Sticklefront

“Don’t worry.†He had told them. “You were right to bring this to me. I’ll put this right.†The couple had come to him late at night. Nobody on the block ever talked about it, but they knew why there were no gangs on their street. Why none of their kids fell into hard drugs, or robbed, or beat their women. Someone stopped anything like that before it could ever start; they called him Havoc. Their son was called Jackie Conway. He wasn’t a bad kid, but he’d got a taste for pot in high school, and it seemed that he’d made a bad connection; a few days ago, he’d gotten something stronger. Now he was laid up in a free clinic down in the Fens, shivering and talking gibberish, unable to eat or talk. His case had been reported to the police, and they were investigating, but had come up blank. His parents had come to Havoc. They didn’t know what else to do. Havoc looked up; he was outside of the clinic. He needed to speak to Jackie; the young fool was the only link he had to where this new filth was coming from. Would they let him in? Who knows? Besides, no way was Brutus Haigh walking in that door; they’d be speaking to Havoc; maybe that would ease any suspicions about why this man, no relation to the patient, had a need to question him. That is, if the boy was lucid enough to be of any help. He gritted his teeth, and opened the door. He approached the reception, stomping over linoleum with heavy, purposeful steps. “I need to speak to Jackie Conway.â€

The HellQ Introduction Who are you? Sum yourself up in one sentence. They call me Havoc. If you didn’t know that, then congratulations; you must be a constructive member of society. See… them that meet me? They usually ain’t good people. Do you have any nicknames, street names, titles, or nom de plume? There’s one guy calls me Scratch. He’s earned that right. What is your full birth name? Brutus Benjamin Haigh. Where do you live? Right now? Some dive apartment down in the Fens. It’s a hole, but what do I care? Not like I spend much time there, and it’s cheap. How old are you? What year were you born (if applicable)? I’m 76. What? Don’t look at me like that. Physical Traits I’m short an’ strong. But ya know what they say, Strong Ain’t Pretty. What is your gender? If not applicable, please explain. Open yer damned eyes, man. What kinda woman you ever met called herself Brutus? How would you describe your heritage? Heh. “Heritageâ€? My pa owned a hardware store and my ma kept a tidy home. Dunno what kinda “heritage†that’s meant to be, apart from red-blooded American. How tall are you? Five-Nine. Why? That some kinda short-guy crack? Smartass. What is your body type? I’m built like a freakin’ stevedore. Do you have any particular weaknesses, such as allergies or physical disabilities? Human stuff. Bullets’ll kill me dead. I’m allergic to knives goin’ into me. The worst thing I gotta put up with is the after-effects of the crap “they†put into my body. I can’t push it for too long, or I have a kinda “adrenaline-crash†that leaves me wiped out until my blood breaks down the chemicals that have built up. How do you carry yourself? Are you graceful, or heavy on your feet? Can you be stealthy, do you walk with confidence? When I walk, I stomp along like I’m pissed at the pavement. But when I have to, I can sneak with the best of ‘em. If a man couldn’t move quietly in ‘Nam, that man didn’t walk for long. The threat of a bullet in the head is a great motivator, know what I mean? Describe your skin, eye, and hair color. My skin’s kinda tanned. I’ve been out in the sun too long in too many countries. Hair and eyes are pretty normal. Brown and black. How do you wear your hair, if applicable? Do you have facial hair? Who cares? I hack it off when it gets too long. Don’t want to look like a damned flowerchild. Don’t want it high-and-tight, neither. Reminds me too much of bein’ in the Army. Screw THAT. Do you consider yourself attractive? Do others? Son, ain’t nobody ever gonna call me pretty. Do you have any scars, tattoos, piercings, or birthmarks? Ha! Yeah, just a few. This nose look straight to you? How ‘bout my jawline? I’m speckled with freakin’ bullet wounds and knife-marks. Even got a bite mark here on my ankle. That makes for a good yarn, I can tell ya… Do you resemble anyone famous? No. Do you have a dominant hand? Nah. I can flip the bird with both just as easy, hehe. What kind of clothing do you wear? Good American denim. I got a few cowboy hats I’m partial to. And cowboy boots. Hell yeah. I like me a good plaid shirt, too. Do you wear makeup? I’ll smack you, son. Don’t think I won’t. What is your vocal range? Is your voice distinctive in some way? Too many cigars and too much drink have left my voice rough. Still… gives me a decent growl when I need it! 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 chew things when I’m thinkin’. Or when I’m bored. Or when I’m annoyed. Most of the time, I guess. Anythin’ll do; a pencil, twig, bit of grass. I… eh… I guess I drink too much, too. History Where do you come from? I was born in Huntsville, Alabama. Have you made any major moves, or do you live in your hometown? I’ve been everywhere. Never really lived anywhere. Freedom’s the place I’ve stayed the longest. Been here on-and-off fer nearly ten years now. Do you feel loyal to your country of citizenship? Do you consider yourself patriotic? How do you feel about the government of your country? Depends what day you ask me. Sometimes, we’re the greatest nation on God’s green Earth. Sometime’s, we’re stupid and greedy and blind. But I care. There are real people getting’ caught up in all the madness; soldiers with families, cops with kids at home, wives and families and friends and all of ‘em are affected when there’s a stupid war, or a violent crime… all the crappy stuff that humans do to each other affects someone, and I don’t care what the Government plans to do about all of this stuff; I know what I’M gonna do about it. I don’t know if that counts as patriotism, but that’s what I got. How do you feel about the place you come from? It’s alright, I guess. Decent town. Where is your home town? What was/is it like? It’s just the same as any other town. Not really much to say about it. I liked it there. I was… happy. Growing up, were most of the people you knew similar to you, or were you somehow a minority? How did that affect you? I was a face in the crowd, truth be told. Is there something you've always been really good at or really bad at? How has that affected your life? I’ve always been kinda physical. I could always turn my hand to any sport pretty quickly. Lucky that way. Were there any traumatic experiences in your early years (death of a family member, abandonment, orphaned at an early age)? My pa died in hospital before I was old enough to know him. He had his appendix taken out, but he caught some kinda infection that turned his blood bad. Ma never really got over it. She was never really happy again. Briefly describe a defining moment in your childhood and how it influenced your life. I loved reading about Patriot and the Liberty League when I was a boy. He was amazing; I followed everythin’ he did, from beatin’ down Nazis to scrappin’ with their supers. Made me want to serve. When my war… ya know, ‘Nam… came around, they disbanded the League! It was unthinkable. I think that’s why I agreed to Section 12’s process… there was a gap that needed filling, and in my youth and my arrogance, I thought that could be me. What stupid things did you do when you were younger? I defied my mother and ran off to war. It cost me. She never spoke to me again, and it led me to be what I am today. Where did you go to school? How much school did you have, and did you enjoy it? Huntsville High. I did as much as I had to, then left. It was okay… I mostly enjoyed it for the football, and the boxing. Do you have any mementos of your childhood? What are they, and why did you keep them? If you have none, why not? I don’t get attached to things. “Stuff†has never been important to me. When did you decide to become a hero? Why? Did anyone influence you one way or another in the decision? Like I said earlier, it was really because I wanted to be Patriot. I wanted to step up and lead a new Liberty League against the Commies. I was such a fool. Is the reason you give people for becoming a hero different than your real reason? If so, why? No. My mistakes are my mistakes. I won’t hide ‘em. Do you have any deep, dark secrets in the past that may come back to haunt you? Hell, yeah. Section 12 are still out there… at least, I suspect so. I don’t know anything about what they did to me, or why, or if there’s anything about their process that I haven’t found out about yet. I don’t believe, in my heart, that they’ll leave me alone. One day, they’ll come for me. But I’ll be ready. Do you represent yourself as being different from who you really are? Why? Nah. Life’s too short… even for me. I am who I am. 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? Secrets never lead to anything good. Not in my experience. Do you have any sort of criminal record? If so, is it public knowledge? No. My crimes ain’t civil affairs. I did some bad things back in the day… but that was a different time. They’re between me and God. Family What are your biological parents' names? Benjamin and Sarah. Were you raised by them? If not, please explain and describe who raised you. By my ma, yeah. My pa was too dead to help. What was their standing in the community? What did/do they do for a living? They were upstandin’ American citizens. White picket fence, and all that. He owned a hardware store, and she stayed at home. Where are your parents now? He’s dead. Ma never spoke to me again, after I joined the Army. She never answered my letters. I don’t know if she’s alive or dead. Did your family stay in one area or move around a lot? They were pretty stable. Ma had left Huntsville by the time I came back from the war. How did you get along with their parents? How do you get along with them now (if applicable). Ma was always distant. I think it’s because of losin’ pa. She loved him, ya know? How do your parents view you now, or how would they? I… don’t like to think about that. Do you have any siblings? If so how many and what are their names? Describe your relationship with them. Nah. Just me. What was your birth order in the family? I’m the only one. Where are your siblings now (if applicable)? Do they have families of their own? What do they do? N/A Do you stay in touch with them or have you become estranged? N/A Do you love or hate one member of the family in particular? No. Whatever she thinks… thought… of me, I loved my ma. Is any member of the family special to you in any way (perhaps, as a confidant, mentor, or arch-rival)? No… No. Are there any black (or white) sheep in the family (including you)? If so, please explain. Me, for sure. I walked away from the life that my family had wanted for me, and I don’t think they would ever have approved of anything I’ve done since. Do you have a notorious or celebrated ancestor? If so, please explain, including how it has affected your life. Ha! Ha, hahaha! Nah, my family were never anythin’ special. Do you have a partner and children currently? If so, please describe them. No. I don’t want to talk about that any more. Next question. 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 SAID NEXT QUESTION. What type of person would be your ideal mate? … Relationships Do you have any close friends? If so, please describe them, and how you came to be close to them. I’ve got a few buddies in town. Best of ‘em all is John Morris, who runs an auto repair shop Downtown. I was in the war with his Grandpa. Known him all his life. His Gramps used to call me “Scratchâ€; he was one of the few who I kept in touch with after Section 12 did its work on me. John, and his father, both carried on callin’ me Scratch… and I let ‘em. John’s the only one that’s left, now; I sometimes stay with him, or do a little work for him. He’s a good man, and a good friend. Do you have a best friend? If so, how did they become your best friend? How close are you to your best friend? Not really. I don’t live that kinda life, ya know? If you were to go missing, who would worry about you? Johnny Morris, for sure. A few families in the area who know what I do to keep the ‘bangers away from our block. Have you lost any loves? If so, how did it happen, and what did you do? No. Move on. Do you have any bitter enemies? If so, please describe them and their history with you. Section 12, and all the other weirdos and freaks that they’ve worked on. I still don’t know much about them, and I worked for the devils for YEARS. They make it seem like they’re the good guys… like they’re working for God and Country, but they’re mad. They meddle, and interfere, and they never, ever allow anyone to refuse them. They’re evil. If you have enemies, how do you think they might attempt to work against you in the future? Like I said… the scumbags at Section 12. Do you think I’m the only dumbass that volunteered for this stuff? I bet they’ve got others… and who knows what they are capable of? Or how long they’ve been doing this? What is the worst thing someone has done to you? I don’t want to go into it… but I was captured by Charlie back in the war, and held for three days before I was rescued. Bamboo splinters, man. They go right in under your fingernails… Where do your loyalties lie? In what order? I got one rule; do the right thing. My first loyalty is to that. Second, is to keep the few friends I have safe. Third, God knows I wish I felt differently… but I’m still loyal to this country. I want what’s best for her. Who or what do you trust the most? Why? I trust myself. When it really comes down to it, I’m the only one I can rely on. Who or what do you despise? Why? Abuse of strength. What qualities do you admire most in other people? Are these qualities you possess? Patience. Kindness. Generosity. And look me in the eye, pal. Does that sound like me? What qualities do you hate most in other people? Do you have any of those qualities? Petty, petty greed leading people to evil acts. I can safely say that that ain’t me. Do you have a secret identity? If so, who knows it? Do you hide it from people who are close to you? Why? People mostly know me as Havoc. It’s really only Johnny that knows my real name, an’ he don’t even use the damn thing! Do you work well on teams and in groups? Are you a leader or a follower? My whole life I’ve worked, and fought side-by-side with, other people. That’s what I miss most about my time with the Government; havin’ a brother in arms watchin’ your back. I can lead, I can follow… that ain’t what’s really important. Are you on a super team? If so, how do you get along with your comrades? Do you trust them, or do you have secrets from them? Nah. I ain’t made any connection with the Freedom Friends in this town. Don’t think they’d approve of me. Are you a member of any church, fraternal organization, club, committee, political party, or other group? How much time do you spend on that? I ain’t part of a Church, but my heart belongs to the Almighty. That’s between Him and me. Move on. Personality & Beliefs Who are your heroes? Used to be Patriot, before he turned in his friends. Ain’t nothin’ makes that okay. These days…? Hell, I ain’t got no heroes. My heroes tend to die. Did you ever become disillusioned with former heroes or idols? If so, why and what were the circumstances? Heh. I reckon you already got the answer to this one already. Patriot turned in his comrades in he League. Nothin’ makes that okay. Brothers in arms, friend. Brothers in arms. Do you like being a hero? If so, what is the most rewarding part? If not, what makes you keep doing it? Being a “hero†is the only thing I have that’s worth a damn. I got a long way to go, a damned long way, but every time I do somethin’ good out there, I feel an inch closer to makin’ it right. Balancin’ the scales. Is there anything that would make you give up hero work, or even switch sides? If I’m ever thinking “Kill ten to save a thousandâ€, then I’m out. That kinda math is some bull@â€&*, pal. Don’t ever let anyone convince you otherwise. What are your short term goals (what would you like to be doing within a year)? Stoppin’ muggers, chasin’ down crims, hell, maybe even bustin’ the door down on some terrorist sons-o’-pigs. What are your long term goals (what would you like to be doing twenty years from now)? Don’t tell anyone… but I want a team of my own. I got a lot of bad to make up for, pal… more than I can do alone. What is your greatest fear? Why? What do you do when something triggers this fear? My biggest fear is ever, ever losin’ control. I did bad things for the Section. Whenever I worry about that… I drink, or I hit somethin’. Or both. Mostly both. Is there anything you would give your life for? Another person. I’ll save lives, brother. Ain’t no qualification for that. 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? I don’t care for it. Everythin’ I need to do my job is hidin’ between the bones of my forearms. I do a little scratch-work, some labouring, enough to keep me in beer, pay rent, to buy food… but that’s all I need. How do you generally treat others? Hey… they don’t mess with me, I don’t mess with them. Even if they are a stinkin’, bleedin’ heart hippy. Are you a trusting person? Has your trust ever been abused? I don’t trust nobody but me. Never had cause. Are you introverted (shy and withdrawn) or extroverted (outgoing)? Do you have a lot of self-confidence? I ain’t no song-an’-danceer, don’t get me wrong. I know who an’ what I am. I ain’t a shrinkin’ violet either. How do you act around attractive, available members of your preferred sex? Same as when I’m around ugly, married members of my preferred sex. Honest. Direct. Always polite, to a lady. What are your most annoying habits? I don’t pretend to like what I don’t like. I don’t say I’m okay with somethin’ I’m not okay with. I ain’t got the time, the patience, or the inclination, pal. Do you feel contempt for any general category of people? Who are they, and why? Contempt is a strong word… I detest the scumbags pushin’ drugs on American soil. I have nothin’ but disgust from fruit-loop terrorists tryin’ to mess things up on our soil. I hate anyone abusing’ their strength to get power over the weak. An I don’t like hippies. 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? I picked up a taste fer kebab somewhere along the line. But eatin’ ain’t a hobby or nothin’, it’s just somethin’ I do to live. What is your favorite drink (alcoholic or otherwise)? Beer. Pabst. What is your favorite treat (dessert)? Eh. I can live without sweet stuff. Are there any specific foodstuffs that you find disgusting or refuse to eat? Rice. I’ve had enough rice to last me a goddamn lifetime. What is your favorite color? Are there any colors you dislike? Who cares? I dunno. Grey. Green. Blue. Take your pick. Anythin’ but Red. What sort of music do you like? Is there any that you hate? I like both types of music, son. Country AND Western. If you have a favorite scent, what is it? Spiced meat on the grill. Cut grass. An’ new car smell. Everyone loves new car smell. Do you have a favorite animal? Who the hell has a favourite animal? What is your most treasured possession? Why? My dogtags. They remind me where I’m from. Do you enjoy "roughing it", or do you prefer your creature comforts? I like havin’ stuff, sure. It’s nice to have. But ultimately I’m just as happy with a rolled up newspaper an’ a concrete floor. I can rough it for as long as I gotta. Is there a job or a task you would absolutely refuse to do? I ain’t killin’ anyone unless it’s for a damn good reason. War. To save an innocent. I will never again be a blade in the hand of another. Do you consider yourself a spiritual person? If so, how do your beliefs affect your life?How important is it to you? Like I said before, my heart belongs to God. But that’s between Him an’ me. Was your faith influenced or molded by anyone special? My pa, I guess. After he died, my family, my community. 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? Everythin’ I need to say to God I can say alone. I don’t attend church. Could you kill? Have you killed? I’ve killed. Too many times. I’m red to the freakin’ elbow because of the killin’ I’ve done. I swear to holy God that if I ever kill again, there’ll be no other way to avoid it. What circumstances led to you forming that conviction, or taking that action? I killed at the command of evil men, who played the role of good men. I was a good soldier, an’ I followed my orders… all the way down the road to Hell. Are there circumstances under which you believe it is permissible to kill? What are they? In time of war. I’ll stand on the wall. You try and cross, to get to the civilians behind… then I’m sorry, pal. You bring it on yourself. 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? I’d make them pay for it. If it was a friend, they wouldn’t be any more. If it was an enemy… then I wouldn’t be surprised. I’d just be… angry. How would you react if something important was stolen from you? I’d be surprised that somethin’ I owned was important. But hell, if it’s mine, it’s mine. I’d run down whoever took it, an’ get it back. How would you react to public humiliation? Vengefully. How would you react if a good friend or relative were purposely or accidentally killed? Has it happened to you? Vengefully. Noticin’ a pattern here, pal? What do you consider to be the worst crime someone could commit and why? Murder, ‘cos there ain’t no takin’ it back. Rape, ‘cos of the damage it’ll do to a person’s mind. Treason, ‘cos you’re turnin’ on your own. If your life were to end in 24 hours, what five things would you do in those remaining hours? I guess… Make peace with anyone who’s ornery with me, beat the tar outta anyone who’s got it comin’ to ‘em, order three meat pizzas from Luigi’s, watch my favourite movies on loop an’ drink my own body weight in Pabst Blue Ribbon. Career & Training Do you have any special training in your hero skills? If so, where and how did you get it? I got the skills I learned in the army, and workin’ Black Ops for section 12. I can sneak, I can fight, an’ I can interrogate. I’ve learned a lot since then… how to beat a man without cuttin’ him up, an’ how to put him down without causin’ any permanent harm. Who taught you the most about your heroing abilities? What was your relationship with that person? Instructor A-6 in the Section. He “gave the skills that made the killsâ€. I hate the son of a… Well. I hate him. Do you have any particularly unusual skills? How did you acquire them? My adrenal glands are hyperactive as a result of what the section did to me. They pump out high levels of natural adrenaline, along with a coacktail of tailored combat drugs. Makes me faster, stronger, and tougher than I could ever be normally. Do you do something besides hero work for a living? Have you ever done anything else, or do you plan to? I do any jobs I can. A bit of labouring on construction sites, handyman jobs, sometimes workin’ with Johnny Morris in his motor yard. What is your preferred combat style? Quick ‘n dirty. No playin’ around. If you gotta fight, fight. Have you ever received any awards or honours? No. They didn’t give medals in the Section. What skill areas would you like most to improve in? Is there anything you can't do that you wish desperately you could? I wish I could patch people up better. Sometimes, I get on-site… and if there’s nobody needs punching then I’m no use. I’d like to be able to help more, ya know? 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? Grudgingly respectful, I think is the best way to describe it. I don’t like not bein’ the best. Lifestyle & Hobbies What is a normal day for you? How do you feel when something interrupts this routine? Wake up, eat whatever I have lyin’ around, press-ups, pull-ups, and go to work if I’ve found any. After that, out to the bars around town, to see what I can hear. Night comes around, and I get “into characterâ€, hehehe. Do you have any hobbies, or interests outside hero work? What are they, and where did you pick them up? Not really. No time. What do you do for fun? Drink. Watch a little TV. Play cards, if there’s any familiar faces to be found. Do you have a costume? What does it look like? It’s a thick bodysuit in dark blue, with white sections from armpit to hip. It’s quilted in high-impact areas; shoulders, thighs. It continues over my nexk and head, where it’s got extra plating, and a red visor that extends down over my eyes. Also… a utility belt. You gotta have a utility belt. It’s all about the pouches. How do you normally dress when not in costume? Stonewash, jeans an’ jackets. Plaid shirts. Cowboy boots & hats. What do you wear to bed most nights? That’s a weird question, kid. If you must know, my underwear an’ a tank top. Now… stop bein’ odd, alright? Just quit it. Do you wear any special jewelry? What is it, and what does it look like? Dog tags. They’re mine, from way back. Do you have a special place where you keep your valuables? Ha! What valuables? What's your preferred means of local travel? How about long distance? I use the subway a lot. Long distance, I fly commercial if I can afford it. Greyhound if not. I can run pretty damn fast though, and climb and jump, so I get from roof to roof without any trouble. I don’t like to run full-out for too long though; it plays havoc with my adrenaline levels. Miscellaneous Have you ever made a will, or tried to make arrangements for your death? What provisions did you make? Nah. Nobody to care about me if I go, an’ nothin’ to leave ‘em when I do. If your features were to be destroyed beyond recognition, is there any other way of identifying your body? Well, yeah. The weird freakin’ machines in my arms might be a giveaway. And the weird new organs and messed-up adrenaline glands. What would you like to be remembered for after your death? For bein’ a good man. Hell, a man can hope, can’t he? Do you believe you pose a threat to the public? Why or why not? Maybe. What if the Section have some weird trigger they’ve built in to their little toy? It worries me, sometimes… What do you perceive as your greatest strength? My greatest strength? I’m capable of things other super-goodies aren’t. When there’s hard work needs doin’, I’m the man for the job. What do you perceive as your greatest weakness? I’m easy to kill, son. You won’t see me swimmin’ through lakes of fire or spittin’ out bullets like they’re candy. I have to watch out; I ain’t Centurion, ya know! 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... Havoc, buddy… you’ve really got to get over the baggage that you’re carrying around. You never meant any harm! You did your job, like you were supposed to. If you don’t get past those times, you’re gonna end up driving yourself crazy, or killing some nobody over nothing. Then you’ll be screwed. There’s no coming back from that. Stop punishing yourself, mate. Get out there, and live your life.

For what it's worth, my "new joiner" experience hass been pretty good so far! Support while building my character has been top notch; and that's definitely something that's valuable to newbies!

Hopefully all amended as detected by the wily Fox!

Player Name: Sticklefront Character Name: Havoc Power Level: 10 (150/151PP) Trade-Offs: None Unspent Power Points: 1 Progress To Bronze Status: 1/30 In Brief: Black Ops killing machine turned principled man of honour. He’ll do what needs to be done; saving the day no matter the cost. Alternate Identity: Brutus Haigh, Whitey, Scratch Identity: Secret Birthplace: Huntsville, Alabama Occupation: “Superhero†Affiliations: Former operative of Black Ops group “Section 12†Family: Benjamin Haigh (Father, Deceased), Sarah Haigh (Mother, Estranged, status unknown) Description: Age: 76 Apparent Age: Mid-thirties Gender: Male Ethnicity: Caucasian Height: 5’9" Weight: 210 lbs Eyes: Brown Hair: Black Description Havoc is a shorter-than-average man, but is stocky and well built. His upper body is packed with muscle, but with none of the Adonis-like definition of a male model; rather the build of a stevedore or construction worker. He could most politely be called “hirsuteâ€; every visible inch of skin showing dark body hair. He’s not furry by any stretch of the imagination, just hairy! His nose has been broken and reset several times, and a distinct crookedness on the left hand side shows that his jaw has clearly been broken at some point. The heavy stubble covering the lower half of his face and neck do little to hide it, and neither does his horseshoe moustache. If visible, an observer would also be able to see two long, rectangular slots on the back of his forearms; the housings for his signature weaponry. Out of costume, Haigh wears rough clothing, favouring stonewash denim, tank tops, and cowboy hats as a matter of course. He is clearly a man of simple tastes. In costume as Havoc, he wears a close-fitting bodysuit. The suit has quilted sections along his upper arms, shoulders and thighs. It is rich blue in colour, with white sections running from armpit-to-knee on each side of his body. His head is covered by a smooth, white, open-faced helmet, with facial protection provided by a red visor extending down over his eyes. A white utility belt, heavy with pouches, is buckled around his waist, and he wears black combat boots. Power Descriptions: When his biological modifications are in use, his eyes widen, and his body begins to sweat profusely. The surging adrenaline however will cause him to “crash†within a minute or two, needing a similar time for his body to purge the resulting toxins from his blood and bring him back to optimum levels. His other “power†takes the form of an implanted weapon in each of his forearms; with a thought, Havoc can extend two gunmetal grey housings from the back of his forearms, which can utilise a field of humming red energy in the form of offensive weaponry. Whether in the form of cutting blades more effective than tempered steel, phased nerve-scramblers that reach inside the targets own body or projecting rods of energy through the air at high speed, the weapon channels a never-before seen form of energy that glows a vibrant red, but gives off no heat. History: Brutus Haigh was at best a C-student, but he excelled at physical sports. He joined the military straight from high school, against his mother’s wishes, to participate in the Vietnam war. She never spoke to him again, and the two lost contact. He was “volunteered†for a black-ops program for a unit calling itself “Section 12â€. Assumed to be a covert CIA group, he signed away his rights and was transformed into a trans-human killing machine. Codenamed Havoc, he served out the war, serving Section 12 until the end of the Cold War. An undisclosed event caused him to leave Government service mid-mission and return to the United States. No further mention of Section 12, or anything pertaining to any activity on their part, is ever found again. This was 1991. The Cold War ends three weeks later. Spends the next two years fighting street-level crime in Freedom City; particularly the Fens. Eventually comes into contact with Bruiser of FORCE Ops, and seems likely to work with the team more closely, until… 1993. The Terminus Invasion. FORCE Ops, among many other heroes, are killed. Havoc kills Omegadrones without compulsion, engaging in close-and-dirty streetfighting with the invaders until Centurion forces a retreat, at the cost of his own life. Present day. Havoc takes to the streets with renewed energy. Personality & Motivation: Haigh is a rough-and-ready character; he’s been around violence all his life, but despite everything has held to the belief that he has done the right thing. He would say that he just doesn’t like bullies, but the truth is that Havoc is a man who needs a war to fight; without an enemy in front of him, he might have to think about how he’s spent his life, and God knows, he’ll avoid that day for as long as humanly possible. Powers & Tactics: Havoc is a trained fighter, a combat veteran and hand-to-hand specialist. He can go toe-to-toe with almost anyone, as despite his apparent age he’s been in action for a long, long time. The implants and gene-treatments applied to Havoc by his shadowy handlers have left him stronger than the average human by far, dramatically slowed his ageing, and modified his adrenal system to provide short bursts of ferocious energy. The blades projected from his forearms are of solid-form energy using a technology not fully understood by its creators and seem to suffer little resistance when used to cut; despite having no weight, the energy blades cut as effectively as and metallic blade known to man. The device was created by a race called the Gheel, a technologically advanced species of gaseous lifeforms that used solid-light energy constructs to manipulate physical objects. Havoc is entirely unaware of this fact, as the group that made his modifications told him only that he was providing a test-bed for advanced weaponry on behalf of the U.S. government. Complications: Shadowy Makers: Havoc’s modifications were performed by a clandestine group that vanished as easily as they had appeared. Where they what they claimed to be? Are they still in operation? Do they have further plans for him? Barely Understood: The gene-treatments are baffling scientists to this day. Who knows how long they will remain stable, or what long-term effects they will cause? Deserter: Although the Government denies all knowledge of the team Havoc worked for, he receives at best a frosty reception from any U.S. Government body he comes across; intelligence agencies, military units… all seem to detest Havoc and hold him in low regard. Adrenaline Crash: Havoc’s combat prowess, strength and speed are almost exclusively the result of his modified adrenal system dumping a chemical cocktail into his bloodstream. This level of heightened activity comes at a price, however, and can cripple his ability in longer fights when he suffers the inevitable adrenaline crash. Abilities: 10 + 10 + 8 + 0 + 0 + 2 = 30PP Strength: 20 (+5) Dexterity: 20 (+5) Constitution: 18 (+4) Intelligence: 10 (+0) Wisdom: 10 (+0) Charisma: 12 (+1) Combat: 20 + 16 = 36PP Initiative: +13 Attack: +10 Base/+14 Blast Grapple: +16 Defense: +10 (+8 base, +2 dodge focus), +4 Flat-Footed Knockback: -5/-3 Saving Throws: 0 + 5 + 9 + 6 = 20PP Toughness: +10 , +6 Flat Footed Fortitude: +9 Reflex: +14 Will: +6 Skills: 96R = 24PP Acrobatics 12 (+17) Disable device 10 (+10) Drive 4 (+9) Intimidate 14 (+15) Knowledge (tactics) 8 (+8) Languages 2 (English [Native], Vietnamese, Russian) Notice 14 (+14) Pilot 2 (+7) Sense Motive 12 (+12) Stealth 10 (+15) Survival 6 (+6) Swim 2 (+7) Feats: 18PP Accurate Attack All-Out Attack Ambidexterity Assessment Defensive Roll 2 Dodge Focus 2 Endurance 1 Equipment 2 Fearless Improved Initiative 2 Instant Up Power Attack Quick Draw Takedown Attack Equipment = rebreather (1), lock-release gun(1), mini-tracers(1), night-vision goggles(1), smoke grenades (4), Armoured Bodysuit (Protection 2) = 10 EP Powers: 17 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 22PP Neotech Solid-State Energy Weapon Array Rank 7.5 (15PP Array, Power Feats: Alternate Power 2) [17pp] Base Power: Strike 5 ( Feats: Mighty, Penetrating 8, Improved Critical 1) "Monomolecular-Edged Energy Blades" {15/15PP} Alternate Power: Stun 7 ( Feats: Reversible ) {15/15PP} "Phased-State Blades" Alternate Power: Blast 6 ( Feats: Accurate 2, Improved Critical 1 ) {15/15PP} "Auto-Targetted Conscussion Bolts" Immunity 1 (ageing) [1PP] Leaping 1 [1PP] Super-Strength 1 (Effective lifting strength 25) [2PP] Speed 1 [1PP] Drawbacks 0 PP DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT DESCRIPTOR Unarmed Touch Toughness DC20 Damage (Staged) (Physical) Energy Blades Touch Toughness DC25 Damage (Staged) (Energy) Phased Blades Touch Fortitude DC22 Stun (Physical) (Energy) Concussion Bolts Ranged Toughness DC21 Damage (Staged) (Physical) Totals: Abilities (30) + Combat (36) + Saving Throws (20) + Skills (24) + Feats (18) + Powers (22) - Drawbacks (0) = 150/151) Power Points

Final edit, tidied up some fredundant fluff and tidied up font and sizing

I've taken... well, I'll be honest, all of that advice. Does everything look like it balances up? Any better?

Thank you, Arichamus, for your help with my array. I think (I hope) that it is now fixed- I removed the clone power and replaced it with a ranged attack; energy-pellets. I'm imagining a riot gun firing little bolts made out of Cyclops' eyebeam energy. I beefed up the primary power's Penetration so that it's using its full allowance of PPs, and changed how it's laid out so the fancy names don't obscure the mechanics of the power! As an aside; I wouldn't usually take so many ranks of the Accurate power feat, but it's the only way I could see of meeting caps (which has been repeated throughout as being preferred for new chars) for what is essentially a power that won't get used very often! So... thoughts so far? I'm getting pretty happy with the build now. Some of the evolutions that the Energy Blade power has gone through have resulted in a kind of weird swiss-army-knife superweapon. I like it; it's made the character less of a direct Wolverine-expy, and had popped the idea in my head that... maybe this is alien tech, and Havoc's whole refit was an experiment. That would also mean that I could build in a drawback; aliens of the race that made the device are maybe immune to it? I dunno, just spitballing.

OK, so following the feedback from you guys I've messed with my initial build The character should now be quite a hard hitting melee combatant, with some spec-ops skills, who is best suited for short, quick-burst assaults but is not too tough if struck back. All PP's are now spent :-D Let me know what you think! I've made the following changes: Beefed up Str, Dex & Con to more superheroic levels Messed with saving throws to make him more durable; maxed Reflex to show his reaction times and speed Tinkered with his Equipment points to give him some minor armouring on his costume, and a couple of points of Defensive Roll. He is now pretty reilient, as long as he strikes first. Anyone moving faster than him can beat him down pretty easily. That makes sense to me, for the concept. Accordingly, I've beefed his Initiative a little more. Added two Alternate Powers to his Energy Blades, turning them into an array with his original edged nasties, a blunted "energy truncheon" setting that turns them into clubs rather than blades, and my personla favourite Stun mode; where the density of the blades is turned down, letting them phase into their target and mess with their nervous system. (I'm not sure if I've done this correctly, as I found the array rules a bit confusing) I've added a Complication for his Adrenaline Crash; I've kinda winged that one, so if anyone can see a problem with it, let me know. I'm not changing the fluff until the build is finalised; I'll make sure that everything makes sense then, but I'd like to make sure that everything's finalised before I put any work into that side of things. As always, feedback will be very much appreciated!

I definitely will! I'm on my mobile today (Boo, work! :-D), but I'll definitely take the chance to use the chat when there's a less "going to get fired" opportunity ;-)

Yeah, I kept a healthy chunk of PP's back for just that purpose. Slow and steady, and all that jazz, hehe. The Energy Blades having a weaker setting sounds pretty cool. Maybe they can be dialled down to be partially-insubstantial. Would be cool to stab them through people in a similar manner to the Vision's touch. I could build it like a Stun attack, or a Paralyze, to reflect shocking the victims nervous system... Hmm... I also love the idea of building the adrenaline crash as a Complication! I could tailor it so much more. I'm assuming that would would have to be approved by peer review too, so I can't really get it wrong. Cool! And yeah. Spoilers will probably avoid the possibility of screwing with a DM's storyline. I'll work on that too. Thanks for all if this input guys, it's golden!

Here's hoping! Hehe. I've got a tonne of ideas, and I'm looking forward to doing some semi-regular writing. I need the practice, in all honesty! Looking forward to getting a char up and running. It's gonna be fun.

I figured thats how it is, because everyone seems pretty chilled and laid back! I just thought it was worth checking, because being the new guy the onus is on me to slot in with you guys and how things are done around here ;-)

Actually, another question; I'm not be nature an "optimal build" kind of guy... But should I come at the build from the angle that it should be "competitive"? If there's a culture of tough villains and high power levels, then I can totally up my game so that I don't fall behind.

Thanks for the welcome! I think my allocation of powers will need an overhaul to make Havoc work more smoothly and actually be effective. I'll have more time to go through it tomorrow, so that'll be fun :-) With regards to fluff; have no fear! It's no secret after reading all the introductory info that FCPBP is a Silver Age kinda place. My main aim with Havoc is to play him as someone who WAS definitely Iron Age, in his bad old days. He's not the guy to stab a mugger in the ear or anything, though; I want him to be dangerous, sure... But I can only see him killing when fighting an actual, balls-to-the-wall war, like with the Terminus, or in the dramatic exceptions to the rule that you've mentioned. But yeah, I'm totally on board with the setting- Havoc's a good guy, I swear! :-D

Thank you for the input! I was thinking about stats and whatnot this morning... I think I've been a little bit too conservative. I've got to get it into my head that it's okay to make him powerful! Truth be told, I wanted to make him a decent fighter, but certainly no Superman. Maybe I punted too low. I definitely want to keep the energy blades, as I kinda feel like he needs a signature weapon/attack. Otherwise, he's liable to be a Captain America rather than a Wolverine. Maybe I can invest in some more superhuman stats, maybe put some equipment points into a base, and make him stealthier. Maybe an implanted injector of combat drugs; would make a nice storyline in the future, trying to get rid of it if/when he became dependent on it. If I was to boost his exotic saves, especially fort/toughness, I can see why I would need them from a mechanics point of view; I don't want to die in my first story! I suppose if I'm trying to reason out why he's so resilient, I can always fall back on "gene mods" as an explanation.

Done! Hope that's better.

Player Name: Sticklefront Character Name: Havoc Power Level: 10 (150/150PP) Trade-Offs: None Unspent Power Points: 0 Progress To Bronze Status: 0/30 In Brief: Black Ops killing machine turned principled man of honour. He’ll do what needs to be done; saving the day no matter the cost. Alternate Identity: Brutus Haigh, Whitey, Scratch Identity: Secret Birthplace: Huntsville, Alabama Occupation: “Superhero†Affiliations: Former operative of Black Ops group “Section 12†Family: Benjamin Haigh (Father, Deceased), Sarah Haigh (Mother, Estranged, status unknown) Description: Age: Not entirely clear. Apparent Age: Mid-thirties Gender: Male Ethnicity: Caucasian Height: 5’9’’ Weight: 210 lbs Eyes: Brown Hair: Black Description Havoc is a shorter-than-average man, but is stocky and well built. His upper body is packed with muscle, but with none of the Adonis-like definition of a male model; rather the build of a stevedore or construction worker. He could most politely be called “hirsuteâ€; every visible inch of skin showing dark body hair. He’s not furry by any stretch of the imagination, just hairy! His nose has been broken and reset several times, and a distinct crookedness on the left hand side shows that his jaw has clearly been broken at some point. The heavy stubble covering the lower half of his face and neck do little to hide it, and neither does his horseshoe moustache. If visible, an observer would also be able to see two long, rectangular slots on the back of his forearms; the housings for his signature weaponry. Out of costume, Haigh wears rough clothing, favouring stonewash denim, tank tops, and cowboy hats as a matter of course. He is clearly a man of simple tastes. In costume as Havoc, he wears a close-fitting bodysuit. The suit has quilted sections along his upper arms, shoulders and thighs. It is rich blue in colour, with white sections running from armpit-to-knee on each side of his body. His head is covered by a smooth, white, open-faced helmet, with facial protection provided by a red visor extending down over his eyes. A white utility belt, heavy with pouches, is buckled around his waist, and he wears black combat boots. Power Descriptions: When his biological modifications are in use, his eyes widen, and his body begins to sweat profusely. The surging adrenaline however will cause him to “crash†within a minute or two, needing a similar time for his body to purge the resulting toxins from his blood and bring him back to optimum levels. His other “power†takes the form of an implanted weapon in each of his forearms; with a thought, Havoc can extend two gunmetal grey housings from the back of his forearms, which can utilise a field of humming red energy in the form of offensive weaponry. Whether in the form of cutting blades more effective than tempered steel, phased nerve-scramblers that reach inside the targets own body or projecting rods of energy through the air at high speed, the weapon channels a never-before seen form of energy that glows a vibrant red, but gives off no heat. History: Brutus Haigh was at best a C-student, but he excelled at physical sports. He joined the military straight from high school, against his mother’s wishes, to participate in the Vietnam war. She never spoke to him again, and the two lost contact. He was “volunteered†for a black-ops program for a unit calling itself “Section 12â€. Assumed to be a covert CIA group, he signed away his rights and was transformed into a trans-human killing machine. Codenamed Havoc, he served out the war, serving Section 12 until the end of the Cold War. An undisclosed event caused him to leave Government service mid-mission and return to the United States. No further mention of Section 12, or anything pertaining to any activity on their part, is ever found again. This was 1991. The Cold War ends three weeks later. Spends the next two years fighting street-level crime in Freedom City; particularly the Fens. Eventually comes into contact with Bruiser of FORCE Ops, and seems likely to work with the team more closely, until… 1993. The Terminus Invasion. FORCE Ops, among many other heroes, are killed. Havoc kills Omegadrones without compulsion, engaging in close-and-dirty streetfighting with the invaders until Centurion forces a retreat, at the cost of his own life. Present day. Havoc takes to the streets with renewed energy. Personality & Motivation: Haigh is a rough-and-ready character; he’s been around violence all his life, but despite everything has held to the belief that he has done the right thing. He would say that he just doesn’t like bullies, but the truth is that Havoc is a man who needs a war to fight; without an enemy in front of him, he might have to think about how he’s spent his life, and God knows, he’ll avoid that day for as long as humanly possible. Powers & Tactics: Havoc is a trained fighter, a combat veteran and hand-to-hand specialist. He can go toe-to-toe with almost anyone, as despite his apparent age he’s been in action for a long, long time. The implants and gene-treatments applied to Havoc by his shadowy handlers have left him stronger than the average human by far, dramatically slowed his ageing, and modified his adrenal system to provide short bursts of ferocious energy. The blades projected from his forearms are of solid-form energy using a technology not fully understood by its creators and seem to suffer little resistance when used to cut; despite having no weight, the energy blades cut as effectively as and metallic blade known to man. The device was created by a race called the Gheel, a technologically advanced species of gaseous lifeforms that used solid-light energy constructs to manipulate physical objects. Havoc is entirely unaware of this fact, as the group that made his modifications told him only that he was providing a test-bed for advanced weaponry on behalf of the U.S. government. Complications: Shadowy Makers: Havoc’s modifications were performed by a clandestine group that vanished as easily as they had appeared. Where they what they claimed to be? Are they still in operation? Do they have further plans for him? Barely Understood: The gene-treatments are baffling scientists to this day. Who knows how long they will remain stable, or what long-term effects they will cause? Deserter: Although the Government denies all knowledge of the team Havoc worked for, he receives at best a frosty reception from any U.S. Government body he comes across; intelligence agencies, military units… all seem to detest Havoc and hold him in low regard. Adrenaline Crash: Havoc’s combat prowess, strength and speed are almost exclusively the result of his modified adrenal system dumping a chemical cocktail into his bloodstream. This level of heightened activity comes at a price, however, and can cripple his ability in longer fights when he suffers the inevitable adrenaline crash. Abilities: 10 + 10 + 8 + 0 + 0 + 2 = 30PP Strength: 20 (+5) Dexterity: 20 (+5) Constitution: 18 (+4) Intelligence: 10 (+0) Wisdom: 10 (+0) Charisma: 12 (+1) Combat: 20 + 16 = 36PP Initiative: +14 Attack: +10 Base Grapple: +16 Defense: +10, +4 Flat-Footed Knockback: -5 Saving Throws: 0 + 5 + 9 + 6 = 20PP Toughness: +10 , +6 Flat Footed Fortitude: +9 Reflex: +15 Will: +7 Skills: 96R = 24PP Acrobatics 12 (+14) Disable device 10 (+10) Drive 4 (+6) Intimidate 14 (+15) Knowledge (tactics) 8 (+8) Languages 2 (English [Native], Vietnamese, Russian) Notice 14 (+14) Pilot 2 (+4) Sense Motive 12 (+12) Stealth 10 (+12) Survival 6 (+6) Swim 2 (+4) Feats: 18PP Accurate Attack All-Out Attack Ambidexterity Assessment Defensive Roll 2 Dodge Focus 2 Endurance 1 Equipment 2 handcuffs(1), lock-release gun(1), mini-tracers(1), night-vision goggles(1), smoke grenades (4), Armoured Bodysuit (Protection 2) Fearless Improved Initiative 2 Instant Up Power Attack Quick Draw Takedown Attack Powers: 17 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 22PP Neotech Solid-State Energy Weapon: Array Rank 7.5 (15PP Array, Power Feats: Alternate Power 2) [15pp] Base Power: Strike 5, Mighty, Penetrating 8, Improved Critical "Monomolecular-Edged Energy Blades" Alternate Power: Stun 7, Reversible "Phased-State Blades" Alternate Power: Blast 6, Accurate 2, Improved Critical "Auto-Targetted Conscussion Bolts" Immunity 1 (ageing) Leaping [1PP] Super-Strength 1 (Effective lifting strength 25) [2PP] Speed 1 [1PP] Drawbacks 0 PP DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch Toughness DC20 Damage (Staged) (Physical) Energy Blades Touch Toughness DC26 Damage (Staged) (Energy) Phased Blades Touch Fortitude DC27 Stun (Physical) Concussion Bolts Ranged Toughness DC20 Damage (Staged) (Physical) Totals: Abilities (30) + Combat (36) + Saving Throws (20) + Skills (24) + Feats (18) + Powers (22) - Drawbacks (0) = 150/150) Power Points