Raveled

Robin glanced down at the man in front of her. He was big and unkempt and possibly even scary, but she had a higher threshold for scary than most folks. She turned a brilliant smile on him, placing one hand -- her right hand, the one without the shield -- on her hip. "Morning there. You wouldn't happen to know if this place uses soy milk, does it?"

Indeed!

Know/Arcane Lore in regards to Dead Head. 1d20+13=31 Gather Info in regards to same. 1d20+3=20

The sorceress took a heavy swallow and pushed the plastic-wrapped hand into a pocket of her apron. She no longer tasted death, but just the presence of such a foul thing was a pressure in her mind. She reached out and took the other woman’s hand. “I think we should discuss this privately.†Robin locked the door to her shop, turned the sign to read “Out to Lunch,†and lead the older woman up a semi-concealed stairway to the official ground floor of the building. Her apartment was, unsurprisingly, right at the top of the stairs. It was a railcar unit with maybe a thousand square feet, more than enough for Robin’s needs with her lab in the shop, but for two it would be cozy. The sorceress sat the other woman on a sagging couch and pulled in a chair from the kitchen, keeping her arms unfolded with an effort of will. "Now," she began, "tell me everything that's happened." (Continues here.)

Elementalism seems to be part of the standard package for most practitioners, but I've never had much luck manipulating the primal forces of nature. Perhaps it was my unique initiaion, but my magic's always been more focused on the mental then the physical. Elementalism has always been a challenge for me, I don't see that changing anytime soon. So, to kill two birds with one stone, I've been looking at creating a staff. It is traditional, after all, and part of the purpose of foci is to help with spells. I don't think metal is the way to go and I don't want to deal with anything that has five or six foot long bones, which leaves wood. Rowan is out by its nature, but yew, ash, and oak are all possibilities. Pine would technically work, but I don't want to smell like floor polish while I'm working. I'll need a conductor, too. Gold's not working too well with the coat, and it's a little ostentatious anyway. Silver could do, but I've been pondering at least a cap of electrum. Should at least do interesting things with magnetics. Device 5 (Staff foci; Magic; Easy to Lose; Feat: Restricted; 25 PP) [17 PP] ]BE: Air Control (Air, magic; Feats: Alternate Power 5) [25 PP] AP: Magnetic Control 10 (Magnetism, magic; 12 tons) [20 PP] AP: Environmental Control 6 (Fire, magic; create intense heat & daylight, 250 ft radius)[20 PP] AP: Obscure 10 (Water, magic; Visual and olfactory; Extra: Independent; Flaws: Partial, Fades) [20 PP] AP: Strike 10 (Earth, magic; Feats: Affects Insubstantial 2, Accurate, Improved Defense; Extras: Knockback 3, Penetrating 3) [20 PP] AP: Strike 10 (Electricity, magic; Extra: Area/Line [Targeted]) [20 PP]

Robin suppressed a heavy sigh, but her tone was practiced and bored. “Your child is a legal adult. It’s perfectly legal, whether you like it or not, for him to leave town for any reason at all. Or even no reason at all. It may not be particularly adult-like for him to do so, but it is not illegal and it doesn’t mean that you have to hire a private investigator.†The woman started digging in her small clasp purse before Robin was half done with her speech, and now thrust a Saran-wrapped bundle at the sorceress. “My son is in danger,†she insisted. “I searched his room and found this.†Robin took the item, handling it gingerly and turning it over and over. It was a human hand, or at least a hand from a human-like thing. The flesh was gray-brown and desiccated, nearly mummified, and apparently rather fragile since the thumb had broken off at some point. The remaining four fingers had each been dipped in wax and a wick stuck at the tip, turning the entire thing into a macabre candelabra. Even through the plastic, the energy pervading the construct filled Robin’s head with the sickly-sweet scent of rotting things, and made her taste ashes and salt.

I've been planning on how to expand upon my shield foci. It does a good job of protecting me from both physical and energy-based attacks, but it's an active defense. It doesn't require much to keep the shield up, but a sneak attack could prove hazardous. So, in order to protect myself from a situation like that, I've been looking into a more passive defense. Short of making the proper deals and becoming part-reptile (ew) the best chance looks like an enchanted suit of clothes. The first step is choosing the proper set of clothes to work on. I need something that will cover my entire body but still provide a good amount of flexibility. Any sort of great-coat derivative would be good, but for proper enchanting it will need to be a a natural fabric. Leather looks coolest, so I'll keep an eye out for it. The proper runes aren't a problem, but powering them could be. If I want this defense to always be on, I need to have some sort of power source worked into the jacket itself. Touchstones could work, but they would need periodic recharging. I've started work on a prototype; gold wire on a dressmaker's dummy, stored in the lab. Problem: when running my spellfire through it, melted the wires to my dummy. Might not be able to use that as a power source. Tap into the ley lines in the city? Must think. Biggest downside: the shield is a rigid defense, all or nothing. If it blocks an attack, it blocks virtually the entire thing. A coat, even a spell-wrought coat, would be more flexible and could let some force through. Coat also wouldn't be as concealable as the bracelet. Pros: passive, 'always-on' defense. Frees up my wrists for something else. And, longcoats look cool. Device 3 (Spell-wrought Longcoat; Magic; Hard to lose; 10 PP) [8 PP] Protection 10 (Magic) [10 PP]

Introduction Who are you? Sum yourself up in one sentence. I'm an ancient sorceress who is now turning her power to helping people Do you have any nicknames, street names, titles, or nom de plume? I was known as both the Raven Queen and Raven Starver, at different times in my life. I'm told that I shouldn't use those names now, however. What is your full birth name? The name on my birth certificate is Robin Morrigan Isla Cross, if that's the question. Where do you live? Above my shop and lab, in an apartment building in the North End. How old are you? What year were you born (if applicable)? That's an interesting question. I was born a few thousand years ago, but biologically I'm in my mid-thirties. Physical Traits What is your gender? If not applicable, please explain. I'm a woman. Very much. How would you describe your heritage? I was born in the Middle East, except we didn't call it that back then. With traders and raiders, I suppose I'd be a Middle Eastern-African mix. How tall are you? About five foot, even. What is your body type? Fairly slender. Bony, even. Do you have any particular weaknesses, such as allergies or physical disabilities? I'm not as strong as most superheroes, but I don't think of myself as weakly. As for allergies, not that I'm aware of. How do you carry yourself? Are you graceful, or heavy on your feet? Can you be stealthy, do you walk with confidence? I'm always very careful about where I place my feet. I've been told it's very graceful. Describe your skin, eye, and hair color. Dark, dark, and dark. *Laughs* How do you wear your hair, if applicable? Do you have facial hair? My hair comes down to my shoulders. As for the second question -- I had an aunt that shaved every week. But I've never had to. Do you consider yourself attractive? Do others? Why, of course I do. And yes, plenty of people have been attracted to me over the years. Do you have any scars, tattoos, piercings, or birthmarks? Mm, some small scars. Nothing to write home about, though. Do you resemble anyone famous? I was told I look like Roasrio Dawson, but with sharper features. Do you have a dominant hand? I am right handed, yes. What kind of clothing do you wear? Usually something casual and loose-fitting. Jeans, Oxford shirts, boots. Do you wear makeup? Not as a rule, no. What is your vocal range? Is your voice distinctive in some way? Fairly high? Never been good with music, don't know well enough to answer. Do you have any distinctive habits, nervous tics, or mannerisms? Where did they come from, and what causes them? Do other people notice and remark on these habits? Do they annoy you or other people? I tend to swear in dead languages, but few people are linguists enough to recognize them. Side-effect of a spell. History Where do you come from? A little place in the Near East that used the herd a lot of sheep. Have you made any major moves, or do you live in your hometown? When I said 'Near East,' I didn't mean Near East Coast. Do you feel loyal to your country of citizenship? Do you consider yourself patriotic? How do you feel about the government of your country? I don't feel any particular patriotism towards the United States. Kind of hard, when one was born before even the Greeks started tooling around with democracy. How do you feel about the place you come from? I miss my home. Where is your home town? What was/is it like? It's gone, now. It was... tiny. Sleepy. Pastoral. Little collection of huts and farms built up around some old ruins. Growing up, were most of the people you knew similar to you, or were you somehow a minority? How did that affect you? Very small group growing up, yes. Is there something you've always been really good at or really bad at? How has that affected your life? I used to be really good at herding sheep, but I haven't tried it for a few eons, so I can't really say. Were there any traumatic experiences in your early years (death of a family member, abandonment, orphaned at an early age)? Besides seeing everyone I knew run down by raiders and killed? Briefly describe a defining moment in your childhood and how it influenced your life. Again, see above about everyone I knew dying a violent death. What stupid things did you do when you were younger? Take bloody vengeance. Where did you go to school? How much school did you have, and did you enjoy it? No where. When my village was destroyed, I taught myself from the shaman's notes and journals. I can't say I really enjoyed that part of my life, but it was... satisfying. Do you have any mementos of your childhood? What are they, and why did you keep them? If you have none, why not? No. When I was finally ready to take vengeance, I burned everything I had left that reminded me of my family and my home. In retrospect, it was pretty stupid. When did you decide to become a hero? Why? Did anyone influence you one way or another in the decision? At first it was because being a hero, placing myself against tougher odds, was more fun than steamrolling the competition. Now it's because I don't like seeing folks hurt by magic. Is the reason you give people for becoming a hero different than your real reason? If so, why? I generally don't tell them about the decade or so that I ruled as a bloody-fisted tyrant over a magocracy, these days. Do you have any deep, dark secrets in the past that may come back to haunt you? C.f. above about magocracy. I trained a lot of people who have become more or less gods by now, and I suppose they might want to take a shot at their old teacher. Do you represent yourself as being different from who you really are? Why? I don't generally tell them about being a cruel magical queen. Would kind of undermine the 'hero' thing. If you do have these secrets, what do you fear would happen if the truth became known? How far would you go to protect those secrets? I think people might not trust me anymore. I like helping people out, but I'm not sure I'd kill someone just to keep my secrets. Do you have any sort of criminal record? If so, is it public knowledge? I haven't been caught, so I guess that's a no. Family What are your biological parents' names? My father was called Doran, and my mother went by Summer. Were you raised by them? If not, please explain and describe who raised you. It was... complicated. A kind of 'the village raises the child' mentality. What was their standing in the community? What did/do they do for a living? They were shepherds. As far as standing, I suppose they were well-liked? I was a bit young to understand such things before they died. Where are your parents now? Probably turned to dust by now. Did your family stay in one area or move around a lot? We herded sheep, but we were pretty much tied to one particular village. How did you get along with their parents? How do you get along with them now (if applicable)? I respected them, and I loved them. How do your parents view you now, or how would they? I hope they would proud of the choices I've made. Do you have any siblings? If so how many and what are their names? Describe your relationship with them. I was an only child. Do you love or hate one member of the family in particular? Kind of late for that. Are there any black (or white) sheep in the family (including you)? If so, please explain. I guess I would be the black sheep, but I'm trying to fix that now. Do you have a notorious or celebrated ancestor? If so, please explain, including how it has affected your life. None I've ever heard of. Do you have a partner and children currently? If so, please describe them. Nope, nothing like that. If you do not have a partner or children, do you want them someday? How firm are you in your opinion on this, and what might change your mind? I don't know. Any partner of mine would be under attack by my enemies. I suppose I might like a family, but right now I'm too busy for something like that. What type of person would be your ideal mate? Someone strong, I suppose. I don't want to dominate him, after all. Relationships Do you have any close friends? If so, please describe them, and how you came to be close to them. I have some friends. I don't know how if I'd describe them as very close. Do you have a best friend? If so, how did they become your best friend? How close are you to your best friend? Probably my best friend is Clara MacKenzie. She's a hydromancer who lives out in the Fens and works out at the Lonely Point Naval Base. You'd think it'd be quite the commute, but apparently not when you can skim across the water. She checked out my store a week or so after I opened and we started talking shop. I enjoy her company, but sometimes I get talking about concepts that are a bit over her head. If you were to go missing, who would worry about you? Well, Clara I suppose. There's also two or three people I'm teaching magic to at any given time who would be surprised if I up and left town. Have you lost any loves? If so, how did it happen, and what did you do? Besides my family, no one I was particularly attached to. Do you have any bitter enemies? If so, please describe them and their history with you. Mm, no one comes to mind right now. What is the worst thing someone has done to you? Locking me in a magical tapestry for a few thousand years? I'm a better person for it, but I'm still mad about the whole thing. Where do your loyalties lie? In what order? I'm loyal to the precept of using magic properly, to help people. That's the only thing I think I need to articulate -- I mean, sure I want to protect innocents and my friends, but I mainly think in terms of using magic. Who or what do you trust the most? Why? Myself, honestly. It's kind of cruel, but I don't feel that anyone else can really understand properly. Who or what do you despise? Why? Anyone who uses their powers to hurt or control others. Those who have power should use it to help people, not to simply control them. What qualities do you admire most in other people? Are these qualities you possess? I admire truthfulness and self-sacrifice. I like to think that I know when to tell the truth and when it would just complicate things and put people in danger. As for self-sacrifice, I totally do that. What qualities do you hate most in other people? Do you have any of those qualities? I hate selfishness, and people who delight in small cruelties. I try to stay away from both of these things, without too much trouble. Do you have a secret identity? If so, who knows it? Do you hide it from people who are close to you? Why? I'm pretty open about me being a mage. It's kind of hard to avoid, with the life I choose. Do you work well on teams and in groups? Are you a leader or a follower? Mm, haven't had much a chance to find out, to be honest. I suppose I prefer leading and making decisions to following someone, though. Are you on a super team? Nope! Are you a member of any church, fraternal organization, club, committee, political party, or other group? How much time do you spend on that? Heh, no. Personality & Beliefs Who are your heroes? Personal heroes? The story of Centurion is pretty inspiring. I mean, he lost his entire universe, tried to help this one, and gave his life fighting Omega. That's what a real hero does. Did you ever become disillusioned with former heroes or idols? If so, why and what were the circumstances? Well, I always expected my parents and neighbors to be able to protect me. When they all died, I guess that would count as disillusioning. Do you like being a hero? If so, what is the most rewarding part? If not, what makes you keep doing it? I really do like helping people. I guess what I like most is the idea that there's dozens of people out there whose lives would be much worse, or even much shorter. But because I helped them, they have the chance to be happy. Is there anything that would make you give up hero work, or even switch sides? I don't really believe in definite labels like 'hero' and 'villain.' I suppose I might work against some heroes at times. It would depend on what's happening. What are your short term goals (what would you like to be doing within a year)? I'd like to set up an occult detective agency. Something people could find in the yellow pages and call up. What are your long term goals (what would you like to be doing twenty years from now)? Wow. Twenty years? Uh, I suppose I'd like to have a special person in my life. And I'd like to put some magical threats behind bars, like the White Knight and the Followers of the Yellow Sign. What is your greatest fear? Why? What do you do when something triggers this fear? I'm afraid of heights. I have a recurring dream that I'm falling from a high place. I've never had a personal experience like that, so the only thing that makes sense to me is that it's some kind of premonition. Is there anything you would give you life for? Oh, wow. Big question. I like to think I'd die before letting an innocent stay in danger, but we really can't know that sort of thing about ourselves until it happens, right? How do you feel about money and material wealth? Do you desire it or disdain it? Are you miserly with what you have, or do you like to share? Is it a mark of success, or a means to an end? Money's... nice. Having money is certainly nicer than not having it. How do you generally treat others? I treat them like I want to be treated. Golden rule and all that. Are you a trusting person? Has your trust ever been abused? Are you introverted (shy and withdrawn) or extroverted (outgoing)? Do you have a lot of self-confidence? How do you act around attractive, available members of your preferred sex? What are your most annoying habits? Do you feel contempt for any general category of people? Who are they, and why? What is your favorite food? Do you prefer any particular type of food? Do you take the time to enjoy your food, or do you eat as fast as you can? What is your favorite drink (alcoholic or otherwise)? What is your favorite treat (dessert)? Are there any specific foodstuffs that you find disgusting or refuse to eat? What is your favorite color? Are there any colors you dislike? What sort of music do you like? Is there any that you hate? If you have a favorite scent, what is it? Do you have a favorite animal? What is your most treasured possession? Why? Do you enjoy "roughing it", or do you prefer your creature comforts? Is there a job or a task you would absolutely refuse to do? Do you consider yourself a spiritual person? If so, how do your beliefs affect your life?How important is it to you? Was your faith influenced or molded by anyone special? If you belong to a religious organization, how often do you attend? Do you have a specific place of worship, or friends within the organization? How much do you agree with the beliefs of your organization? Could you kill? Have you killed? What circumstances led to you forming that conviction, or taking that action? Are there circumstances under which you believe it is permissible to kill? What are they? How would you react to watching someone kill another person? Would your reaction be different if the killer was a friend or an enemy of yours? How would you react if something important was stolen from you? How would you react to public humiliation? How would you react if a good friend or relative were purposely or accidentally killed? Has it happened to you? What do you consider to be the worst crime someone could commit and why? If your life were to end in 24 hours, what five things would you do in those remaining hours? Career & Training Do you have any special training in your hero skills? If so, where and how did you get it? Who taught you the most about your heroing abilities? What was your relationship with that person? Do you have any particularly unusual skills? How did you acquire them? Do you do something besides hero work for a living? Have you ever done anything else, or do you plan to? What is your preferred combat style? Have you ever received any awards or honours? What skill areas would you like most to improve in? Is there anything you can't do that you wish desperately you could? How do you act around people who are more skilled than you in areas you'd like to improve? Are you jealous, or do you try and learn? Lifestyle & Hobbies What is a normal day for you? How do you feel when something interrupts this routine? Do you have any hobbies, or interests outside hero work? What are they, and where did you pick them up? What do you do for fun? Do you have a costume? What does it look like? How do you normally dress when not in costume? What do you wear to bed most nights? Do you wear any special jewelry? What is it, and what does it look like? Do you have a special place where you keep your valuables? What's your preferred means of local travel? How about long distance? Miscellaneous Have you ever made a will, or tried to make arrangements for your death? What provisions did you make? If your features were to be destroyed beyond recognition, is there any other way of identifying your body? What would you like to be remembered for after your death? Do you believe you pose a threat to the public? Why or why not? What do you perceive as your greatest strength? What do you perceive as your greatest weakness? 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...

The smile faded from Robin’s face as she examined the woman opposite her. “Finding lost people isn’t really what I do. Have you talked to the police?†The woman shook her head with quick, sharp motions, and Robin got the impression that she was suppressing a lot of emotions. “They said he was an adult, that they wouldn’t investigate unless they had evidence of foul play, but I just know he wouldn’t up and leave without any kind of explanation!†Robin held up a hand, cutting off the avalanche of words and emotions. “Ma’am how old is your son?†The older woman blinked, blindsided by the question. “He turned 25 last month.â€

Ironclad's up for kicking some Grue ass. Besides, the PL 7 Crew needs to stick together.

Robin Cross The Best Part of Waking Up I Cast a Spell On You! News post A'Walkin' Amongst the Lilies Chaos in the Streets Reputation post Ironclad II News post Nockin on Iron Meltdown Reputation post

The morning had been a productive one for Robin Cross, professional spell-slinger. She meditated at the foot of the Centurion Statue until the sun sat a full finger-width above the horizon, and now the carefully prepared amber chip fairly buzzed in her pocket, charged with the powers of the morning sun. It would be a potent weapon against any number of enemies, not to mention a useful power source. Now she walked around the quaint, bohemian neighborhood of Riverside, an emerald the size of her pinky nail hanging around her neck by a copper chain. That gemstone, too, was enchanted to absorb this particular memory; walking around the sleepy neighborhood, sounds of the city in the distance, something that drew her towards a little hole-in-the-wall store -- fresh ground coffee. She willed the gem around her throat 'closed' and pushed the door open, stepping into the shop and letting her eyes adjust to the light inside. Someone was there ahead of her, though, so the sorceress patiently stood in line behind the man and read the menu chalked on one wall.

Robin cleared her throat, and when the other woman looked around gave her a bright smile, white teeth bright against her dark skin. The woman started and turned to face Robin, he lips forming an apology but the words dying unsaid. She looked the sorceress over carefully before asking, hesitantly, “Are you Robin Cross?†It was clear from her tone that she’d been expecting something different, and it wasn’t hard to imagine why. Robin was wearing a tee-shirt that had been canary-yellow before half a hundred washings turned it dingy and thin, and jeans with spots burned in them. Over all that was a thick leather apron, pockets filled with tools and parti-colored stains completing the ensemble. Her hair was pulled back from her face in a queue, emphasizing her sharp, thin face, but that was the only part of her figure that seemed threatening. She certainly didn’t look like someone who could wield the primal forces of creation or call up spirits to do her bidding. So Robin turned her smile up another notch, fought down the annoyance at her interrupted potion brewing, and replied, “Yes I am. How can I help?†The older woman took a breath and drew herself up. “My son’s missing. I need you to find him.â€

Excellent! Then it's perfect for an inter-dimensional gold-smuggling ring! ... I mean, in case I need to take exceptionally heavy heroes with me. :twisted:

So I shall. How does 25,000 lbs strike you as a carrying capacity?

Actually, what I intended was that the power affects the base and anyone inside; I intend to use it to travel to different, mystical dimensions, should such a thing be necessary.

Just figured I'd put my proposed PL 10's HQ up here. This is partially for help building it, possibly to make sure it's rules-legal; I've never tried some of this stuff with HQs before.

Cross’ Roads was the basement of a larger building and one went down several steps from street level to enter it. Inside, the area was subdivided by bookshelves and displays into several smaller sections, each devoted to a certain type of magic: divination, herbalism, enchantment, alchemy, elementalism, and more. Ingredients were on display tables or racks of cubby-holes between the sections. Robin pushed out of the backroom and emerged behind the counter. It itself was directly in front of the door, but she didn’t see any customers. She glanced around and spotted the woman: older, maybe in her fifties, brown hair going gray pulled into a bun, staring in mixed horror and disbelief at a sign that read “Rat Tails: $3 for 5.†The merchandise looked like nothing so much as a pile of vacuum-sealed, pink shoelaces. If one didn’t look close.

OOC for this thread.

May 30, 2:30 PM Robin cross was perched on a stool in her laboratory, watching a flask of cloudy liquid slowly darken. It was the shade of fog just before sunrise, and she calculated that once the fluid was a clear blue color the same shade the sapphire swinging above the rim of the flask, the sorceress should pour in the phial of hard water in her right hand and chant the spell. She had decided on Icelandic; it fit the intent of the potion, and in magic it was important that all the pieces fit as well as possible. A string of silver bells, hanging up where the ceiling met the wall, began to ring their tiny, musical hearts out. Robin let out a breath she hadn’t been aware she was holding and muttered and oath that would’ve shocked a berserker. The bells meant a customer had just come in. On the one hand, her regular customers would spend fifteen or twenty minutes browsing and picking out their ingredients. There would be plenty of time for Robin to complete the delicate part of the spell and set the brew to bubbling. On the other hand, if it was a walk-in she might not have five minutes. Straights – that is to say, normal people not clued in about the supernatural – didn’t linger long in the shop. It might be the cuneiform inscribed about the doorframe, or it might be the three-foot bird skull under glass a the counter, or it might be some more subtle vibe that Robin just wasn’t sensitive to. In any case, if she didn’t want to miss a sale she needed to get out front. She reached under the flask and screwed the Bunsen burner off. Being a white hat might be more interesting, but it did cut into her free time.

Bad guys go, then the good guys go. And Ironclad already went. Apologies if I can't shoot every round, but that's putting on a costume for ya.

Already went this round, Peng. Bad guys are up, I think.

She's has a natural talent for languages, and can pick them up easily. And the whole Robin thing is actually an homage to Robin Senna, which this character evolved out of rather awkwardly.

Characters Name: Robin Morrigan Isla Cross Power Level: 11 (163/168PP) Trade-Offs: None Unspent PP: 5 Gold: 18/30 Alternate Identity: Raven Queen, Raven Starver Age: C. 7000 years (Subjective: 35; DoB: 7/4/1975) Gender: Female Height: 5' 2" Weight: 90 lbs Eyes: Hazel/Gold Hair: Blue-Black In Brief: Millennia-old bad girl reforms and becomes a hero. Description: Robin Cross is a slim, short woman with warm, mahogany-colored skin. Her face is thin, and both her nose and chin are sharply pointed. Her deep-set eyes are a dark gold a few shades lighter than her skin, and her blue-black hair falls in waves to just past her shoulders. Despite the severity of her features she has a wide, generous mouth and an easy smile. Her limbs and fingers are slender, and she moves with an easy, practiced grace. Robin prefers to wear long-sleeved shirts of bright blue, green, pure white, and tan or khaki slacks when she doesn’t wear jeans. She wears a choker about her neck made of many pale wood panels connected by a thin chain of electrum. If someone got close enough, they might notice that each panel is inscribed with a different symbol in Sumerian. When the sorceress requires it, the choker expands into a slender ash wood staff, banded about with a thin filigree of electrum. She usually wears a charm bracelet around her right wrist. The central band appears to be silver and gold twisted together, and the charms are an eclectic mix: a half-open door, an eye, a horse in mid-gallop, and maybe a dozen others. Their overall meaning, if in fact there is one, is something the sorceress is keeping to herself. When Robin expects trouble or wants to be obvious about being a practitioner, she carried a slender ash wood staff a full inch shorter than herself. The pale wood is bound in thin rings of some silvery metal, more like a filigree than anything else, spaced evenly down the length of wood. Most of the time there's nothing to suggest that the staff is anything special -- aside from the person wielding it -- but when Robin puts power through it, runes flare on the surface of the wood. History: A thousand years before recorded history, when the world was a more savage place, a young shepherdess named Robin was born in the rocky mountains of the Near Est. She grew up in a sleepy village built around ancient Atlantean ruins, mostly untouched by the outside world, until the day her quiet home was invaded by bloodthirsty raiders. The girl was lucky enough to hide among the ruins and avoid death, but it left a mark on her. She studied the notes left behind by the village’s shaman, growing in arcane power and her need for revenge. Eventually she left the ashes of her home and went searching for the marauders. Robin, now calling herself the Morrigan, found many allies and enemies as she searched for the people who destroyed her birthplace; she finally found them and destroyed them, laying the memories of her past to rest, but by now the woman was too powerful to go back to being a quiet farmer. Morrigan continued to hone her talent, until she ruled a kingdom as the Raven Queen. She wasn’t a good queen, holding sway with an iron fist and a lust for power and knowledge. Aspirants to her throne rose up and were defeated, until a group of adventurers managed to trap her inside a magical tapestry. The enchanted canvas contained what was, on the surface, a perfect world, one where the Raven Queen ruled absolutely and was the acknowledged master of Earth, and the mightiest sorceress on the planet. For awhile she enjoyed her position, experimenting and expanding her mystical ability, but before long she grew bored. There simply wasn’t anything left to conquer or learn when she ruled the planet, and the few challengers who rose up against her she destroyed with contemptuous ease. Morrigan took to moving through her own empire incognito, as a shaman called Isla. She faced many trials and had a lot more fun, even when technically fighting against her own forces. Almost by accident she found herself a rallying point of the despairing inhabitants of her land, ending up heading a rebellion against herself! The rebellion succeeded and the Raven Queen’s empire crumbled. Isla continued to wander the land, searching for excitement and personal tests. Surprisingly, she learned that doing good was harder than evil, and she felt better. After a decade of questing throughout the illusory landscape, Isla had changed irrevocably from the woman who was first trapped – and the magic stopped working. The woman was spat out into a world much changed by time. Though only a decade or so had passed inside the tapestry, thousands of years had passed outside. Horses, minstrels, and mud-walled villages had been replaced by airplanes, the Internet, and metropolii with tens of millions of citizens. It wasn’t easy to adapt, but in time she settled down in Freedom City. She even has a store near FCU; Cross’ Roads specializes in magical and occult books and ingredients. In her free time the sorceress worked as an occult detective, helping the normal people of Freedom City with magical problems that didn’t attract the attention of the super-powered population. She’s even trained some budding mages in their powers, usually just enough so they don’t set the cat on fire. Personality & Motivation: Robin Cross has always been a woman who lived for the next thrill, the next test of her abilities, but age and experience have tempered her ardor a bit. She still loves a challenge to tackle, but now she’s likely to research a threat and prepare the exact response, rather than charge ahead and trust to luck and raw power to see her through. At heart, though, she’s still an emotional person, and with the right riggers all reason goes out the window. If just one thing drives Robin, it’s the hope of redemption. She deeply and sincerely regrets what she did as the Raven Queen. Her greatest rational fear is that her past will be exposed and she will become a pariah among heroes, or even be treated as a villain. Robin can be a bit odd in her stance towards magic. She views it as something special, not something to be thrown at every single problem. She prefers to use a mundane solution, if one exists, and is not shy about berating mages too eager to show off their power. Robin has a recurring dream about falling from a very tall height, which always lasts just long for her to feel her head crack on landing. Since she's never had an experience like this, she has become convinced that it's a premonition of her death. Powers & Tactics: Robin's magic is oriented towards mental effects, not physical ones. When she needs to interact with the physical world, she uses foci; most often her staff. To use her magic, the sorceress must gather the energy and shape it using words and gestures. Anything that leaves her unable to move and/or speak would leave her unable to access her spells. However, she could still use her foci. In a fight, Robin tries to use her Illusion and Emotion Control to break up groups of enemies. If possible, she'll set them to fighting each other, or at least fighting imaginary constructs. If there are innocents around, her first priority will be to get them out. Complications:Acrophobia Robin believes she will die from a long fall, and as such has a crippling fear of heights. Day Job Robin has a store in the same neighborhood as FCU, and must work her schedule around keeping it open and profitable. Soft-hearted Robin finds it difficult to turn down a plea for help, even when it would be in her best interests to. She's in the Book Cross' Roads is listed in the Freedom City Yellow Pages as a magic store, and people come to her off the street for help with some occult problem. Skeleton in the Closet Robin will go to great lengths to hide the fact of her past. Old Allies, Old Demons As the Raven Queen, Robin made pacts with evil creatures. She regrets is now, but some recognize her -- and some still have old debts to call due. Abilities: 0 + 2 + 2 + 10 + 6 + 6 = 26 PP Strength: 10 (+0) Dexterity: 12 (+1) Constitution: 12 (+1) Intelligence: 20 (+5) Wisdom: 16 (+3) Charisma: 16 (+3) Combat: 10 + 12 = 22 PP Initiative: +1 Attack: +5 Base, +8 Melee, +10 Electric Strike, +10 Nullify Magic Grapple: +5 Defense: +11 (+6 Base, +5 Dodge Focus), +3 Flat-Footed Knockback: -5 Saving Throws: 6 + 5 + 5 = 16 PP Toughness: +1/+11 (+1 Con, +10 Protection) Fortitude: +7 (+1 Con, +6) Reflex: +6 (+1 Dex, +5) Will: +8 (+3 Wis, +5) Skills: 100 R = 25 PP Concentration 12 (+15) Craft (Artistic) 8 (+13) Craft (Chemical) 2 (+5) Diplomacy 8 (+11) Gather Information 8 (+11) Intimidate 8 (+11) Investigate 6 (+11) Knowledge (Arcane Lore) 10 (+15) Knowledge (History) 2 (+7) Languages 12 (Ancient Atlantean, Ancient Egyptian, Arabic, Celestial, English, French, Gaelic, Greek, Hebrew, Infernal, Latin, Mandarin, Sumerian [native]) Notice 8 (+11) Search 8 (+13) Sense Motive 8 (+11) Feats: 16 PP Artficer Attack Focus (Melee) 3 Attack Specialization (Electric Strike) Dodge Focus x5 Equipment 3 (15EP) Luck Ritualist Trance Powers: 1 + 8 + 18 + 27 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 58 PP Immunity 2 (Magic; Aging, Sleep; Flaws: Limited [1/2 Effect]) [1PP] Device 2 (Spell-Wrought Longcoat; Magic; 10PP, Flaws: Hard-To-Lose) [8PP] Protection 10 (Magic) [10PP] Device 5 (Staff Foci; Magic; Easy to Lose; 25 PP; Feats: Restricted 1 [Anyone with Arcane Lore +10/Magic 5], Subtle) [18PP] All effects have the Magic descriptor BE: Air Control 10 (Air; Feats: Alternate Power 5) [25PP] AP: Magnetic Control 10 (Magnetism; 12 tons) [20PP] AP: Environmental Control 6 (Fire; create intense heat & daylight, 250 ft radius)[18PP] AP: Obscure 10 (Water; Visual and olfactory, 1 mile radius; Extra: Independent; Flaws: Partial) [20PP] AP: Strike 10 (Earth; Feats: Affects Insubstantial 2, Accurate, Improved Disarm, Improved Trip) [15PP] AP: Strike 10 (Electricity; Extra: Area/Line [Targeted]) [20PP] Magic 12 (24PP Array, Feats: Alternate Power 5, Drawbacks: Power Loss 2 [when unable to speak or gesture]) [27PP] BE: Illusion 5 (Magic; All Senses; Feats: Progression 2 [25ft radius], Slow Fade 2 [5 minutes]; Extra: Duration [sustained], Independent; Flaws: Phantasm, Action/Full Round) [24PP] AP: Emotion Control 8 (Magic; Extras: Area [General, Burst, Stationary], Independent) [24PP] AP: Nullify Magic 10 (Magic; Feats: Accurate 2, Selective; All magic effects) [22PP] AP: Mental Blast 8 (Magic, mental; Flaw: Action/Full Round) [24 PP] AP: Telepathy 7 (Magic, Mental; Communication [Mental] + Mind Reading; 200 miles; Feats: Selective; Extras: Area [Communication]) [22PP] AP: ESP 5 (Magic; 5 miles; Feats: Dimensional [Mystical dimensions], Subtle]) [22 PP] Super-Senses 2 (Magic; Detect Magic [Visual], Extras: Analytical; Flaw: Blocked by natural earth) [1PP] Super-Senses 2 (Magic; Detect Magic [Tactile], Extras: Ranged; Flaw: Blocked by natural earth) [1PP] Super-Senses 2 (Magic; Magical Awareness [Mental], Magical Awareness [Olfactory]) [2PP] Drawbacks: -0PP DC Block: Air Control 10 --- DC 30/Acrobatics or Strength Electric Strike 10 --- DC2 5/Toughness Emotion Control 8 --- DC 18/Will Illusion 5 -- DC 15/Will Mental Blast 8 --- DC23/Will Nullify Magic 10 -- DC20 Will Staff Strike 10 --- DC25/Toughness Telepathy 7 --- DC17/Will Abilities (26) + Combat (22) + Saving Throws (16) + Skills (25) + Feats (16) + Powers (58) - Drawbacks (0) = 163/168 Power Points

Made part of Comprehend part of the ring, upped some saves.