Post by HoM on Nov 10, 2018 17:00:12 GMT -5
Who are the Black Royals?
Valentina Vostok, aka Black Queen
From the ashes of the KGB came the metahuman policing agency known as the KT (Krasnaya Ten, which translates to 'Red Shadow'), and for over a decade Vostok was their greatest agent and later, director. Parlaying her experience into a seat at the world’s table, Vostok is a ruthless director and knows too well the human cost of superhumanity running rampant…
Naif Al-Sheikh, aka Black King
Naif Al-Sheikh was one of Saudi Arabia’s greatest intelligence operatives, famous for his hatred of the superhuman community—and that was before the murder of his wife and children at the hands of super-powered assassin! In the aftermath, he became a recluse while still able to keep his fingers on the pulse of the international intelligence community, and it was his hard line reputation that led to his recruitment into the role of Black King of Checkmate!
Josephine Tautin (Mademoiselle Marie), aka Black Queen’s Bishop
One of the most decorated operatives the DGSE has ever seen, Tautin earned the coveted title of ‘Mademoiselle Marie’ due to her exemplary record in the defence of France’s interests. She now extends her responsibilities to the rest of the world under the auspices of Checkmate, while acting as her Black Queen’s trusted confidante and the executor of her will.
Serafina Arkadin (Firebird) aka Black Queen’s Rook
One of Russian’s most promising young heroes, Serafina was recruited by Vostok after the Black Queen saw her in action above the skies of Moscow. While she’s not the cutthroat operative like the others around her in the Black court, her psionic abilities allow her to glean the truth from her commanding officer’s enemies, and has been instrumental in keeping Vostok safe time and time again since joining Checkmate.
Vera Black (Sister Superior) aka Black King’s Rook
Tragically losing both her arms at a young age could have meant that Vera Black gave up life, but instead she found meaning—tapping into a range of psionic abilities allowed her to become an elite assassin with a set of deadly artificial arms housing state of the art weaponry, but that wasn’t the life for her… instead, she retired young and became Naif Al-Sheikh’s personal bodyguard, then later when he joined Checkmate, his Rook!
Mark Shaw (fka Manhunter, fka Privateer) aka Black King’s Bishop
After being framed for the murder of his fiancée, Mark Shaw was trained by the Manhunter cult to become a living weapon, and it’s all been down hill from there. Bouncing from assignment to assignment before being spat out by Task Force X, Mark was taken on by the United Nations as a freelancer. It was in that capacity that he met Naif Al-Sheikh, who saw promise and opportunity in Shaw, and thus recruited him as his Bishop!