Gustave Pernot, ”Inferno”

Player: Tommy Sääf

Nature: Rebel

Nationality: French

Strength (brutish) 5, brawl 2

Dexterity 3, athletics 1, martial arts (multiple opponents) 3, melee 3, stealth 1

Stamina 3, endurance 3, resistance 3

Perception 3, awareness (spot ambush) 2

Intelligence 2, computer 2, intrusion 1, linguistics 1

Wits 1

Appearance 3, intimidation (implied threat) 3, style 1

Manipulation 3, subterfuge 2, streetwise 2

Charisma 2

Backgrounds: Allies 1, contacts 1, node 4, resources 1, attunement 1

Merits: code of honour (10 commandments)

Willpower: 5

Taint: 5

Aberrations: Bad temper, coloured skin (orange)

Quantum 3

Megastrength 2 (quantum leap, irresistible force), megastamina 2 (resiliency)

Immolate (fire, aggravated) 3, luck 3, invulnerability heat 2, body modification (extra health) 1

Gustave grew up in the suburbs of Paris as the only child of a single working mother. As adolescent he joined the skinheads, participating in beatings and racist rallies. He was not particularly ideological about it, rather preferring the fellowship and protection than actually believing in any cause. During a football riot he ended up surrounded by police and severely beaten; this triggered his devastating eruption as flames flowed out from his body to engulf all his attacker. He fled from the scene, soon hunted by ENA and the nova directorate of the DST.

Later developments: After erupting and a drawn out trial, he was given a lengthy community service sentence, causing a serious political debate about whether it was too lenient or too harsh. The DST was doing what it could to bring him in or at least keep him out of trouble, producing a subtle tug-o-war with Dr Oliver Struck who also took the young man under his wing. After an incident in London where Gustave lost his temper he underwent a religious conversion, becoming a Lutheran in an attempt to control his lethal outbursts. Since then he began to develop into a more adult person, participating in several ENA operations with creativity and discipline. As his powers developed his skin began to turn fiery orange like his fire, something very ironic given his past views on skin colour.

Powers: Gustave is extremely strong and resilient, and can jump long distances (usually causing plenty of damage to the things he lands on). He can project a sphere of flames around him up to 30 meters away, and with further training he could increase its temperature until it melted metal and rock. He is himself largely unaffected by the heat. He also demonstrated an uncanny luck ("ability to select profitable future branches" as Dr Operov suggested), at least when it came to avoiding damage and being in the right place at the right time.