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Captain Alabama
Background/Origin: Joseph Robert Jackson comes from a long line of heroes, not that they would have thought so. He had relatives who fought in the Revolutionary War, serving under Washington at Valley Forge. It is said that the cold winter there sent them moving to the south once the war was over. They scattered throughout the area, often creating settlements with names like Jackson, Jacksonville, Jackson City, and Jackson Corners. Distant cousins became mighty generals, and one even became President.
Young Joe Bob often heard tales of his ancestors, but the one he loved to hear about the most was Captain Alabama.
Cletus and Longren Jackson were brothers, and like brothers, they had disagreements. When the Civil War broke out, Longren, who was a big believer in State’s Rights, joined the Confederate Army. Cletus, who was in training to become a Minster, disapproved. His feeling was that, whatever else it might stand for, the Confederacy stood for slavery, and slavery was bad. It abused and de-humanized the slave, and morally corrupted the slave owner. Cletus was considered a bit of a radical.
Near the end of the war, there was fighting near the Jackson boy’s home in Anniston. Cletus was shocked one morning to Longren on the steps of his church, mortally wounded by a Yankee bullet. Longren died in his arms.
Cletus took Longren’s bloodstained tunic and sewed a tattered Alabama State flag over the front, then tied part of a Confederate battle flag over his face as a mask, and began to bedevil the Yankees. He would put sand in their flour, water in their gunpowder, kerosene in their food. He would shoot off homemade firecrackers in the middle of the night outside a Yankee encampment, knock the guard unconscious and turn loose the Calvary’s horses, or waylay couriers and destroy any message they carried. This avenging angel (or devil, depending on your viewpoint) was called Captain Alabama, since the tunic he wore bore the rank of captain.
When the war was over, Captain Alabama retired, returning to action only when he felt needed to right some great injustice. He last appeared in 1887.
During World War I, Jebedia Jackson participated in a program intended to create a “Super-Soldier”. A Doctor A------- D----- claimed success in using alkaline radicals on in utero subjects and increasing their capabilities far beyond those of normal men. He insisted that he could do the same to mature subjects, so several volunteers were tested to see if they were acceptable. Out of the hundred or so that volunteers, only four made it to the final test, Jackson, two Navy men, and an Army nurse. They were treated with the chemical… and nothing happened. They didn’t get stronger, they didn’t get faster, and they didn’t become bulletproof. The volunteers were sent back to their units. Doctor A------- D----- retired in disgrace, never knowing that he had actually succeeded, just not all at once. Slowly, as the weeks went by, each of the subjects did get faster, stronger, and, while not bullet proof, tougher. They all became heroes, partially because they were courageous people, but partially because they had an edge that no one suspected.
After the war, Jebedia kept in touch with all the test subjects, especially the little nurse, who he found out, was from Murpheesborough, Tennessee. After a couple of year’s courtship, Jeb married the nurse, and settled down in Birmingham, Alabama.
In the aftermath of World War II, Jebedia’s son, Samuel, was attending Auburn University. He happened to meet an old friend: the daughter of one of his father’s war-buddies. Sam, too, had been a hero in several campaigns, and never attributed it to anything but living right. His new sweetheart was also above average, but never really paid attention to it. Their son was Joseph Robert Jackson.
In the early ‘70s, there was a sudden rise in the number of super-beings in the world. Joe Bob saw newsreel footage of Stardust and Fire Ant, Opossum and Booger, and wanted to join them. It looked like fun.
He hit upon the idea of becoming another Captain Alabama. He designed a costume based on that of the original, and began to fight crime around his hometown of Montgomery. A couple of years later, he realized his dream when he became a member of the non-group The Southern Alliance, along with his idols. At this time, The Opossum took him under his wing, and began to teach Cap all he knew about hand-to-hand combat. ‘Possum was a many-times decorated Viet Nam veteran, who had earned the code name ‘Possum because of a peculiar winch-reel assembly he wore when he was engaging in some missions in ‘Nam. He would hook this apparatus to a support, and drop upside-down in the middle of a bunch of Viet Cong, and empty his rifle into them. Before the survivors could retaliate, the reel retracted and pulled him back to safety.
‘Possum had no idea that years after his death patents on his equipment would earn millions in royalties when bungee jumping became a national craze.
Cap lost his mentor and several friends in an alien invasion in the late ‘70s. It changed him; gone was the fun-loving swashbuckler, now there was a serious protector of the people.
Quote: “Now, you knew when you started this it was against the law, so there’s no use in whining about it now.”
Personality: The present Captain Alabama is a humble man, both embarrassed and honored at the faith the people of his state have in him. He is well known as a protector of the land and all its people. He himself thinks that what he does is not really anything special.
Opossum left his money and patents to Joe Bob, who considers the money Captain Alabama’s, and uses it for crimefighting. It is probably a good thing, since Joe Bob Jackson is considered a barely competent lawyer due to the amount of time he spends fighting crime in his costumed identity.
For years, Cap has been in love with Stardust who he met in The Southern Alliance. He has never told her this. He is afraid she would reject him. He’s got an INT roll of 12<, and never uses it.
Powers/Tactics: Cap is primarily a brawler. He goes hand-to hand with opponents and tries to subdue them with as little violence as possible. He is aware that often the easiest way to a victory involves using one’s wits instead of his fists. He has learned enough over the years to be a decent detective, and is a pretty good tactician.
One of Cap’s most powerful weapons against crime is the way people from all walks of life all over the state will try and do anything they can do to help him. It makes him feel all the more humble, and makes him try and justify this trust even harder.
Appearance: Joe bob Jackson is just over fifty, and looks twenty years younger. He is 6’2”, weighs 250 pounds, and has blond hair and brown eyes. He has often been told he is quite handsome, but this just makes him blush. His Captain Alabama costume consists of white leotard and tights, red buccaneer boots, gauntlets, briefs, and cowl. He wears a black belt, and on the chest of the leotard is a red “X”, like that on the Alabama State flag.
Captain Alabama
Val
Characteristic Cost
20 Strength 10
20 Dexterity 30
20 Constitution 20
20 Body 20
15 Intelligence 5
20 Ego 20
20 Presence 10
14 Comeliness 2
20 Physical Defense 16
20 Energy Defense 16
5 Speed 20
20 Recovery 24
40 Endurance 0
40 Stun 0
Characteristic Rolls: STR: 13‑, DEX: 13‑, CON: 13‑, INT: 12‑, EGO: 13‑, PER: 12‑
Run: 6/10", Swim: 2", Jump: 4/10", Lift: 400kg
Cost Powers END/Roll
20 Armored Costume: Armor, (10 PD/10 ED); OIF: ‑½ (30)
5 Swingline: Swinging, (+10", NC: 20"); Non‑Combat Multiplier: ×2, +0; OAF: ‑1 (10) 2
4 Nose Filters: L/S: Need Not Breathe; IIF: ‑¼; Charges: 1, ‑1; Continuing Charges: 1 Minute, ‑3 lev (10)
6 Mighty Thews: Superleap (+6", 10", NC: 20"); Non‑Combat Multiplier: ×2, +0 (6) 1
8 Long-Legged: Running (+4", 10", NC: 20"); Non‑Combat Multiplier: ×2, +0 (8) 2
6 Super-Healing: Regeneration (1 BODY/hour); Regenerate: Standard, +0 (10)
Cost Skills, Talents, Perks Roll
3 Absolute Time Sense
3 Bump Of Direction
19 Danger Sense (Out of Combat, Self); Works: Out of
Combat, +5; Range: Self, +0 13‑
5 Defense Maneuver
20 Find Weakness (Hand to Hand); Attack Type:
Group, +10 11‑
3 Lightsleep
3 Acrobatics 13‑
3 Climbing 13‑
3 Combat Driving 13‑
3 Criminology 12‑
3 Deduction 12‑
3 Oratory 13‑
3 Security Systems 12‑
3 Shadowing 11‑
3 Stealth 13‑
3 Streetwise 13‑
3 Survival 11‑
3 Tracking 12‑
4 Weapon Familiarities
(2) Common Melee Weapons
(2) Small Arms
4 Transport Familiarities
(2) Riding Animals
(2) Ground Vehicles
2 Professional Skill: Attorney 11‑
30 +6 level w/Hand to Hand
20 Universally Favored 11‑
20 Universally Connected 11‑
53 Pastiche: Hand to Hand Combat
(3) Jab: Basic Strike (OCV +1, DCV 0, 8d6)
(4) Punch: Martial Strike (OCV 0, DCV +2, 8d6)
(4) Block: Martial Block (OCV +2, DCV +2)
(4) Dodge: Martial Dodge (OCV ‑‑, DCV +5)
(5) Choke: Choke Hold (OCV ‑2, DCV 0, Grab, 3d6 NND)
(3) Wrassle to the Ground: Grappling Throw (OCV 0, DCV +2, 8d6)
(5) Snatch: Takeaway (OCV 0, DCV 0, STR 40)
(4) Nerve Gouge: Nerve Strike (OCV ‑1, DCV +1, 3d6 NND)
(4) Switch Around: Reversal (OCV ‑1, DCV ‑2, STR 45)
(5) Sneak Punch: Defensive Strike (OCV +1, DCV +3, 6d6)
(4) Karate Chop: Killing Strike (OCV ‑2, DCV 0, 2d6 HKA)
(5) Kick: Offensive Strike (OCV ‑2, DCV +1, 10d6)
(3) Judo Throw: Martial Throw (OCV +0, DCV +1, 6d6+v/5)
5 Weapons Elements: Martial Arts Weapons; Unarmed Combat: +0; Axes, Maces, Picks: +1; Clubs: +1; Pole Arms: +1; Swords: +1; Karate Weapons: +1
8 Years of Experience: +2 DC for Martial Attacks
250+ Disadvantages
25 Hunted: Poltergeist (11‑); Capabilities: More Powerful, 15; Non‑combat Influence: Extensive, +5; Geographical Area: Unlimited, ‑0;
Actions: Hunting, ×1; Punishment: Harsh, 0
15 Hunted: Cataclysm (11‑); Capabilities: As Powerful, 10; Non‑combat Influence: None, +0; Geographical Area: Unlimited, ‑0; Actions:
Hunting, ×1; Punishment: Harsh, 0
15 Hunted: [various old villains] (11‑); Capabilities: As Powerful, 10; Non‑combat Influence: None, +0; Geographical Area: Unlimited, ‑0;
Actions: Hunting, ×1; Punishment: Harsh, 0
25 Psych. Lim.: Code vs. Killing (Very Common, Total)
20 Psych. Lim.: Puts Others First (Very Common, Strong)
15 Psych. Lim.: Code of Honor (Common, Strong)
15 Psych. Lim.: In love with Stardust (Common, Strong)
10 Trying to live up to Mentor's Expectations (Common, Moderate)
10 DNPC: Secretary (Normal, 8‑); Skills: Normal, +0
15 DNPC: Mother (Normal, 11‑); Skills: Normal, +0
5 Enraged: Innocents Threatened (8‑, 14‑, Enraged Only); Circumstances: Common, +10
10 Distinctive Features: Local Hero; Concealability: Easily, 5; Reaction: Always noticed & major reaction, +5
15 Secret Identity
10 Rivalry: Tobias January II; Situation: Professional, 5; Position: Superior, +5; Rival: NPC, +0
15 Reputation: Public Figure (14‑)
10 2d6 Unluck
OCV: 7; DCV: 7; ECV: 7; Mental Def.: 0; Phases: 3, 5, 8, 10, 12
PD/rPD: 30/10; ED/rED: 30/10
COSTS: Char.: 193 Disadv.: 230
Powers: + 284 Base: + 250
Total: = 477 Total: = 480
Gamemaster Notes: Captain Alabama started life as a joke example when I tried to explain something to one of my PCs. Along with Dr. Decapod, another joke example, he seems to have acquired a life of his own.
He is basically a Captain America rip-off, and I freely admit it. He is also an attempt to create a colloquial hero.
Cataclysm, listed in Cap’s hunteds, is a powered armor type who is as twisted as they come. One other named Hunted, The Poltergeist, is the head of crime in the state. He is actually ruthless businessman Tobias January, who is listed as a Rival. Cap is not aware that Poltergeist and January are one and the same (and luckily for Jackson, January doesn’t know he is Captain Alabama), so I list it as two separate disadvantages. You see, January doesn’t think Jackson is worth having killed, whereas Cap definitely is. January will, however, make Jackson’s life miserable. This is based on a mishap when both were attending Auburn University.
Cap has two Universal Talents by Steve Long: Universally Favored and Universally Connected. These are the easiest way to simulate the way the people of Alabama will do anything they can to help “their super-hero” out.
Doctor A------- D----- is a fictional character from a work by another author. The novel in which he appears is at least partially responsible for Champions ever having come into existence.
Anyone who thinks Opossum is a silly name for a character has obviously never seen the teeth on one.
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