This blog entry picks right up from Superpowered! Supplement for The Quantum Engine rpg & The Pulp Hero The Black Bat!
While Batman captures criminals and the Black Bat might kill if necessary, The Spider waged a total war of extermination against the underworld.
### The Alter Ego: Richard Wentworth
Richard Wentworth is an ultra-wealthy, world-traveling playboy and decorated WWI veteran. Unlike other pulp heroes who are cool and detached, Wentworth is a man of extreme emotions—often portrayed as being on the verge of a nervous breakdown from the sheer weight of the slaughter he carries out to "save" New York.
The Costume and Persona
The Disguise: To distance himself from his high-society life, he wore a slouch hat, a black cape, and a hideous mask consisting of a wild wig, fang-like false teeth, and facial prosthetics. He wanted to look like a literal monster to terrify his superstitious prey.
The Spider’s Seal: He used a specialized ring to stamp a blood-red spider symbol onto the foreheads of his victims (often while they were still dying).
The Scale of Action: The Spider’s stories weren't about simple bank robberies; they involved "Master Villains" who would gassify entire city blocks or release plagues. Wentworth responded with dual-wielding .45 automatics and zero mercy.
### The Spider in Superpowered (Quantum Engine)
In a Superpowered campaign, The Spider is the ultimate "Glass Cannon"—high offense, high intensity, and constantly risking his own sanity.
Power Tier: Street-Level (High Lethality)
Archetype: The Avenger / Gadgeteer
Attributes
Agility: 5 (Incredible acrobatics and speed)
Brawn: 3 (Lean and wiry)
Coordination: 5 (Master of the "Twin .45" hail of lead)
Intellect: 4 (Master of disguise and chemistry)
Awareness: 4 (Battle-hardened instincts)
Willpower: 5 (Unshakeable, fanatical drive)
### Powers & Stunts
The Spider’s "powers" come from his equipment and his sheer, terrifying intensity.
| Ability | Mechanics (Quantum Engine) |
| The Spider's Web | Equipment: A thin, nearly unbreakable silken cord used for swinging through Manhattan or strangling enemies. (Agility + Athletics). |
| Hail of Lead | Combat Stunt: Spend 3 successes to attack every enemy in a "Zone" simultaneously with his dual pistols. |
| Master of Disguise | Utility Power: Can mimic almost anyone with 1d6 minutes of preparation. Enemies must roll Intellect vs. his Coordination to see through it. |
| The Red Seal | Reputation Stunt: Killing a high-level lieutenant and marking them grants The Spider a +2d6 bonus to Intimidate any of that villain's remaining henchmen. |
### The "Spider-Family" (Allies)
Wentworth rarely worked alone, and his allies were as dedicated as he was:
Nita van Sloan: His fiancée and equal. She often donned the Spider costume herself to provide Wentworth with an alibi.
Ram Singh: A fierce Sikh warrior and Wentworth’s most loyal bodyguard, deadly with a tulwar (sword) and throwing knives.
Ronald Jackson: A former soldier who served under Wentworth in the war.
### Comparison: The Spider vs. The Black Bat
In a crossover game using the Quantum Engine, these two would likely clash before they cooperated.
| Feature | The Black Bat | The Spider |
| Vibe | Noir Detective / Stealth | High-Octane Action / Horror |
| Method | Justice and Legal Intel | Urban Warfare and Execution |
| Senses | Supernatural Night-Vision | Peak Human / Intuition |
| Tactics | Uses the Dark to scare | Uses Body Count to scare |
### Plot Hook: "The Crimson Blight"
If you were running a session for The Spider, you’d want a high-stakes scenario:
The Threat: A villain called The Fly has poisoned the city's reservoirs with a chemical that turns citizens into mindless, violent rioters.
The Task: The Spider must fight his way through a city tearing itself apart to reach the villain's zeppelin.
The Moral Choice: Does he stop to save civilians (Willpower check), or does he stay focused on the "Greater Good" of killing the mastermind?
Gemini said
In the world of The Spider, Ram Singh is much more than a "sidekick." He is a fierce Sikh warrior, a veteran of the British Indian Army, and Richard Wentworth’s most lethal and loyal companion. While Wentworth is a whirlwind of gunfire and nervous energy, Ram Singh is the calm, terrifying blade in the dark.
In a Quantum Engine: Superpowered campaign, Ram Singh serves as the ultimate "Protector" or "Infiltrator" archetype.
### Ram Singh (The Lion of the Punjab)
Power Tier: Street-Level (Elite Human) Archetype: The Martial Artist / Specialist
Attributes
Agility: 4 (Fluid, cat-like movement)
Brawn: 4 (Physically imposing and incredibly strong)
Coordination: 5 (Master of the blade and throwing knives)
Intellect: 3 (Tactical mind; speaks multiple languages)
Awareness: 5 (Impossible to surprise; "Danger Sense")
Willpower: 5 (Unbreakable loyalty to Wentworth)
### Powers & Stunts
Ram Singh doesn't have "superpowers" in the traditional sense, but his mastery of traditional combat makes him a nightmare for street thugs and master villains alike.
### Edges & Hindrances
Edge: Unflappable: Ram Singh is immune to "Fear" effects or Intimidation rolls from anyone of a lower Power Tier. He has seen the worst of humanity and does not blink.
Edge: Stealth Master: Despite his size, he can move with +2d6 to Stealth rolls in urban or wilderness environments.
Hindrance: Code of Honor: Ram Singh follows a strict warrior's code. He will not attack a helpless foe unless they pose a direct threat to Wentworth or Nita van Sloan.
Hindrance: Wanted: As a known associate of the "terrorist" known as The Spider, Ram Singh cannot move freely in high-security areas without a disguise.
### Roleplaying Ram Singh
In a Superpowered session, Ram Singh is the "Fixer." While The Spider is busy having a dramatic standoff or monologuing with a villain, Ram Singh is the one silently clearing the room of snipers or disarming the bomb.
His Voice: He often refers to Wentworth as "Master" or "Lallah," but he speaks with the authority of a seasoned soldier. He is often the moral "anchor" when Wentworth begins to lose his grip on sanity.
In Combat: He uses Awareness to spot traps before they spring. In the Quantum Engine, he excels at "Counter-Attacking"—using his high Coordination to turn an enemy's miss into a lethal riposte.
### Scenario Hook: "The Blade and the Web"
The Setup: The Spider has been captured by a cult in Chinatown. They have him strapped to a "Death Engine." The Mission: You play as Ram Singh. You must infiltrate the temple. Quantum Engine Challenge: Use a series of Stealth (Agility) checks to move through the rafters. If spotted, you must use The Tulwar Strike to silence guards before they can raise the alarm.
Pro-Tip: If playing a duo game, one player as The Spider and one as Ram Singh creates a perfect "Hammer and Anvil" dynamic. The Spider creates the chaos (The Hammer), and Ram Singh ensures no one escapes the perimeter (The Anvil).
In the brutal world of The Spider, Nita van Sloan isn't just a love interest—she is the "Spider-Woman" of the pulp era. While Richard Wentworth often spirals into dark, violent obsessions, Nita is his tactical equal, a master of disguise, and a crack shot who frequently saves his life.
In a Quantum Engine: Superpowered campaign, Nita is the ultimate Infiltrator/Support character who can hold her own in a firefight.
### Nita van Sloan (The Red-Haired Goddess of War)
Power Tier: Street-Level (Elite Human)
Archetype: The Infiltrator / Marksman
Attributes
Agility: 4 (Graceful and fast; a skilled dancer and athlete)
Brawn: 2 (Relies on technique over raw power)
Coordination: 5 (Expert with a rifle and small-caliber pistols)
Intellect: 5 (The "Brains" of many operations; brilliant strategist)
Awareness: 4 (Keen social intuition and sharp eyes)
Willpower: 5 (The only person capable of standing up to Wentworth’s madness)
### Powers & Stunts
Nita’s "powers" are her versatility. She is often the one who does the heavy lifting in investigations while Wentworth is busy being a vigilante.
| Ability | Mechanics (Quantum Engine) |
| The Proxy Spider | Special Power: Nita can don the Spider costume perfectly. Spend 1 success to grant Wentworth an "Alibi"—enemies believe they saw the Spider elsewhere. |
| Precision Shot | Combat Stunt: Spend 2 successes to "Disarm" or "Pin" a target rather than killing them, using her Coordination + Firearms. |
| Social Chameleon | Utility Power: Nita gains +2d6 to any roll involving Deception or Persuasion when interacting with High Society or Underworld figures. |
| First Aid / Field Medic | Technical Stunt: In a world of high lethality, Nita can use Intellect to stabilize a dying ally (like Wentworth or Ram Singh) in 1 round. |
### Edges & Hindrances
Edge: Wealth & Status: As a socialite, Nita has access to restricted areas, high-level galas, and expensive equipment that the "wanted" Spider cannot reach.
Edge: Iron Will: Nita is resistant to any "Mind Control" or "Hypnosis" powers (common in pulp villains) due to her mental fortitude.
Hindrance: The "Damsel" Trap: Villains frequently target Nita to get to Wentworth. If she is captured, Wentworth often suffers a penalty to all rolls due to his reckless rage.
Hindrance: Wanted (Secret): While she has a public face, the police suspect she is "The Spider's Woman." She is frequently under surveillance.
### Playing Nita in a Session
Nita is for the player who likes to play the "Long Game." While Ram Singh is the sword and The Spider is the gun, Nita is the plan.
The "Double Life": In a typical session, Nita might spend the first half of the game undercover as a lounge singer or a wealthy donor to plant a bug or steal a ledger.
Tactical Support: In combat, she doesn't rush in. She finds high ground. Using her Coordination 5, she provides "Covering Fire," which in the Quantum Engine can be used to add dice to her allies' defense pools.
The Emotional Anchor: She is often the one rolling Willpower vs. Willpower to talk Richard Wentworth down from a lethal ledge or a mental break.
The "Spider-Family" Synergy
If you have a full party, the synergy is perfect for a Superpowered team:
Nita gathers the intel and sets the stage (Intellect/Social).
Ram Singh secures the perimeter and handles the "heavy" thugs (Brawn/Melee).
The Spider strikes the heart of the operation in a whirlwind of lead (Agility/Gunplay).
### Scenario Hook: "The Gilded Cage"
The Setup: A corrupt Governor is holding a charity ball, but he’s actually working with a Master Villain to release a toxin into the city's air vents.
Nita's Role: She attends the ball as herself. She must use her Social Chameleon edge to get the Governor’s keycard and find the gas release valve.
The Twist: If she fails a roll and is discovered, she has to fight her way out using a hidden "Derringer" pistol before the boys (Wentworth and Ram Singh) crash through the skylights.
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