Originally a simple comic series created to promote a toy, Rom the Space
Knight became an integral part of the Marvel Universe, introducing
among other things the Dire Wraiths, the basis for the power nullifier,
and redefining Marvel space opera. Written by the outstanding Bill
Mantlo, Rom presented both a combination of knightly virtues and
space-age technology, and worked to stop threats spawned from the Dire
Wraiths as well as other sources. Rom continues to be one of the
'missing' characters in the MU, mainly due to a loss of license, and
many people hope that Rom will someday return to the MU.
Why Rom?Rom
continues to be one of my favorite titles from back in the day. From
the actual design of the space knights to the dire wraiths, Rom
introduced a good number of background ideas into the Marvel Universe
during the 1980s, and had a sizable indirect impact on the X-Men for
some time (the nullifier which robbed Storm of her powers was based on
Rom's own weapon).
Rom himself was a big reason: Despite it all,
Rom was a noble figure who in many ways paralleled the Silver Surfer:
Both gave up their humanity to stop the destruction of their home world.
Whereas Norrin Radd gave his humanity up to Galactus, Rom sacrificed
his own to ensure that the dire wraiths were destroyed. I always liked
that about Rom, and I liked the idea that there was a lot of King Arthur
elements tied to him.
Rom was covered in the Marvel Universe
Guide, but I felt I needed to update it and define Rom more to the
comics, especially towards the end.
So...Rom
F: Rm (30)
A: Rm (30)
S: Am (50)
E: Mn (75)
R: Ex (20)
I: Ex (20)
P: Rm (30)
Health: 185
Karma: 70
Resources: Am (50) (Backed by the Galadoran government as well as the US Government while on Earth).
Popularity: 20 on Earth, 50 on Galador.
Talents:Rom has the following talents based on his time as a Space Knight and as his time on Earth:
- Astrogation
- Aerial Combat
- Resist: Domination
- Martial Arts C
- Repair/Tinkering
- Leadership*
- Knowledge: Stellar Empires
- Knowledge: Dire Wraiths
- Knowledge: Galador
- Pilot
-
Weapon Specialist: Neutralizer: While often a weapons Specialist is
dedicated to a melee weapon, Rom is extensively trained in the
Neutralizer and applies his +2cs to attacking with it.
Powers:Cybernetic
Body: Rom is a sophisticated cyborg whose construction is dedicated to
waging war with the dire wraiths over a long period of time. Constructed
of an unusual metal called 'Plandanium', which is found only on Galador
and is capable of resisting slashing from even the strongest material
(such as adamantium). Rom's cybernetic body grants him the following
abilities:
- Body Armor: Rom's body armor provides Amazing (50)
protection against physical and energy attacks, as well as protecting
against the rigors of space, high-end radiation, disease, toxins, and
other similar effects. Rom's body is also considered non-ferros. In
addition, attacks which would normally halve effective body armor do not
have the same effect against Rom's body.
- Life Support: Rom's
biological parts are kept in a state of complete suspended animation,
and are protected up to cl1000 effects (such as the corona of a sun or
similar).
- Sealed Systems: Rom's systems are considered 'Sealed'
and cannot be easily breached, treating with Mn (75) intensity to do so.
Rom could survive space travel indefinately, as well as considered to
have protected senses at Am (50).
- Regeneration*: Due to the
unique properties of Plandanium, Rom's body regenerates from damage,
allowing him self-repair functions at Gd (10).
- Sensory package:
Rom's cybernetic senses allow him to see infra-red, tie directly into
the Analyzer, gain radar fixes on targets, and also to navigate
wormholes and spatial warps.
- Sub-space Access: Rom could store
his Analyzer, Neutralizer, and Translator in a sub-space pocket, and
access them within a single action.
- Self-Sustenance: Rom did not need to eat, sleep, or breathe in a conventional method as his cybernetic body compensated.
- Flight:
Rom utilizes a built-in rocket pack consisting of twin rocket pods,
providing him with Un (100) flight. Rom can accelerate to Mn (75) in a
single round.
Rom's Equipment:Rom utilizes three
unique pieces of equipment which were given to him upon his conversion
into a Space Knight. In the case of the Neutralizer and Analyzer, Dire
Wraith suffer a -4cs to effects:
Rom’s Neutralizer: Considered
to be the ‘greatest weapon on Galador’, the Neutralizer has many
settings and is designed to be Rom’s primary offensive weapon. The
neutralizer has several settings, from a basic setting that stuns
opponents to a more comprehensive setting that banishes Dire Wraiths
into limbo. Rom’s Neutralizer can do between Gd (10) and Mn(75) energy
damage depending on the setting, and is capable of purging toxins and
radiation from individuals with Am (50) intensity. Rom’s Neutralizer is
also unique: It is a one-of-a-kind weapon which is attuned to Rom. Any
individual who attempts to use the Neutralizer (but not hold it) suffers
Mn (75) energy and psychic damage. Individuals can be shielded from the
psychic damage, as seen with Brandy Clark when she used the Neutralizer
to destroy the monstrous Hybrid.
Rom’s Analyzer: The Analyzer
is capable of detecting Dire Wraiths as well as other concealed
individuals with Am (50) ability. In addition, the Analyzer can detect
and track energy signatures, from background electrical impulses to any
energy along the full energy spectrum with Ex (20) ability.
Rom’s Translator:
Rom utilizes a universal translator, capable of understanding and
communicating in any known language. It is considered to have Mn (75)
linguistics, and is capable of communication with cybernetics at Ex
(20). The Translator maintains every language and is accessible directly
to Rom’s neural net.
Limitations:Heroic:
Rom will always act in the most heroic means possible, possessing a
nobility and sense of right and wrong that he will not compromise on,
despite the cost to himself. The Dire Wraiths have often used this
against Rom, especially after the arrival of the second Dire Wraith
invasion.
Unusual Looks: Rom is nearly 7’ feet tall and is obviously a cyborg.
Sworn Enemy: Dire Wraiths: Rom is the sworn enemy of Dire Wraiths, and as such, makes their defeat his primary goal.
