Cyrith

There should have been yes, but I ended up hitting enter before I could add notes.

Matthias takes the punch to the back and winces as he spine bends the wrong way. The self styled savior is knocked ten feet back, but even as the Capt. watches, his spine fixes itself. "All your strength counts for nothing against me." The messenger looks dazed even as he says this, slow to respond.

Question for the refs. Does fearless make me immune to being startled? EDIT: According to the official rules page over on think tank, yes. Being as I got hit either way, I suppose it doesn't really matter for this thread.

Slam Attack. My defense is now 12. (1d20 10=11) Not that it'll matter for this attack. And once again my "great at everything but combat" curse comes into play. Even electronic dice are trying to kill me.

Matthias looks over at the large, arrogant voiced man. Who was this who dared to call his message bellyaching? "You dare to threaten the messenger with physical violence? Violence was not my intended course of action here today, but very well. Perhaps a display of my gifts will show you, and all others, that what I say is not only true, but of utmost righteousness." Matthias puts all he has into a snarl, hoping to shock the loudmouth with a feral display. Without waiting to see what reaction he garners, Matthias runs forward and attempts to slam his shoulder into the large mans gut, but sails harmlessly past as the captain avoids him.

Initiative roll (1d20 10=30) If that's the only 20 I get, I'll be a tad annoyed. but here I go. Attempt to startle as a move action. (1d20 5=9) You'll likely beat that.

Because fights may well be started

It was a next of vipers. That was about all Matthias knew of the place called the Arena. And he knew he hated that he was going there. But the darkest places are the ones in which the flame of righteousness burns brightest. And in a den of thieves, Matthias would burn most brightly of all. Of course, the criminal element had a history of ignoring his good news, but that was why Matthias had been gifted. To cut through egos, to get right to peoples very souls and offer them purification. By force if need be. Matthias pulls up to the dock and looks out at the supposedly abandoned derrick of the Arena. Tied to the rickety looking dock is a small motor boat. Matthias smiles, though any observer would assume it to be a leer and would likely wish to run away, and gets in the boat. He had been afraid he would have to row. Minutes later Matthias, damp from the trip and looking more sour than usual, climbs the ladder to Arena. He acknowledges Legends greeting with a dismissive wave of his hand and looks around. It was a bit nicer than he had expected. Not that Matthias had really expected all that much from an oil derrick in the middle of the sea. But this was where they hung out, the lost sheep. At last their shepard had arrived. "Lost souls of Freedom, do not fear my coming. For though I am the chosen one, and you the sinners, my words can save you. Repent, and join my path. Repent and be cleansed. For their are bigger plans for all of us. A higher power we all must serve. He is bigger than all of us, but we can still serve. And service will be rewarded, in this life and the next. Stand up and join in my crusade against the false idols of Freedom city. Help me to cast down the distractions and blasphemers. Put aside your thoughts of lust and greed, put aside thoughts of personal glory, for they are not important. Only He is important."

Around

Matthias and the Capt could have an interesting encounter at the Arena. Possibly ended up in a fight, or just a war of words. Interested?

Gordy was uncharacteristically quite on the way back to Claremont. Of course for Gordy uncharacteristically quite is still pretty chatty, so no one seems to catch on. Possibly they are relieved to be able to get a word in edgewise during a conversation. When at last the bus pulls up to their stop Gordy is one of the first ones off, striding briskly toward the school. Hopefully someone would still be at the administration desk. Thankfully, as dinner hasn't started yet, there is. "Hi, can you tell me Geckoman's room number? I need to talk to him. Thanks."

Just my introduction. I'm taking a 10 on my Oratory check, and assuming the food court is less than 110 feet tall(likely a safe bet) then my absorption protects me from the falling damage.

Things at the Millennium Mall seemed normal at lunchtime that day. The last few days of pleasant, almost spring like, weather had brought out groups of shoppers, many of whom were enjoying lunch at the food court. At first no one noticed a short, thin, almost sickly looking man enter the open air food court and stride purposely to the edge of the building. When he threw off his coat to reveal his simple black shirt and clerical collar, a few people looked and mumbled at the weirdo who had just thrown his coat over the balcony. When he began to yell, people began to listen. His voice is harsh, and of a higher pitch then most were expecting from such a severe looking man. Throwing back his head and shouting, the man begins to speak. "Hear me Freedom City! I have come to you with a message. Your city has become a den of sin. You have opened yourselves to those who would corrupt you, allowed to flourish those who distract from the pursuits of the soul. And I can assure you, there is nothing more important than the soul. For one whose soul is pure is the only one who can hear my message, and can follow in my way. Only he who is pure shall receive the gifts. But you, Freedom City, you are not pure. You are corrupted! You hold in highest esteem your so-called heroes. You spend your time in worship to them. Not to the All-knowing, but to mere mortals. You have succumbed to the sin of Idolatry. But there is hope. I have come, a messenger of the higher power, to restore you to the path. I, with my unwavering faith, will restore you Freedom City. And once the rest of the world gazes on the beacon of chastity and morality that I will mold you to, they too will be restored to the path. But be wary Freedom, for the path is a very narrow path. You can not be allowed to waver! And those that do waver, will find themselves submitting to purification. But those that stay on the path, those that never stumble, and never fall, they shall be rewarded as I have been rewarded. For I fear no man, and my faith allows me to succumb to no wound of mortal means. Listen to me Freedom, head the words of the messenger, the chosen one, Matthias! Gaze upon me as I perform for you a miracle, that you may know that I am no liar." Matthias, still facing the mostly silent crowd, steps up onto the railing of the balcony and throws himself, with arms extended, off the building. There are screams of fear and disbelief from the lunch crowd, and quite a few people rush to the edge of the balcony, expecting to see something very different than the man who has been preaching to them sitting up, eyes lifted to the heavens. He picks up his jacket and yells back to the balcony, "Remember what you have seen here today. Spread the message. For though I am a messenger, I am also permitted to judge, and to act with authority. A change is coming Freedom. Be with me!" Matthias turns as he hears the sounds of sirens approaching. For a moment his face flashes with a burning, intense anger, but he turns from their source and runs toward the parking garage where he parked his car. Experience with other cities had taught Matthias that though they could not hope to stop him, police often brought in costumed beings. And though Matthias knows he will one day, likely soon, have to face down the false idols that make up the cities heroes, he also knows that now is not the time. He will wait until he knows the city. He will wait until he has the upper hand. And then judgment shall begin.

Really? What for?

His most prominent belief is that he is the new voice of god, and as such everyone should submit to him(note, he does NOT believe himself to be the second coming). Therefore he believes himself to be right in everything he says and does, and anyone who disagrees with him is wrong and a sinner. I purposely try to avoid much in the way of real world religious justifications for his actions, so as not to offend. Personality wise, he feels that if it's wrong by him then it's because the divine feels it is so. And if the divine feels it is so, then it must be wrong. He's crazy enough to pretty much believe that all his thoughts come from god. I suppose you're more asking what's apt to set him off. Think Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson. Anything that doesn't fall precisely in line with a neoconservative world view. Polytheism, Single parents, rock music, various forms of civil rights. He is going to toe the bronze age/iron age line(I won't be trying to kill anyone with him). I'm not setting out to offend anyone, and please note that he's a villain not because of his religion or his politics, but because he is intolerant of people who are different then him and quick to use violence to show them the "error" of his ways.

And how would someone who isn't him describe it? He's draining life energy and is boosting... ? Kinetic Energy. Breaking the taboos per his skewed fundamentalist understandings, yes? Yes.

What's the source of his powers? Latent genetic mutation originally triggered by the fall in the cave. What's the descriptor for his Transfer? If it's sucking life to make him stronger, why isn't it Transfer (Con to Str)? Matthias would describe it as absorbing the souls of the weak and faithless, then using that soul to power his divine retribution. It's not strength because that doesn't fit my concept. Using his transfer causes his hands to glow a bright white light when he uses the drain, and when he makes contact with his strike. As far as nullification goes, it's a mutant power. What sort of villainous activities would he do in Freedom? Attack people on the street who mock his proselytizing, go after anyone breaking religious taboo's, attempt to take over churches claiming that they have all lost there way and only he can again make them pure and holy. He's also easily manipulated under certain situations, and could be convinced to work for other villains if they use the right phrases. My equipment is at the bottom of the sheet, just above the final totals. And the top post has the updated sheet.

It's always something eh? Done.

Edited and fixed. Could have sworn the car was already on there.

Shifted some points around to not break caps. I do need a little help on how my healing via Absorption works. I know healing got changed in UP, but I'm not sure how it changed in relation to absorption. Players Name: Cyrith Power Level: 10 Trade-Offs: None Unspent PP: 0 Characters Name: Matthias Alternate Identity: Soul Taker Height: 5'4 Weight: 100 Hair: Green Eyes: Black, often falling over his face Description: Matthias eyes are almost constantly squinted in a judgmental glare History: See Below Personality & Motivation: See Below Complications: Temper(When beliefs challenged), Condition (Insanely deluded) Stats: 24pp Str: 10 (+0); 14 (+2) While Raging Dex: 14 (+2) Con: 8 (-1) Int: 18 (+4) Wis: 16 (+3) Cha: 18 (+4) Combat: 20pp Attack: +6 (+10 Melee). Grapple: +12. Defense: +4 (+2 flat-footed); +2 (+1 flat-footed) while raging Knockback: +1 (-10 vs physical attacks). Initiative: +10 Saves: 18pp Toughness: -1 (-1 Con, +0 other; +10 Impervious vs physical damage) Fort: +3 (-1 Con, +4); +5 (-1 Con, +4, +2 rage) while raging Reflex: +6 (+2 Dex, +4) Will: +13 (+3 Wis, +10); +15(+3 Wis, +10, +2 Rage) While Raging Skills: 32r = 8pp Escape Artist 2 (+4) Intimidate 6 (+10) Knowledge (Theology and Philosophy) 10 (+14) Language (Latin) Notice 4 (+7) Perform (Oratory) 3 (+7) Sense Motive 6 (+9) Feats: 16pp Attack Focus (Melee) 4 Diehard Distract (Intimidate) Equipment 2 Fearless Fearsome Presence Grappling Finesse Improved Grapple Improved Initiative 2 Rage Startle Powers: 64pp Absorption (Physical; Healing) 11 [44] Transfer 10 (Drain (Constitution) 10;Boost (Trait (Strike)) 10) [20] Equipment: 10ep Midsized Car(7) Knife(3) Drawbacks: 0pp DC Block: ATTACKS: SAVE DC: DAMAGE TYPE: Unarmed Attack -- DC 15 Toughness -- Bruised+ Knife -- DC 16 Toughness -- Bruised+ Raging Unarmed Strike -- DC 17 -- Bruised+ Raging Knife Attack -- DC 18 -- Bruised+ Strike -- DC 25 Toughness -- Bruised+ Drain -- DC 20 Fort -- 10 Con Damage. Costs: Abilities (24) + Combat (20) + Saves (18) + Skills (8) + Feats (16) + Powers (64) - Drawbacks (00) = 150

I'll leave it up to the others in the group. A battle could be a lot of fun, but only if people are still interested in the thread. Heck, I could always use the extra posts.

Players Name: Cyrith Power Level: 10 (150/151 pp) Trade-Offs: None Unspent PP: 0 Characters Name: Matthias Alternate Identity: Soul Taker Height: 5'4" Weight: 100 Hair: Green Eyes: Black, often falling over his face Description: Matthias eyes are almost constantly squinted in a judgmental glare History: See Below Personality & Motivation: See Below Complications: Temper (When beliefs challenged), Condition (Insanely deluded) Stats: 24pp Str: 10 (+0); 14 (+2) While Raging Dex: 14 (+2) Con: 8 (-1) Int: 18 (+4) Wis: 16 (+3) Cha: 18 (+4) Combat: 12+8=20pp Attack: +6 (+10 Melee). Grapple: +12. Defense: +4 (+2 flat-footed); +2 (+1 flat-footed) while raging Knockback: +0 Initiative: +10 Saves: 4+4+10=18pp Toughness: -1; Absorption (Physical) 11 Fort: +3 (-1 Con, +4); +5 (-1 Con, +4, +2 rage) while raging Reflex: +6 (+2 Dex, +4) Will: +13 (+3 Wis, +10); +15(+3 Wis, +10, +2 Rage) While Raging Skills: 32r = 8pp Escape Artist 2 (+4) Intimidate 6 (+10) Knowledge (Theology and Philosophy) 10 (+14) Language (Latin) Notice 4 (+7) Perform (Oratory) 3 (+7) Sense Motive 6 (+9) Feats: 16pp Attack Focus (Melee) 4 Diehard Distract (Intimidate) Equipment 2 Fearless Fearsome Presence Grappling Finesse Improved Grapple Improved Initiative 2 Rage Startle Powers: 64pp Absorption 11 (Physical; Healing) [44] Transfer 10 (Drain Constitution 10; Boost Strike 10) [20] Drawbacks: 0pp DC Block: ATTACKS: SAVE DC: DAMAGE TYPE: Unarmed Attack -- DC 15 Toughness -- Bruised+ Knife -- DC 16 Toughness -- Bruised+ Raging Unarmed Strike -- DC 17 -- Bruised+ Raging Knife Attack -- DC 18 -- Bruised+ Strike -- DC 25 Toughness -- Bruised+ Drain -- DC 20 Fort -- 10 Con Damage. Costs: Abilities (24) + Combat (20) + Saves (18) + Skills (8) + Feats (16) + Powers (64) - Drawbacks (00) = 150/151 Real name: Matthias Other aliases: Soul Taker Identity: Public Occupation: Criminal, Deluded Savior Legal status: Citizen of the United State with vast criminal record Place of birth: Providence, Rhode Island Marital status: Single Known relatives: None Base of operations: Mobile History: Matthias was born in Providence to a family of very strict religious code. Bedtime stories where often from the bible and church services were attended at least twice a week. Matthias was fairly normal growing up, a quiet child without much to say. All that changed after Matthias was ditched in a cave at bible camp, with nothing more then a battered King James bible, a flash light and his wits. Figuring it would only be a matter of time until the rest of the boys came back and got him, Matthias sat down to read. He was so immersed in his studies that he did not notice how much time had gone by until the flashlight battery wore out. Now in complete darkness, Matthias began to try and find his way out, stumbled over a rock and hit his head on the cave wall, knocking him out and breaking three ribs. By the time he was found he was at deaths door, shivering and talking nonsense about being the chosen one. The camp staff managed to get the boy to a hospital in time and he was saved, though the damage to his mind seemed irreparable, as days later he was demanding to be let go, he was the chosen one to spread his word. Test would prove Matthias to be suffering from severe delusions of grandeur and identity disorder, but otherwise healthy and he was released back to his parents. Events took a turn for the weird when at church the next day Matthias declared the priest a false idol and attempted to shove him off the pulpit. A deacon immediately set upon him, trying to pry him off. When that didn’t work, he punched Matthias in the face. Enraged, Matthias grabbed the deacon, who quickly became weak and feeble, before striking him with great force, sending him flying into the organ. Once again Matthias declared himself the chosen one, saying that the congregation had grown soft and lax in it’s worship, and demanded that they recognize him as their head. That’s when the police arrived. Eye witness accounts differ, but most recall seeing Matthias take a bullet to the chest, the wound closing before their very eyes. More report seeing Matthias again suck the very life-force from an officer before slapping him in the face so hard it snapped his now frail neck. Since that day Matthias has been on the run around the world, resurfacing in cities across the eastern sea board, calling himself the chosen one. Height: 5 ft. 4 in. Weight:100 lbs Eyes: Green Hair: Black Strength Level: Matthias is of below average strength for a man his size who engages is limited regular exercise Known Super Powers: Matthias can absorb damage to heal himself and weaken others to fuel his own fighting prowess. Abilities: Matthias is a master of theology.

I'm thinking this thread is pretty much done. I think the next dance thread will need to have someone attack, just because they can. Any of the other participants still have things to say?

There are a decent amount of online bookstores. I've been resisting buying from them because I would much rather buy from my gaming store, but the deals are pretty good. Or the PDF file. I'd rather have the book, so I can study it while lying on the couch.

Hence the reason I ask. I really do need to buy a copy of that book.