How would you design a power that would let me "flatten" non-living things. They would retain their mass and weight, but become thin as paper.
How would you design a power that would let me "flatten" non-living things. They would retain their mass and weight, but become thin as paper.
That depends on what effect you want to have for them. How does being flat affect them?
Does it hinder their movement? Reduce their strength? Generally discombobulate them?
The effect I'm going for is essentially reducing the volume they take up in the real world. They retain their durability and mass. Objects that depend on their specific shape may not function correctly, but otherwise should be the same, but flat. Limitations would be up to a certain size or volume.
Variations include:
retaining durability, but being able to be folded like paper by hero alone. (increase cost per rank)
becoming as light as paper (would increase cost per rank)
that sounds like a flavored variation of the Shrinking power, used to affect another that is.
Here is my idea
The Jester. Interference type build.
Runs around, messes with other's senses and combat abilities
Can move around the battlefield quickly.
you can call him a skill monkey and he'll probably laugh and agree
He's flashy. Likes to be in the center, for attention, or just be there where the action is
Unnamed Hero - PL 10
Strength 4, Stamina 4, Agility 6, Dexterity 5, Fighting 5, Intellect 6, Awareness 3, Presence 5
Advantages
Agile Feint, Defensive Roll 5, Evasion 2, Fearless, Hide in Plain Sight, Instant Up, Jack-of-all-trades, Ranged Attack 2, Taunt
Skills
Acrobatics 4 (+10), Athletics 4 (+8), Deception 4 (+9), Perception 2 (+5), Ranged Combat: Dazzle: Cumulative Affliction 7 4 (+9), Sleight of Hand 2 (+7), Stealth 4 (+10)
Powers
Affliction: Affliction 7 (1st degree: Entranced, 2nd degree: Defenseless, 3rd degree: Incapacitated, Resisted by: Will, DC 17; Distracting)
Dazzle: Cumulative Affliction 7 (1st degree: Impaired, 2nd degree: Disabled, 3rd degree: Unaware, Resisted by: Will, DC 17; Cumulative, Increased Range: ranged)
Illusion: Illusion 7 (Affects: Two Sense Types, Area: 125 cft., DC 17)
Protection: Protection 3 (Removable, +3 Toughness; Impervious)
Teleport: Teleport 2 (120 feet in a move action, carrying 50 lbs.; Subtle 2: undetectable; Limited: Shadows, Source: Shadows)
Offense
Initiative +6
Affliction: Affliction 7, +5 (DC Will 17)
Dazzle: Cumulative Affliction 7, +11 (DC Will 17)
Grab, +5 (DC Spec 14)
Throw, +7 (DC 19)
Unarmed, +5 (DC 19)
Complications
Motivation: Thrills
Prejudice
Reputation
Languages
Native Language
Defense
Dodge 6, Parry 5, Fortitude 4, Toughness 12/7, Will 3
Power Points
Abilities 76 + Powers 47 + Advantages 15 + Skills 12 (24 ranks) + Defenses 0 = 150
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Hello,
Are you still looking for submissions? I haven't played M&M since it first came out but I really enjoyed it then and hopefully the learning curve isn't too great from the original rule set (I'll probably hero-lab it which hopefully will help as well). I have an idea for a hero-from-the-future type.
Thanks,
Jim
@Seth86
I like the concept, I'd like to see more to do with his backstory later on.
@Jim Cirillo
Yup, Still looking to fill a few spots for the team, anyone's welcome to submit their characters yet.
A question about how powers work with each other.
So my main theme is control of paper, which all other abilities stem off from. For instance, he could snare someone, or suffocate them by wrapping paper around them. So do I create separate powers or one power that has 3 different uses?
Atsuko here was made for a game that vanished pretty much immediately. *Coughs* If you're interested in her, I could up her PL to 10 and adjust her backstory to match what's going on here.
@Seth86
I like the concept, I'd like to see more to do with his backstory later on.
will do so
I'll see about editing Ravager somewhat to make her a more viable Close-Combat hero, myself. I'm glad to see more people trickling in!
Edit: There we go, all set I believe! Amazing what a few little changes can do. Much more effective poison, more accurate hits, and the damage is really ow on those it hits now.
Oh, didn't notice Atsuko there. I find myself very much liking the concept. Both her and Masumi seem to have the same goals geared toward acceptance of strange and bizarre alien powers, which could easily lead to some form of comradely. The coincidentally of two Japanese-originated heros is also amusing to me.
A question about how powers work with each other.
So my main theme is control of paper, which all other abilities stem off from. For instance, he could snare someone, or suffocate them by wrapping paper around them. So do I create separate powers or one power that has 3 different uses?
M&M allows you to pay one point to create an alternate power. This uses the same points as the base power (minus any spent for alternate power). So it's goo for having different attack powers. Each round as a free action, you choose which power is active (so it's not good to put your basic defenses in).
Question:
Can i give my 'suit' power? It communicates with me? Almost like a symbiote?
in case that's a yes, here is a bit of story
Axel is part of a troop performers. Acrobats. Illusionists. Feats of dareing. They always chalenge their limits. Never knowing about that one odd gene in his genetic makeup.
It happened real fast. He was doing what he should never have done. Practice alone. But being the joker, the funny guy, the one they usually did not take seriously. He had to show them. He may be lazy, but he had more skill than they gave him credit for...
The rope snapped, a loud TWANG sound, and he fell. No net. No saftey harness. Just open air and him falling to the ground. He heard a scream, but being alone. It was his....
Next thing he knows his on the ground. Not a mark on him, and in a different outfit. It spoke to him. At first, he thought he was going crazy. But in the months to follow. It helped him understand. Who. And what he is.
Things are going to very different now
I'm the first to admit that I don't have total system mastery here. XD Anyway, would Immortality as an Alternate Effect for Atsuko's Regeneration work? (What I'm trying to do is have her healing power normally fixing her injuries, but if she kicks it, they start doing other things to bring her back.)
@Atsuko
What a coincidence, I applied for that very same campaign. Didn't last long, eh? I'm fine with your inclusion as long as our resident japanese schoolgirl doesn't mind herself, and it looks like she doesn't. Go ahead and tweak you character. I'd also edit the fluff to refer to Eden City instead of Emerald City, for obvious reasons.
I wouldn't mind immortality, especially with a good enough reason. Characters die so few times in MM anyways.
@Uret
Glad myself. We'll have a veritable league by the end here.
Could definitely see some sort of camraderie there.
@Seth86
Symbiote jester suite. Roll with it. Would it be PC or GM controlled? Doesn't matter to me either way. Would make a great complication.
Only thing it does is talk and give advice.
Like Jarvis. But he is only connected to Axel. More like Blue Beetle's suit.
Can be either GM or self.
@Seth86
Any preferences yourself?
Blue Beetle in all his incarnations is such an underrated hero. He deserves more credit.
I only know him from Brave and the Bold
Well. It can be interesting. Especially since Axel cant talk telepathicly. Only he can hear the suit. So GM? =^^=
Here's an updated version of Atsuko. ^^ I might toss in another idea later. Do we have a good wizard yet? If not, something Dresden-style could be neat...
Atsuko's main form of offense is her Alien Will - by bringing her mental prowess to bear, Atsuko can hammer at the minds of others and cause damage in a way that armor and dodging ability can't easily stop. Perhaps more to the point, they might not even know she's doing it, because the power itself is effectively undetectable. It's also worth noting that the willpower here may not necessarily be Atsuko's...
Her Dimensional Concealment is a different kind of power, one that allows her to completely avoid being noticed by most things - she temporarily exists in a set of higher dimensions while it's active, and can't be "reached" by senses that only apply to lower levels of reality. It's quite comprehensive, but she has to focus to maintain it, and she has to return to normal dimensions in order to do more than move around.
Atsuko's Dimensional Shield is a protective effect, primarily representing the way that space can warp around her and help to protect her from harm. It's not absolute, but is quite thorough. That's important, because while she's agile, her body isn't nearly as strong as that of many truly superhuman individuals, and she prefers to stay back and attack from a distance (when she needs to attack at all).
For the times she's actually hurt, her Eldritch Body repairs damage at a fairly rapid pace, allowing her to recover from many conditions and injuries. The problem? It's pretty freaky to watch, and she might momentarily have more body parts than she should while she's healing. She can't control or stop it, and it's one of the things that truly bothers her about her abilities.
It gets worse. Even death is outside of her grasp, for her body is determinedly immortal. She doesn't regenerate quickly from death, but in just a week, her body will be as good as new. It doesn't really matter where she is, either, because her Eldritch Life enables her to survive in almost any conditions.
On the bright side, her Eldritch Sight means she tends to see things as they really are - up to and including seeing in complete darkness and straight through visual concealment. It's a permanent power she can't shut off, so there's no risk of not having it when it would be relevant. (She might now, however, realize when people are trying to hide...)
When she needs to manipulate things, her Eldritch Tendrils can rise out of any patch of darkness to grab and manipulate objects - useful for clearing a lot of stuff in a hurry, and especially for dragging civilians out of the way. It's important to note that the patch of darkness must of be a decent size (typically two square feet, at least), and distinctly darker than the areas around it - shadows that barely exist do not qualify. She has no idea why this is.
Finally, distance is relative when you look at things from a dimensional standpoint, and her highly-accurate Non-Euclidean Passage means she can get in and out of all sorts of places like the barriers weren't even there. That's what happens when the shortest distance between two points is actually a curve. Or an arc. Or possibly a squiggle. It's... not very easy to describe the directions she can move in, because they have no frame of reference that normal people can comprehend. Even Atsuko doesn't fully understand what she's doing.
Of course, in the Internet Age, no hero can remain secret for long... and Atsuko knows that it's ultimately hopeless to try. She doesn't want to admit it, but by using her powers, she's tacitly acknowledging that she will be found out... and all too many people will have a reflexive reaction, condemning her as evil simply because she's so strange.
Atsuko hopes to 'go public' in truly dramatic fashion, presenting herself as a hero whose powers, though strange and frightening, are being put to use firmly for the sake of helping others. Failing that, she hopes to make friends who the public will like, and sort of ride along with their goodwill.
Fortunately, she's rather talented at deception and persuasion - and she's not too shabby at noticing what's going on around her, either. As a long-term goal, she hopes to get financing of some kind (maybe from the government, maybe from individuals, who knows?) to pay the bills and allow her to use her powers full-time. If all else fails on the bills front, she plans to allow her powers to be studied... but will charge whoever wants to experiment on her.
She respects, but has cautiously stayed away from, major groups like the Avengers and the Justice League. One thing she's noticed is that people in those groups tend to have strong feelings on various matters, while her own personality is on the mild side. She knows it would be far easier on her if she simply avoided using her powers as best she could, but the simple truth of the matter is that she thinks helping others is the right thing to do. Her greatest fear is being misunderstood by others - she's not looking for their praise, precisely, but she doesn't want to be hated and feared just for existing.
Atsuko is most friendly to people who are willing to accept her for who she is and not simply try to control her (or worse, eliminate her as a threat). While she's willing to face superhuman threats and use her powers to stop them, she's less willing to confront civilians - indeed, she's more likely to run than talk back to people who yell at her or tell her to go away.
Strength 0, Stamina 2, Agility 4, Dexterity 4, Fighting 0, Intellect 4, Awareness 8, Presence 8
Advantages
Languages 1
Skills
Deception 2 (+10), Insight 1 (+9), Intimidation 1 (+9), Perception 4 (+12), Persuasion 2 (+10)
Powers
Alien Will: Damage 10 (eldritch, DC 25; Alternate Resistance: Will, Increased Range 2: perception, Subtle 2: undetectable; Limited to Minds)
Dimensional Concealment: Concealment 10 (dimensions, All Senses; Concentration, Passive)
Dimensional Shield: Protection 8 (dimensions, +8 Toughness; Sustained)
Eldritch Body: Regeneration 5 (eldritch, Every 2 rounds; Noticeable: Body Horror)
. . Immortality: Immortality 2 (Alternate; Return after 1 week)
Eldritch Life: Immunity 11 (eldritch, Aging, Life Support)
Eldritch Sight: Senses 8 (eldritch, Counters All Concealment: Visual, Darkvision, Direction Sense)
Eldritch Tendrils: Burst Area Move Object 2 (eldritch, 200 lbs.; Burst Area: 30 feet radius sphere, DC 12, Precise, Selective; Concentration, Source: Darkness)
Non-Euclidean Passage: Teleport 2 (dimensions, 120 feet in a move action, carrying 50 lbs.; Accurate)
Offense
Initiative +4
Alien Will: Damage 10 (DC Will 25)
Eldritch Tendrils: Burst Area Move Object 2 (DC 12)
Grab, +0 (DC Spec 10)
Throw, +4 (DC 15)
Unarmed, +0 (DC 15)
Complications
Motivation: Acceptance: Atsuko's powers are, to put it bluntly, weird. She knows that many people - especially if influenced by the media - would quickly label her a freak. She has a strong desire to be accepted by her friends, and is often reluctant to accept publicity.
Weakness: Atsuko's powers are ineffective on anyone who brandishes the Elder Sign (a complicated star-like symbol) against her, though they must be actively and intentionally wanting to protect themselves from her. If they cease brandishing or concentrating, she can affect them again.
The fact that this works is a rather critical detail about the true nature of her abilities...
Languages
English, Japanese
Defense
Dodge 6, Parry 0, Fortitude 2, Toughness 10, Will 10
Power Points
Abilities 60 + Powers 80 + Advantages 1 + Skills 5 (10 ranks) + Defenses 4 = 150
@Seth86
Will enjoy it. Could make a few plot hooks out of it, definitely. Anything you might want to tell me about the suit or it's motivations?
@Atsuko
Looking pretty neat. She'd fit well into Eden.
I changed my character a bit. Had too, powers overlapped. :P
including making the suit power uncontrolled. So GM plot/NPC thingy
Hopefully finish my guy over the weekend. Will keep you guys posted.
Still accepting. I like to have a full range of choices.
While I wouldn't be able to have a full build or back story up until tonight, I have a concept I think would be fun to play.
An animal mimic, in the vein of Vixen from DC Comics, with a mix of Black Panther thrown in.
I am curious how much world building we can do in our histories. As my concept in heavily inputted by the African heroes of both Marvel and DC, I want to tie him to the legacy if a Nationally recognised African hero who is the leader of his nation.
Now my character wouldn't be the King, it would make helping hard, but the brother of the King, in campaign city to establish an Embassy or something similar.
Let me know if the concept works and I will stat it up and get his complications and background done for tonight.
Here is my character
The Jester - PL 10
Strength 4, Stamina 4, Agility 6, Dexterity 5, Fighting 5, Intellect 6, Awareness 3, Presence 5
Advantages
Agile Feint, Defensive Roll 5, Evasion 2, Fearless, Hide in Plain Sight, Instant Up, Jack-of-all-trades, Ranged Attack 2, Taunt
Skills
Acrobatics 4 (+10), Athletics 4 (+8), Deception 6 (+11), Ranged Combat: Blast: Damage 6 4 (+9), Stealth 4 (+10)
Powers
Alternate Form (Shadow) (Activation: Standard Action)
. . Concealment: Concealment 5 (All Visual Senses, Sense - Hearing; Limited: Darkness and Shadow)
. . Insubstantial: Insubstantial 4 (Incorporeal)
Big Top: Illusion 6 (Affects: Two Sense Types, Area: 60 cft., DC 16)
Blast: Damage 6 (DC 21; Increased Range: ranged; Source: Shadows)
Harlequin Suit: Protection 5 (biological, +5 Toughness; Impervious; Noticeable: Harlequin Suit, Quirk: Bells, Uncontrolled)
Now you Don't: Teleport 4 (500 feet in a move action, carrying 50 lbs.; Limited: Shadows)
Offense
Initiative +6
Blast: Damage 6, +11 (DC 21)
Grab, +5 (DC Spec 14)
Throw, +7 (DC 19)
Unarmed, +5 (DC 19)
Complications
Motivation: Thrills
Prejudice
Reputation
Languages
English
Defense
Dodge 6, Parry 5, Fortitude 4, Toughness 14/9, Will 3
Power Points
Abilities 76 + Powers 48 + Advantages 15 + Skills 11 (22 ranks) + Defenses 0 = 150
So the idea is, he has a few powers of his own, but some of them he can only use when he has the suit on. The lifeform expanded his powers, as a trade-off. He gets to tag along and experience things, and he boosts the powers of Axel as payment.
So in a way:
Axel - Illusion, Teleport
The suit: Alternate form, blast, protection
Allow me to introduce you to Tau Abioye-Imari, the Totem Spirit ...
Strength 7, Stamina 7, Agility 7, Dexterity 0, Fighting 9, Intellect 1, Awareness 3, Presence 2
Advantages
Agile Feint, All-out Attack, Benefit 3: (Security Clearance, Staus, Wealth), Defensive Attack, Great Endurance, Hide in Plain Sight, Languages 1, Move-by Action, Power Attack, Takedown, Uncanny Dodge
Skills
Acrobatics 8 (+15), Athletics 5 (+12), Close Combat: Tribal Combat Arts 4 (+13), Expertise: Tribal Practices & Customs 6 (+7), Expertise: Politics & Current Events 6 (+7), Insight 7 (+10), Intimidation 8 (+10), Perception 7 (+10), Persuasion 3 (+5), Stealth 8 (+15)
Powers
Tribal Champion & Protector: Variable 2
. . Aerial Hunter (Hawk, Eagle, Condor) (Powers: Eyes of the Hunter ...: Senses 3, Wings of the Hunter ...: Flight 3)
. . . . Eyes of the Hunter ...: Senses 3 (Extended: (Visual) 2: x100, Low-light Vision)
. . . . Wings of the Hunter ...: Flight 3 (Speed: 16 miles/hour, 250 feet/round, Advantages: Improved Defense)
. . Guardian (Gorilla, Elephant) (Powers: Enduring Strength ...: Immunity 2, Strength & Stability ...: Enhanced Strength 5, Strength of the Defender ...: Enhanced Trait 3)
. . . . Enduring Strength ...: Immunity 2 (Critical Hits)
. . . . Strength & Stability ...: Enhanced Strength 5 (+5 STR; Limited: Resisting Knockback, Knockdown & Trip)
. . . . Strength of the Defender ...: Enhanced Trait 3 (Advantages: Fast Grab, Improved Grab, Improved Hold)
. . Predator (Lion, Tiger) (Powers: Primal Senses ...: Senses 3, Pursue & Pounce ...: Speed 3, The Takedown ...: Enhanced Trait 3)
. . . . Primal Senses ...: Senses 3 (Acute: (Scent), Low-light Vision, Tracking: (Scent) 1: -1 speed rank)
. . . . Pursue & Pounce ...: Speed 3 (Speed: 16 miles/hour, 250 feet/round)
. . . . . . Leaping: Leaping 3 (Alternate; Leap 60 feet at 16 miles/hour)
. . . . The Takedown ...: Enhanced Trait 3 (Advantages: Improved Critical 2, Improved Trip)
. . Trickster (Monkey) (Powers: Dexterous Defense ...: Enhanced Trait 4, Energetic Escape ...: Speed 2, Nimble Ascent ...: Movement 2)
. . . . Dexterous Defense ...: Enhanced Trait 4 (Advantages: Improved Defense, Redirect, Set-up, Skill Mastery: Acrobatics)
. . . . Energetic Escape ...: Speed 2 (Speed: 8 miles/hour, 120 feet/round)
. . . . Nimble Ascent ...: Movement 2 (Safe Fall, Wall-crawling 1: -1 speed rank)
Power Settings
Aerial Hunter (Hawk, Eagle, Condor) (Powers: Eyes of the Hunter ...: Senses 3, Wings of the Hunter ...: Flight 3)
Guardian (Gorilla, Elephant) (Powers: Enduring Strength ...: Immunity 2, Strength & Stability ...: Enhanced Strength 5, Strength of the Defender ...: Enhanced Trait 3)
Predator (Lion, Tiger) (Powers: Primal Senses ...: Senses 3, Pursue & Pounce ...: Speed 3, The Takedown ...: Enhanced Trait 3)
Trickster (Monkey) (Powers: Dextrous Defense ...: Enhanced Trait 4, Energetic Escape ...: Speed 2, Nimble Ascent ...: Movement 2)
Offense
Initiative +7
Grab, +9 (DC Spec 17)
Throw, +0 (DC 22)
Unarmed, +13 (DC 22)
Languages
English, Other Languages (Arabic, French, Swahili)
Defense
Dodge 13, Parry 13, Fortitude 9, Toughness 7, Will 11
Power Points
Abilities 72 + Powers 14 + Advantages 13 + Skills 31 (62 ranks) + Defenses 20 = 150
Fame: Prince & Hero: The Abioye-Imari name is synonymous with the Royalty of Bangalla, and the fight against corruption and injustice. Tau takes no effort to conceal his activities as the Totem Spirit. He acts in a manner that will bring honor and respect to his homeland, both as Prince Abioye-Imari, and the Totem. This does mean, however, that those who question his actions or motives know exactly where to find him, and much to the concern of his security detail, any news crew, paparazzi, or common citizens seeking to enlist his aid, can find him with a minimum of effort.
Honor: Noblesse Oblige: Tau acts with a high degree of respect and responsibility towards the nation of his birth, Bangalla, and understands that his every action reflects upon that same nation. When he looks at his fellow man, from the tribesman to the wealthy industrialist, he judges each man by their character and spirit, not the circumstances of their birth.
He has little tolerance for men who would use their strength, wealth or power to prey upon those weaker, or less fortunate than themselves. And while he does not give his word lightly, nor anger quickly, his word once given is iron-clad, and his anger once roused is fearsome to behold.
Motivation: Responsibility: Legacy of the Lion Tau feels that he has been entrusted with the strength and power of the tribal totems for a purpose. His father, Jabari, the King of Bangalla, gave his life to protect his sons from the Overshadow's attack on the royal family. This final display of his father's courage and conviction is Tau's defining memory, and an image that drives him towards perfection. He uses every weapon in his arsenal, his strength, cunning and intellect, couple with the totemic spirits which protect him to combat the depredations of corrupt and evil men where ever he may find them.
Power Loss: Totemic Strength & Favor The totemic spirits which infuse Tau, are susceptible to magical bindings and rituals, a foe sufficiently skilled in the shamanic arts would be able to prepare a ritual that could steal, or imprison, the ability of these spirits to infuse the Prince with their power. Tau must also be wary that he pay respect to the spiritual and shamanic traditions of his ancestors lest he lose the favor of his spirit animals. Either situation would result in the loss of the abilities granted by his Tribal Champion & Protector power set.
Responsibility: Prince of Bangalla Tau must be careful that he balances his role as a Prince of Bangalla, a spokesperson for his home nation, and a spiritual protector of his people and their customs. Lesser men would struggle with the increasing demands of both the modern and spiritual world, but Tau Abioye-Imari is far from a weak man. Both disciplined, determined and driven, he fulfills the many duties required of him with pride; through his words and deeds he demands the respect of those around.
Relationship: The Ties that Bind: Tau, as a Prince of Bangalla, is required to have a security detail with him at all times. Due to his connection with the totemic spirits, he is more than capable of defending himself, rendering the detail largely redundant, but he ensures that they are kept apprised of his affairs when acting as the Totem. Tau particularly values and respects Tariq, the head of his security detail, and will often seek him out for advice, speaking to him as an equal, seeking his advice, and point of view as a citizen of the nation which he has sworn his life to protect.
Though Queen Sabella abdicated the Throne of Bangalla for her elder son, Tau's brother, Jaheem, she maintains a vital position in the life of her two sons. Sabella is highly regarded by her sons, and the common citizenry of her nation, for her noble and just demeanor. She often councils the more difficult road, and advises her sons to pay particular attention to the morality of any given situation, despite the vagaries of fate and circumstance.
Charged to ensure fair and equitable negotiations with the Rhodes Foundation, the research company was granted exclusive rights to research M'bara-crystal technology. During the negotiations, Tau became enamored with Sophia Cruz, the current CEO of the Foundation, due to her strength of character, and noble spirit. Weeks later, when the Power Division attempted to break in and steal that research the Totem responded to Cruz' request for aid, he was able to defeat and incarcerate the armor-clad mercenaries, but not before Cruz herself had sustained injuries. Over the course of the next week he visited her often in the hospital, where the two developed a mutual affection that has grown into a romantic liaison. She is aware of the fact that Tau opposes Overshadow and his various operations, and his desire to see that organization brought to justice, but she has yet to reveal to him the true nature of the Foundation and it's relation to the Scarab and their own feud with the re-incarnation of Tan-Aktor
Background to follow, may tweak his complications some, but there is the basis for the Spirit Totem.
Comments and critiques are welcome!
Ooh ooh, am pleased to find this. I've gone off pathfinder the last few years, but have been hunting for somewhere to play some supers lately and thought I'd check back to paizo. Seems I timed it just right :D
So... I'm thinking... it's a bit weird since I've never done a character like this before but uhh, it would be... a cloud of sapient energy or well a purely mental construct. To be honest, though I really like the superhero genre I've never gotten big into comics or the like, so this may not be the most original concept. X-Men is probably the comics that I'm most familiar with, mutants are pretty rad.
Back to the character though, it's origin (I'll probably end up calling it a he for convenience sake) would be either the residual mental energy after the death of some powerful cosmic being/individual, or else a transient visiting from another layer of reality. I'm more inclined towards the former, so any help from those better up on the continuity of the comics about what sort of event may have created such a thing would be appreciated, I'd like to have something from the comics to tie it to and draw inspiration.
On a purely mechanical level though, it would be an invisible, intangible being that can only interact with the material world either by telekinesis, or by temporarily inhabiting/possessing and controlling a physical body (or possibly a group of smaller creatures, like a swarm of insects, rats etc.), and would have an array of mental powers.
I'll do some research myself, but any suggestions on how to stat this up mechanically would be appreciated. For instance would it be reasonable to remove his Strength and Fighting stats as mentioned on page 109? I'd also say to remove Stamina since it should be immune to fatigue effects and the like, but I don't want to complicate him taking damage; I'll just think of the stat as mental stamina/fortitude and buy immunity separately.
Anyway enough ramblings, does that sound okay? :)
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As a suggestion Peanuts, I would make my character with a Physical Form, perhaps a comatose body that you animate, and then purchase Morph, and add the Meta extra to it for your invisible energy form, and then add a complication that you need to return to your host body, ie. physical form, to maintain cohesion in our dimension, or something to that effect.
An invisible, intangible energy form is kind of cool, but it severly limits roleplaying and such. The basis for comics is interactions outside of your heroic identity. Think Spiderman and how Peter Parker struggles to maintain his civilian responsibilities, like buying MJ an engagement ring, making it over to Aunt May's for dinner, and keeping his job while he struggles with the flu, and the Green Goblin attacks while he's swinging across town, and he drops the ring!
Geeze, that's like four hero points right there. The limited interactions of a intangible energy field are going to severly limit your ability to interact with the campaign world without some sort of physical body. The meta morph idea allows you 'instant' access to a possessed body for ... reasons!
mmm that's a fair point Zen and it is something I've considered. I think he could actually maintain a civilian identity the way I've statted him up through clever use of mental illusions and telekinesis...
It's something I'll give some thought, but I'd at least like to know whether Jaster is okay with the mechanical concept as it stands. The character will be a real pain in the neck to any mundane villains as he is permanently invisible and intangible, but someone else with mental powers could probably outmatch him I think, or at least stand a fair chance. I expect magical foes would be able to deal with him reasonably well too as mechanically he's fairly similar to a ghost.
So yeah, let me know what you think of the concept Jaster and whether I should go ahead with it or tweak it/come up with something else.
Seems we got quite a few heroes now, nice! All very cool in concept as well, I love that.
Dr Apocalypse is coming together nicely.
Here she is! I did some math, and discovered I had NINE unspent Power Points due to how Removable works, So I've shored up her Toughness and dodge a bit, made her leaping non-acro, and gave her a couple more senses. YAY FOR MATH. This avatar is the closest I could find to how her Ravager form looks, I'll add how it really is at some point soon-ish.
And here is the Darkstorm
Hey, realized a few errors when fixing up my sheet, so I am fixing it up to better represent the character.
So without Further Ado here is the Polished up Darkstorm
Would anyone mind giving me some tips, this is the first time i have played anything other than a crime fighter archetype.
I'm ba-ack!
Guess what I was watching :)
@Seth86
I like the build insofar. Quick question more for flavoring, though it does have to do with build, can Axel wear his costume underneath regular clothes, or at least, most of his costume.
@Zen Gypsy
Now that's what I call giving a character his background with the complications. I enjoy the character concept and the complications definitely set you up for a lot of character hooks.
@Peanuts
Glad you found it, too. I love Pathfinder, but I've been playing MM longer, mostly as a PC, compared to my mostly GM career on Pathfinder.
Zen's right, I like the concept, but it could lead to some difficult roleplaying experiences. I like the mechanics, but I would like something more... personable to work with.
@Xan Nes
Go ahead. Haven't watched it in a while, but I always enjoyed it.
Alternate form is alright. I've worked with it before, I know how to handle it.
Darkstorms looking great. Where is he from, by the way? Eden City, perhaps? Also, could we expand on that female friend of yours? Could work for some good plot. Here or via PM, whichever you would preffer.
@Masumi
Looking sweet. Isn't it just the best whenever you find extra points in your build?
Hmm... going to have to make a list of possible heroes now... eventually... Procrastination powers, activate!
Procrastination, one of the most powerful superpowers in existence. And yep, very much so.
I might tweak Atsuko's build a little more, see if I can squeeze in Immunity to Will. She's got the whole alien-mind-acting-through-her thing going on, and that seems like something such a character would have.
Edit: Magic 8-Ball says "not likely". XD Oh well!
@Zen Gypsy
Now that's what I call giving a character his background with the complications. I enjoy the character concept and the complications definitely set you up for a lot of character hooks.
Glad you enjoy his complications, please note he was lifted from a Freedom-verse setting, so I will be modifying his background some, and expanding on some points, and hopefully, if selected, those points become canon for your setting.
Secondly, please note that I only took one point of Languages, but selected three languages. I have always felt that Languages being 1 point per was overpriced, compared to the fact that you can get all languages spoken for 6 points, less if you limit it to Terrestrial Languages. I figure that the languages I took, Arabic, French & Swahili aren't all that likely to come up often in game, but I can reduce it to one language as per RAW if you feel it's unfair or imbalanced.
I also have the idea of a growing Rogue's Gallery, specifically the Iron Skull and his 5th Column Organization, a Kraven the Hunter homage, and also a Gorilla Grodd psychic primate mastermind, because he's awesome!
Really looking forward to this, and hoping I make it in. If anyone would like to begin linking backstories please let me know and lets help Jaster with some world building. :)
I might tweak Atsuko's build a little more, see if I can squeeze in Immunity to Will. She's got the whole alien-mind-acting-through-her thing going on, and that seems like something such a character would have.
Could always tweak it to Immunity: Mind Reading, that would only be 2 points, and represent an alien thought pattern. You'd still be susceptible to Mental attack though.
Just a thought.
@Xan Nes
Go ahead. Haven't watched it in a while, but I always enjoyed it.
Alternate form is alright. I've worked with it before, I know how to handle it.
Darkstorms looking great. Where is he from, by the way? Eden City, perhaps? Also, could we expand on that female friend of yours? Could work for some good plot. Here or via PM, whichever you would preffer.
Thanks.
My thoughts for his origin are as follows. Since there is a bit, I'll put a spoiler for the sake of my fellow applicants.
Darkstorm, or Dale Fisher as he is more commonly known, was born in a small town, on the line between Eden City and the town of his birth. As a child he was always shown up by his far more brilliant brother, and his far more athletic sister. He grew up being bullied by his sister and learned to defend himself. He had few friends in school, being the person judged as completely average. He never did anything special through out the majority of school. He ended up developing strong personal attachments to each of his friends, including his friend Alexa, whom he met in 7th grade. The two are immensely close friends, trusting each other with almost everything. However that same year, Dale's dad was killed by a druggie looking to rob him. Alexa and Dales few friends were the only people to be there for him in that time, and he grew very close to them, accepting them as family.
As time progressed, due to his location, he ended up going to high school in Eden city, where once again he was completely average. The only things that made his high school experience any fun was that Alexa also went to Eden Cities High school, and Cross Country. He found out that he had a unusually high level of physical endurance, which he blamed on his sister constantly beating him up, and him at a young age learning to run away from her. He was never invited to parties, and ended up just becoming closer with his circle of friends.
After high school, Alexa and several of Dale's friends, along with dale himself, were accepted into a university near Eden City. The first year of college went by as every other year of school had. However, his second year was very different. While getting into a fight with one of Alexa's ex's Dale discovered we was anything but average. The arguement was about the mans drug use, and in the argument, Dale let loose a blast of plasma. Luckily for him, the man he was arguing with couldn't remember what happened. Since then, Dale began to test his powers, and after realizing he transformed into a ghost, and he had a few other powers, he began to take on the drug dealers around the college. However one storming night he was walking back from class alone, when he heard a scream. Transforming into his ghost self, he went after it, to find Alexa being held at gun point. Dale fought the mugger, saving Alexa, and escaping relatively unharmed. Later, he got a call from Alexa when she got back to her dorm. She explained to him what happened, and that she had a crush on the man who appeared in the dark of a storm. From that he picked up the name Darkstorm, and began to scout out in Eden city, aswell as fighting the drug problem at his college.
He does this, and claims he is doing it to do good for its own sake, but honestly he is doing it for attention. He still is hurt from his lack of attention as a child, and because he is so close to Alexa,he enjoys the attention Darkstorm receives from her. However, with all this he does not want to tell Alexa he is the Darkstorm because he has made enemies with a small drug cartel, and is afraid of any enemies he may get in the future of his super hero line of work, while not doing school work, figuring out that she is important to him and harming her.
Okay, here's Doctor Apocalypse.
Dr Apocalypse - PL 10
Strength 0, Stamina 2, Agility 2, Dexterity 0, Fighting 0, Intellect 6, Awareness 2, Presence 2
Advantages
Eidetic Memory, Fascinate (Persuasion), Inventor, Luck (Inspiration), Luck (Recover), Luck 3, Speed of Thought
Skills
Acrobatics 1 (+3), Athletics 1 (+1), Close Combat: ???? 1 (+1), Deception 1 (+3), Insight 1 (+3), Intimidation 1 (+3), Investigation 1 (+7), Perception 8 (+10), Persuasion 1 (+3), Ranged Combat: Psychokinetic Manipulation 9 (+9), Sleight of Hand 1 (+1), Stealth 1 (+3), Technology 1 (+7), Treatment 1 (+7), Vehicles 1 (+1)
Powers
Adaptive Biology
. . Adaptation: Variable 1 (powers suited to a challenge; Action 3: reaction; Limited: Powers Suited to a Challenge, Limited: No Offensive Powers)
. . Regeneration: Regeneration 8 (Every 1.25 rounds)
Compressed Memory Engrams: Variable 1 (Action 2: free; Limited: Skills)
Kinetic Flight: Flight 2 (Speed: 8 miles/hour, 120 feet/round)
Kinetic Shield: Protection 10 (+10 Toughness)
Psychokinetic Manipulation
. . Kinetic Blast: Damage 10 (DC 25; Increased Range: ranged)
. . Psychokinesis: Move Object 10 ([0 active, 0/20 PP, 2/r], 25 tons)
. . Thrust field: Burst Area Flight 5 ([0 active, 0/20 PP, 4/r], Speed: 60 miles/hour, 900 feet/round; Burst Area: 30 feet radius sphere, DC 15, Selective, Stacks with: Kinetic Flight: Flight 2)
Psychokinetic Touchsight: Senses 4 (Accurate: Touch, Radius: Touch, Ranged: Touch)
Variable Neurology
. . Enhanced Ability: Enhanced Awareness 3 (+3 AWE)
. . Enhanced Ability: Enhanced Intellect 3 (+3 INT)
. . Enhanced Ability: Enhanced Intellect 6 (+6 INT; Distracting)
. . Enhanced Ability: Enhanced Presence 3 (+3 PRE)
Offense
Initiative +6
Grab, +0 (DC Spec 10)
Kinetic Blast: Damage 10, +9 (DC 25)
Psychokinesis: Move Object 10, +9 (DC 20)
Throw, +0 (DC 15)
Unarmed, +0 (DC 15)
Complications
Enemy: Other supervillians and heroes
Reputation: Ex-Supervillain
Languages
Native Language
Defense
Dodge 8, Parry 8, Fortitude 10, Toughness 12, Will 10
Power Points
Abilities 28 + Powers 68 + Advantages 9 + Skills 15 (30 ranks) + Defenses 30 = 150
hmm hmm, alright so if you're okay with the mechanics I can expand on what I'd been thinking of for the character's 'personality' after reading Zen's feedback.
I mentioned the two possible origins for this being and after reflection I think a combination of the two would work best, which is to say the mind of a deceased individual with latent super powers whose departing spirit/mind/energy/what-have you encountered an entity from a higher plane of reality resulting in a merger of the two. This likely happened some time ago (60's or 70's) and it's only in the last decade or so that the resulting Thoughtform was able to come to terms with what it now was (I admit, I'm drawing some inspiration from Watchmen here). In his efforts to reconnect with the deceased super's former life, it eventually tracks down his great granddaughter who is now trying to make her way in the hustle and bustle of Eden City (single/divorced mother perhaps?).
I think this concept gives enough personality, and earthly bonds to the character to give some fodder for roleplaying (a man out of time trying to reconnect with his past while struggling with the cohabiting alien life-form, and his lack of physical form) while still allowing me to enjoy the interesting mechanics challenges :)
I've included my current build for the character below and if this new concept sounds acceptable I'll get to work on figuring out just who the deceased was :) Maybe he even knew some of the original Masquerade ;)
Strength -, Stamina -, Agility 2, Dexterity -2, Fighting -, Intellect -2, Awareness 10, Presence 8
Skills
Insight 10 (+20)
Powers
Mental Arsenal (Dynamic Array)
. . Illusion: Illusion 7 ([0 active, 0/42 PP, 6/r], Affects: All Sense Types, Area: 125 cft., DC 17; Affects Corporeal, Selective; Resistible: Will)
. . Mental Blast: Damage 6 ([0 active, 0/42 PP, 5/r+12], DC 21; Accurate 8: +16, Alternate Resistance: Will, Affects Corporeal, Increased Range 2: perception, Penetrating 3, Subtle: subtle)
. . Mind Reading: Cumulative Mind Reading 9 ([0 active, 0/42 PP, 4/r+6], DC 19; Accurate 6: +12, Cumulative, Affects Corporeal)
. . Possession: Concentration Cumulative Affliction 6 ([0 active, 0/42 PP, 5/r+12], 3rd degree: Controlled, Resisted by: Will, DC 16; Accurate 8: +16, Concentration, Cumulative, Extra: Merge with subject, Affects Corporeal, Increased Range 2: perception, Penetrating 2, Subtle: subtle; Limited Degree (third only))
. . Psychokinesis: Move Object 9 ([0 active, 0/42 PP, 4/r+6], 12 tons; Accurate 6: +12, Affects Corporeal, Subtle: subtle)
. . Walk the Ether: Teleport 10 ([0 active, 0/42 PP, 4/r+1], 4 miles in a move action, carrying 50 lbs.; Easy, Extended: 1000 miles in 2 move actions, Subtle: subtle)
Mental Form (Activation: Free Action)
. . Higher Plane of Existence: Concealment 10 (All Senses; Innate; Permanent)
. . Higher Plane of Existence: Flight 1 (Speed: 4 miles/hour, 60 feet/round; Innate, Subtle: subtle; Permanent)
. . Higher Plane of Existence: Insubstantial 4 (Incorporeal; Innate; Permanent)
. . Mind to Mind: Comprehend 2 (Languages - Understand All, Languages - You're Understood)
. . Mind to Mind: Mental Communication 3
. . Sense (Mental): 4 (Acute (Type): Mental, Radius (Type): Mental)
. . Sense (Empathy): 5 (Detect: Emotion 2: ranged, Extended: 3 x1k)
. . Sense (Mental Awareness): 4 (Awareness: Mental, Extended: 3 x1k)
. . Sense (Mental Detection): 9 (Accurate, Detect: Minds 2: ranged, Extended: 5 x100k)
. . Will to Live: Protection 6 (+6 Toughness; Innate)
. . Will to Live: Regeneration 1 (Every 50 rounds; Innate)
Offense
Initiative +2
Grab, +0 (DC Spec 10)
Mental Blast: Damage 6 (DC Will 21)
Mind Reading: Cumulative Mind Reading 9 (DC Will 19)
Possession: Concentration Cumulative Affliction 6 (DC Will 16)
Psychokinesis: Move Object 9, +10 (DC 19)
Throw, -2 (DC 15)
Unarmed, +0 (DC 15)
Languages
Native Language
Defense
Dodge 14, Parry None, Fortitude None, Toughness 6, Will 10
Power Points
Abilities 2 + Powers 131 + Advantages 0 + Skills 5 (10 ranks) + Defenses 12 = 150
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If you still don't like the character then uhh... well I'll see what other inspiration strikes. I've always wanted to play a speedster but I find it rather difficult to come up with a concept I find interesting for it.
@Peanuts: Comprehend languages? Telepathy?! Finally, someone that Masumi can talk to while using her powers! Whether or not he'd actually respond, however...
Hehe, yup. he'll be the group switchboard if Jaster approves the new direction :) I hope he does, I've not played a mental focussed super before. I built one for a home campaign once but it never got off the ground unfortunately; was a real shame, it was a super interesting setting but then the GM moved interstate :(
Its not really a costume. Its like GUYVER in a way. It comes out and then on to him. Thats how i see it anyway =^^=