Beowulf (Canon)

Status
 Weight

**Beowulf** (JP: ベオウルフ) is a wrestler who retired at the height of his professional wrestling career, defeating the seemingly unstoppable Grendel, as well as his frenzied Gigan mom when she nearly ate the audience after her son’s defeat. Years later Beowulf had become restless, wondering if that was his limit. He announced his plans to fight once again. What he didn’t mention was that it wouldn’t be in the ring, since there’s no telling where his greatest opponent will show up.

## General Information

Beowulf was the twenty second possible DLC character to be revealed in the Indiegogo campaign, at $440,000. He won the final character vote, and was the 5th DLC character confirmed. He was the first character implemented into the game with stage-specific VO introductions.

Beowulf's weight class is the mid-lower end of cruiserweight, the level just below heavyweight. His non-arbitrary wrestling record was 32:0 before retirement, meaning he is currently undefeated.

He was briefly mentioned in Peacock's story, where Andy Anvil notes that he was coming out of retirement.

Cerebella is noted as being a huge fan of him. In the official Steam Trading Card artwork of Beowulf, Cerebella is seen eagerly getting his autograph.

### Personality

Beowulf is a hot-blooded wrestler who enjoys the spotlight he received from wrestling. Even after his downfall following the defeat of Grendel and the slaying of his mother, he is unwilling to give up his career and wants to please his fans. However, he is not really known for thinking things through as he was focusing on the career and receiving advice from his shady "manager" Zane instead of seeing the main problem at hand. Despite his bumbling tendencies, he is a good person and a capable fighter who legitmately cares for his fans and other people. This is proven when he told the crowd later in his story mode that his match with Grendel was fixed after finding out and promising them he will defeat the Skullgirl Marie.

## Backstory

Known world-wide for felling the Gigan warrior Grendel and for his illustrious career in the ring, Beowulf had secured himself a spot in the history books as a champion. But a mediocre acting career after leaving the ring tarnished his legacy. Now, as the Canopy Kingdom faces a new threat, Beowulf enters the ring once more, determined to relive the glory, and in doing so stumbles upon the truth about his past... Will Beowulf be able to overcome this new threat to the city and his legacy? Or is this his final taste of the spotlight?

## Character Basis

### Origin

Beowulf is named after the protagonist of the Old English epic poem with the same name, who also kills a troll-like creature called Grendel along with Grendel's mother.

Hrunting was the sword of the mythological hero, and is referenced in *Skullgirls* with the "Hurting", an ordinary (but durable) chair used by Beowulf.

## Story

Having sunk into a life of excess, Beowulf yearns to reestablish his image as a hero among the people after his wresting career had hit rock bottom following the end of the Grand War. Once regarded as a legend among the Canopy Kingdom for having slayed two members of the then feared Gigan race in the ringside during the turbulent Grand War; the warrior Grendel and his mother, he had garnered the adoration of the nation and a slew countless fans as the man who had defeated the unstoppable. As the threat of the war waned however, the patriotic spirit that drove Beowulf’s popularity ultimately crashed; many deeming his cameos in other televised media ending his career on a low note.

Following a breaking news report regarding supposed Skullgirl sightings, Beowulf is attacked by Grendel’s severed arm - a reliable weapon in Beowulf’s arsenal and a keepsake of the battle they had fought in. Deeming it possessed, he takes the arm to the Grand Cathedral and asks for Double's assistance, not realizing that she isn’t an ordinary Nun. Going by the alias ‘Sister Agatha’, Double informs Beowulf that the dead are under the Skullgirl’s control and restores the arm by preventing the Skullheart's influence. Not wanting the Skullgirl to take away what he
regards as a trophy from his heyday, he decides to take it upon himself to defeat the Skullgirl and reclaim his fame.

Returning to the ring and eager to prove himself to his fans, he challenges Cerebella, a fan anxious to assist in his wrestling comeback, to a match. Emerging victorious, he consults the advice of his old mentor, Zane MacDougal. Promising his career is back in business, he crafts a plan to get Beowulf's popularity back on the radar in preparation for his fight with the Skullgirl. Discerning that the populace is in a state of terror due to the Skullgirl causing the
emergence of suspicious individuals taking advantage of the situation in
 her wake, Zane assures Beowulf he will set up cameras to film his
escapades, with his triumphs against the offenders being on the behalf
of the people.

Beowulf enters Little Innsmouth and targets Painwheel (who had been labeled as apart of the 'freakshow'), prompting the cameraman to begin filming despite the citizens confusion as to what he
was referring to. Having bested her, he passes by Valentine in the Streets of New Meridian, who had been looking for Painwheel for testing purposes. Deciding to test Beowulf herself, she ultimately loses and alludes to his surprising skill in wielding Grendel's arm; but scoffed at the idea of him besting the giant, pressing that he had simply posed for the crowds having not known the scale of the battlefield and the strength they possessed unlike herself.

Back at the NMO Arena, Beowulf reunites with Annie, not recognizing her as the same person from when he cameoed in her TV show 'Glorious Annie : Symphony of Star Stuff' during his dwindling television career. She warns Beowulf that he had been set up to fight those people, and to not to be "fooled again". Despite her continued protests, Beowulf remains oblivious to the matter, dismissing Annie as a different actress to the one he worked with on the show.

Stopping by Zane's office the next day, Beowulf expresses his concerns over the criticisms he'd received previously from Valentine and
 Annie. Zane, putting him at ease by saying this is what his fans would've wanted, proceeds with his next task of taking down Big Band at the River King Casino, again personally requesting the "camera girl"
 to begin filming, despite her bewildered reaction. Upon his defeat, Big Band leaves believing there match was used as a distraction as so 'they' could target Dr. Avian and Lab 8. Realizing things aren't as they seem, Beowulf heads back to Zane's office for answers.

Zane told him not to sweat the detail as he plan another match
for him against a opponent that he swear will be bigger then his fight against Grendel. When Beowulf next appeared in the ring he was confronted by a doppelganger of himself who revealed to Beowulf that Grendel was drugged during there legendary match. At a loss for words on his part, Beowulf's double continued to berate him on the fact that the match was rigged both by the kingdoms ruling class and the criminal underworld in their first ever joint operation to show the Gigans could
be beaten.

At first underrated by this revelation Beowulf soon became distraught at having heard the truth. Deriding this fact the doppelganger demanded Beowulf to hang up his char and apologize to the audience as he left in disgrace, but the original was adamant in his philosophy of all disputes being settled in the ring before then, Having
 won his bout against his twisted mirror image said aforementioned
Gemini promised Beowulf he'd regret this turn of events. But Beowulf
already admitted to a great many regrets in his lifetime mostly between
him and Grendel before telling him off and right out of his ring;
stating he the fake had no say in the matter.

Having come to acknowledge the truth in his pretenders words, he
went on to say he never realized it until now. Feeling guilty over his
ignorance of such a scandal the former champion promises to both his
fans and his fallen adversary; Grendel. That he will personally take
down the skullgirl himself as a means of redemption in their' and his
own eyes, the crowds cheering him on even more at the declaration. When
he returned to his managers office, Zane was less than pleased to hear
what he had heard Beowulf shout in the ring.

A still hyped Beowulf remained adamant in his desire to take on
the Skullgirl for New Meridian, but Zane was less than unimpressed and a
 bit annoyed that his pet dog had slipped his leash after setting up all
 those fights against the odd characters he had pit him against. Now
hearing that he intended to challenge the skullgirl in combat Zane
quickly dropped all of his pleasantry's stating that Beowulf's fate had
now been sealed. A bewildered Beowulf wonders what his sponsor was
talking about asking what had gotten into him, having grown tired of
this frivolity Double soon sheds her Zane disguise proclaiming it was
time to put him down.

Proclaiming the oddity he was witnessing was mad, double soon entrapped Beowulf and swallows him whole. Trapping him in Gehenna;
 her innermost being along with a host of other fighters who were bested
 by him in the former's big comeback bouts she had set up as Zane,
taking note of this he asks just who double really is. The formless
beast simply resumes the shape of the nun he met back at the Grand
Cathedral wondering if he remembered her or her words, stating these
others were simply fools who stood in the path of her ultimate plans for
 the skullgirl and since he chose to oppose her Beowulf too would share
their fate.

Having bested the demonic shapeshifter Beowulf wonders if the
inside the abominations hellish pit was also her too. Stating he could
easily beat it all to a pulp as he did his jailer if he had too but was
evidently grossed out by the concept of his fleshy prison; Double
retorts he should grow accustomed to it saying he can never leave but
Beowulf goes on saying he's still got his trusty chair called the
Hurting: which its called for a reason. His annoyed gaoler clarifies he
should use it for its intended purpose as she could easily make his stay
 in hell much less likable.

Soon however Annie comes rushing in on a wave of starstuff
cutting free all of the prisoners that Double had consumed including
Beowulf. Exiting a vein leading out of Gehenna and into the Skullgirls
cryptic keep beneath the Cathedral, as he was being chewed out by his
rescuer Beowulf wondered if the skullgirl was just up ahead like she was
 claimed to be. Annie knew straight away what he was thinking and tried
to dissuade him from taking such a foolish action thinking him unable to
 defeat her. But he was determined to rectify his past mistakes
to Grendel and to the citizens of Meridian city claiming he screwed up
due to loving the spotlight as a hero then with nobody acknowledging him
 as one now.

Going on to say that he had a duty if not responsibility to do so
 and make things right after promising to everyone he knew or inspired
he would now that he had the only chance to do it. Realizing he wold not
 listen to reason Annie conceded to his foolhardy design not caring
anymore or less if he died doing it saying she tried to stop him.
Soon Grendel's arm began reacting to the presence of the skullgirl
influencing it Beowulf simply followed it all the way up to his final
encounter, There he would meet his ultimate challenge.
Bloody Marie was perplexed by the meeting with Beowulf as he
noted his intention to fight with the arm of a Gigan corpse. Beowulf
simply retorts that both were already dead and reintroducing them to
each other in this odd unlife seemed appropriate. As the Skullgirl
slights the challenger for his exploitation of Grendel both in the past
and present tense and on the basis of own gain no less, the latter nods
on the fact that he realizes they're battle was fixed and is looking to
seek restitution for him; his partner upon the horrible truth he had
found to enable his rest in peace. Irked by the notion that the glory
hound before her was out for his own hollow sentimentality she promised
him there would be no easy relief for him but instead a burial once she
was done with him

### Ending

After having been crippled by the warrior before her, Marie soon used
 her power over the dead to reanimate Grendel’s remains again only this
time putting both herself as the Skull Heart
 and the soul of the deceased remains against him. Stuck in the bind he
was in Beowulf assumed the worst had come to pass after he was pinned
under the arm he used to weaponize, that was until Double resurfaced as
another ravenous maw of eyes and teeth setting its jaws on him.
Consigned to meet his end Beowulf sullenly admits he brought this
nightmarish tag-team on himself as he faces the dragons jaws.

Suddenly, Annie Comes rushing in on her galaxy Cutter rescuing
him from the demons clutching jaws, as the galaxy maiden has a one on
one confrontation with the creature of hell; whom promises this will be
her last, the former hero of the canopy kingdom has a momentary heart to
 heart with his mix-matched recreational rival. As he laments over how
life had treated Grendel with the respect of a filthy dishcloth while he
 got shoved into the hero role for kicking the dog in the first place.

An eerie presence soon reacted to the wayward wrestler urging him
 to cast aside all regrets and fight as they should: like true Warriors.
 As Grendel attacked the former countered his adversary and bested him
once again using the very same move he employed to secure his arm during
 their very first match proving Beowulf would have won even without help
 in the first place.

Soon moving towards the Skull Heart after Annie instructed him
too. Beowulf lands the devastating finisher shattering the evil relic
with The Hurting all in his fallen rivals name meanwhile Annie lands the
 end blow to Double with the evil metamorph promising to meet her again
just before its own demise. After putting Grendel's remains to rest
bidding his worthy adversary a final farewell, Annie admits while the is
 over for now the war continually rages onward due to the ever appearing
 Skullgirl ending on the note that it never ends no matter how long
she's been around.

Beowulf finally comes to terms that she is the same Annie whose
show he had cameoed on, she jokes that agelessness is her deal. She goes
 onto say that all those tales that spun out from her show are actual
events and fables she had experienced throughout her incredibly long
life of adventure and battle. Myths which are and were all cataloged by
someone or another over the generations that had come and gone based on
her own life-story. Admitting it kinda weird to play herself in her own
show to which Beowulf admits he can relate too, she professed a new
found respect for the guy.

Whom while being a bit of an idiot still had a good heart beneath
 it all noting him on an old friend she new who helped her once when she
 needed it most in the past, soon coming to an epiphany of her
own. Beowulf exclaims his joy at her compliments but soon loses his
train of thought as he wonders what she's talking about. Annie soon
offers Beowulf a new spot on her show, seeing as it was more popular
than it had ever been since and so was she plus the fact that whatever
she wanted she got. Naturally the superstar was hesitant as he thought
it meant resuming his role as the bad wolf man again.
She clarifies he'd be a protagonist on TV this time stating the
guy had earned it despite not being cut from the same cloth as
her, calling him a schmuck but still proving his worth after helping her
 take the fight to the seed of their problem. Debuting on air as the new
 and improved heroic partner to the girl of the stars Beowulf proclaims
that with his strength and her green hair the two were an unbeatable
combo, she halfheartedly agrees as denizens of lab 8 watch their show

## Abilities and Fighting Style

Beowulf is a character who uses his immense strength and wrestling
skills to fight his opponents. His weapons of choice are his endurable
chair The Hurting and Grendel's gigantic arm. Some of his attacks depend
 on whether he has his chair or not; if not, then he will use Grendel's
arm instead. He attacks with chops, stomps, charges, and other
hard-hitting kicks . Another element of his fighting style is his
collection of throws and finishers that can be comparable to a character
 of the Beat'em Up game genre. Whenever he has an opponent in his grasp,
 he can attack with a headbutt, his knee, or various damaging slams in
the air or on the ground. When Beowulf throws his chair around the
stage, he must wait a few seconds before the chair is light and he can
be able to pick up again. If he slams his opponent onto his chair, he
deals a bit of extra damage and regains the possession of it.

The Hype mechanic is another important factor for Beowulf where
the levels (Max level is 3) are represented by pyrotechnics and the
stream of confetti. There are several ways of increasing the level:
performing a taunt, an opponent is slammed onto his chair, dropping the
mic several times with S.MP or holding S.LP. The number of actions he
can perform depend on the super being used and the level he is currently
 on. When he is at max level and his opponent has a certain amount of
health, he can pin the opponent down after performing a body splash
during Wulfmania or Alpha Maul and the referee will make his appearance
to count to three, dealing additional damage and knocking the opponent
out (or the last remaining member in the case of teams).

### Gameplay Inspiration

* Tizoc *(Garou:Mark of the Wolves)*
* Rainbow Mika *(Street Fighter Alpha 3)*
* "Macho Man" Randy Savage *(WWE/WCW)*
* The Ultimate Warrior *(WWE/WCW)*
* King *(Tekken series)*
* El Fuerte *(Street Fighter IV)*
* Captain America *(Marvel comics)* *(pre-Marvel vs. Capcom 3 version)*
* Not Kanji Tatsumi *(Persona 4:Arena)*