Heritage

Okay, the aptly named ShaenTheBrain (he's so smart) pointed out that since I will go Gold next month (Grim's now at 118 pp) that it is stupid for me to make Colby a PL6; she could in fact be a super-cool badass normal of epic proportions, i.e. my second PL10. If I did this, I could perhaps take a page from my old buddy Prince of Boredom's character Maximilian Prophet and give her one or two magical Devices that giver her a bit more protection, and give her a less brutal option to the shotgun in her trunk of her car. Any objections to pursuing such a course of action? Alternatively, she could just have more skills, feats and combat stats, and get to the level where she can jury-rig some awesome Rituals; I assume any Powers simulated would be capped by her PL?

Was that just a hint of a smile in his voice? Yep, I've still got it. "Fair enough; will I-" And he was gone; if she really wanted, maybe she could have pricked up her ears and placed him, but with a real pro like Avenger, it wouldn't be too easy. Plus, messing with a fellow agent of the night's sneaky mojo? Major superhero faux pas. Grim decided to finish off her route and then head home for the night; Father Jim had her cell number, and she could always swing by there in a day or two if he didn't call with a message from Avenger's outsourcing buddy. Still toting her umbrella, she skips off into the night, humming to herself as she goes. And how cool is is it that he saw me make this? Plus I still have my ace in the hole if I really want to blow him away.

Other than Nightrival and Velocity, no other active PC characters know about Grim's Morph ability; she holds that one in reserve ;)

Adele smiled. "Yes, indeed. Perhaps if we all made it to me room at the Plaza, we could just do room service..." With a flick of her wrist, she summons forth a pale disk of white light, at first the size of a dinner plate but rapidly growing larger until it's over ten feet across. The blond sorceress shrugs. "Not the most dignified way to travel, perhaps, but there's plenty o' room inside my wee little corner of whitespace to carry the lot o' ye."

Ok, I figured out the problem: I really shouldn't play cool, cosmic type characters, because overall they don't interest me to play. Other people play them well, and god bless 'em for it, but that's not me. Sorry to disappoint folks, but I've gotten to the point in my life that I'm finally starting to figure out what I'm good at, and what I'm poor at, and I try not to waste my or anyone else's time with the poor stuff. This means that Grim will become my PL10 once I hit gold, and I will introduce Lt Colby as my new PL6, converting White Rook into an NPC, unsure of which tier. We can quietly end this thread without having to go to a major conflict situation.

Ok, I think I fixed everything (fingers crossed).

To quote Vulva from Series 1 of Spaced, "It's not finished...it's finished." I'm sure I screwed up something, or cheated myself out of a few 'free' PP. Obviously, she doesn't carry all that equipment around on her person; a lot of it stays in the car until needed.

Ok, since I've decide to make this into a PL6 character, she needs a lot of work, but I don't have the time to finish her now; to be continued! She will ultimately replace White Rook, who i think will be switched to an NPC.

Here's a perfectly good character going to waste, left over from Barnum's short-lived 'Department 32' thread. With all the supernatural stuff going on in the city, having at least one cop who understands how not to mess up a supernatural crime scene might be a nice thing to have. Edit: Whoops, gotta update the sheet to the new standards! ;)

Detective Morena Colby -- PL6 Tier 2 NPC -- Heritage Character Name: Det. Morena Colby Power Level: 6 (105 pps) Unspent PPs: 0 Height: 5' 6" Weight: 128 lbs. Hair: Brown Eyes: Blue Description: An attractive young woman in her mid-thirties, Morena dresses fairly conservatively on the job in jacket, slacks and sensible shoes, but she does her best to look stylish within the limits of her budget. She usually wears one or two pieces of jewelry of her own design, typically a necklace and bracelet in a naturalistic design. She carries a light shoulder bag for both her forensic tools and materials for spell-casting, such as chalk, clay and various herbs. Off duty, she indulges her passion for tie-dye t-shirts, baggy cargo pants and sandals, switching to clunky boots in cooler weather, with her hair worn up in haphazard fashion if she's working on an art project. History: The Colbys are a police dynasty in Freedom City, a proud tradition that Morena resisted for many years; brought up in a working-class Lutheran family, she found herself yearning for a more passionate spiritual experience, and devoured books on other countries and cultures from a very young age. Against her parents' wishes, she left home to attend Freedom College, eventually earning a Masters degree in Anthropology and Comparative Religion; while in school, she also became very interested in indigenous art from around the world, as well as West African drumming. Ultimately she remained a (partially lapsed) Lutheran, but she feels her explorations of world culture have filled a hole in heart that the faith of parents was never able to do. She also experimented with transcendental mediation (and truth be told, a few hallucinogens), and has gotten quite good at self-inducing a trance. She also spent a year studying overseas in Benin, Ghana and Nigeria. However, tragedy soon led her life down a different path; shortly after she finished school, Morena's father, a long-serving officer on the Southside, was kidnapped and ritualistically murdered by a drug-dealing cult linked to the Mayombe. Her knowledge of the cult and its symbols allowed her to help the police find him, but not in time to save his life. Deciding to apply her passion to the family tradition of service, Morena enrolled in the police academy two weeks later, and she rose swiftly through the ranks until she finally made detective. Several years ago, Colby met the young heroine known as Grimalkin, as well as a few of her fellow Interceptors, and even worked with them on a few ooccasions; the relationship made her a bit uneasy, for while she likes Grim well enough, her powers are frequently off-putting and she still has a few ethical concerns about the whole cop/hero dynamic. However, after Grim disappeared in 2011, their partnership ended, though she now knows the truth about what happened. Personality & Motivation: Morena has developed many interests to help her cope with the stresses of police work. In her off-hours, she likes to work in her studio, which fills half of the garage behind the West End bungalow that's been in the family for years. She prefers sculpture and pottery, and several of her pieces can be seen on display in galleries in Riverside and the Theatre District. She also teaches art to children at a local community center on weekends (as well as meditation classes for their parents), and still drums with a percussion group based on the Freedom College campus once a month, playing one of her several djembes. And at least twice a year, she goes with friends on a week-long backpacking trip, typically to Upstate New York or the Carolinas. Colby understands that in a city like Freedom, crime is not just limited to murder and robbery; far worse things go on at night, unspeakable things, and she's one of the few detectives willing to work in the unglamorous Supernatural Crimes Unit. Sometimes the weight of that responsibility is almost too much for her, but she still snaps up her cellphone and gets dressed any time of day or night when the weirdness hits the fan. A few years ago, Reena used the black plastic frames from a pair of her father's old glasses to make a special fetish to aid her during investigations; wearing the frames allows the wearer to detect and analyze a wide variety of mystical phenomena, but the intense focus required and the bizarre clashes of color which indicate magical effects make them hard to wear for long periods of time. She also uses the semi-finished basement of her home as her ritual space, working mystical enchantments while doing loads of wash. Stats: [20] Strength: 12 (+1) Dexterity: 14 (+2) Constitution: 12 (+1) Intelligence: 16 (+3) Wisdom: 12 (+1) Charisma: 14(+2) Combat: [14] Attack: +4 (+6 Pistol, +6 Shotgun) Grapple: +5 Defense: +5 (+1 flat-footed) Knockback: -3 (-2 flat-footed) Initiative: +2 Saves: [12] Toughness: +6, +4 flat-footed Fortitude: +5 (+1 Con, +4) Reflex: +6 (+2, +4) Will: +5 (+1 Wis, +4) Skills: [104r = 26] Bluff 3 (+5) Concentration 3 (+4) Craft (Artistic) 7 (+10) Diplomacy 4 (+6) Drive 4 (+6) Gather Information 6 (+8) Intimidate 4 (+6) Investigate 6 (+9) Knowledge (Arcane Lore) 7 (+10) Knowledge (Art) 3 (+6) Knowledge (Civics) 5 (+8) Knowledge (Current Events) 5 (+8) Knowledge (Streetwise) 6 (+9) Knowledge (Theology and Philosophy) 6 (+9) Language 6 (English [native], Ewe, Fon, French, Hausa, Pulaar, Yoruba) Medicine 1 (+2) Notice 6 (+7) Perform (Percussion Instruments) 2 (+4) Profession (Police Officer) 6 (+7) Search 6 (+9) Sense Motive 6 (+7) Survival 2 (+3) Swim 2 (+3) Feats: [28] Attack Specialization 1 (pistol) Artificer Benefit 1 (Security Clearance) Contacts Defensive Roll 2 Dodge Focus 2 Equipment 12 Luck 2 Precise Shot 2 Quick Draw 2 Skill Mastery [Craft (Artistic), Gather Information, Knowledge (Arcane Lore), Search] Trance Powers [5PP] Device 1 (5PP, Hard-To-Lose) [4PP] Equipment: [60ep] Binoculars [1ep] Cell phone [1ep] Digital Audio Recorder [1ep] Flashlight [1ep] Handcuffs [1ep] Heavy Pistol (Blast 4) [8ep] Knife (Strike 1, Mighty, Improved Critical) [4ep] Laptop [1ep] Pepper Spray (Dazzle 5, Stun 5) [15ep] Shotgun (Blast 6/Blast 5, Accurate) [11ep] Tonfa (Strike 1, Mighty) [2ep] Undercover vest (Protection 3, Subtle) [4ep] DC Block Unarmed -- DC 16/Toughness -- Damage Heavy Pistol -- DC 19/Toughness -- Damage Knife -- DC 17/Toughness -- Damage Pepper Spray -- DC 15/Reflex, DC 15/Fortitude -- Dazzle, Stun Shotgun -- DC 20(21)/Toughness -- Damage Tonfa -- DC 17/Toughness -- Damage Costs: Abilities (20) + Combat (14) + Saves (12) + Skills (26) + Feats (28) + Powers (5) = TC (105/105)

Grimalkin Grim's Faerie Tales (ongoing) Mythical Saturday (temporarily on hold) Other Powers White Rook: Looking Down on Creation

Grim promptly reappears under the umbrella, smiling. "I thought you might be good at that; ain't bein' sneaky grand?" She rests a finger across her lips in thought. "I don't know how often you make it across the river, but Father Murphy at the Our Lady of Mercy shelter is a friend, and he can be trusted; you can leave word for me there. He doesn't know I'm back in town yet, but I plan on payin' him a visit real soon." She bows at the waist, high school drama club style. "You can call me Grimalkin, or just plain ol' Grim."

Grim held her hands to her chest and looked innocent. "On me? I don't think he's got anything on me; I could be wrong, and my paranoid streak says he's gotta have somethin', but I'm doing this for Carmine and all the other weirdos up there." As she looked off towards the hotel, the rain picked up a little bit more, until it was driving fairly hard right into her face. "Okay, I've had about enough of this; 'scuse me for a second." The diminutive heroine reached behind her back and plucked a large black umbrella seemingly out of thin air. With a flourish, she opened it and twirled it over her shoulder. "Much better! Now, where was I? Oh yeah, you were askin' me about my plans for Mr. Pitt. Well, I'll be honest with you, I ain't got that far yet; right now I'm just recruiting talent, ya know? We gotta do a lot of research on a guy like Pitt; find out his weaknesses, his hobbies, favorite ice cream, the whole nine yards." Grim playfully kicked up her feet and then spun around a few times, in a style vaguely similar to Gene Kelly. "Yep, this will be quite the caper. If it's not your kinda scene, I'm cool with that; we all play to our strengths, right?" She faded from view, leaving the umbrella to spin and dance in her place, as she gave up all coy pretense and started whistling "Singin' in the Rain" in earnest.

First IC use of Create Object! :clap:

Alright, I have to admit I'm kinda stumped where to take this now guys, major lack of planning, I'll admit. I think something external has to happen, like a fire alarm going off or a car blowing up or something, to get us going in a very different direction. Any ideas?

Adele laughed a warm friendly laugh. The blond sorceress nods vigorously. "Oh aye, if there's one thing I can do well, it's keep a secret, especially one that makes meself look bad!" She then floats up Yuki and extends a hand. "White Rook's the name; can I make it up to you, lass? I can take ye out for a spot of coffee, if you like. My treat and all."

Hmm, good question; I would be fine with him knowing him, if not directly then at least as a name he's heard mentioned in the vampire community.

Wow, getting a complete sentence out of this guy is like pulling teeth! 'Prefer not to'? Now this showed some promise! Nightrival had a habit of nixing many of her best schemes because they skated uncomfortably close to the edge of the law; apparently Avenger wasn't such a rules stickler. Grim nodded her head sagely. "Okay, that's fair. Here's the situation: me and a bunch of fellow misfits and lowlifes live in a set of squats in the old Imperator Hotel; maybe you know it, it's a bit of a local landmark. The top two floors are only accessible to the, well-" And her she smiled with mock-humility. "Y'know, the special among us. None of us pays any sort of normal, regular rent, but we're allowed to stay there by this guy, Mr. Pitt. He lives up in the penthouse and sometimes asks folks to do favors for him, though for some reason he's never asked me; I dunno, maybe Carmine the super negotiated a special rate or somethin', I'm not sure." As the young woman continued, she dropped down to a crouch by the curb; sharp claws popped out of her fingertips, and she idly traced patterns in the water coursing down the gutter with her talons. "Fact is, I'm pretty sure our buddy Mr. Pitt ain't human; I got no proof, it's just more of a, I dunno, a feeling or whatever. No one ever sees him but Carmine, and he's got some major leverage on that old fool, let me tell you. I think he's like a demon or an alien or somethin' up there, watchin' everyone dance like his little puppets." She looked up at Avenger and defiantly jabbed a clawed thumb toward her chest. "Except me; I don't dance for nobody." She shakes the water off her hand and the claws retreat out of sight. "So whaddya think? You interested? Even if he's only puttin' the screws to Carmine, he needs to be taught a lesson, but I doubt it's just him; I think he's got somethin' on everybody up there." She peered off into the night, in the rough direction of the hotel. "Maybe even me." And for just a moment, she shivered.

Wow, Bossman and Captain Creepy fought a god together? Way to go, old man! Grim blinks for a few seconds. "Wait, what?" Then the impact of the words finally processes, and she holds up both hands and shakes her head vigorously. "No, no, no! You must learn of this concept we humans call 'humor'. No, the last thing these poor folks need is to lose a champion who actually gets the job done! I read about you in the paper; you're the best thing to happen to the Fens since the needle exchange at the free clinic!" The young woman sighs and looks down at her boots, and for a moment looks far older than her physical age allows. "You need to stay here, dude, with the cape and the mask and the scary; I think it's great to be replaced by a guy as good as you. Well, not 'replaced', that's unfair to you, but..." She waves hands about, trying to find the right word. " 'Superseded'? Does that mean what I think it does? Like 'better', 'above and beyond' or something?" Grim groans in frustration, and then puts her fists on her hips. "Look, whatever! You stay, I'll go find Nightrival. Did he ever mention me, the sidekick who broke his heart? Don't answer that. I'll see you around, okay?" She starts to step away into the night, but then stops and catches herself. "Although..." Grim looks back over her shoulder, peering at Avenger through the rain. "I do have a situation I need help with, a bit of a tenant/landlord dispute kinda thing..." She stands there, chin on fist, quietly appraising the other vigilante.

Ah, an attempt at humor; the creature lives! Grim smiled a bit and nodded; that weird way of talking he's got would take some getting used to, but apparently something human dwelt behind the black mask. "My intentions?" And here the young heroine can only shrug as she rocks back on her heels. "To be honest, I don't really know; a few months ago, it was me out here patrolling these mean streets, keeping the Fens safe for all the hookers and drug addicts. But now I blow back into town and I find you here, making it look so gosh darn easy with your smashy fists and deep scary voice..." She sighs and claps her hands together. "I dunno, maybe I can do like kids' parties, or work with animals, y'know, like at a shelter or something?" Grim laughs and shakes her head. "Or maybe, I can take by sorry butt back across the river and look up Nightrival; there's a guy who can actually use a little help." She gnaws her lower lip and looks thoughtfully to the south. "Do you know Rival? I could sorta see you guys hangin' out."

So he didn't leap in the air and run away in fast motion like a character in an old Casper cartoon; Grim still got a kick out of the barest amount of freak-out her deceleration had elicited in the stone-cold badass. They say this cat Avenger is a bad mother - Shut your mouth! With a wry grin, she steps away from the wall, dropping her glamour to reveal a young slip of a girl in form-fitting leather, drenched with rain. She runs both hands through her sopping wet hair and sputters before replying. "Pff! Heck of a night for the pursuit of justice, huh? Or do you just pound people's faces into mulch for kicks?" Though the night is chill and the rain oppressive, she doesn't shiver one bit.

Leaning up against the wall as she rubbed her sore arm (she's not made of steel, after all), Grim mutely watched the masked vigilante finish his bloody work. He's not like us, me and Rival; this guy is darkness through and through. No Gilmore Girls marathons or cutesy boyfriends for him; he's a force of nature, like the rain running down my back. She felt a lot of things right then, the first of them being genuine fear, like the first time she saw a Freddy Krueger movie on cable, alone under a blanket that did nothing to keep out the icy chill. And for the first time she felt a twinge of pity for the scum that roamed the streets; sure, they deserved a sound beating, but did they deserve this thing haunting their nightmares? And yet wasn't he doing the job far better than she ever could, with her pencil-stick arms and oh-so-nasty claws? Ooh, scratchy scratchy! Some of the pimps she once taught a lesson were nervous to walk the streets at night; now they must be peeing their pants and crying out for their mommies! She could no longer stand there silently; there were words welling up inside her, down in the pit of her stomach, a mixture of admiration, fear, criticism and sheer awe, but what instead came out of her invisible lips surprised even Grim, as her South Jersey accent rang out over the pounding of the rain. "Yo, Jason Voorhees! Nice moves!"

From the sound of things, the fight had just started getting interesting by the time Grim arrived at a good vantage point to see the proceedings, but it looked like somebody was already hogging all the fun! Might this be the so-called 'Avenger' who'd moved into her turf after...well, after she'd abandoned it? Mildly irritated, the impish vigilante spotted a runner that the oh-so-amazing Avenger had clearly let escape. Nice one, Dark Doofus. :roll: She dropped down from her rooftop perch, wrapping the night around herself as she landed lightly first on a fire escape, and then directly into the path of the panicked punk. Grim is no powerhouse, but her slender arm invisibly outstretched at the height of the idiot's throat was more than enough to drop him to the rain-soaked asphalt, gasping for breath. See, cleaned up your mess for ya. She could have done more to the downed thug, but she figured if she tried to do more, she ran the risk of doing more permanent damage, which she was trying to avoid nowadays. With some regret she left him there, and quickly moved to the nearest wall, sliding along its length as she got closer and closer to the man she still thought of as her 'replacement'. She could almost feel the power of his blows as his fists struck faces and pressure points with both grace and vigor. Wow, this dude is giving the Bossman a run for his money!

Added a Timeline entry post. So I guess we're just doing 'cinematic combat' at this point, sans rolls?

April 7th, 2009 Grimalkin and Avenger meet in the Fens on a dark and stormy night. Other Powers