Arctus [PL8]

[Jack]

Vanya "Jack” Davydov

Power Level: 8 (150/150PP)
Unspent Power Points: 0

In Brief: Jack is an extremely laid back guy with a love for nature and protecting others. Jack was born with latent Shaman powers that have been augmented by a soul bond with a polar bear spirit, allowing him to tap into primal ice magic.

Alternate Identity: Arctus
Birthplace: St. Petersburg, Russia
Residence: Southside
Occupation: Student/Hero
Family: Ivan Davydov (Father), Rada Davydov (Mother)

 

Description:
Age: 16 (DoB: March 11, 2008)
Apparent Age: 18
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Russian, Siberian Ket
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 300 lbs
Eyes: Blue
Hair: White

 

Jack is a giant among teens, and even among adults and he sometimes gets mistaken for an adult at first glance. Jack has strong Siberian Ket features, softened only slightly by his Russian heritage. He has tan skin, white hair, and is extremely well built prompting anyone who saw him to immediately wonder if he is on steroids (he isn't, but having a giant polar bear spirit bonded to you has some good side effects.)
 
Jack is a soft spoken person by nature, but has always carried a big stick, as is the expression. Despite this calm demeanor, the chaotic nature of his beast bond can often make him quick to show emotions like anger and it is a constant battle to keep his temper in check when he feels himself or perceived territory is threatened, or friends are in danger.
 
All of his life Jack has lived with nature and taken care of it. He would often spend the entire summer in a tent in some remote location with his grandparents in Siberia, living off the land and enjoying the unspoiled natural beauty around them. Other kids his age would often make fun of him for always talking about nature and different adventures he had had, but this only served to toughen his skin.
 
Jack is quick to blame himself for everything, even if it is not his fault, and as a result he has a hard time saying no to anyone, always feeling he has to save everyone.
 
Jack has quite a number of large scars across his torso, arms and legs, sustained during the polar bear attack. These scars emit a soft glow from the magic energy stitching them to the bear spirit. His connection to his Bear Spirit grants him immunity to the cold, but In most warmer climates his body overheats, so Jack typically wears very little, just enough to be modest in most cultures. This typically consists of either basketball or cargo shorts and a hoodie with the sleeves torn off, which is often left unzipped. so the lack of clothing helps to some extent. Jack rarely wears shoes, as he finds them uncomfortable, preferring the feel of nature beneath his feet. He will, however,  wear flip flops or sandals when needed in urban settings. When he changes, he will typically remove the hoodie so it doesn’t get destroyed.

In his Alternate Form, Jack becomes a giant Werebear covered in frost and ice. Depending on the climate, he typically has vapor coming off him, as he is much colder than the surrounding air.
History:

Spoiler

Growing up Jack had a fairly comfortable childhood. His father, Ivan, is a respected artist in St. Petersburg and was on vacation in a remote part of Siberia, painting scenes for a new collection, when he met Rada. The two courted for several months while Ivan painted. When it was time for Ivan to return home, he asked Rada to come with him and they were soon married. It was his mother who encouraged his love of nature, herself coming from a long line of the Ket peoples in Siberia.

Because of this encouragement, Jack has always been at home in the wilds, far from civilization and the comforts of town and technology. While he was raised in the city, his heart always belonged to nature, the solitude of being the only talking creature for miles in any direction, which is why he spent almost every summer with his Grandparents.
 
It was on his visits to his grandparents that Jack learned about his family’s connection to Magic and his Grandfather,  a Ket Shaman of some renown, began teaching him the secrets of the Shaman heritage that had been passed down to him. Jack learned about the various nature magics that his family had perfected over the years, making things grow even in the rough Siberian soil, empathic healing, and even some combat magic. Over several years, Jack developed a modest talent with nature magic.

During one such visit to his grandparents, Jack and his grandfather went on a rite of passage for Ket males, embarking on a wilderness survival journey. During this Journey, Jack was gravely injured by a Polar Bear. His grandfather managed to kill the bear, but Jack was near death and a very long way from a hospital. Unwilling to lose his only grandson, his Grandfather, used magic to bond the bear spirit with Jack's, so that with the spirit's strength, Jack might have a chance to survive. This would inevitably change Jack's life forever and leave him permanently scarred.
 
Jack spent the next several months in a coma, awakening with little memory of the incident. Doctors couldn't explain how Jack had survived, and at the time, Jack did not question his good fortune. But about a month after his release from the hospital, Jack began to notice changes. His body had wasted away during the coma, and he had begun therapy to recover his muscle strength,  but his progress was described as nothing short of miraculous. 

He regained all the muscle he had lost in about a week and as his body healed it grew, gaining several hundred pounds of muscle and almost a foot of height in the span of a month. It was becoming clear that Jack was changing into something different. His parents, fearing for his safety and wanting him to have something of a life without scrutiny, sent him to live with his grandparents, away from the prying eyes of the city. 

After his coma, it wasnt long before Jack discovered his ability to control magic was gone, he would spend his days trying to repeat feats he had done many times before, to no avail. This would repeatedly leave Jack frustrated with himself and often he would take long walks to be alone with nature. After one particularly disappointing day, Jack went on a long walk and came face to face with another polar bear. This was the first time Jack had felt the Spirit within him stir, and the polar bear seemed to respond in kind, acknowledging Jack as one of its own. An internal flood gate was opened at that moment and Jack truly felt the presence of his Spirit Bear for the first time. Jack began to see the world through different eyes as the Spirit granted Jack both incredible powers, as well as the incredible burden of its animalistic nature.

Over the next year Jack worked hard on learning to coexist with the beast inside, and developing his Shaman Magic, which he discovered had become intertwined with the Bear Spirit. Because of this, he realized he had no skill in most of the magic he had previously been taught, but that the bear spirit had increased his talent with Cold, Ice and even water to a limited degree.

It was about this time that his parents sent word to him to come home for a visit. He did so eagerly, ready to see his family again after such a long absence. His Father worked long hours as curator of a museum in their hometown, making visits difficult, on top of inclement weather and long travel times.
 
When he returned home he was warmly welcomed by his parents and told of something wonderful. His father had been offered a job in America, and they wanted him to come with them and attend a special school. While part of him longed to stay in the countryside with his grandparents, the adventure of a new country and attending an actual school and meeting others like him was too great an opportunity to pass up.
 
It wasn't long after they arrived in Freedom City that Jack was enrolled at the Clairemont Academy  and Jack now prepares for his first semester of school in America.

Personality & Motivation:
Jack is the Epitome of “Don't provoke a sleeping bear”. He is very laid back, until you provoke him, then he can often be scary. Beneath the calm surface he has the spirit of a beast fighting to get out. He can be quick to anger when certain buttons are pushed, but he tries to keep control of himself.
 
Jack is motivated by a love for all things. He understands that there is a cycle of life, and he seeks to preserve freedom in its various forms. He seeks to protect everyone he meets, and doesn't take kindly to anyone messing with someone he deems under his protection.

Powers & Tactics:
Jack is a brawler by nature, his bear spirit always seeking to prove itself dominant in any situation. He is a Tank and enjoys being the center of attention in a fight, as he sees it as protecting everyone if they are busy with him. He makes use of his heightened senses and ice magic, but he is still in the early stages of implementing them in ways besides smashing.

Power Descriptions:
His attacks are Bludgeoning or Slashing damage with his fists and claws (possibly with cold damage later), and piercing with his teeth. His abilities come from the Bear spirit within him, so his power descriptors would be Magic.
 
He has Soul Tattoos as part of his shaman magic. These appear as glowing scars on his skin in base form. (Think Last Airbender)

Complications:
Animal Within: Jack’s connection to the Bear spirit bonded to him tends to give off an aura that makes other animals, and even people, view him as competition, or with suspicion. His connection to the spirit also means he can sometimes be unusually aggressive and will not run from a fight where his bear feels his dominance is in question, and if he loses a fight for dominance, he will often fall into depressive stupor.

 

Always Hungry: The bear spirit within him gives Jack a very big appetite, especially after using his abilities. He is always eating something and if he doesn't keep his hunger sated, he can begin to fall into a hibernation like state and become lethargic. 

 

Rgggh: In his Alt Form, Jack can have a hard time articulating complex words, and especially words that begin with an R sound. This can often get worse the more he gets frustrated or angry, to the point where it just sounds like he is constantly growling.

Colorblind: Jack can't distinguish colors; everything looks grayscale. This can cause him to become hyper focused and distracted by color control abilities.

Soul Bound Scars: The soul binding twisted his spirit with the polar bear, and the scars from that desperate action were imperfect, leaving his Magic changed and the scars emit an icy glow when in use, which can be clearly seen in low lighting, as the spirit magic overflows and spills out. This also makes him light up like a beacon to those sensitive to magic.

Snowy Paws: In his base and alternate forms his skin is very cold to the touch and can sometimes cause frost to form on things he touches. Additionally in Alternate Form his giant paws make it hard to handle small objects or perform dexterous tasks.

Empathic Healing: Jack’s Shaman Magic allows him to heal damage, but to do so he has to take energy from something else to do so, or he has to use his own energy and that can become quite taxing for him. The bigger the damage, the more likely it is to leave him fatigued.

 

 

 

Trade offs, Defense for Toughness
Abilities: 8 + 0 + 6 + 0 + 6 + 10 = 30PP
Strength 26/18 (+8/+4)
Dexterity 10 (+0)
Constitution 20/16 (+5/+3)
Intelligence 10 (+0)
Wisdom 16 (+3)
Charisma 20 (+5)
 
 
Combat: 8 + 8 = 16PP
Initiative: +0
Attack: +4, +9 melee, +8 melee AF [+4 base, +5 Attack Focus, -1 Growth]
Grapple: +13/+23
Defense: +4, +3 (+4 Base,  -1 Growth), +2 Flat-Footed
Knockback: -1, -6 including size
 
 
Saving Throws: 5 + 5 + 5 = 15PP
Toughness: +6, +13 (+3 base +3 Protection +5 protection +2 Growth)
Fortitude: +8/+10 (+3/+5 Con, +5)
Reflex: +5 (+0 Dex, +5)
Will: +8 (+3 Wis, +5)
 
 
Skills: 68R = 17PP
Climb 4 (+8/+12)
Concentration 6 (+9)
Craft [Artistic] 8 (+8)
Handle Animal 8 (+11)
Intimidate 5 (+10, +20 from AF)
Knowledge(Art) 4 (+4)
Knowledge [Arcane Lore] 5 (+5, Skill Mastery)
Knowledge [Theology and Philosophy] 5 (+5, Skill Mastery)
Language 2 (English, Russian, Base; Ket)
Notice 8 (+11 Skill Mastery)
Sense Motive 7 (+10)
Survival 8 (+11, Skill Mastery)
 
 
Feats: 12PP
All-Out Attack
Attack Focus [melee] 5
Animal Empathy 
Improved Grab  
Improved Grapple
Power Attack
Skill Mastery (Survival, Notice, Knowledge Arcane Lore, Knowledge Theology and Philosophy)
Takedown Attack
 
 
Powers: 4+ 19 + 43 = 66PP

Shaman Soul Scars (Linked Powers):
Immunity 1 (Polar Spirit; Environmental Condition[Cold]) 1PP (Magic)
Protection 3 (Thick Skin) 3PP (Magic)

Polar Shaman (Magic):
Cold Control Array 8 (Magic 16PP Array, 3 Alt Powers) [19PP]
    Base: Cold Control 8 (Cold Hands, Magic, Range: 80ft Radius: 1000ft DC18) [16PP]
    Alt: Create Objects 8 (Ice Sculptures, Magic, Range: 80ft, Max Size: 8x 5’ cubes DC18) [16PP]
    Alt: Healing 8 (Ebb and Flow, Magic, +8 Recovery check)  [16PP]

    Alt: Blast 8 (Boulders/Spikes, Magic, Range: 80ft, DC23)  [16PP]

Frost Bear (Magic):
Alternate Form 8.6 (Werebear Form; 43PP Container) [43PP] (Magic)
Enhanced Skill (Intimidation [2PP]
Enhanced Feat (Improved Pin) [1PP]
Enhanced Feat (Takedown Attack) [1PP]
Protection 5 (Frost Armor) [5PP]
Damage 0 (Claw Strike; Extras: Penetrating 5; Feat: Mighty 1, Imporved Critical 18-20) [8PP]
Muscle Mass [Linked Powers]:
Growth 4 (Bear Size; Flaw: Permanent) [12PP] (Linked with Morph)
   Growth effects:
Strength +8, Constitution +4, Attack -1, Defence -1, Grapple +4, Intimidate +2, Stealth -4, +5' speed, +5' reach, +5 Strength for carrying capacity only [heavy load: 3.7 tons]
     
Morph 3 (Werebear Form) [3PP] (Linked with Growth)

Super Senses 4 (Bear Senses; Danger Sense [Olfactory], Darkvision, Tracking 1 [Olfactory]) [4PP]
 
Super Strength 2 (Bear Strength) [4PP]
Speed 1 (10 MPH, or 105' per round; Feats: Alternate Power 2) [3PP]
Alt: Leaping 1 (x2 distance: 32' running long jump/16'  standing long jump/8' high jump)
Alt: Swimming 1 (2.5 MPH or 25' per round)
  

Drawbacks: -3 -3 = -6PP
Involuntarily Change (uncommon, Major DC 15 to avoid, Anger) [-3PP]
Vulnerability: Fire Magic (common, Moderate x1.5 save DC) [-3PP]
 

DC Block
ATTACK              RANGE      SAVE                          EFFECT
Unarmed, Base       Touch      DC 19 Toughness               Damage
Claws               Touch      DC 24 Toughness               Damage  
Unarmed             Touch      DC 23 Toughness               Damage
 

Totals: Abilities (30) + Combat (16) + Saving Throws (15) + Skills (17) + Feats (12) + Powers (66) - Drawbacks (6) = 150/150 Power Points

 

Edited June 4 by Jack

[Thevshi]

Okay Jack, there are a few issues to discuss:

 

Abilities:

 

Strength 26 is +8, not +10.

 

Saves:

 

First, I only see you spending 18 PP on saves, not 22. (and based on the points spent, it should be Fort +8/10; Reflex +8; Will +8

But, the other issue, a PC should generally not have all exotic saves maxed (or better than their PL). Given Arctus’ nature, perhaps keeping Fort as is (with the +10 being in alt form) and maybe Will at +8, Reflex should drop to +6, maybe +5.

 

So, you should free up a few PP here.

 

Feats:

 

Why does he have Dodge Focus 4? I don’t see that added into his defense (and will be a problem if it was as it would break your PL caps in Alt form), so that is 4 PP to free up.
 

 

Combat:

 

So, some issues here.

 

First, Attack: 4 BAB (8 PP) is fine, and you show +4 Attack Focus: Melee, but should be +5 as you have five ranks of AF: Melee. So, it should be:

Attack: +4. +9 melee, +8 melee in Alt form [+4 base, +5 Attack Focus, -1 Growth]

 

 

Powers:

For the cold control array, should list that there are 2 alt powers on the first line (like this):

Cold Control Array 6 (Magic 12PP Array; 2 Alt powers) [14PP]

 

Using the freed up PP from dropping the Dodge Focus, you could boost up the Cold Control Array, and/or add another alt power that gives him a ice/cold ranged attack (something offensive for when he is not in his alt form).

[Jack]

Edited to reflect feedback