Search the Community

Shooting Star 12:45, Saturday the 29th of June Above the Fens Alice checked the time again, still fifteen minutes early. She had been super confused when first reading the message to her Shooting Star account asking for a meeting, most of the time her account just got tagged in videos of her doing her standard patrols, helping people move heavy furniture around and things like that. Most of the time when people messaged her to ask to meet she just directed them to try find her on patrol, but most of the time wasn't another hero asking to meet up. She had looked up Golden Star, finding a few videos, plus some fans talking about him but overall he seemed pretty new. She could respect someone willing to ask for advice from someone with similar powers who'd been active for longer, and she'd agreed to a time and place pretty soon after that. That had of course led to her scrambling together ideas for what she could teach him, but that was beside the point. Despite it being early she was still looking around for an early showing while stretching to limber up her new costume, the high tech fibers still adjusting to her.

GM Sunday 19th May 8pm Union Rail Yards Greenville The day had been been quiet, a train arriving around midday to offload cargo, some historic items bound for the Hunter Museum of Natural History being locked securely in a safe in the primary warehouse. As the sun descended however the quiet was suddenly disrupted, the armoured form of the villain Steel Shade and his team smashing through the wall next to the safe, before the rest of his team got to work. Within minutes they were ready to depart, the teleportation device they'd made use of many times prior about to activate when a stone flechette tore through the delicate device, and a tide of small green creatures burst from the walls. The combat quickly became a fighting retreat, leading deeper into the train yard. Gunshots and yells ring out across the evening air as the groups engage in their battle. For the first time in quite a while the heroes have time to respond to this latest robbery.

OOC for this

@Spacefurry @Supercape OOC for this

Spigori Unified Year 331,697 "Ratings are down again, huh?" Tun complained as she watched the dip- even her most annoying rival, Fex, was getting viewers again-. How were they getting bored again? She'd just brought Wrestling to the Spigori, and they were already bored of Wrestling! They really had some gall. The giant being of hard light turned her many eyes to the screens she kept locked on all earth signals she could obtain. A mind knowledgeable beyond compare and made purely for entertainment watched entertainment made for beings below her on the evolutionary totem pole; but even she had to admit that their entertainment far outstripped what the Spigori AIs could create. As her eyes flicked this way and that, she spied something interesting. "Cesar's...Sports Book?" she questioned. But then as she watched, her questioning thoughts turned to firing probes. She had an idea now! Earth Year CE 2024, March She appeared from a probe that seemed to pop into existence; they didn't appear like conquering invaders, but rather like paparazzi cameras. The projection was 8-10 feet tall depending on the space available. It presented a bright orange creature with blue highlights; blue gems, a blue neck, and bright blue lips. It had 4 eyes- three in a line and a larger one set in the forehead-, it was clearly female. It had 4 arms; each with 5 regular fingers and a thumb. And it had a giant, showman's smile. It was dressed in a toga with a gold laurel crown. It spoke to each person with a loud, excited voice. "Hello! I am Tun, the Mistress of Ceremonies for the Spigori Civilization, their premier entertainer of the entire race, Artificial Intelligence of Channel 1207; Sports Central 8, The Ocho. I am offering you a grand experience to come to my Game Station to participate in the grand opening of my new Battle Casino; Tun's Palace. You will be able to participate in the finest gambling activities that I can muster; those from Earth and beyond. If you win, you can take home any number of fabulous prizes!" she clapped all four of her hands repeatedly. "Yaaaay! Prizes!" The drone spat out some confetti. Then a contract appeared in one of Tun's hands, holding it out to each of the Heroes she'd picked. In another hand, she held an object of great desire to the hero in question, or at least a virtual representation of it. "Are you interested? Just sign here and you can make your dreams come true!" She had absolutely just appeared surprisingly; no matter what the heroes had been doing, Tun had appeared to interrupt it.

An OOC for This Thread Featuring: Diamond Light! Shooting Star! Mz. Grue! And Forever Boy! For now, you can decide what she's offering that's enough that your hero would sign up to journey to a weird alien's space casino! If you want to dialogue it out a bit, you can do that as well.

(GM Post) December 21st, 2023, Early Morning, ASTRO Labs Campus MYSTERIOUS STRING OF THEFTS ACROSS THE COAST! TARGETING SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH OUTLETS GUARDS COMPLAIN OF CONFUSION, LOSS OF MEMORY, FATIGUE BUILDINGS AND GATES DESTROYED, LOCKS PICKED, ELECTRONIC DEFENSES DEFEATED PERPETRATORS UNKNOWN, STILL AT LARGE The Sun was still down, this early in the morning, and the temperature was barely above freezing. Scientists and security guards were wrapped in warm coats, scarves, and hats as they loaded several crates into a series of unmarked vans. They were filled with a variety of different projects that ASTRO Labs top scientists had been working on; a Liquid metal suit of armor, a self-modifying laser that could produce a beam anywhere along the electromagnetic spectrum, a set of magnetic rocket boots. Each was going in it's own truck, loaded into metal crates with anti-shock padding. Currently overseeing the project was one of the Managers of Research and Development, Clark Fields, wielding a clipboard as he observed the loads being placed into the trucks. He looked haggard, worn, and very cold, pulling his jacket tightly around him and taking sips from a thermos. Due to concerns about the string of thefts at high-tech laboratory, each of these projects- deemed the most likely to be desired by the thieves- was being sent to a different secondary location by the heads of ASTRO Labs, so that even if something was stolen, only one object would be taken, and the damage to the structure itself would be minimal or non-existent. But the best chance of this going off without a hitch was to get the objects out before day came. This was also where the request had come in to the Superhero community; for any help in overseeing this transport and making sure that the projects got to their destination. The two heroes in question, who had answered the call? The refugee from another world, Predator! and the previously crippled, superpowered Shooting Star! "We'll be assigning you to the armor's guard. That's our big project right now; the X-0095 Ferrofluidic Impervium Armor. If that gets into the wrong person's hands then it would be a significant blow to our research. We'd really like there to not be any thefts at all, but we're being realistic about the capabilities of our presumed opposition." his voice was clipped and tried to betray no emotion, but there was a clear frustration and concern in it despite that. "We're moving them in the first place because we believe the lab will be the next target, and we're hoping these will either get to a better safe house or will divert attention away from the lab itself, at which point we're hoping you two can pick up the slack for us. We're not really rated for Supervillain attacks." He had the manner about him of a scientist who wasn't used to the normal flow of conversation, so he had a habit of rambling about whatever he was working on without care for whoever he was talking to. But he seemed to realize that after that paragraph and stopped, looking at the superheroes apologetically "I'm sorry, I just said a bunch of words at once, and didn't really give you a chance to talk. Is there anything you want to ask me about our plans here?" he blinked. "...Actually have you two even met before? If you haven't maybe I should let you introduce yourselves to each other before I keep bombarding you with information."

OOC Thread for the topic in question, featuring Shooting Star Predator Currently we will have a little introduction before we begin the adventure in earnest!

Late Afternoon, Saturday the 16th of December The Fens Waterfront It was a bright clear day, the air crisp as a party had started out of a small flea market, mulled wine and a few good turns of luck proving enough to bring out some Christmas cheer early, especially as everyone's 'Uncle' Michael decided now was the best time to bring out his latest batch of homebrew rum. Shooting Star Alice made her way through the crowd, the bottle of rum she'd acquired tucked under her arm. She wore a sky blue sundress and a white scarf as an acknowledgement that it was supposedly cold. For the dozenth time that minute she checked her phone, having messaged Luke and Leon asking if they'd wanted to come to the little party. She'd been meaning to meet up with them since the attempt at a party get together that had ended with them briefly being crows together, but never found the time, simultaneously juggling school, superheroics and family responsibilities. The latter of which she was avoiding right now, Aaron was getting more involved this Christmas, and it was getting too much. She huffed out a sigh, surveying the crowd for her... friends?

GM Friday, December 17th 7PM Riverside The Benedict Sans Office Tower 25th Floor The Benedict Sans Officer Tower was a newer addition to the Riverside skyline. It towered over its neighbors as an collection of office floors. Importers liked its proximity to the river and as did start up tech firms like to distinguish themselves from their Hanover counterparts. Representatives from numerous technological and import companies, both local and from outside the city, gathered for a pre-holiday party at the offices of Dumass and Prude Imports. The offices occupy most of the 25th floor. Networking and deal-making was done under the veil of festive cheer. Everyone knew the party was a thinly disguised ploy at gaining favor with key companies. Everything was going fine. Champagne flowed, hors d’oeuvres were nibbled, and schmoozing abound through out the large room where the party was being held. Offices lined two walls of the party room, while floor to ceiling widows encompassed the exterior wall, overlooking the courtyard and offering a magnificent view of the river in the distance. Suddenly, gunfire pierces the evening cheer as armed goons dressed in black stand aside from the open doors of the party room. Five men, one a large man with a thick red mustache and bear paws for hands, another scrawny man with large fly-like wings, bug eyes and arms. A bald, heavyset man in wrestling pants and a long grey/black hair man with glowing eyes flanked them. Finally, another man, obviously younger then the others stood to one side, with a drawn out nose and mouth that gave him a shark like resemblance to match the sharp white teeth his grin shows off. The red-haired man steps forward and spoke up. “Listen here ya prissy, walking checkbooks. This here’s a robbery, you’re gonna cough up whatcha got while we rummage through your offices for pretties, or I’ll know why.” “Now see here!” An older man in a expensive suit steps forward from the terrified guests. Mr. Russell Dumass. The co-owner of Dumass and Pride Imports and the man hosting the party. “You would do well to leave before you face trouble.” Mr. Dumass glanced over at large, suited man with an earpiece and nodded. As if on cue the man and several others around the room draw pistols on the intruders. The party crashers laugh as the armed guards aim there weapons at them in return. The black clad goons aimed small assault rifles and the tension in the room thickened until the red-haired man raised a bear paw of a hand and the goons relaxed some. What happened next was swift and vicious. Four of the men moved with purpose while the one with glowing eyes simply watched. The guards quickly fell under the assault of the villains. Some knock unconscious while others were less fortunate. With the shark faced man being the least restrained. The man he took a bite out of bled profusely and this seemed to only drive him into a frenzy. The other villains only watched as the shark man bite the man over and over until in a rage he picked the bloodied guard up like a rag doll and tossed him through one of the floor to ceiling widows to have him land in a blood mess in the building’s courtyard 25 floors below. The speed and ferocity of the attack cowed any further resistance in the crowd as they began to comply with the men and their goons. Satchel carrying goons began to move through the crowd as the villains regrouped. They spoke in hushed tones before splitting up. The bald villain in wrestling pants and boots took several goons and left the party room as the bear-handed man turned his attention to Mr. Dumass. “You.” He commanded. “Your office, now.” The frighten businessman followed the command and lead the villain into his office. The villain closing the door behind him for privacy. The remaining three villains watched the goons moving through the party guests like vultures waiting on their next meal.

OOC for Party Crashing

GM Rath & Stromberg Plaza in Wading Way, Freedom City October 24th, 2021 3:32 AM The doors to Rath and Stromberg caved in, a group of four standing in the entrance. A tall man in a trenchcoat and welder's mask stood silhouetted, an enormous rifle smoking in his large, gauntleted hands. The red lenses of his mask were glowing red. Behind him stood a titan of a man, ten feet tall and plated in armour from head to toe. On his shoulders sat a small, brunette woman with a vulpine grin and a fluffy mane of hair, a domino mask covering her eyes. Finally, there was another woman, surrounded by soft green light, who didn't seem to be very interested in the events unfolding. Those who'd been paying attention to their phones would have seen the clips caught on phones of this group doing a series of smash and grabs across Freedom, sometimes teleporting in, others simply running or driving across the city. After a short dramatic pause they started marching inside, the lead man talking as he walked. "Everyone on the ground, and hands where we can see them. Don't try to be a hero, I'm sure the professionals are on the way. Just stay down, we'll take what we're after and be out of your hair. Stay quiet and none of you will be in any danger." The words were calm and measured. Clinical. The grinning woman laughed slightly before speaking up. "Come on Shadey-" "Don't call me that." " -we're robbin' a bank! You can live a little! Have some fun! Come on, back me up Anarchilles." The large, armoured man, Anarchilles, laughed. It was a sound like a volcano erupting. "I wouldn't mind having some fun." The glowing woman just mumbled something unintelligible. Ignoring them Steel Shade just marched forwards, knocking out a pair of security guards who tried to intercept him and striding past the reception desk. Just as he was about to head through a Staff Only door, he turned to the trio. "Keep the heroes busy for the next two minutes. Non-lethal only. Don't hurt the civillians." To the tones of some more mumbling and a cheery "You gots it boss!" He disappeared through the doors.

OOC Thread for this @RocketLord, @Spacefurry, @Nerdzul, @Lone_Star

GM Friday, April 2nd 7:30 PM, sunset Two blocks North-West of the Millennium Mall, 52nd Avenue runs along Liberty Park. A police cruiser turns down off the avenue, making its way down towards the mall. The uniformed officers inside glance around at the sidewalks, paying close attention as they passed. There had been several disappearances reported over the last month, mostly homeless folk. But a young couple had gone missing right off the sidewalk less than a week prior, just outside the museum a few blocks away. Officials have been able to keep it out of the media, so far. But the locals know better and as the sun sets the sidewalk crowds thin out. Two twenty-something, university students walking from the mall towards the park pay no mind of the police car as it passes them. The girls talking lively as behind them, from the shadows of an alley, a large figure steps out on to the sidewalk. Its long stride allowing it to easily close the distance with the girls, until it reaches out. With a grunt and a swipe, the figure knocks one of the girls aside and grabs her friend as she begins screaming. “Jamie!” Jennifer cried out as she scrambled to her feet. A large, broad man was carrying her roommate into a dimly lit alley. The figure didn’t seem to care about her, ignoring her yells as it just walked away carrying the struggling Jamie. “Put her down you giant creep!” Jennifer ran into the alley after them. A moment later, the silvery-gray metallic tendril covered Chimera came flying back out over the sidewalk and slammed loudly into the side of a parked car. Chimera groans as she starts to pull herself out of the dented side of the car.

OOC for Here

GM A warehouse by Kissinger, Southside, Freedom City August 24th, 2020 4:30 PM With the police arriving, Archer and Shooting Star had left the fight at the school behind, heading towards Southside. Before leaving, he had called Facsimile, told him where to meet them. Archer had not been amused being carried, and had insisted on a quick stop at one of his caches around town to stock up on arrows. Just in case. Now, they were ready. Standing by a rooftop on Kissinger, Archer just waited for Facsimile to arrive before they could get started.

OOC for this. @Kaede Kimura, @Exaccus

GM The Fens, Freedom City August 24th, 2020 9:30 AM The day had started normal enough for Alice. Go to school, don't quite save the world just yet, but maybe learn a bit about how to do it eventually. Like much of the Fens, Alice's school was not a particularly nice place to spend your time. Apathetic teachers that had given up on trying to make a difference, students fighting. It was not the safe place that most of Freedom City had become. Few seemed to care about the Fens, after all. So few heroes stuck around. Alice was not one of those heroes. Since returning to the school after the summer, she had noticed something new. Drugs had always been a problem at the school, but these new drugs were different, and since those new dealers had appeared at the school, rumors of students getting into trouble had only grown, and they were suddenly showing signs of different super powers. Someone had to find out what was going on. By this point, Alice had found two dealers: Teddy Kaplan, a normally quiet and slightly twitchy type that tended to stay in the school yard, and Billy Altman, a nerd that was usually hanging out near what passed for a computer lab. She honestly didn't know either of them well, but she would have to make a choice on who to pursue.

OOC for this. @Kaede Kimura

Introduction Who are you? Sum yourself up in one sentence. Just a girl from The Fens with superpowers. Do you have any nicknames, street names, titles, or nom de plume? Not that I know of, outside of Shooting Star. Some of the crooks I’ve put down have said very colourful things but nothings stuck, y’know? What is your full birth name? Alice Armstrong Where do you live? In the Fens, with my parents. How old are you? What year were you born (if applicable)? 2004, I’m sixteen. Physical Traits What is your gender? If not applicable, please explain. I am a girl. How would you describe your heritage? Freedom City, just regular american. How tall are you? Five ten. What is your body type? Hourglass figure. Do you have any particular weaknesses, such as allergies or physical disabilities? Well I used to have a condition that caused my muscles to atrophy, but not anymore, ‘cause of my powers. Now I just need to watch how much I let my weight actually rest on the ground, and I am weak to divine powers. How do you carry yourself? Are you graceful, or heavy on your feet? Can you be stealthy, do you walk with confidence? Would it be too much to say graceful and confident? I will admit it’s a bit easier to do since I can fly, if I didn’t all I’d be able to say is that being heavy on my feet would be an understatement. Apparently I’m also real quiet when I walk for the same reason. Describe your skin, eye, and hair color. In order? White, blue and black. How do you wear your hair, if applicable? Do you have facial hair? I wear it loose, not much I can do with it at this length, and I’ve yet to meet a hair tie that lasts very long in it. I can say I don’t and hopefully never will, have facial hair. Do you consider yourself attractive? Do others? I think I’m pretty, apparently the people at school think I am too. Do you have any scars, tattoos, piercings, or birthmarks? No scars, no piercings or tattoos either although if it wasn’t for the whole secret identity deal it might have been funny to go in for one and see it fail spectacularly, but I’d probably feel bad afterwards, when all their stuff breaks. I do have a birthmark, apparently. It’s between my shoulder blades. Do you resemble anyone famous? Not that I know of. Do you have a dominant hand? Right handed. What kind of clothing do you wear? Well, mostly it’s second hand stuff stitched up to fit me a bit better. I have at least one hoodie from my brother that hasn’t been modified and I nearly disappear into it when I wear it. Do you wear makeup? Not unless there’s a reason to. I don’t bother as Shooting Star, since my mask covers up most of my face, and I don’t in my civvies since I just don’t really see the point. What is your vocal range? Is your voice distinctive in some way? I’m a contralto, which is pretty rare apparently. Do you have any distinctive habits, nervous tics, or mannerisms? Where did they come from, and what causes them? Do other people notice and remark on these habits? Do they annoy you or other people? I can’t say I do, at least that anyone’s mentioned. History Where do you come from? Freedom City, born and raised. Did you expect me to say I’m a humanoid alien from a dying planet or something? Have you made any major moves, or do you live in your hometown? Lived in the same place in the Fens my whole life. Do you feel loyal to your country of citizenship? Do you consider yourself patriotic? How do you feel about the government of your country? I’d say I’m fairly patriotic, but I’m loyal to the people before the government or anything like that. How do you feel about the place you come from? I’m proud to say I was raised in the Fens. It’s home, regardless or what anyone else thinks. Where is your home town? What was/is it like? Do you seriously need to ask where Freedom City is? Growing up, were most of the people you knew similar to you, or were you somehow a minority? How did that affect you? Not a minority, so I know I had plenty of things easier than others. Is there something you've always been really good at or really bad at? How has that affected your life? I’ve always been pretty smart, not a super genius or whatever, but smart. And of course my power is a wrench in the works but it wasn’t an always thing. Were there any traumatic experiences in your early years (death of a family member, abandonment, orphaned at an early age)? Not when I was really little no, I wouldn’t even say my condition, since it was just a fact of life. Briefly describe a defining moment in your childhood and how it influenced your life. Well, I think my power would be the big one, but the worst was finding out my brother was the Steel Shade. It wasn’t intentional, he was robbing a place, and I turned up to stop him. So we fought and I ended up catching him under the mask with a swing that was out of measure. It comes tearing off, clattering to the ground, and I see my brother with a great gash on his face from the edge of the mask. He ran and I haven’t had to go against him since but god how are you supposed to react to that? It influenced me a lot. Hell, it’s how I know where we got these powers from. What stupid things did you do when you were younger? Best one I can think of was when I was still learning my powers. I’d figured out that I was pretty hard to hurt, y’know and that I could fly in space. So I decided to see what would happen if I just… dropped from orbit. I figured I could pull out of the fall any time I wanted since I can fly. So there I am looking down from what I know now is the L1 Lagrange point between the Earth and Moon, in one of my favourite dresses, a nice blue sundress with white flowers up the left side, and some nice flats, and then I push towards Earth to start falling. Needless to say, I was moving pretty quick by the end, and lit up immediately upon hitting the atmosphere. It didn’t hurt but safe to say the dress was gone pretty much immediately, since I just hit the atmosphere at nearly ten thousand miles an hour, and I know I’ve screwed up, given it doesn’t even take half a minute to reach the ground, so I try to pull out of the fall, cause I was pretty sure I wasn’t going to survive hitting the ground. Well I did slow down, but still hit the ground really fast. So instead of just splattering myself over the ground, I find myself buried in a hole nearly a hundred feet deep, and without any clothes. Cue the spy movie music, cause getting home without being seen was a nightmare. Shame about the dress though. Where did you go to school? How much school did you have, and did you enjoy it? I still go to school, and will for a couple more years. Not sure if I’ll go to college, but I can’t say I haven’t enjoyed school, despite having to be really careful in gym class. Do you have any mementos of your childhood? What are they, and why did you keep them? If you have none, why not? I have a bunch, I live in my old childhood room, and one thing that comes with not having a huge amount of money is you don’t really throw things away. I’ll probably at least store some when I move out. When did you decide to become a hero? Why? Did anyone influence you one way or another in the decision? Well it was pretty much the second I got powers and stopped freaking out about the fact that I had them. I had always loved heroes and the idea of helping others but you can’t really do much as a hero when you can’t walk on your own. As to someone influencing me… It’s probably gonna sound cliche and corny but I have to say the Centurion. Yeah he was gone before I was even born, but I remember seeing the tributes and documentaries, and listening to my parents and grandparents just talk about him. He inspired hope even after being gone for so long and then I got powers, like his and I knew that even if I only make a pale reflection of the original superhero, I had to try. Even a reflection casts light. Is the reason you give people for becoming a hero different than your real reason? If so, why? Not really. I want to help people, and I don’t see a problem with telling people that. Do you have any deep, dark secrets in the past that may come back to haunt you? My brother is a superpowered mercenary who works with actual villains, and I know his identity but not the other way around. Also I don’t know if being powered by an artifact of the Greek Gods counts, since I don’t know which god it belonged to. I probably would keep it secret if it was like, Ares or Hades or something. Do you represent yourself as being different from who you really are? Why? As in do I secretly hate all the cats I save from trees? Not really… Wait, actually that’s not entirely true. It’s… I really enjoy fighting, I get a massive adrenaline rush, and there’s always this bit of trepidation of like ‘What if this guy is strong enough? What if he can actually hurt me?’ and it makes every fight exciting. Heart pounding. I don’t really let people know, because I think it’s more reassuring and inspiring to not think that the person between you and the mobster with the laser gun is having fun here. If you do have these secrets, what do you fear would happen if the truth became known? How far would you go to protect those secrets? Well obviously people finding out my brother’s secret ID would hurt the family, my parents would be devastated. If people knew that he was Shooting Star’s brother and it became public knowledge, people would lose faith in me, and worse he would now know my secret identity. Otherwise I don’t really know what to worry about in regards to which God I get my power from. And I can’t really say what I would do. I kinda just have to have my fingers crossed that no one finds out Aaron’s identity, and to keep the secret myself. I don’t really have to do anything to keep the secret of my power’s origin- I’m the only person who knows. Do you have any sort of criminal record? If so, is it public knowledge? No record, I’m clean. Family What are your biological parents' names? My parents are Calvin and Linda Armstrong. Were you raised by them? If not, please explain and describe who raised you. I was raised by them. What was their standing in the community? What did/do they do for a living? I mean there’s some standing, my parents are friendly with a lot of the community and most people know that they’ll help where they can. My father is the personnel manager for a Factory Worker Union, and my mother is a cleaner. Where are your parents now? They are in the same place as ever. Or do you mean like right now? Did your family stay in one area or move around a lot? We’ve stayed in the same house my entire life. How did you get along with their parents? How do you get along with them now (if applicable). I’ve always gotten along with them fine. I love them and they love me. How do your parents view you now, or how would they? Nothing’s really changed, but I think they would be proud if they knew I was a superhero. Do you have any siblings? If so, how many and what are their names? Describe your relationship with them. I have one brother, Aaron. I got along with him well, but it’s hard to stay the same knowing that he’s Steel Shade What was your birth order in the family? My brother is the eldest, followed by me. Where are your siblings now (if applicable)? Do they have families of their own? What do they do? Aaron is living on his own in the Theatre District. He works part time as a mechanic, and does the whole Steel Shade thing. Do you stay in touch with them or have you become estranged? He lives nearby so he visits often, which can be awkward sometimes given… you know. Do you love or hate one member of the family in particular? I don’t hate any of my family. Do I dislike that Aaron is Steel Shade? Yes. Do I hate him for it? Of course not. He’s still my brother. Is any member of the family special to you in any way (perhaps, as a confidant, mentor, or arch-rival)? My whole family is special to me, none more than any others. Are there any black (or white) sheep in the family (including you)? If so, please explain. Aaron probably would be if people knew, but it’s a secret identity for a reason. Do you have a notorious or celebrated ancestor? If so, please explain, including how it has affected your life. Not that I know of. Do you have a partner and children currently? If so, please describe them. No partner, and I am a bit young to have kids, don't you think? If you do not have a partner or children, do you want them someday? How firm are you in your opinion on this, and what might change your mind? I do want at least a partner, and maybe kids, but it’s… complicated. There’s no way I could be with someone long term and keep the fact that I’m Shooting Star from them, which is a lot. There’s also a slight issue, in that my powers make me incredibly dense. I hardly want to accidentally crush whoever I get with. What type of person would be your ideal mate? Well… It needs to be someone really trustworthy, even more than normal. Otherwise just the normal stuff, you know? Someone kind, funny. Stuff like that. Relationships Do you have any close friends? If so, please describe them, and how you came to be close to them. I have some friends at school, but there’s a bit of disconnect given that I spend a while as Shooting Star, so I don’t get super close. Do you have a best friend? If so, how did they become your best friend? How close are you to your best friend? No best friend really, it’s hard to get that close when you have a second life. If you were to go missing, who would worry about you? Well my family of course, and my classmates and teachers would probably worry. Have you lost any loves? If so, how did it happen, and what did you do? No young loves cut tragically short, sorry to disappoint. Do you have any bitter enemies? If so, please describe them and their history with you. Nothing like that either. Mostly I’ve just stopped things like burglaries and stick ups. If you have enemies, how do you think they might attempt to work against you in the future? Well I don’t have any enemies so…? What is the worst thing someone has done to you? I’ve been shot at a lot. Worst in that line was a little bit ago where a gangster shot a rocket launcher at another hero, which I stopped. That could’ve hurt. Where do your loyalties lie? In what order? The people, my family, the country. In that order. Who or what do you trust the most? Why? Hmm, that’s a good question. Probably my parents, purely by process of elimination. Who or what do you despise? Why? I don’t really despise anyone, in terms of what there is a lot of evil to draw hate, but talking about what I hate about villains and monsters isn’t exactly a short list. What qualities do you admire most in other people? Are these qualities you possess? I admire people who inspire the people around them to be better. Heroes are more than people in tights, they give the people they help hope and courage. I hope to live up to this ideal one day. What qualities do you hate most in other people? Do you have any of those qualities? The willingness to hurt others for selfish goals and crush others down to get what you want. I don’t believe I have these traits and hope I never do. Do you have a secret identity? If so, who knows it? Do you hide it from people who are close to you? Why? I have a secret identity, I’m Alice as a civilian and Shooting Star as a hero. No one other than me knows it, and I do hide it from those close to me, because I don’t want the risks to them or to my identity. Do you work well on teams and in groups? Are you a leader or a follower? I can’t really say. I’ve only worked with other heroes once, and it wasn’t really a team, more like three people who happened to be in the same place who did some good. I also can’t really tell you based on sports given that until I was twelve I couldn’t play, and after I got my powers I was always more focused on not accidentally killing someone. Are you on a super team? If so, how do you get along with your comrades? Do you trust them, or do you have secrets from them? No super team sorry. Are you a member of any church, fraternal organization, club, committee, political party, or other group? How much time do you spend on that? Well that’s a tough one. My family is Christian although not super big about it, I think it’s more about the community than the faith, and then I found out that my powers came from the actual Greek Gods, which kinda threw me for a loop, and left me with so many questions. Like, is it just the Greek Gods, or are there other ones? If there are other ones, is it allowed for someone powered by one set of gods to pray to different ones? Even if I do decide to worship the Greek Gods, does it matter, since with proof like my powers there isn’t really room for faith. So, uh… Good question. Personality & Beliefs Who are your heroes? The Centurion and Freedom League are pretty big ones. I’m kinda a hero nerd. Outside of, well, hero heroes I’d have to say my parents. They always worked so hard to make sure my brother and I would be okay. Did you ever become disillusioned with former heroes or idols? If so, why and what were the circumstances? Well, I used to look up to my brother. I mean he was always so strong, did an apprenticeship as both a mechanic and an electrician and was talking about going to college, and funding it himself. It was a really big deal, and then I found out how he was getting the money. Do you like being a hero? If so, what is the most rewarding part? If not, what makes you keep doing it? I love being a hero. Going out to help people is great, and I have to admit the adrenaline rush from facing down a gunman or falling from orbit is just great. Is there anything that would make you give up hero work, or even switch sides? Anything that would make me give up hero work… I guess if I thought that I was doing more harm than good, otherwise not really. And you can bet your ass I’d never go to the other side. What are your short term goals (what would you like to be doing within a year)? Well obviously there’s the whole ‘passing school with good grades’ thing, but other than that I’d say still doing hero work. What are your long term goals (what would you like to be doing twenty years from now)? Well hopefully I’d have found someone by then, and I’d like to go to college and be working with that maybe, but only if it didn’t interfere with hero work. What is your greatest fear? Why? What do you do when something triggers this fear? My greatest fear… I’d have to say helplessness. Being unable to do anything. I had enough of that growing up. If I’m feeling helpless I dig in and try to fight my way through it. Is there anything you would give you life for? There are lots of things that would be worth my life. That came out wrong. I’m not saying that I don’t value my life, but I don’t hold it above anyone else’s. Everyone is worth saving, and if that costs me my life, so be it. How do you feel about money and material wealth? Do you desire it or disdain it? Are you miserly with what you have, or do you like to share? Is it mark of success, or a means to an end? Money is money. I am definitely frugal though, a habit picked up from my parents, but if I can help people with it I’d definitely share it. Definitely a means to an end, not the end itself. How do you generally treat others? I try to be kind and helpful. Do unto others, you know? Are you a trusting person? Has your trust ever been abused? I’d say I’m no more or less trusting than anyone else. My trust hasn't ever been abused, although it was broken when I found out my brother was a super mercenary villain. Are you introverted (shy and withdrawn) or extroverted (outgoing)? Do you have a lot of self-confidence? Fairly extroverted I guess, I generally think I have a fair amount of self-confidence. How do you act around attractive, available members of your preferred sex? Uh well. I don’t really… I mean there were some guys at school who wanted to get with me and were pretty good looking, but it was only because of how I looked, not anything else, so I wasn’t interested. After turning them down a couple times people kinda stopped asking as much. What are your most annoying habits? This was already a question, but as far as I know I don’t have any habits like that. Do you feel contempt for any general category of people? Who are they, and why? Well, villains and criminals I suppose, for the obvious reasons, they’re willing to hurt others to help themselves. What is your favorite food? Do you prefer any particular type of food? Do you take the time to enjoy your food, or do you eat as fast as you can? Uh well… Don’t laugh? I uh, my favourite food is Ambrosia. I always savour ambrosia, but otherwise eat pretty fast. What is your favorite drink (alcoholic or otherwise)? I’m a bit young for alcohol, but I have tried wine and quite liked it. Otherwise I like hot chocolate. What is your favorite treat (dessert)? Well I did just say ambrosia. Are there any specific foodstuffs that you find disgusting or refuse to eat? Oysters are awful. I’d rather starve. What is your favorite color? Are there any colors you dislike? I quite like blue, although the reds and stuff from reentry are quite pretty. What sort of music do you like? Is there any that you hate? I quite like older music, like Hooked on a Feeling, Star Man and Under Pressure. If you have a favorite scent, what is it? Hmm, well I really like the smell of honey and liquorice. Separately. Do you have a favorite animal? I like eagles and other birds of prey. What is your most treasured possession? Why? My most treasured possession would probably be my breastplate. It’s… It means a lot. I’d saved a metalworker’s daughter from a driveby, and he made it for me. He repairs it for me too, given that the only piece of my costume that gets damaged as much is my cape. Do you enjoy "roughing it", or do you prefer your creature comforts? I enjoy my creature comforts, but roughing it is quite satisfying. It helps I suppose that I’m not bothered about the elements and smaller things like mosquitos don’t really affect me. I know at one point I was going to go to a friends house, but that fell through and instead of telling my parents I just slept in orbit. It was actually pretty nice. Is there a job or a task you would absolutely refuse to do? Well, villainy obviously, but otherwise, absolutely refusing to do something is a pretty strong reaction. Do you consider yourself a spiritual person? If so, how do your beliefs affect your life? How important is it to you? I think this was kinda already asked, or at least I already explained it. It’s a bit confusing. Was your faith influenced or molded by anyone special? Well my parents, obviously. Other than that, not really. If you belong to a religious organization, how often do you attend? Do you have a specific place of worship, or friends within the organization? How much do you agree with the beliefs of your organization? I go with my parents to church when I have time. Could you kill? Have you killed? I have not and could not kill. What circumstances led to you forming that conviction, or taking that action? I’m not a murderer, and am not willing to become one. Are there circumstances under which you believe it is permissible to kill? What are they? There are not. Murder is murder. You stop the bad guy and then arrest them. How would you react to watching someone kill another person? Would your reaction be different if the killer was a friend or an enemy of yours? I would try to take them in. It is illegal, friend or not. How would you react if something important was stolen from you? If it was from Alice then I would go to the police of course, if it was from Shooting Star I would try to get it back myself. How would you react to public humiliation? Probably just deal with it and move on, maybe try to save some face. How would you react if a good friend or relative were purposely or accidentally killed? Has it happened to you? I would try to bring the killer to justice. If it was an accident then that would make it a bit different, but if they ran then it is still a crime. What do you consider to be the worst crime someone could commit and why? There are a few. Kidnapping, murder, torture. They all deeply hurt people, both the victim and those close to them. If your life were to end in 24 hours, what five things would you do in those remaining hours? Five things… I’d probably tell my parents about my identity and that I was dying, go talk to Aaron about his being Steel Shade and well, the previously mentioned. Maybe visit some of the other planets. I’d probably spend the rest of my time with my family. Not like I could really do much hero work with just twenty four hours. Career & Training Do you have any special training in your hero skills? If so, where and how did you get it? Ha! I wish. Self taught. Who taught you the most about your heroing abilities? What was your relationship with that person? No one really taught me anything. Do you have any particularly unusual skills? How did you acquire them? I’m pretty good at physics and I’ve picked up some stuff from my work as a hero. Do you do something besides hero work for a living? Have you ever done anything else, or do you plan to? Nothing for a living, I live with my parents and they don’t want me to have to work when I could be focusing on school. What is your preferred combat style? I punch things. Have you ever received any awards or honours? I mean, plenty of people have thanked me, but nothing official. What skill areas would you like most to improve in? Is there anything you can't do that you wish desperately you could? Well, I could use more practice actually hitting people, and a bit better street knowledge. How do you act around people who are more skilled than you in areas you'd like to improve? Are you jealous, or do you try and learn? I’d probably be pretty jealous to be honest, but I would try to learn. Lifestyle & Hobbies What is a normal day for you? How do you feel when something interrupts this routine? I get up, get ready to head out, go to school, mostly do my homework at school, head home, finish any homework, then probably go out to the ‘library’, which is actually going out to be Shooting Star. Do you have any hobbies, or interests outside hero work? What are they, and where did you pick them up? Well I do enjoy physics, although I’m sure part of that is being able to experience those physics for myself. I also like the normal things, you know, gaming, wasting countless hours on forums and stuff like that. What do you do for fun? That is the same as hobbies, although I suppose you could also add superheroing to the list. Do you have a costume? What does it look like? It’s a white bodysuit with sky blue gloves and boots, a white cape with blue on the inside and a bronze chestplate. How do you normally dress when not in costume? I wear hand-me-downs from my brother and some friends of the family, generally altered to fit me. What do you wear to bed most nights? A singlet and underwear, I don’t really need to wear anything heavier since I don’t have a problem with heat or cold. Do you wear any special jewelry? What is it, and what does it look like? Nope, although I know my mother has some old jewelry that might end up being mine one day. Do you have a special place where you keep your valuables? My room. Although I must admit I’ve considered starting to store things on the moon or something. What's your preferred means of local travel? How about long distance? Well, when I can’t get away with flying somewhere it’s either bussing or in my parents’ car. Long distance is always flying, since that’s the only time I travel. Miscellaneous Have you ever made a will, or tried to make arrangements for your death? What provisions did you make? I have a will, although right now it’s not particularly important. I have also been trying to set things up so that if I die my parents can find out. If your features were to be destroyed beyond recognition, is there any other way of identifying your body? Well obviously there’s DNA and dental records, but the other way would probably be the birthmark I mentioned between my shoulder blades. What would you like to be remembered for after your death? For being a hero and inspiring hope. Do you believe you pose a threat to the public? Why or why not? No, because I wouldn’t do anything to make myself one. Someone else with my powers could be, but I myself am not. What do you perceive as your greatest strength? Hmm, should I say my ability to deadlift an APC or my dazzling good looks. Seriously though? The ideals I aspire to. What do you perceive as your greatest weakness? I know I can be a little reckless… Okay, a lot reckless and that it might get me into trouble at some point. As a player, if you could, what advice would you give your character? Speak as if he/she were sitting right here in front of you. Use proper tone so they might heed your advice... You need to talk to your brother about him being Steel Shade, it will only lead to more issues down the road if you sit on this. He's still your family and the only way to go forward is by talking with him.

Content Warning: Police violence. The Fens 82nd and Baltimore Friday April 10th, 9:30 PM There wasn't much cause for celebration for the residents of the Fens most days, The rayguns making it in as even an underdog to the championships would just about do it. After the surprise upset even in the fens the residents took to the streets to celebrate. The FCPD worried the celebration might turn violent had withdrawn prepared to cordon off the whole district if it tipped into rioting. Barricades had been placed just off the street at the few throughways from the Fens into the theatre district or parkside. The residents of the Evers Manor complex had spilled out into the streets in the shadow of the Wallace Expressway. The mood was light and easy music pumping from the sound system of a local enthusiasts amp van laid a thumping beat for the crowd to groove too as they milled about cheering on the home team. If they were aware of the barricades being prepared a couple blocks over where Baltimore crossed the expressway into Greenbank they weren't bothered. It looked for the moment in this corner of hte Fens at least the celebration might pass without more than public intoxication and some noise violations, the kind of thing easily ignored by the police in light of the alternatives.

Shooting Star Power Level: 11 (174/186PP) built as PL10 Unspent Power Points: 12 Trade-Offs: -5 Attack / +5 Damage -5 Defense / +5 Toughness In Brief: Once crippled girl gains superpowers fixing her body, which she uses to help those around her. Alternate Identity: Alice Armstrong (Secret) Birthplace: Freedom City Residence: The Fens, Freedom City Occupation: Student Affiliations: None Family: Calvin Armstrong (Father), Linda Armstrong (Mother), Aaron Armstrong (Brother) Description: Age: DOB: 20 August 2004 Gender: Female Ethnicity: Caucasian Height: 6'1" Weight: 28,665 lbs (191.1 sans Density) 109.3lbs if Muscle Atrophied Eyes: Blue Hair: Black Alice is tall and well developed, with a well toned muscles and a curvy hourglass figure. Her hair reaches to between her shoulder blades. It looks light and bouncy, but anyone who touches it finds that it is heavier than it appears, although still soft. She has full lips and a slightly concave button nose. She has high cheekbones and large expressive blue eyes that seem to invite people around her to be comfortable. As a civilian Alice wears dull, often very loose clothes, many are hand-me-downs from her brother that have been modified to fit her figure better, although they still hang loose off of her. As Shooting Star she wears a white body-glove with sky blue boots and gloves, her cape is similarly white, with a blue trim around the edges. She wears a bronze breastplate over her torso, although she doesn't need the armour. To conceal her identity she wears a cowl that lets her hair out but covers her eyes and nose. Unlike most heroes her suit is not made of any advanced materials, and mostly she relies on her own invulnerability and it's form fitting nature to resist damage as bullets and blades normally don't penetrate her skin, so the costume does not tear, but the suit and especially the cape does often end up dirtied or torn, and there are often holes, tears and dents in her breastplate. Some example images: https://imgur.com/a/CbF4Jhi *There are notes as to inaccuracy regarding clothing History Alice grew up in the Fens suffering from a condition that caused her muscles to atrophy, straining her parents already tight funds further. She spent the majority of her childhood tied to a wheelchair, only able to walk with help from others. Her parents both worked full time to make ends meet, while she and her older brother went to school. Even when very young she was very intelligent for her age, excelling in all her subjects while her brother, four years older than her excelled in the physical areas where she could not. Then on her twelfth birthday she woke up to a nest of splinters as her bed shattered beneath her. On reflex she tried to escape the collapsing bed, and found herself flying. Quickly she calmed down, lowering herself to the floor, and finding that her once atrophied muscles were now developed and toned. Her parents and brother burst into the room having heard the noise to find their daughter standing next to a bed that looked like a freight train had been dropped on it while staring at a body that was no longer scrawny and weak. Quickly she decided to become a superhero, as she had enormous strength, was incredibly tough and could fly incredibly fast, even capable of flying outside the atmosphere, and surviving up there, although she did ruin one of her favourite outfits discovering that she could survive reentry. Soon she became the hero Shooting Star, and fought to protect people. When she was fourteen, she fought a local super who was hiring themselves out to anyone willing to pay, including super villains, as hired muscle, only to find out that it was her brother. He didn't find out her identity, but she was shaken, knowing that he was out there doing mercenary work for villains. Her and her brother both developing powers for no reason intrigued her and she investigated, finding that beneath their house was a now inert divine artefact of the Greek Goddess Astraea that had been leaking power into the house since before her or her brother's conception, causing a mutation in both her and her brother. As a result they are both more susceptible to divine powers as now that they have been affected so strongly by the divine, it is easier to do again. Still she goes out almost every day outside school to fight crime, although so far she has avoided another confrontation with her brother. Personality & Motivation: Alice believes in doing good for goodness' sake. People need helping and she has the ability to do so, so she does so, but she would be lying if she said that that was the only reason. She enjoys the thrill of using her powers, pushing herself to the limits, the rush of dropping from orbit as flames curl around her. The adrenaline as she throws down with a villain, she laughs as villains try to pummel her to no avail, and grins when they can hurt her, savouring the chance to flex her muscles against a worthy opponent. Alice's love of both conflict and peace seem an oxymoron, but she enjoys a life without limits, she can fly to the Moon or Mars, or even further on a whim, and she takes full advantage of this fact. She has freedom and power and sees no point restricting herself as Shooting Star, living a life she would call 'sublime', with peaks and valleys taller and deeper than those of others, she allows herself to be more joyous and more melancholy, greater anger and humour, but she knows that to live like that all the time is not something she can do, so she treasures her time as Alice, living a poor but happy life, and occasionally taking breaks, floating in orbit and just looking down at the Earth or out at the stars, taking time to relax and emotionally recharge. Power & Tactics: Alice enjoys a straight fight, using her paragon power set to overpower her foes, relishing the challenge of a powerful foe. That is not to say Alice is simple however, while she enjoys her fights she also wants to protect people and stop the villains. If she finds that brute strength in a slug match won't win the day she will change up her tactics, fighting smarter if she has to, although her tendency to pick straight fights can get her in a lot of trouble. Her powers are her enormous density and strength, an incredibly high flight speed and the ability to fly and survive in space. She can fly at FTL speeds outside atmosphere, but has never tested to see her upper limits. Her mutation has left her vulnerable to divine powers, as the circumstances that caused her Power Descriptions: Her powers are simple, she is denser than osmium and incredibly tough and strong due to this fact, capable of propelling herself through both atmosphere and void and immune to the dangers involved. Complications: If people broke into my house and started searching for money, I'd start looking with them. Alice's parents struggle to make ends meet, both working full time to barely cover all of the bills and groceries. Alice may find herself in a position where her lack of funds disadvantages her. Oops, was that me? Alice's density and speed are both capable of causing large amounts of damage to public property or people. Alice's power can cause problems for her such as getting trapped due to her density or causing damage by flying too low and too fast. Where do you think you're going, Miss Armstrong? Alice goes to a public school, not Claremont, as such she cannot slip away to be a superhero at will. Alice's superhero duties get in the way of school, causing her trouble with the staff. Blood runs thicker. Alice's brother works as a super powered mercenary working for the highest bidder, often supervillains. She does not know why he went down this path or how far he has gone. She is conflicted about this situation because she does not want to fight her brother, whilst wanting to stop him from pursuing his current path and wanting to keep him out of jail while also wanting to preserve her own identity. Due to the complex feelings and difficult decisions regarding her brother, Alice is not sure how to handle a situation which involves her brother, and may worsen the situation by either hesitating too long or acting too quickly. Can I have some help please? If something causes Alice's density power to stop her muscles will revert to their previously atrophied state. She cannot move without assistance like that and cannot fight at all. If something interrupts Alice's Density power she cannot take any strenuous action. If she cannot fly she will not be able to move under her own power, needing either assistance or a wheelchair. Fickle and Temperamental Alice's powers are derived from an artefact of the Greek Gods, and when they find out about it they will likely act on the information in some manner. When the Greek Gods learn of the nature of Alice's power they may choose to act upon the information however they choose, claiming her as a champion, attempted murder or anything in between. This can easily complicate her life. ABILITIES: -10 + 4 + 10 + 8 + -2 + 10 = 20PP Strength: 40/0 (+15/-5) (Super Strength 6, Carrying Capacity: 200 tons) Dexterity: 14 (+2) Constitution: 20 (+5) Intelligence: 18 (+4) Wisdom: 8 (-1) Charisma: 20 (+5) COMBAT: 6 + 4 = 10PP Initiative: +2 Attack: +5 Melee (+3 Base, +2 Melee Attack Focus), +2 Ranged (+2 Base) Defense: +5 (+2 Base, +3 Dodge Focus), +1 Flat-Footed Grapple: +26 (+5 Melee, +15 Strength, +6 Super-Strength) Knockback: -18 SAVING THROWS: 3 + 6 + 5 = 14PP Toughness: +15 (+5 Con, +10 Density), 10 Impervious Fortitude: +8 (+5 Con, +3 Base) Reflex: +8 (+2 Dex, +6 Base) Will: +4 (-1 Wis, +5 Base) SKILLS: 32R = 8PP Bluff 5 (+10) Diplomacy 5 (+10) Gather Information 5 (+10) Knowledge (Physical Sciences) 6 (+10) Notice 6 (+5) Sense Motive 5 (+4) FEATS: 9PP All-Out Attack Attack Focus [Melee] 2 Dodge Focus 3 Interpose Luck 2 POWERS: 68 + 37 + 4 + 9 = 118PP Density 20 (Hyperdense Body; Extras: Duration (Continuous), Unstoppable 6 (Applies to Immovable), Flaws: Permanent, Feats: Subtle 2) [68PP] (Divine, Mutation) Density Sub-Powers: Enhanced Strength 40 Immovable 6 Impervious Protection 10 Super-Strength 6 (+30, effective STR 70; Carrying Capacity: 200 tons) Flight 12 (50,000mph; Extras: Duration [Continuous]; Feats: Subtle) [37PP] (Divine, Mutation, Gravity) Super Movement 2 (Space Travel 2) [4PP] (Divine, Mutation, Gravity) Immunity 9 (Life Support) [9PP] (Divine, Mutation) DRAWBACKS: -5PP Vulnerability (Divine; Frequency: Very Common; Intensity: Major [+100% Effect Rank]) [-5PP] DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC30 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) TOTALS: Abilities (20) + Combat (10) + Saving Throws (14) + Skills (8) + Feats (9) + Powers (118) - Drawbacks (-5) = 174/186 Power Points