[OOC] MnM 3e - In the Shadow of Imperator

For all of your Play-By-Post games.
User avatar
Sakuro
Posts: 5746
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2019 7:43 am

[OOC] MnM 3e - In the Shadow of Imperator

Post by Sakuro »

Recruitment wrote: I am looking for one player to join the cast of villains. The player may take over playing Peter Ezima, an Ascendant destined to become one of the most powerful beings on Earth. The character sheet with background is below, under "Former Cast and Guest Stars". Alternatively you may submit a PL 7 character using the guidelines below. Bear in mind that there will be a power differential between characters. You won't start with Powers. Nor is gaining Powers through play guaranteed. Even if you do, the Ascendants are going to have the potential for higher PL than other characters. You won't receive any benefit for being lower PL, and need to be comfortable with that.

At this stage in the story politics and factions play a significant role in the game. The PCs are being influenced by two powerful patrons. These people have great influence and personal power. The PCs may earn their Favor (described below) through furthering their goals, but they are often at odds with each other. You should pick one of them for your character to support. They are:

- Praetor Null, a militant and menacing masked person who once administrated over Hadron City military and law enforcement.
- Dr. Sokolov, a former Praetor now stripped of that title by Praetor Null. Those who were part of Imperator's inner council. He previously administrated over Hadron City's scientific and civil matters.

You are free to discuss your concept in the OOC thread and ask the cast for help, ideas, input, or setting information. Diego, Iona/Dr. Kripke, and Peter's backgrounds all have some information in them pertaining to more recent developments in the story. You may want to review them. Right now, with Peter having been inactive, there is a gap in the engineering and expertise in technology that his skillset use to provide. That is a niche that is open to be filled if you are looking for one.

At the height of World War 2 the first superhuman emerged. There was nothing, no one, that could stop him. His name was Dr. Impossible, and he made history by forcing the Axis and Allies to agree to a peace treaty which he mediated.

On Friday 21 January 2000 the second superhuman emerged. Leading a fleet of never before seen aerial vehicles the individual calling themselves Imperator appeared over Hadron City in northern Kansas. That day an impenetrable barrier surrounded the city.

It remained a sore spot in the American psyche, an entire city and millions of citizens trapped. Until on Friday 13 April 2018, when the barrier was brought down. The United States accompanied by Dr. Impossible moved in to secure the city, finding it drastically changed.

A six month conflict ensued between the US military along with their super human ally against the forces of Imperator. The fighting spilled out into surrounding cities, scaring the larger part of Kansas. People questions if the fighting would ever end. Eventually, Imperator was confronted by Dr. Impossible. The aerial battle spanned several states, but it's end was never seen. At some point there was an explosion over the Arizona desert and both combatants were gone. Neither have been seen since.

Without their leader Imperator's forces eventually fell, or went to ground. Martial law has been enacted in Hadron City and a private army, Stronghold International, has been contracted to get Hadron City under control.

You were part of Imperator's organization. You either followed him to Hadron City as part of the occupying force, or supported his endeavors from outside. Things went silent after Imperator's defeat. Three months have passed, now finally something. Null, one of Imperator's inner circle of Praetors, approached you. They asked you to join them in retaking Hadron City and continuing what Imperator started there. Null promised you power, real power, and authority … if only you followed them and gave them your loyalty.

"The future of mankind lies in Hadron City.", those were the words first spoken by Imperator to his forces before the invasion. Now they were echoed by Null. If you had seen the city before the fighting started, before Stronghold's martial law, you could have believed it.

===============================
The above sets the stage for a game I would like to run for four players. The PCs will start as normal people (Ability upper limits dicussed here), albeit very skilled and talented. Later they will be given the opportunity to become much more powerful. The setting is going to be on the darker side of grayscale. You are people of questionable morality, working for a bad person, in a world that may get pretty grim.

For character creation, PCs are PL 7 with 105 PP. They may not have any Powers or Devices. No Inventor, Ritual, or Artificer Advantages. There is no magic in this setting. Super science is also an exceedingly rare thing that normal scientists, engineers, etc. can only maintain and maybe repair. Not recreate. You may purchase ranks in Luck, but no higher than 2. Half of a character's attack value must be fully paid for (with Attributes or Advantage), both melee and range. Aside from vehicles and HQ, you may have free mundane Equipment that is supplied by your patron (ex. no blaster weapons), unless you want to personally own something.

Other than a build and 2 Complications, I would like a brief concept/background describing your character. Of note, I want to know what role they played in Imperator's organization, where they were and what they were doing during Hadron City's occupation, and what they have been doing the past three months.

A couple warnings. Do not get overly attached to who your character begins the game as. I do not want to spoil anything, however prepare yourself for change that you cannot completely control when it comes to the origin of powers. I also want to try using the lethal combat rules. This mainly impacts the significance of degrees of failure on damage and counts recovery time by hours, not minutes. Lasting Injury Complications may also be applied.


Threads
Main In Character Thread
Extended Interludes Thread

Cast
Diego Gonzalez, a former spy with a background in art history and linguistics. Now the Ascendant of Deception.
Dr. Levi Kripke, a world renowned neurosurgeon and spokesperson for "Imperator's Society".
- Iona, a full body cyborg with the brain of Dr. Levi Kripke.


Supporting Cast (NPCs)
Tilly Sander, a Null loyalist specialized in urban warfare.
John Steiner, a mercenary in Null's employ. Played by Supernaturalist.
Maja Karlsten, former commander of Imperator's honor guard.


Former Cast and Guest Stars
Alonzo, a masked mystery man, magician, and enforcer for Imperator.
Alexandria Thompson, a soldier in Imperator's army, turned mercenary after Imperator's defeat.
- Reaper, formerly Alexandria Thompson, now the Ascendant of War.
Hitori Zanzo, the "Sword of Null", a master swordsman transformed into a Macro-Virus.
Carman Black, an hitman turned soldier for Imperator.
Peter Ezima, a member of Imperator's Engineering Corps inside Hadron City who has become the Ascendant of Creation.
Carter "Snapdragon" Howell a First Generation pilot who has, after the war, been in Stronghold custody for months.
Aiden Starr, a First Generation pilot with a cyber-viral implant. Played by Kenseido.


Head Quarters wrote:Foundry-Fallout Shelter
Size: Large (unused topside Foundry is Medium) Toughness: 14
Features: Old Communications (-2 circumstance penalty, but you have com equipment), Computer, Concealed 1 (on Fallout Shelter
only), Defenses System, Escape Tunnel 2 (Trapped), Greenhouse (able to cultivate large numbers of plants on site), Hidden Compartment (DC 20 Investigation to find), Infirmary, Laboratory, Living Space, Personnel (plus Minion department heads), Power System (bio-fuel generator, requires fuel), Secret Entrance, Security System (DC 20 Technology to overcome), Workshop
===============================
Null's Favor wrote:I am going to try out using an abstract system to reflect the relationship between Null as a patron to the PCs. When the group does something that advances Null's agenda in a significant way they will gain a point of "Null's Favor". This the group can spend to do things like request backup or reinforcements on a mission, get help improving a HQ, borrow a Device for a time, or get access to normally off limits information. There are no hard and fast rules, as I said it is abstract, and while Null may not do exactly as you request they are likely to do something that benefits the group and fits the spirit of the request. At worst the response will be "no" and you keep the point for later use.
Praetor Null's Favor: 2 (Diego)
Dr. Sokolov's Favor: 0 (Iona)
Dominion wrote:I am adding another system to the game, Dominion, which is borrowed from the "Godbound" ruleset. Dominion represents, in it's broadest sense, the ability to make a lasting impact on the world. Abstractly it also includes your personal ability to get things done, your authority, and assets at your disposal to help you achieve your goal. If you want to cause social change in the world that persists without your personal oversight, train an army, construct a Device for an NPC, introduce new technologies into the world, or build a new World Wonder you will need to spend Dominion on it.

Going forward the you will have the choice of taking Dominion as a reward instead of Power Points on a 1 for 1 basis. This reflects time and energy spent on external, rather than personal, development. You may also pool your Dominion, and work together towards an endeavor. Though all involved will need to be taking action to warrant this. The basic cost of a change depends on how far-reaching it is.

- A neighborhood or other small community has a base cost of 1 point.
- Something that affects an entire city or a hundred square miles or so has a base cost of 2 points.
- Affecting an entire province, nation state, or a geographic region within a state costs 4 points.
- Affecting an entire continent worth of people or land costs 8 points.
- Attempting a change that reaches an entire world costs 16 points, and WILL require significant action to be taken along the way.

Once the base cost is decided, this is multiplied by the difficulty.

- A change that is modest and plausible, that does not require violating the laws of nature or angering local powers is a Plausible change with a x1 multiplier.
- Implausible changes that require bending the rules of nature or human behavior are Improbable, and have a x2 multiplier.
- Extraordinary changes that are politically unthinkable or physically impossible are Impossible changes that add a x4 multiplier.
- Vast Impossible changes might be even more difficult, forcing a x8 multiplier.

"Impossible" changes will require serious effort, likely building an entire story arc around it. Some Improbable changes may also require missions and adventures of their own to get resources, knowledge, or other assets required for the undertaking. There are also things that can make these changes more difficult, such as a NPC using their own influence to hinder you. In such cases if you do not remove the obstacle the task may require a higher Dominion expenditure, or even be unachievable.

Yes, there are likely to be forces who want to oppose the changes you may wish to make with Dominion.
Last edited by Sakuro on Thu Jun 01, 2023 11:54 pm, edited 81 times in total.
Evelyn Gracen, in AEGIS Squad
Storyteller for In the Shadow of Imperator
Storyteller for Geneforge: the Created
User avatar
Sakuro
Posts: 5746
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2019 7:43 am

Re: [OOC] MnM 3e - In the Shadow of Imperator

Post by Sakuro »

Corporal Tilly "Vulture" Sander

Image

Tilly Sander grew up in Hadron City and enlisted with the armed forces after schooling. She gained specialist training in urban tactics, escape and evasion, and marksmanship. A veteran of the 2018 war for Hadron City, Sander's record cites her as recommended for a medal of valor. After the war she stayed in Hadron City and helped loyalists escape the city or go into hiding. Later she began assisting in the formation of Null's loyalist movement to take back what had been stolen from Imperator and those that believed in his vision.

Formerly attached to the Ascendants as a military aid, once the transhuman beings were split up by Praetor Null Tilly helped Ascendant Gonzalez and Iona establish their joint base in Ward 3. Since then she has been acting as base commander and manages Ascendant Gonzalez's Forgotten Ones when he does not take a direct hand.
Last edited by Sakuro on Tue Mar 14, 2023 4:42 am, edited 3 times in total.
Evelyn Gracen, in AEGIS Squad
Storyteller for In the Shadow of Imperator
Storyteller for Geneforge: the Created
User avatar
Sakuro
Posts: 5746
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2019 7:43 am

Re: [OOC] MnM 3e - In the Shadow of Imperator

Post by Sakuro »

I am considering the sum of the parts, as well as the individual concept. A character that is hitting "one of the best in the world" or better in more than a couple Abilities is going to give me pause but may not be a hard no. I also do not want to see more than one "peak of human achievement" on the entire team for a given Ability

Normal Human Benchmarks
Strength: 4, a key point of your character is their strength. Power-lifters beyond the limits of most people.
Stamina: 4 being the "one of the best in the world" area. It grants as much toughness as a kevlar vest and is just shy of steel plate armor. 5 might be pushing it as peak human. I am not sure.
Agility, Dexterity: 6, the best of Olympic Gymnasts fall into this area. World class illusionists, drivers, or trick shooters may touch on the manual Dexterity, but I often pair these two. 7 being peak human
Awareness: 6 would be someone like Sherlock Holmes, hyper aware, almost to the point it is a defect. 7 would probably be scary on an emotional or sensory level for the person themselves, and be peak human.
Fighting: This one I am the most flexible on. Fighting as an Ability is weird and I don't feel a need for a hard number here. 7 is a good stopping point for the spirit of the setting though.
Intelligence: 4 is genius level. 6 is one of the greatest minds in the world. 7 is just shy of super-genius, and is peak human
Presence: 6, you could have your own cult of personality if you put the effort in. Think of the greatest, charismatic leaders and speakers throughout history. At 7 you'd be on the verge of supernatural charisma.
Evelyn Gracen, in AEGIS Squad
Storyteller for In the Shadow of Imperator
Storyteller for Geneforge: the Created
User avatar
Camus
Posts: 1421
Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2016 2:49 pm

Re: [OOC] MnM 3e - In the Shadow of Imperator

Post by Camus »

Name: Hitori Zanzo AKA Master Zanzo Height 1,7 mts
Skin: Pale Weight 60 kgs
Hair: Black
Eyes: Black Age: 46

Image

Image

Complications
Honour-bound: Hitori Follows the samurai code of the 8 virtues
Imperator's combat instructor: As the chief instructor in melee combat, Hitori is expected to fulfill certain duties.
Obsessed with training: Hitori must spend three hours a day training, otherwise his obsessed mind plays tricks on him. If he doesn't train he is at -1 for all rolls for that day. The -1 is cumulative if he doesn't train the following day and so on.
Hunger Hitori gets hungry and needs to consume people

Bio:
From an early age Hitori was obsessed with swords. Being japanese it was easy to get lost in Kendo and other katana related disciplines. But Hitori thought that there were so many other swords than the katana that he didnt stop there. After mastering the art of the samurai, he embarked to learn about other swords. The Arab scimitar puzzled him, for its resemblance with the katana, and the Nordic claymore for its incredible size and the strength required to wield it. Already a prodigy of swordsmanship with only 22 years, Hitori was approached by Imperator's forces to join a crusade to save humankind. He gladly accepted and joint the occupation forces. During his time in Hadron city the used Imperator's resources to study ancient texts on warfare and the old techniques of swordsmanship. In turn Imperator named him chief instructor and he passed on his knowledge to the forces of Imperator. The utopia built in Hadron city was the greatest collective achievement for Hitori, and its downfall his greatest defeat.
The months after the barrier went down were slow and harsh, but he endured it, training every day for the time when he was to be of service to Imperator again.
And that time was here, was now!

Abilities ( 56 pp)
Strength 4(10/12) , Stamina 4(10/12) , Agility 6 , Dexterity 4 , Fighting 5(7) , Intellect 3(1) , Awareness 2 , Precence 0 .

Powers ( 65 pp)
- Consume ( Weaken toughness 8 : Extra: Linked to STR based damage 2 ) · 10 point/s
- Absorb ( AP: Heal 10 : Extras: Persistent (+1 pp), Regrowth (+1 pp), Linked to "Postcognition" (+0/r) ; Flaws: Source "Significant/Quality Biomass" (-1/r), Limited to "Self Only" (-1/r)], Senses 4 [Postcognition ; Limited to "Absorbed Person's Memories" (-1/r), Quirk "Brain Must Be Intact" (-1 pp)] * 1 PP ) · 1 point/s
- Variable mass ( AP: Morph 3 : Humanoids ; Flaws: Limited to "Last Absorbed Human" (-1/r) ) · 1 point/s
- Lifevoid ( AP: Affliction 10 : Area extra: Burst. Limited degree. Vulnerable, stunned. ) · 1 point/s
- Macro-Virus Alteration ( Enhanced ability : +6Str,+6Sta,+2 Fig, +2 Will) · 30 point/s
- Virus overdrive ( Growth 8 : +8Str,+8Sta, -8 to stealth -4 active defenses, +2 size, +1 speed +3 mass)+( Enhanced ability : +2Dodge,+2Parry )+ Flaw ( - 2 Int) · 1 point/s
- Telomer alterations ( Immunity 2 : Aging, Disease ) · 2 point/s
- Creepy crawler ( Movement 2 : Wall Crawling 2 ) · 4 point/s
- Food vision ( Senses 5 : Visual Ranged Detect Life (Accurate), Infravision ) · 5 point/s
- Enhanced reflexes ( Speed 5 ) · 5 point/s
- Powerjump ( AP: Leaping 5) · 1 point/s
- Kite ( AP: Flight 5 : Flaw: Gliding (-1r) ) · 1 point/s

- Mayotta tomo ( Device: : Easily Removable ,Feature: 1 (Self Repairing): Strength Based Damage 3 [Extras: Improved Critical 1, Feature 1 (Linked to Consume's "Drain Toughness")] ) · 4 point/s

Advantages ( 25 pp)
Defensive attack 1 , Diehard 1 , Evasion 1 , Extraordinary effort 1 , Fast grab 1 , Ultimate effort (toughness save) 1 , Equipment 2 , Second chance (failed interpose toughness save) 1 , Improved hold 1 , Instant up 1 , Interpose 1 , Luck 2 , Power attack 1 , Quick draw 1 , Benefit (Status) , Defensive roll 3 Improved Disarm 1, Weapon Bind 1 Improved smash, Weapon break .


Skills ( 12 pp)

Acrobatics 2 (+ 8 ), Deception 0 (+ 0 ), Athletics 4 (+ 14 ), Expertise (martial arts) 6 (+ 9 ), Insight 4 (+ 6 ), Treatment 0 (+ 3 ), Persuacion 0 (+ 0 ), Technology 0 (+ 3 ), 0 0 (+ 7 ), 0 0 (+ 0 ), Vehicles 0 (+ 6 ), Sleight of Hand 0 (+ 6 ), Perception 6 (+ 8 ), Intimidation 0 (+ 0 ), Investigation 0 (+ 3 ), Stealth 2 (+ 8 )

Offence
Initiative: 6
Throw + 6 Attack for DC: . +10 Range: Ranged ( )
Unarmed + 7/(5 when on virus overdrive) Attack for DC: . +10 Range: Melee, applies grab. ( )
Chinese hook sword + 7/(5 when on virus overdrive) Attack for DC: . +12/(14 when on virus overdrive) Range: Melee ( )
Claymore + 6/(4 when on virus overdrive) Attack for DC: . +14/(16 when on virus overdrive) Range: Melee (10ft reach) ( )
Katana+wkizashi + 7/(5 when on virus overdrive) Attack for DC: . +13/(15 when on virus overdrive) Range: Melee ( )
Consume + 7/(5 when on virus overdrive) Attack for DC: . +12/(14 when on virus overdrive) Range: Melee, applies grab and weaken toughness 8 ( )

Defence ( 11 pp)
Parry: Rank ( 0 ) + Feat/power ( 0 ) + Equipment ( 0 )= 7/(5 when on virus overdrive)
Dodge: Rank ( 4 ) + Feat/power ( 0 ) + Equipment ( 0 )= 7/(5 when on virus overdrive)
Toughness: 3 Feat/power ( 0 ) + Equipment ( 0 )= 13/(15 when on virus overdrive)
Will: Rank ( 3 ) + Feat/power ( 0 ) + Equipment ( 0 )= 7/(5 when on virus overdrive)
Fortitude: Rank ( 0 ) + Feat/power ( 3 ) + Equipment ( 0 )= 13/(15 when on virus overdrive)

Equipment (2pp)
- Swordmaster array
- Claymore ( Damage 4 : Reach 1, Improved smash +2 to check, Weapon break +2 to check) ·
- Mayotta tomo and Wakizaki ( Damage 3 : Improved critical 2, Split 1 ) ·
- Chinese hook sword ( Damage 2 : Weapon bind +2 to check, Improved disarm +2 to check ) ·
Last edited by Camus on Tue May 28, 2019 3:08 pm, edited 5 times in total.
心のコスモ を 抱きしめて 遥かな 銀河 へ
User avatar
Supernaturalist
Posts: 2275
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2018 2:48 am

Re: [OOC] MnM 3e - In the Shadow of Imperator

Post by Supernaturalist »

Image


Dr. Levi Kripke
PL 7 (105pp)
Age:58
Ethnicity Jewish-American
Occupation: Neurosurgeon / Now a Medical Researcher and Popular Spokesperson for "The Imperator's Society"
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 210 lbs.
Native Language: English

Abilities (44pp)
Strength 1, Stamina 1, Agility 1, Dexterity 0, Fighting 0, Intellect 7, Awareness 6, Presence 6

Advantages (13pp)
Assessment, Beginner's Luck, Benefit (Status - Acknowledged Leader in Medicine), Connected (Politicians), Contacts (News Media), Fascinate (Persuasion), Improvised Tools, Languages 3 (German, Hebrew, French, Japanese), Leadership, Second Chance (Treatment roll), Skill-mastery (Treatment)

Skills (44pp)
Deception 8 (+14), Expertise: Physician 7 (+14), Expertise: Science 7 (+14), Expertise: Politics 7 (+14), Expertise: Current Events 7(+14), Expertise: Biotechnology/Cybernetics 7 (+14), Insight 8 (+14), Intimidation 8 (+14), Perception 8 (+14), Persuasion 8 (+14), Technology 1 (+8), Treatment 7 (+14), Driving (fixed-wing aircraft) 5 (+5)

Equipment

Powers


Offense
Initiative +1


Defense (4pp)
Dodge 1, Parry 1, Fortitude 4, Toughness 1, Will 6

Power Points
Abilities 44 + Powers 0 + Advantages 13 + Skills 44 (88 ranks) + Defenses 4 = 105

Complications

Motivation - Utopian Idealism - The promise of a better world (or one certainly better than the present one) has captured Dr. Kripke's mind. Despite the possible negatives of a technocratic, authoritarian regime, He fully believes it a necessary evil for dragging the ignorant masses (at least those who CAN be dragged) into the next stage of human social-evolution. His "progressivism" has taken on the mantle of an intolerant fundamentalism. Like many who sympathize with the Imperator, the ends justify the means.

Public Hatred - Though he has garnered some sympathy with a large swath of the American public (university-intellectuals, political progressives, the "Youth vote", Hollywood, left-leaning politicians, and many entertainers). He is particularly hated by the American "Right". He dismisses them as mostly racists, luddites, religious fundamentalists, Nazis, and reactionaries. Whatever "The Right" is, they are more of a danger to him than he realizes.


Background
A New Yorker by birth. Levi Kripke has lived most of his life in the American northeast. The son of an affluent Jewish family from Manhattan's upper West side, he has not wanted for much in life. His formidable intellect combined with an elite education produced one of the leading physicians of the late 20th and early 21st century.

Much of his early career was spend as an actual surgeon, but his ambition and experience soon lead him into the roles of researcher and spokesperson for medical, social policy. A popular voice in support of "progressive" politics, he became a "go to" personality when various media groups sought an expert opinion on both medical research and social reform.

Over the last decade, he has become more radicalized due to his fear that human progress has either been greatly arrested (or even reversed). Even those who sympathize with his positions on various issues are beginning to question his defense of the defunct Imperator's regime. Since the collapse of the Imperator's regime, he has continued his support by denouncing the "barbaric actions" of those responsible for Hadron City's "brutal invasion".



Post-Arrival History

Contacted by an agent of Praetor Null, Levi was given the proposition of joining the Hadron City resistance from the inside. After consultation with his radicalized wife, he left his spouse and three daughters in New York City to join "The Cause". Here he met Hitori Zanzo, Peter Ezima, Diego Gonzalez, and Alexandria Thompson. They were to be the "Five Fingers" that formed the fist of a new power in Hadron City. It would be a power that - in theory - was strong enough to wrest back control from Stronghold and reestablish Imperator's civilization. The Five would be come "Ascendants", transformed humans who possessed powers well beyond any other person.

Initially, Levi adapted poorly to the deprivation and savage conditions of Hadron City. His posh, academic lifestyle ill-prepared him for the violent and secretive skills needed to survive. His own security breach threatened to extinguish the fledgling movement. It was only due to a successful mission to rescue Dr. Zory Sokolov from Stronghold captivity that he and his comrades rejuvenated the struggling insurrection. The success of this mission was not without ill-consequences. His comrade and perhaps closest companion, Hitori Zanzo, was infected with a mysterious "Macro Virus". Universally fatal to humans, it was only through the efforts of Dr. Sokolov that Hitori temporarily stabilized. Hitori's transformation into a volatile, insatiable beast would prompt Levi on a desperate quest to develop some sort of cure. Levi's obsession with developing a cure would lead him to violate Dr. Sokolov's laboratory protocols. Ultimately, it would cost him his life and demonstrate to the potential Ascendants that Dr. Sokolov (like Praetor Null) was not a man with whom one trifled.

Levi's body was found just outside the elevator shaft that lead down to Dr. Sokolov's laboratory. His friend Hitori swore vengeance against Sokolov, but that has yet to materialize.
Last edited by Supernaturalist on Fri Jun 19, 2020 5:45 pm, edited 6 times in total.
EnigmaticOne
Posts: 1050
Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2016 5:02 am
Location: Massachusetts

Re: [OOC] MnM 3e - In the Shadow of Imperator

Post by EnigmaticOne »

Peter Ezima [PL 10]

Before Ascension
Image

After Ascension
Image

Background
The second-generation American child of Nigerian immigrants who fled upheaval in their native country, Peter was bright and invested with the hopes his parents put in him for the future. This brought him to Hadron City as a university student when Imperator came to town. Others might have been afraid and fearful, but Peter was quickly in awe at the utopian creations and advancements before him.

He quickly became a follower of Imperator and joined the Engineering Corps, demonstrating an astonishing knack for super-science devices. Unlike others, he could maintain and repair them, but the principles in bringing new ones to life eluded him aggravatingly. True, he served a dictator. But he remembered his parents' stories of their youth, and felt an ample and happy future was worth it.

Then the barrier went down, and the dream died. Peter went into hiding and watched from the shadows as Stronghold tore everything down. When Null called, he was more than eager to join.

Post-Arrival Background
Peter soon met the others Praetor Null assigned to a new team (Hitori Zanzo, Diego Gonzalez, Alexandria Thompson, and Dr. Levi Kripke). They were to be the "Five Fingers" that formed the fist of a new power in Hadron City. It would be a power that - in theory - was strong enough to wrest back control from Stronghold and reestablish Imperator's civilization. The Five would be come "Ascendants", transformed humans who possessed powers well beyond any other person.

Peter was forced to adjust to the more brutal, violent demands of the Five Fingers, both with the assault needed to retrieve Stronghold's black box information on the former Praetor Dr. Zory Sokolov, the escape following Levi's disastrous security breach, and the rescue of Dr. Sokolov. During a breather, he learned that his friend and former colleague Alistair Callas was now a member of the Temple of the Holy Martyr (a cult worshiping Imperator).

Despite the group's mixed results, Peter was rewarded by transformation into the Ascendant of Creation. During the process, Peter had a vision of two men arguing, to an impasse. One moved first and struck a machine of immense power, transforming him greatly and infusing him with power, was this Imperator and Dr. Impossible?

When Peter awoke, the issues that cropped up with Colonel Costa's transformation exposed him to the tensions between Null and Sokolov - and the former's harsh authority. When Peter attempted to deescalate, Null inflicted a temporary, but crippling state upon Peter. Frightened, Peter sought to overcompensate by hacking and studying Sokolov's systems, but eventually was caught, provoking a standoff with Iona and Null's wrath later on.

Diego took the blame - and more terrible punishment - which Peter still feels quite guilty for. More than anything, Peter is caught between muted emotions - enabling him to act much more pragmatically - but also intent on not losing his remaining connections to humanity.

Abilities
Strength 0, Stamina 2, Agility 2, Dexterity 2, Fighting 0, Intellect 8, Awareness 2, Presence 0

Defenses
Dodge 6, Parry 6, Fortitude 8, Toughness 12, Will 12

Skills
Expertise: Computers 8 (+16), Expertise: Hadron City 5 (+13), Expertise: Engineering 8 (+16), Expertise: Electronics 8 (+16), Insight 6 (+8), Investigation 5 (+13), Perception 6 (+8), Persuasion 4 (+4), Stealth 4 (+6), Technology 8 (+16)

Advantages
Close Attack 5, Improvised Tools, Inventor, Ranged Attack 4

Powers
Living Machine: Regeneration 1
Machine Resilience: Immunity 11 [Aging, Life Support]
Machine Mind: Immunity 5 [Emotion Effects]
Cyber-Neural Network: Communications 5 (Mental Technology; Dimensional, Subtle, Rapid 1, Advantage: Teamwork, Flaw: Limited to "the Cyber Neural Network")

Bring Forth From Nothing: Continuous Create 10 (Innate, Subtle, Precise)
AE - Instant Repair: Ranged Healing 10 (Affects Only Objects)
AE - Shape Like Clay: Affliction 10 (Resisted by Fortitude/Dodge; Transformed; Accurate 2, Affects Objects Only, Distracting, Limited to non-super-science materials)
AE - Manifested Snares: Ranged Affliction 10 (Resisted by Dodge; Hindered/Vulnerable, Immobile/Defenseless; Accurate, Extra Condition, Indirect 4, Limited to Two Degrees)
AE- Manifested Attacks: Ranged Damage 10 (Accurate 2, Indirect 4, Variable Descriptor 2 [Created Weaponry])

Manifested Defenses: Sustained Protection 10

Techno-Awareness: Comprehend 2 [Machines]; Feature 1 [Augmented Reality]
Integrated Electronics: Feature 2 [Built in Computer with WiFi Access Anywhere]

Combat
Initiative +2
Close Attack +5
Ranged Attack +6
Shape Like Clay: +9, Fortitude/Dodge DC 20
Manifested Attacks: +10, Toughness DC 25
Manifested Snares: +10, Dodge DC 20

Complications
Motivation - Believer: Peter is a devout believer in Imperator's message and cause, certain that it is the best thing possible for the world.
Inhuman: Ascension has completely changed Peter's appearance, preventing him from passing as human without special means.

[Abilities 32 + Defenses 28 + Skills 30 + Advantages 11 + Powers 54 = 155]
Last edited by EnigmaticOne on Sat Jun 20, 2020 2:36 pm, edited 22 times in total.
Games
Imago in New Vindicators Academy of Europe
mrdent12
Posts: 4215
Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2016 8:10 pm

Re: [OOC] MnM 3e - In the Shadow of Imperator

Post by mrdent12 »

Diego Gonzalez
PL 10
PP 158

Age 36

Image

Background

Kansas City born and world bred, Diego didn't quite fit in. He was the child of a Spanish man from Spain and Arabic woman from Dubai. They met when Ricardo, Diego's father, was traveling for business. Ricardo locked eyes with Daima while appraising some art and the rest was wedding bells followed by copulation resulting in Diego. For business reasons, they moved to Kansas City to run an art gallery at the request of one of Ricardo's friends and settled down to have a proper family. It wasn't like they stayed put too much though. Daima was also an in demand translator, so the family would often travel together bringing Diego along for the ride taking his education upon themselves and the occasional tutor. By the time he was ten, Diego had more stamps on his passport than most adults do in their lifetimes. Not the brightest when it came to the sciences, he had a knack for languages and detail inherited from his parents. His mother made sure Diego could speak a few languages while his father impressed upon him the fine details of art work.

It wasn't until 14 that he settled down to finish high school like a normal kid. Being world traveled, he felt bored often and didn't pay attention much. Still, he did middle of the pack grades and just enough to not be in the bottom tier of students. For all intents and purposes, he was average. His two strengths were art history and languages that had been drilled into him since birth. Athletics and physical wise, he did alright. Like in his academics though, he didn't excel or look terrible. With his mind always drifting, he kept thinking of all the people in the world who lacked so much and devoured books on utopian societies where everyone was taken care in all the languages he knew. Philosophy also piqued his interest, but was too theoretical. Someone had to have some practical answers to the issues that plagued the world. By the time he reached college, getting into NYU, he was a dreamer who could speak five languages. So, he fit right in as an occasional U.N translator to pay the bills.

Imperator's men took notice of how seamless Diego was in translating and working with people from across the world, yet being forgotten as well as the "help". They appealed to the dreamer in him. Imperator would need men like him who could fit in anywhere to make utopia a reality. When pressed on the hard questions, like what he would need to do, they were blunt. No utopia was ever peacefully created. If he accepted a place in Imperators forces, he would need to do things that didn't seem right in the short term yet would pay off in the end. Naive at the beginning, he signed on shortly before the bubble went up. At the urging of his handlers, he pursued language arts and art history as a double major taking study abroad twice. Once to Madrid and once to Shanghai. Both majors weren't terribly hard for him, but immensely useful in ingratiating himself with people of importance plus catching the attention of the U.S military who needed Arabic translators.

Upon graduation, he signed up for the U.S Navy, again at the behest of his handlers, where he was trained in war as well as counter intelligence. As part of his stint in the navy, he was attached to some Seal teams who went on classified missions as a translator plus member of the team. This time was the most dangerous for Diegos handlers as they didn't want to risk communicating with him openly. Instead, they left coded messages. Six years was enough training and Diego didn't resign up when his enlistment ended despite being offered a generous reenlistment bonus. Instead, he finished up his PHD in language arts and became a professor at NYU working as a translator from time to time for the U.S delegation by virtue of his security clearance which he kept active even after leaving the military and amicable personality. All information he gathered, he passed on to his handlers. In addition, they would sometimes ask him to draw upon his military training to take out targets discretely or influence people to make choices to benefit Imperators grand plan.

While all this was going on, no one would suspect him of being a deep cover agent. If he traveled, he was used to it from youth. If he got a gig interpreting for a treaty, well it was in his skill set and clearance. There was a couple girls he fancied and went with for a spell, even marrying a particularly stunning red head for a year before she got tired of how secretive he was because of his interpreting gigs. Fellow former or still active soldiers would unwittingly give him little nuggets of information when plastered. By all appearances, he was a red, white, and blue American.

When the war started, his handlers told him to play along with the other side. As expected, the U.S military drew upon his skill set and brought him into the fight this time as an infiltrator. Inside the city, he secretly sabotaged his unit leaving just him and two others alive from the surprise attack that wiped out the rest. He was brought back to the intelligence side for his language skills because of the PTSD that he was mimicking signs of. Not enough to turn the tides of war, he still provided valuable intelligence to Imperators forces. At night, under the pretext of getting drunk alone to quash the pain of losing his unit, he would run missions to take out key players as demanded. In the end, his efforts were for naught. Imperator still fell.

With the war over, he fell back into his old life resuming his role as a professor. Things were quiet for a few months. Diego thought it was all over and utopia would never come to pass, so he settled for a regular life. He even met a nice girl from Ireland who caught his eye that he started dating seriously with an eye towards settling in a year or so if things went well. There wasn't much more for him. NYU, not knowing the full extent of his war efforts, praised him as a hero awarding him tenure. The offers to translate gotten even more frequent, but he didn't have his heart in it anymore after the loss and claimed bad war memories when turning down most. One day it all changed though and his old handler resurfaced.

Character Sheet

Abilities 38pp:
Strength 1 Stamina 3/5* Agility 1/4* Dexterity 2 Fighting 5/8* Intellect 4 Awareness 3 Presence 0
* With powers

Skills 35pp:
Close Combat(knifes) 4(+12) , Deception 12(+12), Expertise(Spycraft) 8(+12), Expertise(Linguistics) 3(+7), Expertise(Art History) 3(+7), Expertise(Hadron City) 2(+6), Expertise(Military) 2(+6) Insight 4(+7), Perception 8(+11), Persuasion 13(+13), Ranged Combat(guns) 3(+5), Sleight of Hand 5(+7), Stealth 5(+9)

Powers 47pp:
Cloud Physiology: Enhanced Abilities 8(Fighting 3, Agility 3, Stamina 2) 16pp
Iron Will: Enhanced Will 3 (Will Save 3) 3pp
Mutable Body: Protection 3 3pp
Feature: Voice Mimicry(+10 Deception for mimicking voices) 1pp

Dark Cloud Form(21pp):
...Insubstantial 2(Permanent) 10pp
...Concealment 4(All visual senses, in shadows/darkness only, precise) 5pp
...Flight 3(250 ft/16mph) 6pp
AE: Solid Form(21pp):
...Morph 2(Any Human) 10pp
...Formed Blades: Damage 7(Strength Based, Extras: Accurate 2, Variable) LinkedEnhanced Advantage Takedown 1 11pp
AE: Dark Liquid Form(21pp)
...Insubstantial 1(Permanent) 5pp
...Elongation 5(250 Ft) 5pp
...Spiked Body: Damage 7(Strength Based, Extras: Accurate 2, Variable) Linked Enhanced Advantage Takedown 1 11pp

Adaptable Senses: Senses 2(Dark Vision) 2pp

"Living Machine", Regeneration 1 0pp(free)
"Machine Resilience", Immunity 11 [Life support, Aging] 0pp(free)
"Machine Mind", Immunity 5 [Emotion Effects] 0pp(free)
"Cyber-Neural Network", Communications 5 [Mental Technology ; Extras: Dimensional (+1 pp), Subtle (+1 pp), Rapid 1 (+1 pp) ; Advantages: Teamwork (+1 pp) ; Flaw: Limited to "the Cyber Neural Network" (-1/r)] 0pp(free)

Advantages 13pp:
Languages 3(Arabic, Spanish, Mandarin, Russian), Benefit(Security Clearance), Assessment, Skill Mastery(Deception), Ranged 4, Well Informed, Precise Attack(Ranged Cover), Power Attack

Offense:
Initiative +1
Ranged +3, Close +8
Blades Morph +12 DC 23 toughness
Spikes Elongation Morph +12 DC 23 toughness 250 feet range

Defense 21pp
Dodge 12, Fortitude 9, Parry 12, Toughness 8, Will 11

Dominion 1pp
The Forgotten(Neighbourhood, Plausible) 1pp

Total:
Abilities 38 + Skills 35 + Advantages 13 + Powers 47 + Defenses 21 coming to 156pp

Complications:
Motivation(Responsibility): He's been at it so long he feels like he needs to play his part to bring about utopia if only to help the world.
Relationship(Sanders): Diego feels a unique connection to Tilly Sanders and despite his lack of connection and feelings would be hard pressed to not help her if asked.
Obsession(Black Heart): Diego is obsessed with getting a black heart that he feels is his.
Enemy(U.S Government): Diegos cover is blown. Given the depth of knowledge he had and how deep he was, the U.S government is not happy with him betraying them and they want answers.
Psychopath: Diego views everything as a calculation. Sometimes, his view of people as just pawns might be received negatively.

Personality

Diego is a world traveled, friendly guy. He loves to tell stories of his travels to put people at ease and is right at home in a room full of drunk diplomats. Underneath it all though, he has become driven to achieve the utopia promised. Being outside the bubble when it came up and only catching a glimpse of the city before it was attacked, he longs for it even more. Still, he isn't mean or evil in his mind. The ends justify the means.

Notes

He is based off the Elite Soldier with some things tweaked to make him more spy like. Expetise(Spycraft) is a combination of the tailing and surveillance from stealth, gather information and search from investigate. Expertise(linguistics) covers knowing things about languages even if he can't speak them, pick up a few words and basic meanings, etc plus what they mean in various cultures.

The Forgotten

Area: Ward 3

Description: Tossed out like litter no one bothers with on the street, there are people adrift in life with no purpose aching to be seen. Yearning to be useful again. In a past life they may have been bankers, lawyers soldiers, or even always just part of the background. While society may view them as scenery best not discussed, they are sharp and skilled just ready to be given an appropriate direction. Waiters turned to human listening devices, the crazy guy in smelly clothes soldiers write off, veterans who were tossed aside once they were spent, and more. Everyone has a value and the forgotten in society just need someone to see it.

Structure: Loosely organized with dead drops and burners as the only limited links, a few of the more skilled serve as hubs. Otherwise, until called upon they go on in the scenery of life being ignored knowing few of any others in the network.

Tasks: People no one looks at need to pay quite a bit of attention to their surroundings to survive. Like sea animals who keep up with the water, for fear of too much change, they can serve as useful people to speak for information or get the information if it is not secure. In addition, everyone can do small errands such as stay around an area or keep an eye on some vehicles. Even ones with short attention spans can relay cryptic messages or drop items from their raggedly collection of items. Furthermore, some can sere as surrogate eyes and ears where cameras making connections computers can only dream giving an alert as asked.

Liquid/Solid Form without Morph

Image

Initial Appearene

Image
Last edited by mrdent12 on Sun Nov 27, 2022 5:16 am, edited 15 times in total.
User avatar
Sakuro
Posts: 5746
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2019 7:43 am

Re: [OOC] MnM 3e - In the Shadow of Imperator

Post by Sakuro »

Roninarmy has been down for a while. If you are reading this, feel free to post on these forums if you wish. Later we can link the posts, or transfer them, to the other forum.

Still need Alexandria's build posted here.

We left off with Alex ascending the shaft and telling the team she was unable to reach the door. Diego, through his scope, was able to see some concealed sensors as well as a dust covered panel imbedded in the wall next to the door.
Evelyn Gracen, in AEGIS Squad
Storyteller for In the Shadow of Imperator
Storyteller for Geneforge: the Created
User avatar
Supernaturalist
Posts: 2275
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2018 2:48 am

Re: [OOC] MnM 3e - In the Shadow of Imperator

Post by Supernaturalist »

Ronin army is down again. Just in case it remains down, I'm bumping this to the top.
User avatar
Sakuro
Posts: 5746
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2019 7:43 am

Re: [OOC] MnM 3e - In the Shadow of Imperator

Post by Sakuro »

It is down for me as well. Feel free to post here in the meantime. The last post I saw was Alex's entry and moving to help someone who fell from the quake-splosion. Let me know if you need a summary of my last post.

EDIT:
… and it is back up. Still, if it is down for anyone, go ahead and post here. I will be checking here until everyone checks in at Roninarmy.
Evelyn Gracen, in AEGIS Squad
Storyteller for In the Shadow of Imperator
Storyteller for Geneforge: the Created
User avatar
Supernaturalist
Posts: 2275
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2018 2:48 am

Re: [OOC] MnM 3e - In the Shadow of Imperator

Post by Supernaturalist »

For some reason, the Ronin Army site keeps giving me the message that the servers are too full. It's been doing this to me for a couple of days no matter what time of day I logon. Anyone else having these problems?
User avatar
Camus
Posts: 1421
Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2016 2:49 pm

Re: [OOC] MnM 3e - In the Shadow of Imperator

Post by Camus »

Me too, but sporadically I get access. It is acting up again it seems
心のコスモ を 抱きしめて 遥かな 銀河 へ
User avatar
Sakuro
Posts: 5746
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2019 7:43 am

Re: [OOC] MnM 3e - In the Shadow of Imperator

Post by Sakuro »

I have experienced the sporadic serving fullness as well. Keep an eye on these forums if it worsens. I will as well. If you can't get a post in, you may follow up here. Or request someone transfer their post over here so that you can respond.

You should also move any updated information on you characters over here as well. Iona's sheet, and Hitori's Macro-Viral status, for example.
Evelyn Gracen, in AEGIS Squad
Storyteller for In the Shadow of Imperator
Storyteller for Geneforge: the Created
User avatar
Supernaturalist
Posts: 2275
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2018 2:48 am

Re: [OOC] MnM 3e - In the Shadow of Imperator

Post by Supernaturalist »

The Ronin Army site is really annoying. Even when I get logged on to post, I'll often the the "Server is Full" error as I'm submitting a post. That's why I double-posted that one time. :evil:
mrdent12
Posts: 4215
Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2016 8:10 pm

Re: [OOC] MnM 3e - In the Shadow of Imperator

Post by mrdent12 »

The server seems to be coming up for maybe an hour or so, something happens, and it goes down again. I've tried getting Diegos latest sheet a couple times, but it always seems to be in the times the board is down.
Post Reply