Ari

Oh no! DC20 Reflex save: 21. How about that?

I still think this story about a submerged continent in the Indian Ocean could be used for some fun in Lemuria.

So round 1 between the three robots and the two heroes: Robos: Unharmedx3-GM Solar Sentinel: Unharmed, 2HP Victory????

Roi nearly swerved off the road in shock as the flash of Agnes' light revealed the police car, and for a panic-stricken second he found himself steering the car only in name. Regaining control by the skin of his teeth, the young Frenchman now kept both hands firmly on the wheel as he drove to the singer's apartment, eyes fixed on the road as ice dripped down his spine and the lights of the busy streets took on a fearsome gleam. He watched out far more carefully after that, for anything at all that could mean a sudden change of the weather from cats and dogs to bullets. Rolling up to the parking lot, he all but dragged Agnes indoors after a last hasty once-over of the streets, ignoring the question glances flung their way as the duo jogged upstairs, the inevitable struggle with a slippery key happened, and they burst into the glowing gal's rooms. Quickly flicking on the lights, Roi pulled up a chair, sat down and said "What do we do?"

Notice roll: 21. Streetwise roll: 14. He should probably get a severe penalty to that for being a new arrival and French.

DC20 Will Save: 14. Excellent.

I'm working from AvengerAssembled's build, with the idea that his wings being bound is good for Complications rather than a discount on the power itself. As for the Penetrates Obscure thing replacing Penetrates Concealment, very well that seems reasonable. Folding the Enhanced Feat into Enhanced Strength does make sense. Doing so. You mean when the fluff is up? Also, need to actually write up that Equipment. Barghle. Will do so tonight, upload it in the morning.

GM The sonic blast washed through Mary with a shout of mixed pain and anger, the woman forcing an eye open to glare daggers at the rock hero. Carmen could see the demon in the piano howl with fury. A bruise stretching from her right hand to her neck was already beginning to darken under her skin, and the power surrounding her like a sheathe of flame flickered and dimmed, just a little. Suddenly whipping open the grand piano's glossy black cover with an impossible flick of her hand, Mary gestured and cried "Take this Riff! Be CONSUMED by the power of music! By the power of the wires we both adore!" at her command the piano strings suddenly leaped from their holdings, multiplying into a forest of metal tendrils that lunged at Warren! Again, the attack had more power than skill behind it however, and the hero escaped the grasping demon piano by a wire's breadth!

That hits! DC27 Toughness save: 14. GM Fiating a reroll for her(1HP to Riff) reroll: 13. Reroll makes that 23, so a Bruise. So the order is: Riff: Unharmed, 4HP Mary Venn: Bruise(x1)-GM Mary tries to hit Riff with a Snare of demonic piano wires: 20. Another miss!

Without a moment's hesitation the muscular boy hurtled up through the air to where the cries were weakest, hurling himself through the open window and peering through the smoke and flame. He was sure Giang and Kat knew what to do, it was time for everyone to do their part and save the day for these people. Cupping his hands to mouth he shouted, coughing a little at the foul smoke seeping through his mouth and nose "Hey! Anyone in here, shout so I can find you! Graaagh" choking at the horrible smell and the fumes clogging his throat, he quickly took off his mask, tying it into a bandanna around his lower face and stepping quickly through the apartment, the gaudy colors psychedelic in the inferno and shimmering billows of smoke "I am the superhero El Heraldo! Others are with me, we're here to rescue you!" Peering through the haze he shouted "Help me find you!"

Player Name: Arichamus Character Name: Cobweb Power Level: 11 (170/170PP) Trade-Offs: +3 Melee Attack / -3 Melee Damage, +2 Defense / -2 Toughness Unspent Power Points: 0 In Brief: Chemist turned spider-themed supervillainess. Alternate Identity: Ophelia Orville Identity: Secret Birthplace: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States Occupation: Chemist, supervillain Affiliations: Thieves, scientists, Suzerain Chemical Labs. Family: Rachael Orville(mother), Ulysses Orville(father), Janice Orville(Sister), Cora Jefferson-Orville(Sister), Nefertiri Orville(Sister) Description: Age: 31 (April 10th, 1982 Apparent Age: Late twenties Gender: Female Ethnicity: African-American Height: 5'10" Weight: 175lbs. Eyes: Brown Hair: Black A well-built, stocky woman with a cheerful disposition and broad features, Ophelia goes most days with her shoulder-length hair tied into small dreadlocks and bound into a ponytail, wearing bright and similarly cheerful clothes mainly in red and green. At her job she wears regular protective gear. She's light on her feet and is in excellent physical shape. While Cobweb she appears as a towering, sinister figure in leathery brown skin, with a padded jumpsuit covering the entire body. The most striking feature of her disguise is the stolen helmet which is dull grey, mostly featureless and studded with eight short glowing red goggles set in the fashion of a spider's eyes. Power Descriptions: The Cobweb artificial webbing has a strict color scheme created by adding trace pigments to the fluid: Incendiary/Corrosive/Inhibiting = Red Extra Stick/Entangling = Blue Blinding/Sickening = Green Elastic = White History: Born to parents in middle-management in two of the quietest companies in North Carolina, Ophelia early life was filled with laughter, lots of friends, a healthy home life and no expectations. Her sisters were all exceptionally intelligent, enthusiastic go-getters adept at the social sphere, while she was shyer and more interested in things and how they worked than people, developing a fascination with chemistry at an early age because of how chemical relationships underpinned and explained so much of the world. Working slowly and steadily towards a Ph.D in applied analytical chemistry left her plenty of time to consider her life, and for most of her 20's she was struck by a strange feeling of being unfulfilled. Graduating with honors in 2007 she moved north to Freedom City, getting a comfortable and involving job at the Suzerain Chemicals laboratory in the North End, studying how things worked. Five years later, Ophelia was bored and frustrated. Her life wasn't going anywhere fast, her family didn't have much time for her, she had few friends and even getting the equivalent of a Masters education in organic and inorganic chemistry through personal study just made things seem all the more wearying. All that changed very suddenly in 2012, when she and a number of other employees at Suzerain were kidnapped by the rogue Grue called Hunter. Dimly awake during the short imprisonment, Ophelia saw how the alien seemed to just do and take what it wanted, from making clones of her and the others to making a horrifyingly lethal toxin, all on its own. After being rescued she went home, even more quiet and thoughtful than usual, an idea brewing in her brain. On her doorstep, she looked up by chance and saw a spider living in the eaves of the porch, stealthily creeping down on a glittering wire to snare an unsuspecting fly. That was the final stroke. Throwing herself into her work, she began researching how spiders' made webs, how they stuck to surfaces, and after figuring out a semi-organic solution that would be the carrier and making some slight adjustments to her own bodily chemistry, she eagerly studied flammable, acidic and elasticizing solutions that the webs could make on the fly with special fluids carried in containers on her arms, even a special sticky kind that let her use them like a trapeze wire to swing between buildings! Her first theft was five months later, an experimental helmet intended for the STAR Squad to help them deal with Mr. Mist, done with enough skill that it wasn't noticed until the next morning. Making some adjustments to it(mostly adding goggles to fit her new persona), she made her second theft half a month later, a dull gray lightly-armored stealth suit part of a shipment of villainous super-tech being shipped to ASTRO Labs for research. Attaching their systems, the two were combined into the guise of that stalker of the night, the cold and venomous Cobweb! Now, at last, she can do what she wants and none will be the wiser. Personality & Motivation: Ophelia is cheerful and open in regular life, always ready with a smile, a friendly ear and friendlier advice. A dependable and always helpful if unexciting sort of woman. As Cobweb, she's as talkative, vicious and snide as she wants, always ready with a biting word or a stream of contempt. She knows most heroes are out of her league, but that won't stop her from trying to get under their skin and make them mad enough to make a mistake, knowing from experience the sting of failure. Powers & Tactics: Cobweb is constantly on the move, preferring to strike from ambush and slip away. Against more durable foes she splashes them with acid to weaken them, or tying them up in webbing to leave them open for a brutal attack, while agile opponents she tries to nab with poisoned stingers on her wrists or blind with a stream of webbing. All the while she's talking, ferreting out whatever weaknesses she can exploit. Abilities: 4 + 6 + 4 + 8 + 4 + 2 = 28PP Strength: 14 (+2) Dexterity: 16 (+3) Constitution: 14 (+2) Intelligence: 18 (+4) Wisdom: 14 (+2) Charisma: 12 (+1) Combat: 22 + 14 = 36PP Initiative: +15 Attack: +14 Melee, +11 Ranged Grapple: +17 Defense: +13 (+7 Base, +6 Dodge Focus), +3 Flat-Footed Knockback: -1/-3/-4 Saving Throws: 6 + 8 + 4 = 18PP Toughness: +9 (+2 Con, +4 [Defensive Roll], +3 Protection[Costume]) Fortitude: +8 (+2 Con, +6) Reflex: +11 (+3 Dex, +8) Will: +6 (+2 Wis, +4) Skills: 92R = 23PP Acrobatics 8 (+11) Skill Mastery Bluff 9 (+10) Computers 10 (+14) Craft(Chemical) 11 (+15) Skill Mastery Diplomacy 8 (+9) Disable Device 10 (+14) Knowledge(Physical Sciences) 10 (+14) Notice 10 (+12) Sense Motive 8 (+10) Skill Mastery Stealth 8 (+11) Skill Mastery Feats: 26PP Accurate Attack Acrobatic Bluff All-Out Attack Attack Focus(Melee) 3 Benefit (Wealth) 1 Defensive Attack Defensive Roll 2 Dodge Focus 6 Evasion Improved initiative 3 Improved Throw Improvised Tools Inventor Instant Up Grappling Finesse Skill Mastery(Acrobatics, Craft(Chemical), Sense Motive, Stealth) Powers: 30 + 12 + 2 = 44PP Container 6(30PP Container; Active, Sustained)[30PP] Super-Movement 2(Wall-Crawling 2)[4PP] Array 10(20PP Array; Feats: Alternate Power 6)[26PP] Base Power: Drain Toughness 7 (Extras: Linked(Damage); Feats: Extended Reach(5ft.), Slow Fade)[9PP] + Damage 5(Extras: Linked(Drain Toughness) Penetration 3; Feats: Extended Reach(5ft.), Incurable, Mighty)[11PP] = [20PP] Corrosion Web AP: Damage 5(Extras: Duration(Sustained); Feats: Extended Reach(5ft.), Mighty)[12PP] Incendiary Web AP: Dazzle 7(Visual Senses; Extras: Linked(Drain Reflex))[14PP] + Drain Reflex 6(Extras: Linked(Dazzle))[6PP] = [20PP] Blinding Web AP: Nullify Chemical Powers 6 (One at a Time; Inhibition; Feats: Selective)[19/20PP] Inhibitors AP: Paralyze 7(Extras: Linked(Nauseate); Flaws: Requires Grapple)[7PP] + Nauseate 6(Extras: Linked(Paralyze))[12PP] = [19/20PP] Poison Fangs AP: Snare 9(Feats: Obscures Sense(Visual), Tether)[20PP] Sticky Web AP: Super-Movement 1(Swinging)[2PP] + Move Object 5(Flaws: Towards Self Only)[5PP] + Speed 3(50MPH, 500ft. per Round)[3PP] = [10/20PP] Elastic Web Device 3(15DP Device; Hard to Lose)[12PP] Enhanced Feat 1(Hide in Plain Sight)[1DP] Protection 3(reinforced Kevlar/Dacron)[3DP] Super-Senses 11(Visual Senses: Analytical(Chemical Composition, All Visual), Penetrates Concealment, Radius(All Visual), Rapid(x10), Infravision, Track(Infravision))[11DP] Speed 1(10MPH, 100ft. per Round; Feats: Move by Action)[2PP] Drawbacks: (-0) + (-0) = -0PP DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC17 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Blinding Web Ranged DC17 Reflex/Fortitude Dazzled (Visual) Corrosion Web Touch(5ft.) DC22 Toughness (Staged)/DC17 Fortitude Damage (Physical)/Toughness Drained Incendiary Web Touch(5ft.) DC22 Toughness (Staged) Damage (physical) Inhibitors Ranged DC16 Fortitude Chemical Powers Nullified Poison Fangs Touch DC17 Fortitude/DC16 Fortitude) Paralyzed/Nauseated Sticky Web Ranged DC19 Reflex Snared Totals: Abilities (28) + Combat (36) + Saving Throws (18) + Skills (23) + Feats (26) + Powers (44) - Drawbacks (0) = 175/175 Power Points

GM "Indeed, stand aside Ms. Canto!" snapped Mary as her fingers suddenly started playing a very different, darker song on the ivory keys, the piano lifting off again as she played. Celeste started backwards, "All right, fine, if that's what you two want I can't exactly stop you" the woman said bitterly, making her way quickly backstage, calling over her shoulder "Follow me Carmen! We'll get out of there and leave Mr. Wilder to deal with Mary. You made a choice this time Miss Venn" she added, pausing for a moment to smile triumphantly at the floating pianist "This time you're up against someone who can fight back!" Flame filled the eyes of the younger woman, who in answer slammed her hands onto the keyboard making a discordant wail, causing foot-tall notes of blue fire and reeking of sulphur to spiral out from the piano and hurl themselves at Riff! They weren't hard to dodge though, not for a superhero like Warren.

Take a HP Darksider, as now Mary proceeds to start...the duel! Her Initiative: 13. And attacks with flaming notes(Blast 10): 7. Miss!

GM The Next Day The call from the police department came late next morning, the detective's voice on the other end tinged with unease. It was a brief call, the man asking what had happened as far as the young heiress knew, if she had noticed anything unusual during her visit, if she was aware of any villains with super-speed who had threatened the family company in the past, capped off with a polite request to let them know if she recalled anything pertinent to the case, have a nice day miss we'll rescue that man as soon as possible. *clik* From the questions and tone it was obvious they hadn't found anything worth going on. That wasn't so unusual, even with Freedom's Finest sometimes it took days or weeks for clues to be properly deciphered or found. What was unusual was the news he'd dropped offhand that there wasn't any outward sign anything had happened at all, no muss or mess for what had to have been incredibly fast work. The vanished files(relating to some cybernetics work) were simply gone from the office without the data registry knowing a thing about it or the other pages so much as rustled, the only entry and exit points were the ones that couldn't possibly have been opened without being noticed by security. From the sounds of it, the force was already steeling themselves for the grim news they would have to bring.

By court order I am legally obligated to reply to this thread. Agreed on the thread record front, we really need to get the timeline sorted out again. I'll gladly volunteer to sift through the threads and get the Chronicle thread up to date, at least with threads from this year. I am reasonably sure one of the others(perhaps Electra?) has the Timeline pages from the old Wiki, and will endeavor to get that most excellent resource back into play. Outlining who's who wouldn't be that bad an idea Supercape, it would help get new lads, lasses and those betwixt up to speed on what the teams are like and if they have a character or plot idea that compliments how they're set up. That and getting an idea of what's out there makes setting up and differentiating their own groups and teams that much simpler. There isn't, for example, really a space-centric group, the closest being the generic science team of the Lab. A roster of potential ice-breaking Game Masters and other players might work, but it's a problem when so many experienced ones are so busy with other threads and/or their lives they can't just take on new people at will. Of course, most people(unlike, say, someone who shall remain nameless but with whom I have a personal acquaintance and attachment) know not to bite off more than they can chew, and if things are really bad they can try out their character and writing with a good old fashioned solo thread. Speaking of which we could use a few of those. Ideally we could try to find ways to make beginner threads really short and sweet for the best possible introduction of their character, but all the known complications that can arise make any such efforts dubious at best. As for matching Game Masters up with player preferences, that's a great idea! The usual method of having people get into a story they find interesting works well, but a common goal of fun provides that little bit extra. How would you classify, say, yourself?

"Well get you for this, MADAME VAPEUR!" Subito thundered, eyes blazing at how once again the slippery woman had outmaneuvered them. Tossing off the suit jacket, he was about to transform when Lord Steam leaped into the fray against the two Art Deco robots, opening his mouth to yell encouragement but only getting out "Go for it Lord-!" before Oswald('Wait, is that one Oswald or Oscar...what the hell am I thinking, there's no time for that!') smashed aside the unfortunate steampunk detective! Slamming has hand over his heart, Subito closed his eyes 'O Dama Azul, lend me your power! It is granted! Go forth my Herald!' and opened them with a flare of golden light! A fog smelling like sea air descended upon him and swirled about the young national spirit-bearer, streaming away into nothing to reveal the vividly-clad El Heraldo! Brandishing the Bandera de la Victoria streaming with the flag of Puerto Rico, he shouted to the other people in the exhibit "Go! We shall defend you!" Clenching his red-gloved fist, the teen paragon glared at the extradimensional thief, then to her minion as he suddenly shot forward across the exhibit floor, drawing his fist back and summoning up a halo of gold and blue light before he drove it into the side of the robot with the force of a jackhammer, swinging the arm across the robot's well-proportioned chest as he whipped into a position to shield the dizzy and winded Lord Steam.

Okay, he will transform for a Free Action using Quick Change into the costume of EL HERALDO! Awesome, now for him to attack. Move Action up to the Oswald Statue, All-Out Power Attack with the Strike power (+2 Damage, -2 Defence): 10. Rerolling that(4HP) left 11. +10 makes that a 21. DC28 Toughness save. Setting a Reaction to Interpose for the next attack against Lord Steam. EDIT: Free Action to tell the people in the exhibit to get out of there.

An interesting point. The Shadow-World is anathema to life, so more powerful undead would be a sensible side-effect of people dying that metaphysically close to it.

Player Name: Arichamus Character Name: The Osprey Power Level: 10 (150/150PP) Trade-Offs: +2 Attack/ -2 Damage(Utility Belt), +2 Defense/ -2 Toughness Unspent Power Points: 0 Progress To Bronze Status: 0/30 In Brief: Test subject using his new-found powers to battle the criminal underworld and uncover the truth. Alternate Identity: Alden Richards Identity: Secret Birthplace: Southwark, London, England Occupation: Shipping warehouse employee, chemistry technician, superhero Affiliations: Ministry of Powers, Docklands, Eileen Rose(junior officer in the SAS), Order, Justice Family: Patricia Richards(Mother, Divorced), Russel Richards-Brown(Father, Divorced), Maria-Annabelle Richards(Sister), Frances Richards(Sister) Description: Age: 24 (DoB: 1989, February 9th) Apparent Age: (if applicable) Gender: Male Ethnicity: English Caucasian Height: 6' 2"/1.9m, 6' 11"/2m Weight: 200 Lbs/90.7kg Eyes: Brown/Yellow Hair: Brown/White & brown feathers Alden during everyday life wears sturdy, eminently practical clothes in dull colours. Thick jeans, heavy boots and tan jackets over long-sleeved grey cotton shirts feature prominently in his limited wardrobe, and his utilitarian glasses are hardened grey steel. On the job he wears the crisp green/white waterproof uniform coat and pants of his company. His hair is thick, curly and cut short, and he has a perpetual five-o'clock shadow around a frequently dour mouth below his thin high eyebrows, bright, lively eyes and broad nose. He's unusually pale from working mostly nights, and his recent start as a vigilante crimefighter has deepened that noticeably. Years of physical work has kept him trim and lean, and a dedicated exercise and martial arts regimen has hardened and bulked him up considerably more than most men his age. He speaks with a low, soft voice in an almost stereotypical English accent, though in times of stress, excitement or anger it takes on a rougher edge. Movements are loose-limbed and casual with considerable grace. In his disguise as Osprey he's a tall, imposing man in a mostly white costume with a dark brown cape cut to vaguely suggest wings(the result of weeks of work), the colors scattered like the fish eagle's plumage, and a white mask covering his head adorned with a short, sharp curved beak. On the chest in a patch of black is a white emblem of an osprey diving. A simple belt of weapons hangs on his waist. When he activates his powers Alden grows even taller as well as sprouting wings from his back, his skin is covered in feathers, his feet and hands turn into claws and his head mutates to adopt avian features including bright yellow eyes. Power Descriptions: Osprey's animal powers are quite obvious, as they appear when he transforms wholly into a giant bird-man. His altered biology lets him use powerful claws to cut through steel, fly under his own power, grip things with phenomenally power talons and briefly survive underwater and in icy cold. A couple of lingering affect of his mutation is that he has a bizarre ability to understand and communicate with birds, and see far further than most in the dark or underwater. Aside from that he has a small pool of highly specialized weapons, like a small acetylene torch for cutting through walls and doors, or a LED for temporarily blinding with light.. History: Alden Richards had admired heroes for a long time before Prof. Blackpool's invitation arrived. Since childhood he had watched on the television or out the window the exploits of Britain's mightiest heroes besides the Lioness Britannia: the strange and beloved Vanguard. Or the Royal Squadron or Crownguard or the Fab Four or whatever the papers called them that month. The country didn't have nearly as many heroes as the States or Canada so the sight of people who called Great Britain home and possessed extraordinary powers they used solely for the public good, not to mention their rumored association with the legendary and excitingly mysterious Ministry of Powers, was always something people came running to see. Alden rarely needed much excuse to leave the house anyway, since being there meant he had to endure the endless and furious arguments that erupted in the family as surely as the tides. There was always something for the resourceful to complain about, since even on the good days things were lean the apartment was too small for even the small family and winters were painful to get through on what little they could afford. Like most, the photogenic, handsome and upstanding Champion(Powerful melding of man and alien machine! Sworn defender of the British Isles and the world!) had the lion's share of his heart, and when the hero came in person to deal with what would have been a devastating fire on the Richard's street during a battle against aliens, stopping just long enough to make sure nobody else was in danger, Alden's boyhood reverence for superheroes rivaled just about any other devotions he had. They didn't have problems, they SOLVED them for other people. By his mid teens however the young man had other things to think about. His parents' marriage had always been a little unsteady, but at last in 2005 they divorced after Patricia was fired from the plant she had worked at for well over a decade, more than halving the family income. Alden frequently spent time with his mother in eastern Southwark, not least because of the hard-won jobs he got in the area that let him help support her. Walking and biking to work brought him again and again up against the crime and poverty eating away at sections of the city, the misery that everyone seemed helpless to stop, It was partially because of that that he took up martial arts training for self-defense, practicing every day he could so that when the time came he could make the difference between life and death for someone. His twenties rolled around, and by 2009 the only real results of his training was a stray bullet from an abortive mugging breaking his rib and making friends with an athletic young woman named Eileen Rose, someone made of sterner stuff than him and who bent herself inexorably to a job in the military. Both of them were starting to lose hope in their dreams when Professor Thomas Blackpool contacted them. He was doing biochemistry research to test out a mutagen with possible military applications, and wanted volunteers. To sweeten the deal he offered the pair close to a thousand pounds each to go through a series of clinical trials, happily assuming legal responsibility for whatever happened. Both leaped at the chance, Alden especially eager for what sounded like the perfect way to get real actual superpowers(and help support his parents), Eileen gleeful for the chance to get known by whatever higher-ups had ordered the study. The trials took several weeks of regular checkups, injections with the formula code-named Osprey, observation of the slow change in them and the other trial subjects' chemistry and a host of other strangely mundane ways of checking the progress of super-science. Alden and Eileen got more and more uneasy as months passed and they weren't seeming to change at all. During a stay at the lab to test sleeping patterns everything went utterly wrong. Alden didn't remember what happened but he awoke to find himself strapped down, spattered with blood and Eileen being rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. A distraught Blackpool explained that the young man had transformed into a man-bird in the night and attacked his friend, but that she was almost bound to live and the charges against him weren't likely to end in jail time. However, Thomas sadly told him that this was the last straw and his lack of progress meant he would need to be taken out of the trials. Given a prescription of serum to help get the chemicals safely out of his system, Alden left with only a fraction of what he had been offered, and thankful for it. That night, after breaking the painful news to his mother about what had happened, he was jolted awake by the sound of a distant cry for help. Gulping down the pills Blackpool had given him, Alden raced out to see what had happened...and crashed in an agonized heap as the transformation began. In the next few months he worked on triggering the changes by sheer effort of will, managing to make his new power more of a help than a hindrance. Knowing that downtown London would be hard to hide in he practiced out in the countryside, flying by nights to and fro across the green hills and valleys. During his cross-country training he ran into a stranger eerily like himself, a half-crazed owlman whose ravings held several declarations that he had once been like Alden, and wanted to save him from the 'true threat'. This was the release, the power and world he had always dreamed of! He wasn't the mighty protector of the weak he wished he could be, though swooping down to save the helpless from the guns and knives of criminals satisfied him deeply, the fear and shock in their eyes making every painstaking hunt worth every rain-soaked hour. On top of it all, the Osprey Treatment had opened the world of chemistry up to him, and he managed to get enough training to start work as a technician at a small chemistry lab in eastern Southwark that supplemented his income from the dockside warehouse. From his studies he learned something troubling: the medicine Blackpool had been supplying him with before he vanished back into the world of academia, his Osprey Formula a qualified success, wasn't actually cleansing him of it, and in fact was slowly increasing its potency. Alden was shocked, horrified that he had been lied to like that and instantly suspicious...but on the other hand, it let him fight against evil in the world, so was it really best for him to give it up? And why had he had such a violent reaction when Eileen had returned to the study with such(as she enthused to him) astounding success, with even some rumors that she was being considered for the special forces? Whatever the case, his friend's wish was soon granted as well, being selected for a prestigious(and amazingly grueling, she confided) position in the Service attached to the Ministry of Powers, a branch of the armed forces composed of people with supernatural abilities to deal with rare yet dangerous rogue powers. Surprisingly enough, they've remained each others' confidante on personal matters, and the strong-hearted Eileen gladly agreed to give him whatever help he asked for, though she did warn him that it would count as a favor. Taking his mind off of those problems Alden flung himself into the world of costumed crime-fighting, dedicating himself to becoming a true superhero at last, his 'look' and focus inspired heavily by the Raven and the fearsome Scottish archer known as Arrowhawk. Between putting together his disguise, gathering materials for weapons so he wouldn't have to rely on his power to win his battles, teaching himself how to solve crimes that had already happened, his work and meeting with his friends, the next year passed all too quickly, until at last the Osprey was ready to strike. Now, three years later, the Vanguard have mysteriously disappeared and the Osprey has gotten a pretty reputation as a menace to the underworld of Britain. Everyone from the fastidious Middleman to the common thug has at least heard a rumor about him. The Ministry of Powers has decided to extend an invitation to the young man, an offer to find out the truth of what really happened to Britain's strongest heroes, defend his home from greater threats than ever before, and join the ranks of the Ministry's greatest asset in the new Taskforce UK! Personality & Motivation: Alden is terse, patient, calm and quiet. Not to an extreme, but he won't babble on for twenty words when two will do and keeps his thoughts and feelings close to the vest. This often leads to him clamming up even more when under pressure as his mind races. He rarely truly rests and is almost constantly physically or mentally active, knowing all too well how impermanent most situations are. A long time in poverty has embittered him to people with fantastic wealth like the aristocracy and nobility and a corresponding liking for people who grew up like he did. Alden is polite and warm when meeting somebody for the first time, but unafraid to precisely speak his mind and unlikely to consider somebody a friend unless they really share something. Most days he carries himself freely and confidently, a composed young man still excited about where his life is going. He has a firm and absolute belief that everyone can change and can recognize what's right and wrong, and has a lot of compassion for the people he often battles. Not that he'll let anyone know that if he can help it. When disguised as Osprey he plays to a T the role of a dread figure of the night, talking only when necessary and doing his best to present a coldly enigmatic front. Body language shifts to slower and more dramatic motions and his tendency to loom ominously behind people skyrockets. Behind the harsh face of the eagle Osprey conveys the message that everyone, no matter how powerful they think they are, can be brought low before the forces of justice. Powers & Tactics: Osprey prefers not to use his powers, instead focusing on ambushes and strikes from above. His tactics shift quickly and depend largely on how many he's fighting. If a few he'll do his best to isolate them first, if many he'll try to cluster the majority together so he can keep track of them better as he picks off outliers, if one or two he sets up a simple ambush and leaps upon them. He tries to avoid physical combat when he can, but when he can't just knock foes out from hiding he turns into a blur of savage punches and brutal kicks, aiming with the utmost precision to decisively bring down his enemies. His transformation power is something he keeps for emergencies or when he needs to chase after someone and his grapple gun isn't enough. Complications: Adrenaline Requirement: A surge of adrenaline is the fastest way to activate the transformation agent, and while usually that's easy enough to spark it means while in human form Osprey's powers can be simply blocked. Animal Instincts: Osprey's nature frequently shines through his humanity, driving Alden to violence, making him irrationally protective of birds and giving a strong impression that something's 'off' about him, especially in his eyes. Blind Without 'Em: Alden is near-sighted while human, yet far-sighted when in bird-man form. Glasses and special goggles help with this, but he can always lose those. Clean-up: Osprey's combat arsenal is mostly re-purposed civilian tools or weapons made from more or less easily-accessed sources. If somebody manages to find them, they could be used to track him down. Destabilised: The Osprey formula coursing through his body makes him that much more susceptible to other drugs, and infections are very hazardous. Enemies: The London Mob and most criminal groups operating around the Docklands have deep grudges against the Osprey by now. Honour: Alden has a habit of leaving pragmatism on the wayside. Prejudice: Aristocrats, old and new money who "Don't do anything worth doing" with their wealth, the idle rich. Responsibility: Family. Alden's family is unaware of what he does, and he aims to keep them safe from his other life by whatever means necessary. Secret: Identity Twisting Body: For all of Alden's control, the chemical agents that let him transform are never totally in his hands, and turning into a monstrous bird-man in everyday life is a very real, if unlikely, danger. Abilities: 10 + 8 + 8 + 4 + 4 + 6 = 40PP Strength: 20/26 (+5/+8) Dexterity: 18 (+4) Constitution: 18 (+4) Intelligence: 14 (+2) Wisdom: 14 (+2) Charisma: 16 (+3) Combat: 20 + 12 = 32PP Initiative: +8 Attack: +10 Base, +12 Utility belt Grapple: +15/18 Defense: +12 (+6 Base, +6 Dodge Focus), +3 Flat-Footed Knockback: -4/-7 Saving Throws: 3 + 5 + 3 = 11PP Toughness: +8 (+4 Con, +4 Armored Jumpsuit) Fortitude: +7 (+4 Con, +3) Reflex: +9 (+4 Dex, +5) Will: +6 (+3 Wis, +3) Skills: 84R = 21PP Acrobatics 4 (+8) Bluff 5 (+8/+12 with Attractive) Climb 4 (+9/12) Computers 5 (+7) Diplomacy 5 (+8/12 with Attractive)) Disable Device 6 (+8) Escape Artist 4 (+8) Gather Information 5 (+8) Intimidate 10 (+13) Investigate 6 (+8) Knowledge(Streetwise) 6 (+8) Knowledge(Physical Sciences) 4 (+6) Notice 6 (+8) Sense Motive 8 (+10) Stealth 6 (+10) Feats: 15PP Accurate Attack Attractive Contacts Dodge Bonus 6 Equipment 2 [10EP] Improved Initiative Luck 1 Power Attack Sneak Attack Startle Powers: 16 + 2 + 12 + 3 = 33PP Alternate Form 3.2[16PP] Damage 2(Talons; Feats: Improved Critical(19-20), Mighty)[4PP] Enhanced Strength 6(Improved Musculature; Feats: Improved Pin)[7PP] Flight 2(Wings; 25MPH, 250ft. per Round)[4PP] Immunity 2(Altered Biology; Cold Environments, Drowning; Flaws: Limited(Half)[1PP] Comprehend 2(Animals, Speak to & Understand; Flaws: Avian Animals Only)[2PP] Device 3(15PP Device; Hard to Lose)[12PP] Utility Belt Array 6(12PP Array, Power Feats: Alternate Power 3)[15PP] Base Power: Blast 5(Eagle Talons; Power Feats: Mighty 2(DMG 7])[12PP] AP: Dazzle 4(Visual Senses; Extras: General Area Burst)[12PP] AP: Obscure 3(Visual Senses, Smoke, 50ft. radius; Extras: Independent, Total Fade)[12PP] AP: Snare 6[12PP] Super-Senses 4(Normal Visual: Counters Obscure(Limited: Water), Extended 1(100 Notice Increments), Low Light Vision)[3PP] Drawbacks: 2 =2PP No Fine Control(Can't use Device while in Alternate Form or manipulate small objects; Frequency: Common; Intensity: Minor)[2PP] DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC20/23 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Dazzle Ranged DC14 Fortitude Blinded Snare Ranged DC16 Reflex (Staged) Entangled/Bound Strike Touch DC27 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Totals: Abilities (40) + Combat (32) + Saving Throws (11) + Skills (21) + Feats (15) + Powers (33) - Drawbacks (2) = 150/150 Power Points

I am reasonably sure Ecalsneerg would stab us if we did that. Anyway BType, that's not a bad idea, but the name isn't of such importance yet when so much else needs to be decided upon. We'll be sure to keep that in mind though. Understood Aoiroo, no rush. Thevshi, I get your meaning and apologize for mistaking Susan for Dawn's mother, which would be an awful mistake to make in real life, the lost love angle was just something I came up with off the top of my head. It IS a pretty stereotypical hook in hindsight, how about instead they went to the same clubs and such when they were the same age, and had a vagueish friendship that was much stronger on his side than hers? Your character's area of the relationship map, so feel free to dictate the relationship if you come up with something grand.

OOC thread for thread. Two of the most reserved Claremont students get to chaperone a young Dakanan noblewoman bursting with energy and unafraid to speak her mind. I can't see that going awry!

Chipping In, or, I Know a Guy who Knows a Prince June 1st, Saturday, 11.13 AM, 2013. Southside, Jordan International Airport, nearby Gate 8 The sun beat down happily on a panting Freedom City, the inhabitants of the most super city in the world going about their lives with a renewed vigor as summer seemed to send a jolt through every heart. Even the normally frantically dull airport terminals thrummed with energy, none of the usual lethargy to be found anywhere in the glossy gold terminals or the shining blue stores. For Elias Silvestri and Cerys Pfer, the two students of Claremont Academy sent with Tony Pao, a member of the junior staff there to welcome a new arrival, it was mostly unseen. The airport employees rushing by with baggage carts did seem to be whistling more than normal, however. The trio were standing just off the airstip, watching as the silvery glint of an oncoming plane came roaring into view. "Almost ten minutes early, good going..." murmured Tony to himself, the Laotion-American smiling in relief as the small plane, emblazoned on its tail and hull with the white and red symbol of a white lion, announcing it as a craft from the mysterious and powerful African nation of Dakana. Leading the way over as the airport technicians moved the standalone staircase up against the door of the plane, Tony resumed his earlier explanation at an even, rapid clip: "Aidah Sesay's light powers only recently developed, but from what Dakana's scientists can determine they seem to be some kind of natural mutation. King M'Balla wants her to get a good education on her powers, and asked the Freedom League to set her up here for couple of years. She's grown up surrounded by people who deeply admire her family and gave her the same deference, so...keep a level head. Be nice" he added with a concerned look. With a metallic rattle the stairs clicked into place, the door slid open and a small troupe of Dakanans marched out, seemingly unfazed by the American noonday sun in summertime and dressed to the nines in their nation's finery, mostly neat and colorful robes marked with intricate geometric symbols, their shoulders bearing the royal seal and slim jewelry around their necks. All of them carried themselves with stately dignity, politely thanking the airport technicians as they passed down the steps. Their leader, a grave-faced woman with graying hair, nodded and smiled at the two students before turning to Tony, shaking his hand and beginning "Hello Mr. Pao, thank you for arranging to meet us at such short notice." "Oh, it wasn't any trouble Mz. Okoro. On behalf of Claremont Academy, allow me to welcome you to Freedom City!" the former diplomat said cheerily, beaming at the reserved band "Is Ms. Sesay-" "HELLLLOOOOOOO FREEDOOOOOOM!" resounded a gleeful shout from the plane, announcing the emergence of a slender teenaged Dakanan girl dressed in much less subdued colors than the rest, wearing a large blue flowered hat over a beehive hairdo and sunglasses that looked slightly more expensive than what Cerys and Elias were wearing put together. Leaping onto the railing with a click of her high-heeled sandals she slid down it, leaping off just in time to land with a flair next to the two Claremonters. "Your new goddess has arrived, and brought the sun with her!" Lowering her sunglasses a little she raised an immaculate eyebrow as she looked the odd duo up and down. "And you two are...?" she asked with a barely-concealed smirk "Aidah! Behave, we are guests and each represent the nation." the older woman said crisply, getting a flinch and resentful look from the young woman, who nonetheless nodded, turned back and sulkily offered her impeccable hand "Greetings to you from the Land of the White Lion, I'm Aidah Sesay, I believe you are to be my schoolmates?" her voice was a little more heavily accented than that of the older Dakanans, and unlike the rest her robe reached only to her knees while her arms were bare.

Sure, that could work. And that's a reasonable concern SC, I apologize for being so premature about it. It could also turn out to be a smokescreen for something else, or someone else, entirely. For a name, how about something vague, like Regent or 14. So as I was talking with Supercape in chat, I figured the Farrginton's butler or former butler should be involved somehow, with this as the preliminary character sketch: They used to be a spy for the British government like Headcase, but left the service after a mission in the Soviet Bloc led him to reconsider his life. He returned to England and his old love Susan, only to learn she was now Lady Farrington and married to the Lord. Getting into the family's service as head butler he helped raise Dawn and after she began rebelling against her upbringing took it upon himself to try and keep her safe on her night-time . He's all too aware of the Psi Initiative and of Dawn's emergent superpowers. Does that work for you Thevshi, or should it be edited in some way to fit better? Also, Aoiroo, you want to put some more stuff in the Relationship Map for Jasmine or shall we leave that for play?

Also, another thing that needs consideration: should the old team have had some kind of ultimate nemesis? Somebody who was at the back of a lot of threats they defeated in the past, or a more physical opponent who fought them throughout the 20th century? It's not a requirement and might end up making their world too small, but should they have one?

"Man, sometimes I forget Claremont even is a school. Never when I'm on-campus or in front of a bunch of homework, 'course" the muscular teen said with a wry grin "that mnemonic you taught me should help a lot with next week's test. Thanks for that, by the way, really makes calc seem simpler." Beginning to set off with his long strides for the bus stop, Subito glanced up at the setting sun. "I've never had to do what you did El, and I hope I never have to, but I do know a little about needin' to make a fresh start. I can help ya there, at least..."