Intended Roles of Characters

[Nyrath]

I've been thinking for a few days, about the characters on the forum, potential storylines I'd like to pursue with mine, and such things. And I realised that one thing which might help at least some of the folks here on the forum with getting to properly use their characters would be some sort of register or list with just what "niches" our various heroes and villains occupy.

It needn't be elaborate or so, though it might help if the character in question is complex in some way, but something like a line or two, perhaps a paragraph at most. While for some this wouldn't be needed to get into play it might help some of us, such as recent arrivals or otherwise unsure players, either starting or getting into play and developing stories.

Just for an example of how this might look I skimmed, very lightly, the Character Bank and picked a few characters to use.

Captain Wonder; Veteran, used to the big league, fought in WWII, recently out retirement.

His connection to the Egyptian Pantheon could discourage or might draw out mystical/mythological foes while old wartime troubles might seek him out as well. Apart from that he's well known as something of a classic hero, and not just because of having been active back in those days.

Emmissary; Very active, public face, could be said to be something of a posterboy.

Not too much is needed to get Emmissary to at least try his outmost (which is rather a lot) to do what is right and good.

Sure it's not much of an example, and honestly I'm not sure if I've manage to express my thoughts properly, but it's something. What do you think of the concept?

[Vaalus]

I really like that idea. :D

[Shadowboxer]

I think this is great idea, like a personals page for superheroes (or villians). Where would this go in the forum? Here, or elsewhere?

[Nyrath]

I honestly don't know where this would go if it becomes a reality, though either here or the Character Bank seem the most likely.

And one thing I forgot to mention is that this might help people more easily realise if a character isn't quite fully in their category. Nanowire, Legionnaire, Imposter and Exile could be described as to some extent be sitting somewhere in a grayzone for various reasons.

[Geez3r]

This sounds like a really good idea, especially for new guys like me who don't have much knowledge of with other PC's.

[Heritage]

I agree on this, I think it's great; maybe this should go into the News section? And maybe it should just be alphabetical as opposed to listing by Hero or Villain, since we have a few gray folks here.

[Dr Archeville]

I second everything Heritage said. ;)

[Barnum]

I don't know that we need a separate post in the News forum for that, though I am not opposed to it. Why not just put something like this in the first post of your personal News thread? An "about me" if you will. We don't have very many active characters. It wouldn't take long to skim through the news threads.

[Dr Archeville]

I think it'd be useful as its own thing. Sort of a "FC PbP Directory".

[nareik123]

If I actually stay happy with my characters, I mgiht have a chance to through my lot in there as well.

[Barnum]

I think it'd be useful as its own thing. Sort of a "FC PbP Directory".

I nominate Dr A. to create the post, populate it with data, and maintain it. ;)

[Thevshi]

Way to delegate Barnum :)

[Shadowboxer]

I'd happily post something in a directory.

. . . I'm not nominating anyone to moderate the sucker, though. Or seconding any nominations. :)

[Dr Archeville]

I nominate Dr A. to create the post, populate it with data, and maintain it.

By odd coincidence, I actually started something like this last week.

[Jack of Tales]

I'm interested to see what you write up!

[Barnum]

Me too. Thanks for working on that! :D

[Dr Archeville]

Here's what I've got thus far (based solely on what info is in the Character Bank):

Aaron Shui: Asian-American Water Manipulator, thanks to the dragon bonded to him.

Badb: Battle-loving Warrior with a few tricks (Radiation Control, Flight) up her sleeve.

Blue Blaster: Mind-reading Shapeshifting son of a retired Gadgeteer.

Captain Wonder: Veteran Paragon, used to the big league, fought in WWII, recently out retirement. His connection to the Egyptian Pantheon could discourage or might draw out mystical/mythological foes while old wartime troubles might seek him out as well. Apart from that he's well known as something of a classic hero, and not just because of having been active back in those days.

Capricia Chill: Mafia Ice Princess, literally: a ruthless Cold Manipulator.

Catherine Kato: Donut-loving heroic Street-Mage.

Collateral: Selfish Magnetic Manipulator villain.

Colt: Agent of UNISON. Likes firearms, and other utility belt items (but really likes his guns).

Cory Devlin: Irish Cold Manipulator out for his own monetary well-being. Superhumanly agile, too.

Doktor Archeville: Eccentric Gadgeteer (Mad Scientist) hero, though at times he has all the cackling and haughtiness of a mad scientist supervillain. Is it really all just an act to keep folks off-guard? Worked as a superhero in and around Germany for several years before moving to Freedom City, where he’s still working on making a name for himself.

Dryad: Psychotic/sociopathic Plant-Woman, “created” by an unknown scientist but later “Raised” by the Green Man. Currently in prison.

Emmissary: Very active, public face, could be said to be something of a posterboy. Not too much is needed to get Emmissary to at least try his outmost (which is rather a lot) to do what is right and good.

Entropy: Young girl with the essences of three sorcerers from the Terminus embedded in her soul, which lets her use their mystical powers for good. Sister of Dead Boy.

The Exile: Former God-King (almost Dark Lord), stripped to a mere Mystic and now seeking ways to regain his power.

The Ghost: Incredibly lucky “B&E” man, infamous for his ability to get into any secured locale. If the price is right, of course.

Gossamer: Friendly and approachable (if a tad vain) heroine with Prehensile Hair.

Grimalkin: A tricky one who’s been on both sides of the law. Currently fights on the side of heroes after having had witnessed some woefully indifferent police.

High Note: Campy Energy (Sonic) Controller, attending the Claremont Academy. An aspiring performer in musicals, until his powers made such impossible.

Hub: Quiet Booster who prefers to help others do their thing, and not take any space in the spotlight.

Icarus: Villainous Gravity Manipulating (son? clone? brother?) of Daedalus. Works for/with Talos.

Imposter: Playful master of disguise from Claremont Academy.

Ironhide: Powerhouse who uses his power to increase his own density to do whatever it takes to get all the money he wants.

The Legionnaire: Time-tossed Roman Warrior. Berserk rages and “older morals” made him unpopular with the hero crowd, and now he’s turned on them.

Maggot: Collective-like collective of maggots, housing the mind of a very confused and traumatized high school-aged girl.

Malice: Metahuman-hating human genius in a home-made Battlesuit. Has a rivalry with other tech-heads.

Mashin-Kun (Machine Boy): Japanese Android?

Mongrel Angel: Strong and tough… something (s/he’s got angelic blood?).

Nanowire: An inorganic lifeform, Nanowire has been looking for a cure to his condition for some time. More recently, his relationship with Grimalkin has him questioning his life choices, and is on the verge of transformation from villain to hero.

Nightrival: Dedicated (obsessed?) Martial Artist. Calm, quiet, efficient, stands up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

Nightshyft: Heir to the Midnight mantle, he is an exquisite martial artist, detective, and sneak.

The Norseman: A giant of a man, connected to the Norse Pantheon. Unlike Captain Wonder, though, his connection is in the form of the artifacts he wields in their name.

Panthera: Vietnamese Martial Artist, with a touch of Speedster. She’s a master of Pao Pet Mei, Leopard Style kung fu. Most often seen around the Chinatown areas.

Poltergesit: Inexperienced Darkness Manipulator attending the Claremont Academy. Transferred from Bulgaria; her parents thought she’d be safer in Freedom City.

Psi: Armless mercenary Psychic who’s possibly borderline psychotic.

Raindance: Weather Controller from the Claremont Academy.

Reflexion: Serious-minded Martial Artist with “photographic reflexes.” An escaped agent/experiment of The Labyrinth.

Ronin: Hyper-aggressive schizophrenic Super-Soldier with a Big Frakin’ Gun.

Rusty Nail: Jovial Size Manipulator/Shrinker, though he has a bit of a temper.

Sen: Samurai-like Weapon-Master, seeking clues to his father’s whereabouts.

Spectrum: Dedicated Light Manipulator, here to protect and serve.

Strygwyr the Bloodseeker: Ravaging Demon/Atlantean hybrid. Gets temporarily stronger & tougher every time he kills; also has some dark druidic/nature magic.

Super-Thug: Paragon-in-the-Works for Criminals.

Twister: Self-centered Spinner who’s murdering his way up to become one of FC’s wealthy elites.

Velocity: Near-omnipresent Speedster, though few seem to mind since she’s such a knockout. Young, bright, and very eager.

Void: Appears to be a young girl, but she was created ex nihilo in/from the Zero Zone by some unknown Creator. Now she’s seeking him out, and will do anything to find him.

[shazam]

I'm Captain Wonder, and I approve the above message.

[Heridfel]

That's a pretty good description of Hub, even if he'd take issue with the "quiet" part. I didn't see anything for Icarus/Heavy, though.

[Dr Archeville]

Icarus: Evil Gravity Manipulating (son? clone? brother?) of Daedalus. Works for/with Talos.

That work?

[Nyrath]

I do believe Icarus has terminated his working relationship with Talos, and as far as I can make out he's mystically bound to the soul (or something like that) of Icarus rather than having any blood ties with Daedalus.

I've got some expanding to do on the information for both Exile and Mongrel Angel, once I actually get some of that done I'll inform you seeing how you're in charge of this list and all.

[Dr Archeville]

I do believe Icarus has terminated his working relationship with Talos, and as far as I can make out he's mystically bound to the soul (or something like that) of Icarus rather than having any blood ties with Daedalus.

Is that public knowledge, though? I tried listing what's public knowledge & what folks would assume. Icarus is the name of Daedalus' son, though the guy operating as Daedalus is believed to be the son of the guy who went by the name Daedalus back in the 40s and 50s (since Daedalus' immortality isn't publicly known). Add in the fact Icarus now looks like Daedalus, and IMO it's not too out there to have folks assume he's some relation to the Greek inventor-hero.

If Herid wants it changed, though, it's entirely his right to do so.

[MBCE]

I love the list. YOu hit Ghost right on the money. Now, link the name to the character sheets and we have a great directory that all GMs and players can use quickly to view characters.

[Master_Pelle]

It look pretty good! But I consider Super-Thug as low class paragon villain who tried to become a true supervillain.

[Dr Archeville]

It look pretty good! But I consider Super-Thug as low class paragon villain who tried to become a true supervillain.

Hrrmmm... "Aspiring Paragon of Criminals"? "Paragon-in-the-Works for Criminals"?