EternalPhoenix

Red Rat & Revenant The argument upstairs got louder. One of the men was yelling at the top of his lungs. Then there was a thud. Then another, harder thud. A series of thumping sounds that got louder and ended with a crash as something landed at the foot of the stairs to the second floor. The Rat could actually understand what was being said now. Revenant, being outside the house, was still in the dark. “You said this would be easy, Ferretti. One ransomed kid, and all your money problems go away. But nooo, you have to be obvious.†The man speaking came down the stairs. His voice was somewhat muffled, but it was a strong, confident baritone. “Yes, yes. You got a job offer. I know. Gonna move to a new town. I know. Who, do you think, was responsible for that? Who, do you think, whisper a few words into a few ears and gave his ol’ pal Ferretti a break? And how am I repaid for this favor, you ask? By my ol’ pal Ferretti behaving like an amateur after his first murder.†Blue Jay “I see. So you don’t know yet. Good. Then I don’t have to…nevermind.†Esther’s smartphone started to ring. The ringtone belonged to a group Jay didn’t recognize right away. Didn’t sound too bad, though. “I’m sorry, I have to take this.†She answered the phone not as if she could see, but as if she was used to finding her way without any light. “Olive? No, I-Yes, Olive. I know, Olive. Y-you’re here? Where?†The mattress squealed as she moved around on it, and there was a sound suspiciously like a sliding window opening. “I don’t see you. Right, sorry. Someone-I don’t know, some woman in mask with a bow. No, I didn’t-All right, I’m coming.†Her tone indicated the conversation was over. “Look, I’m sorry. I have to go. I’m…sick, you see. But these people, they can fix me. They just need money. I just gotta go baby sit for a bit, and then I can have my life back. Easy as pie.†There was a click and then a soft thud from outside, like she’d pushed the screen out. “Look. I know you wanted to talk to me about something, but I don’t have time. So…come back later, I guess? Who knows? Maybe I’ll be cured by then.†There were several shuffling sounds. A soft thud as something was knocked to the floor. And a thump from outside. Esther had just jumped out her second floor window and landed without injuring herself. Outside waited a redheaded woman in the proud Irish tradition. She was dressed in a dark green bodysuit. There was belt with a holster on her hip, but the weapon was in her hand. It looked like some sort of blaster. "Olive" perhaps?

Terrifica >Jury Duty 2 posts >Heavy Decisions 2 posts >The Spirit of Revolution 3 posts >Vignette Samaritan >Apex Predators 2 posts >Vignette GM >All About The Franklins 5 posts Give the point to Terrifica, please.

Terrifica had a great many things to say in response to Sekhmet. Things would only enrage the lioness further. Things that would greatly please that dark voice in the back of Terrifica’s mind that told her she was the smartest, rightest, bestest person who had ever lived and anyone who couldn’t acknowledge that should die. Preferably immediately. She wanted to say all of them. She stood up and opened her mouth to say them. Then, in her mind’s eye, she saw Stan. Her husband. Voice of reason, paradoxically enough. He wasn’t the whole reason she stifled that portion of herself, but he helped when her own self restraint failed. She sighed. “No. My quarrel is not with you, lioness. I am…many things, but a coward who hides behind her words is not among them. I meant exactly what I said. One day I will stand face to face with Ra, Odin, Zeus, and all the rest, and they will explain to me why all of the pain and suffering that they have allowed, enabled, or directly caused is necessary. I will not accept-I will NEVER accept-that there are things beyond my limited mortal understanding. I am the most intelligent human being who has ever lived. There is NOTHING I cannot understand, given time. Until that day, I will continue to believe that there are better ways to solve problems other than the direct application of force. If wanting to understand why gods, who should know better, can cause the very same suffering that human do is a mortal sin then I am indeed a sinner. If questioning why the gods do what they do is heresy, then I am a heretic.†Her hands had curled into tight fists at her sides and she abruptly shut up. She visibly shook with the effort of restraining that line of thought. “I am a woman of peace. I solve my problems with my mind and my words. I do not see a bank robber and immediately think I need to punch him in the face for his offense. Note how I only struck one blow today, yet spoke many more times. And that one blow was to save the ice wielder from having her throat crushed.†She paused. “I do apologize for offending you, lioness. My words came out harsher in my anger than I intended. And I apologize to you as well, Caradoc, for having to intervene. You have my thanks.†She turned and started walking away, before her mouth-the traitorous thing-said anything else.

32? Whew. Okay, have everything that on that ol' bucket of circuits. Red Rat's Eyes Only!

Terrifica looked at the policewoman, her expression unreadable. “Now she is free, and thus doomed.†She took in a breath and let it out in a slight sigh. “The idea of a final punishment, to be meted out for the rest of eternity…such a thing is anathema to me. There comes a point where further punishment ceases to resemble justice and instead resembles vengeance. Vengeance is the refuge of the ignorant and the foolish. Deities of any stripe are supposed to know better. To be better.†She turned back around, her expression remaining unreadable. “Unfortunately, most of them are as flawed as the humans who worship them.†Her voice hardened. “One day I will stand before the gods that have perpetuated this…travesty in the name of good and right, and we will have words.â€Her voice softened again. “Are you unharmed, Officer? That was something of a fight.†She leaned down slightly and offered her hand. “Can you stand?â€

For the record, Esther Henson just pulled out Obscure 10 (visual senses) with Independent and Slow Fade (1 minute). 100ft range. 5000 ft radius.

Red Rat & Revenant The Rat’s scan of the house also revealed a open window to the basement. Here was where all the furniture had gone. Or at least, the filing cabinets. There was an even dozen of the things scattered throughout the basement, and they were all creaky, old, and somewhat rusted. However, in the corner, all by its lonesome on a small table, sat a PC and monitor. The design was years out of date. However, it was plugged in, if not on. Next to it was an open liquor cabinet. A glass rested on the table. There was approximately a millimeter of liquor left in it. Then there was a sound from upstairs. Voices. Two men shouting at each other. Blue Jay The apartment should have been drowning in light. But it wasn’t. It was dimly lit, at best. Despite that, there didn’t seem to be anyone here. No signs of a struggle, either. Nothing in the living or dining rooms seemed out of place. In fact, it seemed obsessively well organized. However…the kitchen showed no signs of use. There were no dishes in the sink. The refrigerator was largely empty, as well, aside from a smidge of orange juice and some spoiled milk . There was even dust on the countertops. Not very much, but enough to notice. The bedroom door was shut. There was no one in the bathroom, but traces of bright red remained in the sink and bathtub. When the bedroom door was opened, the brown skinned woman inside gave a shriek-and everything in at least a two or three block radius went black as the middle of an unlit cave. “Who are you? What do you want from me? If you’re a hunter, I know how to fight now. You won’t win.â€

Vonnie listened to the two of them. “Staying is definitely a bad idea. We were put here, man. That means someone unfriendly knows exactly where we are. I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve had about enough of being the hunted in my life.†He grinned. “Man, they don’t know who they nabbed.†A beat, as the two looked at the young Hispanic/Black mix standing there cockily. “What, y’all didn’t read that story in school? The Greatest Game, or something like that? Dude owns his own private island? Rescues shipwrecked sailors, feeds and clothes them until their strength comes back, and then hunts them?†Another beat. “This…is just like that, ain’t it? I mean…that is where you were going with this, right Starshot?†A third beat. “I’ll…just shut up now.†He frowned slightly and stood up. Come on, man. It’s like I’m a in a story from English class. How is this not cool? I mean, yeah, we’re far from home. But it’s not like I’m gonna lose to some hunter. All he’s gonna get is knuckle sandwiches and boot leather steak. Then we steal his ship/plane/whatever and get outta here. That said…let’s have a look and see who Starshot’s looking for up there, eh? A little caution never hurt anybody. He closed his eyes. It helped with visualizing what he “saw†with his Spatial Awareness if his eyes weren’t distracted by, ya know, seeing. He didn’t need to do it, necessarily. He just liked to, for the same reason people might lean a little closer to a TV that they could already see and hear just fine.

Terrifica Summer Romance MIT Associate Professor of Physics Samantha Carson was, for once, actually having office hours. Well, she was actually grading papers, but she was technically in her office while doing it. A student could still come in with a problem of some sort. That was her story, and she was sticking to it. Oh dear God. How could you allow them to be such idiots? It never ended. In fact, it could be maddening. The workaholic who, bless him, did not appear to have the capacity for the work. The most brilliant member of all her classes who, curse him forever, could barely be bothered to come to class and did just enough work that she couldn’t possible fail him. The wide eyed idealists who did not seem to know how to just shut. Up. Already. And don’t even get her started about the more aggressive atheists. The universe holds virtually infinite possibilities. I refuse to ignore any of them based on such flimsy reasoning. Of course, that doesn’t mean I don’t find many of them annoying. She jotted down a few more notes, and at last shoved the stack aside. Perhaps I should have gone into teaching philosophy. Certainly my adventures over the summer have shown I have a knack for it. Hmm… A knock at the door interrupted her musings. “Come in.†The door opened, and a broadly built young Hispanic male stepped in. “Oh, Filipe. What can I do for you?†“Well Professor, I have a problem. I-“ Filipe, God bless him, was one of the ones who did not know how to shut up. Always with ten words when one would do. Sam generally tuned them out, relying on her near perfect memory and the speed of her thought process to catch up. In the meantime, she simply performed a very old trick known to professors everywhere. She looked at the young man and nodded sagely at the appropriate intervals. It worked so well for Sam because her Asian ancestry lent itself well to appearing inscrutable to…less than discerning minds. Casual racism, to be sure. However, it worked in her favor, so whatever. Let’s see here. What is the issue today, Filipe? Ah, I’m a poet and I didn’t know it. So, it’s just the usual “I want save the world with science but I can’t do it without your help†speech, eh? It wasn’t that unusual. It was again, the Asian ancestry effect. Along with her relative youth and level of physical fitness, well…let’s just say the propositions were beginning to get cleverer and leave it at that. Also, one could not forget she was their instructor, and that did hold an additional allure for some. Sam’s feelings on the subject were…mixed. It was flattering, to be sure. Useful now and again, absolutely. She even found some of the ones less adept at hiding their feelings amusing. Yet, in the end, it was profoundly annoying. She was not just a pretty face, nice body and pleasant personality. She was an MIT professor at the age of 23, by thunder. She had a brain and was very good at using it. “Felipe. Stop.†She spoke somewhat softly, but he immediately shut up. She had used the Authority Voice, after all. The particular tone, unique to every parent, that allowed no argument if one was wise. “You know very well I cannot show any favoritism among my students. I am here to advise you, not to do the parts of the work you find difficult. If you need a tutor, there are several listed in the syllabus. And besides, Lucy seems to pay as much attention to you as she does to my lectures.†Lucy was an idealist as well, but a shy one. Her work was good, even by Sam’s standards. That said, Sam had not once spoken to the girl, who seemed welded to her position at the back of the classroom. Oh, she had tried, but Lucy seemed to be the type that feared her instructors. It was unfortunate. Perhaps Felipe could get her to open up a bit. Stan would say not to meddle, but…Sam couldn’t help it. People needed people. Both he and she, of all people, should know that. “There’s no need to look so surprised. I’m married, not dead. I’m not an idiot, either. You are not the first and will certainly not be the last to be ‘hot for teacher’, as it were.†Felipe actually blushed. “Next class, arrive early and talk to her. Be gentle, and don’t stammer. It’ll give her an escape route. Now, it’s getting late. I’m making dinner tonight, so I must be going.†Felipe awkwardly left, stammering something or other the whole way. Sam sighed. Intelligence is both blessing and curse, as per usual. She gathered her things and left for the day. ********************************** Two weeks later Terrifica rode her Terrifi-cycle through the streets of Boston. It was a calm night, everything considered. A perfect night for her longcoat. No unexpected robberies. No mysterious murders. And dinner had been excellent. It had been more or less a homemade version of Hamburger Helper. The noodles were from a box and the beef was from the grocer’s freezer, but the rest she had made herself. It had turned out perfectly, and steamed mixed vegetables had been an equally perfect accompaniment. It had been so wonderful that Stan put the children to bed early in favor of some rather vigorous lovemaking. Although, to be honest he was usually up for that regardless. The one way in which he was the typical male. She smiled, remembering the experience. A sudden siren snapped her back into focus. A police car made a hard right at the upcoming intersection, joining the street she was one. It sped back up, obviously in an awful hurry. Terrifica accelerated, pulling up alongside. Officer Reynolds and his partner of the moment. Good. He spotted her and gave a nod. Not everyone on the Boston PD appreciate her efforts, but Reynolds was a pragmatic old Irish cop. If it got the job done, that was good enough for him. She followed him to an apartment complex a few blocks away from MIT, and her heart sank. Please, not one of my students. Not anyone, if you can help it. They parked, and she dismounted, stepping over to the driver’s side door. Reynolds had the window rolled down. “Not sticking around. Not my precinct. Just seemed up your alley. Detective’s Martha Smith. Old friend. Was my trainee once, like Oswald here.†The perky young female officer in the passenger seat gave a wave. “She knows a good hero when she sees one. But…she gives you guff, lemme know.†Terrifica smiled. He wasn’t one to waste words, either. “Got it. Be safe out there, Reynolds.†Reynolds only grunted and pulled out to drive away. She didn’t watch him go, instead heading for the lobby with all the officers clustered around it. One of them moved to obstruct her, but a woman’s voice cut through the night. “Cut the crap, Harvey. She’s here to help. This is one of hers, anyway.†Detective Martha Smith was an African American woman who had about a decade on Terrifica. She was roughly of average height and build, with a confident manner about her. She stood at the top of the first set of stairs.“Third floor, hero. C’mon.†Terrifica made her way up the stairs. “Detective Smith, isn’t it? What do we have so far?†The detective sighed. “’We’ don’t have squat. Or rather, there’s only one guy in town who pulls this crap, but hell if we can find him.†Terrifica’s eyes narrowed. “Maven.†“The very same. Here, in Three Oh Two.†Smith stopped by the closed door. “Forensics’ll be here in ten minutes. See what you can see. Watch out for the smell, though. It’s bad in there. You know the rules?†Terrifica shot her an amused glance. “Like the back of my hand, Detective.†She opened the door, stepped inside-and immediately found herself in a low level charnel house. The smell was almost overwhelming. Although the foyer was clear, blood was on every surface in the living and dining rooms but the carpeted floor had a narrow path purposefully left. The kitchen was clear. The bathroom lacked even a path. The victim was in the spotless bedroom, and Terrifica was somewhat shocked to realized she recognized her. There was no blood or any signs of trauma. Wait. Ligature marks on the neck. Strangulation. With this being who it is…he does have a sense of macabre poetry, I suppose. She didn’t need to test any of the blood, not now. She walked out of the apartment and shut the door behind her. Detective Smith looked at her expectantly “Well?†Terrifica breathed for a moment. She was nauseous, the sudden fresh air somehow tripping her gorge. “Do you know the victim’s name?†“Sure. Sonya Cortez. Professor of History up at BC. Widowed three years. Family lives in Arizona and Belize. No children.†Nausea fought off, Terrifica looked at the detective. “Cortez. Professor of History. What was her specialty? Do you know?†Smith gave her a slightly suspicious look. “Sounds like you do.†Indeed, Terrifica did know her. She was a regular whenever the BC and MIT staffs got together. They’d scarely been introduced, and it was only the once. However, Terrifica remembered a nice woman with a Hispanic accent you could cut with a knife who was clearly passionate about her chosen specialty. If how she had cornered Stan had been any implication. “If you’d spent more than a few seconds in there, you would too. Aztecs, Detective. She was an expert on the Aztecs. Named Cortez.†Smith swore. “That little…thinks he’s so witty.†Terrifica suddenly looked very sad. “He’s just taunting me, Detective. He strangled a woman and desecrated her home just to taunt me. Don’t worry about the blood. It isn’t human. In the morning a butcher should report a large supply of pig or cow’s blood missing. Maybe more than one butcher. There is a lot in there. I have a good idea where he’ll strike next, as there does appear to a few things missing from the bedroom. Knick-knacks, but revealing all the same.†Detective Smith put a hand on her shoulder. “He’s just got the Devil’s own luck, hero. It’ll run out. That kind always does.†Terrifica nodded, pulling herself together. “One day. Sorry. I can’t seem to understand him, and it bothers me immensely. I find him, I’ll call you. You do have a business card?†Smith pulled one out of her pants pocket. It was crinkled, but still legible. Terrifica took it, and the two parted without another word. As she left the building, somewhat despondent, she spotted a small crowd across the street. The sirens must have woken some of the neighbors. In that crowd she spotted Felipe and Lucy. There were not dressed for outdoor activies, and he had his arm around her. She looked ludicrously happy about the latter fact, events of the evening aside. Terrifica smiled, savoring the small victory. Then she got on her ride, and rode off into the night.

http://orokos.com/roll/222613 Notice check of my very own, because Vonnie is pretty sure he's the only one with Spatial Awareness here. 24.

Terrifica was slightly annoyed. However, there were ways around interference such as this. “Why are you interfering? I told you I would handle it. We agreed on this.†She paused as if waiting for a reply that did not come. “Just because I cannot see or hear you does not mean I don’t know you’re there. The effects of your presence are obvious. Kindly don’t insult my intelligence. It’s in very poor taste.†She took the man’s hand again and spoke to him softly. “There’s nothing to worry about. I admit, I lied earlier. There are such things as monsters in the world, and some of them are very scary indeed. I won’t pretend to be scarier than they are, because I’m not. I won’t lie to you and say that I can protect you from them, either, because I can’t. However, I can tell you that if you tell me what I wish to know and get into a more honest line of work…than there is a very good chance that you will never see them again. Do you believe me?†Honestly…this method is despicable. There are better ways than this. Intimidation is one thing. Intentionally causing mortal terror is quite another. I will have words with whoever’s responsible for this.

Nah, don't need one. Also I am here now.

Vonnie just lay there. He wasn’t particularly confused. It was obviously a jungle. He wasn't in Freedom City or anywhere nearby. My luck’s running true to form. Also, someone is so, so racist. My great grand parents weren’t from Africa, much less me. “Somehow, this isn’t the worst day of my life. It’s not even in the top ten.†Doesn’t mean this ain’t South or Central America. Might be something to that one. He had just been getting used to Freedom City. It was way different from New York. No boroughs, and far less people. It was vibrant, though, and had a few of those under the radar places NYC had in abundance. Plus, less people trying to kill him because of he was the Samaritan. So there was that. He noticed Nevermore trying to get up, and tried gave his fellow teen a hand by jumping up himself…and failed hard due them not syncing their movements in the least. He then immediately noticed he was the shortest of the three. Yep, my luck just don’t stop running. And of course, my mask and grapples are gone. Just put the cherry on top. “You guys ever have one of those days where you just wish you’d stayed in bed? You know, skipped school and life in general? I think I’m having one of those.†He sat up. “But…could be worse. Could be cuffed to a lion. Or a tiger. Maybe a bear. Instead I get some guy who’s poorly cosplaying a jungle savage. And there’s a guy who’s hand comes off and…can shoot a laser bean while flipping the bird? Man…where you get that? I could use one of those. Unless you have to chop off my hand. I like my hand. My hand likes me. We’re good together. You could even say we’re…attached to each other.†Vonnie chucked a little at the double joke. “What? I thought it was funny.â€

Red Rat & Revenant Bortolo Ferretti lived in a pretty nice two floor house in Bayview. It wasn’t that far from Claremont, as it happened. This being night, of course the house was dark. Worrisomely, there wasn’t a single vehicle in the driveway, and a glance through any of the windows would reveal that there wasn’t a stick of furniture on the first floor. Even the kitchen was bare of appliances. It lacked so much as even a stove and refrigerator. The front door was, of course, locked. However, the back seemed to be not just locked, but nailed shut. Blue Jay Esther Henson had an second floor apartment (with a convenient balcony!) on the edge of the Southside, right in that fuzzy area that wasn’t quite the Southside but wasn’t quite Lincoln, either. As it was still the middle of the night, one would expect that there wouldn’t be a light on in the place. This was not the case. In fact, every ceiling light, lamp, and even some flashlights were on. The glow of two television screens and a computer screen was also visible, but they did not appear to be playing anything other than static and a bright colorful screensaver, respectively. However, what was not visible was Miss Henson herself. And even more oddly, despite having all the lights on, it seemed a little…dimmer inside than is should have been.

Penny arched an eyebrow. These certain were…eccentric people. Then again, heroes did tend to have eccentric personalities. She addressed the Red Rat first. “I don’t care what you do. However, I don’t want to know about it. And-“She gave Blue Jay pointed look. “I’m only subcontracting after a fashion. You won’t be paid. A little girl had been kidnapped. Despite having the inclination, I do not have the time to deal with it. You, however, have both the time and the inclination.†The implication being she wanted Jay to adjust her attitude. She reached into her pack again, and pulled out two slips of paper. “Feretti’s office and home addresses are on the top, Henson’s home is on the bottom. Do as you please.†She paused for a moment. She breathed in and out, as if bolstering herself for something. “My associates tell me I can be…brusque. I do not mean offense. The case is yours to do with as you see fit. I only request that you do not contact the Franklins without me, and that you call me when you find Hannah so I am not left in suspense. And it is just that, a request. If you find me so distasteful, please, ignore my small wishes to your heart’s content. I am just a humble private eye, after all. I claim no authority or superiority over you. You now have all the information I do. Good luck.†She closed her eyes briefly, and placed the two slips on the ledge, under what on closer inspection could be seen as a shuriken. Then she grabbed her pack, casually vaulted over the ledge, and completely disappeared.

Samaritan The Night Before Vonnie snapped awake in his hotel room. It took a few seconds to realize what had woken him. Crying. Someone was crying in the next room over. That was the girls’ room. He lay there, weighing running over against the ways bursting into a girl’s room late at night could be taken the wrong way. Screw it. He bounded out of bed and into his pants. Out his door, a few steps, and into the other room. It didn’t take a genius to see what happened here. Vina, who hadn’t cried a single tear nor slept a full night through since their mother died, had finally broken down. She had sat on the side of her bed, sobbing softly until it had woken LJ. LJ, for her part, had gone over to Vina and held her, trying and eventually failing to hold back her own tears. Vonnie just stood there, just in the doorway. He didn’t know what to do. No, that wasn’t right. He knew what to do, he just didn’t know if it was the right thing to do. He’d shed his own fair share of tears, after all. He’d had his touchy moments and snarled at people who had nothing but the best of intentions. But…but…this was his sister. This was LJ. Screw it. He stepped over, sat down, took both of them in his arms, and didn’t do a single other thing. Words wouldn’t make it better. Him being there wouldn’t make the pain go away. But…but…it mattered, somehow. He didn’t know how or why, but the two of them clung back to him. Their old lives were gone forever. He couldn’t change that, no matter how much he wanted to. Vina got louder, and Vonnie pulled her closer. Maybe he couldn’t make the pain go away, but he could make sure she wasn’t alone. This was his family. Everyone he had left in the world. It hurt him that they were hurting. He hated it. He hated whoever had done this. There was a flash of insane rage, but Vonnie stuffed it back down. Anger wouldn’t solve anything. Vina started to sniffle, and then snore softly. Wordlessly, Vonnie and LJ tucked her into bed and then, as if reading each other’s mind, stepped into the hall. They spoke in hushed tones, as not to wake anyone else. “Sorry we woke you.†LJ had managed to get herself under control, but her voice still quavered. Vonnie shook his head. “Nah, I’m glad you did.†“I’m still mad at you.†Vonnie lowered his eyes. “I know.†“Some days I wish I’d stayed in the city.†“I know.†“Honestly, Vonnie? It’s like a nightmare that I can’t wake up from.†Her face crumbled. “He just went out to get some milk, you know?†The tears started again. “I keep thinking that I can call him and he’ll come get me. Take me far away and never leave me alone again.†Vonnie took her into his arms. “You’re not alone. I won’t allow it. Not you.†His voice quavered. “Never you.†They stayed that way for a while, before awkwardly separating. LJ had gotten herself under control. “Starting at a new school tomorrow. Got to get that beauty sleep. She smirked. “Course, I’m already beautiful. Anything else is icing on the cake.†Vonnie smirked too. “Gurl, you know d#$% well icing is the best part of the cake.†He let out a small laugh. “But ah…you need anything, you call, aight? I ain’t about to break my promise over yo’ pride.†LJ gave him a look. “As I recall, I’m the one who said you were gonna be sticking to it. So you better be picking up the phone when I call.†Vonnie threw up his hands in mock surrender. “Aight, aight. You’re the boss.†“You d#$% right.†She moved to go inside her room and Vonnie turned to go. He got one step before. “Hey, Vonnie?†He looked back to see her head poking through the doorway. “Thanks for coming back for me.†She pulled her head back in and shut the door. Vonnie went back to his room, grinning like an idiot.

Queenie Player Name: Eternal Phoenix Character Name: Queenie Power Level: 11 (173/189 PP) Trade-Offs: +3 Toughness, -3 Defense Unspent PP: 16 In Brief: World’s finest chef also has a power ring. Alternate Identites: Maybelle McQueen Identity: Open secret/semi-public Birthplace: Charleston, South Carolina Occupation: Head Chef at the Southern Queen Affliations: None Family: Maynard and Ellen (parents), Simon and Carlyle(brothers), Rose (sister), various extended family members Age: 30 Apparent Age: early 20s Gender: Female Ethnicity: Caucasian Height: 5’ 6” Weight: 125 lbs. Eyes: Blue Hair: Dirty blonde Description: Maybelle is an attractive woman that appears to college age, although she’s a bit older. She dresses most often in jeans, sneakers, a button down, and a vest. That said, she is not averse to dresses, skirts, and most other articles of clothing. She doesn’t bother with a costume or mask, preferring to just start throwing down in whatever she’s wearing at the time. It’s…a little hard on her wardrobe. History: Maybelle McQueen never intended to be a hero. Her passion was and is cooking. Specifically, making the fruits of world class culinary skills affordable to the masses. She was a culinary student, and a gifted one at that. Then, one day, a silver ring appeared on her dresser as if it had always been there. Thinking it was a gift from her fiancé, Steven (make your jokes now), she picked it up. The virtual intelligence inside started to explain what it and the ring were. Another woman might have panicked at the sudden voice in her head, but Maybelle listened, curious. She listened as it explain about it’s master, the future’s heroine Aura. About how the ring’s power depended on her heroic spirit. And about how there were two other rings somewhere in the world. Again, another woman might have jumped (or adamantly refused) the call to heroism. Maybelle’s answer was a dull “Meh.” Totally uninterested in anything but her dream, she put the ring in her dresser drawer and promptly forgot about it. Unbeknownst to her, the Ring of Aura is part of a stable time loop. History says Aura made three rings and a staff and sent them back in time. Between the four items and her amulet, the world shattering power the maniac known as Auric once had remains sealed away. Aura, a member of the Freedom Legion, knows that if she deviates from history in the slightest, Auric will have access to his full power and thus be able to destroy entire star systems just to spite her. Auric himself was once a man. Somehow (repeated time travel has fuzzed out the details) he became magic incarnate and utterly insane. Aura, with her amulet and its do anything Anti-Magic energy, was the only one in the universe able to stand against him. But with every battle, his power grew until Aura’s amulet hit its limit defeating him again. The battle was…catastrophic. Entire star sectors lay in ruins, testament to Auric’s power and Aura’s failing ability to stop him. There was one chance. Just one. While he recovered, his power was dispersed. If it could be collected and sealed away, he would pose much less threat. Taking some of the unique material from her amulet, Aura made the rings and staff. Together with her amulet, she sealed the power he had not yet regathered away. Even hobbled, Auric would be a potent threat. He had called upon allies before, and there were lunatics who thrived on destruction other than he. Not to mention the ones who might think they could claim his power. She had to get them away. Other dimensions were too dangerous. With a heavy heart, she prepared to cast them back in time. She did take precautions, in the form of the VI. It would attempt to keep the items away from the selfish and greedy and push them towards the noble and heroic. They would have a portion of her power as well, just in case Auric or someone else went chasing after them. Her history wouldn’t change. New timelines would be born. Some would be good, and some would be bad. She knew all of that. But…the next time, Auric would kill her. The Freedom Legion would fall. There was no choice left. The time loop began. A different Aura learned what the original had done, and figured out why it must continue to be done. Steven and Maybelle set a wedding date. Shortly after their graduation. He was training to be a pastry chef at the same school, and that was how they had met. Graduation loomed. Then Auric appeared. He sought to destroy Aura’s legacy and free his power. He knew the ring was in that certain city. He knew the kind of person it would find to wield it. So he started blasting things. Somebody had to stop him. People were going to die. Maybelle balked. She wanted to be a chef, not a hero. The cops were helpless before him. She could help everyone. Just put on the ring and go. But her dream! Maybe if she gave him the ring, he’d leave. It wouldn’t be right. Back and forth, she wrestled against her own nature, the nature the ring had sought out in the first place. Eventually, ring in hand (but not on finger), Maybelle confronted Auric. He could feel the ring on her, and the kind of person she was. Noble. Compassionate. Heroic. It turned his stomach. She had to die, RIGHT NOW. Wait. Who was that who shoved her aside? Why is she screaming that one word? …did she just put on the ring? It wasn’t anger Maybelle was feeling. It was guilt. She had been selfish for once in her life, and now the city was damaged. People were hurt. And Steven…oh God, Steven. If she’d just taken up the responsibility when it had come to her, none of this would’ve happened. It was all her fault, but she refused to let it go one step further. Auric was going down. Except for the small part where she barely knew what she was doing and he very much did know what he was doing. After getting smacked silly, she flew away (God in Heaven, she was flying), knowing Auric would follow her out of the city. After getting to an abandoned area, she turned and fought. He nearly killed her before the thought of her classmates and everyone else at his nonexistent mercy fueled a power surge that broke through his defenses. Critically (but nowhere near fatally) injured, Auric teleported away. Maybelle collapsed into a heap. It should go without saying, but Maybelle finished culinary school. Graduated at the top of her class. She’s had a few adventures since them, but purposefully has no friends and minimal contact with family. Hero work is dangerous, and she’s never losing anyone again. Kind of hard to lose someone important to you if there isn’t anyone like that, you know? A few years after moving to Freedom, and Maybelle’s recovered from the trauma, mostly. She’s still a bit guarded with her personal life, but friends are no longer verboten. In fact, she’s started to look forward to making a few true pals. Or BFFs, as they apparently call them now. …oh, god. She’s getting old. Personality & Motivation: Maybelle is a gregarious type. She’s talkative, smiles easily and often, and is generally very pleasant to be around. She’s also one of the most paragon-y people on earth. She’ll defend others like the proverbial Mama Bear. She’ll stand and fight when all seems lost. She’ll never give up as long as there’s breath in her. Her integrity is unquestionable. Her courage undeniable. Her compassion unmistakable. Even her chef’s work is to make other people happy with impressively excellent food at an affordable price. She’s also a hardcore foodie. Sort of. She doesn’t have much patience with the fancy stuff. Sure, it’s delicious sometimes, but the pretentiousness of it all drives her nuts. It’s food. You eat it. Swear to Jeebus. Power Descriptions: Maybelle wields the Ring of Aura. It can do just about anything the wearer wants it to do…as long as the wearer knows it can do it. The color of all of them is a silvery gray. It has a virtual intelligence that will answer any direct question about the ring and will not sanction lethal force against living targets. Maybelle uses it for a force field, hard energy constructs, moving things, and blasting stuff. She can fly and communicate with any medium (as long as she knows which one it is). Passive effects include life support (barring food and drink-she’d die of despair without good food and wine), increased dodging abilities, and an increase in her awareness of her surroundings. As mentioned before, Aura power is literally Anti-Magic energy. As Maybelle does not yet know this, the effect on mages in her general vicinity presents as minor interference, and generally not noticed amidst the various other things that can cause such interference. However, Aura had powerful magic nullification at her disposal, to the point where weaker magic simply couldn’t function and it is not impossible that Maybelle could one day wield something similar. The two forces, should they be equal, will simply cancel each other out. If not, the stronger one “wins”. Additionally, Impervious of any variety is ineffective, not matter which force is attacking the other. Powers & Tactics: Maybelle’s a protector first. She’ll shield the defenseless, even if the bad guys get away this time or it’ll get her hurt. Property damage is also a thing she strives to prevent, although with less vehemence. Actually fighting? Blasts of energy or physical force. She’s been known to whip out various pots and pans, made with her constructs, to trap her enemies. Complications: Arch-iest of Enemies: Auric promised he’d come back. He despises Aura, maker of the ring, for sealing away the lion’s share of his power and for everything she stood for. Which just so happens to be everything Maybelle is. When he comes back, it’ll be a war. Maybelle hopes it’ll be a loooooong wait. He is ridiculously powerful compared to what she was. Somewhat less so now, but all the same. Not looking forward to the rematch. No So Secret Identity: Maybelle does use a codename, but she’s never worn a costume or a mask. Never saw much of a point in it, given how much footage there is on the internet of Auric kicking her butt across campus. Sooner or later, this one’s gonna bite her in the butt. She just hopes she can handle that when it happens. Chronic Hero Syndrome: Maybelle is completely incapable of leaving someone who needs help…unhelped. She stood aside once. Once. And a lot of people paid the price for it. So, if someone needs help, or just wants some, she’s all over it. To the detriment of her job, her social life (pitiful as it is), eating, sleeping, and everything else. She is fully capable of pushing herself to collapse, should the situation be dire enough. There are limits, obviously. She’s doesn’t intervene in non life threatening situations unless asked to, and she can prioritize. Taking down the bank robbers is a mite more important than getting that cat out of the tree, after all. Though…she will be back for that cat. Just A Chef From South Carolina: In the kitchen, Maybelle is a goddess. She’s assertive, confident, bold, and fully aware of just how good she is at cooking. Out of the kitchen, it’s like night and day. She’s humble and self-effacing to a fault. As aware as she is of her cooking talents, she is just as aware that she isn’t anyone in any other sphere and never thinks she will be. This includes the superheroic sphere. She will deflect any and all praise not related to her cooking skills in polite but firm fashion, and always refrains from even (in her mind) presenting the appearance of being better or knowing more than anyone else. Award ceremonies are skipped. Rewards are politely refused. She just happened to be in the right place at the right time. It’s no big deal. The ring did all the work, anyway. Etcetera. It’s not humility. She truly believes it. Fueled By Heroism: The Ring of Aura requires an exceptionally heroic and noble spirit to function. If Maybelle should for some reason partially or entirely stop being heroic, the ring may become weakened or unreliable. It may even cease to function entirely. If the situation persists, the ring could even seek a new wielder. Additionally, should the ring decide she is behaving heroically enough, it can temporarily give her more power. This manifests as GM-controlled extra effort, with all the costs implied therein. Food, Food, Food. Gotta Cook Some Food: Maybelle runs the kitchen at the Southern Queen, one of Freedom City’s hottest restaurants. They can make the place work without her, but she’s the star of the show. It’s her culinary mastery and budding star presence that have made the Queen’s name. So, she does have to be there sometimes. She does love the place, but life can…get in the way, sometimes. Cooking Is Art, Cooking Is Life: Maybelle loves cooking. Put simply, cooking is her religion. The kitchen, her church. The stove and oven, her altars. She does not know how to shut up about it either, to the eternal annoyance of whoever triggered her. She’s passionate enough when it comes to food that she will often lose all sense and take over a kitchen that served her a poor dish, just to prevent it from happening to anyone ever again. Wasted food is a tragic event. If she’s the one who cooked it, there will be a need for an irresponsible amount of wine. ABILITIES: 0+4+4+6+6+8=28 Strength 10 (+0) Dexterity 14 (+2) Constitution 14 (+2) Intelligence 16 (+3) Wisdom 16 (+3) Charisma 18 (+4) COMBAT:10+10=20 Initiative: +2 (+2 Dex) Attack: +5, +11 w/ Aura Force Array Grapple: +5 Defense: +8 (+5 Base, +3 Dodge Focus), +3 Flat Footed Knockback: -11 (w/ force field), -1 (w/out FF) SAVING THROWS: 7+2+8=17 Toughness: +14/+2 (+2 Con, + 12 Force Field [Imp 8]) Fortitude: +9 (+2 Con, +7) Reflex: +7/+4 (+2 Dex, +2; +3 Enhanced Reflex) Will: +11 (+3 Wis, +8) SKILLS: 48 SP= 12PP Bluff 0 (+4, +8 Attractive) Computers 0 (+3, +15 w/ Comprehend/Datalink) Concentration 8 (+11) Craft (Chemical) 12 (+15)Skill Mastery Diplomacy 7 (+11, +16 Attractive)Skill Mastery Gather Information 1 (+5) Knowledge (Physical Science) 12 (+15)Skill Mastery Notice 4 (+7, +15 w/ Aura Detection) Sense Motive 4 (+7, +15 w/ Aura Detection)Skill Mastery FEATS: 11PP Accurate Attack Attractive Dodge Focus 3 Interpose Luck Power Attack Precise Shot Skill Mastery (Craft [Chemical], Diplomacy, Knowledge [Physical Science], Sense Motive) Uncanny Dodge (Auditory) POWERS: 85PP Device 21 ("Ring of Aura", 105PP Container, Power Feat: Restricted [Those of exceptionally noble and heroic spirit]; Flaw: Hard to Lose) [85PP] 105DP Total Aura Force 12 [24 point Array; Power Feats: Accurate 3, Alternate Power 3] [30DP] Base Power: Blast 11 ("aura blast"; Power Feats: Variable Descriptor 2 [Bludgeoning/Energy]) {24/24} Alternate Power: Create Object 11 ("aura constructs"; Power Feats: Precise, Selective) {24/24} Alternate Power: Snare 11 ("aura bonds"; Power Feat: Indirect 2 [any point, directed away]) {24/24} Alternate Power: Comprehend 3 (Languages; Speak One At A Time, Understand All, Read All) {6} + Datalink 4 (Radio, 1 mile range; Power Feat: Rapid [x10]) {5} + Enhanced Skills 12 (Computers +12) {3} + Environmental Control 5 (Bright Light in 100 ft radius from target point) {10} {6+5+3+10=24/24} Aura Thrust 11 (22 point Array; Power Feats: Dynamic, Dynamic Alternate Power) [25DP] DBE: Flight 1-11 ("aura flight," 10-25,000mph) {2-22/22} DAP: Move Object 1-11 ("aura might," STR 5-55) {2-22/22} Communication 4 ("aura comms," Radio, 1 mile; Power Feat: Variable Descriptor 2 [Any Tech]) [6DP] Enhanced Reflex 3 ("Aura Avoidance") [3DP] Enhanced Skills 16 ("aura detection"; Notice +8, Sense Motive +8) [4DP] Features 1 (Aura VI -- Answers direct questions about the ring’s powers and selects new bearer if necessary, otherwise useless.) [1DP] Force Field 12 ("aura field"; Extra: Impervious 8 ) [20DP] Immunity 9 ("aura life support"; Life Support) [9DP] Super-Movement 2 (Space Travel 2 [Interstellar]) [4DP] Super Senses 3 ("aura compass"; Direction Sense, Distance Sense, Time Sense) [3DP] DC Block: ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC 15 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Aura Blast Ranged (1,100 ft. max) DC 26 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Energy or Physical) Aura Bonds Ranged (1,100 ft. max) DC 21 Reflex (Staged) Entangled/Bound Aura Constructs, Dropped Ranged (1,100 ft. max) DC 21 Reflex Avoided Ranged (1,100 ft. max) DC 26 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Aura Constructs, Trap Ranged (1,100 ft. max) DC 21 Reflex Trapped inside object Aura Might, Grappling Ranged (100-1,100 ft. max) Grapple vs. +6 - +16 Pinned/Bound Aura Might/Throwing Throwing (STR 5-55) DC 16-26 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) TOTALS Abilities 28 + Combat 20 + Saving Throws 17 + Skills 12 + Feats 11 + Powers 85– Drawbacks 0= 173/189

Terrifica glanced at Set. "I don't know if I have any past incarnations living inside me, so I can't speak to that. However...I do know a little about dealing with the darkness of one's own heart." She flashed him an impish grin. "Honestly, removing all the idiots in government and taking over would so much easier than this, you know?" Leaving him with that, she stepped into the path of the falling officer and gently lowered her to the ground. Do they not know that Caradoc was lying? Radiation doesn't explode. It also doesn't come in white, not in the damaging variety. "Can you please not fling the unconscious to the ground? They don't catch themselves." That said...there must be something he's hiding about her. And of course, with Miss Americana being known for her affiliation with ArcheTech, the first place my mind goes is "she's actually robot." Or a cyborg. Something mad science-y. Respect the cowl, young lady. Cover for him. "You've got that backwards, Caradoc. It's the energy that explodes and burns everything to a cinder. It's the radiation that poisons the survivors and gives the ones who escape that cancer. So please be more careful with her, lioness. I'd rather not be incinerated today."

Terrifica gripped the bridge of her nose with her left thumb and forefinger. A thousand and one choice comments flitted through her mind. They were all either profane, contained a variety of insults to the intelligence of the entire Ritchey bloodline, or both. What she actually said was “What, precisely, are you doing?â€, her tone conveying her irritation with virtually everyone in the room (Crescendo was all right for now) and the Ritchey males in particular. She was sorely, sorely tempted to make the ambulance necessary. However, she took a breath. Then she took another. “Your lives are legitimately threatened. There are people willingly risking their lives to protect you. Most of whom aren’t being paid to do so. And this…this is how you act? I’ll ask again. What, precisely, are you doing?†She shook her head. This is the part where someone uninvolved stammers an exceedingly poor explanation, and someone male makes apparent a severe attitude problem. How tiresome.

Terrifica watched both Nevermore and Argonaut go. Heroes are so…predictable. She strode calmly over the thief left behind and knelt down to speak to him. Her voice was soft and gentle, like the mother she was. “Hello. My name’s Terrifica. What’s yours?†No reply. The only thing that can cause this level of terror is a visual illusion. It is probable there was an audio component as well, if not the full sensory experience.“Whatever you saw, it wasn’t real. I promise.†Or at the very least, not something that will ever set foot on this world without my permission. Honestly, is this sort of psychic damage necessary? There is healthy fear, but this is too much. “I know it was scary, but it was only a waking nightmare. If you talk about them, you’ll see they weren’t so scary to begin with.†She laid a hand gently on over his. “Tell me about it. I can help. Look at me. Come on, you can do it. Just look at me. I’m not scary at all, am I?†You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. There are ways to win without fighting. Now, if he’ll just listen to me.

Penny didn’t even blink. “No, archer. You must lack message comprehension skills.†Penny stepped out of the slight shadow where she had been, and the three could see she wore a black shirt, shoes, and slacks. A small pack was on her back, and she did not appear to be armed. “I don’t know very much about it. Normally, I would handle this myself. Heroes can make things…messy. However, I haven’t the time to deal with it personally.†Her English was slightly accented, fitting her Asian appearance. “So…what was that word again? Ah. I’m subcontracting.†She blinked, momentarily discomfited. “My apologies. I haven’t introduced myself. Penny Nihara, senior partner, NPC Investigations. I do most of what you do, only I get paid for it.†She put down the pack, opened it, and pulled out three identical photographs. She placed them on the building’s ledge. “This is Hannah Franklin. She is seven years old. She did not come home from school on Friday. There may have been an arrangement to stay the weekend with a friend, but she did not arrive there either. Her parents, Thomas and Sadie, have recently come into some money. An hour after she was expected, her parents received a ransom call. The person used a scrambler so his or her voice would not be recognized. Two people knew about the money.†She reached back into her pack and pulled out two more photographs. “The first is their lawyer, Bortolo Ferretti. He recently broke the lease on his office and his house was just put up for sale. However, this may be explained by the recent sale of his practice to Hartford, Grayson, and Cole. The other is Esther Henson. She was a friend of the family, but they recently had a falling out. She hasn’t been seen in approximately a week. However, she does work from her home and was described to me as ‘not the most social of people’. Both of them can be found in the phonebook.†She straightened, reached into a pocket, and pulled out three business cards. “My number, should you need to reach me or speak to the Franklins. They do not know I am subcontracting. I would like it to remain that way. Questions?â€

Player Name: Eternal Phoenix Character Name: Queenie Power Level: 10 (150/150 PP) Trade-Offs: +2 Toughness, -2 Defense Unspent PP: 0 Progress towards Bronze: 0 In Brief: World’s finest chef also has a power ring. Alternate Identites: Maybelle McQueen Identity: Open secret/semi-public Birthplace: Charleston, South Carolina Occupation: Head Chef at the Southern Queen Affliations: None Family: Maynard and Ellen (parents), Simon and Carlyle(brothers), Rose (sister), various extended family members Age: 27 Apparent Age: early 20s Gender: Female Ethnicity: Caucasian Height: 5’ 6†Weight: 125 lbs. Eyes: Blue Hair: Dirty blonde Description: Maybelle is an attractive woman that appears to college age, although she’s a bit older. She dresses most often in jeans, sneakers, a button down, and a vest. That said, she is not averse to dresses, skirts, and most other articles of clothing. She doesn’t bother with a costume or mask, preferring to just start throwing down in whatever she’s wearing at the time. It’s…a little hard on her wardrobe. History: Maybelle McQueen never intended to be a hero. Her passion was and is cooking. Specifically, making the fruits of world class culinary skills affordable to the masses. She was a culinary student, and a gifted one at that. Then, one day, a silver ring appeared on her dresser as if it had always been there. Thinking it was a gift from her fiancé, Steven (make your jokes now), she picked it up. The virtual intelligence inside started to explain what it and the ring were. Another woman might have panicked at the sudden voice in her head, but Maybelle listened, curious. She listened as it explain about it’s master, the future’s heroine Aura. About how the ring’s power depended on her heroic spirit. And about how there were two other rings somewhere in the world. Again, another woman might have jumped (or adamantly refused) the call to heroism. Maybelle’s answer was a dull “Meh.†Totally uninterested in anything but her dream, she put the ring in her dresser drawer and promptly forgot about it. Unbeknownst to her, the Ring of Aura is part of a stable time loop. History says Aura made three rings and a staff and sent them back in time. Between the four items and her amulet, the world shattering power the maniac known as Auric once had remains sealed away. Aura, a member of the Freedom Legion, knows that if she deviates from history in the slightest, Auric will have access to his full power and thus be able to destroy entire star systems just to spite her. Auric himself was once a man. Somehow (repeated time travel has fuzzed out the details) he became magic incarnate and utterly insane. Aura, with her amulet and its do anything Anti-Magic energy, was the only one in the universe able to stand against him. But with every battle, his power grew until Aura’s amulet hit its limit defeating him again. The battle was…catastrophic. Entire star sectors lay in ruins, testament to Auric’s power and Aura’s failing ability to stop him. There was one chance. Just one. While he recovered, his power was dispersed. If it could be collected and sealed away, he would pose much less threat. Taking some of the unique material from her amulet, Aura made the rings and staff. Together with her amulet, she sealed the power he had not yet regathered away. Even hobbled, Auric would be a potent threat. He had called upon allies before, and there were lunatics who thrived on destruction other than he. Not to mention the ones who might think they could claim his power. She had to get them away. Other dimensions were too dangerous. With a heavy heart, she prepared to cast them back in time. She did take precautions, in the form of the VI. It would attempt to keep the items away from the selfish and greedy and push them towards the noble and heroic. They would have a portion of her power as well, just in case Auric or someone else went chasing after them. Her history wouldn’t change. New timelines would be born. Some would be good, and some would be bad. She knew all of that. But…the next time, Auric would kill her. The Freedom Legion would fall. There was no choice left. The time loop began. A different Aura learned what the original had done, and figured out why it must continue to be done. Steven and Maybelle set a wedding date. Shortly after their graduation. He was training to be a pastry chef at the same school, and that was how they had met. Graduation loomed. Then Auric appeared. He sought to destroy Aura’s legacy and free his power. He knew the ring was in that certain city. He knew the kind of person it would find to wield it. So he started blasting things. Somebody had to stop him. People were going to die. Maybelle balked. She wanted to be a chef, not a hero. The cops were helpless before him. She could help everyone. Just put on the ring and go. But her dream! Maybe if she gave him the ring, he’d leave. It wouldn’t be right. Back and forth, she wrestled against her own nature, the nature the ring had sought out in the first place. Eventually, ring in hand (but not on finger), Maybelle confronted Auric. He could feel the ring on her, and the kind of person she was. Noble. Compassionate. Heroic. It turned his stomach. She had to die, RIGHT NOW. Wait. Who was that who shoved her aside? Why is she screaming that one word? …did she just put on the ring? It wasn’t anger Maybelle was feeling. It was guilt. She had been selfish for once in her life, and now the city was damaged. People were hurt. And Steven…oh God, Steven. If she’d just taken up the responsibility when it had come to her, none of this would’ve happened. It was all her fault, but she refused to let it go one step further. Auric was going down. Except for the small part where she barely knew what she was doing and he very much did know what he was doing. After getting smacked silly, she flew away (God in Heaven, she was flying), knowing Auric would follow her out of the city. After getting to an abandoned area, she turned and fought. He nearly killed her before the thought of her classmates and everyone else at his nonexistent mercy fueled a power surge that broke through his defenses. Critically (but nowhere near fatally) injured, Auric teleported away. Maybelle collapsed into a heap. It should go without saying, but Maybelle finished culinary school. Graduated at the top of her class. She’s had a few adventures since them, but purposefully has no friends and minimal contact with family. Hero work is dangerous, and she’s never losing anyone again. Kind of hard to lose someone important to you if there isn’t anyone like that, you know? Personality & Motivation: Maybelle is a gregarious type. She’s talkative, smiles easily and often, and is generally very pleasant to be around. She’s also one of the most paragon-y people on earth. She’ll defend others like the proverbial Mama Bear. She’ll stand and fight when all seems lost. She’ll never give up as long as there’s breath in her. Her integrity is unquestionable. That said, eventually everyone runs into the wall around her heart. She’s very polite about it, but she refuses to be more than casual acquaintances with anyone. It’s a lonely life, but…she was selfish once. Never again. Even her chef’s work is to make other people happy with impressively excellent food at an affordable price. She’s also a hardcore foodie. Sort of. She doesn’t have much patience with the fancy stuff. Sure, it’s delicious sometimes, but the pretentiousness of it all drives her nuts. It’s food. You eat it. Swear to Jeebus. Power Descriptions: Maybelle wields the Ring of Aura. It can do just about anything the wearer wants it to do…as long as the wearer knows it can do it. The color of all of them is a silvery gray. It has a virtual intelligence that will answer any direct question about the ring and will not sanction lethal force against living targets. Maybelle uses it for a force field, hard energy constructs, moving things, and blasting stuff. She can fly and communicate with any medium (as long as she knows which one it is). Passive effects include life support (barring food and drink-she’d die of despair without good food and wine), increased dodging abilities, and an increase in her awareness of her surroundings. As mentioned before, Aura power is literally Anti-Magic energy. As Maybelle does not yet know this, the effect on mages in her general vicinity presents as minor interference, and generally not noticed amidst the various other things that can cause such interference. However, Aura had powerful magic nullification at her disposal, to the point where weaker magic simply couldn’t function and it is not impossible that Maybelle could one day wield something similar. The two forces, should they be equal, will simply cancel each other out. If not, the stronger one “winsâ€. Of Additionally, Impervious of any variety is ineffective, not matter which force is attacking the other. Powers & Tactics: Maybelle’s a protector first. She’ll shield the defenseless, even if the bad guys get away this time or it’ll get her hurt. Property damage is also a thing she strives to prevent, although with less vehemence. Actually fighting? Blasts of energy or physical force. She’s been known to whip out various pots and pans, made with her constructs, to trap her enemies. Complications: Arch-iest of Enemies: Auric promised he’d come back. He despises Aura, maker of the ring, for sealing away the lion’s share of his power and for everything she stood for. Which just so happens to be everything Maybelle is. When he comes back, it’ll be a war. Maybelle hopes it’ll be a loooooong wait. He is ridiculously powerful compared to what she was. Somewhat less so now, but all the same. Not looking forward to the rematch. No So Secret Identity: Maybelle does use a codename, but she’s never worn a costume or a mask. Never saw much of a point in it, given how much footage there is on the internet of Auric kicking her butt across campus. Sooner or later, this one’s gonna bite her in the butt. She just hopes she can handle that when it happens. Little Miss Lonely Girl: Maybelle has purposefully distanced herself from humanity in general. Everyone is kept at arm’s length to avoid entanglements and the possibility of her losing anyone ever again. That said, she’s a gregarious, outgoing Southern gal. She craves friends like a chocoholic craves chocolate. This contradiction forces her to toe the thin line between letting people in and driving them away. A line that may or may not exist, depending on the person. Fueled By Heroism: The Ring of Aura requires a exceptionally heroic and noble spirit to function. If Maybelle should for some reason partially or entirely stop being heroic, the ring may become weakened or unreliable. It may even cease to function entirely. If the situation persists, the ring could even seek a new wielder. Additionally, should the ring decide she is behaving heroically enough, it can temporarily give her more power. This manifests as GM-controlled extra effort, with all the costs implied therein. Food, Food, Food. Gotta Cook Some Food: Maybelle runs the kitchen at the Southern Queen, one of Freedom City’s hottest restaurants. They can make the place work without her, but she’s the star of the show. It’s her culinary mastery and budding star presence that have made the Queen’s name. So, she does have to be there sometimes. Cooking Is Art, Cooking Is Life: Maybelle loves cooking. Put simply, cooking is her religion. The kitchen, her church. The stove and oven, her altars. She does not know how to shut up about it either, to the eternal annoyance of whoever triggered her. She’s passionate enough when it comes to food that she will often lose all sense and take over a kitchen that served her a poor dish, just to prevent it from happening to anyone ever again. Wasted food is a tragic event. If she’s the one who cooked it, there will be a need for an irresponsible amount of wine. Abilities: 0+4+0+4+4+6=18 Strength 10 (+0) Dexterity 14 (+2) Constitution 10 (+0) Intelligence 14 (+2) Wisdom 14 (+2) Charisma 16 (+3) Combat:8+6=14 Initiative: +2 (+2 Dex) Attack: +4 (+10 Aura Force Array) Grapple: +4 Defense: +3/+8 (+3 Base, +5 Enhanced Defense, +1/+4 Flat Footed) Knockback: -10 Saving Throws: 7+0+8=15 Toughness: +0/+12 (+0 Con, + 12 Force Field) Fortitude: +7 (+0 Con, +7) Reflex: +2/+7 (+2 Dex, +5 Enhanced Reflex) Will: +10 (+2 Wis, +8) Skills: 48 SP= 12PP Bluff 0 (+3, +7 Attractive) Concentration 8 (+10) Craft (Chemical) 13 (+15) Diplomacy 5 (+8, +12 Attractive) Drive 3 (+5) Gather Information 2 (+5) Knowledge (Culinary) 13 (+15) Notice 2 (+4/+12) Sense Motive 2 (+4/+12) Feats: 10PP Accurate Attack Attractive Interpose Power Attack Precise Shot Skill Mastery (Concentration, Craft [Chemical], Diplomacy, Knowledge [Culinary]) Powers: 85PP Device 21 (105PP Container, Power Feat: Restricted (Those of exceptionally noble and heroic spirit); Flaw: Hard to Lose) (Ring of Aura) [81PP] 15+4+4+20+12+35+9+1=105DP Array 15 [38 DP, Power Feats: Accurate 3; Dynamic] (Aura Force) (Note: Damaging Move Object is Physical damage. Blast is Energy damage) Base Power: Move Object 10 (Extra: Damaging; Dynamic) (Aura Might) [30 DP]Alternate Power: Force Constructs 10 (Power Feat: Selective; Dynamic) (Aura Constructs) [2DP] Alternate Power: Blast 10 (Dynamic) (Aura Blast) [2DP] Communication 4 (Sense Type: Universal; Range: 1 mile; Extra: Omni-Directional Area; Flaw: Limited [user must know what sense type is being used to link up]) (Aura Comms) [4DP] Enhanced Feat (Uncanny Dodge [auditory]) [1DP] Enhanced Reflex 5 (Aura Avoidance) [5DP] Enhanced Skills 4 (Notice +8, Sense Motive +8) (Aura Detection) [4DP] Features 1 (Aura VI) [1DP] (Note: Answers direct questions about the ring’s powers and selects new bearer if necessary. Otherwise useless.) Force Field 12 (Extra: Impervious 8) (Aura Field) [20DP] Flight 6 (Aura Flight) [12DP] Immunity 9 (Life Support) (Aura Life Support) [9DP] Shield 5 (Aura Shield) [5DP] Super Movement 3 (Intergalactic Space Travel)[6DP] DC Block: Unarmed (+4 Hit, DC 15) Aura Blast (+10 Hit, DC 25) Aura Might (+10 Hit, DC 25)Abilities 18 + Combat 14 + Saving Throws 15 + Skills 12 + Feats 6 + Powers 85– Drawbacks 0= 150/150

Terrifica has interest in Purple Haze and Fire and Fists. Samaritan's down for anything Claremont.

'?do=embed' frameborder='0' data-embedContent>> OOC's not far behind. This is the kidnapping, for the record.

Surprise, it's the OOC. Seems to be tagged appropriately, too. Imagine that.