Mad Scientist

The quiet of the night was...well, it wasn't shattered, per se, but it did become a little more tenuous. The faint grinding of rooftop gravel underfoot wasn't the overt sort of alarming noise that would catch the attention of most people, but then again, Wander had been tempered in a much hotter crucible than most people. Right side of the street, next building down, a two-story shop-and-apartment deal -- there was someone lurking on the rooftop.

Seems to me that a chance nighttime patrol encounter between Wander and Wildcat is a no-brainer, since they have tactics, sticks, and cats in common. I know Wander is getting some action already at the moment, but I'm open whenever. :)

THE INTERVIEW Wildcat shifted nervously before the reporter – this would be his first interview, and he felt caught out and exposed in doing so. But...well, he had to tell his part of the story. 1. So, where are you from? “Oh, uh, I’m local. I’m from around here, I mean. Freedom City, born and raised.†2. How would you physically describe yourself? Is this different from how others would? “Describe myself? Well, I guess I’m a little taller than average, I’ve got a good build, I mean, I’m in good shape. Brown hair, light brown eyes, uh, I’ve got callused hands from working with them, that sorta thing. I dunno if someone would describe me differently or not. I mean, I’ve had a couple of girls call me ‘brooding’, but I don’t see what they mean, unless it’s because I’m not smiling and laughing like an idiot all the time.†3. Do you have any speech characteristics or recurring mannerisms? “Well, uh, not that I know of, really. I guess...I guess I sometimes get a little growly when I’m fighting someone, but that’s not...really a whole speech thing. I, uh...tend to sniff the air more than most people do. It’s a powers thing.†4. What is your motivation? “There are so many people out there that just get the short end of the stick. It’s nice to be able to step in and do something when they need the help. But...I guess, really, I do what I do because I need the outlet. Finding people that need me to step in and get physical helps me from losing my cool when it’s not appropriate.†5. What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses? “Strengths? Just that, I guess – I’m strong, and quick, and fast. I tend to sense more of the world around me than most people do, and that can give me an advantage. Weaknesses? Uh, well, it’s all too easy for me to react instead of act, and my impulses can get the better of me. Which is why I try and work that out on people that deserve the caveman routine.†6. What do love? What do you hate? “I love just...getting out there. Feeling the breeze, stretching myself to get about in ways that most people can only dream of, the burn of muscles being worked, the scent of...um, well, just all of my senses being tuned up to the max. I hate when I lose control and just sort of...be like an animal, you know? I stop being me, a little, and it’s both frustrating and a little scary. Oh, and I’m really not a fan of those who think they have the right to push people around just because they can do it. Not cool.†7. How would you describe your mental and emotional state? “Uh, I try and keep them stable, but that’s sorta my problem a lot of the time. I just...feel so much sometimes, it’s hard to keep a lid on it. I have all these...wants, just trying to burst out all the time, and I have to lock them down so I don’t screw everything up.†8. What do you fear the most? “I...I worry about losing control, and either killing someone or just...not coming back. Being half an animal, rather than a thinking person.†9. What is your greatest ambition? “I want to get...full control of myself. Leash the beast. Be able to stretch what I can do, take it to the limits and not worry that I’m going to go too far and all of a sudden everything’s gone to hell.†10. How do you feel about the state of the world and your place in it? “When you get right down to it, the world sucks. Sure, there’s some amazing stuff out there, and all the heroes are pretty great, but for every do-gooder with powers there’s a couple out there just out for themselves, and a handful of crooks of the normal sort. That’s why I’m trying to make it my place to do something about it. I’m not going to be assaulting some tropical island base and fighting robots and dodging lasers in order to bring some big supervillain down – but I will be out there, taking on the little problems that escape the big boys and girls.†11. Do you have any prejudices? How do you get along with others? “I...don’t think that I do. I mean, I’ve got a real issue with jerks, assholes, and bullies, but that’s more of a deserved thing, than a prejudice, right? I get along okay with people as long as I can control my temper. Well, and other strong emotions. If I let things get out of hand, they can get...ugly. Or embarrassing.†12. Where do your loyalties lie? In what order? “I stand by my family first, what’s right next, and my city, third.†13. Do you have a lover or partner? How do they feel about you now? “Uh, no, nobody right now. It’s...complicated. It’s really hard for me not to be a jerk when it comes to dealing with women, especially those I’m attracted to. And while there are woman out there who are okay with that, I’m not, and I’m worried that if I get used to letting that go, everything else will follow it to hell. So, uh, yeah, no girlfriends or anything right now.†14. Do you have a family? What is your relationship there like? “I got parents, siblings, yeah. We’re...okay, I guess. They don’t know that I’m doing this, and we had our issues when I was growing up, especially since I was more likely to...well, it was like I was acting out, with the whole ‘primal’ thing I have going on. They appreciate that I’ve kinda settled down some.†15. How would the people closest to you describe you? “I dunno...quiet, maybe? It’s a lot easier to keep from getting out of hand if you play things close to the chest. They know I got a temper, though, although I try to keep it contained. I keep my head down and do my job. My family and friends know that I’m basically a good guy, just with some issues, as they see it.†16. Are you a role model? “Hah! God, I hope not. Nobody should want to be like this, if they can help it.†17. How spiritual are you? Do you follow a religious tradition? “Ahhh...well, I was raised Catholic, and I still go to church on Sundays with the family, but I’m not so sure there’s a God out there that looks kindly on people like me. The Bible’s got words for people who act more like beasts than men, and they ain’t complimentary ones.†18. Are you part of a team? “Heh, no, just me by my lonesome. I’m...better off if I don’t keep a lot of people around me that might rub the wrong way, y’know?†19. How does you feel about the place of metahumans and aliens on Earth? “Honestly? The world would probably be better off if there were none of us out there. For all that there are amazing things that can be done to make the world a better place, just about everybody that has that kind of power either uses it for their own benefit, or spends a lot of their time playing supercop to deal with the first group. And it’s usually the little guy caught in the middle that loses out. But...well, we’re here to stay, I guess, so things’ll keep rolling along as they are.†20. If someone could give one piece of advice to you as a hero, what would it be? “I dunno...relax, maybe? I can get pretty intense when I’m out there, and they’d probably say I should take it easy a little. But then again, they ain’t in my head, and they don’t know what I’m feeling. It’s easy to say, but it’s damn sure not easy to do.â€

Reputation 20Q

WILDCAT Gather Information DC 10: Relatively new hero going by 'Wildcat' is operating at street level, taking on all comers with fist and foot. DC 15: He's got some sort of enhanced physical strength and agility, and he seems like he has some really keen senses. DC 20: He's been involved in some crazy stuff -- talking gorillas, poisons that would kill only metahumans, gun runners, nasty. DC 25: He talks like he's a local boy; the West End is on his tongue. Knowledge: Streetwise DC 10: Some new loco gato is going around whaling on people, calling himself a super hero, punching first and asking questions later. DC 15: Dude's crazy -- sniffs at you, goes jumpin' around like a giant frog, throws a dude like he's tryin' to put him through a wall. He don't know beans about fighting, but that don't make no difference. DC 20: He's been seen to be hanging with one or two of the Interceptors on occasion. DC 25: He ain't got a beef with anyone in particular -- he's takin' everyone on, crazy bastard. FELIX SILVESTRI Gather Information DC 10: Father's name is Tony, Mother's name is Maria, Sister's name is Fatima. DC 15: Works in Greenbank as a warehouse worker, high school educated, no significant other, lives alone in a one-bedroom apartment. DC 30: Great-grandfather Alberto Silvestri was deployed as a meta-soldier by the Regio Esercito (Royal Italian Army) during WWII against the Allies.

Firstly, with regards to tradeoffs they have to be balanced between Attack/Damage, Defense/Toughness. So, +4/-4, or +6/-6. Secondly, with regards to tradeoffs, they're limited to +5/-5 according to board rules. Powers add up to 47, not 37. A minimum of 1/3 of your Defense has to come from basic Defense -- if you have a total of 14, 5 has to be Defense, and 9 can be Dodge Focus. You have Defensive Roll 5 listed under feats, but +4 under Toughness. Also, board rules have Defensive Roll not affecting Reflex saves but providing +2 to Toughness per rank.

I somehow missed my ranks in Sense Motive when I was transferring my character design to this formatting -- added. Listed Equpment 2 under feats as well as under the Equipment block. Tracking Scent is 2PP, one for Scent, one for Tracking. I suppose that should be listed as Scent (Acute), rather than the possibly confusing 'Scent' power of Scent (Acute). Fixed. The boomerang does do more damage, but it's not always about more damage. I'd rather have the style points of being able to effectively Jackie Chan almost anything as a ranged weapon, and it does make it virtually impossible to disarm him. The boomerang and the club both are in the case of 'I need extra damage', rather than default go-tos. I don't have a problem being under cap in damage and/or in attack bonus at the start, since this character is extremely new to the whole hero thing -- he'll improve, but he's not there yet. As for applying Throwing Mastery with the Boomerang, he can indeed use them together -- the damage is just capped at 7, even though it could go higher were it not limited.

Done. I don't usually worry about needing to divide leaping distances on the fly, but it's not a problem to have them listed out. As for Speed, I'm not sure why my brain just doubled the base 100' instead of the usual 250. I wasn't aware that base equipment should be statted out, but it's not a problem.

Player Name: Mad Scientist Character Name: Wildcat Power Level: 7/8 (119/122PP) Trade-Offs: +2 Defense / -2 Toughness Unspent Power Points: 3 In Brief: A young man reluctantly in touch with his more feral nature. Alternate Identity: Felix Silvestri Identity: Secret Birthplace: Freedom City, USA Occupation: Warehouse Worker Affiliations: Solo Family: Tony Silvestri (Father), Maria Silvestri (Mother), Fatima Silvestri (Younger Sister) Catchphrase: *snaaarrl* Description: Age: 21 (Dob: September 9, 1993) Gender: Male Ethnicity: Caucasian, Italian-American Height: 6'1" Weight: 194lb Eyes: Amber Brown Hair: Brown Felix is tall, lean, broad-shouldered and well-muscled. In theory he works out and has a manual labour job to keep him in shape -- in reality, it's his enhanced physiology that keeps him in good trim. His hair is typically slightly mussed despite being cut short, and his eyes are an unusual shade of light brown, almost amber-yellow in hue. He tends to dress simply and comfortably unless given reason to do otherwise -- jeans, t-shirts and plaid overshirts, and worn steel-toed boots. As Wildcat...well, it shows that he's still new to this. Combat boots, charcoal grey BDU pants and a black commando sweater with the shoulder patches makes it pretty clear that he's shopped army surplus for his 'costume'. He does have a black mask that covers his upper face, with token points that are likely supposed to represent cat ears. He wears a tactical harness that holds the ballistic plastic baton and boomerang that he employs when he needs an extra edge. Power Descriptions: His powers have no overt appearance, all being enhanced aspects of his physiology and not prone to flashy energy displays or colour changes. History: Felix had an utterly normal childhood, growing up with two parents in the home and a bratty younger sister cramping his style. They were a middle-class family, and so while he didn't have everything he wanted, neither was he denied any of the basics. Growing up in Freedom City had its exciting moments, of course, but in general the positive outweighed the negative. When Felix hit puberty, he began to go through some...changes. Completely natural, of course -- what child at that age doesn't experience his body acting in odd ways, strange new urges and feelings, and a general impression that something momentous was happening to him? Of course, in Felix's case, his changes really were more profound, although neither he nor anyone around him was aware of just how muchso. He thought it was normal, because he had been told no matter how weird it seemed, everyone went through the same thing. But.... Not everyone had quite as substantial a physical boost as he went through. It was certainly a great deal more rare the degree his senses and reflexes sharpened, and while every young man in his teens occasionally felt like a cave man or a bubbling pot of hormones ready to make one snap for no reason -- well, Felix started to be subjected to primal urges; hunt, fight, mate, feed. He found himself fighting to keep his responses...civilized when presented with stimuli of this nature, and wondered just why he was having such a time of growing up. It wasn't until his later teens that he finally had to admit to himself that he was...unusual. He wasn't inclined to team sports, but he'd noticed he could easily outperform even the best of his peers who were, and that was without even putting in effort. He never did have that one, defining moment that seems to crop up so frequently in the origins of superheroes who tell such tales. What he did eventually have was the start of the downward trend of hormonal activity that young men do once they hit their twenties, and it became...less of a burden to be who he was, and more something that could be looked at as an opportunity. Just as importantly, he discovered that giving these urges of his a legitimate outlet made them easier to manage -- not a surprise, of course, that a relief valve reduced the chance of an explosion, but knowing that it applied to his own life and troubles...was a real game-changer. Not sure as of yet exactly where he was going to go with this, long-term, Felix assembled what meagre gear he thought he might need for his outings, chose what seemed a fitting moniker for the public face of his baser drives...and took to the streets. Personality & Motivation: Felix is, at the core of himself, a genuinely good guy who doesn't want to cause problems or be a burden on others. Unfortunately for this decent human being, he has some quirk of physiology that makes it very, very difficult to live up to those ideals. He does what he does in order to keep a handle on his baser urges -- he hunts and battles criminals and villains in order to give his baser urges an outlet and keep himself from losing control and lashing out at someone who is merely offensive or frightened. Powers & Tactics: As Wildcat, Felix is strong, fast, and agile, with very quick reactions and an excellent ability to get out of the way of what's coming at him. His enhanced senses allow him to identify and locate his quarry in unexpected ways, and it is difficult to anyone to conceal themselves from him. He is an able, if largely untrained brawler, excellent reflexes and capabilities carrying him though. He carries with him an eighteen inch baton of ballistic plastic that he uses to enhance the blows of his already potent strength if needed, but where he truly excels is hitting an opponent with a hurled item. His strength combined with his impressive hand-eye coordination allows him to very accurately throw nearly anything at all with devastating results. When a little more precision is required, however, he does have a three-leg boomerang made of the same ballistic plastic that he has utilized from time to time. His sprinting speed is phenomenal, able to achieve highway speeds for short periods, and he can make prodigious leaps that can carry him easily from ground level to a building's roof, and from there from rooftop to rooftop should he so desire. Complications: Savage Beast: Felix's Id has a louder voice than usual, leaving him susceptible to situations that prey upon his baser emotions. Powers, skills, or situations that threaten his territory or his belongings, are a clear challenge, or appeal to his wants and desires are more likely to sway him, and under pressure he is more likely to default to heeding these drives. n00b: Very new to the world of heroing, with only a handful of outings under his belt, Felix is prone to making rookie mistakes and lacking what is considered 'common' knowledge among the supers crowd. This will, of course, change with experience, but for now he can't be counted on to 'know better'. Secret ID: He does, as is common, try to keep his heroic identity a secret from his public one, to keep himself and those he cares about from harm. One of Us: Animals tend to react to Felix as if he were more beast than man. Dogs growl or whine, cats hiss, many prey animals may freeze, flee, or threat display as appropriate. Suffice to say, this can be...awkward. Attributes: 6 + 6 + 8 + 2 + 2 + 0 = 24PP Strength: 16/24 (+7) Dexterity: 16/20 (+5) Constitution: 18 (+4) Intelligence: 12 (+1) Wisdom: 12 (+1) Charisma: 10 (+0) Combat: 14 + 14 = 28PP Initiative: +9 Attack: +7 (+8 Melee) Grapple: +15 Defense: +10 (+7 Base, +3 Dodge Focus), +4 Flat-Footed Knockback: -2 Saving Throws: 5 + 5 + 6 = 16PP Toughness: +6 (+4 Con, +2 Defensive Roll) Fortitude: +9 (+4 Con, +5) Reflex: +10 (+5 Dex, +5) Will: +7 (+1 Wis, +6) Skills: 36R = 9PP Acrobatics - 5 (+10) Climb - 5 (+12) Knowledge: Current Events - 2 (+3) Knowledge: Popular Culture - 2 (+3) Knowledge: Streetwise - 2 (+3) Languages - 1 (English [Native], Italian) Notice - 8 (+9) Search - 2 (+3) Sense Motive - 4 (+5) Stealth - 5 (+10) Feats: 13PP Attack Focus: Melee 1 Defensive Roll 1 Dodge Focus 3 Elusive Target Evasion 1 Improved Initiative 1 Takedown Attack Throwing Mastery 2 Uncanny Dodge Well Informed Powers (Mutation): 8 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 7 + 4= 29PP Enhanced Strength 8 [8PP] Enhanced Dexterity 4 [4PP] Super Strength 1 (Effective Strength 29, Heavy Load 1,400lbs) [2PP] Leaping 2 (85/42/21ft per Move Action) [2PP] Speed 2 (25mph/250ft per Move Action) [2PP] Enhanced Senses 7 (Extended Vision 1, Extended Hearing 1, Ultra-Hearing, Accurate Hearing, Acute Tracking Scent) [7PP] Regeneration 3 (Bruised 1 [Round], Injured 1 [20 Minutes], Staggered 2 [5 Minutes] ) [4PP] Drawbacks: (-0) + (-0) = -0PP Combat Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC22 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Throwing Mastery Thrown DC17 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Totals: Abilities (24) + Combat (28) + Saving Throws (16) + Skills (9) + Feats (13) + Powers (29) - Drawbacks (0) = 119/122 Power Points