Val CHA Cost Roll Notes 23 STR 13 14- Lift 606.3 kg; 4 1/2d6 HTH Damage [5] 17 DEX 21 12- OCV: 6/DCV: 6 17 CON 14 12- 13 BODY 6 12- 18 INT 8 13- PER Roll 16- 18 EGO 16 13- ECV: 6 15 PRE 5 12- PRE Attack: 3d6 10 COM 0 11- 10 PD 5 Total: 10 PD (0 rPD) 6 ED 3 Total: 6 ED (0 rED) 4 SPD 13 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12 10 REC 4 34 END 0 34 STUN 0 Total Characteristics Cost: 108 Movement: Running: 6"/12" Leaping: 4"/8" Swimming: 2"/4" Cost Powers & Skills Martial Arts: Ju-jitsu Maneuver OCV DCV Damage 4 Block +2 +2 Block, Abort 4 Disarm -1 +1 Disarm; 33 STR to Disarm 4 Escape +0 +0 38 STR vs. Grabs 3 Flying Mare +0 +1 4 1/2d6 +v/5, Target Falls 3 Joint Lock -1 -1 Grab Two Limbs, 33 STR for holding on 3 Sacrifice Throw +2 +1 4 1/2d6 Strike; You Fall, Target Falls 4 Strike +0 +2 6 1/2d6 Strike 4 Stunning Chop -1 +1 2d6 NND 27 Kata: Energy Blast 6d6, Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4), No Normal Defense (DEF hard neck armor or no need to breathe; +1); OAF (Scarf; -1), No Range (-1/2), END 3 20 Electropressure: Major Transform 3d6 (Human into Handicapped Human, Normal healing), Improved Target Group (Any handicap explainable by nerve disruption; +1/4); Limited Power (Heal per hour, not per day; -1), Limited Target ([Limited]; Human; -1/2), IIF (Radioactive salt; -1/4), END 6 3 Flashlight: Sight Group Images 1" radius; OAF (flashlight; -1), Only To Create Light (-1), No Range (-1/2), END 1 1 Slow Breathing: Life Support (Extended Breathing: 1 END per Turn) 2 Himalayan Mountain Training: Life Support (Safe in Intense Cold) 2 "The Effects Of Radioactive Salt Protect Me From Harmful Rays": Life Support (Safe in High Radiation); IIF (Radioactive Salt; -1/4) 15 Magga: Luck 3d6 2 Kata: Stretching 1", Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (7 Active Points); OAF (Scarf; -1), Limited Power (for kata only; -1/2), No Noncombat Stretching (-1/4) 9 Unbelievably Developed Senses: +3 PER with all Sense Groups 10 Unbelievably Developed Senses: Discriminatory with Smell/Taste Group Perks 2 Dr. James Pali, Buddhist Priest: Deep Cover Notes: Multiple driver's licenses and other paperwork 5 Tsarong, Tibetan manservant: Follower (25 base points) 10 Gary Brown, henchman: Follower (50 base points) 1 Fringe Benefit: Right to Marry: Can perform the marriage ceremony 1 Fringe Benefit: Right Of Shelter 5 Money: Well Off 6 Reputation: Effective Crimefighter, to everyone in New York (A large group) 11-, +3/+3d6 5 Penthouse Lab Base: Vehicles & Bases 3 Well-Connected 4 1) Contact: NYPD Lieutenant John Caraway (Civilian ID only) (Contact has access to major institutions, Contact has very useful Skills or resources, Contact limited by identity, Good relationship with Contact) 11- 2 2) Contact: Reting Rimpoche, King Regent of Tibet (limited to Tibet) (Contact has very useful Skills or resources, Contact limited by identity, Good relationship with Contact) 8- 1 3) Contact: Richard Foster, writer (civilian ID only) (Contact limited by identity) 12- Skills 3 Breakfall 12- 3 Climbing 12- 3 Combat Piloting 12- 5 Concealment 14- 3 Contortionist 12- 3 Cryptography 13- 3 Deduction 13- 5 Disguise 14- 3 Mimicry 13- 3 Paramedics 13- 2 PS: Corporate Management 11- 5 Stealth 13- 1 TF: Small Motorized Ground Vehicles, Small Planes 3 Linguist 0 1) Language: English (idiomatic) 2 2) Language: French (completely fluent) 2 3) Language: Hindustani (completely fluent) 2 4) Language: Pali (completely fluent) 2 5) Language: Sanskrit (completely fluent) 2 6) Language: Tibetan (completely fluent) 3 Scholar 2 1) KS: Buddhist Sutras 12- 2 2) KS: Ju-jitsu 12- 2 3) KS: Oriental Religions 12- 4 4) KS: Tibetan Buddhism 14- 3 Scientist 2 1) SS: "Oriental" Medicine 12- 5 2) SS: Anatomy 15- 3 3) SS: Chemistry 13- 3 4) SS: Radiology 13- 2 5) SS: Western Medicine 12- 251 Total Powers & Skills Cost 359 Total Character Cost 75+ Disadvantages 5 Distinctive Features: Radioactive, detectable by touch or Radio groups (Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Uncommonly-Used Senses) 10 Hunted: Underworld 14- (Less Pow, NCI, Watching) 20 Psychological Limitation: Code Vs. Killing (Common, Total) 15 Social Limitation: Secret Identity: Jethro Dumont, reclusive millionaire (Frequently, Major) 234 Experience 359 Total Disadvantage Points
Background/History: Jethro Dumont was a brilliant young man, son of a corporate giant. Thanks to his indulgent father, Jethro was able to pursue a number of interesting hobbies before getting his PhD in Oriental religions at Harvard. While Jethro was adequate at managing the companies he inherited, the corporate world bored him, and the young man took an extended tour of Asia. While there, he took an intense interest in Tibetan Buddhism, eventually qualifying as a lama. Wanting to spread the message of peace, Jethro wound through India, and from there set sail for America.
But as he landed in New York, events took a tragic turn. Moments after disembarking, Jethro witnessed a gangland shooting, a drive-by that also killed innocent children. Despite Mr. Dumont's extremely detailed description of the killers, the police were "unable" to find them. Some time later, Jethro was visiting police headquarters, and was shocked to see one of the killers friendly with the police commissioner. Shortly thereafter, realizing that corruption in the police department prevented the cops from being fully effective against criminals, Jethro took on the identity of the Green Lama, sworn enemy of the underworld.
Personality/Motivation: Mr. Dumont is a peaceable man by nature, who wishes to spread the Buddhist message of peace and good will. Unfortunately, the world is a violent and corrupt place, which requires strong correction. When possible, the Green Lama encourages others to follow the path of righteousness, though he understands that humans are prone to moral frailty. He has few friends, but is extremely loyal to them.
Quote: "Om! Ma-ni pad-me hum!" (The jewel is in the lotus)
Powers/Tactics: Jethro Dumont is a "Renaissance man," skilled in many areas. He studied disguise and mimicry in France, contortionism with a professional escape artist, the use of the garrote with an Indian thugee, and jujitsu from an unknown teacher. He is adept in both "Western" and "Oriental" sciences and of course is fully versed in Buddhist theology. Oh, and he has "wiry muscles that could perform feats far more astounding than any of those of professional strong men."
The Green Lama's most astounding power is a combination of modern scientific wizardry and ancient Asian healing skills. By ingesting radioactive table salt, the Green Lama makes himself radioactive, able to discharge small doses of electricity from his body at will. Combining this with his expert knowledge of the human nervous system, the Green Lama can temporarily cause a victim to lose various body functions. (Effects seen include limb paralysis, blindness, loss of balance and inability to speak coherently.) He often uses this as an aid to interrogation. [Gamespeak: I treat the radioactive salt as a "Focus" as each charge only lasts an unspecified number of hours, and if you take away the salt, Green Lama can't recharge. But while charged, he can use the power as often as he wants barring fatigue.]
When not charged, the Green Lama's primary weapon is a red silk scarf called a "kata" with weighted ends he uses as a garrote.
The Green Lama prefers to operate under cover of night, using stealth and careful investigation to avoid unnecessary violence. His preferred method of attack, once violence becomes necessary, if from behind, avoiding guns and knives. If facing an armed opponent, Green Lama always acts to disarm them first. With his disproportionate strength, it's easy for him to pin most opponents and render them unconscious.
Campaign Use: The Green Lama is a high-end pulp hero, easily able to mop the floor with ordinary thugs. He'd be a good "go-to" man for mysteries involving Tibet, Buddhism, or radioactivity.
He would not, however, be able to hang with full-fledged superheroes, as he lacks ranged attacks, movement powers, and most especially resistant defenses. If you want to have Green Lama in a Golden Age supers campaign, heighten his electrical abilities to cover these deficiencies, perhaps giving him a Dependence on radioactive salt, and an appropriate Vulnerability. (There is some evidence that the comic book version of Green Lama could fly.)
With his uncanny abilities, Green Lama could easily be alive even in the Twenty-First Century, although somewhat aged. Or you could revise his background entirely, and make the Lama a valiant defender of the cause of Tibetan independence.
The Green Lama would not hunt player characters unless they are known criminals currently engaged in wrongdoing.
Radio Version
The version of the Green Lama written up here is taken from his first Double Detective story. In the radio version, Jethro Dumont had a Public Identity as the Green Lama, and no sign of his electropressure skills. Instead, he could summon short bursts of superhuman strength and speed by intoning the words, "Om mani padme hum! The Green Lama strikes for justice!"
Important People
"Magga": A Pali word meaning "the way", or "the path", it is probably not this mystery woman's real name. She also refers to herself as "the Lady from Lhasa", but speaks American English flawlessly. Even the Green Lama knows nothing of her origins; she just popped up and started helping him out one day. Magga is a mistress of disguise able to fool even the Green Lama himself, an expert driver, and has an uncanny ability to know what Green Lama and his allies are up to. But she is capable of being rendered unconscious, and does not engage in physical combat. [Gamespeak: I've defined Magga as Luck; whenever the Green Lama is at a dead-end clue wise, or in a fix he can't get out of alone, Magga will somehow interfere to move things along.]
Richard Foster: An old college chum of Abner's he uses the Green Lama's case files to write the stories. He suspects that Abner and the Green Lama are one and the same, despite denials. But he's quick to point out that Abner and the Green Lama have been seen at the same time, even though the Green Lama was awfully far away at that point.
Reting Rimpoche: A real historical figure, King Regent of Tibet. A year or two after the story was set, he had to resign due to an inability to fulfill the celibacy requirement. After that... well, look it up for yourself.
Lieutenant John Caraway: One of the most honest and skilled police officers in New York City. He met Abner Dumont when the millionaire was attempting to track down the dockside killers. While Caraay chafes under the corruption of his superiors, he doesn't fully trust the Green Lama, either.
Tsarong: Abner Dumont's manservant, a short Tibetan. In addition to the usual services, Tsarong keeps a filing system of useful newspaper clippings, and dispenses wise Buddhist proverbs. He may also dress up as the Green Lama when Abner needs an alibi.
Gary Brown: Little is known of Gary's past, except that he graduated college (course of study not specified), then fell among evil company, eventually becoming a numbers runner for notorious gangster Harlem Joe. He objected to some odious task that Harlem Joe assigned, and was about to be "rubbed out" when the Green Lama saved him. In gratitude, Gary became the Lama's henchman. Gary is a well-built young Caucasian male (this was back when white gangsters could still operate in Harlem) with a great shock of black hair. His handsome face is marred by a broken nose, earned in a fight. Gary does not have Code vs. Killing, and carries a pistol, but will not shoot to kill if the Green Lama is present. The underworld is not fully cognizant that Gary has switched sides, allowing him to get information from the criminal element.
Appearance: Jethro Dumont is probably in his late thirties, but looks younger. He has a tanned, ascetic face with blue-gray eyes that have a piercing look. Around the house, he wears the yellow robes of a Buddhist lama; but outside blends in by wearing dark business suits.
As Dr. James Pali, he has a fuller, ruddy face, a touch of gray hair at the temples (Jethro has been released from the need to shave his head), and arched eyebrows. He wears clerical garb similar to an Anglican priest's, but in shades of green, and with the symbol of "Om" embroidered on the clerical collar.
To become the Green Lama, he adds a dark green hooded robe with a yellow lining, a red "kata" scarf, and a ring woven from hair of the six sacred colors. While the hood and darkness obscure his face, the Green Lama knows that he may be recognized as Dr. Pali. Since Dr. Pali is not a real person (despite having driver's licenses for all forty-eight states), he's not too worried about this. When "charged", the Green Lama is radioactive, setting off Geiger counters, and being slightly "staticy" to the touch.
(Green Lama created by Richard Foster for the April 1940 issue of Double Detective, character sheet created by Scott Jamison)