Characters Name: Carbon
Power Level: 10 (150/154)
Trade-Offs: -4 Attack / +4 Damage, -4 Defense / +4 Toughness
Unspent PP: 4
Alternate Identity: Randy Cash (born name: Carter Mandell)
Age: 30 (born Febuary 7th Year 1980)
Gender: Male
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 190 lbs
Eyes: Black
Hair: Black
Description:
Carbon looks like a regular person, if a little shabby, plainly dressed and unshaved, creating a rather thug-ish image. He's well built and has visible muscles, like a person who appears regularly in gym and leads a mostly healthy lifestyle. Only mostly, becouse his black hair is almost always long and messy and beard always few days worth of non-shaving, almost demanding a barber or razor, respectively. His clothing also isnt very variable and usually consists of long jeans and plain t-shirt, with occassional brown jacket on colder days. His secret costume consists only of dark clothing and black bandana over his head with holes for eyes. Has yet to get a proper costume. He's usually either apathetic and bored looking, usually becouse he has no reason to be smiling at all. However, when approaching a problem that could (or should) be solved with violence, he dons a vicious smile, which most of the time is a signal to run away.
History:
Carter Mendell was born in a poor neighborhood, poor family and poor hopes for future. As expected from types like that, he didnt grew up a good boy, instead slowly turning from a backyard bully into a full fledged thug, bandit, criminal- name it as you may, he was a bad boy. But if anything, he was good at being a bad boy, relatively for a non-powered person, of course. He made a name for himself in underworld for many things- hard fists, intimidating personality, ruthlessness and loyalty, even though he changed gangs frequently, but only becouse they kept disbanding. He made a lot of contacts and friends that way and by the time he reached his early 20's, he was among most trusted thugs in Freedom City, but there was a void in his life, although he didnt realize it untill much later. Without getting into details, he fell in love with a certain "bad girl" from good family, to contrast with his backgrounds. Megan Dawn was a gorgeus girl, back then barely legal, but it didnt stop their weird and crazy romance to turn into something much, much bigger. How big, one might ask, and answer was simple, contained in womb of Megan. Nine months later, Shelly, a healthy baby girl was born and her parents had one reason to get married and create a happy family. Or did they?
Soon after the wedding though, things started to go downhill. For one, rich parents of Megan kept bugging her and giving her lectures on "how much Carter sucks" and "how having a father like him will influence her daughter", among other things. Megan herself started to grow dissatisfied with her husband and their life too. She managed to convince him to move out to better place, send Shelly to a good pre-school, but nothing could convince him to look for a better job or friends, not when he was almost on top (almost being a critical word). Things were getting messier with each passing year, love burned out and only obligation and child kept them together. Carter meanwhile worked hard, leaving family always far away, untill he was finally noticed.
His old friend Johny was looking recruiting people for some big project not yet to be named, but it promised to include a lot of power, benefits and reputation. He agreed almost instantly, packed his bags and next day was already in Mexico in front of a sleazy movie theater, which was in fact a cover for DNAscent Process and Johny was recruiting people to LITERALLY give them superpowers and turn them into superpowered bodyguards and enforcers. For who? Never said, but unless they passed all the experiments alive, there was no point of knowing that. Next few months, Carter spent in cold laboratory, while a bunch of scientists performed tests on him. Very painfull tests in facts, which exhausted him everyday and left him sleeping most of his free time. But the prospects were good- apparently, his DNA was easy to adapt to some new improvements they were working on, although they said very little. Carter himself remembers veru little, aside from weird machinery, pain and some disturbing images (like seeing others not doing as well as he did), but most of all he remembers a blonde haired scientist... with two additional limbs, from a gorilla, no less. He never found out his name, nor he thought it was important. His new powers were supposed to turn him into a man made out of steel, giving enhanced strenght, durability and regeneration, but before it could be finished, there was an explosion. Just like that, he was having a normal day, when a powerfull explosion destroyed the entire underground facility, wiping out and crashing everything that was there at that time. Carter had little time to realize what was going on, before he collapsed on a shelf full of vials of chemicals, injuring himself with the glass and getting splashing with their content, before the ceiling collapsed on his head and presumely killed him.He wasnt sure how long passed since the explosion, but then he wasnt sure how much time passed in labs anyway, with no communication and no regular days, but he knew it took long before he woke up in total darkness, crushed by bunch of rocks and whatever ceiling was made of. For a moment, he couldnt comprehend why he was still alive, but it got to him eventually, as he struggled to get out of this mess. He wasnt himself anymore- he was water! Or some other liquid, maybe one of the chemicals or even his own blood, it was too dark to see, but for some reason he didnt feel fear and quickly manouvered his liquid body up the crackings and quickly emerged on the surface, to see the sun yet again. Movie Theater was no more, just like everyone included in the program. After mugging some random passery in nearest village for some money and clothes (in lab he only wore a hospital gown and now even that was tattered) and tried to contact Johny or anyone involved, but there was no success. He also tried calling his home, but the number wasnt available anymore. Alone and without cash (aside from pocket change he just mugged) in Mexico wasnt the best scenario ever, but gave him some time to rethink his life and especially the last deal. For one, he missed Shelly and wished he could see her right now. Megan he couldnt care less, but that was beside the point. He also spent some time experimenting with whatever power he was imbued with and found out it was a relatively nice deal, making him not just tough as steel, but as anything he comes in contact with. He experimented with many materials, including (after some hesitation) with energies like fire or electricity and found out he can travel via flight or even electric lines, which saved him a bus ticket (not that he had a passport, or any other ID as well).
Back at Freedom City, Carter felt like the city havent changed a bit while he was a new man. First instinct would've been to find Johny, but he felt urged to check his family first, only to find out that his apartment was already owned by some strangers who claimed that they moved just few months ago. He found his wife and daughter eventually only to find out that... he was dead. Or at least, thats what the world thought about him and really, who could blame them? After some conversations (or rather fights), he found out that Megan wanted to divorce him anyway and already dated another man. Carter was angry, but couldnt care less about her and only wanted to see Shelly, only to get chased away and restricted from seeing her (not legally, as he was dead). Frustrated about the situation, he had to rethink his life once again. Technically, he should announce that he was still alive, but before that he decided to talk to Shelly first. She was 8 years old, so he could just meet her after school, without anyone knowing, and so he did. There was much rejoicing, tears and overall happiness came back to Carters heart again. He had only time for a short conversation with her. And those few minutes made him realize more then years they lived together in one house. "I still love you, daddy, but dont want you to be a bad person" was all she needed to say to make a man weep. Carter Mandell died back then and was reborn.
He still had friends who owed him favours and quickly claimed them. For one, he changed his name to Randy Cash via fake papers, to ensure he erased his past so nobody (more) finds out he survived. He borrowed some cash, rented a cheap apartment and found a real job. Not much for a person with no education around, but he didnt need much to live and ultimately become a taxi driver, but that was only for a day job. When his car is parked home and city lights glow in darkest corners of Freedom City, he dons a mask (made out of bandana with eye holes) and fights crime, as Carbon.
Personality & Motivation:
Randy Cash is one of those people who people usually stay away from, due to his lacking manners and straightforward approach with everything and anyone. He's not known for subtelty and usually makes a bad first or second impression, but thats only becouse he's not interrested in dishonest people. When people need to hear about something bad, he's the best person to send as a messenger, as he wont hide or sugar-coat the hard facts but force you to face the harsh reality. But thats not to say he's a jerk and is actually a rather nice person once you get to know him better. For one, he doesnt have anything to gain by lies and asked for opinion, maybe he wont give the best advice, but it'll be as honest as possible. Most of all though, he wants to be there to fix the world, especially when it comes to fighting the crime, which he was a part of not so long ago and knows it from the inside. He still has contacts in the underworld and despite being technically on the opposite sides, he retains old friendships and often goes to sleazy, crime filled places not to fight them, but to have a drink. And he's a good guy to drink with as well and enjoys company of those who know how to hold a liquor. And as mentioned earlier, when he finds a friend, he'll go to great lenghts to hold it close and will protect them with his life.
One and only one thing drives him to be a superhero (instead of mercenary or other hired fist) and its not a pure compassion (though he does feel good being a good guy for a change), its his little daughter, Shelly. After divorce, he's been prohibited from seeing her and its one thing that he cant get over and making her proud is his prime directive. And it might hopefully convince his ex-wife allow for a visit, although she probably wont change his attitude towards him and vice versa (they hate each others guts and if not for Shelly, they'd kill each others on sight, in a bad way).
Powers & Tactics:
Carbon's main power is Object Mimicry, which allows him to change the structure of his body by touching some material or element. For example, by touching a concrete he turns into a powerfull man made out of stone, while touching lightning makes him an energy being able to fly, shoot lightning and more. He can only mimic one material at the same time, although he wont pass an occassion to experiment with different ones when he has a chance. His secondary superpower allows him to regenerate his wounds much faster then a regular person, making him very persistent and hard to take down.
Even without his power though, Carbon can take care of himself and knows how to throw a punch or two, which is only natural for someone who survived in slums for his whole life. He doesnt know any fancy martial arts nor does he needs to, as his strategy involved a lot of cheap shots, taunting, object and dirty moves, everything just to make sure the opponent wont stand up. He's not aiming to kill and usually will only beat someone till knockout, though its best not to provoke him too much, as he does have a temper. If there's anything he doesnt do, at all, is stealth- he much more prefers to stand face to face with any adversary, even if it means being surrounded or overpowered. He's very persistant and stubborn- if something wont go down by punching it, then it needs to be punched harder.
Though it he could avoid fighting (especially with weaklings who have hard time surviving his blows), he'll definetely try, usually by scaring the opposition away.
Complications:
-Ex-Wife is a Pain: Almost literally. She's one of the few people who know that Carter Mandell is still alive and while not exactly enemy, she likes to cause him as much misery as she can.
-Little Daughter: Wants nothing more but make her proud and be part of her life. Not as easy as one might think.
-Runaway Experiment: One only knows how will DNAscent Process react when they find out that their test subject is no only alive, but more powerfull then they imagined.
-Day Job: As a cab driver Randy has little obligations, but they're still existing.
In Brief: Former Thug with Heart of Gold and Object Mimicry
Stats: 6+2+8+0+2+2 = 20pp
Str: 16 (+3)
Dex: 12 (+1)
Con: 18 (+4)
Int: 10 (+0)
Wis: 12 (+1)
Cha: 12 (+1)
Combat: 12+12 = 24pp
Attack: +6
Grapple: +6
Defense: +6 (+3 flat-footed)
Knockback: -2
Initiative: +1
Saves: 5+4+4 = 13pp
Toughness: +5 (+4 Con, +1 Defensive roll)
Fortitude: +9 (+4 Con, +5)
Reflex: +5 (+1 Dex, +4)
Will: +5 (+1 Wis, +4)
Skills: 44r = 11pp
Bluff: 5 (+6)
Drive: 5 (+6)
Intimidate: 14 (+15)
Knowledge (Streetwise) : 4 (+4)
Gather Information: 6 (+7)
Notice: 2 (+3)
Sense Motive: 6 (+7)
Swim: 2 (+5)
Feats: 12pp
All Out Attack
Benefit: Alternate Identity
Contacts
Defensive Attack
Defensive Roll
Elusive Target
Improved Block
Power Attack
Takedown Attack 2
Skill Mastery (Bluff, Intimidate, Sense Motive, Drive)
Startle
Powers: 60+5+7 = 73pp
Object Mimicry 10 [60pp]
Regeneration 7 [7pp]
-Recovery Bonus 2 (+6 total)
-Bruised 1 (1/Round)
-Injured 1 (1/20 minutes
-Staggered 1 (1/20 minutes)
-Disabled 2 (1/Hour)
Strike 2 (Source: Training; Feats: Mighty) [3pp]
Drawbacks: = 0pp
Nope
DC Block:
Unarmed --- 20/Toughness --- Bludgeoning (non-lethal)
Costs: Abilities (20) + Combat (24) + Saves (13) + Skills (11) + Feats (12) + Powers (73) - Drawbacks (00) = 150/154pp
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