Casey Posted October 20, 2010 Posted October 20, 2010 Player's Handle: Casey Character's Name: Radiance Power Level: 7 (105/105PP) Trade-Offs: -2 Attack / +2 Damage Unspent PP: 0 Gold Status: 0/30 In Brief: Commands the very light and heat of the sun itself, to damage and blind his enemies and shed daylight around him. Alternate Identities: None Identity: Drew Ashburn (Public) Birthplace: Port Regal, Freedom City, USA Occupation: Student at the Claremont Academy, Musician Affiliations: Lead Vocalist for Troublemaker Family: Brenda Lewis (Mother), Tate Ashburn (Younger Brother) Age: 18 (DoB: February 13, 1992) Gender: Male Ethnicity: Caucasian Height: 5'8" Weight: 150lbs Eyes: Green Hair: Green, Yellow, and Black (Dyed) Description: Normal ID: Like most of the rest of Troublemaker, Drew sports a punk look: dyed, spiky hair of medium-length, wearing obnoxious t-shirts, torn/worn jeans, oversized shoes/boots, piercings galore, a modicum of tattoos on his arms. Super ID: Radiance wears a shiny and sleek black, orange, and yellow bodysuit with silver pipes encircling his wrists and ankles. His hands and face are bare. Radiance wears a silver and black band around his head, just below the hairline. Power Descriptions: Radiance commands the powers of the sun. He regularly emits heat and light and must consciously turn it down to avoid harming others. Radiance can use this command of solar energy to fire beams of heated light, protect himself with a field of supercharged heat, and fly. Radiance can also see along the infrared spectrum. History: Drew Ashburn grew up in Port Regal, the eldest son of Brenda Lewis, widow of Brian Ashburn, who died in a car accident when Drew was only three years old. Brenda received a large life insurance settlement as a result of the crash and this enabled Brenda to give her two sons a comfortable life in the suburbs and provide for them some of the finer things in life. Brenda, who was a real estate agent before getting married, went back to her job after Brian's death and returned to her maiden name, but the boys retained their father's surname. Growing up without a father was difficult for Drew and his younger brother, Tate. While Brenda started dating about for years after Brian's death, none of the men she dated became permanent companions. Luckily for Drew, spending a lot of time alone spurred on his natural creativity. He illustrated, painted, and wrote short stories and poems. Before long, Drew and his mother realized that the boy had a serious gift and Brenda wanted to encourage her son in some creative pursuit. The trick was to find the right one that best suited Drew's talent. When he was 12, Drew's penchant for writing and creativity was starting to show in a collection of poetry that he submitted to a local Port Regal competition and won in his age division. Drew submitted poems to his middle school's yearbook and these poems caught the eye of Freddie Hill, a fellow student. Freddie, a guitarist, approached Drew about using his poetic skills to write songs. Freddie explained that, while he was quite good at composing music, what he really wanted to do was write songs, and admitted that he had no real facility with the written word. Drew, who had always been able to carry a tune, agreed to form a partnership with Freddie and the two starting working together on some rudimentary songs. A problem, which Drew never realized at the time, was that while Drew was perfectly content to "mess around" with music, Freddie was determined to one day become a professional musician. The differences in goals between Drew and Freddie came to a head when Freddie dragged Drew to an open mic at McGillicutty's Cafe in Port Regal. Drew insisted that the boys were not ready to play in public and the lack of confidence showed. Drew and Freddie were laughed out of the place. Drew and Freddie went their separate ways, but would see each other until the following summer. For some time, Drew continued to write poetry and short stories. He felt an urge to continue studying singing and even convinced his mom to buy him lessons with a local instructor. On his own, Drew learned a lot of songs and started putting some of his poems to melodies. He learned to play his mom's piano, though his practicing was not that popular with the neighbors. Things took an unexpected turn when Freddie Hill called Drew, out of the blue, and asked Drew to try out for a band Freddie was starting. Drew and Freddie hadn't spoken in months and Drew assumed that Freddie hated him. Drew showed up at the rehearsal, where he met Jordan LeFleur, a female drummer, and Breaker Willows, the bassist. Drew impressed them enough with his improved vocal skill that he joined the fledgling band, named Troublemaker. Within six months, Troublemaker had enough material written to start performing live gigs. The teens' parents supported the idea by purchasing not only new gear for the kids, but also renting rehearsal space and creating marketing material. At Troublemaker's first gig, however, something strange happened. While he was singing, Drew's hands were giving off strange light and radiated heat. During a break, Freddie asked if anyone was experiencing anything strange with their monitors. Drew kept to himself the fact that his hands were radiating light and heat, but reported that his monitor was indeed acting strangely. While Freddie tinkered around with the sound equipment, Drew immediately went home to see if he could figure out what was going on with his own situation. Hiding in a dark room in his house, Drew experimented with the powers he had discovered at the gig. He was able to completely illuminate the room and, at the same time, set items aflame. Luckily, Drew was also able to extinguish the flame before they got out of control. Drew also learned he could fly, albeit clumsily at first, and "flash" people to temporarily blind them. At Troublemaker's next rehearsal, Freddie revealed to the rest of the band that he had gained strange new sonic control abilities. Drew revealed his own light and fire projection powers. It turned out that Jordan and Breaker had also developed super powers of various kinds. Jordan had gained super-strength, endurance, and toughness. Breaker had gained telepathic and extrasensory abilities. It all started happening at the band's first gig and none of the kids could explain it. Next, the band members approached their parents about their super-powers. After a meeting among the parents, it was decided that the band would use these super-powers to their advantage, to market Troublemaker as a band of super-powered teens. Word went out to the media and clubs. Seemingly overnight, Troublemaker went from local oddity to a sensation. Troublemaker was soon signed to Freedom Records, a small-time company, based in Freedom City, but absolutely dedicated to the band's success. It also just so happened that Roger Hill, Freddie Hills's father, was co-owner of Freedom Records. Brenda, Drew's mother, quit her job and became Troublemaker's manager. Within a few months, Troublemaker had cut its first record and was doing quite well for itself. The following summer, the kids spent a long time together, promoting the new record and writing songs for a follow-up. Jordan, the drummer, showed particular interest in writing songs for the new album and she and Drew spent many hours at the rehearsal studio. In time, Drew and Jordan were doing more than writing music. Over the summer, the dalliances became more intense and it was clear Jordan and Drew were in love. The other band members started to notice that Drew and Jordan were spending an inordinate amount of time together and quickly pieced together that they had become romantic. Unfortunately, this romance was not to last. Drew, realizing that Jordan was spending too much time playing his girlfriend and not working on music (or anything else), decided to call off their romantic relationship before it ruined the band. Jordan, heartbroken, had no choice but to accept, but temporarily left the band while she sorted out her feelings. While Jordan was gone, Troublemaker underwent a lineup change, with Drew, younger brother, Tate, a fine musician in his own right, taking on bass and rhythm guitar duties and Breaker Willows taking on the drums. At the start of the following school year, however, Jordan returned to the band and she and Drew agreed that they would remain friends. The kids' newfound success and fame was not all glory. Reality was that the teens still had to attend school. For a time, the kids went back to their respective schools (they had just entered high school), but it soon became clear that maintaining any sort of order with these famous musicians and supers attending classes with "normal" kids was going to be a logistical nightmare. The Claremont Academy, citing the kids' super-powers, offered each a scholarship. The parents, realizing that Claremont offered the kids a chance for some privacy as well as training in using their super-powers, agreed and the kids were shipped off to the Claremont Academy. The clash of fame and school did not subside once the kids were enrolled at the Claremont Academy. The kids were able to focus more on school and learning their super-powers, but it became clear quite readily that the teens' penchant for playing loud music and being precocious brats (they had just discovered their punk phase) was not going to make for a cozy relationship with the administration. Drew, realizing the opportunity that had been presented them, worked hard to get the rest of the band to behave themselves. While Drew was busy with school and training, however, the rest of the band mostly kept to themselves and generally caused trouble. It all came to a head one night when Drew walked in on the rest of the band setting up an impromptu concert on school grounds. Instantly, Drew knew that this was going to be a problem and confronted the band about its priorities. The rest of the band ignored Drew's repeated pleas to stand down and went on about their show anyway. The show was short lived as administrators and older students, realizing what was going on, put a stop to it before it really ever got started. Several administrators noted Drew's attempts to stop the fiasco and, though the rest of the band was expelled, Drew was allowed to stay on as long as he continued to work hard and keep out of trouble. While the rest of the band went back to their high schools, Drew has remained on at Claremont and kept himself in line for graduation. Over the past two years, despite the Claremont incident, Troublemaker has continued to play gigs and, during the summers, gone on national tours. The band has even invited Drew's younger brother, Tate, to join them on occasion. The relationship between Drew and the rest of the band has not been the best and he has had thoughts about going solo. Drew has recently taken a hiatus from the band in order to concentrate on school and master his powers. Drew has not decided how long he will remain on hiatus from Troublemaker. Personality & Motivation: Unlike the rest of the band, Drew is determined to use his powers not only to entertain the masses in concert, but to really help out of the people of Freedom City and the rest of the world. To this end, Drew, as Radiance, has gone out and fought crime on his own. He would really like to involve the rest of the band in these exploits, but he has thus far been unsuccessful in doing so. Still, Drew is interested in hooking up with like-minded young supers and seeing what they can do with the gifts they've been given. Drew wants to prove that he is more than just a pretty face and voice. Drew believes that he has much to contribute to the world, and not just in his music and using his super-powers. He believes that Troublemaker (or perhaps on his own) can bring a message of hope and peace to the world, although he has a hard time convincing the rest of the band that these are worthwhile goals. Drew would like to learn to better control his powers and expand his use of them. As a member of Troublemaker and its frontman, Drew sings lead vocals and writes most of the lyrics. He started learning the guitar a few years ago and has composed music for a few of the newer songs. Drew occasionally plays rhythm or bass guitar at gigs. He is also known to play the harmonica from time to time. Powers & Tactics: Normally, Radiance glows with daylight, which illuminates a 10ft radius area. He also haid his force field up most of the time. When in combat, he will fly slowly and hover in place when needed. Radiance commonly attacks using his solar ray, which is his main damage effect. Against a number of enemies arranged properly, Radiance will switch to a beam of solar energy that affects everyone in the line. Radiance can also blind those around him, intensify and expand his daylight effect (up to a 50-mile radius from him), and boost his flight speed to 2,500MPH. Complications: Fame Troublemaker is known to the people of Freedom City and especially teens and pre-teens, who would instantly recognize Radiance, or his alter ego, Drew Ashburn. Responsibility Member of the teen rock/punk band, Troublemaker, and feels responsible to the rest of the band to meet for rehearsals and gigs, and also to help each other out in times of need. Abilities: 0 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 8 = 22pp Str 10 (+0) Dex 16 (+3) Con 14 (+2) Int 12 (+1) Wis 12 (+1) Cha 18 (+4) Combat: 8 + 8 = 16pp Initiative: +3 Attack: +4 Grapple: +4 Defense: +6 (+4 Base, +2 Dodge Focus), +2 Flat-Footed Knockback: -1/-3 Saving Throws: 3 + 3 + 3 = 9pp Toughness: +2/+7 (+2 Con, +5 Force Field) Fortitude: +5 (+2 Con, +3) Reflex: +6 (+3 Dex, +3) Will: +4 (+1 Wis, +3) Skills: 40r = 10pp Bluff 6 (+10) Diplomacy 5 (+9) Knowledge: Pop Culture 9 (+10) Perform: Keyboards 4 (+8) Perform: Singing 12 (+16) Perform: Stringed Instruments 4 (+8) Feats: 5PP Attractive Benefit: Wealth Dodge Focus 2 Uncanny Dodge Powers: 2+ 4 + 5 + 31 + 1 = 43PP Environmental Control (Light; Bright as Day) 2: (Flaws: Range- Touch [-1]) [2pp] (mutation, fire, light) Flight 2 [4pp] (mutation, fire, light) Protection 5 (Extras: Force Field [+0]) [5pp] (mutation, fire, light) Solar Power Array (Power Feats: Alternate Power x3) [30pp] (mutation, fire, light) Base Effect - Solar Blast: Damage 9 (Extras: Penetrating [+1], Range - Ranged [+1]; Power Feats: Incurable; Drawbacks: Full Power Only) [27pp] (mutation, fire, light)Alternate Effect - Light of Day: Boost (Environmental Control - Light) 13 [13pp] (mutation, fire, light)Alternate Effect - Line of Fire: Damage 9 (Extras: Area Line (Targeted) 5ft x 90ft [+1], Penetrating [+1]; Power Feats: Incurable; Drawbacks: Full Power Only) [27pp] (mutation, fire, light)Alternate Effect - Sun Motes: Dazzle (Visual) 9 (Extras: Area Burst (Targeted) 45ft [+1], Selective [+1]; Flaws: Range - Touch [-1]) [27pp] (mutation, fire, light)Alternate Effect - Super-Flight: Boost (Flight) 12 [12pp] (mutation, fire, flight) Super-Senses (Infravision) 1 [1pp] (mutation) Drawbacks:None DC Block: ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC15 Toughness (Staged) Damage Solar Blast Ranged 45ft DC24 Toughness (Staged) Damage Line of Fire Line 90ft DC24 Toughness (Staged) Damage Sun Motes Area 45ft DC19 Reflex (Lasting) Dazzle (Visual) Abilities (22) + Combat (16) + Saving Throws (9) + Skills (10) + Feats (5) + Powers (43) - Drawbacks (0) = 105pp
Avenger Assembled Posted October 21, 2010 Posted October 21, 2010 I'm not a fan of the backstory of this character, particularly given that we've just had one nearly identical character removed from play in the Claremont setting because he was unable to fit in. The Kewl Rebel Rocker Dood is not something I'm interested in dealing with as a Ref or as a player. (i.e., we don't need Ferris Bueller with superpowers and a Mohawk). You should make this guy more of a team player.
Casey Posted October 21, 2010 Author Posted October 21, 2010 I've made some changes to the backstory. Let me know what you think.
Avenger Assembled Posted November 19, 2010 Posted November 19, 2010 Sorry for the long delay. Are you still interested in this character, Casey?
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