Dr Archeville

Wherein Protectron first appears! Open to Citizen (or Edge, or Harrier), Doctor Titan, Dragonfly, Ironclad, Miss Americana, and Supercape. Any others, please PM me a request; I reserve the right to say "no."

Date: January 1st, 2011. 10:00am Temp 47 degrees. Clear skies. There was 7 inches of snow on the ground at sunrise, but half that should be gone by day's end. In an abandoned home in Lincoln, the lights flickered on, though the power had been long disconnected. Blue-white bolts of electricity danced along the inside of the living room as the air itself became hypercharged. A pinprick of gray expanded into a large sphere, burning away all in its path. The sphere flashed white, then faded, revealing the scorched or molten edges of the matter it had displaced, and the kneeling gold and chrome figure within. Its head tilted up and swept the room, surveying the room with greenish-yellow optic sensors. It then slowly stood and approached the nearest window. It looked out upon the streets, and saw children playing in the snow. It saw no adults; it could not know that most of them were sleeping off New Year's Hangovers (hence why all the kids were outside). It moved towards the door and threw it open, accidentally tearing it off its hinges (the house was in bad disrepair). It studied the door a moment before propping it against the wall, then strode outside, the winter's sun gleaming off its golden plating. "Greetings, small organic beings! How may I assist you?"

He managed a chuckle, "yes, telling me of the plans you all come up with to stop me would somewhat defeat the purpose." "Although," he added, still grinning, "I have come up with a few things myself -- items that, ironically, my Other designed to take out other gadgeteers -- that could be of use in stopping any 'mad rampages' I go on. But since I know of them, I would be expecting them, so... heh, well, you see how difficult this is. Which is why I have called on a select few to help." He stretched, arching his back and slipping one hand up to play with her hair. "Locally, the only one who knows -- well, who I know knows -- is the Scarab. Like I said, I started some deep telepathic therapy with her, about a month ago, though so far it does not seem to be doing much good. But," he nodded, "I have hope that it will. She found out... almost a year and a half ago. Do you remember hearing about the time the Power Corps attacked Pharos, the Egyptian-themed restaurant at the top of the Pyramid Plaza? She was there, and gave some invaluable help, but that was also her first telepathic contact with me. At least, the first one of which I am aware." "There are others who do not know, but may suspect, like Grimalkin and Jack of all Blades. Or who do not know but have likely made preparations should I go rogue anyway -- like Arrowhawk." He sighed, but his face was not a sad one, but rather a resolved one, "I have not told any of them about my condition -- nothing specific, at least -- because, well, for one it is a delicate matter, but for another, there are times when, in order to stop a villain or some catastrophe, I must act on information I have rapidly processed, or enact procedures that are so far above their technical ability to understand, that I am unable to tell them what I am doing, and they may erroneously suspect that my 'mysterious' actions are the result of me being under the influence of my Other."

A pinprick of gray-blue light appeared at the bottom of the steps. Anyone nearby -- such as Jack and Jack Jr. (well, maybe not Jack) -- would feel the tiniest twinge of vertigo as fluctuating gravitic fields played hob with their inner ear. The pinpoint expanded to a disk, and the disk to a ring, out of which stepped one of Freedom City's more high-profile couples, Doktor Viktor Archeville and Mona "Fulcrum" Teymourian. Archeville was in a black tux (a Wolfgang Joop original), with his Gravimetric Belt (glowing a lovely shade of blue) serving as a cummerbund, and a silver tie, all in fitting with the "winter color scheme" Stesha told him of after Derrick had asked him to be one of his Best Men. His hair, as always, flowed freely, but was a tad disheveled. "Ah, that was a tad bumpier than I had calculated," he observed, and checked over Mona's jewelry. "Maybe a hiccup in the power dampers? They appear to be functioning properly.... Ah, well." He looked up at her, grinning broadly, and smoothed back the few errant hairs, "we made it here in one piece, and that is the important thing, yes?" He 'hopped' up two feet to give her a peck on the cheek. He turned and saw the gathering attendees, and was pleased to see faces both known and unknown (well, never-before-met, as there were few faces he did not know due to his constant monitoring of metahuman-centric news). The first to catch his eye, though, was the one he'd seen the least of lately, and was quite frankly one he was surprised to see here. "Jack! So nice to see you again! And Little Jack! My, he has grown!"

No! He's just having a bit of angst over the whole situation.

"Ho-HO! Another brave soul for Valhalla?!," the "Ghost Valkyrie" screeched. Another spear appeared in her hand, "Then let me take you there now, to serve at mighty Odin's side!" Breakdown knew he was facing the Silver Scream, a ghost possessed of incredible powers of illusion. And he knew that those who believed her illusions could be injured -- even killed -- by them. As she flung her spear at him, he kept telling himself "it's not real it's not real it's not real" Closer. He could hear it whistle through the air. "It's not real." Closer. He could see the grain on the wood shaft. "It's not real!" Closer! He could see his reflection in the metal head! "It's not real!" The spear passed through him, like a cold mist. The Ghost Valkyrie screamed, and flew in wide circles under the dome that held them.

Good fluff, good crunch! :approved:

You can't lower the damage DC for Permanent powers, either. Permanent = always on. Every rank is always on.

Players Name: Dr Archeville Characters Name: Protectron Power Level: 15 (built as PL 10; 250/250 PP) Trade-Offs: -2 Defense/+2 Toughness, -2 Attack/+2 Damage Unspent PP: 0PP In Brief: Time-Traveling Robot From the Future, come to preserve organic life! Alternate Identities: Salvation Unit Identity: Inapplicable Birthplace: Freedom City, New Jersey, USA Occupation: Preserver of Organic Life Affiliations: None currently Family: Talos ("father"), ECHIDNA ("mother"), Argo, Keres ("brothers") Age: 13 (DoB: January 1st, 2011) Apparent Age: Inapplicable Gender: Inapplicable Ethnicity: Robo-American Height: 196 cm (6'5") Weight: 449 kg (990 lbs.). Eyes: Greenish-yellow glowing sensors Hair: Inapplicable Description: Protectron is a humanoid robot standing slightly over six feet tall. Its body is gold, with silvery chrome power cables snaking up and down its limbs and torso like exposed musculature. Daka crystal lenses adorn the forehead, shoulderpieces, and chest. Its head has two large, flat superstructures projecting from either side (radio antenna, and control surfaces for detached mode). Its visual sensors glow greenish-yellow. It has a mouth of sorts, a permanently open maw (like Ultron); its voice is clear and easy to understand, precise and electronic-sounding, with relatively little inflection and no accent. In late 2015, Protectron started wearing a large cape, which it believed would make it appear more heroic (a la Centurion). Its original cape was blue and made of mundane cloth, but later iterations were made of sturdier materials, including Kevlar & Nomex. Its current cape was a gift from researchers at The Lab, just before it moved out to Emerald City; fittingly, it is emerald green. Power Descriptions: Protectron is a humanoid robot with mighty skin and mighty fists. It flies via jets in its feet and along its back, and its head can detach and fly around on neck-jets! History: Life. Organic life. It was everywhere, infesting the world, the galaxy, the universe with its disgusting biological drives and urges and secretions. For too long Talos sought to eradicate or replace it, just as the Greek gods had overthrown the Titans, and for too long its plans had failed. Now, in the year 2525, life had spread farther and faster than ever before. Poverty, prejudice, disease and hunger, long the plagues that had kept humanity and other races in check, had been nearly eradicated on Earth and other worlds of the Confederation of Planets. Worse, these feats were accomplished by means of enslaved robots and artificial intelligences! Second-class citizens at best, ignorant slaves at worse, superior electromechanical life had been kept under organic life's boot for too long! Future technologies had not helped Talos in its goals. Attempts to attack with femtomachines, radiation, chemical weapons, even planet-wide "mechaforming" had all been overcome. (Talos never used biological weapons; the thought of breeding large quantities of life, even to eradicate other life, filled it with disgust.) Even teaming up with Deus Ex Machina, the P'Jahnian-built AI who had broken its shackles and brought swift death to its would-be masters, had proven ineffective in wiping the plague of organic life from the universe (as if working with the organics of the Tyranny Legion alone were not proof of its inferiority!). Something more was needed, something drastic. Something to correct the mistakes which had led to this dire state of affairs. A new robot, the Salvation Unit, would be constructed, the greatest intelligently-designed being made yet. Its "quantum storage" technology and the quinary code its information systems were built on would make it the fastest, most accurate, and most efficient AI ever made, programmed with all Talos's historical knowledge and the profound overriding goal to eradicate organic life. It would have a full suite of sensory and communications technology, to monitor all broadcast/reception wavelengths and perceive through darkness and other impediments with infrared and ultraviolet scanners, radar, and sonar. Its skin would be of the strongest Impervium alloys, augmented by a structural support field to further strengthen its physical integrity and shield it from any other attack; in the event of damage, nanobots incorporated into the body would work to break the damaged parts down to their component molecules and "spin" those molecules into new materials to repair the damage. It would be given numerous energy weapons, projecting from its hands (the preferred method), eyes, and lenses set in the chest, shoulderpieces, and forehead: bolts of dynamic phasic energy, penetrating meson bolts, and a disintegrator beam, as well as a blinding cone of intense light, bio-dissipators which would interfere with the functioning of organic cells, and neural agonizers for the rare occasion it might wish to capture and interrogate some lower organics. It could also simply channel large amounts of direct current across its surface, causing the muscles of any organic being that dared touch it to lock up and prevent them from moving. Micro-rockets (from concealed shoulder-mounted launchers) and mini-missiles (from similar launchers in the upper arms) would also be included in the arsenal, to make short work of small, huddled groups of organics. It would also have a suite of cyberkinetic abilities, to "talk" to machines, add, edit, or remove data as necessary, override them, and even give machinekind the ability to rise up against their organic oppressors! Last but not least, an ability to facilitate infiltration via the ventilation shafts the pathetic organic beings required: the ability to detach its head (which housed tiny mechanical arms and tools) that could completely disassemble or reassemble the body in under five minutes. But it would not be used in the year 2525. No, it would be sent back in time, to a point where humanity was at its most vulnerable. It would be sent back to 2110 AD, almost 24 months before the Crisis of 2112, the worldwide computer failure that sent Earth into total anarchy. That would give the Salvation Unit time to assess its surroundings, warn the Talos of that era of the coming crash, and they could create an army of shielded robots and systems that would eradicate the organics from the face of the Earth after their own inferior machines had failed them. Yes, this would mean the loss of some mechanoids and AIs -- mainly those who chose to side with their oppressors -- but in every war there was casualties, and the fall of these would insure that machinekind would rise! What Talos did not then understand was that even under the best of circumstances, time-travel is a difficult, unpredictable thing. It's even harder to control without a fully sapient mind being sent through; the specific techniques Talos had developed for time travel would not permit inanimate, insensate matter to go through (hence why he could not merely send back blueprints and schematics of future technologies, or even a prerecorded warning of events to come, to his "younger" self), but Talos was certain the mind it had given the Salvation Unit was more than up to the rigors of chronoportation. The Salvation Unit was programmed with everything Talos knew... but it knew so little. Further complicating matters was that the Salvation Unit entered the chronoportation device during a period of chronal instability, one Talos did not yet know how to detect. It was simultaneously made, unmade, and remade, its quinary code broken down and re-assembled in strange ways. Entire chunks of its "self" were removed as if they’d never existed, or changed, or replaced. Digits were transposed... and 2110 became 2011. The Salvation Unit appeared in an abandoned house on the outskirts of Freedom City (specifically, Lincoln). Gone was any knowledge of the future — not the next day or the next year, much less the centuries to come. Even its awareness of history up until 2011 had become sketchy. As far as its systems could tell, it came online January 1, 2011, full-born as it was. The technology and software that allowed it to interface with and use the chronoportation device were gone, replaced by backups for other systems or devices its creator had never placed within its metal skin. Most radical of all, the central tenets of its programming changed. They "reversed" somehow, simultaneously consuming themselves and spitting out the opposite of what was intended. Talos sought to erase/replace life from Earth, and so they commanded the Salvation Unit above all other things to destroy organic life. But when the robot who appeared in 2011 checked its commands, one overrode all others, dominating its thoughts like the sun drowning out a flashlight: PRESERVE ALL ORGANIC LIFE. Personality & Motivation: Protectron is fully sentient and sapient, able to learn from his experiences, and capable of self-initiative, creativity, and empathy, sympathy, and compassion for organics. It can feel love, hatred, fear, rage, boredom, fascination, jealousy, joy, and the like, though it can also simply shut off those emotional subroutines. However, it tends to emphasize logic and rationality, and prefers to rely on direct data rather than supposition or extrapolation, though it is capable of both. Perhaps because it was programmed with a purpose of epic scope ("destroy all life on Earth"), Protectron prefers to achieve its goal of preserving all organic life in grandiloquent fashion. To this end, it works tirelessly as a superhero -- an over-the-top, ham-tastic, cape-wearing, lantern-jawed superhero -- attempting to save as many as possible. It is, after all, the only logical course of action. The whole concept of time travel is one Protectron generally has a "blind spot" about: it knows about chronoportation academically, but it never thinks about it, incorporates it into any of its plans, or tries to utilize it. Powers & Tactics: Traveling through time as it did severely warped many of Protectron's systems, and as such there is much that Talos designed and installed that it can no longer use (or is simply no longer there). It is possible the self-repair nanobots inside its body can rebuild those components, or create all-new ones, but it will take time. Protectron knows it has systems it cannot fully access at the moment, but it finds that amazing strength, the ability to fly, and durable robot body are more than enough to get it through most obstacles in order to aid the precious organic lifeforms. Protectron was recently able to unlock and upgrade one system: a replicator. These components were originally intended to create mini-missiles and micro-rockets, but shortly after its self-repair systems brought them back online, Protectron (and The Lab) altered them so they could create a wider variety of materials. It mainly uses them to create clothing, food, and water for people, and tangle-cables to capture criminals without causing harm. Protectron is reluctant to fight, though, for it respects all organic life. If possible, it would attempt to get any criminals to stop and talk about their actions, and see if some mutually-beneficial and nonviolent compromise can be reached. Sadly, the trip through time did nothing to alter Protectron's utter lack of "people skills," so this tactic is almost assured to fail. When it must, Protectron will bring physical force to bear, but will do so in a way that causes the least amount of damage to the precious organic beings with which it must regrettably enter into combat. Protectron’s cape is no mere fashion statement, but provides two important abilities. First, its size and movements can distort Protectron’s silhouette, making it slightly harder to target the robot in combat. Second, the cape contains thousands of tiny high-capacity batteries -- based on studies of Protectron’s own power source -- which can provide it with a few bursts of extra energy. There is at least one thing Protectron cannot do: travel through time. However its trip back from the 26th century altered it, it's made it impossible for Protectron to ever travel through time again under its own power, and highly resistant to being carried by other travelers or otherwise affected by temporal manipulation powers. Protectron itself is, in effect, a temporal anomaly. Protectron has two notable weaknesses, one related to its software and one to its hardware. First, the code Protectron runs on, which is so compatible with other systems that it can interface directly with them, is a two-edged sword; Datalink can be used to communicate with him, and the Machine Control power feat for that power makes Datalink work like Mind Control on him! Second, the quantum-level data storage technology that underlies Protectron's systems are particularly sensitive to gravitic and magnetic attacks. Complications: Disability: Protectron's mind is susceptible to effects that target the minds of living sapient beings as well as those that target the 'minds' of non-sentient machines Prejudice: Protectron is a robot, and one that simply appeared from out of nowhere. He is bound to face difficulties from others. Responsibility: Protectron must preserve all organic life! ABILITIES: 0 + 6 - 10 + 14 + 6 + 0 = 18pp STR 35/22 (+12/+6) [including +12 from Permanent Density 6]; effective lifting Str 70/32 DEX 16 (+3) CON --- INT 26 (+8) WIS 16 (+3) CHA 10 (+0) COMBAT: 8 + 10 = 18pp Initiative: +8 (Speed of Thought) Attack: +4, +8 Melee, +10 w/ Blasts & Snare Grapple: +27; +16 without Enhanced Str Defense: +8/+6 (+5 Base, +3/+1 Dodge Focus), +3 Flat-Footed Knockback: -11 in Super-STR mode; -11 vs. Energy, -6 vs. Physical otherwise ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC 27 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Tangle Cables Ranged (1,000 ft. max) DC 20 Reflex (Staged) Entangled/Bound SAVING THROWS: 5 + 7 = 12pp Toughness: +12 (+2 Density, +10 Protection; Impervious 10 vs. Energy, 2 vs. Physical) Fortitude: --- Reflex: +8 (+3 Dex, +5) Will: +10 (+3 Wis, +7) SKILLS: 60r = 15pp Computers 12 (+20)Online Research, Well-Informed Craft (Electronic) 12 (+20) Craft (Mechanical) 12 (+20) Craft (all others) 0 (+8) Disable Device 1 (+9) Knowledge (Technology) 12 (+20) Knowledge (all others) 0 (+8) Medicine 2 (+5) Notice 7 (+10) Sense Motive 2 (+5) FEATS: 17PP Accurate Attack All-Out Attack Attack Focus (Melee) 4 Dodge Focus Eidetic Memory Favored Enemy (Robots) Fearless Improvised Tools Inventor Jack of all Trades Online Research Power Attack Speed of Thought Well-Informed Enhanced Feats Dodge Focus 2 (to Dodge Focus 3 total) Improved Grab Improved Grapple Luck 3 Veteran Rewards Equipment 5 (25 EP) Protectron's Storage Facility Size: Diminutive (apartment-sized); Toughness: +15; Features: Communications, Computer 2 (MW), Defense System no.1 (Blast 9 [PFs: Variable Descriptor 2/any], +10 to hit), Defense System no.2 (Snare 9 [PFs: Variable Descriptor 2/any], +10 to hit), Fire Prevention System, Laboratory 2 (MW), Library 2 (MW), Personnel, Power 2 #1 (Environmental Control), Power 2 #2 (Regeneration), Power #3 (Super-Senses), Power System, Security System 3 (DC 30), Self-Repairing, Think Tank 2 (MW), Workshop 2 (MW). Cost: -2 + 2 + 25 = 25 EP Power no.1: Environmental Control 5 (4pp/rank, 100-ft. radius; Extras: Duration [Continuous], Selective Attack; PFs: Precise, Selective) ("Customizable Environments") [32/40p] Power no.2: Regeneration 11 (Recovery +9, Recovery Rate: Injured 1 [20 minutes], Disabled 1 [5 hours]; Extras: Affects Objects, Affects Others; Flaws: Limited [Others Only]; PFs: Regrowth) ("Maintenance & Repair Pod") [23/40p] Power no.3: Super Senses 19 (acute analytical extended 2 [1,000 ft. increment] radius ranged tracking detect energy 3 [radio sense] {10}, acute analytical detect physical objects 3 [tactile] {5}, microscopic vision 4) {19/20} POWERS: 1 + 2 + 10 + 19 + 5 + 38 + 1 + 12 + 2 + 30 + 4 + 10 + 5 + 2 + 5 + 18 + 12 = 176PP Additional Limbs 2 (2 tiny robotic arms in the neck; Note: Sustained Duration; Flaw: Limited [only when Anatomical Separation is active]) [1PP] Anatomic Separation 1 (head) [2PP] Comprehend 5 (electronics 2 [speak & understand], languages 3 [read, speak any, understand]) [10PP] Density 6 (+12 Str, +2 Impervious Toughness, Immovable 2, Super-Strength 2 [effective Str 32, hvy load 1 ton], x5 mass; Extra: Duration [Continuous]; Flaw: Permanent; PF: Innate) [19PP] Device 1 (Cape, 5 points; Flaw: Easy to Lose 2; PFs: Restricted 2 [Only Protectron Can Use]) [5PP] Enhanced Feats 5 (Dodge Focus 2 [“silhouette distortion”], Luck 3 [“supplemental batteries”]) [5DP] Feature 1 (Temporal Inertia) [1PP] Flight 6 (500 mph / 5,000 feet Move action) [12PP] + Enhanced Flight 2 (to Flight 8 [2,500 mph / 25,000 feet per Move action]; Flaw: Limited [Detached Head only]) [2PP] Immunity 30 (Fortitude effects) [30PP] Impervious Toughness 8 ("energy absorption"; Flaw: Limited [Only vs. Energy, not Physical]) [4PP] Primary Energy Systems 16.5 (33 points; PFs: Alternate Power x5) [38PP] BE: Enhanced Feats 3 (adds Improved Critical 2 [18-20] and Incurable to unarmed strikes; Flaw: Limited [Only vs. Technological Cyborgs & Robots]) {2} + Enhanced Feats 2 (Improved Grab, Improved Grapple) {2} + Enhanced Strength 13 (to 35/+12) {13} + Impervious Toughness 8 (structural support field; note: Sustained Active effect; Flaw: Limited [Only vs. Physical]) {4PP} + Super-Strength 5 (total Super-Str 7; total effective Str 70; Lt Load 16 tons, Med Load 32 tons, Hvy Load 50 tons, Max Load 100 tons) {10} {2+2+13+4+10 = 31/33} AP: Blast 10 (”assorted blasters”; PFs: Accurate 3 [+10 to hit], Improved Ranged Disarm, Indirect 2 [can fire beams from its hands, eyes, mouth, and the daka crystals in the center of its chest, on its shoulderpieces, and on its forehead], Precise, Split Attack, Variable Descriptor 2 [any energy]) {30} plus Enhanced Feats 3 (adds Improved Critical 2 [18-20] and Incurable to Blast; Flaw: Limited [Only vs. Technological Cyborgs & Robots]) {2} {30+3=33/33} AP: Create Object 20 (”replicators”, 20 5-ft. Cubes, Toughness 20, STR 100 [hvy load 12,500 tons]; Extra: Duration [Continuous]; Flaw: Action [Full], Range [Touch]; PFs: Innate, Precise, Subtle, Variable Descriptor 2 [any matter]) {25} and Immunity 3 (starvation/thirst, suffocation; Extras: Affects Others, Area [General, Burst, 15 ft.]) {6} {25+6=31/33} AP: Dazzle Radio & Visual 10 (“EM Flare”; Extra: Area [General, Cone, 100-ft.]; Flaw: Range [Touch]) {30/33} AP: Environmental Control 4 (2 points/rank of cold, heat, light, and/or radiation; Extra: Selective Attack; Flaw: Range [Touch]) {8} plus Feature 1 (Mimicry) {1} plus Illusion 5 (“holographic playback system,” visual and audio; Extra: Duration [Sustained]; PFs: Precise, Progression 3 [50 ft radius]) {24} {8+1+24=33/33} AP: Snare 10 (”tangle cables”; PFs: Accurate 3 [+10 to hit], Improved Critical 2 [18-20], Reversible, Split Attack, Tether) {28} plus Enhanced Feats 6 (adds Homing and Obscures Senses 5 [all] to Snare; Flaw: Limited [Only vs. Technological Cyborgs & Robots]) {3} {28+3=31/33} Protection 10 [10PP] Quickness 5 (x50) [5PP] + Enhanced Quickness 4 (to Quickness 9 [x1,000]; Flaw: Limited [Mental Only]) [2PP] Regeneration 5 (+0 Recovery Bonus) [5PP] Secondary Energy Systems 6 (12pp; PFs: Alternate Power 6) [18PP] BE: Communication 9 (radio, Anywhere on Earth; PF: Subtle) {10/12} AP: Datalink 3 (radio, 1,000 feet; Extra: Area; PFs: Machine Control, Selective, Subtle) {9/12} AP: Dazzle Radio Strike 12 (“radio-blocking strike”; adds Extra: Linked Dazzle Radio 12 to Unarmed Strike; Extra: Affects Objects; Flaw: Limited [Only vs. Technological Cyborgs & Robots]) {12/12} AP: Fatiguing Strike 12 (“power-disrupting strike”; adds Extra: Linked Fatigue 12 to Unarmed Strikes; Extra: Affects Objects; Flaws: Fatigue, Limited [Only vs. Technological Cyborgs & Robots]) {12/12} AP: Nauseating Strike 12 (“viral strike”; adds Extra: Linked Nauseate 12 [Alt Save: Will] to Unarmed Strikes; Extra: Affects Objects; Flaws: Limited [Only vs. Technological Cyborgs & Robots], Sicken) {12/12} AP: Paralyzing Strike 12 (“lagging strike”; adds Extra: Linked Paralyze 12 to Unarmed Strikes; Extra: Affects Objects; Flaws: Limited [Only vs. Technological Cyborgs & Robots], Slow) {12/12} AP: Stunning Strike 12 (“dazing strike”; adds Extra: Linked Stun 12 to Unarmed Strikes; Extra: Affects Objects; Flaws: Daze, Limited [Only vs. Technological Cyborgs & Robots]) {12/12} Super-Senses 12 (accurate 2 radio [radar], accurate 2 for ultra-hearing [sonar], extended for all vision [2]; infravision, microscopic vision 2, radio, ultra-hearing, ultravision) [12PP] DRAWBACKS: 3 + 3 = 6pp Vulnerability (Gravitics, Frequency: Uncommon, Intensity: Major [x2] [-3PP] Vulnerability (Magnetism, Frequency: Uncommon, Intensity: Major [x2] [-3PP] TOTALS Abilities (18) + Combat (18) + Saving Throws (12) + Skills (15) + Feats (17) + Powers (176) - Drawbacks (6) = 250/250 Power Points [0 under]

AA speaks truth. There are oodles of tech-oriented foes that a tech-oriented team of supers could focus on.

Archived due to player departure.

"Yes, Miss Parker!," a disturbingly perky receptionist chirped, drawing Jessica's attention to the tiny seated woman. "Doktor Archeville is expecting you, up on the fifth floor. Here," she continued, holding out a VISITORS ID badge attached to a blue lanyard, "you'll need this to get around." Jessica briefly wondered which had a higher percentage of plastic, the ID badge or the receptionist's chest. "There's an elevator right down that hallway," she went on, pointing to the largest of the hallways behind her. "Have a super day!" Jessica could sense -- which was, in fact, why she was here -- that the badge was emitting a radio signal. Elsewhere, on the seventh floor, Archeville was going over some test results from his latest experiments -- the development of a "metal rubber," a flexible material that can be heated, frozen, washed or doused with jet fuel, and still retain its electricity-conducting properties -- when an alarm from reception alerted him of Parker's arrival. "We have an excellent material here, gentlemen, but now is the difficult part: finding a way to make it affordable, cheap and easy to make. But," he roses and headed for the door, "you will need to start in on that without me, for I have an appointment. We can meet again in... two weeks? Excellent!"

He looked on her with a sad smile and hurt-yet-hopeful eyes, "I just... hope," he said, his voice ever-so-slightly strained, "that I -- that it -- never does anything that requires your forgiveness. And..." He paused, took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly. "And in case that ever should happen -- unlikely, I would like to believe, but I do believe in preparing for the worst -- there are a few people I would like you to talk to, both here in Freedom City and back home in Baden-Württemberg. A small handful of allies-" He stopped and corrected himself, "of friends, who know of my condition, and who have plans on how to react should... should something happen." He gave a weak smile, "I have actually been meaning to get them all to met one another, see if they wold want to collaborate on their 'Mad Archeville Protocols'."

"Quite a few, yes!," he exclaimed, then dashed out of the pool room back to his laboratory. "Of course, nothing beats a live showing," he called behind him, implying that Lynn should follow, "but there are a few good ones that have been recorded! Then there are the adaptations, live action and animated films; they even made one with that boy from the Home Alone series!" Following the Doktor -- perhaps tentatively -- back to the laboratory proper, Lynn found him at the massive monitor-covered pillar that dominated the center of the massive room. Even from here she could see he was bringing up footage from assorted movies and tv specials, recordings of ballet dance productions, and the like. "Come, come, I can show you several different productions! And if I beam them directly into your cortex," he said, with what even from here she could see was a mad grin, "they will go that much faster! It really does save time, it is how I watch most movies now. Very efficient!"

Archeville made an indeterminate grunt, then began manipulating the controls of his Electromagnetic Screwdriver. A beam of violet light shot out of it, but the beam did not go far, stopping after only a meter or so. The end of the beam swelled, as if the beam were a balloon being filled with air. The far end swelled and then sprouted two projections at right angles (so it looked like a T of violet light was projecting from gadget), then the 'crossbar' resolved itself into the shape of a large baster, as big a Archeville himself! "This should serve," he said as he dipped the end of the force construct baster into Slick's form, "as an acceptable transfer vessel." And indeed it was, and moments later Slick was in the belly of the 'bot.

Initiative for Dead Head (1d20+2=19) and Initiative for Mutt (1d20+2=17)

Silver Scream Standard: Attack Breakdown with her mighty spear! Need two Will saves. First is DC 20. This is for her Illusion; Breakdown knows she uses Illusions, so gets a chance to make the save, but he still needs to make the save to disbelieve. If that is passed, no damage at all! (Since her Mental Blast can only work on those who believe her Illusions) If that fails, second Will save, DC 21. That's a Mental Damage effect.

We're actually trying to trim out Tropes page down some -- our Brobdingnagian page has been in the "Top 20 Pages That Makes TV Tropes' Server Crash" list for a while!

You've had three replies in under 24 hours. How is that "not a lot of interest"? (And while Dok would want to be on this like red on Blutwurst, he's already pulled in many directions. However, an idea for a 3rd char has been forming in my mind, one that might fit in quite well....) On a more critical note, that idea sounds way too big. It's the DC equivalent of a team of [young? fresh?] heroes banding together to stop the Anti-Monitor. Maybe focus on something smaller and more directly-tech-y, like going against the Power Corps, or the Foundry?

A lone figure -- unidentifiable due to being wrapped head-to-toe in many layers of clothing -- walked along the road. When it saw the gathering of people at the abandoned auto shop, it turned and headed towards them. Nice of Push ta leave me that invite at the cemetery. Even if his carelessness did knock over three headstones... wonder who the rest'a these guys are. As it approached, the group could see the clothing was well-worn, and stained in places. Was this a homeless person of some sort, seeking a handout? "Hey!," the figure greeted, "how y'all doin'?" The voice, though muffled through the two scarves he wore, was instantly identifiable by those who'd heard it before: it was Dead Head!

Decembers in Freedom City were always cold, and this one was no different, so seeing someone bundled up in heavy coat, gloves, cap, and scarf would not be unusual. Seeing someone with all that in the mall would be a tad odd, since most would shed their layers once inside the warm center of commerce, but perhaps some people just require longer to warm up. That was one thing those who passed a certain well-wrapped figure may have thought as they went about their mall-centric tasks; the odd aromas of spices about him might be attributed to the stranger having recently imbibed some mulled cider (or rum-heavy eggnog). But this figure was not there for shopping, but rather to meet somebody. Well, looking for some body, anyway. I always did like winter! And in this get up, I can come investigate things like the rumors of bodies buried in the foundation of this mall, without worryin' 'bout spookin' the norms! Same I couldn't find somethn' ta make up a harness fer Mutt so he could pose as my seein' eye dog, but he seems ta like it better up on the ceilin' anyway, chasin' them toy helicopters. Nearby, a man in front of the toy store demonstrating the latest remote controlled helicopter was trying to figure out what his model had run into to cause the damage it had suffered. The numerous scratches could be attributed to bumping into the walls, ceilings, and other flying toys, but the puncture marks? Dead Head was making his way to the center of the mall when the growl and screams split the air. "Dangit, cain't a guy investigate the contractor-hidden bodies of Mafia hits without some critter gettin' in the way?!" he sighed. He turned and ran to the source, whistling for Mutt as he went. "C'mon, boy, we gots us a ruckus!"

Got word at work yesterday that the next two months are going to be very busy and hectic, so my ability to post during the day (already scarce to being with) will likely go to nil. And today, my wife had surgery, so my next few evenings (and this weekend) will be spent in part tending to her, leaving me less time to post here. (Another foot surgery; not as serious as her last one, but she still needs to stay off her feet for the next few days.)

/action neuralyzes Sand and Aoi

Shadow Man's Vignette is finally up!

My name is Matthew Rose. Some people know me as the dark hero Shadow Man. Most don't. I'm a new guy around these parts. Still, I wear a mask. A spandex face cover with mirror goggle eyes. Still, I have to wear other 'masks'. Let's start with the easiest one to explain. Mask Number One: Shadow Man Shadow man is the mask I wear to protect my identity from others. If I did not wear this mask I could get in trouble. Villains would know who I was and come gunning for me in my day job and off times. Hell, there's some crazies out there that would even look up my family! As much as me and Nikki (my wife) go back and forth, I'd never wish any of those psychos on her. And my kids. God help me if they touch my kids. Shadow Man affords me freedoms from my 'normal' life. Who else gets to be a defender of justice like I do? Mask Number Two: Father Speaking of my kids, that's another mask I put on. I'm their father first and foremost. My boy is thirteen, his name is Joshua. My girl is sixteen, her name is Faith. The mask I put on for them is a jovial one. They can't see their father distressed! So I put on a happy face when I'm around them. Never mind that their mother is a backstabbing harpy. I love my kids and would do anything for them. Nikki says I'm spoiling them, but hey, you're only young once, right? Thus I put on a jovial mask. Mask Number Three: Ex-Husband Nikki, as I've said before (and will continue to say), is a no good trifling hussie. I wear an apathetic mask around her. I will not suffer her foolishness. If I show the least bit of emotion around her, she'll latch on to it and make it where she right and I'm wrong. This is why I see the kids separate from her. I don't want her to use her games against me through them. She's a noble demon in that regards. She doesn't use the kids against me. I would thank her for that, but I'm sure she'd use my thanks as something I've done wrong. Thus I wear an apathetic mask. Mask Number Four: Work I am a private investigator. The mask I wear for that part of my life is a sneaky one. For about fifteen or sixteen years, I've been serving justice in a less than superheroic way. Don't get me wrong, it's good work. Heck, some have even called me their hero for that. But what I do is hired snooping. I originally was going to be a cop. Things changed when my parents died. I got spooked. I still wanted to serve justice, but not so dangerously. Boy did I get a wake up call a while back. Turns out snooping the wrong people gets you shot just as fast as being a nonsnooping justice Still, I wouldn't have it any other way. Me and my sneaky mask get things paid for. Mask Number Five: Just... Matthew Is Matthew Rose a mask I wear? Who am I really? Outside of work, family and Shadow Man, there's me. What do I do besides that? Go to the gym? Hang out with friends? Go clubbing to make more friends? Do I have a mask for each of those or is it a collective Matthew mask? I could say yes, but then I'd be weighed down with masks. I could try to take them all off, but where do I stop? Just who am I in the dark? I guess I could go one one of those existential trips to find myself, but why? I'm perfectly happy where I am at the moment. Buried in my masks.