Corsecjedi

Stealth roll to sneak up to the building and observe: 29 Notice roll to check for any activity or possible entrances: 24 Stealth roll to sneak into any entrances: 27 I haven't narrated the actual entrance yet in my IC post - let's see what I find with the approach and notice checks.

"A facility, eh?" Shadowblade murmured as the van moved off into the night. And clearly engaging in something less than legal, to be abducting people right off the street. She quickly confirmed that she was receiving a good signal from her tracer, then shadow-jumped to another rooftop. She moved quickly, trying to keep the van in view from her rooftop perches as much as she could in the miserable weather, but trusting her tracer to guide her during those nerve-wracking moments when she lost sight of her quarry. It was cold and growing colder, and the wind made her shiver, but at least the exertion of the chase was helping to keep her warmer. Still, she hoped that this "facility," whatever it was, was not too far away.

Shadowblade grimaced. Her immediate inclination was to rush to the man's aid, but there were five abductors, and the victim was already imprisoned in the tight, confined space of the van; an instant reaction might well do more harm than good. She forced herself to be patient for the moment. She moved closer to the van, keeping carefully to the shadows and using her power to hide completely in the dark. As she moved, she pulled the mini-tracer from her harness. If the opportunity presented itself, she fully intended to teleport to the homeless man and get him safely away - if he were left alone someplace she could see him with only a guard or two. But she doubted these men, whoever they were, would be that careless, and so she readied the tracer. She would not abandon him, and if the van started to move with him inside, she knew she would only have seconds to get the tracer planted. As she moved, she watched and listened as closely as she could, hoping for some clue about these black-suited abductors or their motives.

Tagging the thread.

Shadowblade Gather Information - Shadowblade DC 10: Shadowblade is a new heroine in Freedom City. She has been seen mostly in Downtown Freedom and West Freedom. DC 15: Shadowblade's powers include teleportation, and she is a skilled fencer. She was active as a hero for several years in Great Britain before being seen in Freedom City. DC 20: Shadowblade is also able to meld into the shadows, vanishing almost completely from sight. Her eyes and superhuman grace are also part of her mutation. DC 25: When Shadowblade teleports, she vanishes and reappears with tiny wisps of smoke. The smoke doesn't seem to come from any observable source, and Shadowblade herself doesn't seem to really know what produces it. Gather Information - Elanor Churchill DC 10: Elanor moved to Freedom City a little over a year ago. She works for Freedom City University as an Assistant Professor. DC 15: Elanor still spends several months out of the year in Great Britain with her family, but when she's in Freedom City, she spends at least some time volunteering at local schools as a tutor. DC 20: Elanor is fairly wealthy, thanks to her family. She is distantly related to the Dukes of Marlborough, though she doesn't stand on ceremony or seem to care too much about her "noble blood." Knowledge (History) - Elanor Churchill DC 15: Elanor is a Assistant Professor of History at Freedom City University. She holds a doctorate from Magdalen College in Oxford and worked as a research fellow there for several years before moving to America. DC 20: Elanor's focus of research is the Crusades, and England's participation in them. She has published articles in several journals and hopes to turn her research into a book eventually.

Lt. Marzano of the FCPD entered the briefing room and peered interestedly at the woman waiting for him. Most of the superheroes he dealt with wore flashy garments with bright colors. This one was different, to say the least - dark clothes and what looked like a standard issue tactical harness with a variety of gear… and a sword. “Sorry for your wait, ma’am,†the officer apologized as he moved to the room’s small table. “It’s been something of a busy day here.†The woman turned from her contemplation of the view from the room’s window. She gave him a swift smile from behind her mask - a mask which did not hide her odd, amber eyes with their vaguely feline pupils. “Tis no worry, Lieutenant. Thou hast thy duties to fulfill, well I know,†she answered. Marzano felt an eyebrow rise despite himself. That was certainly something different. “Umm. Yes. Well, won’t you have a seat?†He gestured to the chair on her side of the table, waiting politely for her to take her seat first. He gave a mental chuckle at his own behavior - something about the way she worded things brought back echoes of older times. When they both had seated themselves, he said, “Well, ma’am, the duty officer told me that you asked to see me. Something about being new to Freedom City and wanting to work with FCPD?†The woman regarded him for a moment; her gaze was intense and focused, as if she was sizing him up. Then she nodded once, swiftly, decisively. “Indeed,†she said simply. Marzano nodded back and asked, “Well, then ma’am, let’s start with the basics. What should we call you?†“Canst call me Shadowblade, my good man,†the woman said. “And what shall I call thee?†“My name is Marzano, ah, Shadowblade,†the police officer replied. Is your, ah, manner of speech part of your powers, ma’am?†(1) “In sooth, friend Marzano, it is not, merely an affectation I don much as I don these mean garments.†Again, her swift smile came and went across her face. “Twixt us, tis somewhat tiresome betimes. If thou wish it, easily can I dispense with it for the present.†“That might be helpful, ma’am,†Marzano said gratefully. “If I can ask - why Shadowblade?†(2) “Of course, Lieutenant,†Shadowblade answered. “The name seemed appropriate, given my particular skills.†As she spoke, she lay a hand on her sword. “The blade, I think, is self-explanatory, and as for the rest…†She paused for a moment, her intense eyes focused on something beyond the lieutenant, and then she vanished with a soft noise of displaced air and whiff of smoke. She appeared a moment later in the corner of the room and moved back to her seat. “I can also effectively disappear in the shadows, as well.†Marzano nodded thoughtfully, though his expression was carefully neutral. “That’s all well and good, ma’am, but I’ve got to tell you that lethal action is not acceptable in Freedom City. You carry a sword and could easily surprise someone with it. For the record, how do you intend to operate in our city?†(3) Shadowblade’s expression grew somber. “Trust me, Lieutenant, I am very much aware of your city’s views on such things, and I support them wholeheartedly. I would lay aside my powers completely before using them to kill another person.†She met his eyes levelly and said with complete sincerity. “I do not believe my powers were given to me for that end.†The police officer nodded again, looking relieved this time. “That’s good to hear, Shadowblade,†he said more easily. “You say you were given powers?†He paused, and she nodded firmly. “Why do you think you were given powers?†he asked. (4) The woman frowned in thought and spent a moment in thought before answering. “I believe,†she eventually said, “that all people are given gifts and talents. Some might seem more important or better than others, but that does not change that all people have been given something. I believe I have been gifts for the same reason as any other person: to do what is right and just, and to make the world a better place for all.†She smiled again suddenly. “I suppose that sounds rather vacuous, but it’s what I believe.†Marzano grinned back at her and jotted a note on his clipboard. “How do you intend to ‘make the world a better place’ with your powers here in Freedom City, ma’am?†(5) There are those people, Lieutenant, who operate in stealth or secrecy. Some who, whether because of power, wealth, or influence, feel they can operate without regard to the law.†Shadowblade’s voice was suddenly cold and hard. “My skills allow me to ferret out their secrets, to disrupt their plans, and, hopefully, to gather evidence which you might use to prosecute these people to the fullest extent of the law. And, I suppose,†she added with a faint smile, “I could be of use protecting the innocent from more obvious threats or villains as well.†The lieutenant chuckled appreciatively as he took more notes. After a moment, he looked up at Shadowblade again. “I can’t help but notice your accent, ma’am. I take it you’re not from Freedom City originally?†(6) Shadowblade nodded. “You are correct, Lieutenant. I am originally from Great Britain and still have some ties to my native land, though I do intend to make my home in Freedom City, at least for the present.†“As a follow-up,†Marzano continued, “how did you get along with the Ministry of Powers?†(7) “I would say well enough,†Shadowblade said after a few moments’ thought. “The Ministry encourages those of us with gifts to work under their aegis in at least a semi-official capacity. I never officially joined the Ministry, but I have worked with them on occasion. They have acted on intelligence I have gathered and provided and found it good, as well.†“That’s good to hear,†Marzano replied. “I’m sure we’ll be able to make good use of your cooperation as well, here in Freedom City.†He ran his finger down the sheet of paper on his clipboard. “Given your appearance here today as Shadowblade, I assume you plan to keep your life beyond hero-work secret?†(8) Shadowblade nodded seriously. “Yes,†she said. “My personal life is a full one, and most of those I share it with - family, friends, etc - do not have gifts or abilities like my own. I do not want them threatened or hurt because of my work.†She paused, then smiled at him again. “Plus, it can be pleasant, at times, to escape the pressure of being Shadowblade.†Marzano gave her a nod of agreement. “I know I feel the same way sometimes, ma’am. It’s nice to be able to ‘go home,’ so to speak, even if it’s a little more complicated for you. Moving on - what sort of message do you want your work to communicate to the people of Freedom City?†(9) Shadowblade leaned back in her chair, her expression intent. “My gifts… don’t lend themselves to presenting a message, per se. Other heroes like Gabriel, for instance, are much more capable than I. But… what I would want my work to communicate to others is that justice exists for all, regardless of wealth or class.†“And how would you define justice, ma’am?†Marzano asked. (10) There was another long pause as Shadowblade ordered her thoughts. Finally, she said, “Justice is an agreement, a compact, with the innocents and common person that those who use their gifts for evil will suffer the consequences of their actions, and that people working together can build a better future. Obviously, governments play a role in this agreement, but I believe that justice is bigger than any one nation. Ultimately, we will all face the true justice of the life beyond this one, but I believe that we all must do our best to bring as much of that justice and goodness into our normal lives.†Marzano nibbled on the end of his pen as he thought about her answer. “Well, it’s obvious how you can make the world a better place, but what do you think other people without your gifts should do?†(11) “As I said, we all have gifts and can use them for good or ill. I would like to think that my life beyond Shadowblade, beyond my powers, has just as much opportunity to make the world better - perhaps less dramatic changes, but real ones nonetheless. All people can take the time to learn about one another, respect one another. We can all strive to promote equality, to treat everyone we meet as a brother or sister. In my opinion, making the world a better place is simple - giving all people the love, respect, and justice they deserve. Simple, but not easy.†Marzano’s brow furrowed slightly. “I agree in principle, ma’am, but some of those things sound like they might turn political. Do you intend to use your position to promote causes or candidates?†(12) Shadowblade shook her head firmly. “No, sir. I do not believe it is my place, as Shadowblade, to take sides. I shall use my rights under the law in my civilian identity to support those causes and endeavor to convince others of my logic. But I do not want my time or work as Shadowblade tarred by accusations of partisanship, either real or imagined.†It was Marzano’s turn to lean back in his chair as he considered her words. Finally, he took up his pen again and jotted a quick note. “Well, that was definitely a thorough answer, ma’am. I have just a few more questions, but I promise none of them will be as deep as the last few!†Shadowblade smiled briefly as he continued, “Basically, ma’am, I’d just like to get a feel for your personality. That sort of thing can be important if we want to work together.†She nodded and replied, “Ask away, then, Lieutenant.†“Now that you’re here in Freedom City, are you working with any of our heroes? Do you intend to?†Marzano asked. (13) “I am not working with any local heroes yet, but I certainly hope to establish firm working relationships,†Shadowblade answered easily. “In particular, it seems that I share interests with the Blue Fox and a fighting style with Jack of All Blades, though I am sure there are many others who might share motivations or interest with myself. I hope to learn from and work with many people in my time here.†Marzano smiled again, more relaxed now. “Of course. This next one is a bit personal, but you mentioned things like the next life earlier. Are you a religious person, Shadowblade?†(14) “Yes, I would say so,†Shadowblade said. “I was raised in the Anglican Church, and I believe in God the Almighty. Certainly, my religious identity has deeply influenced my actions and commitments.†“My family’s Presbyterian,†Marzano added. “But I do want to ask: several of the heroes we’ve had here in Freedom City are given their powers by ‘pagan’ gods and goddesses. That won’t be a problem for you, will it?†(15) “Not at all,†Shadowblade replied. “I know what I believe, and while I have faith, I am certainly not arrogant enough to presuppose I have all the answers. Indeed, I enjoy theological discussions; trying to understand one another is important for building mutual respect and harmony.†Marzano nodded approvingly. “The next few might be a little personal, given your desire to remain anonymous, so feel free to refuse to answer. What sort of hobbies do you have, Shadowblade?†(16) She considered for a moment, obviously debating how much she wanted to share. “I enjoy reading. As you might have guessed from how our conversation began, I love the works of Shakespeare. And I will say that my skills in fencing began as a hobby, many years ago. But that is all I feel comfortable sharing, sir.†Marzano accepted that amiably. “Are you romantically involved with someone?†he asked; his understanding tone somehow made the question far less awkward than it could have been. (17) She hesitated before answering. “I… do not believe I shall share that information, one way or the other, Lieutenant.†“Fair enough,†he said. “Do you have a role model, someone that encouraged you to become a hero when you developed your powers?†(18) “My father,†she replied instantly. “He may be just a normal man, but he has never lost faith in me. He taught me to believe the things I believe, by both word and deed. Whatever I might accomplish is due to his example and encouragement.†“So your father knows about your hero work,†he mused. “Does the rest of your family?†(19) She paused again. “I think that’s another of those questions I’d prefer not to answer, sir. Marzano jotted a last few notes, then slapped a hand to his forehead. “I apologize, ma’am. I meant to ask this earlier and got distracted by other things. You said some of your powers only worked in the shadows. Should I have lowered the lights or anything to make you more comfortable?†(20) She gave him a faint smile. “It was no trouble or inconvenience, Lieutenant. While I do not particularly like overly bright lights or sudden, loud noises, I think that can be said for almost everyone.†She waved a hand about the room. “This light is as comfortable for me as it is for you.†Marzano let out what he hoped was an inconspicuous sigh of relief and then stood. He offered Shadowblade his hand, and she took it in a firm handshake. “Well, that about wraps up everything for this interview, ma’am. It was a pleasure meeting you, and I look forward to working with you in the future.†Shadowblade smiled at him, though her smile might have been more like a grin. “In sooth, it was a pleasant interlude for me as well, friend Marzano,†she replied in the rolling cadence and archaic speech she’d used when he first entered. He laughed and opened the door for her and politely walked her to the door of his precinct. They chatted politely as they walked, and when they reached the exit, Shadowblade dropped him a formal bow. “Twas an honor, Lieutenant. I look forward to our next encounter with great anticipation!†And with that, she vanished.

They say each of us is given gifts which we must use. Nearly every faith has some variation on the parable of the talents, teaching us of the dangers and waste of failing to use your abilities. But what if your talents make certain paths open to you, tempting paths of expedience – darker paths? Does one mistake, one failure to resist that temptation, doom you? Having failed once, are you more likely to fail again, either by succumbing to temptation or by failing to use your gifts admirably? To some, this might seem to be pointless speculation, but to the many who have been given powers and gifts beyond the norm, I cannot help but think them vital to living not just a good life, but a just one. My name is Elanor Churchill. Yes, one of those Churchills. Winston was a fourth cousin, three times removed, or something completely insignificant like that. The Churchills are an offshoot of the Dukes of Marlborough, and although we’re not an official part of the British peerage, we are an old family and a wealthy one. I grew up in the area around Oxford, England, and the traditional seat of the senior family of Marlborough at Blenheim Palace. My family owned a small estate on the outskirts of town, and I wanted for nothing all of my childhood. My closest friend while growing up was Elizabeth Whitehall, the daughter of my family’s steward. She may have been “just a commoner,†but she was like the sister I never had. Many branches of the family would have looked askance at my friendship with Elizabeth, but my parents never did. My father especially believed that we had an obligation – we had wealth and standing and were honor-bound to use them for the betterment of all men. More, he was a kind man who treated his steward with the respect and warmth due a professional man, regardless of his standing, and he tried to teach his children to act the same. I confess, I paid his ideals little mind beyond my friendship with Elizabeth; I was too occupied with my own adventures and my family. My parents doted on me, though they did strive to keep me from being too spoiled. My eldest brother, Jonathan, rarely had time for me, as I was nearly ten years his junior, but my brother Julius was only three years older and quite a part of my adventures with Elizabeth. I must say, we gave my governess the most frightful headaches, what with our complete disdain for anything “ladylike.†My chief interest lay in living out the adventure ballads which I loved to read. I even went so far as to coerce Julius to teach me the rudiments of fencing, which I then passed on to Elizabeth, so we could act out our adventures with more verve. My one concession to civility was my love of the theatre, especially Shakespeare, though even there Elizabeth and I often found ourselves in trouble for reenacting scenes with too much enthusiasm. As I grew up, it became more and more obvious that Elizabeth and I were completely different. I attended the finest of private schools, and my name had been down at Magdalen College at Oxford since my birth. Elizabeth was forced to attend a rather dilapidated public school and would be lucky to be able to afford a public university near Reading. Despite these differences, we remained close and spent every moment we could together. So things continued until Elizabeth and I turned eighteen and departed for university. I followed Julius to Magdalen and reveled in the freedom from the overbearing presence of the “family.†My father had refused to let opinion sway him on how best to raise me, but before I was ten I had lost count of the number of aunts, cousins, and assorted relations who had expressed disapproval at my unladylike ways. Once I was at university, though, I saw those relations less and less frequently. So I pursued an ambitious course of study in literature and philosophy while continuing my training in fencing, all without frowns of disapproval. It was during this first year of writing the papers at Magdalen that I first began to change. I felt, well, faster as if my speed, reflexes and coordination were all improving beyond measure. Truth be told, I had never been that great at fencing, but in my first year I tried out for and was accepted onto Magdalen’s competition fencing team. My appearance also changed; my rather plain brown eyes and black hair transmuted into something far more…unusual. My hair had always been rather bushy and unmanageable, but it was suddenly silky smooth and sleek. My eyes went from brown to amber, and the pupils slowly rotated to vertical slits, like an overgrown cat. I took to wearing specially fitted contact lenses which helped disguise the extent of my strange eye shape, but nothing could make them look truly human again. My new “exotic†appearance, as well as the suddenly supernatural grace of my movements, attracted FAR more attention than I at all desired. Some of the incidents were truly funny, but most were horribly embarrassing for a sheltered girl in her first term at school. I couldn’t wait for the Michalmas term to end, so that I could regale Elizabeth with these stories and see what she made of these changes. Finally, the holidays arrived, and Elizabeth and I arranged to meet in Oxford one morning soon after she arrived home. I showed up bright and early at the University Church gardens, but Elizabeth wasn’t there. When an hour had passed, I called her parents to see if she had overslept, thinking to tease her about bad college habits already acquired. However, her mother answered the phone absolutely frantic. Elizabeth had taken a walk the night before and never returned. The police later discovered her body in the Thames north of town. There were signs that she had been murdered, as her clothes were torn and her body generally showing signs of a struggle, but no leads were announced as to who murdered her or why. That seemed the end of it: a tragic death that caused huge grief for family and friends, all the more so for want of explanation or reason. It wasn’t until the following year that I learned the truth. I was at home in my final weeks before the start of the Hillary term and was searching out my father when I heard him in heated discussion with my mother. He was cursing the corruption of the legal system, a topic I had heard him discuss often enough. I made to enter the room and interrupt his diatribe, but my mother’s shocked whisper caused me to pause just outside. It turned out that one of my distant relatives, a member of the Duke’s family, had been Elizabeth’s murderer. He had tried to force her to accept his advances and, when she had resisted, accidentally broken her neck. However, the Duke’s influence and power in London had hushed the entire matter up. I was devastated; my best friend, killed by a member of my own family. A distant member, to be sure, but a blood relative all the same. And worse, he escaped completely from the consequences of his actions. I won’t say that I suddenly conceived of the idea to punish him on the spot, but I think my eventual decision was born in that moment of horror. I went back to school and hurled myself into my studies, desperately searching for some philosophical answer to this suddenly burning question of injustice. I read Kant, Hobbes, Machiavelli, Locke, and the other greats of social philosophy, and I found no answers. The only thing I found was a quote, so often used it was almost trite, by Edmund Burke: “All it takes for evil to triumph in the world is for good men to do nothing.†But how did good people stop the abuses of those in power? The law is all well and good, but it only prevents those who do not control the entities that enforce it. What about those people beyond the reach of the law? What about, God help us all, those with powers and abilities beyond the ken of mere mortals? My catechism and creeds taught me that none were beyond the reach of God, and I wholeheartedly accepted that, but must justice wait until the next life? What about justice on earth? Evil deeds should bring retribution upon their perpetrators. As I was desperately researching these moral questions, I developed a keen interest in the world around me and in history. I had never really bothered with politics or current events before, being content to let my father’s opinions guide my vote. But what I learned now disgusted and infuriated me. It wasn’t just Elizabeth; people all over the world were dying and being oppressed by those who should have been their protectors. And yet, nothing was done; evil was triumphing because good people were doing nothing. Well, maybe not nothing; one could hardly help but hear the news of those brave people who risked life and limb to battle forces of darkest evil, but it was NOT enough. Those heroes deserved accolade, but there were too few, and they were too busy, to help the Elizabeths of the world. It was at this point that I switched the style of fencing I practiced from the epee to the long rapier and began to train in earnest. I can only imagine what the people around me, especially my trainers, thought as I pursued this new, more deadly art with single-minded focus and intensity. But it wasn’t until my third year at Magdalen, when I was twenty one, when I discovered the true possibility of doing something about this problem I confronted. I was in a fencing competition against a visiting champion from Cambridge, and my trainers had made it clear to me that the honor of the school was at stake. It was an open field match, making footwork and speed just as important as bladework, and that was the only reason I didn’t lose immediately. I was thoroughly outclassed by the Cambridge man, but I was also much faster and able to play catch as catch can in the field. However, my opponent stubbornly refused to let me get behind him for a possible winning stroke. I remember wishing with all my heart to just be behind him as he pursued me over the field, and then, suddenly, there was a small sound like a cork popping from a good bottle of wine. One moment, I was in front of him and on the run, and in the next, I was behind him for the winning stroke. My opponent was utterly flabbergasted, and to this day, I don’t think he has forgiven me for some dirty trick cheating him of his win. I was no less shocked, having no idea what had just happened. Fortunately, we had been far enough away from the observers that they hadn’t seen clearly what had just happened, and I was able to flee the crowds after the match and think about what had just happened. My sudden increase in physical ability and change in appearance began to make more sense to me now; one could hardly have lived in this world without being aware of concepts like “mutation,†after all. During some extremely private practice sessions, I was able to determine that I had the ability leap through space. It was an instantaneous leap, but I had fleeting impressions of a shadowy world that I journeyed through in those brief instants. These impressions fit with the slight signs of black smoke that I left behind me when I “jumpedâ€, for lack of a better word. As I experimented with my teleportation, I also discovered that I could hide extremely well. One evening, as I wandered the streets of Oxford, I turned a corner to see Julius enjoying an romantic moment with his fiancée. Embarrassed and not wanting to disturb them, I tried to back away discreetly, but Julius must have heard me. He looked up, and I just desperately wanted him not to see me. Amazingly enough, he didn’t. There he stood, not five feet from me in a side street that, though dark, was hardly that dark, and his gaze swept right past me. More testing showed that my ability to hide was just as extraordinary as my ability to jump. As I continued to explore and practice with these new abilities, my enhanced gracefulness also continued to grow. Looking back on it, I’m almost ashamed of how long the realization was in coming, but it finally dawned on me that I was now equipped with the perfect tools to “do something†about the problems I perceived in the world. By this point, I was well into my final year at Magdalen and approaching graduation rapidly. My brilliant ideas on how to right all the wrongs in the world were put on hold until after my comps and orals. With much coaching from my tutors, I managed to survive the final weeks and graduated with honors and my bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy and Literature and won an appointment to pursue graduate work at Magdalen. My parents were extremely proud and held a celebration for the whole of my family, and I seized the opportunity with both hands: my distant kinsman, the murderer of Elizabeth, was to attend. The night of my celebration, I learned two facts which have served me well: most men cannot resist the lure of a pretty face sending them the right signals; and when you get enough liquor into a man, he will boast about anything. I spent most of the evening in that bloke’s awful company, attempting with all that I had to be charming and appear interested in him. After three hours (if you think that is overly long for a celebration, you clearly have not attended parties in the upper crusts of British society; it might take that long just for everyone to tell everyone else how wonderful and noble they all are), I was beginning to despair and to be genuinely concerned as to how I was to escape my “escort’s†company before things became too serious. However, about that time, the alcohol had loosened his tongue, and he began to speak more freely. He started boasting about his family’s power and influence, I can only suppose in an effort to impress me; I can’t be quite sure, as my family practically is his family, but who knows what was in his head. And then it came; he gloatingly confided that his connections allowed him to escape any stain. “Any?†I asked, all innocence and naivety, “even…murder?†And at that, he grinned and slowly nodded. I’ve told myself, over and over in the years since, that I would not have followed through on my plan if he had shown the least bit of remorse; who knows, that might even be true. I hope it is, for the sake of my soul and that innocent child I once was. But that is a moot point, as my “friend†Devon showed not the slightest grief over his killing of my friend. So it was that he awoke, a few days later in the middle of the night in his extremely secure mansion, with my blade at his throat. I had already decided to hide my identity, just in case there were cameras in the room, which I doubted, but caution never killed anyone. I had also purloined one of the Duke’s swords from a display on another floor, rather than using my own blade. I’m sure he thought it was a gag at first, but when I cut him off stating clearly and coldly my intention to end his pathetic life, he started blubbering, half paralyzed with fright. Most of his prater I ignored, but one question caught my attention; “Why? In God’s name, why me?†he half cried. I paused, trying to express years of malcontent and disgust with his actions. Finally, I paraphrased two lines from Macbeth: “Yours has been a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. Now the blood of the innocents wells up against thee, tyrant, and retribution shalt have its day.†I don’t know if I can ever truly forget, or forgive myself for, the next horrific moments. Even though he deserved death (and God knows, he did!), the human mind rebels at the thought of taking another’s life. Praise be to God for it, else our race would have been ended long ago, but at that moment, I admit I considered conscience a curse. Tears rolled down my face under the mask I wore as I watched him breathe his last; as I stood in that room, I felt the last of my innocence truly leave me forever. Barely aware, I tossed the sword down on the bed, jumped my way out of Blenheim Palace, and fled deep into the rough woodlands surrounding the place. I had much to think about. I had expected to feel elation or at least satisfaction in sending Elizabeth’s killer to face the justice of the Almighty. Yet instead all I felt was grief and guilt at ending another human’s life, however much he might have deserved it. I spent the rest of the night in the solitude of the woods, desperately trying to sort out my feelings. I was careful to return to my parents’ home before dawn, though I must have looked frightful the next day. I lurked in my childhood home for the next few days while the sensational, scandalous story swept the area: a member of the Duke’s household, found dead in his room. As the murder weapon belonged to the victim and no one had entered his room, it was ruled an accidental death or possible suicide, but that did nothing to assuage my guilt. I do not know what would have become of me if not for my father. Some weeks after my… actions, he took me for a long walk through the grounds. When we were far from prying eyes and ears, he turned to me and said, “I know something is troubling you, Elanor. Let me share the burden with you.†I looked at him, at the care and concern in his eyes, the understanding in his expression, and I realized with a start that he knew. My surprise must have shown in my face, because he let out a weary laugh. “My girl, give your old father a little credit. And please, it will do you good to talk about it.†And so I told him. I told him of my strange powers, my sense of outrage, my desire to do something, and my horror at what I had actually done. My father listened to the tale without comment or judgment until I had finished. “Oh, my little Elanor,†he sighed. “Are you going to report me to the authorities?†I asked softly, determined to accept whatever he did as no more than my just reward. “No, I cannot bring myself to do that,†he said with a sad smile. Then his expression became even more serious. “But you need to understand, my daughter, that you stand at a crossroads. Your choices, here, now, will determine what kind of person you are for the rest of your life. You have been given gifts, extraordinary ones, and it fills me with more pride than I can say that you want to use them to seek justice. But what you have done is not justice, and you cannot repeat it, or I will have no choice. It would break my heart to turn against you, and I pray it will never come to that.†“It never will, Father,†I whispered. We talked, then, my father and I. He firmly agreed with my decision to use my talents, not just hide or ignore them, and he encouraged me to find someone who could more easily understand the dilemmas I would face. After a long talk, we embraced, and finally, for the first time since that fateful night, I felt a measure of peace again. What holds us to the light, when the temptations are so strong and our base desires, or even our good intentions, would lead us astray? Nothing more than this – the love and support of those close to us. My father’s embrace offered that to me in the grounds that day and every day since. While I have had other mentors, he has been my true moral compass, the only member of my family who knows of what I am – what I have done. His encouragement, his support, and his love have been the difference for me. I am still haunted by my demons, of course. I lost something that night in Devon’s bedroom, something no amount of support can give back to me. As I have continued my work, both as a “hero†and as a normal person, I have met people just as loathsome, corrupt, and foul as he, and the temptation to… remove them is always there. Perhaps, if I had not failed so spectacularly, such solutions would be less attractive to me, but as it is, I must do battle with my darker nature daily. Which hardly makes me different than any other person, of course, but few people can enact their darker desires with such deadly, and anonymous, effect. I have often thought that it might be easier to lay aside my powers and just live an average life – after all, look at the difference my father has made without any such gifts. But then I walk the grounds of my family’s home in Blenheim, I visit Elizabeth’s grave, and I remember all the evils in the world – I cannot sit idly by when I can make a difference. Will my life not only be a happy one, a good one, but a just one? I can only pray that it will.

Table of Contents >Origin Story >Interview/20Q >HellQ >Reputation

Hey, Supercape, sorry it took so long for me to get it back to you. Yeah, the Supersenses thing was just a typo; fixed! Also updated the equipment stuff; apparently, my copy of the Core Rulebook has a typo or something on the knife cost. Anyway, updated. As far as the complications go... I went ahead and changed them around a bit. I've tried to provide them with some specific handles or ideas for GMs to use potentially. I think they're thematic, definitely would complicate her life if/when they're used, and such. Let me know what you think!

Changes made. Sorry about the lack of clarity on the progression. It's given specific rules when used as a power feat for teleport, so I didn't include it originally.

Player Name: Corsecjedi Character Name: Shadowblade Power Level: 10 (150/161 PP) Trade-Offs: +2 Attack / -2 Damage Unspent Power Points: 11 Progress To Bronze Status: 11/30 In Brief: Shadowblade is a mutant with some basic abilities for teleportation and stealth. By day, she is an assistant professor and research fellow in history, but by night, she fights to protect the weak and bring the corrupt and powerful to justice. Alternate Identity: Elanor Churchill Identity: Secret Birthplace: Oxfordshire, England Occupation: Assistant Professor and Research Fellow Affiliations: Pending! Family: Hamilton Churchill (Father), Adele Churchill (Mother), Jonathan Churchill (eldest brother), Julius Churchill (older brother), 2 sisters-in-law, a few nieces and nephews, and many cousins and assorted relations. Description: Age: 29 (DOB: July 15, 1984) Gender: Female Ethnicity: Caucasian Height: 5'9" Weight: 140 Eyes: Amber Hair: Black As Elanor, she is fairly tall for a woman with a lean, attractive build. She has more strength and toughness than her relatively slight frame might suggest, thanks to her mutation. Her eyes are the most visible sign of that mutation: they are amber and feline in shape, which she hides as much as she can with specially made contact lenses, though nothing can make them look truly human. She has a taste for fine things and favors fashionable dresses and business suits. She wears her black hair long and normally lets it flow freely or in a loose ponytail. As Shadowblade, she favors dark, practical clothing based on a professional fencer’s garb: long-sleeved and close-fitting, though still loose enough to allow her full range of movement. Underneath, she wears a armored vest which she can also wear under her daily clothes if she is expecting trouble. She wears a mask to hide her features, though she leaves her eyes visible to heighten her unusual appearance. She wears her hair pulled back in a tight braid and completes her ensemble with a pair of fingerless leather gloves which protect her hands and still let her use her fingers. To complete her persona as Shadowblade, she usually speaks in classic Elizabethan English, though she's willing to drop that affectation when clarity is vital. Power Descriptions: Shadowblade’s powers are, by and large, subtle and discreet. Her eyes, her sleek black hair, and her extraordinarily graceful carriage are the most readily apparent aspects of her mutation. Her teleportation produces a soft sound, like a cork popping out of a bottle and a small amount of smoky shadow which dissipates almost immediately. The rest of her powers help her avoid notice, not attract it, helping her excel at infiltration and stealth. Her rapier is a family heirloom which her father entrusted to her several years ago. It has no magical powers but is extraordinarily well-made and has served her well. She has been training as a fencer for over a decade and has experience with multiple styles. Her brother taught her the basics, and other masters and teachers have greatly expanded her talents. She’s proven her skill in competitions and battles and continues to practice and train regularly. History: (Full story posted in News Thread) Shadowblade was born as Elanor Churchill, an offshoot from the line of the Dukes of Marlborough in England. She had a very privileged childhood, though her father especially tried to instill a sense of duty in her; she had been given much, and she should use them for the good of all people. She, however, paid little attention to his ideals until her time at university, when her best friend was murdered. The killer used his power and station to escape justice, and Elanor became consumed with the unfairness of the world, how people suffered at the hands of those with power, wealth, or a family name. During this time, she also began to discover and develop her superpowers and, when she learned the identity of the man who killed her friend, she acted - she sent him to face the justice of the next life. Instead of elation or satisfaction, though, she felt nothing but guilt and grief. She confessed what she’d done and what she was to her father, who challenged her to live her life according to the ideals in which he believed. From then on, Elanor devoted herself to justice - partly to find atonement for her sins, but mostly because it was right. After the furor surrounding the death of her victim subsided somewhat, she very quietly approached the Ministry of Powers in her Shadowblade persona. She worked with the Ministry occasionally since then and assisted them with various investigations, but she always kept at least a little distance, preferring to remain an ally rather than a fully co-opted member of the Ministry. As Elanor, she continued her studies and eventually earned a Ph.D. and a research appointment at her alma mater. Recently, she’s arranged to take an exchange position with Freedom City University. Half the year, she does her research in England, and half the year she teaches classes in America. Officially, she took this position to teach (which she has always wanted to do), but she also wanted to meet the legendary heroes of Freedom City and perhaps find others who shared her passion to fight injustice. Personality & Motivation: Elanor is an intense young woman. She can be open and friendly, though it’s a little bit of an effort for her. Normally, she focuses completely on the project, research, or thought at hand. She believes passionately in doing what she can to make the world a better place and treating all people as equals. She loves teaching and interacting with young minds, inspiring them and shaping them to be the best of the future. During her semesters in Freedom City, she also volunteers to teach a class at Freedom College because she believes good education is a right for all, not just for those who can afford the best. As Shadowblade, she keeps that same intensity and passion for justice, and, if anything, they become even more pronounced. She is haunted by what she did that fateful night in England and feels compelled to work ceaselessly to overcome that mistake, to make her life a just and good one. Her father taught her to use the gifts of wealth and position for good, and as Shadowblade, her gifts must be used for that cause as well. She still struggles with temptation. Her gifts would easily allow her to subvert the rule of law, to take justice into her own hands, and it is a constant struggle to resist that lure. She is a practical person and, as such, often feels tempted by the expediency of simply removing the corrupt or the evil. But in the end, she falls back on her father’s example and wisdom and strives to do her best to use her gifts, to live a just life, and to make the world better for her having been in it. Powers & Tactics: Shadowblade’s tactics aim to use her stealth and skill with a blade to her best advantage. She knows she doesn’t have the strength or toughness to match many opponents blow for blow or with the main strength, so she rarely engages in a fair fight. She tries to avoid combat whenever possible through stealth and chicanery, but, if it becomes necessary, she strikes hard and quick, going for the fast knockout and then vanishing back into the shadows. She is well-suited to spywork, to infiltration, and to surprise attacks. She puts these strengths to good use to ferret out the secrets or incriminating evidence of the corrupt, or to protect people from those who might try to do them harm. Complications: Secret (Identity): Only Elanor's father, Hamilton, knows about her powers and work, and she wants to keep it that way. Her appearance can make this somewhat difficult for her - as Elanor, she has to wear special contact lenses to try to hide the shape of her eyes. Beyond that, she goes out of her way to keep her friends and family isolated from her hero work and identity as Shadowblade. Responsibility: Elanor has commitments, being a professor and researcher, as well as a few volunteer activities. These obligations have to be met and require her to balance her work as Shadowblade around her life as Elanor. Never Again: Shadowblade's first real use of her powers resulted in a man's death. Since then, she has been committed, almost fanatically so, to avoiding causing any possible lethal harm to those she might fight. If an enemy looks to be hurt or in danger of suffering potential permanent harm, she will hesitate and halt her attacks. A clever enemy may use a bluff check (or other appropriate skill or power, as the GM sees fit) to fool Shadowblade and catch her off-guard. Shadow Step: Shadowblade's teleportation connects her briefly to the Shadow-World, though she is relatively unaware of the significance of this. When she teleports, especially in dangerous situations when she is frightened or anxious, there is a possibility that unfriendly denizens of that plane might follow her back to our world. Abilities: 2 + 8 + 4 + 6 + 4 + 4 = 28 PP Strength: 14/12 (+2/+1) Dexterity: 24/18 (+7/+4) Constitution: 16/14 (+3/+2) Intelligence: 16 (+3) Wisdom: 14 (+2) Charisma: 14 (+2) Combat: 8 + 8 = 16 PP Initiative: +11 Attack: +4, +12 Melee Grapple: +14 Defense: +10 (+4 Base, +6 Dodge Focus), +2 Flat-Footed Knockback: -5/-3 Saving Throws: 5 + 3 + 5 = 13 PP Toughness: +10 (+3 Con, +4 Defensive Roll, +3 Undercover Vest), +6 Flat-Footed Fortitude: +8 (+3 Con, +5) Reflex: +10 (+7 Dex, +3) Will: +7 (+2 Wis, +5) Skills: 88 Ranks = 22 PP Acrobatics 8 (+15) Bluff 6 (+8) Computers 2 (+5) Concentration 6 (+8) Diplomacy 4 (+6) Escape Artist 5 (+12) Gather Information 7 (+9) Knowledge (Current Events) 4 (+7) Knowledge (History) 9 (+12) Knowledge (Theology/Philosophy) 5 (+8) Language 3 (English [base], French, German, Latin) Notice 10 (+12) Sense Motive 6 (+8) Sleight of Hand 5 (+12) Stealth 8 (+15) Feats: 41 PP Accurate Attack Acrobatic Bluff All-Out Attack Assessment Attack Focus (Melee) 8 Attractive 1 Benefit (Wealthy) 1 Challenge (Acrobatic Feint) Critical Strike Defensive Roll 2 Dodge Focus 6 Elusive Target Equipment 4 Evasion Hide in Plain Sight Improved Block Improved Critical (Rapier) 2 Improved Disarm Improved Initiative Improved Trip Power Attack Sneak Attack 1 Uncanny Dodge 2 (Hearing, Visual) Equipment: (19 EP) Binoculars 1 Commlink 1 Concealable Microphone 1 Digital Audio Recorder 0 Flash Goggles 1 Handcuffs 0 Mini-Tracer 1 Multi-Tool 1 Rebreather 1 Dagger (Strike 1 (Feats Mighty, Improved Critical, Thrown) 4 Smoke Grenade (Obscure [Visual] 2) 4 Undercover Vest (Protection 3, Subtle) 4 Powers: 10 + 11 + 4 + 5 + 3 = 33 PP Feline Power 2 (10 PP Container [Passive, Permanent]) [10 PP] (Mutation) Enhanced Dexterity 6 [6 PP] Enhanced Strength 2 [2 PP] Enhanced Constitution 2 [2 PP] Teleport 4 (9 PP Array, Feats: Alternate Power 2) [11 PP] (Mutation) ("Shadowjump") Base Power: Teleport 4 (Flaws: Short-Ranged, Feats: Change Direction, Change Velocity, Progression 2 [Additional Mass, 500 lbs.], Turnabout) [9 PP] Alternate Power 1: (Bonus to Existing) Strike 8 (Extras: Autofire) [8 PP] Alternate Power 2: (Bonus to Existing) Strike 6 (Extras: Area [burst, Targeted]], Selective Attack, Flaws: Action 1 [Full Round]) [6 PP] Super-Senses 4 (Darkvision, Accurate normal human hearing) [4 PP] (Mutation) ("Feline Senses") Concealment 5 (Complete Visual Senses, Normal Hearing, Flaws: Limited [shadows]) [5 PP] (Mutation) ("Shadowmeld") Device 1 (5 PP Container, Flaws: Easy-to-Lose) [3 PP] ("Rapier") Strike 4 (Feats: Mighty) [5 PP] (Piercing, Slashing, Physical) Drawbacks: -2 + -1 = -3 Vulnerability to Sonic (Minor [+1 to DC], Common) [-2 PP] Vulnerability to Dazzle (Visual) (Minor [+1 to DC], Uncommon) [-1 PP] Abilities (28) + Combat (16) + Saving Throws (13) + Skills (22) + Feats (41) + Powers (33) - Drawbacks (3) = 150/161 Power Points DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC 17/19 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Rapier Touch DC 21/23 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical)

Well, I've revised complications a bit, but I'm thinking that I might need to play her for a bit and get a handle for what things might give her a complication. Barring that, though, and given the comments so far, I'm thinking I'm about ready to post her in the bank for approval. Thoughts?

Yet another great suggestion, Vahnyu! Many thanks again! I also took a read through Supercape's post there and have edited Shadowblade's complications to be more interesting and trying to give potential GMs handles or hooks. The first two are pretty basic, still - I mean, they're there, they will complicate her life, but they're also pretty standard. I tried to get more creative or inventive with the next few. I'm still working on the details and mechanics of them - I like the idea of her hesitating in a fight because of her backstory, but I'm not sure how that might best be expressed. Also, I'm starting to think about trying to get her more integrated in the community here. Basically, the way I see it, she would have been in Freedom City for a little while as Elanor - observing, learning, etc - before beginning her own work. I'd like to have her start trying to establish friendly working relationships with other heroes. OOC, I've been thumbing through some of the heroes in the bank, but there are a LOT of them there! Anyone have any interesting suggestions, or is this something that should happen more after the character's approved and active?

About the stats - yeah, that's just me being stupid, apparently! Fixed now. Combat stats - yeah, I read through the houserules and saw the notes about 1/3rd of bonus needing to be base versus focus feats. So, the next time I'm eligible for an attack bump, it'll cost 2 PP and be base! For the equipment part, I'll add the feats there - I'm assuming that I should still keep the actual list of equipment, though, and just add the feat to denote the PP costs? As far as containers go, I'll take a look - I just linked them because they were all physical stat adjustments from the same basic source (IE, her mutation). If containers are a better route to go, I'm definitely game - haven't really done one before! Complication-wise - yeah, I really didn't know, beyond sometimes she might have to fly back and forth, and that can add additional headaches for keeping her identity secret (Hey, you know that Shadowblade character? She never shows up except when Elanor's in town...). Really, I'm still trying to get a good handle on complications, as my previous abortive attempts at M&M didn't really use them, so any advice or ideas is welcome. I've looked over a couple other heroes posted on the boards and used their ideas as a springboard, but I definitely welcome more specific suggestions, too. Finally, as far as the story goes, yeah, I'm definitely aware. Basically, she's aware that she made a horrific mistake, and that's part of what drives her now. She's probably always going to be a little afraid her powers are "tainted" because of her first action with them, but she's also driven to redeem herself and use her gifts for true justice. So, yep, I appreciate it, and I'm aware of the site guidelines, and I'm definitely steering clear of doing things that would violate the general tone of the game.

Updated the sheet to add the alt power under teleport - deducted 1 point from saves to compensate.

Ok, so, if I'm following correctly here, it would work as: Alternate power: (Bonus to Existing) Strike 6 (Extras: Area [burst, Targeted], Selective Attack, Flaws: Action 1 [Full-Round]) [6 PP] That wouldn't use the full point value of the array (I could extend it a bit or something with some power feats), but as the basic chassis, I think that's what we're talking about? And, if I keep the autofire alt power, I can also use it to make a "series of attacks" to get the higher DC from the description of an autofire attack, right? Obviously, I couldn't do both at the same time or whatnot.

Ok, how about this: adding a second alternate power to the teleport array (I'll drop a feat or something to make room). Strike 4 (Extras: Area [burst, Targeted], Selective Attack, Flaws: Action 1 [Full-round], Feats: Mighty) [9 PP] That actually gets the attack up to her cap, if she can manage to add her SA damage up. Question, though, does this count as a ranged or melee attack? I mean, fluff-wise, she's striking them with a melee attack, but I also understand that the rules sometimes get in the way. Side-note - is it possible to do this as an addition, kind of like how I have the Autofire set-up currently, to my existing strike? Again, this is mostly because, fluff-wise, she's still going to be striking with the rapier, but again, I understand it might not work quite that way.

Ah, ok. To be fair, Autofire was added relatively late - originally, I accomplished a bit of the same thing with Takedown Attack before the revision to get her ready for the site - and I wasn't totally sure I was using it correctly. I'll look into making it a selective area attack, then, and a few other changes. As far as the living in two places goes, I'm leaning toward a 9/3 month split to start off with, as she's just getting established in Freedom City. Also, if I'm understanding and reading the Wealth Benefits on the Houserules correctly, she's well-off enough to travel back and forth at least somewhat at need.

The cat thing was mostly a way to explain thematically the changes like physical enhancements or expanded senses. Plus, I also wanted something that would alter her physical appearance just a bit, and I picked it as the most interesting (since they're aren't any teleporting creatures for me to copy/name after). I suppose I can see how it's not really the same powerset, but then again a lot of mutants in comics (not as familiar with builds on the site yet!) seem to have sets that don't really seem to totally match. Like, Wolverine has healing factor, but also some enhanced senses which don't seem all that related, etc. So, anyway, that's my thoughts on it.

Also, after some thought and discussion in chat, I'm going to change Elanor's hero name to something other than Lady Edge to avoid confusion with one of AA's existing heroes. So, updating the info in the character sheet to reflect this change to the new name, Shadowblade. Many thanks to Vahnyu for the excellent suggestion which was far cooler than any of the other ones I've thought of.

It's a possibility - I'm not sure if I'm going to keep that totally. Thematically, I really like the idea of her being a dual citizen and spending time in both locales. However, in terms of gameplay, especially initially when I'm not going to be able to have multiple characters or whatnot, it might work better to just keep her in Freedom City full time. I know that there are heroes in other parts of the world, too, so maybe she could get involved in stuff in other locales when she's not in Freedom City. Really, I don't know how feasible that is. Any thoughts?

Updated some formatting things and changed some bits around to include an idea of her relationship with the Ministry of Powers in Britain.

They say each of us is given gifts which we must use. Nearly every faith has some variation on the parable of the talents, teaching us of the dangers and waste of failing to use your abilities. But what if your talents make certain paths open to you, tempting paths of expedience – darker paths? Does one mistake, one failure to resist that temptation, doom you? Having failed once, are you more likely to fail again, either by succumbing to temptation or by failing to use your gifts admirably? To some, this might seem to be pointless speculation, but to the many who have been given powers and gifts beyond the norm, I cannot help but think them vital to living not just a good life, but a just one. My name is Elanor Churchill. Yes, one of those Churchills. Winston was a fourth cousin, three times removed, or something completely insignificant like that. The Churchills are an offshoot of the Dukes of Marlborough, and although we’re not an official part of the British peerage, we are an old family and a wealthy one. I grew up in the area around Oxford, England, and the traditional seat of the senior family of Marlborough at Blenheim Palace. My family owned a small estate on the outskirts of town, and I wanted for nothing all of my childhood. My closest friend while growing up was Elizabeth Whitehall, the daughter of my family’s steward. She may have been “just a commoner,†but she was like the sister I never had. Many branches of the family would have looked askance at my friendship with Elizabeth, but my parents never did. My father especially believed that we had an obligation – we had wealth and standing and were honor-bound to use them for the betterment of all men. More, he was a kind man who treated his steward with the respect and warmth due a professional man, regardless of his standing, and he tried to teach his children to act the same. I confess, I paid his ideals little mind beyond my friendship with Elizabeth; I was too occupied with my own adventures and my family. My parents doted on me, though they did strive to keep me from being too spoiled. My eldest brother, Jonathan, rarely had time for me, as I was nearly ten years his junior, but my brother Julius was only three years older and quite a part of my adventures with Elizabeth. I must say, we gave my governess the most frightful headaches, what with our complete disdain for anything “ladylike.†My chief interest lay in living out the adventure ballads which I loved to read. I even went so far as to coerce Julius to teach me the rudiments of fencing, which I then passed on to Elizabeth, so we could act out our adventures with more verve. My one concession to civility was my love of the theatre, especially Shakespeare, though even there Elizabeth and I often found ourselves in trouble for reenacting scenes with too much enthusiasm. As I grew up, it became more and more obvious that Elizabeth and I were completely different. I attended the finest of private schools, and my name had been down at Magdalen College at Oxford since my birth. Elizabeth was forced to attend a rather dilapidated public school and would be lucky to be able to afford a public university near Reading. Despite these differences, we remained close and spent every moment we could together. So things continued until Elizabeth and I turned eighteen and departed for university. I followed Julius to Magdalen and reveled in the freedom from the overbearing presence of the “family.†My father had refused to let opinion sway him on how best to raise me, but before I was ten I had lost count of the number of aunts, cousins, and assorted relations who had expressed disapproval at my unladylike ways. Once I was at university, though, I saw those relations less and less frequently. So I pursued an ambitious course of study in literature and philosophy while continuing my training in fencing, all without frowns of disapproval. It was during this first year of writing the papers at Magdalen that I first began to change. I felt, well, faster as if my speed, reflexes and coordination were all improving beyond measure. Truth be told, I had never been that great at fencing, but in my first year I tried out for and was accepted onto Magdalen’s competition fencing team. My appearance also changed; my rather plain brown eyes and black hair transmuted into something far more…unusual. My hair had always been rather bushy and unmanageable, but it was suddenly silky smooth and sleek. My eyes went from brown to amber, and the pupils slowly rotated to vertical slits, like an overgrown cat. I took to wearing specially fitted contact lenses which helped disguise the extent of my strange eye shape, but nothing could make them look truly human again. My new “exotic†appearance, as well as the suddenly supernatural grace of my movements, attracted FAR more attention than I at all desired. Some of the incidents were truly funny, but most were horribly embarrassing for a sheltered girl in her first term at school. I couldn’t wait for the Michalmas term to end, so that I could regale Elizabeth with these stories and see what she made of these changes. Finally, the holidays arrived, and Elizabeth and I arranged to meet in Oxford one morning soon after she arrived home. I showed up bright and early at the University Church gardens, but Elizabeth wasn’t there. When an hour had passed, I called her parents to see if she had overslept, thinking to tease her about bad college habits already acquired. However, her mother answered the phone absolutely frantic. Elizabeth had taken a walk the night before and never returned. The police later discovered her body in the Thames north of town. There were signs that she had been murdered, as her clothes were torn and her body generally showing signs of a struggle, but no leads were announced as to who murdered her or why. That seemed the end of it: a tragic death that caused huge grief for family and friends, all the more so for want of explanation or reason. It wasn’t until the following year that I learned the truth. I was at home in my final weeks before the start of the Hillary term and was searching out my father when I heard him in heated discussion with my mother. He was cursing the corruption of the legal system, a topic I had heard him discuss often enough. I made to enter the room and interrupt his diatribe, but my mother’s shocked whisper caused me to pause just outside. It turned out that one of my distant relatives, a member of the Duke’s family, had been Elizabeth’s murderer. He had tried to force her to accept his advances and, when she had resisted, accidentally broken her neck. However, the Duke’s influence and power in London had hushed the entire matter up. I was devastated; my best friend, killed by a member of my own family. A distant member, to be sure, but a blood relative all the same. And worse, he escaped completely from the consequences of his actions. I won’t say that I suddenly conceived of the idea to punish him on the spot, but I think my eventual decision was born in that moment of horror. I went back to school and hurled myself into my studies, desperately searching for some philosophical answer to this suddenly burning question of injustice. I read Kant, Hobbes, Machiavelli, Locke, and the other greats of social philosophy, and I found no answers. The only thing I found was a quote, so often used it was almost trite, by Edmund Burke: “All it takes for evil to triumph in the world is for good men to do nothing.†But how did good people stop the abuses of those in power? The law is all well and good, but it only prevents those who do not control the entities that enforce it. What about those people beyond the reach of the law? What about, God help us all, those with powers and abilities beyond the ken of mere mortals? My catechism and creeds taught me that none were beyond the reach of God, and I wholeheartedly accepted that, but must justice wait until the next life? What about justice on earth? Evil deeds should bring retribution upon their perpetrators. As I was desperately researching these moral questions, I developed a keen interest in the world around me and in history. I had never really bothered with politics or current events before, being content to let my father’s opinions guide my vote. But what I learned now disgusted and infuriated me. It wasn’t just Elizabeth; people all over the world were dying and being oppressed by those who should have been their protectors. And yet, nothing was done; evil was triumphing because good people were doing nothing. Well, maybe not nothing; one could hardly help but hear the news of those brave people who risked life and limb to battle forces of darkest evil, but it was NOT enough. Those heroes deserved accolade, but there were too few, and they were too busy, to help the Elizabeths of the world. It was at this point that I switched the style of fencing I practiced from the epee to the long rapier and began to train in earnest. I can only imagine what the people around me, especially my trainers, thought as I pursued this new, more deadly art with single-minded focus and intensity. But it wasn’t until my third year at Magdalen, when I was twenty one, when I discovered the true possibility of doing something about this problem I confronted. I was in a fencing competition against a visiting champion from Cambridge, and my trainers had made it clear to me that the honor of the school was at stake. It was an open field match, making footwork and speed just as important as bladework, and that was the only reason I didn’t lose immediately. I was thoroughly outclassed by the Cambridge man, but I was also much faster and able to play catch as catch can in the field. However, my opponent stubbornly refused to let me get behind him for a possible winning stroke. I remember wishing with all my heart to just be behind him as he pursued me over the field, and then, suddenly, there was a small sound like a cork popping from a good bottle of wine. One moment, I was in front of him and on the run, and in the next, I was behind him for the winning stroke. My opponent was utterly flabbergasted, and to this day, I don’t think he has forgiven me for some dirty trick cheating him of his win. I was no less shocked, having no idea what had just happened. Fortunately, we had been far enough away from the observers that they hadn’t seen clearly what had just happened, and I was able to flee the crowds after the match and think about what had just happened. My sudden increase in physical ability and change in appearance began to make more sense to me now; one could hardly have lived in this world without being aware of concepts like “mutation,†after all. During some extremely private practice sessions, I was able to determine that I had the ability leap through space. It was an instantaneous leap, but I had fleeting impressions of a shadowy world that I journeyed through in those brief instants. These impressions fit with the slight signs of black smoke that I left behind me when I “jumpedâ€, for lack of a better word. As I experimented with my teleportation, I also discovered that I could hide extremely well. One evening, as I wandered the streets of Oxford, I turned a corner to see Julius enjoying an romantic moment with his fiancée. Embarrassed and not wanting to disturb them, I tried to back away discreetly, but Julius must have heard me. He looked up, and I just desperately wanted him not to see me. Amazingly enough, he didn’t. There he stood, not five feet from me in a side street that, though dark, was hardly that dark, and his gaze swept right past me. More testing showed that my ability to hide was just as extraordinary as my ability to jump. As I continued to explore and practice with these new abilities, my enhanced gracefulness also continued to grow. Looking back on it, I’m almost ashamed of how long the realization was in coming, but it finally dawned on me that I was now equipped with the perfect tools to “do something†about the problems I perceived in the world. By this point, I was well into my final year at Magdalen and approaching graduation rapidly. My brilliant ideas on how to right all the wrongs in the world were put on hold until after my comps and orals. With much coaching from my tutors, I managed to survive the final weeks and graduated with honors and my bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy and Literature and won an appointment to pursue graduate work at Magdalen. My parents were extremely proud and held a celebration for the whole of my family, and I seized the opportunity with both hands: my distant kinsman, the murderer of Elizabeth, was to attend. The night of my celebration, I learned two facts which have served me well: most men cannot resist the lure of a pretty face sending them the right signals; and when you get enough liquor into a man, he will boast about anything. I spent most of the evening in that bloke’s awful company, attempting with all that I had to be charming and appear interested in him. After three hours (if you think that is overly long for a celebration, you clearly have not attended parties in the upper crusts of British society; it might take that long just for everyone to tell everyone else how wonderful and noble they all are), I was beginning to despair and to be genuinely concerned as to how I was to escape my “escort’s†company before things became too serious. However, about that time, the alcohol had loosened his tongue, and he began to speak more freely. He started boasting about his family’s power and influence, I can only suppose in an effort to impress me; I can’t be quite sure, as my family practically is his family, but who knows what was in his head. And then it came; he gloatingly confided that his connections allowed him to escape any stain. “Any?†I asked, all innocence and naivety, “even…murder?†And at that, he grinned and slowly nodded. I’ve told myself, over and over in the years since, that I would not have followed through on my plan if he had shown the least bit of remorse; who knows, that might even be true. I hope it is, for the sake of my soul and that innocent child I once was. But that is a moot point, as my “friend†Devon showed not the slightest grief over his killing of my friend. So it was that he awoke, a few days later in the middle of the night in his extremely secure mansion, with my blade at his throat. I had already decided to hide my identity, just in case there were cameras in the room, which I doubted, but caution never killed anyone. I had also purloined one of the Duke’s swords from a display on another floor, rather than using my own blade. I’m sure he thought it was a gag at first, but when I cut him off stating clearly and coldly my intention to end his pathetic life, he started blubbering, half paralyzed with fright. Most of his prater I ignored, but one question caught my attention; “Why? In God’s name, why me?†he half cried. I paused, trying to express years of malcontent and disgust with his actions. Finally, I paraphrased two lines from Macbeth: “Yours has been a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. Now the blood of the innocents wells up against thee, tyrant, and retribution shalt have its day.†I don’t know if I can ever truly forget, or forgive myself for, the next horrific moments. Even though he deserved death (and God knows, he did!), the human mind rebels at the thought of taking another’s life. Praise be to God for it, else our race would have been ended long ago, but at that moment, I admit I considered conscience a curse. Tears rolled down my face under the mask I wore as I watched him breathe his last; as I stood in that room, I felt the last of my innocence truly leave me forever. Barely aware, I tossed the sword down on the bed, jumped my way out of Blenheim Palace, and fled deep into the rough woodlands surrounding the place. I had much to think about. I had expected to feel elation or at least satisfaction in sending Elizabeth’s killer to face the justice of the Almighty. Yet instead all I felt was grief and guilt at ending another human’s life, however much he might have deserved it. I spent the rest of the night in the solitude of the woods, desperately trying to sort out my feelings. I was careful to return to my parents’ home before dawn, though I must have looked frightful the next day. I lurked in my childhood home for the next few days while the sensational, scandalous story swept the area: a member of the Duke’s household, found dead in his room. As the murder weapon belonged to the victim and no one had entered his room, it was ruled an accidental death or possible suicide, but that did nothing to assuage my guilt. I do not know what would have become of me if not for my father. Some weeks after my… actions, he took me for a long walk through the grounds. When we were far from prying eyes and ears, he turned to me and said, “I know something is troubling you, Elanor. Let me share the burden with you.†I looked at him, at the care and concern in his eyes, the understanding in his expression, and I realized with a start that he knew. My surprise must have shown in my face, because he let out a weary laugh. “My girl, give your old father a little credit. And please, it will do you good to talk about it.†And so I told him. I told him of my strange powers, my sense of outrage, my desire to do something, and my horror at what I had actually done. My father listened to the tale without comment or judgment until I had finished. “Oh, my little Elanor,†he sighed. “Are you going to report me to the authorities?†I asked softly, determined to accept whatever he did as no more than my just reward. “No, I cannot bring myself to do that,†he said with a sad smile. Then his expression became even more serious. “But you need to understand, my daughter, that you stand at a crossroads. Your choices, here, now, will determine what kind of person you are for the rest of your life. You have been given gifts, extraordinary ones, and it fills me with more pride than I can say that you want to use them to seek justice. But what you have done is not justice, and you cannot repeat it, or I will have no choice. It would break my heart to turn against you, and I pray it will never come to that.†“It never will, Father,†I whispered. We talked, then, my father and I. He firmly agreed with my decision to use my talents, not just hide or ignore them, and he encouraged me to find someone who could more easily understand the dilemmas I would face. After a long talk, we embraced, and finally, for the first time since that fateful night, I felt a measure of peace again. What holds us to the light, when the temptations are so strong and our base desires, or even our good intentions, would lead us astray? Nothing more than this – the love and support of those close to us. My father’s embrace offered that to me in the grounds that day and every day since. While I have had other mentors, he has been my true moral compass, the only member of my family who knows of what I am – what I have done. His encouragement, his support, and his love have been the difference for me. I am still haunted by my demons, of course. I lost something that night in Devon’s bedroom, something no amount of support can give back to me. As I have continued my work, both as a “hero†and as a normal person, I have met people just as loathsome, corrupt, and foul as he, and the temptation to… remove them is always there. Perhaps, if I had not failed so spectacularly, such solutions would be less attractive to me, but as it is, I must do battle with my darker nature daily. Which hardly makes me different than any other person, of course, but few people can enact their darker desires with such deadly, and anonymous, effect. I have often thought that it might be easier to lay aside my powers and just live an average life – after all, look at the difference my father has made without any such gifts. But then I walk the grounds of my family’s home in Blenheim, I visit Elizabeth’s grave, and I remember all the evils in the world – I cannot sit idly by when I can make a difference. Will my life not only be a happy one, a good one, but a just one? I can only pray that it will.

Player Name: Corsecjedi Character Name: Shadowblade Power Level: 10 (150/150 PP) Trade-Offs: +2 Attack / -2 Damage Unspent Power Points: 0 Progress To Bronze Status: 0/30 In Brief: Shadowblade is a mutant with some basic abilities for teleportation and stealth. By day, she is an assistant professor and research fellow in history, but by night, she fights to protect the weak and bring the corrupt and powerful to justice. Alternate Identity: Elanor Churchill Identity: Secret Birthplace: Oxfordshire, England Occupation: Assistant Professor and Research Fellow Affiliations: Pending! Family: Hamilton Churchill (Father), Adele Churchill (Mother), Jonathan Churchill (eldest brother), Julius Churchill (older brother), 2 sisters-in-law, a few nieces and nephews, and many cousins and assorted relations. Description: Age: 29 (DOB: July 15, 1984) Gender: Female Ethnicity: Caucasian Height: 5'9" Weight: 140 Eyes: Amber Hair: Black As Elanor, she is fairly tall for a woman with a lean, attractive build. She has more strength and toughness than her relatively slight frame might suggest, thanks to her mutation. Her eyes are the most visible sign of that mutation: they are amber and feline in shape, which she hides as much as she can with specially made contact lenses, though nothing can make them look truly human. She has a taste for fine things and favors fashionable dresses and business suits. She wears her black hair long and normally lets it flow freely or in a loose ponytail. As Shadowblade, she favors dark, practical clothing based on a professional fencer’s garb: long-sleeved and close-fitting, though still loose enough to allow her full range of movement. Underneath, she wears a armored vest which she can also wear under her daily clothes if she is expecting trouble. She wears a mask to hide her features, though she leaves her eyes visible to heighten her unusual appearance. She wears her hair pulled back in a tight braid and completes her ensemble with a pair of fingerless leather gloves which protect her hands and still let her use her fingers. To complete her persona as Shadowblade, she usually speaks in classic Elizabethan English, though she's willing to drop that affectation when clarity is vital. Power Descriptions: Shadowblade’s powers are, by and large, subtle and discreet. Her eyes, her sleek black hair, and her extraordinarily graceful carriage are the most readily apparent aspects of her mutation. Her teleportation produces a soft sound, like a cork popping out of a bottle and a small amount of smoky shadow which dissipates almost immediately. The rest of her powers help her avoid notice, not attract it, helping her excel at infiltration and stealth. Her rapier is a family heirloom which her father entrusted to her several years ago. It has no magical powers but is extraordinarily well-made and has served her well. She has been training as a fencer for over a decade and has experience with multiple styles. Her brother taught her the basics, and other masters and teachers have greatly expanded her talents. She’s proven her skill in competitions and battles and continues to practice and train regularly. History: (Full story posted >below) Shadowblade was born as Elanor Churchill, an offshoot from the line of the Dukes of Marlborough in England. She had a very privileged childhood, though her father especially tried to instill a sense of duty in her; she had been given much, and she should use them for the good of all people. She, however, paid little attention to his ideals until her time at university, when her best friend was murdered. The killer used his power and station to escape justice, and Elanor became consumed with the unfairness of the world, how people suffered at the hands of those with power, wealth, or a family name. During this time, she also began to discover and develop her superpowers and, when she learned the identity of the man who killed her friend, she acted - she sent him to face the justice of the next life. Instead of elation or satisfaction, though, she felt nothing but guilt and grief. She confessed what she’d done and what she was to her father, who challenged her to live her life according to the ideals in which he believed. From then on, Elanor devoted herself to justice - partly to find atonement for her sins, but mostly because it was right. After the furor surrounding the death of her victim subsided somewhat, she very quietly approached the Ministry of Powers in her Shadowblade persona. She worked with the Ministry occasionally since then and assisted them with various investigations, but she always kept at least a little distance, preferring to remain an ally rather than a fully co-opted member of the Ministry. As Elanor, she continued her studies and eventually earned a Ph.D. and a research appointment at her alma mater. Recently, she’s arranged to take an exchange position with Freedom City University. Half the year, she does her research in England, and half the year she teaches classes in America. Officially, she took this position to teach (which she has always wanted to do), but she also wanted to meet the legendary heroes of Freedom City and perhaps find others who shared her passion to fight injustice. Personality & Motivation: Elanor is an intense young woman. She can be open and friendly, though it’s a little bit of an effort for her. Normally, she focuses completely on the project, research, or thought at hand. She believes passionately in doing what she can to make the world a better place and treating all people as equals. She loves teaching and interacting with young minds, inspiring them and shaping them to be the best of the future. During her semesters in Freedom City, she also volunteers to teach a class at Freedom College because she believes good education is a right for all, not just for those who can afford the best. As Shadowblade, she keeps that same intensity and passion for justice, and, if anything, they become even more pronounced. She is haunted by what she did that fateful night in England and feels compelled to work ceaselessly to overcome that mistake, to make her life a just and good one. Her father taught her to use the gifts of wealth and position for good, and as Shadowblade, her gifts must be used for that cause as well. She still struggles with temptation. Her gifts would easily allow her to subvert the rule of law, to take justice into her own hands, and it is a constant struggle to resist that lure. She is a practical person and, as such, often feels tempted by the expediency of simply removing the corrupt or the evil. But in the end, she falls back on her father’s example and wisdom and strives to do her best to use her gifts, to live a just life, and to make the world better for her having been in it. Powers & Tactics: Shadowblade’s tactics aim to use her stealth and skill with a blade to her best advantage. She knows she doesn’t have the strength or toughness to match many opponents blow for blow or with the main strength, so she rarely engages in a fair fight. She tries to avoid combat whenever possible through stealth and chicanery, but, if it becomes necessary, she strikes hard and quick, going for the fast knockout and then vanishing back into the shadows. She is well-suited to spywork, to infiltration, and to surprise attacks. She puts these strengths to good use to ferret out the secrets or incriminating evidence of the corrupt, or to protect people from those who might try to do them harm. Complications: Secret (Identity): Only Elanor's father, Hamilton, knows about her powers and work, and she wants to keep it that way. Her appearance can make this somewhat difficult for her - as Elanor, she has to wear special contact lenses to try to hide the shape of her eyes. Beyond that, she goes out of her way to keep her friends and family isolated from her hero work and identity as Shadowblade. Responsibility: Elanor has commitments, being a professor and researcher, as well as a few volunteer activities. These obligations have to be met and require her to balance her work as Shadowblade around her life as Elanor. Shadow Step: Shadowblade's teleportation is linked to the shadows and darkness and functions best in those circumstances. She can still teleport in full light, but it takes more effort and concentration and effort. In full daylight or in brightly lit rooms, Elanor's teleportation is only half as effective. Abilities: 2 + 8 + 4 + 6 + 4 + 4 = 28 PP Strength: 14/12 (+2/+1) Dexterity: 24/18 (+7/+4) Constitution: 16/14 (+3/+2) Intelligence: 16 (+3) Wisdom: 14 (+2) Charisma: 14 (+2) Combat: 8 + 8 = 16 PP Initiative: +11 Attack: +4, +12 Melee Grapple: +14 Defense: +10 (+4 Base, +6 Dodge Focus), +2 Flat-Footed Knockback: -3 Saving Throws: 5 + 3 + 5 = 13 PP Toughness: +10 (+3 Con, +4 Defensive Roll, +3 Undercover Vest), +6 Flat-Footed Fortitude: +8 (+3 Con, +5) Reflex: +10 (+7 Dex, +3) Will: +7 (+2 Wis, +5) Skills: 88 Ranks = 22 PP Acrobatics 8 (+15) Bluff 6 (+8) Computers 2 (+5) Concentration 6 (+8) Diplomacy 4 (+6) Escape Artist 5 (+12) Gather Information 7 (+9) Knowledge (Current Events) 4 (+7) Knowledge (History) 9 (+12) Knowledge (Theology/Philosophy) 5 (+8) Language 3 (English [base], French, German, Latin) Notice 10 (+12) Sense Motive 6 (+8) Sleight of Hand 5 (+12) Stealth 8 (+15) Feats: 41 PP Accurate Attack Acrobatic Bluff All-Out Attack Assessment Attack Focus (Melee) 8 Attractive 1 Benefit (Wealthy) 1 Challenge (Acrobatic Feint) Critical Strike Defensive Roll 2 Dodge Focus 6 Elusive Target Equipment 4 Evasion Hide in Plain Sight Improved Block Improved Critical (Rapier) 2 Improved Disarm Improved Initiative Improved Trip Power Attack Sneak Attack 1 Uncanny Dodge 2 (Hearing, Visual) Equipment: (20 EP) Binoculars 1 Commlink 1 Concealable Microphone 1 Digital Audio Recorder 1 Flash Goggles 1 Handcuffs 1 Mini-Tracer 1 Multi-Tool 1 Rebreather 1 Dagger 3 Smoke Grenade 4 Undercover Vest 4 Things I'm assuming from Wealth Bonus: laptop, cellphone with GPS, basic outfit, and Townhome with library Powers: 10 + 11 + 4 + 5 + 3 = 33 PP Feline Power 2 (10 PP Container [Passive, Permanent]) [10 PP] (Mutation) Enhanced Dexterity 6 [6 PP] Enhanced Strength 2 [2 PP] Enhanced Constitution 2 [2 PP] Teleport 4 (9 PP Array, Feats: Alternate Power 2) [11 PP] (Mutation) ("Shadowjump") Base Power: Teleport 4 (Flaws: Short-Ranged, Feats: Change Direction, Change Velocity, Progression 2, Turnabout) [9 PP] Alternate Power 1: (Bonus to Existing) Strike 8 (Extras: Autofire) [8 PP] Alternate Power 2: (Bonus to Existing) Strike 6 (Extras: Area [burst, Targeted]], Selective Attack, Flaws: Action 1 [Full Round]) [6 PP] Super-Senses 4 (Darkvision, Extras: Accurate for normal human hearing) [3 PP] (Mutation) ("Feline Senses") Concealment 5 (Complete Visual Senses, Normal Hearing, Flaws: Limited [shadows]) [5 PP] (Mutation) ("Shadowmeld") Device 1 (5 PP Container, Flaws: Easy-to-Lose) [3 PP] ("Rapier") Strike 4 (Feats: Mighty) [5 PP] (Piercing, Slashing, Physical) Drawbacks: -2 + -1 = -3 Vulnerability to Sonic (Minor [+1 to DC], Common) [-2 PP] Vulnerability to Dazzle (Visual) (Minor [+1 to DC], Uncommon) [-1 PP] Abilities (28) + Combat (16) + Saving Throws (13) + Skills (22) + Feats (41) + Powers (33) - Drawbacks (3) = 150/150 Power Points DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC 17/19 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Rapier Touch DC 21/23 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical)

Hey, everyone! Since I'm unable to get into chat at my job, I figured I'd pop in here and make an introductory post for the moment. My name's Geoff, and I'm friends in RL with Knight Disciple (not sure if that's an endorsement or a detriment!), and he's been trying to convince me for years to join up. I don't really have that much experience with M&M beyond designing the odd character and a pretty abortive campaign a few years back, but I do like the system and its flexibility. I've got a lot more experience at other tabletop games, particularly 3.5 and Pathfinder, though this is going to be my first real foray into play-by-post. Beyond tabletop (or, in this case, PBP) gaming, I'm still pretty much a geek. I love fantasy and sci-fi; as you can tell by handle, I'm a big Star Wars fan, and I'm also a bit of a LOTR freak. I've got a Master's in history and social studies education, though I'm currently working in a job that uses none of my fancy degrees! I love writing, reading, and playing games and hope to fit in here and enjoy some good M&M gaming.