Thevshi

Doc, Velocity needs some correction based on the changes to the Wealth rules (he Wealth is currently at 4) I want to drop it down to Wealth 2. One of the extra points will go towards the Interceptors base/vehicle pool. The other point I want to put into Quickness, bumping it up to 8. Thanks. Speedily done by Doc.

Well, Velocity, in her secret ID, is rich :)

That sounds good to me Doc. As I have said in chat, as the latecomer to this party, I am good with what the others want.

Megan and her two younger friends had been making their way along, taking in more of the sights as the moved towards where the show was to take place. Just then a teenager had started to run towards them, not looking where he was going. To Summer and Dawn, and most anyone else around the scene, everything happened far too quickly to react. But to Megan, things seemed to be happening in slow motion. The split second before the teenage boy slammed into her, someone behind her yelled out a warning. Megan had already been considering if she would try to avoid the boy, but knew that doing so would likely raise a lot of questions, as she would have to use her superspeed. Then she felt someone grabbing her, and adjusted her head just enough to see a teenage girl in mid-leap out of the corner of her eye, trying to pull her away from the boy. Whomever this girl was, she was moving very quickly, not quite as quickly as Megan could move, but still clearly at superhuman level. If she had wanted to, Megan felt sure she could have spun herself free from the girl’s grip, but that would be an even more blatant display of her powers. So, she just decided to let events unfold, as the girl did not seem to be attacking her, and the boy had just not been paying attention to where he was going. The girl pulled Megan out of the way of the boy, but just as she seemed to stop them, she let both fall to the ground. Again Megan could easily have rolled back to her feet, but allowed her self to get dumped on her rear, but was able to ensure the landing was not too hard. All of this happened in the blink of an eye. To those watching, it all played out as if the girl had pulled Megan clear from the boy and then they both fell. But to someone skilled in judging the fighting abilities of others, it would have been rather clear that Megan had been in control of herself through the entire thing. Summer and Dawn had been behind just enough that the shouted warning for them to pull up short and avoid being hit by the boy. “Megan!†They both cried out as their friend was pulled out of “harm’s†way and then dumped to the ground. “Ow!†Megan stated, trying to sound more hurt than she actually was. “Gee, thanks, instead of him knocking me to the ground, you dumped me on the ground.†She said as she glanced over at the girl that had pulled her clear. The tone of her voice was only teasingly sarcastic, lacking any real venom or anger.

Among the crowds that covered the carnival grounds, a small group of teenage girls were making their way down the center of the carnival, taking in the various sights. The three girls tended to attract quite a few looks from young men that they passed, particularly the blonde, who was the oldest of the three. Megan Howell (the blonde) glanced around at the sights of the carnival, which put the annual Halloween Block Party in the Theater District to shame. She then focused on the two younger girls that where with her. “This is pretty cool, thanks for asking me to come and help you guys out with some routines this weekend.†She said with a genuine smile. “Its nice to get away from campus for a bit.†“We are glad you where willing to help us out some Megan.†Replied Summer. The other girl, Dawn, nodded in agreement. “Yeah, you always came up with great routines our first year on the team.†Megan’s smile widened slightly. The two younger girls where the current co-captains of the cheerleading team at North Bay Academy, the elite prep school Megan had attended. They had both been Sophomores during Megan’s Senior year, when she had been team captain. “Well, I might have come up with the routines, but it took everyone to pull them off.†She then replied. The two girls smiled. “So how is your Sophomore year in college shaping up?†Asked Summer. Megan shrugged slightly. “Not too bad, yet. Around mid-semester is when it really starts to get rough.†She replied with a slight lie. While the work load did get heavier, but the increase really did not affect Megan much. Ever since the accident at Astro Labs during her Sophomore year at North Bay Academy that gave her superspeed, homework had become the least of her problems, as she could fit hours of study into just a few minutes. When she had decided to use her powers to help people and fight crime, she had to learn how to live two separate lives, a balancing act which was now second nature. “How about we try out that ride first?†Asked Dawn, pointing to a rollercoaster. Megan looked over at the ride, not expecting much from it, after all, when one could easily break the sound barrier, a simple rollercoaster ride tended to fell as if you where standing still. “Sure, that looks good.†She replied with faked enthusiasm. It was just then that the announcement for a fire eating act came over the loudspeaker. “Maybe we should come back after that show.†Stated Summer after the announcement. “The ride won’t be going anywhere and the line looks to long to get through in time.†“Alright, sounds good.†Megan replied as she started off towards the west side of the park with the other two.

Good old Doc Hey Doc, thought I would mention something with Doc's pending acquisition of Dart Inc., but Velocity's father is a senior partner in Hartford, Grayson & Cole's coprorate group and very experirence at mergers and acquisitions. :)

Just wanted to say that since all the other Interceptors are joining in, Velocity (who will be on the team as well), will also be involved. After all, she can get around to lots of crisis points quickly :)

Coming up with a power point won't be tough, she has 4 free right now, and will be getting 2 more when I get her wealth fixed due to the new wealth rules. :)

Eviscerus, I know I'm a bit late to this, but I was wondering if your thread is still open for additions? I was an active poster in the earlier days of these boards, but RL has keep me away for awhile. I am looking to get back into things here (again) and for places to jump in. Thanks, Thev

Hey everyone! For those that don't know me, I was among the first posters on this board, but have been MIA for about a year due to RL (darn that archvillian!). I am wanting to try to get back into things on this site with my heroine, Velocity, and, if there is still any room, this team seems like a possibly good way to do so.

The Howells had not made it far into the mansion when they had stopped to talk with Arthur Stromberg and his wife Anne. Megan smiled warmly as she spoke with the Stromberg’s, whom she had known as long as she could remember. Her father did a good deal of legal work for Mr. Stromberg and his investment company, and he managed a good bit of her family’s money. The group where still making some small talk when Emissary came floating into view. Erin Howell turned towards the silver skinned hero and gave him a warm smile. “Emissary, it is a pleasure to see you again.†She said in greeting. “I trust you remember my husband, Donald and my youngest daughter, Megan.†“Very nice to see you again.†Donald Howell said as he held out his hand. “Nice to see you again.†Megan said with a slightly sly smile. Emissary was a fellow member of the Freedom League, and one of the few that knew she was Velocity. “And this is Arthur and Anne Stromberg.†Erin added, indicating the older couple. “Arthur, Anne, this is Emissary, from Utopia Isle and a member of the Freedom League.â€Â

Hey, sorry for not being around of late, been really busy at work. Velocity is in :)

Megan Howell looked out the window at the passing lights of the buildings of downtown Freedom City. Over the last few months she had not been back home very much, at least as Megan Howell. She had begun her first year at Yale University back in the Fall, and though studying was a snap for her (thanks to superspeed reading), she still had taken full advantage of the socializing that was part of dorm life. She had not even come home over the winter break, heading off to the French Alps with her family for the holidays instead. There where a lot of things she missed about Freedom City, not the least of which was being Velocity. There had been a few times the Freedom League had needed her, but other than a few solo outings in New York city, she had probably spent less time as her alter ego than any other similar stretch of time since she gained her powers years ago. As her father turned on the 52nd Avenue, Megan looked forward to spot their destination, the massive mansion that belonged to the Midnight Society, located directly across from Liberty Park. The mansion was set back from the street, with a high stone wall sheltering the grounds from the sidewalk. Just inside the wall where large trees that where starting to regain their leaves and well maintained lawns and hedges. A large circular driveway led to the front of the old stone mansion that has several towers and peaked roofs. Off to the right of the mansion was the entrance to the gardens, which stretched around to the back and continued beyond. Several luxury cars and limousines where already traversing the circular driveway, having dropped off some of the richest and most powerful individuals in Freedom City. Megan’s father, Donald Howell, a senior partner at Hartford, Grayson & Cole, steered the car around to the front of the mansion and came to a stop. Uniformed valets quickly moved up to open the doors for the Howell’s, and Megan took the offered hand of one as she exited from the back of the dark blue Bentley. The young blonde was dressed in a long, sleeveless black evening gown that was perfectly tailored to her lithe and athletic body. She felt goosebumps form in the cool evening air, but did not let them bother her. She was certain it would be perfectly warm inside the mansion, particularly once she found her way onto the dance floor with some of the handsome young men that where always at these gatherings. Megan’s mother, Erin Howell, came up beside her as her father made his way around the car to join them. “I am glad you where able to be here tonight.†Erin Howell said to her daughter. “It has not felt quite the same going to events without you these last few months.†Megan smiled, “I have missed these sorts of things as well. And of course you and dad.†Megan’s father came over to join the two women, straightening out his tuxedo. “You ladies ready?†He asked, taking his wife’s arm as he started towards the entrance. “Absolutely.†Megan replied with a grin, as she stared along beside her parents.

Welcome back Heritage, I think I am going to try to be active here once more as well :)

I am sorry for my long absence as well, hopefully I am getting back into the swing of things. Velocity got a 25 for her toughness save.

Hey Dr. A. Yeah, kinda, just been having a lot of writers block myself for here :(

sorry about the delay, I will try to post tonight :)

We moving forward?

Happy belated birthday Karma :)

The hot July sun was high in the air, shining down on a beach in Ibiza and reflecting off the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The beach was rather crowded, as was typical during the Summer months, with many of those spread out in the warm sand napping after a long night of enjoying the island's VERY active nightlife. One of those was Megan Howell. The blonde teen from Freedom City was lying in a string bikini on a blanket near two of her high school friends, Janet and Lisa. While her friends were clearly asleep, Megan was actually awake, not nearly as tired as her friends were, her considerable endurance helping with that. So she just lay in the hot sun, occasionally looking at some of the cute guys that happened within her view. It was then that her cellphone quietly chimed. With a movement that was likely a bit quicker than she intended (but not nearly as fast as she could actually move, Megan picked up her phone, a quick glance confirming what she had already guessed as she flipped it open and put it to her ear. "Hey mom." She said with a smile. "Happy birthday dear." Erin Howell replied in a cheerful tone. "How is Europe so far?" "Thanks mom. It has been great so far." Megan replied. "We have been doing so much sightseeing, but still not getting to everything that there is to see. We could spend all Summer here and still not get to everything." Megan's mother gave a slight chuckle. "That is always the way it seems. But there are always other trips to see things you are not able to on this trip." "Yeah, that's true." Megan conceded. "So are you three being sure to be safe in the places you are going?" Her mother then asked, a slight hint of concern in her tone. Megan's mother knew most of the places the three girls had planned to visit, and that Ibiza was among them, so it was not too surprising she might have some concerns, particularly given Ibiza's reputation. "Yes we are." Megan said reassuredly. "We are having fun, but being careful at the same time." "I am sure you all are, I wouldn't be a good mother if I at least did not ask." Her mother replied. The two talked a bit more, with Megan's mom again wishing her well for the rest of her birthday and stating her father might try to call a bit later when he found time at work, something Megan was not planning to count on too much. As she closed her phone, Megan continued to think a bit about the conversation. She was eighteen now, which ended her status as a minor. While she still could not drink in the United States, there were far more rights she now enjoyed, and responsibilities as well. But in many ways, she had long ago assumed a great deal of responsibility, when she had decided to use the powers she had gained in an laboratory accident during her Sophomore year in high school. She had not long ago been made a member of the Freedom League, after more than two years of operating on her own as Velocity. The need to keep her identity secret had always bothered Megan some, having to lie to her parents and friends. But she knew it had to be done, to protect them from those that might wish to get revenge against her. "Who was that?" She heard Janet ask in a somewhat tired voice. "Just my mom, wishing me happy birthday." Megan replied, smiling widely as she put her phone back down. "And telling me to be sure to stay out of trouble." "Hmmmm." Janet replied. "Well tonight we will really celebrate your birthday." "I'm looking forward to it." Megan chuckled, before lying back to relax a bit more in the warm sun.

Well, I just indicated that Wealth 4 was her parents level (puting them in the range of having a few hundred million in cash/"toys") I would point out that very few (if almost no) teenages truely have "direct control" over substantial sums of money. You have to be 18 to open a securities account or a bank account (as those involve entering into a contract, which you have to be 18 or older to do in many places, at least in the US). The same goes for ownership of stocks or bonds, as those involve a contractual relationship as well. Like many children of very wealthy parents, most of Velocity's money (from her parents and grandparents) is in trust funds and Uniform Tranfer to Minors Act (UTMA) accounts, which means she does not have direct access to them until she reaches the appropirate age. For UTMA accounts in most states that is 21. For trust funds the age can be anywhere from 18 to never. It is possible to set up trust accounts where the beneficiary never gets direct control over the funds (usually by setting up a "spendtrift" trust). Off hand, I'd say most of Velocity's trust funds have been set up to transfer to her when she either graduates from college, or reaches 26 (it is possible to set up conditions such as this as well). She does not have a job (as she just started college). And yes, she gets a very generous allowance from her parents, which is both from their own money, as well as occassional payment of some of the income from her UTMA and trust funds. By the way, I have thought of an interesting, if somewhat extreme, real world example of where the children of a really rich person would not have the wealth benefit of their parents. It is Warren Buffet and his children/grandchildren. While he is one of the world's richest men, he has pretty much always lived a rather frugal lifestyle. As I understand it, his home in Omaha is valued at less than one million dollars (I believe is is closer to $500,000 or $600,000, probably a pretty nice home in Omaha, but hardly grandious). He also drives around an old beat up car (something that is like 20 years old) (my brother met Warren Buffet in Omaha on a trip set up by my brother's MBA program for their students. After Buffet's presentation to them, he took the group out to dinner, givng some of the students a ride in his old "beater"). Buffet's children were never provided large trust funds or the like, from what I understand, unless they have gone off to make money on their own, they have pretty middle class lifestyles. A couple of years ago, when Buffett announced he was gifting the vast majority of his fortune to the Gates Foundation, there was also announced that he was making some small (very small!) gifts to his children and grandchildren. From what I recall reading, it was only enough to (in the above framework described by Barnum) put them at Wealth 1, maybe Wealth 2.

I originally created Velocity with one rank of wealth, which represented her personal trust funds and the like, with the theory that her parents were much richer. This was before the above wealth rules were in place. When the new rules were announced, I corrected her level fo wealth to conform with the new rule by making it equal to her parents' level of wealth.

Well, living in the Claremont dorms is really a temporary thing (four years at most) and even then, she would likely spend vacations and summers at one of her parents large homes. And where you live is just one aspect of a lifestyle, living in the dorms wouldn't really prevent her from still having a wardrobe full of high end designer lables and other trappings. This does seem a different approach than what is described above, which is fine. I was considering changing things on Velocity in light of that, but probably won't.

I am wondering if there has been a change on how we approach the wealth feat than what Barnum listed above, in particular the part that stats that Wealth is measured by a characters overall lifestyle, not just the cash they have on hand. Which for a teenage charter, pretty much means their level of wealth would be based on their parents' wealth (assuming they parents have not completely cut them off and they don't live with their parents). I ask this because Dr. Archeville recently stated that a Wealth of 6 for a teenage hero seemed wrong, when it was clear that player was going for the character being from a family that was filthy rich. Based on Barnum's comments above, spending 6 ranks of Wealth would have been necessary, instead of just 2 ranks. While I have no particular preference for the framework Barnum lays out above (particularly given the low impact Wealth has in game), it does make a good bit of sense. After all, it is a bit of a disadvantage for a player to make their billionaire character (not sure if we have any at the moment, but I know we have had them before), and have to spend 6 pp to have that lifestyle, then for a teenage character to only spend 2 points on wealth and then say they live the same general lifestyle "because my parents are billionaires". While I understand that the billionaire character has "direct" control over that money, keeping that balanced in game play is not easy. After all, the billionaire could say, "hmm, I am going to buy a new vacation home in Dubai (or the Hamptons)". But what is to stop the teenage character from saying, "well, my billionaire parents have a vacation home there as well"?

Megan and her friends had quickly found a spot out on the crowded dance floor. As with the night before, Megan just let herself be guided by the music, not letting anything else cloud her thoughts as she just enjoyed the moment. Iggy Pop's song was immediately followed by the Bloodhound Gang's The Bad Touch. As had happened the night before at the Sin, the girls were not out on the dance floor long before some guys had made their way over to try and dance with them. Megan did not mind the attempts to get her attention, just continuing to move to the music. We Like To Party byt the Venga Boys, Starry Eyed Surprise by Paul Okenfield, and other great dance songs followed, timing seeming to almost fly by for Megan as she pretty much became lost in the music. She did have to admit to herself though that the guys that had moved over to dance with her and her friends were decent dancers, and not overly aggressive in trying to get their attention. Megan was not sure how much time had passed when she noticed Janet fanning herself slightly, clearly having worked up a bit of a sweat dancing, as had Lisa. The movement was not missed by the guys dancing with them, as one of them leaned towards the girls, yelling so he could just be heard over the music. "Would you ladies care to get a drink?" Janet glanced over towards Megan and Lisa, the other two girls just giving a smile and nodding. The small group then started off the dance floor towards the bar. Soon enough they had found a small space off the bar, and had their drinks, Megan and Janet having gone with water, while Lisa choose to have something stronger. "So," began one of the guys, again having to practically yell to be heard, "is there a reason I haven't seen any of you here before?" Janet gave a smile. "Actually this is our first time here. We're from Freedom City." "Oh, Americans." Another of the guys said with a nod. "You enjoying your visit so far?" "It has been great." Lisa replied with a nod. "There is just so much to do, hard to even try to see it all in one visit." "Well, having a guide can always help with ensuring you see the best sights." The guy replied with a smile. "Is that an offer?" Lisa asked back with a bit of a coy smile. The guy glanced over at his friends, still smiling before he looked back at Lisa and the other two girls. "We would be happy to help show you around some, but it would likely have to be this weekend, work and all that." Lisa gave a little frown. "Sadly, we are going to be off in Paris by the weekend." "Well, perhaps tomorrow afternoon we could meet to see a few sights and then have dinner?" He then looked over at Megan and Janet as he then added. "I mean all of us that is." Lisa looked over at Megan, who just gave a small shrug. She then focused back on the guy. "Yeah, we could do that."