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P!NDYR CHAMPION

Real Name: Unrevealed

Identity/Class: Extraterrestrial (P!ndyr)

Occupation: Warrior champion of his race

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Unrevealed

Enemies: Host, the Shi'ar, especially their chosen champion (a Warskrull posing as Charles Xavier)

Known Relatives: Unidentified lifemate

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Epsilon Seikosha IX

First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men I#265 (Early August, 1990)

Powers/Abilities: The P!ndyr Champion possesses a measure of superstrength (at least class 25), is an expert in a variety of unarmed combat techniques and has leathery wings powerful enough to achieve escape velocity without outside assistance. It is unknown if the Champion's ability to survive in outer space is a trait shared by all the members of his race, or a skill he cultivated. Like all P!ndyr, the Champion values a fair, unarmed fight.  

Height: 8'5" (by approximation)
Weight: 700 lbs (by approximation)
Eyes: Red
Hair: Blonde

History:

(Uncanny X-Men I#265 - BTS) - The Champion was the most powerful of the P!ndyr, a race that had gained the reputation of breeding the best natural warriors in known space. Mighty, prideful and unafraid of anything else, he reigned supreme over the P!ndyr's homeworld of Epsilon Seikhoshka IX.

(Uncanny X-Men I#265 - BTS) - A group of Warskrulls called the Host staged a successful coup of the upper echelons of the Shi'ar Empire. This was made possible by replacing Empress Lilandra's consort Charles Xavier with an equally telepathically gifted Skrull. "Xavier" started influencing Lilandra's decisions, forcing the Shi'ar to engage in new campaigns of conquest.

(Uncanny X-Men I#265 (fb) - BTS) - As part of their ongoing expansion drift, the Shi'ar Empire laid claim on the Epsilon Seikhoskas system and made contact with the P!ndyr. Eager to forge an alliance with the warrior race, the Shi'ar offered the P!ndyr a deal: Instead of destroying their planet outright if they refused to join their avian overlords, a duel between the Champion and the best the Shi'ar had to offer would determine whether or not they would become part of the Shi'ar star empire.

(Uncanny X-Men I#265) - The P!ndyr Champion went forth to confront his Shi'ar opponent, but was immediately overwhelmed by a barrage of psychic force that cracked his psi-shields like egg-shells. Overcome by the mental onslaught, the Champion crashed on Epsilon Seikhoskka IX where his lifemate rushed to check on him. Recounting how he didn't even get near his enemy before succumbing to his telepathic abilities, he resigned himself to the fact their race now belonged to "the mad Shi'ar empress".

Comments: Created by Chris Claremont (writer), Bill Jaaska (pencils), Joseph Rubinstein (inks).

It's hard to say what happened to the P!ndryr champion and his lifemate after Warskrull Xavier defeated him. Uncanny X-Men I#276 revealed that the Shi'ar had exterminated the P!ndyr race, while an issue later two P!ndyr were seen as guards of the Warskrulls' inner sanctum. It might well be possible that following his defeat, the champion was pressed into service, along with is lifemate, appropriately mind controlled to perform their duties. However, this has not been confirmed on panel.

Also: nothing is known about the sexes among the P!ndyr in general, or the Champion's in particular. It's a little chauvinistic to automatically assume the Champion was male. It might well be that, just like on Earth, the female of the species is deadlier than the male. But the only reason to assume the Champion could be female is the fact he/she has hair, and the lifemate doesn't. Or heck, they could both be male. Or female. Or both.

Ever since yours truly came across the P!ndyr a good 20 years ago, I've wondered how Chris Claremont intended their name to be  pronounced. The exclamation point suggests added emphasis on the P, but does that mean you pause before saying 'ndyr'? Or do you simply raise your voice for the P? Also: I need to get out m!ore.

Profile by Norvo.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Character should not be confused with


P!ndyr champion's lifemate

The P!dyr Champion's brownskinned lifemate watched on as the battle with the Shi'ar commenced. When the Champion was trounced within seconds and fell back to Epsilon Seikhoshka IX, the lifemate rushed to his aide. Hearing the Champion tell of his defeat, the lifemate immediately suspected foul play on the part of the Shi'ar, claiming a weapon of sorts had to be involved. But the Champion insisted that the duel had gone according to the rules, which meant the P!ndyr were now part of the Shi'ar Empire. As he slipped into unconsciousness, the lifemate tended to his wounds.

--Uncanny X-Men I#265





images: (without ads)
Uncanny X-Men I#265, p3, pan1 (main image) 
Uncanny X-Men I#265, p4, pan1 (P!nydyr Champion--right & lifemate--left)


Appearances:
Uncanny X-Men I#265 (Early August, 1990) -
Chris Claremont (writer), Bill Jaaska (pencils), Joseph Rubinstein (inks), Bob Harras (editor)
Uncanny X-Men I#277 (June, 1991) - Chris Claremont (writer), Jim Lee (pencils), Scott Williams (inks), Bob Harras (editor)


Last updated: 12/09/13

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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