GranspearZX

"We don't always have the luxury of choosing our friends." Otherwise quiet, Marcus's comment almost seemed out of place. Not that he liked Vigourie any more than the rest of the group, but it was a fact that he couldn't help but point out. Still, he didn't look directly at Equinox when she said it... she was sort of scary when she was mad--and she was obviously mad. He glanced at Vigorie as he made his exit. "I'm sure we'll manage one way or another." He folded his arms across his chest, standing relatively near his 'employer'. "Now that that's over... ...it is over, isn't it?"

Arcturus Dreamtime Get On Board Witch Hunt Extras: Reputation Chart, Wiki Page

He had to admit a little bit of growing respect for Gabriel; Marcus wasn't much of a talker, but the display Gabriel put on was pretty impressive. Still, words weren't a particular talent for the young artificer. That and 'Stone' being an AEGIS officer didn't sit well with him either. Grudges like that didn't simply disappear, and he could only wonder if this particular agent knew anything about him at all--especially since his real name was somewhat out in the open thanks to his own ineptitude. The mention of the inverted cross caught Marcus's attention, but there was so much arguing and posturing going on between the 'adults' that it was starting to give him a little bit of a headache. It wasn't difficult to annoy him, that much was proven, but this seemed to be wasting a lot of time that, as far as Marcus was concerned, they didn't have. He stood up; despite his age, he was easily as tall as anyone else in the room. Still playing the part of the humorless intern, the teenager adjusted his pack on his shoulders, making eye contact with everyone in turn--especially Vigourie--before turning to Eric. "I can see this will take a while to sort out. Should I just wait outside?" Adults. Pfft. Idiots, all of them... He really didn't plan on going anywhere, but the escalating bickering was starting to get to him, and the Beast Rune was picking up on the aggression in the room--even though it wasn't his own. Cooler heads prevailed, after all, and Marcus was starting to think he was the only one save his 'boss' keeping their eyes on the horizon.

I'd be cool with Arc joining.

Yet another arrival caused Marcus to raise an eyebrow; Equinox was definitely something new for him. It really was quite the entrance. Stone's question went entirely unanswered by the young wizard--he wasn't sure he wanted to answer, especially not after the woman's answer. That and he didn't think it was any of the newcomer's business, even if he did know the guy covering for him. Flipping to the back of the page he'd been using, he absently started sketching the people in the room rather than the scant amount of information he'd been able to get from the crime scene. I am so out of my league here. As far as anyone knew, he was just a kid working for Eric--or Nick, though Marcus was savvy enough to know not to call him that. That was the story he was going to stick with, and he was going to play the role as well as he could. After all, his actual talent wasn't exactly suited for social situations, leaving the man rather than the beast to deal with it all. He regarded the sheriff and the flown-in expert with a reciprocated amount of skepticism, but he wisely kept his mouth shut. He wasn't really sure what to say outside of a swift, almost undetectable nod hello. "I work for Mr. LaCroix," he said flatly, quietly closing his book. 'Smile and nod', Gabriel said. Somehow, Marcus didn't really feel like smiling.

For a brief second, Arc's eyes widened at the boogeyman's watery form, but he wasn't so shocked by it that he stood immobile as it lunged for him. He dove off to one side, his surprising agility aiding him in quickly getting back to his feet. It was huge, and threatened to swallow him whole... Arc growled, baring his fangs against his rapidly accelerating heartbeat. Its scent reminded him a little too much of that day at the beach in Maryland; he stood his ground, refusing to let his fears control him. "You think you know me, monster? You haven't got a clue!" A dull, yellowish light flowed from the Beast Rune on Arcturus's shoulder, settling in the form of an upward-facing triangle on the back of his hand as he lunged forward, taking a hard and vicious swipe at the beast with his claws.

He didn't know Eric, but Marcus immediately decided that he liked the guy. It was pretty rare for anyone to stick their own neck out for him, and Marcus was willing to trust his judgment. "Er... yeah. I'll explain that later..." He figured they should know what he found at the crime scene--or, more importantly, what he didn't find. He still wanted to go back and literally sniff things out, but he had a feeling that would have to wait until it was darker out. All in all, Eric seemed like a nice guy... though where he fit into the world of the paranormal had Marcus incredibly curious. Gabriel, on the other hand, was another story entirely. It wasn't that he didn't like Gabriel. He was just so damn... charming. His entire demeanor insinuated charm, and Marcus could see that inner beast of his making childish and obscene gestures at him as he spoke. It stopped short of being smug, although he wasn't even certain Gabriel was even capable of that. It was strange that he was willing to play sidekick until Gabriel's 'smile and nod' suggestion. Gabriel had a rather irrefutable point, however; in the world of public opinion, Marcus knew he was rather powerless, and using the abilities he did have were certain not to win him any popularity contests. If nothing else, this particular case was going to test more than just his physical magic. That didn't at all change the fact that Gabriel's first impression rubbed Marcus's proverbial fur entirely the wrong way. It was something he could live with though; he had a feeling that a significant part of his life as well as his magical education was going to involve swallowing that deep well of pride he had. Rather than dwell on being all but told to 'sit down and be quiet in public', Marcus shifted his belongings and put his book in his lap as he sat down, his right ear twitching a little bit at the heavy booted footsteps of yet another visitor to the station. Man, does this happen THAT often? Marcus eyed 'Mr. Stone' for a brief moment brief moment before opening his book to one of the back, blank pages, quietly sketching what he recalled of the crime scene. If Gabriel was going to be the group's mouthpiece, the least he could do, he figured, was start compiling what he did and didn't know.

Arc's Initiative! 1d20+6=24 And Arc attacks: 1d20+9=23, burning his recently acquired Hero Point to add the Affects Insubstantial feat to his Strike.

Marcus wanted to hide under a rock somewhere; in his heart of hearts, he knew he was busted. Had he really come all this way just to get himself into trouble? He didn't have any real way of getting out of this situation, and while he was pretty certain he wasn't under arrest, he'd put himself into a rather unfortunate and indefensible position. Marcus frowned; he never explicitly said he was an expert... just that he'd seen things like this before. And he had... in books. His one real mix-up with magic was hardly the same, and it wasn't even on the same plane of existence--a difficult thing to explain to someone not magically-inclined. And who would really believe that he scared off the Boogeyman? And what the heck is that supposed to mean?! Marcus's brow furrowed, betraying his irritation; the Beast Rune pushed at his psyche, making him feel a little bit lightheaded. Being treated like a child was definitely one of the young wizard's pet peeves, and though he managed not to say anything, his temper was threatening to get the better of him. At hearing his name again from a less familiar voice, Marcus looked up, blinking at the strange man walking towards them. Marcus didn't have a clue who he was, but for some odd reason, he was being vouched for. Fate really was jerking him around today. Still... when opportunity knocked, who was he not to answer? "I... I'm sorry, sir. I guess I got a little bit ahead of myself."

For a moment, Marcus fully recognized he could probably bolt and the officer would never catch him. That, however, would defeat the entire purpose of his being there. Outside of some extreme stroke of luck, he was going to be in trouble a lot sooner than he thought. "...I thought you might say that." He sighed, shaking his head. There was no sense in trying to run from it, after all...

"...just a hunch." Marcus scratched at his chin, musing thoughtfully over the symbol Malloy described. The symbol seemed like something familiar, but without a visual reference, he couldn't quite put his finger on its purpose. The other materials used in the ritual could certainly have provided even more revealing clues. "I'm probably gonna need more to go on than just this... Would you mind if I had a look around the woods?" He pretty much expected the officer to say no, but there was no way he was going to be able to track anything by scent in his current form...

"No patterns or circles or anything like that?" Marcus frowned, his mind immediately returning to the officer's earlier comment about the windstorm. He'd seen a spell in his own book about creating one with enough force to move a small vehicle; if that sort of thing could be sustained, it could've blown a considerable portion of the evidence away. He rubbed at the bridge of his nose with his forefinger and temple, closing his eyes for a few moments before regarding the scene again. Vampires usually aren't this... voyeuristic. Maybe someone was trying to summon something. Getting to the 'who' is gonna be impossible without knowing the 'why'... "Do you remember what was written on him?" He wasn't entirely sure he'd be able to translate what was written; he silently cursed himself for not learning a bit more Latin as Etain had suggested. Still, if someone had blown away all the evidence of a ritual, then there was an even better route that he could possibly take. "...just how strong was that windstorm? And do you remember the direction of the wind that day?" If he knew where to begin, he could transform and sniff out anything in the woods that didn't belong. That would, of course, entail somehow ditching Officer Malloy... he'd cross that bridge when he got there.

Marcus nodded, slipping the plastic over his boots. He was well versed enough in being outdoors to know how to not leave tracks and that sort of thing, but there was no telling what he might accidentally step on or nudge. He blinked at the hair net and, for a second, gave the officer a look as if to ask if he was really serious; rather than verbalize that, he just put it on. He decided not to think about the whole credentials part; right at that moment, he didn't want to think about trying to call the scant few people he knew in the magical community. As far as he knew, no one even knew he was here yet. "Alright... I'm ready when you are, officer." He squinted a bit as he tried to see if the officer even had a name.

"..." Marcus bit back a sarcastic remark. He certainly wasn't in the habit of having to prove these sorts of things, and he definitely wasn't going to activate the Beast Rune right in front of this police officer. Really, that didn't prove much of anything. "...this isn't my first rodeo, officer. But I won't even know if I can help until I actually see it for myself." He adjusted his knapsack a bit--more to scratch the itch on his shoulder than anything else. "Prayers aren't gonna solve the immediate problem. And I'd rather not waste the sheriff's time if there really isn't anything I can offer. I just need a few minutes, that's all." It was true enough; Marcus didn't see the point in even mentioning what he could do if none of it would really help. And there was a lot he could discern in a 10 minutes, even without the benefit of his bear form.

Marcus frowned; the fact that he could smell blood even without the benefit of his ursine senses wasn't terribly encouraging. Before he could think any more on the subject, however, he had company. "Huh? Oh, uh..." Marcus's mind scrambled for a suitable excuse. Curiosity just wasn't going to cut it. "Sorry. I was just... looking around." When in doubt, it seemed like the smartest thing to do was just be honest. He was here to help, after all; there was no sense in putting up massive subterfuge when it wasn't completely necessary. Still... Marcus could tell just by the officer's expression that he thought he was just some punk kid looking for some random thrill. What exactly was he supposed to say? 'Hi, I'm the magical Sherlock Holmes'? While the brief thought did amuse him, it seemed incredibly inappropriate. Still, he needed to see that crime scene... "I'm... just here to help is all. It's kind of hard to explain, but that's what I was sent here for." By who or what, he wasn't even sure, but the effort and stress of trying to come up with some elaborate excuse was making the Beast Rune itch a little bit.

Marcus felt very much like a tourist as he stepped off the bus. He'd gotten a fairly good glimpse of the town on the way in, but it was still largely unfamiliar to him. All he had was a knapsack and a gym bag; he could probably stay for a week without incident, not counting the inevitable aftermath at school. This seemed important--he needed to be here, though he wasn't yet sure why. He was carrying his book as well, attached to its strap and hidden underneath the long brown trenchcoat he was wearing. It was hard to look inconspicuous--a 16-year old traveling alone. There wasn't much about him that didn't scream 'runaway'. Still, having a credit card in his own name helped him find a motel room without much incident, and he immediately left once he'd gotten himself settled. His first thought was to try and see where this crime had taken place; going to the police station would draw a little more attention to himself than he'd like, and really, who would divulge the sensitive information bound to be wrapped up in this incident to a teenager? He needed to see it with his own eyes, though he mentally prepared himself for some considerable resistance prior to arrival. Walking through the town reminded him vaguely of himself--sleepy and boring until he learned of what magic was really about, and even now, he didn't think he had a full, 100% grasp on the subject. It didn't take him long to find the woods, though. Hands stuffed into his pockets, he kept an eye out for anyone in the area, his mind already working through speculation of what the scene might actually look like.

Arcturus held his ground. He wasn't going anywhere... and he wasn't afraid. That seemed to be outright disagreeable with the incorporeal monster... and it tried to attack Rene instead. He could see a very visible, if not entirely physical reaction from him and his eyes narrowed. His eyes brightened into an angry red as he looked back at the monster's figure. "THAT'S ENOUGH." His voice carried a threatening echo, reverberating outward from the big bear's position. Magic or no magic, his uncertainty faded into outright rage, and he was determined to put this monster back into whatever hole it had crawled out of.

Arc is going to try and use his Fearsome Presence--and extra effort to increase its rank by 2. It's got a 20 foot radius at that point, DC14 vs the boogeyman's Will. Also going to use an HP to negate the fatigue afterwards. :)

Marcus was certain that he as going to be in a lot of trouble. Skipping school was a pretty rebellious thing to do. Under normal circumstances, he never would have done such a thing. One thing he had learned when starting to embrace his magical heritage, however, was that signs were not to be ignored. Even though he was new to meditating, he'd been in his dorm room for hours before the television flickered on of its own volition. It was on the news, and the volume was uncomfortably loud. At first, the young hedge wizard thought that it might have been someone with some sort of electrical powers wandering down the hall; he never really watched the news, so he knew that wasn't the channel on which he'd left the television when he turned it off. He got up and poked his head out into the hallway, seeing no one... and then he tried to turn it off. Nothing. The best he could do was lower the volume, but by then, he was paying attention to the story. It was a high profile murder in a relatively small place, and they were throwing around words like 'ritualistic' and 'Satan'. Usually, Marcus would have tuned that sort of thing out--the media had a way of overblowing things for the sake of doing so. This, however, seemed different... and a familiar, uncomfortable feeling settled over him, not entirely like his accidental run-in with the Boogeyman a month before. It was a sign, alright... and a none too subtle one at that. Surely, his teachers would understand... he hoped. Bus ticket in hand, he had already made up his mind. Stratford, Pennsylvania was waiting.

(Looking to do a complete overhaul on Arcturus. The core of his powerset is virtually the same, but there's quite a few things in different places.) Player Name: GranspearZX Character Name: Marcus Anthony Irons Power Level: 10 (153/153PP) Trade-Offs: None Unspent PP: 0 Progress to Bronze Status: 3/30 In Brief: A typical teenager with an atypical beast living inside him. Oh, and his parents are supervillains. Alternate Identities: Arcturus Identity: Secret Birthplace: Chicago, IL Occupation: High School Student Affiliations: Claremont Academy Family: Richard Irons (father, 43. Also known as the supervillain "Khimera";), Lyrica Irons (mother, 40, also known as the supervillainess "Runic"). Married for 20 years. [floatr][/floatr] Age: 16 (DoB: March 1994) Apparent Age: N/A Gender: Male Ethnicity: African American Height: 6' (8' 4" in bear form) Weight: 225 lbs (550 lbs. in bear form) Eyes: Brown (red in bear form) Hair: Black Description: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. Power Description: Marcus's abilities are purely magical; even his alternate form, while it is something he was born with, is a result of the runic symbol on the back of his right shoulder blade--as far as he's concerned, it's a birth mark, and he's largely ignorant to its true meaning. His form's magical nature is readily apparent, though, when he transforms; it creates a circle of magic around him before the shift begins. It doesn't take long, but it looks generally painful--one of many reasons why Marcus isn't yet completely comfortable with using his werebear form, and on occasion he even gets a little bit nauseated and confused from the sensory overload between his human and bear senses. His staff looks relatively new for being a large, oak, rune-etched weapon, and it seems to share transformative abilities with Marcus's bear form. History: 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. Personality & Motivation: Marcus is something of a loner--largely by circumstance rather than choice. The why, as far as he's concerned, is largely unimportant, and he doesn't go out of his way to be social. Nevertheless, he's notoriously big-hearted, and is unquestioningly loyal to those who manage to earn it. He's something of a pacifist at heart--contrary to the look and overall aggressive nature of the Beast Rune on his back. His forays into magic have given him significant exposure and insight into Freedom City's magical community, and though he's still learning, he feels like far less of an outsider when his nose is in a book and he's applying the things he's learned. Powers & Tactics: Marcus is surprisingly insightful for a big guy, and his father taught him to solve problems with intellect and reason rather than brute force. Then again, his father also taught him that a brawl is occasionally necessary, and while Marcus is a little too timid to go out hurting people on purpose, he'll end a conflict with brute force if he has to do so. After learning a little bit of his mother's magic through self study, he prefers that enemies keep their distance so that he doesn't have to transform and do some major damage. Complications: Inner Beast: The Beast Rune almost seems to have a mind of its own; it heightens Marcus's latent aggressive nature. While that doesn't translate into him rampaging all over the place, it severely limits his ability to use magic. Phobia: Water gives Marcus all sorts of problems. He never learned to swim, and his father had the brilliant idea of tossing him into the ocean as a teaching method. As a result, anything larger than a bathtub full of water makes Marcus immensely nervous--even then, he prefers showers. Secret: Marcus's parents? Supervillains. Khimera is a monster that could've come out of a horror movie, and Runic is an international criminal specializing in magic and forgery. Just the fact that his mother is still at large (and still committing crimes) is cause for major issues. Temper: Insulting Marcus's father is an easy way to start a fight. As far as he's concerned, no one knows the man behind the monster better than he does (and his mother, as far as he's concerned, doesn't count). Abilities: 0 + 2 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 0 = 10PP Strength: 10 (+0) / 18 (+4)* Dexterity: 12 (+1) Constitution: 24 (+7) / 28 (+9)* Intelligence: 12 (+1) Wisdom: 12 (+1) Charisma: 10 (+0) *Bear Form Combat: 16 + 16 = 32PP Initiative: +5 Attack: +8 [+10 melee] / +7 [+9 melee] Grapple: +10 (+18 in bear form) Defense: +10 (+8 Base, +2 Dodge Focus), +3 flat-footed / +9 (+7 base, +2 Dodge Focus, -1 Size) Knockback: -3 (-8 in bear form) Saving Throws: 5 + 8 + 8 = 21PP Toughness: +7 (+7 Con) / +9 (+9 Con)* Fortitude: +12 (+7 Con, +5) / +14 (+9 Con, +5)* Reflex: +9 (+1 Dex, +8) Will: +9 (+1 Wis, +8) *Bear Form Skills: 84R = 21PP Acrobatics 9 (+10) Climb 5 (+5) Craft [Artistic] 9 (+10) Gather Information 10 (+10) Intimidate 9 (+9, +11 in bear form) Knowledge [Arcane Lore] 10 (+11) Knowledge [History] 6 (+7) Notice 5 (+6) Search 5 (+6) Sense Motive 8 (+9) Stealth 4 (+5, +1 in bear form) Survival 4 (+5) Feats: 12PP Artificer Attack Focus [Melee] 2 Dodge Focus 2 Fearless Improved Grab Improved Grapple Improved Initiative Improved Pin Ritualist Skill Mastery (Acrobatics, Gather Information, Intimidate, Sense Motive) Powers: 40 + 7 + 10 = 57PP Alternate Form 8 [40 PP] (Source: Magical) Enhanced Feat 3 (Fearsome Presence 3 [15 feet, DC 13]) [3PP] Features 1 (Fur-covered hide [immunity to sunburn and cold]) [1 PP] Growth 4 (Large; +8 Str, +4 Con, -1 Attack/Defense, +4 Grapple, -4 Stealth, +2 Intimidate) [12 PP] Leaping 1 (x2; 28/14/7 ft. running/standing/vertical) [1PP] Regeneration 10 (Recovery Bonus 1 [+10 total], Bruised 3 [no action], Injured 6 [no action]) [10 PP] Strike 5 (claws; PF: Mighty, Split Attack 1) [7PP] Super Senses 6: (Danger Sense (Olfactory), Acute Scent, Track 2, Darkvision) [6 PP] Device 2 (Ursa Minor's Quarterstaff, easy to lose; PF: Restricted [Artificer feat]) [7PP] Strike 5 (PF: Mighty, Extended Reach 2 [10 ft], Affects Insubstantial 2) [10PP] Enhanced Constitution 10 [10PP] ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC20 (vs TOU) Damage Strike 5 (staff) Touch DC20 (vs TOU) Damage Strike 5 (bear, claws) Touch DC24 (vs TOU) Damage Strike 5 (bear, staff) Touch DC24 (vs TOU) Damage Abilities (10) + Combat (32) + Saving Throws (21) + Skills (21) + Feats (12) + Powers (57) - Drawbacks (0) = 153/153 Power Points Doktor'd

Actually, I was intending on trying to use Arc's Fearsome Presence, but this works out better... maybe. Arc's Intimidate roll! 1d20+11=29

"I don't think so." Arcturus moved to interpose himself between Mary and the apparition. That put him in front of Rene, as well, though he hardly seemed to mind. The red of his pupils intensified as he leaned forward, fangs bared into the mist. On paper, the very idea of trying to intimidate the boogeyman just seemed ridiculous. He wasn't about to let anything happen to this girl, however; he'd never be able to live with himself if he did. "Anyone can pick on a little girl... Pick on someone your own size."

Arcturus: Complications: Added several. God knows he needed better ones. Powers: Overhauled Arc's alternate form to bring him up to caps (moreso than he had been, anyway); upgraded his Alternate Form to rank 11, and I dropped everything other than his Alt form out of the array. [floatr][/floatr] Player Name: GranspearZX Character Name: Arcturus Power Level: PL11 | 162/163 PP Trade-Offs: None Unspent PP: 0 Progress To Bronze Status: 13/30 In Brief: A typical teenager with an atypical beast living inside him. Alternate Identities: Marcus Irons Identity: Public Birthplace: Chicago, IL Occupation: High School Student Affiliations: Claremont Academy, Parkhurst Mystics Family: Richard Irons (father, 43. Also known as the supervillain "Khimera";), Lyrica Irons (mother, 40, also known as the supervillainess "Runic"). Married for 20 years. Age: 17 (DoB: March 1994) Apparent Age: N/A Gender: Male Ethnicity: African American Height: 6' (8' 4" in bear form) Weight: 225 lbs (475lbs. in bear form) Eyes: Brown (red in bear form) Hair: Black Description: 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. History: 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. Personality & Motivation: 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. Powers & Tactics: 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. Complications: Aspect of the Beast: Marcus is exceptionally aggressive and blunt in his bear form, and finds it difficult to back out of a fight. Colorblind: In his bear form, Arcturus can't really distinguish colors; everything looks grayscale. Phobia: 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. Secret: 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. Temper: 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. Wardrobe Malfunction: Typically, Marcus wears something of a uniform underneath his clothes--his normal clothes typically don't survive his transformations. Abilities: 0 + 2 + 12 + 2 + 2 + 0 = 18 PP Strength: [28] 10 (+9/+0) Dexterity: 12 (+1) Constitution: [26] 22 (+8/+6) Intelligence: 12 (+1) Wisdom: 12 (+1) Charisma: 10 (+0) Combat: 18 + 18 = 36PP Initiative: +5 Attack: +9 [+10 melee] / +8 [+9 melee, +14 unarmed] Grapple: +10 (+23 in bear form) Defense: +11 (+9 Base, +2 Dodge Focus), +5 flat-footed / +10 (+9 base, +2 Dodge Focus, -1 Size), +5 flat-footed Knockback: -3 (-9 in bear form) Saving Throws: 5 + 8 + 8 = 21PP Toughness: +6 (+6 Con) / +11 (+8 Con. +3 Protection) Fortitude: +11 (+6 Con, +5) / +13 (+8 Con, +5) Reflex: +9 (+1 Dex, +8) Will: +9 (+1 Wis, +8) Skills: 76R = 19PP Acrobatics 9 (+10) Climb 3 (+3, +8 in bear form) Craft [Artistic] 9 (+10) Intimidate 7 (+7, +17 in bear form) Knowledge [arcane lore] 9 (+10) Knowledge [earth sciences] 3 (+4) Knowledge [life sciences] 3 (+4) Knowledge [physical sciences] 4 (+5) Languages 2 [English (base), Greek, Latin] Notice 4 (+5) Search 4 (+5) Sense Motive 5 (+6) Stealth 9 (+10, +6 in bear form) Survival 5 (+6) Feats: 13PP Artificer Attack Focus [Melee] 1 Attack Specialization [unarmed] 2* Challenge - Forceful Intimidation* Dodge Focus 2 Fearless Fearsome Presence 8* Improved Grab Improved Grapple Improved Initiative Improved Pin Luck 1 Ritualist Skill Mastery [Acrobatics, Intimidate, Craft (artistic), Knowledge (arcane lore)] Takedown Attack 1 *Bear Form Powers: 55PP Alternate Form 11 (Duration: Sustained; Source: Magic) (Beast Rune Bear form, Magic) [55PP] Enhanced Feats 11 (Attack Specialization [unarmed] 2; Challenge [Powerful Intimidation]; Fearsome Presence 8 [DC18, 40 ft]) [11PP] Enhanced Skill 2 (Intimidate +8) [2PP] Enhanced STR 10 [10PP] AP: Super Strength 4 (19.2 ton heavy load; PFs: Bracing, Groundstrike) [1PP] Features 1 (fur-covered hide [cold/sunburn immunity]) [1PP] Growth 4 (Large; +8 Str, +4 Con, -1 Attack/Defense, +4 Grapple, -4 Stealth, +2 Intimidate) [12 PP] Leaping 4 (x25; running jump: 475 ft., standing long jump: 237 ft., vertical jump: 118 ft.) [3PP] Protection 3 [3PP] Strike 1 (claws; PF: Mighty) [2PP] Super-Senses 9 (Danger Sense [Olfactory], Detect Lies [Olfactory], Low Light Vision, Extended Smell 2 [x100], Scent, Tracking 2 [normal speed]) [9PP] DC Block: ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC15/24 TOU (Staged) Damage (Physical) Strike 1 (claws) Touch DC25 TOU (Staged) Damage (Physical) Abilities (18) + Combat (36) + Saving Throws (21) + Skills (19) + Feats (13) + Powers (55) - Drawbacks (0) = 162/163 Power Points

If nothing else, Arcturus felt a whole lot better about himself after dispatching the spider... even if it wasn't real. Returning to Rene's side, he watched the color of the landscape drain, leaving just them, the girl, and... the Boogeyman. A feeling of general unease settled in on Arcturus, knotting in his stomach as he visibly tensed. He'd never believed in the Boogeyman... his parents had told him that there was no such thing as monsters. But then, that was years before his father actually admitted to being one, once upon a time. "We're Pest Control," Arcturus said flatly, straightening up and staring the shrouded figure straight in the... well, in the mouth. He could definitely see kids being scared senseless of this thing, and even now he had a feeling that this particular incarnation was tame in comparison to what could really happen. "And you, you're a pest. Get out."

I could go for some semi-magical shenanigans with Arcturus.