Electra

Arcturus Powers & AbilitiesMarcus Irons is, for all intents and purposes, a normal human with a significant amount of magical ability. His primary powers are derived from a runic symbol on his right shoulder blade–the Beast Rune, which significantly alters his natural physiology and allows him to transform an animal form. Though he usually takes the form of a bear, the Beast Rune has been shown to allow Marcus to access other animal forms in times of need. Marcus is a “Physical Adept”, meaning that his magic is primarily bent towards physical offensive capabilities. He does, however, have significant potential for natural elements and manipulating elemental forces. Typically, this simply comes in the form of very minor cantrips and striking with runic magic augmentations to his hands. He is capable of longer ranged elemental attacks, though they take far more effort, and often require Marcus to have access to the element needed. DescriptionIN COSTUME: Arcturus often wears what looks like a blue and gold wrestling singlet and an enchanted mask that slightly alters his physical features, making him more difficult to recognize. The mask actually augments the Beast Rune's effects on Marcus in a way that causes his voice to deepen several octaves, and it makes his canines and incisors look somewhat overgrown–more like very short tusks than teeth. In his bear form, the singlet remains in tact, but the mask disappears, becoming a part of his physical form. OUT OF COSTUME: Marcus tends to wear very loose clothing, and with good reason. He tends to favor sports jerseys, khakis, and white sneakers. Personality & MotivationMarcus is surprisingly mature for his age, often coming off as stand-offish, humorless, and far more serious than necessary. He's actually notoriously big-hearted and loyal to the people who actually earn his trust, and something of a pacifist at heart–contrary to the look and overall aggressive nature of the Beast Rune on his back. It's certainly not that he isn't capable; on the contrary, it's knowing that he could potentially lose control and seriously hurt someone that keeps him from doing anyone serious, crippling harm. Seeking largely to guard against the stigma of his parents' pasts, Marcus makes it a point to know as much as he can about both the magical and physical world and how they interact with one another. Equipment and DevicesAs an artificer, Marcus is capable of creating several different items. In the field, he typically uses his knowledge of runic magic to enchant existing items, repurposing them into something (hopefully) useful. Known Magic '''Gelus Grando / Ice Shards'''Effortless water, break thy silence… Marcus invokes the Frost Rune and slams his fist into his palm, reciting the spell's incantation. Drawing both hands back, he takes a backhanded swing at his target, sending a volley of ice shards at it. The shards fly in a tight enough pattern that they're unlikely to hit more than one target, but they move at a ridiculously high velocity as they fly through the air. Mechanics:'Blast 9 ('Feats: Accurate; Extras: Penetrating; Flaws: Requires Will check [DC19], Limited [Cold weather or near water]')' [10PP, ice, Frost Rune, magic] '''Terra Pugnum / Stone Fist'''Soul of stalwart earth, stand and be counted… Marcus invokes the Earth Rune, his right palm parallel to the ground. As he recites the incantation, he clenches his open hand into a fist, forming a massive hand of earth and stone near his target that attempts to grab them. Mechanics:'Telekinesis 10 ('Str 50, Heavy Load 12.8 tons; Extras: Damaging; Flaws: Requires Will Check [DC20], Limited [Near earth or stone]')' [10PP, earth, Earth Rune, magic] '''Tempestus Incendia / Chain Lightning'''From heaven to earth, let thunder fill the void… Marcus invokes the Storm Rune, his right arm raised with his index and middle fingers pointed upward. After the incantation, he points at a target and a lightning bolt rips through the sky at a target. The spell is able to chain from one target to another.Mechanics: 'Blast 10 ('PFs: Indirect 1, Split Attack 4; Flaws: Requires Will Check [DC20], Limited [Outdoors]')' [10PP, lightning, Storm Rune, magic] Out of Character Notes from the CreatorThe concept of Arcturus began with one of AvengerAssembled's builds. The idea of a character born of two 'villainous' parents was intriguing. I don't think I quite pulled it off the way that his build did, but the character has somewhat evolved since creation. His father was a magical experiment gone wrong. His mother was a mage tasked with retrieving him once he escaped. From there, they both 'reformed', though his mother has since disappeared to parts unknown. Thus, I had two angles to work with: inherent magical power and an inner beast that fed on aggression. Essentially, Marcus Irons and Arcturus are two sides of the same coin, and the only thing keeping the Beast Rune from doing what it does best–destroying EVERYTHING in its path–is Marcus's conscience. Heroism wins! Random Questions'Why the willpower check on the Magic powers?' The nature of the Beast Rune is all about dominance. Because of that, Marcus is in a constant fight with it to keep it's aggressive control at bay. With so much of his concentration going towards simply maintaining his own mental order, using his magic, which requires thought and planning because of its environmental dependency, becomes a lot more difficult. As such, I felt like that was best reflected through requiring the Will check–something that isn't augmented through his powers and a check that he could conceivably fail at DC18 or higher. Even if I were to put this in a permanent array, his magic would STILL be both Distracting and Tiring (and the difficulty for a Rank 12 power would be DC22.

ArchesternArchestern (2005-2011) was a private space station designed, built and operated by super-genius Dr. Archeville as part of ArcheTech Industries. It was a private laboratory and research facility in geosynchronous orbit over Earth, launched in 2005 with help from the Freedom League, most notably the heroes Dark Star and Ace Danger, with the cooperation of UNISON. Archestern operated as an orbital research facility until 2011, when it was weaponized during the events of ArchEvil and was eventually partially destroyed, then decommissioned and abandoned. LocationArchestern (“Arche-Star”) is parked in geosynchronous orbit (approximately 22,000 miles above sea level) over South America (mainly Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil). However, it is possible for ArcheStern to move, albeit at a very slow pace. Appearance, ExteriorArchestern presents a profile similar to an eight-pointed star. It has a large central area that's disk shaped, and radiating from it to the eight points of the compass are wedge-shaped “rays.” The central disk is referred to as the Core; the eight arms are the North, Northeast, East, Southeast, South, Southwest, West, and Northwest wings. Appearance, InteriorThe 'Core' contains most of the station's key facilities, including gravity generation systems, the security room, and the bridge. The gravity generator (a masterwork resulting from Dr. Archeville's extensive research into gravitics) allows the station to maintain Earth-normal gravity (1.0G) without having to be spun; controls in the Core can vary the gravity throughout the station (or only in selected parts of the station) from 0.0 to 4.0G. From the security room, all internal and external cameras can be monitored, electronic locks controlled, and personnel communicated with. The bridge is where Doktor Archeville and crew operate the controls that fly the station; though it normally remains in a stationary orbit, it is possible to move it as a very slow pace. The bridge also contain the controls for Archestern's communications equipment and sensors. The 'North Wing' contains Dr. Archeville's personal quarters, his dining hall and kitchen, and his laboratories. His large, luxurious room occupies the tip of the wing and has large “windows” made of transparent Archeneum that allow him to gaze out on the magnificence of space. The laboratories aren't as extensive as those in Schloss Wissenschaft or Archeville's Hanover Home due to a lack of room aboard the station, but there's more than enough to keep Archeville occupied. This is where he does most of his work on astronomy, astrophysics, and related subjects, since it's much easier to view the universe without an atmosphere getting in the way. The 'East Wing' contains quarters and living spaces for Archestern's crew and guests. The lounges are small and focus almost entirely on video entertainment; there isn't room for things like billiard tables. The 'South Wing' of Archestern primarily contains the unglamorous but absolutely necessary systems required to keep the space station running: the power generator (a binary cold fusion system, supplemented by numerous solar panels on the sunward side of the station); the heating plant and ventilation equipment; and the main life support systems. (Smaller backup life support systems are in the Core and each Wing except the West Wing, capable of sustaining life in that particular section but not elsewhere.) Additionally, the South Wing features Archestern's teleportation platform. The 'West Wing' contain the landing/launch bay at its “tip,” and the rest of the wing consists of hangars and repair bays for space vehicles. The 'Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, and Northwest Wings' contain laboratories and workstations ArcheTech uses (and rents out to other companies), to take advantage of the low- and zero-gravity environments which are ideal for manufacturing some types of electronic components and chemicals, the clearer view of the universe for astronomy and astrophysics work, and the top-down view of the Earth for meteorological research. MiscellaneousArchestern mounts a telescope even better than the Hubble Space Telescope]. (Hubble has roughly x8,000 magnification, Archestern's has x10,000.) Archestern typically carries 60 man-years worth of food and other supplies. Archestern is based in large part on Zerstorenstern (“Destroyer-Star”), Doctor Destroyer's orbital headquarters, as presented in The Book of the Destroyer, a supplement for the 'Champions' RPG.

Aliments AvinirAliments Avinir is a French Restaurant in Downtown Freedom, the Riverside district, that opened in May 2011 to excellent reviews. It is known for its excellent food and reasonable prices (well within reach of most working folk). Its has a good selection of wines, all from the French region, although none are ostentatiously priced. It has quickly established a reputation as a great place to go for reasonably priced high quality French cuisine. It's Chefs and waiters / waitresses are largely, but not all, French, and all can speak the language. It has quite a “family” feel, and the whole restaurant very much appreciates the whole “French” culture. Speaking French there will win you a lot of friends, whereas being uncouth and uncultured will get you rude service at best, a spit on your food if you are unlucky, and a kick into the street at worst. It is presided over by the cordial, robust Monsieur Verdoux, a man in his fifties who has some wealth and has set up his restaurant after coming to Freedom City the year previously. His wife works with him in the restaurant. His son is a doctor at Freedom City (the reason he moved to this country). Aliments Avenir is a favourite restaurant of “Big Al” Driogano. Monsieur Verdoux has no love for the Mob, but cannot refuse his custom. The restaurant is also a favourite of Rene deSaens and King of Suits who are both fellow Frenchmen and friends of Monsieur Verdoux (after saving the Don from an attack by the Silencer in Aliments Avenir)

1480 King Boulevard 1480 King Boulevard is a five-story apartment building, a blocky cube dressed in pale gray stone a few blocks north-northeast of Freedom City University. It was built in the 1950s as off-campus student housing, with thirty-one rail car style units per floor. In 1973 it was sold to the current owners, who converted it into a regular apartment building and combined every two units into one, by the simple expedient of knocking down some interior walls and bricking up some doorways. The 'extra' unit on every floor was converted into a communal sitting room, encouraging the tenants to mingle more than in some other buildings. The basement is fully finished; when the building was originally constructed, it was thought this would become a common area for the student tenants. When the structure was remodeled, this became yet another vacant room that could be rented by the half-day. For the last few months, though, it's been the physical location of Cross' Roads. Notable Tenants Robin Morrigan Isla Cross

The 100 Club Any Player who has ever made 100 or more in-character posts with the same character in a single month is said to be a member of “the 100 Club.” This 'unofficial' club was started by Quotemyname in March of 2009, though he was not the first player to reach 100 IC posts with a single character in a month. The 100 Club Alderwitch Angrydurf Aoiroo AvengerAssembled Azuth65 Breella Cyroa Electra Fox Gizmo Lone Star Quotemyname Raveled Thunder King The 200 Club An even rarer subset of the 100 Club, is the '200' Club. There is no point reward or other incentive for achieving 200 posts in a single month for a given character, but Dr. Archeville has promised to provide the phone number of a competent therapist to players insane enough to reach this milestone. Alderwitch Electra