Characteristic

Cost

END

Cost

24

5

Cost

21

3

0

3

3

2

3

3

2

3

20

8

15

20

20

20

10

15

Morkin began life in eastern Croatia, which was then known as Yugoslavia and formed part of a communist state. She was the daughter of an accountant and found herself becoming more and more responsible for his everyday living as his body began to deteriorate with Parkinson's Disease. Her mother was kept busy looking after Morkin's three younger sisters. Her duties dealing with her father ignited an interest in finance and after he died she was able to attend university in Zagreb where she studied economics.

During university she was involved in a number of protests, initially as an innocent bystander, but after the violent retribution against the students, she became more and more active in the protest group. Her defensive powers became apparent when she and a group of other protesters came under attack by police forces. Her rainbow-hued shields protected the group but thrust them into the media spotlight. The Yugoslav government moved swiftly to capture Morkin, but after spending a week in custody she was met by delegates from the Vatican. Her powers had drawn attention from the Catholic Church which had recently established its Sanctity team of uberhumans.

It was 1983 and Morkin was taken out of Yugoslavia and sheltered in the Vatican. As Specula, Morkin worked tirelessly across the globe with Sanctity, but her heart was never in the spectacular effects and grandstanding she saw in some of the other members of the team. She wanted to help people but often found herself appearing in devastated regions of the world, only to leave again within several days when another disaster called. She wanted to remain in the areas and help rebuild.

With this in mind, Morkin approached the team's advisers and proposed a new direction for Sanctity. With Specula at the helm Sanctity created a sub-team which would be deployed for long-term assignments. Morkin was surprised that her idea was taken on board and equally surprised to be given the leadership position. Nonetheless she took on the responsibility with her usual hardworking approach. Her first assignment was in Kurdistan, assisting the local Kurds recover from attacks originating in Iraq and later, Turkey. This assignment lasted nine months.

And then she was sent to Krk Island.

Yugoslavia had collapsed and Croatia had independence, but the island of Krk, in the fledgling country's north-west, was suffering the side effects of rapid urban expansion with little regulation. The island was mostly covered by sprawling urban centres, the edges of which were little more than slums. The poverty-stricken refugees from the wars in the former Yugoslav areas had travelled to Krk in the hope of attaining illegal passports and travel documents. Krk had also attracted crime syndicates from Italy and Albania, among other places.

The government of Croatia had bigger problems to face so Krk was left to its own, exploding devices. Crime rates soared and still the poor travelled there in the misguided hope of securing a new life someplace far away.

Sanctity sent Morkin and her small team to help establish a medical outpost and assist with more secure housing for the poor. The Sanctity team were opposed by the local criminals and the heroes were forced to defend themselves using their uberhuman powers. Spectacular battles ensued across the haunted skyline of Krk, and after seven weeks the Vatican recalled the team. Sanctity was not supposed to be an assault force, they said. When Krk was more secure they would return.

Morkin knew that the criminals she saw every day would not change. In fact she saw a darker future where crime would become more entrenched. While her team prepared to leave, Morkin made the decision to remain in Krk. She resigned from Sanctity and established herself in one of the slum areas, known as Brodarkinje.

It is here that she continues to support the poor and dispossessed, while maintaining neutrality in the battles between criminals and law enforcement agents. While she is still called upon to use her powers as Specula, it is her care for the poor which has made her a well-renowned superhero.

She is often aided by her 'partner', Ruzica Ljelje: a young mystic transformed into a small monkey by a powerful band of sorcerers who were travelling through Krk Island. While Morkin doesn't spend a great deal of time considering the world of magic, she has relied on Ruzica's advice and expertise on more than one occasion, and through their friendship Morkin has come to appreciate the ups and downs of the world. Ruzica, on the other hand, still often feels angry and embarrassed by her current form. Krk Island is a dangerous place, but Morkin and Ruzica offer a little safety and light to counter the darkness.

Specula is able to generate a rainbow-hued 'mirror force' which can deflect most attacks. It is a form of telekinesis but is limited to producing a shield-like field. Specula has become quite adept at utilising this force and is able to redirect attacks, such as bullets or even energy beams, so that she can use an enemy's attacks to bring him down. She is also able to extend her field to protect others and focus the field as an attack, knocking opponents down.

Her greatest talent, however, is her empathy and goal to help those who need assistance without taking sides. Her neutrality has garnered respect from some of Krk's more influential crime lords, although the Croatian government remains suspicious as to her 'true motives'.

Morkin Zdencje is in her forties and has silver-grey hair cut in a stylish bob. Her eyes are kind and blue and her face remains mostly unlined from her aging, although she has distinctive smile-lines around her mouth. While she did once wear a superhero costume as Specula (which included a silver body suit and rainbow-styled glasses/mask), Morkin now wears regular clothing and shudders to think of her younger, more fashion-disaster days.