Raveled

From the journal of Brian Harris. "January 15, 2011. My very first outing as a superhero and I kinda messed up. No, wait -- I really messed up. See, I was checking the want ads because I wanted to grab a part-time job, so I'd have some spending money or whatever. This restaurant in the Southside, Bamboo Wok, that was hiring part-time, so I wrote up a resume and went to hand it in. But I saw these two guys hanging out in an alley, scoping the place out, so I walked over and did the whole 'intimidating hero' bit. Bad move on my part; turns out these guys were heroes too, Volcano and Jello-Man (I swear to god). They were watching the place because apparently there was supposed to be some big underworld meet-'n'-greet there or something, so I stuck by them. So before long we were joined by this guy King of All Suits, and while we were still talking this big guy all in Viking get-up gets thrown through the wall of the restaurant. Volcano and Jelly-Baby went after the big guy while King and myself went into the restaurant. There were a bunch of flunkies and some big scary-lookin' dudes in there, but I took them down pretty quick. Problem is, I also took out most of the building. Whoops. Anyway, Volcano and Jelly took care of the Viking about the time the cops showed up. They talked to us all and I was told not to worry about the building -- apparently stuff like that is pretty common around here and Doc Metropolis takes care of it in his free time. Which is cool because I landed my job, with this hot little chick named Nina. Note to self: first paycheck goes to taking her to the movies or something."

Introduction Who are you? Sum yourself up in one sentence. I'm the son of two villains, trying to make a name for myself as a hero. Do you have any nicknames, street names, titles, or nom de plume? I'm trying to go by Glowstar. I mean, a hero has gotta have a name, right? What is your full birth name? Brian Wallace Harris. Where do you live? Right now, I'm going to Claremont. How old are you? What year were you born (if applicable)? I'm 17. I was born in early '94. Physical Traits What is your gender? If not applicable, please explain. I'm a guy. How would you describe your heritage? My father was Northern European. My mother was born in sub-Saharan Africa. How tall are you? An inch or two under six feet tall. What is your body type? I guess I'm kinda broad-shouldered? I dunno, never really thought about it. Do you have any particular weaknesses, such as allergies or physical disabilities? Not really. I've always been pretty healthy. How do you carry yourself? Are you graceful, or heavy on your feet? Can you be stealthy, do you walk with confidence? I guess I'm pretty graceful. I play a lot of sports, so that helps. Describe your skin, eye, and hair color. My skin and hair used to be pretty fair-blond, but they've darkened pretty quickly now that my powers have, uh, kicked in. My eyes used to be just brown, but now the whites have turned red and my pupils have turned red. It's really creepy, to be honest. How do you wear your hair, if applicable? Do you have facial hair? I don't really pay attention to my hair. I kinda just brush it back. I'm shaving now, but only once a week or so. Do you consider yourself attractive? Do others? Um, attractive? Wouldn't that be narcissistic? I had a girlfriend at my last school, but we never really did anything more serious than making out. Do you have any scars, tattoos, piercings, or birthmarks? No, not really. Do you resemble anyone famous? I don't know of anyone famous with red eyes. Do you have a dominant hand? I guess I'm right-handed, but sports have made me pretty evenly-handed. What kind of clothing do you wear? Just... clothes. Normal stuff. Jeans and tee-shirts and whatnot. Do you wear makeup? Oh, god no. Men wearing makeup just look weird. History Where do you come from? Little Rock, AK, USA. Have you made any major moves, or do you live in your hometown? Well, I moved across the country to Freedom City, so yeah. Do you feel loyal to your country of citizenship? Do you consider yourself patriotic? How do you feel about the government of your country? I've never really thought about patriotism or my country or anything like that. I don't like that the government sent folks after my parents, but I can understand why it happened. How do you feel about the place you come from? Little Rock's an okay place. Where is your home town? What was/is it like? Small for a big city I suppose. Less than a million people in the city. I've never lived anywhere else, so I don't really have anything to compare it to. Growing up, were most of the people you knew similar to you, or were you somehow a minority? How did that affect you? Most folks were white, I suppose -- middle of Arkansas and all that. I can't really say how it affected me. I'm not the introspective type. Is there something you've always been really good at or really bad at? How has that affected your life? I've always been good as sports -- strong and agile, able to run for miles. My mom raised me that way. I was always on sports teams in school, using to being part of the in-crowd. It's gonna be weird being an outsider. Briefly describe a defining moment in your childhood and how it influenced your life. I started kindergarten when I was six. There was a bully there. I was pretty small, even for a six-year-old, and on the playground he managed to push me down and sit on me, until the teacher came by and made him stop. She called my house and my mom. That was a Thursday; I skipped Friday and Mom started teaching me self-defense -- not like, judo or anything, mostly how to get away from a fight at that point, but she stopped teaching me. What stupid things did you do when you were younger? Do you want the full list of stupid thing? We'll be here awhile. I guess the big, defining stupid thing was blasting an AEGIS guy and a couple of cops when they came to arrest my folks. Where did you go to school? How much school did you have, and did you enjoy it? Went to Little Rock Central High School -- yes, that one. I know because they showed up that CBS movie every MLK Day. Do you have any mementos of your childhood? What are they, and why did you keep them? If you have none, why not? Brought a couple of sports trophies along -- Little League, but they were my first so they're special to me -- and a box of family photos. Government guys, AEGIS I think, took everything that I wanted to bring but they gave it all back after a couple days. Doin' CSI stuff, I guess. When did you decide to become a hero? Why? Did anyone influence you one way or another in the decision? Duncan Summers, the headmaster and Claremont Academy, gave me the idea. The gist of it was that if I wanted folks to believe that I wasn't going to be a villain, the best way to do that is to become a hero. Besides, what else am I supposed to do when I can fly and bounce bullets off my chest, become an accountant? Is the reason you give people for becoming a hero different than your real reason? If so, why? I haven't really thought about being a hero all that closely. I guess all my reasons for being a hero do kinda come from outside of me. Do you have any deep, dark secrets in the past that may come back to haunt you? Besides the whole 'parents were supervillains' thing, can't think of any. Do you represent yourself as being different from who you really are? Why? I'm not used to being on the outside. I guess I can worry too much about being accepted and that can change how I act around some people. If you do have these secrets, what do you fear would happen if the truth became known? I'm afraid that people would judge me based on what my parents did decades ago. Worse case scenario, I suppose they might throw me into Blackstone. Do you have any sort of criminal record? If so, is it public knowledge? Well, I guess I did kinda assault some federal agents, but the AEGIS guys said that they wouldn't press charges. Family What are your biological parents' names? My father was born Lawrence Patterson. Apparently no one knows what name my mother was born under, but she lived under Camille while we were all together, so let's call her that. Were you raised by them? If not, please explain and describe who raised you. Yep! Until the government took 'em away, anyway. What was their standing in the community? What did/do they do for a living? Dad taught high-level math and physics at the local college, and tutored high school students in the summer. Mom mostly stayed home and kept the house, but she taught self-defense classes at the local community college three times a week. Where are your parents now? Dad's in a white collar prison upstate, largely because he cut a deal with the government. Mom's still on the run. Did your family stay in one area or move around a lot? We took trips to the Grand Canyon and Disneyland, but yeah, I was born and raised in the same house. How did you get along with their parents? How do you get along with them now (if applicable). That's a complicated question. Mom taught me to defend myself and we spent a lot of time together, but I think I was always closer to my dad. We both tended to leap before we looked, acting with our hearts instead of our heads. My mother was much more patient, will to pick her time and pick her battles. As for how things are now... Well, I guess there's a time in everyone's life when heir parents go from being perfect god-figures to being just people, when it stops being a parent-child relationship and starts being one between equals. My relationship with my parents changed pretty much overnight, when Dad was arrested and Mom went on the lamb, so it's still kinda weird. How do your parents view you now, or how would they? Dad says that he's proud that I'm putting my gift to good use. I don't know what my mother thanks of me, but I hope she's proud of me. Do you have any siblings? If so how many and what are their names? Describe your relationship with them. No siblings. Do you love or hate one member of the family in particular? Sometimes I hate my parents for what they did, the lives they chose to lead before I was born. But I can't stay mad a tthem for very long. Is any member of the family special to you in any way (perhaps, as a confidant, mentor, or arch-rival)? Mom tutored me in self-defense, taught me how to fight and motivated me to stay in shape. Are there any black (or white) sheep in the family (including you)? If so, please explain. Just my parents. Do you have a notorious or celebrated ancestor? If so, please explain, including how it has affected your life. Not as far as I know. Then again, I never knew my extended family -- with good reason, as it turned out. Do you have a partner and children currently? If so, please describe them. Not really. There's a girl at the place I work, but that's nothing serious yet. If you do not have a partner or children, do you want them someday? How firm are you in your opinion on this, and what might change your mind? I don't know anymore. I used to think I would want the whole thing, white picket fence and all, but I'm not so sure anymore. Can a superhero even have a normal family life. Relationships Do you have any close friends? If so, please describe them, and how you came to be close to them. I've barely been in the city a month. I haven't had time to make any really close friends. Do you have a best friend? If so, how did they become your best friend? How close are you to your best friend? See above. If you were to go missing, who would worry about you? Dad would -- I visit him a couple times a month, and if I disappeared he'd want to know what happened. I also think that AEGIS and the folks at Claremont would wonder what happened to me. Have you lost any loves? If so, how did it happen, and what did you do? Well, I was kinda seeing this cheerleader when I left Little Rock, but it wasn't anything really serious. Do you have any bitter enemies? If so, please describe them and their history with you. Again, a couple of bullies from school, but nothing else. I guess I might've inherited some of my parents' enemies... or their allies. What is the worst thing someone has done to you? That would be AEGIS, arresting my parents. Somewhere up there would be my parents, for lying to me for my entire life. Where do your loyalties lie? In what order? If I had to choose something concrete, I'd probably pick my family, but I'd put doing good and upholding justice over that. Who or what do you trust the most? Why? I kind of have trust issues still. Trying to get over them, though. Who or what do you despise? Why? Despise is a strong word. I don't know -- bullies? Folks who use what they have just to get more, not for some greater good? What qualities do you admire most in other people? Are these qualities you possess? Loyalty? A quick wit? The ability to take a lickin' and keep on tickin'? Do you have a secret identity? If so, who knows it? Do you hide it from people who are close to you? Why? Would be kind of hard to have a secret identity. My name and face were splashed all over most the papers in St. Louis when my parents were arrested. It's no everyday a major supervillain gets arrested there, after all. Do you work well on teams and in groups? Are you a leader or a follower? I was on a couple of sports teams before I came to Claremont, so I know how to work with others, value of teamwork, et cetera. I like ti best when I can do my own little part of the plan and then hand things off to someone else. Are you on a super team? If so, how do you get along with your comrades? Do you trust them, or do you have secrets from them? Nope. Are you a member of any church, fraternal organization, club, committee, political party, or other group? How much time do you spend on that? I was (guess I still am, technically) a Boy Scout. Never made it up to Eagle, and I probably never will. Personality & Beliefs Who are your heroes? Growing up, my parents wee my heroes. Now, I really look up to Duncan Summers. When I was in a real dark place he gave me some good advice and set me on the right path. More recently, I read about these two heroes who ere on the original Liberty League, back in World War II. White Rose and White Thorn were Germans working with the allies against the Nazis. Everyone expected them to betray the Allies, but they never did. They fought against their homeland because of their principals. I can really get behind that. Did you ever become disillusioned with former heroes or idols? If so, why and what were the circumstances? My parents, I guess. It's hard to have your entire life ripped away from you basically overnight. I still kind of hate them for it. Do you like being a hero? If so, what is the most rewarding part? If not, what makes you keep doing it? Who wouldn't like being a hero? Beating up the bad guys, rescuing the girl, saving the day -- it's a head rush. Is there anything that would make you give up hero work, or even switch sides? I hope not. Maybe, maybe if my parents were in danger. As for giving up, maybe when I get older I'll ease off on it -- but I don't think so. What are your short term goals (what would you like to be doing within a year)? A year? I wouldn't mind getting on an official team. Next-Gen graduated, what, two years ago? And Young Freedom graduated this year, so there's plenty of spots open. What are your long term goals (what would you like to be doing twenty years from now)? Heh. Graduate Claremont? Get a job, a career? Get a place in the city, either with Crow or on my own? Maybe even join the Freedom League. What is your greatest fear? Why? What do you do when something triggers this fear? Fear? I guess it would have to be being imprisoned, like being thrown in Blackstone. I haven't really had to face that fear yet, except in general terms. Is there anything you would give you life for? I don't think I can honestly answer that. I'm only 17, for God's sake. How do you feel about money and material wealth? Do you desire it or disdain it? Are you miserly with what you have, or do you like to share? Is it a mark of success, or a means to an end? Money's nice, I guess, but I think folks who live just for making money are kind of missing the point. How do you generally treat others? Golden rule: treat others as you want to be treated. So, respect them and give them the benefit of the doubt. Are you a trusting person? Has your trust ever been abused? I try to trust others, but it can be hard at times, the life I've lived. Are you introverted (shy and withdrawn) or extroverted (outgoing)? Do you have a lot of self-confidence? I'm definitely an extrovert. Of course I'm confident of myself -- I'm young, invincible and I've got my whole life ahead of me! How do you act around attractive, available members of your preferred sex? I can be really stupid around girls I like. Usually I'll end up trying some stupid stunt to get their attention. What are your most annoying habits? I don't know if you'd call it a habit, but for the life of me I can't sit still and wait. I'm always moving or fidgeting or something. Do you feel contempt for any general category of people? Who are they, and why? I don't like bullies, people who have to push other people around just to feel big. What is your favorite food? Do you prefer any particular type of food? Do you take the time to enjoy your food, or do you eat as fast as you can? I like spicy food, like Mexican and pretty much anything with 'Cajun' in the name. Food is... food is for eating, you know? So you can go and do other things. What is your favorite drink (alcoholic or otherwise)? My house was a Pepsi house, but I've adapted to drinking Coke at Claremont. What is your favorite treat (dessert)? My dad used to make zuchinni bread in the summer. Are there any specific foodstuffs that you find disgusting or refuse to eat? Not really. I'll try anything once. What is your favorite color? Are there any colors you dislike? I like bright colors, like red and yellow. It's good that I don't hate red, huhn? What sort of music do you like? Is there any that you hate? My roomie, Morgan, plays a lot of Dropkick Murpheys. They're okay, I guess. Mainly I go by stuff that fits my mood. If you have a favorite scent, what is it? This is gonna sound kinda weird, but wet clay. My mom did a lot of throwing pottery, so when I was a kid and hanging around in her 'art room' I got used to the smell of that and baking pottery. What is your most treasured possession? Why? One of the things I took out of my house when I transferred to Claremont was a photo album. It's got everything from my parents' wedding to, well, a couple months before they were arrested. It's pretty much the only record I have of my life before Claremont. Do you enjoy "roughing it", or do you prefer your creature comforts? I'm pretty indifference either way. Yeah, it's nice to sleep on a comfy bed under a nice, warm quilt, but it's cool to sleep out doors, too. Is there a job or a task you would absolutely refuse to do? Heh. Trashman? I'm really sensitive to weird smells, so that would really suck. Do you consider yourself a spiritual person? I'm really not. I've just never focused that much on God and the afterlife and all that. Was your faith influenced or molded by anyone special? I guess you could say my lack of faith was influenced by my dad. He always pushed me to look for logical, reasonable answers to questions. Could you kill? Have you killed? I've never killed anyone. I don't know if I could kill someone. I mean, I probably could, I can throw around a lot of powers, but I don't know if I could conscience it. How would you react to watching someone kill another person? Would your reaction be different if the killer was a friend or an enemy of yours? I think I'd try to stop the killer. If they were a friend, I'd probably try to talk them down first. If they were an enemy, I think I'd skip straight to blasting. How would you react if something important was stolen from you? I'd try and get it back. How would you react to public humiliation? Not well. I can get kind of stupidly competitive, and when someone shows me up, especially in public, I'm not prone to being a graceful loser. How would you react if a good friend or relative were purposely or accidentally killed? Has it happened to you? I think I might go a little crazy. As for has it already happened, well, I don't know where my mom is. I hope that she's still alive, but the fact is that I just don't know. If your life were to end in 24 hours, what five things would you do in those remaining hours? Heh. Toss a load of golf balls through the windows of the local AEGIS office, take Gwen out to the carnival, have a last sparring match with Morgan, take the Irregulars out for pizza, and spend time with my dad. Career & Training Do you have any special training in your hero skills? If so, where and how did you get it? In my powers, you mean? Well, Mr. Archer's been training my in using those. Once Headmaster Summers realized I was serious about being a hero, Who taught you the most about your heroing abilities? What was your relationship with that person? Do you have any particularly unusual skills? How did you acquire them? Do you do something besides hero work for a living? Have you ever done anything else, or do you plan to? What is your preferred combat style? Have you ever received any awards or honours? What skill areas would you like most to improve in? Is there anything you can't do that you wish desperately you could? How do you act around people who are more skilled than you in areas you'd like to improve? Are you jealous, or do you try and learn? Lifestyle & Hobbies What is a normal day for you? How do you feel when something interrupts this routine? Do you have any hobbies, or interests outside hero work? What are they, and where did you pick them up? What do you do for fun? Do you have a costume? What does it look like? How do you normally dress when not in costume? What do you wear to bed most nights? Do you wear any special jewelry? What is it, and what does it look like? Do you have a special place where you keep your valuables? What's your preferred means of local travel? How about long distance? Miscellaneous Have you ever made a will, or tried to make arrangements for your death? What provisions did you make? If your features were to be destroyed beyond recognition, is there any other way of identifying your body? What would you like to be remembered for after your death? Do you believe you pose a threat to the public? Why or why not? What do you perceive as your greatest strength? What do you perceive as your greatest weakness? As a player, if you could, what advice would you give your character? Speak as if he/she were sitting right here in front of you. Use proper tone so they might heed your advice...

Jessica stood up a little straighter in the presence of her idol. "It was fine," she said, deciding not to mention the incident with the elevator. "It is kinda noisy in here," she admitted, "but I suppose it's something I'll have to get used to." She ran out of words and stood there for a moment, feeling dumb and awkward. She felt a blush start behind her ears as she imagined Archeville's mind examining her and finding her banter wanting. "So, um, I've never really done this since I got out of high school." When I was fourteen. "Do you want me to get up on an exam table?" Her blush spread as she considered the possibility of having to disrobe before the superscience superstar.

Their pace slowed, a necessity when so many legs were in proximity. "We should hurry," she agreed. "It'd be terrible if they were left alone for too long." She stopped suddenly, pulling Blake to a halt and pushing him up against one of the concrete supports that made up the structure of the parking garage. She leaned in and kissed him full on the lips, slow and hot. "They'd be forced to make conversation." She kissed Blake on the cheek and jawline. "That'd be horrible," she whispered in his ear, then gave him a light bite on the sensitive lobe.

Jessica had to slow down when Corbin pulled off the road, and was on the point of turning around and going back when he merged into traffic again. Some defensive driving on her part and some offensive driving on Corbin's brought them closer, and the convoy arrived in Riverside together. There wasn't any street parking -- at least, none for her truck -- and she had to park at a raised structure at the end of the block. She parked the truck and made a beeline around to Blake, slipping under his coat and hugging him towards her, only partly for the heat. "We should hurry over there," she said, giving her boyfriend a peck on the cheek, "or we're going to find the car all steamed up and Corbin hating himself in the morning."

Jessica nodded and took a step back, giving Mara room to move forward. "I don't think you two have met before. Mara, this is Blake Salazar, my boyfriend." She reached down and put a hand on his back. "Blake, this is Mara Hallowman. She's my best friend, and we work together at the Lab." She glanced around, noting a few empty chairs. "Did you already order?"

The entrance to the cafe lead the two young woman deeper into the building, before opening out into a, well, cozy and well-light space. Several tables were scattered around a smallish area, with a swinging door leading back into a steam-shrouded, noisy area that was more than likely the kitchen. A heavyset man with Greek coloring welcomed the pair with effusive praise in broken English, but Jessica's eyes tracked past him to the tables, where she spotted a familiar, nattily-dressed figure. She smiled and waved, grabbing Mara's hand and dragging her over to the table. "Blake! Honey, I didn't expect to find you here!"

Jessica rolled her shoulders underneath her parka, checking her watch before stuffing her hands in her coat's pockets. "It's almost noon," she noted. "We could catch lunch." Her stomach agreed as soon as the subject of food was brought up and she scanned the immediate storefronts. Several advertised sports bars or other loud, wild establishments; Jessica normally wouldn't've had a problem with that, but she didn't want to force Mara into a situation like that. She noticed one sign, rather demure, crammed in among all the others. "What about over there," she asked, nodding at the little hole-in-the-wall. "Looks... um, cozy?" She glanced at her friend and giggled at the idea.

The theater's marquee rose into the sky, shining neon and spotlights against the low cloud cover. Jessica Parker glanced up as she walked out into the sunlight, squinting reflexively after the relative dim and coolness of the movie theater. "I told you that wouldn't be bad," she said to the woman walking next to her. "Aren't you glad you got out of your warehouse? While the sun was still out?" She glanced around the sidewalk and started walking in a random direction. "So what do you want to do next?"

Player Name: Raveled Character Name: Nexus Power Level: 12 (180/180 PP) Trade-Offs: None Unspent PP: 0 In Brief: An alien anthropologist running from the evil she unleashed. Alternate Identities: Adrienne Ferguson, Arcadia Mauderia Identity: Secret Birthplace: Apollyon Occupation: Imperial Lor anthropologist, history teacher Affiliations: Lor Navy, Freedom City University Family: Father, mother, two sisters, four brothers. Description: Age: 30 Gender: Female Ethnicity: Gene-augmented Lor Height: 5' 10" Build: Lean. Eyes: Grey Hair: Copper-red Power Descriptions: History: Personality & Motivation: Powers & Tactics: Complications: Abilities: 4 + 10 + 4 + 6 + 2 + 6 = 32 pp STR 14 (+2) DEX 20 (+5) CON 14 (+2) INT 16 (+3) WIS 12 (+1) CHA 16 (+3) Combat: 12 + 10 = 22 pp ATK: +6, +10 Blast, +10 Strike DEF: +10 (+4 Base, +6 Dodge Focus, +2 flat-footed) Init: +5 Grapple: +8/+20 w/Move Object Knockback: -5/-10 Saves: 5 + 5 + 6 = 16 pp TOU +10/+2 (+2 Con, +8 Defensive Roll, 10 Impervious, 10 Reflective) FORT +7 (+2 Con, +5) REF +10 (+5 Dex, +5) WILL +7 (+1 Wis, +6) Skills: 68r = 17 pp Acrobatics 10 (+15)Skill Mastery Diplomacy 7 (+10)Skill Mastery Knowledge (Galactic Lore) 11 (+15) Knowledge (History) 11 (+15)Skill Mastery Language 5 (Chinese, English, Galactic Standard [Native], German, Grue, Swahili) Notice 8 (+10) Sense Motive 8 (+10) Stealth 8 (+13)Skill Mastery Feats: 20 pp Accurate Attack Acrobatic Bluff All-Out Attack Benefit (Cover Identity, Native [space]) Defensive Attack Defensive Roll 4 Dodge Bonus 6 Move-By Action Skill Mastery (Acrobatics, Diplomacy, Knowledge/History, Stealth) Power Attack Quick Change Uncanny Dodge (Auditory) Powers: 7 + 2 + 4 + 51 = 64 pp Dimensional Pocket 1(Feat: Progression 3 [1000 lbs]) (Pocket of Holding) (Magic, Dimension) [7PP] Immunity 4 (Aging, Disease, Sleep, Poison, Flaw: Limited [Half effect]) (Genetic Augmentations) (Biology, Alien, Genetics) [2PP] Leaping 4 (x25, Move Action) (Portal Fling) (Magic, Teleportation) [4PP] Nexus Array 23 (46PP; Feats: Alternate Power 5) [51PP] BE: Teleport 15 (Same solar system; Feat: Progressions/Portal size [10ft x 10ft], Extra: Accurate, Portal, Flaw: Limited [Long-Range Only], Time [1 minute]) (Planet-Hopping Door) (Magic, Portal) [46PP]AP: Blast 10 (Feats: Accurate 2, Improved Critical 2, Indirect 3, Variable Descriptor 2) (Magic, Teleport) (Harmful Portals) [29/46PP] AP: Teleport 15 (Feats: Change Direction, Extra: Accurate, Flaw: Limited [short-Range Only] (Short Jump) (Magic, Portal) [46/65PP] AP: Move Object 10 (Extra: Range/Perception) (Greedy Portal) (Magic, Portal) [30/46PP] AP: Feature 4 (Buys off Dodge Flaw on Defensive Roll, Extra: Linked +0 [Enhanced Feat, Impervious Toughness, Reflective Toughness]) + Impervious Toughness 10 (Extra: Linked +0 [Feature, Reflective Toughness]) + Reflective Toughness 10 (All effects, Extra: Linked +0 [Feature, Impervious Toughness]) (Intercepting Portals) (Magic, Portals) [34/46PP] BE: Strike 10 (Feat: Accurate 2Extra: Area/Burst [Targeted], Selective) (Strike Everywhere) (Magic, Portals) [32/46PP] DC Block: ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC17 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) NOTE: The easiest way to get your DC Block to line up is to write it out in a word processor in a Courier font, then just copy/paste it into your post. NOTE: The easiest way to get your DC Block to line up is to write it out in a word processor in a Courier font, then just copy/paste it into your post. Abilities (32) + Combat (22) + Saving Throws (16) + Skills (19) + Feats (20) + Powers (64) - Drawbacks (0) = 173/180 Power Points

Player Name: Raveled Character Name: Maelstrom Power Level: 10 (150/150 PP) Trade-Offs: +5 DC/-5 Att, +5 Def/-5 Tou Unspent Power Points: 0 Progress To Bronze Status: 0/30 In Brief: One half of a Foundry experiment to create the most powerful psychic ever. Alternate Identity: Rachel Colletta Identity: Secret Birthplace: Foundry lab Occupation: Superhero, reporter Affiliations: Freedom City University, the Daily Word Family: Nathan Colletta (brother) Description: Age: 25 Gender: Female Ethnicity: Italian/Cyborg Height: 5' 4" Weight: 110 lbs Eyes: Brown/Gold Hair: Black Rachel Colletta is a short, slim woman, with an olive complexion and sharp features, full lips and long, glossy black hair. Her hair is her most immediately striking feature; it reaches to her mid-back and it usually fixed in a complicated braid. Her makeup tends towards dark rouges and greens, playing up her strong bone structure and darker complexion. When on the job Rachel wears dark-colored pantsuits with contrasting blouses and running shoes. She doesn't wear any jewelry, though she does carry one of several big, chunky purses. In her off-hours she usually wears jeans or tight shorts, athletic shoes, and tee-shirts. When fighting crime, Maelstrom lets her hair hang free. She wears a rich purple bodysuit with an orange collar, belt, and shoes, with orange lines connecting them and running down her arms to the back of her hands. She wears a purple cloak that connects to her wrists, a purple face domino mask, and orange contact lenses. A medical scan of either twin will reveal a web of electronics and circuits digging into their brain. They are aware of it, but believe that it exists to boost their powers. In truth their memories and personalities are housed in the electronics, not in their grey matter. Power Descriptions: Rachel Coletta is psychokinetic, able to impart kinetic energy and direction to objects with just her mind. She has enough care to move things gently or very fast. She can extend her powers to let herself or a few others fly, and can protect herself from harm by either diverting an attack or using something in her environment to intercept it. She can even stiffen the fabric of any outfit to spread out the impact of a blow. She can even let her power run wild through her surroundings to create dangerous terrain. Rachel cannot project pure force, and so has to manipulate her environment to find 'ammunition' for her psychokinetic abilities. As a last resort, she can directly agitate a target's molecules, heating them up sharply and even making them catch on fire. History: Nathan and Rachel Coletta started life in a tank. Talos had often encountered biological heroes with psychic abilities, and while his own creations were largely immune to such powers they did represent an interesting avenue for attacking biologicals. His experimentation in creating a purely artificial psychic were unsuccessful, however, and eventually he had to swallow his pride and create a living psychic. A pair of them in fact, twins, one harboring internal powers while the other one expressed external powers. The experiments proceeded apace until the lab was attacked by a team of superheroes. As part of the self-destruction sequence, the tanks holding the semi-conscious Rachel and Nathan were ejected, landing far from the location of the former base. The twins woke up with fragmentary memories and implanted identities, but the drive they were supposed have to seek out the nearest Foundry base got scrambled. The pair made their way to civilization, finding short-term work here and there before settling in Freedom City. Rachel found herself fascinated by the political processes in the city, how the various groups interacted and fought against, and compromised with, each other. She took journalism classes at Freedom City University and applied for jobs with all the major city news organizations. After doing a few independent pieces, her resume was eventually picked up by the Daily Word; not exactly where she wants to be, but at least her foot is in the metaphorical door. Personality & Motivation: Rachel Colletta is a passionate and driven woman, given to strong opinions and a burning need to uncover the truth. Perhaps because of her blank past, she is never content until she learns all the facts in a matter, and she's willing to use a wide array of tools to uncover the truth. Her favorite is probably verbal jousting, trying to get her target to reveal something without giving away too much herself. Powers & Tactics: Rachel Colletta is psychic artillery, capable of laying down an impressive amount of destruction in a short time. She knows this and tends to hold back, using Accurate Attack to more precisely land her blows. She only uses her pyrokinesis in situations where none of her other powers can affect a target. Tactically she prefers to go for groups of weaker targets first, removing them from the battlefield before focusing on the bigger targets. Complications: Secret Past Rachel isn't human, not strictly; her and Nathan were both created by the Foundry, even if they don't remember it. Actually Artificial Rachel's mind and personality is housed in a computer distributed throughout her brain. This leaves her open to powers that normally only affect computers, like Datalink or an EMP attack. Hypermetabolism Rachel's psychokinesis is fueled on her own body reserves, which means she burns a lot of body fat. Normally she can keep up with her expenditure, but if she can't either her powers or her body would begin to fail. Motivation Rachel wants to prove herself as a serious reporter. This can lead her to pursue leads unwisely. False History The Collettas' history is elaborate, but ultimately fake. Enough digging will reveal this. Abilities: 0 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 2 + 6 = 20PP Strength: 10 (+0) Dexterity: 14 (+2) Constitution: 14 (+2) Intelligence: 14 (+2) Wisdom: 12 (+1) Charisma: 16 (+3) Combat: 10 + 8 = 18PP Initiative: +2 Attack: +5 Grapple: +5/+6-+20 w Move Object Defense: +15/+9 (+4 Base, +5 Dodge Focus, +6 Enhanced Defense), +5/+2 Flat-Footed Knockback: -2/+1 Saving Throws: 5 + 3 + 11 = 19PP Toughness: +5/+2 (+2 Con, +3 Protection) Fortitude: +7 (+2 Con, +5) Reflex: +5 (+2 Dex, +3) Will: +12 (+1 Wis, +11) Skills: 64R = 16PP Concentration 9 (+10) Craft (Writing) 8 (+10) Gather Information 7 (+10)Skill Mastery Intimidate 5 (+8) Knowledge (Art) 8 (+10) Knowledge (Streetwise) 8 (+10)Skill Mastery Knowledge (Pop Culture) 3 (+5) Notice 8 (+9)Skill Mastery Sense Motive 8 (+9)Skill Mastery Feats: 10PP Accurate Attack Dodge Focus 5 Power Attack Quick Change Skill Mastery (Gather Information, Knowledge [streetwise], Notice, Sense Motive) Uncanny Dodge (Auditory) Powers: 12 + 3 + 47 + 3 + 2 = 67PP All powers have the Psychic Descriptor Enhanced Defense 6 (Psychoactive Interception) (Telekinesis) [12PP] Flight 1 (10 MPH, Extra: Affects Others [+1]) (Pair Flying) (Telekinesis) [3PP] Psychokinesis Array 18 (36 PP, Feats: Dynamic Alternate Power 4, Subtle, Variable Descriptor [bludgeoning, Slashing, Piercing]) [47PP] DBE: Environmental Control 1-8 (8 points worth of effects [Cold, Distraction, Hampered Movement, Heat, Reduced Visibility], 5 - 1000 ft radius) (Psychoactive Storm) (Telekinesis, Fire) [1-32PP]DAP: Blast 1-15 (Feats: Indirect 3) (Psychoactive Pitch) (Telekinesis) [4-33PP] DAP: Blast 1-10 (Extra: AoE/Burst [General]) (Psychokinetic Storm) (Telekinesis) [3-30PP] DAP: Blast 1-10 (Extra: Range/Perception) (Pyrokinetic Ignition) (Fire) [3-30PP] DAP: Move Object 1-15 (Feat: Precise) (Psychoactive Motion) (Telekinesis)[3-31PP] Protection 3 (Psychokinetic Reinforcement) (Telekinesis) [3PP] Super-Senses 1 (Communication Link [Nathan Colletta], Feat: Subtle) (Sibling Link) (Telepathy) [2PP] Drawbacks: (-0) + (-0) = -0PP ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC 15 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Psychoactive Pitch Ranged DC 30 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Psychokinetic Storm Ranged/Area [Burst/General] DC 25 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Pyrokinetic Ignition Perception DC 30 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Energy)Abilities (20) + Combat (18) + Saving Throws (19) + Skills (16) + Feats (10) + Powers (67) - Drawbacks (0) = 150/150 Power Points

Jessica gave her boyfriend a cockeyed look. "I don't know about all that," she told Blake. "Quo-Dis is weird, sure, sure she's not, ya know, evil. I mean, it's not like he's dating, I dunno, Rave, or one of the Psions or something. She's got some weird ideas, but that's just how she was raised. It's not her fault." The came to a traffic light and Jessica checked that Corbin's car was still behind them. "It's not right to dictate who people should be able to be with. Even if you have the best of intentions, it's not going to end well."

Jessica busied herself with punching in the address in Riverside into her GPS, and smiled at Blake's kiss, patting his knee in return. "I am the normal one in this relationship," she said. "My fetish is mainly hardware -- you're the one that grows tentacles." She rolled slowly past Corbin's car, flashing her high-beams at him and waving. She drove past carefully and made sure that the other teen was following her before exiting the restaurant's parking lot. "But yeah, Quo-Dis is really weird. Did you notice how she went from 'what is this thing called kissing,' to total vamp mode in two seconds? Do you think that's normal for her people?"

Jessica stood up quickly, caught off-guard by Blake's sudden need for gelato and Corbin's apparent loss of speech. She walked close to Blake as they exited, glancing over her shoulder at his friend, but decided against commenting on it. Once they were outside, she clung close to her boyfriend, partly for warmth and partly because she could. "Okay! So this place is over in Riverside. How are we gonna do the separate cars?" She glanced at her boyfriend. "Blake? Do you wanna ride with me?"

I was actually planning on invoking the Star Knights and a big battle against the Star Khan, but this works, too! I'm also thinking that this wouldn't be the Carrier, so much as the Battlestar. If you remove all the weapon systems it comes down to only 25 EP, which is very reasonable. We can add that stuff back later as it gets repaired/upgraded.

As it seems that we'll have several more heroes up for this next month, I'm going to hold off for a bit.

Mm, maybe something involving the Stellar Khanate? Can't remember the last time that group was ever mentioned. Mm, don't want to steal AA's thunder, but I like the idea of the heroes being brought together by some unrelated threat (Power Corps theft!) and snatched off to fight the Khan for some purpose.

Glowstar's up for this. It's good publicity!

The visitor badge apparently interacted with the building, because as soon as Jessica took hold of it colored arrows appeared on the walls and floor. Colored arrows that corresponded to the colored border on her badge. She took a moment to admire the simplicity of the system and set off, mentally working out the particulars in one corner of her head, even as the rest of her was geeking out over the possibility of meeting Doktor Archeville -- again! I have the coolest job in the world, she decided. The arrows lead the young woman to an elevator, and once she was on it they circled a particular number. It started up and Jessica tried to ignore the muzak, but she had a moment of inspiration. If Mara could use her abilities like a door opener, and Jessica now had the same abilities... She reached out in a way that was still new to her and found the particular computer node that controlled the elevator muzak. She tried grasping it and tuning it to a slightly more agreeable radio station, but either she turned to hard or ran into some security problem, because there was a squeal of discordant noise and a popping of overstressed stereo speakers. She glanced at where the muzak had been drifting from a second ago and winced, hoping that the little incident wouldn't find its way onto a bill. Thankfully, the loss of the stereo didn't cause the elevator to come to a halt, so Jessica simply rode up in silence. She came out on one of the upper stories, and began following the color arrows again. They directed her to a wing of the building where she felt a sudden sense of deja vu; machines all around her talking about blood pressure and respiration and EKG. She didn't know that Archetech had a medical wing in the same building as their executive offices. The room she was eventually directed to wouldn't've looked out of place in any hospital, if you ignored the chemical shower and the hydraulic press and the immersion bath. Presumably standard equipment when testing superpowers. She hoped those wouldn't come into play when examining her, but she twisted her wristwatch around all the same. She should be able to summon the armor in here... she hoped.

Danke, AA!

I hadn't any combat planned, no. Just some folks meeting Glowstar at the train depot or something and taking him back to the school. Although, maybe if they run into a bank robbery or something? Or, heck, slime monsters from the sewers! :o

Robin gave a small shake of her head. "I could never do the superhero life. Dual identities, long nights. Leaping over buildings. Spandex costumes." She rolled her eyes at the noting, but before she could say anything else on the subject their server arrived at the table. The sorceress greeted the other woman and ordered with an ease and fluidity that suggested she was a long-time customer. She was careful to give Gabriel plenty of time to look over the menu -- and to contemplate the image of her in spandex.

Jessica look at the pile of packages on the bike, judging mass and weight distribution. "Alright, then." She put the hard hat back on Blake's head and walked over to the bike. She pressed a button on her wristwatch and armored up in a blaze of light. Sporting her green and gold, she gripped the motorcycle and lifted it into the air, along with the presents and packages webbed atop. She turned to face Push as her mask folded away and disappeared. "Where do you want these?"

Jessica visibly relaxed as her friend capitulated. She moved back to the communication screen and minimized the arrangement of the armor itself. "Right," she said, slipping smoothly into design mode again. "I think the problem is with the haptic feedback. Here's what I have so far." She called up more tables of data and design specs, throwing them up on the screen, almost daring her friend to keep up.

Little man switches Array back to his teleport, TPs out of grasp, and runs upstairs. Pursue, hero!