GranspearZX

*facepalm* Yeah, that was an oversight on my part. I was in the midst of editing and, after everything was said and done, I forgot to take OUT Boost and replace it with Adrenal Surge 2. The original concept was that Arcturus's bear form sort of 'bleeds' magical energy for a short time, allowing spells cast to temporarily be more effective. While it's a concept to which I'm still partial, it's really not necessary, and I'll likely revisit the Boost Geomancy power later in one form or another. In the mean time, though, all I edited was the correction replacing Boost Geomancy 1 with Adrenal Surge 2.

Fixed! I hope. -Fixed the DC and stat blocks, and hopefully I caught everything for the transition between Arcturus's human and beast form. -Completely reworked his powers. It was sort of necessary; I realized that I went WAY overboard trying to make the character not-useless. Scaled the bear form way back, added descriptors to everything. -Dropped Low-Light Vision (not sure why I had it AND darkvision) and added a feature that probably should've been there to begin with (insulated hide). -Replaced the magic array with something a little more thematic and conducive to RP. Everybody loves a magician who actually has to incant. -Cleaned up typos and math mistakes (although I'm not even sure I got them all. Lots of numbers. @.@) Feedback, as always, much appreciated. ^^

[floatr][/floatr]Player Name: GranspearZX Character Name: Arcturus Power Level: 12/14 (190/212 PP) Trade-Offs: +1 Attack / -1 Damage Unspent PP: 22 Progress To Gold Status: 62/90 In Brief: A typical teenager with an atypical beast living inside him. Alternate Identities: Marcus Irons Identity: Public Birthplace: Chicago, IL, USA Occupation: High School Student Affiliations: Claremont Academy, Parkhurst Mystics Family: Richard Irons (Father, 43, A.K.A. the supervillain "Khimera"), Lyrica Irons (Mother, 40, A.K.A. the supervillain "Runic"), parents married 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. (475 lbs. in Bear Form) Eyes: Brown (Red in Bear Form) Hair: Black (Black Fur in Bear Form) [floatr][/floatr]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: AAAAH! Bear!: 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. Aspect of The Beast: Marcus is exceptionally aggressive and blunt in his bear form, and finds it difficult to back out of a fight. Collateral Damage: When under the influence of the Beast Rune, Arcturus has an exceedingly difficult time gauging his own strength, potentially causing a notable amount of damage to his surroundings. 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. Abilities: 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) Combat: 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; +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 Saving Throws: 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) Skills: 92R = 23PP Acrobatics 9 (+10)Skill Mastery Climb 3 (+3, +8 in Bear Form) Concentration 8 (+10) Craft (Artistic) 13 (+14)Skill Mastery Intimidate 7 (+7, +17 in Bear Form)Skill Mastery Knowledge (Arcane Lore) 13 (+14)Skill Mastery 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) Feats: 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 Powers: 40 + 11 + 4 + 3 + 1 + 3 + 10 = 72PP Alternate Form 8 (40PP Container [Free Action, Sustained Duration]) [40PP] (Bear Form, Beast Rune, Magic) Enhanced Feats 11 (Attack Specialization [Claws], Attack Specialization [unarmed], Fearsome Presence 8, Powerful Intimidation) [11PP] Enhanced Skills 16 (Intimidate 8, Sense Motive 8) [4PP] Features 1 (Fur-Covered Hide [immune to Cold & Sunburns]) [1PP] Growth 4 (Large, -1 Attack, -1 Defense, +4 Constitution, +8 Strength, +4 Grapple, +2 Intimidate, -4 Stealth, +5 STR [Carry Capacity], Extras: Duration [Continuous], Flaws: Permanent) [12PP] Protection 3 [3PP] Strike 1 (Feats: Mighty) [2PP] (Claws) Super-Senses 7 (Danger Sense [Olfactory], Acute Extended 2 [1,000ft Notice Increments] Tracking 2 [Normal Speed] Smell, Low-Light Vision) [7PP] Enhanced Strength 10 (to 20/+5; PFs: Alternate Power, Variable Descriptor 1 [earth, fire, ice, thunder]) [11PP] Leaping 4 (x25 [Running Long Jump: 475ft]) [4PP] Regeneration 3 (Bruised 3 [No Action]) [3PP] Speed 1 (10 mph / 100 feet per Move action) [1PP] Super Senses 1 (Detect Magic [Olfactory]) [3PP] Super-Strength 4 (Lifting STR 40, 53 in Bear form, Heavy Load: 6 tons, 19.2 tons in Bear form; PF: Bracing, Groundstrike) [10PP] Drawbacks: -0PP None DC Block: ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECTUnarmed 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 (72) - Drawbacks (0) = 190/212 Power Points

Hello! First time poster, long time lurker, finally worked up the nerve to try and join. Relatively new to M&M, but I liked the system enough to buy the book, so I suppose that's a start. I'm 29, I live in Louisiana, and writer, gamer, and roleplayer. ...yeah, I think that about sums it all up. :)