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Exceedingly Exiled:Shard

2025-01-08T13:44:24Z

Bates: Forgot to add his Camouflage power.

[[File: Shard.jpg|600px|right]]

== '''Shard''' ==

'''Home Reality''': [[Exceedingly_Exiled:Earth-608|Earth-608]] 
'''Civilian Name''': Martin "Marty" Thorn (public ID) 
'''Origin''': Accident (actual: Mutant) 
'''Power Level''': 10 
'''Gender Identity''': N/A (originally Cisgender Male; now crystalline entity; they/them) 
'''Age''': 21 years 
'''Appearance and Demeanor''': Shard is an imposing 7-foot-tall, 650-pound being comprised of countless fragments of crystal that shift and shimmer constantly with unnerving subtlety, even when Shard stands still. Before becoming Shard, Marty grew up friendly but a bit of an introvert. Although a follower, he always had a strong moral compass. Since becoming Shard, they're a bit more boisterous. They also now prefer they/them pronouns. Whether that's due to feeling they're an entity made up of thousands of tiny discrete pieces or a larger understanding of their identity remains to be seen. 

== Abilities ==

'''Strength''': 12 (2pp) 
'''Stamina''': –5 (–10pp) 
'''Agility''': 2 (4pp) 
'''Dexterity''': 0 
'''Fighting''': 6 (12pp) 
'''Intellect''': 2 (4pp) 
'''Awareness''': 3 (6pp) 
'''Presence''': 1 (2pp)

== Offense ==

'''Initiative''' +2 
'''Unarmed''': +10 (DC 25) / Damage 12 Bludgeoning 
'''Grab''': +10 (DC Spec 20) 
'''Spikes''': Reaction +6 (DC 21) / Damage 6 Slashing (DC 10 attack check) 
'''Throw''': +0 (DC 27) / Damage 12 Bludgeoning 
120ft (25 tons); 30ft (100 tons); 6ft (400 tons) 
'''Spray (Close)''': Cone Area Damage 10 Slashing (DC 25) 

== Defense ==

'''Dodge''': +6 (4pp) 
'''Parry''': +6 
'''Fortitude''': — 
'''Toughness''': +14 
'''Will''': +8 (5pp)

== Movement ==

'''Ground Speed''': 250 ft/rnd (16 mph) 
'''Burrowing''': 60 ft/rnd (4 mph) 
'''Jumping''': 22 ft (running); 11 ft (standing); 4.4 ft (vert); 2.2 ft (standing vert) 
'''Swimming''': 60 ft/rnd (4 mph) 
'''Swinging''': 30 ft/rnd (2 mph) 
'''Wall-crawling''': 30 ft/rnd (2 mph)

== Skills ==

'''Athletics''': +12 
'''Close Combat: Unarmed''': +12 (6pp) 
'''Deception''': +1 
'''Insight''': +5 (2pp) 
'''Intimidation''': +3 (2pp) 
'''Investigation''': +10 (8pp) 
'''Perception''': +3 
'''Persuasion''': +1 
'''Ranged Combat (Throw)''': 0 
'''Stealth''': +2

== Complications ==

'''Motivation''':
* '''Acceptance''': Though Shard revels in the crystalline form's power, they are acutely aware of how monstrous they appear and do all they can to show the humanity that lies within.
'''Other Complications''':
* '''Monstrous''': Shard is a massive creature made of living crystal fragments that shift constantly. It can be a lot if you're not ready for it.
* '''Prejudice (Hidden)''': Though they don't know it, Shard is a mutant. Should this be revealed, they would face the hostility to mutants present in many parts of the multiverse.

== Advantages ==

'''Benefit, Ambidexterity''' (1pp): No circumstance penalty for using an off-hand. 
'''Fast Grab''' (1pp): Free action: make a grab check after making a successful unarmed attack. 
'''Improved Grab''' (1pp): Can grab using just one limb. Can maintain a grab while performing actions using other hand. You are not vulnerable while grabbing. 
'''Improved Hold''' (1pp): Opponents have a –5 circumstance penalty to escape your grab. 
'''Improved Trip''' (1pp): No attack penalty to trip and it does not provoke. Make opposed check w/ Athletics against your opponent's Acrobatics or Athletics (''you'' choose which). 
'''Instant Up''' (1pp): Stand from prone as a free action w/out an Acrobatics skill check. 
'''Interpose''' (1pp): Reaction (vs attack checks only): if an ally within range is hit by an attack, you can move between them and take the attack instead. 
'''Takedown''' (2pp): Free action: after rendering a minion incapacitated, take an extra attack against another minion (within your movement; does not need to be adjacent). Continue until you miss, use up movement, or there are no more minions. 
'''Well-informed''' (1pp): When first meeting an individual/group/organization, roll Investigation to see what you know about them.

== Powers ==

'''Crystaloid Abilities'''
* '''Immunity''' (30pp): Fortitude effects
* '''Protection''' (28pp): Toughness +14 (Impervious)
* '''Regeneration''' (5pp): Regeneration 10 (every round) / Source (silica: glass, sand, stone)
* '''Sonar''' (3pp): Senses 3 (Accurate: Hearing, Ultra-hearing)

'''Crystaloid Strength'''
* '''Enhanced Strength''' (22pp): Enhanced Trait: Strength +11
<ul><ul>* AE '''Shield''' (1pp): Create 10 </ul>
<ul><ul>50/100/250ft range, 1000cuft volume, DC20 
Impervious, Innate, Tether / Diminished Range 2, Noticeable (crystal fragments), Unreliable (5 uses)</ul></ul>
<ul>* AE '''Spikes''' (1pp): Damage 6 </ul>
<ul><ul>Reaction 3 (when attacked in close combat), DC21 
Requires DC10 attack check; Noticeable (jagged crystal)</ul></ul>
<ul>* AE '''Spray''' (1pp): Cone Area 1 </ul>
<ul><ul>Damage 10 (60ft cone), DC20</ul></ul></ul>

'''Malleable (Array)''' 
Ability to compress, extend, and otherwise re-form the crystalline fragments that comprise their form.
* '''Fluid''' (5pp): Insubstantial 1 / Flow through any opening or non-watertight restraint; can cushion falling target
* '''Camouflage''' (1pp): Concealment (all visual senses) / Blending, Passive
* '''Elastic''' (1pp): Speed 3
* '''Stretching''' (1pp): Elongation 3
* '''Swinging''' (1pp): Movement 1
* '''Tunneling''' (1pp): Burrowing 6 / Limited: through material Toughness no greater than STR modifier
* '''Wall-crawling''' (1pp): Movement 2

== Power Points ==

'''150''' (20 Abilities + 9 Skills + 9 Defenses + 10 Advantages + 102 Powers)

== Backstory ==

'''Martin Thorn''' joined '''S.W.O.R.D.''' fresh out of grad school. He'd been angling for the FBI, but something in his test results spoke to S.W.O.R.D.

Four months in, '''monsters''' rained from the sky. This happened from time to time—comics, everybody!—but the frequency was increasing of late. Marty's field team was dispatched to investigate an impact site near Tuscon. Amid devastating collateral damage, the extraterrestrial monster fought the known monster '''Rommbu'''. The latter defeated the creature before disappearing. Among the evidence the S.W.O.R.D. team found at the site were strange crystal fragments—at least, Marty thought there was something strange about them; to his partner, '''Elena Cortés''', they were simply sharp rocks.

They'd just returned to the '''Peak''' when proximity alerts sounded—another wave of monsters was incoming from deep space! The space station was thrown off kilter as multiple monsters struck, its gravity systems unable to compensate fast enough. Anything that wasn't already secured went flying, including Marty and the case with the crystal fragments. The two collided and everything went black for Marty. Once S.W.O.R.D. personnel got things back under control, his unconscious body was discovered with a large crystal chunk embedded in his chest.

In the infirmary, '''Dr. Hank McCoy''' (aka '''Beast''') performed scans to see how the shard could be removed safely. He detected minute vibrations that soon grew stronger—suddenly the shard sprang from Marty's body and zipped from the room like a crystalline snake!

Beast was forced to remain behind to treat Marty's wound and make sure he was stable. S.W.O.R.D. security chased after the shard. They found it back in the hangar, absorbing the other crystal fragments. Swelling in size, the shard emitted a loud, strangely harmonious scream as it assumed a humanoid form.

Beast bounded in just then and the fight was on! Powerful as the shard was, this wasn't Beast's first rodeo. By the time he had the crystalline creature under control, Beast knew what he was dealing with. The crystal had somehow absorbed Marty's consciousness—Marty was the '''Shard'''!

Beast would need to do further tests to see whether the crystal had sapience of its own, not to mention to determine how—or even if—Marty's mind could be returned to his body.

Unfortunately, that would have to wait as Earth was still under attack from waves of extraterrestrial monsters. The Peak was struck again by multiple monsters, including one that tore through the hangar in the direction of the station's power core. Marty—''Shard''—didn't hesitate. They dove down the jagged hole after it.

Shard tackled the monster as it tore its way to the core. The Peak had suffered fatal damage from multiple strikes, but at least the comms still worked. Although they heard '''Abigail Brand''' give the evacuation alert, Shard stayed where they were, doing everything in their power to keep it from reaching the core. They couldn't hold it off forever, though, and soon the monster ripped into the core with a giant paw to unleash the powerful fusion energies within. Shard sensed that it was absorbing the energy, growing more powerful—but it was too much for the monster to take. The last thing Shard saw was a brilliant flash as the core detonated, wiping out the monster and tearing the crippled Peak asunder.

When Shard came to some time later, they were less surprised to be in an alternate reality than to even still be alive at all. Not to mention stuck in this strange crystalline form...

'''Unbeknownst to Marty...''' 
It's unclear whether the core explosion sent Shard through a tear in reality, or they were plucked from '''Earth-608''' in the nick of time.

Speaking of Shard: The crystal didn't absorb Marty's mind. Rather, he's a mutant with "crystalkinesis." In the chaos of the moment, Marty threw his consciousness into the crystal. Theoretically, he could learn to command crystalline structures outside his current form and even possibly return to his human body.

Back in Earth–608, Marty's body did make it off the Peak before the space station blew up. In fact, thanks to Shard taking on the monster, all the station personnel had enough time to evacuate. Unfortunately, the world is still under assault by strange monsters from beyond the stars...

Exceedingly Exiled:Shard

2025-01-08T01:19:24Z

Bates: Revised character writeup

[[File: Shard.jpg|600px|right]]

== '''Shard''' ==

'''Home Reality''': [[Exceedingly_Exiled:Earth-608|Earth-608]] 
'''Civilian Name''': Martin "Marty" Thorn (public ID) 
'''Origin''': Accident (actual: Mutant) 
'''Power Level''': 10 
'''Gender Identity''': N/A (originally Cisgender Male; now crystalline entity; they/them) 
'''Age''': 21 years 
'''Appearance and Demeanor''': Shard is an imposing 7-foot-tall, 650-pound being comprised of countless fragments of crystal that shift and shimmer constantly with unnerving subtlety, even when Shard stands still. Before becoming Shard, Marty grew up friendly but a bit of an introvert. Although a follower, he always had a strong moral compass. Since becoming Shard, they're a bit more boisterous. They also now prefer they/them pronouns. Whether that's due to feeling they're an entity made up of thousands of tiny discrete pieces or a larger understanding of their identity remains to be seen. 

== Abilities ==

'''Strength''': 12 (2pp) 
'''Stamina''': –5 (–10pp) 
'''Agility''': 2 (4pp) 
'''Dexterity''': 0 
'''Fighting''': 6 (12pp) 
'''Intellect''': 2 (4pp) 
'''Awareness''': 3 (6pp) 
'''Presence''': 1 (2pp)

== Offense ==

'''Initiative''' +2 
'''Unarmed''': +10 (DC 25) / Damage 12 Bludgeoning 
'''Grab''': +10 (DC Spec 20) 
'''Spikes''': Reaction +6 (DC 21) / Damage 6 Slashing (DC 10 attack check) 
'''Throw''': +0 (DC 27) / Damage 12 Bludgeoning 
120ft (25 tons); 30ft (100 tons); 6ft (400 tons) 
'''Spray (Close)''': Cone Area Damage 10 Slashing (DC 25) 

== Defense ==

'''Dodge''': +6 (4pp) 
'''Parry''': +6 
'''Fortitude''': — 
'''Toughness''': +14 
'''Will''': +8 (5pp)

== Movement ==

'''Ground Speed''': 250 ft/rnd (16 mph) 
'''Burrowing''': 60 ft/rnd (4 mph) 
'''Jumping''': 22 ft (running); 11 ft (standing); 4.4 ft (vert); 2.2 ft (standing vert) 
'''Swimming''': 60 ft/rnd (4 mph) 
'''Swinging''': 30 ft/rnd (2 mph) 
'''Wall-crawling''': 30 ft/rnd (2 mph)

== Skills ==

'''Athletics''': +12 
'''Close Combat: Unarmed''': +12 (6pp) 
'''Deception''': +1 
'''Insight''': +5 (2pp) 
'''Intimidation''': +3 (2pp) 
'''Investigation''': +10 (8pp) 
'''Perception''': +3 
'''Persuasion''': +1 
'''Ranged Combat (Throw)''': 0 
'''Stealth''': +2

== Complications ==

'''Motivation''':
* '''Acceptance''': Though Shard revels in the crystalline form's power, they are acutely aware of how monstrous they appear and do all they can to show the humanity that lies within.
'''Other Complications''':
* '''Monstrous''': Shard is a massive creature made of living crystal fragments that shift constantly. It can be a lot if you're not ready for it.
* '''Prejudice (Hidden)''': Though they don't know it, Shard is a mutant. Should this be revealed, they would face the hostility to mutants present in many parts of the multiverse.

== Advantages ==

'''Benefit, Ambidexterity''' (1pp): No circumstance penalty for using an off-hand. 
'''Fast Grab''' (1pp): Free action: make a grab check after making a successful unarmed attack. 
'''Improved Grab''' (1pp): Can grab using just one limb. Can maintain a grab while performing actions using other hand. You are not vulnerable while grabbing. 
'''Improved Hold''' (1pp): Opponents have a –5 circumstance penalty to escape your grab. 
'''Improved Trip''' (1pp): No attack penalty to trip and it does not provoke. Make opposed check w/ Athletics against your opponent's Acrobatics or Athletics (''you'' choose which). 
'''Instant Up''' (1pp): Stand from prone as a free action w/out an Acrobatics skill check. 
'''Interpose''' (1pp): Reaction (vs attack checks only): if an ally within range is hit by an attack, you can move between them and take the attack instead. 
'''Takedown''' (2pp): Free action: after rendering a minion incapacitated, take an extra attack against another minion (within your movement; does not need to be adjacent). Continue until you miss, use up movement, or there are no more minions. 
'''Well-informed''' (1pp): When first meeting an individual/group/organization, roll Investigation to see what you know about them.

== Powers ==

'''Crystaloid Abilities'''
* '''Immunity''' (30pp): Fortitude effects
* '''Protection''' (28pp): Toughness +14 (Impervious)
* '''Regeneration''' (5pp): Regeneration 10 (every round) / Source (silica: glass, sand, stone)
* '''Sonar''' (3pp): Senses 3 (Accurate: Hearing, Ultra-hearing)

'''Crystaloid Strength'''
* '''Enhanced Strength''' (22pp): Enhanced Trait: Strength +11
<ul><ul>* AE '''Shield''' (1pp): Create 10 </ul>
<ul><ul>50/100/250ft range, 1000cuft volume, DC20 
Impervious, Innate, Tether / Diminished Range 2, Noticeable (crystal fragments), Unreliable (5 uses)</ul></ul>
<ul>* AE '''Spikes''' (1pp): Damage 6 </ul>
<ul><ul>Reaction 3 (when attacked in close combat), DC21 
Requires DC10 attack check; Noticeable (jagged crystal)</ul></ul>
<ul>* AE '''Spray''' (1pp): Cone Area 1 </ul>
<ul><ul>Damage 10 (60ft cone), DC20</ul></ul></ul>

'''Malleable (Array)''' 
Ability to compress, extend, and otherwise re-form the crystalline fragments that comprise their form.
* '''Fluid''' (5pp): Insubstantial 1 / Flow through any opening or non-watertight restraint; can cushion falling target
* '''Elastic''' (5pp): Speed 3 (5pp)
* '''Stretching''' (1pp): Elongation 3
* '''Swinging''' (1pp): Movement 1
* '''Tunneling''' (1pp): Burrowing 6 / Limited: through material Toughness no greater than STR modifier
* '''Wall-crawling''' (1pp): Movement 2

== Power Points ==

'''150''' (20 Abilities + 9 Skills + 9 Defenses + 10 Advantages + 102 Powers)

== Backstory ==

'''Martin Thorn''' joined '''S.W.O.R.D.''' fresh out of grad school. He'd been angling for the FBI, but something in his test results spoke to S.W.O.R.D.

Four months in, '''monsters''' rained from the sky. This happened from time to time—comics, everybody!—but the frequency was increasing of late. Marty's field team was dispatched to investigate an impact site near Tuscon. Amid devastating collateral damage, the extraterrestrial monster fought the known monster '''Rommbu'''. The latter defeated the creature before disappearing. Among the evidence the S.W.O.R.D. team found at the site were strange crystal fragments—at least, Marty thought there was something strange about them; to his partner, '''Elena Cortés''', they were simply sharp rocks.

They'd just returned to the '''Peak''' when proximity alerts sounded—another wave of monsters was incoming from deep space! The space station was thrown off kilter as multiple monsters struck, its gravity systems unable to compensate fast enough. Anything that wasn't already secured went flying, including Marty and the case with the crystal fragments. The two collided and everything went black for Marty. Once S.W.O.R.D. personnel got things back under control, his unconscious body was discovered with a large crystal chunk embedded in his chest.

In the infirmary, '''Dr. Hank McCoy''' (aka '''Beast''') performed scans to see how the shard could be removed safely. He detected minute vibrations that soon grew stronger—suddenly the shard sprang from Marty's body and zipped from the room like a crystalline snake!

Beast was forced to remain behind to treat Marty's wound and make sure he was stable. S.W.O.R.D. security chased after the shard. They found it back in the hangar, absorbing the other crystal fragments. Swelling in size, the shard emitted a loud, strangely harmonious scream as it assumed a humanoid form.

Beast bounded in just then and the fight was on! Powerful as the shard was, this wasn't Beast's first rodeo. By the time he had the crystalline creature under control, Beast knew what he was dealing with. The crystal had somehow absorbed Marty's consciousness—Marty was the '''Shard'''!

Beast would need to do further tests to see whether the crystal had sapience of its own, not to mention to determine how—or even if—Marty's mind could be returned to his body.

Unfortunately, that would have to wait as Earth was still under attack from waves of extraterrestrial monsters. The Peak was struck again by multiple monsters, including one that tore through the hangar in the direction of the station's power core. Marty—''Shard''—didn't hesitate. They dove down the jagged hole after it.

Shard tackled the monster as it tore its way to the core. The Peak had suffered fatal damage from multiple strikes, but at least the comms still worked. Although they heard '''Abigail Brand''' give the evacuation alert, Shard stayed where they were, doing everything in their power to keep it from reaching the core. They couldn't hold it off forever, though, and soon the monster ripped into the core with a giant paw to unleash the powerful fusion energies within. Shard sensed that it was absorbing the energy, growing more powerful—but it was too much for the monster to take. The last thing Shard saw was a brilliant flash as the core detonated, wiping out the monster and tearing the crippled Peak asunder.

When Shard came to some time later, they were less surprised to be in an alternate reality than to even still be alive at all. Not to mention stuck in this strange crystalline form...

'''Unbeknownst to Marty...''' 
It's unclear whether the core explosion sent Shard through a tear in reality, or they were plucked from '''Earth-608''' in the nick of time.

Speaking of Shard: The crystal didn't absorb Marty's mind. Rather, he's a mutant with "crystalkinesis." In the chaos of the moment, Marty threw his consciousness into the crystal. Theoretically, he could learn to command crystalline structures outside his current form and even possibly return to his human body.

Back in Earth–608, Marty's body did make it off the Peak before the space station blew up. In fact, thanks to Shard taking on the monster, all the station personnel had enough time to evacuate. Unfortunately, the world is still under assault by strange monsters from beyond the stars...

Exceedingly Exiled:Shard

2025-01-02T22:11:27Z

Bates:

[[File: Shard.jpg|600px|right]]

== '''Shard''' ==

'''Home Reality:''' [[Exceedingly_Exiled:Earth-608|Earth-608]] 
'''Civilian Name:''' Martin "Marty" Thorn (public ID) 
'''Origin:''' Accident (actual: Mutant) 
'''Power Level:''' 10 
'''Gender Identity:''' N/A (originally Cisgender Male; now crystalline entity; they/them) 
'''Age:''' 21 years 
'''Appearance and Demeanor:''' Shard is an imposing 7-foot-tall, 650-pound being comprised of countless fragments of crystal that shift and shimmer constantly with unnerving subtlety, even when Shard stands still. Before becoming Shard, Marty grew up friendly but a bit of an introvert. Although a follower, he always had a strong moral compass. Since becoming Shard, they're a bit more boisterous. They also now prefer they/them pronouns. Whether that's due to feeling they're an entity made up of thousands of tiny discrete pieces or a larger understanding of their identity remains to be seen. 

== Abilities ==

'''Strength:''' 12 (4pp) 
'''Stamina:''' 14 (8pp) 
'''Agility:''' 1 (2pp) 
'''Dexterity:''' 0 
'''Fighting:''' 6 (12pp) 
'''Intellect:''' 1 (2pp) 
'''Awareness:''' 3 (6pp) 
'''Presence:''' 1 (2pp)

== Defenses ==

'''Dodge (AGL):''' +6 (5pp) 
'''Parry (FTG):''' +6 
'''Fortitude (STA):''' +12 
'''Toughness (STA):''' +12 
'''Will (AWE):''' +6 (3pp)

== Skills ==

'''Athletics (STR):''' +12 
'''Close Combat: Unarmed (FTG):''' +8 (2pp) 
'''Deception (PRE):''' +1 
'''Insight (AWE):''' +5 (2pp) 
'''Intimidation (PRE):''' +2 (1pp) 
'''Investigation (INT):''' +8 (7pp) 
'''Perception (AWE):''' +3 
'''Persuasion (PRE):''' +1 
'''Ranged Combat (Throw) (DEX):''' 0 
'''Stealth (AGL):''' 1

== Complications ==

'''Motivation''':
* '''Acceptance''': Though Shard revels in the crystalline form's power, they are acutely aware of how monstrous they appear and do all they can to show the humanity that lies within.
'''Other Complications''':
* '''Monstrous''': Shard is a massive creature made of living crystal fragments that shift constantly. It can be a lot if you're not ready for it.
* '''Prejudice (Hidden)''': Though they don't know it, Shard is a mutant. Should this be revealed, they would face the hostility to mutants present in many parts of the multiverse.

== Advantages ==

'''Benefit, Ambidexterity''' (1pp): No circumstance penalty for using an off-hand. 
'''Fast Grab''' (1pp): Free action: make a grab check after making a successful unarmed attack. 
'''Improved Grab''' (1pp): Can grab using just one limb. Can maintain a grab while performing actions using other hand. You are not vulnerable while grabbing. 
'''Improved Hold''' (1pp): Opponents have a –5 circumstance penalty to escape your grab. 
'''Improved Trip''' (1pp): No attack penalty to trip and it does not provoke. Make opposed check w/ Athletics against your opponent's Acrobatics or Athletics (''you'' choose which). 
'''Instant Up''' (1pp): Stand from prone as a free action w/out an Acrobatics skill check. 
'''Interpose''' (1pp): Reaction (vs attack checks only): if an ally within range is hit by an attack, you can move between them and take the attack instead. 
'''Takedown''' (2pp): Free action: after rendering a minion incapacitated, take an extra attack against another minion (within your movement; does not need to be adjacent). Continue until you miss, use up movement, or there are no more minions. 
'''Ultimate Effort (Toughness)''' (1pp): Spend 1 hero point to get an automatic (non-natural) 20 on your die result.

== Powers ==

'''Malleable (Array): Ability to compress, extend, and otherwise re-form the crystalline fragments that comprise their form.'''
* '''Burrowing:''' 6 ranks (1pp)
<ul>60ft/rnd (4mph) / Limited: through material Toughness no greater than STR modifier)</ul>
* '''Elastic:''' Speed 2 ranks (1pp)
<ul>120ft/rnd (8mph) ground speed</ul>
* '''Flowing:''' Insubstantial 1 rank (5pp)
<ul>Flow through any opening or non-watertight restraint; can cushion falling target</ul>
* '''Stretching:''' Elongation 3 ranks (1pp)
<ul>60ft, +3 grab</ul>
* '''Swinging:''' Movement 1 rank (1pp)
<ul>30ft/rnd (2mph)</ul>
* '''Wall-crawling:''' Movement 2 ranks (1pp)
<ul>30ft/rnd (2mph) along walls/ceilings/etc</ul>

'''Crystalline Defenses'''
* '''Enhanced Stamina:''' 10 ranks (20pp)
<ul>Enhanced Trait: Stamina +10</ul>
* '''Immunity''' (20pp)
<ul>Environmental Conditions (all), Fatigue Effects, Life Support</ul>
* '''Impervious:''' 14 ranks (14pp)
<ul>Impervious (Toughness) 14</ul>

'''Crystalline Senses'''
* '''Sonar:''' Senses 3 (3pp)
<ul>Accurate: Hearing, Ultra-hearing</ul>

'''Crystalline Strength'''
* '''Enhanced Strength:''' 10 ranks (20pp)
<ul>Enhanced Trait: Strength +10</ul>
<ul><ul>* AE '''Shield:''' Create 10 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>50/100/250ft range, 1000cuft volume, DC20 / Impervious, Innate, Tether; Diminished Range 2, Proportional</ul></ul></ul>
<ul><ul>* AE '''Spikes:''' Damage 6 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>Reaction 3 (when attacked in close combat), DC21 
Requires DC12 attack check; Noticeable (jagged crystal shards)</ul></ul>
<ul>* AE '''Spray:''' Cone 2 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>60ft cone / Area Damage 10, DC20</ul></ul></ul>

== Power Points ==

'''150''' (36 Abilities + 6 Skills + 8 Defenses + 10 Advantages + 90 Powers)

== Backstory ==

'''Martin Thorn''' joined '''S.W.O.R.D.''' fresh out of grad school. He'd been angling for the FBI, but something in his test results spoke to S.W.O.R.D.

Four months in, '''monsters''' rained from the sky. This happened from time to time—comics, everybody!—but the frequency was increasing of late. Marty's field team was dispatched to investigate an impact site near Tuscon. Amid devastating collateral damage, the extraterrestrial monster fought the known monster '''Rommbu'''. The latter defeated the creature before disappearing. Among the evidence the S.W.O.R.D. team found at the site were strange crystal fragments—at least, Marty thought there was something strange about them; to his partner, '''Elena Cortés''', they were simply sharp rocks.

They'd just returned to the '''Peak''' when proximity alerts sounded—another wave of monsters was incoming from deep space! The space station was thrown off kilter as multiple monsters struck, its gravity systems unable to compensate fast enough. Anything that wasn't already secured went flying, including Marty and the case with the crystal fragments. The two collided and everything went black for Marty. Once S.W.O.R.D. personnel got things back under control, his unconscious body was discovered with a large crystal chunk embedded in his chest.

In the infirmary, '''Dr. Hank McCoy''' (aka '''Beast''') performed scans to see how the shard could be removed safely. He detected minute vibrations that soon grew stronger—suddenly the shard sprang from Marty's body and zipped from the room like a crystalline snake!

Beast was forced to remain behind to treat Marty's wound and make sure he was stable. S.W.O.R.D. security chased after the shard. They found it back in the hangar, absorbing the other crystal fragments. Swelling in size, the shard emitted a loud, strangely harmonious scream as it assumed a humanoid form.

Beast bounded in just then and the fight was on! Powerful as the shard was, this wasn't Beast's first rodeo. By the time he had the crystalline creature under control, Beast knew what he was dealing with. The crystal had somehow absorbed Marty's consciousness—Marty was the '''Shard'''!

Beast would need to do further tests to see whether the crystal had sapience of its own, not to mention to determine how—or even if—Marty's mind could be returned to his body.

Unfortunately, that would have to wait as Earth was still under attack from waves of extraterrestrial monsters. The Peak was struck again by multiple monsters, including one that tore through the hangar in the direction of the station's power core. Marty—''Shard''—didn't hesitate. They dove down the jagged hole after it.

Shard tackled the monster as it tore its way to the core. The Peak had suffered fatal damage from multiple strikes, but at least the comms still worked. Although they heard '''Abigail Brand''' give the evacuation alert, Shard stayed where they were, doing everything in their power to keep it from reaching the core. They couldn't hold it off forever, though, and soon the monster ripped into the core with a giant paw to unleash the powerful fusion energies within. Shard sensed that it was absorbing the energy, growing more powerful—but it was too much for the monster to take. The last thing Shard saw was a brilliant flash as the core detonated, wiping out the monster and tearing the crippled Peak asunder.

When Shard came to some time later, they were less surprised to be in an alternate reality than to even still be alive at all. Not to mention stuck in this strange crystalline form...

'''Unbeknownst to Marty...''' 
It's unclear whether the core explosion sent Shard through a tear in reality, or they were plucked from '''Earth-608''' in the nick of time.

Speaking of Shard: The crystal didn't absorb Marty's mind. Rather, he's a mutant with "crystalkinesis." In the chaos of the moment, Marty threw his consciousness into the crystal. Theoretically, he could learn to command crystalline structures outside his current form and even possibly return to his human body.

Back in Earth–608, Marty's body did make it off the Peak before the space station blew up. In fact, thanks to Shard taking on the monster, all the station personnel had enough time to evacuate. Unfortunately, the world is still under assault by strange monsters from beyond the stars...

Exceedingly Exiled:Akehekh

2025-01-02T21:55:24Z

Bates: added backstory from recruitment thread

== '''Akehekh''' ==

'''Home Reality:''' Placeholder 
'''Civilian Name:''' Ashraf "Ash" Kalb 
'''Origin:''' 
'''Power Level:''' 10 
'''Gender Identity:''' Cis male 
'''Age:''' 19 (biologically, chronologically 21) 
'''Appearance and Demeanor:''' Egyptian Arabic 

== Abilities ==

'''Strength:''' 0 
'''Stamina:''' 1 
'''Agility:''' 3 
'''Dexterity:''' 3 
'''Fighting:''' 4 
'''Intellect:''' 3 
'''Awareness:''' 3 
'''Presence:''' 1

== Defenses ==

'''Dodge (AGL):''' 8/3 
'''Parry (FTG):''' 8/4 
'''Fortitude (STA):''' 1 
'''Toughness (STA):''' 12 
'''Will (AWE):''' 3

== Offenses ==

'''Initiative''': +3 
'''Blast (Lightning)''': Damage 3, +9 (DC 18) 
'''Claws and Teeth''': Damage 8, +12 (DC 23) 
'''Grab''': +7 (DC Spec 14) 
'''Sand Grit''': Damage 1, +6 (DC 16) 
'''Throw''': +3 (DC 15) 
'''Unarmed''': +6 (DC 15) 

== Skills ==

'''Acrobatics:''' 1 (+4) 
'''Athletics:''' 3 (+3) 
'''Close Combat (Brawling):''' 6 (+10) 
'''Deception:''' 3 (+4) 
'''Expertise (Egyptian Magic):''' 2 (+5) 
'''Insight:''' 2 (+5) 
'''Investigation:''' +2 (+5) 
'''Perception:''' 3 (+6) 
'''Persuasion:''' 1 (+2) 
'''Ranged Combat (Blast: Lightning, Damage 3):''' 6 (+9) 
'''Stealth:''' 2 (+5)

== Complications ==

'''Motivation''':
* '''Acceptance''': He’s too happy to be alive to bemoan his state, but Ash feels alienated from the living and the fact his life depends on the whim of a god of chaos and upheaval. At his core, he desperately wants people to accept he’s still human in the ways that count.
'''Other Complications''':
* '''Monstrous''': When it comes down to it, Ash is a mummy - and one whose true form has distinct animal features. He doesn’t look like a zombie, but he is both clearly supernatural and clearly undead, with a head that partly resembles a dog’s needing effort to fit in with the living around him.

== Advantages ==

Assessment 
Close Attack 2 
Daze (Deception) 
Equipment 1 
Evasion 2 
Fearless 
Grabbing Finesse 
Languages 2 
Ritualist 
Tracking 
Tracking 
Uncanny Dodge 

== Powers ==

'''Blast (Lightning): Damage 3''' (DC 18; Increased Range: ranged, Penetrating) 
'''Chimera Form''' (Activation: Standard Action) 
:'''Claws and Teeth: Damage 8''' (DC 23; Affects Insubstantial: half ranks, Penetrating) 
:'''Thick Hide: Protection 3''' (+3 Toughness; Impervious [2 ranks only]) 
:'''Various Refinements: Variable 3''' (Slow) 
:'''Wings: Flight 2''' (Speed: 8 miles/hour, 120 feet/round; Innate; Wings) 
'''Desert Storm Power: Environment 1''' (Heat, Impede Movement (1 rank), Light, Radius: 30 feet; Selective; Check Required: DC 10 - Intellect) 
'''Disciple of Deception: Illusion 1''' (Affects: Three Sense Types - Hearing, Sight, Touch, Area: 4 cft., DC 11; Illusion Area, Independent; Limited to One Subject) 
'''Forms of Chaos''' 
:'''Alternate Form (Particulate)''' (Linked; Activation: Move Action) 
::'''Elongation: Elongation 1''' (Elongation: 15 feet, +1 to grab) 
::'''Immunity: Immunity 0''' 
::'''Insubstantial: Insubstantial 1''' (Fluid) 
::'''Movement: Movement 1''' (Slithering) 
::'''Sand Grit: Damage 1''' (DC 16) 
:'''Alternate Form (Shadow)''' (Linked; Activation: Move Action) 
::'''Concealment: Concealment 4''' (All Visual Senses; Limited: Darkness and Shadow) 
::'''Immunity: Immunity 0''' 
::'''Insubstantial: Insubstantial 4''' (Incorporeal) 
::'''Movement: Movement 2''' (Slithering, Wall-crawling 1: -1 speed rank) 
:'''Disguises: Morph 2''' (Linked; +20 Deception checks to disguise; Narrow group; Precise, Subtle: subtle; Activation: move action) 
'''Hardy: Protection 8''' (+8 Toughness; Innate; Noticeable: Visibly undead) 
'''Immortality: Immortality 1''' (Removable, Return after 2 weeks) 
'''Instincts of the Sha: Enhanced Trait 11''' (Traits: Dodge +5 (+8), Parry +4 (+8), Advantages: Tracking, Uncanny Dodge; Noticeable: Saluki features, Permanent) 
'''Undying Will: Regeneration 3''' (Every 3.33 rounds; Persistent)

== Equipment ==

Binoculars 
Holy Symbol

== Languages ==

Arabic 
Egyptian 
English

== Power Points ==

Abilities 36 + Powers 85 + Advantages 13 + Skills 16 (31 ranks) + Defenses 0 = 150

== Backstory ==

To understand Ashraf "Ash" Kalb, now known as Akehekh the Unbound (though he finds the title embarrassing), one has to first understand his version of Earth was made as an experiment - or rather, as a set of experiments. Much as how the planet Eurth was made in image of other worlds by the Shaper of Worlds and Living Tribunal to understand heroism in a context of a wild world of sword and sorcery rather than a world dominated by science and large governments, his world (officially Earth-1991, but often termed Eita in hidden Greek-descended cosmology due to records initially made by the magocratic city-state of Illion before they annihilated themselves in reckless hubris and retribution for their careless experiments, triggering the Bronze Age Collapse in that world and becoming the basis of the Trojan War) was made to examine how heroism will manifest in a world where wonder is an intrusion. Something that does not manifest in a world of science "naturally", but a core part nonetheless, denied for a sake of safety. If all miracles were also monsters, they wished to see if marvels were still born from them.

To that end, they made a world set up to become something that desperately pretended to be mundane and normal, but the daily life of humans was a thin veneer over a surging mass of secrets, strange events, and supernatural beings, many of whom were once human. Vampires, ghosts, werewolves, sorcerers, fae - all lived under a human facade as they sought dominion over the shadow world, in many cases simply because to not conquer was to be conquered. But not a heartless world - simply a fearful one. To become other than human in Eita is to become other - not less, not inherently. And so, without fame beyond infamy as urban legends and rumors of hidden angels, did heroes rise above the various curses that made them monsters and prove they weren't defined by darkness - and villains who embraced it, or only suborned it to human evils.

Here, Professor Steven Strange, surgeon turned necromancer by necessity to reclaim his skills and ability to save lives at all by understanding the veil between life and death, made a discovery that a cult of vampires too caught in a half-remembered glorious past were planning to destroy the "impure" modern world by resurrection of the god-king En Sabah Nur, said to have been born a god with skin that shone like the Nile. To that end, they planned to feed a hundred murderers to something they called Ammut, the Devourer of Evil Souls in Egyptian Myth, and restore her power to tear a hole between life and death to let his soul into a prepared corpse - but besides having too many tentacles for a being said to be a hybrid between hippo, crocodile, and lioness, she seemed only interested in the hearts of killers who did so in self-defense, leading to a spate of abductions from abuse shelters, low-security prisons, and homeless camps. Not something that could be called quite "evil," at least by traditional means. During his investigations in Cairo chasing the mysterious cases, he picked up the son of one of the sacrifices, a petty thief and courier named Ashraf Kalb - who should not have seen Strange at all to lift his ankh, let alone recognize the pitted metal was something he needed to find his ailing mother. After a rather long and eventful adventurer involving tomb raiding, negotiating peace between warring jinn, and stopping an outbreak of zombies caused by a fleeing vampire (a recurrent issue on Eita - thankfully, the plague's victims can only digest monstrous flesh thanks to the magic, so they do not seek to actively spread), the nicknamed Ash tricked "Ammut" into devouring his heart instead of his mother's as part of a deal with Sutekh, the God of Chaos, to remove her illness and safeguard his younger siblings, sickening her and letting Strange banish her back to the spirit world.

Of course, the things about Gods of Chaos is that they tend to be tricksters and enjoy twisting deals - even if it's to be more generous than seemed. Sutekh, while not a nice being by any stretch of the imagination, is also the god that helps prevent the dark serpent Apep from devouring the sun - if mostly because the sun is also his father, Ra. People who are dedicated to their families touch what little soft emotions he has in his scheming heart, and seeing how fearless Ash was in this - he decided to creatively interpret "your body is mine to see as I do with", and replaced the heart with the same original ankh charged with his own chaotic power, bringing Ash back to life as a mummy - and one with some of Sutekh's same power over shape, darkness, and desert storms. In particular, he can now assume the shape of the griffon-beast that is one of Sutekh's sacred animals (and the source of his hero moniker). The downside is that he clearly isn't human anymore, not without effort to maintain a human face - even beyond being undead and pale, Ash now has bestial features of another sacred beast of Sutekh, saluki sighthounds. Not the worst mutation by any means, but hardly anything that can be waved off as simply a skin condition (especially because his head isn't entirely a dog's - he has sharp teeth, pointed ears, and patches of fur rather a full canine head, looking rather fearsome when he growls). Recognizing this was his life now, he donned the name of Akehekh and vowed to protect the world from people who would rather it be ruled by the past than marching towards a hopefully better future - and hopefully getting a place for himself rather than just exist on the streets.

Exceedingly Exiled:Shard

2025-01-01T20:05:14Z

Bates: Moved "Parry" defense so it's next to "Dodge"

[[File: Shard.jpg|600px|right]]

== '''Shard''' ==

'''Home Reality:''' [[Exceedingly_Exiled:Earth-608|Earth-608]] 
'''Civilian Name:''' Martin "Marty" Thorn (public ID) 
'''Origin:''' Accident (actual: Mutant) 
'''Power Level:''' 10 
'''Gender Identity:''' N/A (originally Cisgender Male; now crystalline entity; they/them) 
'''Age:''' 20 years 
'''Appearance and Demeanor:''' Shard is an imposing 7-foot-tall, 650-pound being comprised of countless fragments of crystal that shift and shimmer constantly with unnerving subtlety, even when Shard stands still. Before becoming Shard, Marty grew up friendly but a bit of an introvert. Although a follower, he always had a strong moral compass. Since becoming Shard, they're a bit more boisterous. They also now prefer they/them pronouns. Whether that's due to feeling they're an entity made up of thousands of tiny discrete pieces or a larger understanding of their identity remains to be seen. 

== Abilities ==

'''Strength:''' 12 (4pp) 
'''Stamina:''' 14 (8pp) 
'''Agility:''' 1 (2pp) 
'''Dexterity:''' 0 
'''Fighting:''' 6 (12pp) 
'''Intellect:''' 1 (2pp) 
'''Awareness:''' 3 (6pp) 
'''Presence:''' 1 (2pp)

== Defenses ==

'''Dodge (AGL):''' +6 (5pp) 
'''Parry (FTG):''' +6 
'''Fortitude (STA):''' +12 
'''Toughness (STA):''' +12 
'''Will (AWE):''' +6 (3pp)

== Skills ==

'''Athletics (STR):''' +12 
'''Close Combat: Unarmed (FTG):''' +8 (2pp) 
'''Deception (PRE):''' +1 
'''Insight (AWE):''' +5 (2pp) 
'''Intimidation (PRE):''' +2 (1pp) 
'''Investigation (INT):''' +8 (7pp) 
'''Perception (AWE):''' +3 
'''Persuasion (PRE):''' +1 
'''Ranged Combat (Throw) (DEX):''' 0 
'''Stealth (AGL):''' 1

== Complications ==

'''Motivation''':
* '''Acceptance''': Though Shard revels in the crystalline form's power, they are acutely aware of how monstrous they appear and do all they can to show the humanity that lies within.
'''Other Complications''':
* '''Monstrous''': Shard is a massive creature made of living crystal fragments that shift constantly. It can be a lot if you're not ready for it.
* '''Prejudice (Hidden)''': Though they don't know it, Shard is a mutant. Should this be revealed, they would face the hostility to mutants present in many parts of the multiverse.

== Advantages ==

'''Benefit, Ambidexterity''' (1pp): No circumstance penalty for using an off-hand. 
'''Fast Grab''' (1pp): Free action: make a grab check after making a successful unarmed attack. 
'''Improved Grab''' (1pp): Can grab using just one limb. Can maintain a grab while performing actions using other hand. You are not vulnerable while grabbing. 
'''Improved Hold''' (1pp): Opponents have a –5 circumstance penalty to escape your grab. 
'''Improved Trip''' (1pp): No attack penalty to trip and it does not provoke. Make opposed check w/ Athletics against your opponent's Acrobatics or Athletics (''you'' choose which). 
'''Instant Up''' (1pp): Stand from prone as a free action w/out an Acrobatics skill check. 
'''Interpose''' (1pp): Reaction (vs attack checks only): if an ally within range is hit by an attack, you can move between them and take the attack instead. 
'''Takedown''' (2pp): Free action: after rendering a minion incapacitated, take an extra attack against another minion (within your movement; does not need to be adjacent). Continue until you miss, use up movement, or there are no more minions. 
'''Ultimate Effort (Toughness)''' (1pp): Spend 1 hero point to get an automatic (non-natural) 20 on your die result.

== Powers ==

'''Malleable (Array): Ability to compress, extend, and otherwise re-form the crystalline fragments that comprise their form.'''
* '''Burrowing:''' 6 ranks (1pp)
<ul>60ft/rnd (4mph) / Limited: through material Toughness no greater than STR modifier)</ul>
* '''Elastic:''' Speed 2 ranks (1pp)
<ul>120ft/rnd (8mph) ground speed</ul>
* '''Flowing:''' Insubstantial 1 rank (5pp)
<ul>Flow through any opening or non-watertight restraint; can cushion falling target</ul>
* '''Stretching:''' Elongation 3 ranks (1pp)
<ul>60ft, +3 grab</ul>
* '''Swinging:''' Movement 1 rank (1pp)
<ul>30ft/rnd (2mph)</ul>
* '''Wall-crawling:''' Movement 2 ranks (1pp)
<ul>30ft/rnd (2mph) along walls/ceilings/etc</ul>

'''Crystalline Defenses'''
* '''Enhanced Stamina:''' 10 ranks (20pp)
<ul>Enhanced Trait: Stamina +10</ul>
* '''Immunity''' (20pp)
<ul>Environmental Conditions (all), Fatigue Effects, Life Support</ul>
* '''Impervious:''' 14 ranks (14pp)
<ul>Impervious (Toughness) 14</ul>

'''Crystalline Senses'''
* '''Sonar:''' Senses 3 (3pp)
<ul>Accurate: Hearing, Ultra-hearing</ul>

'''Crystalline Strength'''
* '''Enhanced Strength:''' 10 ranks (20pp)
<ul>Enhanced Trait: Strength +10</ul>
<ul><ul>* AE '''Shield:''' Create 10 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>50/100/250ft range, 1000cuft volume, DC20 / Impervious, Innate, Tether; Diminished Range 2, Proportional</ul></ul></ul>
<ul><ul>* AE '''Spikes:''' Damage 6 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>Reaction 3 (when attacked in close combat), DC21 
Requires DC12 attack check; Noticeable (jagged crystal shards)</ul></ul>
<ul>* AE '''Spray:''' Cone 2 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>60ft cone / Area Damage 10, DC20</ul></ul></ul>

== Power Points ==

'''150''' (36 Abilities + 6 Skills + 8 Defenses + 10 Advantages + 90 Powers)

== Backstory ==

'''Martin Thorn''' joined '''S.W.O.R.D.''' fresh out of grad school. He'd been angling for the FBI, but something in his test results spoke to S.W.O.R.D.

Four months in, '''monsters''' rained from the sky. This happened from time to time—comics, everybody!—but the frequency was increasing of late. Marty's field team was dispatched to investigate an impact site near Tuscon. Amid devastating collateral damage, the extraterrestrial monster fought the known monster '''Rommbu'''. The latter defeated the creature before disappearing. Among the evidence the S.W.O.R.D. team found at the site were strange crystal fragments—at least, Marty thought there was something strange about them; to his partner, '''Elena Cortés''', they were simply sharp rocks.

They'd just returned to the '''Peak''' when proximity alerts sounded—another wave of monsters was incoming from deep space! The space station was thrown off kilter as multiple monsters struck, its gravity systems unable to compensate fast enough. Anything that wasn't already secured went flying, including Marty and the case with the crystal fragments. The two collided and everything went black for Marty. Once S.W.O.R.D. personnel got things back under control, his unconscious body was discovered with a large crystal chunk embedded in his chest.

In the infirmary, '''Dr. Hank McCoy''' (aka '''Beast''') performed scans to see how the shard could be removed safely. He detected minute vibrations that soon grew stronger—suddenly the shard sprang from Marty's body and zipped from the room like a crystalline snake!

Beast was forced to remain behind to treat Marty's wound and make sure he was stable. S.W.O.R.D. security chased after the shard. They found it back in the hangar, absorbing the other crystal fragments. Swelling in size, the shard emitted a loud, strangely harmonious scream as it assumed a humanoid form.

Beast bounded in just then and the fight was on! Powerful as the shard was, this wasn't Beast's first rodeo. By the time he had the crystalline creature under control, Beast knew what he was dealing with. The crystal had somehow absorbed Marty's consciousness—Marty was the '''Shard'''!

Beast would need to do further tests to see whether the crystal had sapience of its own, not to mention to determine how—or even if—Marty's mind could be returned to his body.

Unfortunately, that would have to wait as Earth was still under attack from waves of extraterrestrial monsters. The Peak was struck again by multiple monsters, including one that tore through the hangar in the direction of the station's power core. Marty—''Shard''—didn't hesitate. They dove down the jagged hole after it.

Shard tackled the monster as it tore its way to the core. The Peak had suffered fatal damage from multiple strikes, but at least the comms still worked. Although they heard '''Abigail Brand''' give the evacuation alert, Shard stayed where they were, doing everything in their power to keep it from reaching the core. They couldn't hold it off forever, though, and soon the monster ripped into the core with a giant paw to unleash the powerful fusion energies within. Shard sensed that it was absorbing the energy, growing more powerful—but it was too much for the monster to take. The last thing Shard saw was a brilliant flash as the core detonated, wiping out the monster and tearing the crippled Peak asunder.

When Shard came to some time later, they were less surprised to be in an alternate reality than to even still be alive at all. Not to mention stuck in this strange crystalline form...

'''Unbeknownst to Marty...''' 
It's unclear whether the core explosion sent Shard through a tear in reality, or they were plucked from '''Earth-608''' in the nick of time.

Speaking of Shard: The crystal didn't absorb Marty's mind. Rather, he's a mutant with "crystalkinesis." In the chaos of the moment, Marty threw his consciousness into the crystal. Theoretically, he could learn to command crystalline structures outside his current form and even possibly return to his human body.

Back in Earth–608, Marty's body did make it off the Peak before the space station blew up. In fact, thanks to Shard taking on the monster, all the station personnel had enough time to evacuate. Unfortunately, the world is still under assault by strange monsters from beyond the stars...

Exceedingly Exiled:Akehekh

2025-01-01T20:03:18Z

Bates: Adjusted layout for consistency with the other character pages

== '''Akehekh''' ==

'''Home Reality:''' Placeholder 
'''Civilian Name:''' Ashraf "Ash" Kalb 
'''Origin:''' 
'''Power Level:''' 10 
'''Gender Identity:''' 
'''Age:''' 
'''Appearance and Demeanor:''' 

== Abilities ==

'''Strength:''' 0 
'''Stamina:''' 1 
'''Agility:''' 3 
'''Dexterity:''' 3 
'''Fighting:''' 4 
'''Intellect:''' 3 
'''Awareness:''' 3 
'''Presence:''' 1

== Defenses ==

'''Dodge (AGL):''' 8/3 
'''Parry (FTG):''' 8/4 
'''Fortitude (STA):''' 1 
'''Toughness (STA):''' 12 
'''Will (AWE):''' 3

== Offenses ==

'''Initiative''': +3 
'''Blast (Lightning)''': Damage 3, +9 (DC 18) 
'''Claws and Teeth''': Damage 8, +12 (DC 23) 
'''Grab''': +7 (DC Spec 14) 
'''Sand Grit''': Damage 1, +6 (DC 16) 
'''Throw''': +3 (DC 15) 
'''Unarmed''': +6 (DC 15) 

== Skills ==

'''Acrobatics:''' 1 (+4) 
'''Athletics:''' 3 (+3) 
'''Close Combat (Brawling):''' 6 (+10) 
'''Deception:''' 3 (+4) 
'''Expertise (Egyptian Magic):''' 2 (+5) 
'''Insight:''' 2 (+5) 
'''Investigation:''' +2 (+5) 
'''Perception:''' 3 (+6) 
'''Persuasion:''' 1 (+2) 
'''Ranged Combat (Blast: Lightning, Damage 3):''' 6 (+9) 
'''Stealth:''' 2 (+5)

== Complications ==

'''Motivation''':
* '''Acceptance''': He’s too happy to be alive to bemoan his state, but Ash feels alienated from the living and the fact his life depends on the whim of a god of chaos and upheaval. At his core, he desperately wants people to accept he’s still human in the ways that count.
'''Other Complications''':
* '''Monstrous''': When it comes down to it, Ash is a mummy - and one whose true form has distinct animal features. He doesn’t look like a zombie, but he is both clearly supernatural and clearly undead, with a head that partly resembles a dog’s needing effort to fit in with the living around him.

== Advantages ==

Assessment 
Close Attack 2 
Daze (Deception) 
Equipment 1 
Evasion 2 
Fearless 
Grabbing Finesse 
Languages 2 
Ritualist 
Tracking 
Tracking 
Uncanny Dodge 

== Powers ==

'''Blast (Lightning): Damage 3''' (DC 18; Increased Range: ranged, Penetrating) 
'''Chimera Form''' (Activation: Standard Action) 
:'''Claws and Teeth: Damage 8''' (DC 23; Affects Insubstantial: half ranks, Penetrating) 
:'''Thick Hide: Protection 3''' (+3 Toughness; Impervious [2 ranks only]) 
:'''Various Refinements: Variable 3''' (Slow) 
:'''Wings: Flight 2''' (Speed: 8 miles/hour, 120 feet/round; Innate; Wings) 
'''Desert Storm Power: Environment 1''' (Heat, Impede Movement (1 rank), Light, Radius: 30 feet; Selective; Check Required: DC 10 - Intellect) 
'''Disciple of Deception: Illusion 1''' (Affects: Three Sense Types - Hearing, Sight, Touch, Area: 4 cft., DC 11; Illusion Area, Independent; Limited to One Subject) 
'''Forms of Chaos''' 
:'''Alternate Form (Particulate)''' (Linked; Activation: Move Action) 
::'''Elongation: Elongation 1''' (Elongation: 15 feet, +1 to grab) 
::'''Immunity: Immunity 0''' 
::'''Insubstantial: Insubstantial 1''' (Fluid) 
::'''Movement: Movement 1''' (Slithering) 
::'''Sand Grit: Damage 1''' (DC 16) 
:'''Alternate Form (Shadow)''' (Linked; Activation: Move Action) 
::'''Concealment: Concealment 4''' (All Visual Senses; Limited: Darkness and Shadow) 
::'''Immunity: Immunity 0''' 
::'''Insubstantial: Insubstantial 4''' (Incorporeal) 
::'''Movement: Movement 2''' (Slithering, Wall-crawling 1: -1 speed rank) 
:'''Disguises: Morph 2''' (Linked; +20 Deception checks to disguise; Narrow group; Precise, Subtle: subtle; Activation: move action) 
'''Hardy: Protection 8''' (+8 Toughness; Innate; Noticeable: Visibly undead) 
'''Immortality: Immortality 1''' (Removable, Return after 2 weeks) 
'''Instincts of the Sha: Enhanced Trait 11''' (Traits: Dodge +5 (+8), Parry +4 (+8), Advantages: Tracking, Uncanny Dodge; Noticeable: Saluki features, Permanent) 
'''Undying Will: Regeneration 3''' (Every 3.33 rounds; Persistent)

== Equipment ==

Binoculars 
Holy Symbol

== Languages ==

Arabic 
Egyptian 
English

== Power Points ==

Abilities 36 + Powers 85 + Advantages 13 + Skills 16 (31 ranks) + Defenses 0 = 150<

Exceedingly Exiled:Shard

2025-01-01T03:14:35Z

Bates: moved art

[[File: Shard.jpg|600px|right]]

== '''Shard''' ==

'''Home Reality:''' [[Exceedingly_Exiled:Earth-608|Earth-608]] 
'''Civilian Name:''' Martin "Marty" Thorn (public ID) 
'''Origin:''' Accident (actual: Mutant) 
'''Power Level:''' 10 
'''Gender Identity:''' N/A (originally Cisgender Male; now crystalline entity; they/them) 
'''Age:''' 20 years 
'''Appearance and Demeanor:''' Shard is an imposing 7-foot-tall, 650-pound being comprised of countless fragments of crystal that shift and shimmer constantly with unnerving subtlety, even when Shard stands still. Before becoming Shard, Marty grew up friendly but a bit of an introvert. Although a follower, he always had a strong moral compass. Since becoming Shard, they're a bit more boisterous. They also now prefer they/them pronouns. Whether that's due to feeling they're an entity made up of thousands of tiny discrete pieces or a larger understanding of their identity remains to be seen. 

== Abilities ==

'''Strength:''' 12 (4pp) 
'''Stamina:''' 14 (8pp) 
'''Agility:''' 1 (2pp) 
'''Dexterity:''' 0 
'''Fighting:''' 6 (12pp) 
'''Intellect:''' 1 (2pp) 
'''Awareness:''' 3 (6pp) 
'''Presence:''' 1 (2pp)

== Defenses ==

'''Dodge (AGL):''' +6 (5pp) 
'''Fortitude (STA):''' +12 
'''Parry (FTG):''' +6 
'''Toughness (STA):''' +12 
'''Will (AWE):''' +6 (3pp)

== Skills ==

'''Athletics (STR):''' +12 
'''Close Combat: Unarmed (FTG):''' +8 (2pp) 
'''Deception (PRE):''' +1 
'''Insight (AWE):''' +5 (2pp) 
'''Intimidation (PRE):''' +2 (1pp) 
'''Investigation (INT):''' +8 (7pp) 
'''Perception (AWE):''' +3 
'''Persuasion (PRE):''' +1 
'''Ranged Combat (Throw) (DEX):''' 0 
'''Stealth (AGL):''' 1

== Complications ==

'''Motivation''':
* '''Acceptance''': Though Shard revels in the crystalline form's power, they are acutely aware of how monstrous they appear and do all they can to show the humanity that lies within.
'''Other Complications''':
* '''Monstrous''': Shard is a massive creature made of living crystal fragments that shift constantly. It can be a lot if you're not ready for it.
* '''Prejudice (Hidden)''': Though they don't know it, Shard is a mutant. Should this be revealed, they would face the hostility to mutants present in many parts of the multiverse.

== Advantages ==

'''Benefit, Ambidexterity''' (1pp): No circumstance penalty for using an off-hand. 
'''Fast Grab''' (1pp): Free action: make a grab check after making a successful unarmed attack. 
'''Improved Grab''' (1pp): Can grab using just one limb. Can maintain a grab while performing actions using other hand. You are not vulnerable while grabbing. 
'''Improved Hold''' (1pp): Opponents have a –5 circumstance penalty to escape your grab. 
'''Improved Trip''' (1pp): No attack penalty to trip and it does not provoke. Make opposed check w/ Athletics against your opponent's Acrobatics or Athletics (''you'' choose which). 
'''Instant Up''' (1pp): Stand from prone as a free action w/out an Acrobatics skill check. 
'''Interpose''' (1pp): Reaction (vs attack checks only): if an ally within range is hit by an attack, you can move between them and take the attack instead. 
'''Takedown''' (2pp): Free action: after rendering a minion incapacitated, take an extra attack against another minion (within your movement; does not need to be adjacent). Continue until you miss, use up movement, or there are no more minions. 
'''Ultimate Effort (Toughness)''' (1pp): Spend 1 hero point to get an automatic (non-natural) 20 on your die result.

== Powers ==

'''Malleable (Array): Ability to compress, extend, and otherwise re-form the crystalline fragments that comprise their form.'''
* '''Burrowing:''' 6 ranks (1pp)
<ul>60ft/rnd (4mph) / Limited: through material Toughness no greater than STR modifier)</ul>
* '''Elastic:''' Speed 2 ranks (1pp)
<ul>120ft/rnd (8mph) ground speed</ul>
* '''Flowing:''' Insubstantial 1 rank (5pp)
<ul>Flow through any opening or non-watertight restraint; can cushion falling target</ul>
* '''Stretching:''' Elongation 3 ranks (1pp)
<ul>60ft, +3 grab</ul>
* '''Swinging:''' Movement 1 rank (1pp)
<ul>30ft/rnd (2mph)</ul>
* '''Wall-crawling:''' Movement 2 ranks (1pp)
<ul>30ft/rnd (2mph) along walls/ceilings/etc</ul>

'''Crystalline Defenses'''
* '''Enhanced Stamina:''' 10 ranks (20pp)
<ul>Enhanced Trait: Stamina +10</ul>
* '''Immunity''' (20pp)
<ul>Environmental Conditions (all), Fatigue Effects, Life Support</ul>
* '''Impervious:''' 14 ranks (14pp)
<ul>Impervious (Toughness) 14</ul>

'''Crystalline Senses'''
* '''Sonar:''' Senses 3 (3pp)
<ul>Accurate: Hearing, Ultra-hearing</ul>

'''Crystalline Strength'''
* '''Enhanced Strength:''' 10 ranks (20pp)
<ul>Enhanced Trait: Strength +10</ul>
<ul><ul>* AE '''Shield:''' Create 10 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>50/100/250ft range, 1000cuft volume, DC20 / Impervious, Innate, Tether; Diminished Range 2, Proportional</ul></ul></ul>
<ul><ul>* AE '''Spikes:''' Damage 6 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>Reaction 3 (when attacked in close combat), DC21 
Requires DC12 attack check; Noticeable (jagged crystal shards)</ul></ul>
<ul>* AE '''Spray:''' Cone 2 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>60ft cone / Area Damage 10, DC20</ul></ul></ul>

== Power Points ==

'''150''' (36 Abilities + 6 Skills + 8 Defenses + 10 Advantages + 90 Powers)

== Backstory ==

'''Martin Thorn''' joined '''S.W.O.R.D.''' fresh out of grad school. He'd been angling for the FBI, but something in his test results spoke to S.W.O.R.D.

Four months in, '''monsters''' rained from the sky. This happened from time to time—comics, everybody!—but the frequency was increasing of late. Marty's field team was dispatched to investigate an impact site near Tuscon. Amid devastating collateral damage, the extraterrestrial monster fought the known monster '''Rommbu'''. The latter defeated the creature before disappearing. Among the evidence the S.W.O.R.D. team found at the site were strange crystal fragments—at least, Marty thought there was something strange about them; to his partner, '''Elena Cortés''', they were simply sharp rocks.

They'd just returned to the '''Peak''' when proximity alerts sounded—another wave of monsters was incoming from deep space! The space station was thrown off kilter as multiple monsters struck, its gravity systems unable to compensate fast enough. Anything that wasn't already secured went flying, including Marty and the case with the crystal fragments. The two collided and everything went black for Marty. Once S.W.O.R.D. personnel got things back under control, his unconscious body was discovered with a large crystal chunk embedded in his chest.

In the infirmary, '''Dr. Hank McCoy''' (aka '''Beast''') performed scans to see how the shard could be removed safely. He detected minute vibrations that soon grew stronger—suddenly the shard sprang from Marty's body and zipped from the room like a crystalline snake!

Beast was forced to remain behind to treat Marty's wound and make sure he was stable. S.W.O.R.D. security chased after the shard. They found it back in the hangar, absorbing the other crystal fragments. Swelling in size, the shard emitted a loud, strangely harmonious scream as it assumed a humanoid form.

Beast bounded in just then and the fight was on! Powerful as the shard was, this wasn't Beast's first rodeo. By the time he had the crystalline creature under control, Beast knew what he was dealing with. The crystal had somehow absorbed Marty's consciousness—Marty was the '''Shard'''!

Beast would need to do further tests to see whether the crystal had sapience of its own, not to mention to determine how—or even if—Marty's mind could be returned to his body.

Unfortunately, that would have to wait as Earth was still under attack from waves of extraterrestrial monsters. The Peak was struck again by multiple monsters, including one that tore through the hangar in the direction of the station's power core. Marty—''Shard''—didn't hesitate. They dove down the jagged hole after it.

Shard tackled the monster as it tore its way to the core. The Peak had suffered fatal damage from multiple strikes, but at least the comms still worked. Although they heard '''Abigail Brand''' give the evacuation alert, Shard stayed where they were, doing everything in their power to keep it from reaching the core. They couldn't hold it off forever, though, and soon the monster ripped into the core with a giant paw to unleash the powerful fusion energies within. Shard sensed that it was absorbing the energy, growing more powerful—but it was too much for the monster to take. The last thing Shard saw was a brilliant flash as the core detonated, wiping out the monster and tearing the crippled Peak asunder.

When Shard came to some time later, they were less surprised to be in an alternate reality than to even still be alive at all. Not to mention stuck in this strange crystalline form...

'''Unbeknownst to Marty...''' 
It's unclear whether the core explosion sent Shard through a tear in reality, or they were plucked from '''Earth-608''' in the nick of time.

Speaking of Shard: The crystal didn't absorb Marty's mind. Rather, he's a mutant with "crystalkinesis." In the chaos of the moment, Marty threw his consciousness into the crystal. Theoretically, he could learn to command crystalline structures outside his current form and even possibly return to his human body.

Back in Earth–608, Marty's body did make it off the Peak before the space station blew up. In fact, thanks to Shard taking on the monster, all the station personnel had enough time to evacuate. Unfortunately, the world is still under assault by strange monsters from beyond the stars...

Exceedingly Exiled:Earth-608

2024-12-31T21:57:31Z

Bates: Linked to Shard's character page

== '''Earth-608''' ==

'''Earth–608''' is almost identical to Earth–616, but its timeline is a bit out of sync in two key ways:

S.W.O.R.D. is still in charge of monitoring extraterrestrial threats.

The '''Monsters Unleashed''' event begins earlier—prior to Thanos's invasion of Earth. This means it's before '''Kei Kawade''' gains the power to make real whatever he draws—specifically the giant monsters that prove to be vital in defeating the '''Leviathon Tide'''!

== '''Exceedingly Exiled Member''' ==

'''[[Exceedingly_Exiled:Shard|Shard]]''' (Marty Thorn) calls Earth-608 home. They were shunted from it during an attack by the Leviathon Tide upon the '''Peak''', '''S.W.O.R.D.''''s base orbiting Earth. Shard was unable to stop the fusion parasite monster '''Aarbol''' from tearing open the space station core. The monster intended to absorb its energies but the core was too powerful, resulting in a tremendous detonation that tore the Peak asunder.

It's unclear whether this explosion also tore a dimensional hole through which Shard tumbled or some other agency plucked them from their home reality.

Exceedingly Exiled:Earth-608

2024-12-31T19:36:50Z

Bates: Clarified the header that calls out the PC from this reality

== '''Earth-608''' ==

'''Earth–608''' is almost identical to Earth–616, but its timeline is a bit out of sync in two key ways:

S.W.O.R.D. is still in charge of monitoring extraterrestrial threats.

The '''Monsters Unleashed''' event begins earlier—prior to Thanos's invasion of Earth. This means it's before '''Kei Kawade''' gains the power to make real whatever he draws—specifically the giant monsters that prove to be vital in defeating the '''Leviathon Tide'''!

== '''Exceedingly Exiled Member''' ==

'''Shard''' (Marty Thorn) calls Earth-608 home. They were shunted from it during an attack by the Leviathon Tide upon the '''Peak''', '''S.W.O.R.D.''''s base orbiting Earth. Shard was unable to stop the fusion parasite monster '''Aarbol''' from tearing open the space station core. The monster intended to absorb its energies but the core was too powerful, resulting in a tremendous detonation that tore the Peak asunder.

It's unclear whether this explosion also tore a dimensional hole through which Shard tumbled or some other agency plucked them from their home reality.

Exceedingly Exiled:Shard

2024-12-31T19:35:27Z

Bates: Moved "home reality" to info at the top and linked to page

== '''Shard''' ==

'''Home Reality:''' [[Exceedingly_Exiled:Earth-608|Earth-608]] 
'''Civilian Name:''' Martin "Marty" Thorn (public ID) 
'''Origin:''' Accident (actual: Mutant) 
'''Power Level:''' 10 
'''Gender Identity:''' N/A (originally Cisgender Male; now crystalline entity; they/them) 
'''Age:''' 20 years 
'''Appearance and Demeanor:''' Shard is an imposing 7-foot-tall, 650-pound being comprised of countless fragments of crystal that shift and shimmer constantly with unnerving subtlety, even when Shard stands still. Before becoming Shard, Marty grew up friendly but a bit of an introvert. Although a follower, he always had a strong moral compass. Since becoming Shard, they're a bit more boisterous. They also now prefer they/them pronouns. Whether that's due to feeling they're an entity made up of thousands of tiny discrete pieces or a larger understanding of their identity remains to be seen. 

[[File: Shard.jpg|600px]]

== Abilities ==

'''Strength:''' 12 (4pp) 
'''Stamina:''' 14 (8pp) 
'''Agility:''' 1 (2pp) 
'''Dexterity:''' 0 
'''Fighting:''' 6 (12pp) 
'''Intellect:''' 1 (2pp) 
'''Awareness:''' 3 (6pp) 
'''Presence:''' 1 (2pp)

== Defenses ==

'''Dodge (AGL):''' +6 (5pp) 
'''Fortitude (STA):''' +12 
'''Parry (FTG):''' +6 
'''Toughness (STA):''' +12 
'''Will (AWE):''' +6 (3pp)

== Skills ==

'''Athletics (STR):''' +12 
'''Close Combat: Unarmed (FTG):''' +8 (2pp) 
'''Deception (PRE):''' +1 
'''Insight (AWE):''' +5 (2pp) 
'''Intimidation (PRE):''' +2 (1pp) 
'''Investigation (INT):''' +8 (7pp) 
'''Perception (AWE):''' +3 
'''Persuasion (PRE):''' +1 
'''Ranged Combat (Throw) (DEX):''' 0 
'''Stealth (AGL):''' 1

== Complications ==

'''Motivation''':
* '''Acceptance''': Though Shard revels in the crystalline form's power, they are acutely aware of how monstrous they appear and do all they can to show the humanity that lies within.
'''Other Complications''':
* '''Monstrous''': Shard is a massive creature made of living crystal fragments that shift constantly. It can be a lot if you're not ready for it.
* '''Prejudice (Hidden)''': Though they don't know it, Shard is a mutant. Should this be revealed, they would face the hostility to mutants present in many parts of the multiverse.

== Advantages ==

'''Benefit, Ambidexterity''' (1pp): No circumstance penalty for using an off-hand. 
'''Fast Grab''' (1pp): Free action: make a grab check after making a successful unarmed attack. 
'''Improved Grab''' (1pp): Can grab using just one limb. Can maintain a grab while performing actions using other hand. You are not vulnerable while grabbing. 
'''Improved Hold''' (1pp): Opponents have a –5 circumstance penalty to escape your grab. 
'''Improved Trip''' (1pp): No attack penalty to trip and it does not provoke. Make opposed check w/ Athletics against your opponent's Acrobatics or Athletics (''you'' choose which). 
'''Instant Up''' (1pp): Stand from prone as a free action w/out an Acrobatics skill check. 
'''Interpose''' (1pp): Reaction (vs attack checks only): if an ally within range is hit by an attack, you can move between them and take the attack instead. 
'''Takedown''' (2pp): Free action: after rendering a minion incapacitated, take an extra attack against another minion (within your movement; does not need to be adjacent). Continue until you miss, use up movement, or there are no more minions. 
'''Ultimate Effort (Toughness)''' (1pp): Spend 1 hero point to get an automatic (non-natural) 20 on your die result.

== Powers ==

'''Malleable (Array): Ability to compress, extend, and otherwise re-form the crystalline fragments that comprise their form.'''
* '''Burrowing:''' 6 ranks (1pp)
<ul>60ft/rnd (4mph) / Limited: through material Toughness no greater than STR modifier)</ul>
* '''Elastic:''' Speed 2 ranks (1pp)
<ul>120ft/rnd (8mph) ground speed</ul>
* '''Flowing:''' Insubstantial 1 rank (5pp)
<ul>Flow through any opening or non-watertight restraint; can cushion falling target</ul>
* '''Stretching:''' Elongation 3 ranks (1pp)
<ul>60ft, +3 grab</ul>
* '''Swinging:''' Movement 1 rank (1pp)
<ul>30ft/rnd (2mph)</ul>
* '''Wall-crawling:''' Movement 2 ranks (1pp)
<ul>30ft/rnd (2mph) along walls/ceilings/etc</ul>

'''Crystalline Defenses'''
* '''Enhanced Stamina:''' 10 ranks (20pp)
<ul>Enhanced Trait: Stamina +10</ul>
* '''Immunity''' (20pp)
<ul>Environmental Conditions (all), Fatigue Effects, Life Support</ul>
* '''Impervious:''' 14 ranks (14pp)
<ul>Impervious (Toughness) 14</ul>

'''Crystalline Senses'''
* '''Sonar:''' Senses 3 (3pp)
<ul>Accurate: Hearing, Ultra-hearing</ul>

'''Crystalline Strength'''
* '''Enhanced Strength:''' 10 ranks (20pp)
<ul>Enhanced Trait: Strength +10</ul>
<ul><ul>* AE '''Shield:''' Create 10 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>50/100/250ft range, 1000cuft volume, DC20 / Impervious, Innate, Tether; Diminished Range 2, Proportional</ul></ul></ul>
<ul><ul>* AE '''Spikes:''' Damage 6 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>Reaction 3 (when attacked in close combat), DC21 
Requires DC12 attack check; Noticeable (jagged crystal shards)</ul></ul>
<ul>* AE '''Spray:''' Cone 2 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>60ft cone / Area Damage 10, DC20</ul></ul></ul>

== Power Points ==

'''150''' (36 Abilities + 6 Skills + 8 Defenses + 10 Advantages + 90 Powers)

== Backstory ==

'''Martin Thorn''' joined '''S.W.O.R.D.''' fresh out of grad school. He'd been angling for the FBI, but something in his test results spoke to S.W.O.R.D.

Four months in, '''monsters''' rained from the sky. This happened from time to time—comics, everybody!—but the frequency was increasing of late. Marty's field team was dispatched to investigate an impact site near Tuscon. Amid devastating collateral damage, the extraterrestrial monster fought the known monster '''Rommbu'''. The latter defeated the creature before disappearing. Among the evidence the S.W.O.R.D. team found at the site were strange crystal fragments—at least, Marty thought there was something strange about them; to his partner, '''Elena Cortés''', they were simply sharp rocks.

They'd just returned to the '''Peak''' when proximity alerts sounded—another wave of monsters was incoming from deep space! The space station was thrown off kilter as multiple monsters struck, its gravity systems unable to compensate fast enough. Anything that wasn't already secured went flying, including Marty and the case with the crystal fragments. The two collided and everything went black for Marty. Once S.W.O.R.D. personnel got things back under control, his unconscious body was discovered with a large crystal chunk embedded in his chest.

In the infirmary, '''Dr. Hank McCoy''' (aka '''Beast''') performed scans to see how the shard could be removed safely. He detected minute vibrations that soon grew stronger—suddenly the shard sprang from Marty's body and zipped from the room like a crystalline snake!

Beast was forced to remain behind to treat Marty's wound and make sure he was stable. S.W.O.R.D. security chased after the shard. They found it back in the hangar, absorbing the other crystal fragments. Swelling in size, the shard emitted a loud, strangely harmonious scream as it assumed a humanoid form.

Beast bounded in just then and the fight was on! Powerful as the shard was, this wasn't Beast's first rodeo. By the time he had the crystalline creature under control, Beast knew what he was dealing with. The crystal had somehow absorbed Marty's consciousness—Marty was the '''Shard'''!

Beast would need to do further tests to see whether the crystal had sapience of its own, not to mention to determine how—or even if—Marty's mind could be returned to his body.

Unfortunately, that would have to wait as Earth was still under attack from waves of extraterrestrial monsters. The Peak was struck again by multiple monsters, including one that tore through the hangar in the direction of the station's power core. Marty—''Shard''—didn't hesitate. They dove down the jagged hole after it.

Shard tackled the monster as it tore its way to the core. The Peak had suffered fatal damage from multiple strikes, but at least the comms still worked. Although they heard '''Abigail Brand''' give the evacuation alert, Shard stayed where they were, doing everything in their power to keep it from reaching the core. They couldn't hold it off forever, though, and soon the monster ripped into the core with a giant paw to unleash the powerful fusion energies within. Shard sensed that it was absorbing the energy, growing more powerful—but it was too much for the monster to take. The last thing Shard saw was a brilliant flash as the core detonated, wiping out the monster and tearing the crippled Peak asunder.

When Shard came to some time later, they were less surprised to be in an alternate reality than to even still be alive at all. Not to mention stuck in this strange crystalline form...

'''Unbeknownst to Marty...''' 
It's unclear whether the core explosion sent Shard through a tear in reality, or they were plucked from '''Earth-608''' in the nick of time.

Speaking of Shard: The crystal didn't absorb Marty's mind. Rather, he's a mutant with "crystalkinesis." In the chaos of the moment, Marty threw his consciousness into the crystal. Theoretically, he could learn to command crystalline structures outside his current form and even possibly return to his human body.

Back in Earth–608, Marty's body did make it off the Peak before the space station blew up. In fact, thanks to Shard taking on the monster, all the station personnel had enough time to evacuate. Unfortunately, the world is still under assault by strange monsters from beyond the stars...

Exceedingly Exiled:Shard

2024-12-31T17:22:55Z

Bates: corrected spike effect

== '''Shard''' ==

'''Civilian Name:''' Martin "Marty" Thorn (public ID) 
'''Origin:''' Accident (actual: Mutant) 
'''Power Level:''' 10 
'''Gender Identity:''' N/A (originally Cisgender Male; now crystalline entity; they/them) 
'''Age:''' 20 years 
'''Appearance and Demeanor:''' Shard is an imposing 7-foot-tall being comprised of countless fragments of crystal that shift and shimmer constantly with unnerving subtlety, even when Shard stands still. Before becoming Shard, Marty grew up friendly but a bit of an introvert. Although a follower, he always had a strong moral compass. Since becoming Shard, they're a bit more boisterous. They also now prefer they/them pronouns. Whether that's due to feeling they're an entity made up of thousands of tiny discrete pieces or a larger understanding of their identity remains to be seen. 

[[File: Shard.jpg|600px]]

== Abilities ==

'''Strength:''' 12 (4pp) 
'''Stamina:''' 14 (8pp) 
'''Agility:''' 1 (2pp) 
'''Dexterity:''' 0 
'''Fighting:''' 6 (12pp) 
'''Intellect:''' 1 (2pp) 
'''Awareness:''' 3 (6pp) 
'''Presence:''' 1 (2pp)

== Defenses ==

'''Dodge (AGL):''' +6 (5pp) 
'''Fortitude (STA):''' +12 
'''Parry (FTG):''' +6 
'''Toughness (STA):''' +12 
'''Will (AWE):''' +6 (3pp)

== Skills ==

'''Athletics (STR):''' +12 
'''Close Combat: Unarmed (FTG):''' +8 (2pp) 
'''Deception (PRE):''' +1 
'''Insight (AWE):''' +5 (2pp) 
'''Intimidation (PRE):''' +2 (1pp) 
'''Investigation (INT):''' +8 (7pp) 
'''Perception (AWE):''' +3 
'''Persuasion (PRE):''' +1 
'''Ranged Combat (Throw) (DEX):''' 0 
'''Stealth (AGL):''' 1

== Complications ==

'''Motivation''':
* '''Acceptance''': Though Shard revels in the crystalline form's power, they are acutely aware of how monstrous they appear and do all they can to show the humanity that lies within.
'''Other Complications''':
* '''Monstrous''': Shard is a massive creature made of living crystal fragments that shift constantly. It can be a lot if you're not ready for it.
* '''Prejudice (Hidden)''': Though they don't know it, Shard is a mutant. Should this be revealed, they would face the hostility to mutants present in many parts of the multiverse.

== Advantages ==

'''Benefit, Ambidexterity''' (1pp): No circumstance penalty for using an off-hand. 
'''Fast Grab''' (1pp): Free action: make a grab check after making a successful unarmed attack. 
'''Improved Grab''' (1pp): Can grab using just one limb. Can maintain a grab while performing actions using other hand. You are not vulnerable while grabbing. 
'''Improved Hold''' (1pp): Opponents have a –5 circumstance penalty to escape your grab. 
'''Improved Trip''' (1pp): No attack penalty to trip and it does not provoke. Make opposed check w/ Athletics against your opponent's Acrobatics or Athletics (''you'' choose which). 
'''Instant Up''' (1pp): Stand from prone as a free action w/out an Acrobatics skill check. 
'''Interpose''' (1pp): Reaction (vs attack checks only): if an ally within range is hit by an attack, you can move between them and take the attack instead. 
'''Takedown''' (2pp): Free action: after rendering a minion incapacitated, take an extra attack against another minion (within your movement; does not need to be adjacent). Continue until you miss, use up movement, or there are no more minions. 
'''Ultimate Effort (Toughness)''' (1pp): Spend 1 hero point to get an automatic (non-natural) 20 on your die result.

== Powers ==

'''Malleable (Array): Ability to compress, extend, and otherwise re-form the crystalline fragments that comprise their form.'''
* '''Burrowing:''' 6 ranks (1pp)
<ul>60ft/rnd (4mph) / Limited: through material Toughness no greater than STR modifier)</ul>
* '''Elastic:''' Speed 2 ranks (1pp)
<ul>120ft/rnd (8mph) ground speed</ul>
* '''Flowing:''' Insubstantial 1 rank (5pp)
<ul>Flow through any opening or non-watertight restraint; can cushion falling target</ul>
* '''Stretching:''' Elongation 3 ranks (1pp)
<ul>60ft, +3 grab</ul>
* '''Swinging:''' Movement 1 rank (1pp)
<ul>30ft/rnd (2mph)</ul>
* '''Wall-crawling:''' Movement 2 ranks (1pp)
<ul>30ft/rnd (2mph) along walls/ceilings/etc</ul>

'''Crystalline Defenses'''
* '''Enhanced Stamina:''' 10 ranks (20pp)
<ul>Enhanced Trait: Stamina +10</ul>
* '''Immunity''' (20pp)
<ul>Environmental Conditions (all), Fatigue Effects, Life Support</ul>
* '''Impervious:''' 14 ranks (14pp)
<ul>Impervious (Toughness) 14</ul>

'''Crystalline Senses'''
* '''Sonar:''' Senses 3 (3pp)
<ul>Accurate: Hearing, Ultra-hearing</ul>

'''Crystalline Strength'''
* '''Enhanced Strength:''' 10 ranks (20pp)
<ul>Enhanced Trait: Strength +10</ul>
<ul><ul>* AE '''Shield:''' Create 10 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>50/100/250ft range, 1000cuft volume, DC20 / Impervious, Innate, Tether; Diminished Range 2, Proportional</ul></ul></ul>
<ul><ul>* AE '''Spikes:''' Damage 6 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>Reaction 3 (when attacked in close combat), DC21 
Requires DC12 attack check; Noticeable (jagged crystal shards)</ul></ul>
<ul>* AE '''Spray:''' Cone 2 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>60ft cone / Area Damage 10, DC20</ul></ul></ul>

== Power Points ==

'''150''' (36 Abilities + 6 Skills + 8 Defenses + 10 Advantages + 90 Powers)

== Backstory ==

'''Martin Thorn''' joined '''S.W.O.R.D.''' fresh out of grad school. He'd been angling for the FBI, but something in his test results spoke to S.W.O.R.D.

Four months in, '''monsters''' rained from the sky. This happened from time to time—comics, everybody!—but the frequency was increasing of late. Marty's field team was dispatched to investigate an impact site near Tuscon. Amid devastating collateral damage, the extraterrestrial monster fought the known monster '''Rommbu'''. The latter defeated the creature before disappearing. Among the evidence the S.W.O.R.D. team found at the site were strange crystal fragments—at least, Marty thought there was something strange about them; to his partner, '''Elena Cortés''', they were simply sharp rocks.

They'd just returned to the '''Peak''' when proximity alerts sounded—another wave of monsters was incoming from deep space! The space station was thrown off kilter as multiple monsters struck, its gravity systems unable to compensate fast enough. Anything that wasn't already secured went flying, including Marty and the case with the crystal fragments. The two collided and everything went black for Marty. Once S.W.O.R.D. personnel got things back under control, his unconscious body was discovered with a large crystal chunk embedded in his chest.

In the infirmary, '''Dr. Hank McCoy''' (aka '''Beast''') performed scans to see how the shard could be removed safely. He detected minute vibrations that soon grew stronger—suddenly the shard sprang from Marty's body and zipped from the room like a crystalline snake!

Beast was forced to remain behind to treat Marty's wound and make sure he was stable. S.W.O.R.D. security chased after the shard. They found it back in the hangar, absorbing the other crystal fragments. Swelling in size, the shard emitted a loud, strangely harmonious scream as it assumed a humanoid form.

Beast bounded in just then and the fight was on! Powerful as the shard was, this wasn't Beast's first rodeo. By the time he had the crystalline creature under control, Beast knew what he was dealing with. The crystal had somehow absorbed Marty's consciousness—Marty was the '''Shard'''!

Beast would need to do further tests to see whether the crystal had sapience of its own, not to mention to determine how—or even if—Marty's mind could be returned to his body.

Unfortunately, that would have to wait as Earth was still under attack from waves of extraterrestrial monsters. The Peak was struck again by multiple monsters, including one that tore through the hangar in the direction of the station's power core. Marty—''Shard''—didn't hesitate. They dove down the jagged hole after it.

Shard tackled the monster as it tore its way to the core. The Peak had suffered fatal damage from multiple strikes, but at least the comms still worked. Although they heard '''Abigail Brand''' give the evacuation alert, Shard stayed where they were, doing everything in their power to keep it from reaching the core. They couldn't hold it off forever, though, and soon the monster ripped into the core with a giant paw to unleash the powerful fusion energies within. Shard sensed that it was absorbing the energy, growing more powerful—but it was too much for the monster to take. The last thing Shard saw was a brilliant flash as the core detonated, wiping out the monster and tearing the crippled Peak asunder.

When Shard came to some time later, they were less surprised to be in an alternate reality than to even still be alive at all. Not to mention stuck in this strange crystalline form...

'''Unbeknownst to Marty...''' 
It's unclear whether the core explosion sent Shard through a tear in reality, or they were plucked from Earth-608 in the nick of time.

Speaking of Shard: The crystal didn't absorb Marty's mind. Rather, he's a mutant with "crystalkinesis." In the chaos of the moment, Marty threw his consciousness into the crystal. Theoretically, he could learn to command crystalline structures outside his current form and even possibly return to his human body.

Back in Earth–608, Marty's body did make it off the Peak before the space station blew up. In fact, thanks to Shard taking on the monster, all the station personnel had enough time to evacuate. Unfortunately, the world is still under assault by strange monsters from beyond the stars...

== Home Reality ==

'''Earth–608''' is almost identical to Earth–616, but its timeline is a bit out of sync in two key ways:

S.W.O.R.D. is still in charge of monitoring extraterrestrial threats. Plus, the '''Monsters Unleashed''' event begins earlier, prior to Thanos's invasion of Earth. This means it's before '''Kei Kawade''' gains the power to make real whatever he draws—specifically the giant monsters that prove to be vital in defeating the '''[https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Leviathon_Tide_(Earth-616) Leviathon Tide]'''!

Exceedingly Exiled:Shard

2024-12-31T14:38:32Z

Bates: Added Marvel wiki link for Leviathon Tide

== '''Shard''' ==

'''Civilian Name:''' Martin "Marty" Thorn (public ID) 
'''Origin:''' Accident (actual: Mutant) 
'''Power Level:''' 10 
'''Gender Identity:''' N/A (originally Cisgender Male; now crystalline entity; they/them) 
'''Age:''' 20 years 
'''Appearance and Demeanor:''' Shard is an imposing 7-foot-tall being comprised of countless fragments of crystal that shift and shimmer constantly with unnerving subtlety, even when Shard stands still. Before becoming Shard, Marty grew up friendly but a bit of an introvert. Although a follower, he always had a strong moral compass. Since becoming Shard, they're a bit more boisterous. They also now prefer they/them pronouns. Whether that's due to feeling they're an entity made up of thousands of tiny discrete pieces or a larger understanding of their identity remains to be seen. 

[[File: Shard.jpg|600px]]

== Abilities ==

'''Strength:''' 12 (4pp) 
'''Stamina:''' 14 (8pp) 
'''Agility:''' 1 (2pp) 
'''Dexterity:''' 0 
'''Fighting:''' 6 (12pp) 
'''Intellect:''' 1 (2pp) 
'''Awareness:''' 3 (6pp) 
'''Presence:''' 1 (2pp)

== Defenses ==

'''Dodge (AGL):''' +6 (5pp) 
'''Fortitude (STA):''' +12 
'''Parry (FTG):''' +6 
'''Toughness (STA):''' +12 
'''Will (AWE):''' +6 (3pp)

== Skills ==

'''Athletics (STR):''' +12 
'''Close Combat: Unarmed (FTG):''' +8 (2pp) 
'''Deception (PRE):''' +1 
'''Insight (AWE):''' +5 (2pp) 
'''Intimidation (PRE):''' +2 (1pp) 
'''Investigation (INT):''' +8 (7pp) 
'''Perception (AWE):''' +3 
'''Persuasion (PRE):''' +1 
'''Ranged Combat (Throw) (DEX):''' 0 
'''Stealth (AGL):''' 1

== Complications ==

'''Motivation''':
* '''Acceptance''': Though Shard revels in the crystalline form's power, they are acutely aware of how monstrous they appear and do all they can to show the humanity that lies within.
'''Other Complications''':
* '''Monstrous''': Shard is a massive creature made of living crystal fragments that shift constantly. It can be a lot if you're not ready for it.
* '''Prejudice (Hidden)''': Though they don't know it, Shard is a mutant. Should this be revealed, they would face the hostility to mutants present in many parts of the multiverse.

== Advantages ==

'''Benefit, Ambidexterity''' (1pp): No circumstance penalty for using an off-hand. 
'''Fast Grab''' (1pp): Free action: make a grab check after making a successful unarmed attack. 
'''Improved Grab''' (1pp): Can grab using just one limb. Can maintain a grab while performing actions using other hand. You are not vulnerable while grabbing. 
'''Improved Hold''' (1pp): Opponents have a –5 circumstance penalty to escape your grab. 
'''Improved Trip''' (1pp): No attack penalty to trip and it does not provoke. Make opposed check w/ Athletics against your opponent's Acrobatics or Athletics (''you'' choose which). 
'''Instant Up''' (1pp): Stand from prone as a free action w/out an Acrobatics skill check. 
'''Interpose''' (1pp): Reaction (vs attack checks only): if an ally within range is hit by an attack, you can move between them and take the attack instead. 
'''Takedown''' (2pp): Free action: after rendering a minion incapacitated, take an extra attack against another minion (within your movement; does not need to be adjacent). Continue until you miss, use up movement, or there are no more minions. 
'''Ultimate Effort (Toughness)''' (1pp): Spend 1 hero point to get an automatic (non-natural) 20 on your die result.

== Powers ==

'''Malleable (Array): Ability to compress, extend, and otherwise re-form the crystalline fragments that comprise their form.'''
* '''Burrowing:''' 6 ranks (1pp)
<ul>60ft/rnd (4mph) / Limited: through material Toughness no greater than STR modifier)</ul>
* '''Elastic:''' Speed 2 ranks (1pp)
<ul>120ft/rnd (8mph) ground speed</ul>
* '''Flowing:''' Insubstantial 1 rank (5pp)
<ul>Flow through any opening or non-watertight restraint; can cushion falling target</ul>
* '''Stretching:''' Elongation 3 ranks (1pp)
<ul>60ft, +3 grab</ul>
* '''Swinging:''' Movement 1 rank (1pp)
<ul>30ft/rnd (2mph)</ul>
* '''Wall-crawling:''' Movement 2 ranks (1pp)
<ul>30ft/rnd (2mph) along walls/ceilings/etc</ul>

'''Crystalline Defenses'''
* '''Enhanced Stamina:''' 10 ranks (20pp)
<ul>Enhanced Trait: Stamina +10</ul>
* '''Immunity''' (20pp)
<ul>Environmental Conditions (all), Fatigue Effects, Life Support</ul>
* '''Impervious:''' 14 ranks (14pp)
<ul>Impervious (Toughness) 14</ul>

'''Crystalline Senses'''
* '''Sonar:''' Senses 3 (3pp)
<ul>Accurate: Hearing, Ultra-hearing</ul>

'''Crystalline Strength'''
* '''Enhanced Strength:''' 10 ranks (20pp)
<ul>Enhanced Trait: Strength +10</ul>
<ul><ul>* AE '''Shield:''' Create 10 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>50/100/250ft range, 1000cuft volume, DC20 / Impervious, Innate, Tether; Diminished Range 2, Proportional</ul></ul></ul>
<ul><ul>* AE '''Spikes:''' Damage 5 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>Reaction 3 (when attacked in close combat), DC20 
Requires DC10 attack check; Noticeable (jagged crystal shards)</ul></ul>
<ul>* AE '''Spray:''' Cone 2 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>60ft cone / Area Damage 10, DC20</ul></ul></ul>

== Power Points ==

'''150''' (36 Abilities + 6 Skills + 8 Defenses + 10 Advantages + 90 Powers)

== Backstory ==

'''Martin Thorn''' joined '''S.W.O.R.D.''' fresh out of grad school. He'd been angling for the FBI, but something in his test results spoke to S.W.O.R.D.

Four months in, '''monsters''' rained from the sky. This happened from time to time—comics, everybody!—but the frequency was increasing of late. Marty's field team was dispatched to investigate an impact site near Tuscon. Amid devastating collateral damage, the extraterrestrial monster fought the known monster '''Rommbu'''. The latter defeated the creature before disappearing. Among the evidence the S.W.O.R.D. team found at the site were strange crystal fragments—at least, Marty thought there was something strange about them; to his partner, '''Elena Cortés''', they were simply sharp rocks.

They'd just returned to the '''Peak''' when proximity alerts sounded—another wave of monsters was incoming from deep space! The space station was thrown off kilter as multiple monsters struck, its gravity systems unable to compensate fast enough. Anything that wasn't already secured went flying, including Marty and the case with the crystal fragments. The two collided and everything went black for Marty. Once S.W.O.R.D. personnel got things back under control, his unconscious body was discovered with a large crystal chunk embedded in his chest.

In the infirmary, '''Dr. Hank McCoy''' (aka '''Beast''') performed scans to see how the shard could be removed safely. He detected minute vibrations that soon grew stronger—suddenly the shard sprang from Marty's body and zipped from the room like a crystalline snake!

Beast was forced to remain behind to treat Marty's wound and make sure he was stable. S.W.O.R.D. security chased after the shard. They found it back in the hangar, absorbing the other crystal fragments. Swelling in size, the shard emitted a loud, strangely harmonious scream as it assumed a humanoid form.

Beast bounded in just then and the fight was on! Powerful as the shard was, this wasn't Beast's first rodeo. By the time he had the crystalline creature under control, Beast knew what he was dealing with. The crystal had somehow absorbed Marty's consciousness—Marty was the '''Shard'''!

Beast would need to do further tests to see whether the crystal had sapience of its own, not to mention to determine how—or even if—Marty's mind could be returned to his body.

Unfortunately, that would have to wait as Earth was still under attack from waves of extraterrestrial monsters. The Peak was struck again by multiple monsters, including one that tore through the hangar in the direction of the station's power core. Marty—''Shard''—didn't hesitate. They dove down the jagged hole after it.

Shard tackled the monster as it tore its way to the core. The Peak had suffered fatal damage from multiple strikes, but at least the comms still worked. Although they heard '''Abigail Brand''' give the evacuation alert, Shard stayed where they were, doing everything in their power to keep it from reaching the core. They couldn't hold it off forever, though, and soon the monster ripped into the core with a giant paw to unleash the powerful fusion energies within. Shard sensed that it was absorbing the energy, growing more powerful—but it was too much for the monster to take. The last thing Shard saw was a brilliant flash as the core detonated, wiping out the monster and tearing the crippled Peak asunder.

When Shard came to some time later, they were less surprised to be in an alternate reality than to even still be alive at all. Not to mention stuck in this strange crystalline form...

'''Unbeknownst to Marty...''' 
It's unclear whether the core explosion sent Shard through a tear in reality, or they were plucked from Earth-608 in the nick of time.

Speaking of Shard: The crystal didn't absorb Marty's mind. Rather, he's a mutant with "crystalkinesis." In the chaos of the moment, Marty threw his consciousness into the crystal. Theoretically, he could learn to command crystalline structures outside his current form and even possibly return to his human body.

Back in Earth–608, Marty's body did make it off the Peak before the space station blew up. In fact, thanks to Shard taking on the monster, all the station personnel had enough time to evacuate. Unfortunately, the world is still under assault by strange monsters from beyond the stars...

== Home Reality ==

'''Earth–608''' is almost identical to Earth–616, but its timeline is a bit out of sync in two key ways:

S.W.O.R.D. is still in charge of monitoring extraterrestrial threats. Plus, the '''Monsters Unleashed''' event begins earlier, prior to Thanos's invasion of Earth. This means it's before '''Kei Kawade''' gains the power to make real whatever he draws—specifically the giant monsters that prove to be vital in defeating the '''[https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Leviathon_Tide_(Earth-616) Leviathon Tide]'''!

Exceedingly Exiled

2024-12-31T13:40:07Z

Bates: Added link to Earth-608 page

Handy-dandy links that will be updated when the rest of the threads go up:

[https://forum.rpg.net/index.php?threads/closed-recruitment-exceedingly-exiled-m-m-3e.924589/ Recruitment Thread]

=Introduction=

'''''Place:''' Nowhere. '''Time:''' Nowhen. This is where you find yourselves, taken from your lives as everything was falling apart and thrust into a desert that extends as far as the eye can see. Your realities have gone astray, as have so many others, and it falls to you to pick up the pieces and put right what has gone wrong. The endless possibilities of the Marvel Multiverse are your playground, and its time to make your mark.''

In this game, you'll be playing heroes from various realities in the Marvel Multiverse that have started to fall apart. Time isn't as reliable as we might like, and your timelines have gone down the wrong path. You've been taken from your home-timelines and brought together to repair these faults and fix the multiverse as best you can.

When creating a character, you can use a pre-existing Marvel universe, or make up one of your own, but think of what could have gone wrong that needs fixing. (There'll be plenty of universes to fix along the way, so if you need some time to work out a full background, it's not crucial to begin the campaign!)

The original Marvel Exiles was an X-Men spinoff that centred around that part of the Marvel Multiverse, but for this we'll be extending the reach to cover as much as we like. As long as your character has some grounding in Marvel, they should be welcome here.

=Characters=

* PL 10; 150 pp
* There are no hard bans, but potentially-disruptive mechanics should be run by me first
* Non-core material is on the table, but see the above
* Characters should be built with an eye towards setting-hopping: don't put all your points in your secret base unless it has a way to travel between realities with you!

==Player Characters==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''Player'''
! '''Character'''
! '''Home Reality'''
|-
| ajdynon
| Placeholder
| Placeholder
|-
| Bates
| [[Exceedingly_Exiled:Shard|Shard]]
| [[Exceedingly_Exiled:Earth-608|Earth-608]]
|-
| Fred
| [[Exceedingly_Exiled:O_Aranha|O Aranha]]
| Placeholder
|-
| Leliel
| [[Exceedingly_Exiled:Akehekh|Akehekh]]
| Placeholder
|-
| Muskrat
| [[Exceedingly_Exiled:Trouble_Maker|Trouble Maker]]
| Placeholder
|-
| t@nya
| [[Exceedingly_Exiled:Vestige|Vestige]]
| Placeholder
|-
| Unka Josh
| Placeholder
| Placeholder
|-
|}

Exceedingly Exiled:Earth-608

2024-12-31T13:38:36Z

Bates: Created page with "== '''Earth-608''' == '''Earth–608''' is almost identical to Earth–616, but its timeline is a bit out of sync in two key ways: S.W.O.R.D. is still in charge of monitorin..."

== '''Earth-608''' ==

'''Earth–608''' is almost identical to Earth–616, but its timeline is a bit out of sync in two key ways:

S.W.O.R.D. is still in charge of monitoring extraterrestrial threats.

The '''Monsters Unleashed''' event begins earlier—prior to Thanos's invasion of Earth. This means it's before '''Kei Kawade''' gains the power to make real whatever he draws—specifically the giant monsters that prove to be vital in defeating the '''Leviathon Tide'''!

== '''Home Dimension''' ==

'''Shard''' (Marty Thorn) calls Earth-608 home. They were shunted from it during an attack by the Leviathon Tide upon the '''Peak''', '''S.W.O.R.D.''''s base orbiting Earth. Shard was unable to stop the fusion parasite monster '''Aarbol''' from tearing open the space station core. The monster intended to absorb its energies but the core was too powerful, resulting in a tremendous detonation that tore the Peak asunder.

It's unclear whether this explosion also tore a dimensional hole through which Shard tumbled or some other agency plucked them from their home reality.

Exceedingly Exiled:Shard

2024-12-31T02:19:05Z

Bates: skill point adjustments

== '''Shard''' ==

'''Civilian Name:''' Martin "Marty" Thorn (public ID) 
'''Origin:''' Accident (actual: Mutant) 
'''Power Level:''' 10 
'''Gender Identity:''' N/A (originally Cisgender Male; now crystalline entity; they/them) 
'''Age:''' 20 years 
'''Appearance and Demeanor:''' Shard is an imposing 7-foot-tall being comprised of countless fragments of crystal that shift and shimmer constantly with unnerving subtlety, even when Shard stands still. Before becoming Shard, Marty grew up friendly but a bit of an introvert. Although a follower, he always had a strong moral compass. Since becoming Shard, they're a bit more boisterous. They also now prefer they/them pronouns. Whether that's due to feeling they're an entity made up of thousands of tiny discrete pieces or a larger understanding of their identity remains to be seen. 

[[File: Shard.jpg|600px]]

== Abilities ==

'''Strength:''' 12 (4pp) 
'''Stamina:''' 14 (8pp) 
'''Agility:''' 1 (2pp) 
'''Dexterity:''' 0 
'''Fighting:''' 6 (12pp) 
'''Intellect:''' 1 (2pp) 
'''Awareness:''' 3 (6pp) 
'''Presence:''' 1 (2pp)

== Defenses ==

'''Dodge (AGL):''' +6 (5pp) 
'''Fortitude (STA):''' +12 
'''Parry (FTG):''' +6 
'''Toughness (STA):''' +12 
'''Will (AWE):''' +6 (3pp)

== Skills ==

'''Athletics (STR):''' +12 
'''Close Combat: Unarmed (FTG):''' +8 (2pp) 
'''Deception (PRE):''' +1 
'''Insight (AWE):''' +5 (2pp) 
'''Intimidation (PRE):''' +2 (1pp) 
'''Investigation (INT):''' +8 (7pp) 
'''Perception (AWE):''' +3 
'''Persuasion (PRE):''' +1 
'''Ranged Combat (Throw) (DEX):''' 0 
'''Stealth (AGL):''' 1

== Complications ==

'''Motivation''':
* '''Acceptance''': Though Shard revels in the crystalline form's power, they are acutely aware of how monstrous they appear and do all they can to show the humanity that lies within.
'''Other Complications''':
* '''Monstrous''': Shard is a massive creature made of living crystal fragments that shift constantly. It can be a lot if you're not ready for it.
* '''Prejudice (Hidden)''': Though they don't know it, Shard is a mutant. Should this be revealed, they would face the hostility to mutants present in many parts of the multiverse.

== Advantages ==

'''Benefit, Ambidexterity''' (1pp): No circumstance penalty for using an off-hand. 
'''Fast Grab''' (1pp): Free action: make a grab check after making a successful unarmed attack. 
'''Improved Grab''' (1pp): Can grab using just one limb. Can maintain a grab while performing actions using other hand. You are not vulnerable while grabbing. 
'''Improved Hold''' (1pp): Opponents have a –5 circumstance penalty to escape your grab. 
'''Improved Trip''' (1pp): No attack penalty to trip and it does not provoke. Make opposed check w/ Athletics against your opponent's Acrobatics or Athletics (''you'' choose which). 
'''Instant Up''' (1pp): Stand from prone as a free action w/out an Acrobatics skill check. 
'''Interpose''' (1pp): Reaction (vs attack checks only): if an ally within range is hit by an attack, you can move between them and take the attack instead. 
'''Takedown''' (2pp): Free action: after rendering a minion incapacitated, take an extra attack against another minion (within your movement; does not need to be adjacent). Continue until you miss, use up movement, or there are no more minions. 
'''Ultimate Effort (Toughness)''' (1pp): Spend 1 hero point to get an automatic (non-natural) 20 on your die result.

== Powers ==

'''Malleable (Array): Ability to compress, extend, and otherwise re-form the crystalline fragments that comprise their form.'''
* '''Burrowing:''' 6 ranks (1pp)
<ul>60ft/rnd (4mph) / Limited: through material Toughness no greater than STR modifier)</ul>
* '''Elastic:''' Speed 2 ranks (1pp)
<ul>120ft/rnd (8mph) ground speed</ul>
* '''Flowing:''' Insubstantial 1 rank (5pp)
<ul>Flow through any opening or non-watertight restraint; can cushion falling target</ul>
* '''Stretching:''' Elongation 3 ranks (1pp)
<ul>60ft, +3 grab</ul>
* '''Swinging:''' Movement 1 rank (1pp)
<ul>30ft/rnd (2mph)</ul>
* '''Wall-crawling:''' Movement 2 ranks (1pp)
<ul>30ft/rnd (2mph) along walls/ceilings/etc</ul>

'''Crystalline Defenses'''
* '''Enhanced Stamina:''' 10 ranks (20pp)
<ul>Enhanced Trait: Stamina +10</ul>
* '''Immunity''' (20pp)
<ul>Environmental Conditions (all), Fatigue Effects, Life Support</ul>
* '''Impervious:''' 14 ranks (14pp)
<ul>Impervious (Toughness) 14</ul>

'''Crystalline Senses'''
* '''Sonar:''' Senses 3 (3pp)
<ul>Accurate: Hearing, Ultra-hearing</ul>

'''Crystalline Strength'''
* '''Enhanced Strength:''' 10 ranks (20pp)
<ul>Enhanced Trait: Strength +10</ul>
<ul><ul>* AE '''Shield:''' Create 10 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>50/100/250ft range, 1000cuft volume, DC20 / Impervious, Innate, Tether; Diminished Range 2, Proportional</ul></ul></ul>
<ul><ul>* AE '''Spikes:''' Damage 5 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>Reaction 3 (when attacked in close combat), DC20 
Requires DC10 attack check; Noticeable (jagged crystal shards)</ul></ul>
<ul>* AE '''Spray:''' Cone 2 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>60ft cone / Area Damage 10, DC20</ul></ul></ul>

== Power Points ==

'''150''' (36 Abilities + 6 Skills + 8 Defenses + 10 Advantages + 90 Powers)

== Backstory ==

'''Martin Thorn''' joined '''S.W.O.R.D.''' fresh out of grad school. He'd been angling for the FBI, but something in his test results spoke to S.W.O.R.D.

Four months in, '''monsters''' rained from the sky. This happened from time to time—comics, everybody!—but the frequency was increasing of late. Marty's field team was dispatched to investigate an impact site near Tuscon. Amid devastating collateral damage, the extraterrestrial monster fought the known monster '''Rommbu'''. The latter defeated the creature before disappearing. Among the evidence the S.W.O.R.D. team found at the site were strange crystal fragments—at least, Marty thought there was something strange about them; to his partner, '''Elena Cortés''', they were simply sharp rocks.

They'd just returned to the '''Peak''' when proximity alerts sounded—another wave of monsters was incoming from deep space! The space station was thrown off kilter as multiple monsters struck, its gravity systems unable to compensate fast enough. Anything that wasn't already secured went flying, including Marty and the case with the crystal fragments. The two collided and everything went black for Marty. Once S.W.O.R.D. personnel got things back under control, his unconscious body was discovered with a large crystal chunk embedded in his chest.

In the infirmary, '''Dr. Hank McCoy''' (aka '''Beast''') performed scans to see how the shard could be removed safely. He detected minute vibrations that soon grew stronger—suddenly the shard sprang from Marty's body and zipped from the room like a crystalline snake!

Beast was forced to remain behind to treat Marty's wound and make sure he was stable. S.W.O.R.D. security chased after the shard. They found it back in the hangar, absorbing the other crystal fragments. Swelling in size, the shard emitted a loud, strangely harmonious scream as it assumed a humanoid form.

Beast bounded in just then and the fight was on! Powerful as the shard was, this wasn't Beast's first rodeo. By the time he had the crystalline creature under control, Beast knew what he was dealing with. The crystal had somehow absorbed Marty's consciousness—Marty was the '''Shard'''!

Beast would need to do further tests to see whether the crystal had sapience of its own, not to mention to determine how—or even if—Marty's mind could be returned to his body.

Unfortunately, that would have to wait as Earth was still under attack from waves of extraterrestrial monsters. The Peak was struck again by multiple monsters, including one that tore through the hangar in the direction of the station's power core. Marty—''Shard''—didn't hesitate. They dove down the jagged hole after it.

Shard tackled the monster as it tore its way to the core. The Peak had suffered fatal damage from multiple strikes, but at least the comms still worked. Although they heard '''Abigail Brand''' give the evacuation alert, Shard stayed where they were, doing everything in their power to keep it from reaching the core. They couldn't hold it off forever, though, and soon the monster ripped into the core with a giant paw to unleash the powerful fusion energies within. Shard sensed that it was absorbing the energy, growing more powerful—but it was too much for the monster to take. The last thing Shard saw was a brilliant flash as the core detonated, wiping out the monster and tearing the crippled Peak asunder.

When Shard came to some time later, they were less surprised to be in an alternate reality than to even still be alive at all. Not to mention stuck in this strange crystalline form...

'''Unbeknownst to Marty...''' 
It's unclear whether the core explosion sent Shard through a tear in reality, or they were plucked from Earth-608 in the nick of time.

Speaking of Shard: The crystal didn't absorb Marty's mind. Rather, he's a mutant with "crystalkinesis." In the chaos of the moment, Marty threw his consciousness into the crystal. Theoretically, he could learn to command crystalline structures outside his current form and even possibly return to his human body.

Back in Earth–608, Marty's body did make it off the Peak before the space station blew up. In fact, thanks to Shard taking on the monster, all the station personnel had enough time to evacuate. Unfortunately, the world is still under assault by strange monsters from beyond the stars...

== Home Reality ==

'''Earth–608''' is almost identical to Earth–616, but its timeline is a bit out of sync in two key ways:

S.W.O.R.D. is still in charge of monitoring extraterrestrial threats. Plus, the '''Monsters Unleashed''' event begins earlier, prior to Thanos's invasion of Earth. This means it's before '''Kei Kawade''' gains the power to make real whatever he draws—specifically the giant monsters that prove to be vital in defeating the '''Leviathon Tide'''!

Exceedingly Exiled:Shard

2024-12-31T01:53:48Z

Bates: added character image

== '''Shard''' ==

'''Civilian Name:''' Martin "Marty" Thorn (public ID) 
'''Origin:''' Accident (actual: Mutant) 
'''Power Level:''' 10 
'''Gender Identity:''' N/A (originally Cisgender Male; now crystalline entity; they/them) 
'''Age:''' 20 years 
'''Appearance and Demeanor:''' Shard is an imposing 7-foot-tall being comprised of countless fragments of crystal that shift and shimmer constantly with unnerving subtlety, even when Shard stands still. Before becoming Shard, Marty grew up friendly but a bit of an introvert. Although a follower, he always had a strong moral compass. Since becoming Shard, they're a bit more boisterous. They also now prefer they/them pronouns. Whether that's due to feeling they're an entity made up of thousands of tiny discrete pieces or a larger understanding of their identity remains to be seen. 

[[File: Shard.jpg|600px]]

== Abilities ==

'''Strength:''' 12 (4pp) 
'''Stamina:''' 14 (8pp) 
'''Agility:''' 1 (2pp) 
'''Dexterity:''' 0 
'''Fighting:''' 6 (12pp) 
'''Intellect:''' 1 (2pp) 
'''Awareness:''' 3 (6pp) 
'''Presence:''' 1 (2pp)

== Defenses ==

'''Dodge (AGL):''' +6 (5pp) 
'''Fortitude (STA):''' +12 
'''Parry (FTG):''' +6 
'''Toughness (STA):''' +12 
'''Will (AWE):''' +6 (3pp)

== Skills ==

'''Athletics (STR):''' +12 
'''Close Combat: Unarmed (FTG):''' +8 (2pp) 
'''Deception (PRE):''' +1 
'''Insight (AWE):''' +6 (3pp) 
'''Intimidation (PRE):''' +3 (2pp) 
'''Investigation (INT):''' +6 (5pp) 
'''Perception (AWE):''' +3 
'''Persuasion (PRE):''' +1 
'''Ranged Combat (Throw) (DEX):''' 0 
'''Stealth (AGL):''' 1

== Complications ==

'''Motivation''':
* '''Acceptance''': Though Shard revels in the crystalline form's power, they are acutely aware of how monstrous they appear and do all they can to show the humanity that lies within.
'''Other Complications''':
* '''Monstrous''': Shard is a massive creature made of living crystal fragments that shift constantly. It can be a lot if you're not ready for it.
* '''Prejudice (Hidden)''': Though they don't know it, Shard is a mutant. Should this be revealed, they would face the hostility to mutants present in many parts of the multiverse.

== Advantages ==

'''Benefit, Ambidexterity''' (1pp): No circumstance penalty for using an off-hand. 
'''Fast Grab''' (1pp): Free action: make a grab check after making a successful unarmed attack. 
'''Improved Grab''' (1pp): Can grab using just one limb. Can maintain a grab while performing actions using other hand. You are not vulnerable while grabbing. 
'''Improved Hold''' (1pp): Opponents have a –5 circumstance penalty to escape your grab. 
'''Improved Trip''' (1pp): No attack penalty to trip and it does not provoke. Make opposed check w/ Athletics against your opponent's Acrobatics or Athletics (''you'' choose which). 
'''Instant Up''' (1pp): Stand from prone as a free action w/out an Acrobatics skill check. 
'''Interpose''' (1pp): Reaction (vs attack checks only): if an ally within range is hit by an attack, you can move between them and take the attack instead. 
'''Takedown''' (2pp): Free action: after rendering a minion incapacitated, take an extra attack against another minion (within your movement; does not need to be adjacent). Continue until you miss, use up movement, or there are no more minions. 
'''Ultimate Effort (Toughness)''' (1pp): Spend 1 hero point to get an automatic (non-natural) 20 on your die result.

== Powers ==

'''Malleable (Array): Ability to compress, extend, and otherwise re-form the crystalline fragments that comprise their form.'''
* '''Burrowing:''' 6 ranks (1pp)
<ul>60ft/rnd (4mph) / Limited: through material Toughness no greater than STR modifier)</ul>
* '''Elastic:''' Speed 2 ranks (1pp)
<ul>120ft/rnd (8mph) ground speed</ul>
* '''Flowing:''' Insubstantial 1 rank (5pp)
<ul>Flow through any opening or non-watertight restraint; can cushion falling target</ul>
* '''Stretching:''' Elongation 3 ranks (1pp)
<ul>60ft, +3 grab</ul>
* '''Swinging:''' Movement 1 rank (1pp)
<ul>30ft/rnd (2mph)</ul>
* '''Wall-crawling:''' Movement 2 ranks (1pp)
<ul>30ft/rnd (2mph) along walls/ceilings/etc</ul>

'''Crystalline Defenses'''
* '''Enhanced Stamina:''' 10 ranks (20pp)
<ul>Enhanced Trait: Stamina +10</ul>
* '''Immunity''' (20pp)
<ul>Environmental Conditions (all), Fatigue Effects, Life Support</ul>
* '''Impervious:''' 14 ranks (14pp)
<ul>Impervious (Toughness) 14</ul>

'''Crystalline Senses'''
* '''Sonar:''' Senses 3 (3pp)
<ul>Accurate: Hearing, Ultra-hearing</ul>

'''Crystalline Strength'''
* '''Enhanced Strength:''' 10 ranks (20pp)
<ul>Enhanced Trait: Strength +10</ul>
<ul><ul>* AE '''Shield:''' Create 10 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>50/100/250ft range, 1000cuft volume, DC20 / Impervious, Innate, Tether; Diminished Range 2, Proportional</ul></ul></ul>
<ul><ul>* AE '''Spikes:''' Damage 5 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>Reaction 3 (when attacked in close combat), DC20 
Requires DC10 attack check; Noticeable (jagged crystal shards)</ul></ul>
<ul>* AE '''Spray:''' Cone 2 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>60ft cone / Area Damage 10, DC20</ul></ul></ul>

== Power Points ==

'''150''' (36 Abilities + 6 Skills + 8 Defenses + 10 Advantages + 90 Powers)

== Backstory ==

'''Martin Thorn''' joined '''S.W.O.R.D.''' fresh out of grad school. He'd been angling for the FBI, but something in his test results spoke to S.W.O.R.D.

Four months in, '''monsters''' rained from the sky. This happened from time to time—comics, everybody!—but the frequency was increasing of late. Marty's field team was dispatched to investigate an impact site near Tuscon. Amid devastating collateral damage, the extraterrestrial monster fought the known monster '''Rommbu'''. The latter defeated the creature before disappearing. Among the evidence the S.W.O.R.D. team found at the site were strange crystal fragments—at least, Marty thought there was something strange about them; to his partner, '''Elena Cortés''', they were simply sharp rocks.

They'd just returned to the '''Peak''' when proximity alerts sounded—another wave of monsters was incoming from deep space! The space station was thrown off kilter as multiple monsters struck, its gravity systems unable to compensate fast enough. Anything that wasn't already secured went flying, including Marty and the case with the crystal fragments. The two collided and everything went black for Marty. Once S.W.O.R.D. personnel got things back under control, his unconscious body was discovered with a large crystal chunk embedded in his chest.

In the infirmary, '''Dr. Hank McCoy''' (aka '''Beast''') performed scans to see how the shard could be removed safely. He detected minute vibrations that soon grew stronger—suddenly the shard sprang from Marty's body and zipped from the room like a crystalline snake!

Beast was forced to remain behind to treat Marty's wound and make sure he was stable. S.W.O.R.D. security chased after the shard. They found it back in the hangar, absorbing the other crystal fragments. Swelling in size, the shard emitted a loud, strangely harmonious scream as it assumed a humanoid form.

Beast bounded in just then and the fight was on! Powerful as the shard was, this wasn't Beast's first rodeo. By the time he had the crystalline creature under control, Beast knew what he was dealing with. The crystal had somehow absorbed Marty's consciousness—Marty was the '''Shard'''!

Beast would need to do further tests to see whether the crystal had sapience of its own, not to mention to determine how—or even if—Marty's mind could be returned to his body.

Unfortunately, that would have to wait as Earth was still under attack from waves of extraterrestrial monsters. The Peak was struck again by multiple monsters, including one that tore through the hangar in the direction of the station's power core. Marty—''Shard''—didn't hesitate. They dove down the jagged hole after it.

Shard tackled the monster as it tore its way to the core. The Peak had suffered fatal damage from multiple strikes, but at least the comms still worked. Although they heard '''Abigail Brand''' give the evacuation alert, Shard stayed where they were, doing everything in their power to keep it from reaching the core. They couldn't hold it off forever, though, and soon the monster ripped into the core with a giant paw to unleash the powerful fusion energies within. Shard sensed that it was absorbing the energy, growing more powerful—but it was too much for the monster to take. The last thing Shard saw was a brilliant flash as the core detonated, wiping out the monster and tearing the crippled Peak asunder.

When Shard came to some time later, they were less surprised to be in an alternate reality than to even still be alive at all. Not to mention stuck in this strange crystalline form...

'''Unbeknownst to Marty...''' 
It's unclear whether the core explosion sent Shard through a tear in reality, or they were plucked from Earth-608 in the nick of time.

Speaking of Shard: The crystal didn't absorb Marty's mind. Rather, he's a mutant with "crystalkinesis." In the chaos of the moment, Marty threw his consciousness into the crystal. Theoretically, he could learn to command crystalline structures outside his current form and even possibly return to his human body.

Back in Earth–608, Marty's body did make it off the Peak before the space station blew up. In fact, thanks to Shard taking on the monster, all the station personnel had enough time to evacuate. Unfortunately, the world is still under assault by strange monsters from beyond the stars...

== Home Reality ==

'''Earth–608''' is almost identical to Earth–616, but its timeline is a bit out of sync in two key ways:

S.W.O.R.D. is still in charge of monitoring extraterrestrial threats. Plus, the '''Monsters Unleashed''' event begins earlier, prior to Thanos's invasion of Earth. This means it's before '''Kei Kawade''' gains the power to make real whatever he draws—specifically the giant monsters that prove to be vital in defeating the '''Leviathon Tide'''!

File:Shard.jpg

2024-12-31T01:52:48Z

Bates: Image of Shard

== Summary ==
Image of Shard

Exceedingly Exiled:Shard

2024-12-31T01:48:15Z

Bates: Revised layout to match other character pages

== '''Shard''' ==

'''Civilian Name:''' Martin "Marty" Thorn (public ID) 
'''Origin:''' Accident (actual: Mutant) 
'''Power Level:''' 10 
'''Gender Identity:''' N/A (originally Cisgender Male; now crystalline entity; they/them) 
'''Age:''' 20 years 
'''Appearance and Demeanor:''' Shard is an imposing 7-foot-tall being comprised of countless fragments of crystal that shift and shimmer constantly with unnerving subtlety, even when Shard stands still. Before becoming Shard, Marty grew up friendly but a bit of an introvert. Although a follower, he always had a strong moral compass. Since becoming Shard, they're a bit more boisterous. They also now prefer they/them pronouns. Whether that's due to feeling they're an entity made up of thousands of tiny discrete pieces or a larger understanding of their identity remains to be seen. 

== Abilities ==

'''Strength:''' 12 (4pp) 
'''Stamina:''' 14 (8pp) 
'''Agility:''' 1 (2pp) 
'''Dexterity:''' 0 
'''Fighting:''' 6 (12pp) 
'''Intellect:''' 1 (2pp) 
'''Awareness:''' 3 (6pp) 
'''Presence:''' 1 (2pp)

== Defenses ==

'''Dodge (AGL):''' +6 (5pp) 
'''Fortitude (STA):''' +12 
'''Parry (FTG):''' +6 
'''Toughness (STA):''' +12 
'''Will (AWE):''' +6 (3pp)

== Skills ==

'''Athletics (STR):''' +12 
'''Close Combat: Unarmed (FTG):''' +8 (2pp) 
'''Deception (PRE):''' +1 
'''Insight (AWE):''' +6 (3pp) 
'''Intimidation (PRE):''' +3 (2pp) 
'''Investigation (INT):''' +6 (5pp) 
'''Perception (AWE):''' +3 
'''Persuasion (PRE):''' +1 
'''Ranged Combat (Throw) (DEX):''' 0 
'''Stealth (AGL):''' 1

== Complications ==

'''Motivation''':
* '''Acceptance''': Though Shard revels in the crystalline form's power, they are acutely aware of how monstrous they appear and do all they can to show the humanity that lies within.
'''Other Complications''':
* '''Monstrous''': Shard is a massive creature made of living crystal fragments that shift constantly. It can be a lot if you're not ready for it.
* '''Prejudice (Hidden)''': Though they don't know it, Shard is a mutant. Should this be revealed, they would face the hostility to mutants present in many parts of the multiverse.

== Advantages ==

'''Benefit, Ambidexterity''' (1pp): No circumstance penalty for using an off-hand. 
'''Fast Grab''' (1pp): Free action: make a grab check after making a successful unarmed attack. 
'''Improved Grab''' (1pp): Can grab using just one limb. Can maintain a grab while performing actions using other hand. You are not vulnerable while grabbing. 
'''Improved Hold''' (1pp): Opponents have a –5 circumstance penalty to escape your grab. 
'''Improved Trip''' (1pp): No attack penalty to trip and it does not provoke. Make opposed check w/ Athletics against your opponent's Acrobatics or Athletics (''you'' choose which). 
'''Instant Up''' (1pp): Stand from prone as a free action w/out an Acrobatics skill check. 
'''Interpose''' (1pp): Reaction (vs attack checks only): if an ally within range is hit by an attack, you can move between them and take the attack instead. 
'''Takedown''' (2pp): Free action: after rendering a minion incapacitated, take an extra attack against another minion (within your movement; does not need to be adjacent). Continue until you miss, use up movement, or there are no more minions. 
'''Ultimate Effort (Toughness)''' (1pp): Spend 1 hero point to get an automatic (non-natural) 20 on your die result.

== Powers ==

'''Malleable (Array): Ability to compress, extend, and otherwise re-form the crystalline fragments that comprise their form.'''
* '''Burrowing:''' 6 ranks (1pp)
<ul>60ft/rnd (4mph) / Limited: through material Toughness no greater than STR modifier)</ul>
* '''Elastic:''' Speed 2 ranks (1pp)
<ul>120ft/rnd (8mph) ground speed</ul>
* '''Flowing:''' Insubstantial 1 rank (5pp)
<ul>Flow through any opening or non-watertight restraint; can cushion falling target</ul>
* '''Stretching:''' Elongation 3 ranks (1pp)
<ul>60ft, +3 grab</ul>
* '''Swinging:''' Movement 1 rank (1pp)
<ul>30ft/rnd (2mph)</ul>
* '''Wall-crawling:''' Movement 2 ranks (1pp)
<ul>30ft/rnd (2mph) along walls/ceilings/etc</ul>

'''Crystalline Defenses'''
* '''Enhanced Stamina:''' 10 ranks (20pp)
<ul>Enhanced Trait: Stamina +10</ul>
* '''Immunity''' (20pp)
<ul>Environmental Conditions (all), Fatigue Effects, Life Support</ul>
* '''Impervious:''' 14 ranks (14pp)
<ul>Impervious (Toughness) 14</ul>

'''Crystalline Senses'''
* '''Sonar:''' Senses 3 (3pp)
<ul>Accurate: Hearing, Ultra-hearing</ul>

'''Crystalline Strength'''
* '''Enhanced Strength:''' 10 ranks (20pp)
<ul>Enhanced Trait: Strength +10</ul>
<ul><ul>* AE '''Shield:''' Create 10 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>50/100/250ft range, 1000cuft volume, DC20 / Impervious, Innate, Tether; Diminished Range 2, Proportional</ul></ul></ul>
<ul><ul>* AE '''Spikes:''' Damage 5 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>Reaction 3 (when attacked in close combat), DC20 
Requires DC10 attack check; Noticeable (jagged crystal shards)</ul></ul>
<ul>* AE '''Spray:''' Cone 2 (1pp)</ul>
<ul><ul>60ft cone / Area Damage 10, DC20</ul>

== Power Points ==

'''150''' (36 Abilities + 6 Skills + 8 Defenses + 10 Advantages + 90 Powers)

== Backstory ==

'''Martin Thorn''' joined '''S.W.O.R.D.''' fresh out of grad school. He'd been angling for the FBI, but something in his test results spoke to S.W.O.R.D.

Four months in, '''monsters''' rained from the sky. This happened from time to time—comics, everybody!—but the frequency was increasing of late. Marty's field team was dispatched to investigate an impact site near Tuscon. Amid devastating collateral damage, the extraterrestrial monster fought the known monster '''Rommbu'''. The latter defeated the creature before disappearing. Among the evidence the S.W.O.R.D. team found at the site were strange crystal fragments—at least, Marty thought there was something strange about them; to his partner, '''Elena Cortés''', they were simply sharp rocks.

They'd just returned to the '''Peak''' when proximity alerts sounded—another wave of monsters was incoming from deep space! The space station was thrown off kilter as multiple monsters struck, its gravity systems unable to compensate fast enough. Anything that wasn't already secured went flying, including Marty and the case with the crystal fragments. The two collided and everything went black for Marty. Once S.W.O.R.D. personnel got things back under control, his unconscious body was discovered with a large crystal chunk embedded in his chest.

In the infirmary, '''Dr. Hank McCoy''' (aka '''Beast''') performed scans to see how the shard could be removed safely. He detected minute vibrations that soon grew stronger—suddenly the shard sprang from Marty's body and zipped from the room like a crystalline snake!

Beast was forced to remain behind to treat Marty's wound and make sure he was stable. S.W.O.R.D. security chased after the shard. They found it back in the hangar, absorbing the other crystal fragments. Swelling in size, the shard emitted a loud, strangely harmonious scream as it assumed a humanoid form.

Beast bounded in just then and the fight was on! Powerful as the shard was, this wasn't Beast's first rodeo. By the time he had the crystalline creature under control, Beast knew what he was dealing with. The crystal had somehow absorbed Marty's consciousness—Marty was the '''Shard'''!

Beast would need to do further tests to see whether the crystal had sapience of its own, not to mention to determine how—or even if—Marty's mind could be returned to his body.

Unfortunately, that would have to wait as Earth was still under attack from waves of extraterrestrial monsters. The Peak was struck again by multiple monsters, including one that tore through the hangar in the direction of the station's power core. Marty—''Shard''—didn't hesitate. They dove down the jagged hole after it.

Shard tackled the monster as it tore its way to the core. The Peak had suffered fatal damage from multiple strikes, but at least the comms still worked. Although they heard '''Abigail Brand''' give the evacuation alert, Shard stayed where they were, doing everything in their power to keep it from reaching the core. They couldn't hold it off forever, though, and soon the monster ripped into the core with a giant paw to unleash the powerful fusion energies within. Shard sensed that it was absorbing the energy, growing more powerful—but it was too much for the monster to take. The last thing Shard saw was a brilliant flash as the core detonated, wiping out the monster and tearing the crippled Peak asunder.

When Shard came to some time later, they were less surprised to be in an alternate reality than to even still be alive at all. Not to mention stuck in this strange crystalline form...

'''Unbeknownst to Marty...''' 
It's unclear whether the core explosion sent Shard through a tear in reality, or they were plucked from Earth-608 in the nick of time.

Speaking of Shard: The crystal didn't absorb Marty's mind. Rather, he's a mutant with "crystalkinesis." In the chaos of the moment, Marty threw his consciousness into the crystal. Theoretically, he could learn to command crystalline structures outside his current form and even possibly return to his human body.

Back in Earth–608, Marty's body did make it off the Peak before the space station blew up. In fact, thanks to Shard taking on the monster, all the station personnel had enough time to evacuate. Unfortunately, the world is still under assault by strange monsters from beyond the stars...

== Home Reality ==

'''Earth–608''' is almost identical to Earth–616, but its timeline is a bit out of sync in two key ways:

S.W.O.R.D. is still in charge of monitoring extraterrestrial threats. Plus, the '''Monsters Unleashed''' event begins earlier, prior to Thanos's invasion of Earth. This means it's before '''Kei Kawade''' gains the power to make real whatever he draws—specifically the giant monsters that prove to be vital in defeating the '''Leviathon Tide'''!

Exceedingly Exiled:Shard

2024-12-30T19:30:26Z

Bates: deleted extra irrelevant text

'''PL10''' 
'''Real Name:''' Martin "Marty" Thorn (public ID) 
'''Age:''' 20 
'''Height:''' 7ft 
'''Weight:''' 650 lb 
'''Gender:''' N/A (crystalline entity, they/them) 
'''Home reality:''' Earth-608 
'''Abilities'''
<ul>'''STR''' 12 '''STA''' 14 '''AGL''' 1 '''DEX''' 0 '''FGT''' 6 '''INT''' 1 '''AWE''' 3 '''PRE''' 1</ul> 
'''Skills'''
<ul>Athletics 12, Close Combat: Unarmed 6 (+8), Deception 1, Insight 3 (+6), Intimidation 1 (+2), Investigation 1 (+5), Perception 3, Persuasion 1, Ranged Combat (Throw) 0, Stealth 1</ul> 
'''Advantages''' 
<ul>Benefit, Ambidexterity, Fast Grab, Improved Grab, Improved Hold, Improved Trip, Instant Up, Interpose, Takedown 2, Ultimate Effort (Toughness)</ul> 
'''Powers''' 
<ul>'''Malleable (Array):''' Burrowing 6 (Limited: through material Toughness no greater than STR mod), Clinging (Movement: Wall-crawling 2), Elastic (Speed 2), Flowing (Insubstantial 1), Stretching (Elongation 3), Swinging (Movement 1) • ''10pts'' 

'''Crystalline Defenses:''' Enhanced Stamina +10, Immunity 20 (Environmental Conditions (all), Fatigue Effects, Life Support), Impervious (Toughness) 14 • ''54pts'' 

'''Crystalline Senses:''' Sonar (Senses 3: Accurate: Hearing, Ultra-hearing) • ''3pts'' 

'''Crystalline Strength:''' Enhanced Strength +10 (100 tons) • ''20pts'' 
<ul><li>AE: '''Shield''' (Create 10, Impervious, Innate, Tether / Diminished Range 2, Proportional) • ''1pt'' 
<li>AE: '''Spikes''' (Damage 5) • ''1pt'' 
<li>AE: '''Spray''' (Cone 2) • ''1pt''</li>
</ul></ul> 
'''Offense''' 
<ul>Initiative +1 
Unarmed +8, Close, Damage 12 
Spray (Burst Cone 60ft, Area, Damage 10)</ul> 
'''Defense''' 
<ul>Dodge 6 
Parry 6 
Toughness 12 
Fortitude 12 
Will 6 
Shield (see above) 
Spikes (Reaction 3 (when attacked in close combat), Requires DC 10 attack check, Noticeable (jagged crystal shards), Damage 5)</ul> 
'''Power Points''' 
<ul>Abilities 36 + Skills 6 + Advantages 10 + Powers 90 + Defenses 8 = 150</ul> 
'''Complications''' 
<ul>'''Monstrous:''' A huge humanoid form comprised of countless fragments of crystal that shift and shimmer constantly with unnerving subtlety, even when Shard stands still. 
'''Motivation: Acceptance:''' Though Shard revels in the crystalline form's power, they are acutely aware of how monstrous they appear and do all they can to show the humanity that lies within.</ul> 
'''Background''' 
'''Martin Thorn''' joined '''S.W.O.R.D.''' fresh out of grad school. He'd been angling for the FBI, but something in his test results spoke to S.W.O.R.D.

Four months in, monsters rained from the sky. This happened from time to time—comics, everybody!—but the frequency was increasing of late. Marty's field team was dispatched to investigate an impact site near Tuscon. Amid devastating collateral damage, the extraterrestrial monster fought the known monster '''Rommbu'''. The latter defeated the creature before disappearing. Among the evidence the S.W.O.R.D. team found at the site were strange crystal fragments—at least, Marty thought there was something strange about them; to his partner, '''Elena Cortés''', they were simply sharp rocks.

They'd just returned to the '''Peak''' when proximity alerts sounded—another wave of monsters was incoming from deep space! The space station was thrown off kilter as multiple monsters struck, its gravity systems unable to compensate fast enough. Anything that wasn't already secured went flying, including Marty and the case with the crystal fragments. The two collided and everything went black for Marty. Once S.W.O.R.D. personnel got things back under control, his unconscious body was discovered with a large crystal chunk embedded in his chest.

In the infirmary, '''Dr. Hank McCoy''' (aka '''Beast''') performed scans to see how the shard could be removed safely. He detected minute vibrations that soon grew stronger—suddenly the shard sprang from Marty's body and zipped from the room like a crystalline snake!

Beast was forced to remain behind to treat Marty's wound and make sure he was stable. S.W.O.R.D. security chased after the shard. They found it back in the hangar, absorbing the other crystal fragments. Swelling in size, the shard emitted a loud, strangely harmonious scream as it assumed a humanoid form.

Beast bounded in just then and the fight was on! Powerful as the shard was, this wasn't Beast's first rodeo. By the time he had the crystalline creature under control, Beast knew what he was dealing with. The crystal had somehow absorbed Marty's consciousness—Marty was the '''Shard'''!

Beast would need to do further tests to see whether the crystal had sapience of its own, not to mention to determine how—or even if—Marty's mind could be returned to his body.

Unfortunately, that would have to wait as Earth was still under attack from waves of extraterrestrial monsters. The Peak was struck again by multiple monsters, including one that tore through the hangar in the direction of the station's power core. Marty—''Shard''—didn't hesitate. They dove down the jagged hole after it.

Shard tackled the monster as it tore its way to the core. The Peak had suffered fatal damage from multiple strikes, but at least the comms still worked. Although they heard '''Abigail Brand''' give the evacuation alert, Shard stayed where they were, doing everything in their power to keep it from reaching the core. They couldn't hold it off forever, though, and soon the monster ripped into the core with a giant paw to unleash the powerful fusion energies within. Shard sensed that it was absorbing the energy, growing more powerful—but it was too much for the monster to take. The last thing Shard saw was a brilliant flash as the core detonated, wiping out the monster and tearing the crippled Peak asunder.

When Shard came to some time later, they were less surprised to be in an alternate reality than to even still be alive at all. Not to mention stuck in this strange crystalline form... 

'''Unbeknownst to Marty...''' 
It's unclear whether the core explosion sent Shard through a tear in reality, or they were plucked from '''Earth-608''' in the nick of time.

Speaking of Shard: The crystal didn't absorb Marty's mind. Rather, he's a mutant with "crystalkinesis." In the chaos of the moment, Marty threw his consciousness into the crystal. Theoretically, he could learn to command crystalline structures outside his current form and even possibly return to his human body.

Back in Earth–608, Marty's body did make it off the Peak before the space station blew up. In fact, thanks to Shard taking on the monster, all the station personnel had enough time to evacuate. Unfortunately, the world is still under assault by strange monsters from beyond the stars... 

'''Personality''' 
Marty grew up friendly but a bit of an introvert. Although a follower, he always had a strong moral compass.

Since becoming Shard, they're a bit more boisterous. They also now prefer they/them pronouns. Whether that's due to feeling they're an entity made up of thousands of tiny discrete pieces or a larger understanding of their identity remains to be seen.

'''Earth–608''' 
This reality is almost identical to Earth–616. The main distinction is that its timeline is a bit out of sync in two key ways:

S.W.O.R.D. is still in charge of monitoring extraterrestrial threats. Plus, the '''Monsters Unleashed''' event begins earlier, prior to Thanos's invasion of Earth. This means it's before '''Kei Kawade''' gains the power to make real whatever he draws—specifically the giant monsters that prove to be vital in defeating the '''Leviathon Tide'''!

RPGnet:Shard

2024-12-30T17:16:38Z

Bates: duplicate page for https://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Exceedingly_Exiled:Shard

Accidental duplicate

Exceedingly Exiled:Shard

2024-12-30T17:15:53Z

Bates:

'''PL10''' 
'''Real Name:''' Martin "Marty" Thorn (public ID) 
'''Age:''' 20 
'''Height:''' 7ft 
'''Weight:''' 650 lb 
'''Gender:''' N/A (crystalline entity, they/them) 
'''Home reality:''' Earth-608 
'''Abilities'''
<ul>'''STR''' 12 '''STA''' 14 '''AGL''' 1 '''DEX''' 0 '''FGT''' 6 '''INT''' 1 '''AWE''' 3 '''PRE''' 1</ul> 
'''Skills'''
<ul>Athletics 12, Close Combat: Unarmed 6 (+8), Deception 1, Insight 3 (+6), Intimidation 1 (+2), Investigation 1 (+5), Perception 3, Persuasion 1, Ranged Combat (Throw) 0, Stealth 1</ul> 
'''Advantages''' 
<ul>Benefit, Ambidexterity, Fast Grab, Improved Grab, Improved Hold, Improved Trip, Instant Up, Interpose, Takedown 2, Ultimate Effort (Toughness)</ul> 
'''Powers''' 
<ul>'''Malleable (Array):''' Burrowing 6 (Limited: through material Toughness no greater than STR mod), Clinging (Movement: Wall-crawling 2), Elastic (Speed 2), Flowing (Insubstantial 1), Stretching (Elongation 3), Swinging (Movement 1) • ''10pts'' 

'''Crystalline Defenses:''' Enhanced Stamina +10, Immunity 20 (Environmental Conditions (all), Fatigue Effects, Life Support), Impervious (Toughness) 14 • ''54pts'' 

'''Crystalline Senses:''' Sonar (Senses 3: Accurate: Hearing, Ultra-hearing) • ''3pts'' 

'''Crystalline Strength:''' Enhanced Strength +10 (100 tons) • ''20pts'' 
<ul><li>AE: '''Shield''' (Create 10, Impervious, Innate, Tether / Diminished Range 2, Proportional) • ''1pt'' 
<li>AE: '''Spikes''' (Damage 5) • ''1pt'' 
<li>AE: '''Spray''' (Cone 2) • ''1pt''</li>
</ul></ul> 
'''Offense''' 
<ul>Initiative +1 
Unarmed +8, Close, Damage 12 
Spray (Burst Cone 60ft, Area, Damage 10)</ul> 
'''Defense''' 
<ul>Dodge 6 
Parry 6 
Toughness 12 
Fortitude 12 
Will 6 
Shield (see above) 
Spikes (Reaction 3 (when attacked in close combat), Requires DC 10 attack check, Noticeable (jagged crystal shards), Damage 5) 
Dodge 9, Parry 9
Toughness 15 (Impervious), Fortitude 15, Will 9</ul> 
'''Power Points''' 
<ul>Abilities 36 + Skills 6 + Advantages 10 + Powers 90 + Defenses 8 = 150</ul> 
'''Complications''' 
<ul>'''Monstrous:''' A huge humanoid form comprised of countless fragments of crystal that shift and shimmer constantly with unnerving subtlety, even when Shard stands still. 
'''Motivation: Acceptance:''' Though Shard revels in the crystalline form's power, they are acutely aware of how monstrous they appear and do all they can to show the humanity that lies within.</ul> 
'''Background''' 
'''Martin Thorn''' joined '''S.W.O.R.D.''' fresh out of grad school. He'd been angling for the FBI, but something in his test results spoke to S.W.O.R.D.

Four months in, monsters rained from the sky. This happened from time to time—comics, everybody!—but the frequency was increasing of late. Marty's field team was dispatched to investigate an impact site near Tuscon. Amid devastating collateral damage, the extraterrestrial monster fought the known monster '''Rommbu'''. The latter defeated the creature before disappearing. Among the evidence the S.W.O.R.D. team found at the site were strange crystal fragments—at least, Marty thought there was something strange about them; to his partner, '''Elena Cortés''', they were simply sharp rocks.

They'd just returned to the '''Peak''' when proximity alerts sounded—another wave of monsters was incoming from deep space! The space station was thrown off kilter as multiple monsters struck, its gravity systems unable to compensate fast enough. Anything that wasn't already secured went flying, including Marty and the case with the crystal fragments. The two collided and everything went black for Marty. Once S.W.O.R.D. personnel got things back under control, his unconscious body was discovered with a large crystal chunk embedded in his chest.

In the infirmary, '''Dr. Hank McCoy''' (aka '''Beast''') performed scans to see how the shard could be removed safely. He detected minute vibrations that soon grew stronger—suddenly the shard sprang from Marty's body and zipped from the room like a crystalline snake!

Beast was forced to remain behind to treat Marty's wound and make sure he was stable. S.W.O.R.D. security chased after the shard. They found it back in the hangar, absorbing the other crystal fragments. Swelling in size, the shard emitted a loud, strangely harmonious scream as it assumed a humanoid form.

Beast bounded in just then and the fight was on! Powerful as the shard was, this wasn't Beast's first rodeo. By the time he had the crystalline creature under control, Beast knew what he was dealing with. The crystal had somehow absorbed Marty's consciousness—Marty was the '''Shard'''!

Beast would need to do further tests to see whether the crystal had sapience of its own, not to mention to determine how—or even if—Marty's mind could be returned to his body.

Unfortunately, that would have to wait as Earth was still under attack from waves of extraterrestrial monsters. The Peak was struck again by multiple monsters, including one that tore through the hangar in the direction of the station's power core. Marty—''Shard''—didn't hesitate. They dove down the jagged hole after it.

Shard tackled the monster as it tore its way to the core. The Peak had suffered fatal damage from multiple strikes, but at least the comms still worked. Although they heard '''Abigail Brand''' give the evacuation alert, Shard stayed where they were, doing everything in their power to keep it from reaching the core. They couldn't hold it off forever, though, and soon the monster ripped into the core with a giant paw to unleash the powerful fusion energies within. Shard sensed that it was absorbing the energy, growing more powerful—but it was too much for the monster to take. The last thing Shard saw was a brilliant flash as the core detonated, wiping out the monster and tearing the crippled Peak asunder.

When Shard came to some time later, they were less surprised to be in an alternate reality than to even still be alive at all. Not to mention stuck in this strange crystalline form... 

'''Unbeknownst to Marty...''' 
It's unclear whether the core explosion sent Shard through a tear in reality, or they were plucked from '''Earth-608''' in the nick of time.

Speaking of Shard: The crystal didn't absorb Marty's mind. Rather, he's a mutant with "crystalkinesis." In the chaos of the moment, Marty threw his consciousness into the crystal. Theoretically, he could learn to command crystalline structures outside his current form and even possibly return to his human body.

Back in Earth–608, Marty's body did make it off the Peak before the space station blew up. In fact, thanks to Shard taking on the monster, all the station personnel had enough time to evacuate. Unfortunately, the world is still under assault by strange monsters from beyond the stars... 

'''Personality''' 
Marty grew up friendly but a bit of an introvert. Although a follower, he always had a strong moral compass.

Since becoming Shard, they're a bit more boisterous. They also now prefer they/them pronouns. Whether that's due to feeling they're an entity made up of thousands of tiny discrete pieces or a larger understanding of their identity remains to be seen.

'''Earth–608''' 
This reality is almost identical to Earth–616. The main distinction is that its timeline is a bit out of sync in two key ways:

S.W.O.R.D. is still in charge of monitoring extraterrestrial threats. Plus, the '''Monsters Unleashed''' event begins earlier, prior to Thanos's invasion of Earth. This means it's before '''Kei Kawade''' gains the power to make real whatever he draws—specifically the giant monsters that prove to be vital in defeating the '''Leviathon Tide'''!

Exceedingly Exiled:Shard

2024-12-30T17:13:48Z

Bates: created character page

'''PL10''' 
'''Real Name:''' Martin "Marty" Thorn (public ID) 
'''Age:''' 20 
'''Height:''' 7ft 
'''Weight:''' 650 
'''Gender:''' N/A (crystalline entity, they/them) 
'''Home reality:''' Earth-608 
'''Abilities'''
<ul>'''STR''' 12 '''STA''' 14 '''AGL''' 1 '''DEX''' 0 '''FGT''' 6 '''INT''' 1 '''AWE''' 3 '''PRE''' 1</ul> 
'''Skills'''
<ul>Athletics 12, Close Combat: Unarmed 6 (+8), Deception 1, Insight 3 (+6), Intimidation 1 (+2), Investigation 1 (+5), Perception 3, Persuasion 1, Ranged Combat (Throw) 0, Stealth 1</ul> 
'''Advantages''' 
<ul>Benefit, Ambidexterity, Fast Grab, Improved Grab, Improved Hold, Improved Trip, Instant Up, Interpose, Takedown 2, Ultimate Effort (Toughness)</ul> 
'''Powers''' 
<ul>'''Malleable (Array):''' Burrowing 6 (Limited: through material Toughness no greater than STR mod), Clinging (Movement: Wall-crawling 2), Elastic (Speed 2), Flowing (Insubstantial 1), Stretching (Elongation 3), Swinging (Movement 1) • ''10pts'' 

'''Crystalline Defenses:''' Enhanced Stamina +10, Immunity 20 (Environmental Conditions (all), Fatigue Effects, Life Support), Impervious (Toughness) 14 • ''54pts'' 

'''Crystalline Senses:''' Sonar (Senses 3: Accurate: Hearing, Ultra-hearing) • ''3pts'' 

'''Crystalline Strength:''' Enhanced Strength +10 (100 tons) • ''20pts'' 
<ul><li>AE: '''Shield''' (Create 10, Impervious, Innate, Tether / Diminished Range 2, Proportional) • ''1pt'' 
<li>AE: '''Spikes''' (Damage 5) • ''1pt'' 
<li>AE: '''Spray''' (Cone 2) • ''1pt''</li>
</ul></ul> 
'''Offense''' 
<ul>Initiative +1 
Unarmed +8, Close, Damage 12 
Spray (Burst Cone 60ft, Area, Damage 10)</ul> 
'''Defense''' 
<ul>Dodge 6 
Parry 6 
Toughness 12 
Fortitude 12 
Will 6 
Shield (see above) 
Spikes (Reaction 3 (when attacked in close combat), Requires DC 10 attack check, Noticeable (jagged crystal shards), Damage 5) 
Dodge 9, Parry 9
Toughness 15 (Impervious), Fortitude 15, Will 9</ul> 
'''Power Points''' 
<ul>Abilities 36 + Skills 6 + Advantages 10 + Powers 90 + Defenses 8 = 150</ul> 
'''Complications''' 
<ul>'''Monstrous:''' A huge humanoid form comprised of countless fragments of crystal that shift and shimmer constantly with unnerving subtlety, even when Shard stands still. 
'''Motivation: Acceptance:''' Though Shard revels in the crystalline form's power, they are acutely aware of how monstrous they appear and do all they can to show the humanity that lies within.</ul> 
'''Background''' 
'''Martin Thorn''' joined '''S.W.O.R.D.''' fresh out of grad school. He'd been angling for the FBI, but something in his test results spoke to S.W.O.R.D.

Four months in, monsters rained from the sky. This happened from time to time—comics, everybody!—but the frequency was increasing of late. Marty's field team was dispatched to investigate an impact site near Tuscon. Amid devastating collateral damage, the extraterrestrial monster fought the known monster '''Rommbu'''. The latter defeated the creature before disappearing. Among the evidence the S.W.O.R.D. team found at the site were strange crystal fragments—at least, Marty thought there was something strange about them; to his partner, '''Elena Cortés''', they were simply sharp rocks.

They'd just returned to the '''Peak''' when proximity alerts sounded—another wave of monsters was incoming from deep space! The space station was thrown off kilter as multiple monsters struck, its gravity systems unable to compensate fast enough. Anything that wasn't already secured went flying, including Marty and the case with the crystal fragments. The two collided and everything went black for Marty. Once S.W.O.R.D. personnel got things back under control, his unconscious body was discovered with a large crystal chunk embedded in his chest.

In the infirmary, '''Dr. Hank McCoy''' (aka '''Beast''') performed scans to see how the shard could be removed safely. He detected minute vibrations that soon grew stronger—suddenly the shard sprang from Marty's body and zipped from the room like a crystalline snake!

Beast was forced to remain behind to treat Marty's wound and make sure he was stable. S.W.O.R.D. security chased after the shard. They found it back in the hangar, absorbing the other crystal fragments. Swelling in size, the shard emitted a loud, strangely harmonious scream as it assumed a humanoid form.

Beast bounded in just then and the fight was on! Powerful as the shard was, this wasn't Beast's first rodeo. By the time he had the crystalline creature under control, Beast knew what he was dealing with. The crystal had somehow absorbed Marty's consciousness—Marty was the '''Shard'''!

Beast would need to do further tests to see whether the crystal had sapience of its own, not to mention to determine how—or even if—Marty's mind could be returned to his body.

Unfortunately, that would have to wait as Earth was still under attack from waves of extraterrestrial monsters. The Peak was struck again by multiple monsters, including one that tore through the hangar in the direction of the station's power core. Marty—''Shard''—didn't hesitate. They dove down the jagged hole after it.

Shard tackled the monster as it tore its way to the core. The Peak had suffered fatal damage from multiple strikes, but at least the comms still worked. Although they heard '''Abigail Brand''' give the evacuation alert, Shard stayed where they were, doing everything in their power to keep it from reaching the core. They couldn't hold it off forever, though, and soon the monster ripped into the core with a giant paw to unleash the powerful fusion energies within. Shard sensed that it was absorbing the energy, growing more powerful—but it was too much for the monster to take. The last thing Shard saw was a brilliant flash as the core detonated, wiping out the monster and tearing the crippled Peak asunder.

When Shard came to some time later, they were less surprised to be in an alternate reality than to even still be alive at all. Not to mention stuck in this strange crystalline form... 

'''Unbeknownst to Marty...''' 
It's unclear whether the core explosion sent Shard through a tear in reality, or they were plucked from '''Earth-608''' in the nick of time.

Speaking of Shard: The crystal didn't absorb Marty's mind. Rather, he's a mutant with "crystalkinesis." In the chaos of the moment, Marty threw his consciousness into the crystal. Theoretically, he could learn to command crystalline structures outside his current form and even possibly return to his human body.

Back in Earth–608, Marty's body did make it off the Peak before the space station blew up. In fact, thanks to Shard taking on the monster, all the station personnel had enough time to evacuate. Unfortunately, the world is still under assault by strange monsters from beyond the stars... 

'''Personality''' 
Marty grew up friendly but a bit of an introvert. Although a follower, he always had a strong moral compass.

Since becoming Shard, they're a bit more boisterous. They also now prefer they/them pronouns. Whether that's due to feeling they're an entity made up of thousands of tiny discrete pieces or a larger understanding of their identity remains to be seen.

'''Earth–608''' 
This reality is almost identical to Earth–616. The main distinction is that its timeline is a bit out of sync in two key ways:

S.W.O.R.D. is still in charge of monitoring extraterrestrial threats. Plus, the '''Monsters Unleashed''' event begins earlier, prior to Thanos's invasion of Earth. This means it's before '''Kei Kawade''' gains the power to make real whatever he draws—specifically the giant monsters that prove to be vital in defeating the '''Leviathon Tide'''!

Shard

2024-12-30T17:08:46Z

Bates: Bates moved page Shard to RPGnet:Shard: moving to appropriate section

#REDIRECT [[RPGnet:Shard]]

RPGnet:Shard

2024-12-30T17:08:46Z

Bates: Bates moved page Shard to RPGnet:Shard: moving to appropriate section

'''PL10''' 
'''Real Name:''' Martin "Marty" Thorn (public ID) 
'''Age:''' 20 
'''Home reality:''' Earth-608 
'''Abilities'''
<ul>'''STR''' 12 '''STA''' 14 '''AGL''' 1 '''DEX''' 0 '''FGT''' 6 '''INT''' 1 '''AWE''' 3 '''PRE''' 1</ul> 
'''Skills'''
<ul>Athletics 12, Close Combat: Unarmed 6 (+8), Deception 1, Insight 3 (+6), Intimidation 1 (+2), Investigation 1 (+5), Perception 3, Persuasion 1, Ranged Combat (Throw) 0, Stealth 1</ul> 
'''Advantages''' 
<ul>Benefit, Ambidexterity, Fast Grab, Improved Grab, Improved Hold, Improved Trip, Instant Up, Interpose, Takedown 2, Ultimate Effort (Toughness)</ul> 
'''Powers''' 
<ul>'''Malleable (Array):''' Burrowing 6 (Limited: through material Toughness no greater than STR mod), Clinging (Movement: Wall-crawling 2), Elastic (Speed 2), Flowing (Insubstantial 1), Stretching (Elongation 3), Swinging (Movement 1) • ''10pts'' 

'''Crystalline Defenses:''' Enhanced Stamina +10, Immunity 20 (Environmental Conditions (all), Fatigue Effects, Life Support), Impervious (Toughness) 14 • ''54pts'' 

'''Crystalline Senses:''' Sonar (Senses 3: Accurate: Hearing, Ultra-hearing) • ''3pts'' 

'''Crystalline Strength:''' Enhanced Strength +10 (100 tons) • ''20pts'' 
<ul><li>AE: '''Shield''' (Create 10, Impervious, Innate, Tether / Diminished Range 2, Proportional) • ''1pt'' 
<li>AE: '''Spikes''' (Damage 5) • ''1pt'' 
<li>AE: '''Spray''' (Cone 2) • ''1pt''</li>
</ul></ul> 
'''Offense''' 
<ul>Initiative +1 
Unarmed +8, Close, Damage 12 
Spray (Burst Cone 60ft, Area, Damage 10)</ul> 
'''Defense''' 
<ul>Dodge 6 
Parry 6 
Toughness 12 
Fortitude 12 
Will 6 
Shield (see above) 
Spikes (Reaction 3 (when attacked in close combat), Requires DC 10 attack check, Noticeable (jagged crystal shards), Damage 5) 
Dodge 9, Parry 9
Toughness 15 (Impervious), Fortitude 15, Will 9</ul> 
'''Power Points''' 
<ul>Abilities 36 + Skills 6 + Advantages 10 + Powers 90 + Defenses 8 = 150</ul> 
'''Complications''' 
<ul>'''Monstrous:''' A huge humanoid form comprised of countless fragments of crystal that shift and shimmer constantly with unnerving subtlety, even when Shard stands still. 
'''Motivation: Acceptance:''' Though Shard revels in the crystalline form's power, they are acutely aware of how monstrous they appear and do all they can to show the humanity that lies within.</ul> 
'''Background''' 
'''Martin Thorn''' joined '''S.W.O.R.D.''' fresh out of grad school. He'd been angling for the FBI, but something in his test results spoke to S.W.O.R.D.

Four months in, monsters rained from the sky. This happened from time to time—comics, everybody!—but the frequency was increasing of late. Marty's field team was dispatched to investigate an impact site near Tuscon. Amid devastating collateral damage, the extraterrestrial monster fought the known monster '''Rommbu'''. The latter defeated the creature before disappearing. Among the evidence the S.W.O.R.D. team found at the site were strange crystal fragments—at least, Marty thought there was something strange about them; to his partner, '''Elena Cortés''', they were simply sharp rocks.

They'd just returned to the '''Peak''' when proximity alerts sounded—another wave of monsters was incoming from deep space! The space station was thrown off kilter as multiple monsters struck, its gravity systems unable to compensate fast enough. Anything that wasn't already secured went flying, including Marty and the case with the crystal fragments. The two collided and everything went black for Marty. Once S.W.O.R.D. personnel got things back under control, his unconscious body was discovered with a large crystal chunk embedded in his chest.

In the infirmary, '''Dr. Hank McCoy''' (aka '''Beast''') performed scans to see how the shard could be removed safely. He detected minute vibrations that soon grew stronger—suddenly the shard sprang from Marty's body and zipped from the room like a crystalline snake!

Beast was forced to remain behind to treat Marty's wound and make sure he was stable. S.W.O.R.D. security chased after the shard. They found it back in the hangar, absorbing the other crystal fragments. Swelling in size, the shard emitted a loud, strangely harmonious scream as it assumed a humanoid form.

Beast bounded in just then and the fight was on! Powerful as the shard was, this wasn't Beast's first rodeo. By the time he had the crystalline creature under control, Beast knew what he was dealing with. The crystal had somehow absorbed Marty's consciousness—Marty was the '''Shard'''!

Beast would need to do further tests to see whether the crystal had sapience of its own, not to mention to determine how—or even if—Marty's mind could be returned to his body.

Unfortunately, that would have to wait as Earth was still under attack from waves of extraterrestrial monsters. The Peak was struck again by multiple monsters, including one that tore through the hangar in the direction of the station's power core. Marty—''Shard''—didn't hesitate. They dove down the jagged hole after it.

Shard tackled the monster as it tore its way to the core. The Peak had suffered fatal damage from multiple strikes, but at least the comms still worked. Although they heard '''Abigail Brand''' give the evacuation alert, Shard stayed where they were, doing everything in their power to keep it from reaching the core. They couldn't hold it off forever, though, and soon the monster ripped into the core with a giant paw to unleash the powerful fusion energies within. Shard sensed that it was absorbing the energy, growing more powerful—but it was too much for the monster to take. The last thing Shard saw was a brilliant flash as the core detonated, wiping out the monster and tearing the crippled Peak asunder.

When Shard came to some time later, they were less surprised to be in an alternate reality than to even still be alive at all. Not to mention stuck in this strange crystalline form... 

'''Unbeknownst to Marty...''' 
It's unclear whether the core explosion sent Shard through a tear in reality, or they were plucked from '''Earth-608''' in the nick of time.

Speaking of Shard: The crystal didn't absorb Marty's mind. Rather, he's a mutant with "crystalkinesis." In the chaos of the moment, Marty threw his consciousness into the crystal. Theoretically, he could learn to command crystalline structures outside his current form and even possibly return to his human body.

Back in Earth–608, Marty's body did make it off the Peak before the space station blew up. In fact, thanks to Shard taking on the monster, all the station personnel had enough time to evacuate. Unfortunately, the world is still under assault by strange monsters from beyond the stars... 

'''Personality''' 
Marty grew up friendly but a bit of an introvert. Although a follower, he always had a strong moral compass.

Since becoming Shard, they're a bit more boisterous. They also now prefer they/them pronouns. Whether that's due to feeling they're an entity made up of thousands of tiny discrete pieces or a larger understanding of their identity remains to be seen.

'''Earth–608''' 
This reality is almost identical to Earth–616. The main distinction is that its timeline is a bit out of sync in two key ways:

S.W.O.R.D. is still in charge of monitoring extraterrestrial threats. Plus, the '''Monsters Unleashed''' event begins earlier, prior to Thanos's invasion of Earth. This means it's before '''Kei Kawade''' gains the power to make real whatever he draws—specifically the giant monsters that prove to be vital in defeating the '''Leviathon Tide'''!

RPGnet:Shard

2024-12-30T17:06:12Z

Bates: created page

RA PC

2024-10-28T20:52:24Z

Bates:

'''Hero ID:''' Ra

'''Real Name:''' Kevin Khafra

'''Gender:''' Male '''Age:''' 19 '''Height:''' 5'11" '''Ethnicity:''' Egyptian-American

'''Style:''' In his secret ID, dresses in casual fashion. In his hero ID, the sun-disk amulet generates an Egyptian-influenced super suit; he changes up the style often.

'''Archetype:''' Paragon (determined, flexible, honest, brave)

'''Stress Capacity:''' 6

==Traits==

'''Charismatic:''' Advantage when attempting to convince someone of something or otherwise influence them.

'''Perceptive:''' Advantage when attempting to gain information about surroundings or find hidden things.

==Power Traits==

(+1 from archetype)

'''Light Control''' 3

* ''Tier 1:'' Generate a brilliant flash that can blind others. Anyone who can see you must make a Save test. A failed Save gives Disadvantage on their next Action if it depends upon vision in any way.
* ''Tier 2:'' Gain '''Blast''' 1 [Ranged attack, does not need to reload] dealing 2 damage.
* ''Tier 3:'' Gain '''Flight''' 1 [fly; takes two actions to reach top speed near the speed of sound] and '''Healing''' 1 [take a touch action to restore 1 Stress to a single target]. '''Light Control''' 2 ('''Blast''') now deals 3 damage.

'''Regeneration''' 1

* Recover 1 Stress at the start of your turn.

'''Super-speed''' 1

* Any turn in which you move, you also count as having taken the Evade action (test 1d6 when hit; if successful, take no damage).

'''Trained [2d6]:''' Ranged

'''Mastery [3d6]:''' Sunbeam

==Additional Info==

'''Power Origin:''' Magical

'''Weakness:''' Overconfident. Although brave and determined, he also has a bit of an ego. Kevin’s never really experienced hardship, skating through life on looks and charm. Add to that being chosen as the avatar of a god? C'mon! Intellectually, he tries to set a good example and understands the responsibility that goes with being chosen to battle the forces of darkness. Just, y'know, can get caught up in the thrill of being a freakin' superhero!

'''Belief:''' With great power comes having a great time!

'''Family Trade:''' Magic/mythology (mostly from accessing knowledge from the sun-disk—usually subconsciously and seldom with any control).

'''Bio:''' Raised in a single-parent home in Evanston, Illinois, Kevin was decently athletic, medium charming, clever if not smart, and otherwise a typical suburban kid. He knew nothing about his heritage—his father, Darius, refused to talk about the past, saying only that they came to the States when Kevin was a baby, after the loss of his mother, Taia.

Kevin never gave it much thought till that fateful day in Cairo…

After high school, Kevin was in no rush to start college. His father agreed to fund a "lost year"—a backpacking trip through Europe—if Kevin agreed to two conditions: stick only to Europe and get serious about school after the trip. Kevin wasn’t the rebellious sort, but once across the pond, he found himself thinking more and more about Egypt. Why not take a quick detour? What could it hurt?

In Cairo at the Museum for the Cultural Heritage of Heliopolis, an older woman bumped into Kevin and made a cryptic comment about his "returning home at last." Kevin turned but she was gone. Seized by sudden urgency, he pursued glimpses of movement through the crowded streets. He was soon lost. Google Maps was no help navigating the maze of the Matariya district, and one wrong turn after another led him to a dead end. He sagged against a wall to catch his breath and the ground opened beneath him. He fell, expecting darkness to engulf him—but instead he was swallowed by light.

A massive form came into focus: a powerfully-built figure in ancient Egyptian garb and with the head of a falcon. RA, the god of the Sun, stated that Kevin was chosen as his avatar. He had been summoned to battle the forces of evil and chaos—minions of the dark god APEP, who seeks to shroud the world in darkness. Then another flash of light and Kevin was alone in the desert, a sun-disk amulet around his neck. Baffled on many levels, Kevin’s first thought was for stability, to go home—and found himself flying on a beam of light! Fear and confusion quickly became delight and excitement. He wasn’t suffering from sunstroke or exhaustion—he really was the avatar of RA! He was a superhero!

Kevin returned to Chicago, planning to learn more about his powers and his heritage (with not a word about all this to his dad). Then the Paragons’ administration put out the call. No way Kevin was going to pass up the opportunity to be a honest-to-god superhero in the Big Apple!

RA PC

2024-06-27T15:39:00Z

Bates:

'''Hero ID:''' Ra

'''Real Name:''' Kevin Khafra

'''Gender:''' Male '''Age:''' 19 '''Height:''' 5'11" '''Ethnicity:''' Egyptian-American

'''Style:''' In his secret ID, dresses in casual fashion. In his hero ID, the sun-disk amulet generates an Egyptian-influenced super suit; he changes up the style often.

'''Archetype:''' Paragon (determined, flexible, honest, brave)

'''Stress Capacity:''' 6

==Traits==

'''Resolute:''' Gain Advantage on all Save tests.

==Power Traits==

(+1 from archetype)

'''Light Control''' 3

* ''Tier 1:'' Generate a brilliant flash that can blind others. Anyone who can see you must make a Save test. A failed Save gives Disadvantage on their next Action if it depends upon vision in any way.
* ''Tier 2:'' Gain '''Blast''' 1 [Ranged attack, does not need to reload] dealing 2 damage.
* ''Tier 3:'' Gain '''Flight''' 1 [fly; takes two actions to reach top speed near the speed of sound] and '''Healing''' 1 [take a touch action to restore 1 Stress to a single target]. '''Light Control''' 2 ('''Blast''') now deals 3 damage.

'''Regeneration''' 1

* Recover 1 Stress at the start of your turn.

'''Super-speed''' 1

* Any turn in which you move, you also count as having taken the Evade action (test 1d6 when hit; if successful, take no damage).

'''Trained [2d6]:''' Ranged

'''Mastery [3d6]:''' Sunbeam

==Additional Info==

'''Power Origin:''' Magical

'''Weakness:''' Overconfident. Although brave and determined, he also has a bit of an ego. Kevin’s never really experienced hardship, skating through life on looks and charm. Add to that being chosen as the avatar of a god? C'mon! Intellectually, he tries to set a good example and understands the responsibility that goes with being chosen to battle the forces of darkness. Just, y'know, can get caught up in the thrill of being a freakin' superhero!

'''Belief:''' With great power comes having a great time!

'''Family Trade:''' Magic/mythology (mostly from accessing knowledge from the sun-disk—usually subconsciously and seldom with any control).

'''Bio:''' Raised in a single-parent home in Evanston, Illinois, Kevin was decently athletic, medium charming, clever if not smart, and otherwise a typical suburban kid. He knew nothing about his heritage—his father, Darius, refused to talk about the past, saying only that they came to the States when Kevin was a baby, after the loss of his mother, Taia.

Kevin never gave it much thought till that fateful day in Cairo…

After high school, Kevin was in no rush to start college. His father agreed to fund a "lost year"—a backpacking trip through Europe—if Kevin agreed to two conditions: stick only to Europe and get serious about school after the trip. Kevin wasn’t the rebellious sort, but once across the pond, he found himself thinking more and more about Egypt. Why not take a quick detour? What could it hurt?

In Cairo at the Museum for the Cultural Heritage of Heliopolis, an older woman bumped into Kevin and made a cryptic comment about his "returning home at last." Kevin turned but she was gone. Seized by sudden urgency, he pursued glimpses of movement through the crowded streets. He was soon lost. Google Maps was no help navigating the maze of the Matariya district, and one wrong turn after another led him to a dead end. He sagged against a wall to catch his breath and the ground opened beneath him. He fell, expecting darkness to engulf him—but instead he was swallowed by light.

A massive form came into focus: a powerfully-built figure in ancient Egyptian garb and with the head of a falcon. RA, the god of the Sun, stated that Kevin was chosen as his avatar. He had been summoned to battle the forces of evil and chaos—minions of the dark god APEP, who seeks to shroud the world in darkness. Then another flash of light and Kevin was alone in the desert, a sun-disk amulet around his neck. Baffled on many levels, Kevin’s first thought was for stability, to go home—and found himself flying on a beam of light! Fear and confusion quickly became delight and excitement. He wasn’t suffering from sunstroke or exhaustion—he really was the avatar of RA! He was a superhero!

Kevin returned to Chicago, planning to learn more about his powers and his heritage (with not a word about all this to his dad). Then the Paragons’ administration put out the call. No way Kevin was going to pass up the opportunity to be a honest-to-god superhero in the Big Apple!

RA PC

2024-06-27T15:37:28Z

Bates: Created page with "'''Hero ID:''' Ra '''Real Name:''' Kevin Khafra '''Gender:''' Male '''Age:''' 19 '''Height:''' 5'11" '''Ethnicity:''' Egyptian-American '''Style:''' In his secret ID, dress..."

'''Hero ID:''' Ra

'''Real Name:''' Kevin Khafra

'''Gender:''' Male '''Age:''' 19 '''Height:''' 5'11" '''Ethnicity:''' Egyptian-American

'''Style:''' In his secret ID, dresses in casual fashion. In his hero ID, the sun-disk amulet generates an Egyptian-influenced super suit; he changes up the style often.

'''Archetype:''' Paragon (determined, flexible, honest, brave)

'''Stress Capacity:''' 6

=Traits=

'''Resolute:''' Gain Advantage on all Save tests.

=Power Traits=

(+1 from archetype)

'''Light Control''' 3

* ''Tier 1:'' Generate a brilliant flash that can blind others. Anyone who can see you must make a Save test. A failed Save gives Disadvantage on their next Action if it depends upon vision in any way.
* ''Tier 2:'' Gain '''Blast''' 1 [Ranged attack, does not need to reload] dealing 2 damage.
* ''Tier 3:'' Gain '''Flight''' 1 [fly; takes two actions to reach top speed near the speed of sound] and '''Healing''' 1 [take a touch action to restore 1 Stress to a single target]. '''Light Control''' 2 ('''Blast''') now deals 3 damage.

'''Regeneration''' 1

* Recover 1 Stress at the start of your turn.

'''Super-speed''' 1

* Any turn in which you move, you also count as having taken the Evade action (test 1d6 when hit; if successful, take no damage).

'''Trained [2d6]:''' Ranged

'''Mastery [3d6]:''' Sunbeam

=Additional Info=

'''Power Origin:''' Magical

'''Weakness:''' Overconfident. Although brave and determined, he also has a bit of an ego. Kevin’s never really experienced hardship, skating through life on looks and charm. Add to that being chosen as the avatar of a god? C'mon! Intellectually, he tries to set a good example and understands the responsibility that goes with being chosen to battle the forces of darkness. Just, y'know, can get caught up in the thrill of being a freakin' superhero!

'''Belief:''' With great power comes having a great time!

'''Family Trade:''' Magic/mythology (mostly from accessing knowledge from the sun-disk—usually subconsciously and seldom with any control).

'''Bio:''' Raised in a single-parent home in Evanston, Illinois, Kevin was decently athletic, medium charming, clever if not smart, and otherwise a typical suburban kid. He knew nothing about his heritage—his father, Darius, refused to talk about the past, saying only that they came to the States when Kevin was a baby, after the loss of his mother, Taia.

Kevin never gave it much thought till that fateful day in Cairo…

After high school, Kevin was in no rush to start college. His father agreed to fund a "lost year"—a backpacking trip through Europe—if Kevin agreed to two conditions: stick only to Europe and get serious about school after the trip. Kevin wasn’t the rebellious sort, but once across the pond, he found himself thinking more and more about Egypt. Why not take a quick detour? What could it hurt?

In Cairo at the Museum for the Cultural Heritage of Heliopolis, an older woman bumped into Kevin and made a cryptic comment about his "returning home at last." Kevin turned but she was gone. Seized by sudden urgency, he pursued glimpses of movement through the crowded streets. He was soon lost. Google Maps was no help navigating the maze of the Matariya district, and one wrong turn after another led him to a dead end. He sagged against a wall to catch his breath and the ground opened beneath him. He fell, expecting darkness to engulf him—but instead he was swallowed by light.

A massive form came into focus: a powerfully-built figure in ancient Egyptian garb and with the head of a falcon. RA, the god of the Sun, stated that Kevin was chosen as his avatar. He had been summoned to battle the forces of evil and chaos—minions of the dark god APEP, who seeks to shroud the world in darkness. Then another flash of light and Kevin was alone in the desert, a sun-disk amulet around his neck. Baffled on many levels, Kevin’s first thought was for stability, to go home—and found himself flying on a beam of light! Fear and confusion quickly became delight and excitement. He wasn’t suffering from sunstroke or exhaustion—he really was the avatar of RA! He was a superhero!

Kevin returned to Chicago, planning to learn more about his powers and his heritage (with not a word about all this to his dad). Then the Paragons’ administration put out the call. No way Kevin was going to pass up the opportunity to be a honest-to-god superhero in the Big Apple!

Second String

2024-06-27T15:25:06Z

Bates: link name change

This is the wiki page for the Second-String game, run in ''Tiny Supers'' with eijk_djeq as GM. The elevator pitch is that the world's greatest heroes have gone missing, and the players will have to step up to the plate.

[https://forum.rpg.net/index.php?threads/recruitment-tiny-supers-second-string.920577 Recruitment Thread]

IC thread

[https://forum.rpg.net/index.php?threads/tiny-supers-second-string.920634 OOC thread]

=Introduction=

New York City has been subjected to far more supervillain attacks, alien invasions and natural disasters than any other city in the world. We don't know why, but historically if you wanted to show your stuff as a superhero, this was the stage to be on. Other countries, particularly in the Global South, grumble at the implicit American hegemony, but none of them could stop the snowball effect as all of their best and brightest abandoned home to join the Paragons, New York's home superhero team.

For a while, this arrangement worked... adequately. Enough heroes stayed home for whatever reasons to (just about) handle the domestic crises, but the world's attention was always on the Big Apple. Until May 2 2024, the day the Paragons vanished. At first people weren't too concerned: this was probably just some cosmic ret-con or magic spell gone awry, and everything would be back to normal soon enough. But things haven't gone back to normal. While most people still have faith the heroes will return, the Paragons' support staff are privately going into meltdown.

Since that day, the heroes of Earth's greatest team (according to TIME Magazine, at least) have been nowhere to be seen, but the villains and other threats that plagued New York haven't let up at all. Panicking, the Paragons' administration has put out the call to those heroes they once spurned, to the countries they took and took from, to anyone who will listen: we need your help. Please save us.

For whatever reason, you weren't a part of the superheroic elite, but here you are, ready to do your part and show the world you've got what it takes to play with the big boys!

=Characters=

This follows the standard character creation rules on page 20 of ''Tiny Supers'', with the Super Team! adjustment: you receive five Power Traits instead of three, which can be exchanged for regular Traits as normal. When creating a character, try to think of a reason why they weren't one of the famous elites before: whether that's because of lack of experience, some personality flaw, or just an attachment to their home.

==Player Characters==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''Player'''
! '''Character'''
|-
| ade1965
| Placeholder
|-
| Aether
| Bode Ward, LP
|-
| Bates
| [[RA PC]]
|-
| Fred
| [[BIG]]
|-
| impoverishedlackey
| Placeholder
|-
|}

==Non-Player Characters==

===Paragons Administration===

'''Cecilia Chen:''' Middle-manager type, who relays directives and instructions from above to the heroes working in the field. Used to dealing with the glamorous elite and world-class heroes, she starts off under incredible pressure after the Paragons' disappearance, and with little faith in these newcomers' (regardless of their actual experience) ability to live up to her expectations.

=House Rules and Notes=

As a quick note: to save posts spent checking whether a roll has Advantage or what-have-you, roll the maximum number of dice you think you might qualify for. If I wouldn't have granted Advantage, or I'd have given you Disadvantage, I'll read the dice from left to right and use only the first for Disadvantage, the first and second for a normal roll, and the first, second and third for Advantage. Hopefully this will speed up gameplay for the most part, and if there are any edge cases we can work them out on the spot.

==Hero Points==

We'll be using Hero Points from page 13 of ''the Gallantverse Campaign Guide''. At the start of each encounter, each player will receive one Hero Point. At the same time, there will be a communal group of Hero Points equal to the number of players (currently 5) available to anyone. You may spend a Hero Point (yours or one of the communal points) to grant another character (''not yourself'') one of the following benefits:

* '''Heroic Surge:''' Take an extra action on their turn
* '''Heroic Effort:''' Roll an extra die on any Test (over the limit of 3), ignoring any one die of their choice
* '''Heroic Reserves:''' Upgrade a Power one level for one action (or gain a Trait for one action), subject to GM approval
* '''Heroic Resolve:''' Recover 1d3 Stress Capacity

==Villain Points==

Villain Points are found on page 14 of ''the Gallantverse Campaign Guide''. At the start of each encounter, a solo Villain receives Villain Points equal to the number of Heroes facing them, and a team of major Villains receive Villain Points equal to twice the number of Villains on the team. A Villain may spent a point for one of the following benefits:

* '''Villainous Surge:''' Take an extra action on their turn (two for a Solo Villain)
* '''Demoralise:''' Give one Hero Disadvantage on a Test before they roll
* '''Villainous Resolve:''' Recover 1d3 Stress Capacity

==New and Modified Traits==

===Martial Artist===
You gain Unarmed as an additional Proficiency if you do not already have it, and you gain Mastery of a form of unarmed attack. Once per encounter, you may re-roll a failed Unarmed Attack or Evade Test.

Second String

2024-06-27T15:24:00Z

Bates: Link to Ra character page

This is the wiki page for the Second-String game, run in ''Tiny Supers'' with eijk_djeq as GM. The elevator pitch is that the world's greatest heroes have gone missing, and the players will have to step up to the plate.

[https://forum.rpg.net/index.php?threads/recruitment-tiny-supers-second-string.920577 Recruitment Thread]

IC thread

[https://forum.rpg.net/index.php?threads/tiny-supers-second-string.920634 OOC thread]

=Introduction=

New York City has been subjected to far more supervillain attacks, alien invasions and natural disasters than any other city in the world. We don't know why, but historically if you wanted to show your stuff as a superhero, this was the stage to be on. Other countries, particularly in the Global South, grumble at the implicit American hegemony, but none of them could stop the snowball effect as all of their best and brightest abandoned home to join the Paragons, New York's home superhero team.

For a while, this arrangement worked... adequately. Enough heroes stayed home for whatever reasons to (just about) handle the domestic crises, but the world's attention was always on the Big Apple. Until May 2 2024, the day the Paragons vanished. At first people weren't too concerned: this was probably just some cosmic ret-con or magic spell gone awry, and everything would be back to normal soon enough. But things haven't gone back to normal. While most people still have faith the heroes will return, the Paragons' support staff are privately going into meltdown.

Since that day, the heroes of Earth's greatest team (according to TIME Magazine, at least) have been nowhere to be seen, but the villains and other threats that plagued New York haven't let up at all. Panicking, the Paragons' administration has put out the call to those heroes they once spurned, to the countries they took and took from, to anyone who will listen: we need your help. Please save us.

For whatever reason, you weren't a part of the superheroic elite, but here you are, ready to do your part and show the world you've got what it takes to play with the big boys!

=Characters=

This follows the standard character creation rules on page 20 of ''Tiny Supers'', with the Super Team! adjustment: you receive five Power Traits instead of three, which can be exchanged for regular Traits as normal. When creating a character, try to think of a reason why they weren't one of the famous elites before: whether that's because of lack of experience, some personality flaw, or just an attachment to their home.

==Player Characters==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''Player'''
! '''Character'''
|-
| ade1965
| Placeholder
|-
| Aether
| Bode Ward, LP
|-
| Bates
| [[RA]]
|-
| Fred
| [[BIG]]
|-
| impoverishedlackey
| Placeholder
|-
|}

==Non-Player Characters==

===Paragons Administration===

'''Cecilia Chen:''' Middle-manager type, who relays directives and instructions from above to the heroes working in the field. Used to dealing with the glamorous elite and world-class heroes, she starts off under incredible pressure after the Paragons' disappearance, and with little faith in these newcomers' (regardless of their actual experience) ability to live up to her expectations.

=House Rules and Notes=

As a quick note: to save posts spent checking whether a roll has Advantage or what-have-you, roll the maximum number of dice you think you might qualify for. If I wouldn't have granted Advantage, or I'd have given you Disadvantage, I'll read the dice from left to right and use only the first for Disadvantage, the first and second for a normal roll, and the first, second and third for Advantage. Hopefully this will speed up gameplay for the most part, and if there are any edge cases we can work them out on the spot.

==Hero Points==

We'll be using Hero Points from page 13 of ''the Gallantverse Campaign Guide''. At the start of each encounter, each player will receive one Hero Point. At the same time, there will be a communal group of Hero Points equal to the number of players (currently 5) available to anyone. You may spend a Hero Point (yours or one of the communal points) to grant another character (''not yourself'') one of the following benefits:

* '''Heroic Surge:''' Take an extra action on their turn
* '''Heroic Effort:''' Roll an extra die on any Test (over the limit of 3), ignoring any one die of their choice
* '''Heroic Reserves:''' Upgrade a Power one level for one action (or gain a Trait for one action), subject to GM approval
* '''Heroic Resolve:''' Recover 1d3 Stress Capacity

==Villain Points==

Villain Points are found on page 14 of ''the Gallantverse Campaign Guide''. At the start of each encounter, a solo Villain receives Villain Points equal to the number of Heroes facing them, and a team of major Villains receive Villain Points equal to twice the number of Villains on the team. A Villain may spent a point for one of the following benefits:

* '''Villainous Surge:''' Take an extra action on their turn (two for a Solo Villain)
* '''Demoralise:''' Give one Hero Disadvantage on a Test before they roll
* '''Villainous Resolve:''' Recover 1d3 Stress Capacity

==New and Modified Traits==

===Martial Artist===
You gain Unarmed as an additional Proficiency if you do not already have it, and you gain Mastery of a form of unarmed attack. Once per encounter, you may re-roll a failed Unarmed Attack or Evade Test.