horngeek

Right, the sum was right, I just hadn't shown my working correctly, from my check. Fixed.

"Thou doth... wait a sec. Oh, right, old versions of the language, right. Sorry, translation software's a bit unstable at the moment, it's not dealing well with linguistic variations." The woman peered at Thrude, quite... interested. "How are you doing that, anyway? Is the ax some sort of weather-control device? No, that doesn't work, there's no weather here in the first place. Anyway, looks like however you've done it, you can summon electricity? So, there actually is something you can help me with." She closed her eyes. "Think about that later, Kyla. Anyway. The thing is, I'm running on... ah... fumes might be the best word? All my generators are down, I'm running on reserve power, and to keep my body and my mind both active, it's really not enough." The woman... Kyla... frowned. "I've, ah, got about... nine minutes left before my mind shuts down. No, scratch that, before my everything shuts down. I need a jump-start to not die, so if you could..." She looked around the ship, frowning. "Well, a lightning strike could possibly do it if I was prepared. It'd hurt, but it'd work. If the ship was still working, we could rig something up to the on-board generators, but..." Kyla waved her arms around. "Yeeeeah, that's not going to work."

Stronghold nodded. "Um... I'm not sure what to say, really. Like I said, I haven't even done anything outside of Freedom City. You guys go a lot further out than we do." She shrugged, as they all sat down at the table. Haukea nodded in thanks at Magmatic (with a slight, almost unnoticeable blush), before almost absent-mindedly picking a pastry up off the plate and starting to nibble on it... Before pausing. 'Oooooh, this is really good! Um. Might do with a little more sugar, but not too much more." Home-baked pastries were always better than store-baked ones, so that might have something to do with it. They must have had this set up beforehand somehow, though- pastries weren't quick to make, after all. Or maybe the call had interrupted someone's baking? No, it had been too long. Or maybe they had had some pastries ready to go in the oven before the call went out... ...she supposed it didn't really matter. What did was that these were good pastries. "We'll have to keep in touch. Maybe team up some more later."

I also need to make at least a few reactions posts on Stronghold's part.

Overall, a very cool idea. I... Okay, I do question the need for her girlfriend to be a catgirl. It seems tacked on. Otherwise, this is all pretty cool.

Stronghold nodded in response to Saboteur's frustration at borders and permissions. "Yeah, I get what you mean... I mean, I haven't even tried doing anything outside of America, I'm pretty new to this whole thing after all." The ring-bearer chuckled. "Still need to get used to... using this. Stop stuff like what... ah... happened earlier." She rubbed her arm, a frown on her face. "But... yeah, it must be pretty frustrating. But if you keep doing good, show the benefits to people, and they'll come around eventually, right?" Haukea chuckled. "Like my sister keeps telling me, nothing that's important was ever easy."

Okay. Volcano city. That was... kinda impressive. In the whole dictatorial, not-People's not-Democratic not-Republic of Antarctica way. Although the leadership of New Freedom wasn't hereditary through bloodlines, so technically it actually was a republic, wasn't it? Statues, too. And... Stronghold was actually a bit disappointed with the actual school. Compared to everything else, it just seemed drab. Dull. Lifeless. The Hawaiian girl kept her face fairly impassive, apart from a slight wince at Cho's comments. Not the time or the place. And if she'd opened her mouth, she probably would have gone even more unintentionally offensive. That was to be avoided. Still, as the Headmistress spoke, Stronghold looked at the teachers- like Will, deferring to them. Best option here.

Right, Stronghold will try to Snare the robot with a blaster pointed at Miss Grue's head- Oh, thanks, dice. Hand out a 9, why don't you. *sighs* Spending HP on a reroll. Re-roll result of 23.

Player Name: horngeek Character Name: Shiranui (ä¸çŸ¥ç«) Power Level: 7 (107/109PP) Trade-Offs: None Unspent Power Points: 2 Progress To Bronze Status: 4/30 In Brief: Young Japanese immigrant to America who's unknowingly become the host of Amaterasu herself. Alternate Identity: Haruko Miyamoto Identity: Secret Birthplace: Japan Occupation: Student Affiliations: Kami (Unknown) Family: Father (Daisuke Miyamoto), Mother (Hinata Miyamoto) Description: Age: 16 Apparent Age: 16 Gender: Female Ethnicity: Japanese Height: 5'2" Weight: 120 lb Eyes: Brown Hair: Black Haruko is, in many ways, a fairly typical Japanese teenager (if a rather pretty one). She's fairly short in America, with a build that is fairly slender, and normally keeps her back-length hair back with a headband. Her fair skin and brown eyes complete the picture. When in 'civilian' outfits, she again dresses fairly typically. She's got the sort of face that doesn't actually need all that much makeup, but she generally wears clothing that is comfortable yet still fashionable. {Costume to be determined} Power Descriptions: Shiranui's powers are quite simple in their visuals, as a matter of fact- they all involve light, of the sort that looks like it might come from the sun. Whether warm and slightly comforting, or burning hot, there's very little variation. History: Sometimes, the acts of gods, wise (and not-so-wise) mages, and hate-twisted spirits come together in the strangest way. This would be one of those times... but where to begin the tale. Perhaps you could begin it with telling about the life of Haruko Miyamoto, the daughter of a businessman who came to America to work in Freedom City for his company back in Japan. But while every life is interesting... Perhaps the more relevant tale would be that of Hiroshima Shadow, and the goddess Amaterasu. The demon born of a man-made sun had always had the desire to supplant the kami of the Sun- although in years past, she always planned this in terms of supplanting Amaterasu in the minds of the people. In more recent times, however, she (through a series of events) came to join the Crime League, fighting by their side... And the Crime League made options available that the Shadow could not pursue on her own. More... direct means. And an idea formed. Oh, it took time. Medea's own antipathy towards her own gods likely had an influence. And... where were the gods when the bombs fell, hmm? Maybe her supplanting of Amaterasu should be a little more... literal. A little questioning towards Medea confirmed that what she was planning was, indeed, possible. The sorceress was quite willing to give out information in this matter, although when it came time, she was engaged with her own projects. She did, however, point Hiroshima Shadow towards someone who might well be able to do the task. Pull Amaterasu down to the mortal realm... and just as importantly, make her oh so vulnerable. Finally, the night came. The ritual was prepared, and Hiroshima Shadow waited with eager breath to take Amaterasu's power. The spell was cast... and in the heavens, Amaterasu screamed as the spell tore her away from her home. And then the unexpected happened. Even with Hiroshima Shadow providing power beyond what the sorcerer could draw on his own, it was nowhere near enough to pull down the kami of the Sun by brute force. The ritual, instead, had relied on subtlety and a well-placed strike, and that was its undoing- while Amaterasu was hurt and forced down from Heaven, she was still able to overpower the part of the spell that would have forced her where the ritual directed. Fleeing, seeking shelter, she managed to find it, slipping into the being of a teenage girl named Haruko as she was sleeping… then starting to rest herself, her presence known by none. Hiroshima Shadow's rage was… a sight to behold. She avoided killing her partner, certainly, but that was mostly because he was able to confirm that the ritual had… mostly worked. Amaterasu had been dragged down, they just had to find the person acting as host. And meanwhile, Haruko woke up, rapidly finding out she had power to create light, but not knowing why. Her parents were concerned, obviously, but they didn't have the connections to figure out what was happening… and while they're trying to find out, in the meantime, Haruko may well attract attention from the darker side of the mystic community. Only time will tell what may result. Personality & Motivation: Haruko's best described by the term 'silk hiding steel'. She's polite, quite soft-spoken... but somehow, manages to make herself known and heard anyway. One of the main things she always tries to do is think before she speaks, considering all sides of a debate or conversation. As far as her motivations... well, right now, she wants to figure out what exactly's happened to her. Further than that... what was that phrase from that American comic? With great power comes responsibility? At the very least, there was a reason she gained these powers. Powers & Tactics: As a vessel of Amaterasu, Shiranui mainly uses light-based abilities at present, whether simply creating light, or causing that light to dazzle or even burn. She can also heal with her light, although she doesn't know exactly why. In combat, Shiranui focuses mainly on a support role at present, peppering opponents with blasts and healing those who need it. Complications: Secret: Haruko, like many other superheroes, chooses to keep her identity a secret, and this could cause her a major amount of trouble if the secret got out. Amaterasu-Åmikami: Haruko doesn't know it. Her family doesn't know it. But being the host of one of the most powerful and influential deities of the Japanese pantheon gives her a metaphysical weight that could very easily be used for the wrong kind magical working. And those capable of such a working are likely to be able to tell. To say nothing of the reactions of other gods, both Shinto and otherwise. Abilities: 0 + 2 + 2 + 6 + 6 + 8 = 24PP Strength: 10 (+0) Dexterity: 12 (+1) Constitution: 12 (+1) Intelligence: 16 (+3) Wisdom: 16 (+3) Charisma: 18 (+4) Combat: 6 + 14 = 20PP Initiative: +1 Attack: +3 Melee, +7 Ranged Grapple: +3 Defense: +7 (+7 Base, +0 Dodge Focus), +4 Flat-Footed Knockback: -3 Saving Throws: 5 + 5 + 4 = 14PP Toughness: +7 (+1 Con, +6 Protection) Fortitude: +6 (+1 Con, +5) Reflex: +6 (+1 Dex, +5) Will: +7 (+3 Wis, +4) Skills: 68R = 17PP Bluff 2 (+6) Concentration 4 (+7) Diplomacy 9 (+13) Gather Information 7 (+11) Intimidate 4 (+8) Knowledge (Arcane Lore) 4 (+7) Knowledge (Art) 4 (+7) Knowledge (Current Events) 4 (+7) Knowledge (History) 4 (+7) Knowledge (Pop Culture) 4 (+7) Language 1 (English, Japanese [Native]) Medicine 3 (+6) Notice 2 (+5) Perform (Singing) 9 (+13) Sense Motive 7 (+10) Feats: 9PP Attack Focus (Ranged) 4 Fearless Leadership Luck 2 Ritualist Powers: 17 + 6 + 0 = 23PP Sun Goddess Array 7 (Light, Divine; Feats: Alternate Power 3) [17PP] Base Power: Light Control 7 {14PP}Alternate Power: Blast 7 {14PP} Alternate Power: Dazzle 7 (Affects Visual) {14PP} Alternate Power: Healing 7 {14PP} Protection 6 [6PP] Drawbacks: (-0) + (-0) = -0PP DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC15 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Totals: Abilities (24) + Combat (20) + Saving Throws (14) + Skills (17) + Feats (9) + Powers (23) - Drawbacks (0) = 107/109 Power Points

In the bowels of the ship... floated a figure. Bare skin exposed to the vacuum of space, she didn't seem to have any ill-effects from what would kill any normal person. Orange hair floated around in the zero-gravity environment, framing light, freckled skin. The figure wore a grey bodysuit, and as the ship stopped, she bumped into the walls. And she was the source of the transmission... that suddenly cut out. RESCUE CREW DETECTED. REDIRECTING ENERGY TO COGNITIVE PROCESSES- What? WARNING: APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES OF RESERVE ENERGY REMAINING. TRANSLATION SOFTWARE CORRUPTED- FILES RECOVERED: Local Designation English (System 5823) REQUIRED ACTION: REACTOR JUMP-START The woman's eyes opened, looking at the various figures. Her gaze scanned across them, before she bumped into a doorframe. She held out a hand to steady herself, before focusing... and frowning. Her mouth moved, no sound audible in the vacuum, before she shook her head in frustration, and tried to gesture to the heroes, trying to get across that she needed some way to communicate.

Say, tt, should I just include Memorial powering back up (at least to the point where she's consious) in my next IC post, or just have her floating in the hold, and the other heroes play a part in giving her a jump-start?

IN DARKEST NIGHT by Thevshi Stronghold, boosting up to take advantage of that shiny new PL10 slot. Slight changes to description, mostly bringing her up to PL10 standards in terms of mechanics.

This is currently to be completed, just making sure I don't lose it. Player Name: horngeek Character Name: Stronghold Power Level: 10 (109/156PP) Trade-Offs: None Unspent Power Points: 2 Progress To Bronze Status: 6/30 In Brief: Student who managed to impress Cobalt Templar enough that he gave her the Orange Ring of the Protective Builder. Alternate Identity: Haukea Kawena Identity: Secret Birthplace: Hawai'i Occupation: Student! Affiliations: Claremont Academy, Next-Gen Family: Kalea Kawena (Mother), Mikala Kawena (Father) Description: Age: 16 (DoB: 1996) Apparent Age: 16 Gender: F Ethnicity: Mainly Hawaiian, with some other ethnicities mixed in. Height: 5'6" Weight: 120lbs Eyes: Brown Hair: Black Haukea is a fit-looking young woman, who's quite attractive (although awkward at times due to a lack of real social skill). She wears her hair fairly short, which means it doesn't get in the way too much, and tends to dress casually, in jeans and a t-shirt. She almost never wears 'designer' clothes- it's not that she can't afford them or anything, she just plain doesn't see the point of doing so. As Stronghold, Haukea dons an orange bodysuit, with a black section over the shoulders and dipping down her chest, and an orange domino mask protecting her identity. She could easily create a cape using the ring... but again, she doesn't see the point of doing so. Sure, capes LOOK dramatic, but do you really need to take the time to do that? Power Descriptions: Haukea holds the Orange Ring of the Protective Builder. This allows to create various constructs (indeed, her costume is one of said constructs), and allows her control over earth, although she's focusing on the constructs right now. This is similar to Cobalt Templar's ring, but on a much larger scale (and at much longer range)- Stronghold could hold off a large force for a certain amount of time. She can also make smaller constructs to quickly block attacks, and bind enemies (she's experimenting with different forms for these bindings- at the moment, it's quite likely that each binding will take a different form). The ring also enhances her strength to an impressive degree, although not to the level of a powerhouse. Finally, she can also create and fling various projectiles using the ring. History: Mikala and Kaela were... an unlikely couple, to say the least. Mikala was a member of AEGIS, working in his home state, and Kaela ran a web design business. The pair met at a lunch organised by a mutual friend, and became good friends immediately, although it took a few years for them to fall in love and marry (Mikala saving Kaela during the Terminus Invasion had a lot to do with it, to be honest). And a few years later, they had a daughter, Haukea. Haukea... took after her mother more in a lot of ways. Quite intelligent, she wasn't the most skilled at social interaction (in fact, she was diagnosed with high-functioning Asperger's Syndrome shortly after starting school). Her father was still proud of her, though- and he pushed her to train to keep fit. Overall... school was a mixed experience. Sure, she did well, but being socially awkward never helped at school, even if she did learn. Haukea gained a strong sense of loyalty and a protective instinct during this time, as well as a strong interest in knowledge- especially geology, but she'd pretty much try to learn everything she could about interesting things. In particular, she read about seven magical rings created in ancient Israel. But she couldn't find any more information on them, so she shelved that bit of knowledge. As she came towards the end of middle school, her father received orders from AEGIS- he was to move to Freedom City, which had a need for officers. The family wasn't completely happy about it, but they could keep in contact with friends and relatives, so the prepared to move. Haukea started reading up on Freedom City... and the various superheroes there. Reading about Cobalt Templar, she noticed that he seemed to wield a magical... blue ring? Haukea was immediately reminded of the passage she'd read a while ago... and revisited it. And found a couple more interesting tidbits. About a few other figures, who seemed to have rings of their own. So, shortly after arriving at freedom city, she put in a message to the Freedom League on the off chance Cobalt Templar might speak with her... Personality & Motivation: Haukea is loyal, smart, and she's a kind person above all. Unfortunately, she's not all that good at meeting new people for the most part, and not good with dealing with new situations in social terms. She doesn't mind being out in public... just not good at actually meeting new people. Or being crowded. That said, if people she cares about are in trouble, she's very good at standing up for them- underneath the awkwardness lies a strong protective instinct and an iron will. She also reads a LOT of books, and has a love for epic fantasy novels. In terms of music, she has a fairly eclectic taste, although her favorite composer is Yuki Kajiura. Powers & Tactics: Stronghold tends to use her constructs tactically, making walls to funnel crowds and snare opponents. She very specifically tends not to strike first (if she does, she's furious, in fact). Overall, she's a very defensive fighter, and a supporter rather than a frontline striker. And she's a fair tactician, too. Complications: Secret: Identity. Haukea isn't public, and doesn't want to go public- her family's at enough risk from her dad's job. Socially Awkward: Okay, not so much socially awkward- she's learnt how to do a lot of things- but new situations are not easily adapted to. I Will Protect: Stronghold with go above and beyond the call of duty to protect civilians, even when her abilities are likely best used elsewhere. Abilities: 4 + 6 + 4 + 10 + 4 + 0 = 28PP Strength: 14 (+2) Dexterity: 16 (+3) Constitution: 14 (+2) Intelligence: 20 (+5) Wisdom: 16 (+3) Charisma: 10 (+0) Combat: 20 + 6 = 32PP Initiative: +3 Attack: +6 Melee, +6 Ranged (Active Array +10) Grapple: +0 Defense: +10 (+10), +5 Flat-Footed Knockback: -5 Saving Throws: 6 + 5 + 7 = 18PP Toughness: +10 (+10 Impervious) (+2 Con, +8 Impervious Force Field) Fortitude: +8 (+2 Con, +6) Reflex: +8 (+3 Dex, +5) Will: +10 (+3 Wis, +7) Skills: 36R = 9PP Computers 4 (+8) Concentration 4 (+6) Diplomacy 3 (+3) Escape Artist 4 (+7) Knowledge (Civics) 2 (+6) Knowledge (Earth Sciences) 6 (+10) Knowledge (Physical Sciences) 4 (+8) Knowledge (Pop Culture) 2 (+6) Knowledge (Tactics) 6 (+10) Language 1 (English (Native), Hawaiian) Feats: 7PP Accurate Attack Jack-of-All-Trades Luck 1 Master Plan Precise Shot 2 Uncanny Dodge [sight] Equipment: 0PP=0EP Powers: 55 = 55PP Device 12 (Orange Ring of the Protective Builder; Descriptors: Holy, Magic, Earth; Flaws: Hard To Lose) [57PP] Burrowing 4 (10MPH) [4PP] Flight 3 (25 MPH) [6PP] Enhanced Strength 4 (to 18/+4) [4PP] Enhanced Feats 2 (Quick Change 2) Immunity 9 (Life Support) [9PP] Impervious Force Field 8 (Costume) [16PP] Impervious 2 [2PP] Super-Strength 1 (Effective Lifting Strength: 23, Max Carrying Capacity: 1,200lbs) [2PP] Active Powers 10 (21PP Array; Feats Alternate Power 3, Accurate 2) [26PP] Base Power: Create Object 10 (Force Constructs, 7 5-foot cubes, Toughness +7, 10 70-foot range increments/700ft Max Range; Feats: Precise) [21PP] Alternate Power: Create Object 7 (Rock Constructs, 5 5-foot cubes, Toughness +5, 10 50-foot range increments/500ft Max Range; Extras: Duration (Continuous)) [21PP] Alternate Power: Blast 10 (Flinging Constructs, +7 Damage bonus, 10 70-foot range increments/700ft Max Range; Feats: Indirect) [21PP] Alternate Power: Snare 10 (Construct Bindings, +7 Reflex difficulty, 10 70-foot range increments/700ft Max Range; Feats: Reversible)[21PP] Drawbacks: (-0) + (-0) = -0PP DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC17 Toughness Damage (Physical) Blast Ranged DC35 Toughness Damage (Magic, Holy) Snare Ranged DC20 Reflex Snare (Magic, Holy) Totals: Abilities (28) + Combat (32) + Saving Throws (18) + Skills (10) + Feats (7) + Powers (57) - Drawbacks (0) = 152/152 Power Points

Happy birthday, Ecal! And troll, too, although I may be late on that one.

Once again, Haukea formed an arrow out of the energies of the Orange Ring. A bind wouldn't help Thoughtspeed. Neither would walls or anything else, she needed to concentrate on just causing damage to the mech. Robot. Soon to be scrap might be a good way of thinking about it, actually. The arrow launched... and this time, it hit. A screeching sound as it sheared into the robot's structure, hopefully causing it some significant damage. "Let go of my friend."

Well, rolling attack for her Blast... Result of 12. Re-rolling with an HP... Result of 9, which means her result gets 10 added to it, for a final result of 19.

Stronghold nodded at her friend's statement, sitting down on the ground and catching her breath. Pulling that stunt had... not been the best idea. At all. "Um... we'd be happy to visit where you're staying... get to know the people who..." May well have saved their lives. Even if their color schemes were a little... Um. How to put it. Didn't exactly seem heroic. That didn't matter, what their actions were did. Still, Haukea was curious. "Um... you're a new team, right? I don't... um... think I've heard of you before."

I think it's fine. :)

Meanwhile, Stronghold shaped another spear of glowing orange energy. The drone would probably smash through any more objects she created, and this... would work, she just needed to get the hang of aiming it. And don't hit Will. That was important, too. He looked like he was causing some damage already, that was good. "You can't seriously think we'll back down now." The spear was launched, flying through the air... And missing, again. "Oh, come on!"

If you want a visual reference for what I had in mind... This, except not as silver.

The ship itself... Sleek might be the best way to describe it. The ship looked almost like a missile at first glance, although the viewports and shattered wings disproved that theory quite quickly. And it was damaged. Quite obviously, and quite heavily. The front was crumpled, one wing was shattered entirely while the other was torn off (where that debris had ended up was far from apparent). The cockpit (at least, it looked like the cockpit) viewport was entirely gone, and the engines were twisted, as if they'd been hit by some sort of missile. It was a miracle it had made it into the Solar System, in fact- the hull looked to be barely holding together. One thing was obvious, though. Whatever had happened to this ship, it had been bad. ---- ATTEMPTING TO RESTART COGNITIVE PROCESSES WARNING: INSUFFICIENT ENERGY. BOOST REQUIRED RESENDING DISTRESS MESSAGE Belran fallen--

Stronghold looked at the dogs, then at Abby, frowning. "...these things keep trying to convince me to leave you behind, trying to convince you that you're the problem..." She started chuckling. "I've been looking at this all wrong, thinking that it's all up to me... it's not. I'm not good with emotions, never have been." It's always been other people. Her sister, her parents... oh, sure, she had the Orange Ring... but this wasn't the physical world, was it. Here, she wasn't the strong one. Stronghold looked over at Abigail. "Here, you're the strong one, I think. It's not me who can make them go away... it's you." She didn't have anything to back this up, but it.... "I'm... not sure how. But these things... they keep focusing on the obvious. Power, abilities... at the very least, let's stop looking at things the way they want us to."

"Stand. Down." Stronghold glares at the robots. "We know what she is, and you know what? We don't care. She's done nothing to hurt Earth." Well, the heroine was pretty sure she hadn't done anything. If she had, she wouldn't just admit to being a Grue, right? Right. These robots, on the other hand... "You've come here, without permission, and you're threatening to kill someone based just on what they are. Nothing they've done, just what they are. And none of us are going to let you just do that. So stand down now." She was probably quoting something, or at least altering it to suit her purposes. Eh, if it works. Now, if only she could remember what she might be quoting...

PUMPED UP by Thevshi Memorial As Thev pointed out, her Super-Strength DAP would have a maximum effective Strength of 74, with a resulting Heavy Load of 360 tons. So, can someone please alter her Super-Strength line to the following: DAP: Super-Strength 10 [20 pp] (Maximum Effective Strength: 74, Heavy Load: 360 tons)

Then as she is is fine.