Roma

• Core Identity: Roma is the Omniversal Guardian, the majestic and manipulative daughter of the arch-mage Merlyn, and the founder of the interdimensional Captain Britain Corps, tasked with safeguarding the infinite realities of the Marvel Multiverse from her seat of power in Otherworld.
• Key Takeaways:
• Guardian of All Reality: As the Omniversal Majestrix, Roma's primary role is to monitor and protect the structural integrity of the entire Multiverse. Her perspective is cosmic, often viewing entire universes as pieces on a grand chessboard, making her actions seem callous or inscrutable to mortals. Her base of operations is the Starlight Citadel in Otherworld.
• Founder of the Corps: Roma created and for decades commanded the Captain Britain Corps, a legion of mystically empowered champions drawn from countless alternate Earths. She personally selected Brian Braddock (Captain Britain) of Earth-616 to be the prime template for this force, guiding and testing him to become the Multiverse's greatest hero.
• The Manipulator's Daughter: Roma's greatest defining relationship is with her father, the powerful and tyrannical sorcerer Merlyn. She inherited his vast magical power and penchant for long-term strategic manipulation, but ultimately broke from his control to pursue a more balanced, albeit still morally ambiguous, guardianship of existence.
• No MCU Presence: Roma has not yet appeared or been mentioned in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Her role as an overseer of the multiverse is conceptually similar to figures like The Watcher or He Who Remains, but she operates from a magical, fae-centric dimension rather than a scientific one.

Roma first appeared, unnamed, as the “Lady of the Northern Skies” in Captain Britain Weekly #1 (October 1976), a comic published exclusively for the British market by Marvel UK. She was co-created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Herb Trimpe. In these early appearances, she and her father, Merlyn, served as the mystical benefactors who granted Brian Braddock his powers, fulfilling a classic “mentor” archetype in the hero's journey. Her character was significantly expanded upon when Alan Moore and Alan Davis took over the Captain Britain title. It was during their seminal “Jaspers' Warp” storyline that her true scale and purpose were revealed. She was established as the guardian of the Multiverse, presiding over the Captain Britain Corps from the Starlight Citadel. Her personality shifted from a purely benevolent guide to a far more complex and calculating figure, capable of sacrificing entire universes for the greater good. Later, Chris Claremont would bring Roma and Captain Britain into the mainstream American comics by making them central to the formation of the superhero team Excalibur. In Excalibur (1988), Roma was the architect who brought the former X-Men (Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, Rachel Summers) together with Captain Britain and Meggan. Throughout this series, her character was further explored as a master manipulator who, despite her cosmic responsibilities, held a genuine, if paternalistic, affection for her chosen champions. Her supposed death in the Die by the Sword miniseries (1996) and subsequent revelations about her faking it to outwit her father solidified her as one of Marvel's most powerful and unpredictable cosmic players.

Roma is the daughter of Merlyn, a being of immense magical power who claims to be the historical Merlin of Arthurian legend, but whose origins are far more ancient and cosmic. Born in the mystical, extra-dimensional realm known as Otherworld—a nexus point and metaphysical hub connecting all realities—Roma was raised to share her father's perspective on the Omniverse. She views time and space not as a linear progression, but as a vast, interconnected tapestry. Initially, she served as her father's loyal apprentice and agent. It was in this capacity that she first encountered the university student Brian Braddock. Following her father's design, Roma orchestrated the events that led to Brian nearly dying in a motorcycle accident. Appearing before him in a vision, she offered him a choice between the Amulet of Right and the Sword of Might. When Brian chose the Amulet, demonstrating his preference for justice and mercy over violence, she and Merlyn deemed him worthy and transformed him into the champion of Great Britain: Captain Britain. For years, Roma continued to act as Brian's guide, testing his heroism against mystical threats and agents of chaos. Her most significant act was the formal establishment of the Captain Britain Corps. Using Brian Braddock of Earth-616 as the prime template, she recruited and empowered hundreds of his counterparts from alternate realities, creating an army dedicated to protecting the Multiverse. She became the Corps' commander, the Omniversal Majestrix, ruling from the Starlight Citadel. Her perspective began to diverge sharply from her father's during the threat of the reality-warping mutant Mad Jim Jaspers. While Merlyn saw the Multiverse as a system to be controlled and pruned according to his rigid designs, Roma adopted a more custodial role, seeking to preserve life and balance. This ideological schism grew into open conflict. Merlyn's manipulations became increasingly extreme, leading Roma to believe he was as great a threat as any villain. She eventually orchestrated a complex plot, faking her own death at the hands of the villainous entity known as Mastermind (disguised), which allowed her to operate from the shadows and ultimately expose and defeat her father's schemes. After his defeat, she fully assumed the title of Omniversal Guardian, cementing her role as the ultimate protector of all that is.

To date, Roma has not appeared, nor has she been directly referenced, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The concepts central to her character—the Multiverse, alternate realities, and magical realms—are foundational to the modern MCU, but her specific mythology has not yet been adapted. The role of a multiversal guardian has been explored through other characters. The Watcher, introduced in What If…?, observes all timelines but is sworn not to interfere. He Who Remains, a variant of Kang the Conqueror, actively controlled the “Sacred Timeline” to prevent a multiversal war. Both characters fill a similar niche, but from a perspective of cosmic science and temporal mechanics rather than magic and myth. Should Roma be introduced into the MCU, she would most likely be connected to several potential properties:

• A Captain Britain Project: The most direct route for her introduction would be in a film or series centered on Brian Braddock or a future Captain Britain. The MCU has already teased the existence of Captain Carter's shield in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Brian Braddock's family has been subtly referenced. Roma would be the natural figure to grant him his powers.
• Doctor Strange and Magic: As a being of immense magical power from another dimension (Otherworld), she could easily be introduced as a peer, rival, or superior to figures like the Sorcerer Supreme. Her realm of Otherworld could be depicted as another of the many dimensions accessible through magic.
• Thor and Asgardian Lore: Given the MCU's blending of magic and advanced “science,” Roma and Otherworld could be presented as another of the Ten Realms, or a parallel culture to the Asgardians, rooted in Celtic and Arthurian mythology instead of Norse.

An MCU adaptation would likely streamline her complex history with Merlyn and might initially present her as a more straightforwardly benevolent figure, similar to her earliest comic appearances, before revealing her more manipulative and pragmatic nature over time.

Roma is one of the most powerful magical beings in the Marvel Universe, operating on a level that transcends conventional superheroes and even most cosmic entities. Her power stems from her inherent nature as a being of Otherworld and her mastery over the fundamental forces of the Omniverse.

• Powers:
• Omniversal Awareness: Roma possesses a form of cosmic consciousness that allows her to perceive events across infinite timelines and dimensions simultaneously. She can monitor threats to the fabric of reality itself, though this perception is not always perfect or absolute, as certain beings or forces can shield themselves from her sight.
• Reality Warping: Roma can manipulate the laws of physics and reality on a vast scale. She can resurrect the dead, create pocket dimensions, alter historical events (though she rarely does so), and restructure matter and energy at will. Her power was sufficient to reconstruct Brian Braddock's body atom by atom after he was killed by The Fury.
• Vast Magical Abilities (Sorcery): As Merlyn's daughter, she is a sorceress of the highest order. Her spells can affect entire universes. This includes energy projection of immense force, teleportation across any distance or dimension, illusion casting, transmutation, and erecting impenetrable mystic shields.
• Immortality and Invulnerability: Roma does not age and is effectively immortal. She is immune to conventional diseases and injuries. While she can be “killed” by overwhelming cosmic or magical force, as demonstrated by her faked death, her spirit can endure, and she has proven capable of self-resurrection.
• Precognition: She can view probable future timelines, allowing her to anticipate threats and manipulate events with incredible foresight. This is a key tool in her role as a cosmic chess master, though free will and chaotic events (like the actions of The Fury or a powerful reality warper) can obscure her vision.
• Power Bestowal: Roma can grant superhuman abilities to others. This is the fundamental mechanism behind the creation of the Captain Britain Corps, where she imbues chosen individuals with a portion of the interdimensional energies of Otherworld.
• Abilities:
• Super-Genius Intellect & Strategist: Her immortal lifespan and omniversal perspective have granted her an intellect that is beyond human comprehension. She is a master strategist and manipulator, capable of formulating plans that span millennia and involve countless alternate realities. She frequently plays the “long game,” making seemingly cruel or nonsensical moves that only reveal their true purpose much later.
• Encyclopedic Knowledge: She possesses near-infinite knowledge of the histories, peoples, and physical laws of countless universes.
• Paraphernalia:
• The Starlight Citadel: Her seat of power, located at the highest point of Otherworld. The Citadel serves as the headquarters of the Captain Britain Corps and is a nexus of omniversal energies that amplifies her power and allows her to monitor all of reality.
• The Captain Britain Corps: While a living organization, the Corps effectively serves as her personal army and primary tool for intervening in multiversal affairs.

As a non-existent character in the MCU, Roma's powers have not been defined. However, based on how other powerful magical beings have been portrayed, we can speculate on a potential adaptation:

• Visual Representation: Her magic would likely be depicted with a unique visual signature, distinct from the geometric Eldritch Magic of the Masters of the Mystic Arts or the chaotic red energy of Wanda Maximoff's Chaos Magic. It might appear more natural, ethereal, or “fae,” drawing on Celtic knotwork or celestial light.
• Power Scaling: To maintain dramatic tension, her omniversal awareness and reality-warping would likely be more limited than in the comics. She might be able to observe many realities but only directly intervene in a few at a time, or at great personal cost. This would make her interventions more significant and less of a “deus ex machina.” Her power might be tied directly to the health of Otherworld, creating a vulnerability that villains could exploit.
• Focus on Manipulation: An MCU version would likely emphasize her role as a strategist and manipulator over her raw power. Her influence would be felt through her guidance and the actions of her agents (like Captain Britain), rather than through direct, universe-shattering displays of force, making her a more mysterious and intriguing figure.

• Brian Braddock (Captain Britain): Brian is Roma's greatest champion and the cornerstone of her multiversal defense strategy. Their relationship is deeply complex, evolving from one of a goddess and her mortal subject to a more strained but mutually respectful partnership. Roma chose him, tested him relentlessly, and rebuilt him stronger after his death. However, she also manipulated his life, orchestrated personal tragedies for the “greater good,” and used him as a pawn in her games against her father. Despite this, Brian often turns to her for guidance, recognizing that while her methods are questionable, her goal of protecting reality is genuine.
• Excalibur: Roma was the direct architect of the superhero team Excalibur. After the apparent death of the X-Men in Dallas, she foresaw a coming threat that required a team based in Britain. She manipulated events to bring together Captain Britain, his lover Meggan, and the former X-Men Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, and Rachel Summers (Phoenix). She served as the team's patron, sending them on missions across dimensions and providing cryptic guidance. She viewed them as her “pet project,” a unique and chaotic strike force that could succeed where the more regimented Captain Britain Corps might fail.
• Saturnyne (Opal Luna Saturnyne): The relationship between Roma and Saturnyne is a mix of alliance and intense rivalry. Saturnyne, the Omniversal Majestrix before Roma's ascension (and again after), is a cold, calculating pragmatist from Earth-9. Both serve the cause of protecting the Multiverse, but their methods and personalities clash. Roma is more mystical and has a flair for the dramatic, while Saturnyne is clinical and ruthless. They have worked together against common threats like Merlyn and the Fury, but they constantly maneuver for power and influence in the hierarchy of Otherworld.

• Merlyn: Roma's most significant and personal antagonist is her own father. Merlyn's grand ambition is to impose his absolute order upon the entire Omniverse, believing that only his rigid control can protect it from chaos. This puts him in direct opposition to Roma, who seeks to preserve the balance of reality, including the freedom and chaos that her father despises. Their conflict is a cosmic war of ideology fought through proxies, manipulation, and intricate plans. Roma's entire career as Omniversal Guardian can be seen as a rebellion against her father's tyranny.
• Mad Jim Jaspers: The most powerful and dangerous mutant from Earth-238, Mad Jim Jaspers possessed the ability to warp reality on a whim, creating a chaotic “Crooked World.” He represented an existential threat to the Multiverse, as his power had the potential to spread like a virus, unraveling all of creation. Roma and the Captain Britain Corps were forced to make the horrifying decision to destroy the entire Earth-238 universe to contain the Jaspers' Warp, a decision that has haunted them ever since. A more powerful version from Earth-616 later emerged, requiring a different solution.
• The Fury: An unstoppable, mutant-killing cybiote created by Mad Jim Jaspers on Earth-238. The Fury is a being of single-minded purpose: to eradicate all super-humans. It is incredibly adaptive and possesses the ability to evolve to counter any threat. It single-handedly slaughtered almost every hero on its native Earth before following Captain Britain to Earth-616. The Fury is one of the few beings that truly frightens Roma, as it represents a force of pure, illogical destruction that cannot be easily manipulated or reasoned with. It is the ultimate weapon against the heroes she relies upon to protect existence.

• Captain Britain Corps: As the founder and long-time leader, Roma's connection to the Corps is absolute. She is their creator, their commander, and their goddess. She established their base, wrote their charter, and directed their missions for centuries. Even after she ceded direct command, her influence over the Corps' ideology and structure remains paramount.
• Residents of Otherworld: Roma is the de facto ruler of the magical dimension of Otherworld. She commands the loyalty of its diverse inhabitants, from fae creatures and mythical beasts to the human-like citizens of its various kingdoms. Otherworld is the source of her power and the center of her omniversal domain.

This seminal Alan Moore storyline defined Roma's modern character. On the alternate reality of Earth-238, the politician and mutant Mad Jim Jaspers used his reality-warping powers to transform Britain into a surreal nightmare. Roma and the Captain Britain Corps intervened, but Jaspers' power was too great, and he created The Fury to eliminate all opposition. The Fury succeeded, killing every superhero. Realizing the “Jaspers' Warp” was a conceptual virus that could infect other realities, Roma made the terrible choice to “sterilize” the timeline. She had Saturnyne destroy the entire Earth-238 universe to prevent the infection's spread. This act established Roma's cosmic pragmatism and her willingness to make horrific sacrifices for the “greater good.”

Following the X-Men's apparent death during the Fall of the Mutants event, Roma engineered the formation of a new team. She saved a wounded Rachel Summers from a temporal stream and brought her, along with Nightcrawler and Shadowcat who were recovering on Muir Island, together with Captain Britain and Meggan. She appeared before them, claiming they were needed to defend a world that no longer had its primary champions. Roma's role was that of a mysterious benefactor, sending the newly-formed Excalibur on bizarre adventures through parallel dimensions via their lighthouse headquarters, a nexus of realities. This storyline showcased her manipulative side, as she rarely gave the team the full picture, using them as her personal agents to solve problems she foresaw.

In this 1996 miniseries, Roma gathered the members of Excalibur and other interdimensional heroes to fight the threat of the Dragons of the Crimson Dawn. During a massive battle, she was seemingly captured and incapacitated by the psychic entity Mastermind, who was controlling Brian Braddock's body. In a climactic moment, Mastermind forced Brian to strike Roma down, seemingly killing her. With her dying breath, she passed the mantle of Guardian of the Omniverse to Captain Britain, tasking him with leading the Corps. It was later revealed that this entire event was a masterfully crafted illusion. Roma had faked her own death to flush out her father, Merlyn, who she knew was manipulating events from behind the scenes. By removing herself as a target, she could operate freely and ultimately defeat his plot, proving she had finally surpassed him as a grand manipulator.

As the Omniversal Guardian, Roma is a unique, multiversal singular entity. Unlike characters such as Captain America or Spider-Man, she does not technically have “variants” in the traditional sense, as there is typically only one Roma who exists outside of and oversees all individual universes. Her perspective is inherently extra-dimensional. However, her form, title, and role have shifted, and her influence is felt differently across realities.

• Lady of the Northern Skies: Her initial persona when she first met Brian Braddock was more of a mystical, ethereal goddess figure, a specific guise tailored for her purpose of creating a new hero for Britain.
• Heir to Merlyn: For a long period, her identity was defined by her relationship to her father, acting as his agent and second-in-command. This could be considered an earlier “version” of her role before she came into her own.
• Successor/Predecessor to Saturnyne: The title of Omniversal Majestrix is not permanently hers. It has been held by Saturnyne both before and after Roma's main tenure. While they are distinct individuals, they fulfill the same fundamental role within the multiversal hierarchy, making Saturnyne the closest thing to a “variant” of Roma's position, if not her being.

In storylines that involve the fundamental structure of the multiverse, such as Spider-Verse, Roma is shown working from the Starlight Citadel alongside Saturnyne to monitor and protect cosmic structures like the Web of Life and Destiny. This reinforces her status as a constant, a fundamental piece of the multiversal architecture rather than a being with infinite alternate selves.

• Merlyn
• Captain Britain (Brian Braddock)
• Captain Britain Corps
• Otherworld
• Excalibur
• Saturnyne
• The Fury
• Mad Jim Jaspers

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