The Rack

[VandalSavage]

The Rack

Setting: Modern, Superhero

Size: 3-5 players, with guest starring villains

Forum: Extreme

System (Optional, by player): Mutants and Masterminds, 2nd Edition

You do not have to play with a system component.  Writers only desiring Freeform are welcome.

Likely Themes: Group, Domination/submission, Transformation, NC

Sample Character Archetypes: Grim 80s Anti-Hero, Reformed Villain, Hardcore 90s Hero, Superpatriot, Embittered Collaborator

Concept:  The US government does not admit to the existence of its maximum-security superhuman testing facility, "The Rack."  More secretive than Guantanamo Bay, more scandalous than CIA black sites, it operates under a shroud of concealment that is nearly as impregnable as its security systems.  Staffed by a team of researchers and military, it operates a team of super-powered individuals as hunters and inmate handlers: Omega Black.

You will be playing as members of Omega Black.  You may be heroes who believe in the cause of metahuman control and human research, or as reformed villains.

Gameplay: Writing is in two formats.

In the Freeform, we follow the activities of Omega Black at The Rack.  Dominating captives, experimenting on their bodies and minds, and generally exploiting them will be the content of the play.  It will be Freeform and will move at the pace of the players.

In the System, Omega Black's players will gather for acquisition of new captives.  These new captives may be Non-Player Characters operated by me, or will be one of the "guest star" players - someone looking to either lose to Omega Black or to capture one of them for their nefarious purposes.  This element will take place in mIRC, for a short period of game play, at a set time convenient for all participants.

I will be accepting applications first: A general character concept and background.  From there, I will assist you in making a system character if appropriate.  Guest stars do not need a system sheet, nor do players who want to be regulars but who want to leave system play up to the other players and myself.

Once a character is approved, I will establish threads to begin interaction, and will supply Non-Player Characters as necessary.

[Sianna]

I've never done a superhero type story before but I am intrigued with the melding of free form and optional system play. This could be a lot of fun.

I will have to think on it. I'd want a character that would be a real stretch for me creatively - that I could also just have a hoot with. Definitely will have to let it ferment in my head but I do have an idea that might keep things interesting around the compound.

More to come..

[Trieste]

I'm posting to express interest. I've been known to set aside my loathing of dice and numbers in general for a good story concept, and it's been roughly the requisite two years. :P The fact that I can dip in and out of the system part of it (and scheduled part of it) on various adventures makes me very happy.

If nothing else, this is very very well designed. Bravissimo!

All of that said, Decemberr 18th is my last final exam, and I'll be unavailable to start anything new until at least that time. If it's still open then, I'll do my best to cook up a concept and fire it off.

Out of curiosity, what system would you be using? Some sort of d20, or some other sort? If it's a lesser known system, how willing are you to teach someone that system?

[PhantomPistoleer]

Hey, V.,

This sounds really awesome.  Thanks for sending me the invite.  Though I don't want to be one of the protagonists, I would love to help you out with people's character sheets and time-to-time character intervention/IC information relay (a la Nick Fury).  There's also two books I want you to check out:  Lock Up (I actually have a physical copy of this, and it really assisted me when I ran a Thunderbolts campaign for my friends) and Iron Age (which deals with the "leather & latex with guns" theme).  As a GM, you should probably take a gander at Ultimate Power...

::sobs proudly::

Ah!  I'm glad I turned you on to this system.

[VandalSavage]

I'm posting to express interest. I've been known to set aside my loathing of dice and numbers in general for a good story concept, and it's been roughly the requisite two years. :P The fact that I can dip in and out of the system part of it (and scheduled part of it) on various adventures makes me very happy.

Splendid to see you, Trieste.  I hope things have been well of late.  Belated congratulations on your virtual apotheosis here on Elliquiy.

And yes, you have it right.  You may engage with or eschew the System element as you see fit.

If nothing else, this is very very well designed. Bravissimo!

Gratzie.  I greatly appreciate your esteem of the design.

All of that said, Decemberr 18th is my last final exam, and I'll be unavailable to start anything new until at least that time. If it's still open then, I'll do my best to cook up a concept and fire it off.

Delightful.  First and foremost, good luck on the exams.  In the meanwhile, and after of course, any ideas you get for a character would be most welcome.  We can collaborate in Private Message at your convenience.

It is great to know you are interested.

Out of curiosity, what system would you be using? Some sort of d20, or some other sort? If it's a lesser known system, how willing are you to teach someone that system?

The system is Mutants & Masterminds, 2nd Edition, a version of the d20 System.  I avoided it for years out of a certain indignant loyalty to the old Marvel Superheroes system, but, as he notes below, PhantomPistoleer introduced me to M&M and I have become quite smitten with it.

Should you require any resources for it, I can dispatch them to you. 

[VandalSavage]

Hey, V.,

This sounds really awesome.  Thanks for sending me the invite.  Though I don't want to be one of the protagonists, I would love to help you out with people's character sheets and time-to-time character intervention/IC information relay (a la Nick Fury).  There's also two books I want you to check out:  Lock Up (I actually have a physical copy of this, and it really assisted me when I ran a Thunderbolts campaign for my friends) and Iron Age (which deals with the "leather & latex with guns" theme).  As a GM, you should probably take a gander at Ultimate Power...

Glad to hear you liked the idea, PhantomPistoleer.  I had, indeed, been so inspired by the M&M 2nd Edition system that you introduced to me that I resolved two things:  One, I had to run a game with it.  And two, I would make the game an homage to my old favorite of DC Comics series, "Suicide Squad."

As for your proposed involvement, that would be terrific.  I would certainly appreciate the assistance in crafting characters and always enjoy collaborative character and plot creation.  You would be an ideal contributor in that position.

I will definitely look into those three books, and other resources.  "Iron Age" was one I had thought of as particularly well suited, and your recommendation emphasizes that opinion considerably.  "Lock Up" I was unfamiliar with, but will now pursue, as it seems essential.

::sobs proudly::

Ah!  I'm glad I turned you on to this system.

I am all types of glad as well.

[VandalSavage]

The Rack now has an introduction. 

Though presented in narrative form, this is intended to be a guide to the appearance of The Rack: Think of it as a preview issue to get everyone acclimated while they dream up their characters.  It presents the means of arrival to The Rack, discusses some of its features, introduces the NPC and shows their customary behaviors.

Hopefully it will inspire and orient all the prospective players.

https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=25044.0

[WyzardWhately]

I'm intrigued.  Unlike some of the posters above, I enjoy tinkering with the system end of a character.  So, I'm likely to find that pretty satisfying.  I'm thinking of playing a PC with a sort of beastial side.  He has a lot of predatory instinct and powers to match that, so he's uniquely well-suited to pursuit-and-evasion scenarios in urban or wilderness environments.  That is, of course, precisely why they've selected him.  The, shall we say, antisocial tendencies he can display are not a liability to Omega Black's mission directive. 

[VandalSavage]

I am, in turn, intrigued. 

I look forward to hearing more of your concept, Wyzard.

Also, by all means, should you have any questions about the setting, pose them.

[WyzardWhately]

I wasn't sure how much detail would be appropriate at this time.  The big question is whether origins of a supernatural or psionic bent are appropriate, or if you want to stay more towards mutants and cyborgs.  I'm just not sure.  But here's what I've got.

My character is one of those guys with a schism.  He has a normal identity, and a powered identity.  His powered identity is put on this Earth to punish the wicked.  However, he has incredibly broad personal latitude in how he pursues that mission.  He's not required to be impartial about it, or even to refrain from self-aggrandizement.  The long and short of it is that he can see the sins a person has committed in their aura.  He's allowed to punish people sevenfold for the wrongs they have committed.  To that end, he can transform into what he calls the Hellhound.  It's a larger, monstrous form that appears demonic, monstrous, like a slightly wolf-inspired gargoyle of some kind.  The exact appearance is negotiable.  In this form he's fast, strong, tough as nails, and supernaturally capable of tracking his quarry.  Once he's on you, you're not likely to get away from him.  I'm pretty sure I can build even the fairly esoteric powers easily using M&M's system.  Stat-wise, he probably looks most like a brick, but dropping the huge levels of flight and the superstrength to buy things that make him an ultra-predator.

To put it bluntly, he likes to hunt down supervillainess types and engage in traditional dominance displays.  His everyday human ID is probably more than a little freaked out by this, but he enjoys it too much to actually stop.

[WyzardWhately]

Addendum:  He probably has some specialized social skills, as well.  Mechanically, this is represented by a number of ranks in Intimidate and the feat that lets you lock people up if they can't beat your check with a will save.  Roleplay-wise, he can confront people with all their dark secrets in such a way as to psychologically break them down.

[PhantomPistoleer]

My character is one of those guys with a schism.  He has a normal identity, and a powered identity.

Question: can the character change at will?  Is he like Captain Marvel or is he like Hulk?

His powered identity is put on this Earth to punish the wicked.  However, he has incredibly broad personal latitude in how he pursues that mission.  He's not required to be impartial about it, or even to refrain from self-aggrandizement.  The long and short of it is that he can see the sins a person has committed in their aura.  He's allowed to punish people sevenfold for the wrongs they have committed.

See, Vandal likes Ostrander because he scribed Suicide Squad.  I love Ostrander because he penned The Spectre.  This totally sounds like The Spectre and I think it's awesome! ::wiggles fingers::

To that end, he can transform into what he calls the Hellhound.  It's a larger, monstrous form that appears demonic, monstrous, like a slightly wolf-inspired gargoyle of some kind.  The exact appearance is negotiable.  In this form he's fast, strong, tough as nails, and supernaturally capable of tracking his quarry.  Once he's on you, you're not likely to get away from him.  I'm pretty sure I can build even the fairly esoteric powers easily using M&M's system.  Stat-wise, he probably looks most like a brick, but dropping the huge levels of flight and the superstrength to buy things that make him an ultra-predator.

Now he sounds like Sabretooth!  Awesome. :D

[WyzardWhately]

Question: can the character change at will?  Is he like Captain Marvel or is he like Hulk?

Little of column A, little of column B.  He has to be angry to change.  He can usually work himself up to switch over in fairly short order.  However, he can also change involuntarily if he gets too pissed off.  I'd say that means you could actually shut him down by shooting him full of tranquilizers, e.g. Thorazine.

I'm glad you're pleased.  I really think these games work better if everyone likes each other's character concepts, and can see how they fit together. 

So, you think that Iron Age is worth looking at?

[VandalSavage]

Glad to find you so engaged, Wyzard.  That is definitely an asset to the game.

I will review your ideas with comments of my own, but will begin by saying that I greatly enjoy "The Spectre" as well, and find the idea of a schism character splendid for Omega Black.  Perhaps his "normal identity" stays with them in the hopes that they can control the Hellhound.

I wasn't sure how much detail would be appropriate at this time.  The big question is whether origins of a supernatural or psionic bent are appropriate, or if you want to stay more towards mutants and cyborgs.  I'm just not sure.  But here's what I've got.

Supernatural is just fine.  I welcome any origin.

My character is one of those guys with a schism.  He has a normal identity, and a powered identity.  His powered identity is put on this Earth to punish the wicked.  However, he has incredibly broad personal latitude in how he pursues that mission.  He's not required to be impartial about it, or even to refrain from self-aggrandizement.  The long and short of it is that he can see the sins a person has committed in their aura.  He's allowed to punish people sevenfold for the wrongs they have committed.  To that end, he can transform into what he calls the Hellhound.  It's a larger, monstrous form that appears demonic, monstrous, like a slightly wolf-inspired gargoyle of some kind.  The exact appearance is negotiable.  In this form he's fast, strong, tough as nails, and supernaturally capable of tracking his quarry.  Once he's on you, you're not likely to get away from him.  I'm pretty sure I can build even the fairly esoteric powers easily using M&M's system.  Stat-wise, he probably looks most like a brick, but dropping the huge levels of flight and the superstrength to buy things that make him an ultra-predator.

Very good concept.  It fits well with the team - their mission and their attitude.  Given that you know how to work with M&M 2nd Edition, I am excited to see how you put this into numbers.

To put it bluntly, he likes to hunt down supervillainess types and engage in traditional dominance displays...

Yes. Marvelous.  Precisely what one would hope for in this game.  "Traditional dominance displays."

I have also reviewed your recent entries and find that I like your work, especially the attention to detail.  I also like what I read on your O&O last post.

You are most definitely approved, Wyzard.  Welcome to The Rack.

[VandalSavage]

Now he sounds like Sabretooth!  Awesome. :D

I had a Sabretooth visual for the image of his physique.  Some horrible pitbull maw for the head, though.

[WyzardWhately]

Should I assume PL 10?  I think his normal ID stays with them because this way he knows he's going to be sent after the worst of the worst.  They help him direct energies that might otherwise be sent after people who are less deserving of the Hellhound's tender mercies.  Also, they let him keep himself isolated.  He has trouble getting along in normal society (Never know when you might run into a bad guy at the meat counter, and suddenly have an uncontrollable urge to run him through the salami-slicing machine.)  They give him a place where he is valued and accepted for the very things that make him a freak.  I think he's got a powerful "company man" kind of thing going, even though he doesn't always like the things he does on their behalf.

Oh.  I'd like him to have an NPC handler.  This could be a challenge, actually.  I'm thinking of...not actually a dominatrix type, because she isn't out to demean him.  And yet, definitely in charge of his ass.  She'd have to be pretty morally pure to keep from setting off his reflexes, but still able to manipulate him.  Maybe the aforementioned psychiatrist?  I don't know if that's workable or fits in, but the contrast between the predator and the patient interests me.

[VandalSavage]

Should I assume PL 10?  I think his normal ID stays with them because this way he knows he's going to be sent after the worst of the worst.  They help him direct energies that might otherwise be sent after people who are less deserving of the Hellhound's tender mercies.  Also, they let him keep himself isolated.  He has trouble getting along in normal society (Never know when you might run into a bad guy at the meat counter, and suddenly have an uncontrollable urge to run him through the salami-slicing machine.)  They give him a place where he is valued and accepted for the very things that make him a freak.  I think he's got a powerful "company man" kind of thing going, even though he doesn't always like the things he does on their behalf.

Yes, PL 10, 150PP, no more than two Drawbacks.  And your synopsis as to his motivations regarding staying with Omega Black are just as I'd expect.  Sounds good.

Oh.  I'd like him to have an NPC handler.  This could be a challenge, actually.  I'm thinking of...not actually a dominatrix type, because she isn't out to demean him.  And yet, definitely in charge of his ass.  She'd have to be pretty morally pure to keep from setting off his reflexes, but still able to manipulate him.  Maybe the aforementioned psychiatrist?  I don't know if that's workable or fits in, but the contrast between the predator and the patient interests me.

I will formulate a list of the NPCs in a bit, given that the current introduction sequence has nearly introduced all of them.  I think the dynamic you propose is great; totally fits in.

[PhantomPistoleer]

Wyz, you could buy a lower-level sidekick or minion.

Minions are treated like cannon fodder.

Sidekicks are treated like heroes, but are more expensive.

But... you probably know this. :D

[WyzardWhately]

Hellhound
Concept: Avenging Monster
Hero Points: 3
Allegiance: Retribution  (Go watch the Watchmen trailer and listen to the way Rorscharch pronounces this word)
Description:  A seven-foot-tall gargoyle-like monstrosity.  Stick horns and bat-wings on a Crinos werewolf (from white wolf's games) and you're pretty close.  He's a little more anthropomorphised than that, but not much.  His invulnerability is less flashy-looking than Superman's bullets-bounce-off-me thing.  His body just soaks up attacks like they were nothing.  He's probably got some kind of mystical Word of Inviolability on him or something, but in any case attacks seem to be absorbed rather than deflected.

Str: 10 (34+12)
Dex: 10
Con: 34 +12
Int: 10
Wis: 14 +2
Cha: 12 +1
[30]

Combat:
Attack +3 ( +8 melee )
Defense 18
[22]

Feats:
Attack Focus: Melee x 5
All-out Attack
Power Attack
Chokehold
Improved Critical: Unarmed (19-20)
Improved Grab
Stunning Attack
Luck x 2
Fearless
Fascinate: Intimidate
Startle
[16]

Saves:
Toughness +12
Fort: +12
Ref: +6
Will: +11
[9]

Skills:
Sense Motive: +12 (14)
Intimidate: +12  (13)
Survival: +8 (10)
Notice: +12 (14)
Search: +8
Stealth: +8
[15]

Powers
+24 Strength: Alternate: Drain any one trait, 10 + Slow Fade x 4 (1 hour).  Alternate: Hellfire Blast: Conical Area 8
Impervious Toughness +12
Flight 5, 250 MPH
Sin-Sight (super-sense: Accurate, Acute.  3 points.  This is a mental sense, although it manifests visually.  He can see the evil a person has done, or the weights on their conscience, as images in a sort of aura around them.  It’s entirely reasonable to require notice or sense motive tests against their Will defense, or their Bluff skill, IMHO.)
Scent:  Accurate, Acute, Tracking 3, Extended 3 [~2 mile increment]
[60]


158
Drawbacks:
Normal Identity:  Takes at least two rounds, depending on how angry he is.  -5
Involuntary Transformation: Major Intensity, Uncommon, 3 points.  Kenneth changes if he gets too angry for his own good.  Hellhound changes if someone somehow makes him stop being angry - or alternately when exposed to an innocent praying to banish him.
Complications:
Obsession:  Punishing sinners.
Reputation:  The Hellhound is a horrifying scary evil motherfucker, according to most.  Everybody has something on their conscience, or thinks they do, and the idea of being around someone whose job it is to punish you for it, even if you don't believe the supernatural-origin hype, is disconcerting at best. 
-8

PP Total: 150


Kenneth Shepherd
Concept: Basket-Case
Description:  Kenneth is a slightly strung-out young man in his early twenties.  He usually dresses in beat-up jeans and a worn hoodie that he wraps around himself like a security blanket.  He is simultaneously horrified by the things Hellhound does, and addicted to them.  Notably, his sin-sight doesn't work on himself in either form, so he has no idea as to own objective moral state.  He often speaks in a near-whisper, and is generally incredibly subdued unless something sets off his temper.
Hero Points: 3

Str 10
Dex 10
Con 14 +2
Int 10
Wis 14 +2
Cha 16 +2
[14]

Combat:
Attack: Melee +5
Defense: 15
[10]

Saves:
Toughness +2
Fort +2
Reflex
Will +2

Feats:
Luck x 2
Attractive
Melee Focus x 5
All-out Attack
Rage x 4  [Strength 20, +7 Fort and Will, Defense 13]
[13]

Skills:
Sense Motive +4 (6)
Bluff +4 (7/11)
Diplomacy +4 (7/11)
Notice +4 (6)
Stealth +4 (6)
[5]

Powers:
Sin-Sight: 3 points
[3]

[45]

Complications:
Temper
Addiction: Being Hellhound.  It's the only time he has purely positive feelings about himself and what he does.  Also, I think Kenneth might actually be a virgin, in his normal form...
Secret/Reputation:  It tends to cause problems for Kenneth when people find out that he's really Hellhound

[VandalSavage]

Real Name: Kenneth Shepherd
Costumed ID: Hellhound...

What a bruiser.  I pity the fool already.

He's looking pretty good to me, but I'm still at the shake and bake stage of discerning character creation.  After mulling awhile, I'll put the 'APPROVED' stamp on him, possibly with edits.

As for the NPCs ... chat room you say, eh? 

If I don't find you there, I'll be coming up with a list of the NPCs a little later tonight, or tomorrow morning.

[PhantomPistoleer]

I have a few problems with the character:

1.  He has 25 feats, not 24.
2.  He doesn't have a reflex save.
3.  His drawback isn't actually a drawback:  his normal transformation into a super-powered transformation isn't a drawback.  If there was a way for mean and ugly to go back to being meek, then that's the key to the drawback.
4.  There is little differentiation between Kenneth and Hellhound in the current build.
5.  There are 80 PPs used in the powers part.

Otherwise, a mean, powerful build.  Though I didn't imagine that you had a paragon in mind when you were describing your feral character.  ::laughs::  The thought of Sabretooth flying terrifies me.

[VandalSavage]

I have a few problems with the character:

1.  He has 25 feats, not 24.
2.  He doesn't have a reflex save.
3.  His drawback isn't actually a drawback:  his normal transformation into a super-powered transformation isn't a drawback.  If there was a way for mean and ugly to go back to being meek, then that's the key to the drawback.
4.  There is little differentiation between Kenneth and Hellhound in the current build.
5.  There are 80 PPs used in the powers part.

Those would be problems, yes - especially 1, 2, 3 and 5.  We can fix that readily.

I will look this over more thoroughly soon.  I would allow the +0 Reflex save, but that does seem a tad odd to me.  It suggests he is truly slow.  Is that what we want?

[WyzardWhately]

Well, it is just a first draft.  I always end up revising these like three times or more.  I'll work it over again tomorrow.  But thanks for telling me what needs fixed, at least.

[PhantomPistoleer]

You know, there should be like a caveat for your character, Wiz.

Hellhound should have 150 PP;

Kenneth should have 30-45 pp (level 2pp).

That way, you can create both characters without the stats of each stacking with one another.

I tried figuring out a way for your character to have a mechanism which transforms him, y'know?  I thought about Gestalt and Alternate Form, but they'd start getting somewhat complicated.

After some thinking, I don't think your character is like Sabretooth, but like Captain Marvel from Bizarro World (and I dig that, too). ;D

[VandalSavage]

You know, there should be like a caveat for your character, Wiz.

Hellhound should have 150 PP;

Kenneth should have 30-45 pp (level 2pp).

That way, you can create both characters without the stats of each stacking with one another.

I like that idea.  And let's have Hellhound have Involuntary Transformation, much like the "Savage Man Beast" Archetype.  One caveat, though: Let's come up with a way that the Involuntary works both ways - meaning, a way that Hellhound can be forced back into Kenneth form.

[PhantomPistoleer]

I like that idea.  And let's have Hellhound have Involuntary Transformation, much like the "Savage Man Beast" Archetype.  One caveat, though: Let's come up with a way that the Involuntary works both ways - meaning, a way that Hellhound can be forced back into Kenneth form.

The easiest way would be for him to have to make a Will Save as Hellhound under certain conditions.  Like, if he's rendered unconscious.

[VandalSavage]

Having talked to Wyzard in chat, we came up with a few developments:

He will be reducing his prodigious Feats.  He will be making a Kenneth form, rather than just a Normal Identity.  And Hellhound's Involuntary Transformation will be inspired by an innocent - reasonably innocent - person praying to banish him.  Like Kenneth's Involuntary Transformation, it will be of Major intensity and Uncommon frequency.

[PhantomPistoleer]

Ha ha ha.  That's awesome.

[WyzardWhately]

Alright.  Rebuild complete.  I think the numbers will actually work out this time.  Notably, Kenneth is capable of going batshit and tearing things up.  I don't see that actually coming up very much, but it's part of why he likes being at The Rack so much.  He doesn't run into simple non-powered evil humans in the street and end up trying to curb-stomp them.

[VandalSavage]

Yes, The Rack keeps the leash tight, but they still let the dog hunt.  I would imagine it will be a happy place for Hellhound.

As for Kenneth, only time and therapy will tell.

I look forward to the numbers.

[WyzardWhately]

You have the numbers.  :D  Elliquiy doesn't have a time-limit on editing, so I just edited his sheet.  Go look at the first page.

[PhantomPistoleer]

Hellhound
Concept: Avenging Monster
Hero Points: 3
Allegiance: Retribution  (Go watch the Watchmen trailer and listen to the way Rorscharch pronounces this word)
Description:  A seven-foot-tall gargoyle-like monstrosity.  Stick horns and bat-wings on a Crinos werewolf (from white wolf's games) and you're pretty close.  He's a little more anthropomorphised than that, but not much.  His invulnerability is less flashy-looking than Superman's bullets-bounce-off-me thing.  His body just soaks up attacks like they were nothing.  He's probably got some kind of mystical Word of Inviolability on him or something, but in any case attacks seem to be absorbed rather than deflected.

Str: 10 (34+12)
Dex: 10
Con: 34 +12
Int: 10
Wis: 14 +2
Cha: 12 +1
[30]

Combat:
Attack +3 ( +8 melee )
Defense 18
[22]

Feats:
Attack Focus: Melee x 5
All-out Attack
Power Attack
Chokehold
Improved Critical: Unarmed (19-20)
Improved Grab
Stunning Attack
Luck x 2
Fearless
Fascinate: Intimidate
Startle
[16]

Saves:
Toughness +12
Fort: +12
Ref: +6
Will: +11
[15]

Skills:
Sense Motive: +12 (14)
Intimidate: +12  (13)
Survival: +8 (10)
Notice: +12 (14)
Search: +8
Stealth: +8
[15]

Powers
+24 Strength: Alternate: Drain any one trait, 10 + Slow Fade x 4 (1 hour).  Alternate: Hellfire Blast: Conical Area 8
Impervious Toughness +12
Flight 5, 250 MPH
Sin-Sight (super-sense: Accurate, Acute.  3 points.  This is a mental sense, although it manifests visually.  He can see the evil a person has done, or the weights on their conscience, as images in a sort of aura around them.  It’s entirely reasonable to require notice or sense motive tests against their Will defense, or their Bluff skill, IMHO.)
Scent:  Accurate, Acute, Tracking 3, Extended 3 [~2 mile increment]
[60]


158
Drawbacks:
Normal Identity:  Takes at least two rounds, depending on how angry he is.  -5
Involuntary Transformation: Major Intensity, Uncommon, 3 points.  Kenneth changes if he gets too angry for his own good.  Hellhound changes if someone somehow makes him stop being angry - or alternately when exposed to an innocent praying to banish him.
Complications:
Obsession:  Punishing sinners.
Reputation:  The Hellhound is a horrifying scary evil motherfucker, according to most.  Everybody has something on their conscience, or thinks they do, and the idea of being around someone whose job it is to punish you for it, even if you don't believe the supernatural-origin hype, is disconcerting at best. 
-8

PP Total: 150


Kenneth Shepherd
Concept: Basket-Case
Description:  Kenneth is a slightly strung-out young man in his early twenties.  He usually dresses in beat-up jeans and a worn hoodie that he wraps around himself like a security blanket.  He is simultaneously horrified by the things Hellhound does, and addicted to them.  Notably, his sin-sight doesn't work on himself in either form, so he has no idea as to own objective moral state.  He often speaks in a near-whisper, and is generally incredibly subdued unless something sets off his temper.
Hero Points: 3

Str 10
Dex 10
Con 14 +2
Int 10
Wis 14 +2
Cha 16 +2
[14]

Combat:
Attack: Melee +5
Defense: 15
[10]

Saves:
Toughness +2
Fort +2
Reflex
Will +2

Feats:
Luck x 2
Attractive
Melee Focus x 5
All-out Attack
Rage x 4  [Strength 20, +7 Fort and Will, Defense 13]
[13]

Skills:
Sense Motive +4 (6)
Bluff +4 (7/11)
Diplomacy +4 (7/11)
Notice +4 (6)
Stealth +4 (6)
[5]

Powers:
Sin-Sight: 3 points
[3]

[45]

Complications:
Temper
Addiction: Being Hellhound.  It's the only time he has purely positive feelings about himself and what he does.  Also, I think Kenneth might actually be a virgin, in his normal form...
Secret/Reputation:  It tends to cause problems for Kenneth when people find out that he's really Hellhound

Heheh. This is better.  But Kenneth is a PL 3 character, so the limit to his attack, defense, toughness and the what not is +3, with tradeoffs.  But he has an ATB of +5, DEB of +5, a TOU of +2 and damage potential of +5 (even if he does have an AC of +3 at the time, it doesn't all add up).  The combined four stats mentioned above must equal 12.

Furthermore, I think that your character stats are a little fluffy.  You could make him more powerful with a bit of economy. 

::gets razor out!::  If I may?

[WyzardWhately]

Heheh. This is better.  But Kenneth is a PL 3 character, so the limit to his attack, defense, toughness and the what not is +3, with tradeoffs.  But he has an ATB of +5, DEB of +5, a TOU of +2 and damage potential of +5 (even if he does have an AC of +3 at the time, it doesn't all add up).  The combined four stats mentioned above must equal 12.

Furthermore, I think that your character stats are a little fluffy.  You could make him more powerful with a bit of economy. 

::gets razor out!::  If I may?

I know how PL works.  I hadn't actually intended to keep Kenneth into any particular PL.  My goal was just to build a reasonable-looking everday ID on 45 points.  I personally think he works, since we've long ago departed from the RAW with regard to how normal ID works.  Look at it like this:  He's almost harmless most of the time.  If something touches him off, he's dangerous to normal non-combatant types (and furniture) for about five rounds, then he gets the shakes and is useless again.  In no case is he a threat to, say, a swat team or a real supervillain.  I'd rather keep him the way he is, but if it's a problem for VS I can change him.

But, if you want to make suggestions about how Hellhound is built, feel free.  A second set of eyes never hurts.

[WyzardWhately]

On further reconsideration, I've decided to build Kenneth according to standard PL3 limitiations, like Pistoleer suggests.  I decided the test I should use was whether or not he can be a threat to noncombatants, which doesn't actually take much.  Currently, he should be legal at all points.  When he rages, his attack and soak stay the same, his damage goes up and his defense goes down.  When he's not raging, he's definitely under the cap, although he's wary enough to have a better defense than the average man on the street.  His stealth rating is high, but not intended to denote ninja skills.  He's just so turned in on himself that people can walk right past him and not see him.  It's not even necessarily intentional.

Kenneth Shepherd
Concept: Basket-Case
Description:  Kenneth is a slightly strung-out young man in his early twenties.  He usually dresses in beat-up jeans and a worn hoodie that he wraps around himself like a security blanket.  He is simultaneously horrified by the things Hellhound does, and addicted to the rush and the fun.  Notably, his sin-sight doesn't work on himself in either form, so he has no idea as to own objective moral state.  He often speaks in a near-whisper, and is generally incredibly subdued unless something sets off his temper.
Hero Points: 3

Str 10
Dex 10
Con 16 +3
Int 10
Wis 14 +2
Cha 16 +2
[16]

Combat:
Attack: Melee +3
Defense: 13
[6]

Saves:
Toughness +3
Fort +3
Reflex
Will +2

Feats:
Luck x 2
Attractive
Melee Focus x 3
All-out Attack
Rage x 4 [Strength 20, +8 fort, +7 Will, Defense 11.]
Benefit: Wealth 
Benefit: Unassuming (if there's a feat or something for this in one of the books, let me know.)  Kenneth seems harmless, and he's very easy to ignore.
Hide in Plain Sight.
[14]

Skills:
Sense Motive +4 (6)
Bluff +4 (7/11)
Diplomacy +4 (7/11)
Notice +4 (6)
Stealth +8
[6]

Powers:
Sin-Sight: 3 points
[3]

[45]

Complications:
Temper
Addiction: Being Hellhound.  It's the only time he has purely positive feelings about himself and what he does.  Also, I think Kenneth might actually be a virgin, in his normal form...
Secret/Reputation:  It tends to cause problems for Kenneth when people find out that he's really Hellhound

[PhantomPistoleer]

The Avenging Monster: Hellhound (10 PL/150pp)

Statistics
Str: 16/32 (+3/+12)  Dex: 10 (+0)  Con: 16/32 (+3/+12) Int: 10 (+0)  Wis: 14 (+2)  Cha: 10 (+0)
[16]

Skills:
Intimidate 12  (+24); Notice 12 (+14); Search 8 (+8); Sense Motive: +12 (14)

Feats:[/u
All-out Attack; Attack Focus (Melee); Attack Specialization (Unarmed) 2; Chokehold; Dodge Focus 4 Fascinate (Intimidate); Fearless; Improved Critical: Unarmed (19-20); Improved Grab; Luck 2; Power Attack

Powers
Enhanced Strength 18 [18pp]
Extra:  Enhanced Constitution 18 [18pp]
Extra:  Flight 5 (250 MPH) [5pp]
Extra:  Immunity 16 (aging, fire damage, life support, need for sleep) [16pp]
Extra:  Impervious Toughness 12 [12pp]
Extra:  Super Strength 5 (Heavy Load 45 tons) [5pp]
Extra:  Magic 14 [14pp]

Magic
Hellfire Control (Extra:  Area: Conical) 8[/b]
Alternate Power: Drain 10 (Any one at any time; Power Feat: Slow Fade 4 [1 hour]);
Alternate Power: Emotion Control 10 (Flaw: One Emotion [Despair] and;
Super Senses Array Sin-Sight:  (Accurate, Acute, Detect: Evil); Scent: (Accurate, Acute, Tracking 3, Extended 3); Dark Vision;
Alternate Power: Possession 4; [linked: Mimic 4 (Personality);
Alternate Power: Nauseate 6 [linked: Paralyze 6)

Combat:
BaB: +3; +4 melee; +8 unarmed
Damage: +12 unarmed; +8 hellfire
Grapple: +20
BdB: +4 (+8 Dodge Focus, +2 Flat-footed)
Init: +0

Saves:
Toughness +12 (Impervious); Fort: +12; Ref: +5 Will: +10
Stats 16 + Skills 11 + Feats 16 + Powers 88 + Combat 14 + Saves 13 + Drawbacks -8 =

So this would be my suggestion!

*NOTES:  Okay, so you might be wondering what I’m doing here.

Powers:  I returned to a 1st edition rule to make your character scream badass and give him a vast repertoire on the battlefield.  That’s the Extra Rule, which is not as prominent in 2nd edition M&M, since the alternate power rule rules supreme.  However, I was really shooting for an ultra-powerful behemoth, a Black Adam lite.  Since a lot of the powers are now in the magic spectrum, you’ll have to „cast“ the spells, too.  But of course, that only requires that you not be bound.

I feel like the magic spectrum would allow your character to grow, too.  You could always make the spells stronger and/or add more alternate powers to your magical array.

Skills:  I got rid of stealth and survival because of a) your immunities and b) because it seems silly for a guy that can hit as hard as a air-to-land missile to be sneaking around.  Since you can fly in and out, and since you’ll probably have more qualified sneakers on the field, I felt that it was a redundant power.

Furthermore, I employed an optional house rule from the D&D 3.0 Barbarian/Ranger/Druid handbook, which allows you to use your strength modifier instead of your charisma modifier in your intimidate check.  Coupled with your despair, you will definitely not need some of feats.

Also, I think that Kenneth should be fun to play as also.  He should be like the Heroic Everyman from Agents of Freedom.  I am sort of against the rage x4 with a strength of 10, but would nevertheless like to see Kenneth as a PL 5 with 100pp.  That way, he's fun to play as, too. :D  I will be posting my suggestion for Kenneth some time today.

[WyzardWhately]

Pretty interesting.  I don't think I like having his sin-sight be a spell.  Kenneth's got it too, and it's just part of the concept that it's an innate thing he's got.  Other than that it looks fairly solid - the magic array does make him substantially more spectre-like, and that's hardly a bad thing.

Doesn't Super-Strength add to his grapple check?

[PhantomPistoleer]

Lemme check!

Hmm.  It only applies to sustain a grapple.  I never knew that!

As for Sin-Sight, it's up to you.  It doesn't HAVE to be a spell, since I didn't add any of the flaws.  I didn't want him to be Specter like, but more demon like?  So I gave him possession and nauseate, since I always associate demons with bile.  You could always just switch things around, too in your magic array; instead of having Hellfire be the main thing, you could make the super-senses array be the main thing, and then array everything off of it accordingly.

I was thinking of making his CHA 8 or 6, too, since he's such an aberration.

[WyzardWhately]

Lemme check!

Hmm.  It only applies to sustain a grapple.  I never knew that!

As for Sin-Sight, it's up to you.  It doesn't HAVE to be a spell, since I didn't add any of the flaws.  I didn't want him to be Specter like, but more demon like?  So I gave him possession and nauseate, since I always associate demons with bile.  You could always just switch things around, too in your magic array; instead of having Hellfire be the main thing, you could make the super-senses array be the main thing, and then array everything off of it accordingly.

I was thinking of making his CHA 8 or 6, too, since he's such an aberration.

That's actually probably fair.  I know, like, nothing about 1st edition, so I'm not sure how these extra things work.

[PhantomPistoleer]

The extra rule is simple.

You use a power, right?  Say, Super Strength.  That's 2pp per rank.

But say that you also want Blast, which is also 2pp per rank.  Well, you could totally pay 2pp per rank for super strength and then pay 2pp per blast.  Or you could pay 2pp per rank for super strength and then pay an alternate power feat (1pp) for blast, but that means that you can either do one or the other at a single time.

However, you could also pay 2pp per rank for super strength and then pay 1pp per rank for blast if you put it down as an extra.  It's the same as purchasing both at full price, except you deduct a pp from every rank that you pay.  So if something is worth 5pp, then you pay 4pp per rank.

[WyzardWhately]

The extra rule is simple.

You use a power, right?  Say, Super Strength.  That's 2pp per rank.

But say that you also want Blast, which is also 2pp per rank.  Well, you could totally pay 2pp per rank for super strength and then pay 2pp per blast.  Or you could pay 2pp per rank for super strength and then pay an alternate power feat (1pp) for blast, but that means that you can either do one or the other at a single time.

However, you could also pay 2pp per rank for super strength and then pay 1pp per rank for blast if you put it down as an extra.  It's the same as purchasing both at full price, except you deduct a pp from every rank that you pay.  So if something is worth 5pp, then you pay 4pp per rank.

EDIT:  Nevermind, that was stupid.

Still, I can see why they cut Extras out of 2E. 

[PhantomPistoleer]

They didn't actually cut it out.

It's just not ever used because of the alternate power feat.

[WyzardWhately]

They didn't actually cut it out.

It's just not ever used because of the alternate power feat.

Really?  Because I can see lots of instances where it's far more useful than an alternate power.  One would not, for example, want to forgo a defensive power to use an offensive one.

[VandalSavage]

By the way, I am watching this thread in fascination.  The learning experience has been terrific.

[PhantomPistoleer]

Really?  Because I can see lots of instances where it's far more useful than an alternate power.  One would not, for example, want to forgo a defensive power to use an offensive one.

::nods::  But in other instances, not so much.  In your array, I only got back 20 points, but I spent ~90 points.  If I had used alternate power points, I would have spent only 25.

[WyzardWhately]

::nods::  But in other instances, not so much.  In your array, I only got back 20 points, but I spent ~90 points.  If I had used alternate power points, I would have spent only 25.

But then I wouldn't have been able to have enhanced strength and con at the same time, and my character's life would have been a parade of hilarious misery.

[VandalSavage]

But then I wouldn't have been able to have enhanced strength and con at the same time, and my character's life would have been a parade of hilarious misery.

Done.  Alternate Powers all around on the Hound.

...Joking, of course.

[WyzardWhately]

Second question:  Doesn't a rank 14 blast with a +1 area modifier end up being rank 9?

14 x 2 = 28, and 28/3 = 9 1/3.

Having meditated on it for a bit, I like overall what you've done.  I'll probably tinker with it some, maybe strip out some of the immunities, then move his Senses out of magic and back in with the rest of his powers.  I did kind of like him having some stealth.  No, he doesn't *need* to sneak up on people.  But it's scarier if he does, and that's a part of his function.

[PhantomPistoleer]

But then I wouldn't have been able to have enhanced strength and con at the same time, and my character's life would have been a parade of hilarious misery.

Right, but you paid the same amount you would have for strength and constitution that you would have if you hadn't used the extra.

Second question:  Doesn't a rank 14 blast with a +1 area modifier end up being rank 9?

14 x 2 = 28, and 28/3 = 9 1/3.

Yes, that is right.

[PhantomPistoleer]

My second recommendation:  instead of giving him stealth skills, maybe you should give him Concealment or Obscure.

[VandalSavage]

My second recommendation:  instead of giving him stealth skills, maybe you should give him Concealment or Obscure.

Narratively, I think that is optimal.  Some manner of supernatural predilection for Concealment, or shroud, rather than training.

[WyzardWhately]

That sounds pretty good to me. 

[VandalSavage]

Omega-Black, these are your targets. 

The Omega-Black Hit List

Take aim.

There is a thread open to discuss who you should go after and how.  Consider yourself - as both players and characters - tasked with selecting your targets and then consulting the NPCs, through me, for information.

You can discuss missions in-character in the Freeform In-Character Forums, when I set them up.  They will be divided into locations: General Population, The Break-Room and so forth.  But for now and for the rest of the game, feel most free to discuss potential missions here:

[THE RACK] Strategic-Tactical Station

[WyzardWhately]

Pistoleer?  YOu were going to do an alternate writeup of my character's mortal form?

[Kazyth]

It's a bit late, I know, but I'm desperate for some tabletop-esq RP and I loved M&M when I last played it... several years ago.  Before I went overboard, I thought I'd check and see if there were still openings for the game, or at least the possibility of a cameo or two along the way!