the Reincarnator

Strength 8a

Agility 9a

Intellect 8a

Willpower 9a

Hand Size: Edge:

5 (30) 3

Origin:

Robert has something of an immortal, perpetual life force, having been constantly reincarnated since the very dawn of human civilization - if not before. While he's not incredibly powerful, this low-key immortal has a rather large arsenal of skills picked up in his countless lives, and can use this treasure trove of knowledge to perform feats of almost legendary stature.

Powers:

Reincarnation (s): accounting for his presence throughout history, Robert possesses this power at intensity 15. However, it is important to note that his version of this power is a variant one; every time Robert dies, he is born anew elsewhere - nine months later. As such, while he'll eventually recover from most any demise, he'll be out of action for quite some time...

Hindrances / Augmentations:

(none)

Equipment:

Compound Bow (a): one of his favorite weapons, if only because he's so darn good with it, is Robert's compound bow. He can use this deadly implement to inflict +4 damage with each shot. Quieter and more harmful than a single gunshot, these projectiles come in quite handy when Robert is attempting to take care of a foe (or foes) in a silent manner.

Crazy Hate Communicator (i): wielding powerful tachyonic technology developed by Wendell Wherever, the Crazy Hate communicator allows the team instant, encrypted (at intensity 18) communications with infinite range within a given plane of existence. Of course, Robert has a tendency to 'mute' this device, since it always seems to go off while he is stuck in class...!

Grappling Hook (a): this device, a long silken rope with a stout hook on the end, is a simple device that Robert can use to assist his climbing of virtually any man-made structure, from castle walls to the face of a skyscraper. The line itself can support about five hundred pounds of weight, so Robert can carry someone along with him if necessary.

Katana (s): though he stole this from a museum exhibit in San Francisco, this blade actually belonged to Robert in a past incarnation, so it's not technically theft. The blade, itself composed of hundreds of layers of folded hard and soft steel, is of 20 material strength, and as such, acts as a +5 edged weapon in Robert's hands - though he only uses it if absolutely necessary.

Kevlar Armor (s): embracing the new age of armor technology, Robert has paid a Washington D.C. firm to produce for him a variety of Kevlar weave clothing disguised as normal, everyday fashion items. He typically wears a layer of this Kevlar clothing under his leather outfit described below, the combined level of padding providing the man +3 defense against attack.

Nunchaku (s): Robert, when he doesn't want to deal with a foe in a lethal manner, yet needs to get rid of him nonetheless or wishes to teach him a particularly brutal lesson, will break out his nunchaku. Linked by chain, these two steel bars can be used in close melee to inflict damage as particularly painful, +4 blunt weapons. They hurt a lot, but aren't necessarily lethal.

Shuriken (a): in the event that stealth and range are a necessity, Robert will bring his throwing stars to bear on an opponent. He can use these small, +2 edged weapons to either stun or kill, depending on how he throws them (it's all in where they hit, really), the best part being that the shuriken themselves make no noise when used - though screams usually result.

Uzi 9mm (a): Robert only carries this deadly weapon whenever he's 'on the job'. This small and efficient hand-cannon acts as a +4 weapon with a single shot, a +5 weapon with a small burst, or a +6 weapon upon expending a full clip on a hapless target. Of course, Robert has also had it equipped with a silencer so it only emits intensity 1 sound as rounds are discharged from it.

Skills:

Skillmaster: having lived literally hundreds of lives, Robert has had ample opportunity to learn all manner of skills - most of which he retains to this very day. As such, he qualifies to be recognized as a true Skillmaster, allowing him access to more than the standard four skills available per ability score to normal characters. To date, he is known to possess these skills:

* Acrobatics (a): a general part of his skill maintenance throughout his many lives has involved Robert training his body to be as limber as possible - this helps him to avoid any untimely demises which would set him back years. He can use this skill to lower the difficulty of any actions meant to dodge an incoming attack or to reduce falling damage inflicted on his person.

* Archaeology (i): having experienced countless lost cities and artifacts while they were still in their prime, historically speaking, Robert sort of has this skill by default. Should he find himself in some lost city or an archaeological dig site, he can easily produce enough useful, relevant information to either navigate around such a place or to assist archaeologists in their work.

* Bows (a): as both a primordial hunter and as a member of several ancient armed forces, Robert has made use of the bow for various purposes. As such, he may utilize any weapon that fires an arrow - whether it be a standard bow, compound bow, or even a crossbow - at one difficulty level lower than would otherwise be required; great for killing opponents and lunch!

* Boating (a): since he's spent at least four lifetimes as a professional sailor, Robert can easily lay claim to this skill. As such, he can operate virtually any water-based vehicle (though he might find a submarine a bit tricky), being able to effectively chart a course, navigate, and perform almost any oceanic or inland water feats as they become necessary.

* Boxing (s): complementing his martial arts skills rather well, this talent allows Robert to divide his pre-cardplay action score between two unarmed melee attacks - the last of which will occur as a contingent action. Such melee attacks can be of any 'clean' type, whether they be punches, kicks, elbow drops, knee smashes, head butts, or anything else that works in a pinch.

* Brawling (s): many a lifetime having been spent as a brigand and / or thug, this skill was picked up by Robert rather early in his existence, and has proven useful time and time again. If he reduces an opponent to zero (0) cards or health in melee combat, Robert can drop said foe into a comatose state - essentially hospitalizing him and taking him out of action for quite a while.

* Business / Finance (w): a talent that Robert had to sort of pick up out of sheer necessity (in order to fund his agenda through the ages), this skill represents his keen monetary acumen and understanding of financial quirks that arise when allowing a large sum of resources to be passed from one person to an apparent stranger (legally speaking) from one lifetime to the next.

* Climbing (s): one of those ancient skills that only gets better with use, Robert has carried this ability with him since the very beginning of his eternal cycle of reincarnation. When scaling trees, mountains, buildings, ropes, or whatever, Robert may reduce the difficulty of any actions intended to resist the effects of any opposing factors, such as heavy wind, folks stepping on his fingers, etc...

* Blunt Weapons (s): way back when he first began his recurring existence, Robert had no access to bows, guns, or any fancy katanas. Because of this, he learned at an early stage of his lives to use a simple blunt instrument to defend himself (or to attack others, as it often happened), as they're both plentiful and effective in a pinch. He may wield any such weapon with no penalty.

* Driving (a): one of his more recent skill acquisitions, this talent describes Robert's ability to operate virtually any land-based vehicle. From cars to motorcycles to bulldozers to tanks (the last of which was picked up during his time as a World War 2 Allied tank jockey), Robert can not only drive such vehicles, but he can do so with astounding finesse and ease.

* Education (w): more than anything else, Robert truly enjoys sharing his overwhelming array of knowledge with others - and he can do so in a competent manner. People aren't always likely to take his lessons to heart, though; those who do not know history being doomed to repeat it, and all. With his vast catalog of skills, though, almost any hero would do wisely to train with him.

* Engineering (a): many of his incarnations have involved Robert having to build things, from his own shelter to ox-driven carts. He's retained his ability to do so through time, as well as all the many improvements in design he's come up with throughout the ages. As such, he can reduce the difficulty of any actions required to prevent mistakes from creeping into his work along the way.

* Guns (a): having a truly broad range of experience with firearms, since he's been a member of eight different militaries that have used them since they were invented, Robert can use ANY firearm, from the musket to the M-16 - save for curiously advanced energy casters and the like, at one difficulty level lower than would otherwise be required of him.

* History (i): as perhaps one of a very select few individuals to have actually experienced the vast majority of human history (save for when monumental things were taking place in more than one location at once), Robert is intimately familiar with the collective history of mankind. There are some things he's simply not privy to, but he's basically a world class historical scholar.

* Linguistics (i): considering the nature of his many reincarnations, Robert has been born and raised into innumerable cultures, all of which seemingly have their own languages and / or dialects. As such, the man can speak almost any language spoken across the face of the earth, though some of these languages may be slightly out of date - or dead, as it were.

* Lore (i): the flip side of his vast mythological knowledge, this skill represents the accumulated knowledge that Robert has acquired through his dealings with mad cults, now-forgotten lore, and all kinds of bizarre information that Man Was Not Meant To Know. While mythological creatures may be made up, occult monstrosities are definitely not, and as such, Robert knows how to deal with them.

* Manipulation (w): going hand in hand with his leadership abilities, his thousands of years of existence have taught Robert how to pull people's strings in order to make them do what he wants - usually without their knowing it, even. Such efforts can range from behind the scenes scheming to seduction to anything else that allows him to get what he wants in a given situation.

* Martial Arts (a): having lived no less than three lives as a samurai warrior, Robert is truly a master martial artist, having this skill at a world class level. As such, he can use his Strength or Agility on any unarmed melee attack, receiving the benefit of an auto-trump during cardplay on any martial arts action, and can attempt to lower falling damage at a reduced difficulty level.

* Military (w): a large portion of Robert's many incarnations have found themselves in military service, whether willingly or not. As such, he can be considered a world class expert on military matters, no matter what nation's army is involved. He receives an auto-trump on non-Doom cards when attempting to lead a body of fighting men or understand an opposing force's tactics.

* Mythology (i): Robert's background lends him an impressive knowledge of mythology - and his unique perspective lets him know all kinds of things about the true nature of such myths. Gods and monsters may walk the earth, but Robert can tell you which myths are based on real facts and / or events, and which ones are merely the mad ravings of a people long past.

* Observation (w): while he has no extrasensory powers to speak of, Robert nonetheless has a very good knack for taking in everything in his surroundings - it's kept him from having to reincarnate innumerable times throughout the ages. As such, he's quite likely to notice anything amiss around his person, and can in fact make a Willpower check (at a reduced difficulty level) to detect such things.

* Oriental Weapons (s): complementing his amazing martial arts capability, this skill allows Robert to utilize a vast array of 'martial arts' style weapons in combat. Whether he wields a katana, wakizashi, nunchaku, shuriken, flail, sai, staff, or any other 'oriental' weapon in battle, he may make attacks with such weapons with no inherent penalty (no increased difficulty).

* Performance (w): having spent two lives as a Shakespearean actor, and several more in less... savory occupations, Robert is a natural performer. Whether he's attempting acting, singing, dancing, or more... salacious performances, Robert can attempt an average difficulty Willpower action (opposed by his target's Willpower score) to distract him or her for an exchange.

* Photographic Memory (i): Robert's constant efforts to maintain his skills, both physical and mental, have imparted upon him a somewhat photographic memory. He has a hard time recalling specific events in exact details more than five lives back, but the lengthy journals he has created have helped him to retain a large portion of his personal experiences - and he reads them constantly, too.

* Physics (i): since he himself was the assistant of a revolutionary thinker in the physical sciences back in the day, Robert was at the ground level of scientific breakthroughs concerning the laws of physics as we know them. As such, he can easily reduce the difficulty of any action which requires knowledge of how the physical world functions by one difficulty level.

* Piloting (a): a skill that Robert has picked up in his current incarnation, this ability describes his ability to fly any commercial helicopter or airplane. He has yet to get any practical knowledge in the arena of military air vehicles, as he's only sixteen (physically speaking), but he could likely operate such a vehicle if he tried really, really hard...

* Psychology / Sociology (i): if Robert knows anything (other than his history, of course), it is people. He can almost invariably predict how a person or group is going to act in a given situation, and if he abstains from acting in an exchange, Robert can always execute a surprise maneuver as a contingent action - armed with his knowledge, after all, he can strike when least expected to.

* Shields (s): acquired during his time in the Roman Legions, this skill represents defensive training that Robert received while in the service of Rome. He can use a shield to either defend himself or attack; if defending, he can add the armor bonus of a shield to his own defense, and if attacking, can use a shield as per a weapon with a like bonus.

* Skill / Spears (s): a skill picked up across several of his early lives, this talent denotes Robert's inherent ability to utilize a long, pointy object in either melee or close ranged combat. Whether it be a spear, javelin, fence post, or any other long object with a sharp end, Robert can use it effectively in battle, doing so at one difficulty level lower than is otherwise necessary.

* Survival (w): though he knows he's effectively immortal, Robert also knows that getting killed while in an incarnation means that he's going to be inconvenienced for several years, at least - if not drastically set back in his agenda. As such, he's learned how to get along in virtually any environment, in order to insure that he doesn't die unless he absolutely has to.

* Tactics (w): over the years, Robert has learned how to inspire a body of men to follow his lead - he can be quite charismatic when necessary. To this end, whenever he's leading a group, they receive a +1 to all actions carried out under his direction; of course, should his leadership disappear for some reason, this bonus transforms into a -1 penalty for the duration of that encounter.

* Wrestling (s): another skill picked up during his time in the Roman Legions, this skill can be used by Robert to grapple a foe. If he inflicts damage in unarmed melee, he can attempt an easy Strength (strength) action to grapple an opponent, success indicating that he's achieved a hold. Every exchange he maintains this hold (with a like action), he can inflict like damage.

Contacts:

Robert doesn't really have all that many contacts to speak of; he tends to remain aloof in his many lives, knowing that people come and go all too quickly for his tastes. He has met several immortal types in his time, though it's likely they wouldn't recognize him for the man (or woman) he once was. Of course, he's started hanging out with the super-heroic Crazy Hate of late, so they're likely good contacts.

Calling:

Protector, sometimes Repentant: Robert has spent several thousand years righting wrongs and generally doing good deeds in order to further his agenda of creating a liberated mankind unfettered by tyranny. He's always wandering into strange situations and lands in order to further his goals. Of course, a large portion of his motivation involves righting the many wrongs he's committed in the past...

Costume:

Over the millennia, Robert has worn all kinds of costumes and uniforms, from fur loincloths to full plate. When he has a choice in the nature of his outfit, he prefers leather while in 'action' as the Reincarnator. He wears a brown leather trench coat, brown leather boots, black leather pants, a sensible, stylish shirt (his current one being composed of a Kevlar fiber composite), and black, coke-bottle glasses.

Personality:

Robert is old. He's lived, if in a slightly staggered fashion, through hundreds of lives and cultures. As such, he tends to attempt a slightly detached viewpoint towards personal relationships - whether other people be mere friends or more - as he's lost more loved ones than even he can keep track of these days. However, he generally tries to do the right thing, and often gets into trouble while doing so.

Real Name: Robert Jacobs (given name in current incarnation)
Occupation: student, adventurer
Legal Status: American citizen with no criminal record
Marital Status: single
Alias(es), if any: hundreds throughout the ages
Group Affiliation: the Crazy Hate

Height: 5' 8"
Hair: black
Eyes: brown
Weight: 145 lbs
Other Distinguishing Characteristics: in all of his various incarnations, Robert has bore a similar, recurring feature - each of his palms bear a mark that, in the minds of those that see it, represents infinity.

Story:

Robert (at least that's his name in his current existence) is an odd sort of immortal, a man (and occasional woman) who has been ceaselessly reincarnated throughout the ages. Whenever he dies, whether it be from natural causes or the actions of others, his life force immediately moves elsewhere in the world, and nine months later he is invariably reborn anew.

He's lived in such a state for at least twenty thousand years, having experienced countless lives in countless cultures - many of which no longer grace the earth. He's been male and female, and been born as virtually every variety of human that's out there - including some hidden sub-races in the far fringes of the world. Furthermore, he's done almost everything there is to do in the human experience.

Robert has lived as a king and a slave, a saint and a whore, a soldier and a farmer, a tyrant and a revolutionary. There's little he has yet to do, though the modern age offers him new challenges that he never dreamed of. Considering this, Robert can be said to have walked a mile in everyone's shoes, and as such, he has a true love and appreciation for humanity - regarding both the good and the bad.

Now, while he's been a very good person in some of his lives, Robert has nonetheless been a very, very bad person in others - and though quite literally nobody is aware of his actions in his 'surly days', he still feels guilty about some of his more heinous crimes against humanity. As such, Robert has resolved to be a better man, and tries to help humanity as much as possible.

To this end, he began to follow a continuous agenda over the last five thousand years, slowly working to free humanity from oppression and tyranny. His efforts have been stymied to some extent by the simple fact that it has been difficult for him to maintain resources from one lifetime to another over the ages - at least until recently (historically speaking), with the advent of the bank.

Before that, he had to leave property, gold, and necessary materials in the hands of supposedly trustworthy individuals, some of which either diverted it to their own purposes or didn't believe that he was, in fact, who he said he was upon appearing to them in his newest incarnation. However, modern conveniences have allowed Robert to consolidate his efforts (and cash) at last.

As such, he's actually rather wealthy for a sixteen year old. Not that he really has time to spend any of his cash or use any of his resources for anything other than physical training; it takes quite a lot of time out of Robert's day to maintain all of his physical skills at their peak level, not to mention the constant study and research necessary to keep his scholarly pursuits up to date.

Now, Robert's parents simply believe him a child prodigy, since he seems to know everything (despite his best efforts to play 'dumb'), so they let him pursue his many, many interests in peace - though they wish he'd go out on a date once in a while. He does get out, of course, but not to socialize with the fairer sex; no, Robert usually leaves the house only to further his ultimate goals.

Not counting high school, of course, which he regards as utterly unnecessary (save as a necessary evil).

Occasionally, this work simply involves his efforts to absorb new skills, as he feels befuddled by the electronic age that seems to have sprouted up around him shortly after the demise of his last incarnation. Often, it involves his taking pilot lessons, as he's intent on learning how to operate any aircraft - as part of his wish to experience space in this lifetime. But sometimes, he's causing trouble.

Not in the traditionally villainous sense, mind you. You see, considering his vast array of skills, a large portion of which are combat-related, Robert makes quite an effective vigilante. He's often inspired to act out against those he perceives as threats to the freedom of mankind, whether they are such a threat knowingly or not, which makes his activities a quandary to those who monitor them.

Such individuals might have more than a couple of questions for him should they determine his secret identity. As such, Robert goes through the motions of being an ordinary teenager, putting up with the dross motions of high school life and pretending to be as normal as he can - though he is nonetheless perceived as a know-it-all to his 'peers'. Little do they know just how MUCH he truly knows...

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