Fox

Sighing and pulling her rain-wet hair back, Dragonfly trotted up to the group just in time to catch the jist of the story. "Dragonfly," she quietly introduced herself. "I am, I mean. Really ought to know better than to get involved. Been a long day. Weather doesn't help...any strategy on...?" She caught a better look at the poorly-clothed window observer, and had an entirely new question. It wasn't elegant or politely phrased, and contained a few choice words in Russian, but more or less amounted to a hissed 'What in the world are you??' Her internal monologue was even less polite, but amounted to jesus christ it's a zombie

Dragonfly was in a bad mood - a truly awful mood, really. She'd followed a tip that had led to the docks...and an ambush, which she'd walked away from fine but empty-handed. She was upset to not have found another of 'her' devices, she was upset to have been mislead, but mostly she was upset to have fallen for it. She'd figured she'd work off her newfound grouchyness by walking part of the way back. In the rain. That was the plan, anyway, until she spotted the guy in the armor...who had apparently spotted someone of his own. Raising an eyebrow, she switched on her infravision overlay and tilted her head, wondering what in the world was going on....and then blinked at the building itself, and its awfully unusual infrared readings. just going to be one of those nights - wine and double bass will have to wait

Taking 20 on the Notice check to spot Push and Corbin, because I'm a cheaty cheater who cheats. That's a 25, and her mental quickness takes it way down into free-action range for time. I'm assuming 25 is enough to spot them. If not, correct me and I'll edit my post. EDIT:

Dragonfly shrugged. "Up to you, really. Not my call - I'm not bait. Admirable decision. Possibly dangerous? Mm. Have a television or portable dvd player on hand for a quick change, maybe. Getting very small these days. Could be smaller, cost/profit concerns...durability problems. Could always make them out of..." She trailed off, staring at nothing as she - apparently - did some design work in her head. One finger idly traced numbers in the air, chalk on an invisible chalk board as she ground through the math. It took almost half a minute for her to realize what she was doing, and she froze, then coughed. "...yes, well. Few electronics companies with that level of metallurgy facilities anyway."

Done by AA Well, I put this off long enough. Gaian Knight's edits! 4pp to spend. Sheet updated to meet new template standards. Assorted personality and description areas subtly changed to reflect his less wise-cracking nature. Age updated, as he apparently had a birthday in October. Who knew? +2 to his Attack, bringing him up to caps (and slightly more competent with the sword, though not much). Grapple updated to match. [-4pp; 0pp to spend] Bluff no longer suits him or his fighting style; dropping it as a retcon (he's never actually USED the skill, so I nimbly skip over plot holes). One of those bluff skill points goes into Sense Motive, the rest refund 2pp. [+2pp; 2pp to spend] Without bluff, and with his combat style no longer suited to it, I'm dropping the Distract (Bluff) feat. [+1pp; 3pp to spend] The array gets two points sunk into it (taking it up to rank 17), and loses an Alternate Power feat. [-2pp, +1pp; 2pp to spend] Array changes are pretty straightforward: Create Object, both Damages, Burrowing, Move Object, Snare, and Transform all gain a rank (his damage powers are still slightly under-caps, but one's autofire and the other's a minion-sweeper, so....). I'm dropping the Environmental Control - it seems like something that's best stunted. Last but not least, he gets two ranks of Protection, taking him up to a -3/+3 defense/toughness tradeoff, and bringing him to defensive caps for his PL. Knockback modifier updated to match. [b][u]Character's Name:[/u][/b] Gaian Knight [b][u]Power Level:[/u][/b] 11 (161/161) [b][u]Trade-Offs:[/u][/b] -3 Defense / +3 Toughness [b][u]Unspent PP:[/u][/b] 0 [b][u]Gold Status:[/u][/b] 11/30 [b][u]In Brief:[/u][/b] Young professor, given powers over the earth by unknown forces, just out to do some good in the world. [b][u]Alternate Identity:[/u][/b] Tarrant David McLeod [b][u]Identity:[/u][/b] Secret [b][u]Birthplace:[/u][/b] United States, west coast [b][u]Occupation:[/u][/b] Professor of Earth Sciences, Freedom City University [b][u]Affiliations:[/u][/b] none [b][u]Family:[/u][/b] Parents (still on the west coast), Brother (location unknown; little contact) [b][u]Age:[/u][/b] 26 (DoB: October 1984) [b][u]Gender:[/u][/b] male [b][u]Ethnicity:[/u][/b] Caucasian [b][u]Height:[/u][/b] 6' [b][u]Weight:[/u][/b] ~160lbs [b][u]Eyes:[/u][/b] green (now flecked with gold) [b][u]Hair:[/u][/b] brown [b][u]Description:[/u][/b] A tall man seeming to be in his early to mid twenties, Tarrant’s fit but not overly muscular: he looks more like someone who spends a lot of time outdoors than someone who hits the gym five days a week. Short brown hair tops a charming face with amused green, gold-flecked eyes. Left to his own devices he trends towards simple, durable clothing (jeans, t-shirt, unadorned jacket), but dresses up a bit more for teaching (button-up shirt, vest, tie, and slacks). No matter what he’s wearing, his footwear is practical – “death before dress shoesâ€. His heroing gear seems serviceable but a little slapdash: black fingerless gloves, heavy brown boots, dark jeans, dark red cloth over his mouth and nose, and a long brown hooded coat. Only three items are truly notable: first, a dull metal platemail chestpiece under the coat keeping the torso well-protected, apparently designed with an eye towards flexibility; second, a pair of round goggles completely obscuring his eyes; and third, an antique-looking but well-cared-for sword which never leaves his side. [b][u]Power Descriptions:[/u][/b] Gaian Knight leverages the abundant nearby earth for his effects, moving or reshaping it to his own ends, attacking from various angles to surprise his enemies or attack around cover. As a hobbyist sculptor he takes a bit of pride in the appearance of the things he makes, and if he's able he likes to add his own little artistic touches. His magic often causes a noticable earthy-gold glow that becomes more and more apparent as he does bigger and bigger things, starting around his hands, then his eyes, and finally his whole body (and any rock nearby). Though he rarely notices, long-term use of his power leads to little rocks following him around in the air. [b][u]History:[/u][/b] Young grad student Tarrant McLeod lived a pretty ordinary life up until a friend of his – an archeology student – called him up to help with a gigantic, mysterious cave they’d unearthed near an old ruined city. Upon entering and touching a distinctly out-of-place pedestal of polished stone he was transported to an unknown, seemingly endless plane of earth where a floating vision of a woman in flowing robes spoke to him in broken sentences and half-formed images, part of some ancient recording or ceremony; she called him the Gaian Knight, charged him with protecting “the swordâ€, and implied the purpose of this place was to empower a defender for the surrounding city when it was at the height of its grandeur. When returned to the cavern he found he’d been linked into the earth: he could feel the stone around him, shape it, move it. He also found a sword and scabbard on the altar where there had been none, and (unconsciously compelled to take it with him) made his way back outside more confused than enlightened. Since then he’s spent quite a bit of time learning to control his power, and taking advantage of his new abilities to complete his schooling in record time. Offered a teaching job at FCU, he finally feels like he’s in a place in life where he can apply what he’s learned...in more ways than one. [b][u]Personality & Motivation:[/u][/b] Strange sense of humor and (sometimes forced) cheer; Tarrant’s a decent guy at heart, level-headed, stubborn, and somewhat 'salt of the earth' – he feels bad when he sees bad things happen, he wants to help when someone’s in need of help. He never paid much attention to superheroes growing up (something he regrets, now), but he has a new start and just wants to help people, even if he’s aware that may be naïve. Enjoys cheap magic tricks and carving/sculpting small art pieces in his spare time. [b][u]Powers & Tactics:[/u][/b] Tarrant is not a practiced fighter (he's pretty awful with that sword, too), and typically subsumes his combat nerves into wry comments and self-depreciating humor. That aside, his ‘fighting style’ is more or less as follows: Priority one: protect people who need protecting. Priority two: stay well away from anyone who looks like they can throw a punch. Priority three: protect yourself from anyone who looks like they can throw anything else...like a bus. Priority four: find a way to take down the enemy with as little possible trouble – trap them, bind them, hit them with a rock. Ambushes are good, and underground is better, where the rock is plentiful and tremorsense/nightvision give him an edge. [b][u]Complications:[/u][/b] [b]Honor:[/b] Chivalry. Respect and honor; he’s not an old-school knight, but even before the magic answering machine he was of the “won’t hurt a lady†sort, and though he’s not usually compelled to fight fair (since your average mook isn’t going to extend him the same courtesy) he can be easily convinced to listen to his opponent’s side of things...and to fight a fair battle against an enemy he knows (or thinks) is honorable. [b]Responsibility:[/b] Professor. He tries to arrange his schedule (and the assigned homework!) as best he can, but he does have students to help and classes to teach. [b]Secret:[/b] Identity. [b][u]Stats:[/u][/b] 2+0+4+4+6+4 = 20pp Str: 12 (+1) Dex: 10 (+0) Con: 14 (+2) Int: 14 (+2) Wis: 16 (+3) Cha: 14 (+2) [b][u]Combat:[/u][/b] 14+12 = 26pp Initiative: +0 Attack: +7 Base, +11 Earthshaping Grapple: +8 Defense: +8 (+6 Base, +2 Dodge Focus), +3 Flat-Footed Knockback: -7 [b][u]Saves:[/u][/b] 8+7+4 = 19pp Toughness: +14 (+2 Con, +8 Protection, +4 chestpiece) Fortitude: +10 (+2 Con, +8) Reflex: +7 (+0 Dex, +7) Will: +7 (+3 Wis, +4) [b][u]Skills:[/u][/b] 72r = 18pp Climb 4 (+5) Concentration 12 (+15) Craft (Artistic) 8 (+10) Knowledge (Earth Sciences) 13 (+15) Notice 12 (+15) Profession (Professor, Earth Sciences) 5 (+8) Sense Motive 8 (+11) Sleight of Hand 10 (+10) [b][u]Feats:[/u][/b] 7pp Dodge Focus 2 Equipment 2 (10ep) Luck Precise Shot Taunt [quote]Equipment wrote: Goggles (Nightvision/Flash) [4ep] Customized Platemail Chestpiece [4ep] Masterwork Sculpting/Carving Tools [1ep] Quality Rock Climbing Gear [1ep][/quote] [b][u]Powers:[/u][/b] 1+6+42+2+3+8+7+2 = 71pp [b]Burrowing 1 ([/b]1mph / 10ft per Move Action[b])[/b] [1pp] (earth, magic) [b]Device 1 ([/b]"The Sword", 5pp, [i]Feats:[/i] Indestructible, Restricted 2 [Current Knight], [i]Flaws:[/i] Easy-to-Lose 2[b])[/b] [6pp] [i]An old- and ornate-looking masterwork sword.[/i] [device][b]Strike 4 ([/b][i]Feats:[/i] Mighty[b])[/b] [5pp][/device] [b]Earthshaping 17 ([/b]34pp Array, [i]Feats:[/i] Accurate 2, Alternate Power 6[b])[/b] [42pp] (earth, magic) [list] [u]BP:[/u] [b]Create Object 15 ([/b]375-foot cube, [i]Extras:[/i] Duration [Continuous], [i]Flaws:[/i] Action [Full], [i]Feats:[/i] Precise, Stationary, Progression 2 [25-foot cube per rank][b])[/b] [34/34pp] [u]AP:[/u] [b]Damage 10 ([/b][i]Extras:[/i] Autofire, Range [Ranged], [i]Feats:[/i] Indirect 2, Variable Descriptor [piercing, bludgeoning][b])[/b] [33/34pp] [u]AP:[/u] [b]Damage 10 ([/b][i]Extras:[/i] Area [General, Shapeable], Range [Ranged], [i]Feats:[/i] Indirect 2, Progression [2 cubes per rank], Variable Descriptor [piercing, bludgeoning][b])[/b] [34/34pp] [u]AP:[/u] [b]Burrowing 11 ([/b]2500mph / 25,000ft per Move Action, [i]Extras:[/i] Area, [i]Feats:[/i] Subtle, Progression [Reverse Area] 11 [Personal to 55ft radius][b])[/b] [34/34pp] [u]AP:[/u] [b]Move Object 17 ([/b]Strength 85: 500/1000/1600/3200/8000 tons, [i]Extras:[/i] Range [Perception], [i]Flaws:[/i] Limited Material [Earth][b])[/b] [34/34pp] [u]AP:[/u] [b]Snare 11 ([/b][i]Feats:[/i] Indirect 2, Obscure Senses 5 [All], Reversible[b])[/b] [30/34pp] [u]AP:[/u] [b]Transform 8 ([/b]Earth into Earth, 250lbs, [i]Extras:[/i] Duration [Continuous], [i]Feats:[/i] Precise[b])[/b] [33/34pp][/list] [b]Flight 2 ([/b]25mph / 250ft per Move Action, [i]Flaws:[/i] Platform[b])[/b] [2pp] (earth, magic) [b]Immunity 3 ([/b]Aging, High-Pressure Environments, Suffocation [Underground][b])[/b] [3pp] [b]Protection 8[/b] [8pp] (earth, magic) [b]Super-Senses 7 ([/b]Detect Earth [mental]; Accurate 2, Acute, Analytical, Radius, Ranged[b])[/b] [7pp] [b]Super-Senses 2 ([/b]Tremorsense [tactile], Ranged[b])[/b] [2pp] [b][u]DC Block:[/u][/b] [code]Unarmed 16 DC/Toughness damage Sword 20 DC/Toughness damage Autofire Blast 25-30 DC/Toughness damage Area Blast 20 DC/Reflex, 20 or 25 DC/Toughness damage Snare 21 DC/Reflex entangled, anchored, optionally sense-obscured Costs: Abilities (20) + Combat (26) + Saves (19) + Skills (18) + Feats (7) + Powers (71) - Drawbacks (00) = 161pp

could help there - can't let my technology out of my hands - this is already out of my hands - used by criminals in several documented reports - but can't - won't - have to trust somebody - good cause - idea makes me nauseous - do it anyway - ignore risks "Could..." Dragonfly swallowed, and tried again. "Not...much of a chemist. But could help you there. Maybe. Not as good as proper chemical solution but could repurpose a -" risk here - cover for it - technically not a lie? She hesitated, before continuing like the word killed her to say: "...villain-made technology. Spacial suspension of...mm. Stasis field. Basically. Units would be small, self-contained, and low-power...would work poorly on organic life, but well enough on solutions or inanimate objects. Let you move forward on your project until you get decay properly fixed." please don't let me regret this

Dragonfly tilted her head, the vial rippling and disappearing to wherever her dimensional pocket too things. "Mm. Maybe. Maybe not." Lights danced and flickered behind her eyes as she swept for a computer. everyone has a computer these days - not here? - cell phone - laptop - surely there's something - come on "Means will hopefully be reduced when he's in jail. Knowledge...maybe. Maybe not. Needed that scientist. Needed the girl, too." She unconsciously made a fist at the mention of that girl, still in the hospital. "Won't have either, now," she added, more edge in her voice than she'd intended.

No computer came up on the search check, but Dragonfly's the sort to be extra-thorough. It's a shot in the dark, but it's something for her to do. Taking 20 (for a roll of 26) on an Extended Search, using Datalink to sweep for a computer within 100 feet that doesn't belong to the heroes. Base time of 2 minutes, 40 minutes for taking 20, 24 seconds with 100x mental quickness.

Mostly fluff - his Create Object allows for quite a lot of wall, and he's mostly doing damage control. And 'cos we'll need it soon, I imagine: Initiative Roll (1d20 + 0=18) This may be the best initiative he's ever rolled.

"See," said Gaian Knight, sitting cross-legged on a chunk of rock and looking down at the zoo, "this is not really what I had in mind after work today." The earth-shaping hero put out his hands, sweeping in closer to the zoo as large, solid walls assembled themselves around the few enclosures that still had animals in them or nearby. "I just wanted to go see the zoo! Maybe do some tricks for kids, cheer up their day...go check out the wolf pen, you know?" As the stone barriers finished, a few last fragments of rock drifted up into the air, unnoticed, to hover around his shoulders. "A basic, cheerful day. And now look at the place. You guys suck."

Hm. Yeah, I'd toss GK into this. The guy needs threads.

"Mm. Parents." That, apparently, was all Dragonfly had to say on the matter. She made a face. "Police. Great respect, but they do complicate things. Still...could follow him when he's out of the house or comes near western Freedom. Father isn't likely to monitor him all the time...probably. Poor level of experience there. Hard to judge." She shrugged, tilting her head at the screens. "Possible to make it unnecessary? Just a suggestion, but if you narrow down the area...mm. Creature Feature could turn into this Vance and become bait. Less risky. Keeps Vance himself out of trouble. A little young to be running around as bait anyway." hypocrisy? - apples and oranges

Dragonfly frowned up at the screen, tapping her arm. "Hopefully you have time for an investigation. Scattered reports - 'word on the street', possibly unreliable, had to call in a favor - that SHADOW is looking for...mm. Leverage. Putting out feelers for an old employee....haven't found a picture yet. Fairly young, few records." On the screen she pulled up what little she'd found - basically just a birth certificate and a couple police records detailing people involved in Video Head's troubles. "Vance Malloy. Know very little about him. Would suggest him as bait if he was older and willing. May be worth tracking down and watching anyway."

Folding the check copies into her dimensional pocket to be scanned and turned over to the police, Dragonfly picked up one of the vials and held it up, squinting at what little was left in the bottom. poor chemist - glad someone else here is better - still - can't hurt to look into later "Yes. For as long as possible. No. Unknown, hopefully nobody," Dragonfly answered in turn, when there was a pause to answer in. Her expression was cold and withdrawn now that the adrenaline had run down, but otherwise unreadable. "As disgusted as you, but death is a poor answer. Consequences...eats at your soul. If you believe you have one. Theological concerns...mm. Meeting gods and angels adds new facets to philosophical arguments."

Still pretty deep in that uncanny valley, but making progress.

Dragonfly stretched, unfolding her legs and hopping down off the table. "A unique logo, certainly." a sticker? - could do better than that - not my place - wonder if there are superhero fashion designers - probably "So," she started, rubbing her neck, "good news, bad news. Good news: narrowed it down to the west side of Freedom. Too much SHADOW activity for coincidence. Bad news: don't know WHERE on the west side. West End, Greenbank...Lantern Hill, maybe. Not sure...too hard to pin down. SHADOW lives up to the name." She frowned, apparently not very happy with that. if they're in my part of town violence will happen She brushed an invisible thought away with one hand, turning back to the screen and bringing up some files - pictures of both Ms. Lights and some very old newspaper clippings. "Fortunately, can do better than that. Lindsy Lights - given technology, era, phenomenon from kidnapping scene reports...probably Lady Tesla. Unsure why she stockpiled SHADOW technology. Safekeeping, analysis, future destruction....mm. Speculation. Further speculation: unlikely to hurt her. Reports...SHADOW M.O. for subjects that old is less rough. Mental, manipulative. Good and bad...good if she won't break. Very bad if she does. Don't know what they want."

Should probably go ahead and just reply to Sil. Having Dragonfly spend another few minutes on the search sounds like a good excuse to decompress after many many posts of and technobabble.

Dragonfly exhaled, hanging her head for a moment to collect herself. still alive - good - didn't - mmh "Glad he's not dead. Deserves to rot in prison." escape concerns for normal prison - super-prison? - maybe stick him in a jar Shaking her head, but visibly relieved, Dragonfly started taking stock of the room to distract herself. too close - reinforce safeties later anyway

If we're doing a long search, that's a 26 on Dragonfly's part. Otherwise: Search Check (1d20 + 6=11) Not super-awesome, but ehn. Shoulda taken 10. Ah well.

"Lightning-based in the pre-Moore years..." Hmming and tapping her finger, Dragonfly pondered and puzzled. Turning her attention to the large array of computer screens she pulled herself up onto one of the precious few clear spots on the main worktable, folding her legs and resting her hands like she was meditating. Lights flickered and danced behind her eyes as the screens - slowly at first, but accelerating to a dizzying pace - started cycling through information: old articles, grainy news footage, and what looked suspiciously like the sort of extensive police records that civilians weren't supposed to have. hate to call in that favor - for a good cause - goodness knows what criminals would do with a retired superhero When she spoke, her voice was - disturbingly - echoed by the speakers scattered around the warehouse, some of which seemed to be muttering snippets of thoughts or numbers that weren't really part of what she was saying. "This may take a little bit. There's soda in the kitchen to the right of the screens."

Dragonfly should have...what, one HP left? Let's spend that sucker. She gains the temporary use of the Contacts feat, allowing her to take 20 on Gather Information checks. (Also, technically, she could make the checks in one minute; for dramatic purposes I'm ignoring that part.) With her Online Research, she can now take 20 on her Computers check instead of Gather Information. Datalink to the warehouse's Computer feature and the search is on. Since this is part of a plot you're starting up, it seems, you get to be GM here. (Gather Info) Computer check of 36, looking for information on the woman and her possible current whereabouts.

Dragonfly blinked, brushing a lock of hair out of her face. "Two months old...mm. Any other information on Ms. Lights? Medical conditions would be ideal...required medication, health concerns...." Her mind wasn't really waiting for an answer, racing as she tried to piece together possible solutions with what she had. 27th - the Fens - poor neighborhood - high crime overworked police force - records news investigation notes - call in a favor at the PD?

Dragonfly tapped a finger against her leg, pondering that. "Possibly untrue. Suspect alien cells have been altered...nanites certainly capable of regulation. Can probably manifest a surprisingly vast array of powers, with correct stimulus. Unsure of limits...would need extensive study or original creator's notes to be sure. Mechanisms for certain effects are unknown, but if they can be replicated by his--" She paused, blinking, looking back and forth between Sil and her (apparently somewhat panicked) companion. "....but, ah, unlikely. And, yes, conscious control. Can 'lock down' changes with concentration and practice, I believe. Also...your brain, no. ...yes. Sort of. Widespread colonization of grey matter is dangerous...degeneration concerns, rejection, insani---mm. Nanites have very careful safeguards against it. Minimal intrusion, contained to secondary or lower-function pathways. Only what they need to do their job. Input only," she stressed, "cannot effect mental changes. Certainly not against your will."

Dragonfly shook her head, but didn't comment. death rays are overrated - discourage Jessica later? - maybe - think about it - should get back on patrol and tracking later today - too many projects unfound "May be best, to change topic. Laboratory will require additional planning...outside the scope of the 'brunch'. Best saved for later...possibly remote correspondence. More efficient."

Dragonfly blinked, her newly-formed weapon fragmenting into nothing as reality smoothed itself back out. She was looking at the...flesh statue, biting her lip and looking awfully concerned for someone who just won a fight. "Can't...shouldn't...mm. Nonlethal. Not pleasant, but...I do not use lethal force. Multiple safeties, extensive pre-field testing...what could have...I don't...." She bit her lip, absently - and furiously - tapping a finger against her gauntlet as she tried to figure out what had gone wrong. complications due to mutation? - unforseen - still - can't - shouldn't....