GranspearZX

"...right." Marcus gave Rene a suspicious look before reaching down, moving the manhole cover himself. He was well aware that Rene wasn't the helpless elderly man that he pretended to be; he'd been exposed to the ruse too long to be fooled by it now. Still, he wasn't about to risk Rene actually hurting himself. His conscience would never let him live with himself. "I don't even know what I'm looking for, but... eh." He looked around for a moment before slipping down into the hole, in the dim light from above and secluded from the world overhead, he changed clothes right there and then. The boots he wore for work at the zoo were more than sufficient, and he still had his costume on underneath, leaving him to stuff his cargo pants into his bag and hand it back to Rene. He was prepared enough; he'd brought his own flashlight, and doubted he'd need the umbrella he bought. Even in the dark, the Light Rune on his hand provided some comforting illumination. Still, he pulled out Rene's flashlight--the last thing he wanted was for someone to see him using magic. That could potentially be as bad as transforming in front of someone. "Alright, here we go..." He shook the flashlight a bit before turning it on, pointing the beam into the uninviting darkness.

I'm still around, I just wasn't sure if it had started yet. :)

Marcus had never been a huge fan of rain; he preferred to stay indoors and sleep. He looked down the manhole, then back up at Rene, a single eyebrow raised. "...you're kidding right? Aw, man..." He slipped his bookbag off and took Rene's; One moment the Light Rune was in his right hand and the next it was gone, the golden rune appearing on the back before fading away. He looked inside at the uniform and blinked at the soap. "I get the uniform but... what's the soap for?" He looked around, figuring he should probably find somewhere to change clothes. He wasn't much for disguises, but he wasn't planning on changing forms any time soon down below. The smell would assault his bear senses...

Between the calls from Rene, Marcus kept busy, finishing up a project he'd put off for a considerable amount of time. He wasn't entirely prepared for how intensive creating runestones could really be, and it was the first time he'd done so without help. To make things worse, the Light Rune could only be created in direct sunlight, meaning that he had to do something he almost never did on purpose: wake up early. Nevertheless, it paid off in the end, even if the rune wouldn't last forever. He closed his hand around the small pewter tile and its warmth filled his palm. Well I'll be. It actually works. Now hardly seemed like the time to feel accomplished, however; he had somewhere to be. The drive was largely uneventful; he returned his phone call from his roommate at Claremont, who only wanted to tell him that he was moving back to Freedom City in three weeks. It was difficult to believe that school was that close all over again. He wasn't entirely sure what his junior year would bring, and after that mess he'd gotten involved in several months before in Pennsylvania, he wasn't eager to go running off to play hero again. He'd gotten himself into enough trouble with the staff at school. He parked a few blocks away from Smith Street and decided to walk the rest of the way there.

No worries! Knowledge (Arcane Lore) check: (1d20+10-5=23) 10 hours to design, and then: Craft (Artistic) check: (1d20+10-5=7) Ew. So, gonna blow an HP right off the bat to reroll that: {HP REROLL} Craft (Artistic) check: (1d20+10-5=13) +10 for a total of 23. So 30 hours total. Huzzah for magic making!

"Amusing? ...hm." Rene's phrasing gave him pause. He stood up and began drifting around the room, looking for his 'traveling' stuff. He had his costume, of course, and a pair of sturdy boots that would withstand his transformation. There wasn't much else that he could think of bringing at first. "Smith Street... yeah, I know where that is." He looked over at his desk; it was half-covered in about four dozen pewter stones the size of Scrabble tiles. Marcus was a Physical adept--a mage whose power was more physical than elemental--but that didn't mean he didn't know a few tricks outside his Beast Rune form. The Light Rune was just one of the ones he'd been working on--it wasn't perfect and he wouldn't get many uses out of the limited magical power, but it seemed like a great opportunity to test his creation. Just in case, though, he stuffed a flashlight into his pack before heading out the door.

Gonna make use of Arc's artificer feat for this: Device 4 (Easy to lose; Flaws: Unreliable [5 uses per day], PFs: Indestructible, Restricted [Artificer feat only]) (magic, Light Rune) [10PP] Blast 8 (80 ft. range; PF: Accurate, Alternate Power 2, Precise) (Searing Light) AP: Dazzle 9 (Affects visual senses; 90 ft range) (Solar Flare) AP: Environmental Control 9 (Light; 90 ft. range, 2500 ft. radius) (Illumination)

Most of Marcus Irons's summer days were spent hanging around the library--whether it was the main library or the Parkhurst Hotel's, he had done a considerable amount of reading. For the moment, though, he'd given up, and was sitting in his room when his phone rang. He reached over and stared at the screen, realizing he'd also missed a few calls. First thing was first though--answering the most recent one. He recognized the number; he'd set up his phone so that people on his contact list would always show up. He hadn't seen much of Rene since the warding of the Parkhurst Hotel was finished. Marcus wasn't entirely sure if it was a good or bad thing, but he figured he should answer his phone anyway and find out. "Hello?"

Malek Ironbear (ArcturusWar-Earth) [floatr][/floatr] Abilities: 4 + 4 + 4 + 6 + 4 + 4 = 26 PP Strength: [34] 24 (+12/+8) Dexterity: [18] 14 (+4/+2) Constitution: [34] 20 (+12/+5) Intelligence: 16 (+3) Wisdom: 14 (+2) Charisma: 14 (+2) Combat: 18 + 22 = 40PP Initiative: +8 Attack: +8 [+13 melee, +14 unarmed] Grapple: +35 Defense: +14 (+11 base, +4 Dodge Focus, -1 Size), +6 flat-footed Knockback: -10 (-20 w/ Bracing) Saving Throws: 2 + 4 + 8 = 14PP Toughness: +13 (+12 Con, +1 Leather Armor) Fortitude: +14 (+12 Con, +2) Reflex: +8 (+4 Dex, +4) Will: +10 (+2 Wis, +8) / +14 (+2 Wis, +4 Lionheart, +8) vs. fear and related effects Skills: 124R = 31PP Acrobatics 9 (+14) Bluff 6 (+8) Climb 12 (+18) Diplomacy 8 (+10) Intimidate 10 (+14) Knowledge [arcane lore] 9 (+12) Knowledge [life sciences] 9 (+12) Knowledge [physical sciences] 12 (+15) Languages 2 [English (base), Russian, Latin] Notice 6 (+8) Sense Motive 9 (+11) Stealth 8 (+8) Survival 8 (+10) Swim 12 (+18) Feats: 23PP All-Out Attack Attack Focus [melee] 5 Dodge Focus 4 Equipment 1 --Battleaxe (4EP) --Leather Armor (+1 Toughness) (1EP) Improved Grab Improved Grapple Improved Initiative Improved Pin Lionheart Luck 2 Power Attack Second Chance [vs. being mind controlled] Takedown Attack 2 Powers: 14 + 4 + 8 + 14 + 3 + 4 + 10 + 2 + 12 = 76PP Enhanced Constitution 14 [14PP] Enhanced Dexterity 4 [4PP] Enhanced Strength 8 [8PP] Growth 6 (Large; +12 STR, +6 CON, -1 Attack/Defense, +2 Intimidate, -4 Stealth) [24PP] Immunity 3 (Aging, Disease, Poison) [3PP] Leaping 4 (x25; Running jump: 550ft.; standing jump 275 ft.; high jump: 137 ft.) [4PP] Regeneration 9 (Bruised [1/round], Injured [no action] PF: Persistent) [10PP] Speed 2 (25 mph; 220 ft./round) [2PP] Super-Strength 5 (+25 STR carry capacity, heavy load: 89.6 tons; PFs: Bracing, Countering Punch) [12PP]

Just because I thought it would be interesting... and yay build practice! INDEX ------- War-Earth: Malek Ironbear

DONE BY SHAENTHEBRAIN I think Arcturus's unspent PP should be 5, not 4; I had originally intended 1 PP to be put into the Parkhurst Hotel HQ, but it was never used and doesn't seem to be needed for anything... So I'll use it. Because of the new House Rule, I'll be dropping Detect Lies [Olfactory] from his Super-Senses; instead, I'll use the 2PP that used to cost to take Enhanced Skill (Sense Motive +8). As for the 5PP: Stats: Will+2 Saves: WIS+2 Feats: Takedown Attack 2 (If someone could PM me Arc's code, I'd be more than happy to adjust stuff in the stat sheet and edit this post if necessary.) DONE BY SHAENTHEBRAIN

The principles of geometric influence on magic date back thousands of years, and their properties are... bleh... Marcus was pacing back and forth in the library, reading. It had become a common pastime with him during the summer, and he was starting to learn quite a bit when it came to magical interaction with the physical world. His own powers were physical in nature; the Beast Rune, from what he had pieced together during the end of his sophomore year at Claremont, was a wildly cross-referenced phenomenon. Lycanthropy and shapeshifting were at the top of the list, and there were even instances of psychics being able to pull off what was called 'psychometabolic changing', altering the physical body through mental strength and will. It was all very confusing. Despite it all, though, he'd managed to help ward the Parkhurst Hotel rather well. He wasn't slinging fireballs or calling down lightning, but when it came to practical applications of magic, he was starting to catch on pretty quickly. The natural range of a ward is relies on several factors, including geographical ley lines and... ...? Marcus lowered the book, standing not too far from the window. Glancing outside, a single eyebrow rose. A visitor? Can't even get a pizza delivered here and there's a visitor. Huh.

Arcturus is still available. *eyebrow waggle*

OOC thread for the IC thread of the same name. Anyone's welcome, of course, as long as you let me know something. :)

Arcturus Soul in the Iron Unstuck in Time GM and NPC What's Done In the Dark

Despite its close proximity to Claremont, Marcus couldn't recall having ever been to this coffee shop. He'd passed by it a couple of times, but he rarely spent a lengthy amount of time in Bayview. He got a considerable amount of use out of his metro card and the old, beat-up car he used; using the latter was cheaper than gas. As he walked in, the few errant notes of the saxophone drifting out the door reminded him of just how infrequently he could really relax. It seemed that nothing had started yet, but the musician in the room was fairly obvious; the sax was a dead giveaway. The Beast Rune was eerily quiet, leaving the shapeshifter to his own thoughts for once. Rather than lament the sudden mental silence, he found himself a seat nearest the performance area. Leaving his sketchbook on his chosen table, he ordered himself the largest coffee available and three donuts, then returned to his seat, taking another glance at Ezekiel. There was something off that he couldn't quite place. It wasn't a bad feeling, exactly, just an unusual vibe...

June 30, 2011 Marcus wasn't exactly the most musically inclined person in the world. He knew what he liked, and he'd listen to anything at least once. Dislike of mainstream music often lead him to scour the internet for bands, and most of his favorite artists were considered 'underground'... to the point where most of his phone's music was stuff he'd downloaded from sites specializing in free mixtapes. His friends knew his tastes pretty well--well enough, in fact, that Julie had actually started suggesting places. "There's this guy out there called Ezekiel Irons," Julie had said. "I think you'd like his style." At first, Marcus was reluctant, but arguing with Julie usually didn't get him anywhere; she knew things he didn't, and she'd never tell. Sketchbook in hand, he found himself standing in front of a local coffee shop in Bayview, staring at it from across the street. Irons wasn't an entirely uncommon name, but he didn't really know a whole lot about his family outside his parents. He barely remembered what his mother looked like, and when he'd visited his father on Father's Day, family never came up in conversation. Maybe it should have. Marcus shrugged and crossed the street, heading inside. If nothing else, there was the promise of decent music.

Arcturus A Lesson In Courage Unstuck In Time

As the older heroes spoke, Marcus was content to watch, though the Beast Rune's restlessness made him fidget a little without completely realizing it. Finding a way home didn't seem terribly high on Marcus's list of priorities. After all, what did he really have to go back to? Studying, his summer job at the Hanover Zoo, his project at Parkhurst Manor... He hadn't even heard from most of his other mystic comrades in months. And then there was his issues with his parents... Going back to all of that seemed like a waste colossal waste of his time. He'd managed to irritate himself with thoughts of home, and the only way he knew of to deal with his own problems was to focus on solving someone else's instead. Following Fulcrum's lead, he headed towards the outer wall. He would have preferred to hang around the Wolves for a bit, but doing something constructive seemed like a much safer course of action. There was no telling what would happen next.

...compare notes? Sure, okay. In Arcturus's head, his voice had an echo when he was in his altered form; even in thought, Marcus and the Beast rune were in an almost forced unison. It wasn't strained or anything of the sort, however. As exhausted as he was, one could tell who was in greater command. With its inherent aggression sated for the moment and the danger passed, he started towards those he found familiar. The fact that he was stranded on some other strange world had occurred to him. The fact was, though, that it didn't incite the sort of panic that one might have associated with being sucked involuntarily through a portal in a sock drawer. He had, in fact, been spending much of his summer studying portal magic and dimensional pockets for an experiment he wanted to try involving his room at Parkhurst. This was an almost welcome distraction, as he hadn't had a chance to use his physical magic in several weeks. He was pretty confident that getting back wouldn't be a problem, and as he considered the possibility of time flow between this world and his own, he spotted Gabriel. And Push. His eyes narrowed a little bit and he snorted. No 'Agent Stone' today, huh? "I... don't remember what I was doin' before, to tell you the truth. Studyin' or somethin'... but next thing I know, I get sucked into a drawer and land in the middle of a battlefield. I've had dreams that made more sense..." Arc looked among those assembled, nodding to Fulcrum with a vague amount of recognition. Scarab he only knew by reputation, and though he had spotted Atlas from the very beginning--before everything kind of exploded into a full on assault and he was concentrating more on saving his own fur--he was fairly certain the guy could be trusted. He couldn't help but tilt his head a little bit at Atlas's accent, though, out of sheer curiosity.

Hm. I could always unarchive Crusader (PL7) for this, since Arc is only 17 and I don't want to go down that road with him... :3

The blow aimed at him missed; before he could even react, the three Wolves streaked past Arcturus and the lone beastman was torn apart in relatively short order. Before Arc could even take in the battlefield situation, he heard the cheering--it was over. This time, it seemed somewhat permanent. He took several deep breaths, covered in sweat, dirt, and probably blood; the Beast Rune's viciousness left an amalgamation of scents in the air around him that was making him a little nauseous. He couldn't exactly filter them out without shifting back to his human form, and though he wasn't injured, he wasn't entirely sure that was a good idea just yet--his clothes weren't exactly in a condition that would leave him without some embarrassment. Fatigue hit him all at once and he sank to his knees, nose skyward as he took in several heaving breaths. Slowly but surely the rage was subsiding and the rune relinquished control, making Arcturus that much more aware of how much he'd pushed himself. It occurred to him that nothing at Claremont had ever really tested just how far he could push himself physically, and even now he wasn't sure if this was as far as he could go. He didn't have a whole lot of time for introspection, though, as the Wolves' celebration eventually made it over to him. Had he been in human form, those hefty thumps on the back might've actually hurt. A smug grin crossed his face at the talk of a battlefield tally. In that particular mindset, counting didn't seem like it was all that important. "Next time, I'm gonna have to keep better track," he mused, grinning a bit wider. "Not bad for a first-timer, though."

Arcturus would certainly be up for some safari-ness. :)

I think it's time for Arc to make use of that ridiculous Fearsome Presence of his. DC18, 40ft radius; I'm a little unclear as to how many targets there are, though.

Arcturus tore across the battlefield like a man possessed; it wasn't exactly an inaccurate statement. The teenage shapeshifter cleaved a path through the enemy ranks, and when the dust finally settled, Arcturus scanned the terrain for his next target. Fatigue eroded reason; his eyes fell on the cautious, halberd-wielding beastmen and he headed in their direction. He stood upright as he approached, eyes flaring with an angry red glow. It was clear the Rune was doing the talking, and Marcus, for once, wasn't fighting against the rising current of rage. He flashed a toothy, feral grin and beckoned them forward. "This is the part where you run."