Crusader
Arthur Blackwood
Fighting Amazing
Agility Remarkable
Strength Amazing
Endurance Amazing
Reason Typical
Intuition Poor
Psyche Excellent
Health 180
Karma 30
Resources Typical
Popularity -5
Powers
Power of Faith: Crusader’s superhuman ability stems from his faith. He embodies the collective might of generations of his Christian ancestors. Should his faith falter, by failing a Yellow Psyche Feat roll when vs. any significant challenge, all his physical ability ranks begin dropping -1CS per round until reaching Typical rank. A Red Psyche FEAT Roll is needed to regain his confidence and Powers at the descretion of the Game Master. If things are going well Crusader’s faith will increase all his physical statistics and powers increase by +1CS.
Equipment
Sword of Faith: As an expression of his faith, this sword can be consider to be of Class 1000 material Strength when Crusader’s faith is at its peak. It loses column shifts as per his FASE stats if his faith slackens, until it becomes mere tempered steel.
Shield and Armour of Faith: like his sword, these are intimately tied to Crusaders faith, and can be considered Unearthly strength material at peak faith, with that Strength dwindling as his faith does. The chainmail provides Unearthly protection vs. edged, Am vs. energy attacks, but only In vs. blunt attacks. The shield can be used to Block, using the material strength rather than the wielders Strength.
Limitation
Crusader’s superhuman ability stems from his faith. Thus, self-doubt may cause his powers to weaken with all Ability ranks dropping -3CS and powers reducting -2CS. A Red Psyche FEAT Roll is needed to regain his confidence and Powers at the descretion of the Game Master. If things are going well and Gladiator has reasons to be confident, all his physical statistics and powers increase by +1CS.
Talents
Religion, Weapon Specialist: Sword,
Contacts
None
History
Arthur Blackwood was a seminary student in Chicago who believed that the church should become more active in fighting paganism and godlessness in modem society. Dismissed from the seminary for getting into an altercation with a superior, Blackwood visited his family crypt to meditate on his life. There he had a religious vision of all of his ancestors who devoted their lives to serving God. In this vision he met the spirit of one of his ancestors who served in the Crusades. This spirit seemingly bequeathed to him the combined power of all his ancestors and dubbed him knight. When Blackwood awoke from this vision, he discovered a sword, shield, and knight’s rainment had inexplicably materialized nearby. Blackwood decided to take up the sword and use his newfound power to destroy all pagans and infidels. As his first target, he chose the thunder god Thor, whose claims of godhood seemed blasphemous to him.
Calling himself the Crusader, Blackwood attacked Thor at a public assembly. Somehow the strength of his faith granted him sufficient power not only to hold his own in pitched battle with the Asgardian, but also to inflict upon Thor a seemingly mortal wound. When Thor reappeared a short time later, his wound fully healed by the power of Odin, the Crusader’s belief in his own infallibility was shaken. The Crusader was unable to comprehend how a supposed agent of the devil like Thor could be superior to him, a self-styled messenger of the Lord. When Thor shattered his sword, the Crusader fled, filled with doubts about the righteousness of his cause.
