Dr Archeville

Super-Senses 2 (Accurate [2] for Hearing; Extras: Affect Others [Others Only], Area [burst]; PF: Progression [for Area]) [cost 4 + Progression pp] would work, yes.

Wireless CCTV systems can be hacked into. An even if they are wired CCTVs (which he probably would not be able to tap into remotely), there's still traffic cameras, cell phone cams, web cams, his phone line... :science:

No. First, working the board's own "standards & practices" guidelines into your char's background may not exactly be breaking the 4th Wall (I believe the apt term would be 'painting the 4th wall'), but it is at least acknowledging it, something I would really prefer to not see. Plus, government agents wouldn't replace objectionable words with newer, softer ones, they'd replace them with REDACTED. Or possibly blacking them out, [bg=#000000]like so[/bg] [bg=#000000][color=#000000]like so[/color][/bg] though this is not a loophole that would allow you to swear, the blacked-out text would still need to be non-objectionable words. More importantly, though, "my char doesn't sound 'right' unless he's swearing" is not an excuse to swear despite a medium's S&P, it's more indicative that your char doesn't belong (or, rather, has elements that don't belong).

What you've got is fine... except for that 4th wall breaking "nannyfilter" comment.

"You can sense that, eh?," he replied, closing the opening at his left with a bit of fancy footwork. "I knew all my gear would set your senses off, but I always wondered if you would ever get anything off of me. What does my gear feel like to you? I keep meaning to ask you how that works." "Ah, to answer your question: well, truth is, I am not entirely sure what it is, even after years of research. I -- hah, almost got me! -- I first assumed my fantastic brainpower was the result of a mutation, but all the Metahuman genetics tests came back negative, including the ones that could detect latent Metagenes. I even tried some of the tests Professor Psion and Doctor Kosmova developed to test for psionic abilities, which often go undetected by the standard Metahuman tests -- whoop! -- but those came up negative, too. I... well, this is going to sound really bad, but..." His movements and reactions slowed, "well, Psion may have actually been partly -- only partly -- right." He was still now, "Psion is convinced humanity was evolving toward greater mental faculties, and that the future of humanity involves the cultivation of those capabilities. In this, I believe he is partly right -- humanity got to where it is because we are the 'nerds' of Earth's life forms; we developed big complex brains by outwitting nature's 'jocks' with their claws or speed or armor plating or what have you. We had an evolutionary 'need' to develop sapience and intelligence, other species do not, at least not to the degree we have. However, he and others saw the wave of Metahumans that emerged during World War II," he shifted uncomfortably, "with all their wondrous and varied powers, as the future of human evolution, and in that he was wrong. Metahuman reproduction is still hard to predict, still too random to reliably pass on from generation to generation, and even Psion had to tinker with his children and grandchildren to cultivate their abilities to the point they are at now. But..." his voice lowered, quavered, "if he was right, if psionic and increased mental abilities are the next step in human evolution -- and given how prevalent these abilities are in certain extraterrestrial species, it could be the case -- then... well... I... I might be a... a preview in the next step of human evolution."

Archeville's eyes went wide as the data began streaming in. "Lighthouse, come in," he aid in a forced calm tone via the Freedom League communicator. "Pseudo, are you there? This is Archeville." "I am here," the Leaguer replied solemnly. "What is troubling you, Doktor?" "Did you and Daedalus finish the latest upgrades to the Lightohuse's sensors? ArcheStern has picked up something... bad, near Neptune, and I would like confirmation." "A moment......... hrm." Archeville's first hope was dashed. "So you see it, too?" "Indeed. Calculating trajectory now." "You will be getting the same result we got: it will be slingshotting around Neptune and Uranus, straight to Jupiter. We are still running simulations on how it will interact with the asteroid belt-" Archeville restrained himself from consciously thinking about his secret base in the asteroid belt, knowing any stray surface thoughts might be picked up by the Grue Leaguer. "-but all signs point to it ploughing throw, passing between the orbits of Mars and Mercury. It will go around Venus and the Earth, back towards the Sun... then slingshot back around, between the orbits of Mercury and Venus, and slam into the middle of the Atlantic ocean. What the tidal waves do not get, the airborne debris will, after choking out the sunlight." The super-scientist exhaled slowly, "preliminary analyses indicate it is too dense for either of our station's weaponry to significantly damage it for the short time it would be in range, so a team will need to go to it and set charges. But-" "But the rest of the League is either off-world or in another dimension." "Indeed." Archeville drummed his fingers on the console, going through his metal files on superhumans he had worked with, met, or even merely heard of, and who would be appropriate for such a mission. "Okay, recruiting time. Victory, for piloting skills to get us to it. Supercape and Push, for the power needed to deflect or crack into it. Blueshift, a fast thinker, and she somehow got wind of this before me. And myself. We will need a Pegasus-class space plane; I will contact the others and begin work on the explosives and on getting more data about this rock." Archeville began sending out calls.

Aoiroo +1pp to Changeling due to re-working the Chart. Lone Star Kid Cthulhu/Warlock: 106 posts = 5pp and is now PL 10 :clap: Mad Dog: 15 posts = 2pp and is now PL 11 :clap:

I'll be playing her, though there is a problem: her magical Blasts are either Perception range (which she can't use on the invisible Silver Scream through the opaque dome of sound energy), or Area (and while it has Selective Attack, she can't see Edie through the opaque dome to exclude him from it, she'd have to bomb the entire dome).

Initiative for Protectron (1d20+3=20)

"Oh, indeed there is," Archeville agreed, a small smirk creeping up, "though, for me, the gap is not as wide as it is for others. When I put my mind to it, I can do... well... most things." The smirk grew. Archeville was of course nowhere near a match for the metamagical master of melee, but Erik would concede that he was skilled enough that he could probably win many competitions, and even teach the basics to students. Archeville's style, while drawing from many schools, was analytical and studious -- nearly instantaneous study thanks to his inhumanly fast mental processes, but still methodical -- while Erik's was far more fluid, inspirational, intuitive (and aided by his metamagical senses). Oddly -- or, perhaps, eerily -- he seemed to really be enjoying himself.

Archeville grinned and gave Miss Americana a dismissive wave, "I have faced worse in my time, and hir attitude is one I have encountered far, far too frequently." "Besides, I am actually rather glad I was called in on this," he said while adjusting the cryocontrols; in the chamber the temp dropped quite noticeably. "My main area of interest is not any one scientific field, but rather in helping others, especially those who were subjected to inhumane experiments, particularly those of the Nazis... and my grandfather." He shrugged, "personal dislike for his attitude aside, if I can help hir, I will do all in my power to do so."

"Fortunately," he replied, grinning broadly, "the infection had not progressed very far, and a cocktail of antivirals was able to remove the infection. The inspired part, if I do say so myself," he bowed slightly, "was the use of an anticancer drug ArcheTech had been doing clinical trials with. The drug was derived from Arnica montana, more commonly known as wolf's bane, a plant has been used as an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, fungicide, and vasodilator for centuries. He made a full recovery in under a day -- though how much of that was due to our treatment and how much was due to his own pre-existing metahuman condition -- and we were able to track the one who had infected him and stop his mad plan to overrun the city with werewolves." His tone shifted slightly, from boasting back to relaxed inquisitiveness. "So, ah, it sounds like you have given the subject some thought. 'Magic' and the 'supernatural,' that is. Have you done many studies of it?"

Archeville shook his head ever so slightly; despite whatever change his personality had undergone over the past few months, he was still German at heart, and put his country just a hair ahead of all others. "Depends on what you are looking for," he said tactfully, "as well as how much attitude towards non-natives you are willing to endure." "Oh, and thanks for the advice," he added, holding up the last pieces of the .44 before stowing them. Colt was by far the superior marksman, but Archeville's skills were higher than Billy had expected from the egghead. "Not often that I uses these -- if I am to use a ranged weapon, I prefer recoilless energy blasters -- but, as I said, always good to keep in practice with all types. Never know what we may find ourselves using in our line of work, yes?" He pulled out two light pistols, a Walther PPK and a Walther P99. A grin flashed across his face, but quickly faded. "Paris is good, though perhaps a bit cliched. You two may like Italy. Rome, Milan, Venice, Sicily, Florence... and I am sure you would have a fine time in the Land of the Spaghetti Western!" PPK in his left hand, P99 in his right, he went up to the range again, now training on taking multiple targets.

"Acknowledged," the robot said flatly over the Pitchoo's comms. But as it was leaving the aircraft, it saw Victory tear open a section of roof. Jets in the robot's palms and the bottoms of its feet propelled it out of Geckoman's craft and through the hole Victory made, and made a beeline for the closest centaur. "Halt, organic," it said in an amplified yet still clear (and still flat) electronic tone, "You are engaged in criminal activities with known antisocial mercenaries. Please desist at once and come along for questioning."

I think this thread's about done (3 months & 18 pages!). Anyone have anything pressing to add? If not, I'll lock it up; if so, post now!

Just for posts -- I had meant to ask who you wanted your award for re-doing The Chart to go to, but it slipped my disease-addled mind.

"It has been a few years since I have done anything formal," Archeville replied as he pulled back his labcoat and pulled out (from an interior pocket far deeper than its outer dimension implied) a sheathed rapier, "but I was, in fact, on HIT's fencing team, 1996-1997." "Mind you, the German school of fencing," he went on as he unsheathed the blade and took a few practice swipes through the air, "actually focused on using the Langschwert, a two-handed longsword, as well as the Großes Messer, a blade similar to the falchion, and daggers and staves. It also teaches fighting with shield in hand, and while armored. I thought this Italian blade, though," he gave a salute with the rapier, "might be better to start with." He flashed a grin at the scintillant swordsman, and took a ready stance. "So, still up for it?"

A fine idea, plagued by a few problems, at least according to the rules as written (RAW). (How much of this is actually a problem and how much trolthumper's willing to let go due to Rule of Awesome/Rule of Cool is a separate matter ) As-written, DH stunted Nullify Necromancy, which just temporarily suppressed what that Nazi-Ghoul had in him. (If it was some sort of 'possessing spirit,' it would have driven that thing out, but it could try and get back in once DH stopped his counter-mojo). RAW, there's no real way to transfer that energy to someone else... unless he stunted a Transfer power. Problem there is 1) Transfer's a really wonky power, and 2) I'd need to stunt that, and doing so would KO Dead Head. Also, the Nullify he's got now is Fatiguing, so using it again will also KO Dead Head. And it's touch range, he can't nullify from a distance, he'd need to get into melee range. Which he would be willing to do, but that might change some aspects of the plan. Would throwing DH at the guy, so he tries to Nullify as he soars over him (and falls into an unconscious heap when he lands due to using a Fatiguing power and already being exhausted) work? EDIT: Another problem, per the RAW: as soon as he's KO'd, the Concentration Duration Nullify ends, and he'll get his mojo back. So any follow-up attack would need to happen in the same initiative count as the Nullify itself.

Archeville asked many, many questions between forkfuls of pork fried rice, but halfway through he relented and just let Erik and Ellie tell their story. He sensed the others were getting irritated by his frequent questions, anyway. "A marvelous tale!," he he cheered, dislodging a few grains of the pork fried rice that had gotten lodged into his new beard. "I still have many, many questions, but they way you two told it easily suspended my disbelief!" "And now," he hefted his large black bag to the table, "is the time for exchanging gifts, yes? If there are no objections," he said as he reached in and began puling out wrapped packages, "I would like to go first." It quickly became apparent that the sack was larger on the inside than the outer dimensions indicated, as wrapped gift after gift was pulled forth. When he was done, Billy, Eli, Ellie, Erik, Lynn, and Mona each held a large wrapped box, each about as big as their heads. The last item he pulled from the sack was something that looked like a small television remote; he pressed a few buttons, and suddenly VINCE was holding a wrapped package! "These are all handmade," he said cheerfully, "but if you think anything is 'off', please do not hesitate to let me know!" Inside each box was a handmade, wood-and-brass cuckoo clock, personalized for each person. Colt's was done in Steampunk Cowboy style, and when the hour struck a tiny Colt would mosey out of the saloon and fire a number of times into the air. For Dynamo, icons of speed -- cheetahs, racecars, fighter jets, both Johnny Rockets -- adorned the clock, and the hour was signaled by a tiny Dynamo coming out of the doors and racing on a path that took it over the entire surface of the clock! Grimalkin's clock was done in blue and white, with a surprisingly detailed faceplate. When the hour sounded, a tiny Pixie!Grim would flit out from one side, and from the other a tiny Hitler would march; Pixie!Grim would do a spinning kick to the tiny Hitler, the number of hits indicating the hour. The clock for Jack of all Blades seemed to be made of a complex interweaving of playing cards and assorted bladed implements; when the hour chimed, a tiny Jack and an assortment of tiny villains (including the Crime League and the Meta-Grue) would come out for him to stabpunch in the face, the number reflecting the hour, and the sounds of the sword swipe accompanied by a variety of 'energy crackle' sounds. Jill O'Cure, despite being both the newest member, and not truly a member per se, received an equally lavish clock, decorated with assorted medical imagery, most prominent being cameos of assorted important women from the medical field and brief descriptions of their contributions. When the hour sounded, a tiny Jill emerged from O.R. doors and laid hands on a number of patients that wheeled in on tiny gurneys from the other side of the clock face. Vince's clock was covered in glowing 'Tron lines'; lightracers sped out on the hour. Last but not least, Fulcrum, whose clock was modeled after the Prague Astronomical Clock; when it chimed, a tiny Mona and Viktor approached each other from opposite sides of the clockface and smooched each other. Mercifully, the back of each clock had a switch that could be used to turn its sounds off.

Last civilian has just gotten out. Even the police officer she'd attacked is gone, presumably carried out.

"" he exploded. "" He would, in fact, come to see some merit in the idea, which Miss Americana would point out some months later, when he was in a more receptive frame of mind. "" he sneered. "" he spat dismissively. "" His teeth were bared, and the wild look in his eyes was one of a butcher, not a scholar.

Breakdown is up!

"Wonderful," Archeville whispered. As happy as he was for these two, though -- and he was truly happy for them -- Archeville's attention was drawn to another. To his lover and confidante of the past year: Mona Teymourian.

Mutt's keeping an eye on things. No effective actions.

I'm really glad... that worked... Dead Head had held on to the necrotic energies he had torn from the Nazi-Ghoul, not knowing how long it would take Freedom City's finest to come lock the cultist up. It was just a temporary solution, he knew he would have to release it soon -- he could feel it struggling, trying to fly back to the former host -- it was just a question of when. Soon, I hope. This stuff jes' feel all wrong! He had intended to volunteer to test the door when Cannonade barged ahead; he could tell the young man had a score to settle, that it was almost personal for him, but now was not the time to delve into the young powerhouse's brain. Speaking of power, it appeared Push was still learning to control his. "Push, man, yer never gonna get work on an AEGIS black ops team with that kind'a subtlety!" Great. More demon-dogs. And then most of them were gone. "Push, take a lesson from this guy!" Right, I'm feelin' hollower'n usual, pullin' that guy's mojo did a number on me. Best I can do it interception, draw the bad guy's attacks away an' give th'others room t'attack!