Scourge F A S E R I P Res Pop Un 100 Mn 75 Mn 75 Un 100 Mn 75 Mn 75 Un 100 Rm 30 Gd -10* Health: 350 Karma: 250 * Amongst humans, at least. Mn +75 among Predacons / Decepticons, Mn -75 among Autobots. Origin: Scourge, like most of the Decepticons on earth, is an electromechanical entity from Cybertron, a world that is sometimes close to earth, and sometimes rather far off. His curious makeup includes bits of Autobot, Predacon, and even human traces, however, making him unique amongst his fellows. Known Powers: Cybertronian Physique: like his fellow Decepticons, Scourge is a robotic entity of Cybertronian design and origin. As such, this incredibly powerful combatant has, by his very nature, the use of a large variety of abilities that reflect this. His very body gives Scourge these super human powers: * Armor Skin: like most Cybertronians, Scourge was built (or formed) with a reinforced steel frame, one that offers him Excellent (20) resistance to injury. This makes him immune to most basic human attack forms, and moderately resistant to his fellow robots. His defense breaks down as follows: Ex 20 / Ty 6 / Fe 2 / Sh 0 / Sh 0 * Growth: most Cybertronians have some degree of control over their size, no matter what form they take. Due to his significant height in his humanoid mode, Scourge has this power via technicality; he may very well grow somewhat while transforming, but doesn't appear to do so. According to the standard Growth rules, Scourge has this power at Excellent (20) rank, making him stand approximately sixteen feet tall. Since his Strength rank is higher, this offers him no combat benefit, but on the other hand, human-sized folks targeting Scourge receive a +1 CS to hit him in battle. The Ultimate Powers Book, on the other hand, gives Scourge this power at Typical (6) rank, making him out to be just shy of three times a normal human's size. This would grant the efficient Decepticon a +1 CS to the Strength score listed above (raising it to Unearthly (100)), thus adding 25 points to his Health score. Now, according to the Transformers MSH Sourcebook, Scourge's statistics are geared towards mixing it up with beings of like size. As such, when fighting folks of normal human size, he should receive a +2 CS to the damage he inflicts upon them (+1 CS per 2 CS of growth). Finally, per the Universal Heroes rules, Scourge has a +1 size factor. As such, he inflicts +1 CS damage vs normal human opponents, and has 1 CS of Damage Reduction against them. On the other hand, he is at a -1 CS to hit them in combat, while they receive a +1 CS to hit him. * Microscopic / Telescopic Vision: all Transformers have the ability to alter their visual sensitivity as is necessary, where distance is concerned. Functioning at Feeble (2) rank, this power lets them see objects up to a mile distant with ease, as well as allowing them to read items on microfiche. * Resistance to Disease and Toxins: like all robots, Scourge is highly resistant to diseases and poisons that would kill organic beings. He possesses this resistance at Shift Z (500) rank versus organic pathogens, and at Unearthly (100) versus more chemically creative substances. * Radio Transceiver: as are most all Transformers on earth, Scourge is equipped with an audio / video transmission system. This communications rig allows him instant contact with any other Decepticon or Predacon on earth, having Excellent (20) range (25,000 miles). Barrage Attacks: Scourge's massive shoulder blocks are his secondary weapons, in that they can be used to fire various projectiles at an opponent. He has two launchers on each shoulder, which he usually uses to fire small miniature missiles at an opponent, though they fire laser beams as well. These missiles (or lasers) inflict the damage listed below (though the lasers inflict damage of an Armor Piercing Energy type), though Scourge rarely fires just one of either at a foe. If he fires two, he can up the damage by +1 CS, and he can raise it further (+2 CS) by firing all four in one fell swoop. These missiles have the following vehicular statistics: C S B Damage Am 50 Mn 75 Gd 10 Am 50 Edged Attack Combat Disc Launcher: Scourge's trailer has a weapon which can fire large steel discs at an opponent, a weapon which is usable in either the trailer or combat platform mode. These discs will inflict Unearthly (100) Blunt Attack damage per strike, and should be considered +1 CS for the purposes of Slam results. Headlights: to better emulate earthen vehicles (and since they come in handy in the dark), most automotive Transformers on earth are equipped with a set of convenient headlights. These twin lamps can be used to generate Excellent (20) intensity illumination, making driving at night no problem. Missile Launchers: Scourge's battle platform is armed with two powerful missile launchers. The first fires a volley of medium-sized projectiles that match those used in his barrage attack (can fire five at a time), and the second fires one large projectile that can inflict Unearthly (100) Edged Attack damage. Plasma Blaster: usually situated on his battle platform, this weapon can also be used as a hand gun by Scourge if he's in the mood. It can be fired to inflict Unearthly (100) Energy damage. Being plasma, this blast is primarily fire and heat, though it also has a secondary (-1 CS) dose of light as well. Shapechange: Scourge has the ability to shift his form between two different modes as he sees fit. His vehicle mode is that of a gas tanker truck, and is quite massive when you get down to it (especially when the rear is full of fuel). He is most powerful when transformed, however. When he changes shape, the 'truck' portion of his body transforms into a humanoid robot, while the trailer can change into a powerful, heavily armed weapons platform. This power is voice-activated, however ("Scourge, Transform!"). His gas tanker mode has these vehicular statistics: C S B P Mn 75 Mn 75 Rm 30 Ex 20 Unique Spark Powers: due to the unique nature of his awakening on earth, Scourge has several strange powers that are unique to his own Spark. You see, when his stasis pod scanned a likely donor for an earthen form, it got much more than anyone bargained for. This is because Megatron, before he overwhelmed the pod with his own Spark energies, had scanned a tanker truck full of rocket fuel. Furthermore, since Optimus Prime was trying to keep it and its human occupant from crashing, Scourge's pod scanned both Prime and the human as well. As such, he can amplify the portion of his spark that contains Autobot energies (both his own and those duplicated from Optimus Prime), as well as the bio-signature of human life forms, in order to fool sensors that can detect such things (such as those that Cerebros and Fortress Maximus utilize). Scourge can do this with Unearthly (100) ability, fooling all but the most discerning of sensors that detect such things. Of course, fooling a human bio-scanner connected to a visual recognition program could be tricky, what with him being 16 foot tall, and primarily inorganic in makeup... Equipment: Sword of Fury: stored in a sub-space pocket while not in use, this powerful blade is Scourge's trademark weapon. An artificial crystalline structure of either red or pink hue (depending on one's perception), this weapon is of Class 1k m.s., and is particularly devastating in Scourge's hands. He can use it to inflict his Strength rank +1 CS in Edged Attack damage, but that's not all. When sufficiently angry, he seems capable of channeling energy into this blade, which enhances the sword with an Armor Piercing effect, and allows him to cleave most opponents with ease. Quirks: (none) Talents: Advanced Weapons: while he is possessed of incredible natural ability, Scourge has also augmented his aim with lots of combat training, both in the field and otherwise. As such, he can use most advanced projectile weapons (such as those inherent to his form) at his Agility score +1 CS. Leadership: directing others comes naturally to Scourge, both because of his force of personality and his exceptional combat skill. As such, any group of fighters he leads into battle should receive a 50 point bonus to their Karma Pool if they possess one - as long as they follow his plans to the letter. Skill / Sword: naturally, Scourge has considerable skill in the use of his Sword of Fury - and as a result, other long, sharp blades as well. He can strike with this sword as though his already considerable Fighting rank was +1 CS in rank, making it an exceedingly deadly weapon in his hands. Contacts: As the commander of the Decepticons (just like Sky-Bite is in charge of the Predacons), Scourge can naturally rely upon his subordinates for assistance should he need it (unless, like Axer, they have a bone to pick with him). They readily do his bidding, both out of respect for and fear of his capabilities. Likeness: In his vehicle mode, Scourge resembles a black tanker truck with chrome trim and of course, a big steel gas trailer on the back. In his humanoid mode, though, Scourge appears to be a particularly menacing robot built from spare black semi parts, one with metallic teal and chrome trim in places. Personality: Cunning, dangerous and cruel, Scourge is also exceedingly ambitious. Though he pretends to be subservient to Megatron's cause, he secretly yearns to rule of his own accord, and constantly schemes to bring about this state of affairs - and considers anyone in his way of galactic domination expendable. Real Name: Scourge Occupation: Decepticon warrior Legal Status: citizen of Cybertron wanted on earth for various crimes against humanity Marital Status: inapplicable Alias(es), if any: none known Group Affiliation: the Decepticons, former Autobot Height: 16' (approximately) Hair: inapplicable Eyes: red Weight: several tons Other Distinguishing Characteristics: Scourge is composed of a strong alien metal that is primarily black and chrome in hue, with metallic teal trim, regardless of his form. Story: Like many of Megatron's minions, Scourge has a rather... interesting background. Originally an Autobot, he was sent to earth approximately sixty years ago along with an indeterminate number of his fellows, directed to retrieve the most powerful of Autobots, Fortress Maximus, who had been stashed there. Something went wrong, though, and Scourge's craft crashed in the American west. Undisturbed for over sixty years, the ship was ultimately uncovered during a scrap between later Autobot arrivals and their Predacon foes. Before Scourge and company could be revived, though, they were abducted. Seized by Megatron, the stasis pods containing Scourge and his fellow Autobots was programmed to scan various military vehicles, and then flooded with the energies of Megatron's own Spark. However, Scourge was a bit different, and Megatron scanned a tanker truck filled with rocket fuel for him. When the scanning beam was activated, it also took in details from Optimus Prime and a human female who was driving the truck at the time, so he wound up being a bit... special. In fact, Scourge had become pretty much unique amongst the Transformers for that very reason. Of course, now evil to the core, Scourge also had these extras to draw upon when his own, revamped personality came online. This caused him to become amazingly ambitious, and over time, he grew to chafe under the direction of Megatron's rule. He thus began to plan Megatron's demise. This was easier than one could imagine, though, thanks to the unwitting jealousy of Megatron's second in command, Sky-Bite. Whenever things would go wrong with Scourge's plans, he could blame Sky-Bite for the problem (and half the time, he didn't have to stretch things very far to pull this off). Eventually, Scourge began to remember just why he'd been sent to earth, especially after an encounter with Fortress Maximus, and really started putting his plans into motion. He even gained control of Maximus on several occasions, though this control wound up being fleeting for various reasons. The last time Scourge managed this, he tried to use Maximus to destroy both Sky-Bite and Galvatron (an upgraded Megatron), but Maximus shrugged off his control at the last minute, and as a result, Galvatron... dealt with Scourge. Draining his energy, Galvatron then set about reprogramming Scourge. Reducing him to a veritable drone (like unto a Vehicon), Galvatron had once again reigned Scourge (and his fellow Decepticons) in, though the villain wasn't sure if his reprogramming was successful. As such, he arranged for Scourge and company to be destroyed in his final battle with the Autobots. Luckily for Scourge, he managed to survive a fiery, lava-filled doom arranged for him and the Autobots by Galvatron, and lived on to fight to the finish with the earth-bound Autobots over the fate of Fortress Maximus. Scourge and his compatriots were ultimately defeated, however. Once they were beaten, the Autobots loaded up Scourge, his fellow Decepticons, and all of Galvatron's other minions on earth (sans Sky-Bite, who slipped away in the confusion), and shipped them off within Fortress Maximus to a penal colony on an asteroid somewhere nearby the planet of Cybertron. However, it is possible that Autobot science can ultimately purge the taint of Megatron / Galvatron's spark energies within him, and return Scourge to the realm of the 'good guys'. However, whether or not this may happen, or even if the Autobot prison can ultimately contain him, is a story for another time...