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Just so everyone is aware, I may go dark for a few days. I go in for an operation tomorrow that I've been waiting for quite a while. Nothing immediately life threatening, but something that has to be addressed sooner or later. It's one of those situations where they don't know what it will be like until they get inside, so it is hard to predict what recovery will be like. Hopefully all will go smoothly and I'll be back in a couple days.
"'The kid' was not making himself particularly hard to find." "As for Li Jiao, I had never met her before the warehouse. As I told your friend 'War Widow' while while we were waiting to be translocated, I live at the Temple in Manhattan's Chinatown. Her mother came in to report her absence and ask the Priests for help, as she had nowhere else to go. I gather her family's presense in this country is not a formal one. "The priests were not able to offer much beyond vague assurances and their prayers. I however, probably watched far too much Douglas Fairbanks and Errol Flynn while I was supposed to be meditating, and decided that I might do something where they could not. I studied in the temples of Kun Lun, for the length of my life, in order to achieve uncommon mastery of body and spirit. "I spoke with Maddam Li, and asked about her daughter's last known location. She disappeared while on a grocery delivery for the family store. I received the name of her last delivery and paid him a visit. Mr. Chan was not by any means a hardened criminal; just a desperate man. He did not withstand questioning for long. In lieu of paying off gambling debts he could never afford, or getting fitted with his own cement overshoes to keep him dry during a tour of the East river's more remote depths, he'd instead arranged to deliver a pretty young undocumented girl over whom no-one would be going to the authorities." "As I Told War Widow, I came to help her because it was the right thing to do. As pretentious as that motive might be, I would do the same no matter how many chances I was given to do elsewise." "And now, it seems that whoever it was that did this to her and those other kids, they had their fingers in more pies than that, and that I have stumbbled across a group that is trying to disrupt those opporations as well. If this is true, I would be happy to offer my assistance."
Qi'n smiles at Dottie's patronizing tone, and even lets out a little laugh, "A bit overly grand perhaps, but I grew up in an era when heroes were larger than life. You can't blame me for having lofty ideals." "Sounds like you take the pragmatical view; if you don't do it, who will? I can respect that." "I don't know much about the men that kidnapped Li Jiao. I suspect they took her for the same reason all such young women get taken; because they can, and because they don't think anyone will do anything about it. I would very much like to teach them the error of that thinking. If you would like me to visit with your friends, lead on. I will tell them what I know."
The boy smiles and opens his eyes. "I am Qi'n, of Kun Lun. I was born in the year of the dog, with a spirit of metal. I thank you for the offer, but I have a place to stay. I live with the monks at the Temple in Manhattan's Chinatown, but I require little looking after. I am here to look after others. This is why I was looking for Li Jiao; because it was the right thing to do." The boy's deep brown eyes bore into Dottie's like augers, "Why do you help others?"
Qi'n crouches quietly, never wavering in his stance. His eyes are closed, and his breathing is near undetectable.
Even though Dottie probably does not make a lot of noise, Qi'n speaks to her as she draws close. "Did you find the night-skinned man? Did you discover who imprisoned Li Jioa and the others?"
Qi'n escorts Li Jaio home, riding with her in the cab, and then walking her into her home tonnage sure she gets there safely. When asked by the family, he'll tell them he is from the temple, and that he is happy she is home safe. If he is able, he'll say his goodbyes, and then head to the rendevous point at the abandoned biscuit factory. Finding no-one there by the time he arrives, he sits down to wait, settling himself into one of the meditative stances he learned in Kun Lun. While most would find the positions used there impossible to hold for more than a few moments, long training had left Qi'n able to hold such postures for hours, possibly even days if needed. He began to clear hi mind.
Qi'n drops back down to the warehouse floor level to check on the kids. He calls a cab from his phone, and locates the ring of keys from the henchman. He continues helping all the prisoners up when possible, using the keys to unlock any remaining handcuffs. As soon as they are all freed, he takes Li Jiao across the street to hide and wait for the cab. A victim she may be, but she is still an illegal alien. No use getting her rescued just to get caught up in legal red tape.
Holding his hand aloft in the room, eyes closed, Qi'n addresses Night Owl as he climbs up out of the hatch after Dottie, "The man that uses this room; he is young, barely an adult. His skin is black like coal and he wears his hair in tangled strands. He was building something here. Something the others feared to disturb. Tell you friends; this knowledge might help you find him."
Overhearing that the one the others are seeking has fled, Qi'n will move up into the space to look around. He stands in the middle of the room, not really looking at anything, while simultaneously looking at everything. He finds the pattern of the room's qi, looking for the disruptions, and the memories and actions that disrupted and moved those flows. Certain actions disrupt the flows more than others; things that damage and disrupt the energy of others chief among them.
Qi'n watches the others go running off, choosing rather to stay behind and guard the prisoners. He moves to the next and the next, healing their damaged auras as best he can, and comforting them when they awaken.
Qi'n speaks as though addressing air, "'Trust no one, and you will never be betrayed.'" The boy turns to look at Dottie with somewhat saddened eyes, "You must have endured great pain to be so cynical so young."
"I wouldn't be too concerned about them. Emergency services are on the way." He holds up his smart phone, "Did you guys see the NYPD is accepting text-messages now? It's very convenient." Anyone with really sharp eyes will see the last received message reading, "Thank you for your tip. If safe, please remain at your present location; officers are en route." No doubt seeing a few startled reactions, he starts on to head them off, "Before you get angry, I feel I should remind you that in addition to all the gunfire, there is presently at least one miscreant dead or dying on the pavement right in front of this building. Even in this neighbourhood, that is bound to attract attention. All I've done is make sure the authorities are aware of innocent bystanders, and the need for medical attention."
Anyone here familiar with either the Paladium game Rifts, or the Savage Worlds System? Rifts (an interesting post-apocalyptic setting with robots, magic, and dimensional travel, but in its original form a horribly clunky and antiquated rule set) has been updated to run with a version of the Savage Worlds rule set, and it is far far better than the original. I'm running a recruitment over HERE for anyone that might be interested. Feel free to pop by if you have an interest in either Rifts or Savage Worlds.
Qi'n speaks to Li Jiao softly, instinctively pitching his thoughts to sync with her spirit. To Doctor Icarus his words will sound like English, but to Jiao it will come through as perfect Cantonese. "Li Jiao, I'm here to take you home. I am called Qi'n. Your mother came to the temple to tell us about what happened, and I came to find you." He looks up as Dr. Icarus finishes removing her handcuffs. "These folks are not known to me, but they are no friends of your captors; I don't not believe they will harm us. Please, sit. See if you can stand. I will try to revive the other kidnappees." Once he is sure she is coming to and oriented, he'll move to the next bed over and begin cleansing her from the drugs as well. If he can, he'll rouse them all while Dottie completes her interrogation.
Qi'n looks up at the man kneeling down beside him. He still holds his hands over the sleeping girl, waiting for her to awaken. He smiles and says, "Oh, you know, the usual. I'm new to New York, thought I'd take in the sights. I've heard some of the better off-Broadway productions are hard to find, but worth it if you can locate them." His accent is fairly strong, but his words clearly enunciated. If you're good with accents, you'd probably place him as somewhere from rural China.
Qi'n looks back over to the distracted vigilantes, and shakes his head. They're lucky I'm not hostile. He looks at the girl, taking in the track marks and signs of abuse, the sight causing him genuine pain. So young to go through this. I come from a land of dragons, and I find worse monsters here. He reaches out his hand over the girl, focusing his Qi. Extending his Aura towards her, he uses the strength of his own to repair the damage done to hers.
Qin continues to take advantage of the vigilante's distracted nature, and moves in and out of the prisoners' beds, looking for Li Jiao.
Qi'n drops down from the catwalk, shadowing Dot. He waits for her to deal with the guard watching the movie, and then moves into the room behind her. At then point he starts moving quietly through the dozing prisoners, looking for one that matches the description he's looking for. They fill their minds with these drugs to make them docile, and to get them addicted as well, I've heard. They are supposed to be easier to control that way, I guess... If he sees young women of the description he gives them a shake, and calls his quary's name. He intends to free them all of course, but figures it wise to make sure she's here before things get confusing. "Li Jiao?" He is less concerned about being noticed by Dotty, but neither is he making himself obvious.
Qi'n dashes down the catwalk silently, his slippered feet making no noise on the metal grating. He extends his senses out, looking for any sign of the missing girl, or anywhere prisoners might be held for trafficking.
Growing impatient with the men standing near him of the catwalk, Qi'n approaches them quietly, hoping to take them both down quickly and silently.
Hoping they have not heard him, he sizes them both up, and then strikes swiftly and accurately, but to disable, not kill.
He had barely started to observe when he heard a commotion of the roof, and several gunshots rang out. One of the figures on the roof defeated the other and an unconscious gang member body slumped into view as two more came rushing out the front doors to investigate the gunshots. Not even a moment to investigate, and the place is already erupting in violence. Live by the sword... The young boy takes a moment to center himself, drawing in his Qi and using it to reinforce his body.
Deciding to take advantage of the distraction rather than intervene in the chaos, he moves up the side of the warehouse, practically dancing his way up with a few silent jumps and rebounds, as opposed to climbing.
Finding an access point near the roof , he bends the cover out of the way slowly to avoid noise, and then slips in through the resulting child-sized opening.
Li Jiao had gone missing late last night; about 6 or 7 hours ago. Qi’n had been finishing his sweeping in the main hall when he heard the voices. One, a woman's, had been shrill and distressed, while the other, even and patient was obviously trying to calm the first. The second voice belonged to Lin Mei Zhou, one of the more senior priests here at the temple.
He had swept in their direction, making sure to maintain his appearance of concentration on his task. A few steps closer and he began to understand the scope of the exchange. The woman’s daughter, Jiao had not come home from a delivery that evening. The customer was a regular, and not considered dangerous. Jiao always checked in on her deliveries with texts forma a pay-as-you-go-phone, but tonight she her messages had stopped, just after the delivery, and now her cellular phone was turned off. Her last message had just said the delivery to Mr. Chan had been dropped off and that she was on her way back to help her father close up the store. Then nothing. She went on at length, Master Lin doing his best to calm her, while making assurances he would make inquiries. That was clearly not enough to satisfy the woman, but then what was she expecting? She was clearly in this country illegally, a point that Master Lin clearly tried to avoid, but was made obvious by the way he never even mentioned the police. Mrs. Li could offer no explanation of why her daughter might have been the target of kidnapping, other than being an attractive young woman, alone, though in a relatively safe neighbourhood. Mrs. Li ended up alone, Master Lin moving off to act on his assurances. Qi’n approached quietly, continuing to sweep as he entered the Shrine where the madam was kneeling and lighting incense. Hours later he was crouched in the shadows near an old warehouse in Queens. Making good time here had not been easy when the fasted modes of transportation were trains and a skateboard. The woman had given him the name of the delivery, Mr. Chan, and instructions on where to find him. None of the neighbours had heard a thing, and while Jiao had been seen going into the apartment, only a group of men had been seen leaving it. A minor show of force and Mr. Chan had spilled the beans. A massive gambling debt, a pretty girl that came alone and was obviously undocumented, so even if anyone missed her, there would be little they could do to find her. With his lead, Qi’n, the ancient master in the body of a child, tracked the group to a warehouse.
Still around. Just waiting in the wings.
I'm here, but just observing so far.
Ready to join in whenever you are. Not sure how I might join during this caper. I'll give it some thought.
I was envisioning a non-secret identity for Qi'n. While allowing Owl man to go full on Batman and adopt me as his ward did occur to me, the Robin/Kato vibe is not really what I was aiming for. I'm thinking he'll be fresh off the boat when introduced (literally). He's an undocumented immigrant and apparent minor, with no legal identity (all listed in his complications). I am figuring he will get a job and a room at a local temple, sweeping floors and such for his room and board. Kind of like Kwai Chang Kane (or Luke Cage), he'll develope a reputation as a local you can go to for help when you're in trouble.
Your mileage may vary. I find using it to be far more cumbersome than not using it, and so for me the expense is actually secondary. If it works for you, that is great. I find for me it takes me longer and is less accurate than just doing the math in my head. Perhaps it is just because that is the way I am used to doing it. Regarding limitations... you actually have a point. Hadn't actually even thought of it in those terms, probably because Personal is a built in limitation of Chi; I just thought, oh, I should have a version that works on others. I wanted to come up with a good reason why it works, but I think you're right here. I was thinking narrowly in terms of a power that only works on me/them is definitely limited and not of the broader implication.
Dottie:
Not arguing that your way isn't clearer. Why I would want 4 vs. 2 is that with 4 each has double the ranks of the powers as 2.
Simplified it works like this: Chi 20 = 20 pts
Vs. Boost Stats 10 = 20 pts
Exact same powers, exact same number of points, 2x the ranks. Four would work like this:
Make sense yet? As for HeroLab, I don't typically use it (because I'm cheap, and I don't mind doing the math). The other reason would be because it is finicky; it doesn't allow some things that are within the rules, and also doesn't have a way to enter things that can be done with GM permission. Some things you can trick it into allowing the way it should; for example, you can't usually have Super Senses in an Array, though the book mentions some super sense may be used that way if they require activation (such as an android switching to a different sensing mode). You can get around that by putting the super senses in a Container, or using Alternate form. Basically, it makes you do extra work to do things that are already allowed, but not typical.
Regarding when I might join you; basically once I have GM approval, or have finished any required revisions.
Dottie: It's a small conceit that saves me about 2 pts and still allows me to have them at the same rank having them split into four powers would allow. It is generally frowned upon to create an Array within an Array (a "nested" array), but preexisting powers that may represent a preconstructed Array are generally fair game as they are a basically a power with variable effect, not technically an Array.
Your arrangement would allow for each power at rank 10, while mine allows them to be at rank 20. I could do the same thing with single powers by having a Personal and Others Only versions of each, but then I'd need 4 alternates instead of two. Using Chi basically just saves 2 pts as I don't need to pay for the two extra Alternate Power feats as they are included with the Chi power.
I'm around. Had a job application/interview this past week, so I've been busier than usual. Kinda got distracted and hadn't finished up my character. As well, I must admit getting a little frustrated trying to come up with a build that is simple, and yet satisfactorily interesting to me. I've discovered I am not good at making anything inefficiently built. It's like an OCD style itch in the brain every time I try to make something without injecting some complexity. I just keep thinking, but those points could be doing so much more!!! ;) Ah, anyway, the profile I'm using here has a mostly done build that is simple-er, so take a look and see what you think. I think I kind gave up on it a couple days ago where it was, so I'm pretty sure the points don't quite add up (I think it only adds to 118 or so).
Oh, ok. The Array has the skill check required flaw; it's a 40 point slot.
Efficient yes. 2/2 is better than 5/8 for efficiency no doubt. However, Variable with the ability to create powers of a given description is already down to 5/6 due to the limitation; and a GM might convinced to allow 5/5 if the ability only applied to enhancing powers you already have. At that point, Variable would be more efficient as it wouldn't require the power feat investment to allow you to modify an ability the way Power Reserve does. 5/6 is probably on par given the fact is does not require that feat, and maybe better since it doesn't require the investment in an one ranke of all those powers. If a GM preferred Variable with the Powers with the Chi descriptor, I'd be plenty happy with that. My thought was that this would be too much to ask for, which is why I looked for a more restricted power with a similar effect. Chi is probably only a tiny bit less flexible than Magic, as Chi mystics are often depicted doing just about anything a wizard can, particularly in the Waxia setting. He has 16 ranks of Power Reserve which allows him to assign 32 points to the named powers. Variable limited to Chi Powers would work out to about 8 Ranks for about the same combined cost, and provide 40 points to assign, with far fewer restrictions. If the variability factor in either set up concerns you, feel free to say so. I am not dead set on the build by any means, and I'm happy to redesign or pitch something else if the existing players prefer. I'm just here to have fun, and I'm pretty easy going that way.
Valid points. Suppose it still depends on your personal point of view in which you regard as more useful to you. I think the versatility of unlimited power options vastly outweighs the benefit of being able to just enhance preexisting powers. I know what I can do with unlimited options (which is why the Magic power is an issue) so in my opinion there is no comparison regarding which I view as more powerful.
Had an idea late in the game to check out the 2e Manga and Mecha book; there is so much awesome stuff in there that is perfect for this concept. What I have in mind is more Waxia than Anime, but a lot of the tropes hold. May have to see if what is there changes my ideas at all. One first glance I see it has something called Stances, which is exactly what I had envisioned with the character's multiple styles.
No, problem. I'll change it to straight Astral Form without the Magic aspect.
I'm leery of the magic power. It It... purple nose berry nipple goblin? It... steals your posts mere words in?It... has no real limitation on what powers can reasonable considered "Magic-Appropriate" leading to virtually unlimited Power-Stunting potential? Probably the third one I'm guessing?
Interesting that you see it as more flexible, as I had the opposite impression. It only allows you to modify existing powers, and not create completely new powers (often of a given descriptor) as Variable does. I think Variable is a much more powerful ability. I haven't tried a character with Power Reserve before, but seemed to me that it might work thematically with this kind of character, as he can decide where to concentrate his Qi. I originally put something together using a variety of "Altered Forms," with each alternate ability of the power representing a different "style" of martial art. One style was fast, another was strong, one was good at destruction, another was good at defense. I was picturing someone switching back and forth from Snake-Style, to Mantis Style, to Wing Chun, etc. I modified it to this build in an effort to simplify it.
Oh goodness, you are right, that was either a typo, or I messed up something in the math on that one. I think it is supposed to be Power Reserve 12 (not 32), so I am thinking typo. I'll fix it when I get a chance. Edit: Checked the math and it turns out it was a notation error; the ability is Power Reserve 16, which provides 32 points to use. The idea is for this to be like a really restricted version of a variable Power, where he can change between damaging vs. accurate techniques or change his stance from strong and tough, to fast and hard to hit. Note that Power Reserve provides 2 powers it affects as part of the power, so the other powers cou t as 8, not 10.
Rigor Rictus here. Ok, have my initial character together. I had started building him in a slightly more complicated way and then decided to try to step back and simplify him somewhat. Think I've still got a point or two to iron out, +/-, but I'll get it sorted shortly. |