Background/History: The Celestial Rangers are a group warriors dedicated to defending the galaxy from threats of all sorts. Recruited from various sentient races across the galaxy, the Rangers defend the vast expanse of space from xenomorphs, Xenovores, the Nibu Gemani, and other strange and malign beings known to dwell in the interstellar darkness. A secretive group, the Celestial Rangers surrender their former identities and and allegiances upon joining, instead working for the greater good of the galaxy as a whole. Thus, they tend to act as a neutral third party, setting disputes impartially between geopolitical bodies if possible, and fighting only if they must, or if a threat is imminent.
Mirjana is one such Ranger. A human, her exact origins are unknown, as is her real name. She apparently is a former member of the Galactic Federation Armed Forces, but otherwise little to nothing is known about her. She operates within the Galactic Federation, especially on the borders of Ack‡lian and Mandaarian space, and has fought against incursions of Ack‡lians, Nibu Gemani, and others space-borne threats.
A loner, like all Rangers, Mirjana has politely declined offers from Defender to join the Champions, as well as similar offers from the Star*Guard, the Federation Defense Fleet, and even the Recruiter (who feels that in the long run she'd be less of a problem to work with than Zadyn). She has been less talkative about who she is (or was), how she joined the Rangers, or who backs them. Rumors give any number of possible (and sometimes improbable) candidates, including: a renegade Malvan (a popular theory in the face of the Ranger's advanced suits of powered armor), the Mandaarians (supported by the fact the Rangers often seek out enclaves of the Nibu Gemani), a separate division of the Star*Guard (which the Star*Guard denies), Defender of the Champions, or even a the Galactic Federation itself, as a form of 31st Century Foreign Legion.
Currently, Mirjana is a well-respected sight along the Federation frontier, less so the deeper into Federation Space she goes -- while the Federation respects the work she's done, they're a touch uncomfortable with her unwillingness to discuss her origins as well as her refusal to swear any sort of allegiance to the Federation itself.
Personality/Motivation: A former member of the Federation Defense Forces, Mirjana takes her duties as a Celestial Ranger just as seriously, if not more so, then she did as an FDF officer. At the same time, her desire to go beyond the restraints of the FDF, to work more independently, yet still support a noble cause, help explain why she agreed to join the Celestial Rangers when given the chance. Those who have worked with Mirjana say she is both businesslike and compassionate, with an eye for detail and planning, coupled with a strong concern for the welfare of the innocent and defenseless. She also has little tolerance for inefficiency and laziness, and can become highly frustrated with bureaucratic paper pushing. In fact, she's most happiest on the battlefield, with obvious enemies in front of her and a clear plan of action.
Quote: "I'll worry about the enemy, you worry about getting the wounded out of here, and see to those fires!"
Powers/Tactics: Like all Rangers, Mirjana wears highly advanced battlesuit into combat. Her's grants increased physical strength, protection against most attacks, a defensive force screen for emergencies, and the ability to fly at speeds well over 1,200 miles per hour. While the suit itself doesn't have any integral weapons systems, Mirjana has armed herself with a phase-blaster -- a tunable energy weapon; and a long-shafted and long-bladed weapon she calls the Star Glaive.
In combat, Mirjana prefers to keep her distance, using the phase-blaster to take down targets. Her choice of settings will depend on the nature of her foe. Ion blasts for common criminals and the like, lasers for Xenovores and Nibu Gemani. If the phase-blaster doesn't seem to be doing the job (or if it runs dry) she will then close and use the Star Glaive, striking with either the shaft of the blade as appropriate.
As the PRE of the Celestial Rangers requires them to be the first in and the last out, Mirjana will always take the lead into the unknown, and will make sure any companions have left the area before retreating in the face of a unstoppable threat.
Appearance: Mirjana's Celestial Ranger armor is a dark metallic gray with a blue and white breastplate, black gauntlets, and silver trim. Over this she wears a white surcoat with a red lining. The Celestial Wings are red, with blue-white inner feathers and pale orange outer feathers. The Star Glaive has a black shaft and blueish blades, while the Phased Blaster is metallic blue with silver fittings. Mirjana herself stands about 5' 8", with a fit physique, and icy blue-white hair that just brushes her shoulders.
Designer's Notes: Allow me to say this -- building a 700-point Galactic Champions character is hard! Well, building this one was, anyway. The main issue was Mirjana's two weapons, both are OAF, and neither has a wide range of slots, so they weren't the massive point sinks most Galactic Champions mulitpowers are. Anyway, I will admit to basing a lot of her armor's powers on Defender 3000's, her disads on the Star*Guard's, and her skills came from a mixture of sources: Dark Champions, Terran Empire, and Star Hero.
Mirjana is meant to be a solo character, so she's just a bit over 700 points. The Celestial Rangers are a more militant version of the Star*Guard, and have no set origin (I certainly don't have one in mind). If you use them, feel free to come up with your own sponsor. They should be used on sparingly, and in may ways should come across like the Rangers from Lord of the Rings; mysterious and a touch frightening. Seeing more than a few together at once is a rare event indeed, and marks the presence of some great threat. Oh, and the "Foreign Legion" comment was deliberate. The Rangers should comprise people from all over the galaxy, including those who are traditional enemies, working together. Their selection process is unknown, but must be a good one, few if any Rangers go rogue and/or decline the offer to join.
In case you're wondering, the picture I used for Mirjana is of a Sisters of Battle minature from the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
(Character sheet created by Michael Surbrook)
Mirjana the Celestial Ranger's Hero Designer File
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