Need advice on a Soviet Supergroup

[MASTERMIND]

Translate their names into Russian as well and use those names. Provide translations for the non-Russian speakers so they know what the names mean but use only the Russian yourself.

[Guest]

For the game i'm currently in, my GM asked me to make some supervillains. I said OK, and I set out to do so.

I could use some pointers though.

I'm going with a Soviet themed superteam. They were a former Soviet superhuman group, kept under cryogenic slumber since the early 80's in case of an emergency (such as thermonuclear war). Then Mikhail Gorbachev's government took power, and from there Communism fell. The superhero's storage facility was listed as a nuclear waste materials silo and was therefore never checked on during the fall of Communism and throughout the 90's, so the superteam was left and forgotten. Their project was top secret, only known by a few high ranking individuals and those connected to the project, whom had either retired, died, or moved to the private sector. Either way those individuals are sworn to secrecy about the superheroes and assumed the new government would take care of them. That was no the case. It wasn't until 2006 that they were rediscovered during an assessment of Russian nuclear facilities.

They were shocked to find Communism dead, but had little choice but to follow their current bosses, the KGB.

Just a note, the KGB is defunct and has been replaced by the FSB.

Little known to either group, these heroes were placed here for a reason. While other Soviet heroes fought for the betterment of the Warsaw Pact, the heroes in this facility were considered, for one reason or another, a liability and were to only be used during times of extreme crisis (such as the Cold War going hot).

So far, this group has the following members:

The Crimson Turbine (Robot/Power Armour): A powered armour pilot, this suit will be heavily armoured, strong, and loaded with weapons. The most prominent weapons will be twin turbofan engines placed on each arm, which will generate incredible gusts of wind.

Superior Olympic Athlete Model 1984(Mutant or Experiment): A genetic/pharmaceutical experiment to create the ultimate athlete for the 1984 Olympiad, 1984 was put in the cryogenic facility once the project heads found out Moscow's decision to boycott the sports event. It was all for the better. 1984 was considerably larger than most humanoids, and had supernatural strength, regeneration and endurance. Such a being would have been banned by the Olympic Committee. He is trained in track and field, and is known to hammer throw battle tanks and benchpress locomotives.

Red Terror (Vigilante, Supersoldier or Ancient Master): Armed with her hammer and her sickle made of exotic metals, Red Terror is the team's hand to hand expert.

The Proletariat Twins, Widget and Gidget (Inventors): They are the team's technical experts. Even with a two decade gap, the preteen twin Pioneers didn't waste time updating their skills. They are the one maintaining the team's equipment, such as Crimson Turbine's robot suit and Night Witch, their super modified Hind helicopter.

Other Potentials:
-Isotope: Radiation powers. Need one of the PU books or Villains Unlimited.
-Commissar Albania: Powers undecided. Part of a Warsaw Pact committment.

I dunno about Commissar Albania, given that team is untrustworthy and not involved with the Pact (as described above), the character doesn't really fit.

So that gives you an idea what I plan, but I need help.

1). How do I make Crimson Turbine's turbofan weapon (and make it effective at that) with a robot?

*Shrug* If you're talking about giant fans, just use the specifics from the Wind Rush spell. If you're talking about actual turbofans, there's two ways you can go, superheated exhaused frying one's opponents or a huge vacuum effect that sucks up opponents, dices them, and converts their bodies into fuel/energy.

2). Need a leader, and i'm drawing up blanks. Any ideas?

Wait for this.

3). The Hind chopper. Where can I get its stats?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mi-24
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/row/mi-24.htm

4). Any other ideas, refinements, etc?
Any input would be appreciated.

How about the "son" of Rasputin, either Mystic Study or Mystically Bestowed (possibly immortal if it's the original), who would be the team leader? Dang, now *I* want to make a new supervillain.

[MASTERMIND]

How about the "son" of Rasputin, either Mystic Study or Mystically Bestowed (possibly immortal if it's the original), who would be the team leader? Dang, now *I* want to make a new supervillain.

That sounds like a good idea with or without the rest of this team, hehe.

[MASTERMIND]

It can be an illegitimate child if you want. Lord knows Rasputin got around.

One of his daughters immigrated to France and later to the US where she died in 1977. She had two daughters with Boris Soloviev. Her surviving children and grandchildren live near Paris today.

Some of his children remained in their home and descendants could easily be walking around today.

[MASTERMIND]

STORY IDEA

Grigori Rasputin left behind a powerful legacy, one fought over by the three branches of his family left behind. The first group consists of those children who remained in Russia and their descendants. The second consists of the family of Maria Rasputin-Soloviev who live near Paris, France. The third consists of a single descendant of Maria Rasputin-Bernadsky (a man Maria Rasputin was married to briefly while in the US).

Random ideas...

[Puroresu]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ru ... uperheroes

The above link should give you some inspiration on your Russian Superhero Team idea. Hope it's useful. Obviously, we don't want any conversions from it.

[acreRake]

Also look for a fan/wind gun in Aliens Unlimited under Gimmick Weapons: Turbulence Generator

[Stattick]

I think I'd take inspiration from Russian myth for more heroes if you needed more. For instance, a firebird would work well.

APS: Fire+APS: Light (or Crystal)+Winged Flight

Or the myth of the frostmaiden.

APS: Ice+APS: Mist

Or Old Man Winter, Morozko

Immortality+APS: Ice

Ilya Muromets

Many possible options. Perhaps Supernatural PS+Natural Combat Abilities+Immune to Magic

[JTwig]

I have a document that I created that has common Russian military equipment stated. I'll find it and send it to you this week.

[Stone Gargoyle]

Translate their names into Russian as well and use those names. Provide translations for the non-Russian speakers so they know what the names mean but use only the Russian yourself.

Yes I agree. Widget and Gidget are not Russian names, by the way.

[Stone Gargoyle]

STORY IDEA

Grigori Rasputin left behind a powerful legacy, one fought over by the three branches of his family left behind. The first group consists of those children who remained in Russia and their descendants. The second consists of the family of Maria Rasputin-Soloviev who live near Paris, France. The third consists of a single descendant of Maria Rasputin-Bernadsky (a man Maria Rasputin was married to briefly while in the US).

Random ideas...

The Rasputin name is shared by certain X-men as well, which I used in my campaigns as the grandchildren of Gregori, who is part of the Hellboy stories from Dark Horse, btw.

[MASTERMIND]

STORY IDEA

Grigori Rasputin left behind a powerful legacy, one fought over by the three branches of his family left behind. The first group consists of those children who remained in Russia and their descendants. The second consists of the family of Maria Rasputin-Soloviev who live near Paris, France. The third consists of a single descendant of Maria Rasputin-Bernadsky (a man Maria Rasputin was married to briefly while in the US).

Random ideas...

The Rasputin name is shared by certain X-men as well, which I used in my campaigns as the grandchildren of Gregori, who is part of the Hellboy stories from Dark Horse, btw.

Don't Colossus and Mystick fall into that category? I think they do. I liked the Hellboy movie and the new animated cartoons but I have never had the pleasure of reading the comics. Obviously I have heard they are good but it has always been a time, money and access issue.

[dragon_blaze_99]

a little help

http://www.rustran.com/

http://www.foreigndocuments.com/russian_names.html

http://masterrussian.com/index-27.shtml

Dragon_blaze

[JTwig]

Hind Gunship:

Mil Mi-24 Hind Gunship

Mil Mi-24 Hind Gunship
Model: Mil Mi-24 and MI-24D
Crew: 3; pilot, weapons systems officer, and technician.
Armor Rating: 13; vehicle
Military Armor: Grade Four.
S.D.C.:
Main Body – 800
Main Rotor – 150
Tail Section* - 400
*This section of the vehicle is not protected by any armor.
Speeds:
Flight: Maximum speed of 208 mph (335 km/h).
Range: 280 mile combat range.
Service Ceiling: 14,750 feet (4,500 m).
Statistical Data:
Height: 21 feet, 3 inches (6.5 m).
Length: 57 feet, 4 inches (17.5 m).
Width: 56 feet 7 inches (17.3 m) rotor diameter.
Weight: 18,740 lbs unloaded, and 26,455 lbs maximum takeoff weight.
Cargo: Eight troops, or four stretchers.
Weapon Systems:
1. 12.7 mm YaKB-12.7 Yakushev-Borzov Multi-Barrel Machinegun: This is a four-barrel Gatling style heavy machinegun mounted on the helicopter’s chin, and designed to be used against light vehicles and infantry soldiers.
Primary Purpose: Anti-Vehicle
Secondary Purpose: Anti-Personnel
Range: 5400 feet (1500 m)
Damage: 1d4x10 per round
Rate of Fire: Single round, short burst, long burst, or full melee burst.
Payload: 4,500 rounds
2. 57 mm S-5 Rocket Pods (4; two pods per pylon): Very similar to the rocket packs carried by the U.S.A. Super-Cobra. These are unguided rockets, designed to saturate a target area.
Primary Purpose: Anti-Vehicle
Secondary Purpose: Anti-Personnel
Range: One mile, due mostly to the rocket’s unguided status.
Damage: 2d4x10 per rocket, with a 40 foot blast radius.
Rate of Fire: One at a time, or volleys of two, three, four, six, eight, ten, twelve, fifteen, seventeen, or nineteen.
Payload: 19 per launcher.
3. AT-2 Swatter Anti-Tank Missiles (4; two missiles per pylon): The Russian counterpart to the TOW missiles. These laser-guided anti-tank missiles are hampered by the Hind’s lack of nightvision and thermo-optics (only available on limited models), and the fact that it can take up to 12 seconds for them to reach a target at the edge of their range.
Primary Purpose: Anti-Vehicle
Secondary Purpose: Anti-Structure
Range: Two miles
Damage: 2d4x100, with a 30 foot radius.
Rate of Fire: One at a time
Payload: Four total; two per launcher.
4. 23 mm Twin Barrel Machine-Cannons Pods (2; one per pylon): These multi-barreled gun pods are mounted on hard points located under the wings/pylons.
Primary Purpose: Anti-Vehicle
Secondary Purpose: Anti-Personnel
Range: 4500 feet (1250 m)
Damage: 1d6x10+10 per round
Rate of Fire: Single round, short burst, long burst, or full melee burst.
Payload: Unsure; was unable to verify a specific amount of ammo. My best guest would be 600 rounds per pod, give or take a few hundred.
Sensor Systems: The Hind possess a high-powered radio, and IFF (Identify Friend or Foe) transponder/responder, and that’s it. Some, limited models, have been equipped with night vision optics, but this was rare.
Piloting and Gunnery Bonuses: None other than those for possessing the Weapon Systems skill; the Hind is a heavy combination of troop transport and gunship, and while it was designed to be fast and resilient it is far from maneuverable.

Military Armor is something I use to repersent vehicle toughness (inspired by Wayne B.). Basiclly each level allows a vehicle to ignore ten points of damage; the Hind with grade four ignores damage that is 40 points or less. This is not a damage reduction; if the Hind gets hit for 41 points of damage it takes the full damage.

[Uncle Servo]

STORY IDEA

Grigori Rasputin left behind a powerful legacy, one fought over by the three branches of his family left behind. The first group consists of those children who remained in Russia and their descendants. The second consists of the family of Maria Rasputin-Soloviev who live near Paris, France. The third consists of a single descendant of Maria Rasputin-Bernadsky (a man Maria Rasputin was married to briefly while in the US).

Random ideas...

The Rasputin name is shared by certain X-men as well, which I used in my campaigns as the grandchildren of Gregori, who is part of the Hellboy stories from Dark Horse, btw.

Don't Colossus and Mystick fall into that category? I think they do. I liked the Hellboy movie and the new animated cartoons but I have never had the pleasure of reading the comics. Obviously I have heard they are good but it has always been a time, money and access issue.

Are you referring to Mystique (Nightcrawler's mother) or Magick (Colossus' little sister)?

[MASTERMIND]

STORY IDEA

Grigori Rasputin left behind a powerful legacy, one fought over by the three branches of his family left behind. The first group consists of those children who remained in Russia and their descendants. The second consists of the family of Maria Rasputin-Soloviev who live near Paris, France. The third consists of a single descendant of Maria Rasputin-Bernadsky (a man Maria Rasputin was married to briefly while in the US).

Random ideas...

The Rasputin name is shared by certain X-men as well, which I used in my campaigns as the grandchildren of Gregori, who is part of the Hellboy stories from Dark Horse, btw.

Don't Colossus and Mystick fall into that category? I think they do. I liked the Hellboy movie and the new animated cartoons but I have never had the pleasure of reading the comics. Obviously I have heard they are good but it has always been a time, money and access issue.

Are you referring to Mystique (Nightcrawler's mother) or Magick (Colossus' little sister)?

My bad, I meant Magick. So yeah, Colossus and Magick are descendents of Rasputin I believe.

[Stone Gargoyle]

STORY IDEA

Grigori Rasputin left behind a powerful legacy, one fought over by the three branches of his family left behind. The first group consists of those children who remained in Russia and their descendants. The second consists of the family of Maria Rasputin-Soloviev who live near Paris, France. The third consists of a single descendant of Maria Rasputin-Bernadsky (a man Maria Rasputin was married to briefly while in the US).

Random ideas...

The Rasputin name is shared by certain X-men as well, which I used in my campaigns as the grandchildren of Gregori, who is part of the Hellboy stories from Dark Horse, btw.

Don't Colossus and Mystick fall into that category? I think they do. I liked the Hellboy movie and the new animated cartoons but I have never had the pleasure of reading the comics. Obviously I have heard they are good but it has always been a time, money and access issue.

They and their brother are who I was referencing without trying to drop too many names. Gregori Rasputin was a reknowned sorcerer who was credited with trying to bring Hellboy into this world during WWII.

[Stone Gargoyle]

STORY IDEA

Grigori Rasputin left behind a powerful legacy, one fought over by the three branches of his family left behind. The first group consists of those children who remained in Russia and their descendants. The second consists of the family of Maria Rasputin-Soloviev who live near Paris, France. The third consists of a single descendant of Maria Rasputin-Bernadsky (a man Maria Rasputin was married to briefly while in the US).

Random ideas...

The Rasputin name is shared by certain X-men as well, which I used in my campaigns as the grandchildren of Gregori, who is part of the Hellboy stories from Dark Horse, btw.

Don't Colossus and Mystick fall into that category? I think they do. I liked the Hellboy movie and the new animated cartoons but I have never had the pleasure of reading the comics. Obviously I have heard they are good but it has always been a time, money and access issue.

Are you referring to Mystique (Nightcrawler's mother) or Magick (Colossus' little sister)?

Mystique and Nightcrawler are German in origin. They are Nazis in my game universe.

[Ice Dragon]

If you look for names:

Red Star
Red October
Peoples Liberator
Working Class
Peasant
Gorky
Katyusha
Lusankya
NKVD
Commissioner
Sturmovik

[Stone Gargoyle]

If you look for names:

Red Star
Red October
Peoples Liberator
Working Class
Peasant
Gorky
Katyusha
Lusankya
NKVD
Commissioner
Sturmovik

Comrade, Commisar, Czar, etc.
Vanguard and Ursa Major are some other names marvel has used. The constellation of Ursa Major is above Russia, apparently.

[Stattick]

The constellation of Ursa Major is above Russia, apparently.

Well, technically, every Northern Hemisphere constilation is above every land in the Northern Hemisphere. But maybe there's some astronomical definition that they're using that I'm unfamiliar with, that puts it directly above Kiev during part of the year or something?

I think that maybe the intent was this: The Bear is a symbol that has long been associated with Russia, much as the Eagle has been associated with the U.S.. So Ursa Major, or "Big Bear" would be a constilation that would be evocative of Russia....

[Slouch]

I've done something like this for a campaign I ran some-time ago.

The names I came up with where:

Mayday
Hammer & Sickle
Pravda
Motherland
October Red
Glasnost
Gulag

The Names were Russian or from the old Soviet Union, and gave very little clue as to their actual powers/abilities. It was basically the Russian version of the SLJ from the Villains Unlimited Sourcebook. Pravda was a natural psonic who could extract the "truth" from someone. Hammer and Sickle were "twins" like Stars and Stripes but they were Alter Limbs (weaponry, one hammers, one sickles). Motherland was a Control Earth type (whose power was trebled when on Russian soil). Mayday was had magnetism powers, October Red was a NPC in a power-armor suit. The other two were chosen for the names but were unremarkable, otherwise. The whole Rasputin thread I've read seems interesting. Particularly, if one to make him "immortal" along the lines of "Ra's Al Ghul" in the DC universe.

Just a few thoughts...


Slouch.

[Stone Gargoyle]

I've done something like this for a campaign I ran some-time ago.

The names I came up with where:

Mayday
Hammer & Sickle
Pravda
Motherland
October Red
Glasnost
Gulag

The Names were Russian or from the old Soviet Union, and gave very little clue as to their actual powers/abilities. It was basically the Russian version of the SLJ from the Villains Unlimited Sourcebook. Pravda was a natural psonic who could extract the "truth" from someone. Hammer and Sickle were "twins" like Stars and Stripes but they were Alter Limbs (weaponry, one hammers, one sickles). Motherland was a Control Earth type (whose power was trebled when on Russian soil). Mayday was had magnetism powers, October Red was a NPC in a power-armor suit. The other two were chosen for the names but were unremarkable, otherwise. The whole Rasputin thread I've read seems interesting. Particularly, if one to make him "immortal" along the lines of "Ra's Al Ghul" in the DC universe.

Just a few thoughts...


Slouch.

I've seen a version of the Hammer and Sickel thing done before, but it is good to take things from the national identity and iconography in creating characters.

[Sir_Spirit]

The "real" Rasputin was a christian.

[MASTERMIND]

The "real" Rasputin was a christian.

Among other things.

[Stone Gargoyle]

The "real" Rasputin was a christian.

And yet people still call him the last of the true Druids. Go figure.

[MASTERMIND]

The "real" Rasputin was a christian.

And yet people still call him the last of the true Druids. Go figure.

They do? I have heard him called a few things but that is a new one to me. I am no expert on Rasputin though.

[Stone Gargoyle]

The "real" Rasputin was a christian.

And yet people still call him the last of the true Druids. Go figure.

They do? I have heard him called a few things but that is a new one to me. I am no expert on Rasputin though.

Yes. Many people equate him with Merlin in his part of the world. I really cannot say why. He was reputed to use magic, I suppose, which was the purvue of the Druids, who were loosely thought to be founded by the survivors of the lost city of Atlantis in some circles.

[MASTERMIND]

The "real" Rasputin was a christian.

And yet people still call him the last of the true Druids. Go figure.

They do? I have heard him called a few things but that is a new one to me. I am no expert on Rasputin though.

Yes. Many people equate him with Merlin in his part of the world. I really cannot say why. He was reputed to use magic, I suppose, which was the purvue of the Druids, who were loosely thought to be founded by the survivors of the lost city of Atlantis in some circles.

I hadn't heard that one either, hehe. Learn something new every day.

[Sir_Spirit]

The "real" Rasputin was a christian.

And yet people still call him the last of the true Druids. Go figure.

They do? I have heard him called a few things but that is a new one to me. I am no expert on Rasputin though.

Yes. Many people equate him with Merlin in his part of the world. I really cannot say why. He was reputed to use magic, I suppose, which was the purvue of the Druids, who were loosely thought to be founded by the survivors of the lost city of Atlantis in some circles.

I hadn't heard that one either, hehe. Learn something new every day.

Yeah, Considering that Merlin is said to be also living backward in time and the Son of Satan, and the title of a Druidic position held by multiple people I don't really care what the pseudo/neo-druids think.

[Sir_Spirit]

The "real" Rasputin was a christian.

this is funny i just watched something on him \on the history channel
he was a wominizing, loud mouthed moron. that "healed" prince Alexeia. the russian people thought he was having an affair with queen alexandrai (although they were not). he died by drowning from assassins, it was Nicholas cousin if im not mistaken that killed him. a person cannot be sanctified if they drown, the russian high council were worried that alexandria would santctify him.

He was Shot, poisened, Castrated and stabbed IIRC.

[MASTERMIND]

The "real" Rasputin was a christian.

this is funny i just watched something on him \on the history channel
he was a wominizing, loud mouthed moron. that "healed" prince Alexeia. the russian people thought he was having an affair with queen alexandrai (although they were not). he died by drowning from assassins, it was Nicholas cousin if im not mistaken that killed him. a person cannot be sanctified if they drown, the russian high council were worried that alexandria would santctify him.

He was Shot, poisened, Castrated and stabbed IIRC.

He was all of those things plus drowned, lol. Thus, the legends of why it is so hard to kill him.