2 areas/round.
Monkeys
The above stats; are for the giant economy-
size octopi that underwater geniuses leave
around to threaten heroes and heroes’ allies. The
high Fighting and Agility reflects the large
number of arms that may be brought to bear. In
addition, octopi may shoot inky clouds of
Excellent Intensity.
Rat, Individual

F A S E R I P F A S E R I P
Gd Ty Pr Gd Fb Ty Pr Fb 2 Fb 2 Fb 2 Fb 2 Fb 2 Fb 2 Fb 2
10 6 4 10 2 6 4 Health: 8
Health: 30
Rat, Pack of Ten
Monkeys, for the purpose of this game,
include all small primates not covered under the F A S E R I P
Ape category. Monkeys do not possess the Ex Ty Fb Ex Fb Fb Fb
strength of the apes, and cannot make Kill or 20 6 2 20 2 2 2
Slam results in their attacks, but can manipulate Health: 48
objects and be trained.
Rats and other rodents and vermin are found
Octopus and Squid in sewers beneath every major city. An
individual rat attacks on the Edged attack
column, but cannot score Stun or Kill results. A
pack of rats also attacks on this column, and may
score Kill results from multiple attacks. Rats are
normally not so bold (they prefer to push around
frogs), but will attack when externally
controlled.

F A S E R I P
Ex Rm Gd Rm Fb Fb Fb
20 30 10 30 2 2 2
Health: 90

283 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Sharks grappling attacks, crushing the life out of it.
Poisonous snakes are smaller, but their bite
(Edged attack, no Stuns or Kills) carries a deadly
venom (Good Intensity poison). Both varieties
will attack if threatened, or if controlled by an
outside force (such as the Lizard).

Wolves

F A S E R I P
Gd Gd Rm In Fb Fb Fb
10 10 30 40 2 2 2
Health: 90

The other standard threat protecting

underwater lairs and sunken treasure is sharks. F A S E R I P
The above stats are for your everyday killer-type Ex Gd Gd Gd Fb Fb Fb
shark. The “Great Whites” in the movies weigh
Health: 50
in at +1CS on all physical abilities. Sharks are
drawn by blood in the water, often travel in Wolves are relatives of dogs, and usually
packs, inflict Edged attack damage, and travel at travel in packs to bring down their prey Wolves
3 areas/round. Their mortal enemies are the move 2 areas/turn, attack on the Edged attack
dolphins, and dolphin attacks against sharks gain column, and can track with Excellent ability.
a +1CS to hit.

Snake, Constrictor

F A S E R I P
Ty Ty Ex Ex Fb Fb Fb
6 6 20 20 2 2 2
Health: 52

Snake, Poisonous
F A S E R I P
Gd 10 Pr 4 Fb 2 Pr 4 Fb 2 Fb 2 Fb 2
Health: 20

Most snakes are fairly small and inoffensive

(see Armadillos, above). Large constrictor
snakes (like the anaconda) attack their prey by

The Ultimate Origins Book 284

 Appendix Two: Drug and Alcohol Abuse
MTS Note: While this may not be a true "Origin" for MSH (No, I don't have junkie on my personal rolling
tables), it does make a good background or a way to expand on a character.

The following was taken from the Cloak and Alcohol

Dagger article by Jeff Grub, which originally
appeared in Marvel-Phile, issue #91. Alcohol is called 'courage in a bottle', and this
is the effect in the game: Raise Fighting one rank
for a character who has been drinking. However,
lower the Agility and Intuition of drinking
characters (including super-heroes) two ranks, to
a minimum of Poor.

Alcohol also has a nasty aftereffect, the

hangover. Make a Yellow Endurance FEAT (or
Red, at the Judge's option) or suffer from a shift
down one in all actions the next morning.
Another drink will allow a second FEAT roll.
This opens the door to...

Hard Drugs
In the Marvel Super Heroes game, a hard
drug is defined as any addictive drug that is
hazardous to the user's mental and physical
health. Such drugs often block the awareness of
pain, so that they have the short-term effect of
raising Endurance one rank (to a maximum of
Excellent) for 2d10 rounds. After that time,
Endurance is lowered one rank from the original
score for twenty-four hours. During this period,
drugs also lower Reason and Intuition by two
ranks each (to a minimum of Feeble).

Regular, uncontrolled abuse of drugs can lead

to addiction. The Judge may call for a Psyche
FEAT roll at the end of any week in which a
character has used drugs more than twice. Shift
down one for every week of continued use. A
successful Psyche FEAT means that the
character is still in control of his drug use.
Failure means the character is hooked on the
drug and craves more of it.
Drug addiction can be an ugly thing. The user
needs daily doses of his drug, failure resulting in
a one-rank loss of Endurance and Intuition per
day without the drug, to a minimum of Feeble. In
NPCs, the character will become violent if
denied his fix. The only way to break the habit is
going cold turkey (see below).
Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol abuse, which is as deadly as drug
abuse. NPCs can be determined by the judge to
be alcoholic or not. Player characters use a
similar method to that given for drugs. If a
character is drinking alcohol more than three
times a week, make a Psyche FEAT. Effects of
success and failure are as for drugs, with the loss
of Endurance (and resulting Health) if kept from
drinking. Endurance cannot drop below Feeble.

285 The Ultimate Origins Book

 personal loss, or seeking help). Karma may be
added to any of these rolls.

Karma and Drugs

Cold Turkey
This is the popular name for deliberately
going without something - in this case, drugs - in
order to break a habit. The addicted character
stops taking the drug to which he is addicted and
'guts it out'. He will suffer the effects of not
using the drug (loss of Endurance), but at the end
of each day he makes a Psyche FEAT roll.
Success indicates the loss of Endurance stops
there; failure indicates that the Endurance loss
continues into the next day with another Psyche
FEAT roll at the end, combined with an
overwhelming desire for the drug. If two Psyche
rolls in a row fail, the character will become
violent and will continue losing Endurance
ranks. Roll for each day until a full week of not
using the drug or alcohol has passed. The
character can be considered 'clean' at the week's
end.
Drug use and drug abuse are illegal in most
states. Heroes will lose forty Karma for dealing
in hard drugs; forty for using hard drugs
themselves, and all Karma if someone's death
results from these actions. Alcohol is slightly
more acceptable; heroes lose five Karma points
for every alcoholic drink taken or thirty for each
night of drunkenness. Friends of an alcoholic or
drug abuser lose five to twenty Karma points for
not helping a friend in need. Villains suffer a
similar loss as heroes, but receive a ten Karma
bonus for selling drugs, only if they follow up
with another sale within a week. The super-
criminal Kingpin™ will not traffic in drugs,
because they are a deadly habit for villains as
well as heroes.
A Final Note
The above rules are simplified for use in the
game, and are optional. These rules were
developed especially for this article, since drugs
are a central part of Cloak and Dagger's
background. To exclude reference to drug and
alcohol abuse would be to exclude some of the
realism of the Marvel Universe from which these
two super heroes came.

Going cold turkey purges the body of its

poisons, as does a hit from one of Dagger's light-
missiles. Being hit by one of her missiles has the
same effect as going cold turkey, but involves a
great risk to the person affected (see the
description of Dagger given above).

A character who has kicked the habit has a

good chance of backsliding even after he has
stopped using drugs or alcohol. Each week the
'clean' character makes a Psyche FEAT roll. One
failure indicates some backsliding, while two in
a row indicates a return to the addicted stage,
with all the penalties of the original state. The
Judge may modify the FEAT roll according to
the immediate situation (business pressure,

The Ultimate Origins Book 286

 Appendix Three: Inventing and Modifying
Hardware
MTS Note: The reason this was included is because I find the open two paragraphs to be contradictory.
The first one ends with how this presents rules for inventing and modifying, but the second begins with how
this does not apply to High-Tech characters? I included this as a choice for High-Tech characters, or
anyone with the appropriate talents/powers.

This except is from the "Machines of Doom"
book from the boxed set "Domains of Doom"
written by Anthony Herring.
A vast array of technological wonders are
presented in the pages of this book. Because
most of these items lie within the steely grip of
their creator—Victor Von Doom—player
character heroes have a limited number of
options if they want one of these inventions for
their very own: They can try to "acquire" it from
Doctor Doom—good luck!—or they can try to
reproduce it themselves. This chapter presents
rules for inventing high-tech gadgets and
modifying existing ones.
the device, taking into account certain modifiers.
Applicable ranks are those ranks that define the
performance of the object:
• Vehicles: Applicable ranks are Control,
Speed, and Body (the overall material
strength of the vehicle).
• Weapons: Applicable ranks are damage,
range, and material strength.
• Power Suits: This classification
includes all items that enhance a
character's abilities. Applicable ranks
are the modified abilities (Example:
Good (10) to Amazing (50) Strength)
and the material strength (or the
equivalent Body Armor) of the suit.
• Robots: This includes androids,
cyborgs, and all other types of artificial
beings but not clones. Applicable ranks
are the ranks of the being's listed
abilities (Fighting, Agility, etc.) and any
powers.
• Miscellaneous: With any other
technological item that doesn't apply to
the above classifications, its applicable
ranks are its overall material strength
and any power ranks involved.

It is important to note that high-tech

characters are not affected by the following
rules. These characters and their special gear can
and should still be created according to the
guidelines provided in the current Marvel Super
Heroes Basic Set.

Tech Rank

The most important information required for

building or modifying an item is its Tech rank,
which measures how complex and powerful the
invention is. Every device in this book has a
Tech rank listed in its description. Like powers Machines which duplicate abilities not readily
and abilities, Tech rank ranges from Shift 0 all available in our real world always have an
the way up to the infinite Beyond. Tech rank is applicable rank of Monstrous (75) added to
equal to the highest applicable rank number of everything else. If the heroes want to build a

287 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Good (10) rank time machine, a Monstrous (75)
applicable rank is added since we do not have
time machines in our society. A vehicle that flies
with jet engines would not suffer this penalty,
but one that flies due to antigravity devices
would.
A device's applicable ranks that are
realistically producible by 1990's technology
have a Tech rank limit of Monstrous (75). For
example, a conventional military jet has a Speed
of Shift X (150), but since jet aircraft are
common in our society, the rank is considered to
be Monstrous (75) for determining the planes
overall Tech rank. The jet still has a Speed of
Shift X (150); it is only counted as Monstrous
(75) for calculating Tech rank.
When the highest applicable rank has been
determined, apply the following modifiers to that
rank to find the invention's Tech rank:
• +2CS for every applicable rank equal to
the highest applicable rank. For
example, a battle suit with two
Remarkable (30) powers would have a
Tech rank of Amazing (50):
Remarkable (30) +2 Column Shifts.
• +1CS for every applicable rank that is
one rank lower than the highest
applicable rank.
• +0CS for all ranks two or more ranks
lower than the highest applicable rank.
• +2CS if the item is easily concealable
and cannot normally be seen (Example:
The Ultimate Origins Book
an ionic blade, a weapon hidden inside
Doc Doom's armor).
• +1CS if the machine is portable.
• +1CS if the invention is pocket-sized or
smaller.
• +1CS if it occupies more than one area;
compartmented vehicles are considered
to occupy as many areas as they have
compartments.
• +1CS if the object is a robot designed to
imitate a specific individual (such as a
Doombot).
• -1CS if the item is a humanoid robot.
• -1CS if the item is a hand-held melee
weapon, which must touch the target to
inflict damage, like a sword.
Once the object's final, modified Tech rank
has been established, it's time to get down to the
basics of creating the device. The following four
factors are directly related to a device's Tech
rank:
• The Resources required to build the
item;
• The amount of time that must be spent
building it;
• Whether or not the item actually works
after design and construction; and
• Whether or not a character can use
another character's invention.
The Resource FEAT
Before work begins on inventing new
technologies, the character must succeed at a
Resource FEAT against the Intensity of the
item's Tech rank. If the object has a Tech rank of
Incredible (40), for instance, the character must
succeed at an Incredible (40) Intensity Resource
FEAT. This FEAT represents buying all of the
various high-tech components needed to piece
the invention together.
If the Tech rank is more than one rank higher
than the character's Resource rank, it is an
impossible FEAT for that character—he or she
simply doesn't have the funds available.
However, the FEAT can still be accomplished
with outside help. Two characters can chip in to
buy the materials. To do so, the Resource ranks
of the characters involved must be within one
rank of each other. If so, the higher rank is
increased by +1CS.
288
 Additionally, a character with insufficient
funds, but with contacts in an organization, could
persuade an outside corporation or benefactor to
fund the project. Remember that contacts may
have their own restrictions or requirements to
any such agreement: "Well, now that you've
completed your nuclear-powered battle suit, Joe
Hero," says the smiling CEO of Tech-Star from
behind a desk the size of Kansas, "we have a
little job for you in Latveria. Surely you can help
us after all the money we put in to your armor...."
If the Resource FEAT is failed, the character
may make another attempt in one week
(assuming it was not an impossible FEAT to
begin with). It is rationalized that the inventor
can actually afford to design and build the
device, but does not have the money at hand.
Special Requirements
Most powerful inventions need a certain
component, substance, or ability to power them,
called a special requirement. These components
are totally in the province of the Judge, who
should use them as a means to prevent heroes
from building every type of gadget imaginable.
For instance, if the characters can't come up with
some antimatter, they won't be able to build a
replica of Doom's antimatter extrapolator.
Special requirements also serve to place
characters in adventure situations. An entire
scenario could be designed around the hunt for a
special item needed to restore power to a dying
hero's life-saving environmental battle suit. For
an example in the Marvel Universe, the Fantastic
Four traveled to the Negative Zone to get the
Cosmic Control Rod to aid in the birth of Reed's
son, Franklin Richards.
Special requirements also justify why villains
commit crimes in order to finish their nefarious
devices. In a recent adventure against Spider-
Man, villains stole a priceless Latverian gem
from a museum to further their ambitions. "This
machine will call the holy Swarm back to Earth,
to purify the planet of all but our kind!" gloated
Master Andrew, leader of the Arcane Order of
the Night, as he gently placed the powerful
Dragon's Egg into a strange contraption aimed at
the stars. "And tonight, at last, we have the
occult engine with which to power the machine!"
In deciding whether or not a special
requirement is needed, consider the function of
289
the invention. If it duplicates a power that is not
available in "real life" (such as time travel), a
special requirement is always mandatory.
Similarly, if the object has powers of Incredible
(40) rank or higher, a special requirement should
be called for, though items should rarely exceed
three requirements. The Judge always has final
say as to the number of special requirements (if
any) needed, but he or she may be especially
lenient in cases where speed is of the essence (as
with kit-bashing).
When the Judge decides a special requirement
is necessary, players should work with the Judge
to create something that ties in with the device in
question. Examples include:
• A special material or alloy is needed.
For example, a noiseless engine might
require vibranium, or a device of
Unearthly (100) material strength may
require some adamantium or uru metal.
• A specific component must be found for
the device to function. For an electronic
invention, a unique circuit board or
computer chip may have to be acquired
or developed independently at a Tech
rank of -1CS from the original
invention's Tech rank.
• Someone knowledgeable in the field
must be consulted. Michael Morbius,
Bruce Banner, and Doctor Octopus are
all masters in the field of radiation,
while Henry Pym and Bill Foster are
two of the few consultants available on
size control. Doctor Doom is a master
in robotics, as well as just about every
other field, including magic. Arranging
a meeting with such experts is the hero's
problem, and could certainly be the
beginning of a memorable adventure.
• A unique process is needed to fire the
reaction to complete the project. Some
The Ultimate Origins Book
 standard favorites are exposure to
cosmic or gamma radiation, solar flares,
zero gravity, and even sorcery. Tell the
players what is required ("All you need
to fully power your VTOL chariot is a
charge of Unearthly Intensity
lightning."), but let them figure out how
to acquire it.
• A working model of the device must be
found and studied. This can be required
when trying to duplicate another's
invention or a hero's powers. The cost
of instruments to analyze the model
may also be added, further increasing
the difficulty in creating an item.
Construction Time
The Tech rank number determines the number
of days required to finish the project. For
example, a flying rocket-powered skateboard
with an Incredible (40) Tech rank takes 40 days
to complete. This figure assumes normal
working conditions: one man working alone with
regular breaks for eating, sleeping, and other
necessities. The following situations may reduce
the construction time:
• If the inventor (the character making the
Reason FEAT) has a lab assistant, the
time is halved.
• If the assistant has a Reason within one
rank of the inventor's, the time is
quartered, rather than halved as
described above.
• If the inventor works non-stop with
only short breaks for food and rest, time
is again halved.
• If the inventor has blueprints for the
invention or a working model of a
The Ultimate Origins Book
similar invention built by someone else,
time is again halved.
• If the inventor has hired or persuaded a
non-player character to do the work
based on the inventor's requests or
designs, the maximum amount of time
is always used. A character may only
work on one invention at a time, but he
may have several projects being
developed by others.
The Reason FEAT
After succeeding at the Resource FEAT and
spending the required amount of time completing
the project, the inventor attempts a Reason
FEAT roll to determine if all of his effort has
paid off. The following modifiers are applied to
the character's Reason:
• +1CS for an assistant with Reason no
less than one rank lower than the
inventor's (maximum of +1CS).
• +1CS for each applicable talent
(electronics, robotics, etc; maximum of
+3CS total).
• +1CS if the device existed previously
(the inventor's failed experiments,
research on individual components, or
salvaged parts from another device).
• +2CS if the inventor has another
character's blueprints or working model.
• -1CS if time was shortened by rushing
the project.
• -1CS for each special requirement
needed (maximum of -3CS).
Using his modified Reason, the inventor
attempts a Reason FEAT against the Intensity of
the item's Tech rank. If the Tech rank is
Amazing (50), for example, an Amazing (50)
Intensity Reason FEAT is called for. Karma may
be added before the die roll, but in this case (and
this case only!), the amount of Karma must be
stated before the roll is made.
This is an impossible FEAT if the Tech rank
is more than one rank higher than the inventor's
modified Reason. After all of his effort, time,
and money, the inventor still cannot fathom the
intricacies of this machine. Back to the drawing
board!
Even if the Tech rank is more than two ranks
lower than the character's Reason, this is never
an automatic FEAT. Everybody makes mistakes,
290
even such brilliant scientists as Mister Fantastic
and Doctor Doom.
If the Reason FEAT is failed, the device does
not work and the inventor realizes he has missed
a vital component—one special requirement is
added. The character must start again, but no
Resource FEAT is required (except possibly to
get the new special requirement). Construction
time is the same as before, and a Reason FEAT
must again be attempted.
If the Reason FEAT is successful, the device
works exactly as planned. Eureka!
If the Reason FEAT is passed, the device
operates as planned for 1-10 rounds before
becoming useless. Depending upon the gadget, it
might explode, fuse solid, or simply fall to
pieces. If the inventor can salvage the remains,
he receives a +1CS bonus on future Reason
FEAT rolls to duplicate the item.
Karma for kit-bashed devices can be taken
from any source available to the inventor: his
own fund; Karma pools he belongs to; Karma
that has been set aside for advancement; and
Karma contributed by assistants.

Kit-Bashing

Sometimes it is crucial for a hero to come up

with a device right away if not sooner. The
solution is to start kit-bashing—using what
gadgets are immediately at hand to build
something that will save the day. In the Marvel
Universe, Reed Richards is the unparalleled
champion at kit-bashing items to rescue the
planet from peril.

Kit-bashing proceeds much like normal

inventing, but no Resource FEAT is necessary,
and construction takes far less time at the
expense of Karma. Every 10 points of Karma
spent reduce one day of normal work to one
round. For example, if a machine has a Tech
rank of Amazing (50), it takes 50 days to build
under normal circumstances. By spending 500
Karma points, the construction time is reduced to
50 rounds. Modifying Hardware

Kit-bashing may also be used to rush a
project to completion. Your character is on the
fifth day of work on a robot-neutralizer device,
which requires 10 days of construction time, but
Doctor Doom's robot army suddenly attacks! The
project can be completed in five turns by kit-
bashing. However, if any part of the device is
kit-bashed, the entire machine is considered to
have been kit-bashed.
The inventor must still succeed at a Reason
FEAT as described previously. If the roll is
failed, the device does not function. Another
attempt may be made, but the construction time
is the same, and Karma must be spent again.
Unlike standard hardware creation, a new special
requirement is not added with a failure at kit-
bashing.
Sometimes heroes don't want to build an
entirely new device, but simply want to modify
an existing one. Modification is often less
expensive than a full-scale project, and can be
used to smooth out the edges of inventions or
improve them slowly.
Only one modification can be made to a
device at one time. Adding blaster weapons and
a turbo-jet to your motorcycle is actually two
separate modifications; one must be done before
the other.
Modifications that alter abilities have a Tech
rank equal to the new ability rank. Each ability
may only be added one rank at a time. If a hero
wants to increase the Body Armor rank of a
battle suit from Good (10) to Remarkable (30),

291 The Ultimate Origins Book

 he must first modify it to Excellent (20), then
make a second modification to Remarkable (30).
Modifications that give abilities or powers
which the device did not already possess (such as
Flight for a battle suit) have a Tech rank equal to
the power rank of the added feature. Remember
that powers not reproducible by modern
technology have a minimum Tech rank of
Monstrous (75).
The Resource FEAT, construction time, and
Reason FEAT of a modification are all handled
exactly as for any standard invention. Failure
during modification stages may damage the
original device as well, with individual results
determined by the Judge. Modifications can be
kit-bashed.
Damage
All devices have a material strength rank,
which provides them the equivalent of Body
Armor. For a vehicle, material strength equals its
Body attribute. When any device suffers damage
greater than its material strength, it immediately
ceases to function; robots are an exception, as
noted below. If it is a vehicle and is moving, it
crashes. If the amount of damage inflicted is two
times the item's material strength or greater, it is
utterly destroyed, damaged beyond repair, kaput.
The Ultimate Origins Book
If the amount of damage caused is less than
twice the device's material strength, it is
damaged and does not work, but the item may
still be repaired. Subtract its material strength
from the damage done, and reduce its material
strength by the remainder. For example, if a
machine with Remarkable (30) material strength
suffers an Incredible (40) attack, it ceases to
function and now has a material strength of
Excellent (20): 40-30 = 10; 30-10 = 20.
A device that has not been totally obliterated
may suffer damage in addition to a loss of
material strength. Roll a FEAT against the item's
lowered material strength:
• White: All of the device's applicable
ranks are reduced by -2CS (except
material strength, which has already
been lowered).
• Green: All of the item's applicable
ranks are reduced by -1CS (excluding
material strength).
• Yellow: One of the machine's applicable
ranks is reduced by -1CS (choose at
random; excluding material strength).
• Red: None of the invention's applicable
ranks is reduced (except material
strength, of course). If any of the
device's applicable ranks are reduced to
Shift 0, it is damaged beyond hope and
cannot be repaired. The pieces may be
salvaged for use in new inventions
along similar lines.
Damage to Robots
Unlike other devices, robots and their kin
(androids, cyborgs, synthezoids, etc.) have
Health points and suffer damage just like other
characters. Player character robots and artificial
beings (and some non-player character robots, as
determined by the Judge) are assumed to have
self-repairing circuitry and other regenerative
systems that allow them to heal damage like
normal humans and humanoids. This is a
standard rule, though some characters are
exceptions; Misty Knight's bionic arm does not
have any regenerative capabilities, and must be
externally repaired whenever it is damaged.
As an addition to the rules, assume that
characters with the robotics skill can use that
talent to administer first aid to a robot. This halts
the Endurance loss of "dying" robots, including
those at Shift 0 Health. Robots receiving this aid
292
regain one rank of Endurance immediately (if Reprogramming
any were lost).
The construction of computers and robot non-
Long-Term Repairs player characters follows the same rules as for
constructing other types of devices. Such
A repair center (usually part of the inventor's machines are assigned Reason abilities, but
laboratory) is required to fix damaged machines, possess no creative thought or personality of
and can increase the healing rate of robots just as their own (player character robots and other
hospitals do for biological characters. The Tech synthetic heroes are the exception). The artificial
rank of the repair center determines its Resource Reason ability reflects the amount of stored
cost and its overall effectiveness. For example, a information the device has and the ease with
repair center of Good (10) Tech rank may be which it can access it. Computers are only as
used to make repairs at up to Good (10) rank— smart as the information they receive and
an Excellent (20) or higher rank mechanism accessing information or reprogramming a
could not be fixed here. computer or robot is simple if the proper
passwords are known. Passwords allow the user
Damaged machines are those that have lost to bypass any internal security programs. The
applicable ranks. If the Tech rank of the repair level of security of a computer or robot is the
center is at least two ranks greater than the Tech same as its Reason.
rank of the device, full repairs are possible
(assuming the controller successfully makes his
Reason FEATs). Otherwise, a repair center can
restore one rank at a time. A Green Reason
FEAT is attempted for each rank, using the
Reason of the repairperson or the Tech rank of
the center, whichever is less. Karma may be
added to the roll of a PC or NPC repairperson,
not a repair center. The Reason FEAT is the
same as for modifications, and must be
attempted for each repaired rank. Time is
measured in hours rather than days.

Repairs in the field may be made with a

successful Reason FEAT against the Intensity of
the original applicable rank. If a vehicle's
Excellent (20) Speed has been reduced to Good
(10), a character can make a temporary repair by
succeeding at an Excellent (20) Intensity Reason
FEAT roll. Repair time equals one turn per
applicable rank number. The vehicle's Speed in
the above example would take 20 turns to fix.
Only one rank can be repaired per attempt—it is
not possible to raise the vehicle's Speed from
Typical (6) to Excellent (20) in one repair
attempt. If the passwords are not known, taking
information from or reprogramming a computer
Field repairs last for 1-10 hours before or robot requires the character to succeed at a
shaking loose again. As a result of the jury- Reason FEAT against the Intensity of the
rigging, more damage is caused to the machine's Reason. The time required to perform
machine—the applicable rank ends up at one the procedure is equal to the machine's Reason
rank lower than that before repairs were made. In rank number in turns.
the previous example, the vehicle's Speed after
1-10 hours would be reduced to Typical (6). With the proper passwords, the device's
Reason is considered to be at -4CS for
determining the Intensity of the required Reason
FEAT. The time required to extract the

293 The Ultimate Origins Book

 information or reprogram the machine is also considered to be lower when determining the
reduced by -4CS. The amount of time needed to Intensity of any Resource and Reason FEATs.
reprogram a computer or robot cannot be Thus, through magic, it is possible for inventors
reduced to less than two rounds (Feeble (2) to pass what would otherwise be impossible
Reason). FEATs. How much the time and FEAT Intensity
are reduced depends upon the inventor's magical
As an example, Reed Richards has captured a ability power rank:
Doombot that was attacking Four Freedoms
Plaza. It has Excellent (20) Reason, and Reed Magic
wants to reprogram it to attack its master. Reduction of Reduction of
Ability
Because he doesn't know the robot's various Intensity Time
Rank
passwords, Mr. Fantastic must succeed at an Fb (2) -1CS -25%
Excellent (20) Intensity Reason FEAT. With his Pr (4) -1CS -25%
Amazing (50) Reason and talents in robotics and
Ty (6) -1CS -25%
electronics, this is hardly a problem for Mister
Fantastic. The process takes him 20 turns to Gd (10) -2CS -25%
complete, and then the robot is sent on itsway— Ex (20) -2CS -50%
watch out Victor! Rm (30) -2CS -50%
In (40) -3CS -50%
Using Another Inventor's Creations Am (50) -3CS -75%
Mn (75) -3CS -75%
To successfully use a device invented by Un (100) -4CS -75%
someone else, the character must succeed at a
Reason FEAT roll, using the item's Tech rank as
For example, an inventor with Amazing
the opposing Intensity. Failure indicates the
magical ability could construct an Incredible (40)
character hit the wrong button, activated the
Tech rank item as if it were a Good (10) Tech
wrong system, pointed it in the wrong direction,
rank (for Reason and Resource FEATs) and
or caused some damage to the device. The Judge
complete it in 10 days.
should vary results according to the situation.
At Shift X (150) or greater magical ability,
A Reason FEAT need not be attempted each
the character is such a powerful sorcerer that the
time the device is used. Once a character
thought of spending time to invent technological
succeeds at the FEAT, it is assumed he or she
items is ridiculous. Such a character could
has "got the hang of it," understands the basic
probably create whatever he desired with no
function and workings of the device, and can use
need of technology.
it without additional risk.

Mixing Science and Sorcery

Doctor Doom's Reason is high and his

scientific resources are phenomenal, but his
talents in sorcery can sometimes lend a hand in
his inventions. When applied correctly, inventors
skilled in mystic arts can use magic to help them
pass the Resource and Reason FEAT rolls
involved in hardware building, drastically
reducing the total construction time of the item.

To combine magic with inventing, the

character must first succeed at a Yellow FEAT
roll against his magical ability power rank. If the
roll is missed, the inventor's magical abilities
cannot help him with that particular item. If the
roll is passed, construction time is shortened in
relation to the inventor's magical power.
Additionally, the device's Tech rank is

The Ultimate Origins Book 294

 Appendix Four: Nobody Lasts Forever
But Death rarely has the last word on superheroes
MTS Note: While "being dead" is not really an origin, this article goes into detail about longevity, which
might be a power, but it definitely shapes the character's origin and background. Death simply tends to
lead to "rebirth" in the Marvel Universe, and if that is not an opening to change your origin, I don't know
what is.

This article was part of the Marvel-Phile, and
was originally printed in issue #150 of Dragon
Magazine.
If the character's powers are species abilities
or are the results of processes used on a number
of beings, one post-mortem effect should be
sufficient for everyone in that group. The Judge
should be prepared to decide how
technologically produced superpowers are
affected if the deceased equipment still operates
after the death of its user or if such equipment is
damaged at the time of the user's death.

Post-mortem effects
Table 1 lists the various post-mortem effects
that might occur when a superbeing dies. Of
course, these effects may not apply if the
superbeing was merely a normal (if athletic)
human.

Let's think about the unthinkable, namely,

death and its effects on your hero's career in the
Marvel Super Heroes™ game. Death doesn't
usually change people physically. Oh, they don't
breathe, are no fun at parties, and have hygiene
problems, but on the whole, not much else
occurs to the recently departed. Superbeings are
a different case. Because of the powers that some
superbeings (or their superequipment) possess,
death may cause unforeseen events with the loss
of the deceased's conscious control.

You aren't likely to know what's going to

happen to your character if he dies. Even if you
do, you'll only have to deal with the aftereffects
once. NPCs are a different case; they can drop
like flies in tough campaigns. Judges should
determine postmortem effects beforehand,
especially if the current adventure has a high risk
of PC or NPC fatalities. The information should
be kept secret unless later events enable someone
to puzzle it out.

Since most PCs are unique individuals, post-

mortem effects can be specifically selected or
randomly determined for each superpowered
hero as appropriate. Simply roll 1d100 on Table
1 for random results.

295 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Table 1 body. If those body parts are transplanted to
Post-Mortem Effects for Superbeings another being, the recipient gains the
superpowers inherent in those parts. For
1d100 Post-Mortem effect example, if the deceased had optical powers such
01-25 PM1/Total Loss as telescopic and microscopic vision, the
26-54 PM2/Reversion transplanting of those eyes to another might give
the recipient those powers. Such powers that
55-69 PM3/Partial Loss
remain decrease in rank as the body decays, but
70-84 PM4/Retention such decay halts if the parts are properly
85-91 PM5/Self-Direction transplanted or stored.
92-95 PM6/Self-Destruction
96-98 PM7Explosion PM5/Self-Direction: The body's powers turn
99-00 PM/New Power upon itself. Each power releases a final, full-
strength attack at the body. This flurry of activity
may destroy, transform, or otherwise alter the
PM1/Total Loss: The body retains none of the dead superbeing. If such self-directed attacks are
powers possessed by the deceased and remains of higher rank than the deceased's former Health,
physically unchanged. For example, when the body may be burned, disrupted, or even
Changeling died while impersonating Professor disintegrated outright. Afterward, the remains are
X, his body was locked into that form. inert and possess no remaining powers. For
example, if the deceased possessed a petrifying
power, the body may suddenly transform into a
rock statue.

PM6/Self-Destruction: The body's powers turn

upon itself. The deceased's power ranks are
totaled and converted into a self-destructive blast
of equal rank. If the blast is of higher rank than
the deceased's former Health, the body is burned,
disrupted, or disintegrated. For example, when
the android Hyperion died, his body dissolved
into protoplasm. However, no matter how
destructive the blast, its effects do not extend
beyond the body. The nature of the self-
destruction should be characteristic of the
deceased's body or powers if possible.

PM7/Explosion: The body's powers erupt in a

PM2/Reversion: The body retains none of its
superpowers. It also reverts in death back to the
deceased's original form. Werewolves are an
example of this.
PM3/Partial Loss: The body loses some
superpowers and retains others. Generally, those
powers that required a conscious mind in order
to operate are lost, while those powers that are a
function of body structure remain. For example,
a dead Armadillo would still have an armored
hide and claws.
single explosion as the body spontaneously
detonates. The deceased's power ranks are added
together and converted into a single explosion of
equal rank. For propriety's sake, let's assume that
organic beings completely disintegrate with little
mess. Robots, cyborgs, and inorganic parts
become shrapnel. If the deceased was
sufficiently powerful, his death could mean the
demolition of large parts of the countryside or
even the planet. Again, the nature of the
destruction should be characteristic of the
deceased's body or powers.

PM4/Retention: The body retains its
superpowers, though it is, of course, unable to
use them unless converted into a zombie or
animated by a possessing life force. Some
powers are localized in particular parts of the
PM8/New Power: For reasons unknown, the
death trauma causes the deceased's existing
powers to transform into a new power. The
power is selected at random and may have
nothing to do with the previously existing

The Ultimate Origins Book 296

powers. The body emits this new power
uncontrollably, much like a isotope emitting
radiation. The body is not immune to this power;
if the new power is destructive, the body soon
disintegrates and the power ceases to function.
However, if the power is useful or even valuable,
the deceased may become a valued commodity.
In the rare event that this new power somehow
negates death, the character rises like Lazarus
from the tomb.
A Question of Resurrection
In comic books and their role-playing
systems, death is reversible. Beside its obvious
effect on the character, what effects does revival
have on his powers? The answer is: any effect. It
depends on what killed the being the first time,
what happened to the body, and how revival
occurred. The Judge should decide which of the
following states applies.
Physical resurrection occurs when the body is
returned to at least minimal Health and a life
force is restored or developed. If the body is
restored to the same condition it had during its
superpowered phase, such powers most likely
reappear. If the body is restored to a pre-super
state (for example, a dead Thing being revived as
a mid-20s Ben Grimm), such powers might not
reappear. Of course, the potential for later
development of powers remains (the revived Ben
would still have his potential for mutation).
Mental powers may reappear if they were a
function of the physical structure of the brain or
if the original life force returns.
If the deceased is cloned, you must consider
whether the deceased's powers were genetic in
nature. If the powers were not genetic, the clone
is assumed to be the same as the deceased's pre-
super form. If they were a function of the
deceased's genetic code, the clone may be
physically the same as the superbeing's original
superbody. Powers that were based on later
mutation or modification are not necessarily
present in the clone, but the potential is there for
recreation of those missing powers. For example,
a clone of Ben Grimm would be human, but
exposure to gamma radiation might make the
clone orange, rocky, and superstrong.
If the clone is possessed by the original's life
force, mental or magical powers will probably
reappear, although the clone may have initial
difficulty in using familiar powers in an
unfamiliar body.
297
Sometimes conditions transplant the
deceased's life force into a new body. These
body transplants. give the hybrid a combination
of the life force's mental or magical powers and
the body's physical powers. For example, Walter
Langkowski (formerly the orange-furred, male
Sasquatch) was restored to life in the whitefurred
Sasquatch form that was once Snowbird's body.
Langkowski thus retained the ability to transform
between the white Sasquatch form and a human
body, but that body was Narya's female form.
(Fortunately, that little oversight has since been
corrected.)
Resurrection as Remodeling
Resurrection is a handy way to alter or
redefine a superbeing.s powers. Superpowers
result from a complex interaction between a life
force, a physical body, and (perhaps) external
forces. Death, even as a temporary state, alters
the equation. Players and Judges should agree on
the overall effect the resurrection will have on a
Superbeing's powers. Examples include:
• Retain the same powers but generate
new ranks for them;
• Trade randomly selected powers for
new powers;
• Throw out all powers and generate new
ones;
• Alter the ranks of a randomly selected
number of Physical Abilities;
• Keep only mental and magical powers
(if this is a new body);
• Keep only physical powers (if this is a
new life force);
• Combine old powers into new hybrid
forms; or
• Add powers resulting from the means
used to resurrect the deceased (for
example, bionic implants to maintain
the restored life force may possess
additional abilities).
The Ultimate Origins Book
 Table 2 Table 3
Apparent Ages of Long-Lived or Immortal Actual Ages of Immortal or Long-Lived
Superbeings Superbeings

Die Roll Apparent Age (Years) Die Actual Age (in

Birth Era
01-07 Baby (under 2) Roll Years)
08-14 Child (2-11) Modern industrial
01-06 Under 100
15-29 Teen (12-19) era
30-58 Young adult (20-40) 07-39 100-500 Post-Renaissance
59-80 Middle age (41-60) 40-67 501-1,500 Dark Ages
81-94 Old (61-80) Ancient, post-Ice
68-88 4001-10,000
95-00 Very old (81+) Age
Cro-Magnon, Ice
89-94 10,001-100,000
Immortality and Longevity Age
100,001-
95-97 Primitive man
Now that you're depressed, let's deal with 10,000,000
powers that help your PC avoid that unknown 10million-5 Various prehistoric
98-99
country from which few explorers return. billion eras
Before Earth was
00 5 billion +
P21/Immortality: The Player's Book of the created
Marvel Super Heroes Advanced Set deals with
this power. However, you might want to know a When creating a character with this power,
few details, such as how old your pet immortal you need to determine both the actual age of the
appears (Table 2) and how old that being PC (Table 2) and his apparent age (Table 3). In
actually is (Table 3). Later, we'll also consider the case of the recently born (those under 100
what happens if an immortal becomes mortal. years old), the apparent age should be middle age
or younger; otherwise, how would you know the
P22/Longevity: Adam Sonfield, a Marvel Super hero was long-lived?
Heroes game player, reminded me that a greatly
increased lifespan is not necessarily the same as The total lifespan of someone with Longevity
Immortality. Longevity does not automatically is determined by his power rank. The power rank
include immunity to disease, aging, or bodily number is cubed, then multiplied by 70 years
destruction, and someone with Longevity merely (current average human life expectancy) to
has a greatly increased but finite lifespan. generate the probable lifespan of the being in
question (see Table 4). For beings with other
lifespans, multiply the modifier in Table 4 by the
lifespan common to that race. For example, a
field mouse with Typical Longevity could reach
an age of 216 years.

In such cases where the actual age of a hero is

greater than his expected lifespan, assume the
character was either affected by a process or
event that further increased his lifespan (for
example, being a time traveler) or that he is
aware that his remaining days are few in number.
In either case, this extension can lead to all sorts
of plot complications. Is the character trying to
complete a final task before dying? Is he trying
to do something to prevent death and renew his
as-yet unexplained extension?

Remember that a long life expectancy

includes no guarantee of actually living that
long. PCs are still prey to accidents For example,

The Ultimate Origins Book 298

consider the case of a mad scientist who, having depending on the circumstances and the Judge's
just completed a process that gives him a discretion.
potential lifespan of thousands of years,
promptly trips on a power cord and dies of a Aging and death: The character rapidly ages to
fractured skull. his true age. The shock tends to be fatal,
especially if the character's actual age is more
A character's Longevity rank can be added to than twice that of his normal life expectancy.
his Endurance rank when determining the effects Rapid decomposition occurs in 1-100 turns; the
of disease on a long-lived PC. remains attain a state similar to that of a normal
body the same age as the recently deceased's
Table 4 actual age. Bodies under 4,000 years old are
Life Expectancies of Long-Lived Superbeings mummified; those up to 10,000 years old
become skeletons, and those older than that
Life Expectancy collapse into dust. If the power is restored to an
Rank Modifier immortal's remains, the immortal can eventually
(Years)
FE (2) 8 560 return to life (traditional vampires are an
PR (4) 64 4,480 example of this). Longevity-powered characters
require aid from such powers as Resurrection or
TY (6) 216 12,120
Self-Revival before they can regain their
GD (10) 1,000 70,000 previous physical conditions.
EX (20) 8,000 560,000
RM (30) 27,000 1,890,000
IN (40) 64,000 4,480,000
AM (50) 125,000 8,750,000
MN (75) 421,875 23,531,250
UN (100) 1,000,000 70,000,000
Shift X
3,375,000 236,250,000
(150)
Shift Y 125
560 million
(250) million
Shift Z 125
8.75 billion
(500) million
The player should also determine the
C1000 1 billion 70 billion
Character's aging rate. Does he age in a steady
C3000 27 billion 1,890 trillion but incredibly slow rate? Does he suddenly gain
C5000 125 billion 8,750 trillion a year's worth of aging once each century?
Although this information might have little game
Normal life: Character is now a normal use, the information will help flesh out your PC's
individual of his apparent age with a normal life long life story or give motivation to long-lived
expectancy. If the power can be later restored NPCs machinations.
before a natural death occurs, he continues living
on as if little had happened. If death occurs Quick Exits
meanwhile, an immortal might still resurrect
himself if the power is restored to his remains. But what happens to an immortal or long-
lived character if that power is removed or
Sudden aging: The character rapidly ages to his negated? Roll 1d100 on Table 5 for the answer.
true age but doesn't necessarily die. A character
whose age exceeds his normal life expectancy Table 5
withers to a mummy like state. If his age exceeds Aftereffects For Loss of
four times his normal life expectancy, the Longevity/Immortality
mummy is apparently lifeless. Consciousness
remains, though, and "the mummy" is free to use
1d100 Effect
its other powers as best it can. If the Longevity
or Immortality power is later restored, the 01-40 Normal life
character might regain his previous appearance, 41-60 Sudden aging
61-00 Aging and death

299 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Appendix Five: Origin of Power
MTS Note: I have always loved this snippet of the UPB. Not only is it a great tool for some players who do not have
the greatest imaginations, it is also useful for when you make up characters “on the fly”, and do not have as much
time to put a lot of thought into your character, their background, and how they got their superpowers. A book
about Origins would simply not be complete without this section.

This material was originally printed in "The Ultimate working out at all like the plans said it should; the
Powers Book" by David E. Martin. Powers Steve has manifested are entirely unexpected.

Example 2: Bruce rolls a 15 for Physical Form

Now that you've determined what your character
looks like, the next question is how did he get that
way? More importantly, how did he get the Powers
that set him apart from mortal men (or cyborgs or
centaurs or kitty cats)? This is the stage where you
determine the Origin of Power. There are 11
possibilities here, each one a single event in your
character's life that transformed him/her/it into a
Super Hero.
Other Demihuman, and a 34 for Origin, Endowment.
Bruce has a fondness for beams, which leads him to
make his character a Ursinoid. He doesn't want to
have to come up with an entire racial background for
his character, tentatively called Ursus, and chooses
the second option for Origin. Ursus began life as a
normal teenager in Charlottesville, Virginia. While
wandering through the woods one night, the boy
encountered a crippled UFO piloted by small bear-
like beings. The boy tried to assist the bears, who
transformed him into a form more capable of
performing the repairs they needed done. The alien
bears completely forgot about returning their helper
to his original form before they left.

The player can interpret the Origin two ways. The

first way assumes that the character has always had
approximately the same Physical Form that he now
possesses. In that case, the Origin is the event in
which his Powers first appeared. The second way of
interpreting the Origin is to assume that the character
began life as a perfectly Normal, Human, say a kid
from Euclid, Ohio. In that case, the Origin was an
event that not only gave him Power, it may have also
drastically altered his Physical form.

Example 1: Ken rolls a 78 for Physical Form, a

Mechanically Augmented Cyborg, and a 58 for
Origin, Technical Experiment. He interprets this to
create Steve Piano, a man who has volunteered to be
a test subject for a new weapons system his company
has developed. The system is surgically implanted
within Steve's body. Since the implantation is
experimental, the lab wants him to retain the implant
for a time while they study its effects on him. What
they aren't telling Steve is that the implant is not

The Ultimate Origins Book 300

To determine the Origin of Power, roll percentage whose possession gives the hero Power (Black
dice once and compare the results with the following Knight, Vindicator).
table.
Technical Mishap: The hero was caught in an
Die Roll Origin experiment or procedure gone awry, with the result
01-10 Natal that the hero gained Powers that were totally
11-20 Maturity unexpected. Such freak conditions cannot be
completely duplicated, although they can be
21-30 Self-Achievement
simulated. Simulations produce slightly different
31-35 Endowment results, though. Cloak and Dagger are examples of
36-50 Technical Mishap Mishap Origins. The late Sasquatch was an example
51-60 Technical Procedure of a Mishap Simulation, from trying to recreate the
61-65 Creation Gamma Blast that created the Hulk.
66-76 Biological Exposure
77-87 Chemical Exposure
88-98 Energy Exposure
99-00 Rebirth

Natal: The hero-was born in the Body Type he

has, and possessed all his Powers from birth onward
(although learning to control them took time). Note:
If a character is a Cyborg, he was severely deformed
at birth and required immediate emergency medical
and scientific aid.

Maturity: The hero gained his Powers sometime

after reaching adulthood. Powers may have begun
manifesting themselves sporadically during
adolescence, or even childhood, but full control
wasn't achieved until maturity. Most Random
Mutants are in this class.

Self-Achievement: The hero actively sought out a
means of giving himself Power. He developed the
methods, procedures, equipment, or whatever permits
him to possess Power. This could be through
scientific endeavors (Henry Pym/Ant Man), arcane
study (Dr. Strange), or physical training (iron Fist).
Anyone can gain Powers similar to the hero's by
following this special training.
Technical Experiment: The hero was the subject
of a controlled scientific or magical experiment.
Assuming that all the factors are reproduced, such a
Technical Experiment should be “able to produce a
steady supply of super powered heroes.
Unfortunately, the geniuses behind such experiments
often leave inadequate notes; if something happens to
the genius, the experiment is irreproducible. Dr.
Reinstein, for example, never really wrote down the
Super-Soldier Formula that transformed Steve Rogers
into Captain America. Attempts to recreate it
produced the Infinity Formula that has the simpler
effect of increasing the subject's Health, Endurance,
and lifespan.

Creation: The hero was born in the form he now

Endowment: The hero was given his Power by
another being. This includes such diverse situations
as being transformed (Tigra), being charged with
Power (the Power Pack kids), and acquiring an item
has, that of an adult who possesses Power and/or
whatever the Body Type is. Most of the Artificial
Body Types belong in this class. Examples include
the android Human Torch, all robots, angels, demons,
and deities.
Biological Exposure: The hero gained Power after
exposure to a special lifeform or a substance secreted

301 The Ultimate Origins Book

by that lifeform. Werewolves and Bio-Vampires are Marc Spector/Moon Knight and Arthur Douglas/Drax
common examples of this. Normal Humans are the Destroyer.
transformed into those kinds of beings after being
bitten by another Werewolf or Bio-Vampire. The
hero can also gain Power from an experiment using
bio- chemicals. For example, the late Whizzer gained
his Power after consecutive injections of cobra
venom and mongoose blood.

Chemical Exposure: The hero was transformed by

exposure to an exotic element, compound, or
mixture. This substance can be inhaled, ingested,
injected, or just placed next to the hero for it to affect
him. The chemicals involved in these incidents react
in random ways with the hero's genetic structure and
produce unique results. If another person is exposed
to the same chemical, the results may be different or
fatal. Madcap is an example of this.

Energy Exposure: The hero was exposed to a

special form and Intensity of energy— anything out
of the ordinary will do—and turned into his present
self. Most of the Marvel Super Heroes from the early
1960s are examples of this. The Fantastic Four, the
Hulk, and Daredevil, for examples, all received
Powers after being subjected to hard radiation.

Rebirth: The hero was once a perfectly ordinary

person. Then he died. Something happened to him
that destroyed his old body and gave him a new one,
complete with Power. Examples of this class include

The Ultimate Origins Book 302

 Appendix Six: Overcoming Obstacles
MTS Note: I am not suggesting to add Physically Limited as an origin, but this article works well to give
Players and Judges a chance for unique role-playing situations, as well as making combat a little more
interesting. When I Judge, I would be more then happy to work with a player wanting to make a physically
limited character to ensure the negatives are balanced with benefits.
This article originally appeared as part of the
ongoing Marvel-Phile series, issue #195, and
was written by Justin Mohareb.
Many gamers think the only super-heroes
worth playing in a role-playing game (RPG) are
the huge invulnerable, muscle-bound types. They
find the idea of playing a handicapped hero
somewhat offensive.
Fortunately, the comics do not share this
attitude. There have been many heroes who were
in one way or another handicapped. Thor, in his
former guise of the mortal Dr. Donald Blake, had
a lame leg. Professor Charles Xavier has been
confined to a wheelchair for most of his years as
the X-Men's mentor. Psylocke was blinded, and
later given cybernetic eyes. Daredevil is blind.
Hawkeye is, as a result of an earlier adventure,
almost deaf with out his hearing aids. Silhouette
of the New Warriors uses crutches. Bushmaster,
like Donald Pierce of the Reavers, was a
quadriplegic who used cybernetic limbs to
replace his own in Bushmaster's case, cybernetic
arms and a Snake's lower body. Artie from the
Exterminators cannot speak, so he uses his
telepathic projection power to communicate. The
creator of the Box armor, Roger Bochs, had no
legs, so he designed his armor to grant him
mobility
303
Overcoming Handicaps
It is possible to run a hero who is not
functioning at 100% capacity. There are many
powers or gimmicks that can be used to help get
around physical handicaps. A simple hearing aid,
a robotic servitor, a suit of cybernetically
controlled armor, a telekinetic power, or magical
spells could be used to negate or counteract
handicaps. Cybernetic limbs could be used also.
Some heroes, like inventors and psychics, do nor
engage in physical combat often, so physical
handicaps would be less of a hindrance to them.
A psychic could be deaf, and "hear" by reading
thoughts directed at him, or he could be able to
communicate by true telepathy.
A magic-using or mentalist character could be
unable to walk, or could be paralyzed, unable to
move at all. This hero still could adventure in her
astral form, however. It would be downright
interesting to have a character whom the others
would never see in a solid form, but only in an
amorphous mist resembling a human body.
Imagine the character assuming she is immune to
physical attacks, but then having to fight a
gaseous vampire, or the astral form of an
opposing mage or psychic. A wheelchair-bound
villain can still be an excellent mastermind, and
from the chair he may control various death
traps. Imagine an evil genius, trapped in an iron
lung, who controls robotic replicas of the heroes
to ruin their reputations by robbing banks, etc.
Perhaps he hires other villains to do his dirty
work for him. Remember Silvermane, the
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 Maggia leader who fought Spider-Man and
Cloak and Dagger? He ruled his criminal empire
from a bed, and even when the heroes found him,
he was still able to protect himself. Later, his
brain was placed in a cybernetic body that let
him mix it up with them directly.
Benefits for Handicapped PCs
Why would a player want to play a character
with a physical handicap? One reason is that the
Judge might allow bonus Karma points for good
role-playing. Another reason is that they could
simply be forced to do it. A better reason is that
the Judge allows a +1CS to a certain ability or
superpower. (Bonus points could be awarded
during the character-creation process, if the game
system you use has that feature). For example, if
Charles Xavier was a starting character, then he
would have been given a +1CS to his mental
abilities to compensate for his handicap.
Daredevil may have, in response to his
blindness, been given a +1CS or +2CS bonus to
his Intuition ability, or perhaps was given sonar
as a bonus power. Penalties for blind characters
engaged in combat without some sort of
compensation could be the same as the penalties
for fighting in darkness, as given in the Marvel
Super Heroes™ Advanced Set Judge's Book.
There may be unforeseen benefits to a
physical handicap if the Judge is imaginative.
How often has some villain tried to use a
hologram, illusion, or some blinding tactic on
Daredevil? Hawkeye was immune to Angar the
Screamer's and Screaming Mimi's sound-induced
hallucinations because he couldn't hear the
sounds. Cyborg of the Teen Titans never has to
worry about losing an arm because he can simply
The Ultimate Origins Book
have it soldered back on. Donald Pierce would
be missing an arm right now (if he wasn't
already) due to the attack Wolverine made on his
extremity in the battle with the Hellfire Club
several years ago. A cyborg might also be
immune to the stunning or extra damage effects
of certain martial arts due to the lack of nerve
centers in their cybernetic limbs
Role-Playing Handicapped Heroes
The Judge could use handicaps as a role-
playing tool. A character could find it imperative
to see the mayor, but she cannot enter City Hall
because she cannot get up the steps in her
wheelchair and there is no handicapped-access
ramp. Using public transportation, going
shopping, or even making a phone call can be
difficult for many handicapped persons due to
problems of accessibility Perhaps the hero is in
the vicinity of a criminal trying to escape from
the police. A deaf hero couldn't hear the police
sirens. A hero in a wheelchair probably couldn't
chase the criminal down a busy city street and
catch him. Scenarios even can teach the players
about what it is like to be handicapped in
Today's society Don't get too preachy about this,
though, and don't do this too often so as not to
completely frustrate the character. Maybe the
handicapped hero can later work to improve
accessibility for all handicapped people.
An excellent adventure could be built around
a character who hears that there is an NPC
capable of removing or curing his handicap. This
can lead to the character being healed by magic,
304
 enemy hears of the hero's potential cure and
kidnaps the NPC before the hero can be cured.
The hero will then have a very keen interest in
working to rescue the NPC.

Whatever you do, don't make it too easy. As

always, the characters should have to fight every
step of the way to achieve their goals. Say
Doctor Doom wanted a plastic surgeon to repair
his face. Suppose one of the characters wanted
this same surgeon to do a similar service, or that
one of the heroes is the surgeon and Victor Von
Doom appears in his waiting room one day.
Ideas are starting to simmer, aren't they?

Running a handicapped hero can lead to some

intense role-playing and a good deal of
imaginative power use. Don't hesitate to try such
a character in your campaign as a PC (or an NPC
if you're a GM). You may be more surprised at
regeneration, or some type of cloning. Or, the what you can do than what you can't.
hero could arrive to find his potential benefactor
dead in the snow, and have to avenge his death
and retrieve the magical scroll or medical notes
containing the potential cure. Perhaps an old

305 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Appendix Seven: Weakness Generation
MTS Note: Weaknesses are as much a part of a character's origin/background as are their powers and 'race' in my
opinion.

This material was originally printed in "The Ultimate convert a Fatal Weakness to an Incapacitating
Powers Book" by David E. Martin. Weakness.

Rice Roll Stimulus

01-13 Elemental Allergy
14-18 Molecular Allergy
19-43 Energy Allergy
44-68 Energy Depletion
69-81 Energy Dampening
82-94 Finite Limit
95-00 Psychological

Dice Roll Stimulus

01-50 Power Negation
51-90 Incapacitation
Everybody has an Achilles' Heel, a weakness that 91-00 Fatal
can really mess up his day. The nature and severity of
the weakness varies with the individual, race, or Dice Roll Duration
class. Normal Humans have so many we don't even 01-40 Continuous with Contact
think about them, aside from heeding such warnings
41-60 Limited Duration with Contact
as "Poison" or skull-and-crossbones symbols.
61-90 Limited Duration after Contact
A Weakness is a cause-and-effect situation. A 91-00 Permanent
specific stimulus causes the Weakness to appear. Its
effect is what actually occurs to the hero as a result of
being exposed to the stimulus.

The final consideration is the duration of the

Weakness. This is the length of time the hero is
affected.

Okay, why should you, the player, even pay

attention to this section? As I said, everyone has a
weakness. For Normal Humans, the standard stimuli
are Elemental Allergy, Molecular Allergy, and
Energy Allergy with Fatal Effects. Superpowered
heroes possess an enhanced resistance to all of these
stimuli but retain a special Weakness to a specific
stimulus. Normally, the effect is limited to Negation
and Incapacitation, but if the hero possesses any
Power with a rank exceeding Remarkable, there is a
possibility that a Fatal Weakness exists.

To determine cause, effect, and duration, the

player must make three separate percentage-dice
rolls, one for each factor. If all of the hero's Powers
are of Remarkable rank or lower, the player can

The Ultimate Origins Book 306


Stimuli
Psychological Weakness: A specific event, condition,
or mental state has an adverse effect on the hero. This
Stimulus directly affects the hero's mind; any
resulting physical damage is psychosomatic in nature.
That is, any physical damage results are due to the
hero's instinctive belief in those results.
Examples include being physically bound, even if
the hero could normally snap the binding material;
facing a foe covered in a specific color; or feeling
extremely confused.
this is done by using his Powers. If the hero is
somehow prevented from using his Powers, the
energy begins to do internal damage. Finite Limit:
All of the hero's Powers have a finite number of
times they can be used. This is determined by a
second, independent Power rank roll; this rank
number is the number of uses remaining for that
Power. When a Power is depleted, the hero suffers
the Effect. The Judge can determine how such
Powers can be recharged.

Psychological Weaknesses can be temporarily

overcome by an Unearthly Intensity Psyche FEAT.
They can be permanently overcome by a Shift Z
Intensity Psyche FEAT.

Elemental Allergy: The hero suffers adverse effects if

he is exposed to a specific one of the hundred-odd
elements. This Allergy only occurs if the element is
present in a pure state and in an accumulation of at
least one ounce. If the element is combined in a
molecular state or is in insufficient quantities, no
Effect occurs. The element must be within 20 feet of
the hero for it to have any Effect.

This allergy can be overcome by physically

insulating the hero from the element or by increasing
the distance between them.
Molecular Allergy: This is similar to Elemental
Allergy. A specific compound causes the Effect.
Common examples include water, wood, and
Adamantium.
Energy Allergy: The hero suffers when he is exposed
to a specific form of energy. This can be any
wavelength or Intensity of energy found in the
Energy Emission and Energy Control sections of this
book. Sunlight is a common example of Energy
Allergy, particularly when dealing with supernatural
beings.
Effects
Power Negation: The hero's Powers cease to function
when the hero is within 20 feet of the stimulus. The
hero's Primary Abilities are also affected; these drop -
1CS per 10 turns until a minimum rank of Typical is
reached for all of them. If the. hero is beyond the 20
foot limit but tries to use his Powers to affect the
Stimulus, certain uses of Power automatically fail.
Any Power that directly acts on a target cannot affect
a Stimulus. Only Powers that indirectly affect the
Stimulus succeed, such as using brute force to lob
missiles at the Stimulus.

Energy Depletion: The hero has a finite energy
supply that permits him to manifest Power. This
energy must be periodically renewed by means of
rest, food, Energy Absorption, Energy Vampirism, or
simply making contact with a source of that energy.
If the hero's energy level drops too low, dire Effects
result.
Energy Dampening: The hero has the problem of
having to release the energy pent up within himself;
Incapacitation: The hero becomes physically ill after
exposure to the Stimulus. Beginning with the initial
contact, the hero loses one point of Health per turn.
This loss continues for the Duration of the Effect.
However, the loss stops when Health reaches zero;
this Effect does not directly kill the hero. The hero
retains his Powers but finds it harder to use them as
his condition worsens.

307 The Ultimate Origins Book

Fatal: As in the above, the hero gets ill after the
initial exposure to the Stimulus. However, the Health
loss does not stop at zero. Death will eventually
occur if Health and (subsequently) Endurance drop to
zero during the Weakness Duration. The hero can be
revived if proper medical attention is given, but only
after his Health and Endurance have both reached
zero.
Duration
Continuous with Contact: As long as the hero
remains within the effective range of the Stimulus,
the Effect continues. When the hero is insulated or
moved away from the Stimulus, the Effect
immediately ceases. Lost Health points are returned
at a rate of 2 per turn. If death has occurred, the hero
now has the possibility of being revived.
Limited Duration with Contact: The Effect begins
immediately upon contact with the Stimulus.
However, the Effect only functions for a limited
amount of time. After that time elapses, the hero is
assumed to have either built up a temporary
immunity to the Stimulus or the Stimulus has
discharged its Effect. In either case, the Stimulus
cannot further affect the hero. Duration is 1 -100
turns after initial Contact. The Judge makes a random
die roll to determine this.
Limited Duration After Contact: The Effect is
continuous with Contact and also lasts for a limited
time after the hero is no longer exposed to the
Stimulus. Duration is 1 -100 turns after the hero's
contact, with the Stimulus is broken. The Judge may
either randomly determine this or develop his own
criteria.
The Ultimate Origins Book
Permanent: The Stimulus does its full damage to the
hero, even when exposure to the Stimulus has been
interrupted. In this case, the Stimulus sets off a bodily
self-destruction sequence that must continue to its
full extent. In the case of Power Negation, the hero's
Powers are permanently lost. Incapacitation results in
the hero reaching zero Health points and lapsing into
a coma lasting 1 -10 days. After that time, he may
regain his Health at the normal rate. Fatal results in
the death of the hero as both Health and Endurance
drop to zero. The hero can be revived, however, and
will eventually recover if revival occurs.
Heroes and villains should do their utmost to
prevent anyone except their most trusted companions
from learning the nature of their Weakness. Barring
that, the hero should try to find ways to avoid the
Stimulus or circumvent the Effect.
Players and Judges should work together to
develop a playable Weakness. The more Powerful the
character, the more common the Stimulus should be.
For example, when I was testing the character
generation system set out in this book, I rolled up a
character I named "Godling." Godling was a Normal
Human who had been Reborn into an Entity of Great
Power. He possessed 30 different Powers, but had
one tragic flaw. Magnetism completely negated his
Powers. (He spent all his days and nights trying to
escape Earth's gravitational Pull.)
The Nemesis Power can be used to simulate
Stimuli, but this should be used as a last resort.
Judges who do this should be penalized by the
players. (I suggest withholding munchies for the next
month—KM)
308
This section is comprised of various Fan-Written material that while it might not qualify
as an Origin, is definitely useful in shaping your character.

309 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Appendix Eight: Advantages and Drawbacks
MTS Note: Originally it was luck this Appendix made it into the book. Red Jack’s website is gone, and
cannot be found by archive.org. Luckily I had a copy I printed out years ago. Then, while looking over
other material, I found a similar list on Phantom’s website. They had many of the same things on the list,
but each one had items the other did not. This Appendix is a compilation of both lists.
All credit for this section goes to Red Jack and
Phantom.
http://home.att.net/~Red-Jack.htm
http://fortunecity.com/underworld/stunt/16/marvel.html
System
Sadly, neither source defined how to use
these rules. I decided to create this foreword to
explain the system to those who might be
unfamiliar with rules of this type.
Advantages and Drawbacks exist in many
gaming systems. Shadowrun calls them Edges
and Flaws, White Wolf calls them Merits and
Flaws, etc… Basically they are typically used as
a tradeoff of weaknesses and advantages.
Though inference of some of the advantages
in this article, Advantages cost Karma to
purchase. Character can spend their initial Karma
to buy Advantages, and or take Drawbacks to
gain enough points to buy the Advantages they
want. As always, check with your Judge to see if
they want to use this system in their game, how
they want to use this system in their game, what
advantages and drawbacks are allowed, and what
the maximum points you are allowed to take in
advantages and drawbacks is.
Advantages
Area knowledge (-20): A character with this
advantage has a thorough knowledge of the
terrain and landmarks of a specified area. This
Area must be specified when the advantage is
purchased, and may be no larger than city-sized.
This may be purchased more then once.
Attractive (-15): A character with this
advantage gains a +1CS to any Persuasion
attempt made against the opposite sex.
Connoisseur (-5): A character with this
advantage has appreciation and knowledge of
life's finer things. A connoisseur can appraise
The Ultimate Origins Book
any item through a successful Intuition Check.
Any attempt to persuade another character
receives a +1CS if the character has had an
opportunity to exercise his/her ability (wining
and dining subject, engaging in clever
conversation).
Genius (-30): A character with this advantage
may build things that are not of this world/time
(teleporters, time machines, force fields).
Without this advantage these things cannot be
built.
Gift of Gab (-20): A character with this
advantage is a master of verbal interplay.
Whenever such a character successfully talks to a
person he gets a +2CS.
Headquarters (-10 or -20): A character with
this advantage begins his/her career with a
serviceable headquarters. The character must
choose the extent of the headquarters at the time
of purchase: Confined or Expansive.
A Confined Headquarters is a small
(approximately 400 sq feet or less) building,
apartment, or rented space. A secret room in the
character's apartment is a confined HQ. This
costs 10 Karma.
An Expansive Headquarters is a well-hidden,
vast (1500+ sq feet) complex located in an
isolated, difficult to reach area. The Batcave
would be an expansive HQ. This costs 20
Karma.
310
Hideaway (-15): You are in sole possession of a
safe house that nobody else nobody else knows
about. The house has poor facilities, but can
support you for weeks at a time. This is the ideal
place to lie low or to keep someone safe.
Hyper-Tooling (-20): Whenever a character
builds or repairs a piece of equipment, it is
assumed that the character has sufficient
facilities (i.e. a lab, garage, secret lair, etc…). A
character with this advantage does not
necessarily need these facilities. The character is
good with his hands and may even build tools as
he needs them. This lengthens work time and
lowers quality, but makes some things possible
that would otherwise not be.
Example: Joe Fix-It with this advantage can
build a jetpack in a junkyard with no tools,
however he would need a lab or garage to build
the jetpack without this advantage.
Insta-Change (-5): A character with this power
can switch into costume instantly as opposed to
spending two rounds changing clothes.
Intensive Training (-20): A character with this
advantage has spent a lot of time training, and as
such gains discounts when raising abilities and
powers. When raising abilities, instead of each
point costing 10 times the current rank and 400
for cresting into a new rank (TY to GD), a
character with this advantage spends 6 times the
current rank and 300 for cresting. When raising
power ranks it costs 15 times the current rank
and an additional 400 for cresting.
Iron Nerves (-20): A character with this
advantage is unusually resilient to fear and fear
based attacks as well as intimidation attempts
made against him. This character receives a
+2CS in such situations.
311
Lighting Reflexes (-20): A character with this
advantage possesses lighting quick reflexes and
reaction times. Possession of this advantage
allows a character to add +1 to any Initiative roll.
Luck (-15): A character with this advantage is
unusually lucky. Once per adventure, the
character may invoke this advantage to gain a
+3CS to his roll, or to inflict a -3CS to their
opponent's roll.
Mentor (-15/-25): you have another person or
entity coaching you. You can turn to your
mentor for help and advice. The advantage is
worth 15 points for a normal person and 25
points for a retired superhero/powerful entity.
Miscellaneous Advantage (Variable Cost):
This is a catchall category for any advantage that
doesn't fit into any other heading. You will have
to work out exact point values with your Judge
for things. Example include:
Advantage Point Cost
Being Jimmy Olsen's Pal -1 point
A minor, ineffective animal
-5 points
companion
Membership in Young Justice -5 points
A discreet butler/chauffeur -10 points
Membership in Titans -10 points
A mysterious guardian angel
-20 points
helps you from time to time
Membership in JLA -50 points
Perceived Weakness (Cost is the value of the
drawback used): For some reason the general
public sees you as having a weakness you do not
have. This will result in villains using methods
that will be futile against you. Eventually villains
will get wise to this, but this advantage gives you
a break on the first encounter. For example:
Because the silver age Green Lantern (Hal
Jordan) could not affect yellow items with his
ring, sometimes people think that the current
Green Lantern (Kyle) has this weakness too.
Popularity (-20): A character with this
advantage is very respected among the citizens
and media. A character with popularity receives
a +2CS on any Persuasion roll within reason.
Aliens just landing don't know your character,
and neither Lex Luthor nor the Kingpin would be
impressed.
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 Power Boost (Variable Cost): Under certain
circumstances, your hero will be able to use a
power at higher ranks that he/she has listed. The
value depends on how easy the condition is met
and how many column shifts you get. For
Example: My electric blast doing +1CS damage
(small gain), when near power lines (easy
condition to meet), might be worth 10 points.
Scholar (-10): This character has devoted a great
deal of time to the academic study of a particular
subject. A character may possess more then one
scholarly skill, but no more than one per subject.
Sharp Eye (-15): A character with this
advantage has a keen eye for detail and is
exceptionally perceptive. A sharp-eyed character
gains a +1CS for Intuition checks.
Drawbacks
Most characters will have to either take the
Secret Identity or Public Identity drawback,
unless both somehow don't apply.
Age (+15): A character with this drawback is an
unusual age for adventuring, being either very
young (under 18) or very old (over 50). Very old
characters must subtract 2 from their initiative
scores. Young characters are limited through the
need to attend school, the concern of adults, and
being unable to enter some areas.
Attack Vulnerability (Variable Cost): Attack
vulnerability causes a character to suffer extreme
danger from a particular attack form (i.e. Iceman
against fire attacks). A character with attack
vulnerability suffers a -CS penalty. The Player
may choose the degree of the vulnerability.
Column
Bonus
Shifts
-1 +5
-2 +15
-3 +25
-4 +35
Authority Figure (+15): A character with this
drawback, often the ruler of a small country, is
responsible for the welfare of a large group of
people and usually adventures to advance or
defend his peoples’ economical/political status.
This character feels (not always wrongly) that
should he be injured or killed, his people would
plummet into anarchy. As such, an authority
The Ultimate Origins Book
figure will avoid any conflict that might
seriously hurt him.
Burnout (+15): Your hero has a problem with
one of his powers. Due to fatigue or other causes
your character can only use one of his powers for
a certain time before it burns out. When a hero
uses a power roll an Endurance FEAT. Failure
on the roll causes the power to lose -1CS. For
every 10 minutes spent resting the character may
roll an Endurance FEAT roll to regain a lost CS.
Note: Any power lowered to Shift-0 or lower
though this drawback does not work at all.
Coward (+20): Although you care about the
welfare of others and even want to help them,
you just don't have the strong nerves for the job.
Whenever you are put into a situation where
your life is at stake, you must make a Psyche
FEAT or flee. If you cannot flee, you will just
freeze or hide behind other people or items. A
character that is fleeing, hiding, or frozen in fear
may make another FEAT roll to regain
composure. Keep in mind that life threatening
can mean different things to different people
(like people with invulnerability).
Dark Secret (+25): A character with the Dark
Secret harbors some deep secret that must be
protected at all costs. The Character’s secret
must be specified when the drawback is adopted.
A Dark Secret is of such magnitude, that should
it be made known publicly, it would effectively
destroy the super hero’s career.
Device Based (+5/35): One (or more) of the
hero's powers is derived from device(s) as
opposed to the power being innate. Spiderman's
webcasting is a good example of this. This
312
disadvantage is worth 35 points if all of your Guilt (+25): A character with this drawback is
hero's powers are derived from devices. Devices plagued by some past failure. Such a character
can be lost, stolen, broken, or even taken away must forfeit 5 Karma at the beginning of each
and used against you. week of game play. Failure to do this results in a
-1CS to all actions.
Exile (+10 or +15): A character in Exile has
been ostracized from his native civilization and
forced to remain in the locale where he acts as a
hero, engaging in NO social interaction with the
homeland. The native civilization can be
anything from a foreign country to another planet
or dimension. A character that voluntarily placed
himself into exile receives 10, while a character
exiled against his will receives 15.

Fatal Vulnerability (+ Variable): A fatal

vulnerability causes a character to lose one
Endurance rank per turn spent in the presence of
whatever it is he or she is vulnerable to. Innocent (+10): A character that is Innocent is
Characters heal normally. Furthermore, when the exceptionally naïve about society and the wiles
drawback is chosen you must label it Rare of mankind. An Innocent character believes in
(Kryptonite) for 75 Karma or common (iron, the inherent good of all creatures and assumes
water) for 150 Karma. Also add the range of the everyone else does too. An innocent character
vulnerability. receives a -1CS against character interaction and
manipulative mental powers.
Range in Areas Bonus
5 +20 Irrational Attraction (+5/25/50): This is the
4 +10 most complicated of the drawbacks, but also a
3 0 fun one. Characters with this drawback are
2 -10 unusually attracted to certain objects, materials,
1 -20 animals, or forms of expression. A character
must specify the subject of the attraction. The
Touch -50
character will go out of his way to find the
source of this attraction and satisfy his desires. If
Use the following table to adjust for the range the attraction is an object the character will not
of the vulnerability. be able to act in its presence.

Range in Areas Bonus Irrational attractions come in three severities:

5 +20 Minor, Serious, and Catastrophic. The Degree of
4 +10 the attraction must be specified at the time of
3 0 creation. Associated with Degree is a resistance
2 -10 number. Whenever exposed to the object of the
1 -20 attraction, the character must roll greater than or
equal to resistance number to overcome the
Touch -50
attraction.
Focus (+5/15): Your hero needs to channel one If the roll was successful, the character
of his powers though an item to use it properly, overcomes the attraction until exposed at a later
although the item itself has no powers. If your time. Otherwise the character succumbs to the
character has to use a power without the focus, it attraction and must allow the source to occupy
is at a -3CS. If you take the 15 point version your his undivided attention, although the hero may
character can't use that power at all without the attempt to overcome the attraction next turn.
focus.

Note: Any power lowered to Shift 0 or lower

though this drawback does not work at all.

313 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Resistance difficult), if he can't do this, double the value of
Severity Bonus the disadvantage.
Number
Minor 15 +5
Serious 25 +25 Power Points Value
Catastrophic 50 +50 5000 +20
3000 +30
Irrational Fear (+5/15/30): A character with 1000 +50
this drawback has an unreasoning fear of
something (heights, confinement, guns, spiders, Loss Vulnerability (+ Variable): A Loss
etc…). If the character rolls below the resistance vulnerability causes a character to temporarily
number, they succumb to the fear and are forced lose ranks of a Power or Ability in the presence
to flee the area. If unable to flee, the character of whatever they are vulnerable too. All ranks
dives under a table, curls into a ball, puts his drop to Feeble. Furthermore, when the Drawback
thumb in his mouth, and makes no other action is chosen you must label it Rare (kryptonite) for
this turn. 75 Karma or common (iron, water) for 150
Karma.
Resistance Karma
Degree
Number Bonus Vulnerability Effect Bonus
Minor 15 +5 Physical & Mental Abilities (Per
+50
Serious 25 +15 Group)
Catastrophic 50 +30 All Powers 100
All Skills 100
All Powers, Skills, and Abilities 350

Use the table below to adjust for the range of

the vulnerability.

Range in Areas Bonus

5 +20
4 +10
3 0
2 -10
1 -20
Touch -50

Married (+25): Being married can be bad for

Limited Power Source (Variable Cost): The
character has a limited amount of power to draw
on. Unlike the recharge drawback, the hero loses
their powers after they have used them a certain
amount (vs. after a certain time). The character
has a certain amount of points. When a character
uses a power he subtracts that rank amount from
his total (At the Judge's option the player may
use any powers at a lower rank to conserve
points). When the character loses all his points
he can't use his powers anymore. Spawn has this
drawback. It is up to the Judge if the character
can recharge his powers (which should be
superheroes as their spouses are always being
used as hostages. Any time a villain finds the
hero's identity, their spouse becomes hostage
material. When a character adopts this drawback
they must provide name, stats, job, interests,
etc… of the spouse.
Mistrust (+30): A character with this drawback
is often mistaken for a bad guy by cops and other
heroes. Law Enforcement officers and NPCs will
automatically be hostile to this character and
cops will always try to arrest this character.
Physical Restriction (+5/25/50): A character
with this drawback has some form of physical
handicap. A blind character will treat everything
as if it were invisible, and a wheelchair bound
character can only move one area or less.

The Ultimate Origins Book 314

 Severity Example Bonus enraged character is restrained. A character may
No taste or smell, Trick attempt to regain composure by rolling doubles.
Minor +5
knee
Serious Hemophilia, Wheelchair +25 Rage
Degree Bonus
Blind, Mute, Missing a Number
Catastrophic +50 Minor 2 5
limb
Serious 3 25
Psychological Instability (+5/15/30): A Catastrophic 4 50
character with this drawback is mentally unstable
and subject to mood swings, violent outbreaks, Example: With a serious rage number of 3
or even schizophrenia, normally triggered by a anytime you roll in battle a 01, 02, 10, 11, or you
failure to deal with the real world. Whenever a go nuts.
psychologically unstable character fails two
Psyche rolls (not necessarily in a row), he will Recharge (Variable Cost): Your powers need
break down and suffer the consequences of the to be recharged on a regular basis. The original
instability. Most instances, especially Minor and Hourman (who needed to take a pill to get
Serious, result in partial or total inactivity. powers for one hour) is a good example, as is the
Catastrophic consequences may result in violent Green Lantern. The value depends on how often
outbreaks however, usually towards teammates the recharge is needed.
or innocents.
Frequency Bonus
Severity Effect Bonus Weekly +5
Minor Memory lapse +5 Daily +15
Serious Depression +15 Hourly +30
Catastrophic Catatonic/Schizophrenia +30
Miscellaneous Drawback (Variable Cost):
Public Identity (+5): A character with this This is a catchall for anything not covered. This
drawback has taken no steps to protect his alter drawback represents any number of special
ego. Possible effects might include large groups restrictions placed on the character. You must
of people gathering outside the hero's house, work out with your Judge exact point values.
villains using loved ones as hostages, or the Examples are:
government trying to get the hero to pay for
damage done during a battle. Restriction Bonus
Dichromatic eyes +1
Powers fail under rare situation (like on
+5
anything dairy)
Have to touch the ground with hand to
+5
use Earth based power
Electric based powers don't work when
+10
hero is grounded
Powers fail under uncommon situation
+15
(like on anything orange)
Power is tied to your biorhythm, lose
+15
your powers two days a month
Rage (+5/25/50): A character with this drawback Lengthy (2-3 rounds) time needed to
+20
occasionally breaks into an uncontrollable fury, use magic spell powers
often accidentally killing or seriously wounding Powers fail under common
+30
opponents. The player with this draw back must circumstance (like when wet)
decide the degree of the rage. Whenever a Earth's air is lethal! Wear breathing
+60
character with rage rolls a number equal or less apparatus or die!
than (when added together) than their rage
number, he breaks into a rage, and continues Secret Identity (+10): A character with this
attacking the opponent until he is dead or the drawback leads a dual life. Possession of this

315 The Ultimate Origins Book

 drawback assumes a dramatic negative effect on
the hero's heroic and personal life if the identity
is discovered. If the identity is discovered the
hero automatically loses 50 Karma. You do not
get these back if you kill the guy who learned
your identity (I know you were thinking it).
Strange Appearance (+30): A character with
this drawback is so strange looking that people
tend to fear them. All unimportant NPCs gain a
-1CS against intimidation attacks. This character
will tend to frighten normal people all the time,
and often causes a riot.
Traumatic Flashback (+30): A character with
this drawback is periodically subjected to
reliving a particularly distressing past event. The
character must specify what triggers the
flashback. Acceptable answers are the mention
of a name, a word, a smell, a song, etc… Every
turn the character is subjected to this condition,
they must roll a 25 or better. If this roll is
successful, the character may act normally.
Otherwise, he or she is too absorbed in their
memories to do anything.
Uncertainty (+15): A character with this
drawback is often unsure of his abilities in
combat. When the fates of innocents or the
defeat of the villain relies solely on the character,
he may choke. Once per adventure (usually at a
The Ultimate Origins Book
tense or climatic point) the character
automatically loses the initiative to all other
characters, and must go last that turn. Uncertain
characters have often killed someone with their
powers.
Unlucky (+25): A character with this drawback
is unusually misfortunate. At the beginning of
each game session the Judge must roll 1d10.
When the unlucky character has made a number
of action rolls equal to that number, the character
automatically receives a -2CS.
Warm Up (+15): One of your hero's powers
takes a while to be used at full effect. The first
time your character tries to use a power, roll on
the Feeble 2 column. For every consecutive
round add +1CS until the power is at the listed
rank. Alternatively, a character may roll an
Endurance FEAT (or Psyche for mental powers)
in order to warm up a power (i.e. gain the +1CS)
without using it. For every 10 minutes of game
time a power is not used it loses a -1CS until it
hits Feeble 2.
Revealed Weakness(es): (+3 + 1/5 value of the
revealed drawback): It is assumed that a hero's
drawbacks and weaknesses are not public. A
hero with this flaw has one or more of his
weaknesses publicly known. Example: A hero
with a known phobia of plaid can expect bank
robbers to wear plaid, put the money in plaid
bags, paint their getaway car plaid, etc…
316
Appendix Nine: Career Advancement via Occupations
MTS Note: I use this quite frequently in my games. I like how it can help develop the non-super part of the
character. In the words of the original author “This was why I built the website, and possibly it’s the only bit worth
your attention!”

This article was originally written by The Judge for
his website " The Unholy Contents of the Judge's
Mind". It was a great website, but it has vanished
from the Internet.
A record of which career the character has held,
and what they gained when there, should be kept.
Normal Rule:
• Only current career exits are available (as
this helps the judge to plan storyline ahead
of time). Loss of a job may mean returning
to a starting career!

Optional, but Very Complicated Rule:

http://web.archive.org/web/20030204060237/members.aol.
com/psyclops42/loadastuff.html
Why Have a Career at All?
Occupations represent the means by which characters
gain their finances, new talents and (in some cases)
new contacts.
• Once a character has had experience in an
occupation, the career exits from that career
are constantly available (the exits represent
jobs for which appropriate experience is
needed). Re-entering a career does not allow
statistics to be re-improved.

They are divided into ability advancement,

requirements, available talents, and exit careers.

Those characters that do not have a secret identity

will have greater difficulty changing jobs (due to
absenteeism, associated dangers etc.) and this may
affect the cost of certain career changes at the judge's
discretion.

Where to Start

All characters start a new career path in their first

gaming Session (see starting career).

How it works

At the start of every session award one hundred

karma points that may be used for advancement or
kept for game play.
• Each talent costs 100 karma points,
• Each ability point costs 10 karma points,
• Each power point costs 30 karma points.
• Changing a career costs 100 karma.
• Starting a new career path costs 200.

317 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Full List Of Careers

(In Alphabetical Order)

• Academic
• Aircrew
• Animal Handler
• Forensic Scientist
• Antiquarian
• Gang Leader
• Archaeologist
• Global Hero
• Armed Forces Cadet
• Government Sanctioned
• Artist
Hero
• Assassin
• High Priest
• Blackmailer • Reporter
• Inventor
• Bodyguard • Researcher
• Laborer
• Bio-Mechanic • Rescuer
• Lawyer
• Businessman • Scientist
• Mercenary
• Commando • Security Advisor
• Monk
• Community Activist • Security Chief
• National Hero
• Community Sanctioned • Security Guard
• National Reporter
Hero • Shop/Office Worker
• National Ruler
• Con-Artist • Spy
• Novice Priest
• Corporate Director • Student
• Paramilitary
• Corporate Sanctioned Hero • Stunt Performer
• Pathologist
• Corporate Spy • Surgeon
• Patron of the Arts
• Criminal Enforcer • Television
• Petty Criminal
• Criminal Godfather Personality
• Physician
• Criminal Heavy • Terrorist
• Pilot
• Criminal Overlord • Vehicle-Mechanic
• Police Cadet
• Criminal Psychologist, • Weapon Smith
• Police Officer
• Cult Apostle,
• Political Activist
• Cult Leader
• Political Leader
• Cult Sanctioned Hero
• Politician
• Detective
• Priest
• Dictator/Idol
• Psychologist
• Embezzler
• Engineer
• Explorer

The Ultimate Origins Book 318

 Starting Careers Security Guard

Armed Forced Cadet Intuition +10

Psyche +5
Fighting +5 Resources +5
Agility +5 Popularity -5
Strength +5
Endurance +5 Talents: Criminology, Animal Training (guard/sniffer
dog), and Trivia.
Talents: Military, Guns, Martial Arts B, and
Engineering. Exits: Bodyguard, Student, Animal Handler, and
Antiquarian.
Exits: Aircrew, Commando, Engineer, and Rescuer.

Laborer

Strength +10
Endurance +20
Resources +5

Talents: Geology, Archaeology, Animal Training,

Martial Arts I, Perform (sport), and Engineering.

Exits: Archaeologist, Animal Handler, Artist,

Engineer, Rescuer, and Scientist.

Petty Criminal

Fighting +5
Strength +5 Shop/Office Worker
Resources +5
Popularity -5 Agility +5
Reason +5
Talents: Stunt Driver, Sleight of Hand, Intuition +5
Acrobatics, Martial Arts G, Thrown Objects, and Resources +5
Perform (acting).
Popularity +5
Exits: Criminal Heavy, Community Activist, and
Con Artist. Talents: Computers, Business/Finance, Languages,
and Perform (acting).
Police Cadet
Exits: Businessman, Businessman (shop owner),
Endurance +5 Businessman (chef), and Con Artist.
Reason +5
Student
Intuition +5 Follows academic study course.
Popularity +5
Reason +10
Talents: Criminology, Law Enforcement, Blunt Intuition +10
Weapons, and Martial Arts A.
Talents: Studentship (allows one talent to be gained
Exits: Police Officer, and Criminal Heavy.
at half price when starting a new career), and
medicine.

319 The Ultimate Origins Book

Exits: Scientist, Antiquarian, Engineer, and Exits: Artist, Novice Priest, Explorer, Archaeologist,
Physician. Cult Apostle, Forensic Scientist, and Inventor.

Novice Priest Aircrew

Reason +5 Agility +10

Intuition +10 Reason +5
Psyche +5 Intuition +10
Resources +5 Resources +5

Talents: Occult Lore, First Aid, Trance, Journalism, Requirements: Agility Good, and Intuition Good.
and Perform (singing).
Talents: Pilot, Repair/Tinkering, Engineering, and
Exits: Priest, Monk, Community Activist, and Artist. Tumbling.

Exits: Pilot, and Vehicle-Mechanic.

Advanced Careers
Animal Handler
A
Fighting +5
Agility +5
Endurance +5
Intuition +5
Psyche +5
Resources +5

Requirements: Animal Training.

Talents: Tumbling, Acrobatics, Martial Arts J,

Perform (dancing), Biology, Veterinary Medicine,
Animal Behavior, Ecology, and Genetics.

Exits: Artist, Scientist, Television Personality, Stunt

Performer, Criminal Heavy, and Petty Criminal.
Academic
Antiquarian
Professor, Curator, University Lecturer and that Involved in the study of art, literature, ancient texts,
sort of thing. and legislation.

Reason +15 Reason +20

Intuition +10 Intuition +5
Psyche +5 Psyche +5
Popularity +5 Resources +5

Requirements: Antiquarian experience, Reason Requirements: Reason Typical

Excellent, and Intuition Good.
Talents: Trance, Languages, Archaeology,
Astronomy, Art (drawing), Perform (music), Resist
Domination, Occult Lore, Archaeology, Trivia,
Psychology, and Criminology.
Talents: Archaeology, Occult Lore, Journalism,
Languages, Resist Domination, Trivia (historical),
and Law.
Exits: Academic, Lawyer, Reporter, Cult Apostle,
Explorer, and Businessman (antiques).

Archaeologist

The Ultimate Origins Book 320

 Assassin
Agility +5
Reason +10 Fighting +10
Intuition +5 Agility +15
Resources +5 Strength +5
Reason +5
Requirements: Archaeology, and Strength Poor. Intuition +5
Resources +15
Talents: Occult Lore, Biology, and Geology.
Requirements: Fighting Remarkable, Agility
Exits: Antiquarian, Scientist, Forensic Scientist, Excellent, and Popularity 0
Explorer, and Cult Apostle.
Talents: Marksman, Weapon Specialist (reduce
Popularity by 10), Stunt Driving, Motorcycle,
Criminology, Espionage, Martial Arts E and Martial
Arts F.

Exits: Spy, Blackmailer, Criminal Enforcer, and

Government Sanctioned Hero.

Blackmailer

Reason +5
Intuition +10
Resources +20

Requirements: Espionage, Reason Typical

Talents: Law, Accounting, Security/Encryption,

Politics, Criminology, and Journalism.
Artist
Exits: Spy, and National Reporter.
Agility +10
Reason +5 Bio-Mechanic
Intuition +10 (Including cybernetic components).
Psyche +10
Resources +30 Agility +10
Popularity +20 Reason +10
Intuition +5
Requirements: Perform or Art talent of any type. Psyche +5
Resources +10
Talents: Archaeology, Psychology, Chemistry,
Perform (acting), Perform (singing), Perform Requirements: Engineering, Biology, Reason
(music), Perform (sport), Perform (dancing), Art Excellent
(writer), Art (forgery), Art (painter/sculptor), and Art
(composer). Talents: Robotics, Software Programming, Organic
Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Anatomy,
Exits: Criminal Psychologist, Archaeologist, Biotechnology, Cybernetics, Medicine, First Aid, and
Television Personality, Reporter and Patron of the Martial Arts D.
Arts.

321 The Ultimate Origins Book

Exits: Physician, Scientist and Researcher. Community Activist

Bodyguard Fighting +5
Agility +5
Fighting +10 Intuition +5
Strength +10 Psyche +5
Endurance +5 Popularity +10
Intuition +5
Resources +5 Requirements: Popularity 0.
Popularity -5
Talents: Criminology, Perform (acting), Journalist,
Requirements: Fighting Remarkable, Strength Guns, Artist (drawing), Languages, and Blunt
Excellent, and Guns. Weapons.

Talents: Martial Arts A, Martial Arts B, Martial Arts
F, Criminology, and Wrestling.
Exits: Security Chief, Assassin, and Criminal
Enforcer.
Exits: Political Activist, Blackmailer, Terrorist, Cult
Apostle, Novice Priest, Businessman (illegal drug
dealer), and Community Sanctioned Hero.

Businessman
Unless specified this refers to banking.

Psyche +10
Resources +50

Requirements: Reason Good, Resources Excellent,

Business/Finance

Talents: Resist Domination, Performer (acting),

Leadership, and Trivia (rival companies, corporate
structure).

Exits: Embezzler, Corporate Director, and Corporate

Sanctioned Hero.

Commando Community Sanctioned Hero

Fighting +10 Fighting +10

Endurance +5 Agility +5
Intuition +5 Intuition +10
Psyche +5
Requirements: Fighting Excellent, and Guns. Resources +5
Popularity +10
Talents: Sharp Weapons, Bows, Thrown Weapons,
Martial Arts A, and Leadership. Requirements: Popularity Good, and a super human
ability/power.
Exits: Assassin, Bodyguard, Criminal Heavy, Talents: Martial Arts A, B, C, F, and Languages.
Explorer, Mercenary, Paramilitary, Rescuer and
Terrorist. Exits: Paramilitary, Terrorist, Criminal Heavy, and
Political Activist.

The Ultimate Origins Book 322

Con Artist Requirements: Will follow orders, Business/Finance,
and Law.
Agility +10
Reason +5 Talents: First Aid, Espionage, and Weapon Specialist
Intuition +5 (cost 200 karma).
Resources +5
Exits: Corporate Spy, Terrorist, Criminal Heavy,
Popularity +5 Government Sanctioned Hero.

Requirements: Intuition Good. Corporate Spy

Talents: Sleight of Hand, Art (forgery), and Perform Fighting +5

(acting).
Agility +5
Exits: Businessman, Businessman (illegal arms Intuition +5
supplier), Businessman (smuggling), and Artist. Resources +5

Requirements: Espionage, and Law.

Talents: Computers, and Perform (acting).

Exits: Spy, Criminal Heavy, and Embezzler.

Criminal Enforcer/Specialist

Cat burglar, protection racketeer, and gang-directed

killer.

Agility +5
Endurance +5
Intuition +10
Resources +10
Popularity -5
Corporate Director
Requirements: Fighting Excellent, Blunt Weapons,
Reason +5 and Intuition Good.
Intuition +5
Resources +10 Talents: Crime, Negotiations, Acrobatics,
Popularity +5 Accounting, Business/Finance, Martial Arts C,
Martial Arts E, Martial Arts H, and Weapon
Requirements: Business, Law, and Leadership. Specialist (cost 200 karma).

Talents: Espionage, Resist Domination, and Perform Exits: Embezzler and Gang Leader.
(acting).
Criminal Godfather
Exits: Embezzler, Corporate Spy, and Corporate
Sanctioned Hero. Psyche +10
Resources +30
Corporate Sanctioned Hero Popularity -20

Fighting +5 Requirements: Criminal overlord experience, and

Endurance +20 Popularity –50.
Resources +10
Popularity +10 Talents: Leadership, Business/Finance, and Law.

323 The Ultimate Origins Book

Exits: Dictator. Cult Apostle

Criminal Heavy Fighting +5

Psyche +30
Deliver gang directed beatings; armed robber,
arsonist, drug dealer, and pimp. Requirements: Psyche Typical.

Agility +5 Talents: Archaeology, Animal Training, Trance,

Endurance +5 Occult Lore, Perform (acting), and Perform (singing).
Resources +5
Popularity +5 Exits: Cult Sanctioned Hero, Novice Priest,
Archaeologist, Artist, Animal Handler, and
Requirements: Popularity 0, Guns, and Fighting Antiquarian.
Excellent.

Talents: Criminology, Blunt Weapons, and Stunt

Driving.

Exit: Community Activist, Criminal Enforcer, and

Terrorist.

Criminal Psychologist

Reason +10
Intuition +10
Psyche +5
Resources +5

Requirements: Criminology, Psychology

Talents: Parapsychology, Paranormal Phenomena,

Cult Leader
Street Smarts, Law Enforcement, Genetics, and
Occult Lore.
Psyche +10
Exits: Psychologist, Forensic Scientist, Antiquarian, Resources +30
and Cult Apostle.
Requirements: Popularity 75 (+ or -), Leadership, and
Criminal Overlord Psyche Incredible.
Talents: Occult Lore, Hypnosis, Resist Domination,
Reason +5 Resist Disease & Aging, and Sleight of Hand.
Intuition +5
Exits: Dictator/Idol.
Psyche +10
Resources +20 Cult Sanctioned Hero
Popularity -20
Fighting +20
Requirements: Gang leader experience, criminal Agility +10
overlord dies, Popularity –20.
Strength +10
Talents: Perform (acting), Business/Finance, Law, Endurance +20
and Leadership. Intuition +5
Psyche -10
Exits: Criminal Godfather. Resources +5
Popularity +5

The Ultimate Origins Book 324

Requirements: Will follow orders of cult leader, cult Requirements: Cult leader or criminal godfather
apostle experience, Occult Lore, and superhuman experience.
ability/power.
Talents: Military.
Talents: Oriental Weapons, Animal Training,
Hypnosis, Mystic Background and Weapon Exits: None.
Specialist (cost 200 karma).
E
Exits: National Hero, Cult Leader, Television
Personality, Gang Leader, Criminal Enforcer, and Embezzler
Political Activist.
Reason +5
D Psyche +5
Resources +10
Popularity -20

Requirements: Business/Finance, Law, and Reason

Good.

Talents: Criminology, Computers and Acquisition

(gain +5 Resources with each job change).

Exits: Blackmailer, Criminal Heavy, and

Paramilitary.

Engineer
Designs and builds software/hardware; buildings and
bridges; and vehicles and clothes.

Agility +10
Detective Reason +10
Intuition +5
Fighting +5 Resources +5
Agility +5
Reason +5 Requirements: Agility Typical, Reason Poor
Intuition +10
Resources +5 Talents: Electronics, Chemistry, Engineering,
Requirements: Intuition Remarkable, Criminology, Repair/Tinkering, and Computers.
and Espionage.
Exits: Weapon-Smith, Vehicle-Mechanic, Bio-
Talents: Occult Lore, and Psychology. Mechanic, Businessman (fashion or heavy industry),
and Inventor.
Exits: Criminal Psychologist, Antiquarian,
Blackmailer, Spy, and Corporate Spy. Explorer

Dictator/Idol Fighting +5
Agility +5
Endurance +10 Endurance +10
Reason +5 Reason +5
Psyche +80 Intuition +5
Resources +60 Resources +5
Popularity +60 Popularity +5

325 The Ultimate Origins Book

Requirements: Trivia (historical), or Occult Lore. Global Hero

Talents: Acrobatics, Animal Training, Archaeology, Fighting +5

Biology, Bows, First Aid, Geology, Languages, Endurance +5
Occult Lore, Pilot, Resist Domination, and Thrown Reason +5
Objects.
Resources +5
Exits: Animal Handler, Antiquarian, Archaeologist, Popularity +20
Community Activist, Cult Apostle, Mercenary,
Rescuer and Television Personality. Requirements: Popularity 50, Languages, and
superhuman ability/power.
F
Talents: Quick Attacks, Martial Arts F, Perform
Forensic Scientist (acting).

Exits: Cult Leader.

Reason +5
Intuition +30
Psyche +20
Resources +10

Requirements: Intuition Remarkable

Talents: Biology, Chemistry, Genetics, Archaeology,

Art (sculptor), Criminology, Law Enforcement, and
Martial Arts D.

Exits: Archaeologist, Artist, Detective, Scientist,

Researcher, and Pathologist

G
Gang Leader Government Sanctioned Hero

Reason +5 Fighting +5
Psyche +10 Strength +5
Resources +10 Psyche +5
Popularity +10 Resources +20
Popularity +20
Requirements: Criminal Enforcer experience, gang
leader dies/murdered, Reason Excellent, and Requirements: Must follow government orders,
Popularity –10. superhuman ability/power, and Fighting Remarkable.

Talents: Leadership, Resist Domination, and Talents: Leadership, First Aid, Law Enforcement,
Business/Finance. Politics, and Weapons Specialist.

Exits: Criminal Overlord. Exits: Criminal Heavy, National Hero, Paramilitary,

Politician, and Television Personality.

The Ultimate Origins Book 326

 H
High Priest

Reason +5
Intuition +5
Psyche +5
Resources +10
Popularity +10

Requirements: Priest experience, and no kills.

Talents: Journalism, Psychology, Business/Finance,

and Perform (acting).

Exits: Politician, Television Personality, and Cult

Leader.

I M

Inventor Mercenary

Reason +20 Fighting +10

Resources +30 Agility +5
Resources +10
Requirements: Reason Incredible, Resources Popularity -20
Excellent
Requirements: Guns, Fighting Remarkable
Talents: Repair/Tinkering, Computers, Electronics,
Physics, and Business/Finance Talents: Languages, Thrown Weapons, Martial Arts
E, and Weapons Master (costs 200karma).
Exits: Engineer, and Businessman (sales of their
product). Exits: Bodyguard, Assassin, Criminal Heavy, and
Paramilitary.
L
Monk
Lawyer
(Courtroom) Reason +10
Intuition +5
Reason +5 Psyche +20
Intuition +5
Psyche +10 Requirements: Psyche Excellent, Occult Lore, and
Resources +10 vow of poverty (Resources Shift 0)

Talents: First Aid, Mystic Background, Trance,

Requirements: Law, Reason Typical
Martial Arts D, and Weapons Specialist (melee).
Talents: Law Enforcement, Criminology, Performer
Exits: Priest, Community Activist, Cult Apostle,
(acting), and Resist Domination.
Antiquarian, and Bodyguard.
Exits: Police Officer, Politician, and Blackmailer.

327 The Ultimate Origins Book

 N National Ruler

National Hero Psyche +5

Resources +20
Fighting +10 Popularity +5
Agility +10
Strength +5 Requirements: Political leader experience, and
Intuition +5 Popularity Monstrous.
Psyche +20
Talents: Leadership.
Resources +30
Popularity +100 Exits: Cult Leader.
Requirements: Popularity 50, and superhuman
P
ability/power.
Paramilitary
Talents: Law Enforcement, Perform (acting) and
Leadership.
Fighting +5
Exits: Political Activist and Global Hero. Agility +5
Strength +5
National Reporter Endurance +5

National Newspaper. Requirements: Guns, Military, and Fighting Good.

Reason +5 Talents: Criminology, Martial Arts E, Chemistry, and

Intuition +10 Marksman (cost 200 karma).
Resources +5
Popularity +10 Exits: Mercenary, Criminal Enforcer, and Spy.

Pathologist
Requirements: Journalism, and Popularity 20.

Talents: Criminology, Artist (writer), and Perform Agility +5

(acting). Endurance +10
Reason +5
Exits: Blackmailer, Television Personality, and Intuition +5
Politician. Psyche +5

Requirements: Biology, Chemistry, and Criminology.

Talents: Genetics, Medicine, Psychology, Trivia

(ceremonies), and Occult Lore.

Exits: Criminal Psychologist, Blackmailer,

Businessman (funeral directors and taxidermy).

Patron of the Arts

Popularity +20

Requirements: Resources Incredible.

Talents: Business/Finance, and Occult Lore.

The Ultimate Origins Book 328

Exits: Political Leader, and Politician. Political Activist

Physician Fighting +5
Agility +10
Agility +10 Reason +5
Endurance +10 Psyche +5
Reason +20 Resources +5
Intuition +10 Popularity +10
Resources +5
Requirements: Journalism, and Guns.
Requirements: Medicine
Talents: Law, Perform (acting), Languages, and
Talents: Psychology, Anatomy, Immunology, Artist (drawing).
Cardiology, Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics,
Geriatrics, Obstetrics/Gynecology, General Surgery, Exits: Politician.
Neurosciences, Pharmacology, Physiology, Genetics,
Resist Domination, Biology, and Martial Arts D.

Exits: Psychiatrist, Forensic Scientist, Surgeon,

Researcher, and Rescuer.

Pilot

Agility +10
Intuition +10
Resources +5

Requirements: Pilot, Agility Excellent, and Intuition

Good.
Political Leader
Talents: Tumbling, Repair/Tinkering, and Stunt
Flying. Political party leader

Exits: Rescuer and Stunt Performer. Psyche +10

Resources +10
Police Officer Popularity +20
(Uniformed).
Requirements: Politician experience, and Popularity
Fighting +5 Amazing.
Agility +5
Endurance +5 Talents: Leadership, Law, and Business/Finance.
Intuition +5
Resources +5 Exits: National Ruler.
Popularity +5
Politician
Requirements: No criminal record, and Law
Psyche +10
Enforcement.
Resources +10
Talents: Guns, Criminology, Psychology, Espionage, Popularity +20
Stunt Driving, and Pilot.
Requirements: Popularity 40, and Perform (acting).
Exits: Criminal Psychologist, Detective and Rescuer.
Talents: Leadership, Law, Business/Finance, and
Journalism.

329 The Ultimate Origins Book

Exits: National Reporter, Political Leader, R
Blackmailer, and Patron of the Arts.
Reporter
Priest (Local Newspaper)

Reason +10 Intuition +10

Resources +5 Resources +5
Popularity +5 Popularity +5

Requirements: Novice priest experience, Occult Lore, Requirements: Journalism

and no kills.
Talents: Artist (writer), Criminology, Trivia,
Talents: Journalism, Law, Perform (singing), and Computers, and Business/Finance.
Leadership.
Exits: Artist (author), National Reporter, and
Exits: Blackmailer, Community Sanctioned Hero, Television Personality.
and High Priest.
Researcher

Reason +30
Intuition +10
Psyche +5
Resources +10

Requirements: Reason Ex 20

Talents: Genetics, Electrochemistry, Polymers,

Acoustics, Sonochemistry, Atomic Physics,
Mathematics, Particle Physics, Quantum Physics,
Astrophysics, Radio Astronomy, Astrophotography,
Stella Cartography, Spectroscopy, Artificial
Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Microbiology
Pharmacology and Parasitology.
Psychologist
Exits: Businessman (pharmaceuticals), Businessman
Reason +5 (illegal drugs dealer), Inventor, Antiquarian,
Intuition +20 Academic, Forensic Scientist, and Scientist.
Psyche +20
Rescuer
Resources +10
Fire Fighter, Anti-Terrorist Police, Lifeboat
Crewman, Mountaineer, and Front-Line Medic.
Requirements: Psychology, Reason Good, and
Resources Good.
Agility +5
Talents: Criminology, Animal Behavior, Strength +5
Parapsychology, Artificial Intelligence, Endurance +10
Psychobiology, Resist Domination, Hypnosis, and Intuition +20
Occult Lore. Popularity +5

Exits: Forensic Scientist, Criminal Psychologist, Requirements: Agility Typical 6, and Endurance Ex
Blackmailer, and Researcher. 20.

Talents: Animal training, Criminology, First Aid,

Geology, Law Enforcement, Leadership, Military,

The Ultimate Origins Book 330

Repair/Tinkering, Thrown Objects, Trivia (survival), Requirements: Security chief experience.
and Tumbling.
Talents: Business/Finance, Leadership, Perform
Exits: Community Sanctioned Hero, Explorer, (acting), Law Enforcement, and Military.
Paramilitary, Security Chief, and Stunt Performer.
Exits: Blackmailer, Corporate Spy, and Government
S Sanctioned Hero.

Scientist
Involved in research and development of
technological and industrial processes.

Reason +20
Intuition +10
Resources +5

Requirements: Reason Typical 6

Talents: Astronomy, Paranormal Phenomena,

Pharmacology, Biology, Microbiology, Marine Spy
Biology, Genetics, Botany, Biophysics, Parasitology,
Ecology, Zoology, Organic Chemistry, Chemistry, Fighting +5
Physics, Geology, Medicine, and Electronics Agility +5
Reason +5
Exits: Researcher, Forensic Scientist, Physician, and
Inventor. Intuition +10
Psyche +5
Security Chief Resources +10

Fighting +20 Requirements: Espionage, Intuition Excellent, and

Agility +10 Reason Good.
Strength +10
Talents: Guns, Security/Encryption, Pick Pocket,
Intuition +10
Martial Arts D, Martial Arts E, Martial Arts H,
Psyche +5 Crime, Tumbling, Escape Artist, and Weapons
Resources +5 Tinkering.

Requirements: Bodyguard experience, Criminology, Exits: Assassin, Blackmailer, and Corporate Spy.
and Intuition Remarkable.
Stunt Performer
Talents: Espionage, Business/Finance, Martial Arts
A, and Guns. Agility +10
Strength +5
Exits: Spy, and Security Advisor.
Endurance +10
Security Advisor Intuition +5
Resources +5
Fighting +5 Popularity +10
Reason +5
Intuition +20 Requirements: Pilot, Perform (acting), and Agility
Remarkable.
Psyche +5
Resources +20 Talents: Engineering, Repair/Tinkering, Perform
Popularity +5 (singing), Tumbling, Martial Arts G, Stunt Driving,
and Stunt Flying.

331 The Ultimate Origins Book

Exits: Television Personality, and Vehicle-Mechanic. V

Surgeon

Fighting +5
Agility +20
Reason +5
Intuition +10
Psyche +5
Resources +15

Requirements: General Surgery.

Talents: Dentistry, Plastic Surgery, Oncology,

Radiology, Biotechnology, Cybernetics, Chiropractic,
and Sewing/Tailoring.

Exits: Blackmailer, Politician, and Reporter, Vehicle Mechanic

T Fighting +5
Agility +5
Television Personality Reason +20
Resources +5
Resources +20
Popularity +20 Requirements: Engineering, Repair/Tinkering

Requirements: Journalism, and Popularity 30 (+ or -).
Talents: Perform (acting), Perform (singing), and Art
(writer).
Exits: Politician, Patron of the Arts, Artist, and Cult
Apostle.
Talents: Pilot, Stunt Driver, Military, Law
Enforcement, Computers, Electronics, and
Chemistry.
Exits: Police Officer, Criminal Enforcer,
Businessman (smuggling), and Businessman
(motor trade).

Terrorist W
Fighting +10 Weapon Smith
Agility +5 A maker of weaponry, employed by military or
Strength +5 criminal organizations.
Endurance +5
Popularity +25 Fighting +5
Reason +20
Requirements: Guns, Agility Excellent, and Psyche Resources +5
Excellent.
Requirements: Engineering, Repair/Tinkering
Talents: Criminology, Thrown Weapons, Chemistry,
and Repair/Tinkering. Talents: Guns, Bows, Sharp Weapons, Blunt
Weapons, Military, Chemistry, and Physics.
Exits: Political Activist, Paramilitary, Mercenary, and
Cult Apostle. Exits: Terrorist, Businessman (arms trade),
Businessman (illegal arms supplies), Inventor,
Commando, and Researcher.

The Ultimate Origins Book 332

 Appendix Ten: Disadvantage System
MTS Note: As I have mentioned elsewhere, I consider weaknesses to be part of the character’s origin. I
like this system because it is different, and can create different role-playing opportunities.
This article is from Ty States' Marvel RPG
website, one of the longest running and all
around best sites on the web. 'Greg Kerner ' is
credited for this entry.
http://gamingnerdsrus.co/forum/index.php?action=page;id=6
The following is a simple system borrowed
from Villains and Vigilantes by Jeff Dee and
Jack Herman. After rolling up the powers, the
Player rolls (d10) twice on the following table to
determine their disadvantages (the player may
choose the disadvantages with Judge’s
permission). If characters are rolled randomly,
the player may drop one disadvantage by
dropping a power (drop one that does not fit your
character concept). If original characters are
being modeled, look over the disadvantages
below to get ideas (if necessary). Regardless of
the generation method used, the Judge and the
Player should then work out how the
disadvantage works in the game. In many
instances I have listed examples of characters
with a form of the disadvantage and the
disadvantage in parenthesis.
Note: A few disadvantages also cross over with
the power limitations and ideas that develop in
character development. If a player already has a
concept and limits their character on their own
(without taking an increase in power rank), the
Judge is encouraged to allow the player imposed
limitation to substitute as one or both rolls.
Weakness
Roll (d10) twice or choose two (with the Judge’s
permission)
1) Diminished Sense: One of the
character's senses is diminished.
Examples include: Daredevil
(Blindness), Kitty Pryde (nearsighted),
Hawkeye (partially deaf)
333
2) Low Self Control: The character is
unable to control some part of his
actions or powers. Examples:
Wolverine (Berserk), Hulk
(Uncontrolled Change), Cyclops (Eye
beams always on), Havok (cannot
reduce damage below excellent)
3) Personal Problem: The character has
some problem that affects his daily life.
Common problems are Age,
Archenemy, Dependants, hunted,
watched. Examples: New Mutants
(Age), Spiderman (Aunt May).
4) Phobia/Psychosis: The character has a
mental problem that manifests under
certain conditions. Examples: Aurora
(multiple personalities), Storm
(Claustrophobia)
5) Physical Handicap: The character has
a physical handicap such as missing
body part or reduced mobility.
Examples: Nick Fury (missing eye),
Prof X (paralyzed)
6) Prejudiced: The character is
considered a villain by the public and
other heroes. Mutants already start with
a form of this. Example Spiderman
(early days).
7) Speech Impediment: The character is
either mute or stutters.
8) Strange Appearance: The character
either has a disfigurement that makes
him easy to recognize on the street or he
has a nonhuman appearance that others
may find frightening. Examples:
Caliban, Beast, Nightcrawler
9) Special Requirement: The character
needs a special pill, a special item, or
whatever, to activate or use his powers.
The Ultimate Origins Book
 10) Vulnerability: This comes in two
types: Achilles hill and weakness
(Choose One).
• Achilles Heel: The character is
more easily hit or takes more
damage from certain attack
forms.
• Weakness: The character loses
powers or takes damage from
being near some substance.
Examples Superman (okay this
is a DC character, but his
weakness to Kryptonite is the
classic example).

The Ultimate Origins Book 334

 Appendix Eleven: Quirks
MTS Note: I have used these rules in every Marvel Game I have played in since I discovered them. They
might not be an "Origin" but they certainly shape who your character is and give them personality, life,
and help make them three-dimensional. This is the revised version of the system.

This article was originally written by Firebomb All of the Vampirism Powers, for instance,
for his website "Technohol 13". It is celebrating would cost a character eight quirk points to
year thirteen at the time of writing this, and it is purchase outright, since they each count as two
simply an amazing site. Powers.

A Player may take as many beneficial or

deleterious quirks as they like, within reason.
Furthermore, they must not have a negative
http://www.technohol.com/ balance by the time they are done building their
character. A character should 'break even', or at
the very least not 'owe' for any beneficial quirks
Quirks they have taken.
Quirks are special qualities a player may use
to customize his or her character. Quirks are
completely optional during character creation; a
player can use quirks or not, as they see fit. Mind
you, there's nothing stopping a character from
developing quirks at a later date, should events
during the course of game play call for their
sudden imposition upon a character (whether in
their favor or otherwise).

The quirks system is rather simple in nature.

Each beneficial quirk a player wants will cost
them one point, while a deleterious quirk they
take on will give them one point. Some quirks
may be taken in levels; a level two quirk costs
(or grants) two points, while a level three quirk
gives (or takes) four points. Still more quirks
lack a level, but count as two quirks for these
purposes (or two points).
With this system, a player may use quirks to
buy (or sell) Powers, Talents and Contacts for
his character. One quirk point equals one contact,
two quirk points equals one talent, and four quirk
points equals one power - if said power only
counts as one during character generation. If a
power is listed as having a greater cost, multiply
the quirk point cost by that value to derive the
cost of that tricky power.
Quirk Points Conversion Table
Item Points Gained
Contacts One Quirk Point
Talents Two Quirk Points
Powers Four Quirk Points
Note that some quirks may not be remotely
appropriate for a given setting. Cyber-neurosis,
for instance, wouldn't really be at home in a
medieval campaign - or any other game where
artificial implants aren't relatively common for
the super human populace. A game Judge may
override a quirk choice if it absolutely wouldn't
fit in their game, or otherwise wouldn't affect the
Player taking it at all.
A description of every quirk follows. They
are divided up into the beneficial and deleterious
quirks of a physical, mental and role play nature.
Those quirks which cost (or grant) two quirk
points are noted with a two in parenthesis (2),
while those that can be taken at multiple levels
are noted with an asterisk in parenthesis (*).
They may be chosen at will, but are presented on
random rolling tables for the Judge's use.

335 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Quirk Types Fast Healing: Not quite regeneration, fast
healing is representative of a character who can
Die Roll Quirk Type nonetheless recover from injuries far faster than
01-33 Physical Quirks is readily apparent. A fast healer may recover
34-66 Mental Quirks lost Health points as if their Endurance rank was
+4CS higher than is listed. While not (usually)
67-00 Role-Play Quirks
enough to make a difference in combat, fast
healing can drastically reduce one's medical
Physical Quirks (Beneficial) down time.

Die Roll Quirk

01-07 Acceleration Tolerance
08-14 Adrenal Surge
15-21 Ambidexterity
22-28 Fast Healing
29-35 Fighting Logistics
36-42 Gravity Tolerance (*)
43-50 Hardiness (2)
51-57 Heightened Sense
58-64 High Pain Threshold
65-71 Learned Resistance (*)
72-78 Omnidexterity (2)
79-85 Rank Boost (2) Fighting Logistics: Those characters who
86-92 Strong Bones (*) possess this quirk have a naturally tactical mind.
After either fighting or observing an opponent in
93-00 Sturdiness battle for ten full rounds (opponent's time, not
that of the wielder of this quirk), the logistic
Acceleration Tolerance: The characters who fighter gains a +1CS on all Fighting FEAT rolls
possess this quirk are able to accelerate much concerning said opponent. This quirk does stack
faster than is normal. Acceleration tolerance with similar powers, such as combat edge.
allows a character to add one area per turn to his
acceleration rate without harm to himself, though Gravity Tolerance: Characters with gravity
his gear may not be so lucky. This acceleration tolerance may move and function more easily
can come in any form, whether running or flying under the influence of abnormal gravity
or simply riding within a spacecraft. conditions. For every level in gravity tolerance a
character has, he can reduce the penalties of high
Adrenal Surge: An adrenal surge is just that, a (or low) gravity by -1CS, including any crushing
massive pulse of adrenaline that will give a body damage inflicted by such. Endurance FEATs
incredible strength for a short period of time. prompted by gravity variance are made with a
When triggered, the character with this quirk will similar bonus.
enjoy a +1CS boost to his Strength score for
1d10 turns. This boost can only be used once per Hardiness: A hardy character can take a lot more
day, and after it wears off this quirk will inflict a punishment than is readily apparent, as compared
-1CS penalty to one's Strength for 1d100 turns. to someone else of similar body type. The
character with hardiness may add a 20 percent
Ambidexterity: An ambidextrous character bonus to the sum of his Fighting, Agility,
enjoys the benefit of being equally adept in the Strength and Endurance scores when
use of both his left and right appendages. They determining his Health point total. This bonus
may use either their left or right hand without also applies to special powers that increase one's
penalty, whether writing, sculpting or firing a Health maximums (such as Kinetic Absorption).
gun. The advantage of ambidexterity can be a Hardiness counts as two quirks.
result of natural ability, or acquired through
intense training - whether voluntary or otherwise. Heightened Sense: Not quite super senses, a
heightened sense is nonetheless a sensory
apparatus the character possesses that functions

The Ultimate Origins Book 336

higher than his Intuition (alt) rank. Such Strong Bones: A normal human character is
heightened senses are so noted (heightened sense assumed to have bones with a Typical (6)
/ smell), and a character with one should make material strength. This quirk increases that
applicable Intuition FEAT rolls at a +1CS material strength by +1CS for each level taken,
whenever the sense is referenced in play. which has a potent benefit. A character with
strong bones enjoys -1CS of Damage Reduction
High Pain Threshold: This quirk, as one might against Blunt Attack damage that is of an
guess, makes a character highly resistant to pain. intensity less than the material strength of their
It grants its possessor a +2CS to any Endurance bone structure.
FEAT roll required to resist the effects of pain,
whether from injury or from pain-inducing Sturdiness: A character with this quirk is
effects, as well as a like bonus when checking allowed to calculate their Negative Health score
against Stun results. A high pain threshold as if their Endurance was +1CS higher in rank.
counts as two quirks. This generally results in a much higher Negative
Health score, allowing a character to withstand
Learned Resistance: Though intense training or more punishment while unconscious before
perhaps just unintentional, repeated exposure, the automatically dying - particularly if said
character with this quirk has developed a character's Endurance score is already high to
heightened resistance to a specific form of begin with.
harmful stimuli. For each level of learned
resistance a character has, they should receive a Physical Quirks (Deleterious)
+1CS to any Endurance (res) or Psyche (will)
FEAT roll to resist the chosen stimuli, whether it Die Roll Quirk
be drugs, poison, or even mind control. 01-06 Abnormal Attribute
07-11 Acceleration Intolerance
Omnidexterity: Similar in nature to
12-17 Albinism
ambidexterity, omnidexterity is the ability to use
all of one's limbs equally well, assuming the 18-22 Allergy (*)
physical ability to do so. This often assumes the 23-28 Color Blind
presence of additional arms, tentacles or 29-33 Dulled Sense (*)
whatever, but some entities (such as a sentient 34-39 Dwarfism
gorilla) might make equally good use of both 40-44 Epilepsy
hands and feet, for instance. Omnidexterity 45-50 Feebleness
counts as two quirks. 51-56 Gigantism
57-61 Gravity Intolerance (*)
Rank Boost: This quirk is a direct way to
enhance a character's ability or power score that 62-67 Lameness
the Player finds lacking. This may apply to any 68-72 Low Pain Threshold
physical or mental statistic, or applicable power 73-78 Missing Parts (2)
rank, but not to one's Resources or Popularity 79-83 Rank Loss (2)
score. Rank boost counts as two quirks. 84-89 Slow Healing
90-94 Weak Bones (2)
95-00 Weakness (2)

Abnormal Attribute: Individuals with an

abnormal attribute just 'aren't right'. Something
about them is clearly weird in an obvious fashion
- not so much as to grant them any sort of special
power, but such an attribute may be a side effect
of any powers the character has. This can range
from really big ears to extra fingers to a vestigial
tail to hair that grows, say, a quarter inch a day.

Acceleration Intolerance: A character with this

quirk is simply ill-equipped to accelerate very

337 The Ultimate Origins Book

 quickly. They can move fast mind you, but it
takes a good long time for them to get up to
speed. Subtract one area per turn from this
character's listed acceleration rate, with a
minimum acceleration rate of 1/2 an area per
turn.
Albinism: The result of a congenital lack of
certain pigments, albinism can express itself as
either a lack of coloration in either the eyes, or
the eyes, hair and skin. Either way, an albino is
sensitive to bright lights, resisting such at a
-2CS. If one's skin is albinic, they are subject to a
-2CS penalty to resist ultraviolet radiation, as
well as being easily blinded.
Allergy: An allergy is a heightened vulnerability
to certain attacks or substances. Not quite a
weakness per se, an allergy inflicts a -2CS
penalty towards resisting whatever the character
is allergic to, for each level taken. This can be
any direct form of damage (radiation, Karmic
attacks) a toxic substance, or even something
'normal' in the environment the character is
especially susceptible to.
Epilepsy: An epileptic character is prone to
sudden fits of uncontrollable shaking. They can
be caused by anything from stress to head
injuries. A character will feel a seizure coming
on 1d10 turns early, and they will last a like
amount of time. Actions attempted while seizing
are made at a -4CS. Epileptic characters can
resist the onset of a seizure each turn they can
pass a yellow Psyche FEAT.
Feebleness: Feebleness indicates a character who
is highly susceptible to the loss of Negative
Health, for he must calculate such as if their
Endurance score was -1CS in rank. Characters
with a higher Endurance score have much more
Negative Health to lose thanks to this quirk,
though admittedly they're in a better position to
handle such a loss in the first place.

Color Blind: Color blindness is the inability to

distinguish one or more colors. Usually this
involves a lack of one type of color receptor,
which causes one to see colors completely
different than others. Severe cases can cause one
to see in 'black and white' however, which is
mostly a disadvantage save for in certain
conditions (or when fighting someone with
Coloration).

Dulled Sense: A dulled sense is one that

functions at a diminished capacity. For every
level a character takes in this quirk, they should
suffer a -2CS to any one sense of their choice -
this can sometimes be nullified by technology
(such as glasses or hearing aids) but not always.
If this quirk reduces a sense to Shift 0 rank, the
character is considered to be lacking it entirely.
Dwarfism: This quirk does not refer to the axe-
wielding dwarves of lore. It describes a condition
wherein the character possessing this quirk is
disproportionately short. For game purposes, a
dwarf will usually range between three and a half
and five feet tall, not being small enough to
qualify for the shrinking power and yet being of
a size where they must usually have all gear and
clothing custom fitted.
Gigantism: The flip side of dwarfism, gigantism
indicates a character who is not just tall, but is
disproportionately so. Such an individual will
usually range between seven and eight and a half
feet tall, and must have all of his clothing and
gear custom made. A character suffering from
this quirk may also suffer other related ailments,
such as feebleness or even weak bones.
Gravity Intolerance: The gravity intolerant are
those who are particularly attuned to gravitic
conditions wherever they come from, and do not
adapt well to changes in it. These characters
suffer a -2CS penalty to all Endurance FEAT
rolls required when operating under different

The Ultimate Origins Book 338

gravity, whether in the form of higher or lower G which may not be enough to make an immediate
forces, for each level taken. difference in combat, but will definitely increase
one's time in the hospital after serious injury.
Lameness: Not a state of being uncool, a lame
character has some vital part that functions at Weak Bones: A normal human character is
less than one hundred percent. This can be assumed to have bones with a Typical (6)
anything from a bum leg to a crippled hand to material strength. The character with weak bones
even serious organ damage. The effect of this is is not so lucky however, and suffers heightened
usually to apply a -1CS to FEATs related to the damage in the face of crushing attacks. Any
lame body part (movement penalty for a leg, Blunt Attack damage affecting the character
Agility (dex) for a bad hand), though this can inflicts +1CS damage, possibly leading to broken
depend on the nature of the lameness. bones regularly. Weak bones counts as two
quirks.
Low Pain Threshold: Characters with a low pain
threshold are much more likely to buckle under Weakness: The unfortunate character that is
physical duress. They suffer a -2CS to any FEAT inherently weak finds that they have much less
roll intended to resist the effects of pain (whether Health than would otherwise be indicated.
from physical damage, methodical torture or Though weakness counts as two quirks, it
induced pain via some other mechanism), and reduces the sum of his Fighting, Agility,
bear a like penalty to shrug off Stun results Strength and Endurance scores by twenty
scored against them in battle. percent, making them much more likely to face
unconsciousness and potential death in the midst
Missing Parts: Put bluntly, the character is of combat (super human or otherwise).
missing some body part or another. This can be a
sensory instrument, extremity, or (formerly) Mental Quirks (Beneficial)
internal organ. As is the case with lameness, the
specific detriment to a character with missing Die Roll Quirk
parts must be determined on a case-by-case 01-08 3-D Sense
basis, but the penalty is usually more severe. As 09-15 Alertness
a result, missing parts counts as two quirks.
16-23 Cybernetic Aptitude
24-31 Fortitude
32-38 High Stress Threshold
39-46 Karmic Shell (2)
47-54 Magical Aptitude
55-61 Natural Talent
62-69 Psionic Aptitude
70-77 Quick Learning
78-84 Sanity
85-92 Static
93-00 Technological Aptitude

3-D Sense: Possession of a 3-D sense indicates a

Rank Loss: A rank loss is a direct way for a
player to gain quirk points for other purposes,
possibly to cover the cost of a beneficial quirk or
two. When taken, rank loss will reduce the rank
of any one ability or power score by -1CS. Rank
loss counts as two quirks.
Slow Healing: A slow healer, as you may have
guessed, recovers from damage at a much lower
rate than is normal for a person of their
Endurance rank. They heal as if their Endurance
was -4CS in rank, to a minimum Feeble (2),
character has the ability to think in more than
two dimensions. This comes in handy when
handing situations such as aerial combat, or in
any other condition where threats may come
from any of the three standard axes. A 3-D sense
can also benefit characters who deal with even
higher dimensions as well (even if this doesn't
apply very often).
Alertness: Alertness is a heightened awareness of
one's surroundings. Characters with this quirk
are rarely surprised by the actions of others,

339 The Ultimate Origins Book

 whether or not super human abilities are in play.
In game terms, a highly alert character should
receive a +2CS to any FEAT roll to avoid
ambushes or surprise, and is such a light sleeper
that any disturbance in his area will wake them
on a yellow Intuition FEAT.
Cybernetic Aptitude: A cybernetically apt
character is one whose body is highly accepting
of cybernetic implants of any variety. Such an
individual should be treated as if their Psyche
was +2CS higher in rank for the purposes of
FEAT rolls against their Implant Psychosis
Statistic, thus allowing them to handle a lot more
artificial components in their body than is
normal.
Fortitude: Fortitude is indicative of a character
who has an abnormally high Mental Health
score. They may calculate that statistic as if their
Psyche rank was +1CS higher than normal.
Fortitude is especially handy for those characters
who regularly engage in psionic combat,
particularly if said characters already have a
rather high Psyche score to begin with.
High Stress Threshold: No matter how weird or
dangerous or frustrating the situation is, a
character with the high stress threshold quirk
manages to easily keep his cool. They should
receive a +2 CS bonus on any FEAT required of
them to stay calm in the face of adversity, even if
their life or someone they care about's life is on
the line.
Karmic Shell: Characters with a karmic shell are
blessed by fate (or destiny, etc.). This quirk
allows its possessor to begin play each game
session with twenty percent more Karma than the
sum of their Reason, Intellect and Psyche would
indicate. This quirk counts as two quirks, but is
not allowed if the Judge is using the 'no free
lunch' optional Karma rules (see below).
The Ultimate Origins Book
Magical Aptitude: A magical aptitude is an
inherent 'knack' for the use of magic spells.
Characters with such an aptitude need not begin
play as a spellcaster, but may be looked upon
favorably by would-be mystic instructors. When
casting spells, a character with magical aptitude
may do so as if the spell was +1CS in rank in all
manners save for any damage it inflicts.
Natural Talent: A natural talent is just that, a
natural disposition towards some skill or another.
A character with a natural talent should gain a
+1CS when attempting a FEAT with said skill,
above and beyond the normal bonus. Alternately,
a natural talent can substitute for the use of a
Talent itself, denoting someone who hasn't been
trained at all but nonetheless shows promise in
that area.
Psionic Aptitude: A psionic aptitude is a 'knack'
of sorts for the use of psionic abilities, whether
natural or trained. Whether they begin play with
such or develops them at a later date, a
psionically apt character can use any psi powers
at his disposal more effectively than others. This
aptitude translates into a +1CS on any FEAT roll
required during the use of psi powers, applying
to everything save for any damage inflicted.
Quick Learning: As one can guess, the character
with the quick learning quirk, well, learns things
quickly. In game terms, they can master a new
Talent in half the normal time, and may do so
with a twenty five percent Karma point discount.
This discount does not 'stack' with the Student
Talent cost reduction, but it may be applied to
Talent-equivalent powers such as magic spells or
psi abilities.
Sanity: More impressive than it may at first
sound, sanity is a quality that reflects one's
ability to stave off madness, even if the face of
mind-bending phenomena. Related to a high
stress threshold (and stacking with such), the
sanity quirk provides a +2CS to Psyche FEAT
rolls required when attempting to avoid going
crazy, usually as a result of things from Beyond
but not always.
Static: Whether it's a subconscious form of
psionic ability or just something weird going on
with one's brain chemistry, static denotes a
character with a 'slippery' mind. Any mind-
altering psionic effect (no matter its source)
suffers a -1CS to affect a character with the static
340
quirk, whether it's mere telepathy or something Action Addict: An action addict constantly
as extreme as a mind transfer! craves action, adventure and/or excitement. This
need not involve physical conflict, but can
Technological Aptitude: Related to a natural quickly escalate to such if the character with this
talent, technological aptitude is a 'knack' of sorts quirk is denied too long. If stuck waiting or
for devices of all types. It allows its possessor a otherwise doing something tedious, an action
+1CS to any FEAT roll required during the addict will usually fidget uncontrollably and
creation of a mechanical or electronic item, save complain incessantly, eventually wandering off
for the Resources check. This bonus can stack in a search for fun (as he sees it).
with those offered by any technical Talent(s), as
well as the with the natural talent quirk (if the In game terms, this translates into a required
character possesses both). Psyche FEAT if the character finds themself
bored, rolled at a -2CS. If this first FEAT roll
Mental Quirks (Deleterious) fails, the character will give off obvious signs of
his distress, and if this situation continues for
Die Roll Quirks more than 1d10 turns, he must make another
01-03 Action Addict Psyche FEAT - this time at a -4CS - to avoid the
04-06 Attitude (*) overwhelming compulsion to split - assuming
they try to resist said urge, that is.
07-09 Bluntness (*)
10-12 Bully (*) Attitude: Characters with an attitude problem are
13-15 Combat Paralysis (*) inherently confrontational. This facet of their
16-18 Compulsiveness (*) personality permeates everything they say and
19-20 Cowardice (*) do, and most importantly, it colors others'
21-23 Cyber-Neurosis perception of them. In order to 'play nice',
24-26 Fanaticism (*) characters with a bad attitude must pass a Psyche
27-29 Frenzied FEAT roll at a -2CS for every level this quirk is
taken at, assuming they ever bother to try.
30-32 Greed (*)
33-35 Gullibility (*)
36-38 Honesty (*)
39-40 Impulsiveness (*)
41-43 Inept (*)
44-46 Insanity (2)
47-49 Insomnia
50-52 Jealousy (*)
53-55 Karmic Dearth (2)
56-58 Laziness (*)
59-60 Learning Disorder
61-63 Low Stress Threshold (*)
64-66 Mania (*)
67-69 Multiple Personality (*)
70-72 Pacifism (*)
73-75 Paranoia (*)
76-78 Personal Code (*)
79-80 Phobia (*)
81-83 Pushover
84-86 Rudeness (*)
87-89 Short Attention Span
90-92 Shyness (*) Bluntness: Someone who is 'blessed' with this
93-95 Stubborn (*) quirk doesn't see the need to mince words, or is
96-98 Temper (*) completely oblivious to the effects of their words
99-00 Vow (*) on others. The blunt character speaks their mind,

341 The Ultimate Origins Book

 and does so both freely and directly. In game
play, a blunt individual must pass a Psyche
FEAT roll at -2CS for every level this quirk is
taken in order to 'edit' themselves at all.
Bully: Everyone knows a bully. These
individuals find great pleasure in putting others
'in their place', which is usually cowering in fear
of the bully. For each level this quirk is taken,
bullies must pass a Psyche FEAT roll at a -2CS
to resist the urge to cow those weaker than
themselves, if they choose not to. Ironically,
bullies often manifest the cowardice quirk as
well.
Combat Paralysis: Combat paralysis is where a
person tends to freeze up in situations of conflict.
This can be a result of confusion, indecision or
fear, depending on the character involved. When
forced into a contentious situation, particularly
where violence is concerned, characters with this
quirk cannot act unless they can pass a Psyche
FEAT roll at a -2CS for each level taken, each
turn a fight continues.
Compulsiveness: Meshing well with unpleasant
habits, this quirk is representative of a habit,
usually bad, that the character constantly
indulges. This can be anything, such as chewing
nails, twiddling thumbs or even constantly
sighing or rolling one's eyes when annoyed.
Stopping oneself from indulging one's habit
requires a Psyche FEAT roll at -2CS for every
level this quirk is taken.
hallucinate, perceiving events that aren't actually
occurring, and interact with the products of their
delirious minds despite the fact that no one else
can sense them. To ignore the influence of one's
damaged mind, assuming the delusional
individual should want to, they must pass a
Psyche FEAT roll at a -2CS for every level this
quirk is taken at.
Fanaticism: Not merely a proponent of some
philosophical, political or religious movement,
the fanatic takes their adopted beliefs to
ridiculous extremes. They do all they can to
support their pet movement, often going well
beyond the bounds of legality in order to do so;
few tasks are so low that a fanatic will refuse to
engage in them in order to further the 'cause',
whatever it may be.
In game terms, fanatics overwhelmingly
believe that their cause is righteous above and
beyond all others. If presented with an
opportunity to aid his pet belief structure, a
fanatic must pass a Psyche FEAT roll at a -2CS
for each level of fanaticism he takes, should they
actually wish to forego action to further its aims
(perhaps because mitigating circumstances
would make things difficult for them either
immediately or down the line).

Cowardice: Danger is not, in fact, this

character's middle name. A coward finds himself
fleeing from danger at all times, real or
imagined. To persevere in the face of any
perceived threat, the coward must pass a Psyche
FEAT roll at a -2CS for every level of this quirk
he possesses. Many cowards often
overcompensate for their cowardice by engaging
in bullying behavior.

Cyber-Neurosis: A character cursed with this

quirk is especially susceptible to mental illnesses
brought on by the implantation of cybernetic
devices in their body. For the purposes of
resisting one's Implant Psychosis Statistic, a
Frenzied: Inherently dangerous, a character with
character with cyber-neurosis is considered to
the frenzied quirk lives to fight and hurt others,
have a Psyche rank -2CS lower than is listed,
often to the point of slaying them! In combat, a
making cybernetics a very bad idea for them.
character with the frenzied quirk must pass a
Psyche FEAT roll at -2CS to avoid succumbing
Delusions: Individuals susceptible to delusions
to it. If this FEAT fails, they'll gain a +1CS to
live in a world all their own. They often

The Ultimate Origins Book 342

their Fighting score, but an accompanying -1CS - or at least the latest of such - requires first
to their Reason rank, and won't stop fighting passing a Psyche FEAT roll at a -2CS for each
their foe(s) until no one is left standing. level of impulsiveness taken.

At this point, the frenzied character, if he

wishes to stop, must pass another Psyche FEAT,
this time at a -4CS. If this second FEAT roll
fails, the character cannot stop until he's slain
everyone present that he perceives as a threat.
This includes anyone attempting to 'break up' the
action or otherwise prevent him from terminating
his opponents, and lasts for the duration of
combat plus 1d10 turns.

While in a frenzy, the only way a character

with frenzied can stop himself (assuming he even
wants to) is to make a red Psyche FEAT roll -
and to spend all of his Karma. But then, if they
care enough to stop, they are probably about to
lose it all anyway.

Greed: Some people are misers, but the

possessor of this quirk makes such individuals
look like philanthropists. A greedy individual
hoards their wealth and property with an almost
manic fervor, and goes out of their way to
Inept: An inept person is the consummate
rapidly acquire as much as is possible. As such,
bumbler. This sort of individual has problems
avoiding 'easy money' or engaging in charity of
completing even the most simple of tasks, and
any variety requires first passing a Psyche FEAT
almost everything they do is marked by abject
at a -2CS for each level of greed taken.
failure - the more spectacular, the better. In order
to really do something right, the inept character
Gullibility: The gullible are those who are either
must pause to think things through (taking a full
naive or clueless, believing that other people are
turn to do such), and then pass a Reason FEAT
mostly honest, good folks. In order to avoid
at a -2CS for each level of inept taken.
getting sucked into the nefarious schemes of
others, or to otherwise disbelieve some sort of lie
Insanity: Worse than a merely delusional
or scam directed at their person, a gullible person
character, an insane person is stark, raving mad.
must first pass a Psyche FEAT roll at a -2CS for
This sort of person lives in a reality of their own
each level of gullibility they have accepted.
making, their mind actively reinterpreting
everything that occurs to them to fit their
Honesty: An honest person is usually hard to
damaged mental state. The actual form of
find, but a character with this quirk literally can't
insanity the character suffers from should be
lie - at least, not very convincingly. Whether
developed with the game Judge, and insanity
they refuse to be dishonest (sort of like a
itself counts as two quirks.
personal code) or are just really lousy liars, a
character with this quirk is unable to easily
Insomnia: The insomniac has severe difficulty
engage in subterfuge. Successfully doing so
sleeping, whether falling asleep in the first place
requires first passing a Psyche FEAT roll at a
or staying asleep once unconscious. In order to
-2CS for each level of honesty taken.
sleep well, an insomniac must pass a Psyche
FEAT roll at -2CS in order to calm himself
Impulsiveness: Impulsive individuals are those
enough to drift off. Failure of this FEAT gives
who seem to do just about anything at the drop
one a -2CS penalty on all actions attempted
of a hat. They consistently jump the gun, doing
during the next day, due to a lack of energy,
things that occur to them almost immediately,
focus and rest.
and usually do so in a half-cocked manner.
Resisting the urge to engage in their every whim

343 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Jealousy: Jealous individuals tend to covet that
which belongs to others, and secretly maligns
those who have what he wants. Similar to greed,
those who suffer from jealousy are consumed by
their desires for... whatever, and have a hard time
shaking them off, even for a little while. Doing
so requires a Psyche FEAT roll at a -2CS for
each level of this quirk they've taken.
Karmic Dearth: A character with a dearth of
Karma will begin play with an amount of
spendable Karma equal to the sum of their
Reason, Intuition and Psyche scores minus
twenty percent. This quirk counts as two quirks,
but is not allowed if the Judge is using the 'no
free lunch' optional Karma rules, which basically
makes it useless (see below).
Laziness: Lazy individuals are incredibly
difficult to motivate. They have a hard time
getting up in the morning, doing work, finishing
extensive projects, or accomplishing anything
else in particular that they don't especially enjoy.
Motivating oneself requires a Psyche FEAT roll
at a -2CS for every level of laziness taken, the
failure of which means the person with this quirk
will blow off their current task to do anything
else.
Learning Disorder: A learning disorder is a
disability that prevents one from easily learning.
It can come in the form of dyslexia (difficulty
with reading), dyscalculia (difficulty with math),
dysgraphia (difficulty with typing) or even
cluttering (difficulty with speech). A character
with any learning disorder suffers a twenty five
percent Karma penalty when learning new
talents, taking twice as long to do so.
Low Stress Threshold: Individuals with a low
stress threshold have a difficult time keeping a
cool head in the face of adversity. They may be
panicky, jittery, jumpy, or quick to declare that
the end is nigh whenever something goes amiss.
For each level of this quirk taken, a character
should suffer a -2CS penalty to their Psyche on
any effort to keep 'cool' should just about
anything go seriously wrong for them.
Mania: Above and beyond mere compulsive
behavior, a mania is in fact a mild form of
obsessive insanity. Most of these involve an
unhealthy repetition and preoccupation with
some usually self-destructive behavior, ranging
from trichotillomania (obsessively pulling one's
hair out) to pyromania (obsessively setting fires)
The Ultimate Origins Book
to general monomania (obsessing over one idea
or action incessantly).
This sort of mental disorder can get the
character in all kinds of trouble, both legal and
otherwise, but can be a lot more 'fun' when the
other players don't know the character has it... at
first, anyway. In order to resist a manic urge in
the course of play, if only for a little while,
characters with this quirk must pass a Psyche
FEAT roll at a -2CS penalty for each level of
mania they possess.
Multiple Personality: Individuals with multiple
personalities are not alone inside their heads.
Most often this is because of a splintering of
their mind due to some traumatic event in the
past, but in rare instances this could actually
occur due to super human phenomena, such as
some sort of spectral or otherworldly entity
taking refuge inside their cranium.
A level one multiple personality quirk
indicates the character has one other,
approximately equal personality. An additional
level makes for several such personalities, some
of which may have control over different powers
the character possesses. A level three multiple
personality quirk means there's any number of
different minds swimming around in the
character's head, all of which may act at cross
purposes with some frequency.
Each personality will have Reason, Intuition
and Psyche scores all its own; they are ostensibly
based upon the same 'hardware' but each
344
personality a character possesses will be at
different levels of development from the others.
The one advantage to this quirk is that if one
personality is knocked out by a Karmic attack,
the character might have several others ready to
pick up the slack almost immediately...!
Pacifism: A pacifist does not believe in fighting,
for any reason. They can usually abide defending
themselves but will not intentionally inflict harm
upon anyone, which is usually why such
individuals will learn martial arts like Aikido -
which have no offensive moves. Overcoming
this personal belief (say, when one is under
threat of imminent death) requires a Psyche
FEAT at a -2CS for every level the pacifist took
of this quirk.
Paranoia: The paranoid believe that everyone is
out to get them. Nominally this isn't the case, but
if such a character becomes embroiled in an
actual conspiracy or another it just might
reinforce his irrational beliefs. Usually a
paranoid individual won't inherently mistrust
their close compatriots, although they might pay
more attention to what they're doing, and read
more into almost every situation.
On the other hand, paranoid characters
absolutely distrust those that they do not know
intimately. Changing this usually requires a
Herculean feat of friendship, or consistent work
with the paranoid person over a long period of
time. In order to give others the benefit of the
doubt, or to avoid being suspicious of friends
seemingly acting 'weird', a paranoid person must
345
pass a Psyche FEAT at a -2 CS for every level of
this quirk taken.
Personal Code: An individual with this quirk
lives by an internal set of ethics and refuses to
violate them. Such a code may or may not
coincide with the laws of his society, which may
lead to problems with law enforcement -
particularly if their code allows them to inflict
violence upon others. Disregarding one's code
for a short time requires a Psyche FEAT roll at a
-2CS for each level this quirk is taken.
Phobia: A phobia is an intense, irrational and
persistent fear of some person, place, thing or
occurrence. A phobia can be almost anything,
from ecclesiophobia (a fear of churches) to
hydrophobia (a fear of water) to xanthophobia (a
fear of yellow) to even phobophobia (a fear of
phobias). Resisting the urge to flee in the face of
one's phobia requires a Psyche FEAT at a -2CS
for every level this quirk is taken.
Pushover: A pushover is someone who is rather
easily flattened by mental attacks. He must
calculate his Mental Health score as if his Psyche
was -2CS in rank, which makes him especially
vulnerable to Karmic damage. The pushover
quirk is particularly dangerous to characters who
already have a rather low Psyche rank, as this
often leaves them subject to a Karmic 'one shot'
attack.
Rudeness: Similar to the effects of the bluntness
quirk, rudeness causes a character to be verbally
insulting to others. Unlike someone who is
merely blunt however, a rude person intends
insult when it is offered; like a bully, they enjoy
inflicting self-confidence issues, possibly to
cover up their own. In order to rein oneself in, a
character with this quirk must pass a Psyche
FEAT at a -2CS for each level of rudeness taken.
Short Attention Span: Characters with a short
attention span are rather absent-minded. They
have a tendency to forget names, schedules,
appointments, events, and anything else that isn't
bright, shiny and immediate. Without some sort
of mechanism to help remember such (a note
pad, a Blackberry™, etc.), such a character must
make Reason FEATs at a -2CS to recall things
they need to accomplish.
Shyness: For any number of reasons, a shy
individual has a hard time speaking up for
themselves. This can be fear of ridicule or
The Ultimate Origins Book
 embarrassment, or perhaps a fear of crowds. In
order to strongly voice one's opinion or
otherwise speak in front of large groups of
people, a shy individual must first pass a Psyche
FEAT roll at a -2CS for each level the shyness
quirk is taken.
Stubborn: Stubborn people are convinced that
they're always right - and when proven wrong,
will often continue to argue a point even when
they know better. It's all about 'winning' with
stubborn folks, and they enjoy debating and
grousing at anyone who doesn't immediately
capitulate to their point of view. Resisting this
urge requires a Psyche FEAT roll at a -2CS for
each level this quirk is taken.
Temper: Individuals with a temper have a very
light fuse. Just about anything can set them off,
and once they're mad, they tend to stay angry. In
order to resist losing one's temper or to mellow
out once enraged, a character with this quirk
must pass a Psyche FEAT roll at a -2CS for each
level it is taken. Typically, anger management
classes do not help such an individual very
much.
Ally: Somewhere in the character's past, he
managed to cultivate an ally. More than a mere
contact (though he counts as such), this ally is a
true friend of the character, and will help them in
any way they can. This ally can be a trusted
right-hand man, a sidekick, or whatever else fits
the character's origins. This ally must be built
and role-played by the game Judge, however.
Assistant: An assistant is related to an ally, in
that they are a trusted confidante of some sort or
another. This assistant could be a dedicated
butler, secretary or technician, or perhaps works
for the character in some other quasi-servile role.
This secondary character will aid their superior
in any way they can, and like an ally must be
created and role played by the game's Judge.

Vow: Not just a simple promise, a vow is a

solemn oath a character lives by. Perhaps they
have dedicated themselves to completing some
task or another, or wishes to obtain justice (or
vengeance). If forced to forego their vow for any
length of time, a character will suffer per the
action addict quirk, in relation to pursuing it.
Staving off one's vow for a time requires a
Psyche FEAT at -2CS for each level of this quirk
taken.

Role Play Quirks (Beneficial)

Die Roll Quirk

01-09 Ally
10-18 Assistant
19-27 Attractive (*) Attractive: Whether it's something in one's
appearance or some other subtle quality, the
28-36 Benefactor (*)
character with this quirk is attractive. People
37-45 Cash Flow who would be remotely interested in their gender
46-54 Charmed and/or species find them particularly alluring, in
55-63 Fame (*) fact. For every level of attractive a character has,
64-72 Fan Club they should benefit from a +1CS to Popularity
73-81 Good Reputation FEAT rolls when dealing with those who think
82-90 Likeability (2) they are appealing.
91-00 Lucky (2)
Benefactor: When someone likes what a
character is doing but doesn't want to directly
participate in their actions, they will often serve

The Ultimate Origins Book 346

as a benefactor to him. This usually involves
financial assistance of some sort (+1CS
Resources for each level taken), but can take the
form of equipment or special favors, and lasts as
long as the character remains in the good graces
of his benefactor.
Cash Flow: Characters with a positive cash flow
are those who, above and beyond their normal
moneymaking endeavors, have ready liquid cash
at hand. This can take the form of a minor
inheritance or perhaps rather wise investments.
This money requires little maintenance (making
crime fighting easier), particularly if managed by
an assistant, and raises one's Resources +1CS for
each level taken.
Charmed: One who is charmed is a veritable font
of good luck for their allies. The charmed quirk
alters die rolls for the better for anyone affiliated
with its possessor. Once per hour, this quirk will
switch the dice of someone allied with the
charmed character in said ally's favor. The
person benefiting from the charm is random, and
the charmed character can't control when it will
affect them.
Fame: A famous character is one who is rather
well known to the public, either for good reasons
or bad (the latter being better known as infamy).
This character regularly appears in newspaper
and magazine articles, entertainment television
347
segments, and even has numerous web sites
devoted to his activities. Each level of fame
improves one's Popularity score by +1CS (in
either a positive or negative direction).
Fan Club: Occasionally accompanying fame, the
fan club represents a gaggle of fan boys and fan
girls who follow the career of the character in
earnest. A member of a character's fan club will
usually treat them as if their Popularity score was
+2CS in rank, raised to +4CS if he's ever
actually interacted with them - even if so briefly
as to autograph something of theirs (or a part of
them) in the past.
Good Reputation: A character with such a
reputation has a good standing in his community
as a whole. While this may not involve people
building fan sites dedicated to them, they know
they are trustworthy and someone to turn to in a
pinch. This grants them a +1CS to his Popularity
score on their home turf; though this can backfire
if the character acts counter to whatever
reputation they have been building over time.
Likeability: The likable character has a pleasant
demeanor, or is otherwise charismatic somehow.
When interacting with others, the likable
character receives NPC reactions that are one
step higher, unless said NPC is already hostile
towards them. If the NPC is already friendly, the
likable character should be treated as if their
Popularity score is +2CS in rank. Likeability
counts as two quirks.
Lucky: Like the charmed character, one who is
lucky has the effect of altering die rolls
beneficially. However, instead of doing so for
one's allies, a lucky person may do this for
themselves. Every tenth roll a lucky character
makes, he may switch the dice such that the high
number comes first - unless, of course, it would
be in his best interests to roll low in that
instance. Lucky counts as two quirks.
The Ultimate Origins Book
 Role Play Quirks (Deleterious) reputation grants one a -1CS to their Popularity
score on their home turf, though this can backfire
Die Roll Quirk if the character acts 'out of character' while trying
01-06 Alien Culture (*) to build a rep.
07-12 Bad Reputation
Bigotry: This unpleasant quirk represents the
13-18 Bigotry (*)
tendency of a character to look down upon a
19-24 Dependent group of people for some arbitrary reason or
25-29 Enemy (*) another. If the character wishes to hide his
30-35 Illiteracy negative bias, he must pass a Psyche FEAT roll
36-41 Jinxed at -2CS for each level of this quirk taken. If one
42-47 Loner (*) cares not to disguise their hatred of whatever
48-53 Nerd group of people he dislikes, others tend to react
54-59 Poverty to them as if their Popularity had a like modifier.
60-65 Repugnant Personality (*)
Unless they, too, share such detestable
66-71 Snob attitudes. Of course, then there's the target of the
72-77 Social Dependent (*) bigot's ire. Such an individual, upon realizing the
78-82 Unattractive (*) bigot's true feelings, will automatically shift one
83-88 Unlucky (2) step downward as far as NPC reactions go.
89-94 Unpleasant Habits (*) These individuals will never be 'friendly' to a
95-00 Weirdness Magnet bigot and may readily turn outright hostile,
depending on their personality and the situation
at hand.

Dependent: A dependent is someone in the

character's life who relies upon them in some
capacity. This can be a child, a ward, or even an
older, infirm relative of just about any sort. Such
an individual will usually wind up occupying
some of the character's time and/or resources
during each adventure, and has an uncanny
knack for getting themselves into trouble of
some sort on a regular basis.

Enemy: The character with this quirk has an

Alien Culture: This quirk doesn't necessarily
enemy. Not just someone the character has
represent extraterrestrial mores and such, it
opposed on a few occasions, this enemy is a
simply states that the character has a different
hard-boiled hater of the character and everything
culture than that which is active where they have
he stands for. Often, but not always, the source
decided to make their home. This can make
of this enmity is tied heavily into the character's
critical misunderstandings of even the most
origin. This quirk can be taken at multiple levels,
simple of social interactions, and generally
each of which steps up the threat of said enemy.
proves to give the 'alien' character a -2CS to their
Popularity score for each level taken.
A level one enemy is, in all respects, the
character's equal. A true nemesis, this foe can
This penalty is doubled in regards to people
match wits and power with the character in
who find the alien culture of the character
almost every way - and may in fact be an evil
particularly contemptuous.
twin or clone or variant earth duplicate. Higher
levels of enemy, however, are much more
Bad Reputation: A character with such a
dangerous foes, and have a far reach indeed.
reputation has a bad standing in his community
These can range from a super group to a secret
as a whole. While this most often doesn't involve
society to, at far extremes, an entire government!
torches and pitchforks, people where this
individual come from usually know him on
Illiteracy: An illiterate character can neither read
sight... and what he's capable of. A bad
nor write. This may not be so inconvenient in a

The Ultimate Origins Book 348

medieval setting, but nowadays this quirk can
make one's life very difficult. Without being able
to read, one can only interact with computers and
signs of all kinds through readily recognizable
icons. If not caused by a disability, illiteracy can
be reversed by purchasing 'reading' as a talent.
Jinxed: Similar to the unlucky quirk, jinxed
alters die rolls for the worse. However, the die
rolls so affected are not those of the jinxed
character, but those of their compatriots! Once
per hour, one die roll made by the allies of a
jinxed character will be altered for the worse, as
if the character rolling it was afflicted by the luck
power's bad luck. The person so chosen is
random each time it happens.
Loner: Loners generally can't stand other people,
and positively hate being around large groups of
them for any length of time. A loner must pass a
Psyche FEAT roll at a -2CS for each level this
quirk is taken whenever they are in a crowded
situation. If this FEAT roll fails, he must
immediately leave or suffer a like penalty to all
actions taken while surrounded by these people.
Nerd: The nerd just doesn't get it. They don’t
understand why they aren’t cool, or perhaps they
just don't care. This type of person is usually
concerned with things outside the cultural norm.
They can't dance, don't really know anything
about music, and/or has a lousy fashion sense -
and it shows. Nerds usually receive a -2CS
Popularity adjustment when interacting with the
so-called 'cool' people (or snobs).
Poverty: Perhaps the character is saddled with
crushing debt they can't get ahead of, or maybe
they are an ex-convict who can't get a decent job
to save their life. Maybe an economic downturn
349
has taken everything the character values from
them. Either way, those stricken with poverty
have a Resources rank of Poor (4) or less, and
can't seem to improve their lot no matter how
hard they try.
Repugnant Personality: This character grates on
the nerves, no matter how hard you try to tolerate
him. They are possibly gruff, boisterous,
opinionated, arrogant, or some combination of
the above. A character may have multiple levels
of repugnant personality, giving them an
effective -2CS to their Popularity score for each,
and bottling up their annoying characteristics
temporarily requires a Psyche FEAT at a like
penalty.
Snob: Snobs tend to look down on everyone save
for their special little clique. A snob receives a
+2CS Popularity adjustment from others within
their social group, but a -2CS adjustment to
those they look down upon. Snobs tend to be on
particularly bad terms with nerds and loners, the
former of which may not understand why they're
the subject of scorn and the latter of which
remind them why they hate others so much.
Social Dependent: The opposite of the loner, a
social dependent is only comfortable around
large groups of people, for they rely upon others
to make up their minds for them. A social
dependent is paralyzed with indecision if all
alone, requiring a Psyche FEAT roll at a -2CS
for every level of this quirk taken in order to do
something other than waffling about
indecisively.
Unattractive: Whether we're talking about one's
physical appearance or some other ephemeral
quality, there's something about the character
that puts people off. Individuals who would
otherwise find the character attractive (or at least
neutral in their eyes) find the unattractive
character unpleasant, and react to them at a -2CS
for each level of this quirk taken.
Unlucky: An unlucky character has a hard time
getting things to go their way. This is because,
every tenth time they roll the dice, the unlucky
character's die result is altered such that the
number rolled is arranged to produce the worst
possible result for the character, as if suffering
from the negative effects of the Luck Power.
Unlucky counts as two quirks.
The Ultimate Origins Book
 Unpleasant Habits: A character with an
unpleasant habit does something that seems
relatively normal to them, but others usually find
it repugnant. Such a habit can include picking
one's nose, chewing his toenails, constantly
scratching in awkward locations, or even
wearing spandex when one really, really
shouldn't. Each level of this quirk reduces one's
effective Popularity score by -2CS.

Weirdness Magnet: Folks with this quirk - and

everyone around them - tend to live on the far
end of the probability curve. Strange and bizarre
things happen around such a character
constantly, and even stranger things happen to
them directly. Smart people who recognize a
weirdness magnet for what they are usually try to
keep a healthy distance from them whenever
possible.

Freak accidents, unexplained phenomena and

bizarre people cross paths with a weirdness
magnet with distressing frequency. The fallout of
such usually affects anyone within the weirdness
magnet's vicinity, which can be particularly
bothersome for one's teammates. Of course,
investigators of strange happenings may
appreciate a weirdness magnet for the staggering
opportunities with which he helps them do their
job...

Notes:
The 'Karmic Shell' and 'Karmic Dearth' quirks
assume the use of an optional rule that allows
players to begin each session with an amount of
spendable Karma equal to the sum of their
Reason, Intuition and Psyche scores - the Karma
total normally listed on all character descriptions.
The idea is this sum is an amount a player may
not use for advancement purposes, but may only
be spent during game play.

It can be supplemented with whatever other

Karma a character earns during play, at least that
which is not put away for advancement pools.

On the other hand, if the game Judge does not

believe in giving his players a free lunch, so to
speak, this rule naturally does not apply. Thus,
these two quirks are pointless save for how they
might affect a character at the very beginning of
game play (their initial Karma sum). If this is the
case, either omit these quirks from the lists
above or increase their alterations to 50 percent
and reduce their cost to one quirk point.

The Ultimate Origins Book 350

 Appendix Twelve: Random Angel Appearance
MTS Note: Another bit stolen from AD&D. I have always liked these tables for Aasimars, and I thought
they would make quick and easy charts to use to create unique appearing angels.

The following was paraphrased from "Warriors 26-29 Perfect white teeth.
of Heaven" for 2nd Edition D&D and was 30-31 Long, distinguished nose.
written by Christopher Perkins. 32-33 Hooked nose.
34-36 Crystal blue eyes.
37-39 Bright green eyes.
40-42 Gleaming silver eyes.
43-45 Golden eyes.
Six fingers per hand (including
46-48
thumb).
49-50 Fingers one-inch longer then normal.
51-52 Animal horns on head.
53-54 Silver or gold fingernails.
55-57 Long, slender arms.
58-60 Long, slender legs.
61-65 Feathered wings (Gd 8 Flight).
The appearances of angels may vary 66-72 Vestigial wing bones on shoulders.
quite a bit. Because of this, the following 73-76 Opalescent skin.
two tables were created to add variety to 77-80 Naturally tanned skin.
angels. Roll to determine the number of 81-83 Body covered with speckled markings.
special features added to their 84-85 Bald, hairless.
Small feathers rather then hair on 10-
appearance. Multiple rolls within the 86-89
100% of body.
same body parts can be combined (i.e. Special side effect (roll on table
one red eye, one black eye), or re-rolled. 90-95
below).
96-98 Roll twice again, ignoring rolls above.
Number of Angelic Features
Roll three times again, ignoring rolls
99-00
above 89
Die Roll Number of Features
01-25 1
26-50 2
51-75 3
76-00 4

Angel Appearance

Die
Appearance
Roll
01-04 Silvery skin.
05-07 Green-tinted skin.
08-10 Blue-tinted skin.
11-14 Golden skin.
15-16 Pointed ears.
17-18 Ridged ears.
19-20 Dog-like ears.
21-25 Angular face with high cheekbones.

351 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Angel Special Side Effects

Die
Side Effect
Roll
01-10 Sweet, fresh odor surrounds body.
Surrounded by aura of calm (good
11-15 creatures within 30' receive +2 on
Psyche FEATs against fear effects).
16-25 Regeneration at Fb 2 rank.
Susceptible to fire (suffers an
26-30
additional +1CS to damage).
Susceptible to cold (suffers +1CS to
31-35
damage).
Presence eases animals (+4CS to
36-45
popularity with animals).
Touch inflicts Gd 8 damage to evil
46-50
creatures.
Odd skin composition results in Body
51-55
Armor of Gd 8 rank.
56-60 Unholy water inflicts Gd 8 damage.
Susceptible to banishment type magic
61-70
and powers.
Speaks telepathically to any intelligent
71-75
creature within 1 mile.
76-80 Hyper Leaping at Gd 8 rank.
Endurance is considered to be +1CS
81-85 higher when determining movement
rate on ground.
Immune to powers and magic that
86-90
holds or ensnares them.
91-98 Speaks any language.
Eyes have the power to see though any
99-00
illusion.

The Ultimate Origins Book 352

 Appendix Thirteen: Random Demon Appearance
MTS Note: Another bit stolen from AD&D. I have always liked these tables for Tieflings, and I thought
they would make quick and easy charts to use to create unique appearing demons.

The following was paraphrased from "The 17 Very small (almost unnoticeable) nose.
Planewalker's Handbook" for 2nd Edition D&D 18 Extremely long eyelashes.
and was written by Monte Cook. 19-21 Red eyes.
22-23 Black eyes.
24 Feline eyes.
25-26 Extremely deep-set eyes.
27-28 Green hair.
29-30 Blue hair.
31 Multi-colored hair.
32-33 Six fingers (including thumb).
34-35 Three fingers (including thumb).
36-37 Black fingernails.
38-39 Red fingernails.
40-41 Fingers one-inch longer then normal.
42 Arms six inches longer then normal.
Due to differences in their backgrounds, 43 Legs six inches longer then normal.
demon appearances can be quite varied. Because
44-46 Horse-like legs.
of this, the following two tables were created to
add variety to demons. Roll to determine the 47-49 Goat-like legs.
number of special features added to their 50-52 Goat-like hooves.
appearance. Multiple rolls within the same body 53-55 Long, thin tail.
parts can be combined (i.e. one red eye, one 56-57 Horse-like tail.
black eye), or re-rolled. 58-59 Lizard-like tail.
60-62 Spiny ridge on back.
Number of Features 63-65 Spiny ridges all over body.
66-68 Hairless body.
Die Roll Number of Features
69-71 Body covered in short fur or long hair.
01-25 1
72-73 Body covered in striped markings.
26-50 2
74-75 Extremely greasy skin.
51-75 3
76-80 Scaly skin.
76-00 4
81-82 Leathery skin.
Small feathers rather then hair on 10-
Demon Appearance 84
100% of body.
85 Green-tinted skin.
Die
Appearance 86 Blue-tined skin.
Roll
01-04 Small horns on forehead. 87 Red-tinted skin.
05-06 Small horns on temples. Special side effect (roll on table
88-89
below).
07 Single horn on forehead.
Roll twice again, ignoring rolls above
08-09 Long, thin face. 90-94
89.
10 Fangs in mouth.
Roll three times again, ignoring rolls
11 All teeth are pointed. 95-00
above 89
12 Forked tongue.
13-14 Pointed ears.
15 Fan-like ears.
16 Extremely long nose.

353 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Demon Special Side Effects

Die
Side Effect
Roll
01-10 Ashy odor surrounds body.
11-15 Sulfurous odor surrounds body.
16-20 Rotting odor surrounds body.
21-25 Skin exudes ashy grit.
26-30 Body casts no shadow.
31-33 Body has no reflection in mirror.
Susceptible to banishment type magic
34-40
and powers.
41-45 Cannot be recorded on film/video.
Leaves a trace amount of sulfur in areas
46-50
where they spend too much time.
51-60 Presence causes unease in animals.
Presence causes unease in NPCs.
61-65
Popularity is at -4CS.
66-70 Prolonged touch withers normal plants.
Fingers treated as claws (Gd 8 edged
71-75
damage).
Touch inflicts Gd 8 damage due to high
76-80
body heat.
Touch inflicts Gd 8 damage due to cold
81-85
body temperature.
Odd skin composition results in Body
86-90
Armor of Gd 8 rank.
91 Cannot reproduce.
92 Holy water inflicts Gd 8 damage.
Exposure to direct sunlight inflicts Fb 1
93
damage per round.
94 Cannot enter "holy" areas.
Harmed only by magical or silver
95
weapons (as well as spells and powers).
Intuitively speaks the language of one
96-00
fiendish race.

The Ultimate Origins Book 354

 Appendix Fourteen: Resisting Infections and
Transformations
MTS Note: I discovered this on the Forums for one of my favorite Classic Marvel websites, and I felt like I
had to include this. One PM asking permission later, and now it is here for others to use. I thought this
would be really useful for Parasites, Symbiotes, Vampires (Psionic, Magic, and “Normal”), Werewolves,
etc… Not only can this be used by the judge should a player get “infected”, but if a player is playing an
origin that can infect/transform others, it makes an excellent guide on how to handle them infecting another
character or NPC. You can view the original post on the link listed below (some additional information
was provided via PM): This section makes use of Blue FEATS. Rules for these can be found on page 376 of
this book.

The information below was written by

TankerAce and posted on the "Classic Marvel
Forever Phorum".

http://www.classicmarvelforever.com/phorum/read.ph
p?3,772

My table normally uses Vampires,

Werewolves, and other ‘Contaminating’ types of The following list details the effects after an
characters. Endurance or Psyche FEAT roll:

Once we encountered vampires, werewolves, • Blue: Failure: The Contamination or

symbiotes, etc.. ALL our Characters were
getting infected…. So we made a house rule to
allow for a chance of postponing the infection.
Your Psyche (or Endurance) can postpone the
‘Spell’ or Contamination for short periods of
time.
Vampirism will take hold according to the
Powers of the Vampire, nearly instantly.
• White: The Contamination or Vampirism will
take hold, but you may attempt a FEAT Roll in
the next Round.
• Green: Endurance or Psyche… Holds off
Contamination or Vampirism for ‘X’ amount of
Game Rounds

• Yellow: Endurance or Psyche… Holds off

Contamination or Vampirism for ‘X’ amount of
Hours

• Red: Endurance or Psyche… Holds off

Contamination or Vampirism for ‘X’ amount of
Days

Rolling a Yellow or RED (Endurance or

Psyche) FEAT roll pretty much means you will
not become a Vampire, since you gain so much
time to purge or remedy the contamination...

355 The Ultimate Origins Book

 In addition, most players will probably use a
few Karma Points to boost their FEAT Roll into
Yellow or RED…
Vampirism usually has to be purged by some
kind of ‘Magic’…. But Technology, Medical,
Cosmic or ‘Science’ can also purge Vampire
Contamination…
If you ‘Failed’ with a Blue FEAT you’re
gonna become a Vampire, or Werewolf, or
Whatever…. But you can still attempt a FEAT
Roll your Psyche (RED) to maintain ‘Your
Character’ with a New Power Set…. Which is
not that bad of a gig….
Examples follow below:
For Fb:02 / Pr:04 / Ty:06 just go by Fractions of
Rounds / Hours / Days
Fb 02: About 2 or 3 Seconds to start
Transforming into a Vampire…. DOOMED to
be a Vampire.
Fb 02: About 2/10 of an Hour to start
Transforming into a Vampire.. About 7 minutes
(70 Game Rounds)
Fb 02: About 2/10 of a day to start Transforming
into a Vampire…. About 3 hours
Pr 04: About 1 Game Round to start
Transforming into a Vampire…. DOOMED to
be a Vampire.
PR 04: About 1/2 an Hour to start Transforming
into a Vampire.. 30 minutes (300 Game Rounds)
The Ultimate Origins Book
Pr 04: About 1/2 a day to start Transforming
into a Vampire…. 10 to 12 hours.
Ty 06: 1 Game Round, like Gd:10 to start
Transforming into a Vampire… Gotta attempt a
FEAT Roll Again..
Ty 06: About 6/10 of an Hour to start
Transforming into a Vampire... About 45 to 50
minutes… (450 to 500 Game Rounds)
Ty 06: About 6/10 of a day to start Transforming
into a Vampire…. About 18 to 20 hours…
Most Vampires will have at least Gd:10
Vampirism Powers…. If no Rank is on the
‘Power’ go by the Vampire’s Psyche Rank….
That’s how potent the Vampire’s power is….
Vampirism usually will ‘Stun’ or Comatose
the infected Character….
Once you get out of an Adventure or
“Mission” you character can seek out medical
attention or a Shaman/Wizard who can nullify
and purge the contamination…
You could also ‘Burn’ ALL your ‘True’ RIP
Karma to purge the contamination on your own
steam…. But you had to have enough Karma
Points to cover the intensity of the
Contamination….
I usually have the Character use ALL their
True Karma to maintain their ‘Soul’… but they
will still become a Vampire…
356
 Note for the table below: 1 Hour = 600 Game Rounds. 1 Day = 15,000 Game Rounds (roughly).

------ Blue White Green Yellow Red

Sh0 Failure Hold N/A N/A N/A
Fb Failure Hold 2-3 Seconds 7 Minutes 3 Hours
Pr Failure Hold 1 Round 30 Minutes 12 Hours
Ty Failure Hold 1 Round 40 Minutes 14 Hours
Gd Failure Hold 1 Round 1 Hour 1 Day
Ex Failure Hold 2 Rounds 2 Hours 2 Days
Rm Failure Hold 3 Rounds 3 Hours 3 Days
In Failure Hold 4 Rounds 4 Hours 4 Days
Am Failure Hold 5 Rounds 5 Hours 5 Days
Mn Failure Hold 7 Rounds 7 Hours 7 Days
Un Failure Hold 10 Rounds 10 Hours 10 Days
ShX Failure Hold 15 Rounds 15 Hours 15 Days
ShY Failure Hold 20 Rounds 20 Hours 20 Days
ShZ Failure Hold 50 Rounds 50 Hours 50 Days
CL1000 Failure Hold 100 Rounds 100 Hours 100 Days
CL3000 Failure Hold 300 Rounds 300 Hours 300 Days
CL5000 Failure Hold 500 Rounds 500 Hours 500 Days
Beyond N/A Immune Immune Immune Immune

357 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Appendix Fifteen: Resurrection Chart v1
MTS Note: The Phantom originally wrote this for his website "Marvel RPG Earth", and I find it a nifty
resource to use when a character dies. The original source page can be viewed at:
http://web.archive.org/web/20001208160400/http://www.delta.edu/~mrloree/ressurection.html

What happens if you die? The rulebooks are a little Hypocritical on this. The "OFFICIAL" rules say that
when your character dies then he is dead and you will need another one if you wish to play again. The rules
also have a nice little introduction saying that you are playing in the Marvel Universe. Anyone else see the
inconsistency there? If not I'll make it easier MARVEL UNIVERSE = DEAD? SINCE WHEN? So to
make it more MARVELous I designed this chart. This is to be used after your Endurance reaches Sh0.

Die
Method or Manner of Resurrection
Roll
01-03 Abducted by Aliens (return next game with a gift; books, chocolate, cure for cancer).
04-06 Transported to future (roll again).
07-09 Revived by a futuristic machine.
10-12 Revived by a bored god.
13-15 Clone was killed.
16-18 Clone is alive.
19-21 Not sure who was the clone but someone died.
22-24 Not sure who was the clone both survived because ... (roll again)
25-27 Wound wasn't really fatal.
28-30 "Got Better".
31-33 Really a mutant with a healing factor (roll rank).
34-36 Really an Immortal (get a sword and a trench coat and guest star on the series).
37-39 Leftover doppelganger from Infinity war was killed.
40-42 Went insane and replaced by a younger version (lower all stats by 1cs).
43-45 Alien shape-shifter was killed.
Dead until anniversary Issue, make new character (roll 1d10 to see how many games character is
46-48
dead).
49-51 Aunt May Syndrome; have 25 heart attacks & 23 strokes, then get up and make cookies.
52-54 Come back with four Wanna-be's.
55-57 Not really dead but appoint an armored psycho as a replacement.
58-60 Not killed but Identity is discovered.
Not dead but your book was canceled. (Whatever world shattering disaster you were about to stop is
61-63
no longer important. You will never be seen again, except in some comic with the word Infinity in it).
64-66 Clone takes place (play with clone).
67-69 Character gets better and has an identity crisis and quits for 1d4, 6, or 10 games.
70-72 Character gets better and has an identity crisis but doesn't quit.
Character has an identity crisis and runs around with nothing but his boxer shorts on. Problem is, he
73-75
is using them as a mask. Character is locked in an asylum forever (make new character).
76-78 Character becomes evil and tries to take over the world... or something.
79-81 Character becomes a vampire (see vampire stats for additional stats).
82-85 Character becomes trapped in an Astral plane until a body is found.
86-91 Nuclear Bomb annihilates body (roll again).
92-94 Magneto Syndrome; comeback with all powers 1cs higher (and change name to Joseph ).
95-99 Mind was fried, but who'll miss it (lose the laces and get slip on shoes or velcro)
STAY DEAD (hey its happened) (really it has) (I'm not lying) (really...) (Remember Bucky and.....
00
Okay just Bucky)

The Ultimate Origins Book 358

 Appendix Sixteen: Resurrection Chart v2
MTS Note: The Judge re-did the original chart for his website, "The Unholy Contents of the Judge's
Mind". I decided to include this version as well to provide more options. The original source page for this
version can be viewed at:
http://web.archive.org/web/19990224190621/members.aol.com/psyclops42/dead.html

Who ever heard of a Marvel character dying? (Remember Guardian/Vindicator). So someone out there
came up with this funky little table. I've changed a few things but it was pretty good to start with. Thanks
Phantom. Hey! My character died! Now what?

Die
Method or Manner of Resurrection
Roll
01-03 Body abducted by aliens (return next game with a gift; chocolates, cure for cancer).
04-06 Transported to future (roll again).
07-09 Revived by a futuristic machine.
10-12 Revived by a bored god.
13-15 Clone/alien shapeshifter/android replica was killed, real hero found one week later.
16-18 Brought back to life as a cyborg by un unscrupulous criminal overlord (roll cyborg).
19-21 Not sure who was the clone but someone died.
22-24 Not sure who was clone/android replica but both survived because (roll again).
25-27 Wound wasn't really fatal.
28-30 "Got Better".
31-33 Really a mutant with a healing factor (roll rank).
34-36 Revived by government but is now under their control (cranial bomb implanted).
37-39 Abducted and revived by sorcerer/lesser god for a specific mission.
40-42 Younger version (lower all statistics by -1CS) cloned from dead body tissue.
43-45 Personality of hero transferred into an android character (roll new android character).
Dead until anniversary Issue, make new character (roll 1d10 to see how many games character is
46-48
dead).
49-51 Aunt May Syndrome; have 25 heart attacks & 23 strokes, then get up and make cookies.
52-54 Hospitalized, forgets identity, mysteriously disappears then turns up implicated in crime.
55-57 Character in a coma. Appoint an armored psycho as replacement (roll hi-tech character).
58-60 Not killed but Identity is discovered.
61-63 Revived by a criminal gang for specific mission.
64-66 Revived as a normal human, but some criminal process is offered to return powers.
67-69 Character gets better but has shell shock (psyche FEAT required each combat round).
70-72 Character gets better, has identity crisis, but continues (psyche -3CS).
Character has identity crisis, runs around naked waving a lemming, and is locked away in an
73-75
asylum (make new character).
76-78 Time traveling future self turns up from alternate timeline with a warning and decides to stay.
79-81 Character is reanimated as a vampire (this may alter stats).
82-85 Character trapped on astral plane until a new body can be found.
86-91 Deadly disease found during autopsy also afflicts another team member (roll new character).
Team believes the character died, but they come back with power +1CS (angry NPC wants to
92-94
take-over /destroy the world).
Mind was fried (time to throw away those lace up shoes in favor of Velcro). Roll a normal human
95-99
sidekick who keeps the hero tame.
00 Stay dead (for real) (really real) (its not a lie) (really...) (remember Bucky and ...er...)

359 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Appendix Seventeen: The Capo Castillo School Of
Marvel Super Heroes
MTS Note: This was in three parts on the same Classic Marvel Forever Phorum post. In addition to
offering new options for magic users and martial artists, it includes a new character creation system. While
the first part may not quite be in-scope for this project, it is important to include for the part on magic and
martial arts, and it is a good system anyway.

Credit for this section goes to Capo Castillo and
it was originally posted in the "Classic Marvel
Forever Phorum".
http://www.classicmarvelforever.com/phorum/read.ph
p?9,2754
Stage 1 - Character Creation
I use a point based character creation system.
I usually let starting point allotments range
between 250-350 points, though this number
should be adjusted to reflect the scale of
chronicle you're trying to run.
Merits/Flaws: Up to 50 CP points can be gained
by taking flaws, and up to 50 CP points can be
spent by taking merits. I generally use the
generic merits and flaws from the World of
Darkness games (blindness, addiction, etc/.) and
multiply their costs by 10. But as a general rule
of thumb, a 10 point flaw would be color
blindness, a 30 point flaw would be drug
addiction, and a 50 point flaw might be Cursed
by Dormammu. A 10 point merit could be
Ambidextrous, a 30 point merit could be
Honorary Team Member, and a 50 point merit
could be Significant Destiny.
Negative popularity can be taken as a flaw on
a 1 CP point per negative point basis.

FASERIP: 1 creation point per rank point

Resources: 1 CP per rank point

Popularity: 1 CP per rank point

Powers: 1 CP per rank point

• Power stunts cost 10 CP each
o Resistances are at half cost
o Powers with limitations (subject to
Judge's approval) are at half cost
o Powers utilized through a focus that can
be damaged or taken away (power Stage 2 - Advancement
armor/magic talisman, etc.) are at half
cost Advancement has been streamlined for ease
o Immortality = 100 CP of play. To advance in a stat or power rank, the
• A power can be subject to only 1 price cost is the next point x10 in Karma. Ex. Juke
reduction - ex. a power cannot be given a Box Hero wants to increase his endurance from
limitation and a focus for 1/4 of actual cost. 33 Rm to 34 Rm. He would have to spend 340
karma to advance.
Talents: 10 CP each
•Languages are at 5 CP Example: Mr. Marvel wants to increase his solar
•Weapons Specialist - 30 CP regeneration from 6 Ty to 7 Ty. He would pay
70 karma.
Contacts: 5 CP each

The Ultimate Origins Book 360

 This system makes advancement at lower
ranks relatively fast, but as the ranks increase,
advancement is more of an investment. but
players can still spend karma for rolls, while still
having a reasonable ability to advance. There is
no cost for 'cresting'.
New Talents: 100 karma plus in-game
justification
New Contacts: Earned in game
New Stat - Bad Karma
When a character performs a particularly un-
heroic deed, the character earns bad karma (in
place of receiving a karma penalty). The amount
of bad karma earned is at the judge's discretion
but below is a guideline:
Deceiving a friend: 5 - 10 bad karma
Committing a misdemeanor: 20 bad karma
Committing a felony: 30 - 40 bad karma
(depending on severity)
Unnecessary brutality in combat: 40 bad karma
Leaving someone to their doom: 50 bad karma
Murder: 100 bad karma.
Bad Karma is distributed as soon as a
character earns it (as opposed to receiving their
award for karma at the end of session). Bad
Karma can be used to assist rolls where the
character is attempting to perform a negative
action (that would in and of itself potentially
earn bad karma). Bad Karma cannot be used for
advancement. When Bad Karma is spent, the
amount is added to the character's current BK
score. Fore every increment of 100 (100, 200,
300, 400, etc…) the player has the option of
361
exchanging his or her bad karma for a flaw
(judge's discretion). Once a character reaches
500 bad karma, their BK is automatically
redeemed for a major flaw assigned by the judge.
Depending on the amount redeemed, the flaw's
severity correlate accordingly.
Example: An exchange of 100 Bad Karma
should be a minor flaw (nightmares, bad press).
A 500 BK exchange should represent a major
flaw (severed limb, Dr. Doom now hates you
more than anyone).
New Combat Phase - the Soak Roll
One thing that never set well with me is the
static damage levels of Marvel. Every attack
does the same amount of damage. To address the
'toughness' of certain characters, I allow them to
roll their Endurance score to 'absorb' some of the
damage they take. This roll is made in addition
to any damage reductions they would receive
from body Armor, or Force Fields, and karma
can be added to this roll. This roll should be
made after endurance checks are made for
special effects (kills/stuns/slams). Depending on
a character's 'soak' roll, they can take a reduced
damage cost:
White: Character takes full damage [after body
armor/forcefield reductions, if any]
Green: Character takes 85% damage [after body
armor/forcefield reductions, if any]
Yellow: Character takes 65% damage [after
body armor/forcefield reductions, if any]
Red: Character takes 25% damage [after body
armor/forcefield reductions, if any]
This allows character without any natural
protection, and yet are just 'tough' and take a
licking to keep on ticking sort of thing.
I hope this is helpful for anyone out there.
For Invulnerabilities, I allow the player to pay
75 CP for a CL1000 invulnerability. I meant to
include that but I knew i was missing something.
As for advancement, to advance an entire
rank, yes, that is a significant investment, but it's
certainly doable, as I've had players that have
advanced in more than one category an entire
rank. The thing is to take it one point at a time. in
your example, going from 26 to 27 is only 270
The Ultimate Origins Book
 Karma. If you're a bit economical, and save
Karma spends on rolls for when it really needs to
count, advancement is fairly quick. At least
much quicker than it would be under the old
guidelines.
Also, I'm a bit freer with my Karma awards.
For instance I ran the World War Hulk storyline
(sort of) in my game. And even though my
players were much more concerned with crowd
control than engaging The Hulk, for their
contribution to such a major event, the median
Karma award was about 200 points. It's not
gonna give you an automatic advancement, but
with a little thrift (and I really mean it only takes
a little bit), advancement is a much more
achievable goal.
Magic
It's been requested that I codify the way I use
Magic in my games, as well as put down some of
my philosophies in general. So without further
ado...
Before we can have a discussion about Magic,
we must have a discussion about Psyche. Psyche
is the force of will a mage uses to enforce their
effects upon reality. I use Psyche as the 'targeting
stat' for magic. Psyche is to Magic, what
Fighting is to Melee combat, and Agility is to
Ranged combat. When checking to see if a
magical attempt is successful ('to hit' so to
speak), the Psyche stat is rolled. Also when
determining multiple magical actions, Psyche is
used as the measure in place of the Fighting
score. So a Remarkable Psyche is capable of 2
magical actions on a Yellow feat, an Amazing
Psyche is capable of 3 magical actions on a
Yellow feat, and so on.
Advanced Players book or Realms of Magic to
figure out which powers-as-spells fall under
which lists. With the three-category break down,
a player must invest creation points into three
areas and stunt off three different branches,
forcing a more frugal point spread.
A Note on Dimensional Energy
Dimensional spells are really negotiations
between a Mage and an external power (like an
entity, or another dimension itself). So in that
sense, casting is still done with Psyche, but may
get an intensity bonus from Popularity (if within
one column of the caster's Psyche), or a +1CS
bonus if the entity is a contact of the Mage. Also,
take note of 'home-dimension advantage'. When
in another dimension (including the astral plane)
the mage is at a -1CS in their magical abilities,
due to the foreign nature of the different reality.
On the other hand, beings from other dimensions
suffer similar penalties in our realm.
Usually a Mage's Psyche and Magic score are
roughly equal, or the Psyche is higher than the
Magic score. However, there are concepts that
could accommodate the inverse - a relatively
lower Psyche to the Magic score. Should a mage
attempt to use Magic +1CS of their Psyche score
or more, they must make a Red FEAT in their
casting roll. Should they fail, it isn't to say they
do not cast any effect, but it's of such power, it's
slipped beyond the mage's control.

I treat Magic as a blanket power with an

assigned rank. This represents the level of power
that the magician's spells are capable of. The
beauty of magic is it's diversity - in that any
power can be learned as a spell. I treat learning
spells as power stunts off of the main magical
rank. This keeps magic elegant and simple
without getting too deeply into the weeds.
However some people feel that this makes mages
Magic in combat: Magic, regardless of the
too powerful (especially in the context of a point
shape it takes (fire, lightning, blades, bolts of
based creation system like mine, where power
energy, etc.) does damage on the spiritual level.
stunts come cheap). The answer to this is that
Thus ordinary Body Armor and resistances to
you can still sub-divide Magic into 3 categories,
like types of energy (fire, electricity, cold, etc.)
each with their own score - Personal, Universal,
do not affect the damage done by a magical
and Dimensional. Use the lists provided in the

The Ultimate Origins Book 362

attack regardless of analogues. This is an
important trump for Mages, as they typically are
on the lower end of the health spectrum, but
they're able to commit damage to even the titanic
heavyweights with health scores in the
thousands. That said, forcefields /do/ affect
magical attacks (magic is energy, thus subject to
unified energy theory), as do resistances to
magic itself, mystical shields, etc. Note: If you
employ rules like my soak roll earlier in this
thread - the appropriate stat to try to resist
mystical damage is Psyche, not Endurance
(again, an important balancer in Mage vs. Tank
battles).
Important Talents: If a person wants to play a
magic wielder, they must take the Mystic Origin
talent. This is per the talent description itself, but
moreover, a small tax for a player creating a
character with access to potentially limitless
abilities and effects. Occult Lore is of course also
helpful in recognizing plot hooks, and Trance is
a cheap alternative for a mage who can't afford
to purchase astral projection right away.
Contacts: Mages should consider gaining
contacts with various Dimensional powers and
entities. By entreating an entity successfully, the
Mage can gain one-time access to abilities out of
their repertoire, or bonuses to abilities as their
patrons lend their significant strength.
The Capo Castillo School of the Chi-
based Martial Artist
In gaming, comics, movies, and other kinds
of fiction, Martial Arts can transcend mere hand-
to-hand combat and become a gateway to
abilities far beyond those of mortal men. Chi -
the spiritual essence of all living things is the
363
source from which a disciplined martial artist can
draw his strength and enable him or her to
combat forces that are nothing less than
superhuman.
I've written this power up before, when I was
much younger. Now that I've played with the
power more, and have some renewed
perspectives, I would like to revise my previous
views into something that's much more adequate
for actual gaming.
Power: Chi Manipulation
Chi is the essential thread of life
energy shared by all living things.
Through intense training and dedication,
a disciplined martial artist can tap into
the chi that flows through his or her own
body. Furthermore, even into that of
their immediate surroundings. This helps
them transcend human limitations. In
order to properly access Chi, A character
must meet at least two of the three
following pre-requisite stats:
• Combined Fighting Score of
Remarkable [Base stat + Talents]
• Endurance Score of Excellent
• Psyche Score of Excellent
Manipulators of Chi Energy are able to
harness the life energies in and around them in
order to fuel various and diverse power stunts.
Typically, Chi-based effects are used in
conjunction with a physical gesture, ki-ai, battle
cry, fighting technique, or combination thereof.
They also tend to have some sort of visible
energy signature, glow, or after effect. Power
stunts available include but aren't limited to:
• Heal self or others at power rank (must
be flesh-to-flesh contact) by
strengthening the chi in that person
• Increase a Physical Stat to power rank
level (but not exceeding it) for 1 -10
rounds
• Leap with power rank ability
• Generate a Chi-based energy or force
attack (ignoring Body Armor, but not
Force Fields)
• Perform a Chi-based physical attack
doing blunt or edged damage at power
rank ability
The Ultimate Origins Book
 • Attack can ignore Body Armor if
damage is reduced -1CS from Power
Rank
• Perform Multiple Attacks with power
rank ability
• Use chi to move faster or enhance
fighting techniques - allowing character
to strike non-adjacent foes.
• Charge chi abilities (no other chi
actions allowed) for 2 rounds to
perform a chi attack at +2CS power
rank damage (ignoring Body Armor,
can only be performed once per day)
• Absorb chi from surrounding area to
raise all physical abilities for +1CS after
a 3 round charge (this effect lasts for 1-
10 rounds).
Note on Chi-based attacks: Chi can manifest as
raw energy, or a specific type (such as fire, or
electricity). Although the energy is still
essentially chi, if it takes the form of a specified
energy, it will behave according to type.
Chi in Combat
With access to abilities unlocked by
mastering Chi, a martial artist now has the ability
to compete with mid-tier superhumans. It's
important to note that Chi is utilizing life energy
in order to attack, so like Magic, it can ignore
Body Armor in instances where Chi is used to
manifest as energy. This doesn't apply to
forcefields as Chi is but another type of energy
being checked by the energy of the force field.
Even when Chi is used to simply augment
physical damage, it can either give value adds to
stats, or work in place of strength for damage -
so even if it doesn't bypass armor entirely, the
Martial Artist's damage output makes him or her
a threat.
Multiple Actions
A Chi based martial artist's bread and butter
should be multiple actions. With a fighting of at
least Remarkable, this should be part of the
attack strategy every round. Not only does this
give the player the opportunity to inflict chi
damage more than once (often bypassing body
armor), but this also allows the Martial Artist to
act defensively with blocks, dodges, and most
importantly, evasions all in the same round.
Evade, Evade, Evade!
The Ultimate Origins Book
This combat technique is invaluable to a
Martial Artist (in general), and a Chi user in
particular. Most Chi abilities (like enhanced
fighting techniques, energy attacks, etc.) still rely
on Fighting or Agility to successfully target.
When in melee combat, Martial Artists should
always save at least one action to evade an
oncoming attack. Any colored result means that
the Martial Artist not only avoided contact, but a
yellow or red result gives the player a bonus to
strike on the next attack. This is a great strategy
to employ when setting up a foe for a finishing
technique that does additional damage above
power rank. Also - on any Chi ability that allows
the multiple attacks resolved on a single roll
(think Ryu's Hurricane Kick, or E. Honda's
Hundred Sumo Hands), evasions need only be
made on a single roll as well.
Chi as fire, electricity, cotton candy, etc.
Chi can be used to emulate the properties of a
specific type of energy. So chi that forms as fire
will burn, feel hot, etc, just as chi that forms as
electricity will shock, not conduct through stone,
etc. However, the energy that is at work here is
still chi. Therefore, protections against the
analogues of the chi energy's form will not be
effective.
The Soak
Unlike magic, Chi is soaked traditionally by
Endurance. Although the attack is on a spiritual
level, the physical hardiness of one's body is
directly correlated to the strength of their life
force. Although Chi attacks many times can
trump physical armor, it does not bypass one's
God-Given ability to take a beating.
Flaw: Evil Intent/Dark Hadou - 50 points -
364
The Dark Hadou is a reflection of when one's
Chi has been corrupted by one's persistent desire
to fight and win. This does not afflict all Chi
Manipulators, but is a flaw worth considering.
This flaw means one's own desire to fight can
take complete hold over the character, unlocking
tremendous abilities, but also placing them into a
sort of berserker state. The effects are as follows:

When their skills are used in an attempt to kill

an opponent (either intentionally or
unintentionally) the Chi Manipulator must make
a Psyche FEAT against yellow intensity to resist
being overcome by the Dark Hadou. When
possessed by the Dark Hadou, the character is
considered to have the benefits of the Berserker
power, and all of his/her chi abilities are +1CS.
However, their only passion at that point is
killing, and they will attack both friend and foe
alike with equal vigor. The character may
attempt to make a Yellow Psyche FEAT every
round to overcome this limitation.

365 The Ultimate Origins Book

 This Appendix is dedicated to Height, Weight, and more. While these are not Origins,
they are integral to who the character is, and they have been included to help make this
book a complete source for creating your character's Origins, and a few extras to help
flesh them out.

The Ultimate Origins Book 366

 Appendix Eighteen: Height and Weight
MTS Note: An interesting and useful optional rule. I am not the best at matching height and weight so they
make sense, so I use this quite often. Both systems created for determining weight by The Judge have been
included.

This article was originally written by The Judge Table B.

for his website "The Unholy Contents of the Weight presented here is in pounds...
Judge's Mind". It was a great website, but it has
vanished from the Internet. Die
Height Slender Average Muscular
Roll
01-03 5’0” 97-105 106-115 115-128
04-06 5’1” 101-110 111-121 122-132
07-12 5’2” 104-115 115-125 126-137
13-18 5’3” 107-120 121-132 133-141
http://web.archive.org/web/20030204060237/members
19-21 5’4” 114-124 125-139 139-150
.aol.com/psyclops42/loadastuff.html 22-24 5’5” 118-130 131-142 143-155
25-27 5’6” 121-134 135-146 147-160
After generating the character Stats, Powers, 28-30 5’7” 125-139 140-152 153-165
Talents and Contacts you need to find the 31-33 5’8” 129-142 143-156 157-169
character's height and weight. 34-36 5’9” 132-145 146-160 161-174
37-39 5’10” 136-155 156-180 180-210
Step 1: A random percentile roll using the Table
A. to find the characters physical body type. 40-45 5’11” 140-159 159-170 170-184
46-49 6’0” 144-166 167-176 176-189
Step 2: A random percentile roll using the Table 50-54 6’1” 148-170 170-180 181-195
B. to find out the character's height and weight 55-58 6’2” 152-174 175-188 189-200
according to body type. 59-62 6’3” 156-178 179-192 192-205
63-66 6’4” 160-182 183-196 197-209
Step 3: Multiply base weight by Strength 67-71 6’5” 164-188 189-199 200-126
modifier on
72-75 6’6” 168-194 195-204 205-220
Table C.
Table A. 76-79 6’7” 170-197 198-208 209-226
80-83 6’8” 172-202 203-214 215-232
Percentile Roll Build 84-88 6’9” 178-206 207-222 223-242
01-25 Slender 89-92 6’10” 187-211 212-230 231-250
26-75 Average 93-96 6’11” 192-220 221-238 239-264
76-00 Muscular 97-00 7’0” 201-229 230-246 247-275

Table C.

Strength Modifier
Feeble to Poor x0.8
Typical No Change
Good to Excellent x1.25
Remarkable to Incredible x1.5
Amazing to Monstrous x2.0
Unearthly x3.0
Shift-X to Shift-Z x4.0

367 The Ultimate Origins Book

 As mentioned above, this article was also written
by The Judge for his website "The Unholy
Contents of the Judge's Mind"
http://web.archive.org/web/19990223183955/members.aol.co
m/squid42/weight.html
Weight
This is very rarely of any significance, but
can help to give more detail to player characters
and NPCs.
Now, you can try to work out weight very
technically by combining endurance and strength
and then dividing by the age of your maiden
aunt's favorite hermit crab, or you can simply:
Roll a d10.
Hi-tech and robot characters increase their
roll by +1, mutants decrease their roll by 1.
(Why? Well, this is to represent the amount of
equipment carried - or in the latter case not
carried by these types of characters).
Then look at the table below:
Die Roll Weight
1 50 - 80lbs
2 80 - 120lbs
3-5 120 - 160lbs
6 160 - 250 lbs
7 250 - 400 lbs
8 400 - 1000lbs
9 1,000 - 10,000
10 10,000 - 40,000
50 - 80: Probably a very small or very young
character, or maybe they've just got hollow
bones!
Being small should make you harder to hit
(remind the judge when you stumble across that
The Ultimate Origins Book
motorbike gang armed with machine guns), and
dodging and evading should be +1CS in my
book.
Also, if your character is small but strong this
may have some effects on their agility (in effect
throwing yourself around) so its probably worth
arguing it out with the judge!
80-120: Smaller or thinner than most. Possibly a
teenager (hmm... I feel a "Mutant hits puberty"
storyline developing).
120-160: Normal sized person. Not very
exciting. Unless you have a great affinity for
normality!
160-250: Heavier than average. Maybe very
muscular or chubby (in a friendly sort of way).
Or maybe their bionic arm is a smidgen heavy.
250-400: Professional power lifter type weight.
Or is that bazooka you're carrying not as light as
you thought?
400-1,000: (1/4-1/2 tons) Above human. You
need a good reason to be this heavy.
Organic steel body? Big clunky battle suit?
Extra dense? Really a hippo in a spandex
costume?
1,000-10,000: (1/2-5 tons) Way above human.
Let's face it; you are going to be big!
Think of an excuse quickly. Giant ape body?
Giant robotic body? Actually driving a small
tank?
Keep in mind that being this big may create
some problems if you have less than Remarkable
strength.
10,000-40,000: (5-20 tons) Seriously above
human. Big... in a big way!
This may put a real strain on that secret
identity unless you have some kind of limitation
(e.g. only grows this massive in water "Sponge-
Man", or at night "Large-Bed-Man", or when
facing power-rangers "50's B-Movie Reject-
Man")
Hopefully you have the strength (Incredible or
more) to be able to move yourself around! A big
character is easier to hit than a small one, but to
compensate somewhat they should also be harder
to kill (go on, give yourself +1CS Endurance)!
368
 Appendix Nineteen: Weight Modification Tables
MTS Note: Detailed charts for height and weight. This article contains lots of options, and a rather large
array of possibilities for your character's height and weight.

The information below was written by Fangs

(AKA: Andrew McFayden email:
traolcoladis@yahoo.com.au) and was posted on
the old "Classic Marvel Forever Phorum".

http://www.classicmarvelforever.com/phorum_archive
/read.php?3,226

After generating the character Stats, Powers,

Talents and Contacts you need to find the
character's height and weight.

Step 1: A random percentile roll using the Table

A. to find the characters physical body type.

Step 2: Find Strength modifier on Table B for

your character.

Step 3: A random percentile roll using the Table

C for men to find out the character's height and
weight according to body type. For Women
Refer to table D.

Step 4: Choose a weight range in your Height

and build (Table C for Men or D for Women.) Table B. Character Strength Modifier Chart.
• Note: You may chose your height and Find the character's Strength in this Table.
body weight
Strength Modifier
Step 5: Multiply the characters Base Weight by Fb X 0.5
the Strength Modifier. Pr X 0.8
Gd X 1.25
Table A. Build Types Ex X 1.50
Rm X 1.75
Die Roll Build In X 2.0
01-15 Slender Am X 2.25
16-60 Average Mn X 2.50
61-85 Muscular Un X 2.75
86-00 Muscle Bound Shift-X X 3.0
Shift-Y X 4.0
Shift-Z X 5.0
CL-1000 X 10
CL-3000 X 30
CL-5000 X 50

369 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Table C. (For Men) Weight presented here is in pounds.

Die Roll Height Slender Average Muscular Muscle-Bound

01-03 5'0" 124-130 127-136 133-144 145-192
04-06 5'1" 126-132 129-139 136-147 148-195
07-12 5'2" 128-134 131-141 138-150 151-208
13-18 5'3" 130-136 133-143 140-153 154-201
19-21 5'4" 132-138 135-145 142-156 157-204
22-24 5'5" 134-140 137-148 144-160 161-208
25-27 5'6" 136-142 139-151 146-164 165-212
28-30 5'7" 138-145 142-154 149-168 169-216
31-33 5'8" 140-148 145-157 152-172 173-220
34-36 5'9" 142-151 156-160 155-176 177-226
37-39 5'10" 144-154 151-163 158-180 181-230
40-45 5'11" 146-157 154-166 161-184 185-234
46-49 6'0" 149-160 157-170 164-188 188-237
50-54 6'1" 152-164 160-174 168-192 192-241
55-58 6'2" 155-168 165-178 172-197 197-246
59-62 6'3" 158-172 167-182 176-202 203-252
63-66 6'4" 162-176 171-187 181-207 208-257
67-71 6'5" 164-180 174-190 185-212 213-262
72-75 6'6" 168-184 178-193 189-217 218-267
76-79 6'7" 172-188 182-197 194-222 223-271
80-83 6'8" 176-192 186-201 200-228 228-277
84-88 6'9" 180-196 190-205 206-234 234-283
89-92 6'10" 184-200 194-209 212-240 241-290
93-96 6'11" 188-204 198-213 218-246 247-296
97-00 7'0" 192-208 202-217 224-252 253-312

The Ultimate Origins Book 370

 Table D. (For Women) Weight presented here is in pounds.

Die Roll Height Slender Average Muscular Muscle-Bound

01-03 4'10" 102-111 107-121 118-131 132-182
04-06 4'11" 103-113 111-123 120-134 135-175
07-12 5'0" 104-115 113-126 122-137 138-178
13-18 5'1" 106-118 115-129 125-140 141-181
19-21 5'2" 108-121 118-132 128-143 144-184
22-24 5'3" 111-124 121-135 131-147 148-188
25-27 5'4" 114-127 124-138 134-151 152-192
28-30 5'5" 117-130 127-141 137-155 156-196
31-33 5'6" 120-133 130-144 140-159 160-200
34-36 5'7" 123-136 133-144 143-163 164-204
37-39 5'8" 126-139 136-150 146-167 168-208
40-43 5'9" 129-142 139-153 149-170 171-211
44-46 5'10" 132-145 142-156 152-173 172-214
47-50 5'11" 135-148 145-159 155-176 177-217
51-52 6'0" 138-151 148-162 158-179 180-220
53-54 6'1" 141-154 151-165 161-182 183-223
55-58 6'2" 144-157 154-168 164-184 185-225
59-62 6'3" 147-160 157-171 167-188 189-229
63-66 6'4" 150-163 160-1741 170-192 193-233
67-71 6'5" 153-166 163-177 173-196 167-237
72-75 6'6" 156-169 166-180 176-200 201-241
76-79 6'7" 159-172 169-183 179-204 205-245
80-83 6'8" 162-175 172-186 182-208 209-249
84-88 6'9" 165-178 175-189 185-212 213-253
89-92 6'10" 168-181 178-192 188-216 217-257
93-96 6'11" 171-184 171-195 191-220 221-261
97-00 7'0" 173-187 184-198 194-224 225-265

371 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Appendix Twenty: The Not-So-Perfect Superhero
MTS Note: I included this in the book because while this is not an Origin, it is an excellent tool for helping
shape a character, or making up a quick one on the fly.

Credit for this section goes to Nick, and it was Table 2: Gender
posted on the Marvel Mailing List at "Topica".
Die Roll Gender
01-45 Male
46-00 Female

http://lists.topica.com/

Every single superhero is built on superheroic

proportions. The men are mostly constructed of
muscle and teeth and the women are muscle and
breasts. What if the superheroic world were like
the real one?

When mutations occur or scientific

experiments go awry, they nearly always seem to
affect the good-looking people. Ugly scientist
Newton P. Winkerton never gets zapped by the
power-inducing ray. It's always the Henry Pyms
and the Wally Wests. When someone discovers
they are a mutant, it's not the Rosie O' Donnells,
but the Ororo Monroes and the Wanda
Maximoffs. Strange beings from another planet
or realm that charm Earthlings with the good
looks are always the Mon-els and the Thors, not
Squid-man from Guthar-8 or Mudgirl from the
planet Blendorr. Superheroes should be just as
diverse as the human population. We all are
different in many ways. From our gender to our
race to our shapes and sizes, we are not the
makings of comic book tales, BUT... what if
superheroes were just like us? The following
tables give our heroes the possibilities of "being
human".

Tables for GamePlay Table 3: Marital Status

Table 1: Race
Die Roll Martial Status
Die Roll Race 01-20 Divorced
01-02 American-Indian 21-35 Married/Partnered with No children
03-06 Asian 36-65 Single
07-27 African-American 66-76 Married/Partnered with children
28-62 Caucasian 77-85 Single with children
63-78 African-American 86-92 Separated
79-00 Hispanic 93-00 Widowed

The Ultimate Origins Book 372

 Table 4: Sexual Preference Table 6: Family

Die Roll Sexual Preference Die Roll Family

01-04 Homosexual 01-05 Four or more siblings
05-10 Bisexual 06-15 Three siblings
11-90 Heterosexual 16-30 Two siblings
91-94 Bisexual 31-65 One sibling
95-00 Homosexual 66-80 Only child
81-85 Deceased sibling
Table 5: Social Class 86-90 Mother or Father is deceased
Note: This table should directly affect a 91-95 Orphan
character's occupation and Talents. 96-00 Foster child

Die Table 7: Criminal Record

Social Class
Roll Note: Remember, if your character has a
01-03 Homeless criminal record, certain occupations are beyond
Lower/Lower Class (Extended Welfare, him/her.
04-08
Substandard Housing)
Lower Class (Welfare, Govt. Die Roll Criminal Record
09-16
Subsidized Housing) 01-02 Felony
Lower/Middle Class (Lives Paycheck 03-08 Misdemeanor
17-30
to Paycheck, Little Savings) 09-92 No Criminal Record
31-80 Middle Class 93-98 Misdemeanor
Upper/Middle Class (Substantial 99-00 Felony
81-89
Savings, College Educated)
90-97 Upper Class Table 8: Body Type
Wealthy (Millionaires, Popular
98-00
Celebrities) Die Roll Body Type
01-05 Underweight
06-20 Overweight
21-25 Muscular
26-40 Normal
41-60 Toned
61-75 Normal
76-80 Muscular
81-95 Overweight
96-00 Underweight

Table 9: Height

Die
Height
Roll
01-02 Dwarf
03-12 Petite
Heroic (an inch or two taller than
13-20
average)
21-80 Normal
Heroic (an inch or two taller than
81-87
average)
88-97 Tall (6'2" for women, 6'6" for men)
98-00 Giant (6'6" for women, 7' for men)

373 The Ultimate Origins Book

 Table 10: Age Table 12: Attractiveness

Die Roll Age Die Roll Attractiveness

01-08 Very young (13-16 years old) 01-05 Ugly
09-16 Young (16-18 years old) 06-12 Unattractive
17-24 Youthful (19-25 years old) 13-23 Plain
25-75 Normal (26-35 years old) 24-76 Average
76-84 Older (36-45 years old) 77-87 Good-looking (Cute)
85-92 Middle-aged (46-60 years old) 88-95 Pretty/Handsome
93-00 Senior (60 years old +) 96-00 Extremely Attractive

Table 11: Capabilities Table 13: Extras

Die Die
Capability Extra
Roll Roll
Mentally Handicapped (Autism, 01 Acne
01-03
Attention Deficit Disorder, Obsessive) 02 Alopecia (Bald/Balding)
Socially Handicapped (Withdrawn, 03 Clumsy
04-06
Megalomania, Manic/Depressive) 04 Flat-chested/Bird-chested
Physically Handicapped (Impaired Habit (Nail-biting, Tapping
07-10 05
Limb, Paraplegic, Vision Problems) fingernails)
11-90 No Handicaps Other Large Facial Feature (Usually
Heroic (Note: give a hero a bonus on a 06-08
91-00 nose or ears)
Physical, Social or Mental ability) 09-92 None
93-96 No Muscle Tone
97 Pale-Skinned/Albino
98 Smoker
Thick Eyebrows/Excessive Lip Hair
99
(women)
Odd Voice (High-pitched/Deep-
00
voiced)

The Ultimate Origins Book 374

 MTS Note: I have always been a fan of Fumbles in games. This section was included at the suggestion of
Sparks, since Appendix Fourteen (page 348) references a fan created FEAT table. The Table makes use of
Blue FEATs, or fumbles, so this section has been included to explain them better.

This section was originally posted by Wouter Combat: Fumbles II

Vlemmings of "Marvel RPG and More", which
is slowly disappearing from the Internet.
http://web.archive.org/web/20021203003948/http://w
ww.strw.leidenuniv.nl/~vlemming/mshouse.html - db
Combat: Fumbles
Fumble rules were send to me by Denis
Conruyt along with a new FEAT table to replace
the other ones at the back of the book.
(Criticals and Fumbles)
These rules were designed by M.J. Lush
On a roll of 01, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80,
90 and 00, I reserve the right to get in my GM's
Fiat and go for a little drive adding a little good
or bad luck to the situation as whim takes me.
My players have concluded that 99 is the
ultimate roll. ;-)

MTS Note: The table can be found inside the

back cover of the book

New General Effects:

In The Space: Means that your character

certainly didn't miss a building or other sort of
object that knocked him down!

Disoriented: means that your character can take

no action that round other than being nauseous
and at -3CS this round and next (ex: "I see
twenty pink Galactus's around my head")

The other effects are self-explicated. Feel free

to variate the effects in the game.

The Ultimate Origins Book

376
 Over two years of work, finally complete
feels rather nice, but a little hollow. I feel
inclined to paraphrase a quote by Hellen Keller:
"(Writing) is a daring adventure or nothing at
all." - Although in my case it would have
probably been more accurate to say compiling.
It is always amusing when a project nears the
end. Tammra has been putting off the write-up
on Vampires for a while (which I decided in the
end to rip-off from the Marvel Database), and as
we finally get close to a requested deadline, now
we both have either the flu or colds. It is funny
how life works sometimes. She needed to sleep,
so I started doing the last bits of layout in hopes
she would be up for finishing her parts after
some sleep. I looked around to make sure I had
not missed any origins, and sure enough, I
missed the Mephitisoids write-up by Nightmask.
He wound up becoming an unofficial editor out
of the deal. I got his permission via PM to add
them to the book, and then I had to edit the
"Humanoid Race Sub-Table (Unofficial)" to
include them. I was looking over it, trying to
decide how to readjust the weights to add them
in and discovered I had skipped a few numbers
on the table.
I would like to thank those again who have
posted nice comments about the project since I
first announced it. I get emo at times, but
encouragement always feels good.
I hope that those of you who have waited
patiently on this project find it to be worth the
wait. I might not always be consistent on my
"work ethic" when it comes to projects like this,
377
but most of the time I do try to see it though till
the end.
- MTS
What to say, what to say… It's finally over.
Hope everybody finds it useful, and now for
some more cigarettes and soda.
- Tammra
About The New Version
I purchased some ink cartridges and started
printing out a copy of this book for personal use
– it is what I like to do. I noticed a few errors,
and some bits from the layout I was not happy
with at all. So I decided to update the book.
I have been working on the first supplement
for what seems to have become a series, and
discovered two more Marvel Origins on another
website. This seemed like the perfect opportunity
to add them.
I want to give a couple of special thanks to
Firebomb again. He knocked out the required
proofreading on the two of them quickly, and
made them not only much more readable, but
helped me get this new version out much
quicker.
Tammra suggested the Notes section so other
people could add their own bits that print and
bind like us. Additionally, she helped pick some
of the new art.
- MTS
The Ultimate Origins Book
MTS Note: This is not a complete index of every entry in the book; instead it is simply an index of the
various Origins and Templates.

A B
(Continued)
Abnormal Biochemistry – 17
Aerians – 53 Bird, Individual – 279
Agents of the People's Defense Force – 51 Bird, Flock of Ten – 279
Aliens – 2, 4, 6 Body Shoppe, The – 268
Alligator – 277 Breed Mutants – 9
Alpha Primitives – 43 Brethren, The – 56
Altered Humans – 2, 3, 5 Brood, The – 75, 85
Androids – 9 Burners – 46
Angels – 15
Animals – 16, 277
Ape – 277
Armadillo – 277
Armored Battlesuit – 78
Asgardian Dwarves – 105
Asgardian Elves – 105
Asgardian Giants – 104
Asgardian Gods – 99, 103
Asgardian Fire Demons – 108
Asgardian Races – 100
Asgardian Trolls – 105
Asgardians – 35, 100
Atlanteans – 36
Augmentation Process, The – 252
Autocron – 84

B C
Ba-Bani – 85 Cat – 279
Bat, Individual – 278 Cattle (Herd Animals) – 279
Bats, Flock of Ten – 278 Changeling – 21
Bear – 278 Chosen, The – 43
Beasts of Berlin, The – 51 Clobbers – 46
Behemoth – 278 Collective Mass – 59

379 The Ultimate Origins Book

 C F
(Continued) (Continued)

Compound Form– 21 Fish – 281

Cosmic Characters – 251 Flying Fighter – 161
Cyborg: Custom – 122 Froma – 89
Cyborg: Exoskeletons – 12, 79 Frost Giant – 104
Cyborg: Limb and Organ – 12
Cyborg: Mechanical Augmentation – 13 G
Cyborg: Mechanical Body – 12
Cyborg: Nanites – 110 Gaseous Life – 19
Cyborg: Vampires – 131 Genetic Engineering Rules – 256
Ghouls – 259
D Gypsies of the Balkans – 61

Dakkamite – 86 H
Deity – 15
Demihuman: Avians – 11 Head-Brothers – 46
Demihuman: Centaurs – 11 High Technology – 5
Demihuman: Chiropterans – 11 High-Techs – 3
Demihuman: Equimen – 11 Hi-Tech Wonders – 2
Demihuman: Felinoids – 11 Homo Arcanus – 141
Demihuman: Fauns – 11 Homo Disneius – 142
Demihuman: Lamians – 11 Homo Sublimis – 145
Demihuman: Lupinoids – 11 Horses – 282
Demihuman: Merhumans – 12 Horusian – 90
Demihumans – 10 Humanoid Race – 9
Demons – 15 Hybrids – 147
Denizen of the Dark Dimension – 36
Deviants – 37
Dinosaur, Giant Armored – 280 I
Dinosaur, Giant Flesh-Eating – 280
Dinosaur, Giant Plant-Eating – 280 Induced Mutant – 9
Dinosaur, Giant Radioactive – 280 Insect, Swarm – 282
Dire Wraiths – 73 Inhumans – 38
Dog – 280
Dolphin – 281

E
Eagle – 281
Elan – 87
Elders of the Universe – 138
Elephant – 281
Energy Body – 19
Enhanced Combat Operatives – 140
Ergon – 88
Eternals – 37
Ethereal – 19

F
Fall People – 53
Fast Zombie – 178

The Ultimate Origins Book 380

 K O
Kawa – 90 Octopus – 283
Killer Whale – 282 Olympian Demigods – 155
Kree – 39 Olympian Gods – 41, 156
Olympians – 41, 156
L Otherworlders – 152

Lava Men – 49 P
Lions – 282
Lemurians – 40 Path of the Winding Way, The – 269
Liquid Life – 18 People, The (Saurians) – 158
Procyonite – 93
M Pseudo-Skrulls – 47
Psion Body Type – 157
M'Ndavians – 148 Psion Template – 262
Magic Users – 181 Pterons – 54
Mekkan – 91 Pure Robot: Computer – 14
Mephitisoids – 150 Pure Robot: Humanshape – 13
Mineral Life – 18 Pure Robot: Metamorphic Robot – 14
Mobian – 92 Pure Robot: Usuform Robot – 13
Modified Human – 10
Modified Human: Extra Parts – 10 Q
Modified Human: Musculars – 10
Modified Human: Organics – 10 Quon – 44
Modified Human: Skeletals – 10
Moloids – 50 R
Monkeys – 283
Morlocks – 68 Rajak – 94
Mutants – 2, 3, 5 Random Mutation – 9
Muspelheim Demon – 108 Rat, Individual – 284
Rat, Pack of Ten – 284
Robots – 2, 4, 6

S
Saurid – 95
Savage Land Mutates – 70
Savage Land Races – 52
Scarlet Beetles – 52
Sharks – 285
Shi’ar – 41
Skrull – 42
Slow Zombie – 179
Snake, Constrictor – 285
Spaceknights – 71
Squid – 283
Sssth – 95
Stenth – 96
N Subterraneans – 48
Sun People – 54
Surgical Composites – 10
New Men – 40
Symbiotes – 263
Normal Humans – 7, 9, 63

381 The Ultimate Origins Book

 T
Tekton – 97
Terrigen Mist – 265
Tyrannoids – 50

U
Ultimate Martial Artist, The – 163
Undead – 20

V
Vampire Hunters – 271
Vampires – 76
Vegan – 98
Vegetable – 17

W
Warrior Prime – 161
Werewolves – 173
Winged Flyers – 46
Wolves – 285

X
X-Babies – 273
Xartan – 99

Z
Zn’rx (Snarks) – 176
Zombies – 177

The Ultimate Origins Book 382

 As you have probably already read on our
forum, Gaming Nerds Я Us started off as an
adult MSN community roughly about 2001.
Tammra Goodman, and I started it with Alex and
his wife Heather. Eventually we had a falling out
with the two of them, and we kept the site going
though several incarnations before finally getting
our own dot com – which has now became a dot
co.
Rather then spend a ton of time repeating the
full history of the website and team (since you
can read it on the forum), I thought I would use
383
this page to congratulate Firebomb and Sparks as
the newest member of the Gaming Nerds Я Us
staff!
Without their diligent work, the book you are
reading now would have taken even longer to
finish, and it would be full of an embarrassing
amount of errors. Firebomb and Sparks are now
co-heads of the Gaming Nerds Я Us Proofreader
team, so if any of you want to join up, drop
either of them (or me) a line on our forums!
- MTS
http://gamingnerdsrus.co/
The Ultimate Origins Book
The Ultimate Origins Book 384
385 The Ultimate Origins Book
The Ultimate Origins Book 386
387 The Ultimate Origins Book
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