Publicity photo of Karl Focht, aka Rampage. Taken in the early 1980s.
Identity: Rampage
Real name: Karl Focht
Group: unaffiliated
Origen of Powers: chemical enhancement (induced mutation)
Citizenship: Dual citizenship: citizen of Germany, and naturalized US citizen
Occupation: chemist/biochemist, consultant
Appearance: Tall and muscular, Focht is an intimidating individual. What draws more attention than his physique however, is his presence: despite looking to be in his early twenties Focht carries himself with the confidence and mannerisms of someone much older.
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 365 lbs.
Hair color: light brown
Eye color: blue
Age: 104 as of 2022 (born in 1918)
Fighting: IN (36)
Agility: RM (26)
Strength: RM (32)
Endurance: AM (46)*
Reason: EX (18)
Intuition: IN (36)
Psyche: EX (18)
Health: 140
Karma: 72
Resources: PR(3)
Popularity: SH(0) (unknown to the public, especially everyone under the age of 40)
* Induced mutation: +1CS Endurance
Powers:
Enhanced Physiology: Focht developed a formula that essentially turbocharged his metabolism. Mutagenic in nature, it is related to the Super Soldier Serum originally developed by Dr. Erskine and made famous by Steve Rogers. Every system of his body now operates at superhuman levels of efficiency; Hank McCoy (aka Beast of the X-men) has speculated that Focht may be a form of missing link. The formula modifies the subject by activating the latent abilities in the DNA. In the case of Focht he now possesses several traits that are very similar to Asgardians and Eternals, thus Focht's DNA may prove the connection of those two races to humanity.
Body Resistance EX (22): Focht's flesh and bones are three times denser and harder than normal humans, making him far tougher (and heavier) than normal.
Reduced aging EX (20): The basis for Hank McCoy's theory about a common origin among species, the cellular aging process has slowed down almost completely. Focht only ages at a rate 200 times slower than normal. Although he looks to be no older than his early twenties he has already passed the century mark.
Invulnerability: Emotion, Mental Attacks (CL1000): As expected, Focht's formula vastly increased the efficiency of his cognitive processes. However, it also somehow channeled this increase in mental horsepower into very specific paths. His mental processes are now alien to psychics and telepaths, to the point of being unreadable. This is why Focht is rather mistrusted among the X-Men: Emma Frost is deeply suspicious of anyone she cannot read. Charles Xavier has stated publicy at least once that he concurs with Frost on this issue.
Momentum UN (90): Another aspect of the oddity in which the formula enhanced his mental processes, Focht can now generate a psychokinetic force that he channels through his own body. The practical result is that when he desires he can drastically increase his own inertia,becoming nearly unstoppable. Focht can crash through nearly any barrier, even force fields. Although this does not provide any increase in speed- he still moves at normal speeds- in game terms Focht can substitue this power rank instead of strength for penetrating barriers (even force fields), opponents trying to restrain him or restrict/halt his movement, or use in place of endurance for determining charging attacks.
Skywalk TY(5): Focht can also use this generated psychokinetic energy to actually leave the ground, moving as if still on solid ground. He can run through the air at Typical speed (6 areas/ turn), but pay close attention to the limitation below.
Waterwalking TY(5): Focht can also use this generated psychokinetic energy to move across the surface of water at Typical speed ( 3 areas/turn) with the same limitation as skywalking.
Limitation: Both skywalking and waterwalking only work when Focht is in movement. If he stops moving the power is immediately negated and he immediately falls/ splashes into the water. While not necessary to move at full speed the entire time, Focht must move at least one area per turn (in any direction) to keep the power functioning.
Talents:
Chemistry, Biochemistry: Focht has several decades of experience in the fields of chemistry and biochemistry and is considered an authority on mutagenic compounds. In fact, he runs a consultancy which generates more work than he ever had as a superhero.
Martial Arts B,C,E, Wrestling, Acrobatics: Even as a youth He was an amateur boxer and wrestler in school. Since then he has expanded his skills to include other styles of combat. In fact, Focht is one of the few individuals that can face Steve Rogers on a more or less even footing. And they frequently have friendly sparring sessions, with each one coming out on top half of the time.
Language: English. Focht's native language is Bavarian German, but he has been using American English for so long that he has lost his accent. Those who don't know him frequently assume him to be american.
Contacts:
Steve Rodgers (Cptn America) The two have been friends now for decades. Like many, Focht was shaken by Rogers' death but his subsequent return has in some ways brought him closer to the superhero community. While Focht is well known to the Avengers, there is considerable friction between him and Tony Stark (despite the fact that Stark Enterprises frequently hires Focht to consult on various projects) and T'Challa (who just never hit it off with the proud, old-fashioned german). As mentioned elsewhere, He is also well known to the X-Men but not particularly well-regarded.
Background:
A man out of time, Karl Focht came of age in the aftermath of the Weimar Republic. Born into a relatively prosperous family, he recieved a comprehensive education and became a chemist. In the leadup to the Second World War, he was part of the team that worked for Drs. Abraham Erskine and Eric Schmitt in Project Nietzsche. Unfortunately, Dr. Erskine would defect to the US, and Dr. Schmitt would be sent to a concentration camp. Focht, not being a member of the National Socialist party, was uncerimoniously fired from his post as chemist. Returning to his native Bavaria he opened a small drugstore and proceeded to live a quiet life for the next couple of decades. Later he would frequently say that they were the happiest years of his life.
In the early 1960s Focht was approached by agents of the US government with an offer to emigrate to the United States in order to work on the revived super solidier project. Working with Dr. Noah Burstein, Focht developed the formula for enhancement. Using himself as a test subject, the middle-aged Focht was transformed into a model of youthful vigor and power. Unfortunately, the serum was mutagenic in nature, with results varying considerably depending on the subject. As a result, research continued since the US government considered Focht's formula to be too unreliable in outcome. Ultimately, he left the project when Dr. Burstein decided to continue his work at Seagate Prison. Settling in the Tenessee River Vally, Focht split his professional life between his budding superhero career and consulting work in chemistry and biochemistry for the government and large corporations.
Some time later the next turning point in his life when he was contracted by the nascent Avengers as part of the team that freed Steve Rogers from cryogenic suspension. The two struck up an immediate friendship through the common bond of the memory of Dr. Erskine. They have remained friends ever since, and conversation frequently turns to the old times. On more than one occasion Rogers has enlisted Focht's help when operating outside of the traditional Avengers channels, particularly during Rogers' stint as Nomad, and as part of the Secret Avengers during the Civil War. His role in that conflict was limited and consisted mainly of fighting off government attempts to capture and arrest him. The tragedy of Rogers' assassination affected Focht deeply. He was present at the private ceremony that returned his body to the ice, and like many swore to avenge his friend's death.
Since then, Focht has concentrated his efforts mainly on his consultancy and assumes his superhero role less and less. He has never been too worried about this, and is generally content with his situation. The creation of an alternate, fascist Steve Rogers put a worrying strain on their friendship until the real Rogers returned and vindicated himself. Events since then may yet draw Focht back into the role of superhero, as recently ocurred with the invasion of the forces of the Dark Council.
Personality:
Born and raised in another time in a different land, Focht frequently finds himself out of place among younger heroes. He is all about Old World manners and charm. He is unfailingly polite with allies- or at least professionally courteous- and always a gentleman around women. However, when working, whether in the lab or as a superhero he is focused and determined. Never one to shy away from a fight, Focht is direct and tenacious in battle. Even so, in lighter moments he is prone to reminisce about "The good old days" and how he would love nothing more than to return to his village drugstore in the Bavarian countryside. He tends to live modestly, his main hobby outside of superhero work being a love of brewing craft beer in his basement. The low resource score is more a reflection of a modest lifestyle and that nearly all of his resources are tied up in his consultancy work.
Photo of Rampage, taken recently
This was created using the points based system "With great power..." for 500CP. Hoping for some feedback, let those comments fly!