EternalPhoenix

The Franklins had money, and half the city knew it. They didn’t live fancy. They didn’t have a big house, or any servants. They lacked even so much as an automobile, preferring Freedom City Transit instead. They lived in Southside, and very quietly at that. Sadie, Thomas, and their lovely little girl Hannah were, for all intent and purposes, anonymous and nobody. The problem was that Thomas’s family members, though deceased, were all unrepentant though relatively minor criminals and had been for generations. Thomas himself managed to stay out of it, but with no one left to inherit the family money upon his father’s death, Thomas was stuck with a substantial amount of illegally gained cash. This alone earned him a jaundiced look from Freedom’s criminal underworld, but the exact amount of money remained unknown, so no one took action. Yet. Sadie’s unknown great uncle dropping dead and leaving her a similarly large amount of legal money provided a fine opportunity for the couple to legalize the extra cash. Unfortunately, it also provided a fine opportunity for someone to kidnap Hannah for ransom. Going to the cops was not an option - see illegal cash. This was where NPC Investigations came in. August 30, 2014. 1:45 AM. Southside. Penny Nihara simply stood on the roof of Rocket Records. The store was closed for the holiday, and wouldn’t reopen until Tuesday. She tapped her foot, impatient. The heroes were late. She had done everything but send up a flare. She briefly considered doing just that, but discarded the idea as she was too close to the airport. Even accounting for skepticism, someone should have shown up by now. The message was simple enough. “A young girl has been kidnapped. I need your help.†Penny had it relayed by various means, as well as the location to meet. Yes…any minute now. Honestly…she was almost surprised that a hero wasn’t on the job to begin with. Almost meaning that after a few years of doing this job, she knew that an awful lot of small things slipped past Freedom’s champions. The locally focused types did what they could, but ultimately it was a numbers game. There just wasn’t enough of them, and likely never would be. Freedom had the curious habit of becoming more dangerous the more heroes patrolled it. Ah, there one was now. Good.

Hmm. So that's two from Claremont and four street level. I'd like at least three Claremonters, but street level I can get going. Y'all got any preference which of the four plots mentioned? So I know which one to flesh out?

Because original titles are for witty people, who I am not among. First and foremost, Samaritan is very much approved, so I'd like to do a social thread intro'ing him to the school. Let's have some takers, eh? Second, I've mostly worked out (because names are hard) a nice plot for the Claremont brigade that'll introduce the Exiles to Freedom proper. Since going through proper channels would take tons of time (and I'm not that confident in a few of their builds anyway), they'd be plot devices this time around. The idea is that a random teen has woken up to some serious power. Doesn't quite know what to do about it. Radical Dreamer, being a seriously powerful precognitive, would have the Exiles either on the scene when things start to go bad, or recruiting Claremonters because things have can't be stopped from going or have already gone bad. And of course, there's a villain or three interested in this new powerful kid. Just to keep things nice and complicated. Third, I can do street level threads forever. You want one? Give me a shout. It won't be Chandler, but I'll keep things interesting. A pattern of robberies that doesn't fit anyone's established MO? Gotch covered. New dangerous drug on the streets? Done in my sleep. Rich kid's been kidnapped? Rescue time, gents. Corporation doing something shady that's just caught up with them? Makes four. I could go on, but you get the idea. I'm told a new GM is needed. I'm willing to help, even if my plotting skills are lacking.

Sam blinked and shook her head, with a sheepish smile on her face. <"What? I was...a bit distracted."> The smile slipped away and she seemed to mentally freeze for an instant. <"Oh, right. My favorite books and what I like to read. That's...hmm. How to explain. It's...I have one of those photographic memories. Once I've read a book, I remember every word perfectly. I simply don't forget anything, and that makes rereading...difficult to enjoy. I also read quite quickly, so you can imagine what buying new books does to my budget. Television doesn't have much to offer me, and the internet, I'm sad to say, simply doesn't update their novels and such quite fast enough. With that said, I...don't have a bias, really. I'll read just about anything if it sounds interesting. The format doesn't matter, either. It could be a thousand page novel, or a humble twenty two page comic book. Though I admit, comic books these days aren't what they used to be."> She took a sip of her espresso. <"I do have a few books I keep out, though. I flip through occasionally. Let's see..."> She closed her eyes, and as if reciting from a list, continued. "Betsy the Vampire Queen, Isaac's Storm, The Proud Breed, Watership Down, and Wicked." Sam opened her eyes again. <"The first is an anthology of four novels, the second is blurs the line between fiction and non-fiction, the third is historical fiction, and the other two you should know.">

Terrifica had a good, effective plan all but laid out when the noise in the ceiling silenced her quite effectively. Her mind worked, producing several theories. It could be mechanical. A small kill bot. Perhaps a small mobile bomb. Or a ninja. It was surprising what a ninja could get into. Worst of all, there were several supervillains that could squeeze into such a small space. No. It was clunking metallically. Definitely tech. It was then the loud boom was heard. There could only be one of a very few sounds. Theorizing shoved aside, she bolted up the stairs, a step ahead of Divens. "Detective! Make sure the EMTs are standing by! There could be injuries." Of course, he probably knew that, but Terrifica adored certainty. She purposefully didn't burst into the nearest room. There was no telling which room it was. There were so many. "Ma'am! One more sound, if you please! I'm here to help, but I don't know which room you're in!" Failing that, she did see the kid with the axe go out the window in her rush upstairs. At best, he'd be in the right room and taking action, the sound of which would lead her to the right place.

It had been bugging Terrifica ever since Southern Belle's appearance, but her own emotions (the pesky things) had flared and driven it from her mind. But now, as the living incarnation of Southern Pride showed real fear (hers or the host's, it made little difference. Wait just a moment... She spun on her heel, knowing the current foe was held firmly by the wrathful feline woman. "Something bothers me, Liberty. You're willing to chain up and lock away an aspect of who you are, just because she disagrees with you? I don't approve of her rhetoric. Her way of life is gone, and good riddance to it. That said...you threw the first punch. She was escaping confinement, something that you ought to approve of wholeheartedly. You turned it into a fight, where one wasn't needed. How long has she been imprisoned? Since the War ended? Need I point you to the Eighth Amendment? That little rule against cruel and unusual punishment? Or does the Bill of Rights not apply to the living incarnation of American liberty?" She pivoted slightly so that Belle could see her. "Oh, don't misunderstand me. You possessed an unwilling woman, and you must answer for that." She turned back to Miss A. "That said...the question remains. Has your anger overwhelmed your ideals? Is this what liberty is? Beating up someone fleeing from their long-perhaps overly long-captivity so that they may be returned to it? I admit, I was guilty of a knee jerk reaction myself. But look at her, Liberty. She is afraid. You have done this to her. And what's more, if that is truly Mary Preston Hammer...then the Spirit of Liberty is guilty of imprisoning a human woman's soul for over century, refusing to allow her to go to her eternal reward or punishment as her deity sees fit." Terrifica spun once more, attempting to grab everyone's attention. "Tell me, is this what we are? I thought we stopped fights, not started them." One last look for Miss A. "If that is your America, I want as little part of it as I want a part of Mary's America."

Rewrote the history. It's all long now. Complications got tweaked slightly, as well.

They were as PL7 as he is, just a bit more Damage and Toughness shifted. A standard one would've took him apart. Also some built up hero points and the favor of the Random Number God. I...may have seen too many action movies, as well. That could be clearer, yes. I was trying to be concise with the history, not write a novel. I'll expand things so that it makes more sense. A quick glance shows I skipped way too much.

...has spent way, way too much PP. Please assist me with the cutting down to size. Abilities:4PP total Strength 0 (-5) [28 (+9)] (Growth) Dexterity 0 (-) Constitution 10/24 (+0) [24 (+7)] (-14 Unenhanced Statistic + 14 Growth) Intelligence 24 (+7) Wisdom 14 (+2) Charisma 16 (+3) Combat: 34PP total Initiative: +0 Attack: +4 Base (+8 Ranged, Growth accounted for) Grapple: NO HANDS Defense: +5 (+5 Base, +2 Flat Engined, Growth accounted for) Knockback: -23 Saving Throws: 9PP total Toughness: +15 (+0 Con, +15 Protection) Fortitude: +5 (+0 Con, +5) Reflex: +0 (+0 Dex,) Will: +8 (+2 Wis, +6) Skills: 100 SP= 25PP Computers 15 (+22) Diplomacy 5 (+8) Knowledge (Behavioral Sciences) 8 (+15) Knowledge (Earth Sciences) 8 (+15) Knowledge (History) 8 (+15) Knowledge (Life Sciences) 8 (+15) Knowledge (Physical Sciences) 8 (+15) Knowledge (Tactics) 8 (+15) Knowledge (Technology) 8 (+15) Notice 8 (+10) Search 8 (+15) Sense Motive 8 (+10) Feats: 8PP Attack Focus (ranged) 4 Eidetic Memory Move-by Action Online Research Uncanny Dodge (visual) Powers: 193PP Blast 12 [24PP] Communication 10 (Neutrinos, Omni Directional Area) [20PP] Unenhanced CON -14 (Permanent) [-14PP] Flight 12 [25PP] AP: Space Travel 12 Growth 14 (+28 STR, +14 CON, +3 Size; Permanent) [42PP] Immunity 10 (Life Support, Starvation & Thirst) [10PP] Immunity 2 (Aging, Sleep; Limited to Half Effect) [1PP] Protection 15 (Impervious 10) [25 PP] Super Senses 20 ( Counters Obscure, Extended 8, Radius Vision) [20PP] Super Strength 12 (+60 STR to carry) [24PP] DC Block: Blast 12 (+8 Hit, DC 23)Abilities 4 + Combat 34 + Saving Throws 9 + Skills 25 + Feats 8 + Powers 193– Drawbacks 0= 273/150

Happy Birthday, Sorus.

Well, that goes without saying. Most of the former wasn't his fault, and the latter...it's a weird thing. He's proud of winning, of surviving something he shouldn't have, but how he pulled it off...not so much, no. This is essentially Peter Parker if he was less of a boy scout. Yep. I knew I missed some of them. Thank you, sir. Fixed that before I left last night. Ooh, I can have that rank of Leaping. I just looked at it again, and yeah I screwed up the notation hard. Think I've got it repaired, though. The total cost was right, I just wrote it wrong, and forgot to account for the loss of the Medium Flaw. Device is a medium, EP.

May you have many more, horn.

Player Name: Eternal Phoenix Character Name: Samaritan Power Level: 7 (105/112 PP) Trade-Offs: None Unspent PP: 7 Progress towards Bronze: 7/30 In Brief: Inexplicable Human Totem, capable of amazing physical feats and aware of every physical object around him. Alternate Identites: Vonnie Murray Identity: Secret Birthplace: New York City Occupation: Freelance Journalist Affliations: None, barring Claremont Academy in general Family: Vina Murray (sister), Elena Veracruz (mother, deceased), Laquiesha Janine Parker Age: 16 Apparent Age: 16 Gender: Male Ethnicity: Half African-American, Half Puerto Rican Height: 5’ 9†Weight: 170 Eyes: Dark Brown Hair: Dark Brown Description: Vonnie is dark skinned and a little skinny. He shows zero outward sign of being anything other than a normal mixed race teenager. However, to those with mystic senses, his soul shines brighter than the sun. His costume, such as it is, is a white T-shirt with a cross in the center and a blindfold style mask. History: Vonnie Murray was an ordinary teenager in the Bronx who had brains to spare and a slight gadgeteering bent. One day, when he was 14, one of his inventions went haywire, spraying both him and his sister with unknown energies. He soon found he was stronger, faster, and tougher than everyone on the block. Like most kids his age, he idealized super heroes. Now that he had super powers, what better idea than to give it a go? It was a smashing success. He saved people. Punched out thugs. Street level stuff, but Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan began to take notice of his presence. Meanwhile, his personal life had begun to improve. Gail Verner, one of his classmate and just about the most idolized girl in school (not that she catered to that impression, mind), started hanging out with him and his small circle. Small meaning Vonnie and a rotating cast of neighborhood kids. Most notable were Darrell (moderately wealthy), Tonio (meathead with a good heart), Carmen (fulfilling that tough Latina stereotype unironically), and Laquiesha Janine AKA LJ (fulfilling that airheaded party girl stereotype apparently unironically). As time went on, Vonnie and Gail even started dating. Young love is a beautiful thing. That said, The Labyrinth has a vested interest in new super heroes, as some of them can be…useful. However, Vonnie (now being called Samaritan by the media because of his cross t-shirt and borderline reckless devotion to getting people out of harm’s way), had no detectible super powers or special training, despite his tremendous physical gifts. A lesser DNA Ascendant was sent to capture him. It…didn’t go well. The man was an idiot, and a thug. Not to mention somehow his combat programming didn’t take, so he couldn’t fight any better than the thug he started out as. He went smashing through Vonnie’s home, and managed to murder his mother and Gail (who happened to be visiting) before Vonnie arrived. Vina was on the floor, clearly next. Seeing two of the three people he loved most in the worst broken like dolls, and the same about to happen to the third…something in the back of Vonnie’s mind broke loose. His vision grayed, and he attacked the monster who’d stolen almost everything from him. They almost killed each other in a savage brawl across what seemed like half the Bronx. The thug was strong, but for every hit he got on Vonnie, Vonnie hit with two or three. They fought until neither could stand up. Doctors still aren’t sure if the thug will ever walk again, but Vonnie recovered with remarkable speed. A neighbor (LJ’s dad, as it happened) took the devastated siblings in afterward. As it turned out, LJ was not an airhead. It was just a phase, and the shock of seeing her friend in physical and emotional agony shook her out of it pretty hard. As Darnell, Tonio, Carmen and the rest drifted away, she drifted closer. Gail was a good person, no doubt about it, but LJ possessed a decidedly larger heart. Vonnie slowly rebuilt his life. The NYC press blaming Samaritan for the whole affair didn’t help, but he refused to quit hero work. His mother and Gail, had they known he was Samaritan in the first place, would not approve. His reputation was ruined. So what? He didn’t do this for praise. Eventually his friends drifted back to him. By that time he and LJ had been going out for a month already. The press moved on. 10th grade was wrapping up. It had been an entire year. The memories still hurt, but on the whole...life was good again. He even felt confident enough to confide his life as Samaritan to LJ. She took it well, all things considered. And then another DNA Ascendant attacked. This one was smarter and could actually fight, but there was something wrong with her. She was a bird analogue with razor feathers, only she seemed very, very sick. There was an air of desperation about her as she launched an assault on Vonnie as he was swinging home. The combination made her sloppy, not that Vonnie noticed. The collateral damage added up, but he couldn’t do anything more to take her down than he already was. He couldn’t do anything but watch as people were injured. His people. And then he saw LJ, holding her fallen father. He was going to meet them at the corner store. Something in the back of his mind broke loose, and his vision grayed out. He was stronger, faster. The bird woman couldn’t dream of stopping him. He hit her again. And again. And again. Her razor feathers dug into his flesh, but he didn’t feel it. It was when he hadn’t been hit back in a while that he backed off. Blood loss abruptly caught up to him, but before he passed out he saw her. Broken, like a doll. Vonnie was horrified, but something in the back of his mind was well satisfied. The bird woman’s still in a coma. This time, Duncan Summers took a personal interest in the young man who’d garnered so much interest from a unknown party. However, Vonnie flatly refused to go alone. For one, his sister was starting to demonstrate powers similar to his own and that quite frankly scared him to death. Second, there wasn’t a way on this earth that he’d leave her or his orphaned girlfriend behind. That said…LJ told him off HARD. The language was both colorful, vicious, and tinged with just enough grief to hit what her anger couldn’t. Vonnie just took it. Meekly. It was, after all, all his fault. His fault for having the arrogance to think he could just put on a mask and save people. His fault for the accident that triggered his powers. His fault for being born in the first place. All the death and all the pain around him were all his fault. She finally ran out of steam. He nodded. Said one thing. And walked away. LJ watched him go, emotions warring. He wanted to return the favor from a year ago? When she’d been there for him when he’d lost his only parent? Who did he think he was? But…he could’ve asked for anything or even nothing at all. He didn’t even have to come see her again. But he did. He knew she’d be mad, but he took the verbal beating without a word in his own defense. All he did was ask if he could help her. Stupid @#$%^&. She ran to him. @#$% straight he’d return the favor. Thus, Vonnie, Vina, and LJ came to Freedom City, and Samaritan joined the student body at Claremont Academy. Personality & Motivation: Vonnie is a good kid. He was idealistic starting out, but reality has tempered that some. That said, he’s a hero. He firmly believes that because he has power, he should use it to help people. He’s no boy scout, though. He remains very much a teenage boy, and he’s definitely got that rebellious, angry loner thing down pat. However, he’s more often just earnest and caring. It’s just that great loss can take a toll on even the strongest of psyches. Power Descriptions: Neither Vonnie nor anyone else knows it, but his powers are mystic in nature. He’s a animal totem, but his animal is the human animal. At the moment, that means he has peak physical strength, agility, and stamina. He’s faster than the fastest of sprinters. However, the thing that sets him apart is his Spatial Awareness. He can sense anything with a physical presense around him. Neither walls, doors, or any kind of concealment short of magical can block it. As such, he’s rarely surprised. Powers & Tactics: Samaritan only has one tactic. Get the civilians out of harm’s way, then hit the bad guy in the face. He’s quite predicable in that regard, actually. What helps with this is his Wrist Mounted Grapples. They’re essentially wrist mounted grapple guns that he uses to swing through the city. He does require a fairly ready supply of hooks to put on the ends of the cables so that they’ll stick. He’s also been known to use them as a tether to pull or swing things around. Complications: Your Powers, How Do They Work?: As Samaritan’s powers can’t be detected by ordinary methods, The Labyrinth wants him badly. So they can dissect and study his physiology and learn how exactly his powers work. Got People Depending On Me, Man: Vonnie’s sister Vina and his girlfriend LJ are the most important people in his life. He’ll defend them more viciously than anyone else. Toeing The Line: When pushed hard enough, Samaritan can and has abandon heroic combat mores and start fighting with a vicious and savage bent. He regrets it later, but descending into savagery when stressed seems to be a part of his powers. Honestly? It scares the crap out of him. .I Can Handle It: Vonnie’s been in a lot of fights. Some of them went badly for him, but he’s never truly lost a fight. This, and being a teenager has led to a feeling of nigh invincibility that will come back to bite him someday. The Price Of Fame: Samaritan’s two brawls with the DNA Ascendants (flawed as they were), along with a few assorted other battles, have made him somewhat famous in super villain circles. Someone could try to take the kid out to make a name for himself. It’s not like Vonnie’s about to turn down a fight against a villain, after all. Abilities: 0+0+0+8+2+2=12 Strength 24 (+7) [10 (+0)] (Enhanced Statistic) Dexterity 24 (+7) [10 (+0)] (Enhanced Statistic) Constitution 24 (+7) [10 (+0)] (Enhanced Statistic) Intelligence 18 (+4) Wisdom 12 (+1) Charisma 12 (+1) Combat: 6+6=12 Initiative: +7 (+7 Dex) Attack: +3 (+7 Unarmed) Grapple: +10 Defense: +7 (+3 Base, + 4 Dodge Focus, +1 Flat Footed) Knockback: -3 Saving Throws: Toughness: +0/+7 (+7 Con) Fortitude: +0/+7 (+7 Con) Reflex: +0/+7 (+7 Dex) Will: +7 (+1 Wis, +6) Skills: 28 SP= 7PP Acrobatics 2 (+2/+9) Bluff 6 (+7) Craft (mechanical) 1 (+5) Knowledge (physical sciences) 1 (+5) Knowledge (streetwise) 1 (+5) Knowledge (technology) 1 (+5) Notice 9 (+10) Sense Motive 7 (+8) Feats: 9PP Attack Specialization (Unarmed) 2 Dodge Focus 4 Inventor Last Stand (use extra effort to ignore damage penalties for one round) Uncanny Dodge (mental) Powers: 14+14+14+1+3+6+8=59 Enhanced CON 14 [14PP] Enhanced DEX 14 [14PP] Enhanced STR 14 [14PP] Leaping 1 (running jump 34 ft., standing jump 17 ft., high jump 8 ft.) [1PP] Speed 3 [3PP] Super Senses 5 (Spatial Awareness [accurate, acute, radius, ranged mental sense]) [5PP] Device 2 ( 10 PP Container; Flaws: Hard-to-Lose ) [8PP] (Wrist Mounted Grapples) Snare 1 (Power Feats: Improved Range 2[50 ft incr], Reversible, Tether [100 ft.] [6DP] Super Movement 2 (Slow Fall, Swinging) [4DP] DC Block: Unarmed (+7 Hit, DC 22) Abilities 12 + Combat 12 + Saving Throws 6 + Skills 7 + Feats 9 + Powers 59– Drawbacks 0= 105/112

Nope, don't need this one.

Player Name: Eternal Phoenix Character Name: Samaritan Power Level: 7 (105/105 PP) Trade-Offs: None Unspent PP: 0 Progress towards Bronze: 0 In Brief: Inexplicable Human Totem, capable of amazing physical feats and aware of every physical object around him. Alternate Identites: Vonnie Murray Identity: Secret Birthplace: New York City Occupation: Freelance Journalist Affliations: None, barring Claremont Academy in general Family: Vina Murray (sister), Elena Veracruz (mother, deceased), Laquiesha Janine Parker Age: 16 Apparent Age: 16 Gender: Male Ethnicity: Half African-American, Half Puerto Rican Height: 5’ 9†Weight: 170 Eyes: Dark Brown Hair: Dark Brown Description: Vonnie is dark skinned and a little skinny. He shows zero outward sign of being anything other than a normal mixed race teenager. However, to those with mystic senses, his soul shines brighter than the sun. His costume, such as it is, is a white T-shirt with a cross in the center and a blindfold style mask. History: Vonnie Murray was an ordinary teenager in the Bronx who had brains to spare and a slight gadgeteering bent. One day, when he was 14, one of his inventions went haywire, spraying both him and his sister with unknown energies. He soon found he was stronger, faster, and tougher than everyone on the block. Like most kids his age, he idealized super heroes. Now that he had super powers, what better idea than to give it a go? The Labyrinth has a vested interest in new super heroes, as some of them can be…useful. However, Vonnie (now being called Samaritan by the media because of his cross t-shirt and borderline reckless devotion to getting people out of harm’s way), had no detectible super powers or special training, despite his tremendous physical gifts. A lesser DNA Ascendant was sent to capture him. It…didn’t go well. The man was an idiot, and a thug. He smashed Vonnie’s home, and managed to murder his mother and girlfriend before Vonnie arrived. They almost killed each other in a savage brawl across half the Bronx. Doctors still aren’t sure if the thug will ever walk again, but Vonnie recovered with remarkable speed. A neighbor (his new girlfriend’s father, in fact) took Vonnie and his sister in afterward, but this didn’t end well, either. Another DNA Ascendent attacked almost a year to the day later. This one was smarter, but not by much. The results? Another smashed house. Another dead guardian. Another, more savage brawl that left the entire block looking like a hurricane had hit it. This thug’s still in a coma. This time, Duncan Summers took a personal interest in the young man who’d survived two beings powerful enough to shatter concrete. However, Vonnie flatly refused to go alone. For one, his sister was starting to demonstrate powers similar to his own. Second, there wasn’t a way on this earth that he’d leave her or his orphaned girlfriend behind. Thus, Vonnie, Vina, and LJ came to Freedom City, and Savior joined the student body at Claremont Academy. . Personality & Motivation: Vonnie is a good kid. He was idealistic starting out, but reality has tempered that some. That said, he’s a hero. He firmly believes that because he has power, he should use it to help people. He’s no boy scout, though. He remains very much a teenage boy, and he’s definitely got that rebellious, angry loner thing down pat. However, he’s more often just earnest and caring. It’s just that great loss can take a toll on even the strongest of psyches. Power Descriptions: Neither Vonnie nor anyone else knows it, but his powers are mystic in nature. He’s a animal totem, but his animal is the human animal. At the moment, that means he has peak physical strength, agility, and stamina. He’s faster than the fastest of sprinters. However, the thing that sets him apart is his Spatial Awareness. He can sense anything with a physical presense around him. Neither walls, doors, or any kind of concealment short of magical can block it. As such, he’s rarely surprised. Powers & Tactics: Samaritan only has one tactic. Get the civilians out of harm’s way, then hit the bad guy in the face. He’s quite predicable in that regard, actually. What helps with this is his Wrist Mounted Grapples. They’re essentially wrist mounted grapple guns that he uses to swing through the city. He does require a fairly ready supply of hooks to put on the ends of the cables so that they’ll stick. He’s also been known to use them as a tether to pull or swing things around. Complications: Your Powers, How Do They Work?: As Samaritan’s powers can’t be detected by ordinary methods, The Labyrinth wants him badly. So they can dissect and study his physiology and learn how exactly his powers work. Got People Depending On Me, Man: Vonnie’s sister Vina and his girlfriend LJ are the most important people in his life. He’ll defend them more viciously than anyone else. Toeing The Line: When pushed hard enough, Savior can and has abandon heroic combat mores and start fighting with a vicious and savage bent. He regrets it later, but descending into savagery when stressed seems to be a part of his powers. .I Can Handle It: Vonnie’s been in a lot of fights. Some of them went badly for him, but he’s never truly lost a fight. This, and being a teenager has led to a feeling of nigh invincibility that will come back to bite him someday. The Price Of Fame: Samaritan’s two brawls with the DNA Ascendants, along with a few assorted other battles, have made him somewhat famous in super villain circles. Someone could try to take the kid out to make a name for himself. It’s not like Vonnie’s about to turn down a fight against a villain, after all. Abilities: 0+0+0+8+2+2=12 Strength 24 (+7) [10 (+0)] (Enhanced Statistic) Dexterity 24 (+7) [10 (+0)] (Enhanced Statistic) Constitution 24 (+7) [10 (+0)] (Enhanced Statistic) Intelligence 18 (+4) Wisdom 12 (+1) Charisma 12 (+1) Combat: 6+6=12 Initiative: +7 (+7 Dex) Attack: +3 (+7 Unarmed) Grapple: +10 Defense: +7 (+3 Base, + 4 Dodge Focus, +1 Flat Footed) Knockback: -3 Saving Throws: Toughness: +0/+7 (+7 Con) Fortitude: +0/+7 (+7 Con) Reflex: +0/+7 (+7 Dex) Will: +7 (+1 Wis, +6) Skills: 28 SP= 7PP Acrobatics 2 (+2/+9) Bluff 6 (+7) Craft (mechanical) 1 (+5) Knowledge (physical sciences) 1 (+5) Knowledge (streetwise) 1 (+5) Knowledge (technology) 1 (+5) Notice 9 (+10) Sense Motive 7 (+8) Feats: 9PP Attack Specialization (Unarmed) 2 Dodge Focus 4 Inventor Last Stand (use extra effort to ignore damage penalties for one round) Uncanny Dodge (mental) Powers: 14+14+14+3+6+15=59 Enhanced CON 14 [14PP] Enhanced DEX 14 {14PP] Enhanced STR 14 [14PP] Speed 3 [3PP] Super Senses 6 (Spatial Awareness [accurate, acute, radius, ranged mental sense]) [6PP] Device 2 ( 7 PP Container ) [15PP] (Wrist Mounted Grapples) Snare 2 (Power Feats: Improved Range 2[100 ft incr], Reversible, Tether [200 ft.]Super Movement 2 (Slow Fall, Swinging) DC Block: Unarmed (+7 Hit, DC 22)Abilities 12 + Combat 12 + Saving Throws 6 + Skills 7 + Feats 9 + Powers 59– Drawbacks 0= 105/105

Sam sighed and muttered a few off color remarks in Mandarin. “Don’t talk to me about New York. My father’s family lives in Manhattan. I refuse to have anything to do with the city.†She reached into the outer pocket of her briefcase, retrieved a credit card, and handed it to Maddy. “Ring up what I have, please. I’ll just have to call Xue Yi and see if she can help.†She looked thoughtful for a moment. “<Come to think of it, you do have some time? There are so few Chinese speakers in Boston. I’d like to just talk for a while. Perhaps you could recommend a few of your favorite books, and I could recommend a few of mine.>†She glanced over at the man at the espresso bar.†<And perhaps you could persuade him to provide some direct to our table service.>â€

Don't forget Terrifica. She's very much street level.

The Seawings Where We Started From Roll Call: Yasmine (Yas) Sakaguchi Rebecca (Rikki) Heskett Dark Sword Portia (Portia Rousseau) Raheed the Dragon King (as summoned by Yas) Laki Sigrah, Herman Heskett, & Sione Sigrah The Seawing Bringing Things Up To Date Coyote (unofficial member) Tobias ******************************************** The Seawings As Of January 2019 Yas & Friends Truman Home For Dimensionally Displaced Girls Team Rumble Hearts Seawings NuGen Yasmine “Yas” Sakaguchi Rebecca “Rikki” Heskett “The Dark Sword” Portia Rousseau Raheed The Dragon King (as summoned by Yas) Tobias The Pacific Stranger (Oliver LaRouche) Coyote Lucy Hasegawa Willie Teriong Kaikoa Laki Sigrah, Herman Heskett, & Sione Sigrah Nathaniel Truman Samorn Emiko Fujiwara Skye Walker Oliana Kameāloha Raymi Humala Sumire Madeline Blackwood Almira Quincy Fiona McTavish Yumiko Amano Palila Nui Octavia Fiammetta Claire Gainsborough Neith Elena Laskaris Phylia Zero Angel (Hinako Fujimori) Dallas Austin Judo Demon (Atsuko Matsuda) Khulan Cinnamon (Emma Adams) Eri Akatsuki Toryū Hirayama Yukinari Yuhara Lana Shimizu Kazeka Kurogane Heroic Spirits (as summoned by Lana) Lucia Sakaguchi Ting Heskett “The Shadow Wolf” Lucien Rousseau Charlie Teriong Raven Jing Zhang Hana Choi

Terrifica had been holding herself back. Wary of the dangers of fighting someone as strong as Lady Liberty in close quarters. Not wanting to (again) have to solve the problem of the week by punching it. She was better than that. But with the young ice wielder getting strangled, the time for caution had clearly passed. Sorry, love. Caution isn't going to work today. A few taps on her wrist computer and she was ready. She ran a few steps and then leapt higher than a unenhanced human possibly could. She soared through the air and brought her staff to bear. "Put her down, Mary!" The strike itself was perfectly on target, as Southern Belle took her eyes off Temperance to just in time to take the blow right between the eyes. Unfortunately, it didn't look like the living incarnation of Southern Pride even felt the hit, much less took damage from it. "The war is long over. It's 2014, Mary. We've evolved past you."

Ooookay. Stunting, as I understand it, is grabbing a AP of a power for this turn only. So, Terrifica will stunt Leaping of off the Enhanced STR in her Nano-Fiber Armor. How much, you ask? Immaterial, I tell you. I can get up to Leaping 6, which is more than enough. Gonna leap right into the fray, and see if I can't bring the hammer down with the Terrifi-staff on the way down. And by that I mean as much Power Attack as someone without that feat can muster as per Da Rules. 18 DC 21

Sam favored the young woman-apparently the store's manager, if not the owner-with a smile. "<She's been quite helpful. My son will have new books tomorrow.>" Her Mandarin was flawless. "However, the books I seek aren't entirely rare. Imagine if I were to ask my friend in San Francisco, she could find them rather quickly. But...ai yah. Shipping across the country is expensive, and that says nothing about the endless anticipation while I wait for them to arrive. The price I pay for settling on the wrong coast, I suppose.†Sam looked thoughtful for a moment. “That said, if you’re busy I can remind myself of just how married but not dead I am by getting an espresso.â€

Dunno if you knew, but I had fried eyes. Too electronic screens. Better now, though. Back to it.

Terrifica, as stated in chat, would be interested in the Errant Kidnapping. She could fit in the Arena thing, if it's Martial Arts.

Hell Q Everything but the last question was answered by Samantha Carson on the condition that it be kept beyond Top Secret. Introduction Who are you? Sum yourself up in one sentence. I’m the kung-fu fighting super genius who’s simply terrific. Do you have any nicknames, street names, titles, or nom de plume? I’m not certain if this is what you meant, but only my aunt calls me Samantha. Everyone else calls me Sam. I never asked them to, however I do not dissuade them either. It makes no difference to me. Just don’t call me late for dinner. Love that one. What is your full birth name? My birth name? No one’s asked me that before. It’s Qiaolian Song. It was changed when I was a child to Samantha Carson. Where do you live? My home is in Boston, however I am the designated conference goer of the science department. That means whenever one of the professors cannot go to one of their vitally important conferences, it’s my job to go in his-and it’s always his-place. How old are you? What year were you born (if applicable)? You’re not going to believe me. No one does, at first. I’m twenty three years old. Physical Traits What is your gender? If not applicable, please explain. I’m a woman. Qiaolian and Samantha are female names. I thought that would be obvious. How would you describe your heritage? Again, Qiaolian and Samantha. I’m Chinese and English. Very much a mixed breed girl. How tall are you? I’m five foot four. My costume adds three inches, however. What is your body type? I would describe it as delicate. I do have a build similar to that of a professional model, however I wouldn’t characterize myself as that beautiful and I get far more exercise than most of those girls. Do you have any particular weaknesses, such as allergies or physical disabilities? That does sound like you’re referring to physical disabilities. No, I have none, aside from a slight lactose intolerance. How do you carry yourself? Are you graceful, or heavy on your feet? Can you be stealthy, do you walk with confidence? I don’t know how to answer this. I’ve never thought about it. I just walk. My husband is looking over my shoulder. He says I’m confident and graceful. I say what does he know? He tromps around loud enough to wake the dead. Describe your skin, eye, and hair color. I’m a Han Chinese/Anglo-Saxon hybrid. My skin is a few shades darker than ivory, my eyes are darkest brown, and my hair is...chestnut? I need to research color names again. It’s somewhere between chocolate and auburn, at any rate. How do you wear your hair, if applicable? Do you have facial hair? I don’t wear my hair in any particular way. My husband likes it just below my shoulders, so that’s the length I maintain. Otherwise I keep it clean, well conditioned, and combed. Assuming, of course, the wind doesn’t decide to ruin my work. Ah, and I don’t have bangs. They make my face look too small. Do you consider yourself attractive? Do others? I’d consider that an insulting question, except you likely haven’t seen so much as a photograph of me and thus have no idea what I look like. I’d certainly say that I’m above average. My husband says I’m the most beautiful girl in the world. The truth is probably somewhere in between. Do you have any scars, tattoos, piercings, or birthmarks? It’s a cliché these days, but my body is a temple. I have no tattoos or piercings. My younger childhood was fairly active, so I do have some shrunken marks on my knees and elbows. And of course, there’s the dark splotch on the right side of my neck, just before the jugular and carotid. Do you resemble anyone famous? If I have to listen to another drunken freshman telling me how much I resemble Lucy Lui, Ming-Na Wen, “that anime chick, you know the oneâ€, or“that girl from that kung-fu movie, hiiiiyaaa†one more time, I am punching him in the throat and damn the consquences. I do not resemble any of those people, no matter how Asian they are. That said, there is a singer I liked during my hyper Asian phase in high school. Ayumi Hamasaki? Back then I’d like to think we had at least a passing resemblance. Do you have a dominant hand? Yes. I am right-handed, like the majority of people on this planet. What kind of clothing do you wear? I don’t quite know what is meant by this question. I wear clothes. If you’re talking about a personal style, I do abhor sweatpants and most forms of pajamas. Additionally, there just something about a nice long coat that makes me feel extremely cool. Do you wear makeup? I do, in fact. I wear it to work, and the odd social obligation. However, it’s just a tool to enhance one’s appearance. My costume covers most of my face, so I don’t bother outside of work. What is your vocal range? Is your voice distinctive in some way? Hmm. I should research the proper term for it. What’s the term for not too high, not too low, and can be taken seriously with minimal effort? I can tell you that I don’t have the distinctive Bostonian accent. I’m told that I speak somewhat quickly, as well. I’d characterize it as saying each syllable with precisely the amount of time it requires and no longer. Do you have any distinctive habits, nervous tics, or mannerisms? Where did they come from, and what causes them? Do other people notice and remark on these habits? Do they annoy you or other people? Well, I do like things to be in order, and rules to be followed. It’s entirely possible that I take that a bit too seriously at times. I have been called too uptight, and anal retentive. It’s just that when you reason it out, there is a perfectly logical and reasonable way to handle most situations in life. It is rather frustrating when the rest of the world seems to be blind to this truth. My husband’s professional opinion is that it’s obsessive compulsive disorder. I respectfully disagree. History Where do you come from? I was born in China, in the south. It was a very rural area at the time, and it still was when I left at age twelve. Have you made any major moves, or do you live in your hometown? As I just said, I moved away from China when I was twelve. This was after my parents disappeared. My father’s aunt, Cassandra, sent for me. She lived in Boston at the time, and aside from a few nights spent at work here and there, I’ve stayed. Aunt Cassandra moved down to Florida a few months ago. Do you feel loyal to your country of citizenship? Do you consider yourself patriotic? How do you feel about the government of your country? I am loyal to the United States over China, as their communist style of government is incompatible with freedom of choice, only of the principles I hold in high esteem. With that said, I am no more a patriot than the next American and honestly the government is filled with idiots. Every aspect could be far more streamlined and efficient, and that’s without my unending disappointment with who gets elected to political office. They’re either stupid, lazy, or cowardly. It’s unfortunate. There are exceptions, naturally, but there aren’t enough to handle things properly. How do you feel about the place you come from? China is China. It’s both a wonderful and terrifying place. The ancient past and modern day exist virtually side by side. Where is your home town? What was/is it like? I’d really rather not dwell on China much longer. Boston has been good to me, however. It’s not quite like the movies, but then again no city is like it appears on television. So to speak. Growing up, were most of the people you knew similar to you, or were you somehow a minority? How did that affect you? There isn’t exactly an abundance of Asians in Boston or its environs, so I did stand out. Even now, outside of science circles I’m highly likely to be the only one in the room. There was some culture shock, but in the end I think I’ve acclimated nicely. Is there something you've always been really good at or really bad at? How has that affected your life? Something I’ve always been really good at, you ask? Try virtually everything I’ve ever put my mind to doing. I am a supergenius, after all. Of course, I’ve tried very hard not to show that I’m anything other than an ordinary genius. It might give away my secret identity. That said...I’m a thinker. It’s who I am. It’s what I do. So things that require clearing your mind and purposefully not thinking I struggle with. Were there any traumatic experiences in your early years (death of a family member, abandonment, orphaned at an early age)? Of course. This question. Every hero has one great tragedy that drives them. Naturally, I’m no different. I mentioned my parents disappeared when I was eight and living in China. My father was a Christian missionary, and my mother was a member of his congregation. You can fill in the rest. When they were out spread the good news, they left me at a local Buddhist temple. One day they didn’t come back for me. There isn’t much more to it than that. I’ve done some research and it turns out my mother was murdered at the local party boss’s orders. Why, I couldn’t find out and my father disappeared without a trace. It took four years for my father’s aunt to learn of my existence and then track me down. Briefly describe a defining moment in your childhood and how it influenced your life. At the time I didn’t know it, but watching my parents leave for the last time or rather, when Aunt Cassandra informed me they had vanished. Although, I admit I realized they weren’t coming back about a week after they were supposed to come and get me. There’s a difference between “out there somewhere†and “gone without a traceâ€. What stupid things did you do when you were younger? Have you not being paying attention? I’m a supergenius. I don’t do stupid things. I never have. Where did you go to school? How much school did you have, and did you enjoy it? I’ll assume you mean college. I have a master’s in education from Boston College and a doctorate in physics from MIT. I partook in several other tracks along the way as well. There was chemistry, geology, engineering, sociology, and just for fun, advanced calculus. I enjoyed my studies very much. Science is fascinating. I suppose you could say that I have a bit of a background in everything. I’m aware it sounds somewhat ridiculous, and if I were a normal genius it would’ve been quite impossible. Fortunately, I’m me, so that was enough for things to get difficult. Unfortunate as it is, I do need to eat and sleep at regular intervals, or my performance will suffer. Do you have any mementos of your childhood? What are they, and why did you keep them? If you have none, why not? I have just one. A necklace from Abbot Yang. For four years he was both father and mother to me. I will forever be grateful to him for that. He helped me understand my place in the universe. When did you decide to become a hero? Why? Did anyone influence you one way or another in the decision? Now there’s an interesting question. It’s true that I could do anything to help people and change the world for the better. Most of those things would be safer, as well. It’s got nothing to do with protecting the weak, helping the helpless or some other such cliché. I’m fully capable of revolutionizing a given intellectual field in less than a year. Non-intellectual fields would take somewhat longer. My body learns far slower than my mind, unfortunately. With that stated, what gives me the right to do so? I know how I operate. If I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it right. Even if I make everyone currently working in that field virtually obsolete by comparison. I’d be ruining lives for the sake of progress and my own self-aggrandizement. It wouldn’t be right. So I thought about it. It’s the longest I’ve ever thought about anything. The more I thought about it, the more a normal career seemed impossible. Did I have no choice but to be a tyrant, lording my superior intellect over the masses whether I liked it or not? No. I refused it. Then at last I realized it, and for the first time felt like a fool. The Sherlock Holmes approach, updated to the modern age. And unlike Doyle’s creation, I need not wait around for cases to come to me. Crime cannot be eradicated without violating the freedom of choice I hold so dear, however it can be controlled rather effectively with a Terrific plan and some well time police intervention. Put simply, I could do anything I put my mind to doing. However, I would be stealing someone else’s hard earned success from them. Perhaps in some cases, such as curing diseases, I could be forgiven by others. But never by myself. Let the glory go to someone who will work hard for and enjoy it. That said, success earned by outlawed means is by definition stolen, and thus the possessors have no right to it. Therefore, I can take it from them. The ones law enforcement has difficulty catching, at any rate. I can do better than that. I fight crime because I cannot take success from those who have earned it. Is the reason you give people for becoming a hero different than your real reason? If so, why? Naturally. I usually take the “to fight evildoers†approach. I do this because I don’t want to deal with that “Oh, that must so hard for you†attitude. Do you have any deep, dark secrets in the past that may come back to haunt you? Of course I do. Doesn’t everyone? Well, aside from the boring ones? Do you represent yourself as being different from who you really are? Why? Among most people, yes, I certainly do. I don’t want to make anyone feel inferior, unless they actually are. Compared to the average person, not me. So I’m just an ordinary genius to everyone I meet. In truth, I find it quite satisfying to be underestimated. Gives me a thrill just like wearing a long coat. If you do have these secrets, what do you fear would happen if the truth became known? How far would you go to protect those secrets? The genius thing isn’t that big of a deal. People just look at me differently. It’s unpleasant. I’m the same as I was before you learned I make you seem like a drooling invalid. As for the deep dark items, anyone chasing after them will soon learn that crossing me is the stupidest idea anyone will ever have. I protect what is mine. Do you have any sort of criminal record? If so, is it public knowledge? No, and I find the question itself insulting. Family What are your biological parents' names? My mother was Meili Song. My father is Lucas Carson. Were you raised by them? If not, please explain and describe who raised you. Do we really need to go through this again? I was raised by my parents until I was eight, when they disappeared. Abbot Yang took care of me until I was twelve, when my father’s Aunt Cassandra brought me to Boston. What was their standing in the community? What did/do they do for a living? As I said before, my father was a Christian missionary. My mother was a farmer’s daughter in rural China. You could say their standing wasn’t exactly high. Where are your parents now? Again, as I said my mother is dead. I have seen the photos and read the brief document. My father, however, has vanished without a trace. I cannot find him no matter how hard I look. Did your family stay in one area or move around a lot? It depends on your definition of moving around. We did stay in the same general area, though never in the same place twice in a row. After their disappearance, my home was static. How did you get along with their parents? How do you get along with them now (if applicable). I’ve never met either set. My father’s died before I came to America, and my mother’s refuse to admit I exist. How do your parents view you now, or how would they? I do not know. My powers had not yet emerged, so my memories are fragmented and incomplete. I know I was loved, and well looked after. They were kind and generous people. Beyond that, I don’t know anything. I am still in contact with (master) (name). He approves of my husband, but I haven’t said anything about my heroic activities. I’d like to think he would approve, but I know better. Too much violence in heroics for that. Auny Cassandra barely approves of my existence, much less anything I do. Do you have any siblings? If so how many and what are their names? Describe your relationship with them. I am an only child. Fortunately. What was your birth order in the family? First, middle, and last all once. Where are your siblings now (if applicable)? Do they have families of their own? What do they do? Do you stay in touch with them or have you become estranged? Do you love or hate one member of the family in particular? No. Only my Aunt Cassandra is left on my father’s side, and my mother’s family regarded for her foreigner husband and foreigner ways got her killed and caused trouble for the entire town. They’re not worth contacting. Is any member of the family special to you in any way (perhaps, as a confidant, mentor, or arch-rival)? No. Are there any black (or white) sheep in the family (including you)? If so, please explain. I wouldn’t know. I’ve stayed far away from the disapproving WASPs that are the Carson family, and the cowards that are the Songs. Do you have a notorious or celebrated ancestor? If so, please explain, including how it has affected your life. To my knowledge, I do not have either. Do you have a partner and children currently? If so, please describe them. I do. In fact, I’ve mentioned my husband several times already. His name is Stan Gresham, and he’s perfect. Well, I suppose another woman would find him wishy-washy, or perhaps too laid back. He’s effortlessly charismatic and persuasive, as well as sensitive and considerate. I’ve never met anyone more patient, either. This won’t do. I’ve given the impression he’s a doormat. A charismatic doormat, but a doormat nonetheless. He’s frighteningly perceptive and the most unafraid person I’ve ever met. He’s the strongest man in the world. From his position over my shoulder, he says he’s not. I say he’s too humble for his own good. Oh, the hell with it. I love him, and that’s enough for me. Ah, right. He’s twenty eight years old, a psychologist by vocation, and works out of our home for the time being. His hair is sandy brown, and his eyes are hazel. I think he’s handsome, but he always demurs. I swear, if the man had a catchphrase, it would be “I’m nothing special†or something similar. We have two children. Lucas just had his second birthday, and Meili is ten months old. A bit rapid, I know, but apparently in addition to being a super genius I’m also a super breeder. Now I’m on birth control, so there will be no more pleasant surprises. Yes, they have my parents’ names. Meili was intentionally named after my mother. However, Lucas was also the name of Stan’s mentor and is named in his honor, not my father’s. Lucas is immensely and endlessly curious about the world around him. He walks, he talks and of course, he’s adorable. Surprisingly, he looks more Chinese than I do. Genetics. Meili can talk, somewhat, but she seems to prefer to listen and watch. What’s interesting is that she speaks in Mandarin. I do speak it around the house at times, but I never imagined she’d pick it up so easily, and prior to English. If you do not have a partner or children, do you want them someday? How firm are you in your opinion on this, and what might change your mind? There’s a firm maybe later on more children. Two appears to be quite enough for the moment. What type of person would be your ideal mate? I married him already. Sorry, boys. This supergenius is taken. Relationships Do you have any close friends? If so, please describe them, and how you came to be close to them. Well, I have kept in touch with the old gang from the temple. Or rather, got back in touch after I turned eighteen and could do as I pleased. They used to get into so much trouble. Let’s see...Ai Jiang is a model/actress/singer in Hong Kong. The Shao twins (fraternal, fortunately), Longwei and Guang, are attending separate universities in Beijing. Longwei favors communications, but Guang is going to be a doctor. They were younger than the rest of us by two years. Xue Yi is living in San Francisco, trying to succeed as a painter. Lastly, there’s Shen Wei. I know he works in law enforcement, and he moves around quite a bit. I’d look into it, but that would be rude. Still, he always manages to find me when I travel to China, so that’s not so bad. I always find it astonishing that we all ended up far away from the temple. You’d think at least one of us would have stayed nearby. Which isn’t to say that I don’t have American friends. I went through high school a bit too quickly for that, I admit, but I get along well with my fellow professors. Dr. Brown and Dr. Wright are always good sounding boards for ideas. Ah, right. I should specify. Dr. Brown is a African American man and a fine mechanical engineer, even if he’s beginning to get truly old. He’s somewhat cantankerous, but more in the vein of a teddy than a grizzly. Dr. Wright is a Caucasian woman, and the finest mathematician I’ve ever met under fifty years of age. She’s a bubbly one, with endless energy. Do you have a best friend? If so, how did they become your best friend? How close are you to your best friend? I do, in fact. Dr. Benjamin Beardly. He is the science department chair at MIT, and does a fine job of looking out for me. He’s quite personable, but about as interested in romance and sex in general as I would be in a full frontal lobotomy. If you were to go missing, who would worry about you? My husband Stan, of course. Benjamin. Dr. Wright would worry herself into her bed. Have you lost any loves? If so, how did it happen, and what did you do? I did have a crush on Shen, back then. I don’t know if that counts. Do you have any bitter enemies? If so, please describe them and their history with you. No, I don’t really have any enemies...wait. There is Maven. I’ve tangled with him a few times now. I wouldn’t call us enemies, but I’ve never heard of him combating any other heroes. He’s a strange one. I intially thought he was a supergenius like me, but the evidence contradicts it. Instead he seems to be more of an intuitive savant at whatever he puts him mind to. He’s an excellent shot and a capable hand to hand combatant. He keeps saying that he’s trying to make me a better hero. By way of robbery, assault, and homicide. I don’t understand at all. It’s extremely distressing and I’d prefer not to dwell on it. If you have enemies, how do you think they might attempt to work against you in the future? Oh, by the heavens. Maven doesn’t work against me. He sets up ridiculous, non-sensical puzzles, and I have to solve them and catch him. In the process, things are stolen, property is damaged, and people are harmed. What is the worst thing someone has done to you? Aside from having my mother murdered and my father disappeared? Then both side of my family reject me? The Songs outright out of fear, and the Carsons because I’m a taint on their precious blood? Everything else seems to pale in comparison. Where do your loyalties lie? In what order? Stan and the children are first. I am second. Friends are third. It descends from there. Who or what do you trust the most? Why? My husband, Stan. He’s never lied to me, and never been worse than grumpy. Most of all, he listens to me. Even when I know I’m not making any sense, or I’m discussing something he doesn’t have the scientific background to understand. Who or what do you despise? Why? This one is simple. The Song family, for being cowards. And the Carson family, for valuing their pasty white purity over a orphan. What qualities do you admire most in other people? Are these qualities you possess? You’d expect me to say intelligence, but anyone can be smart. I value people who think and reason, instead of just talking just to talk. Thinking before you act is a vital life skill that painfully few people appear to possess. Of course, this is what I do so naturally I’ll value it highly. What qualities do you hate most in other people? Do you have any of those qualities? Loudmouthed idiots, and those who are proud to be stupid and ignorant. It is not a thing to be proud of. It is a thing to be corrected to the best of your ability. I cannot stress that enough. I include those who deny outright proven science. You are wrong, and I hate you. Do you have a secret identity? If so, who knows it? Do you hide it from people who are close to you? Why? I do. Stan knows. I’d never lie to him or keep secrets from him without telling him they are secrets and thus I can’t tell him. I do plan to tell the children when they’re old enough to understand. Do you work well on teams and in groups? Are you a leader or a follower? I can work well on teams and in groups just fine. One can’t be a proper academic without that skill. That said, I choose not be a leader in the frontline sense of the term. I’m a mastermind, not a flying brick. Are you on a super team? If so, how do you get along with your comrades? Do you trust them, or do you have secrets from them? I am not currently on a super team. Even if I was, my secret identity would remain secret. No one is allowed to know but Stan. No exceptions. Are you a member of any church, fraternal organization, club, committee, political party, or other group? How much time do you spend on that? I am a member in good standing of Mensa. However, it’s only to say that I am. Honestly, they’ve lowered the bar in recent years, and by the heavens, the ego in that organization. It’s not everyone, mind you, but enough. I do frequent a small Buddhist temple in Boston, and I try to attend a Christian church when I can. The former is to honor my upbringing, and the latter is because I think my father would appreciate it. Unfortunately, I’m not very good at either religion. Personality & Beliefs Who are your heroes? A lot of people will drop the Centurion here, and be on their way. Or perhaps Midnight, Lady Liberty, or the first Raven. Me...my heroes are different. My heroes are men and women who weren’t afraid to stand up for equal rights, and were strong enough that violence wasn’t their first solution to the problem. Susan B. Anthony. Gandhi. Martin Luther King, Jr. I am a fan of Sun Tzu, as well, and Machiavelli. Their approaches are...interesting. Did you ever become disillusioned with former heroes or idols? If so, why and what were the circumstances? No. I never have. People are flawed, and I accept that. Do you like being a hero? If so, what is the most rewarding part? If not, what makes you keep doing it? Like it? That’s a tad simplistic. It’s an endless challenge. It’s not always pleasant. Pain is a near-constant. I don’t know why anyone would like being a hero, generally speaking. That said...I do love a challenge. And there’s something about rescuing people. The looks on their faces. It’s...nice. Is there anything that would make you give up hero work, or even switch sides? The only thing that would make me quit at this point is catastrophic injury to myself or Stan. Someone has to take care of the children. And I suppose if the Moore Act made a comeback, there wouldn’t be much a difference between sides. After all, there wasn’t much of one when it existed in the first place. What are your short term goals (what would you like to be doing within a year)? Well, I have my children. I have my husband. I have a job I enjoy and I have an outlet in crime fighting. There’s nothing else to accomplish inside of a year. Aside from general things like improving my skills and knowledge, but those are givens. My ego does require to admit I’d like to earn a bit more respect in the hero community. Not that I’m disrespected, mind you. I’m just a relative newcomer at this point. And as ever, I want to find out what happened to my father. What are your long term goals (what would you like to be doing twenty years from now)? A nice comfortable retirement? I joke. Assuming I’ve raised terrific children, I’d like to get them into a good university. Being one of the most famous heroes of all time would be nice. Getting tenure would be just excellent. But really? I’d be satisfied with solving my father’s disappearance and not having turned into a terrifying supervillain. What is your greatest fear? Why? What do you do when something triggers this fear? Anyone who threatens my friends or my family will soon wish they had not done so. But if you’re referring to something I can’t do anything about...losing Stan. I...I need him around. I don’t think I’d be a very good person without him. Is there anything you would give your life for? By the heavens, no. Don’t be ridiculous. How do you feel about money and material wealth? Do you desire it or disdain it? Are you miserly with what you have, or do you like to share? Is it a mark of success, or a means to an end? Money, like many other things, is a tool. It exists to be used. No more, and no less. How do you generally treat others? What kind of question is this? I treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve as human beings. Until one, they prove they don’t deserve it, or two, they request I stop doing so. Are you a trusting person? Has your trust ever been abused? I am, in fact, not a trusting person at all. I just keep it to myself. I am VERY careful about who I give my trust to, and thus it has never been abused. There is a significant amount of people who would stab their mother in the back if it suited them, and one can’t always identify them on sight or even basic interaction. Are you introverted (shy and withdrawn) or extroverted (outgoing)? Do you have a lot of self-confidence? You’ve mischaracterized introversion. It’s got more to do with thriving on solitude and wilting with others. Extroversion is the opposite. Someone who is shy and withdrawn may simply have an anxiety disorder. And it’s a spectrum, not one or the other. That said, I am more introverted than extroverted. I prefer my books and my husband to any wild parties. That said, I’m perfectly comfortable in small social gatherings, and I adore public speaking. It’s being in a large crowd that makes me uncomfortable. How do you act around attractive, available members of your preferred sex? The same way I act around anyone else. That said, I am married, not dead. And I’m far from old. I will admit to nothing else. Not one thing. No. What are your most annoying habits? How should I know? Does anyone know? Do you feel contempt for any general category of people? Who are they, and why? Didn’t we cover this before? The arrogantly stupid and/or ignorant. They make me feel homicidal. End of discussion. What is your favorite food? Do you prefer any particular type of food? Do you take the time to enjoy your food, or do you eat as fast as you can? The ideal lunch? Barbecue pulled pork sandwich, with coleslaw and a bowl of clam chowder. I...may have spent every spring break in college in Myrtle Beach, just so I could eat it daily. The place is gone now, sadly. Breakfast? Strawberry French toast, with sausage links and a few strips of real bacon. I make it myself. Dinner? Rump roast with potatoes and carrots. I do this thing with garlic and a few herbs...fantastic. Stan’s fried chicken is the food of the gods. Oh, and the less said about how much pizza I eat, the better. What is your favorite drink (alcoholic or otherwise)? It’s a stereotype, but I adore herbal tea. I even have my own blend. The science department is rather hooked on it, I must say. I don’t drink alcohol, really. A glass of wine, if the occasion calls for it, but no more. I have to stay lucid and in control. And if I have to go a morning with my glass of orange juice, the day will not go well. For anyone. What is your favorite treat (dessert)? Oh, a better topic. Chocolate. Oh, by the heavens, chocolate. And cheesecake. And a good cream filled donut. Oh, and fresh baked blueberry muffins. It’s a wonder I’m not fat. Ooh, right. Rice pudding, with raisins. Are there any specific foodstuffs that you find disgusting or refuse to eat? I find most seafood repellent. I won’t even eat canned tuna fish. Weirdly, I’ll eat shellfish, albeit in soup form. Something about the spices, I suppose. What is your favorite color? Are there any colors you dislike? Well, this is grade school questioning. Don’t be mad, I like it. I like orange and there’s no color I particularly dislike. What sort of music do you like? Is there any that you hate? I don’t really have a music preference, actually. Unless the sound of nature waking up in the morning counts. I don’t like music that substitutes profanity for substance. It simply isn’t necessary. You can have profanity, but if that’s all there is then what is the point? If you have a favorite scent, what is it? There was a small orchid garden at the temple, and ever since I’ve always loved the scent. Nostalgia is a powerful thing, especially for younger, more carefree days. Do you have a favorite animal? No, not at all. What is your most treasured possession? Why? The necklace from Abbot Yang. I mentioned it earlier. I can’t get out there to see him. Restrictions on tourists visiting China. So all I can do is remember him. The necklace helps. Do you enjoy "roughing it", or do you prefer your creature comforts? Why on earth would anyone enjoy insects and sleeping on the ground like an animal? It’s patently ridiculous. I can live without electronics just fine. I’ll light a candle and read some of my books. However, I do require proper shelter and a decent bed. It’s only proper. Is there a job or a task you would absolutely refuse to do? Well, I’d never be a prostitute or an assassin. Other than that, as long as there’s an acceptable reason, I don’t see why I’d refuse to do anything. Aside from eat seafood. Yuck. Do you consider yourself a spiritual person? If so, how do your beliefs affect your life? How important is it to you? I do. I guess you could call me a Christian-influenced Buddhist, but that’s still not quite right. At any rate they’re the thing that created the moral quandary that led me to become a hero. So you could say they’re very important to me, yes. Was your faith influenced or molded by anyone special? Abbot Yang and my father. Buddhist temple abbot and Christian missionary, in case you forgot already. If you belong to a religious organization, how often do you attend? Do you have a specific place of worship, or friends within the organization? How much do you agree with the beliefs of your organization? I don’t belong to any one organization, no. Could you kill? Have you killed? I could never kill. It’s the worst thing I could ever do in my life. I wouldn’t be me anymore if I were capable of it. And so rather obviously I’ve never killed anyone in my life. What circumstances led to you forming that conviction, or taking that action? Abbot Yang’s teachings. All life is sacred and worthy of existing. Are there circumstances under which you believe it is permissible to kill? What are they? Well, there’s obviously self defense. And anyone who’s a danger to society who can’t be kept in prison. Or be put there in the first place. If ending one life saves two more, it’s almost worth it. Needs of the many over the needs of the few. And...there are monsters out there. Biologically human, but there the resemblance ends. Even stripped of their ability to kill, they can still be dangerous and it’s best if they simply die. Of course, every rule has exceptions. How would you react to watching someone kill another person? Would your reaction be different if the killer was a friend or an enemy of yours? If the person being killed met my requirements, I wouldn’t bat an eye. If the person didn’t, I’d save them. That’s what heroes do, isn’t it? Who the killer would be makes no difference to me. They’d need to be arrested afterward, as murder is a crime, but other than that... How would you react if something important was stolen from you? I’d get it back, and make very sure the thief was punished. How would you react to public humiliation? I wouldn’t be happy about it, but I’d work to regain my standing. The villain responsible would bitterly regret it later. That’s about it. How would you react if a good friend or relative were purposely or accidentally killed? Has it happened to you? Aside from my mother? No, it hasn’t happened. As I said about being stolen from, I’d track down the perpetrator and make very sure they were punished. Though...accidents are accidents. I can’t say I’d forgive, but I could treat that person just like everyone else. What do you consider to be the worst crime someone could commit and why? Based on what I’d said so far, you’d expect me to say murder. That isn’t true. There are worse things you can do to a person than murder them. Rape, torture, and maiming come to mind. If your life were to end in 24 hours, what five things would you do in those remaining hours? Believe it or not, I have a plan for that. I’d distribute all the ideas I’ve come up with on solving various things over the internet, tie up the loose ends at work, say goodbye to the old gang, and then spend the day with Stan and my children. I’d keep the last of it from them, though. I wouldn’t want to scar them. The last thing I’d do is...well...cry. I don’t want to die, you know. I really, really don’t. Career & Training Do you have any special training in your hero skills? If so, where and how did you get it? I don’t quite know what you mean. I have mentioned the kung fu master at the temple, haven’t I? Master Wong? No, I haven’t. Sorry about that. I practice at a local dojo weekly. I don’t count beating up thugs as practice. Their form is terrible and it’s much too easy. My knowledge I gained myself through study and practice. Who taught you the most about your heroing abilities? What was your relationship with that person? I did. My relationship with myself is fine, thank you. Do you have any particularly unusual skills? How did you acquire them? I wouldn’t say I can do anything particularly unusual. Unless being able to do just about anything counts. I’m extremely versatile. Do you do something besides hero work for a living? Have you ever done anything else, or do you plan to? I’ve answered this before. I’m an associate professor of physics at MIT. I’ve had a few minimum wage jobs, like many teenagers, and I don’t plan to have another job...ever, really. There’ll be promotions, naturally, but I enjoy teaching and the curriculum is demanding of my students. Their despair is most delicious. I joke, of course. What is your preferred combat style? Not at all, if I can avoid it. If not, I’ll use the Terrifi-Staff on with the mean surprise of being better with my fists up my sleeve if I’m disarmed. Have you ever received any awards or honours? Does graduating summa cum laude and being valedictorian of my Boston College class and my MIT count? Because otherwise I haven’t. What skill areas would you like most to improve in? Is there anything you can't do that you wish desperately you could? All of them. I’m still young, and I have much to learn about anything and everything. And don’t be silly. There isn’t anything I can’t do. How do you act around people who are more skilled than you in areas you'd like to improve? Are you jealous, or do you try and learn? Er...both? I try to stifle the former and exaggerate the latter, but all the same. It’s not an easy thing to take. I am very good at everything, after all. That said, it’s good to have one’s ego deflated now and again. Keeps one from doing something...ill-advised. Lifestyle & Hobbies What is a normal day for you? How do you feel when something interrupts this routine? Shared shower with Stan. Mind out the gutter, please. The hot water is limited and we both like long hot showers. OJ with breakfast, then off to work. Morning classes. Lunch and office hours. Afternoon classes. Office hours, again. Briefly. Home for my costume and dinner. Patrol for a few hours, and then back home for some sleep. Disrupting shower time is just mean, as one of us has to take a short cold shower. Without my OJ, nobody’s having a good day. Nobody. My classes can be covered by my TA or Benjamin on occasion. I can skip office hours now and again. And I can function on five hours of sleep or less for a day or two. That said...it’s really annoying. Oh, and I don’t work weekends. So I spend work time at home, doing any number of things. Do you have any hobbies, or interests outside hero work? What are they, and where did you pick them up? I could go on for pages. I do a little bit of everything. I like to make things. Machines, potions, food, birdhouses, you name it. I also like to solve puzzles and riddles. Unfortunately, most of the ones commercially available are a bit too easy. Not easy per se, but not challenging enough. Fortunately, there’s crime for that problem. What do you do for fun? Puzzles, riddles, and brainteasers. I read, too. It’s...a little hard on my budget. Do you have a costume? What does it look like? I do have one. I made it myself. It’s dark blue and appears formfitting, even though it’s just thick. It covers me from head to toe, only leaving from for the bottom of my nose, mouth, and chin. A wide orange stripe runs down the sides of both arms and both legs. There is an orange T on the mask’s forehead, with the bottom line sliding between her eyes. Sometimes I’ll wear a long coat or a short jacket over top. The coat is simply the same shade of dark blue. The jacket shares the suit’s color and stripes, and has a small orange T over the left breast. How do you normally dress when not in costume? I have several outfits, but I don’t wear denim, sweat clothes, or anything that goes higher than the top of the knee. Except shorts, and those don’t go above mid thigh. And I don’t do skin tight, either. I need to be able to move freely. What do you wear to bed most nights? Well. That’s personal of you. I decline to answer. Do you wear any special jewelry? What is it, and what does it look like? I wear my wedding ring, and I have a pair of diamond earrings Stan bought me. My few pairs of earrings are all fake gold. Not rich, you know. Because of all the book buying. Do you have a special place where you keep your valuables? Yes. A safe I made myself. Well, the lock anyway. It’s not uncrackable, but it’d take a master to do it. What's your preferred means of local travel? How about long distance? Stan has a nice sedan. I have a motorcycle. That’s it. I’m partial to trains overland, but planes are so much faster. Miscellaneous Have you ever made a will, or tried to make arrangements for your death? What provisions did you make? I do have a will. Everything goes to Stan. Unless he’s dead too. Then it goes to Benjamin. If not him, then it splits among the old gang. Lucas and Meili stay together, though, and do NOT go to Aunt Cassandra or the Carsons. If your features were to be destroyed beyond recognition, is there any other way of identifying your body? Oh, this one I’m proud of. I have a radio ID chip stitched inside the lining of all of my underwear. The same kind they use for pets. What would you like to be remembered for after your death? I don’t know. A good and loving wife, a good and loving mother, a good professor, and a simply terrific hero, I guess? I don’t think about this very often. Or at all. What I would like has no bearing on what will actually happen. Do you believe you pose a threat to the public? Why or why not? I do believe so. I’m not a active threat, but...there’s a part of me that’s impatient. Tired of hiding my light. Wants to impose my superior will and intellect on inferior humanity. Then there’s the flip side, me wanting to solve the world’s problems with my own two hands. Like no one else could possibly be of any help. Tyranny of good, and tyranny of evil. Both are tyranny, and it’s so easy to slip on way or the other. What do you perceive as your greatest strength? My mind, obviously. Anyone can fight. Not anyone can think. And nobody alive can think like I can. What do you perceive as your greatest weakness? It would be profoundly arrogant of me to say I don’t have one. That said...I’m drawing a blank. Things that require reacting on instinct instead of thought are a weak point of mine, but I wouldn’t exactly call it a weakness. As a player, if you could, what advice would you give your character? Speak as if he/she were sitting right here in front of you. Use proper tone so they might heed your advice... That’s the thing. Terrifica wouldn’t listen to me. She doesn’t listen to anyone but Stan. Even then, it’s a slightly chancy thing. Even if she knew that I was essentially the God of her universe, she is a woman who sincerely believes that by virtue of her intelligence alone, she knows what’s right for her.

Terrifica Gather Information DC 10: Terrifica is a martial artist hero who periodically appears in Freedom City. She does not appear to be a resident, or to have any powers. DC 15: She has been seen riding in from the north, indicating she's from New York or Boston. Her Knowledge appears to be vast and her investigative skills almost without peer. DC 20: Using her knowledge and investigative talents, she has become one of Boston's premier heroes in a very short stretch of time. Her periodic appearances in Freedom City have the local crime bosses concerned. DC 25: She appears to be not just a genius, but a superpowered one at that. She appears to be able to do just about anything with a little time to think. Samantha Carson Gather Information DC 10: Samantha Carson is a physics professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is of mixed East Asian and Caucasian decent. DC 15: She is married to Stan Gresham. They have two children. The oldest is named Lucas, and the youngest is named Meili. DC 20: She is a Chinese expatriate on her mother's side, and the ostracized black sheep of the old money Carson family. The circumstances of her arrival in the US are unknown.