BLACK ROD
Written by by John Helmer
Art design by Mike Shutz
Name: Edward Forster.
History of the Black Rod: The legacy of the Black Rod traces back centuries, perhaps even a millennium. Its roots are intertwined in a strong male lineage and the knowledge and power are transferred genetically. When a male carrying the rod dies, the rod is aware of its embedded code and will not release its powers until a genetically coded relative places his palm upon the black polished staff. The new owner will receive all memories, knowledge, and experiences of the previous owners, although most of this information is intrinsic and difficult to retrieve. Interruption to genetic transfer of ownership can occur if there is a broken link which would then convey the rod to the nearest male.
The origins of the ceremonial figure are connected with British politics, yet today, this is a minor factor for the character. What is left of his public duty is the responsibility to knock on the doors of the House of Commons with the ceremonial rod at the start of parliament to summon its members to meet with the House of Lords for the State Opening of Parliament and the Throne speech. He also opens the meetings for the Order of the Garter. Its ceremonial meanings are to knock sense into the minds of the legislators, while its international significance is to knock down those who would threaten the British Empire.
At one time, before the English and Scottish parliaments were united by the Acts of the Union in 1707, there existed a White Rod. After the union of the houses, this office was abolished. The White Rod then returned to Scottland and has since vanished from history.
Powers: The Black Rod can teleport from one point to another irregardless of distance. The two points, embarkation and destination, must be within a line of sight. The Black Rod has increased strength and stamina when holding the ancient rod which makes him a formidable hand-to-hand combatant. If the owner dies and the code cannot connect to a genetic relative, it teleports back to its glass case in the House of Commons. The new owner receives a vague message in his head to travel to London and claim what is his. The prime minister, aware of this process, lets the confused young man in and allows him to grasp the rod. With a firm touch, the entire history, knowledge, and experiences of the previous owners are downloaded into deep corners of the new owner’s mind.
Description: He wears a sleek, all black spandex suit, tightly fitted to his body. On his chest is a large golden lion. His face above his nose is covered with a black mask containing white eye holes. Special traction boots are also worn because when the Black Rod teleports, he is unaware of the new surface he will be landing on. The boots are black with gold trim and lace. He carries the six foot Black Rod from the House of Commons in the British parliament. At its apex is a solid gold lion head.
History of the Rod’s Owners: The ownership of the precious rod is steeped in mystery with very little, if any, public awareness. The Crown’s Champion, as he is called in the papers, has a very private persona and, as the public is aware, is one person who seems to live on forever, just as the monarchy does. Below is the list held in 10 Downing Street. It is incomplete due to changing governments and various wars throughout the centuries.
Malcolm Pritchard
1455-1467. Fought in the War of the Roses and was killed during the siege of Harlech castle.
Conrad Barrington
1492-1508. Primarily the king’s champion.
Terrance Hawkins
1598-1622. Assisted with the Union of the Crowns. Hawkins was betrayed by Scottish agents and murdered.
Walter Grahame
1642-1651. Major military leader during the English civil Wars. Grahame was impaled during the Parliamentary victory at the Battle of Worcester on 3 September 1651.
Peter Ware
1655-1672. Served under the House of Stewart and helped keep the kingdom peaceful.
Michael Randall
1774-1789. Fought during the American Civil War, his dedication to the crown led to several victories by British troops.
Nicholas Greer
1882-1904. Served as the dominion representative for Australia, Canada, and New Zealand as they aquired "Dominion" status in the commonwealth.
Raymond Bryant
1901-1913. Peacetime advocate for the prime minister.
Anthony Childs
1914-1918. Fought during the Great War. Childs died in combat on the last day of the war.
Donald Newberry
1918-1936. Peacetime Blackrod, mainly used as a propaganda piece.
Edward Forster
1937-1940. Current owner.
The origins of the ceremonial figure are connected with British politics, yet today, this is a minor factor for the character. What is left of his public duty is the responsibility to knock on the doors of the House of Commons with the ceremonial rod at the start of parliament to summon its members to meet with the House of Lords for the State Opening of Parliament and the Throne speech. He also opens the meetings for the Order of the Garter. Its ceremonial meanings are to knock sense into the minds of the legislators, while its international significance is to knock down those who would threaten the British Empire.
At one time, before the English and Scottish parliaments were united by the Acts of the Union in 1707, there existed a White Rod. After the union of the houses, this office was abolished. The White Rod then returned to Scottland and has since vanished from history.
Powers: The Black Rod can teleport from one point to another irregardless of distance. The two points, embarkation and destination, must be within a line of sight. The Black Rod has increased strength and stamina when holding the ancient rod which makes him a formidable hand-to-hand combatant. If the owner dies and the code cannot connect to a genetic relative, it teleports back to its glass case in the House of Commons. The new owner receives a vague message in his head to travel to London and claim what is his. The prime minister, aware of this process, lets the confused young man in and allows him to grasp the rod. With a firm touch, the entire history, knowledge, and experiences of the previous owners are downloaded into deep corners of the new owner’s mind.
Description: He wears a sleek, all black spandex suit, tightly fitted to his body. On his chest is a large golden lion. His face above his nose is covered with a black mask containing white eye holes. Special traction boots are also worn because when the Black Rod teleports, he is unaware of the new surface he will be landing on. The boots are black with gold trim and lace. He carries the six foot Black Rod from the House of Commons in the British parliament. At its apex is a solid gold lion head.
History of the Rod’s Owners: The ownership of the precious rod is steeped in mystery with very little, if any, public awareness. The Crown’s Champion, as he is called in the papers, has a very private persona and, as the public is aware, is one person who seems to live on forever, just as the monarchy does. Below is the list held in 10 Downing Street. It is incomplete due to changing governments and various wars throughout the centuries.
Malcolm Pritchard
1455-1467. Fought in the War of the Roses and was killed during the siege of Harlech castle.
Conrad Barrington
1492-1508. Primarily the king’s champion.
Terrance Hawkins
1598-1622. Assisted with the Union of the Crowns. Hawkins was betrayed by Scottish agents and murdered.
Walter Grahame
1642-1651. Major military leader during the English civil Wars. Grahame was impaled during the Parliamentary victory at the Battle of Worcester on 3 September 1651.
Peter Ware
1655-1672. Served under the House of Stewart and helped keep the kingdom peaceful.
Michael Randall
1774-1789. Fought during the American Civil War, his dedication to the crown led to several victories by British troops.
Nicholas Greer
1882-1904. Served as the dominion representative for Australia, Canada, and New Zealand as they aquired "Dominion" status in the commonwealth.
Raymond Bryant
1901-1913. Peacetime advocate for the prime minister.
Anthony Childs
1914-1918. Fought during the Great War. Childs died in combat on the last day of the war.
Donald Newberry
1918-1936. Peacetime Blackrod, mainly used as a propaganda piece.
Edward Forster
1937-1940. Current owner.
