Gizmo

Well, I would like to get Jack of all Blades more involved! The idea is that he's been around for a little while but mostly sticking to low-profile muggings and robberies in the West End; going up against the Captain would definitely qualify as hitting the big-time. He'd be pretty outmatched on his own; this could be a good opportunity for a few rookies like myself to team-up. Then again, being outmatched might be the point, eh? Any thoughts on a story?

Jack of all Blades News Thread The Days of High Adventure This is a Stick Up West End Warriors

Ack, first roll for the site could have gone better: natural 1 on initiative. Is putting the roll in the body of the IC post alright, or should I keep it in the OOC?

Jack of all Blades nearly missed his landing as his surroundings transformed themselves. Acrobatic grace trained to the point of instinct saved him, soft leather riding boots silently touching down on the dirt road. Taking stock of the situation the hero found that his bodysuit had been replaced by a black jerkin and tights; more importantly the power line from which he had intended to draw energy was now a simple clothing line. Feeling suddenly vulnerable, he immediately reached into his coat for his lighter and instead found small pieces of flint, steel and dry linen. Suppressing a groan, Jack glanced about, spotting a flickering torch in a tall, metal bracket where a lamppost had stood moments before. The flame flared then snaked through the air to his outstretched hand, solidifying into the shape of a blazing rapier. So armed, he turned his attention back to the thugs. Jack had plenty of pressing questions about his predicament, but whatever had happened to him and the rest of Freedom City, his most immediate business still stood before him, ready to enter the thatched building. A smirk played upon his lips as his theatrical tendencies came to the fore. Well, he mused, when in Nottingham... "Hold, villains!" Jack called, sword held en garde. "What times are these that a masked man in black must be the enforcer of the law?" The young swashbuckler beckoned with his free hand. "Lay on, oafs!" He casually readied himself to fight.

TV Tropes Erik's Action Mom, a FCPD beat cop, did her best to make up for his Disappeared Dad. She did a good job, too, despite giving both of her children Alliterative Names. Once she was shot and forced into a wheelchair by a Token Motivational Nemesis (explaining why Eric Doesn't Like Guns) , however, he recieved a partial Promotion to Parent, working a string of part time jobs due to their Perpetual Poverty, and looking after his sister Ellie. He can sometimes take this a little too far, becoming the Knight Templar Big Brother, but she returns the favour when he's injured as Jack of all Blades, making use of her skills as a Medic. On top of those Great Responsibilities, Eric suffers from the Samaritan Syndrome. In particular he'll do anything to Save The Girl, Short Of Killing. Sure, he could probably solve a lot of his problems with a couple of robberies of his own, but Screw The Money, He Has Rules! A Deadpan Snarker, Jack of all Blades Shall Taunt You, explaining quite clearly The Reason You Suck (chances are You Fight Like A Cow). Regardless, he's certain to be Defiant To The End. Around attractive women this taunting turns to innuendo, and he runs the risk of becoming a Dionysus. Erik can create a variety of really Cool Swords, such as the Flaming Sword or Laser Blade, by manipulating Pure Energy. He seems to have recieved these powers due to Random Selection. Erik also displays Implausible Fencing Powers, such as Flynning and Zorro Marking his foes with a spade shape. HIs costume consists of a Badass Longcoat (of the third type) over a Civvie Spandex bodysuit. He also benefits from Mask Power and tops things of with a Sash of Asskicking. Eric has not one Evil Counterpart, but three! There's the beautful but competition obsessed Jaci o' Cups, the self-involved profiteer Coinpurse Jack and the grimly humourless battlemage Jakken Staff. They're collectively determined to drag Eric into the Inevitable Tournament they keep mentioning. Finally, let's face it, 'Jack of all Blades' is an Incredibly Lame Pun.

Introduction Give a two or three word description of yourself. (Describe your character's concept.) Energy Manipulating Swashbuckler Do you have any nicknames, street names, titles, or nom de plume? Jack of all Blades, Jack of Swords, The Scintillating Swordsman What is your full birth name? Erik Jean Espadas Where do you live? Modest two-level home in the West End of Freedom City Why do you live there? It's my family's home. I grew up there, and feel a sense of responsibility toward the community. What do you perceive as your greatest strength? An unbreakable spirit, a total refusal to quit and my unpredictability. What do you perceive as your greatest weakness? I tend to feel outclassed by foes with stronger superpowers. Physical Traits How old are you? (Chronological age as well as age category.) 21 years. (Born 1988) What is your sex? Male. What is your race? French-Latino. Or is that ethnicity? Eh, whatever. How tall are you? 5’11’’ How much do you weigh? 145 lbs What is your general body type, frame, bone structure, and poise? Lithe, with muscle stretched over a wiry frame. Angular features, with pronounced cheek bones, shoulder blades, etc. Acrobatic posture, constantly moving, very fluid. What is your skin colour? Medium tan. What is your hair colour? Dusty brown, but I wear a black wig as Jack of Blades What is your hair style? Shorn short; the wig is long enough to be wavy. Do you have any facial hair? Frequent stubble; I don’t shave as often as I should. What is your eye colour? Dark blue, ‘midnight blue’ if you’re looking to get poetic. How attractive are you? I’d say I stand out in a crowd as having strong, attractive features. I haven’t gotten any complaints, anyway! What is your most distinguishing feature? Long, narrow and perfectly straight nose, I guess? Nothing too unusual. Do you have any scars, tattoos, or birthmarks? Various minor scars, easily hidden under regular clothing. Hey, a guy can’t dodge every attack, y’know? What is your handedness (left/right/ambidextrous)? Right handed, but I’m reasonably competent with my left as well. Do you resemble some currently known person? No one in particular. What kind of clothing do you wear? My costume consists of a knee-length, deep blue jacket with crimson trim, cut in a jaunty, high-collared style and worn open over a black body suit and boots. A crimson bandana serves as my mask, attached to a black wig of wavy hair which helps to conceal my true identity. The finishing touch is a matching red sash around my waist. It all flaps around behind me nicely. Do you wear makeup? Sometimes, to cover bruises. What sort of vocal tone do you have? Smooth and melodic, with a wry undertone. Sort of an Errol Flynn thing. History Where is your homeland? The United States. Are you aware of its history? I’m pretty well read concerning Silver Age heroes and any related history. Are you patriotic or a social outcast? I care more about individual people than the country as a whole, but I guess I’m reasonably patriotic if it comes down to it. What are your opinion of home? There are a lot of problems, but it’s worth protecting and fighting for. Where is your home town? Freedom City. Are your real reasons for becoming an adventurer different from what you tell others? I mostly tell people I'm in it for the thrills and the women, but it’s more about protecting my home and helping those in need, honestly. How far would you go to keep such secrets from being revealed? What would you do if the truth became known? Eh, I’d just laugh it off; I’m sort of uncomfortable with serious discussions. What do you fear would occur if the truth became known? Heh, people might start taking me more seriously! Do you have any particularly high or low ability scores? I’m pretty crazy quick, and charming, too. How have these scores affected your life so far? I did well in high school athletics and I’ve always been fairly popular and charming without much effort. What about your race, growing up were you in the majority or a minority? A minority, but thanks to my old man not a visualy obvious one. Did this impact your outlook in any way? Not particularly. My sister and I are second-generation Americans (on Mom’s side, anyway), and about as assimilated as you’re going to get. How do you feel about other races? I grew up in a very diverse community; I rarely consider race as any kind of factor. Were there any traumatic experiences in your early years (death of a family member, abandonment, orphaned at an early age)? Well, my father left when I was four, but it never bothered me much. Briefly describe a defining moment in your childhood and how it influenced your life. The Terminus Invasion; the stories my mother told me led to a fascination with super heroes. Too many good people gave their all in that one to let anything happen to the city now, y’know? What stupid things did you do when you were younger? I tried to imitate acrobatic heroes; ended up with a lot of scrapes and bruises. Which toys from your childhood have you kept? Spitfire Jones Hallowe’en costume. Why? What do they mean to you? If you didn't keep any, why not? What did you do to them all? It was the closest I got to being like my heroes for a long time. Plus my mother doesn’t throw anything out from when Ellie and I were little. Do you have any deep, dark secrets in the past that may come back to haunt you? Not really. Are you who you claim to be? Other than the secret identity thing, yep. Do you have any sort of criminal record? Are you kidding? My mom would have disowned me! So no. How do you view the heroes/legends of your country? Mostly with awe, but also as a challenge to live up to or surpass. Family Who were your parents? Gina Espadas (mother), John Pique (father) Were you raised by them? If not, then why didn't they and who did raise you? Raised by my mother, father left when I was young. What was their standing in the community? Lower middle class, but well respected. Did your family stay in one area or move around a lot? West Freedom City, born and raised! ... yeah, I went there. How did you get along with their parents? Mom was always my greatest role model. Shut up, she’s awesome. How would your parents describe you? Answer this in the voice of your mother, then in your father's. Stubborn and foolhardy, but with a strong sense of right and wrong. Do you have any siblings? If so how many and what were their names? How did you get along with each of your siblings? Ellie Espadas, my younger sister. She’s my only real confidant, and the reason I do a lot of what I do. What was your birth position in the family? Oldest. List all current knowledge of family locations, spouses, children, birth dates, schooling, and any important incidents that only you and they might remember. Four years younger than me, Ellie is in her senior year of high school. She discovered my secret identity after I took a pretty nasty thrashing, and probably saved my life with her first aid training. Do you stay in touch with them or have you become estranged? Still live together. Do you love or hate one member of the family in particular? I’d do pretty much anything for my sister. Is any member of the family special to you in any way (perhaps, as a confidant, mentor, or arch-rival)? Again, Ellie is the only person I can talk to about being Jack of all Blades. Are there any black (or white) sheep in the family (including you)? My father, to an extent. If so, who are they and how did they "gain" the position? Left when I was four, before Ellie was born. Do you have a notorious or celebrated ancestor? Not that I knows of. If so, what did this person do to become famous or infamous? NA Do you try to live up to the reputation of your ancestor, try to live it down, or ignore it? NA Do you ever want to have a family of your own someday? Don’t think about it much, but probably, yeah. Would anything change your mind on this issue and if so, what? I’d have to know Ellie and my mom were taken care of, and I’d probably have to retire from super heroics, which would be tough, not to mention being a one-woman man! What type of person would be your ideal mate? A beautiful and intelligent woman who could challenge me; probably another acrobatic hero, so that I could share that part of my life with her, too. Relationships Do you have any close friends? If so, who and what are they like? Not really; I lost touch with most of my old friends after high school and don’t have much time for a social life now. What is the history of their relationship(s) with you? I was pretty popular, but never had a specific group of friends I was particularly close with. Do you currently have a best friend whom you would protect with your reputation or your life? My sister is probably my best friend. Kinda lame, but true. If so, who are they and what caused you to feel so close to them? What would have to happen for you to end this relationship? It would take a massive betrayal for me to turn my back on Ellie, something that ran against everything I believe in, including family. I can’t even imagine. Do you have any bitter enemies? The other Jacks. Those guys are Grade-A crazy beans, and they seem to know more about my powers than I do. If so, who are they, what are they like, and what is the history of their feud with you? Jaci o' Cups can add the force of any attack to her own strength, Coinpurse Jack is a probability manipulator and Jakken Staff is a skilled magic user. They’ve all attacked me on sight, making cryptic references to a Tournament of Suits. All three have proven to be dangerous and capable foes, forcing me to play upon their animosity towards each other to escape. I’m not sure how ‘evil’ they are, per se, but they’ll each do anything it takes to eliminate any of the other Jacks, including me. Have you defeated them before? ... not as such, no. How might these enemies seek to discomfit you in the future? They’d certainly be willing to endanger innocents to draw me out. Which person(s) or group(s) are you most loyal to? My family. Who is your most trusted ally? Ellie. Who do you trust, in general? Most of Freedom City’s heroes, police officers, attractive women. Who do you despise and why? Gun-toting thugs; an armed robbery gone wrong landed my mother in a wheelchair. Name seven things you hate in others. Close-mindedness, Selfishness, Self Pity, Sense of Entitlement, Dour Outlook, Refusal to Accept Responsibility, Disloyalty Is your image consistent? Not really; I come across as a bit of a flaky glory hound, but in a crunch I’d say I’m surprisingly selfless and dependable. Do you deliberately present yourself differently in different situations, and how? I guess I play the fool largely because I’m uncomfortable with serious topics and prefer to avoid them. What would you die for? To protect the innocent, to permanently end a significant threat to those I care most about. What is the worst thing someone has done to you? Probably when my mother was injured; that pretty much shot my chances at living the life I thought I would. More importantly, seeing someone I love hurt really messes with me. What is your general reaction to an attractive member of the opposite sex who lets you know they are available? I’ve been called an incorrigible flirt; I do show off even more than usual around women. Given my double life, however, I’m wary of an actual relationship. How do you get along with others of the same adventuring class? I tend to get along well with other acrobatic, wisecracking heroes, so long as the competition for the spotlight doesn’t become too fierce. Have you lost any loves? I dated a few different girls in high school, but nothing really long term or serious. How did you handle the situation (short & long term)? Honestly? My pattern of keeping people at arm’s length worries me a bit. Who would miss you should you go missing? My mother and sister, any of my various employers, particularly at the movie theatre. How close are you to your adventuring companions? I’m a lone wolf by default, but I wouldn’t be against joining a team. What do they not know about you? I keep my true identity a complete secret even among heroes I trusts. Are you a member of any house, guild, organisation, or church? What is your level of involvement? Nope, free agent! Personality & Beliefs Do you, or did you, have any role models? My mother, a FCPD officer. Do you have any heroes or idols, either contemporary or from legend? Golden Age heroes like Spitfire Jones and la Renard Rogue. Did you ever become disillusioned with former heroes or idols? If so, why and what were the circumstances? It’s tough knowing how they died, but I’m more concerned with the way they lived. When did you decide to become an adventurer? When I discovered my powers, I guess. Why have you chosen to risk your life as a career? I have a strong sense of responsibility to the community and has a passionate hatred of those who would hurt the innocent. Heh, ooh, dramatic! What do you expect to get out of being an adventurer? What, if anything, would make you stop adventuring? I’m hoping to make a difference; I’m acutely aware that my life expectancy is not terrific, given my chosen field. Do you have any dreams or ambitions? If not, why? To become a recognised hero in Freedom City, to leave behind a legend like my heroes. What are your short term goals (what would you like to be doing within a year)? Make new allies in the super hero community, earn enough money to put Ellie through med school, figure out what the deal is with this ‘Tournament of Suits’. What are your long term goals (what would you like to be doing twenty years from now)? Probably still operating as Jack of Blades, though nearing retirement. I’d like to have found someone to share my life with. If these goals seem at odds with each other, or with your dreams, how do you reconcile the differences? I don’t think too much about my own desires; I’ve gotten used to looking after other people. Do you have any great rational or irrational fears or phobias? If so, what are the origins of, or reasons behind them? That my super heroics will somehow endanger my family. How do you react when this fear manifests itself? I’m very protective of my secret identity. What are your attitudes regarding material wealth? It’d sure be nice to be independently wealthy! Are you miserly with your share of the wealth, or do you spend it freely? I doesn’t spend much on myself, just pay bills and save for Ellie’s tuition. Do you see wealth as a mark of success, or just as a means to an end? Just a means to an end. How do you generally treat others? Very friendly, a bit jocular. Do you trust easily (perhaps too easily) or not? Fairly trusting, besides my secret identity. I’m willing to take a chance on people. Are you introverted (shy and withdrawn) or extroverted (outgoing)? Extreme outgoing as Jack of Blades, somewhat less so normally. Are you a humble soul or blusteringly proud? Definitely prone of showboating, but good naturedly, not arrogantly. What habits do you find most annoying in friends? Taking themselves too seriously, self-involvement. What are your most annoying habits? Constantly flirting, not appearing to take anything seriously. Is there any race, creed, alignment, religion, class, profession, political viewpoint, or the like against which you are strongly prejudiced, and why? Anyone wielding a gun, because of my mother’s accident. What is your favourite food? Movie theatre popcorn. It’s different from the stuff you get in the store. What is your favourite drink? Ginger ale. I know, but I can’t really afford to get drunk, now can I? I’m always ‘on duty’. What is your favourite treat (desert)? Not big into deserts; ice-cream waffles, maybe? Do you favour a particular cuisine? Take-out; I’m a lousy cook. Do you savour the tastes when eating or "wolf down" your food? Food is fuel! Do you like food mild or heavily spiced? Spicy can be good, provided there’s a drink nearby. Are there any specific foodstuffs that you find disgusting or refuse to eat? Not a big fan of fish as a rule. What are your favourite colour(s)? Dark blue, crimson. Is there any colour that you dislike? Neon fuchsia, actually. Do you have a favourite (or hated) song, type of music, or instrument? I love the instrumentals from old movie sword fight scenes. If you have a favourite scent, what is it? Musty old novels. What is your favourite type of animal? Cats in general; any animal associated with tricksters. Are you allergic to any kinds of animals? Nope. Is there anything that enrages you? Gun violence, violence against women. Is there anything which embarrasses you? Not a big fan of my middle name. Do you enjoy "roughing it", or do you prefer your creature comforts? I doesn’t exactly live in the lap of luxury, but I’m definitely a city person. Do you have a patron deity? Not really. I mean, I don’t go around smiting evildoers in anybody’s name. Are you devout or impious? I’m not particularly religious. Do you actively worship and proselytise or do you simply pay lip service? Neither. What lengths would you go to defend your faith? Non-issue. Was your faith influenced or molded by anyone special? It makes you a little cynical when there’s all kinds of supers and aliens flying around claiming to be gods. I guess I’m effectively agnostic, when it comes down to it. Do you belong to a dominant church, or an independent church, cult, or sect (and is the group accepted, frowned upon, or considered heretics)? Not so much. Will you kill? No; that’s the line between heroes and villains as I see it. When did you decide (or learn) that you would? NA When do you consider it okay to kill (under what circumstances)? If it was the only option left to protect my family, and I didn’t expect to be coming back from it. When do you consider it wrong to kill (under what circumstances)? All the time. What would you do if someone else attempted to (or successfully did) kill under your "wrong" circumstances, what would be your reaction? Intervene if possible; shock and disgust otherwise. What if it was your enemy? Take them down, hard. What if it was your friend? Try to understand, but it’d be pretty tough. What if the opponent was not in control of his or her own actions (under duress, charmed, dominated, possessed)? Try to take them out without hurting them; go after the controlling force if possible. What would you do if something were stolen from you? Find out who took it and get it back! What would you do if you were badly insulted publicly? Publicly refute the point; I certainly wouldn’t take it lying down. What would you do if a good friend or relative were killed by means other than natural death? Go to a very, very dark place. What is the one task you would absolutely refuse to do? Kill; significantly betray a trust. What do you consider to be the worst crime someone could commit and why? Hurting someone else just because they can. I just can’t fathom that kind of selfish thinking. How do you feel about government (rulers) in general? Why do you feel that way? I think they tend to forget about the little people, but are generally alright. Do you support the current government of your homeland? I’m not too political, but sure. If so, how far are you willing to go to defend the government? If not, do you actively oppose it? I’d certainly help fight off any kind of hostile take-over. What form of government do you believe is the best (democracy, monarchy, anarchy, aristocratic rule, oligarchy, matriarchy) and why? Democracy, no question. Do you have any unusual habits or dominant personality traits that are evident to others? Always like to make a dramatic entrance. If so, describe them and how you acquired them, as well as when they might be more noticeable and what causes them. I’ll often wait for a set-up for a one-liner before revealing himself; I get a bit annoyed if I’m forced to act before then. It’s about standards, really. Do you have any unusual or nervous mannerisms, such as when talking, thinking, afraid, under stress, or when embarrassed? I tend to move around a lot when thinking; jumping about, pacing on my hands. What is your most treasured possession? Old playing card, the Jack of Swords. If your life were to end in 24 hours, what 5 things would you do in those remaining hours? Make sure another hero would be watching over my neighbourhood. Run across the rooftops of Freedom City. Reveal my identity to my mother. Spend time with my family. Kiss every attractive woman I came across. Career & Training Where and how were you educated? Public high school in Freedom City. Who trained you in your adventuring class(es)? Learned gymnastics and fencing from gym teachers, eventually sought training outside of school on my own. What was your relationship with your teacher(s)/mentor(s)? Well liked but not particularly close. Is this person or institution still in existence? Sure, my sister’s in her senior year at the same high school. Were you a prize student or did you just barely pass? Pretty much average academically. I worked hard enough to do well, but not stand out. Look at your skills. How did you acquire them (especially the unusual ones)? I’m not completely sure how I got my powers, honestly. Have you ever done anything else for a living? I work as a projectionist, various other odd jobs. How do you function in combat (manoeuvres, weaknesses)? Lots of leaping about, constantly moving and talking, dodging attacks while looking for an opening. Have you ever received any awards or honours? I was offered some modest athletic scholarships, but I turned them down. Is there anything that you don't currently know how to do that you wish you could? I’d like to learn some detective skills someday. You can’t always rely on being in the right place at the right time. Are you envious of others who can do such things in a good-natured way or are you sullen and morose about it? Ah, good-naturedly; I’m not the jealous type. I suppose I’m a bit envious of Claremont High graduates, though, since they had a lot of advantages I didn’t. Lifestyle & Hobbies When not adventuring, what is your normal daily routine? Work, work and more work. There are bills to pay. How do you feel and react when this routine is interrupted for some reason? Honestly? A bit relieved. What are your hobbies when you are not adventuring or training? Love old movies and pulp novels. What do you do for relaxation? What things do you do for enjoyment? What interests do you have? In a lot of ways, being Jack of Blades is my way of relaxing; it’s certainly an outlet. How do you normally dress when not in your adventuring gear? Fitted t-shirt and well-worn jeans topped with an undone button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. What do you normally wear in bed at home? Just boxers. What do you normally wear in bed while adventuring? I usually still sleep at home; otherwise, in my costume, minus the jacket and boots. Do you wear any identifiable jewellery? My mask or the sash around my waist, sort of? I guess those are more like ‘accessories’. Where do you normally put your weapons, magic items, or other valuables when you are sleeping? My coat has a few hidden pockets for that sort of thing. My ‘swords’ disappear when I’m not consciously sustaining them. What morning or evening routines do you normally have? I generally patrol my neighbourhood during the evening. Do these change when you are adventuring? I might be preoccupied with a threat on a larger scale. Travel: how do you get around locally? Jumping from building to building, lots of acrobatics. I own a bicycle, too. Do you have a Last Will and Testament? Actually, yes. I know how dangerous being a super hero can be. What does it say? It leaves everything to Ellie, on the condition that she goes to medical school and becomes a doctor. Miscellaneous What would you like to be remembered for after your death? As a hero who laughed in the face of evil, and never compromised his morals. What kind of threat do you present to the public? Well, I am a masked vigilante. If your features were to be destroyed beyond recognition, is there any other way of identifying your body? Dental records? Sheesh, morbid. 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... Look, Erik, you can’t keep doing all this on your own. I know you like to shoulder all the responsibility yourself, but that’s letting your pride make you stupid. Find some people you can trust, and let them in a bit. That goes for your everyday life as well as heroics.

Also posted here.

Index Reputation Chart RPG Character Questionnaire TV Tropes Folks Jack Knows September 12th, 2009 Hallowe'en Vignette New Years Vignette April 2010 Vignette 20 Questions Timeline September 12th, 2009 - This is a Stick Up Jack attempts to stop Captain Knievel from robbing a gas station. This goes... poorly. September 16th, 2009 - The Days of High Adventure Jack finds himself in a strange, medieval version of Freedom City, complete with a knightly tournament! September 22nd, 2009 - West End Warriors Jack plan to take down one of Knievel's operations gets more than a few unexpected guests! September 23rd, 2009 - Training in the Wharton State Forest Jack heads out to the woods to brush up on his combat skills with the disciplined monk, Leon Mighty! October 1st, 2009 - The Big Guns Jack meets a new arrival to Freedom City: the alternate dimensional cowboy Colt! October 16th, 2009 - Carnival in the Park Erik takes a night off to visit Deedra's Travelling Menagerie with his sister while it's in town. October 18th, 2009 - The Interceptors: Issue #0 Jack receives a mysterious invitation to join Freedom City's newest super team: The Interceptors! October 31st, 2009 - Ghoulies and Ghosties and Long-Legged Beasties Ellie tags along as the Interceptors break in their new home with a spook-tacular Hallowe'en party! November 10th, 2009 - Invasion! - West End The Interceptors do their best to defend the West End against an overwhelming assault of supernatural forces! Jack, uh... Jack dies. He get's better! November 28th, 2009 - Interceptors! New Recruits The Interceptors welcome a new member, the robotic hero Elektron! Jack pouts over the whole dying thing, the big baby. December 19th, 2009 - Fisticuffs Fundraiser! Jack participates in a boxing exhibition for charity. He gets to meet a personal hero: the gentleman adventurer Ace Danger! December 19th, 2009 - Geiger Gal Jack has an unexpected reunion which would probably be less awkward without all that Terminus radiation. January 12th, 2010 - Interceptors: Intervention Colt and Grim decide that they've had just about enough of Jack's bull and tell him so. He reacts... poorly. January 12th, 2010 - Interceptors: Liquid Therapy Erik and Billy deal with their problems like men: by getting drunk and punching out a college football team. January 13th, 2010 - The Witch Doctor is IN Grim calls in a favour with a friend on the force to get Jack's hellfire problem looked at. Things get a little trippy! January 15th 2010 - The Good, The Bad, and The Extra Dimensional Colt's got some troubles. Jack makes quesadillas! February 2nd, 2010 - Surely You Jest Jack proves that there's no wrong time to hit on a lady - even while she's trying to kill you. February 4th, 2010 - One of These is Not Like the Other Jack's a pretty grounded, street-level hero. So what's he doing fighting an evil version of the cosmically powered Dark Star?! February 6th, 2010 - [interceptors] Zombie Powder is a Helluva Drug Somebody is playing the gangs in the West End against each other and misled young people are paying the price. February 7th, 2010 - S.H.A.D.O.W. over Freedom Ace Danger recruits Jack and the young hero Edge to take on S.H.A.D.O.W. Aw yeah! February 14th, 2010 - Life's Bazaar Jack shows that nobody does 'swords and sorcery' quite like him. February 28th, 2010 - Three of a Kind Erik tries to get a few errands done around town when who should appear but Jaci O'Cups and Coinpurse Jack! March 9th, 2010 - IN SPAAAAACE! With space pirates and space tyrants out to catch a space princess, there's really only one place to go! Three guesses. March 12th, 2010 - Green With Envy What kind of plant could be so dangerous that even the Green Man wants it destroyed? March 26th, 2010 - He Fights Meta Than You While the Atom Family's out, Jack takes on the menacing Meta-Grue! And it is glorious. Oh, and Geckoman helps or whatever. April 4th, 2010 - No Mutation Without Representation! Jack earns his keep when an ArcheTech facility comes under attack, and gets a shot at some payback. April 10th, 2010 - Public Service Jack works with the brooding Avenger to evict some drug peddlers from the West End. April 10th, 2010 - 8 Simple Rules...for Working with Jack Meanwhile, Lynn invites Jack's sister over to the brownstone in an attempt to understand her teammate better. April XX, 2010 - The Dragon Wakes Doktor Archeville calls the Interceptors for help fight Dracula, but they're a little preoccupied with problems of their own! April 19th, 2010 - Welcome Back, Kris! An erstwhile teammate reappears, but just what has he been up to all this time? May 7th, 2010 - Monsters in the Streets! - Greenback Massive creatures appear throughout Freedom City and begin wreaking havoc! The Interceptors spring into action! May 7th, 2010 - No Mercy The Grue Invasion continues! The Interceptors and Young Freedom team up to protect Mercy Hospital. May 23rd, 2010 - Fisticuffs 2: The Opening Credits In the wake of the Grue Invasion, the heroes of Freedom City gather to test their mettle and learn a few new tricks. May 23rd, 2010 - Fisticuffs 2: Dynamo vs Jack of All Blades Jack squares off against a young hero who - unfortunately - reminds him a lot of himself. June XX, 2010 - Interrupting Cow Interrupting C- MOOOOO. June XX, 2010 - Bananaphone Erik gets an unexpected call followed by an extremely awkward conversation in a diner. June XX, 2010 - Troubleshooter Some rooftop meetings are a little more interesting than others. Jack meets Bombshell! June 20th, 2010 - The Legacy of Al-Kazar: Happy Grimday! It's Lynn's Birthday! Party time at the brownstone! June 23rd, 2010 - "... And I'm a Mutant." The Interceptors, and the country, watch as Alex Albright comes out as a Terminus Baby on national television. June 24th, 2010 - Interceptors: The Sweet Science of Stabpunching You can't always rely on your superpowers, so Erik decides to teach his teammates how to brawl the old fashioned way. June 24th, 2010 - Stay On Target Colt holds his own lesson as the Interceptors continue to train. June 25th, 2010 - Of Martyrs and Men Erik happens upon a mob harassing Alex shortly after her announcement, and gets a new perspective on the West End. July 1st, 2010 - Me Like Hockey The Espadas siblings are trying to take in a game at the Liberty Dome when the Crime League attacks! July 3rd, 2010 - "Concert Auditions. Second Floor, 2B" Jack happens upon a gathering of musicians and takes the opportunity to rock out! July 5th, 2010 - A Case of Mistaken Identity Jack meets someone on a rooftop who looks an awful lot like Avenger... July 7th, 2010 - The SHADOW Falls Jack and Grim go undercover when they get a tip about a panned museum theft. August 9th, 2010 - Giant Dragon Bees! Jack makes his peace with Wander the mature, adult way: fighting fire breathing bees the size of tanker trucks. August 12th, 2010 - Crisis of Infinite Jacks How many Jacks does it take to stabpunch a light bulb? August 31st, 2010 - 20 Questions Jack helps Vince fulfill a dream by appearing on his 'talk show'. September 3rd, 2010 - Welcome to The Interceptors, Jill O'Cure A brave new era for Jack of all Blades! New costume! New sidekick! New status quo! September 12th, 2010 - The Church of Swordology The Espadas family go out to Sunday Mass and meet St. Stephens' own Freedom Angel! September 21st, 2010 - Meet the Interceptors! Fulcrum brings Wander over the brownstone for a visit with the Indescribable Interceptors! October 2nd, 2010 - Sword & Sheath After helping Gaian Knight handle a duplicating thief, Jack offers a few pointers on swordsmanship. October 3rd, 2010 - In A Handbasket Jack and Jill arrive to stop a fire and square off with an Omegadrone! But is everything as it seems? October 11th, 2010 - Flesh and Bone Jill gets some healing tips from Fleur de Joie and advice of force fields from Supercape. October 13th, 2010 - No Man's Land After a month at Claremont, 'Jill Pique' still hasn't made many friends. Heading to the dorm common room, she meets Eve Martel. October 27th, 2010 - Red Rover Bombshell arrives at the brownstone to see if Jack can come out to play. October 31st, 2010 - Unbalanced Jack and Jill fight off hordes of cultists as supernatural forces wage war! November 1st, 2010 - This Party's Better Than It Seems Jill runs into Erin as the other girl opens a birthday package. November 2nd, 2010 - All Your Bank Are Belong To Us Returning from foiling a bank robbery, Wander and Cobalt Templar get some medical assistance from Jill O'Cure. November 8th, 2010 - Takes A Thief Talya arrives at the Interceptors' brownstone looking for some advice regarding a book she 'acquired'. November 9th, 2010 - No Place Like Home Trapped in a living fairy tale, can the Interceptors save the day and themselves? November 29th, 2010 - The Hypotenuse is Equal to the Sum Jack gets some timely assistance from Miss Americana dealing with Fear-Master. December 1st, 2010 - Pink Panther Talya calls Jack for a very special favour: she needs him to bail her out of jail! December 24th, 2010 - Crisis on Infinite Holidays Jack and Jill are recruited on a desperate mission. The stakes? The very fate of Christmas itself! December 25th, 2010 - A Very Interceptors Chirstmas The Interceptors gather to celebrate the holidays just like any other family. January 13th, 2010 - Visiting Hours Jill stops by the Lab to hang out with her new friend Dragonfly. It goes much better than she was expecting! January 20th, 2010 - When Did They Get Robots? Gabriel ends up in over his head when some bank robbers break out the heavily artillery. Enter Jack of all Blades and Jill O'Cure!

Terrific, thanks!

Jack of all Blades

Looks like the freshly approved Jack of all Blades will tagging along as well! This is my first IC thread on the site, so I'm pumped!

Sure, I can understand that. Sites like Finding Serenity are more about collaborative writing and telling a cool story than gaming or 'wining', per se, though the roleplaying aspect is consistent. In a sense it's less random, since everything happens for a reason, but it does mean giving up some control as a player. There's a different mindset involved, for sure. If it helps, look at it like this: In M&M, if you wanted your character to be a crack shot at PL 10, you'd probably go for maximum trade-offs and buy his or her ranged attack up to +15. You might not hit everything, but you've certainly got a much better chance than the average person in-game. You might even grab Precise Shot and so on to emphasize the point. For a 'numberless' game, you'd describe in your character application the sort of training and/or natural talent your character has with firearms, perhaps noting past feats of spectacular marksmanship, the same way a +15 score would require justification on a site like this one. The Narrator would see all of that and know that your character has a distinct advantage over most combatants, and take it into account. The net result is that you sill know exactly what your character's strengths and weaknesses are. Anyway, as I've said, I've found it to be really fun, and I'd definitely recommend it, but it's not for everyone.

If there's room for one more, this seems like an apropos adventure for Jack of all Blades!

Thanks, glad to be here! Well, I've got good news and arguably bad new for you. The arguably bad news is that Finding Serenity doesn't use the Firefly RPG rules. It's totally free-form, with heavy Narrator (mod) support. It's not so different; you establish your character's strengths and weaknesses, which are taken into account when you attempt something, there just aren't many hard numbers. The good news is that it actually works really well. It's a terrific community, and the crew system really captures the feel of the show and film (and comics!). I know some people refuse to play anything that doesn't involve dice, but I'd heartily recommend taking a look, especially if you're a fan of the 'Verse.

I'll probably get around to making the other three Jacks as NPC villains at some point; it seemed like too neat a twist on the evil-opposite trope to pass up! It's funny, I actually put the emphasis on Attack Specialization (sword) because I didn't want him to be overpowered without his weapon of choice! I've busted that down to two ranks, with four in Attack Focus (melee), no problem. Sadly, that means taking a couple of points out of my saves, specifically Fortitude. *sigh* I guess +5 is still respectable-ish. Any other concerns?

The drawback was meant to apply to the variable descriptor aspect of the power, of which I grabbed two ranks. That way he couldn't be like, "Oh, a demon? Good thing I can spontaneously create a holy sword of epic holiness!" or otherwise take easy advantage of more uncommon weaknesses. Should that require a third rank of variable descriptor? As it stands, it's still slightly more expensive than Strike would be with a fixed set of descriptors. I alluded to this in some of the description, but I wasn't sure how to explain it mechanically: stuff like magic or shadows are off-limits unless somebody's 'gotten it started' for him. Ambient amounts aren't good enough. So, sunlight won't work, but a laser beam would. Really exotic stuff's only usable is someone else has concentrated it, like a magical attack or shadow strike. Would it make sense to change the drawback to "limited by available, concentrated energy sources"? I mentioned in the 'Powers and Tactics' section that his 'energy awareness' accounts for his extreme accuracy. The idea is that he's super aware of the energy sword itself and to a lesser extent his opponent, which also explains away some of his high defense. Assuming that's sufficient justification, is there somewhere else I should mention it to make it clearer? Thanks for giving me feedback so quickly! The part I'm finding trickiest is adequately describing his power mechanically, obviously. I tried to make it as simple as possible; you should have seen it when it was Absorption fueling limited Weapon Summoning! Woof. In any case, just let me know if I've cleared up the issues or if there's still more to do!

Hey folks! The place for new players is the place for me, so here goes. I'm a Canadian Radio and Television Arts major in my final year. The plan is to write for and create television shows once I earn my degree, specifically animated series. I'm currently pitching a steampunk/noir hybrid called Exotikos Noir, which I'm pretty pumped about. Although I have a history with RPGs, it's only relatively recently that I've begun playing on PbP boards. I'm a Narrator over on Finding Serenity, which has been a fantastic experience. As much as I love the truly free-form play over there, I'm a bit of a rules junkie. This site came highly recommended, so I figured I'd give M&M a shot. I'm still learning the system, but I've got enough d20 experience that I should catch on quickly. Beyond that, I dabble in stop-motion and action figure customization. I had a lot of free time this summer which manifested itself as a Transformers kitbashing binge. You can find me on deviantART and flickr as 'Gizmo-Tracer'. I'm a pretty big indie rock nerd, and I consume by body weight in webcomics a day (which, considering they're pretty much electrons, is pretty impressive). That should give you a pretty good idea, I guess. Looking forward to getting my superhero on with all of you!

This is my first time creating a character using the M&M rules, so hopefully I haven't made too many mistakes! Jack of all Blades is essentially a powered version of the Swashbuckler archetype, with a number of tweaks to my personal taste. I'm completely open to suggestions, as well, if anything stands out as particularly suboptimal.

Players Name: Gizmo Power Level: 15 (250/250PP) [272] Trade-Offs: +5 Attack, -5 Damage, +5 Defense, -5 Toughness Unspent PP: 0 Progress to Impervium: 122/150 For New Jack, click here. [floatr][/floatr]Characters Name: Jack of all Blades Alternate Identity: Erik Espadas Age: 23 Gender: Male Height: 5'11'' Weight: 145 lb Hair: Dusty Brown/Black as Jack of all Blades Eyes: Dark Blue Sidekick: [goto=Jill]Jill O’Cure[/goto] Description: Erik Espadas is a lithe, athletic young man with attractively angular features and a boyish grin. He keeps his dusty brown hair shorn short, but regularly sports a day or two of stubble. Preferring to dress is a mixture of blues and blacks, Erik is typically seen in a fitted t-shirt and well-worn jeans topped with an undone button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. As Jack of all Blades, his current costume consists of a knee-length, royal blue greatcoat cut in a jaunty, high-collared style and worn open over a black body suit. A matching blue bandana serves as a mask, attached to a black wig of wavy hair which helps to conceal Erik's true identity. Dark grey boots with a slightly metallic sheen and broad, buckled belts help to break up the outfit’s dark colour scheme. History: Erik was born in 1988 to Gina Espadas, a Freedom City beat cop. His father left months before Erik's sister, Ellie, was born in 1992. Erik never considered this any great loss: growing up in the West End, his mother was all the parent he ever needed, always making time for her children despite her demanding career. She returned to the force from maternity leave just in time for the Terminus Invasion. Her stories of working alongside heroes during both the Invasion and its aftermath instilled in Erik a fascination with superheroes. While this interest persisted as he grew, it was never the modern powerhouses that truly captured Erik's attention. It was the witty Golden Age tricksters like Spitfire Jones and la Renard Rogue of whom he couldn't get enough. No matter how outmatched they were, they had always made it look so easy. He consumed history books, restored news reels and pulp novels at a frantic rate, regardless of their actual accuracy. Naturally agile, Erik joined his school's gymnastic and fencing teams, as well as the drama club, becoming a popular athletic star. It was Erik's senior year which would radically alter his life. An armed robbery at a local convenience store went horribly wrong, and Gina was shot and paralysed from the waist down, forcing her into a wheelchair and early retirement. Although she remained strong in the face of adversity, Erik was galvanised. The Espadas family had never been very well off, and Erik dropped out of extracurriculars to work at as a projectionist at a movie theatre to help make ends meet. He turned down a number of modest athletic scholarships when he graduated so that he could take more hours there, working other odd jobs around the community as well. His sister Ellie had proven to be brightly intelligent, and Erik was determined that she would be able to attend the university of her choice. One such odd job involved cleaning out the storage area of an antique store. Amidst the ornate lamps and jewellery boxes, Erik discovered what appeared to be a positively ancient playing card: the Jack of Swords, depicting a slyly winking prince. When he asked the store's owner about it, the old man bid him keep it as a souvenir, as the rest of the deck had long since been lost or destroyed. Pocketing the weathered card, Erik made his way home. Along the way, he encountered a group of toughs menacing a young woman. As the leader of the gang pulled out a cigarette and arrogantly flicked open his lighter, an incensed Erik leapt forward. The lighter's tiny flame flared brilliantly, flowing unnaturally through the air to the young man's instinctively outstretched hand, where it solidified into a blazing rapier. A moment later half of the thug's cigarette had been seared away, the other half smouldering in his trembling lips. The toughs beast a hasty retreat, with a shocked Erik quickly following suit, leaving behind a grateful but confused young woman. Experimenting in secret, Erik found he could create swords not only of flame, but of sparking electricity, crackling cold and a multitude of other energies, provided that there was a source to draw upon. Redoubling his abandoned training, he donned the garb of Jack of all Blades, and became the wise-cracking, street-level protector of his community. Early encounters with other powered individuals taught him that the bioenergies they produced were particularly suited for his purposes, perhaps because they already had a manipulatable, organic aspect to them. Radiation, sonics, lasers, even shadows and magical energy could all be turned back upon their users, if Erik could avoid their initial attacks. Erik keeps his civilian identity a closely guarded secret, encouraging the misconception that 'Jack' is his actual name, with his heroic moniker the result of his being too cute for his own good. The only person aware of his double life is his sister Ellie, who discovered Erik collapsed in their backyard after a particularly brutal fight. Fortunately the teen had begun preparing to study medicine after high school, and her first aid skill likely saved her brother's life. Since then she had become Erik's confidant and greatest supporter. The specific source of his powers is unclear. Mystic heroes have determined that there is nothing extraordinary about the playing card he found, at least not any more. It's possible that it merely provided a mental template for a latent mutant ability, while another theory supposes that it held a conceptual incarnation, vaguely akin to but far lesser than Dr. Metropolis, which has since merged with Erik. Although he initially didn't worry much about the specifics, the recent appearance of three new opponents has spurned Erik to search for answers. Jack of Cups, who add the force of any attack to his own strength, Jack of Coins, a probability manipulator and Jack of Staves, a skilled magic user have all attacked Erik on sight, making cryptic references to a Tournament of Suits. All three have proven to be dangerous and capable foes, forcing Erik to play upon their animosity towards each other to escape. Personality & Motivation: Erik is a man who's words and actions are at odds. Outwardly, he seems easy-going and carefree, with a clever tongue and a love of the spotlight. Most conversations become friendly verbal sparing matches as Erik actively avoids serious topics, and he is widely regarded as an incorrigible flirt; a fun guy to have around, but hardly one to rely upon. What isn't immediately obvious is that Erik works a string of part-time jobs to support his mother and younger sister. Considering his word to be his bond, Erik will always be there for a friend in need, and truly wishes to leave the world a better place than he found it. He possesses an unbreakable spirit coupled with stubborn pride, resulting in a complete inability to admit defeat. Jack of all Blades has become an outlet for Erik, allowing the free-spirited, ever-glib part of his nature to emerge, while satisfying his deep sense of responsibility. Although attracted to the high adventure of larger threats, he considers himself first and foremost a defender of the little guy, stopping crimes that might seem trivial to Freedom City's better established heroes. Remembering what happened to his mother, Erik feels that a simple hold-up can be just as devastating as a supervillian's rampage. Much of the boy enthralled by the superhero community remains in Erik, and he is always thrilled to team up with other heroes. Although he bears some scorn for Claremont Academy alumni, whom he views as having had it too easy, this is easily outweighed by his desire to meet superhumans his own age. His boisterous competition with his male peers and flirting with female heroes and villains alike tends to either annoy or endear him to potential allies, but Jack of all Blades never fails to leave an impression. Powers & Tactics: Erik can manipulate any kind of energy to form an effectively-solid construct in the shape of a sword. While he has a bit of leeway with regards to the weapon's specific appearance, he almost always uses a fencing rapier. Functioning in most respects as a normal sword, the tight concentration of power allows the blade to pierce most defences, and it retains the basic nature of its source energy. In order for Erik to form a sword, there must be a power source for him to draw from. A sword of flame might be drawn from a bonfire, or an electrical blade from a power generator. More exotic energies require a more exotic source; Erik may draw from a blaster's light beam, a magic user's mystical attacks or even the shadows controlled by a darkness manipulator, none of which he would be able to access in their ambient forms. Although an accomplished fighter in his own right, Erik's fantastic accuracy comes from an unconscious awareness of the energy surrounding him. This allows him to sense the precise position of his blades, as well as the more subtle energies present in all living things. This also aids him in avoiding attacks, fortunate as he is comparatively fragile next to most superhumans. Against generic thugs, Erik rushes in dramatically, forming a sword and quickly disarming them before taunting them into surrender or retreat. When fighting superhumans, he prefers a more reactionary approach, keeping them off balance with acrobatics and jibes until he can assess their specific abilities, often taking the opportunity to form a sword using the energy from their attacks. Given that many superhumans are immune to their own powers, Erik prefers to use such blades against an opponent's team-mates or underlings. In the absence of an exploitable weakness, he will usually default to making a fire sword using the lighter he always carries. Complications: Enemies (The Jack of Cups, of Coins and of Staves, who are apparently involved in some sort of deadly tournament, and believe Erik is as well.) Grandstanding (Erik's style revolves around showing off, in and out of combat, even when discretion might be wiser.) Responsibility (Man of the House) Secret (Superhero Identity) Sidekick (Erik’s no less protective of his sister now that she’s a superhero too.) Struggling (Erik's supporting his family and saving for his sister's tuition; it's tough to find work sometimes) Sucker for a Pretty Face (Erik's easily distracted by attractive women, be they bystanders, fellow heroes or even villains.) Teammates (The Interceptors are family to Erik, whether or not he openly admits it.) West Ender (The West End is Erik's 'turf'; he's extremely protective of his neighbourhood, and knows it much better than the rest of the city. Abilities: 6 + 10 + 8 + 0 + 4 + 12 = 40PP STR: 16 (+3) DEX: 20 (+5) CON: 18 (+4) INT: 10 (+0) WIS: 14 (+2) CHA: 22 (+6) Combat: 14 + 24 = 38PP Initiative: +9 Attack +7 Base, +14 Melee, +20 Swords Grapple +17 Defense +20 (+12 Base, +8 Dodge Focus), +6 Flat-Footed Knockback -4/-1 Saves: 4 + 10 + 8 = 22PP Toughness: +10 (+4 Con, +4 Defensive Roll, +2 Greatcoat), +6 flat-footed Fortitude: +8 (+4 Con, +4) Reflex: +15 (+5 Dex, +10) Will: +10 (+2 Wis, +8) Skills: 56R = 14PP Acrobatics 10 (+15) Bluff 20 (+26) Climb 5 (+10) Knowledge (Streetwise) 2 (+2) Language 1 (English [Native], Spanish) Notice 8 (+10) Stealth 10 (+15) Feats: 92PP Agile Climber Attack Focus (Melee) 7 Attack Specialization (Swords) 3 Beginner's Luck Challenge (Fast Task [Feint]) Defensive Attack Defensive Roll 2 (+4 Toughness) Distract (Bluff) Dodge Focus 8 Elusive Target Equipment 2 (10EP) Evasion 2 Fascinate (Bluff) Fearless Grapple Finesse Improved Critical (Swords, 18-20) Improved Initiative Inspire 5 Jack-of-all-Trades Luck 5 Move-By Action Power Attack Set Up Sidekick 36 Skill Mastery 1 (Acrobatics, Bluff, Notice, Stealth) Takedown Attack 2 Taunt Ultimate Will Uncanny Dodge 2 (Mental [Energy Awareness], Visual) Powers: 32 + 1 + 2 + 7 + 2 = 44PP Energy Sword 7 (Corrosion, Power Feats: Alternate Power, Improved Critical (18-20), Mighty, Variable Descriptor 2 [Any Energy], Drawbacks: Limited [Available, Concentrated Energy Types], Extras: Penetrating) [32PP] AP Energy Sword Flurry 7 (Damage, Power Feats: Improved Critical (18-20), Mighty, Variable Descriptor 2 [Any Energy], Drawbacks: Limited [Available, Concentrated Energy Types], Extras: Autofire 3) [31PP] Features 1 (Teleport Beacon [The Brownstone]) [1PP] Super-Senses 2 (Energy Awareness [Mental], Magic Awareness [Mental])[2PP] Erik is sensitive to both the electromagnetic spectrum and magical power. This awareness is filtered through to his regular senses in a mishmash of synesthesia, giving him a general impression of the energy's particulars and allowing him to recognize signatures he's sensed before. Super-Senses 6 (Detect Energy [Mental, Extras: Accurate 2, Acute, Radius, Ranged], Feats: Alternate Power) [7PP] AP Super-Senses 6 (Detect Magic [Mental, Extras: Accurate 2, Acute, Radius, Ranged]) [6PP] Swordsmanship Supremacy 1 (Probability Control, Flaws: Limited 2 [swordsmanship]) [2pp] DC Block: ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC18 Toughness (Staged) Damage Energy Sword Touch DC17 Fortitude (Staged) Drain Toughness Energy Sword Touch DC25 Toughness (Staged) Damage Abilities 40 + Combat 38 + Saves 22 + Skills 14 + Feats 92 + Powers 44 = 250/250 Power Points Note: Jack of all Blades has a single rank of Improved Critical as part of his Strike power, which brings his energy swords in line with regular swords, i.e. a 19-20 range. The additional rank as part of his normal feats places this at 18-20 for both regular and energy swords. Note: As a metamagi, Erik's powers are the result of a mystically enhanced mutation, blurring the line between genetics and sorcery. This enhancement specifically allows him to form his borrowed energy into swords. Magic nullification removes the 'sword' descriptor from his Energy Sword Array, which means he will no longer benefit from his Attack Specialization or Improved Critical feats. Effects that nullify mutant powers shut off said Array entirely, as well as his Super-Senses. [anchor]Jill[/anchor] Power Level: 12 (180/180 PP) (Sidekick 36) Trade-Offs: +5 Defense, -5 Toughness Unspent PP: 0 [floatr][/floatr]Characters Name: Jill O'Cure Alternate Identity: Ellie Espadas, Jill Pique Age: 18 Gender: Female Height: 5'8'' Weight: 125 lb Hair: Dusty Brown, Dyed Black Eyes: Dark Blue Description: Ellie Espadas is a coltish young woman with short dusty brown hair dyed black and a perpetually sardonic expression on her angular features. She prefers to dress in layers, favouring oversized dress shirts under fitted vests and similar combinations, accessorising with bangles and broad rings. Recently she has taken to carrying a canvas messenger bag storing first aid supplies and her costume. Said costume mirrors her brother's, swapping a deep crimson for his royal blue. Black tights feature prominent red piping up the sides while a cropped top and jacket provide an airier look. Jill O'Cure has also adopted an identity concealing bandana mask and a hair colour to match Jack’s customary wig, although the family resemblance remains obvious. History: Born in 1992, Ellie Espadas was born to Freedom City policewoman Gina Espadas and immigrant John Pique, who disappeared shortly before her birth. Growing up in the West End verbally sparing with her older brother Erik, she demonstrated a keen mind from an early age, reading voraciously and studying a variety of subjects without prompting. When a stray bullet in a convenience store robbery gone wrong left Gina paralysed from the waist down, Ellie actually arrived on the scene before her brother, in time to see the paramedics who arrived to stabilise her mother. While the tragedy signalled the end of her brother's childhood, it came at a time when Ellie was only just beginning to discover who she was. Simultaneously developing a devoted interest in medicine and acquiring a flint hard, cynical edge, she found her early high school years difficult and isolating. Compounding matters, her brother and closest confidant was forced to spend most of his time making ends meet. Though trying, these years honed Ellie's forceful personality. When Erik revealed to her the super powers he had gained, she helped his create the persona of Jack of all Blades. Her medical knowledge were instrumental in those early months, during which he would often return home in the middle of the night with a variety of wounds and fractures. Escaping social tribulations at school stemming from boredom, Ellie was delighted to spend time with the friends Erik made in the superhero community. Nevertheless, she remained on the periphery of that world until the night John Pique reappeared at the Espadases’ door step, carrying the unconscious form of Rose Copas, better known as Jaci o' Cups. Amidst the revelations and frantic melee which followed as the so-called Tournament of Jacks reached a head, Ellie came into possession of the Jack of Coins playing card dropped by the slain Denari Jones. The complex magics woven into the artefact awoke the latent metamagi abilities which were as much her heritage as her brother's. Over Erik's objections, she donned a costume of her own and took the name Jill O’Cure. Conceding that she was determined to follow in his footsteps regardless, Erik decided that he'd rather keep his sister nearby where he could keep her out of the worst danger. Ellie, naturally, has other ideas. Thanks to a few pulled strings, she has enrolled at Claremont Academy for her senior year under the pseudonym Jill Pique, in order to learn more about her powers. Personality & Motivation: Ellie developed a biting wit alongside her brother, and if she lacks a measure of his self-assured bravado, she makes up for it with a razor sharp acumen. She is, however, more likely to use this as a defence mechanism, making clever quips to downplay a strong sense of empathy and what is easily a genius level intellect. Although somewhat more pragmatic than many heroes, Ellie has a strong sense of personal responsibility and has dedicated herself to saving lives. She struggles to balance the need to do what it takes to get the job done and a keen awareness of potential collateral damage. The Jill O'Cure persona allows her to indulge in her more impulsive side, while still playing the voice of reason to her brother's reckless abandon. Powers & Tactics: Ellie is able to manipulate biological material on the cellular level. Thanks to her extensive knowledge of medicine, her default use of this ability is to heal, miraculously repairing wounds, curing illness and even regrowing limbs. The flip side of that power is a devestating attack on a body's natural defenses with a mere touch. These applications are signalled by a pale blue and virulent green glow, respectively. Ellie also possesses the apparently unrelated ability to create translucent force fields around herself and others. Conceptualizing herself as a super paramedic, Ellie makes protecting civilians her priority, sheilding them with her force fields and delivering medical attention to any injured. Given a choice, she prefers traditional medical techniques to using her powers, not entirely trusting their 'something for nothing' nature, but does not hesitate when time is of the essense. In actual combat, Ellie leverages her not inconsiderable self defense training. Against non-powered foes, a single application of her offensive abilities is often enough to discourage further conflict, while she wisely follows a more cautious strategy when dealing with super villains. Ultimately, she lacks her brother's inclination toward fighting, and seeks to end such confrontations quickly. Complications: Civilians (Ellie prioritizes the protection of innocent bystanders over fighting villains, even more so than most heroes.) Family (It's not easy being Jack of all Blades' sister.) Relationship (Mara Hallomen AKA Dragonfly) Secret (Superhero Identity, 'Jill Pique' Identity) Sidekick (As Jill, Ellie has to deal with an over protective brother and may have trouble getting other heroes to take her seriously.) West Ender (Ellie is proud of her neighbourhood and particularly protective of its residents.) Abilities: 0 + 8 + 4 + 10 + 4 + 6 = 32PP Str: 10 (+0) Dex: 18 (+4) Con: 14 (+2) Int: 20 (+5) Wis: 14 (+2) Cha: 16 (+3) Combat: 8 + 20 = 28PP Attack: +4 Base, +8 Melee, +12 Autoimmunity Touch Grapple: +8 Defense: +17 (+10 Base, +7 Dodge Focus), +5 Flat-Footed Knockback: -2/-0 Initiative: +4 Saves: 5 + 6 + 8 = 19PP Toughness: +7 (+2 Con, +3 Defensive Roll, +2 Costume) Fortitude: +7 (+2 Con, +5) Reflex: +10 (+4 Dex, +6) Will: +10 (+2 Wis, +8) Skills: 60R = 15PP Acrobatics 6 (+10) Bluff 17 (+20) Knowledge (Life Sciences) 5 (+10) Language 3 (English [Native], French, Latin, Spanish) Medicine 12 (+15) Notice 11 (+13) Stealth 6 (+10) Feats: 27PP Attack Focus (Melee) 4 Defensive Roll 2 Distract (Bluff) Dodge Focus 7 Eidetic Memory Equipment 2 Evasion 2 Fearless Improvised Tools Power Attack Quick Change Set-Up Skill Mastery 1 (Acrobatics, Bluff, Medicine, Notice) Taunt Uncanny Dodge (visual) Powers: 2 + 57 = 59pp Immunity 2 (disease, poison) [2PP] Biological Manipulation Array 26.5 (53PP, Power Feats: Alternate Power 2, Dynamic Power 2) [57PP] DBP Healing 12 (Power Feats: Stabilize, Persistent, Regrowth, Extra: Restorative, Total) [51PP] AP Autoimmunity Touch 12 (Drain Fortitude 12, Power Feats: Accurate 2, Incurable, Reversible, Slow Fade, Extra: Linked [Damage]) + (Damage 12, Extras: Alternate Save [Fortitude], Linked [Drain], Secondary Effect) [53PP] DAP Create Object 12 (Power Feats: Progression 2 [25-foot cube/rank] Selective, Stationary, Tether, Extras: Impervious, Movable) [53PP]DC Block: ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC15 Toughness (Staged) Damage Autoimmunity Touch Touch DC22 Fortitude (Staged) Drain Fortitude Touch DC27 Fortitude (Staged) Damage Abilities 32 + Combat 28 + Saves 19 + Skills 15 + Feats 27 + Powers 59 = 180/180 Power Points Note: Like her brother, Ellie is a metamagi, the result of mystically enhanced mutation, blurring the line between genetics and sorcery. In her case, magic nullification prevents her from using her Disease Touch or Create Object Alternate Powers. Effects that nullify mutant abilities shut off her powers entirely.