Search the Community

Lantern Hill, the Morgan House Corner of Newton & Salem Noon, August 31st, 2019 Weather: Partly Cloudy, 80 °F, Wind ENE 8 mph The historic Morgan House stands out from the normal colonial and victorian era architecture prevalent in the Lantern Hill district as a testament to the American Craftsman style. On June 30th, 1908 the original colonial structure was blown apart by an explosion and the Morgan Family ultimately chose to build a new house rather than try to replicate the old property. The cause of the explosion still to this day has never been fully explained, with the current owner Thomas Morgan saying that his grandfather told his father it was 'probably something he was working on in the basement'. The Morgan family has always been known as innovators of some stripe with the majority of their wealth coming from a variety of small patents and shrewd investments. Still, being one of the old families of Freedom City has caused no amounts of rumors to exist about both the house and the family that resides in it. While the Morgan House is on the national historic location list, it is still a private property and entry is only allowed for friends of the family or approved guests. However, the current owner occasionally hold exclusive philanthropic parties at the location and has recently worked with the Freedom City Historical Society to make a personally narrated virtual walkthrough of the house available at the Clark House. Today however, the fact of the gate to the property swinging open to admit a pair of teenagers on a scooter would have caused some on the historical society to weep bitter tears of jealousy as they putted quietly onto the property and parked near the detached garage.

OOC thread for this thread. Vox and Sun Dragon(and Dio) help clean up some dirt underneath Claremont Academy. @Dariusprime

November 9th, 2019, 5.22AM The tunnels below Claremont Academy A pair of mops and buckets filled with foaming water fell with a crash in front of Nicholas and Leroy. "Awright, cadets!" Basil Falks, scrawny and short as he was under a two-sizes-too-big set of overalls and a baseball cap that had once been blue, maybe back in 1970, still had an air of utter command as he leveled the two boys with his gimlet brown-eyed stare. "These are the evacuation and concealed movement tunnels! It's been my privilege to work in them for over a decade, but I'm getting too old to do it all by myself! That's why I picked you pups! Nick," he pointed a bony finger at the speechless spectrum-sensitive, "I know you can keep a secret, and you have a janitor's dedication and poise under all that shrinking violet business. Leroy," he pointed that same finger at the elegant otherworld prince, "you can carry things okay and I know Nick will keep you out of trouble. I don't have to repeat myself, but you will not speak of what you see down here on penalty of...on penalty of whatever it is I come up with later." "Now we're starting off with a very simple job: the exit passages out of grounds aren't much-used and need a little polishing up. I won't have some kid slipping on some patch of grease and getting eaten by zombies, no sir." He looked at one of the walls, tracing his fingers over the polished titanium, whispering "Never again..." He quirked his head like a bird at the two boys "Anyway, that's the long and short of it. Go right-left-left-left-back and you'll find the spot. Give a holler if anything's started living down there. Yes Nick, you can holler too, won't hurt my feelings to have repair work to do if it saves you kids a funeral. Now git!" With that, Basil turned on a dime and sped off down the hallways, the splendid lighting letting the duo watch him turn suddenly into a door that had definitely not been there when he started walking. Then they were alone. Picking up a bucket and mop, Leroy smiled at Nick. Even in the plainest clothes he had, a brown sideless tunic and heeled platform sandals, with his curly hair up in a bun, the clan-scarred and dragon-tattooed teenager cut an expensive figure. "So, good Nick, how wonderful to see you out of paracausal physics! Have you drunk deep of life? I will take the buckets, let us say, and you the mops?"

October 12, 2019 Earth-B-Vacant-19 As they stepped through the portal into the other dimension, the first thing Daystar noticed was that it was quiet - with only the familiar background hum of her radio bracelets sounding in her ears, and the distant whisper of the radio transmitter in the nearby basecamp. The second thing was how everything looked. A lifetime in Oklahoma, then DC, had not prepared her for the fall splendor of Earth-Vacant-B ("not quite Sanctuary but with a lot more nature!"), a world frequently visited by Claremont students looking for their first taste of extra-dimensional adventure. This was a world where humans had never been evolved, one where whales filled the oceans, animals the vast forests of North America, and birds the skies. Fall here was chillier than back home, she supposed, though it wasn't really an issue for her - she slipped her hands in the pockets of her light windbreaker as she looked up at the vast forest of gold and red. "Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this," she quoted under her breath, smiling in awe as she looked all around. For her part, Watchdog wasn't nearly so blown away by all the scenery - maybe because she'd been here ten years ago and had gotten crapped on by a whole lot of birds. "Let's keep moving," she murmured from inside her mask as they headed out into the center of the small encampment, where Mr. Jorgensen was waiting for them. Jorgensen was the school's new biology teacher, a smiling, easy-going guy who students sometimes took too much advantage of. He wore a plaid flannel shirt and jeans to greet the students as they stepped through the gateway, his thick beard adding to the impression of "hipster outdoorsman." "Hello everyone!" he called with a wave. "Keep moving and drop your stuff in the designated areas." This wasn't quite the rugged outdoor life of survival training; Claremont's small basecamp had places for tents, firepits dug, and even a generator and radio transmitter installed by previous generations of students. They'd been careful, though - outside of the small encampment here by the edge of the South River, there was little sign any humans had ever been here. And indeed, hardly any had...

Vox 20 Questions September-October 2019 Vignette

Claremont Academy 10:30 am, August 28th, 2019 Weather: Sunny, 77 F, Wind E 15-20 mph The visitor's parking lot was packed. A sea of people bustled amidst vehicles and toward open, shining gates. Belongings, often with grunts of effort, were loaded onto carts. Laughter echoed from caravans trickling through the main entrance and the Quad. Hand-drawn signs pointed the way, each adorned with student messages. In time, the shadows of the twin dormitories provided respite to travelers. Staff and peer counselors dotted the trail, assisting overwhelmed students on their journey. Vice-Principal Dugan was the first new face to arrivals. Her table near the gates kicked off the journey. Mr. Marquez wheeled the circuit and kept visitors on course. Mr Kuzkin and Ms. Harcourt paced about the Kord and Carter dorms, respectively. Their task, to organize the move-in, appeared to have some success. At the very least, weary travelers could partake of cold refreshments and treats outside the main doors. While outside was organized chaos, the dorm halls were like herding cats. A din permeated the air. Dozens of students, parents, and guardians wandered in search of rooms. Boxes and bags transformed the hallways into obstacle courses. The excitement of new memories and old friends contrasted with worried hugs and goodbyes. If nothing else, the dorms were places of beginnings and endings. What are you doing this beautiful day? Moving into the dorm? Helping new students?

Vox Power Level: 7 (105/118PP) Unspent Power Points: 13 Trade-Offs: -2 Attack / +2 Damage, +2 Defense / -2 Toughness In Brief: Amateur astronomer hears the voice of the universe and unleashes latent sonic abilities! Catchphrase: Words have Power. Alternate Identity: Nicholas Brown (secret) Birthplace: Ames, Iowa Residence: Nevada, Iowa (hometown); Freedom City, New Jersey (school) Base of Operations: Claremont Academy Occupation: Student Affiliations: Claremont Academy, Unnamed Team, Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers Family: Marie and Johnathan Brown (Parents), Otis Brown (Great uncle), Judith and Buzz Oliver (grandparents), Orville and Jane Brown (grandparents, deceased), Various and sundry extended family members Description: Age: July 7th, 2003 Gender: Male Ethnicity: Caucasian Height: 5’3” Weight: 118 lbs Eyes: Brown Hair: Dark brown Nicholas is a small, young man with short-cropped hair and fearful eyes. He’s not scrawny. Under his band t-shirts and jeans is a teenager that helped his uncle on the farm. Years of sun have given him a medium complexion, but his northern European heritage is still apparent. His long face is lined with worry, and makes him look older. On better days, he observes everything with interest. On bad days, he just keeps his head down. Vox’s costume is a long-sleeved shirt and pants affair with a loose jacket. The base color is a light gray with darker gray accents and spaced lines. When moving, the contrasts look like rippling sound waves. His mask is a head cover, sleek helmet, and mirrored goggles. He tried a mouth guard, but that lasted one use of his powers. Matching gloves and boots complete the look. The outfit is just “normal” enough that in a pinch he could blend into a crowd or dark alleyway. Nonetheless, it is still constructed of morphic molecules. History: On June 19th, 2019, at 9:46 pm Central Time, a blast was detected 9 miles northeast of Ames, Iowa. The shock wave flattened trees and buildings in a 2 mile radius and shattered windows up to 5 miles away. The radial pattern of fallen trees aided first responders in locating the origin point. Near a small creek surrounded by farmland, Nicholas Brown, 15, was pulled unharmed from the wreckage of his campsite. Suspicion immediately full on the survivor. Investigators recovered unusual components at his parents’ home and his great uncle’s barn near the site. Nicholas remained catatonic for days, and upon recovery, appeared to suffer from a form of aphasia. Physically healthy, he seemed afraid to speak. Law enforcement soon closed on him. Thankfully for Nicholas, a team of specialists arrived to assist the growing investigation. An agent by the name of Philip Burton interviewed the young man. Within 36 hours, the cause of the event was determined. A secondary fire along the creek had obscured an illegal dump containing a volatile mix of chemicals. On July 1st, Nick was offered a full scholarship to the prestigious Claremont Academy in Freedom City, New Jersey. Philip Burton, aka Lamar “Sonic” Phillips, extended the invitation. What followed was a summer-long whirlwind of testing, training, and long-distance moving. Since the incident, more details have emerged. Research suggested Nick was the first active member of a line of minor psions. Their powers consisted of sensitivity to certain auditory and electromagnetic frequencies. This pattern explained the erratic migration of the family and their refusal to adopt new technologies. Many members sought out areas with limited electromagnetic and noise pollution. For example, Nick’s family settled in rural Iowa in the ‘20s. The explosion was the first manifestation of his potential. He had set up his radio telescope according to precise instructions. Where did he receive this information? From Morse code signals chiming in his ears at night. Why would he use this information? A mix of confusion, curiosity, and the thought that he was losing his mind. The real horror, however, arrived at precisely 9:45 pm. A clear signal repeated a message in triplicate. Somehow he directly sensed and understood its meaning. We hear you. Personality & Motivation: Nick is a highly intelligent and genuinely sweet young man. He is introverted by nature with bullying-induced shyness on top. Despite his social awkwardness, he can be quite charming and a skilled organizer when given the opportunity. His read of others is better than people give him credit. Mostly though he’d rather be tinkering on some project or another. People exhaust him and largely can’t be trusted. The trauma of gaining powers has added anxiety to his problems. Nick’s long-term plans are on hold. Right now his motivation revolves completely around controlling his powers. The crash course over the summer of 2019 has helped, but he is ill-at-ease being what he considers a weapon of mass destruction. That the school wants to put him in a noisy, electromagnetically rich environment is, to him, very foolish. Part of him resents being beholden to the heroes running the school. Another part of him is grateful for the many opportunities. This conflict has left him more than a little adrift and unable to focus. Powers & Tactics: Nick’s powers are very bare bones and blunt at the moment. A lot of effort has gone into training himself not to speak. Even the slightest whisper can rattle cause tremors and break delicate objects. Speaking at normal volumes unleashes the equivalent of a bomb. A muzzle mutes him when sleeping or when he otherwise feels uncomfortable. Control aside, Nick is fairly capable with his basic array. The default power, Cascade, can quickly bludgeon groups of foes. Shear releases a directional wave with similar, albeit more precise, results. His favorite accomplishment is Resonance, a directional cone that disrupts targets’ physiology without lasting injury. At the moment, his defense is largely based on training and lots of bruises. Typically, he will evade attacks, close on one or more targets, and unleash one of his effects when they are in range. His training suggests he should be able to develop finer control and more powers over time. The techniques of other sonic (especially Sonic!) heroes have inspired him. Even if he is a bit too bitter to admit it right now. Power Descriptions: The Vox Universum array appears as visible distortions in the air: layers of sound waves rippling from him. Transverse waves imparted into material follow a similar pattern. Although the results tend to pulverize many materials. The exception is Resonance, which appears as a fuzzy, heat-like shimmer as unpleasant to see as feel. All uses are accompanied by a booming amplification of the words he speaks. The specific words aren’t important (yet!). Volume, duration, and inflection seem to be the drivers. All of his powers are psionic in nature. A current hypothesis is that his sensitivity has induced an ability to interpret universal principles as sonic effects. They originate from his mind. The more he listens to radio frequencies and sounds, particularly interstellar signals, the more he seems to understand them, and at an analytical level. Sources as esoteric as Words of Creation, echoes of the big bang, and murmurs of chthonic entities have all been considered. Obviously, these effects have the sonic descriptor. Complications: Bad Company (Reputation): Where he grew up, he is now considered a public menace. Enemy Mine: Nick doesn’t know it yet, but interested parties have noticed him. Among them is the ever curious Maestro. Goes to 11 (Accident): Nick’s powers default to Cascade. Even the slightest whisper can rattle foundations and shatter objects around him. In combat, his powers have a tendency to cause collateral damage. Let It All Out (Phobia): As much neurosis as training, Nick holds himself back out of fear. This can cause him to hesitate or freeze up at the worst times. Never Going Home: Developing powers has put a strain on his relationship with his family. Being far from home and homesick doesn’t help. Secret Agent Man: Having a secret identity sucks. Werewolves of London: Ames was the biggest town he knew. “Fish out of water” does not describe how overwhelmed he is by the big city. Abilities: 2 + 4 + 4 + 6 + 4 + 2 = 22PP Strength: 12 (+1) Dexterity: 14 (+2) Constitution: 14 (+2) Intelligence: 16 (+3) Wisdom: 14 (+2) Charisma: 12 (+1) Combat: 6 + 16 = 22PP Initiative: +6 Attack: +5 Melee (+2 Attack Focus), +3 Ranged, +3 Base Defense: +9 (+8 Base, +1 Dodge Focus), +4 Flat-Footed Grapple: +6 (+5 Melee, +1 Str) Knockback: -2 Saving Throws: 3 + 4 + 3 = 10PP Toughness: +5 (+2 Con, +3 Defensive Roll) Fortitude: +5 (+2 Con, +3) Reflex: +6 (+2 Dex, +4) Will: +5 (+2 Wis, +3) Skills: 48/48R = 12PP Climb 2 (+3) Concentration 4 (+6) Computers 4 (+7) Craft (Electronics) 4 (+7) Craft (Mechanical) 4 (+7) Diplomacy 2 (+3) Knowledge (Physical Sciences) 3 (+6) Knowledge (Technology) 3 (+6) Language 1 (English [Base], American Sign Language) Notice 5 (+7) Perform (Stringed Instruments) 4 (+5) Search 2 (+5) Sense Motive 4 (+6) Stealth 4 (+6) Swim 2 (+3) Feats: 12PP Accurate Attack Attack Focus (Melee) 2 Defensive Roll 3 Improved Initiative Luck 2 Power Attack Quick Change Uncanny Dodge (Auditory) Powers: 1 + 11 + 18 = 30PP Immunity 1 (own powers) [1PP] (Psionic) Super Senses 11 (Accurate [All Hearing] 4, Analytical [All Hearing] 2, Cosmic Awareness [Hearing] 1, Electromagnetic Energy Awareness [Hearing] 1, Tremorsense 2, Ultra-Hearing 1] [11PP] (Psionic) Array 9 (Vox Universum; 18 PP Array; Power Feats: Alternate Power 2; Drawbacks: Full Power -1 PP, Power Loss [When Unable to Speak] -1 PP) [18PP] (Psionic, Sonic) Base Power: Damage 9 (Cascade; Extras: Area (Targeted: Burst) +1) [18PP] Alternate Power: Damage 9 (Shear; Extras: Area (Targeted: Cone) +1) [18PP] Alternate Power: Stun 6 (Resonance; Extras: Area (General: Cone) +1) [18PP] Drawbacks: -3 = -3PP Disability (Mute, unless using powers; Frequency: Common; Intensity: Moderate) [-3PP] DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC 16 Toughness Damage Cascade Burst Touch DC 24 Toughness Damage Shear Cone Touch DC 24 Toughness Damage Resonance Cone Touch DC 16 Fortitude Stun Totals: Abilities (22) + Combat (22) + Saving Throws (10) + Skills (12) + Feats (12) + Powers (30) - Drawbacks (-3) = 105/118 Power Points Comments: Formatting troubles aside, here is my Claremonter. The build is deliberately basic. I'm looking forward to figuring out the character and his power set will mature.

It could have been any street in Freedom City, or almost any city in the world, a crowd of people making there way to work. In the early morning light everyone looked gray and almost the same, but that was because everything seemed to be in black and white. And there was no sounds the people moved in complete silence and more unusual for a telepath no thoughts or emotions leaked from these people. Apart from the two of you standing there as the crowd weaved around you there was a flash of red of a figure moving against the flow of people.

OoC for this.

Sitting outside the Main Entrance of the school was an old oak tree that being outside a super for super kids had seen many and varied things. Despite it all it was still quite healthy, with a little TLC from various plant controllers down the years, and with it position was a popular place to meet newcomers. It was also one of Blodeuwedds favorite places to go to gather her thoughts and if she wished few could find her hidden in the branches. Today however she wasn’t concealed as she had the honour of meeting a few new arrivals to the school.

Player Name: R. BluefishCharacter Name: VoxPower Level: 7 (108/108)Trade-Offs: NoneUnspent Power Points: 0 In Brief: A telepathic teenager, formerly homeless, now a student at Claremont. Residence: Claremont Academy Alternate Identity: Thanh Nguyen Identity: Secret Birthplace: Freedom City, USA Occupation: Student Affiliations: Claremont Academy Family: All deceased Description: Age: 16 (DoB: February 10th, 1999) Gender: Male Ethnicity: Vietnamese-American Height: 5' 6" Weight: 120 lb Eyes: Black Hair: Black Thanh is a teenage Asian-American boy, a bit on the short side, with shaggy black hair and a dusting of dark fuzz on his upper lip and chin. He appears slightly underfed (because he is), and his eyes are sunken and constantly darting around warily. His features are sharp and bony, and he usually walks with his shoulders hunched and his hands shoved in his pockets. As Vox, he wears a self-assembled outfit of comprised of heavily stylized street clothes, with blue pants, gloves, and jacket. Underneath, he wears a black bodysuit, with white lines angling down from his shoulders and meeting in the center of his abdomen, forming a "V." His eyes are hidden by indigo-tinted mirrored wraparound shades, which he staunchly believes make him look badass. Power Descriptions: Vox is a straightforward telepath, capable of affecting and influencing the minds of others. He can make them feel what he wants them to feel, see what he wants them to see, do what he wants them to do. When his powers first manifested, he mistakenly believed he had the ability to make people comply with his verbal instructions through some sort of hyper-charisma, but he soon realized that he was actually mentally altering their emotional state to make them incredibly compliant. Practice has furnished Vox with a number of additional tricks on top of this - he can "eavesdrop" on other people's thoughts, or actively delve into their minds for information. He can even directly control their actions, whether they like it or not. He can silently communicate with anyone he's familiar with. And, by concentrating, he can move solid objects with his mind, which causes his eyes to glow with a soft blue light. He also possesses heightened mental awareness and discipline, being more perceptive and strong-willed than most ordinary humans. History:. Born to a struggling couple running a tiny Vietnamese restaurant in the West End, Thanh's earliest memories are of sitting in the corner of the kitchen, watching his mother, father, and older brother scurry back and forth, brewing traditional dishes for carry-out. Unfortunately, these are also his only memories of them. His family was among the small number of civilian casualties from the 2004 Grue invasion of Earth, leaving him an orphan. He spent the next few years of his life in a foster home, where he was regarded as little more than a ticket for free money from the government. Growing ever more resentful and withdrawn, at the age of eight Thanh decided he had had enough. He ran away from home, secretly hoping they cared enough to come looking for him. A police report was filed, but no other action was taken. The dramatic proof of love he was awaiting never came. Finding himself on the street without a roof over his head or two pennies to rub together, it didn't take long for Thanh to turn to stealing to feed himself. He discovered he had something of a gift for filching small items, first from shelves, then, as he grew emboldened, from people. One day, when he was feeling particularly cocky, he tried to steal a candy bar from the pocket of a boy a few years older than him. The boy immediately caught him, but instead of beating him senseless as he had expected, he seemed rather impressed. He introduced himself as Jerome, the leader of a small gang of "displaced youths" (read: street kids). Who, it turned out, were in dire need of a skilled pickpocket. The group took in Thanh with open arms, welcoming him to their little family. He felt he had finally found the acceptance he had been seeking - while they had no home, family, or money, the group always looked out for each other, and always managed to just scrape by. The gang survived mainly by swindling tourists. Various sympathy-baiting cons, three-card monte, and lifted wallets were what kept them fed. Of more concern were the other elements of the street. Every day was a gamble, evading gangs, drug dealers, cops, and unusually sharp-eyed tourists. Years passed, one by one, the dangers ever increasing, and the group becoming ever more loyal to each other. "We take care of each other, 'cause no one else is gonna" was their motto. Thanh and Jerome in particular formed a close friendship, with the older boy taking him under his wing and teaching him the many tricks of the trade. While Thanh had no gift for the social aspect of their work (he had tendency to become tongue-tied when under pressure), his fingers were as quick and nimble as mice, liberating items from their owners seemingly at will. Their luck couldn't hold out forever, of course. When he was fifteen, he and Jerome were walking back to their current hideout after dark when they were jumped by a group of toughs from the local white supremacist gang, who apparently took exception to the Asian Thanh and the African-American Jerome walking down "their" sidewalk. While it wasn't the first time such an incident had occurred, Jerome had always been able to sweet-talk his way out of trouble. This time they were having none of it, determined to teach them a lesson. Thanh watched, horrified, as two of them seized Jerome, and a third drew a knife. Desperately, he bellowed "GET AWAY FROM HIM!" It had been a reflexive act of impotent panic. The last thing he had been expecting was for them to cheerfully comply, dropping the knife and leaving peacefully without a word of protest. Jerome was in awe, and once the story was recounted (and slightly exaggerated), so was the rest of the group. All of them knew that something extraordinary had happened. Further experimentation revealed that Thanh seemed to be able to make people do what he said simply by talking to them, no matter how outlandish it might be. The entire group was ecstatic at their new advantage, and Jerome christened Thanh with his new nickname - Vox ("Voice"). The group knew that something incredible had just been dropped in their laps. Vox's gifts were the key to everything they wanted, even the thing they had hardly dared to even think about before: getting off the streets. Their painstakingly perfected system of cons and scams became instantly obsolete - Vox could make people line up uncomplainingly, cash in hand. They made a token effort to try to avoid attracting unwanted attention, only hitting a few people at most in any given location, trying to refrain from stealing overly exorbitant sums of money, but as months went by, their confidence grew. They were "earning" more money in a day than they had before in a year, and it wasn't long before they moved their hideout from an abandoned warehouse to a high-class hotel room (after a moment with Vox, the staff was begging them to stay). And Vox's powers kept growing. He discovered that his powers ran far deeper than they had first suspected. They were in no way limited to oral commands (indeed, speaking to his targets soon became unnecessary). Every day he seemed to have a new trick, a new ability. The sudden shift in the group's power dynamics took its toll. Until the manifestation of Vox's powers, Jerome had been the de facto leader, using his intelligence and natural charisma to manage their little community. Now, Vox had something he could never match, and was effectively running the show. He began to grow ever more envious of his friend's newfound power, and resentful of the way the group now regarded Vox as their savior. What about the long years he had looked after them, he asked himself? Did they count for nothing? Nothing might have come of this, if it weren't for Vox's increasing cockiness. Years of frustration and feelings of helplessness had suddenly come to an end, and now he was on top of the world. He began to use his abilities in more and more obvious ways, feeling invincible, like he could do whatever he wanted and no one could stop him. When Jerome tried to caution him about the importance of discretion, he accused him of being a coward. Tempers exploded, and every long-forgotten argument and grudge was suddenly remembered. Their other friends made attempts to defuse the situation, but the two boys would not be calmed. Words were said that could never be taken back, and the two came to blows. That is to say, Jerome punched Vox, and Vox telekinetically hurled him across the room. Everyone was stunned, no one more so than Vox himself. Jerome was mostly unhurt, but Vox had never used his powers on one of his friends before. Everyone was staring at him with suddenly fearful eyes, afraid of what he would do next. The shock of seeing his own friends afraid of him was more than he could handle - he turned and stormed from the room. Stalking aimlessly through the streets, he fumed about the ungratefulness of them all. They were living like kings now, all because of him, and what thanks did he get? Why should he limit his usage of his own powers? They were his, he could use them however he wanted. In a fit of childish pique, he stopped a passing well-to-do-looking young man, and psychically forced him to empty his bank account, in cash. Just like that, hundreds of thousands of dollars were his. He spent days spending his way from one side of the city to the other, living the lifestyle he had dreamed of for years. Feeling more generous now, he began to regret his behavior, and returned to the hotel room where his friends were staying, intent on making amends and sharing his new fortune. Fence-mending gifts in hand and an apology on his lips, he opened the door to a scene of carnage. His friends were lying on the floor, covered in blood, riddled with bullets. Three men with guns were searching the room. He recognized one of them as the man he had robbed a few days previously. For a moment he stood petrified, until the men noticed him. When they drew their weapons, instinct took over, and he sent them flying with a telekinetic shockwave. Horror turned to rage, and he focused it upon the man he recognized. Not bothering with subtlety, he tore into his mind, consumed with the need to know what could possibly make them do this. This was no ordinary businessman, he discovered - he was the son of an influential and widely feared crime lord. Their organization had been aware of Vox and his gang for some time, but had had no reason to care about their petty thefts until now. Now that one of their own had been robbed and humiliated, they needed to send a very clear message about what happened to anyone who stole from them. And since Vox wasn't there when they arrived, they killed his friends instead. Numb, not knowing what else to do, he called 911. Once the authorities arrived, they discovered that Jerome was still alive, barely, but he was pronounced to be in a deep coma. Thanh turned himself in to the police and told them everything. He told them about his powers, about the crimes he'd committed, about the reason for the massacre. He fully expected to spend the rest of his life in Blackstone. Instead, a few nights later he was visited by a representative from the Claremont Academy, who offered him a chance to learn to better use his "gifts," and turn his life around in the process. He accepted on the spot, desperate for anything that could make some sense out of what was left of his life. The Academy pulled a few strings and had his involvement in the incident erased, the charges dropped, and his criminal record expunged, mainly for his own protection. They were keenly aware that the men who killed his friends might still come looking for him. This was a second chance for Thanh, and he promised himself he wouldn't waste it. The universe had taught him a harsh lesson. He had used his powers selfishly, irresponsibly, with no regard for the consequences for those around him. He wouldn't make that mistake again. He swore he would never again steal, never again use his abilities for personal gain, and more than anything else, never forget what his mistakes had cost him. He would make "Vox" a name to be proud of, or die trying. Personality & Motivations: Thanh is a quiet, almost meek boy who rarely speaks unless spoken to in casual settings. On bad days, he is given to bouts of sullenness, during which he tries to go someplace to be by himself until his mood improves. He also tends to be rather mistrustful of people he doesn't know, especially authority figures. He's rather jumpy, reacting sharply to sudden noises and jerking away when he is touched unexpectedly (leftover instincts from his years on the streets). The one exception to his dislike for authority figures is the teaching and administrative staff of Claremont Academy, to whom he knows he owes everything. They took him in, dusted him off, and offered him another go at life, when anyone else would have let him rot in Blackstone. More than almost anything in the world, he wants to prove himself worthy of the trust they placed in him. He thinks that taking part in the Academy's "extra-curricular activities" makes for a good start. The sole remaining link to his past is Jerome, who is still in a coma at Trinity Hospital, and shows no signs of awakening. Thanh visits him every week, and sits by his bedside for hours on end, silently begging his friend to wake up, just for a moment, so he can tell him how sorry he is. Powers & Tactics: While Thanh has enough raw telekinetic power to defeat most ordinary humans, he is still physically vulnerable himself. Whenever possible, he prefers to use his various mind-affecting abilities to avoid a direct fight (or at least avoid a fair one). Trickery, misdirection, and sometimes downright mind control are his favorite weapons. If things turn south, he will "haul ass" without a moment's hesitation (unless others are in danger), priding himself on knowing when to fold 'em. Complications: Enemy: The same organized crime ring that ordered the hit on his group is well aware that the "ringleader" is still alive and well. The Claremont Academy did a good job of wiping his record, but now that he's put the boss's son in prison, they are constantly trying to track him down, and have a very big score to settle with him. Headaches: Ever since the deaths of his friends, Thanh suffers from severe headaches that make it difficult for him to function. He regularly takes migraine medication, which staves them off temporarily, but if he fails to take it twice a day, his headaches return and he suffers a level of fatigue. Struggling: While the Academy provides for most of his basic needs, Thanh has very little money of his own. His ill-gotten wealth was taken by the authorities, and he considers it good riddance. Uneducated: Thanh hadn't attended school since he was eight, and is largely ignorant of anything that isn't related to on the street. This is something he's desperately trying to rectify, with mixed results. Abilities: 2 + 6 + 2 + 6 + 4 + 0 = 20PP Strength: 12 (+1) Dexterity: 16 (+3) Constitution: 12 (+1) Intelligence: 16 (+3) Wisdom: 20/14 (+5/+2) Charisma: 10 (+0) Combat: 6 + 8 = 14PP Initiative: +7 (+3 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative) Attack: +3 Melee, +3 Ranged, +7 Damaging Move Object Grapple: +4 (+3 Attack, +1 Strength) Defense: +7 (+4 Base, +3 Dodge Focus), +2 Flat-Footed Knockback: -3 Saving Throws: 2 + 3 + 5 = 10PP Toughness: +7 (+1 Con, +6 Defensive Roll), +1 flat-footed Fortitude: +3 (+1 Con, +2) Reflex: +6 (+3 Dex, +3) Will: +10/+7 (+5/+2 Wis, +5) Skills: 40R = 10PP Concentration 6 (+11/+8) Disable Device 3 (+6) Knowledge (streetwise) 5 (+8) Language 1 (Vietnamese; Base: English) Notice 8 (+13/+10) Sense Motive 5 (+10/+7) Sleight of Hand 9 (+12) Stealth 3 (+6) Feats: 9PP Attack Specialization 2 (Move Object) Defensive Roll 3 Dodge Focus 3 Improved Initiative Powers: 7 + 6 + 2 + 28 + 2 = 45PP All of Vox's powers have the Mental and Mutant descriptors Communication 5 (Psychic Chat; mental, 5 miles; Power Feats: Subtle 2) [7PP] Enhanced Wisdom 6 (Mentalist's Discipline) [6PP] Flight 1 (Levitation; 10 MPH) [2PP] Psychic Array 11.5 (23PP Array; Feats: Alternate Power 5) [28PP] Base Power: Emotion Control 7 (Twist Feelings; Extras: Area [General, Burst], Selective Attack, Flaw: Action [Full-round], Power Feat: Subtle 2) {23/23PP} Alternate Power: Illusion 7 (Fool Senses; all senses; Flaw: Phantasms; Power Feat: Progression 2 [25-ft radius]) {23/23PP} Alternate Power: Mental Blast 7 (Overload Mind; Flaw: Action [Full-round]; Power Feat: Subtle 2) {23/23PP} Alternate Power: Mind Control 7 (Override Mind; Extra: Sensory Link; Power Feat: Subtle 2) {23/23PP} Alternate Power: Mind Reading 7 (Steal Thoughts; Extras: Action [Move/Standard], Area [General, Burst]; Power Feat: Subtle 2) {23/23PP} Alternate Power: Move Object 7 (Mind over Matter; heavy load: 1.5 tons; Extras: Damaging; Power Feats: Precise, Subtle) {23/23PP}Super-Senses 2 (Sixth Sense; Psychic Awareness [Mental]) [2PP] DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Melee DC 16 Toughness (staged) Damage (physical) Fool Senses Perception DC 17 Will Illusion Mind over Matter Ranged DC 22 Toughness (staged) Damage (physical) Overload Mind Perception DC 17 Will (staged) Damage (energy) Override Mind Perception Will (opposed) Mind Control Steal Thoughts Perception (35-ft burst) Will (opposed) Mind Reading Twist Feelings Perception (35-ft burst) DC 17 Will (staged) Emotion Control Totals: Abilities (20) + Combat (14) + Saving Throws (10) + Skills (10) + Feats (9) + Powers (45) - Drawbacks (0) = 108/108