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Stormcrow (PL 10) - Sakuro


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I stole some ideas from TrollThumper, so I'd like to make mention of his inspiration, and thank him for the archetypes he shared with the community.

 

Player Name: Sakuro
Character Name: Isaac Redington
Power Level 10 (150/155 PP)
Tradeoffs: None
Unspent Power Points: 5
Progress To Bronze Status: 5/30

In Brief: Animistic technoshaman.

Alternate Identity: Stormcrow
Identity: Secret
Birthplace: Freedom City
Occupation: Picker, Auction Hunter, Junk Dealer
Affiliations: Miscellaneous spirits and ghosts. Assorted collectors, antique dealers, and auction houses.
Family: Lawrence Redington (father, adopted), Teresa Redington (mother, adopted)

Description:
Age: 21 yr. (DoB: 1994, 7th January)
Apparent Age: 21 yr.
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Caucasian,
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 146 lb.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown

Isaac has a light athletic, runner's build. The muscle on his bones is lean and fat doesn't show. He looks to be mostly muscle and bone in equal portions. There is usually some stubble on his face. In contrast to the inattention to facial hair, the hair atop his head is cut short. Though it looks like he did the job himself. Isaac's face doesn't have a great breadth of expression, but his eyes always the alert glint of something studying the world and it's occupants.

Unless something special is happening Isaac's attire is pretty consistent: dark jeans, t-shirt, and over shirt or jacket depending on the weather. As Stormcrow Isaac's costume consists of a full head black mask with reflective lenses over the eyes, a suit of form fitting plastic plated body armor, and over the body armor a hooded duster covered in black feathers.

Power Descriptions:
Isaac's innate abilities are not visible. He sees, hears, and communicates with spiritual entities, as well as the spirits of animals, things, and concepts. Isaac does, however, have a ward inscribed on his body and a number of fetishes support him in his heroic endeavors.

The tattoo that wards against his being possessed is positioned over his left breast ink black in. It looks akin to complex mathematical or chemical equations, which spirals into a circle, and is roughly the size of Isaac's fist.

NX-Infinite and the Fetish PDA: The PDA's exterior isn't all that extraordinary. It is black with a silver red pattern. Close inspection, as through a powerful magnifying lens, reveals that the strands of "web" are densely packed etchings of computer code of nigh unfathomable complexity. The spirit that resides in Isaac's Fetish PDA, NX-Infinite, is a spirit associated with the crossroads between machinery and digital technology. Those with the ability to perceive spirits may see NX-Infinite as a metallic black spider with veins of circuitry pulsing over it's frame. It's voice, which can sometimes be heard over the PDA's speakers, is cold and feminine.       

Ran, the Awakened Armor: Ran's physical form was made by Isaac's hands, and it's spirit was awakened to consciousness by his magic. Sleak, light, and compact, Ran is a suit of modern black armor made of light high durability plastics. The armor is comprised of a series of internally padded plastic plates that segment over, and conform closely to the wearer's limbs and torso leaving the head bare. Ran's spiritual representation may be seen by those with requisite senses translucently super imposing over the wearer like a second layer of ethereal armor.

Sky's Fury, the Harnessed Storm: The Harnessed Storm handgun has a classic automatic pistol grip and trigger that joins into something from some far distant future. Sleek and conservative, the gun-metal gray barrel is cylindrical and towards the mouth it tapers downwards from the top subtly. things may notice Sky's Fury, the storm spirit housed within the high tech gun. Sky's Fury is the whirlwind and the black clouded maelstrom. The white winds of the blizzard and the downpour of the deluge. Even those unatoned to the spirit world will feel the presence of Sky's Fury when holding the weapon. Dependent on the storm spirit's mood the gun man buzz with electricity, vibrate faintly, or feel unusually cool to the touch.

History:
Isaac never met his biological parents. Lawrence and Teresa Redington adopted him when he was a baby and since then they've been mother and father to him. Which hasn't always been easy. His early childhood was turbulent. Born with the ability to see and hear spirits, both disembodied and those that reside in the animate and inanimate the monster under his bed and many of his nightmares were in fact real. Children are resilient though. Isaac in particular.

Initially Isaac spoke freely with his parents about what he witnessed. At first they thought it a flight of childhood fancy. Later they became disturbed. After a visit to a psychiatrist Isaac stopped sharing and let people think he was just as blind and deaf as everyone else. Isaac let the spirits think as much too. Most of them anyway. It helped keep some of the more interested from overwhelming him. Other's figured it out on their own. While he wasn't anti-social Isaac didn't have many normal friends growing up. Instead he lead a life of discrete adventure spurred on by his unseen associates.

While on one such adventure, a treasure hunt in fact, he encountered a deceased hedge mage named Victoria in a cave network outside of the city. She discovered an innate aptitude for magic in him. At the same period in his life Isaac's parents and teachers were noticing his technical strengths and encouraged their development. Victoria Woods, the ghostly mage, decided to do likewise but aimed him at the arcane and helped Isaac locate some of her old assets that had been lost during the Terminus Invasion in 1993. Victoria was part mentor, part friend. She helped him to understand himself, and may have kept him from going insane. Just as importantly, Victoria helped him to cultivate tools to protect himself.

At the age of fourteen Isaac reached a turning point. He met NX-Infinite, and began the road to becoming Stormcrow in earnest. Isaac had heard about a company, Kirr Industries, which was employing some practices that had gotten a large number of their employees killed. Naturally he decided to hack their servers and dig up the truth. NX-Infinite was harassing the company as part of a viral protocol initiated by another hacker. That's how Isaac and the techno-spider spirit met. Isaac later learned that NX-Infinite had it's own mission, and was using the virus as camouflage for it's covert operation.

As it turned out Kirr Industries had stumbled upon a technology that was poised to tear a massive hole in the barrier between the material plane and untold spirit dimensions. But together Isaac and NX-Infinite were able to prevent a catastrophe that would have gone unnoticed by the denizens of Freedom City until it was too later. Valuing their partnership, Isaac struck a pact with NX-Infinite, and the spirit allowed itself to be bound into a PDA with a quantum processor. NX-Infinite wouldn't accept anything less either. How did a teenager get the materials to construct such an item, one might ask. The answer: he pilfered them from Kirr Industries during his initial team-up with NX-Infinite.

Until that fateful meeting with NX-Infinite heroic vigilantism like the myriad champions of Freedom City were mere fantastical ideas beyond his reach. Or so Isaac had thought. Now, however, he saw the possibilities. First, before he got into any more dangerous scenarios, Isaac needed protection. Isaac had thought ahead and managed to store some material from his earlier raid on Kirr Industries. Enough to make his suit of body armor and adjust it's fitting later as he grew.

While NX-Infinite was bound into an item, the spirit of Isaac's armor would later be awakened from a dormant unconscious state. The story there isn't as exciting as Isaac and NX-Infinite's fist adventure. At one point Isaac's armor had been stolen by a street kid. On retrieving it he performed a ritual to wake the armor's spirit in order to ascertain whether the armor was able to identify a gang leader connected to the thief. After getting the information he was looking for Isaac offered the armor's spirit a choice between returning to slumber or remaining awake. Seeing Isaac's endeavors as worthwhile, the armor spirit chose the latter, and has since served as a stalwart protector of Isaac's person.

When the last year of high school came around his parents and teachers pressed Isaac to go to a prestigious university. He didn't have time for that, in his opinion, and had a busy schedule of his own devising to keep up with at this point. Instead he signed up for online college courses he could take at his own pacing. Disgruntled, his parent thought kicking Isaac out of the house would get him to change his mind. Or at least serve as a good means of expressing their displeasure in a culturally accepted manner.

Isaac hit the ground running and adapted as he often did. He had amassed a horde of items from his various outings, and as he didn't have the room for them in the truck towed camper he was planning on living in, Aiden started selling off some of his loot. This gave him the idea for his new line of self-employment. Isaac has since lead a moderately mobile life. His home is a camper, his vehicle an old truck, and his job modern day treasure hunting and trading. It doesn't hurt that occasionally one spirit or another leads him to a good find or deal.

Shortly after his exodus from paternal guardianship Isaac had his battle with the not so well known mad scientist: the Weather Warlock. This mad man had constructed a giant satellite dish device that energized the atmosphere in a fashion that allowed him to manipulate the weather. Weather Warlock was intent on holding the entire city hostage, under threat of a storm to end the world, in order to get some invention of his back from a wealthy entrepreneur that refused to submit to the scientist's demands.

While the science conjured storm might not have ended the world, it may well have been able to level the city. Worse still, it's effects were being magnified, and became unstable, as the mad scientist's weather manipulation device had both drawn the attention of a storm spirit and enraged it. Isaac infiltrated Weather Warlock's underground laboratory, defeated the villain, and disabled his weather manipulation dish. The resulting backlash sent the storm spirit it had unintentionally summon outside the city limits in a cacophony of light and wind.

The storm spirit was enraged beyond reason though. Mustering it's might it aimed it's fury at Freedom City anew. Isaac, seeing this, prepared for it's coming and arranged for a trap to contain it. While the spirit raged where no one could be hurt Isaac eventually calmed it. This is how Isaac and Sky's Fury met. It was also after this that they formed their partnership and, from materials salvaged fro Weather Warlock's lab Isaac crafted the Harnessed Storm handgun that Sky's Fury became bound too. As part of their pact Isaac also saw to it that the remainder of the Weather Warlock's research and inventions were destroyed.

It was after Sky's Fury joined forces with Isaac that news media took notice of the elemental weapon wielding vigilante. It is also the media that gave him the name "Stormcrow". Stormcrow neither encourages nor discourages the name, but he does make a point of avoiding the media and only working with authorities when he has to. Stormcrow's adventures continue to this day: big and small, mundane and fantastic.

Personality & Motivation:
Isaac is pragmatic, often stoic or brooding. But at his core Isaac is an adventurer. He want to explore and do great deed that have an impact. To discover and see new things. Though young, he is also possessed of a strong sense of purpose and duty. There are things in the world left ignored to dangerous effect that he cannot ignore. Most of this doesn't usually show through, however. Isaac's demeanor tend towards the reserve, either giving the impression of emotional distance or deep thought. Both of which can, and often are, true.

Powers & Tactics:
Stormcrow's tactics differ by circumstance. He changes them as need, and tries to remain adaptable. In general he doesn't think in term of "how am I going to use my powers?". But rather "what needs to be done and how is that best achieved?" Given the opportunity he will gather information, study, and scout out a given situation until he either has a plan for accomplishing his objective or an opportune moment to act is presented. At the same time, Stormcrow realizes that prompt aggressive action is needed in many situations, and uses that approach when he finds it to be more advantageous.

Stormcrow will look for and exploit weaknesses when he can, and he changes his tactics accordingly. If there is something in his environment that can be used to his advantage, if there is something he can prepare for, or if there is something he can bring to a mission that would be especially helpful he will consider incorporating it into his overall strategy.

Complications:
Bridge Between Worlds:  Though he'd never call himself one, Isaac is a bit of a modern shaman, in the sense that he seeks to solve problems between the spirit and human worlds. Likewise spirits may approach him for help or with information of importance, and not always in conventional ways.

Family Bonds [Relationship]: Isaac isn't close to his adopted parents, but they're still his mother and father. 

Living in His Own World: Isaac sees and hears the spirit and the material simultaneously. Both are equally present and equally real. All the time. Aside from potential distractions there are other dangers such as people questioning his sanity.

Secret Identity: While most people are accepting of the heroic in Freedom City, Isaac is a vigilante, and he does break the law to help people. Further, he doesn't want the bad guys out there knowing who he is. That would make his life even more difficult.    

Spirit Allies [Relationship]: There are a number of spirits that Isaac works closely with often, such as the dead hedge mage Victoria Woods. This includes his armor Ran, Sky's Fury (the storm spirit that resides in his magi-tech "handgun"), and NX-Infinite (the techno-spider spirit that resides in his PDA). In addition Isaac regularly associates with a number of local spirits. Most are benign or benevolent, but there are a few that some people would consider malevolent.   


Abilities: 2 + 4 + 4 + 6 + 6 + 4 = 26 PP
Strength 12 (+1)
Dexterity 14 (+2)
Constitution 14 (+2)
Intelligence 16 (+3)
Wisdom 16 (+3)
Charisma 14 (+2)
 

Combat: 10 + 12 = 22 PP
Attack: +5 (+6 Ranges, +10 Spiri-Tech Fetishes)
Defense: +10 (+6 Base, +4 Dodge Focus), +3 Flat-Footed
Initiative: +2
Grapple: +6
Knockback: -5/-1
 

Saving Throws: 5 + 5 + 0 + 4 = 14 PP
Fortitude: +7 (+2 CON, +5)
Reflex: +7 (+2 DEX, +5)
Toughness: +10 (+2 CON, +8 Protection)
Will: +7 (+3 WIS, +4)
 

Skills: 84r = 21 PP
Computers 7 (+10)
Craft (electronic) 8 (+11)
Craft (mechanical) 8 (+11)
Diplomacy 6 (+8)
Disable Device 7 (+10)
Gather Information 7 (+9)
Knowledge (arcane lore) 8 (+11)
Knowledge (technology) 8 (+11)
Knowledge (theology and philosophy) 8 (+11)
Notice 6 (+8)
Sense Motive 5 (+8)
Stealth 6 (+8)
 

Feats: 14 PP
All-Out Attack
Artificer
Contacts
Dodge Focus 4
Inventor
Power Attack
Precise Shot
Ranged Attack Focus 1
Ritualist
Skill Mastery (Computers, Disable Device, Knowledge [arcane lore], Knowledge [technology])
Uncanny Dodge (audio)

Powers: 8 + 18 + 24  + 1 + 1 = 53 PP

Awakened Armor, 10 PP Device (Hard-to-Lose) [8 PP]

  • Protection 8 [8 PP]
  • Immunity 2 (critical hits) [2 PP]

Comprehend 9 (Animals 2, Electronics 2, Objects 2, Plants 2, Spirits) [18 PP]

Techno-Fetishes, 40 PP Device (Easy-to-Lose, Multiple Weapons 1) [25 PP]

Enhanced Feats 1 (Improvised Tools) [1 PP] mys-tech mult-itool
Spiri-Tech, 31 PP Array (Power Feats: Accurate 2, Alternate Power 5) [38 PP]

  • Base: Blast 10 (Extras: Autofire 1, Power Feats: Variable Descriptor 1 [magic/technology]) [31 PP] Sky's Fury: kiss of lightning
    Alternate Power: Stun 10 (Extras: Range [Ranged], Power Feats: Variable Descriptor 1 [magic/technology]) [31 PP] Sky's Fury: thunderous blow
    Alternate Power: Snare 10 (Extras: Regenerating, Power Feats: Variable Descriptor 1 [magic/ technology]) [31 PP] Sky's Fury: frosty embrace
    Alternate Power: Comprehend 3 (Speak 1, Read, Understand, Drawbacks: Noticeable, Understand limited to one language at a time) [4 PP] + Datalink 9 (anywhere on Earth, Power Feats: Machine Control, Precise, Variable Descriptor 1 [magic/technology] [12 PP] + Feature 1 (audio-video recorder) [1 PP] + Super-Senses 10 (Detect Magic Extended [10 ft.] Analytical, Detect Technology Extended [10 ft.] Analytical) [10 PP] NX-Infinite: data spider
    Alternate Power: Nullify Magic 10 (Power Feats: Variable Descriptor 1 [magic/technology]) [21 PP] NX-Infinite: reality intrusion countermeasures
    Alternate Power: Nullify Technology 10 (Power Feats: Variable Descriptor 1 [magic/technology]) [21 PP] NX-Infinite: gremlin app

Immunity 2 (Possession ; Drawback: Noticeable) [1 PP] anti-possession tattoo

Super-Senses 1 (visual Detect Spirits) [1 PP]


DC Block

ATTACK              RANGE      SAVE                           EFFECT
Unarmed             Touch      DC 16 Tough                    Damage (Physical)
Frost's Embrace     Range      DC 20 Ref                      Snare (Staged, Regenerating, Energy)
Lightning's Kiss    Range      DC 25 Tough (Autofire)         Damage (Energy)
Thunderous Blow           Range      DC 20 Fort                                             Stun (Staged, Energy)

 

Abilities (26) + Combat (22) + Saving Throws (14) + Skills (21) + Feats (14) + Powers (53) - Disadvantages (0) = 150/155 PP

Edited by HG Morrison
+1 PP for August 2015
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Ooh. Techno-spirits. Neat! The whole magic/science blend is something that doesn't work out well often, but you have an interesting take on it here.

Combat
With a melee attack bonus of +5 and a Strength bonus of +1, Stormcrow's Grapple bonus would be +6, not +8, unless I'm missing something somewhere.

Knockback is -(impervious toughness + half non-impervious + misc modifiers); with a toughness of +10 and no impervious or knockback-modifying powers on the sheet, Knockback should be -5/-1

Skills
You have purchased 85 ranks of skills, not 80.

Powers
Your Techno-Fetishes device is under-budget; you allocated 40pp to spend, and only spent 39 of that, leaving you with 1pp to play with.

Your in-array Comprehend power is cheaper than you have noted; Comprehend is a 2pp/rank power, but with a flaw (1pp/rank) and two drawbacks (-2pp) the final cost is a mere 1pp. This either gives you 3pp more in this slot to work with, or the ability to remove the Duration flaw.

Nullify [Descriptor] is a 2pp/rank power; with one feat, it costs 21pp, not 31, as noted on both Stormcrow's nullifies.

The powers tally line reads "8 + 18 + 24 + 1 + 1 = 52" rather than "8 + 18 + 25 + 1 + 1 = 53". The final number is correct in the final sheet-wide pp tally, though.

Misc
The final total at the bottom is off - you have paid for 14pp of bonuses to Saving Throws, but you noted it as 15pp; thus, you have 1pp unaccounted for (not counting other pp-affecting corrections, above) that you can spend there or elsewhere.

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Your in-array Comprehend power is cheaper than you have noted; Comprehend is a 2pp/rank power, but with a flaw (1pp/rank) and two drawbacks (-2pp) the final cost is a mere 1pp. This either gives you 3pp more in this slot to work with, or the ability to remove the Duration flaw.

I thought Comprehend started at Permanent. Good. I've removed the Flaw.

Nullify [Descriptor] is a 2pp/rank power; with one feat, it costs 21pp, not 31, as noted on both Stormcrow's nullifies.

I had a talk with TrollTHumper and some of the other rednames in chat about that. The consensus seemed to be that All Descriptor was 3/r, going on a site scaling of Uncommon Descriptor, Common Descriptor, Very Common Descriptor. With Very Common being 3/r.

But I edited it down to 21 and leave it otherwise unmodified with Extras in case it needs to be brought back up o 31.

Your Techno-Fetishes device is under-budget; you allocated 40pp to spend, and only spent 39 of that, leaving you with 1pp to play with.

I am aware. Couldn't decide on the last 1 PP and didn't want to make the Array any bigger. Something can always be edited in later, right?

The final total at the bottom is off - you have paid for 14pp of bonuses to Saving Throws, but you noted it as 15pp; thus, you have 1pp unaccounted for

You have purchased 85 ranks of skills, not 80.

Dropped a rank in Gather information and corrected the final tally.  Saves: 14, Skill 21.

Think that covers the crunchy editorial.

 

Edited by Sakuro
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I had to check, myself, on the Comprehend - and fair enough, as far as Nullify goes. I actually agree that it should be priced by descriptor frequency, it just isn't in the house rules quite yet. Leaving it at 21 with the room to adjust as or if that changes is a good call. :)

Fair enough, too, on the 1 spare pp. I thought you might've just had it lying around, but more often than not someone's just dropped it in the math and I'd rather bring it up and find out it was on purpose than not and cheat someone of 1pp. 

Looks good to me. APPROVED

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