Very rough sketch of Châtelet. I've also updated the first post with artwork of all of the possible player characters that I had and realized I haven't posted in a while. A lot of new folks may not have seen it!
Very rough sketch of Châtelet. I've also updated the first post with artwork of all of the possible player characters that I had and realized I haven't posted in a while. A lot of new folks may not have seen it!
I was going to say, Lucid, that your thought process for the picks for Helicopter Parent mirrors my super psychic set, what with the Hunch-Clairvoyance-Chatroom-Ally Empowerment-Bulwark-Energy Manipulation-Millions Minefield tag daisy chaining you did.
Hey, quick question, you say that 57 is "Moderate Side Effect"
But...
"To determine if a dose has a side effect, a d100 will be rolled. 1 to 39 and there is no side effect. 40 to 69 and there is a minor side effect. 70 to 89 and there is a moderate side effect. 90 to 99 and there is a major side effect. At 100 something special happens, but that will remain a surprise for now. If a dose only has a chance to cause a lesser side effect but a roll for a higher side effect happens, then only the most serious side effect possible for the dose will take effect. For example:"
This says we'd be at a Minor?
it's 57 After the +15 is added. The raw roll was 42.
Was that changed or is there something else adding an additional +13 or more here?
Hey, quick question, you say that 57 is "Moderate Side Effect"
But...
"To determine if a dose has a side effect, a d100 will be rolled. 1 to 39 and there is no side effect. 40 to 69 and there is a minor side effect. 70 to 89 and there is a moderate side effect. 90 to 99 and there is a major side effect. At 100 something special happens, but that will remain a surprise for now. If a dose only has a chance to cause a lesser side effect but a roll for a higher side effect happens, then only the most serious side effect possible for the dose will take effect. For example:"
This says we'd be at a Minor?
it's 57 After the +15 is added. The raw roll was 42.
Was that changed or is there something else adding an additional +13 or more here?
Aww, crud. I messed that up. Thankfully, this side effect has an even lesser version so I can just scale down. Thank you for pointing that out. Take a +1 for saving me some grief and telling me before I committed.
Second, you should think of side effects less as "negatives" and more as additional mechanics. I wanted to keep these totally secret, but I think it's more important to clearly convey what they are. Here are some possible side effects of the major side effect table:
Power requires some sort of recharge or outside power source if overused (e.g. Crimson Soprano)
Loss of common sense due to power, replaced with power-related sense (e.g. blind but can use echolocation)
Permanent physical change due to power (dysmorphic hero, e.g. Daggermaw and Radiant Silvergirl)
The idea is that the game is boring if you can make an army of invincible Novalights. The purpose of side effects is to challenge you during missions, not make you feel like you wasted a candidate. Also, dysmorphic heroes are a plot point in Project Prometheus. But they're not all monsters. For example, Radiant Silvergirl looks like this:
Horizon, City of Leviathan's Rest– The Apiary– January 8, 2068
The Apiary is and always will be your true home, but you've never been quite so grateful to have the gargantuan facility at your disposal as you are right now. No longer must you skulk in abandoned warehouses with hastily set-up equipment to administer Ambrosia. Now, you can do it with the convenience—and security—provided by the Apiary.
Right now, you have an ad hoc set up in the training room behind the gymnasium. You don't think John Henry's empowerment will be as explosive as Black Swan's, but it's better safe than sorry.
Between your two current candidates, John Henry volunteered to go first. He reasoned that he had already seen Ambrosia administered before, and that it was only fair that Ellie get to see the process before it was her turn.
Said candidates are currently waiting behind a curtain with a distraught Dr. Ibis. John Henry is in good spirits, smiling broadly and joking. Ellie is as poker-faced as always, but you detect some level of anxiety coming off her. Hopefully for John Henry's sake and not because she was getting cold feet about her own empowerment. As you approach, you realize there are two other people waiting with them. Two people you vaguely recognize as part of the Rhodes family.
"Do not be nervous John Henry! I, the great Dr. Mammoth Ibis, have personally prepared this dose of Ambrosia! And my brilliant daughter, the equally great Dr. Massive Ibis, is preparing the administration device as we speak!"
Dr. Ibis is pacing around frantically.
"Emeril," a handsome woman in her mid-forties says, "No one is worried. We know you and Sarah got this! Now, why don't you calm down and have a snack? You know how your blood sugar gets."
She opens up a tupperware container of homemade cookies.
"Snickerdoodles! Dr. Mammoth Ibis' favorite!"
He greedily grabs two and sits down to eat them. You resist the urge to sigh as you walk behind the curtain.
"Lady Leizi," John Henry greets. He's wearing nothing but a hospital gown to preserve his modesty, relaxing on a Gatch bed before it's time.
"You know my better half, Sandra," he says, pointing to the woman. Then he points to the young boy—maybe eighteen or so—on his other side. "And that's Nathan. He's shot up like a weed since you last saw him. Both have been screened and cleared for this, so don't worry—I'm not just sneaking my family in."
"I'm well aware," you saw with a slight smile. You ran their background checks and approved their clearance yourself, afterall. "There's no issue having them here."
Strictly speaking, it would be better to keep as few people aware of Project Prometheus as possible. However, it would be next to impossible for John Henry to hide that he spontaneously developed superpowers from his immediate family. So, some allowances had to be made. At least this way you could impress the need for secrecy on them personally.
"So, Double L," Nathan says, eyes bright, "Anybody can get powers this way . . .?"
"Nathan, no," John Henry says.
"I'm eighteen now! When do I get to make my own decisions?!"
"When you start doing your own laundry," his mother shoots back.
"Mooooom, not in front of Double L!"
You laugh at the byplay and curse that nickname. As you do, Sandra touches your arm.
"Lady Leizi, hon, could we speak in private for a sec?"
"Of course," you say nonplussed, "Shall we walk this way. . .?"
She takes you outside the curtains where you can see Handyman and Châtelet helping Dr. Sarah Ibis and a very haggard-looking Natalie Rhodes finish setting up. You're honestly a little caught off guard. You've known Sandra for years, but you don't think you two have ever spoken one-on-one. You don't know what to expect.
"I wanted to ask you about something," she says in a low voice.
"Ah, is it about John Henry's selection for Project Prometheus?" you say, "You cannot be pleased that your husband will be put in harm's way."
Sandra laughs, flipping her braids over her shoulder. "John? Please. I know if I didn't let him do this, he'd sulk like a big baby until the end of time!"
Her eyes turn serious. "Honestly? I think this has been good for him. He was as devastated as anyone with what happened to you kids after the Movement, and then . . . us losing Nat."
A shadow falls over her face before she shakes her head. "This all has kept him grounded. New places, new people, new challenges—keeps him from dwelling. Us all really. And now I'm gonna get to sleep next to a superhero every night? Hell yes."
You laugh at her genuine enthusiasm. She looks side to side and then leans close.
"No, I wanted to ask you about that Ellie girl," she says in a low voice, "Is she . . . okay?"
"What do you mean?" you say, immediately concerned.
"She's alone all the time," Sandra answers, "I thought I was being a nuisance inviting her to dinner with us, but then I find out she lives all by herself? What happened to her parents?"
"Ah," you say, "I'm . . . afraid it's not my place to share."
"John said the same thing," Sandra huffs, "Fine. But you better take good care of that girl. She's got a good heart, you hear? John's taken a real shine to her."
You hold up your hands in mock surrender. "I understand completely. And, strictly between us, I believe Ellie might welcome a home-cooked meal."
"Good," Sandra says with gleaming eyes, "Because she's just skin and bones! I'll fix her up, no problem."
You send a silent prayer of apology to Ellie for sending Sandra after her as Dr. Massive Ibis charges the curtain area with arms widespread.
"Father! The machine is prepared to the utmost standard of perfection to empower your 'BFF', John Henry! You may praise me!"
"My darling daughter," Dr. Mammoth Ibis shouts back," I give you all my praise and more! There is no one else I would trust with the life of my BFF, John Henry!"
"And that's not all, Father! I have additional wonderful news!"
"You spoil Dr. Mammoth Ibis! Do share!"
Dr. Massive Ibis grabs Natalie, who is trying to escape to be with her father. "This is Natalie Rhodes, the daughter of your BFF, John Henry!"
"Yes!" Dr. Mammoth Ibis replies, "I am familiar with all the children of my BFF, John Henry. Well, except his oldest child I haven't met yet—"
"Please kill me," Natalie whispers.
"Yes, yes, whatever it is you're saying. Listen, Father, focus! I was going to have Natalie Rhodes be my BFF, but then a better idea struck! What if she and I wed and we united the House of Ibis with the House of Rhodes?!"
Dr. Mammoth Ibis gasps so hard that he swoons.
"Genius! Genius!"
"I never should have mentioned that I'm bi. . ." Natalie mummers.
"Hey," Nathan says, cutting in, "Uhh, y'know, my dad has a son too."
"Truly?! Who?"
He leans against the bed and flexes very thin arms in an attempt to look suave. "Me! You and I. . .we could unite houses and stuff."
Natalie gives him a look that is equal parts incredulous and disgusted.
"What?" he says in response, "Look at her! She's fine."
"Dr. Massive Ibis is more than merely 'fine'," she says, "And she does not date children. Behave and I will find you a piece of taffy or some other confection as a reward! Or whatever it is that the youth enjoys these days! Ponies? Do children like ponies? I must know!"
"She's got a good head on her shoulders. I like her for Natalie," Sandra whispers in your ear.
"Mom, no! You are not making this happen!" Natalie shouts, "Dad, tell her!"
"Hey," John Henry says, "Even with powers, I know better than to try to boss your mother around. I know who's in charge here."
"And don't you forget it!"
There's laughter and chaos all around; a delightful mixture of emotions that is a tad bittersweet on your tongue, given your recent familial troubles. You see Ellie standing off to the side, looking uncomfortable.
"Everything alright, darling?" you ask, stepping next to her.
"Fine," she says automatically. You raise an eyebrow at her. She shifts in place, looks down, and then admits, "Is this what a family is supposed to look like . . .?"
"I wouldn't know," you say, observing Dr. Massive Ibis attempt to get on one knee before a fleeing Natalie, while their parents cheer and Nathan pouts in envy.
"But if it is not, then it should be."
* * *
By now, administering Ambrosia feels almost banal. The Rhodes family is observing from further away, alongside Chaucer and the Ibis clan. Next to you is your team and Ellie. Wolong bitterly regretted that he could not be here to witness this, and Alice was still occupied healing Arc but "getting there" in their words.
You watch the swirling mixture of DNA and goldnine enter into John Henry's bloodstream. Everyone holds their breath to see what effect will take place.
You don't have to wait long.
It starts from inside John Henry's body—a purplish-blue glow from underneath his skin. His eyes flip open, the pupils invisible behind a bloom of power. The bed he's on shakes and quivers, pieces of it flying in all directions. John Henry occasionally convulses, but all of his vital signs remain steady. It's unnerving to see, but by far the mildest reaction to Ambrosia yet.
Instead, it is Black Swan who has you concerned.
"My head!" she shrieks, falling to the ground and clutching her skull, "W-what's—ah! Ouchies!"
"Black Swan! Black Swan? Mona, can you hear me?" you demand, kneeling next to her.
"We getting attacked or somethin'?" Handymans say looking around.
Châtelet raises a hand to make a barrier, but Ellie catches her arm and points.
"No. Look. It's John Henry."
You follow her finger and see John Henry, sitting up in the bed and looking at Mona with his glowing eyes.
"Dr. Rhodes . . .?" Black Swan says through the pain, "Is that you?"
You don't hear a response, but Black Swan replies as if she heard one.
"I can barely hear you! And I'm not in your head! You're in my head!"
You all stare slaw-jawed.
"No, that's just the Apiary. No, I mean building. I think? I've met it before and—why does your I.D. say 'full member'?!"
Ellie nods and takes out a moleskine notebook to write in. Everyone else is still staring.
"I don't know how to turn it off! I don't think I can—ow!"
"Ah, dammit!" John Henry calls from his bed. He kneads his forehead, looking disoriented, "Okay, okay. I gotta focus but I can stop it—shit, that smarts."
"You okay, sugar-boots?" Sandra calls from the other side of the training room.
"I'm fine, pita! Just accidentally mind-melded with a teenager! You can tell Emeril to stop crying!"
You and Ellie are already racing over, with everyone else in tow.
"John Henry, are you quite certain you're alright?" you ask.
"Yeah. Yeah . . ." he says, "I feel . . . great, actually. Younger. Like I did in my twenties."
He flexes his hands in wonder. "This stuff is amazing. The only downside is that I think I've developed—"
"A sensitivity to psychic phenomena," Ellie interrupts, "Like what Black Swan has. Only it seems less severe?"
John Henry receives the side effect: Minor Psychic Field Sensitivity!
"Took the words out of my mouth," he agrees, "But I wonder—"
He looks at Ellie and then freezes for a second. Then he looks at Black Swan, looks back at Ellie, and then looks back at Black Swan and smirks.
"Huh."
"W-what?" Black Swan says, slowly flushing. "What?"
"Nothing," John Henry rumbles, amused, "Don't worry. I'll keep psychic-to-psychic confidentiality."
"I don't know what you think you saw, but you're wrong and—"
"Was the last time like this?" Châtelet asks you softly, "Because this has been exhausting."
"To the contrary," you say, "This time has gone much more smoothly. Nothing has exploded yet."
* * *
Horizon, City of Leviathan's Rest– The Apiary– January 9, 2068
The next evening has John Henry joining you in your office after a full day of power testing. He walks in carrying a large case with an easygoing grin. You set down Dr. Mammoth Ibis' report, having just received it.
"John Henry," you say, greeting him, "I'm afraid I haven't yet had time to review the results of your testing today."
He sets down his case and sits on the opposite side of your desk. "It's part of why I'm here, Zixuan. Nothing like a first-hand account."
You gesture for him to continue. "Very well, please enlighten me."
"It's fascinating, seeing how all of the various powers we used mix together," he says, "And it seems that Wolong was onto something with his theories about developing psychic powers."
"Don't keep me in suspense," you say with a smile. It's refreshing to see John Henry so enthusiastic.
"It's a two-parter. First, I appear to have total spatial awareness of the area around me within a hundred foot radius," he says, "We blindfolded and deafened me and then had me navigate mazes of increasing complexity. I never even touched the walls. I was able to draw the layout of an adjacent room without ever stepping foot inside. Works for things above and below me too. I can tell when things are moving and in what direction, and generally what a person is doing. Only limit is I can't see things that don't take up space—so reading someone's screen over their shoulder is out."
You curse in your mind. That would be too convenient, wouldn't it? John Henry laughs at your expression, no doubt knowing exactly what you were thinking.
"But that's just the icing. Here's the cake." He holds up his hand and creates a transparent pane of light with a blue tinge. He smiles.
"Force fields."
"Force fields?" you reply.
He nods. "Force fields. Anywhere in my area of detection, in any shape, at any time. I can make them remotely, as well as create them mid-air or place them over people or objects. They're durable too. We had Handyman take a full-powered swing at a carton of eggs that I was shielding and they took no damage. Not one crack."
You touch the force field and find you can't move it with your hand.
"Solid then."
"Enough to hold Maddie's entire menagerie, yeah," John Henry agrees, "I can move and reshape them freely, but it's harder to do the more weight that's on them. Additionally, there appears to be a finite pool of energy I have to create them. Spread it out too thin by either making a force field that's too big or making too many at once, and they're easy to crack."
He demonstrates this by stretching out his barrier. You can see how it becomes more translucent the larger it becomes.
"I can pour my energy all into one super-durable force field, or I can spread them out. However, I can only make three at a time that are equivalent in strength to our shield generators. And if one gets broken, I'll need time to recharge."
"Ah," you say diplomatically, "Useful but . . ."
He grins. "Nothing we can't already mostly reproduce with technology? That's what I thought at first too. Until I made my second kind of force field."
He points to a paperweight on your desk. A block of adamantium in the shape of an apple. "May I?"
You scoot it over to him. "By all means."
He touches the paperweight, and suddenly there is a red barrier the whole way around the apple. You touch it and find that it does nothing to stop your hand.
"Odd."
John Henry's grin grows larger. "These force fields—the red ones—don't stop anything. They're all but intangible. And I can only put them on things or people that I touch."
"But. . ." you say, playing along.
"But. . . they siphon off a portion of any physical or energetic impact that hits whatever I've placed them on. Said energy then goes to refill my overall pool. And I can maintain three of these bad boys at once."
"Meaning. . ."
"Meaning that I can keep up shields or barriers indefinitely so long as something is taking damage," he says with an air of great satisfaction, "I call it 'The Hustle'. You think I'm down and out, but, really, I'm just winding up for the knockout punch."
"John Henry, that is exactly what we need," you say with a smile, "You're going to be invaluable on the battlefield. Or even for covert surveillance."
Name: ???, John Henry Rhodes Keywords: Force Fields, Ally Empowerment, Clairvoyance Side Effect: Minor Psychic Field Sensitivity Faction: Justice Unlimited Potency: 10 Stats: HIT 3, ESPIONAGE 6, REPUTATION 6, OPERATIONS 7 Ibis' Notes: My BFF is soooooo coooooool! He has total spatial awareness of the area around himself within a 100 yard radius! He can sense movement and know what's going on in enclosed spaces within his range! Who cares if he can't technically "see", so his sense is blind to things like papers and screens?!
And he can make force fields! He has a set pool of energy he can spend to make force fields he can spontaneously manifest anywhere in his area of detection, in any shape, attached to a person, object, or just hanging in the air. Sure, the force fields decrease in strength with number or size, but he can make up to three at a time that can stop a bullet. And, and, annnnnnnd he has a second kind of barrier he can place on objects or people. This barrier absorbs part of any physical or energetic impact and then adds it back to his pool of energy. He can keep his 'Hustle' going indefinitely! And he can make three absorbing force fields at a time. He's the best! The bestest friend for the bestest doctor! Ride or die, baby!
Abilities:
The Hustle
John Henry can create shields for himself or allies that will absorb injury levels when struck. He can create three injury levels worth of shields at once. This means he can create one shield that absorbs three injury levels, one shield that can absorb two injury levels and one that can absorb one injury level, or three shields that can each absorb one injury level. These cannot stack with shield generators at the same time, but he can apply a shield to a character who has used their shield generator. If all his shields are deployed, he may only create extremely weak force fields.
John Henry may tag up to three objects or people with a "red barrier". The barrier provides no shielding, but for every injury level that occurs to an object or person with a red barrier, John Henry recharges one injury level's worth of energy to use in other shields or force fields. He may only store three injury levels worth of energy at a time.
"Don't I know it," he says, grinning like a boy, "Oh, and I got one more thing."
From the case he was carrying, he brings out two large gauntlets. Each metallic with a number of lights and LED display.
"What in the world is that?" you ask.
"Why, Zixuan, you never knew? Before the Movement, the great Valiant Silver was working on an improved shield generator. One capable of recharging itself and creating multiple force fields at once. It was a terribly brilliant design, one she was tragically unable to advance beyond the prototype stage before her end."
You blink. Nora had never mentioned—oh ho!
"My," you say, "And who else but her chief research assistant could finish her work and make her idea reality? Unfortunately, I fear her design is so complicated that only someone who built it could ever effectively use it in combat."
"A shame," he agrees, shaking his head, "To most people, these gauntlets just seem to make noise and light up. I guess that research assistant will just have to take up a mantle as a Tech-type hero to honor her memory."
HIDDEN BONUS: John Henry's background as an engineer gives you +1 Global Action!
"Yes," you agree, "And just what will that Tech-type call himself?"
"Well, now that you mention it, I have some ideas . . ."
You and John Henry make plans until he begs off, pleading he has dinner with his family. Apparently, Ellie has finally agreed to eat with them. You're glad. The girl needs to relax before she receives her powers tomorrow.
It's a cold comfort the next day when everything goes wrong.
What will we call our newest hero?
[ ] Helicopter Parent
[ ] The Hustle
[ ] Ops Center
Write-in (subject to QM veto) [ ]
What will John Henry's costume/general vibe be?
Write-in (subject to QM veto) [ ]
What is his costume's color scheme?
Write-in (subject to QM veto) [ ]
What is John Henry's Emblem?
Write-in (subject to QM veto) [ ]
Do not panic over that last line, it has nothing to do with that luck check, something interesting was always planned for when you gave the EXCEED-BEYOND, it will have no negative mechanical consequences.
John Henry's plan will work with any sufficiently science-y object, so you're not married to gauntlets in his costume. You were so close on this synergy and it fit the build that I gave it to you anyway. You can probably guess what the missing part was.
If he can sense motion... with a little testing and training on the sensing of small movements, he could read lips without even having to see someone's face.
[ ] Name: Mazeman
[ ] Costume: Deep grey combat fatigues with golden lines (that magically move around? can we do this?)
[ ] Color scheme: Dark grey, gold accents, eerie blue if we need a touch of color elsewhere (maybe boots or a helmet?)
[ ] Emblem: A fortress with a barred gate
I quickly thought of this after reading "navigation + barriers". His signature move could be to trap people in an endless rearranging maze like the Labyrinth of Minos.
Inter-psychic thing is funny now but if there's ever dissent in the ranks, it could turn sour in a number of ways.
Not a Command/Communication/Coordination power, but a Battlefield Control ability is nothing to sneeze at. Especially since a lot of our active Metahumans are pretty fragile, comparatively.
