Camelot and Catgirl

[Avenger Assembled]

Nekomusume

 

Neko was born in 1929 in the Iya Valley on the Japanese island of Shikoku. Even today the Iya Valley is remote, tucked away beneath sheer mountain slopes on either side, and in 1929 it was even more so. Neko's family had come to the region sixty years earlier in their grandfather's time, when their forebears realized that the new Meiji government would be hostile to their way of life. For Neko's family were the children of nekomata and bakeneko, cats imbued with fantastic supernatural powers, and carried that magic in their very veins! She learned some of that ancestral magic as a small girl, how to change her form and other fantastic abilities, and lived the relatively simple life of a peasant girl, carefully adopting human mannerisms and appearance when the government inspectors came by to study the local school. Though she heard about things like Japan's righteous war to liberate the oppressed people of China, their bold attack against the forces of the Americans in December of 1941, and their war against the wicked foreign foe, it didn't really mean anything to her. 

 

Until June of 1944, when American bombs began falling on Japan in large quantities thanks to Operation Matterhorn. Though civilian casualties were few compared to what would come later, she would learn much later that this had been a terrible insult to the Black Dragon Society, proof that their magics were not so great and powerful after all, but what it meant for her was that a small delegation of the Crimson Katana's elite troops arrived in her home village and announced that they were recruiting volunteers to defend Nippon against the hated enemies who had brought death to their shores. Neko looked around, saw older siblings and cousins debating what to do, and stepped forward with a cat's boldness. "I volunteer!" 

 

And so, at fifteen, she was taken away for training. She remembers the look in her parents's eyes still. "Bootcamp" was not easy but she was quick and clever enough to pass her trials, and the sheer gaping size of nearby Nagasaki was terrifying enough that she slept in her bed every night despite her fears of the Crimson Katana and his magic. She knew better than to risk his wrath, and she knew full well what they might do to her home village if she did flee. 

In late summer of 1944, having passed her trials, she was sent away to war, specifically to Burma, where the recent failure of Operation U-Go meant that Japanese forces were now on the defensive. It was supposed to be a minor, even inconsequential posting for the youngest piece on the Crimson Katana's shogi board, the latter being focused entirely on his American rivals. Until the Allies attacked in December of that year, and she found herself in the midst of her first battle. It was terrible. Any hopes she might have had that her fellow Japanese really were righteous defenders of justice faded when she saw what they did to those they captured, and any hopes she might have had that her enemies were really friends faded when she saw what they did to the Japanese. 

 

She might have fallen into grief and faked her own death, or something even more drastic, had she not met Kid Gawain, attached with his master to the British forces in Burma. Gawain was an enemy and so they fought, but they realized quickly how displaced they both were. Burma was as far from Camelot as it was from the Iya Valley, and Kid Gawain's dreams of knightly honor had faded before the reality of 20th century war. They began meeting occasionally, having the kinds of conversations that neither of them could have with any of the adults in their lives - and then came the mission in February 1945. A powerful American cryonic weapon had been stolen by a Japanese agent who had himself been killed in a bombing run. 

 

In a cave near Mandalay, the Crimson Katana (who had himself arrived to supervise the evacuation of Green Dragon assets from Burma), the Green Knight, Kid Gawain, and Nekomusume fought to the last. The Green Knight's ax and magical healing powers proved stronger than the Katana's blade, and the Katana (who never really believed in bushido, as convenient as it was) fled after triggering the cryonic device while ordering Nekomusume to cover his retreat. Thinking of her village, she stood between the knights and the way out; only to be pinned under a rock when bombs struck the roof of the cave mouth.

 

She remembers Gawain and the Green Knight shouting at each other, namae o age rarenai uragiri, then Kid Gawain kneeling at her side in prayer, hensai dekinai shakkin, then a terrible feeling of cold - and then she remembers nothing for a long time. 

Until today. 

 

 

[Avenger Assembled]

PL: 8 (120)

 

Abilities: 6 + 4 + 5 + 0 + 10 + 2 = 28PP
STR 16 (+3) 

DEX 14 (+2) 

CON 16 (+3)  

INT 10 (+0) 

WIS 20 (+5) 

CHA 12 (+1) 

 

Combat: 8 + 8 =16PP 
Init: +2

ATK: +4 (+8 Melee, +10 Sword) 

DEF: +8 (+4 Dodge, +2 Flat-Footed) 

Init: +2

 

Saves: 3 + 4 + 3 = 10PP 
TOU +8/+3 (+3 Con, +5 Armor) 

FORT +6 (+3 Con, +3) 

REF +6 (+2 Dex, +4) 

WILL +8 (+5 Wis, +3) 

 

Skills: 60R=15PP 

Diplomacy 9 (+10)  

Handle Animal 4 (+5) 

Knowledge (Arcane Lore) 8 (+8) 

Knowledge (Theology and Philosophy) 8 (+8) 

Languages 2 (English, Latin, Base: Welsh) 

Notice 5 (+10) 

Ride 3 (+5) 

Sense Motive 8 (+13)  

Stealth 8 (+10) 

Survival 1 (+6) 

 

Feats: 14PP 

Attack Focus (Melee) 4 

Attack Specialization (Sword) 1

Dodge Focus 4 

Equipment 1 

Evasion

Ritualist 

Skill Mastery (Notice, Ride, Sense Motive, Survival)  

Ultimate Save (Will) 

 

Equipment 1 

Sword (Damage 3, PFs: Improved Crit, Mighty) 

 

Powers: 2 + 27 + 5 + 3 = 37PP 

Comprehend 2 (animals, Flaw: Limited [canines]) [2PP] 

 

Enchanter Magic 12 (24PP, PF: Alternate Powers 3) [27PP] 
BE: Concealment 10 (all senses, Extra: Affects Others, Flaw: Phantasms, PFs: Close Range, Selective) {22/24} 
AP: Comprehend 2 (animals, Buys Off Flaw, Adds Affects Other Extra) {4} + Mind Control 8 (Extra: Instant Command, Flaw: Limited (Animals) {20/24} 
AP: Raven Form 12 (24PP Container) {24/24}
Drawbacks 4 (no hands) {-4}

Enhanced Feats 2 (Elusive Target, Evasion [to Evasion 2]) {2}

Flight 2 (25 mph / 250 feet per Move action) {2}

Morph 6 (to Raven, +30 Disguise; PFs: Cover Scent, Precise) {8}

Shrinking 8 (Tiny; -8 Str, -2 Toughness, +2 Combat, -8 Grapple, +8 Stealth, -4 intimidate) {8}

Super-Senses 7 (accurate for all hearing [4]; danger sense [auditory], ultra-hearing, uncanny dodger[auditory]) {7}

{[-4]+2+2+8+8+7 = 23/24}

AP: Wolf Form 12 (24pp Container) {24/24}

Drawbacks 4 (no hands) {-4}

Enhanced Feats 5 (Improved Throw, Improved Trip, Move-by Action, Takedown Attack 2) {5}

Enhanced Strength 6 (to 22/+6) {6}

Morph 6 (to Wolf, +30 Disguise; PFs: Cover Scent, Precise) {8}

Speed 1 (10 mph / 100 feet per Move action) {1}

Strike 2 (claws & fangs; PF: Mighty) {3}

Super-Senses 4 (scent [acute for olfactory; enhancement: tracking 2], ultra-hearing) {1}

{[-4]+5+6+8+1+3+4=23/19}

 

Protection 5 (magic armor) [5PP] 

 

Super-Senses 3 (Detect Magic 3 [visual]) [3PP] 

costs
abilities 28 + combat 16 + saves 10 + skills 15/60 + feats 14 + powers 37 = 120 pts
 

[Avenger Assembled]

PL: 8 (120)

 

Abilities: 0 + 8 + 8 + 0 + 4 + 8 = 28PP
STR 10 (+0) 
DEX 18 (+4) 
CON 18 (+4) 
INT 10 (+0) 
WIS 14 (+2) 
CHA 18 (+4) 

 

Combat: 8 + 8 = 16PP
Init: +8
ATK: +4 (+8 w/Focused Totality) 
DEF: +12 (+8 Dodge Focus, +2 flat-footed) 
Grapple: +4

 

Saves: 3 + 2 + 4 = 9PP
TOU +4  (+4 Con) 
FORT +6 (+4 Con, +2) 
REF +7 (+4 Dex, +3) 
WILL +6 (+2 Wis, +4) 

 

Skills: 52R=13PP 
Acrobatics 1 (+5) 
Bluff 8 (+12) 
Climb 2 (+2) 

Concentration 4 (+6) 
Knowledge (Arcane Lore) 5 (+5) 

Intimidate 8 (+12) 
Handle Animal 1 (+5) 
Languages 1 (English, Base: Japanese) 
Notice 6 (+8) 
Sense Motive 6 (+8) 
Sleight of Hand 1 (+5) 
Stealth 8 (+12) 
Survival 1 (+3) 

 

Feats: 17PP
Challenge (Fast Taunt)
Dodge Focus 8 
Fascinate 2 (Bluff, Intimidate) 
Elusive Target
Evasion
Improved Initiative
Ritualist
Second Chance (Concentration checks) 
Taunt

 

Powers: 2 + 27 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 4 = 37PP 

Comprehend 2 (animals, Flaw: Limited [felines]) [2PP] 

 

Yokai Array 12 (24PP, PFs: Alternate Powers 3) [27PP] 
BE: Illusion 8 (visual and auditory) (Flaw: Phantasm, PFs: Progression 8 [1000 ft radius]) {24/24}
AP: ESP 4 (cats; Auditory + Olfactory + Visual Senses, 1 mile, DC 24 Notice; Extra: No Conduit; Feats: Fast Task 4 [Full Action to search 1-mile-diameter area]) {24/24}
AP: Damage 8 ('focused totality of power', Extra: Alternate Save [Will], PFs: Accurate 2, Affects Insubstantial 2, Improved Crit 2, Subtle [appears to be summoned weapon]) {23/24} 
AP: Obscure 6 (summoned storm of illusions; auditory and visual; 250 ft, Extras: Independent [+0], Selective) {24/24}

 

Leaping 1 (x2) [1PP] 

 

Speed 1 (10MPH/100FPM) [1PP]

 

Super-Movement 1 (Slow Fall) [2PP]

 

Super-Senses 4 (Acute Scent, Danger Sense [Mental], Low-Light Vision, Uncanny Dodge [Mental]) [4PP]

 

costs
abilities 28 + combat 16 + saves 9 + skills 13/52 + feats 15 + powers 37 = 120 pts
 

 

 

[Avenger Assembled]

Midnight I's edited file for Nekomata, aka Cat Devil, based on contemporary US intelligence reports, with Travis Hunter's handwritten notes included: 

 

It's in an old manila folder with a few black and white images of a girl with cat ears and black sailor fuku posing with other Japanese super-soldiers. 

 

Powerful witch in service of the Japanese Empire, member of Yamata no Orochi. The youngest member - mascot? Good luck charm? Human despite animal features.

Personal companion of the Crimson Katana - possible lover/daughter?   Praises him in public appearances + propaganda films but is obviously terrified in close proximity. Why the school uniform? 

Summons monsters - Japanese cat-devils - to attack Allied forces in East Asia Accompanies IJA forces in field but no reports of direct attacks. Summoned creatures do not show up on film. Illusionist? Not deployed to Home Islands. Seen as unreliable? Insufficiently powerful? 

 

And then underneath, in pen rather than pencil. 

MIA since end of Burma campaign. Just a little girl. 

 

 

 

[Avenger Assembled]

In the summer of 1943, a great green knight and his trusty young squire rode out of the deep chasm of Lud's Church and declared themselves to be The Green Knight and Kid Gawain, here to defend the kingdom of Logres from the Saxon hordes. This was not an atypical scene in Great Britain during the Second World War, and the two found themselves working closely with Britain's native superheroes against the Ubersoldaten. But relations proved rocky. The Green Knight was as much trickster as warrior, testing his allies as much as his opponents, and was honestly an irritating person to fight alongside even if you managed to win his approval. So it was that when the chance came to send the Knight and squire off to battle overseas, a command from the King (suggested by Lady Celtic, both of them having sworn an oath of obedience to King George) helped encouraged Lord Bertilak and Owain (as they were known outside of their armor) to go to the Pacific and fight. 

It was all a grand adventure for Owain. Young, strong, and a hard worker, he had grown up the only son of an isolated lord on the edge of the kingdom, eager for the day when he would be old enough to join Arthur and his warband at their new great fortress at Camelot. He knew the blood of the Otherworld lay within him (what people would much later call the fae) and he used it, becoming a student of the enchantments taught by the great Menw fab Teirgwaedd. To be a knight-enchanter was a fine thing, and not condemned by the Church as long as he used this magic for good and noble causes. But as Owain got older, he began to lament that things were not what they once were. The days of Arthur and his warband riding into battle against dragons and giants seemed to lie in the distant past; a hard thing for a young boy who dreamed of adventure. He was fifteen when word came that a great and holy quest had been given to the knights of Camelot, a chance to battle in the Otherworld against a new and terrible form of Saxon, Owain used his magic to slip away from his family's home and join the great competition. 

 

After passing tests of mind and spirit, Owain was made a squire to Lord Bertilak, the Green Knight, himself a mighty warrior of both magic and brawn, and the two traveled together to a version of Logres some fifteen hundred years in the future. It was strange, it was wonderful, and he loved every minute of it. He did not give himself the name of Kid Gawain, but some medievalist writer of the news did, and he took to it like a duck to water - after all, Gawain had been the first knight of Arthur's court to visit his father's territory and tell him of the place. But like any young man he craved action and so was delighted when he and his master were sent abroad to battle against the forces of the Japanese Empire. 

 

But it was awful. Modern warfare was not particularly honorable or particularly glorious; it was raw murder. He saw things done and even did a few not fit for war, his master's bloody use of his ax on the unarmored bodies of their foes striking fear into his squire along with his enemies. He took to slipping away from the battlefield in the guise of an animal to perch in a tree or drink from a river, and sometimes considered staying that way and running far, far away. Until he met the Cat Devil, the wicked witch who had so often bedeviled their forces in this green hell of heat and wet - and found her to be just a small girl with a cat's ears and bobbed tail, bent over a lake to drink just as he was. They fought a few times, but then realized how much they had in common. 

 

When the boulder fell on Neko during the last struggle in the cave, Kid Gawain dropped his sword and did his best to move the rock. "Help me!" he begged the Green Knight in the medieval Welsh they spoke together "We can save her!" 

 

"We took an oath, boy! An oath to battle the enemies of the King! You're thinking with your loins; this is another one of her tricks! Follow me!" And then Bertilak pursued the Katana over the sound of Kid Gawain's last desperate plea. As the ice bomb ticked away in the collapsing cave, Kid Gawain planted his sword in the sand by Neko and prayed to Christ Jesus for a miracle. And perhaps he got one, as he'll be happy to tell you in this second bright new world. But the memory of that last moment in the cave stays with him still, a secret that down through the years only he and Neko know. 

 

The last thing he called after Lord Bertilak was "Father! Please!" 

 

The Green Knight has not been seen since the end of World War II. 

[Avenger Assembled]

Physical Description: 

 

Neko is petite, even for a Japanese girl born during the Great Depression, and needs thick-soled shoes to top five feet. Her hair is white with brown patches, matching the color of the soft fur on the large triangular ears that stick up over her head and the curling brown and white tail that comes out of the base of her spine. Other than those features she's quite human, at least if you ignore the yellow eyes and pointed incisors. (She usually uses her powers to hide these features from onlookers, though of course she can't fool recording devices.) 

 

Gawain is tall and rangy, his black hair in a long pageboy cut that fit in perfectly back home but is perhaps a trifle long for a young man of 2021. His eyes are green and quick and his frame has the build of the big, muscular guy he's going to finish growing into once he's a little older. He was honestly a little big for a literate type who might have been a priest in his own era, but he fits in pretty well among the jocks of Claremont.