[SUPERS] My Unofficial Handbook to the DC Universe

[Otaku]

Originally Posted by aesir23

Yes, definitely. Everyone in Batman's rogues gallery is badass that typical security guards and beat cops won't be able to stop them. They should be pulling successful heists pretty frequently--especially when Batman is busy trying to stop the League of Assassins from gaining control of OMAC, or some other world-threatening problem.

Of course everything they make illegally gets confiscated whenever they're arrest, so most of them don't have any Wealth.

1) If you feel like going the distance, you might research (or just decide via what fits your setting) how some of the major figures vary in their relationship to their subordinates. This can be useful for getting an idea about how loyal a particular thug is under the current circumstances (as opposed to those that are part of an Ally Group where its predetermined)... and while it isn't likely for heroes, for rival rogues sometimes it might be easier to recruit and assimilate than to resort to fisticuffs. Then again with the potential legal issues, "checkbook heroism" might be less exciting but a decent "funny" moment for an adventure.

2) Not so sure about lack of wealth for villains. One part is how GURPS Wealth works, the other part is how real world money laundering and other dodges work. You are right that the law will attempt to confiscate any illegal gains, but they law has to find it first.

[aesir23]

Originally Posted by Otaku

1)
You are right that the law will attempt to confiscate any illegal gains, but they law has to find it first.

Of course they have a couple of the world's greatest minds to help with this...

[aesir23]

Villain: Penguin
Alias: Oswald Cobblepot
Allies and Affiliations: Villains of Gotham, Secret Society of Villains

Oswald Cobblepot was born into money, but his childhood was miserable nonetheless. He was constantly teased for his short stature, his long nose, his waddling walk, all of which contributed to his nickname. This instilled in Cobblepot a desire for power and respect that inspired his life of crime.

Penguin was a very successful criminal, with a keen business sense and a way with people. Unlike most of Batman's villains, Penguin is completely sane--a rational operator pursuing his own interests.

Perhaps this is why Penguin eventually decided to stop putting himself in the position to trade blows and match wits with a hyper-competent ninja/detective. Nobody likes losing that much.

Instead, after his last stint in prison, Penguin liquidated what was left of his family money in order to go into legitimate business as the owner/operator of the popular restaurant and nightclub The Iceberg Lounge. Of course, he's not wholly on the side of the angels: The Iceberg Lounge is very popular with the criminal element in Gotham (possibly because it features a fully functioning illegal casino in the basement) and Penguin still works with many of his old associates--primarily as a fence and information broker.

The cornerstone of Penguin's strategy for succeeding in Gotham City is his new policy of none-antagonism with flying rodents. Penguin is all too happy to provide Batman with information about his clientele in exchange for being seen as a "lesser evil," as long as his less savory clients and associates never find out.

Name: Oswald Cobblepot AKA Penguin

Attributes [110]
ST 11 [10]
DX 11 [20]
IQ 14 [80]
HT 10

HP 13 (Hit Points includes +2 from 'Extra Hit Points')
Will 14
Per 14
FP 10

Basic Lift 24
Damage 1d-1/1d+1

Basic Speed 5.25
Basic Move 5

Ground Move 5
Water Move 1

Social Background
TL: 8 [0]
Cultural Familiarities:
Languages: English (Native) [0]; French (Accented) [4]; Italian (Accented) [4].

Advantages [167]
Gadget: Trick Umbrella [31]
Burning Attack (Umbrella Flame-Thrower) (3) (Alternative Attack; Gadget/Breakable: DR 6-15; Gadget/Breakable: Object is complex machine; Gadget/Breakable: Size
-1 or -2; Gadget/Can Be Stolen: Thief must win a Quick Contest of DX or ST; Increased Range (1/2D Range only) (x2); Jet; Limited Use (Slow Reload)
(RoFx5/day)) [2]
Catfall (Umbrella as Parachute) (Gadget/Breakable: DR 6-15; Gadget/Can Be Stolen: Thief must win a Quick Contest of DX or ST) [6]
Gizmo ((In his Umbrella)) (1) [5]
Piercing Attack (Umbrella Sub-Machine Gun) (2) (Accurate (+2); Extra Recoil (Rcl 3); Gadget/Breakable: DR 6- 15; Gadget/Breakable: Object is complex machine;
Gadget/Can Be Stolen: Thief must win a Quick Contest of DX or ST; Limited Use (Fast Reload) (RoFx5/day); Partial Dice (+2); Rapid Fire (+6); Selective Fire) [16]
Signature Gear (Very Fine, Fine (Balanced), Swordcane Umbrella.) (2) [2]

Contact Group (Underworld) (Effective Skill 21) (12 or less; Somewhat Reliable) [40]
Extra Hit Points (2) (Affects HP) [4]
Reputation (Deals Fairly, Stays Bought) (2) (All the time; Small class) [3]
Smooth Operator (1) [15]
Street-Smart (3) [15]
Temperature Tolerance (Cold) (Trained) (1) [1]
Wealth (Filthy Rich) [50]

Perks [3]
Signature Asset ((The Iceberg Lounge)) [1]
Style Familiarity (Fencing - French Smallsword) [1]
Style Familiarity (Stickfighting - La Canne de Combat) [1]

Disadvantages [-76]
Addiction (Tobacco) (Cheap) (Highly addictive; Legal) [-5]
Appearance (Ugly) [-8]
Fat [-3]
Greed (12 or less) [-15]
Reputation (Dangerous Criminal (Reformed)) (-1) (All the time; Almost everyone) [-5]
Secret (Snitches to Batman) (Possible Death) [-30]
Selfish (12 or less) [-5]
Social Stigma (Criminal Record) [-5]

Quirks [-5]
Always wears a tuxedo, usually with tophat. [-1]
Distinctive Feature (Short legs and a beak-like nose.) [-1]
Expensive Tastes [-1]
Incompetence (Running) [-1]
Loves Seafood [-1]

Skills [108]
Accounting IQ/H - IQ-1 13 [2]
Acting IQ/A - IQ+0 14 [1]
includes: +1 from 'Smooth Operator'
Administration IQ/A - IQ+0 14 [2]
Animal Handling (Raptors) IQ/A - IQ+0 14 [2]
Boating/TL8 (Large Powerboat) DX/A - DX+0 11 [1]
Boating/TL8 (Motorboat) DX/A - DX+1 12 [4]
Brawling DX/E - DX+2 13 [4]
Connoisseur (Gemstones) IQ/A - IQ+0 14 [2]
Connoisseur (Wine) IQ/A - IQ-1 13 [1]
Diplomacy IQ/H - IQ+0 14 [2]
includes: +1 from 'Smooth Operator'
Disarming (Smallsword) Tech/H - 15 [2]
Falconry IQ/A - IQ+0 14 [2]
Fast-Draw (Swordcane) DX/E - DX+1 12 [2]
Feint (Smallsword) Tech/H - 15 [2]
Finance IQ/H - IQ-1 13 [2]
Fishing Per/E - Per+0 14 [1]
Gambling IQ/A - IQ+1 15 [4]
Games (Sport Fencing) IQ/E - IQ+0 14 [1]
Guns/TL8 (Pistol) DX/E - DX+2 13 [4]
Guns/TL8 (Submachine Gun) DX/E - DX+2 13 [3]
Holdout IQ/A - IQ+1 15 [4]
Knife DX/E - DX+1 12 [2]
Law (local) IQ/H - IQ-2 12 [1]
Leadership IQ/A - IQ+1 15 [2]
includes: +1 from 'Smooth Operator'
Liquid Projector/TL8 (Flamethrower) DX/E - DX+1 12 [2]
Merchant IQ/A - IQ+3 17 [2]
includes: +3 from 'Street-Smart'
Mimicry (Bird Calls) IQ/H - IQ-1 13 [2]
Observation Per/A - Per-1 13 [1]
Politics IQ/A - IQ+0 14 [1]
includes: +1 from 'Smooth Operator'
Professional Skill (Barkeep/Restraunteur ) IQ/A - IQ-1 13 [1]
Professional Skill (Pimp) IQ/A - IQ-1 13 [1]
Public Speaking IQ/A - IQ+1 15 [2]
includes: +1 from 'Smooth Operator'
Research/TL8 IQ/A - IQ-1 13 [1]
Savoir-Faire (High Society) IQ/E - IQ+1 15 [1]
includes: +1 from 'Smooth Operator'
Savoir-Faire (Mafia) IQ/E - IQ+1 15 [1]
includes: +1 from 'Smooth Operator'
Scrounging Per/E - Per+3 17 [1]
includes: +3 from 'Street-Smart'
Search Per/A - Per-1 13 [1]
Skating HT/H - HT+0 10 [4]
Smallsword DX/A - DX+3 14 [12]
Smuggling IQ/A - IQ+3 17 [12]
Stealth DX/A - DX-1 10 [1]
Streetwise IQ/A - IQ+5 19 [4]
includes: +3 from 'Street-Smart', +1 from 'Smooth Operator'
Swimming HT/E - HT+5 15 [4]
includes: +3 from 'Fat'
Urban Survival Per/A - Per+2 16 [1]
includes: +3 from 'Street-Smart'

Stats [110] Ads [167] Disads [-76] Quirks [-5] Skills [108] = Total [307]

[Otaku]

Originally Posted by aesir23

Of course they have a couple of the world's greatest minds to help with this...

The same goes for those trying to hide it. Depending upon whether its a long or short term hiding place, time will be on the side of one or the other.

[aesir23]

Originally Posted by Otaku

The same goes for those trying to hide it. Depending upon whether its a long or short term hiding place, time will be on the side of one or the other.

Good point.

I'm trying to think, though, about which Villains tend to always have resources available to them when they've freshly escaped. Not the Joker, that much I know. Penguin's always rich, so are the Falconi's and other Mobsters. These guys have legal sources of wealth as well, however.

I think most of the "Themed Madmen" like Joker, Two-Face, Riddler, Mad Hatter, etc... come out of Arkham broke and have to pull some heists early just to get the capital for their bigger schemes. They essentially operate on a Dungeon Fantasy wealth system and spend a great deal of their lives being cared for by the state.

While the "Criminal Mastermind" or "Mob Boss" types (e.g. Bane, Ra's Al Ghul, Black Mask) have stashes hidden away, off-shore numbered accounts, and the GURPS Wealth advantage.

At least that's how I'm writing them up currently.

[EDIT] That said, "you know, we never found the six perfect 1,000 carat diamonds that Mr. Freeze stole before his arrest...those things are priceless, I wonder where he hid them?" could be a fine once in a while plot-hook for the right kind of campaign.

[Adversary]

Originally Posted by aesir23

Thanks!


Personally, I like to reserve Charisma for people who have something really special--most people, even those we'd consider "charismatic" get by on a combination of Appearance, Reputation, and influence skills.

That said, I don't think Joker's a particularly good leader, nor particularly likable (except perhaps to other insane people.)

Basically, I'd say that he has two kinds of goons in his gang--
A: Other crazy people he's manipulated (represented by Ally Group).
and B: People he's hired who will work for anyone (who require no representation on character sheets.

That said, it does seem that I've undersold Joker on his social skills a little. He does seem to be really good at manipulating people to do what he wants. He should probably have high levels of Acting, and Fast Talk, as well as possibly Diplomacy and Leadership--after all, he does manage to rise to a position of power whenever the inmates take over Arkham.

Yes, I've decided, I'll make those changes now.

I've got a looser idea of charisma than you do I guess. I'd give the most likable person in the average group of friends a point in it. Someone like The Governor on The Walking Dead (who rises to the leadership of a community, has a few very loyal guys to back him up, and can convince a whole group of average people to fight in his ill-conceived wars) probably has 2 points. So to me the Joker, who always seems to organizing and leading people from average goons to other supervillains, has more than that. People go along with him even when it means facing Batman, and even though the Joker is a known crazy whose pawns suffer high casualty rates.

Some of that can be explained by hiring people, sure, but even with people you have hired, you need charisma and other leadership qualities to get a good performance out of them. Joker can motivate his goons to go after Batman. People who are only in it for the money tend to fade away as soon as actual risk presents itself. (Red Mist, in Kickass 2, is a guy who only gets people to follow him by throwing wads of money at them.)

The Joker is simply one of the biggest personalities in the DC universe. Even if one's view of the world is that with cash, you can always hire people to do your dirty work, I think such a figure deserves some charisma. Isn't there a sense that, despicable as he is, you can't take your eyes off the guy?

[Flyndaran]

Comic book villains just don't work without a known Henchmen R Us store supplying all the suicidally loyal goons.

[Phantasm]

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

Comic book villains just don't work without a known Henchmen R Us store supplying all the suicidally loyal goons.

"Waugh, I'm Oswald Cobblepot, and I'm the founder and CEO of Henchmen For Hire. We cater to the most 'reputable' clients. Waugh! Need some muscle for an upcoming heist? We'll subcontract for you, giving you the street muscle you need without having to go through the hiring process yourself. Looking to give your gang the street cred it needs to go big time? Come in and fill out our forms to get on the list of our subcontractors. Only a five percent chance of working with a psychopath like the Joker - waugh! - can't beat those odds! Oh, and I'm not just the founder, I'm also a client. WAUGH! Waugh waugh waugh waugh waugh!"

I'm surprised he hasn't actually branched out into this in the comics... or maybe he has and the writers don't know it! :)



And be sure to read the above quote in Burgess Meredith's Penguin voice. :)

[Otaku]

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

Comic book villains just don't work without a known Henchmen R Us store supplying all the suicidally loyal goons.

I'm not overly familiar with the more expansive bits of the DCU... do they their version of the Marvel Comics Taskmaster's training academies?

[aesir23]

Originally Posted by Adversary

The Joker is simply one of the biggest personalities in the DC universe. Even if one's view of the world is that with cash, you can always hire people to do your dirty work, I think such a figure deserves some charisma. Isn't there a sense that, despicable as he is, you can't take your eyes off the guy?

Well, I definitely agree with you about The Governor--he definitely has a point or two of Charisma.

When you first suggested it for Joker, I thought it was way off base, but you make a pretty good case here. I'll think on it.

Note that I have edited him with points in Acting, Fast-Talk, and Leadership now, so he does have the skills to mislead and manipulate people into following him as well.

Originally Posted by tbrock1031

"Waugh, I'm Oswald Cobblepot, and I'm the founder and CEO of Henchmen For Hire. We cater to the most 'reputable' clients. Waugh! Need some muscle for an upcoming heist? We'll subcontract for you, giving you the street muscle you need without having to go through the hiring process yourself. Looking to give your gang the street cred it needs to go big time? Come in and fill out our forms to get on the list of our subcontractors. Only a five percent chance of working with a psychopath like the Joker - waugh! - can't beat those odds! Oh, and I'm not just the founder, I'm also a client. WAUGH! Waugh waugh waugh waugh waugh!"

I'm surprised he hasn't actually branched out into this in the comics... or maybe he has and the writers don't know it! :)

Great idea! It makes so much sense. Although I think that maybe Penguin only has the Gotham franchise: Henchmen for Hire screams Lex Luthor to me. :)

It's a lot like the character of The Broker introduced in Gotham City Sirens #1: He sets up secret hideouts for all of Gotham's criminals--he can negotiate an anonymous lease on an abandoned amusement park, a condemned abattoir, or a simple studio apartment overlooking a diamond wholesaler.

Once you find out he exists, it becomes immediately obvious that he must exist.