Dr Archeville

Skill Mastery (Computers) = can Take 10 = 38 w/ Enhanced Int & Gadgets helping EDIT: 34 if he cannot use his newest batch of upgrades (which were mostly to his thinky bits)

The blob was still up in the tree, barely moved. If anything, it seemed slightly higher up in the tree than before.

Does he have any tats? I don't recall ever seeing any... then again, it's not like I've really looked. Jos moved over to another display case, one holding more an assortment of small books. "Oh, I get all manner of customers in here, madame, and some are adorned with tattoos. Not that that bothers me any; I have seen all sorts of things in this city. I cannot say as I recall ever seeing someone with a fox tattoo, though, unless it was hidden under their clothes. And I do not make a habit of checking under my patron's clothes, unless I suspect them of shoplifting."

Will save = 12 But, it is a 20 if his Mind Shield 8 (Flaw: Only applies to mental effects that try to uncover his true nature) comes into play.

So we still just have the one student so far (Stinger, Elfy's char), right? Ad four potential new teachers/staff (Belphegor, Malice, Ronin, Shadowmancer)?

O... kay. She must think I may be a Fox Spirit, which means she's really after Sirius. Could she be tied to the 'red bird' Gwen mentioned? Jos kept up his Salesman's Smile. "I am sorry, I do not speak Italian, but- ah, you do speak English, excellent. No, no one else around," he lied while moving towards a display case nearer the front of the shoppe, "but I am sure I can manage to assist you by myself. I do have some fine Calabrian dolls you may find of interest."

Belphegor & Artificing (as of 8/11/2009) Craft (artistic) +7 Craft (structural) +4 Knowledge (arcane lore) +11 No Quickness, no Skill Mastery Perhaps he should take up that job at the Shadow Academy's Arts & Crafts Department.... Under this, Bel could have (11/5) 2 persons help on Knowledge (arcane lore) checks, (7/5) 1 person help on Craft (artistic) checks, but (4/5) 0 helpers on Craft (structural) checks.

Hello, what have we here? Jos stopped arranging the shelves, and approached the newcomer with his best Salesman's Smile. "Good day, madame, and welcome to Curious Things! How may this humble shopkeep," he bowed slightly, "be of service?"

Let's put it at the 3rd (a Monday).

The teen just barely looks up at Cale, then turns slightly and looks at a different set of items, an array of mugs. He appears to be ignoring you.

Given that RRG can fly 10,000 feet as a Move action.... Standard to grab her Move to move to a rooftop (closest one is about half a mile away) You could use a Free action to literally drop her, or a Standard one to set her down. Telling her to stay put would also be a Free action. Rocketing back would be another Move action.

Make some sort of interaction skill check (Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, whatever) as you interact with Greasy McShoplifty.

"Ah, Herr Cale, good to see you!" the doktor said warmly (but in heavily-accented English). "Dis appears to be a dimensional transporter, dough it vas not built by any student here, at least not completely. Dere are Grue components in dere, but vhat is more disturbing is dat mein readings," he floated over and showed Quark the readings on his E.S., "indicate dat de machine vas activated not from here, but from another dimension -- specifically, from Erde, an Axis-conquered parallel!"

"Now! Ve go now!" Also, here's a second request to use some color other than eye-bleeding yellow.

Doktor Archeville, Der Alchimist Power Level: PL 10 (150/150 pp) Trade-Offs: -2 Attack for +2 Save Difficulty. -3 Defense for +3 Toughness. [floatr][/floatr] Appearance: The biggest difference between the appearance of this Doc and Earth-Prime Doc is that this one completely bald, lacking even eyebrows (a side effect of thallium poisoning). His skin is fish-belly pale, except for about an hour after he doses himself with arsenic, when he looks flushed and almost lifelike. His alchemically-treated clothes (and lab coat) contain numerous pockets in which he keeps various potion vials and capsules. Every few hours he sips mercury from a hip flask or snorts a pinch of powdered lead and arsenic compound; if he goes a day without a "fix" he gets jittery and nauseous. Background/History: Like Der Mathemagician, this version of Archeville latched onto a narrower field of study rather than being an omnidisciplinary scientist. Initially he focused on chemistry, in all its many forms, but like Der Mathemagician a chance encounter with a student of the occult lead him to the forgotten branches of alchemy. Personality/Motivation: Much the same as Earth-Prime Archeville, though with more pride in his alchemical skills. Quote: "Here, hold this." Powers/Tactics: Archeville has adapted modern lab techniques to the ancient art of alchemy with spectacular results. He became one of the top alchemists in the world while still in his thirties, and can make potions and other alchemical items for nearly any effect he wants. At the moment, he is researching immortality and invulnerability. So far, he's succeeded only in giving himself a knack for suspended animation (Trance) and addicting himself to heavy metal toxins such as arsenic, lead and mercury. (His experiments on himself are somewhat hampered by his own pseudonatural lineage, which he has yet to detect.) He has devised a potion that temporarily greatly strengthen his flesh, and has incorporated it into a drug injector concealed in an amulet. His alchemical mastery, however, does not make Archeville a fighter. Most of his potions are for defense and escapes, or to delay or hinder pursuit. Complications: Fame/Infamy (in Germany), Pride (of his alchemical skill), Rivalry (professional, with other [al]chemists) Abilities: [0+6+2+14+10+0 = 32pp] Str 10/+0 Dex 16/+3 Con 12/+1 Int 24/+7 Wis 20/+5 Cha 10/+0 Combat: [8 on Attack, 8 on Defense = 16pp] Attack +4 (melee), +8 (ranged) Grapple +4 Damage +0 (unarmed) or by power Defense +7 (+2 flat-footed) Knockback -10; -3 without Amulet/Protection; -0 "naked" Initiative +3 Saves: [7+6+7 = 20pp] Toughness +13 (Impervious 7); +6 without Amulet/Protection; +1 "naked" Fort +8 (+1 Con, +7) Ref +9 (+3 Dex, +6) Will +12 (+5 Wis, +7) Skills: [80 ranks = 20pp] Acrobatics 0 (+3; +7 w/ Boots) Concentration 4 (+9) Craft (artistic) 6 (+13) Craft (chemical) 10 (+18) Craft (structural) 6 (+13) Disable Device 8 (+15) Knowledge (arcane lore) 9 (+16) Knowledge (life sciences) 8 (+15) Knowledge (physical sciences) 9 (+16) Language 4 (Arabic, English, Greek, Latin; German is native) Medicine 4 (+9) Notice 4 (+9) Search 4 (+11) Sleight of Hand 4 (+7) Feats: [17 feats] Artificer Attack Focus (Ranged) 4 Benefit 1 (Wealth 1) Dodge Focus 3 Eidetic Memory Equipment 2 (sanctum) Improvised Tools Skill Mastery (Craft [artistic, chemical], Disable Device, Sleight of Hand) Sneak Attack Trance Ultimate Effort (Craft [chemical]) Powers: [7+4+12+4+19+1 = 47pp] Device 2 (alchemical rod; 10 dps; easy to lose; PF: Restricted) [2x3 +1 = 7pp] Device 1 (alchemically-treated clothing; 5dps; hard to lose) [1x4 = 4pp] Device 3 (amulet of protection; 15 dps; hard to lose) [3x4 = 12pp] Device 1 (boots of leaping; 5 dps; hard to lose) [1x4 = 4pp] Device 6 (concealed alchemical potions; 30 dps; easy to lose; PF: Restricted) [6x3 +1 = 19pp] Immunity 1 (poisons) [1x1 = 1pp] Devices: Alchemical Rod: Transmutation 1 (Transform up to 1 pound of any non-living matter into any other non-living matter; Extra: Duration/Continuous; PFs: 2 Alternate Powers, Precise, Subtle) [10 DP] AP: Blast 4 (burst of raw power) AP: Super-Senses 6 (Acute Analytical Radius Ranged Tracking Detect Alchemical Magic [mental]) Alchemically-Treated Clothing: Protection 5 [5 DP] Amulet of Protection: Protection 7 (Extra: Impervious) [14 DP] Boots of Leaping: Enhanced Acrobatics 4 and Leaping 4 (x25 distance) [1+4=5 DP] Concealed Alchemical Potions: Magic 12 (PFs: 6 Alternate Powers) [24+6=30 DP] No. 1: Blast 12 (PFs: Variable Descriptor [any elemental]; Drawback: Reduced Range [5 increments]) ("Elemental Pellets") [24pp] No. 2: Blast 7 (Extra: Alt Save/Fortitude; Drawback: Reduced Range [5 increments]) ("Congealed Frost Elixir") [21pp] No. 3: Blast 6 (Extras: Penetrating, Secondary Effect; Drawback: Reduced Range [5 increments]) ("Universal Solvent") [23pp] No. 4: Concealment 6 (all visual and mystical sense groups; Extras: Independent, Total Fade; PF: Slow Fade 1/5 rounds [totally fades after 6 Minutes]) ("Invisibility Potion") [19pp] No. 5: Dazzle Visual 8 (Extra: 40-ft. Burst Area; Drawback: Reduced Range [5 increments]) ("Sunburst Elixir") [23pp] No. 6: Obscure Visual 4 (50 ft. radius; Extras: Independent, Linked Immunity 1 [own powers {drops applied to eyes that allows him to see through the smoke}]; Drawback: Reduced Range [5 increments]) ("Smoke of Concealment") [8pp] No. 7: Telekinesis 6 (Str 30; Flaws: Action/Full Round to prepare surface, Limited to only immobilizing body parts touching the surface; PFs: Subtle, Trigger [victim touches object painted with Glue]) ("Wizard's Glue") [5pp] Drawbacks: [1pp] Weakness (must consume heavy metal toxins every 5 hours or suffer cumulative -1 penalty to all checks, attack rolls, and Defense; common, moderate; -1 point) Totals: Abilities 32 + Combat 16 + Saves 20 + Skills 20 (80 ranks) + Feats 17 + Powers 47 - Drawbacks 1 = 150

"I-I was just running along," she says, still very upset, "w-when I almost tripped over-" And then she turned slightly and vomited. A bit splashed onto RRG's left boot. RRG's sweep of the area initially reveals nothing, but on the second pass he does just make out something: anther shiny patch on the tree closest to where the head lay. After studying it for a few seconds, RRG realizes it is not just a patch of translucent slime, it is a large mass of slime, a greenish blob of some sort with red splotches slowly climbing up the tree!

March 24th, 2009 (Tuesday, morning) Well, yesterday's lecture at HIT was... interesting. I barely got a chance to start before that pompous psychopath Captain Knievel showed up. The bizarre thing, though, was that he didn't start any violence: he was there to ask me questions! Specifically, questions about how I came to be so intelligent, and whether or not I felt jealous towards super-intelligent Metahumans who 'cheated' to get their aptitudes. His last question, though, was completely out of left field, as it was about Doctor Metropolis & how his powers worked. Though he was (surprisingly) calm throughout the exchange, I could not just let him go. Not after everything he's done (some of which I confronted him with during our Q&A session). Fortunately, Dark Star happened to be at the lecture, and we covertly came up with a plan to trap him, using Star's gravity manipulation abilities. Unfortunately, Knievel was able to escape even that, but as Star and I chased after him Arrowhawk appeared, and we managed to bring the madman down. Knievel's identity was revealed: turns out he's a wealthy and well-known bodybuilder! His trial is already set to take place tomorrow; I am sure it will be a media circus. His line of questions has me concerned, though. Specifically, his last question (though all his bigotry-laden questions are of concern on a more humanitarian level): the only reason I can think of that he would be interested in known how Doctor Metropolis' powers work is so he (and his fellow Metahuman-hater, Malice) can circumvent them. But what point would there be in that? Without his help, Freedom would take far longer to rebuild from the innumerable meta-battles which occur here, but what would be the benefit in that? To show that metahuman activity can be a danger to the environment? To turn public opinion against metahumans, framing them as "a clear threat to all"? Even if Doctor Metropolis were not a factor, there are enough Metahumans -- even relatively low-powered ones -- who would be willing & able to help with post-battle repairs to the city that any accusations of Metahumans being "a clear threat to all" would fail to gather much steam. March 24th, 2009 (Tuesday, afternoon) Knievel's lawyer contacted me, asking if I could come in and testify on Knievel's behalf, and prove that he's insane and thus not accountable for his actions! Ha!

June 6th, 2009 (Saturday) (continued) A toxin is a substance that causes injury to the health of a living thing on contact or absorption, typically by interacting with biological macromolecules such as enzymes and receptors. Ingestible toxins are referred to as poisons, especially when intentionally administered by a human, while animal toxins that are delivered subcutaneously (such as by sting or bite) are called venom. In normal usage, a poisonous organism is one that is harmful to consume, but a venomous organism uses poison to defend itself while still alive. A single organism can be both venomous and poisonous. Toxins can have a variety of effects. Hemotoxins are toxins that destroy red blood cells (hemolysis) and disrupt blood clotting, and cause organ degeneration and generalized tissue damage. An injury due to a hemotoxic agent is often very painful, and permanent damage, such as loss of an affected limb, is possible even with prompt treatment. Hemotoxins are frequently seen in venomous animals, such as pit vipers. In addition to killing the prey, part of the function of a hemotoxic venom for some animals is to aid digestion -- the venom breaks down proteins in the region of the bite, making prey easier to digest. [[in M&M game terms, these are most always a Drain on Constitution, though in many cases the damage to muscle tissues can be considered a Drain on Strength.]] Neurotoxins acts specifically on nerve cells (neurons), usually by interacting with membrane proteins and ion channels. They cause loss of coordination and eventual paralysis [[in M&M game terms these usually Drain Dexterity, though by blocking neuromuscular transmissions can act as muscle relaxants and so Drain Strength as well]]. Some animal venoms contain enzymes and other proteins that are both hemotoxic and neurotoxic (such as the Mojave rattlesnake). Some substances -- most notably alcohol -- dull areas of the brain responsible for planning and motor learning, and an increased metabolism in areas of the brain associated with movement causes reward systems in the brain to become more active. [[in M&M game terms, this would be a Drain on Wisdom.]] Narcotics can cause a variety of effects, including drowsiness, inability to concentrate, apathy, lessened physical activity, respiratory depression, constriction of the pupils, dilation of the subcutaneous blood vessels causing flushing of the face and neck. [[in M&M game terms, these would also be a Drain on Wisdom.]] To increase the lethality of a Poison, a Ref could declare that once any ability score is drained to 0, any further drains to that same attribute instead drain Constitution, which can be fatal. In the cases of Strength drain, death comes from the inability of the heart and diaphragm (both muscles) to function properly. In the cases of Dexterity drain, death is caused either by a creeping paralysis that reaches the lungs and heart, or a complete shutdown of the central nervous system. Alcohol Alcohol -- or, more precisely, ethanol -- has been consumed by humans since pre-historic times, for a variety of hygienic, dietary, medicinal, religious, and recreational reasons. While infrequent consumption of ethanol in small quantities may be harmless or even beneficial, larger doses result in a state known as drunkenness or intoxication. Depending on the dose and regularity of use, alcohol can cause acute respiratory failure or death and with chronic use can cause severe health problems, such as liver and brain damage. Arsenic Arsenic is a poisonous metalloid used in pesticides, herbicides and insecticides. It comes in two forms, yellow and gray/metallic, and is so chemically similar to phosphorous that it will partly substitute for it in biochemical reactions. "Pressure treated wood" is often treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA), and inhalation of the ash of burning CCA timber can lead to arsenic poisoning. Atropine Atropine is an alkaloid extracted from the deadly nightshade, and was widely used by opticians to dilate eyes before performing an eye exam. Its use in this regard has lessened as faster-degrading compounds have been created. Injections of atropine are used in the treatment of bradycardia (an extremely low heart rate) and pulseless electrical activity (PEA) in cardiac arrest. Adverse reactions to atropine include ventricular fibrillation, supraventricular or ventricular tachycardia (abnormally rapid beating of the heart), giddiness, nausea, blurred vision, loss of balance, dilated pupils, photophobia, and occasionally confusion, hallucinations and excitation. These latter effects are due to the fact that atropine is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. Bee Venom Bee Venom is acidic and designed to cause extreme pain to the target stung, because their sting's purpose is to defend their home and food stores. Though most bee stings do little lasting damage, some people are highly allergic to bee venom and go into anaphylaxis (a.k.a. anaphylactic shock) if stung. Symptoms of anaphylaxis can include respiratory distress, hypotension (low blood pressure), unconsciousness (either a sudden, short-term faint or a prolonged coma), urticaria (hives - raised red skin welts), angioedema (swelling of the face, neck and throat), severe itching, vasodilation (dilation/widening of blood vessels), and bronchospasm (constriction of the airways). Because a bee's stinger is barbed, a bee that successfully stings another creature must tear the stinger out of its own body, leaving both the stinger and a portion of its own abdomen inside the target; the bee soon dies afterwards. Belladonna Belladonna, also known as deadly nightshade, is even more toxic than the atropine that is derived from it. Children have been poisoned by as few as three of the berries, and a small leaf thoroughly chewed can be a fatal dose for an adult. Symptoms of belladonna poisoning are the same as those for atropine and include dilated pupils, tachycardia, hallucinations (indistinguishable from reality), blurred vision, loss of balance, a feeling of flight, staggering, a sense of suffocation, paleness followed by a red rash, flushing, husky voice, extremely dry throat, constipation, urinary retention, and confusion. In some cases, the skin can completely dry out and slough off. Fatal cases have a rapid pulse that turns feeble. Black Widow Spider Venom The venom of Black Widows spiders (genus Latrodectus) is a potent neurotoxin. Death is rare, as black widow venom acts by causing a localized release of neurotransmitters involved in muscular contraction. A bite results in a severe, uncontrollable, and prolonged muscle contraction in the area of the bite; since most bites occur on the foot or hand, far from the heart or other major organ, death rarely results. As with most cases of arthropod venom, however, some people may experience a severe allergic reaction to a black widow bite and go into anaphylactic shock. Blue-Ringed Octopus Venom Though only about the size of a golf ball, the Blue Ringed Octopuses (genus Hapalochlaena) is one of the deadliest creatures in the seas because it is one of the most venomous. Bacteria living in its salivary glands create a deadly cocktail of tetrodotoxin, 5-hydroxytryptamine, hyaluronidase (increases tissue permeability), tyramine, histamine (trigger inflammatory response), tryptamine, octopamine (trigger orthostatic hypotension, or "head rush"), taurine (breaks down lipids), acetylcholine (trigger muscular contractions), and dopamine. Tetrodotoxin is the major component of this venom; it blocks sodium channels (i.e., electrical signals), causing motor paralysis and sometimes respiratory arrest leading to cardiac arrest due to a lack of oxygen. There is no blue-ringed octopus antivenin available. Blue Vitriol Blue Vitriol is the pentahydrate of cupric sulfate, and occurs naturally in the mineral chalcanthite as a blue or blue-green triclinic crystal. Chalcanthite is water-soluble and commonly found in the late-stage oxidation zones of copper deposits. Due to its ready solubility, chalcanthite is more frequently found in greater abundance in arid regions. Botulin toxin Botulin toxin (or botox) is the toxic compound produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinium. It is an enzyme that breaks down one of the fusion proteins that allow neurons to release acetylcholine at a neuromuscular junction. By interfering with nerve impulses in this way, it causes paralysis of muscles seen in cases of botulism. It is possibly the most toxic substance known, with a lethal dose of about 300 pg/kg, meaning that somewhat over a hundred grams could kill every human living on the earth. Botulin toxin has always been considered an ideal agent for chemical warfare (though, given its origins, the distinction from biological warfare is a thin one), since it oxidizes rapidly on exposure to air, so an area attacked with a toxin aerosol would be safe to enter within a day or so. The CIA once prepared some cigars of Fidel Castro's favorite brand, saturating them with botulinum toxin, as a possible assassination ploy. The cigars were never used, but when tested years later were still found to be highly lethal. Botulin toxin is used (usually under a trademarked name such as "Botox") for producing long-term (months) paralysis of muscles. This was intended for the relief of uncontrollable muscle spasms, but is increasingly being used for cosmetic purposes, to paralyze facial muscles as a means of concealing wrinkles. Chloral Hydrate Chloral Hydrate is a sedative and hypnotic drug, used for the short-term treatment of insomnia, as a sedative before minor medical or dental treatment, and as a general anesthetic in veterinary medicine. An overdose is marked by confusion, convulsions, nausea and vomiting, severe drowsiness, slow and irregular breathing, cardiac arrhythmia and weakness. It may also cause liver damage, and is moderately addictive. Mixed with alcohol, it was the first "Mickey Finn." It was discovered in 1832 by Justuc von Liebig in Giessen, and was widely abused and misprescribed in the late 19th century. Chloroform Chloroform a colorless liquid with a pleasant, non-irritating odor and a slightly sweet taste. It is a member of a subset of environmental pollutants known as trihalomethanes, a by-product of chlorination of drinking water and a long-standing health concern. Chloroform was first produced independently and simultaneously in 1831 by Justus von Liebig and the French chemist Eugene Soubeiran. It was used widely as a general anesthetic throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but abandoned in favor of ether upon discovery of its undesirable toxicological properties and its propensity to cause sudden, fatal cardiac arrhythmia. Cobra Venom Cobra Venom contains a powerful neurotoxin, which can be fatal within minutes of the initial bite. Most people who have been killed by cobra bites, however, were either very young, very old, or subject to multiple envenomations. Curare Curare is an extremely potent neurotoxin. Used as an arrow poison by some Indian peoples of South America, it is a natural resinous extract obtained from several tropical American woody plants. The active ingredients of curare are alkaloids that affect neuromuscular transmission, thereby acting as muscle relaxants. Death from curare is caused by asphyxia resulting from paralysis of the respiratory muscles. The toxin kills only if it enters the blood stream. The amounts used to hunt animal are easily broken down in the gut, making the downed game safe for hunters and others to eat. As curare acts only at muscular synapses and does not cross the blood-brain barrier, a victim of curare poisoning may be aware of what is happening until the very end. Consequently, the victim can feel the paralysis progressing but is quickly unable to move, call out or gesture. Curare has also been used for treating the paralysis caused by tetanus ("lockjaw"), because the muscle relaxant counters the contractions caused by the tetanus toxin. Cyanide Cyanide is a cyanogen salt that bonds with an enzyme involved in ATP production. Victims of cyanide poisoning exhibit vomiting, convulsions, deep breathing, shortness of breath and anxiety; more serious cases result in convulsions, loss of consciousness, and death after apnea (absence of external breathing) and heart arrest; victims also often exhibit a breath odor of bitter almonds and a bluish coloration of the skin due to the presence of deoxygenated blood in vessels near the skin surface. Cyanide is generally delivered in the form of gaseous hydrogen cyanide (HCN) or in the form of potassium cyanide (KCN) or sodium cyanide (NaCN), white solids or powder with a bitter, almond-like odor in damp air. Zyklon B, the poison gas used in Nazi gas chambers during the Holocaust, works by delivering hydrogen cyanide gas; cyanide is also the compound used in US execution chambers. Poisoning by cyanide also figures prominently in crime fiction, particularly the works of Agatha Christie, and cyanide salts are used in fast-acting "suicide pills." DDT Dichloro-diphenyl-dichloromethane, is a colorless crystalline substance which is practically insoluble in water but highly soluble in fats and most organic solvents. DDT was developed as the first of the modern insecticides early in World War II, initially used with great effect to combat mosquitoes spreading malaria, typhus, and other insect-borne human diseases among both military and civilian populations. In the early 1960s, Rachel Carson, through publication of the book Silent Spring, aroused public opinion against DDT with her claim that DDT caused cancer and harmed bird reproduction by thinning egg shells. Neither claim has been substantiated in scientific studies: no link between DDT and human cancer has been found, and thinned eggshells have been produced only in studies using thousands of times more DDT than would be found in the wild. Nevertheless, Carson's book caused an outcry that eventually led to the pesticide being banned for agricultural use in most developed nations, and was one of the signature events in the birth of the environmental movement. The resulting ban is widely regarded as a major factor in the recovery of bald eagle populations in the United States. DDT is not particularly toxic to humans, compared to other widely used pesticides. In particular, no link to cancer has yet been established. Numerous studies have been conducted, including one in which humans voluntarily ingested 35 mg of DDT daily for almost two years. However, fertility studies in Scandinavia, where DDT was widely used to control pests, have found that the average male sperm count has dropped by almost 50% since DDT started to be used, while there is an increased rate of certain cancers of the reproductive organs compared to former years. These studies have not yet demonstrated a causative link between DDT and other effects, however. DDT was fist synthesized in 1873, and its insecticidal properties were discovered by the Swiss scientist Paul Hermann Müller in 1939, who was awarded the 1948 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for his efforts. Digitalis Digitalis is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous biennials, perennials and shrubs in the foxglove family Scrophulariaceae. The members of this genus are known in English as foxgloves. They are native in Europe, northwest Africa and west and central Asia. The scientific name means "finger," and refers to the ease which a flower of Digitalis purpurea can be fitted over a human fingertip. "Foxglove" has a similar origin, seen as a suitable glove for a fox paw. The flowers are produced on a tall spike, are tubular, and vary in color with species, from purple to pink, white and yellow. The best-known species is the Common foxglove, Digitalis purpurea, and is often grown as an ornamental plant due to its violet flowers. The first year of growth produces only the long, basal leaves, while in the second year the erect leafy stem 0.5-2.5 m tall develops. In contemporary medicine, digitalis extract is often prescribed for patients in heart failure. A group of pharmacologically active compounds are extracted mostly from the leaves of the second year's growth, and in pure form are referred to by common chemical names such as digitoxin or digoxin, or by brand names such as Lanoxin, or Purgoxin. Digitalis works by inhibiting sodium-potassium ATPase, which increases intracellular calcium. This inhibition increases the amount of Ca++ ions available for contraction, improving cardiac output and reducing distention of the heart. It has an anti-arrhythmic effect by prolonging the refractory period of the AV node (Atrio-ventricular), reducing the number of impulses reaching the ventricles. Digitalis toxicity (Digitalis intoxication) results from an overdose of digitalis and can result in jaundiced (yellow) vision and the appearance of blurred outlines (halos), as well as bradycardia (an extremely low heart rate) in extreme cases. Because a frequent side effect of digitalis is reduction of appetite, some individuals have abused the drug as a weight loss aid. Digitalis is a classic example of a drug derived from a plant formerly used by folklorists and herbalists: herbalists have largely abandoned its use because of its narrow therapeutic index and the difficulty of determining the amount of active drug in herbal preparations. Once the usefulness of digitalis in regulating pulse was understood, it was employed for a variety of purposes, including the treatment of epilepsy and other seizure disorders, a treatment now considered inappropriate. The use of Digitalis purpurea extract containing cardiac glycosides for the treatment of heart conditions was first described by William Withering. Hemlock Hemlock is a name shared by many related species of toxic plants, including the Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum) and the Water Hemlock (Cicuta virosa). All are members of the family Apiaceae. Many types of hemlock are identical to fennel or parsley, and the root can be mistaken for parsnip. Unlike fennel, which as the odor or anise or licorice, most hemlocks have a mouse-like or musty smell. Hemlock sap is a potent neurotoxin, disrupting the entire central nervous system and causing nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, tremors and seizures. Most species of hemlock are native to Europe and Asia, but have been introduced and naturalized in many other areas, including North America and Australia. The most famous victims of Hemlock poisoning was Socrates, who was given a solution of hemlock in 399 B.C.E. after being condemned to death for impiety. Lead Arsenate (Gas) Lead Arsenate (Gas) is created when solid lead arsenate (see below) is heated. The substance sublimes, transitioning from a solid state directly to a gaseous one. Lead Arsenate (Solid) Lead Arsenate (Solid) has been used, well into the 20th century, as a pesticide on fruit trees, resulting in neurological damage to those working the sprayers. Symptoms of lead poisoning include reduced IQ, irritability, insomnia, excess lethargy or hyperactivity, poor appetite, headache and in extreme cases seizure and coma. Once in the body, lead is biologically inactive -- its toxic properties come from lead's ability to mimic other biologically important metals, most notably iron and zinc. Lead is able to bind to and interact with the same proteins and molecules as iron, but after replacing iron, those molecules function differently and fail to carry out the same reactions. Worse, the arsenic in lead arsenate will partly substitute for phosphorous in biochemical reactions, making this compound doubly dangerous. Mustard Gas Mustard Gas is a compound that was first used as a chemical weapon in World War I. In pure form, it is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid at room temperature. The name comes from impure mustard gas, which is usually yellow-brown in color and has an odor resembling mustard, garlic or horseradish. Mustard gas has a strong tendency to bond to the guanine nitrogen in DNA strands, leading either to immediate cellular death or cancer. Mustard gas is not very soluble in water, but is very soluble in fat, contributing to its rapid absorption into the skin. Those exposed usually suffer no immediate symptoms, but the exposure develops (in 4 to 24 hours) into deep, itching or burning blisters wherever the mustard contacted the skin; the eyes (if exposed) become sore and the eyelids swollen, possibly leading to conjunctivitis and blindness. At very high concentrations, if inhaled, it causes bleeding and blistering within the respiratory system, damaging the mucous membrane and leading to pulmonary edema. Blister agent exposure over more than 50% body surface area is usually fatal. Most of the mustard gas found in Germany after World War II was dumped into the Baltic Sea, though shells containing mustard gas and other toxic ammunition from World War I (as well as conventional explosives) can still occasionally be found in France. It was first synthesized in 1860 by Frederick Guthrie, though it is possible it was developed as early as 1822 by M. Depretz. Paris Green (Gas) Paris Green (Gas) is the sublimated form of solid Paris Green (see below). When heated, solid Paris Green transitions directly into a gaseous form, with no intermediary liquid state. Paris Green (Solid) Paris Green (Solid) is a sulfide of arsenic. It is an extremely poisonous, bright green powder that was formerly used extensively as a pigment in wallpaper. It was also used as an insecticide or fungicide. Phosgene Phosgene was one of many chemical weapons used in World War I. Phosgene comes as either a colorless gas or a refrigerated liquid; it has an odor reminiscent of moldy hay. It is a particularly insidious poison, as phosgene exposure often has no initial symptoms. Symptoms usually appear within 24 hours, but can take up to 72 hours to manifest. The gas combines with water in the tissues of the respiratory tract to form carbon dioxide and hydrochloric acid, which then dissolves the membranes in the lungs. Fluid fills the lungs, and death results from a combination of blood loss, shock, and respiratory failure. Unlike nerve agents, phosgene must be inhaled to cause harm and cannot be absorbed through the skin. Phosgene was responsible for most of the about 100,000 gas-caused deaths during World War I. Pufferfish Poison Pufferfish Poison, or tetrodotoxin, is generated not by the fish itself but rather by various bacteria living within the fish. A single pufferfish contains enough tetrodotoxin to kill approximately thirty adult humans. Pufferfish poison is a potent neurotoxin, shutting down electrical signaling in nerves and paralyzing the victim, though since it does not cross the blood-brain barrier the poison itself does not render the victim unconscious. Rattlesnake Venom Rattlesnake Venom is in most cases hemotoxic, destroying/pre-digesting the tissues at the site of the bite. Some tropical species of rattlesnake, however, have a neurotoxic venom which can interfere with the function of the heart and paralyze the lungs. Ricin Ricin (pronounced rye-sin) is extracted from castor beans. Ricin is poisonous if inhaled, injected, or ingested, interfering with RNA function and thus inhibiting of protein synthesis. There is no known antidote to ricin poisoning, and long-term organ damage is likely in survivors. In small doses, such as the typical dose contained in a measure of castor oil, ricin causes digestive tract cramps. Ingested in larger doses, ricin causes severe diarrhea and victims can die of shock. The best-known documented use of ricin as an agent of biological warfare was by the Soviet Union's KGB during the Cold War. In 1978, the Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov was assassinated by Bulgarian secret police who surreptitiously shot him on a London street with a modified umbrella using compressed gas to fire a tiny pellet contaminated with ricin into his leg. He died in hospital a few days later; the pellet was discovered entirely by happenstance. Despite ricin's extreme toxicity and utility as an agent of chemical/biological warfare, it is extremely difficult to limit the production of the toxin. Under both the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention and the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention, ricin is defined as a "schedule one" controlled substance. Despite this, more than 1 million metric tons of castor beans are processed each year, and approximately 5% of the total is rendered into a waste containing high concentrations of ricin toxin. Though ricin is quite lethal and easy to obtain, it's main drawback as a weapon is that it readily degrades into harmless compounds upon exposure to ozone, nitrogen oxides, and other oxidizing pollutants in the air. Although the castor bean plant has long been noted for its toxicity, ricin was first isolated and named in 1888 by Herman Stillmark. Rirex Rirex is the calling card of France's le Arlequin du Diable (the Devil's Harlequin; Rirex from rire-x, rire being French for "laugh"). A hellish mixture of hydrogen-cyanide and Strychnodide (a strychnine derivative), the toxin causes immediate cessation of heart and brain functions. As a cruel side effect, the victim is further humiliated by having their muscles contract in such a way as to severely tighten and discolor the victim's skin, especially in the facial area. This leaves the victim's corpse permanently scarred with a clown-like grin in tribute to his killer. Since Rirex is just as deadly if absorbed through the pores as it is if inhaled, le Arlequin du Diable occasionally releases it in gas form throughout the central heating/cooling vents of a building (adding the Area and Obscure extras to the effect). Sarin Sarin, a G-series nerve agent, is one of the world's most dangerous chemical weapons. At room temperature, sarin is a colorless, odorless liquid. Its relatively high vapor pressure means that it evaporates quickly, and its vapor is also colorless and odorless; it can be made more persistent through the addition of certain oils or petroleum products. Sarin attacks the nervous system of the body, forming bonds at certain sites that cause neurotransmitters to build up, effectively causing a continual transmission of nerve impulses. Initial symptoms following exposure to sarin are a runny nose, tightness in the chest and dilation of the pupils. Soon after, the victim has difficulty breathing and experiences nausea and drooling. As the victim continues to lose control of bodily functions, he vomits, defecates and urinates. This phase is followed by twitching and jerking, and ultimately the victim becomes comatose and suffocates as a consequence of convulsive spasms. Atropine, which inhibits neurotransmitters, is an antidote to sarin poisoning. Sarin was discovered in 1928 in Germany. Scorpion Venom Scorpion Venom is a fast-acting neurotoxin that they use to kill or paralyze their prey. The venom of most scorpions is geared towards activity in other arthropods (insects and arachnids), and so is relatively harmless to humans, producing only local pain, numbness and swelling. Some scorpions, however, do possess venom potent enough to do serious harm to humans. Sea Wasp Jellyfish Venom The venom of the Sea Wasp Jellyfish (also known as the Box Jellyfish) is one of the most potent naturally-occurring venoms known, if not the most potent. It is a powerful neurotoxin, causing paralysis and extreme pain. The pain has been described as so great that some people have gone into shock and drowned before succumbing to the full effects of the venom. Fortunately, the nematocysts -- the stinging cells in a jellyfish’s tentacles which deliver the toxin -- are unable to penetrate even a thin layer of nylon, so swimmers can protect themselves by wearing pantyhose on their legs and arms (a not uncommon site among Australian lifeguards). Spitting Cobra Venom Spitting Cobra Venom is intended to be sprayed into the eyes of their victims, causing severe irritation, necrosis of the cornea and in some cases permanent blindness. The snakes spit this venom with near-perfect aim at targets up to ten feet/three meters away. This potent cocktail of hemotoxins and neurotoxins takes some time to break down -- if it gets on an item a character has, and they then touch the item and later touch their eyes without thoroughly washing their hands first, they can fall victim to the same effects. Strychnine Strychnine is a highly toxic colorless crystalline alkaloid used as a pesticide, most commonly in rat poison. Strychnine poisoning can occur via inhalation, swallowing or skin contact, and produces some of the most dramatic, terrifying, best known, and painful symptoms imaginable. 10 to 20 minutes after exposure, every muscle in the body will start to simultaneously contract, starting with the head and neck. The spasms then spread to every muscle in the body, with nearly continuous convulsions, getting worse at the slightest stimulus. They progress, increasing in intensity and frequency until the backbone arches continually. Death comes from asphyxiation caused by paralysis of the brain's breathing apparatus, or by exhaustion from the convulsions. At that time, the body "freezes," even in the middle of a convulsion. Rigor mortis sets in immediately, with the eyes left wide open. Tarantula Venom Tarantula Venom has well-known neurotoxic effects, though there are no substantiated reports of tarantula bites proving fatal to a human due both to the small amounts injected in a bite and the fairly docile nature of tarantulas. It was once thought that a cure for tarantula venom would be to dance around in a wild fashion; this dance came to be known as the Tarantella. Research done into the venom of certain species of tarantulas shows that the proteins in it has the potential to slow heart attacks and retard the growth of brain tumors. VX Nerve Gas VX Nerve Gas is the most well-known of the V-series of nerve agents, due in part to being featured in the 1996 action movie The Rock. VX has the texture and feel of high-grade motor oil, with low viscosity and low volatility. This makes it especially dangerous, as it has a high persistence in the environment. VX works as a nerve agent by blocking the function of neurotransmitter-hydrolyzing enzymes, causing neurotransmitters to build up and thus causing nerves to fire continuously, resulting in contractions of all the involuntary muscles in the body. VX is often regarded as the deadliest nerve agent created to date, since as little as 10 mg is enough to kill an average person. Atropine is the most commonly used antidote, though it must be administered within seconds of exposure for it to be effective. VX was developed in 1952 in England. Viper Venom Viper Venom can cause bleeding of internal organs, particularly the brain or bowels. Additionally, the victim may bleed from the bite site, or spontaneously from the mouth or old wounds. Unchecked bleeding can cause shock and lead to death. Wasp Venom Wasp Venom is designed to paralyze the prey, so it can be stored alive in the food chambers of their young. As with bee stings, most wasp stings have no major effect on humans, but some people are extremely allergic and go into anaphylactic shock if stung. Wolfsbane Wolfsbane is one of 100 species of plants in the genus Aconitum, in the family Ranunculaceae. Related species include aconite and monkshood. Many species are cultivated in gardens due to their eye-catching blue or yellow flowers, which resemble cylindrical helmets. Aconitine, the active principle alkaloid derived from Aconitum plants, is a crystalline base that is soluble in alcohol but not water. Aconitine first stimulates and then paralyzes the nervous system, especially the nerves associated with pain, touch, and temperature. It also stimulates the cardio-inhibitory center in the medulla oblongata (at the root of the vagus nerve) and the nerve ganglia of the heart itself. Circulation and pulse are slowed, often down to 40 or 30 beats/minute, blood pressure falls, and the heart is arrested in diastole (the "dubâ" in the "lub-dub" of a heartbeat); respiration also slows. Additional symptoms include a sensation of burning, tingling and numbness in the mouth, and of burning in the abdomen. As in strychnine poisoning, the patient is conscious and clear-minded to the last. Treatment is to empty the stomach (usually employing a tube or an emetic, or nausea-inducing compound), and treatment with atropine (which speed up nervous reactions) and alcohol (which breaks down the aconitine in the system). The plants need not be eaten to produce a toxic effect -- aconitine can be easily absorbed through the skin simply by picking the plant's leaves and absorbing the sap through the skin. In this case, a tingling sensation will be experienced at the point of absorption, extending up the arm and shoulder. Soon after, the heart will be affected, and an unpleasant numbness will replace the tingling sensation. The root of the Common Monkshood (Aconitum napellus, the most common plant in this genus) has often been mistaken for horseradish; amateur home gardeners have killed themselves by ingesting what they thought was horseradish, but was really monkshood or wolfsbane. More on snake venoms here.

Which reminds me, I meant to put in a request for Belphegor. Appearance: Jos Terhune is a slender but fit white (Dutch) man in his mid-30s, with short, brown hair, a narrow face, and round glasses. He frequently dresses like an old college professor (or antiques shoppe owner), earth tones and jackets with patches on the elbows. As Belphegor, he stands 6'3" tall with a massively muscular build. Belphegor has scaled, dark red hide, batlike wings, a long, heavy tail, a fanged muzzle, taloned hands and feet, short, curving horns, and bone spurs on his elbows, knees, ankles, and wing-joints. He wears scarlet trunks with a hole in the back for his tail.

Just as he finished collecting the sample, RRG hears a shriek, form the north! Rushing tot he source of the sound, RRG finds a female jogger, staring in shock at a bloody skull surrounded by a small puddle of what looked like the same slime form the trees.

What?! Terhune balked at Gwen's parting words, "that is not a... I paid a hefty sum for...." But now he had a doubt, a worry that he had been duped, and that would not do, so he began examining the tea set. Sirius' words made him pause -- maybe she was teasing? -- but he resumed his examination anyway. "Yes, well, you cannot choose your family, can you?"

"I believe," Archeville said as he read over a small display on his Electromagnetic Screwdriver, "dat dere is a computer teminal -- or at least some concentration of electrical signals -- dis vay."

Yeah, yeah, you'd rather spend time with the Claremont Kids than grumpy ol' Doc... :P

As RRG flies over to the site of the attacks, his long-range sensors do detect something unusual: a "shiny" area on a tree, several dozen feet up from the ground. Once RRG reaches it, a closer examination reveals it to be a large (like, big enough to have completely covered an adult human) patch of translucent slime, with three mostly-dried 'streams' of slime running about halfway down the tree from the main patch (one straight down, and one on either side fanning out a bit). This large patch isn't very far from the site of the most recent attack. Investigating the sites of the three attacks, RRG finds nothing. A general scan of the area finds more of the large slime patches up on several trees throughout the Promenade.

It might. ;)