Streetrat

Slim was born on another world long ago, he was tasked with finding a new world for their colony to settle, while traveling the worlds the ship he was on was attacked and he was tossed overboard with the most precious thing he could gather, a queen pupa and a few eggs. Slim drifted in the Astral Seas for decades, sometimes in madness, sometimes lucid. Eventually, he was found and brought aboard a ship heading to Torvil, he was told that it was a world where one could make a life, perhaps he could make a colony. After time a bit of time, after finding a nice spot of nowhere in a desert and having the workers & the queen set up, Slim went off to get supplies in a town where he was told he could do so with...minimal...cause for fear or attack. Baldur's Gate.

Slim Thri-Kreen Warlock 5 AC: 15 | HP: 38/38 TEMP HP: 0 | | Move: 30' Init: +2 | SAVES: Str: +0, Dex: +2, Con: +2, Int: +0, Wis: +4, Cha: +6 SKILLS: Acrane +3 Insight +4 Intimidation +6 Religion +3 Passive: Perception: 12, Insight: 14 OOC Hide this Posting Code <div class="ipsQuote_contents ipsClearfix"> <div class="ipsQuote_contents ipsClearfix"> <div class="ipsQuote_contents ipsClearfix" style="border-radius:10px;padding:10px;border:4px double rgb(0,0,0);"> <p style="font-size:15.4px;margin-bottom:0px;padding-bottom:0px;"> <a data-fileext="jpg" data-fileid="18286" href="//i.ibb.co/t4xbrRP/Slim.png" rel="external nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" title="Fetching info..."><img alt="https://i.ibb.co/t4xbrRP/Slim.png" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed ipsAttachLink_image ipsAttachLink_left" data-fileid="18286" data-loaded="true" data-ratio="100.00" data-src="//i.ibb.co/t4xbrRP/Slim.png" src="https://www.myth-weavers.com/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" style="width:200px;height:auto;float:left;" width="252"></a><span style="font-size:48px;"><span style=""><strong><em><span style="font-family:Papyrus, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Slim</span> </em></strong></span></span><font><span style="font-size: 12px;"><i>Thri-Kreen Warlock 5</i></span></font> </p> <hr style="font-size:15.4px;margin:0px;padding:0px;"> <p style="font-size:15.4px;"> <span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong style="font-size:11px;">AC: </strong>15<font> | </font></span><span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong style="font-size:11px;">HP:</strong><font> 3</font><font>8</font><font>/38 </font></span><span style="font-size: 10px;"><strong>TEMP HP: </strong></span><span style="font-size: 14px;">0 </span><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size:10px;"><strong> </strong></span>| | <strong style="font-size:11px;">Move:</strong>&nbsp;30&#39;<br> <b style="font-size:11px;">Init: +2 | SAVES: </b></span><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style=""><strong>Str:</strong>&nbsp;+0, <strong>Dex: +2</strong>, <strong>Con: </strong>+2, <strong>Int: </strong>+0, <strong>Wis: </strong>+4, <strong>Cha:</strong>&nbsp;+6</span></span> </p> <hr style="font-size:15.4px;margin:0px;padding:0px;"> <p style="font-size:15.4px;"> <span style="font-size:11px;"><strong>SKILLS:</strong> <strong><u>Acrane </u>+3 <u>Insight </u>+4 <u>Intimidation </u>+6 <u>Religion </u>+3 </strong></span> </p> <p style="font-size:15.4px;"> <strong><u>Passive:</u></strong>&nbsp;<em>Perception:</em> 12, <em>Insight:</em> 14 </p> <hr style="font-size:15.4px;margin:0px;padding:0px;"> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <hr> <div class="mwspoiler"> <div class="mwspoiler-shown" data-mw-tag="ooc"> <div class="mwspoiler-showtext"> <p> OOC </p> </div> </div> <div class="mwspoiler-hidden" style="display: flex;"> <div class="mwspoiler-hidetext"> <p> Hide this </p> </div> </div> </div> <p> &nbsp; </p> </div> </div> </div>

WIP Slim Thri-kreen Warlock 5 Medium monstrosity, chaotic good Astral Drifter Armor Class 15 Hit Points 38 (5d8+10) Speed 30 ft. Age 93 STR 10 (+0), DEX 14 (+2), CON 14 (+2), INT 10 (+0), WIS 12 (+1), CHA 16 (+3) Feats Spell Sniper Background Feat Magic Initiate Cleric Saving Throws Wis +4, Cha +6 Skills Arcana +3, Insight +4, Intimidation +6, Religion +3 Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 11 Languages Common, Elvish, Undercommon Bottled Respite. As an action, you can magically vanish and enter your vessel, which remains in the space you left. The interior of the vessel is an extradimensional space in the shape of a 20-foot-radius cylinder, 20 feet high, and resembles your vessel. The interior is appointed with cushions and low tables and is a comfortable temperature. While inside, you can hear the area around your vessel as if you were in its space. You can remain inside the vessel up to a number of hours equal to twice your proficiency bonus. You exit the vessel early if you use a bonus action to leave, if you die, or if the vessel is destroyed. When you exit the vessel, you appear in the unoccupied space closest to it. Any objects left in the vessel remain there until carried out, and if the vessel is destroyed, every object stored there harmlessly appears in the unoccupied spaces closest to the vessel's former space. Once you enter the vessel, you can't enter again until you finish a long rest. Chameleon Carapace. While you're not wearing armor, your carapace provides you a base Armor Class of 13 + your Dexterity modifier. You can also use an action to change the color of your carapace to match the color and texture of your surroundings, giving you advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in those surroundings. Divine Contact. You encountered a deity in your journeys. Though this encouter was brief, they imparted some bit of cosmic lore or secrets to you. Work with your DM to determine what this was. You can note it alongside your Divine Contact above. You gain the Magic Initiate feat, and must choose the cleric class for it. Genie's Wrath. Once during each of your turns when you hit with an attack roll, you can deal extra damage to the target equal to your proficiency bonus. The type of this damage is determined by your patron: bludgeoning (dao) Invocations. Devil's Sight - You can see normally in darkness, both magical and nonmagical, to a distance of 120 feet. Grasp of Hadar - Once on each of your turns when you hit a creature with your eldritch blast, you can move that creature in a straight line 10 feet closer to yourself. Repelling Blast - When you hit a creature with eldritch blast, you can push the creature up to 10 feet away from you in a straight line. Longevity. You are 20d6 years older than you actually appear, due to your extensive time spent in the ageless Astral Sea. Sanctuary Vessel. When you use the Bottled Respite feature to enter your Genie's Vessel, you can now choose up to five willing creatures visible to and within 30 feet of you. The chosen creatures are pulled into the vessel with you. You can use a bonus action to eject any creatures from the vessel. Everyone is ejected if you leave, if you die, or if the vessel is destroyed. Additionally, anyone, including yourself, who stays in the vessel for at least 10 minutes gains the benefits of completing a short rest. You all can add your proficiency bonus to the number of hit points they regain by spending Hit Dice as part of a short rest there. Secondary Arms. You have two slightly smaller secondary arms below your primary pair of arms. These secondary arms can manipulate an object, open or close a door or container, pick up or set down a Tiny object, or wield a weapon that has the light property. Sleepless. You do not need sleep and can remain conscious during a long rest. However, you must still refrain from strenuous activity to gain the benefit of the rest. Thri-kreen Telepathy. Without magical aide, you can't speak the non-thri-kreen languages you know. Instead, you use telepathy to convey your thoughts. You can magically transmit your thoughts mentally to willing creatures you can see within 120 feet of yourself. A contacted creature doesn't need to share a language with you to understand your thoughts, but it must be able to understand at least one language. Your telepathic link to a creature is broken if you and the creature move more than 120 feet apart, if either of you is incapacitated, or if either of you mentally breaks the contact (no action needed). Unarmed Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 1 bludgeoning damage. Equipment wand of the pact keeper, +1, Genie's Vessel (Ring), Magic - Spell Attack +6(+7Wand of the Pact Keeper) Spell Save DC 14(15Wand of the Pact Keeper) Spell Slots 2/Short Rest Cantrips Eldritch BlastEldritch Blast cantrip evocation Casting Time: 1 action Range: 120 feet Target: A creature within range Components: V S Duration: Instantaneous Classes: Warlock A beam of crackling energy streaks toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 force damage. The spell creates more than one beam when you reach higher levels: two beams at 5th level, three beams at 11th level, and four beams at 17th level. You can direct the beams at the same target or at different ones. Make a separate attack roll for each beam. +6 2 1d10 Force Damage beams Fire BoltFire Bolt cantrip evocation Casting Time: 1 action Range: 120 feet Target: A creature or object within range Components: V S Duration: Instantaneous Classes: Sorcerer, Wizard You hurl a mote of fire at a creature or object within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 fire damage. A flammable object hit by this spell ignites if it isn’t being worn or carried. This spell’s damage increases by 1d10 when you reach 5th level (2d10), 11th level (3d10), and 17th level (4d10).*** +6 2d10 Fire Damage GuidanceGuidance cantrip divination Casting Time: 1 action Range: Touch Target: One willing creature Components: V S Duration: Up to 1 minute Classes: Cleric, Druid You touch one willing creature. Once before the spell ends, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to one ability check of its choice. It can roll the die before or after making the ability check. The spell then ends.** MendingMending cantrip transmutation Casting Time: 1 minute Range: Touch Target: A single break or tear in an object you touch Components: V S M (Two lodestones) Duration: Instantaneous Classes: Bard, Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard This spell repairs a single break or tear in an object you touch, such as a broken chain link, two halves of a broken key, a torn cloak, or a leaking wineskin. As long as the break or tear is no larger than 1 foot in any dimension, you mend it, leaving no trace of the former damage. This spell can physically repair a magic item or construct, but the spell can’t restore magic to such an object.** Mind SliverMind Sliver Source: Tasha's Cauldron of Everything Enchantment cantrip Casting Time: 1 action Range: 60 feet Components: V Duration: 1 round You drive a disorienting spike of psychic energy into the mind of one creature you can see within range. The target must succeed on an Intelligence saving throw or take 1d6 psychic damage and subtract 1d4 from the next saving throw it makes before the end of your next turn. At Higher Levels. This spell’s damage increases by 1d6 when you reach certain levels: 5th level (2d6), 11th level (3d6), and 17th level (4d6).* DC 14 Int 2d6 Psychic Minor IllusionMinor Illusion cantrip illusion Casting Time: 1 action Range: 30 feet Target: See text Components: S M (A bit of fleece) Duration: 1 minute Classes: Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard You create a sound or an image of an object within range that lasts for the duration. The illusion also ends if you dismiss it as an action or cast this spell again. If you create a sound, its volume can range from a whisper to a scream. It can be your voice, someone else’s voice, a lion’s roar, a beating of drums, or any other sound you choose. The sound continues unabated throughout the duration, or you can make discrete sounds at different times before the spell ends. If you create an image of an object—such as a chair, muddy footprints, or a small chest—it must be no larger than a 5-foot cube. The image can’t create sound, light, smell, or any other sensory effect. Physical interaction with the image reveals it to be an illusion, because things can pass through it. If a creature uses its action to examine the sound or image, the creature can determine that it is an illusion with a successful Intelligence (Investigation) check against your spell save DC. If a creature discerns the illusion for what it is, the illusion becomes faint to the creature.* PrestidigitationPrestidigitation cantrip transmutation Casting Time: 1 action Range: 10 feet Target: See text Components: V S Duration: Up to 1 hour Classes: Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard This spell is a minor magical trick that novice spellcasters use for practice. You create one of the following magical effects within range: You create an instantaneous, harmless sensory effect, such as a shower of sparks, a puff of wind, faint musical notes, or an odd odor. You instantaneously light or snuff out a candle, a torch, or a small campfire. You instantaneously clean or soil an object no larger than 1 cubic foot. You chill, warm, or flavor up to 1 cubic foot of nonliving material for 1 hour. You make a color, a small mark, or a symbol appear on an object or a surface for 1 hour. You create a nonmagical trinket or an illusory image that can fit in your hand and that lasts until the end of your next turn. If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to three of its non-instantaneous effects active at a time, and you can dismiss such an effect as an action. Sacred FlameSacred Flame cantrip evocation Casting Time: 1 action Range: 60 feet Target: A creature that you can see within range Components: V S Duration: Instantaneous Classes: Cleric Flame-like radiance descends on a creature that you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 1d8 radiant damage. The target gains no benefit from cover for this saving throw.* DC 14 Dex 2d8 Radiant Toll the DeadToll the Dead Source: Xanathar's Guide to Everything Necromancy cantrip Casting Time: 1 action Range: 60 feet Components: V, S Duration: Instantaneous You point at one creature you can see within range, and the sound of a dolorous bell fills the air around it for a moment. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or take 1d8 necrotic damage. If the target is missing any of its hit points, it instead takes 1d12 necrotic damage. At Higher Levels. The spell’s damage increases by one die when you reach 5th level (2d8 or 2d12), 11th level (3d8 or 3d12), and 17th level (4d8 or 4d12). DC 14 Wis 2d8/2d12 Necrotic Available Spells 1st HexHex Source: Player's Handbook 1st-level enchantment Casting Time: 1 bonus action Range: 90 feet Components: V, S, M (the petrified eye of a newt) Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour You place a curse on a creature that you can see within range. Until the spell ends, you deal an extra 1d6 necrotic damage to the target whenever you hit it with an attack. Also, choose one ability when you cast the spell. The target has disadvantage on ability checks made with the chosen ability. If the target drops to 0 hit points before this spell ends, you can use a bonus action on a subsequent turn of yours to curse a new creature. A Remove Curse cast on the target ends this spell early. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd or 4th level, you can maintain your concentration on the spell for up to 8 hours. When you use a spell slot of 5th level or higher, you can maintain your concentration on the spell for up to 24 hours. 1d6 Necrotic with spell attack 1st Unseen ServantUnseen Servant 1 conjuration Casting Time: 1 action Range: 60 feet Target: An unoccupied space on the ground within range Components: V S M (A piece of string and a bit of wood) Duration: 1 hour Classes: Bard, Warlock, Wizard This spell creates an invisible, mindless, shapeless force that performs simple tasks at your command until the spell ends. The servant springs into existence in an unoccupied space on the ground within range. It has AC 10, 1 hit point, and a Strength of 2, and it can’t attack. If it drops to 0 hit points, the spell ends. Once on each of your turns as a bonus action, you can mentally command the servant to move up to 15 feet and interact with an object. The servant can perform simple tasks that a human servant could do, such as fetching things, cleaning, mending, folding clothes, lighting fires, serving food, and pouring wine. Once you give the command, the servant performs the task to the best of its ability until it completes the task, then waits for your next command. If you command the servant to perform a task that would move it more than 60 feet away from you, the spell ends. 2nd Hold PersonHold Person 2 enchantment Casting Time: 1 action Range: 60 feet Target: A humanoid that you can see within range Components: V S M (A small, straight piece of iron) Duration: Up to 1 minute Classes: Bard, Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard Choose a humanoid that you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be paralyzed for the duration. At the end of each of its turns, the target can make another Wisdom saving throw. On a success, the spell ends on the target. At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, you can target on additional humanoid for each slot level above 2nd. The humanoids must be within 30 feet of each other when you target them. DC 14 Wis 2nd Misty StepMisty Step 2 conjuration Casting Time: 1 bonus action Range: Self Target: Self Components: V Duration: Instantaneous Classes: Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard Briefly surrounded by silvery mist, you teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space that you can see. 3rd Enemies AboundEnemies Abound Source: Xanathar's Guide to Everything 3rd-level enchantment Casting Time: 1 action Range: 120 feet Components: V, S Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute You reach into the mind of one creature you can see and force it to make an Intelligence saving throw. A creature automatically succeeds if it is immune to being frightened. On a failed save, the target loses the ability to distinguish friend from foe, regarding all creatures it can see as enemies until the spell ends. Each time the target takes damage, it can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on itself on a success. Whenever the affected creature chooses another creature as a target, it must choose the target at random from among the creatures it can see within range of the attack, spell, or other ability it’s using. If an enemy provokes an opportunity attack from the affected creature, the creature must make that attack if it is able to. DC 14 Int 3rd Hunger of HadarHunger Of Hadar Source: Player's Handbook 3rd-level conjuration Casting Time: 1 action Range: 150 feet Components: V, S, M (a pickled octopus tentacle) Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute You open a gateway to the dark between the stars, a region infested with unknown horrors. A 20-foot-radius sphere of blackness and bitter cold appears, centered on a point within range and lasting for the duration. This void is filled with a cacophony of soft whispers and slurping noises that can be heard up to 30 feet away. No light, magical or otherwise, can illuminate the area, and creatures fully within the area are blinded. The void creates a warp in the fabric of space, and the area is difficult terrain. Any creature that starts its turn in the area takes 2d6 cold damage. Any creature that ends its turn in the area must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 2d6 acid damage as milky, otherworldly tentacles rub against it. Start 2d6 Cold/End DC 14 Dex or 2d6 Acid 1/long Rest Healing WordHealing Word 1 evocation Casting Time: 1 bonus action Range: 60 feet Target: A creature of your choice that you can see within range Components: V Duration: Instantaneous Classes: Bard, Cleric, Druid A creature of your choice that you can see within range regains hit points equal to 1d4 + your spellcasting ability modifier. This spell has no effect on undead or constructs. At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the Healing increases by 1d4 for each slot level above 1st.** Book of Shadows* Magic Initiate** Spell Sniper***

Would Undercommon count as an exotic language?

No bonus, but still counts as magic. The Battlesmith Artificer is allowed to use their int to hit/dam with a Moontouched sword.

Persons of Interest Duke Reagansford - An idealist noble on the borderlands on the Wastes. Duke Reagansoford sees the good in people, and much to his Son's dismay is very generous and caring of those in his holds. Duke Reagonsford was the one who found Marcus in the gladiatorial pits to be a bodyguard and eventually freeing him to roam the wastes with an admonition to go and protect people who are not able to protect themselves in the wastes. Tearen Reagansford - The firstborn of Duke Reagansford and a greedy penny-pinching petulant man who cannot wait to become Duke and change how things are run around here! John and Alexandra Cameron - The Cameron's had served 7 years of indentured servitude to be provided with a small plot of land bordering the wastes. It is not much, but between a small farm plot and trapping allow them to carve out a hard, but free life for themselves. Marcus will often visit and stay for a short spell to help John with trapping, harvest and the occasional bandit. Eagen Bloodfang - Eagan was the leader of his Wasteland Ravagers. He was brutal, ruthless and did not think twice about killing one or more of his own to get what he wanted. He survived the ambush and went to the pits with Marcus. He was very upset that Marcus's freedom was paid for and not his own. Grogar - What Marcus could consider a friend while out as a Reaver. His skill with a blade awarded him a bit of respect and space, but only Grogar, a boisterous, gregarious and good-natured Orc. When not killing settlers or pilgrims who the Reavers came across. Marcus thought Grogar dead as he did not see him in the gladiatorial pits after the ambush. His status of alive or dead is yet unknown.

Thinking of adding a Cast of Characters section. Perhaps I may have time on Friday to do so.

I want to expand Marcus's backstory, but bandwidth also constrains me. I will try to expand, but otherwise I believe he is complete.

PC Marcus Wasteland Orc Wandering Swordsman 5 AC: 14 (Chest and Chesthair) | HP: 50/50 | Initiative: +2 | Passive Perception: 13 Battle Meditation: 3/3 | DM Inspiration: 1/1 Post goes here. "Speech" thoughts in italics Mechanics Main Hand: +1 Greatsword Off Hand: Empty Action: Your action goes here. Bonus Action: Your bonus action goes here. Move: Your movement goes here. Manipulate: Your one free object interaction goes here. Posting Code <div class="ipsQuote_contents ipsClearfix"> <fieldset class="mw-fieldset"> <legend class="mw-fieldset-legend"><span style="font-size:20px;"><strong>PC</strong></span></legend> <div class="mw-fieldset-body" spellcheck="false"> <p> <span style=""><span style="font-family:Century Gothic,sans serif;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>Marcus</strong></span><span style="font-size:20px;"><em>&nbsp;</em></span></span></span><em style="font-size:14px;">Wasteland Orc Wandering Swordsman 5</em><img alt="spacer.png" class="ipsImage ipsAttachLink_image ipsAttachLink_right" data-loaded="true" data-ratio="97.33" data-src="https://i.ibb.co/pPKLFYJ/Marcus-crop.png" height="219" src="https://www.myth-weavers.com/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" style="height:auto;width:225px;float:right;" width="225"><br> <a data-fileext="png" data-fileid="8761" href="//mwbaldrcdkstack-ipbuploads6f377ba5-6asvxg6ywium.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/monthly_2023_08/image.png.30b924e658ca3da1577a1e996d5a58f6.png" rel="" title="Fetching info..."><img alt="image.png.30b924e658ca3da1577a1e996d5a58f6.png" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed ipsAttachLink_image ipsAttachLink_left" data-fileid="8761" data-loaded="true" data-ratio="100.00" data-src="//mwbaldrcdkstack-ipbuploads6f377ba5-6asvxg6ywium.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/monthly_2023_08/image.png.30b924e658ca3da1577a1e996d5a58f6.png" src="https://www.myth-weavers.com/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" style="width:1px;height:auto;float:left;" width="200"></a> </p> <hr> <p> <span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>AC: </strong>14 (Chest and Chesthair) | <strong>HP: </strong>50/50 | <strong>Initiative:</strong> +2 | <strong>Passive Perception: </strong>13&nbsp;<br> <strong>Battle Meditation: </strong>3/3 | <strong>DM Inspiration:</strong> 1/1</span> </p> <hr> <p> <span>Post goes here.</span><br> <br> <span style=""><strong><span style="">&quot;</span>Speech<span style="">&quot;</span></strong><br> <br> <em>thoughts in italics</em></span> </p> </div> </fieldset> <div> <div> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="vertical-align:top;"> <div class="mwspoiler"> <div class="mwspoiler-shown"> <div class="mwspoiler-showtext"> <p> <strong>Mechanics</strong> </p> </div> </div> <div class="mwspoiler-hidden"> <div class="mwspoiler-hidetext"> <p> <strong>Main Hand: </strong>+1<strong> </strong>Greatsword<br> <strong>Off Hand:</strong>&nbsp;Empty </p> <hr> <p> <strong>Action: </strong>Your action goes here.<br> <strong>Bonus Action: </strong>Your bonus action goes here.<br> <strong>Move: </strong>Your movement goes here.<br> <strong>Manipulate: </strong>Your one free object interaction goes here. </p> </div> </div> </div> </td> <td style="vertical-align:top;"> &nbsp; </td> <td style="vertical-align:top;"> &nbsp; </td> <td style="vertical-align:top;"> &nbsp; </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> </div> </div>

Still fleshing out the background. Marcus Wandering Swordsman former Wasteland Raider "Everyone deserves a chance at Redemption" Barbarian 5 Medium humanoid male (Wasteland Orc), true neutral Armor Class 14 Hit Points 50 ( 5d12 + 10 ) Speed 40' ft. Senses darkvision, passive perception 20' ft. Languages common, orcish, undercommon Proficiency Bonus +3 ABILITIES & SKILLS Proficiency Bonus: +3 Strength 18 (+4) Save +7 Athletics +7 Dexterity 14 (+2) Save +2 Acrobatics +2 | Sleight of Hand +2 | Stealth +5 Constitution 14 (+2) Save +5 No skills associated. Intelligence 10 (+0) Save +0 Arcana +0 | History +0 | Investigation +0 | Nature +0 | Religion +0 Wisdom 10 (+0) Save +0 Animal Handling +0 | Insight +0 | Medicine +0 | Perception +3 | Survival +3 Charisma 10 (+0) Save +0 Deception +0 | Intimidation +3 | Performance +0 | Persuasion +0 Bold denotes proficiency. PROFICIENCIES & ABILITIES PROFICIENCIES Tools Thieves' Tools Weapons Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons Armors Light Armor, Medium Armor, Shields BARBARIAN CLASS ABILITIES Battle Meditation (Rage)In battle, you fight with disciplined calm. On Your Turn, you can enter meditation as a Bonus Action. While meditating, you gain the following benefits if you aren't wearing heavy armor: • You have advantage on Strength Checks and Strength Saving Throws. • When you make a melee weapon Attack using Strength, you gain a +2 bonus to the damage roll. This bonus increases as you level. • You have Resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage. If you are able to cast Spells, you can't cast them or concentrate on them while meditating. Your meditation lasts for 1 minute. It ends early if you are knocked Unconscious or if Your Turn ends and you haven't attacked a hostile creature since your last turn or taken damage since then. You can also end your meditation on Your Turn as a Bonus Action. | Unarmored DefenseWhile you are not wearing any armor, your Armor Class equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Constitution modifier. You can use a Shield and still gain this benefit. | Danger Sense At 2nd level, you gain an uncanny sense of when things nearby aren't as they should be, giving you an edge when you dodge away from danger. You have advantage on Dexterity saving throws against effects that you can see, such as traps and spells. To gain this benefit, you can't be blinded, deafened, or incapacitated. | Reckless AttackStarting at 2nd level, you can throw aside all concern for defense to attack with fierce desperation. When you make your first attack on your turn, you can decide to attack recklessly. Doing so gives you advantage on melee weapon attack rolls using Strength during this turn, but attack rolls against you have advantage until your next turn. | Totem SpiritAt 3rd level, when you adopt this path, you choose a totem spirit and gain its feature. You must make or acquire a physical totem object – an amulet or similar adornment – that incorporates fur or feathers, claws, teeth, or bones of the totem animal. At your option, you also gain minor physical attributes that are reminiscent of your totem spirit. For example, if you have a bear totem spirit, you might be unusually hairy and thick-skinned, or if your totem is the eagle, your eyes turn bright yellow. Your totem animal might be an animal related to those listed here but more appropriate to your homeland. For example, you could choose a hawk or vulture in place of an eagle. Bear . While raging, you have resistance to all damage except psychic damage. The spirit of the bear makes you tough enough to stand up to any punishment. | Spirit SeekerYours is a path that seeks attunement with the natural world, giving you a kinship with beasts. At 3rd level when you adopt this path, you gain the ability to cast the Beast Sense and Speak with Animals spells, but only as rituals. Beast Sense Source: Player's Handbook 2nd-level divination (ritual) Casting Time: 1 action Range: Touch Components: S Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour You touch a willing beast. For the duration of the spell, you can use your action to see through the beast’s eyes and hear what it hears, and continue to do so until you use your action to return to your normal senses. Speak with Animals Source: Player's Handbook 1st-level divination (ritual) Casting Time: 1 action Range: Self Components: V, S Duration: 10 minutes You gain the ability to comprehend and verbally communicate with beasts for the duration. The knowledge and awareness of many beasts is limited by their intelligence, but at minimum, beasts can give you information about nearby locations and monsters, including whatever they can perceive or have perceived within the past day. You might be able to persuade a beast to perform a small favor for you, at the DM’s discretion. RACIAL TRAITS DarkvisionAccustomed to twilit forests and the night sky, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray. | AggressiveYou can use your bonus action to move up to your speed toward a hostile creature that you see. | Chaos ResistanceYou have advantage on saving throws against spells another magical effects that have the chaos descriptor and against the special attacks and spell-like abilities of chaotic aberrations and fiends. | Wasteland AwarenessYou have proficiency in the Wisdom (Survival) skill. In addition, you apply double your proficiency bonus to checks for this skill when you try to locate fresh, unpolluted drinking water or when you want to determine whether an area os free of dangerous creatures or hazards. | Wasteland ResilienceYou can survive for extended periods without sustenance. You can go without food or water for a number of days equal to 6 + twice your Constitution Modifier before you begin to suffer effects of exhaustion. In addition, the heavy folds of skin around your eyelids grant you advantage on saving throws against the effects of airborne dust particles and similar substances that could cause blindness or otherwise impair your vision FEATS Tavern BrawlerAccustomed to the rough-and-tumble fighting using whatever weapons happen to be at hand, you gain the following benefits: Increase your Strength or Consititution score by 1, to a maximum of 20. You are proficient with improvised weapons. Your unarmed strike uses a d4 for damage. When you hit a creature with an unarmed strike or an improvised weapon on your turn, you can use a bonus action to attempt to grapple the target. Background Feature A Reavers LifeYour life as a brigand or outlaw has brought you a certain notoriety. You have advantage on Charisma (Intimidate) checks against those aware of your past, and most criminals and bandits will have a starting attitude of indifference toward you. On the other hand, people like lawmakers and town guards will initially be hostile toward you until you can prove yourself to be trustworthy. You also know the location of various places within the wastes where you can hide or seek shelter. These locations should be relatively well-hidden and free of monsters, hazards, and traps. You can choose up to three such locations when you take this background. WEAPONS WEAPONS +1 Greatsword +8 to hit for (2d6+5) slashing, magic damage. Bokken (Great Club) +7 to hit for (1d8+4) bludgeoning damage Handaxe +7 to hit for (1d6+4) slashing damage range 20/60 ft Dagger +7 to hit for (1d4+3) piercing damage. | Finesse, light, thrown (20/60) Unarmed Strike +7 to hit for (1d4+4) bludgeoning damage Battle Meditation +1 Greatsword +8 to hit for (2d6+7) slashing, magic damage. Bokken (Great Club) +7 to hit for (1d8+6) bludgeoning damage Handaxe +7 to hit for (1d6+6) slashing damage range 20/60 ft Dagger +7 to hit for (1d4+6) piercing damage. | Finesse, light, thrown (20/60) Unarmed Strike +7 to hit for (1d4+6) bludgeoning damage SPELLS RITUAL TOTEM BARBARIAN SPELLS Beast SenseSource: Player's Handbook 2nd-level divination (ritual) Casting Time: 1 action Range: Touch Components: S Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour You touch a willing beast. For the duration of the spell, you can use your action to see through the beast’s eyes and hear what it hears, and continue to do so until you use your action to return to your normal senses. | Speak with AnimalsSource: Player's Handbook 1st-level divination (ritual) Casting Time: 1 action Range: Self Components: V, S Duration: 10 minutes You gain the ability to comprehend and verbally communicate with beasts for the duration. The knowledge and awareness of many beasts is limited by their intelligence, but at minimum, beasts can give you information about nearby locations and monsters, including whatever they can perceive or have perceived within the past day. You might be able to persuade a beast to perform a small favor for you, at the DM’s discretion. EQUIPMENT & ENCUMBERANCE TOTAL ENCUMBERANCE (94.62 lbs.) Weight: 94.62 lbs. / 270 lbs. max. (15 x STR Score) Status: Unencumbered Penalty: None MONEY POUCH (1.12 lbs.) Copper: 0 | Silver: 8 | Gold: 48 | Obsidian: 0 | Platinum: 0 (56 Coins x .02 lbs. = 1.12 lbs. Total Weight) EQUIPEMENT READIED (24 lbs.) Equipped items can be retrieved with a manipulate item interaction. Armor (4 lbs.) Traveler's Clothes - 4 lbs. Weapons (19 lbs.) +1 Greatsword - 6 lbs. | Dagger - 1 lb. | Hatchet - 2 lbs. | Bokken - 10 lbs Readied Items (1 lbs.) Thieves' Tools 1lbs EQUIPMENT STORED (27 lbs.) Stored items can be retrieved with an action. In Backpack (28.5 lbs.) Backpack - 5 lbs. | Mess Kit - 1 lbs. | Clothes Common - 3lbs | Mirror, Steel - .5lbs | Potion of Healing (x6) - 3lbs | Rations x10 20lbs | Tinderbox - 1lbs | Strapped to Backpack (35 lbs.) Waterskin - 5 lbs. | Rope, hempen - 10 lbs. | Bedroll & Blanket - 10 lbs. | Torche x10 - 10lbs Pouch (2.12 lbs) Money - Thieves Tools - 1lbs EQUIPMENT NOT CARRIED (--) * Denotes magic item (see below) MAGIC ITEMS NON-ATTUNED +1 Greatsword ATTUNED (0/3) APPEARANCE Age 20 | Height 7' 9" | Weight 356 lbs. | Hair Black| Eyes Grey | Complexion Green Marcus is a tall lean man of corded muscles, his moves are fluid and confident. His hair is kept pulled loose behind his head. His clothes are well-tended if a little threadbare. He travels with two swords, one in a sheath, a large blade, and another just tied with a cord, A large wooden practice sword. He is neither loud nor boisterous, but instead soft-spoken, using his sword to speak for him in combat with an earned confidence. Marcus is a serious man, he knows that he is not the greatest thinker or the life of a party. Though he knows that he is a weapon, an artist of violence. He has a soft spot for children and though he has no affinity for it, animals. He speaks softly and has a noticeable longing. He seems to be both guarded around people while yearning to be a part of something again. He does not consider himself a lone wolf, he is happy to listen to those with better knowledge or tactics. He is willing to speak his mind, but only cares to fight someone if they are awake, facing him and armed. BACKGROUND Wasteland Raider Source Wastes of Chaos Personality Traits: I live every day to the fullest because it could be my last, The Wastes reward those who are prepared Ideals: Honor - I leave my past behind me to take on the role of protector rather than predator Bonds: A nobile took pity on me and freed me from the gallows. Flaws: Hunted By My Past - Someone knows about my past, and they’re hunting me. Background Feature: A Reavers LifeYour life as a brigand or outlaw has brought you a certain notoriety. You have advantage on Charisma (Intimidate) checks against those aware of your past, and most criminals and bandits will have a starting attitude of indifference toward you. On the other hand, people like lawmakers and town guards will initially be hostile toward you until you can prove yourself to be trustworthy. You also know the location of various places within the wastes where you can hide or seek shelter. These locations should be relatively well-hidden and free of monsters, hazards, and traps. You can choose up to three such locations when you take this background. BACKSTORY Marcus was once a member of Wasteland Raiders, and Marcus was ordered to kill many people. In the service of a men he did not care for, but having the opportunity to perfect his skill with a blade Marcus did not put much thought into whom he served or what he was doing. But he was very good at it. When raiding, fighting was just a part of what you did. But one day his world was rocked. The Raiders went into a border town that they thought would be easy pickings, but instead, it was a trap. The raiding party was descended upon by a small militia supported by mercenaries. It was a slaughter, and those not killed were taken prisoner. After a forced march the raiders were forced to fight in pits for the amusement of the mercenaries and others. Marcuse reveled in the fight for his life every time he entered the arena. Marcus rose to the top of the pits and eventually caught the eye of a Noble. After a few visits, the Noble saw something in Marcus beyond that of a mindless raider. He was more dedicated to the art of fighting than raiding and pillaging. After a brief stint as the Noble's guard, the Noble let him go. He sensed that his service constrained Marcus, holding him back from honing his battle skills where they belonged, in battle. Marcus now wanders the Waste looking for a scrap, he sells his services to pilgrims and caravans seeking to cross the wastes knowing that such tempting targets will bring him his desired fights.

What are your feelings on reskinning a class? I would like to reskin Barbarian into a sword saint or swordmaster style class. Turn the Rage into a battle meditation similar to the swordmasters in the Wheel of Time. Mechanically it would be Barb, just reskinned for flavor.

Edward - Harbinger Edward furrowed his brow when asked to watch over Mikaela's body. The only reason why she would ask for him to look over her body would be that she would not be able to do so. Was this extrasensory perception? Was she Astral projecting? Such a skill, either one would be immensely useful when trying to gain intelligence. Already he had intruded upon her secrets and withheld the myriad of questions that flooded into him. <You can count on me.> Edward placed himself in a position where he could watch both Mikaela and get a good view of anyone coming from the direction of the strange crowds and see a reflection behind him in case of anyone approaching from there. "You can count on me." he says out loud to himself. He felt useless, only able to watch and protect a girl he just met. But then, it seemed she knew that she would be vulnerable, and by protecting her, he was in fact keeping her from a very real harm. While he watched and listened to the 'Network' he let his mind wander over the events and details to see if he could bring to the forefront of his mind any details that they may have missed. Passive Insight 24 - Passive Perception 24 - Passive Investigation 27

Edward - Harbinger Edward thought more than a few very old and easily translatable words if his tone could be read. <Please be careful, I am looking forward to our sparring session on Thursday and would hate to miss it because you are in the ICU> Edward was already running part of his mind in ways that they could start teamwork-style exercises to help them learn to work together. Sparring was fine, but perhaps they may need to learn how to utilize each other's strengths to accommodate these type of situations in the future. "There is much that is wrong here. The groups are not acting as individuals, the patterns are too uniform, they are acting as one mind or organism." Edward said trying to put together the clues that continued to be presented to him, even those that he was getting both under and over his conscious perception. There are too many unknown factors at play and I don't like the unknown Edward thought perhaps a bit too loudly as they closed the distance to the first building that they could peek around and get a better view of the plan unfolding. Passive Insight 24 - Passive Perception 24 - Passive Investigation 27

Edward - Harbinger Edward could appreciate that. "A friend once explained something similar to me. When manipulating a quarter with magnetic fields, there was a difference between putting a quarter into a vending machine and putting it through a vending machine, and though through was much easier, into was more useful." It seemed that he managed to find those who had also developed a sense of self-control for one reason or another. Perhaps Mikaela may even one day be counted as a friend. Though, it seemed that she was speaking about herself rather easily. Perhaps she, like him, had to hold people at bay. Letting someone get close what? Scares them? Causes harm? Wierds them out? Causes mistrust. That last one was the one that hurt the most. Friendships break because they do not feel that they can trust you. Edward counted himself lucky that he had Zhou to count as a friend "I can appreciate the need for such training. Were you lucky enough to have a teacher?" Edward had not been that lucky. "I'm sorry, I do not mean to pry, it's just..." I have an unerring need to accrue information and find answers. Passive Insight 24 - Passive Perception 24 - Passive Investigation 27

Edward - Harbinger Edward nodded to Mikaela and started jogging over with him. He half expected her to fly away, and company was appreciated while Zhou went in by himself. He was not thinking about his own safety, and he wondered what his Sensei would say. Edward would do what he could to not bring it up, unless it went very very poorly. Edward would need to request that they start training in other areas than just sparring. "Thank you for joining me," Edward said as he paced Mikaela. "I must commend you on your self-control and willpower. I could not imagine how much self-control it must take to be able to create a mental link with a small group of new and random individuals and still respect their mental privacy, you must have trained hard." Let alone if she was able to feel emotions, the constant eddies and whirlpools of emotions in the recent event must have been like waves crashing against the walls of a city. Passive Insight 24 - Passive Perception 24 - Passive Investigation 27

Sarah - Artifice Sarah sat back down in shock. She had been focused on their own predicament, she had not even begun to think of what Jan may have gone through, or for how long. "Damn, I am sorry, I...we...I'm sorry to hear that. It must have been hell." This did deflate her growing frustration and pressure on her. Then the thought that all of this bombarding of questions was just to see if their story changed or test them on what they perceived as the series of events. Sarah began to look at the "others" with suspicion.

Edward - Harbinger Edward "listened" as the others all ran off to get their own view of what was going on. And this wonderful new means of chat was audio only, Edward figured it was for very good reasons, mostly Mikaela's privacy and or her wish for privacy for others if Edward had his guess. Her discipline was exemplary, and he could only imagine that it was on par or better than Xhou's or his own. Perhaps if they had a chance to speak after this incident he could ask. Then there was a bright flash from behind the buildings. Sigh "So it would seem that the others are already on their way over. I am afraid that I do not have a means of quick travel, at least not at the moment. If you wish to jump over there and join the others you may, I will be there as I can, if you do not then I would be happy to have your company while we jog over." Edward said, still not completely willing to trust his ability to speak only to her in the mental chat room and not express his frustration to the others. He could call the Blue Blitz, but by the time it arrived, this may very well already be over. So he mentally prepared himself for a jog. Nothing too exerting, in case he had to fight on the other side. Passive Insight 24 - Passive Perception 24 - Passive Investigation 27

PSA that The Tick is on Hulu...

Edward - Harbinger "Thank you, I am sorry for the intrusion, I appreciate how you are taking it. If it means anything though, in this crowd, your presence is most likely minimal and will most likely only be noticed by our select few" Edward said aloud, before entering the mental "chat room". It was a new experience speaking telepathically. Edward was not sure if he would want this as a full-time thing or not. Already his mind was awash with information, to have the thoughts of others to be added to this chaos was not something he wanted to linger on. Edward was amazed at the control that she must have to be able to create a communication connection without reading their whole mind. He feared what he might inflict upon her should she read his unprepared. <Thank you, as our friendly resident Psychic here has passed along, the patterns are wrong, and it seems that something is going down on University Boulevard. There are a large number of small groups heading in that direction. And as expertly stated, I feel that it would be better that we investigate as a group> "Mikaela, is there a name you would prefer me to use in group chat, or would you be alright with your civilian name be used?" Edward was already known to everyone as Edward, it was easiest to just keep that for the time being, but he was already asking a lot from this woman and wanted to let her keep as many boundaries as she was comfortable with. Passive Insight 24 - Passive Perception 24 - Passive Investigation 27

Edward - Harbinger Edward watched as the good people of Cape City heard Nick's call and broke free of desperation and fear and began to think again, to help each other, to spread this courage and altruism. It was this last part that put Edward at ease. As people encouraged each other to help people the likelihood of injuries and death from trampling diminished greatly. Edward looked up at Nick in appreciation, the kid did good. With this concern mostly resolved, he could put the crowds out of his foremost thoughts, still keeping them in his perception, but not a part of his active thoughts. Instead, the crowd dressed in dark colors with sunglasses began to take Edward's attention. Edward looked over to the new girl and Nellie. With the new girl standing on the chair, perhaps being the one who summoned the shield, which if she is Edward would need to give her great credit for, that perhaps as much or more than Nick saved many people this day, she was the one with powers and perhaps was the one who fostered the communication between the two. It was a gamble, but he had to take it. "Excuse me, I know that we just met, and I still do not know your name, and I believe that you may be the one sustaining this," Edward waves to the impressive shield, "protection for the people, and you have no reason to listen to me, but perhaps, you might have the ability to speak directly to another's mind? If so, could you contact Zhou, the fast kid Jordan, and the flying bat kid Nick? Let them know that this is a distraction and that something is going on," Edward pointed, "Down that street. Once the people are out of danger, that is where we need to focus our attention. Something is going on down there." Then Edward remembered the most important part. "And perhaps we should go together as there is safety in numbers." He trusted Zhou to wait for him and others, but he had not trained with the others to know how they would move or act. And going off solo was a recipe to be ambushed. Passive Insight 24 - Passive Perception 24 - Passive Investigation 27

Edward - Harbinger Edward returned to his office after leaving Julia to her own ends. She had gotten out the worst of the emotional outburst and now was in recovery mode. She was leaving depression and moving toward acceptance. The only thing that he would do now was get in her way. So instead he went to his office and went to his wardrobe. When he opened the doors half of the large cabinet was full of outfits, pre-selected outfits already coordinated to Julia’s standards. She just could not be seen with him in public if he was not presentable, and apparently, color coordination was one of his biggest weaknesses. The other half of the cabinet was a large metal box with a matte finish, Edward placed his hand over a seemingly arbitrary portion of the box and it unsealed itself and a rack slid out. There were places on the rack for his pants, his shirt, his coat, and his tie. Once placed he gave the rack the lightest of touches and it slid into the box to…Well, Edward was not really sure what the box did. What he knew of the box was that what he received at the end of a cycle was clean, mended, pressed, and seemingly like brand new. He had Roger to thank for that as well. Roger was the first to recognize Edward's abilities as something that could be used for “Good” and the two of them spent many nights out in Cape City solving small cases, calling in tips to investigators, and fighting street crime. Thwarting muggings and robberies. Roger though had graduated and went off to work for Unlimitant GoTechnology, or U-Go. Before he left he had given Edward a few gifts, the suit which offered him a measure of protection, the Blue Blitz and its parking space, and a few other odds and ends. As the suit slid into the magic technology box Edward withdrew a nice comfortable PJ set, gray with blue stripes, and set them aside. His office shared a door to the “master” bath with his bedroom. The only thing master about it was that the bathtub was a little larger than the one in the other bathroom and had jets. Edward had yet to utilize these features in the time that he had lived there. Instead, he took a hot shower. He let his mind fall into the sound of the water striking his skin, the tub surface, the frosted glass, and the tile. The constant pressure of the water and heat took part of his brain and placed the mouse in the wheel and let it run, letting him decompress and think about his day. He would have time to think about his day later, but in the shower was the best time to let his mind wander to the events outside of his purposeful actions and thoughts. His mind began to process through the background of his conscious thoughts. The child who broke away from his father and almost ran into the street and was scolded by his mother, the banker who left his office at precisely twelve seventeen every day to get food from a taco truck two blocks down, the bearings on the rear wheel of the bus needed attention and were starting to grind. Information flowed through him and he mentally sorted it into important, not important, and save for later. Edward got out of the shower and toweled off, placed the towel into the towel hamper, Julia’s instance, and went into his office where he put on new undergarments and the set-aside PJs. He then went over to the closet and opened the door. Edward was met with a mass of racks, each set into the closet so as to create a wall of wooden panels. Edward selected one and rolled it out. The board was filled with notes, pictures, string, and push pins. Most of the boards had a picture in the middle of them, this one only had a question mark. There were images of crime scenes, images outside of the crime scenes, images of withered corpses with expressions of terror, a map of Cape City with pins and strings leading to crime scenes, and only a name to place at the center of it all. Koschei. It was only while casing a set of enforcers that he was even able to get a name. But the descriptions that they gave were dead on, so he had no reason to disbelieve. In his research Edward was not able to find much, the man might as well be the Boogieman for all he was able to find out. There was not enough of a pattern in the killings, Edward thought that he had worked one out and even came upon a fresh crime scene, but it was luck not skill that had gotten him there. If you call random phone numbers and answer the call with “Bless You” eventually you will get someone who, well for one will answer an unsolicited call from an unknown number, but will also have just sneezed. But it was just chance. Edward had tried to apply the formula several times since and nothing. Either something changed, or more likely Edward had it wrong. He believed that he had it wrong. But there was a new crime scene to put up on the board. Edward scribbled a few notes about the scene that the pictures did not cover and pinned them to the board with two strings dangling down, one that he pulled up to the question mark and the other to the map of the city and a new pin for the location, but it still seemed arbitrary and random. With so many crimes there was always some overlap. Second Cousins, fathers were business partners, Shopped at the same bridal shop in the same week, Children went to the same school, shared an internship several years ago, dated briefly, had the same SAT scores, went to the same Universities, intermittent fasted on Tuesdays. But these were only arbitrary connections that you could find in any randomly selected slice of society or Jury pool. Nothing that covered all of the victims, nothing that gave them a greater connection that he was able to find so far. So far. That was where he had to leave it. Something would eventually give. Some clue might bring this all together, but not today. Edward slid the board back into its spot in the closet and sat down on his computer. He finished some homework for school, checked Julia’s grades, checked a few message boards and social media sites that tended to inadvertently give information that could be useful, and visited a few bulletin boards that still operated because there were still a few holdouts from the early days of the internet. Nothing new. Edward could not leave it at that tonight. He went back to the wardrobe and opened the magic technology box and withdrew his suit. Fresh, clean and all the seams perfect Edward donned his armor and utility belt and made sure to turn on his ‘off heroing’ light, a lamp with a soft blue glow so that Julia would know he was out if she woke up in the middle of the night. Edward left the apartment and had the Blue Blitz meet him in the back. His first stop was a bodega for a sandwich, a foot-long with all the veggies and bologna. His second stop was after a bit of a search. He had to visit several parks and alleys until he found who he was looking for. They were sitting on a concrete bench in front of a replica of the Fontana Della Barcaccia. The pumps were off for the night so no water flowed through the fountain, but still, there was a serene beauty to the still water, and the ship cut from stone, or more probably concrete. On the bench was a homeless man, one of the invisible faceless masses of the street. Someone that during the day the average citizen of Cape City would let their eyes glance over them pretending that they were not there. Even with the Social Work of Cape City where anyone looking for aid could find a way off the streets, there were some that did not wish to adhere to such structure or follow the rules that governed society, both written and unwritten. And so even in a near utopia, there were still those who were homeless and on the streets by choice. The man wore three jackets and two hats, one woven and one knit. He had gloves that were fingerless, but only because they had been worn through. His skin was weather-toughened but clean, his garments as clean as one who slept on concrete or dirt could be. But he was sitting upright and proud, just admiring the fountain. Edward parked the Blitz and took the hoagie with him and sat down next to the man. “Hello John,” he stated. Edward had never met this particular man, but he had met John before. “Hello Harbinger,” the man said in a formal tone. Roger was not the first to call him this. It was John who was the first to call him Harbinger and the name slowly seeped out and began to stick. And it was not out of line or character and suited him. So Edward embraced the name. “With the fountains off and only the outer pool lights on the ship seems to be almost real,” he stated. “Yes, the work is good, and the replication is nearly perfect. They even included the wear over the centuries.” Edward handed over the hoagie to John as he looked over the fountain. Coins littered the bottom of the fountain, mostly pennies, some foreign coins, and a smattering of quarters. Every week or so the coins are collected and used to help fund a nearby pay-what-you-can restaurant. John accepted the offering and stowed it away. Edward had never seen John eat, but he suspected that his offerings went to other homeless that were in more need. Edward met John a few years back, he had been searching for a ‘runaway’ and had been asking about them with the homeless as they were more likely to have information. Very quickly Edward had noticed that several of the people he talked to had the same mannerisms. Not similar, the same. John was not several homeless people on the street. John was one gestalt mind in the bodies of several homeless people on the street. Just as John had given Edward the name Harbinger, Edward had dubbed this Gestalt ‘John Doe’. This amused the Gestalt and Edward had been calling it John, male or female host, ever since. “You seek information about Koschei?” John asked. “Always, but the boogieman is like trying to capture a shadow.” “There was another murder, East Second and George Washington. The police have already contaminated the crime scene and the bodies have been taken to the morgue.” “I may give it a look, thank you for the information.” John understood Edward better than most, the Gestalt understood what it meant to be fed an overwhelming amount of stimuli and input. They were kindred spirits in their own way. But John was not one mind taking in the information, but several, perhaps hundreds. Edward had not pegged them all down yet, he was not sure he even could if he tried. He did not understand nor get an answer to how the mind grew or accepted another. And he accepted that it was not his to know and let John keep that secret. “The crime scene may have to wait. I have a request for you Harbinger. A child of the streets has gone missing and we fear for her safety. If you could look into it we would be appreciative.” “Rare is it the chance for me to pay you back for your generosity John. Where do I start?” Edward never pressed for information, always allowing John to give but never seeking. There were forces on the streets that could make life worse for those who live there. John was invaluable to Edward though because the homeless were nearly invisible and easily forgotten. Words were spoken around them that would otherwise only be spoken in private. “The child, female in her early teens, brown hair, green eyes, 64 inches tall, claims the name Bradlee, she was last spotted at the entrance of the Fens.” The fens, it was a series of alleys that had a higher than normal disappearing persons rate. But as most of those missing persons were non-persons or homeless it was not on anyone's priority list. It was well known to the homeless to stay away, but it was also a place where drugs were sold, whatever was abducting people were using that as a lure. One of the entrances to the Fens was not far, so Edward set the Blue Blitz to return to home base and he would walk. “Thank you, John, I will take it from here,” he said standing. John had never taken his hand when offered, so without any more ceremony, he stood up and began to make his way to the Fens, eventually finding himself at an entrance to an alley between a Cape City Bank and Billowing Cape Insurance. The street light was out, and Edward was only illuminated by the light of the bank sign. He pulled the domino mask from his jacket's inner pocket and donned it, completing the Harbinger persona, and walked into the darkness.

Edward - Harbinger Edward was about to respond to Jordan, yes that was his name when Halogen and Orion stepped up to the microphone. So he motioned that they could speak after and turned his attention to the stage…as much as he could without his mind scanning the crowd in front of him, the heroes. The gravel in Orion’s boot is similar to that on Fourth and Broadway where the road work is taking place and they brought in gravel for the construction equipment before it was repaved. A girl two rows ahead of them had recently been crying and the boy next to her was not paying any attention to her though she was turned slightly toward him in difference. Three teens were engrossed with something on their phones three rows back and to his right. A man to his left was taking off his wedding ring and placing it into his pocket. A small child squealed in delight when Orion “Landed” on the stage The information flowed over him and his brain began to sort and stow. His focus narrowed when Ms. Gwendolyn Knight took the stage. Was she about to announce the return of the Ultramarine? When the roar of approval washed over him when it was announced that all student debt was absolved, Edward was…indifferent. His schooling had been taken care of by the trust, but many of his classmates would be removed from a future of crippling debt. It was a good thing and he was happy for those who just had a burden lifted from their shoulders. Perhaps if the generosity continues, Julia can have her education taken care of. This would allow him to help direct the Trust to put something better down for a place to live. This was certainly a good thing no matter how it plays out. Then something happened. There was an explosion and everything began to slow down. The heroes took to the sky flying toward danger, the new girl stood on her chair, and rubble and debris falling from the sky began to be deflected, this may be connected and he would need to inquire about it later. Zhou jumped into the air and…landed on the air, or a shield blocking debris, and began running toward danger. Right now there were two dangers. Whatever caused the explosion, and the crowd. The explosion could be a diversion, it could be an attack, it could be a robbery, it could be an invasion. Edward knew that his first duty would be to the innocents. But his voice would not be heard over the din, but Nick… Edward reviewed the best exits from this venue in his mind and worked out the best exits. “Nick, I hope your voice can extend to loud in addition to soft and pointed. But if you could, direct people to remain calm and in the spirit of C-Day be a Hero and help those around them in this time of crisis.” Hopefully appealing to the citizens of Cape City’s heroic nature would help people turn from fear to courage. Panic was infectious and would only cause more harm and collateral damage. Courage could change that and reduce further injuries. Now Edward stood on his own chair and began to look about, see the people, look to the damage done, and work out why. An explosion could be an act of terror, robbery, or distraction. With this knowledge, he would be better able to direct others to help. Passive Insight 24 - Passive Perception 24 - Passive Investigation 27

Rolls

Edward - Harbinger Edward's shoulder was sore, it was to be expected after a sparring session with Zhou, even when he is able to read how the fight will go it does not ensure that he will win. He was able to touch Zhou a few times, but not with enough force to harm him. The average street thug may think differently though. As he walked toward the bus stop a bit of paper caught his eye. It was the kind of paper that drew everyone’s eye as it was money. A crumpled five-dollar bill. This stopped him, there was no one around, no one to return it to. As he picked it up he knew…he KNEW that he was about to go into the nearby bodega and buy a soda. He did not understand the why, but when he had a feeling like this he understood that it was better to trust his gut and follow. But why did the universe want him to buy a soda? Well, he was about to find out. Edward came out with a bottle of Aurora Dew, the sea green one. The one flavored with lime instead of orange. Why the original yellow one was flavored with real orange juice he could not figure out, oxidized orange juice held no flavor, but was a necessary step for preserving and shipping the concentrate. All flavors came from the mix of oils and “natural flavors” that were added after the fact to maintain a consistent product. This was most likely the same thing happening with the lime or Bahamama flavored one, but it was more tolerable to him than the others, less Red 40 by far than the cherry one, or gods knows what in the blue. Edward generally stayed away from sodas though, they tended to be a vehicle for sugar more than anything else. It took quite a bit of sugar to hide the sour taste of carbonation. It was actually healthier to just buy a box of donuts…but the universe did not want donuts this evening. He walked down the sidewalk again, but now something had changed. Now he had a man following him. He was hooded with a shadow shrouding his face, he carried a knife, relatively large by the standard of concealable, his jacket was threadbare, his jeans threadbare. He walked with a very slight limp, favoring his right knee though his left foot scraped the ground as he walked, no, more than walking but less than a jog or run. In short order, unless Edward ran the man would be upon him. Edward knew that if he did not confront this man, another would die. Why another? Already his mind had processed something that had not yet come to the forefront. He moved down a nearby alleyway, went about ten feet, and turned around, waiting for the man. The man had sprinted to catch up and was breathing heavily from the exertion though he held the knife at the ready. The knife was wet, not dripping anymore, but it recently had been, the red stain not yet dry. His eyes though, those are what told Edward most of what he had assumed, they were dilated, the man must be on drugs, but they also spoke of desperation. The man wanted whatever Edward could give him, but he was not interested in asking nicely. “I have $46 in my wallet, you can have all of it,” he said in a neutral tone already knowing that this was not going to end in such an easy manner. The man was high and already seeking his next fix. Edward was not sure by his looks and symptoms what he was high on, it could have been any of the new mixes that had been hitting the streets recently perhaps Tweak, it at least was not a drug that gave super strength or speed, but it did make a person feel invincible and was hideously addictive. The police do a decent job, but it was always trying to hold sand in their hands, there was always something that got through. “I will be taking everything!” He said in a hungry tone, it was as much of a command as a statement. The negotiations were over. He was unsteady, his hand was unable to remain still, he was still favoring his right leg and telegraphed his lunge. Edward stepped slightly to the side, his hand reaching and grabbing the arm above the knife, his other arm following to connect to the man’s elbow overextending it until ‘CRACK’ The sound of an elbow dislocating was never a pleasant one. But drugged as he was, the knife remained in his hand. Using a technique shown to him by Zhou, Edward’s hand slid down to the wrist and twisted, then Edward added his own move to this and stomped on the man's knee. The knife dropped from his hand. Then Edward raised his knee and the man's head, already in a pivot down, met. The man was stunned, at least stunned enough to allow Edward to pull out zip ties and bind the man. He would call the police soon enough, but there was another person out there wounded. Edward did not dally, he followed the trail of blood, and it did not take long. The man was still breathing, and before he even reached him he had called the emergency number. “91…” “I am in an alley just off 30th and Broadway, a man has been stabbed and is bleeding out…I can’t stop the bleeding, please help!” his voice was frantic, enough to convince the operator that he was just a normal civilian who ran across a dying person. “Alright sir, I need you to remain calm…” he was told as he removed his jacket and rolled his sleeves. - Quickly police and emergency workers were dispatched and on scene, red and blue lights of police cars and an all-red of an ambulance filled the night. Edward was separated from the man, somehow only his hands had gotten bloody, and was “cleaned up” and questioned while paramedics tended to him and removed him on a stretcher from the alley to the ambulance. The man would survive. One intrepid officer followed the trail of blood to find the assailant, still zip-tied. It was not long before his statement was taken and he was released just in time to see the Bus pass by. He would miss this one, and because of that, he would miss the connection, Julie would worry if he was too late returning. Edward passed the bus stop and moved to a nice quiet spot and called the Blue Blitz. It did not take long for the monowheeled cycle to make it to him. The Blitz was a marvel of engineering, nothing that he would have been able to craft for himself, another marvel of Rodger. He took the helmet out of the storage space, and then he was off. The Blitz could go much faster than he was comfortable with. Even with the gyroscopes, Edward was not yet comfortable taking the corners at speed yet he was home in a fraction of the time it would have taken with public transportation. After parking the Blitz and securing it in a hidden room in the bottom deck of the car park, he took the elevator up, giving himself time to compose himself. Entering the apartment the world again opened up to him like a bad detective movie. A jacket was draped over the Loafing-Boy chair, a backpack had been tossed onto the couch but fell off bringing a few throw pillows with it, a carton of Cookie-Dough Ice Cream sat empty on the counter with a spoon draped out of the near-empty melting container. Shoes were dropped haphazardly in the hallway and a door was open a crack painting the hallway in darkness. As Edward opened the door he found Julie draped across her bed crying. All of the clues were drawn together to focus on the young woman. If it was her female friends it would have been Chinese food or cookies, and the kitchen would be a mess of pots and pans. But ice cream? Ice Cream was for boy troubles. But if Edward knew anything he knew this…Julie did not want to talk about it. As Edward entered he took his jacket off and hung it on the doorknob. He drifted over to her and gently lifted her up enough to sit down next to her and rest her head upon his shoulder. Julie sobbed and Edward gently cradled her head and hugged her tighter. Julie sobbed harder. Edward had tried speaking to Julie in instances like this before. He has tried to talk her through it, he has tried to help her identify problems so they could find solutions, and he has tried to put together the problem so that he could resolve the situation behind her back…the best result was explosive and trust-breaking. Edward has come to the realization that she did not want him to solve her problems, she would take care of herself, but what she needed was his support, comfort, and life preserver she could cling to until she could tread water herself. She was strong and would get through this. What she needed from him was to be there. It was the hardest task he had been charged with, to care for her, to be there for her, and to let her forge her own path and not stand in her way. Not all battles could be fought with your hands and feet, not all threads needed to be pulled, not all pieces were to the same puzzle, and some puzzles were not his to solve.

Edward - Harbinger Edward managed to get into the amphitheater with the others not too far behind the Bat...guy and his friend. Eighth row, not too bad, and to find the guy with four seats next to him. Edward made his way through the crowd, past those who chose to sit next to the isle and sat down next to...a guy who he needs to ask a name. "Thank you for the courtesy of saving our seats. I'm Edward...again" he says as he extends his hand to the Winged young man as he sat down before everything began. Passive Insight 24 - Passive Perception 24 - Passive Investigation 27