GranspearZX

"I guess that means I'm gonna have to stop you. Here and now." There really was no running from this fight--Marcus finally had to admit to himself that's what he'd been doing all this time. The human, more reasoned side of him wanted to avoid confrontation, especially after realizing just how ridiculously powerful Gauntlet really was. When he finally gave in to the notion that confrontation was, in fact, the solution, the Beast Rune responded in kind, filling Arcturus with a barely contained rage. His eyes turned a brilliant shade of red in the darkness of the woods, and the tips of his ursine claws burned with various hues of orange and blue flame. He'd resigned himself to only one of the pair walking away from this fight, and to protect both his own life and that of magic users he didn't even know, he was willing to put his mind in a place from where he secretly feared he might never return. Arcturus let out a bellowing roar that echoed through the woods as he shot forward at full speed, the power behind his legs tearing at the ground. The flames wrapped around his claws all but exploded as the Flame rune resonated with the Beast Rune, and he plowed into Gauntlet with a vicious swipe across the golem's torso.

TOU Check: (1d20+6=10) Ow. However... Arc's gonna use his Second Chance feat (TOU checks vs Unarmed)! TOU Check (Second Chance): (1d20+6=9) ...which isn't much better. Ow. So, with the expenditure of an HP: TOU Check (HP Reroll): (1d20+6=10) +10 gives me 20, but... wow. >.<

Yep!

Instinct told Marcus that this was bad. 15 minutes didn't seem like a lot of time, and this one required a little more thought than he was used to. Sure, it was one guy, but so was Gauntlet. Added to the situation was the fact that the entire place was coming down around them--not good. Not good at all. When he heard 'scatter', though, the Beast Rune pulsed--visibly. A deep emerald flash across his back seemed to propel him forward as the building conspired to collapse around all five of them; Arcturus figured he would be the best at taking a hit and giving one right back if necessary, freeing the others up to attack at various angles. He shot forward, dodging falling debris as he charged. Marcus roared as he reared back, the Flame rune flashing to life across the back of his palm. He swung as hard as he could, nailing the good doctor in the chest in a burst of fire and embers, hoping to send him flying. His voice deepened as the Beast rune reveled in the aggression and adrenaline, accenting Arcturus's fanged grin. "How's that for distance?"

Arcturus attacks! Move action: Moving towards the doc! Standard action: Unarmed attack, fire descriptor -- Attack Roll (fire): (1d20+11=29)

"...hiding behind a girl. Shameful." The Beast Rune had pretty well infiltrated Arcturus's tone, and his eyes glowed with the eldritch power he was barely containing. His fists tightened, and, for a brief second, the air around him distorted with the Shadow rune's power. It flashed across the back of his hand... and then disappeared. "Say good night, tin-man." It only lasted a fraction of a second; in the dark of the night, Arcturus's ursine form was momentarily replaced by that of a massive black cat. In the next moment, he was well within the golem's reach, and he grabbed the girl with one free arm around her waist. Fairly certain he might regret doing so, The Shadow Rune activated again, taking both Arcturus and the girl with it, off to the east of where they'd been originally. He didn't have any worry that the canine companion that Rene had assigned to him could see his intent; he dropped the girl, hoping she didn't try to attack him. Instead, he gave her a dark and commanding look, followed by a single word. "Run."

Actually, would it be possible to stunt that Teleport/Shadow Rune power off of his Leaping power (since both are movement powers and Arc would be using the Shadow Rune instead of the Beast Rune)?

SECRETS BEAR'd BY GIZMO Arcturus Added Power: Super Senses 1 (Detect Magic) [3PP] That's... about all I've got for now. Holding onto that last 2 PP. [floatr][img=http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w142/GranspearZero/sm-marcturus.jpg][/floatr][b][u]Player Name[/u]:[/b] GranspearZX [b][u]Character Name[/u]:[/b] Arcturus [b][u]Power Level[/u]:[/b] 12 (181/183PP) [b][u]Trade-Offs[/u]:[/b] +1 Attack / -1 Damage [b][u]Unspent PP[/u]:[/b] 2 [b][u]Progress To Silver Status[/u]:[/b] 33/60 [b][u]In Brief[/u]:[/b] A typical teenager with an atypical beast living inside him. [b][u]Alternate Identities[/u]:[/b] Marcus Irons [b][u]Identity[/u]:[/b] Public [b][u]Birthplace[/u]:[/b] Chicago, IL, USA [b][u]Occupation[/u]:[/b] High School Student [b][u]Affiliations[/u]:[/b] Claremont Academy, Parkhurst Mystics [b][u]Family[/u]:[/b] Richard Irons (Father, 43, A.K.A. the supervillain "Khimera"), Lyrica Irons (Mother, 40, A.K.A. the supervillain "Runic"), parents married 20 years [b][u]Age[/u]:[/b] 17 (DoB: March 1994) [b][u]Apparent Age[/u]:[/b] N/A [b][u]Gender[/u]:[/b] Male [b][u]Ethnicity[/u]:[/b] African-American [b][u]Height[/u]:[/b] 6' (8'4" in Bear Form) [b][u]Weight[/u]:[/b] 225 lbs. (475 lbs. in Bear Form) [b][u]Eyes[/u]:[/b] Brown (Red in Bear Form) [b][u]Hair[/u]:[/b] Black (Black Fur in Bear Form) [floatr][img=http://www.freedomplaybypost.com/wiki/images/a/aa/ArcturusHF.png][/floatr][b][u]Description[/u]:[/b] In his normal form, Marcus seems like a normal kid. Tall and broad-shouldered, he's a bit on the heavy side, and looks like he was built for sports. His head is usually shaved bald, and his facial hair is trimmed into a nice, even goatee. Despite his size, Marcus is deceptively agile--he's no gymnast, but he's actually capable of more mobility than a tank. His brown eyes are often half-closed, and he always looks a little worn out--not that there's anything wrong with him. He simply looks disengaged from everything around him unless he's specifically focused on a person or a conversation... or even his studies. He has a notably brighter look about him when he's busy. Someone might actually catch him smiling on occasion. In his 'beast' form, he's a lot more intimidating. Standing well over eight feet tall, Marcus--or Arcturus, as he prefers--is a particularly grim-looking beast of a man. Largely resembling a brown bear, Arcturus's fingertips ending in vicious claws. Covered in black fur, his most notable marking is the white, crescent-shaped patch across his upper chest. [b][u]History[/u]:[/b] Marcus Irons lead somewhat of a sheltered life. Being an only child, he couldn't remember a time when he wasn't in the company of at least one of his parents, and he never wanted for anything. That certainly wasn't to say that he was spoiled; Richard Irons was a gruff disciplinarian, almost military in his imposition of order on his only son. While both parents often had to go away on business from time to time, he more often than not spent that time with his father. Richard taught him all sorts of things--fishing, hunting, and even how to fight when he started getting bullied at school. His mother was a lot less heavy handed; she wouldn't let Marcus get away with just anything, of course, but she gave him considerably more freedom. It gave him plenty of chance to wonder why his parents had so many books on occult subjects, but he rarely acted on the impulse to read any of them. He had enough problems with just algebra. Marcus and his father had just come from celebrating his 15th birthday a few weeks early, watching a Blades game. He thought it would be an unforgettable night; the two of them stuck around the stadium and he managed to get Andre Leroux to sign his jersey. It was, in fact, a night he'd always remember, but not for the reasons that Marcus thought. They went home, and hours later he was awakened by the breaking of glass and a lot of yelling. Marcus arrived in the living room just in time to see a group of men tackle his father. Without thinking he rushed to try and help, leaping uselessly on one of their backs, only to get thrown off. The landing hurt, but something else in him snapped... Everyone was especially surprised when the 15 year-old boy came back at the SWAT-geared man, grabbing him by the collar with a clawed hand and slinging him across the room. The next few moments were a blur. The room flooded with more people and he remembered something giving him a nasty shock. He remembered his father's voice, sounding uncharacteristically desperate, and then... nothing. He woke up several days later in the hospital, with a strange man in his room, introducing himself as Duncan Summers. That was when he learned the truth--his parents were wanted supervillains. At first, he didn't believe it. His parents, as far as he knew, hadn't even had so much as a speeding ticket. Sure, his dad was over six and a half feet tall and intimidating as all hell, but imagining his father as a monster? No way. Seeing the evidence, however, was sobering. His father could transform, just as he had that night, only his form was... far less friendly on the eyes. He had a body count well into the triple digits, most before he was born. He wasn't sure he'd be able to cope with the reality that his father was even capable of the destruction of which he'd been accused. His mother's involvement was considerably more obscure. As the sorceress Runic, she had managed to suppress his father's transformation through the use of her knowledge and research on magical artifacts and symbols, allowing them to lead normal lives. She was wanted for hiding him, among other things... and Marcus was almost certain that it contributed to her not showing up when his father was carted off to jail. He wasn't stupid--he realized that his father never fought back, and that he'd plead guilty, skipping a trial entirely. Marcus wasn't sure what to do next... Summers provided him with an option. [b][u]Personality & Motivation[/u]:[/b] Marcus 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. [b][u]Powers & Tactics[/u]:[/b] Marcus is a brawler, plain and simple. Being especially good at it, his fists are often the first course of action for him. When he can actually plan ahead, he does so--more with a working knowledge of the situation than any real magical backup, other than his animal form. When especially pressed for a solution, he's been known to use the Beast Rune in its rawest form, able to transform into something other than his 'default' bear form. [hr][/hr] [b][u]Complications[/u]:[/b] [b]AAAAH! Bear![/b]: Arcturus, in bear form, tends to give off an aura that screams 'predator'. As such, civilians have a tendency to panic when they see him. [b]Aspect of The Beast:[/b] Marcus is exceptionally aggressive and blunt in his bear form, and finds it difficult to back out of a fight. [b]Colorblind:[/b] In his bear form, Arcturus can't really distinguish colors; everything looks grayscale. [b]Phobia:[/b] Marcus can't swim. It's less of a problem in his human form, but his fear of drowning causes him to avoid large bodies of water whenever possible. [b]Secret:[/b] Marcus's mother, Runic, is an international thief and forger, and has crossed and double-crossed numerous heroes and villains in her career. His father, the previous holder of the Beast Rune, destroyed an entire town before the power was stripped from him. If anyone did a little digging, it would cause Marcus a colossal headache and earn him a lot of enemies and unwanted attention. [b]Temper:[/b] Marcus has full control over his transformation... usually. Typically, however, pain causes his usually strict control to slip--whether it's physical, or seeing a friend get hurt. [b][u]Abilities[/u]:[/b] 0 + 2 + 12 + 2 + 4 + 0 = 20PP Strength: 28/20/10 (+9/+5/+0) Dexterity: 12 (+1) Constitution: 26/22 (+8/+6) Intelligence: 12 (+1) Wisdom: 14 (+2) Charisma: 10 (+0) [b][u]Combat[/u]:[/b] 18 + 16 = 34PP Initiative: +5 Attack: +9 Ranged (+8 in Bear Form), +11 Melee (+10 in Bear Form), +12 Unarmed in Bear Form, +12 Claws Grapple: +16/+11; +23 in Bear Form Defense: +10/+11 (+8 Base, +3 Dodge Focus, -1 Size [Bear Form]), +4 Flat-Footed Knockback: -3, -9 in Bear Form, -18 Bracing [b][u]Saving Throws[/u]:[/b] 5 + 8 + 10 = 23PP Toughness: +11/+6 (+8/+6 Con, +3 Protection) Fortitude: +13/+11 (+8/+6 Con, +5) Reflex: +9 (+1 Dex, +8) Will: +12 (+2 Wis, +10) [b][u]Skills[/u]:[/b] 92R = 23PP Acrobatics 9 (+10)[sup]Skill Mastery[/sup] Climb 3 (+3, +8 in Bear Form) Concentration 8 (+10) Craft (Artistic) 13 (+14)[sup]Skill Mastery[/sup] Intimidate 7 (+7, +17 in Bear Form)[sup]Skill Mastery[/sup] Knowledge (Arcane Lore) 13 (+14)[sup]Skill Mastery[/sup] Knowledge (Earth Sciences) 3 (+4) Knowledge (Life Sciences) 3 (+4) Knowledge (Physical Sciences) 4 (+5) Languages 2 (English [Native], Greek, Latin) Notice 4 (+5) Search 4 (+5) Sense Motive 5 (+6, +14 in Bear Form) Stealth 9 (+10, +6 in Bear Form) Survival 5 (+6) [b][u]Feats[/u]:[/b] 18PP Artificer Attack Focus (Melee) 2 Dodge Focus 3 Fearless Improved Grab Improved Grapple Improved Initiative Improved Pin Luck Quick Change Ritualist Second Chance (TOU checks vs. Unarmed) Skill Mastery (Acrobatics, Craft (Artistic), Intimidate, Knowledge [Arcane Lore]) Takedown Attack 2 [b][u]Powers[/u]:[/b] 40 + 12 + 4 + 3 + 1 + 3 = 63PP [b]Alternate Form 8 ([/b]40PP Container [Free Action, Sustained Duration][b])[/b] [40PP] (Bear Form, Beast Rune, Magic) [device][b]Enhanced Feats 11 ([/b]Attack Specialization [Claws], Attack Specialization [Unarmed], Fearsome Presence 8, Powerful Intimidation[b])[/b] [11PP] [b]Enhanced Skills 16 ([/b]Intimidate 8, Sense Motive 8[b])[/b] [4PP] [b]Features 1 ([/b]Fur-Covered Hide [Immune to Cold & Sunburns][b])[/b] [1PP] [b]Growth 4 ([/b]Large, -1 Attack, -1 Defense, +4 Constitution, +8 Strength, +4 Grapple, +2 Intimidate, -4 Stealth, +5 STR [Carry Capacity], [i]Extras:[/i] Duration [Continuous], [i]Flaws:[/i] Permanent[b])[/b] [12PP] [b]Protection 3[/b] [3PP] [b]Strike 1 ([/b][i]Feats:[/i] Mighty[b])[/b] [2PP] (Claws) [b]Super-Senses 7 ([/b]Danger Sense [Olfactory], Acute Extended 2 [1,000ft Notice Increments] Tracking 2 [Normal Speed] Smell, Low-Light Vision[b])[/b] [7PP][/device] [b]Enhanced Strength 10 ([/b]to 20/+5; [i]PFs[/i]: Alternate Power, Variable Descriptor 1 [earth, fire, ice, thunder][b])[/b] [12PP] [list][u]Alternate Power[/u]: [b]Super-Strength 4 ([/b]Lifting STR 30, 43 in Bear form, [i]Heavy Load[/i]: 1,600 lbs., 4.8 tons in Bear form;[i]PF[/i]: Bracing, Groundstrike[b])[/b] [10PP][/list] [b]Leaping 4 ([/b]x25 [[i]Running Long Jump:[/i] 475ft][b])[/b] [4PP] [b]Regeneration 3 ([/b]Bruised 3 [No Action][b])[/b] [3PP] [b]Speed 1 ([/b]10 mph / 100 feet per Move action[b])[/b] [1PP] [b]Super Senses 1 ([/b]Detect Magic[b])[/b] [3PP] [b][u]Drawbacks[/u]:[/b] -0PP None [b][u]DC Block[/u]:[/b] [code]ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC15/20 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical); variable descriptor Bear Form Touch DC24 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical); variable descriptor Bear Claws Touch DC25 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical); variable descriptor Fearsome Presence 40ft Burst DC18 Will (Staged) Shaken/Frightened/Panicked Groundstrike 90ft Burst Contested STR/DEX Prone Abilities (20) + Combat (34) + Saving Throws (23) + Skills (23) + Feats (18) + Powers (63) - Drawbacks (0) = 181/183 Power Points SECRETS BEAR'd BY GIZMO

"Strategy..." It wasn't a foreign concept to Marcus, but he'd honestly never REALLY tried an actual plan of attack before, at least, not in a group. He was, perhaps, too used to working alone, and he was finding it difficult not to just wade into a situation, fists swinging. He sat there, mostly silent as he considered it, waiting for everyone to come together again before he commented. "I'm... not used to this whole 'team' thing. Usually I just kind of do whatever, but I'm pretty sure that's not gonna last long. Whatever's next, I think we might have to think it through... just to be on the safe side. And if push comes to shove..." The rune on Marcus's back seemed to pulse faintly in anticipation. A trick of the light, perhaps? It was hard to say. "Whatever we do... might be a good idea to at least try to stick together. I can always pick somethin' up and throw it if I have to."

Arcturus Playing to a Packed House Run! The Gauntlet Two's Company, Four's a Party

"Yeah, that was... mm." He honestly wasn't sure that was going to work. He'd never tried it before, and truth be told, Marcus hardly ever made full use of his athletic ability since transferring to Claremont. "Good thing I'm not afraid of heights." Then again, there wasn't anything he was afraid of... but he hated swimming. It wasn't even that he couldn't, and the Beast Rune had demonstrated that it wouldn't let him drown. Still... he hated the thought of being submerged anywhere and shuddered a little bit as he shoved it to the back of his mind. Marcus tilted his head a little bit at Kristin. "...you okay?" He eyed the injury, eyebrow raised as if nothing was wrong with staring at her chest.

Arcturus really, really hadn't thought things through. Getting up there was one thing, and he was a skilled enough wrestler that even in mid-air, the Steeljack wasn't going to escape his grip... but now that he was up there, he wasn't sure what he could do without ending up back on the ground. Still, his presence hampered the robot's movement enough to make him an easier target for the others--decent teamwork, even if it hadn't been 100% planned that way. He flinched a bit as Glow's rocks pelted the robot; El Heraldo's attack didn't get the same reaction because he'd at least seen that one coming. Arcturus did, however, cringe inwardly when Net Fly came barreling in. He mentally braced himself and he felt his grip slip from the robot. The fall wasn't one that would kill him, of course, but it would hurt even if he landed wrong--the Beast Rune didn't exactly grant him feline reflexes. It could, of course, but Arcturus was trying especially hard not to tap into that power. He reached for empty air as he fell, half-resigned to hitting the floor when Net Fly grabbed him. He had to admit, he was surprised that Serge hadn't missed. "...huh. Nice catch."

Grapple check from the chat:

*facepalm* My fault. Changing my post accordingly then! In fact... gonna make a grapple attempt instead: Attack Roll (Grapple): (1d20+16=32)

Could they really tell that he was holding back? It was certainly possible... The Beast Rune often had a subtle influence on peoples' perceptions. And, truth be told, he was containing his power--only because he had to. This was as much training for self control for him as it was general training for the newer students. Clearly Kristen was the most observant of the three, and she certainly wasn't shy about saying exactly what she thought. He had to admit that particular trait wasn't annoying. "...right." The change in his eye color was subtle as he responded to Serge, transitioning from brown to red as he turned on the remaining holographic opponent. Under normal circumstances, the Steeljack's altitude would have been a significant problem. Thankfully, Marcus was far from normal. He crouched and launched himself off the ground, aiming to grab the robot in mid-air. It worked in his mind; if it was a hard-light construct, he should be able to grab it, no problem. Mid-leap, his own sensibilities mixed with the Beast Rune's aggression, and he wasn't entirely sure--but by then, it was too late, and he'd already committed to tackling the thing out of the air.

Sorry this has been as long as it has. School. Rawr. Marcus takes a swing at the remaining Steeljack: Attack Roll (fire): (1d20+11=23)

Sure, no problem! I just need to think of something else. :)

Actually, Arc was going to use the rune via his Artificer feat, but now that I think on it, I don't know that it'll work like I'd planned... unless he actively draws it on something he's wearing. Which would require him to change back to his human form. :/

Marcus tries to kill it with FIRE: Attack Roll (Fire): (1d20+11=16) ...I think he missed, too. D'oh!

The way he plans on using it in this particular instance is via the Teleport power. The mechanics behind Transduco Umbra are: Teleport 1 (PFs: Change Direction, Change Velocity) [4PP]

Marcus charged forward in a relatively open stance, both his hands low. A red symbol appeared on the back of both, igniting into a crackling flame that wrapped around his fingers, ending at his wrist. Had they not been on fire, his palm would have likely met his forehead at Net Fly virtually tripping all over himself. Oh dear lord. That kid is TRAGIC. The Beast Rune echoed the thought in the back of his mind, allowing Marcus to better concentrate on the task at hand. The flames seemed to burn with greater intensity at the young physical adept's concentration, forming short flaming claws at the end of his fingertips as he took a vicious swipe at the downed robot, orange embers trailing his swing.

Initiative: (1d20+5=10)

"..." Arcturus snarled, the rage swirling about the surface of his being nearly tangible. He barely managed to restrain himself as he threatened the girl; inwardly, he knew that this scenario definitely qualified as worst-case. He lowered his arms and snarled at Gauntlet, saying absolutely nothing. That didn't, however, mean that he was doing nothing. He concentrated in silence, allowing his magic to flow to the back of his hand, forming the Shadow Rune on his palm. There was one chance, one shot at getting out of this situation... and he didn't like it. Arcturus never liked using the Shadow Rune. Like all of the magic he was able to use, the Beast Rune often influenced it, causing him to attract the more primal nature of their power. The Shadow Rune was no different, and it reminded Marcus of why humans feared the night, even if most of them didn't really remember why. Darkness personified, in its rawest form... difficult to tame at all, and there was no using it without having it affect its user in some shape, form, or fashion. Desperate times. Desperate measures.

"Life is full of 'maybe's' and 'almost's'," Marcus said, shrugging nonchalantly. The entire thing was rather silly, and it was amusing to think that Net Fly thought that he'd actually be able to hurt him. "Keep lookin' back and you'll never see the future comin'. Besides..." Marcus smiled broadly patting Serge on the back and taking a firm grip on his shoulder. He smiled and his expression went dark; still under the influence of the Beast Rune, his eyes retained a faint reddish glow, and his canines and incisors were larger than they probably should have been. He leaned in close and his voice deepened, almost as if it were someone else speaking, but Marcus's voice was still recognizable as his own. "If you don't stop talkin' about it, I'm gonna tear your arms off." He laughed and followed Subito back to the entrance, leaving whether or not he was kidding up in the air.