N/A

Telepathy 10 (Effects: Communication 9 [Mental, 20,000 miles] + Comprehend 1 [Speak Any Language] + Mind Reading 10 [Extras: Action (Free/Full)], Feats: Alternate Power 7, Subtle) 39(32)PP Done

I'd like to dump all 3 of Scarab's earned PP into her power array, bringing the total cost from 29PP to 32PP. This will change the powers as follows: :arrow: Telekinesis: Add the Improved Pin feat for 1PP. The other 2PP are currently "wasted." :arrow: Telepathy: Promote to the "main power" of the array. Increase the Mental Communication effect from rank 6 to rank 9, for 3PP. :arrow: Concealment/Telepathy: Increase the Mental Communication effect from rank 1 to rank 4, for 3PP. :arrow: ESP/Telepathy: Increase the ESP effect from rank 6 to rank 7, for 2PP. Increase the Rapid feat from rank 2 to rank 3, for 1PP. Reconfigure the Mental Communication effect from rank 6 (standard action) to rank 8 (full action); this does not change the cost. :arrow: Mental Blast: Increase the power rank from 9 to 10, for 3PP. :arrow: Mind Control: Increase the power rank from 9 to 10, for 3PP. :arrow: Stun: Increase the power rank from 9 to 10, for 3PP. :arrow: Transform: Increase the power rank from 9 to 10, for 3PP.

Sense Motive check to analyze Avenger's abnormal reaction. I got a 24. Scarab activates her ESP again. She conducts another extended search of the house. This time, she covers all 3 floors (ground floor, upstairs, and basement), and this time, I'll take 20, for a result of 35. Since a search of two levels of the house took me a full round (6 seconds) last time, I assume adding another level will add another 3 seconds. 9x20=180, so I'm assuming this will take 3 minutes. And yes, she left the light on in the basement.

"She partially exsanguinated one victim early on. But she seemed to derive far more enjoyment from making balloon animals out of their entrails." Scarab once again assumed the yoga-style sitting position while hovering several feet above the ground. "I performed a cursory scan before. Now, before we leave, I'm going to go over this place with a fine-toothed comb. Would you kindly cover me for the next 2-3 minutes? This is very distracting."

The Scarab floats back up from the basement and into the house. "The basement failed to yield any useful information. I know she didn't ride Richard's bicycle away. Are the family's vehicles all accounted for out front?" "Once Slamdance is done with the computer, I'll do a final once-over of the crime scene. Shouldn't take me but a minute or two. Then I'll take the information home to my library, and see if I can come up with any leads. She kneels down next to the footlocker. "Did you find anything interesting in here?"

Scarab was saving the world when your grandfather was in diapers. : P

I'm in like a Finn.

Thought I'd leave Avenger something to do.

The Scarab unfolds her legs and stands down to the ground. "Looks like someone left the lights off. I'll check the basement the old-fashioned way." She walks out into the backyard. "Our murder suspect had the run of the house for the better part of an hour after she finished playing with her food, and she gave herself the unguided tour. I don't want to leave any stones unturned."

...Touche, Doctor. I guess the egg-on-the-face falls under the category of things that both go and come around. Alright, she'll check out the basement the old-fashioned way. Again, taking 10 on any relevant Notice or Search checks.

Activating ESP. First, looking inside the box and hoping it has something other than Gwyneth Paltrow's head inside. Second, conducting an extended search of the basement. I'll take 10 on any relevant Notice or Search checks.

"But first, I'd like to see what's in the basement outside. And if there's anything interesting in this footlocker. Pardon me for a moment, gentlemen." The Scarab once more took to hovering over the floor, interlocked her legs together in a sitting "lotus position" a few feet above the ground, and let her mind run free once more.

Knowledge (Arcane Lore) roll to examine the symbols. Got a 15. Knowledge (Popular Culture) roll to know who Sophie Marceau is. Got a 19.

"Madre de Dios..." The Scarab looked down, shook her head, and rose to her feet. "In a way, I can relate to Richard Dickson. We both toyed with powers beyond our understanding or control. Those powers were simultaneously impressed with our insolence and amused with our ambition. So they both decided to punish us in the manner gods favor most...they gave us exactly what we asked for." She studied the arcane symbols painted on the walls, then waved her thumb toward the upstairs. "There's more information on the boy's computer. That's where he learned how to summon the demon that...did this. But, unfortunately for him, not how to properly bind it. I'd like to get a copy of those symbols. My library may have more information on the rites he used, which could lead us to the demon currently running free on the streets of Freedom City." She looked around the living room. "This took hours. They didn't die quickly, nor quietly. I'm surprised no one heard anything. The police didn't even arrive until the killer herself called them. She had a...singular sense of humor. She enjoyed her work. Thoroughly." She started pacing around the room as she spoke. "Apparently, the demon lacked means of self-propulsion, since she took the time to clean and re-clothe herself. I don't understand why she also took the time to rob the place, though. After all that carnage, theft seems...petty." "If her form remains constant, we're looking for a Caucasian woman with green eyes and long brown hair. She actually looked a lot like that French actress, Sophie Marceau. She was in Braveheart, and she was a Bond Girl in one of the Pierce Brosnan flicks. The name she gave was 'Danielle Sylvie.' It could be fake, but on the other hand, with no surviving witnesses, she had no reason to hide her identity. Could be a reference. Or maybe it's an anagram of some kind. Horrors from Beyond seem to like anagrams..."

A few notes: Power Level is primarily a measure of combat effectiveness. Speaking in combat terms, a "true" PL10 would have scores in Attack, Damage, Defense, and Toughness that would all average out to 10. Maybe not in every situation, but under at least one ideal set of conditions (fighting a favored enemy in a favored environment with a favored weapon, etc.). As it stands, your character is at best PL7ish in combat, aside from the Fatigue effect (see below). So the PL6 villains will be a credible threat to him, and a "truly" PL10 villain will eat him alive. Power Level limits are hard ceilings that you build up to. As a PL10 character, your Attack, Defense, Damage (by that, I mean the save modifier of any offensive effect), and Toughness Save are all limited to a maximum of +10. If you want a higher score, you can make a tradeoff, between Attack vs Damage and Defense vs Toughness. So you can have Attack +10 & Damage +10, or Attack +12 & Damage +8, or Attack +8 & Damage +12. Your Attack of +8 combined with the Fatigue +15 breaks PL caps. 8+15=23, 23>20. Skills cost 1PP per 4 ranks. I think you're massively overcharging yourself in that area. Container effects like Alternate Form are either Sustained or Permanent duration by default (same cost). You should really specify which. Is there any reason why the Fatigue effect is Subtle 2 instead of just Subtle? Why absolutely no exotic super-senses or other powers or devices can possibly notice the effect, no matter what kind of energy they're capable of perceiving? You won't be able to use any of your attacks while Insubstantial unless you purchase the Affects Corporeal (+1) extra for them. You purchase it for each individual rank of each individual attack power (including, potentially, your Strength bonus), not for the Insubstantial power itself. Most GMs frown on characters who only purchase Attack Focus/Specialization and Dodge Focus, with no Base Attack or Base Defense. It's not technically a game rule, but it's unlikely they'll approve this configuration. Those exotic saving throws are really low. This character seems very..."focused." Aside from some ability scores, there aren't any non-combat traits I can find. What is it that makes this a character and not just a combat build?

I'm using red for my character's dialogue, because her costume is primarily red and I wanted to create that association in the readers minds (and because it highlights the dialogue at first glance). I put quote marks around her spoken words, and I put her thoughts in italics. I use both for her telepathic transmissions.

Thanks for the update. My schedule is somewhat chaotic of late, so I am ill-equipped to make similar commitments. I assume by "the work week," you mean Monday thru Friday?

After a quick use of Mental Communication, The Scarab is activating Postcognition in the center of the bloodbath. She'll take 10 on any required Notice or Search checks (25).

After attempting to comfort the young hero, The Scarab touches down in the center of the living room, and turns toward The Man In Black. "If you would be so kind, please place the knife on the floor in front of me. It's past time we got some answers here." She gets down on her knees and places her right hand palm-down upon the floor, resting her weight upon it. Her left hand rises to her head, where her first two fingers rest against her forehead. "Thoughts and emotions leave impressions behind, like footsteps in mud. Echoes. And the more intense the emotions, the stronger and louder and longer those echoes will resonate." She takes a second for a quick mental transmission to Slamdance. This will leave me distracted and vulnerable. I need you to watch my back. Keep an eye out, especially on The Man In Black. I'm not sure whose side he's on yet. Then she closed her eyes, and opened up her mind.

Sometimes, The Scarab is a really bad liar. But it's the thought that counts...?

The Scarab places a hand on Slamdance's shoulder. "You compare favorably to me. The first time I saw battle, I was deep in the reserves, as befitting my station at the time. But I caught a stray arrow through the shoulder. I voided my bladder right then and there. There is no shame in this, Comrade." And there's no shame in little white lies either, when they come from a place of altruism rather than self-interest. Sometimes, the truth doesn't serve the greater good. Otherwise, we wouldn't have to wear masks. "Your compassion is an asset, not a liability. It not only separates you from the monster who did this, but elevates you above them. It makes you better.

I figured. That's why I started playing fast-&-loose with my more recent posts.

Might want to edit your last post there, Razorback. Scarab's Telepathy is Subtle. You need a DC20 Notice check to be aware of the probe.

The Scarab probed the boy's mind for a few seconds more. He's no danger to me. Just another mask here to help. Satisfied, she raised her hand and pointed toward the window. The lock unlatched of its own accord and the pane swung open. "Come on in. The more, the merrier. Just try not to step on any evidence. And don't follow us into the living room unless you have a strong stomach. It's...it's pretty bad in there." Still floating a couple inches off the ground, she followed Avenger into the scene of the crime.

Yes. Scarab opened the window for Slamdance...WITH HER MIND!!! It was very spoooky. OK, since Slamdance voluntarily failed his Will Save, I assume the answer I got for the first probe question was "No, he doesn't know who killed the Dicksons." I'll take one more Full Action to probe him. Question 2: Do you intend to aid or undermine our investigation? Again, I assume the answer is "Aid." At that point, I'll cut off the mental link, switch to Telekinesis, let him in, and follow Avenger into the other room.