Search the Community

OOC thread for this thread. A strange visitor from another planet is here to turn us all into were-jaguars, and it's all Max Mars' fault! @Heritage @Tiffany Korta

GM April 20th, Wednesday, 2022, 11.30AM Guthrie Gallery of Energy Innovations, Freedom City University, Freedom City, USA Adorning the Gallery's entrances were banners inviting readers to "SEE THE FLYING ALIEN PYRAMID!", strategically augmented with "Free food!", "Live music!" and "Meet Max Mars!" Whatever else could be said about him, in this case all those things were true. Inside was an extravaganza of Max Mars' usual levels. The austere and functional layout of the Guthrie Gallery, a rotating exhibition of various energy sources from steam engines to a replica Omegadrone Power Pike, was coated in glitz and excess. On one stage, up-and-coming rock sensation Frank Larrabee sang about the misty forests and mountains of his hometown, Emerald City, and of the unsolved mysteries they hid from wondering eyes. On another, acoustically-isolated from the rock balladeer, metal band Spydor acted out the War of Taranok and Scorvicious, and on a third pop idol Silvia "Silver" Moon and the Moonlites danced through a confrontation with hereditary illness and the stigma against the chronically-ill. The technology making it possible for all three acts to be on at the same time without their performances interfering had its own mini-exhibit, replete with attractive salespersons. Booths pertaining to other recent inventions, including the Phobos V utility-phone, and advertising positions within MarsTech itself, packed the halls. The free food ranged from buffet-style steam trays to onigiri to fresh-baked pretzels, in quantities sufficient to feed even a crowd of university students and guests with families. And in the center, visible from all the arms of the Gallery, was the huge floating, pulsing nightmare of metal and stone that was the alien pyramid. A suite of technicians kept a careful eye on read-outs behind the cordon set up around the pyramid itself, a cordon guarded by smiling and uniformed representatives of Brande Mangement, a company so mysterious that all anyone really knew about it was that it hired superhumans as security personnel. In the shadow of all this, Max Mars, standing proud in his five-nothing frame cloaked in a resplendant red suit, held court and eagerly explained what the strange machine was and its ramifications. The crowd that had gathered filtered in and out, kept up to date everywhere in the Gallery on Max's endless patter through the P.A. system. "This is better than gold, folks! A working alien spacecraft! If you think anti-gravity is for your grandkids, you're in for a shock! With this baby we've picked out planets NASA wouldn't have found for another 80 years, at least! A food replicator, a database of languages we've barely begun to scan, and this ain't even it's full size! Before we dug it up, the people in that Mexican village thought it was just another hill! This is our ticket to the stars, people! Without having to wait until Americatech deigns to grace us with the answers, we'll make our own!" That last hit more of a sour note with the Freedom City crowd than it might have back on the West Coast. But Mars' other words, and the various gizmos around the central hall demonstrating the applications of this alien super-tech, left a much more positive impression. "And best of all!" Max's grin seemed barely able to fit on his red-bearded face, "We've found the space jockey who piloted this thing! He's been trapped inside, for thousands of years, and you'll be here when he says his first words to us! So stick around, folks, enjoy yourslelves, and get ready for an outta-this-world encounter!"

Bee Power Level: 10/12 (180/203PP) Unspent Power Points: 23 Trade-Offs: +2 Defense / -2 Toughness In Brief: Tiny hero, big heart! Catchphrase: "We'll beat it with Science!" Theme: The Bee Song, by Arthur Askey Alternate Identity: Melissa Bowles (Secret) Birthplace: Bayview, Freedom City Residence: FCU Dorms Base of Operations: Freedon City University Occupation: Student Affiliations: Bee-Keeper III Family: Jeremy Bowles (Father), Elsa Bowles (Mother), Megan Bowles (Older Sister), Baxter Bowles (Uncle) Description: Age: 18 (DoB: 4th January 2000) Gender: Female Ethnicity: African-American Height: 5'4", 3" when Shrunk Weight: 130lbs Eyes: Brown Hair: Brown With a whirling of limbs and a flurry of almost constant activity, Melissa seems to take up more space than her diminutive height suggest. She's always dressed in a colourful array of clothing that suggested that she dressed in a hurry, which to be fair if quite often has what happened. She tends to prefer bright colors and bold designs and with a predominance of yellow, it can be difficult to tell when she is or not in her costume. Her costume is of cause the yellow and black stripes traditionally associated with bee's, even if the yellow is a lot lighter than found in nature. Sunny like my disposition Melina likes to say about the choice. Her head is covered by a mask complete with fake antennas and compound eye to complete the bee theme. The entire costume was designed and built by her uncle, with Melina's continuous input. History The Baxter family has always had a creative flare in whatever subject they choose to pursuit, as well as a massive streak of eccentricity to go along with there potential genius. The most famous for this was of cause Barry Bowles, the second villainous Bee-Keeper, but the rest of the family was just as full of potential. Her main fascination was the newly described Dyne particles a catalyst that caused matter to shrink whilst retaining its mass and form, though no one had solved the problem of the electromagnetic energies generated by the compression. Melissa's idea was to form it into polymers to both allow it to be placed around the item and to channel the electrical field. Someone must have agreed as one fateful night when she finally got the Dyne polymer into a stable form. Working late in the school's lab the shockwave from an explosion set off somewhere nearby shattered the container with the Dyne mixture covering her in the liquid, in that moment Melina discovered that her polymer worked as she suddenly shrunk down. Which was lucky for her as it allowed her to survive the mysterious explosion. Melina had never considered being a hero until the moment she gained these powers, but now she didn't know where to start. She knew her parents would freak if they found out so instead, she went to her uncle Baxter. In a fluke of fate, it turned out that her uncle was actually the hero Bee-Keeper III who agreed to help her explore her powers, creating a way to store the power her shrunk body generated to work a pair of suitably sized wings. Before she became a hero though he insisted that she finish off her education, though she was sure he wouldn't mind if she snuck out to fight crime every now and again... Personality & Motivation: Melissa is upbeat and optimistic person always seeing the best in everyone and everything around her. This can come across as overconfidence as she throws herself boldly into any situation as she's sure things will sort themselves out. Not that things won't sort themselves out without some kind of help, which is why she wants to become a hero and help people. Though it can be a little difficult to tell as she tends to be a bit of a scatterbrain with about half a dozen different ideas floating around her head at any one time. Powers & Tactics: Bee tends to throw herself into action without any apparent rhyme or reason, her desire to help out overcomes semblance of tactics. She's not so foolish to throw herself at impossible odd though, even she realises that there are times when fighting is not the answer. When fighting she will try to solve the problem put in front of her using all her vast scientific knowledge, often in very unorthodox ways. Power Descriptions: Melissa has infused her body with her own custom designed Dyne molecules that allows her to compress her own body to the size of around 3 inches tall, as she retains all her molecules she retains her mass and physical strength. The change in height creates a massive electrical field, a side effect of the molecular compression, that she stores using as a form of attack and to power her wings. Complications: Busy little Bee: Melissa always has a half dozen thing going on at one time, with a few more waiting in wings. This sometimes distracts her from other things, including those that others consider important like sleeping and eating. Bee Curious: Melissa can't stand a mystery and has to know the solution at almost any cost, which sometimes leads to her poking her nose into things best left alone. Bee Quiet: Heroes are meant to be ultra super secret about there identities right, but it's so cool are really difficult not to tell. Bee Explaining: Science is rad and all and should be explained whenever possible, cause the baddies might be able to use such stuff against us... Abilities: 0 + 8 + 4 + 10 + 4 + 4 = 30PP Strength: 10 (+0) Dexterity: 18 (+4) Constitution: 14 (+2) Intelligence: 20 (+5) Wisdom: 14 (+2) Charisma: 14 (+2) Combat: 4 + 8 = 12PP Initiative: +8 Attack: +2/10* (+2 Base, +8 Shrinking) Defense: +4/12* (+4 Base, +8 Shrinking), + 2 Flat-Footed Grapple: +2/-14* Knockback: -1/+2* * When Shrunk Saving Throws: 6 + 6 + 6 = 18PP Toughness: +8 (+2 Con, +6 [Protection]) Fortitude: +8 (+2 Con, +6) Reflex: +10 (+4 Dex, +6) Will: +8 (+2 Wis, +6) Skills: 68R = 17PP Bluff 6 (+10) Craft (Chemical) 10 (+15) Diplomacy 3 (+5) Handle Animal 8 (+10) Knowledge (Life Sciences) 10 (+15) Knowledge (Physical Sciences) 10 (+15) Knowledge (Technology) 5 (+10) Notice 8 (+10) Sense Motive 8 (+10) Feats: 13PP Animal Empathy Eidetic Memory Evasion 2 Fascinate (Bluff) Hide in Plain Sight Improved Initiative 1 Interpose Luck 2 Power Attack Takedown Attack 1 Uncanny Dodge (Auditory) 1 Powers: 10 + 80 = 90PP Animal Control 10 (Flaw: Limited to Insects) [10PP] Size of a Bee 16 (Alternative Form, 80PP) [80PP] Blast 10 (range 100ft, 250ft incr Feat: Improved Range) Biokinetic Sting [21PP] Flight 5 (250 mph/ 2,200 ft/rnd Drawback: Power Loss (Wings bound)) Flight of the Bumblebee [9PP] Protection 6 Bee Tough [6PP] Shrinking 16 (Fine Size, Extra: Normal Strength, Feats: Growth Strike, Normal Toughness, Normal Movement, Drawback: Full Power) Bee Small [34PP] Strike 10 Sting like a Bee [10PP] Drawbacks: (-0) + (-0) = -0PP DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC 19 Toughness Damage Bee Control Perception DC 20 Willpower Bee Control Biokinetic Sting Ranged DC 25 Toughness Damage Sting like a Bee Touch DC 25 Toughness Damage Totals: Abilities (30) + Combat (12) + Saving Throws (18) + Skills (17) + Feats (13) + Powers (90) - Drawbacks (0) = 180/203 Power Points

Quelqu'un Power Level: 10 (150/151) Unspent Power Points: 1 Trade-Offs: +3 Defense / -3 Toughness. +5 Attack / -5 Damage (unarmed). In Brief: Get psychic powers? Go to America to improve them! Learn to fight after you survive the first few nights. Catchphrase: "Un. Deux. Trois. Fini." Theme: Alternate Identity: Raphael Valcourt (secret). Birthplace: Beauvais, France. Residence: Freedom City University Dorms. Base of Operations: North End, Freedom City. Occupation: Massage Therapist. Affiliations: None. Family: Marie Valcourt, mother. Description: Date of Birth: 9 September 1999. Apparent Age: college age. Gender: Male. Ethnicity: Caucasian. Height: 5'10". Weight: 175 pounds. Eyes: Blue. Hair: Black. An athletically lithe and strong build due to his training in parkour and martial arts. Muscular, but not excessively so. Keeps his hair short so it doesn't get in the way when he's free-running. Very slacker-esque wardrobe. Jeans, t-shirts, sandals, knit cap. Seems to prefer browns. Costume is one made of morphic molecules, clings to everything. it switches from black to dark blue sometimes. History: Raphael's mother always referred to him as her little angel baby. Marie was tricked into believing her abduction and 'experimentation' was a visit from the holiest of holies, when it was really just some curious aliens wondering what Earth people were like. Not that Raphael thought his mother was crazy, but he didn't question her either. He spent his younger years very active. Running, crawling and tumbling over anything he could get on. Just like his parkour and skateboard heroes. A few scrapes and bruises were nothing in the pursuit of happiness. Come his mid to late teenage years he started to have headaches of the unbearable type. For no reason the doctors could find. They put him on pain medicine and watched him. It went for days, weeks, one time he couldnt get out of bed for a whole moth, which was hell on him for more than just the headaches. When he slept he dreamt of weird alien landscapes. And angels for some reason. His mother was there too. Was she not crazy after all? Was he going crazy? After that the headaches lessened. But when they stopped, the real weird stuff happened. He could use his mind to influence others. Like a superhero? He saved up come cash. Instead of going to Uni in France, he wanted to get some help with his powers in Freedom City. He left to go to the States and particularly, Freedom City University. He settled in before he ran around the city like a vigilante. But the first few nights were a wake up call, just because you have superpowers doesn't mean you don't get your ass kicked. So he went to a place where he could train to fight. He hasn't been back on the street yet, but in due time. Personality & Motivation: A very laissez-faire attitude in his civilian attitude. Seems to let everything slide off of his back. Chill to the point some think him a pacifist until they learn he's very well trained in martial arts. While in hero mode, his attitude takes an energetic about face. He's new to the world of heroes and villains and goes after criminals creatively and on all cylinders. He won't throw himself into danger, but the psychic powers seemingly make the fighting go a little easier. Powers & Tactics: Through his training in parkour, he can run faster, and jump higher than most without such activities. His command of the mind gives him an edge too. It's very easy to apprehend someone when their own mind doesn't agree with them. If they give up after a few brain shots, that's great. But if they're stupid enough, he can go hand to hand (or foot to foot?) very easily. He's not the best at it, but he can hold his own in a fight. Power Descriptions: Leaping, Speed, and Wall-Crawling are 'normal' training of years of parkour. Super-Senses and Telepathy array are because his partly alien lineage. Complications: Foreigner: His English is semi-fluent. He may flub sentences or not know what to communicate. Headaches: If he uses too much psychic power he'll start to feel a low thrum until it grows into a migraine. Job/School: He has to keep up his studies to stay in Uni, and go to work to pay bills. New Here: While he thinks he knows this place, he's in a foreign land and is bound to get lost sometime. Thrillseeker: While getting his hero kicks or just enjoying a parkour run, he like to do big grandiose stunts. Abilities: 10 + 8 + 6 + 2 + 4 + 6 = 36PP Strength: 20 (+5) Dexterity: 18 (+4) Constitution: 16 (+3) Intelligence: 12 (+1) Wisdom: 14 (+2) Charisma: 16 (+3) Combat: 10 + 10 = 20PP Attack: +5 base, +15 unarmed Defense: +13 (+5 Base, +8 Dodge Focus), +3 Flat-Footed Initiative: +4 Grapple: +10 Knockback: -3, -1 Flat-Footed Saving Throws: 3 + 5 + 7 = 15PP Toughness: +7/+3 (+3 Con, +4 Defensive Roll) Fortitude: +6 (+3 Con, +3) Reflex: +9 (+4 Dex, +5) Will: +9 (+2 Wis, +7) Skills: 68R = 17PP Acrobatics 11 (+15, Skill Mastery) Bluff 7 (+10, +18 Attractive, Skill Mastery) Concentration 8 (+10) Craft (electronic) 4 (+5) Diplomacy 7 (+10, +18 Attractive) Knowledge (physical sciences) 4 (+5) Knowledge (technology) 4 (+5) Language 1 (English, French [native]) Notice 8 (+10, Skill Mastery) Perform (keyboards) 2 (+5) Search 4 (+5) Sense Motive 8 (+10, Skill Mastery) Feats: 29PP Acrobatic Bluff All-Out Attack Ambidexterity Attack Specialization (unarmed) 5 Attractive 2 Conspiracy Theorist 2 (19-20) Defensive Roll 2 Dodge Focus 8 Evasion Improved Throw Improved Trip Power Attack Skill Mastery (Acrobatics, Bluff, Notice, Sense Motive) Taunt Uncanny Dodge (mental) Powers: 1 + 1 + 1 + 4 + 26 = 33PP Leaping 1 (x2; 30ft running long jump, 15ft standing long jump, 7ft high jump) [1PP] (parkour, training) Speed 1 (10mph, 100ft per round) [1PP] (parkour, training) Super-Movement 1 (Wall-Crawling 1 [half speed]; Flaws: Limited [while moving]) [1PP] (parkour, training) Super-Senses 4 (Accurate [mental], Acute [mental], Ranged [mental]) [4PP] (blindsight, psychic) Telepathy 11 (Feats: Alternate Power 4) [26PP] (psychic) Base Power: Communication 10 (earth to the moon; Extras: Linked [Mind Reading]; Feats: Subtle), Mind Reading 10 (Extras: Linked [Communication]; Feats: Subtle) [22/22] Alternate Power: Concealment 10 (all senses; Extras: Affects Others; Flaws: Passive; Feats: Close Range, Progression 1 [Affects Others, 2]) [22/22] Alternate Power: Confuse 10 (Extras: Range [Perception]; Feats: Subtle) [21/22] Alternate Power: Emotion Control 10 (Feats: Mind Blank, Subtle) [22/22] Alternate Power: Illusion 10 (auditory, visual; Flaws: Phantasms; Feats: Progression 2 [Area. 25ft]) [22/22] Drawbacks: (-0) + (-0) = -0PP DC Block Unarmed Touch DC 20 Toughness Damage Confuse Perception DC 20 Will Confuse Emotion Control Perception DC 20 Will Emotion Control Illusion Perception DC 20 Will Illusion (auditory, visual) Mind Reading Perception Opposed Power Check vs Will Save Mind Reading Total: Abilities (36) + Combat (20) + Saving Throws (15) + Skills (17) + Feats (29) + Powers (33) + Drawbacks (-0) = 150/151 Power Points

Player Name: SpicyWaffle Character Name: The Bee-Keeper III Power Level: 11/12 (175/178PP) Trade-Offs: None Unspent Power Points: 3 Progress To Bronze Status: 26/30 In Brief: An unlikely heir seeks to revivify the zanily tarnished Bee-Keeper legacy in the name of justice. Alternate Identity: Baxter Bowles Identity: Secret Birthplace: Bayview, Freedom City Occupation: High School Student, Superhero Affiliations: Franklin D. Roosevelt High School Family: Barry Bowles (Uncle; Incarcerated), Benny Bowles (Father), Samantha Bowles (Mother) Description: Age: 18 (DoB: May 15th, 1995) Apparent Age: 18 Gender: Male Ethnicity: African American Height: 5'10" Weight: 154 Lbs. Eyes: Hazel Hair: Black Appearance: Once a wiry sort of teenager, Baxter has since made the transition from tindertwig into that of a young man in the prime of his life, boasting a toned physique brought on through a combination of earnest exercise and his heroic hobby, though he still manages to come off as rather plain, making him capable of blending in with a crowd easily; a trait he's found somewhat useful amidst the high school crowd and would-be gumshoes trying to decipher his secret identity. When not in costume, Baxter keeps his dark hair short and simple, preferring a crew cut style to prevent any irritating interference with his vision. Typically found dressed in casual clothes purchased from Bayview Mall, the secret apiary adventurer is practically indistinguishable in terms of any other teen walking the streets... save, perhaps, for the unusual backpack often found strapped along his shoulders. In costume, however, is a wholly different matter. Once the armor goes on, Baxter becomes the Bee-Keeper (III), an up-and-coming albeit prematurely tarnished young hero of Freedom City. The armor in particular stands out, stylized more after the European Dark Bee, showing off a large pair of metallic, insectile wings of a silvery-black, a full-body battlesuit recently painted by Baxter himself with black-and-yellow stripes, and a helmet affixed to the rest of the heavy-looking ensemble which bears both a pair of antennae and faux compound eyes. More streamlined than the Bee-Keeper Armor 2.0, the 1.6 Eco-Edition is a lighter, but less versatile model that lacks many of the finer points than its crafter's final version, more so for practicality than an intended sacrifice for gain elsewhere. Unlike the more famous model worn by the Bee-Keeper II, however, this one doesn't actually host an army of living bees inside its whirring form. Rather, the Eco-Edition suit carries within itself an assortment of miniscule robo-bees, designed by Barry in the event he didn't wish to bring harm to his buzzing brothers and sisters; hence, ecologically sound for the bees, but not so much for everything else. Power Descriptions: Descriptors: Bees, Technology With no powers to speak of himself, Baxter relies on the various gadgets and gizmos his now-incarcerated uncle built into this particular streamlined, collapsible backpack-shaped model of iconic armor to get the job done. Once unpacked and donned, the armor functions as intended: physically augmenting servos with enough strength to lift a cargo jet, functional retractable wings for flight, and a plethora of self-replicating robo-bees programmed to act just like the real things, it's certainly a scientific marvel brought to life. If it weren't for the fact Uncle Barry was one too many workers short of a hive, it might have been one of the greatest inventions in the last decade; but alas, its only use now is to put fresh whelts on criminal scum before locking them up in the clink, all of which are powered by the busy little robo-bees who collect electricity like normal bees collect pollen. The most often used tools of the Bee-Keeper Armor 1.6e are no doubt the various blasters. Within the right palm of the metallic exoskeleton is a small energy converter capable of projecting a beam of golden-hued energy generated by the busy bees housed inside the suit, using them as a sort of living battery; the other hand bears a similar compartment, though this one fires super-sticky synthetic (and surprisingly delicious!) honey alternative, capable of stopping any man in his tracks while being wholly nutritious. A pair on the wrists jut out ever so slightly, but bear similar functionality, firing toxic stingers coated in synthesized bee venom which can cause illness in victims. While many of these things are insidious inventions by a distraught Barry Bowles, he wasn't a heartless inventor, and left a few failsafes just in-case things got out of hand. As such, most of the armaments carry a triggerable anti-toxin when signs of serious danger rear their head, such as an allergic reaction or the like. History: Born and raised in Freedom City's Bayview district, Baxter Bowles had always been fascinated with superheroes. After all, Freedom City was the proverbial mecca therein, and between their constant exposure on television, in comic books, and on billboards all over the city after the Terminus Invasion, it was no wonder that the young boy found himself awe-stricken by them. They were icons; people to look up to, who went out of their way to make things safer not just for the city, but for the world as a whole. As a kid, he would often fantasize about those farfetched dreams; swinging from skylines like the Raven, duking it out as Captain Thunder, and all other manner of such thoughts that children had a propensity to conjure. Such thoughts, however, faded for a time as he grew older; coming to terms that such a thing wasn't possible in his own future. Baxter grew into an energetic boy nonetheless, and things were well amongst the family. That is, until it turned out crazy ol' Uncle Barry really was crazy. He was all over the news, going around doing heinous things in a bee-suit, causing no end of grief for everyone. While Baxter was certainly shocked at this revelation, his father and Barry's younger brother was even more infuriated, having become the laughing stock of his lawfirm. For Baxter though, this shifted to life at school. No longer was he the unassuming teenage kid who slept in math class; no, he'd henceforth been demoted to 'the kid who hung out with that crazy bee guy on TV,' despite his protests that he did not, in fact, associate with his uncle. Suffice it to say that school became substantially rougher soon thereafter. Things changed though when that mysterious letter arrived, heralded by a cadre of small robo-bees. Curious, Baxter sneaked a peek at its contents, and in it contained the location of a storage unit located in the Fens, as well as a key. After the onset of Uncle Barry's criminally-insane breakdown, Baxter felt intrigued to investigate; the errant letter and its contents clearly important. It wasn't long after arriving on the scene that he found the prototype suit hidden amidst his uncle's old salvaged knick-knacks from his electronics shop, and took it as a golden opportunity - a one-of-a-kind battlesuit of his very own. He tinkered with it, figured out how it worked, and said nothing to his parents; going so far as to hide the cryptic letter he'd gotten that was probably meant for his father. But this suit? This was his chance to live the dreams he'd all but given up on; to do something more than just be himself. Like in the comics, he could be something greater; and as he discovered the secrets of the suit and how to work its robotic denizens, he felt like he could be just like his heroes on the Freedom League. Weeks turned to months whilst Baxter secretly trained away from prying eyes outside of class whenever he could, growing in confidence as he did so and studying how the mechanics of the apiary outfit worked, adamant about his goals and eager to at least make an attempt at defending the down-trodden and putting a damper on the criminal element still rampant amidst Freedom City. Now? Now, Baxter was ready. Ready to take his shot at being a real superhero, just like he'd always dreamed. Ready to take this one chance and put it all on the line in reckless abandon in order to do something for the city and its denizens as a protector. Ready to redeem his family name from his insane uncle, and fix what he'd wrought. With a fresh coat of paint, some idealism of youth, and a desire to make an impact, Baxter took up the mantle of the Bee-Keeper anew, eager to take his shot at what he believed he was meant to be. Not for fame, or fortune, but for the opportunity to rise above his station and do his part for the community as a real superhero. Personality & Motivation: Much like how there are two sides to every coin, this is no exception for Baxter. Outside of the armor and high-tech gizmos, he's just your average, everyday teenager, complete with all the problems that come along with that package. Despite his laid-back, almost idyllic facade at school and with his friends, Baxter still has to deal with all the stress of balancing a life of superheroics and secret normalcy. Things aren't always peaches and chocolate chips, but he gets by, and retains a relatively happy-go-lucky albeit somewhat reserved disposition; the latter more in part due to exhaustion than an earnest endeavor to come off that way. He's a sharp enough lad, able to work out this-and-that on his own without any hand-holding, but he's certainly no prodigy. What he lacks in physical and mental faculties, he makes up for with a strange sense of charm; that relaxed friendliness in the face of adversity and laid-back optimism that's earned him at least some indifference if not acceptance from the local cliques in school. A silver tongue helps, having had lots of practice wrapping mom and dad around his little finger with honeyed words and careful omission. Sure, he might lie on occasion, but that doesn't mean his morals are flippant things to be tossed around. His compass, while skewed, is nevertheless pointed soundly towards that of good. On the flip side as the Bee-Keeper III, Baxter is a wholly different fellow. Behind the mask and within the hardened metallic suit of insectile inspiration, he feels changed; empowered and confident, nearing the point of arrogance, some might say, and emboldened by a desire to do good. Often found spouting horrible bee-related puns and making grandiose speeches in a truly voluble manner, it almost seems comical by comparison. Yet, despite his charmingly goofy routine as a wise-cracking, apiary-themed adventurer, the newest Bee-Keeper takes his self-appointed job quite seriously, adamant in his fight against injustice. Ever since he was a kid growing up in Freedom City, he'd watched superheroes on TV and read comic books, but Baxter never thought he'd had the stuff to really be a hero; saving people from the criminals and bringing them to justice were just farfetched dreams that were crushed before they'd began. That is, until he found his Uncle's old suit of armor. Given a chance to actually live the dream and redeem the good name of his family after his uncle's tumultuous decent into madness, Baxter felt compelled to take up the mantle. After all, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; to be something more than average or an associate of a crazy bee-themed loon, helping people in a way that most might consider unachievable on a personal level. This was his chance to be a real superhero and redeem his good name, whilst putting villainous vagrants in their place in the process! Powers & Tactics: Hit hard and hit fast. This is the grand strategem the young bee-themed hero has relied on for the last few months, utilizing the armor's various features and augmented capabilities to put evil-doers in their place through brute force, superior mobility, a little crowd control, and the (relative) safety the battlesuit provides from conventional arms. Having never been officially placed in a position of cooperation with other heroes yet, the newest incarnation of the Bee-Keeper isn't quite sure what he'll do when thrust into such a circumstance, but thus far things have been going swimmingly. Complications: Bee Amazzzzing! (Obsession): While he wasn't always as such, Baxter has begun to harbor a newfound interest in bees. Sure, he doesn't have any live ones at the moment, but its quickly becoming a fascinating study for the boy that's no doubt been spurred on by his discovery of Uncle Barry's decidedly denounced prototype battlesuit. When he can find the time, Baxter seeks out knowledge regarding these busybodies in an endeavor to unlock his - and the suits - full potential, like his misguided uncle before him. Homeroom by Nine O'Clock (Responsibility): While the Bee-Keeper's sting might always be within reach of lawbreakers everywhere, Baxter isn't always so fortune to be suited up to do so. After all, he has things he must attend to on a regular basis; and of these things, the bane of them all is his curricular studies. As a high school student, Baxter must attend (and slip out only when it's easy to get away with) his classes regularly, relegating the majority of his crime-fighting activity to the late night variety. Failure to show up... well, hopefully there won't be another parent/teacher conference any time soon. Who is that Masked Apian Weirdo? (Secret): As a would-be superhero, Baxter does his best to keep his identity a closely guarded secret. While supervillains, mooks, and various other misguided miscreants might prove a perilous sort of ordeal for the aspiring apiary protege, there is one thing he fears more: his parents finding out he's been sneaking out to fight crime on the side. Abilities: 6 + 6 + 6 + 4 + 0 + 8 = 30PP Strength: 34/16 (+12/+3) Dexterity: 16 (+3) Constitution: 26/16 (+8/+3) Intelligence: 14 (+2) Wisdom: 10 (+0) Charisma: 18 (+4) Combat: 10 + 10 = 20PP Initiative: +7 (+4 Improved Initiative, +3 Dex) Attack: +5 Base, +7 Unarmed, +11 Bee-Keeper Armor Attacks Grapple: +27/+8 [w/o Beesuit] Defense: +11 (+5 Base, +6 Dodge Focus), +2 Flat-Footed Knockback: -6/-4 [w/o Protection]/-1 [w/o Beesuit] Saving Throws: 5 + 7 + 8 = 20PP Toughness: +11/+11 [w/o Protection]/+7 [w/o Defensive Roll] (+8/+3 Con, +4 Defensive Roll, +3 Protection) Fortitude: +13/+8 [w/o Beesuit] (+8/+3 Con, +5) Reflex: +10 (+3 Dex, +7) Will: +8 (+0 Wis, +8) Skills: 72R = 18PP Bluff 6 (+10) Craft [Electronic] 8 (+10) SM Craft [Mechanical] 8 (+10) SM Diplomacy 8 (+12) SM Knowledge [Life Sciences] 8 (+10) Knowledge [Pop Culture] 6 (+8) Knowledge [Technology] 8 (+10) Notice 10 (+10) Perform [Dance] 8 (+12) SM Feats: 26PP All-Out Attack Attack Specialization [unarmed] 1 Defensive Roll 2 Dodge Focus 6 Fast Overrun Grappling Finesse Improved Grab Improved Initiative 1 Improved Overrun Improved Throw Improved Trip Interpose Luck 3 Move-By Action Power Attack Precise Shot 2 Skill Mastery 1 (Craft [Electronics], Craft [Mechanical], Diplomacy, Perform [Dance]) Powers: 65PP Device 16 (Bee-Keeper Armor 1.6e; 80PP Container, Flaw: Hard to Lose; Power Feat: Subtle) [65PP] Communication 4 (Radio) {4DP} Comprehend 2 (Speak & Understand Animals; Flaw: Limited [bees]) {1DP} Enhanced Constitution 10 {10DP} Enhanced Feat 3 (Blind-Fight, Ultimate Save [Toughness], Uncanny Dodge [Auditory]) {3DP} BE: Enhanced Strength 18 + Super-Strength 10 (Effective Carrying STR 84; Power Feats: Alternate Power 4, Groundstrike) {43DP} - The Proportionate Strength of a Bee! AP: Blast 11 (Extra: Autofire, Power Feats: Accurate 3, Improved Crititcal 2, Richochet) [39PP] - The Sting of Justice! AP: Nauseate 11 (Extra: Ranged; Power Feats: Accurate 3, Reversible) [37PP] - Toxic Stingers! AP: Snare 11 (Power Feats: Accurate 3, Tether) [26PP] - A Sticky Situation! AP: Strike 11 (Extras: Autofire, Penetrating; Power Feats: Accurate 2, Improved Critical 2, Mighty) [38PP] - A Mighty Beeting! Flight 5 (250 MPH/2,500') {10DP} - Flight of the Bumblebee! Immunity 1 (Bees) {1DP} Protection 3 {3DP} Super-Senses 5 (Darkvision, Direction Sense, Distance Sense, Ultra Hearing) {5DP} 4 + 1 + 10 + 3 + 43 + 10 + 1 + 3 + 5 = 80DP Drawbacks: -4PP Normal Identity (Full-Round Action) [-4PP] DC Block: ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC18 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Unarmed in Suit Touch DC26 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Strike Touch DC26 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Blast Ranged DC26 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Energy) Nauseate Ranged DC21 Fortitude (Staged) Sickened/Nauseated/Helpless Snare Ranged DC21 Reflex (Staged) Entangled/Helpless Totals: Abilities (30) + Combat (20) + Saving Throws (20) + Skills (18) + Feats (26) + Powers (65) - Drawbacks (4) = 175/178 Power Points

OOC thread for this thread. Will all of Smash's dreams die?! @Thunder King @Thogphog

October 2nd, 2017, 2.17PM Freedom City University, North End, Freedom City, New Jersey, USA Reinstein Hall "So is of the case! Thank Marssaulize Benjawan for hadbringing us to that 'tention! Envirolonament and is...primary determiner of what morals you got!" Professor Sullivan Mash, PHD of medical ethics, simmered behind his desk. His bulky brown suit bulged with the steely muscles beneath, the sweat standing out on his shiny grey head beading under the harsh lights of the auditorium-style classroom, intersected with stark black lines of tattoos. From one ear dangled a ring of gold that would have been a good bracelet on a smaller man, which brought out his pitch-black eyes. "Sully" had no indoor voice to begin with and had a keen appreciation for the dangers of letting the students in the back down by softening his words for those up front. So while, as ever, his class was jam-packed, there was none of the sotto voce chattering and whispered conversation Mali was used to from last year. 'Professor Smash' had a keen eye on top of his cannon-like voice, and did not suffer inattention no matter how gifted his pupils. Ripping a cloth rag from his pocket to soak on his streaming face, Sullivan gesticulated wildly with the other hand as he resumed "So bad in truck! You got carpstruption! You got haberdasher, you even got dovement inftraference! But people loves in your hands, tomorrow we examine-" he squinted at the ceiling like he was trying to burn holes in it "-im-pact of Cold-War-Ol-ym-pics on -mod-ern sports! Pegs three-fuddy to four-hundred-twelve!" He spun on his heel and slammed his grey fist onto the granite desk with a shattering THUD "Bye! Second trussed next woke! See me if you probs!" Like a dam had burst, the students sprang into action, the low hubbub of exits and entrances in education buzzing to life. A few of the students at the front took out ear plugs, looking faintly shaken. The ones who were known to take the most accurate notes were already being accosted by the rest who couldn't begin to make out what Professor Mash was saying. The lectures so far hadn't been strictly necessary, most of the material was already in the book. But piecing together the erratic mind of their teacher was always a must for those who wanted an edge. "Mali!" the word cracked out like a whip, Professor Mash pointing directly at the young woman "See more in orifice! Have fedback on lats paper!" Several of the those around Mali shot her sympathetic looks. Even if it was all good, being in enclosed spaces with Sullivan could be harrowing. elsewhere Ravenna Blackwood was a tall, cool glass of stout, handsome despite the years she carried on her elegant shoulders and aristocratic face lined with cares. She dressed well, but not with an aim to dazzle or impose, a simple sweater of dark blue and crepe pants still worth more than all the clothes Jon had ever owned. A silver necklace bearing a single dark opal glimmered around her slender neck, framed by her long, thick black mane. She'd called Jon there for a job, explaining over the phone that it was a delicate, sensitive matter that required the utmost caution and discretion. So she had brought him to an upscale club in North End, gotten them a private alcove, and told her sad tale. With a sigh, Ravenna set down her glass, untasted, and fixed Jon with her tawny eyes: "There is a supervillain working at the university. My ward attends his classes. I want him exposed and...removed." In the dark of the corner, her eyes almost seemed to glow. "Can you do this?"

With the winter break over, a large portion of Trevor Hunter's time was once again being taken up by classes at Freedom City University. The bulk of his classes for the new semester were theoretical studies that had little chance of capturing his attention fully, since he'd had opportunity to put most of the principles being taught into practice in his alter-ego as the second Midnight. The dark haired young man wasn't adverse to restudying fundamentals and the course work's exercises were worthwhile, but he found it easy enough to split his focus while taking in a lecture. Telepathic communication was at least more polite than texting or browsing social networking sites in the middle of class. --Wrapping up here. Five, ten minutes. Meet you in the quad?--

As the afternoon of October 31st gave way to evening, Ellie Espadas shoved one more secondhand textbook into a protesting messenger bag before slinging it over her shoulder and starting down the stairs of the classroom's tiered seating toward the exit. The premed student supposed she appreciated her professor's well meaning attempts to make the lecture festive but there was only so much one could do to make pathology significantly more ghoulish. "Well, that was especially disgusting," a less generous voice quipped from just behind her as a fellow student with long, chestnut hair bounded down the steps two at a time to catch up. Carly Westmas had come a long way from the nation's breadbasket to attend FCU, ending up in most of the same classes as Ellie in the first and second years of the medical program. Her frank and outspoken had recommended her to the Freedom City native, forming the basis of a friendship. "I want to know who looked at that toe and thought, 'Yes, I need to take a photo of that right now'." "I think it's more of a hazing thing," Ellie replied as the stepped out into the crowded hallway, full of students getting out of the last classes of the day. Various bat and pumpkin-shaped decorations had been plastered along the walls and a few orange and black streamers dangled from the railings of the second floor walkways. "Better to figure out your gross-out threshold now then when you're in the middle of treating someone?" Carly stuck out her tongue through a grimace. "I know you always say you've seen worse, but I don't think I'm jealous anymore." The tall, weedy brunette had understandably assumed her friend was referring to patients she'd seen volunteering at local hospitals but in this case it was hard to beat the zombies the young woman sometimes known as Jill O'Cure had fought on a previous Hallowe'en for sheer nausea inducing appearance. Spotting one of the many flyers taped haphazardly about the hallway, Carly snapped her fingers. "Ooh, you're coming to the party in McNider Hall, right? There's gonna be karaoke!" She turned the final word into a singsong crescendo to properly convey her excitement. "That's the plan," Ellie nodded with a small, bemused smile. She hadn't exactly been big on class parties, sanctioned or not, in high school but a lot of things had changed since then. If nothing else, she actually had a date this time. "Mara's meeting me here with our costumes." The way her eyebrows disappeared into her bangs communicated Carly's piqued interest. "Really? So... she actually exists? I had even odds that you'd just made her up to get losers to stop hitting on you." The skepticism was met with grumbling and reproachful mutters.