Skysong

I feel a hankering for another thread, and now that Physicus has actually heard of the Fens and the conditions there, he would gladly look for allies in the area. Besides, new heroes ought to stick together. If you have any specific ideas, let me know. Otherwise I'll try and cook something up and shoot you a PM when I'm finished, but my brain isn't working super well, so it may take me a while to come up with something decent.

Physicus - Initiative (1d20+9=16) Oh, goody... Broan. Physicus is going to have a field day.

Zakitaj nodded; it made sense. He knew from experience that a group of people used to a high standard of living became complacent, prideful, and set in their ways, so it followed that a group of people used to barely scraping by would feel that things would never change and thus cease trying to change them. An area that experienced an influx of new people also experienced an influx of new ideas and enthusiasm for change, hence the difference between the neighborhoods. Briefly he wondered what sort of hero would be willing to devote their life to fighting for what seemed to be an obviously lost cause, but as he remembered the heroes he'd met so far and heard Mona's final words, it dawned on him that these weren't people with "lost cause" in their vocabulary. They did more than just try, it seemed; they devoted all the time and effort they could muster until they succeeded. To be worthy of joining the ranks of Freedom City's heroes, he would have to find within himself the same indomitable spirit. "You mentioned organized crime as an issue here as well as in the Fens. What form does that take? You patrol around here, I know, so perhaps you could give me some advice on fighting such groups." Zakitaj asked because the Khaladi were unused to such things as gangs and criminal syndicates; on Khalados, penalties for such behavior had been harsh, and the forces of the law had been ruthlessly efficient in weeding out such groups if they captured even a single member. The rate of both street and organized crime was considered low because tribal conflicts weren't considered the problem of peace officers until they endangered civilians. Duels and small-scale skirmishes were quite legal so long as there wasn't any collateral damage, and this exception had allowed for more efficient enforcement of every other sort of justice. It had been Zakitaj's ambition, when he wanted to become a superhero for his homeworld, to enforce intertribal peace. Now, it seemed, he would be facing a different sort of enemy. Besides, if Mona had any stories to tell, he'd gladly listen. For all the time she'd spent helping him, he still knew very little about her.

Wow... that was quite the description, Doc. I was disgusted just thinking about it. Nicely done. After seeing that, Zak is pretty sure nothing he can do will keep Dead Head down. He's willing to try another tactic.

Zakitaj was totally speechless. Bile rose in his throat at the sight of his adversary's casual willingness to crush itself every which way in order to escape his trap, and he only barely managed to keep it down. That dead flesh wasn't a costume, or it wouldn't pop and crackle so... realistically. It couldn't be a simple druggie, or the body couldn't have reassembled itself; in fact, a druggie wouldn't have survived at all. Perhaps a metahuman with immunity to pain and an incredible regeneration factor? But the regeneration factor probably would have relocated his arm by now if it were so. Physicus had told stories of martial artists so skilled that they could contort their bodies practically into oblivion, but this... thing didn't seem to have the discipline for that. Though glad he hadn't bothered with a simple kinetic bolt, which he was now sure wouldn't have done much, Zakitaj was all out of bright ideas. A being able to subject itself to such pain would not be afraid even of his booming voice and flashing eyes, and his weapons had proven quite useless. He lowered his hands to his sides, feeling the kinetic projectors in his fingertips cease in their silent vibrations, and decided to try a simpler tactic: reason. A few moments would tell if lunatics could be reasoned with. He caused his helmet to become transparent, revealing the ugly purplish bruise forming on his forehead, and looked straight at the bizarre being he'd been fighting. His anger still simmered, but now it was tempered by awe, confusion, and more than a little bit of disgust. "Yes, that's about all I've got. What in all the cosmos are you, anyway? It seems we can't harm each other now; perhaps we should talk."

Thank you; I'm just glad I was able to come up with an at least comic-book science explanation for the alternate power I was looking for. Since I've now spent 3 hero points in this thread (1 for toughness re-roll, 1 for attack re-roll, 1 for alternate power), though, and only been awarded two, I think I am out. Did I miss something?

"You'll regret that offer, I think." Still vocally calm, Zakitaj was unable to suppress the anger in his mind. He'd been not only accused of being a criminal but deliberately attacked by this crazy creature which was clearly some sort of perverse illusion, and now that he was away from the graves, he had no reason to pull any punches. Yet he wondered if there was more than just a fearsome costume to his foe; if it had hit him with such force and skill, it probably wasn't just any old Human, though he still discounted the possibility that it was exactly what it appeared to be. The supreme confidence with which he was offered an opening told him that his foe was confident he could survive any hit his battlesuit could deal; while he might simply be overconfident, he might also be right. In order to get through that rubbery outer armor, he was going to have to pick a target carefully. Taking a deep breath, he steadily raised his clenched right hand, opened it, and turned it sideways, as though extending it for a long-distance handshake. He let his air out, then took more in again and held it in; sighting down his own arm as though it were a rifle, he took all the time he needed to line up the kinetic projectors in his fingertips with one of his opponent's shoulders; if his foe was, in fact, wearing an armored costume, that area would be less armored to allow him mobility. If not, the off-center strike to an area of his foe that was bony might spin him around and leave a significant bruise, perhaps one to rival what Zakitaj himself had just endured. And yet, if that didn't work, what was he going to do? Perhaps he should be inventive foremost, not as a backup plan. Rather than try and send the madman down on his backside with a smarting arm, Zakitaj decided to try something he'd never thought of before. He deftly fiddled with a few settings, checked his aim again, and fired, but not directly at his opponent. Instead, he had invisibly excited the air molecules around the supposed walking corpse, effectively causing a massive increase in air pressure that just might force his foe to his knees and would at the very least slow him down and make him an easier target, assuming he wasn't able to dodge out of the way. "Let's see how you deal with that, shall we?" Time would tell if his smugness was premature.

Well... that could have gone better. I've now burned the starting hero point and the one for the reputation complication in a single round. 1 hero point spent to re-roll a truly pathetic first attack roll showing (got a 4 for a total of 16, or just short of DH's defense), and one spent to gain Snare as an alternate power for 1 round. The result: Snare attack roll of 29 (7 roll + 2 aiming + 10 ranged attack bonus + 10 epic fail below 10 roll hero point bonus). DH will need to make a DC 20 (10 automatic + 10 power rank) reflex save or take -2 defense, -4 dexterity, and half movement speed. Failure by 5 or more immobilizes him. Given the way the Snare is being deployed (a la the power descriptors involved), I felt it wasn't fair to say that it was anchored to the ground, so we'll leave it at that. Zak's fingers are crossed. EDIT: realized I should probably link that roll in the OOC as well as the IC.

Okay, sounds fair. I'll make a quick edit to give a little reeling time. Sorry about the mix-up.

You're right! I'm sorry, that totally slipped my mind. Poor Zak is in quite a bit of trouble without his armor. New save: stunned and bruised with a 15. Since Zak is stunned, I should probably edit my post, given that he can't actually take any actions. He didn't do anything significant except speak, but technically he shouldn't be able to do that, either. Your call.

She practiced saying my name? For some reason, that endeared her to him. More evidence that she genuinely cared, he supposed, though he'd already been convinced of that. It wasn't the least she could do, he knew, but he let the point pass; they both knew the truth on that count, and he didn't want to sound like a corrupted sound file endlessly repeating "no, really, thank you". As her words turned to more serious topics, so too did his thoughts. He looked around him again, trying to imagine what the area would have looked like during the "mini civil war" she described. After a moment, he stopped trying; if this became his home, and he suspected it would, he had no intention of letting it sink to that level ever again. Mona called her species "tribal", and that brought back interesting memories. Zakitaj's own species had quite literally been tribal, and conflicts had broken out between the tribes from time to time, usually over contested hunting grounds; on a planet with no plants and only a few types of animal life, every hunk of insectoid flesh had been precious since the dawn of his people. Yet her description was different; apparently, even on a world of plenty, Humans found things to fight about. It seemed almost inconceivable that Freedom City hosted all of the things she described, but there had to be a reason that heroes dedicated to justice stayed there; if all the problems were cleaned up, they would move on. No, there must be a side of Freedom that he hadn't seen yet; out of necessity, it was the side of Freedom with which he would most often be dealing. The thought of forming a network didn't worry him; he knew from experience that most things worked better when you had a team to support you, and if he was going to take on protecting not only his own people but all of those living in the area, he was certainly going to need help. His experiences so far indicated that such help wouldn't be difficult to find; he'd met and interacted with quite a few heroes already, and she'd mentioned another devoted defender of the area he hadn't even encountered yet. He was glad to hear that she, too, would indeed be around. He wondered if she'd witnessed the cleanup effort she described, given how well she seemed to know the area's history; everyone in her profession (now his, too) had a reason for it, though few discussed their reasons. "That's alright, Mona," he said in response to her joking interjection, "You have a pleasant voice." He meant it, but it felt a bit awkward even though he'd said it smoothly, so he changed the subject. "What are 'The Fens'? It sounds like they're one of the... less savory areas of Freedom City, but why is that? If this area cleaned up quite nicely, why have they stayed unpleasant?" It was quite a barrage of questions, so he concluded with, "sorry; my curiosity gets the better of me at times."

Zakitaj was pretty quick, but not quite quick enough; just as his suit was about to engulf his head, the corpse-thing's shovel came down right on his crown, leaving a ringing in his ears and the knowledge that he was going to have a hell of a bruise there in the morning. Only a moment later the phaseweave formed itself into his helmet; he noted the obvious dangers of such surprise attacks. Now armored, he was probably invulnerable to that blasted shovel, but if something more lethal had struck him in that window of opportunity, he might not be around to ponder the problems of a six second charge-up time. Under the technological marvel he wore, he was all too human. This was also evidenced by the simple fact that he was now quite pissed off. Still, he remembered where he was, and that he had a reputation to uphold. Getting into an extended brawl with this lunatic in a treasured historical site wasn't a good way to kick off his superheroic career. When his eyes would finally obey him and see straight, the world stopped spinning, and his ears were back to hearing the madman's voice trying to talk to the dead rather than the rushing of blood throughout his own skull, he spoke again, still keeping his voice even. "If you're going to try that again, could we at least move to the street? It'd be a great shame if the headstones of your friends here were damaged. They don't make things that are two and a half centuries old anymore, I'm told. I'll happily repay you for trying to crush my skull once neither of us can be charged with vandalism and destruction of cultural artifacts." And he did intend to repay the corpse-man, tenfold if he could. Given how hard he could hit with a shovel, his derangement clearly wasn't harmless. It was time to take him down and prevent him from dealing anyone else such a solid whack. He was gambling that the insane notion that the being was speaking to the dead would mean it would want to keep the headstones intact. Making sure to face his adversary, Zakitaj slowly backed toward the street. He was probably immune to shovel-strikes now; it was time for a little payback.

Well, good thing he pulled his punch, or poor Zak would practically be pushing up daisies. Didn't quite make the save as it was.

Indeed it is. The fast-acting Zak has a 25. I knew Improved Initiative and that high Dex bonus would pay off.

Allies and Enemies: Freedom City Heroes: Breakdown - Teenage Music Master Despite his youth, he knows how to use his powers well, and even the prospect of alien attack doesn't phase him. Impressive. Dark Star - Spacefaring Energy Being He has my eternal thanks and respect for his efforts when my people first arrived on this planet; his powers are formidable indeed. Dead Head - Zombified Spirit Summoner We had a... rocky start, and I don't understand his powers at all; science can't explain them. All the same, he means well... I think. Fleur de Joie - Mistress of Plants We met only briefly, but I found her to be both compassionate and powerful, a rare combination. Fulcrum - Super-Strong Sentinel She went above and beyond all my expectations of Earth; I find her fascinating in more ways than I can describe. Gossamer - Prehensile-Haired Researcher Her power would be pretty useless to most people, but she capitalized on it; if only everyone played to their strengths so effectively. Rogues Gallery: Commander Tysu - Telepathic Alien Aggressor The Broan commander who destroyed my homeworld; my survival caused him to lose his rank, and rumors say he's followed me for revenge.

Yeah, it would probably have to be paid for unless we go on the "plot device only" approach; I'm fine with having it blown up at the end if we use it, as I have no long-term plans for it. No plans at all, actually. I like the combat rules. They remind me of the ones in the Saga Edition of the Star Wars RPG, which worked well for me.

... Gee, thanks, Giz. On another note, I just remembered that I have a Millennium Falcon-style junker spaceship sitting in orbit, if we need it.

Zakitaj nodded. "Thank you. You've been... a savior. I don't believe we have any colonies; by certain schools of thinking, we were more like one of your colonies, though neither of us was aware of it. We will stay; I have been more than impressed with this world in all that I have seen, and we have no prospects anywhere else. The matter of the ship, however, remains. We have no need of it any longer, and I'm not entirely sure it's even possible to repair it, though the attempt could be made. When we've reached a decision, you will be the first to know. I commend you for going beyond the call of duty in assisting us; your selflessness will be remembered."

The accusation of theft was the last straw. Whoever or whatever this being was, it had crossed a line. "I am not a thief," he said in the same, even tone of voice he had used before. Pulling his suit's gloves forth from his coat pockets, he deftly pressed them onto his hands, which he then clenched and unclenched. Silver and deep purple raced across his body, forming a suit that seemed to be somewhere between solid and liquid. It covered his pants, but because of the way he'd located the chestplate, it arced under his jacket, leaving the fleece perched awkwardly on top. As though it didn't bother him in the slightest, he casually unzipped it and tossed it over the grave, even as he made a mental note about the problems of bulky clothing coupled with quick costume changes. "I've done nothing wrong, and I'm not looking for trouble. Kindly back off." He didn't really expect results from his little speech; this guy was clearly insane if he thought he was talking to the dead.

Nope, entirely your call. It was just a hiding place; the grave's actual owner wasn't considered, though he or she should be from the late eighteenth to early nineteenth century given the age of the headstone. This will be interesting.

RPG Character Questionnaire: Introduction: Give a two or three word description of yourself. (Describe your character's concept.) Armored Alien Adjudicator Do you have any nicknames, street names, titles, or nom de plume? Zak, Physicus II, Prince Kelembran (inaccurate, seeing as I'm a bastard child and not an actual claimant to the throne) What is your full birth name? Zakitaj Mrridst Kelembran Where do you live? A small house on Wilson Street in the West End of Freedom City. Why do you live there? It's where all of the survivors of my people live. What do you perceive as your greatest strength? My fearless devotion to a worthy cause. What do you perceive as your greatest weakness? My precarious position; one significant failure, and I doom the hopes of my people. Physical Traits: How old are you? (Chronological age as well as age category.) Physically, 24 years old. Technically, 32 years old (born 1978, spent 8 years in cryosleep). What is your sex? Male What is your race? Khaladi, specifically Urthrmni (err-thrum-nee) from the planet's northern regions. How tall are you? 6 feet 1 inch How much do you weigh? 167 lbs What is your general body type, frame, bone structure, and poise? Though not particularly muscular, I am thin and quick, with a dancer's build. My face is chiseled, with a strong jaw. My movements are graceful, flowing, and connected. What is your skin colour? Pale, but warm. What is your hair colour? Chestnut brown. What is your hair style? A straight mane that falls to my shoulders. Do you have any facial hair? I am clean-shaven; my suit's decontamination processes burn off any chance of a beard. What is your eye colour? Aqua, like a warm sea. How attractive are you? I inherited my father's good looks, and stand out in crowds. What is your most distinguishing feature? My hair, probably. I somehow keep it from looking feminine; don't ask how. Do you have any scars, tattoos, or birthmarks? Not yet, no. What is your handedness (left/right/ambidextrous)? I am right-handed. Do you resemble some currently known person? Not particularly. What kind of clothing do you wear? Out of costume, I wear Earthling civilian clothing, favoring loose garments that I can move easily in. My costume is my battlesuit, a semi-liquid silver and dark purple construct that covers my entire body. It has no facial features, to add to its mystique and (potentially) intimidation factor, but I can make any part of it transparent at will. Do you wear makeup? No, most emphatically not. What sort of vocal tone do you have? Rich and deep; sometimes booming, if I will it, but usually more calm and refined. History: Where is your homeland? Formerly Khalados, now the United States of America. Are you aware of its history? I've done my research, yes. Are you patriotic or a social outcast? I have experienced little of America outside Freedom City, but I have never encountered a greater city than Freedom. What are your opinion of home? My old home is gone. My new home is also my mission; I have learned to love it, and now I must protect it. Where is your home town? The Capital (rough translation) on Khalados. Are your real reasons for becoming an adventurer different from what you tell others? No. I'm quite honest about both my desire to improve Freedom City as a whole and my hope to help my people forge a new home there. How far would you go to keep such secrets from being revealed? What would you do if the truth became known? The only things I hide from the public are my doubts and fears. I think few could blame me for having those. What do you fear would occur if the truth became known? People might lose faith in me; I hope they know that everyone has doubts and fears, even public figures. Do you have any particularly high or low ability scores? I am swift and agile as well as persuasive and good-looking. How have these scores affected your life so far? My quickness has kept me alive; my charm has made me a popular figure among my people. What about your race, growing up were you in the majority or a minority? A minority, but I was in the Royal Family, and we all were. Did this impact your outlook in any way? No. My homeworld is gone. My people need to be united regardless of racial or tribal affiliations. How do you feel about other races? Humans are humans. We need to work together, or another species that does will sweep us away. Were there any traumatic experiences in your early years (death of a family member, abandonment, orphaned at an early age)? I never knew my mother, but I was brought up well (and isolated) enough that I didn't often notice. Briefly describe a defining moment in your childhood and how it influenced your life. When the original Physicus first told me to stop being a brat. Eventually, I did, I think. I hope. What stupid things did you do when you were younger? I used to insult people for the sheer fun of it, being immune to retaliation. Physicus put a stop to that. Which toys from your childhood have you kept? None. I wasn't able to take anything but my clothes and my battlesuit with me from Khalados. Do you have any deep, dark secrets in the past that may come back to haunt you? It bothers me that I saved a dying man when I could have saved someone who might have lived. No one else has questioned the decision, though. Are you who you claim to be? Absolutely. I make no secret of my identity. Do you have any sort of criminal record? Well, there was a nasty incident with a crashing starship and a cargo barge when I arrived, but no charges were pressed; superheroes saved all involved. How do you view the heroes/legends of your country? What I know of them, I admire greatly and aspire to match. Family: Who were your parents? My father was Prince Kastig Kelembran; I never knew my mother. Were you raised by them? If not, then why didn't they and who did raise you? My father raised me, though Physicus was the one who forced me to mature. What was their standing in the community? He was third in line to the throne. I never lacked anything. Did your family stay in one area or move around a lot? We remained in the capital; there was little reason to travel. How did you get along with their parents? My father was my role model for a while, but he turned out to be a poor one; our relations became a little strained later in life. How would your parents describe you? Well, assuming the dead could speak: "head so full of lofty ideas he's liable to float away from the table of plenty right next to him." Do you have any siblings? If so how many and what were their names? How did you get along with each of your siblings? I had four half-siblings, all by different mothers. I'm fairly certain all of them are dead, though we got along well enough before. What was your birth position in the family? Second-eldest. List all current knowledge of family locations, spouses, children, birth dates, schooling, and any important incidents that only you and they might remember. As far as I know, every last member of my family is dead, killed during the destruction of Khalados. Do you stay in touch with them or have you become estranged? I suppose you could say that we're estranged; the dead don't have anything to say. Do you love or hate one member of the family in particular? My father's ways were despicable; I must always strive to avoid the hedonism he advocated. Is any member of the family special to you in any way (perhaps, as a confidant, mentor, or arch-rival)? Not any more. Are there any black (or white) sheep in the family (including you)? I was the only one in the family who took to Physicus's teachings, which created some divisions amongst us. Do you have a notorious or celebrated ancestor? All of the kings and queens of Khalados are my ancestors, though that's rather irrelevant now. Do you ever want to have a family of your own someday? From the standpoint of duty, I need to have a child, or my armor will become useless after my death. Emotionally... I don't know. Would anything change your mind on this issue and if so, what? Well, I could clone myself and spare myself the trouble of finding love. I just don't know that I feel ready; I flirt, but I don't go much further. Lingering vestiges of my father's influence, I suppose. What type of person would be your ideal mate? I ask myself that quite a lot. Someone in whom I could confide, and who shares my principles and my drive. Relationships: Do you have any close friends? If so, who and what are they like? Physicus was the closest friend I ever had. I hope that his brother Erik will come to accept me as well. What is the history of their relationship(s) with you? Physicus was my mentor and savior back on Khalados. Erik is now the legal part of my crime-fighting team. Do you currently have a best friend whom you would protect with your reputation or your life? Erik risked a lot by offering to help me. I'd go to great lengths to protect him and his family. 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? Erik is an elderly, married man who is still willing to help. I'd understand if he chose to go back to retirement. He'd have to actively betray me to make me angry at him, and I know he'd never do that. Do you have any bitter enemies? The Broan Empire, which destroyed my homeworld, is my sworn enemy. If so, who are they, what are they like, and what is the history of their feud with you? The Broan took away everything I cared about at the time. I escaped, and that was embarrassing to them. There's resentment on both sides. Have you defeated them before? Only by living to fight another day. How might these enemies seek to discomfit you in the future? The Broan have tried to kill me and my people once on Earth already. I suspect they'll try again. Which person(s) or group(s) are you most loyal to? My people, the Khaladi. Who is your most trusted ally? Erik Sondergaard, my lawyer and the brother of my mentor. Who do you trust, in general? The heroes of Freedom City, my contacts, and my people. Who do you despise and why? The Broan, obviously. People who cause havoc for profit or pleasure. Name seven things you hate in others. Intolerance, Greed, Selfishness, Disregard for Justice, Wrath for its own sake, Unwillingness to Compromise, Lack of Mercy Is your image consistent? I tend to be seen fairly consistently as a boy scout-type naive hero with a good heart but a lack of experience. Do you deliberately present yourself differently in different situations, and how? Hm... Well, I flirt, and doesn't everyone when flirting? What would you die for? To prevent the world from becoming worse. I'd be willing to die to prevent anything from changing, but dying to improve things is preferable. What is the worst thing someone has done to you? Destroying my homeworld, my family, my mentor, and my hopes for my life on Khalados. What is your general reaction to an attractive member of the opposite sex who lets you know they are available? I flirt, certainly, but I've never been in a serious relationship. Perhaps that will change on Earth. How do you get along with others of the same adventuring class? I suppose I would get alone fine with others wearing battlesuits, so long as their ideals were compatible with mine. Have you lost any loves? No. I never considered a serious relationship on Khalados. Who would miss you should you go missing? My people, and my contacts. Some of Freedom City's superheroes, I hope. How close are you to your adventuring companions? I'm fine with being a part of a team. I've always worked well with others. What do they not know about you? I'm pretty open with everything except my insecurities. Are you a member of any house, guild, organisation, or church? What is your level of involvement? No, not presently. Personality and Beliefs: Do you, or did you, have any role models? The first Physicus, my mentor. Do you have any heroes or idols, either contemporary or from legend? I look up to all of Freedom City's defenders, even as I join their ranks. Did you ever become disillusioned with former heroes or idols? If so, why and what were the circumstances? No. I trust this city's heroes, and they've done nothing to betray that trust. When did you decide to become an adventurer? Back on Khalados, actually, when Physicus taught me about superheroes. It didn't happen until I got to Earth, though. Why have you chosen to risk your life as a career? Because it sends a clear message of hope of my people, and it helps me improve the world that is now my home. What do you expect to get out of being an adventurer? What, if anything, would make you stop adventuring? What I get out of it isn't important, though it does feel good to serve justice. I'd stop if I was endangering more people than I helped. Do you have any dreams or ambitions? If not, why? To live to see my people as productive citizens of this planet who still remember where they came from. To make this world better. What are your short term goals (what would you like to be doing within a year)? To make a difference locally, and to get my people settled in. What are your long term goals (what would you like to be doing twenty years from now)? I'd only be in my mid forties, so I'd likely be doing about the same thing I'm doing now. Do you have any great rational or irrational fears or phobias? If so, what are the origins of, or reasons behind them? I fear that, if I fail, it will reflect badly on my people. How do you react when this fear manifests itself? I try not to fail. What are your attitudes regarding material wealth? I used to have all the wealth I could want. It was convenient, but it didn't make me any happier. Are you miserly with your share of the wealth, or do you spend it freely? I don't actually work for a living; my fellow Khaladi donate for my needs, and I try not to take much from them. Do you see wealth as a mark of success, or just as a means to an end? A means to an end. Like I said, it doesn't bring happiness. How do you generally treat others? With respect, to put it simply. Do you trust easily (perhaps too easily) or not? I trust easily, but woe to those who betray that trust. Are you introverted (shy and withdrawn) or extroverted (outgoing)? Extroverted, certainly. I'm a public figure, and I like people. Are you a humble soul or blusteringly proud? I am proud of my accomplishments; by the same token, I always remember every mistake I make. What habits do you find most annoying in friends? I try to listen to friends no matter their problems or habits. What are your most annoying habits? Probably being naive; everything about Earth seems so amazing that I trust a little too easily. Is there any race, creed, alignment, religion, class, profession, political viewpoint, or the like against which you are strongly prejudiced, and why? I hate arrogant politicians. My people's arrogant politicians got most of us killed. What is your favourite food? Hard to say. I'm still getting used to Earthling food. What is your favourite drink? Herbal tea. It's soothing, and I associate it with positive experiences. What is your favourite treat (desert)? I'm a fan of baklava; honey would have been worth a fortune on Khalados. Do you favour a particular cuisine? No; all Earthling food fascinates me, though some types I only try once. Do you savour the tastes when eating or "wolf down" your food? Savour, absolutely. Good food is a great pleasure. Do you like food mild or heavily spiced? I have to be careful with the spice; my taste buds can only take so much. Are there any specific foodstuffs that you find disgusting or refuse to eat? The idea of the factory farm system disgusts me. I am careful to eat only organic meat. What are your favourite colour(s)? I chose the purple and silver of my suit; I suppose they would be my favorite colors. Is there any colour that you dislike? I fail to understand the world's fascination with pink. It's harsh on the eyes. Do you have a favourite (or hated) song, type of music, or instrument? Jazz is a fascinating style of music, very different from what I know. I like it a great deal, though classical is also pleasant. If you have a favourite scent, what is it? Cement, like in a parking garage stairwell. Bizarre, I know. What is your favourite type of animal? Birds. Any animal that flies and sings for pleasure is a wise one. Are you allergic to any kinds of animals? Not that I know of. Is there anything that enrages you? Poorly thought-out plans (sometimes ironic), overconfidence in the face of bad odds, violence for its own sake. Is there anything which embarrasses you? I can't read English very well; I have to say the words while I read them to understand. Do you enjoy "roughing it", or do you prefer your creature comforts? Hard to say; I've never really "roughed it". Do you have a patron deity? No, I don't. Are you devout or impious? I'm irreligious; my people's mythology never caught on with me. Do you actively worship and proselytise or do you simply pay lip service? Neither. What lengths would you go to defend your faith? I defend my belief in science with reason. Was your faith influenced or molded by anyone special? No; I came to my own conclusions through experience. Do you belong to a dominant church, or an independent church, cult, or sect (and is the group accepted, frowned upon, or considered heretics)? None of the above. Will you kill? Never. That's against my code, and with good reason. When do you consider it okay to kill (under what circumstances)? Never. There always has to be a better way. What would you do if someone else attempted to (or successfully did) kill under your "wrong" circumstances, what would be your reaction? I would do my best to stop anyone from killing anyone else. If I should fail, I would take it personally. What if it was your enemy? My fury would know no bounds, but I wouldn't sink to their level. What if it was your friend? I don't believe I've picked friends that would do such a thing. What if the opponent was not in control of his or her own actions (under duress, charmed, dominated, possessed)? My wrath would fall on the controller, then, as soon as the controlled was no longer a threat. What would you do if something were stolen from you? I would do what I could to take it back; my possessions are generally things essential to my mission. What would you do if you were badly insulted publicly? I can't afford to have a negative reputation; I would verbally fight back. What would you do if a good friend or relative were killed by means other than natural death? Discover the cause of their death and ensure that it could not kill anyone else. What is the one task you would absolutely refuse to do? Kill anyone, as previously stated. What do you consider to be the worst crime someone could commit and why? Torture, especially for mere sadism. The only thing worse than killing is making someone wish they were dead. How do you feel about government (rulers) in general? Why do you feel that way? Governments walk a difficult line, but that doesn't mean people shouldn't criticize them when they stray from it. Do you support the current government of your homeland? Freedom City seems to be doing well enough, so yes. If so, how far are you willing to go to defend the government? If not, do you actively oppose it? I would fight to protect the legitimate authorities unless the alternative was proven to be better. What form of government do you believe is the best (democracy, monarchy, anarchy, aristocratic rule, oligarchy, matriarchy) and why? Democracy; it isn't perfect, but it's the best option we have. Do you have any unusual habits or dominant personality traits that are evident to others? Hm... not that I can think of. Do you have any unusual or nervous mannerisms, such as when talking, thinking, afraid, under stress, or when embarrassed? I touch my chin when thinking, and sometimes I pace in circles. What is your most treasured possession? My battlesuit; it is essential to my mission. If your life were to end in 24 hours, what 5 things would you do in those remaining hours? Attempt to get myself cloned, or modify the genetic restrictions on my armor (if that's possible). Encourage my people to keep going, and to trust the other heroes of Freedom City. Make good use of my suit on patrol or, failing that, simply enjoy its capabilities. Take a walk in the park near the place where I arrived on Earth. Give other superheroes access to my network of contacts. Career and Training: Where and how were you educated? Royal tutors and Physicus on Khalados. Who trained you in your adventuring class(es)? Physicus. What was your relationship with your teacher(s)/mentor(s)? Physicus and I were the best of friends, despite the generation gap. Is this person or institution still in existence? No, all of the above are dead. Were you a prize student or did you just barely pass? A prize student. Look at your skills. How did you acquire them (especially the unusual ones)? Through training and technology. Have you ever done anything else for a living? No, I've never worked for a living in my life. How do you function in combat (manoeuvres, weaknesses)? I make use of cover and try to keep a distance from my foes; I'm more effective at range. Have you ever received any awards or honours? Not formally; many of the Khaladi consider me their secondary savior. Is there anything that you don't currently know how to do that you wish you could? I wish I knew how to bring back the dead. Or put planets back together. Are you envious of others who can do such things in a good-natured way or are you sullen and morose about it? I wish I had the experience of other heroes, but I know that I will gain it with time. My powers are my powers; I don't like anyone else's more. Lifestyle & Hobbies: When not adventuring, what is your normal daily routine? Check up on my fellow Khaladi, ensure my suit is in good repair, sleep; my job, effectively, is to be a superhero. How do you feel and react when this routine is interrupted for some reason? There's not much routine there; it's mostly interrupted by superheroing, which is always welcome. It's my mission, after all. What are your hobbies when you are not adventuring or training? Research. I want to know everything I can about Earth. What do you do for relaxation? What things do you do for enjoyment? What interests do you have? I sleep. It's one of the high points of life. How do you normally dress when not in your adventuring gear? Loose, mobile civilian clothing. What do you normally wear in bed at home? Just my underwear and a bedshirt, plus the chestplate of my battlesuit. I rarely take that off. What do you normally wear in bed while adventuring? My suit is surprisingly comfortable; it's designed to be useful in pretty much any situation. Do you wear any identifiable jewellery? No. Where do you normally put your weapons, magic items, or other valuables when you are sleeping? When not fully in my suit, I put my gloves beneath my pillow; hidden, but readily accessible. What morning or evening routines do you normally have? I spend most of the day on patrol or taking care of hero-related business, but the real patrol happens at night. Do these change when you are adventuring? Not really; my routines are adventuring. Travel: how do you get around locally? I take the monorail, or the subway. I walk shorter distances. I don't actually know how to drive. Do you have a Last Will and Testament? No. It's assumed that my possessions pass to my people as a whole, to be used as needed. Miscellaneous What would you like to be remembered for after your death? My drive to improve the world and my passion for justice. What kind of threat do you present to the public? My powers are not deadly (though they can incapacitate), but I am very difficult to harm, so I suppose some might fear me. If your features were to be destroyed beyond recognition, is there any other way of identifying your body? Um... probably not, no. It would take a lot to destroy my suit beyond recognition, though. 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... Zak, you don't need to worry so much. You have what you need to succeed; go out there and use it without fear.

Reputation Chart:

((To give credit, this little factbook is modeled after the one posted for Jack of all Blades.)) Index: Capers and Complications (Thread Participation Listing): February 26, 2010: The Crash Zakitaj's arrival on Earth does not go according to plan. Friendly superheroes bail him out despite an attack by an angry Broan ex-commander. February 26, 2010 (Later): Life Goes On Fulcrum helps Zakitaj work on getting his people settled into new homes in Freedom City. Less than a day on Earth and he's on a date. February 28, 2010: Happier Times Zakitaj visits the family of the first Physicus and gets permission to take up his mantle, as well as access to the people he needs to help him fight crime. He later encounters the superhero Dead Head and ponders the possibility of life after death; after all, his mentor hasn't really been dead that long, has he?

"No need to call me 'Prince', Ms. Teymourian; Zakitaj is fine among friends, especially given your remarkable ability to say it properly. You live in a very beautiful city, and your hospitality... I don't know how to thank you for it. You, in particular, have been more of a help than I could ever have hoped for, let alone expected, even with all that I'd heard about Freedom City." Zakitaj stood calmly beside Fulcrum on the sidewalk, looking over his surroundings. He was still struck by how wonderfully alive the whole planet felt; the Earthlings were good at leaving green spaces to enjoy even within their cities, it seemed, even if the ones around the houses on Wilson Street were a little less well-kept than others he'd seen on the way. Judging by those other places, however, that was nothing a little careful tending couldn't fix, provided the Khaladi could figure out how they were supposed to tend plants; these life forms were entirely new to them. He extended a hand and accepted the packet of papers with a murmur of thanks, then skimmed the first page. He'd always been better at speaking English than reading it, and he had to mouth the words as he read to properly comprehend them; embarrassed, he raised the packet a little bit to try and shield his moving mouth from Fulcrum's view. Renovation Row, the packet declared, was the name of this little sub-district. That was fitting, he reflected; his people, in bringing it to the status of a small but flourishing community (he hoped), would be not only renovating it but rebuilding their own culture. Many things would change out of necessity. They were living on Earth now, not Khalados, and they would learn to do as the Earthlings did with time. What mattered was that they could be safe, and as he turned his gaze back to Fulcrum, he was certain that such a goal was within easy reach. To say that he was impressed with the woman superhero was to greatly understate his feelings; her offer to continue helping him even after his mess was cleaned up had touched him, and he'd eagerly agreed. This seemed to be one of her haunts, and he hoped to see more of her. Her strength, both of body and of character, intrigued him. "It seems superheroes such as yourself need little in the way of help; I've yet to see any of the drawbacks of this place. No people I've noticed have been anything but good, whether the area is modest or wealthy."

Zakitaj had been about to get up and leave; the film wasn't going to develop itself, after all, and he badly wanted to know what secrets it held. Then the rasp sounded behind him, harsh and startling, and he swung around quickly. Having shed the jumpsuit he arrived on Earth in for a civilian t-shirt, fleece jacket, and jeans, he looked much like anyone else in Freedom City might, complete with an iPod headphone in his right ear. The being he faced, however, was the antithesis of normal in appearance; the smell of rot lingered about him, and it was easy to see why. It was as though the man had been lying exposed to the elements and carrion-eating vermin for some time; his flesh was a putrid purplish color, twisted and puckered unpleasantly, and hellish green flames flickered in his strangely intact eyes. Zakitaj's chestnut-brown hair had been described as a mane, but it hung straight down to his shoulders, clean and lustrous. This being had a tangled white mess radiating out from its head, further adding to the corpse-like illusion. It had to be an illusion, of course. The dead didn't walk; it wasn't explicable by any principle of science. No, this had to be some sort of sick joke; Wikipedia told of a holiday, All Hallow's Eve, when the Earthlings dressed up to frighten one another for sport. Perhaps this was some sort of leftover. Earthlings in general seemed to enjoy the feeling of being afraid, or more accurately the adrenaline rush that came with it, an ingrained survival instinct that most Freedonians never actually put to use due to leading relatively safe lives. Zakitaj, on the other hand, was quite incapable of feeling fear for himself. He had learned the hard way that life was cheap when he'd lost everything dear to him in one fell swoop. Death was a separation of atoms that would come for him when the laws of probability sided with his enemies one too many times, or else when his internal organs wore out; until then, he would live his life and do his best to complete his mission. He wasn't religious, like many of his people. He merely scientifically accepted the inevitability of his demise and took advantage of the time he had. For that reason, it wasn't difficult to stare into the face of death that now confronted him. "That's alright, thank you," he responded evenly to the being's inquiry, meeting its strange eyes with his orbs of soft aqua. "I found what I was looking for on my own. Though I do have a question for you: my calendar seems to indicate that this is the last day of February. Isn't Halloween in October?"