Odd twists on old origin ideas

[Hermit]

Which one do you like most?

Option 1:A spider, exposed to radiation, bites on a high school student. Over the course of the next week, a painful metamorphosis occurs. The spider becomes humanoid, gaining human powers from the DNA it interacted with! Perhaps the spider even somehow absorbs some of the memories of the one it bit, and is having identity issues. The kid who got bit is fine, but will understandibly be freaked out if he sees the spider when the changes are done.

Option 2:Decades ago, many light years from Earth, a scientist is convinced his planet is doomed, and sends his only son to safety by launching him into space. The boy arrives here, and is raised as one of our own. Eventually, he learns of his origins, hears the recorded words of his father, and goes to see what is left of his old homeworld that he doesn't even remember.
It turns out it's fine. His dad really was a crackpot, and is still serving time for the presumed murder of his son.

Option 3:On an island of women living similar to ancient Greece, its natives consider it a paradise. The princess is sent out to Man's world, to share what they know about the path of peace and civilized thought. Only, the princess soon discovers 'Man's world' actually affords her more oppurtunities than home ever did. It's cleaner, more advanced since it isn't stuck in an archaic mindset, and has more perks than she ever thought possible. Come to think of it, it isn't like crime is actually that much lower on the island despite mom's tyranny. Determined to never go home again, she uses her magic devices to fight to protect her NEW home, and dreads the day her people might come to bring her back to a backwater lump of dirt in the Pacific.

Option 4:A young lad, born with a silver spoon in his mouth, leaves a theatre with his parents, only to have his peace loving father shot down in front of his eyes, followed by his defenseless mother. The boy feels helplessness, and rage. Then, one night, comes to a conclusion, a realization that will change his life forever and take him down a path of destiny: If only his father had a gun and proper training, it might be the mugger who had been shot instead! Over the next decade, the boy trains himself to become the greatest marksman in the world! He puts his vast fortune into weapon design, gathering military contracts, and trying to make sure law enforcement is always two steps ahead of the scum on the street even as he patrols the city's shadows as a dark knight...with a really good gun.

Option 5: During World War II, a colorfully costumed soldier becomes the symbol for a nation. Alas, during one mission, he sinks into the North Sea, and is frozen.
He dies, of course. However, his body is almost perfectly preserved, and is found by a tribal people who see him as a sign from their Gods. Their shaman learns how to bring his warrior spirit back to this plane, and now, with the young men and women of the tribe as his willing hosts for possession, he seeks to help them, and better the world of the living.

Option 6:
A baby is found abandoned near a light house or so claims the lighthouse keeper who takes the lad in, and raises him as his own. The boy's natural affinity with the sea grows as he does. Soon, mysterious aquatic powers are shown to be the norm. When he becomes a young man, he discovers signs of other underwater dwellers, and is convinced he is one of them. The lighthouse keeper comes clean. He is our half Atlantean's biological father, the queen of Atlantis had an affair out of boredom, cheating on her husband. If this is ever discovered, Atlantean law would have the adulterous queen put to death. When he makes appearances, his mother, fearing the truth might be discovered, sends merceneries (both under water and surface) to hunt her son down and kill him rather than risk her throne (and, of course, her life).

Option 7:An alien space cop crash lands on earth, and seeks a successor, one with no fear to wield a powerful energy device. As he is about to hand it over, a young Lt. of the United States Air Force arrives with a special unit, and seizes the alien's aircraft, body, AND device for National Security. The civilian pilot is debriefed, and understandibly upset, particularly when the pretty officer not only fails to fall for his charms, but apparently qualifies for the ring as well. The United States Government soon contacts the interstellar corps to return their fallen man to them (out of respect), and a joint mission is agreed upon. Now the Lt in question serves both the US mililtary and acts as space officer for this sector. Naturally, the aliens aren't thrilled by this incident, but they want to avoid an interstellar diplomatic incident, the woman DOES qualify, and apparently Earth has a lot of heroes that will object to their planet being dictated to, so they tolerate it for now.

Option 8: A young girl, orphaned by a tragic accident, forced to become a theif to survive for a time, grows into a lovely young woman. She develops powers of the weather itself, and a group of people begin to worship her as goddess. Then, a bald man projects his very thoughts into her mind from half way around the globe, telling her she is not a goddess, but merely a different type of person who can do much good with her powers. The young woman instantly realizes the truth...
This guy is nuts. Clearly she's a goddess, she controls the freaking weather. He's probably some sort of god himself, just one in denial. Still, the doing good part sounds alright? And what better way than to spread the word of her faith to the unbelievers by good deeds. She takes her cult to the United States where it REALLY takes off. Now juggling her duties as superhero AND Deity, she hopes to make the planet a better place from her temple/penthouse.

[Kirby]

What?! No multi-choice poll? I'll have to think on this. I like a few of them very much.

[Hermit]

Actually, the poll just came up. Though it's not multi choice :)

[proditor]

Option 5 looks very cool hoss.

Correction: They all look cool, but that one struck a chord with me.

[Lord Liaden]

Option 1 appeals to me the most. Not because it's topical, but because the character has lots of potential for interesting interactions: misunderstood monster, human and animal instincts at war, memories of a life and connections to people that it has had no real part of.

[teh bunneh]

I went with GL, but it was a tough call between him, Wonder Woman, and Storm. :thumbup:

[Supreme Serpent]

Several fun ones, but the "Jor-el was nuts" one struck a chord.

[Log-Man]

After reading the first one I thought "Ok, Hermit's off his meds again..." but several of these are pretty interesting. I think I have to go with number two, with number eight a close second.

[mattingly]

I like BatPunisher the best, though several are fun.

[Haven Walkur]

This is a wonderful and clever post, Hermit. Well done! It's a true "re-imagining" of origins so familiar that they've become (beloved) clichés. Unfortunately, though, you'll have to settle for Virtual Rep (TM) from me for now, because the Board won't let me give you the real stuff yet.

All the options are ingenious and beautifully devised. The original "origin story" is still instantly recognizable, and the variant, in each case, is a perfectly reasonable alternative that also manages to make good comic-book sense...enhanced but not overwhelmed by a sprinkling of "grit" (especially in Options 4 & 6).

Which do I like best? Oh, I like 'em all. All the Options made me smile...but my favorite(s) are the two that made me go, "Wow!"

My favorite is Option Four, the Second Amendment Hero (this was a particularly good, justifiable twist with excellent extrapolation).

It's followed very closely by Option One, the Spectacular Man-Spider (a wonderful "why not?" twist that makes just as much sense as the original).

Hmm, and Option Six, the Bastard Prince, is also a very good one, but it's not a favorite because I just don't like Aqua-Man much.

But I do like the way this Option suggests an entirely new -- and much more engaging -- feudal flavor for the entire Aqua-Man comic cycle. It also creates a really challenging and believably-motivated nemesis for the hero in his mother. (Classic Amberite family values here.)

Hermit, you've succeeded in doing what famous film-makers and comic writers constantly fail (miserably) to do; you really have re-imagined the characters' circumstances, without despoiling the characters! I particularly like the fact that in each option*, you found an alternative where the characters all ended up being heroes anyway. To me, that makes sense...because these are still the same heroic people, no matter how their hero career begins.


*As you didn't say in the Options, I don't know that the Spectacular Man-Spider becomes a hero. But if it has Pete's memories....

[jkwleisemann]

Dagnabbit - I only get to chose *one*?!?

Edit: I picked #5... I'm always a sucker for a good ol' fashioned voodoo-flavored-flagsuit!

[Balabanto]

I'm also a fan of "Shaman America!"

[Kevin Schultz]

I liked "The Last Son of Krackpot", but Man-Spider was a close second, as well as "Wonder (When I'll Have to go Home) Woman".

[Kristopher]

Which one do you like most?

Option 1:A spider, exposed to radiation, bites on a high school student. Over the course of the next week, a painful metamorphosis occurs. The spider becomes humanoid, gaining human powers from the DNA it interacted with! Perhaps the spider even somehow absorbs some of the memories of the one it bit, and is having identity issues. The kid who got bit is fine, but will understandibly be freaked out if he sees the spider when the changes are done.

Option 2:Decades ago, many light years from Earth, a scientist is convinced his planet is doomed, and sends his only son to safety by launching him into space. The boy arrives here, and is raised as one of our own. Eventually, he learns of his origins, hears the recorded words of his father, and goes to see what is left of his old homeworld that he doesn't even remember.
It turns out it's fine. His dad really was a crackpot, and is still serving time for the presumed murder of his son.

Option 3:On an island of women living similar to ancient Greece, its natives consider it a paradise. The princess is sent out to Man's world, to share what they know about the path of peace and civilized thought. Only, the princess soon discovers 'Man's world' actually affords her more oppurtunities than home ever did. It's cleaner, more advanced since it isn't stuck in an archaic mindset, and has more perks than she ever thought possible. Come to think of it, it isn't like crime is actually that much lower on the island despite mom's tyranny. Determined to never go home again, she uses her magic devices to fight to protect her NEW home, and dreads the day her people might come to bring her back to a backwater lump of dirt in the Pacific.

Option 4:A young lad, born with a silver spoon in his mouth, leaves a theatre with his parents, only to have his peace loving father shot down in front of his eyes, followed by his defenseless mother. The boy feels helplessness, and rage. Then, one night, comes to a conclusion, a realization that will change his life forever and take him down a path of destiny: If only his father had a gun and proper training, it might be the mugger who had been shot instead! Over the next decade, the boy trains himself to become the greatest marksman in the world! He puts his vast fortune into weapon design, gathering military contracts, and trying to make sure law enforcement is always two steps ahead of the scum on the street even as he patrols the city's shadows as a dark knight...with a really good gun.

Option 5: During World War II, a colorfully costumed soldier becomes the symbol for a nation. Alas, during one mission, he sinks into the North Sea, and is frozen.
He dies, of course. However, his body is almost perfectly preserved, and is found by a tribal people who see him as a sign from their Gods. Their shaman learns how to bring his warrior spirit back to this plane, and now, with the young men and women of the tribe as his willing hosts for possession, he seeks to help them, and better the world of the living.

Option 6:
A baby is found abandoned near a light house or so claims the lighthouse keeper who takes the lad in, and raises him as his own. The boy's natural affinity with the sea grows as he does. Soon, mysterious aquatic powers are shown to be the norm. When he becomes a young man, he discovers signs of other underwater dwellers, and is convinced he is one of them. The lighthouse keeper comes clean. He is our half Atlantean's biological father, the queen of Atlantis had an affair out of boredom, cheating on her husband. If this is ever discovered, Atlantean law would have the adulterous queen put to death. When he makes appearances, his mother, fearing the truth might be discovered, sends merceneries (both under water and surface) to hunt her son down and kill him rather than risk her throne (and, of course, her life).

Option 7:An alien space cop crash lands on earth, and seeks a successor, one with no fear to wield a powerful energy device. As he is about to hand it over, a young Lt. of the United States Air Force arrives with a special unit, and seizes the alien's aircraft, body, AND device for National Security. The civilian pilot is debriefed, and understandibly upset, particularly when the pretty officer not only fails to fall for his charms, but apparently qualifies for the ring as well. The United States Government soon contacts the interstellar corps to return their fallen man to them (out of respect), and a joint mission is agreed upon. Now the Lt in question serves both the US mililtary and acts as space officer for this sector. Naturally, the aliens aren't thrilled by this incident, but they want to avoid an interstellar diplomatic incident, the woman DOES qualify, and apparently Earth has a lot of heroes that will object to their planet being dictated to, so they tolerate it for now.

Option 8: A young girl, orphaned by a tragic accident, forced to become a theif to survive for a time, grows into a lovely young woman. She develops powers of the weather itself, and a group of people begin to worship her as goddess. Then, a bald man projects his very thoughts into her mind from half way around the globe, telling her she is not a goddess, but merely a different type of person who can do much good with her powers. The young woman instantly realizes the truth...
This guy is nuts. Clearly she's a goddess, she controls the freaking weather. He's probably some sort of god himself, just one in denial. Still, the doing good part sounds alright? And what better way than to spread the word of her faith to the unbelievers by good deeds. She takes her cult to the United States where it REALLY takes off. Now juggling her duties as superhero AND Deity, she hopes to make the planet a better place from her temple/penthouse.

Repped. I love each of the twists.

(I find the "Jor El was a fruitbat!" one particularly twisty.)

[Cancer]

Option 2 gives me something to aspire to. I just have to keep my son from figuring it out. :eg:

[Hermit]

Hermit, you've succeeded in doing what famous film-makers and comic writers constantly fail (miserably) to do; you really have re-imagined the characters' circumstances, without despoiling the characters! I particularly like the fact that in each option*, you found an alternative where the characters all ended up being heroes anyway. To me, that makes sense...because these are still the same heroic people, no matter how their hero career begins.



:o

Thank you all for the very kind words. This was mostly just a creative exercise for me, so if any of these ideas appeal to you guys feel free to adapt them to your own use...after all, that's all I did with the originals ;)

[Kirby]

First, I like most of them a lot! I chose the Wonder Woman twist. As for the Green Lantern twist, I thought that was going to be a hybrid with Captain Atom. (Imagine that power!: "My ring may not affect yellow, but my atomic blast does!")

[Spidey88]

All of them were really neat, but option one is like you pulled thoughts right out of my head...

[Kirby]

Option 1:A spider, exposed to radiation, bites on a high school student. Over the course of the next week, a painful metamorphosis occurs. The spider becomes humanoid, gaining human powers from the DNA it interacted with! Perhaps the spider even somehow absorbs some of the memories of the one it bit, and is having identity issues. The kid who got bit is fine, but will understandibly be freaked out if he sees the spider when the changes are done.Heh, I just started thinking about this one. What If the spider remains its original size and you have a human just an inch or so tall? Or perhaps the Spider learns how to use a Blackberry or cell phone. With eight legs, he could type messages pretty fast. Well, okay, about as fast as a regular human, but can you imagine him doing detective work and discovers that Villain E is going to kill Citizen K, and when Citizen K wakes up in the morning, there's a spider typing on his cellphone/blackberry "Get out of town now!" (Maybe with an additonal line "Kingpin wants you in the gutter!")

And for the others...


Option 2:Decades ago, many light years from Earth, a scientist is convinced his planet is doomed, and sends his only son to safety by launching him into space. The boy arrives here, and is raised as one of our own. Eventually, he learns of his origins, hears the recorded words of his father, and goes to see what is left of his old homeworld that he doesn't even remember.
It turns out it's fine. His dad really was a crackpot, and is still serving time for the presumed murder of his son.Definitely a background for someone who wants a character with guilt. (And I've known players that like guilt/tragedy for their PCs.) "If I'd only known, Dad, I would have returned sooner."


Option 3:On an island of women living similar to ancient Greece, its natives consider it a paradise. The princess is sent out to Man's world, to share what they know about the path of peace and civilized thought. Only, the princess soon discovers 'Man's world' actually affords her more oppurtunities than home ever did. It's cleaner, more advanced since it isn't stuck in an archaic mindset, and has more perks than she ever thought possible. Come to think of it, it isn't like crime is actually that much lower on the island despite mom's tyranny. Determined to never go home again, she uses her magic devices to fight to protect her NEW home, and dreads the day her people might come to bring her back to a backwater lump of dirt in the Pacific.This one's my favorite. Maybe she still likes to wear the Greek toga/skirt? :love:


Option 4:A young lad, born with a silver spoon in his mouth, leaves a theatre with his parents, only to have his peace loving father shot down in front of his eyes, followed by his defenseless mother. The boy feels helplessness, and rage. Then, one night, comes to a conclusion, a realization that will change his life forever and take him down a path of destiny: If only his father had a gun and proper training, it might be the mugger who had been shot instead! Over the next decade, the boy trains himself to become the greatest marksman in the world! He puts his vast fortune into weapon design, gathering military contracts, and trying to make sure law enforcement is always two steps ahead of the scum on the street even as he patrols the city's shadows as a dark knight...with a really good gun.Pistol, man! Really good pistol! I like the military contracts part.


Option 5: During World War II, a colorfully costumed soldier becomes the symbol for a nation. Alas, during one mission, he sinks into the North Sea, and is frozen.
He dies, of course. However, his body is almost perfectly preserved, and is found by a tribal people who see him as a sign from their Gods. Their shaman learns how to bring his warrior spirit back to this plane, and now, with the young men and women of the tribe as his willing hosts for possession, he seeks to help them, and better the world of the living. His quote: "You may kill my host body, but you'll never kill the Spirit of America!"


Option 6: A baby is found abandoned near a light house or so claims the lighthouse keeper who takes the lad in, and raises him as his own. The boy's natural affinity with the sea grows as he does. Soon, mysterious aquatic powers are shown to be the norm. When he becomes a young man, he discovers signs of other underwater dwellers, and is convinced he is one of them. The lighthouse keeper comes clean. He is our half Atlantean's biological father, the queen of Atlantis had an affair out of boredom, cheating on her husband. If this is ever discovered, Atlantean law would have the adulterous queen put to death. When he makes appearances, his mother, fearing the truth might be discovered, sends merceneries (both under water and surface) to hunt her son down and kill him rather than risk her throne (and, of course, her life).Better than Aquaman's origin, in my opinion (though it probably wouldn't have been allowed back when he was introduced).


Option 7:An alien space cop crash lands on earth, and seeks a successor, one with no fear to wield a powerful energy device. As he is about to hand it over, a young Lt. of the United States Air Force arrives with a special unit, and seizes the alien's aircraft, body, AND device for National Security. The civilian pilot is debriefed, and understandibly upset, particularly when the pretty officer not only fails to fall for his charms, but apparently qualifies for the ring as well. The United States Government soon contacts the interstellar corps to return their fallen man to them (out of respect), and a joint mission is agreed upon. Now the Lt in question serves both the US mililtary and acts as space officer for this sector. Naturally, the aliens aren't thrilled by this incident, but they want to avoid an interstellar diplomatic incident, the woman DOES qualify, and apparently Earth has a lot of heroes that will object to their planet being dictated to, so they tolerate it for now.So that's what Area 51 is all about. :sneaky:


Option 8: A young girl, orphaned by a tragic accident, forced to become a theif to survive for a time, grows into a lovely young woman. She develops powers of the weather itself, and a group of people begin to worship her as goddess. Then, a bald man projects his very thoughts into her mind from half way around the globe, telling her she is not a goddess, but merely a different type of person who can do much good with her powers. The young woman instantly realizes the truth...
This guy is nuts. Clearly she's a goddess, she controls the freaking weather. He's probably some sort of god himself, just one in denial. Still, the doing good part sounds alright? And what better way than to spread the word of her faith to the unbelievers by good deeds. She takes her cult to the United States where it REALLY takes off. Now juggling her duties as superhero AND Deity, she hopes to make the planet a better place from her temple/penthouse.Tempest. Takes Destroyer's quote of "One must expect to feel a few thunderbolts when one challnges the gods."

[Kid Jurassic]

I like #7. It seems way too close to what would actually happen.

[Victim]

Option 2 suggests a further twist: That the brilliant but cracked scientist was from Earth (Great Depression, the darkest days of WW2, or the Cold War might be prompts for his action). The ship could have been on a timed return, or some mishap/intervention screwed up the intended flightpath.

[palaskar]

Man, if I had read the post before voting, I probably would have voted for BatPunisher. As it was I was tied between "Water Breathing Skank" and "I hit with a Thunderbolt" (which I thought was Captain Marvel.)

Why BatPunisher? Because I've been toying with the idea that Bruce's parents were killed by the police, as the reclusive Waynes are mistaken for criminals who have stolen some valuable items from someone of the upper class (pearl necklace, etc.) When his dad reaches for his wallet, the cops shoot his parents 51 times. Bruce tries to testify against the cops in court, but the corrupt judicial system deems him "in need of psychiatric help" and tosses him in Arkham Asylum. Bruce spends years there, learning how to survive in an environment populated by the most vicious criminals in Gotham. When he is released when his butler Alfred overturns his court ruling, he finds much of the Wayne family fortune depleted by corrupt lawyers and court "seizures" of "criminal" money.

But there's enough. Enough for Bruce to craft himself a bullet-proof Batsuit, and a few other toys. He systematically takes over Gotham's criminal empire, including the non-muderous criminals of Gotham. Those who kill, or seriously oppose him are turned into one of his Man-Bats.

Now the Dark Knight roams Gotham, feared by all. Only Barbara Gordon, Clayface, and a certain highly trained man named Bane stand in the way of Bruce's total destruction of Gotham's law enforcement....

[jkwleisemann]

Dude... rep'ed. Nothing more to say than that... and that that is *delightfully* f'ed up! :D

[palaskar]

Well, here is the write-up for the Dark Knight. Damn thing took me three or four hours. Reminds me why I don't actively play Champions/HERO actively anymore.

The Dark Knight: Batman Re-imagined

20 STR: 10 pts
24 DEX: 42 pts
20 CON 40 pts
15 BODY 10 pts
23 INT 13 pts
30 EGO 20pts
20 PRE 10 pts
20 COM 5 pts
10 PD 6 pts
8 ED 2pts
6 SPD 26 pts
8 REC 0 pts
40 END 0 pts
35 STUN 0 pts

Total Characteristic Cost: 184

Martial Arts

Jailhouse Rock

4 Headbutt/Knee/Elbow 0 OCV +2 DCV STR+2d6 Strike

Dirty Infighting

4 Disarm -1 OCV +1 DCV Disarm, +10 STR
4 Low Blow -1 OCV +1 DCV 2d6 NND (def. is resistant PD on groin)
3 Throw +0 OCV+1 DCV STR + v/5, Target Falls

Total Martial Arts Cost: 15

He’s Not Human!:
Dark Knight Armor
30 Armor: Advanced Body Armor (11rPD/11rED), (Hardened +1/4) OVID (-1/4)
16 Black Ice Freeze : 2d6 BODY, 2 DEF Entangle (OVID, -1/4)
10 Life Support Breathing, Blistering Agents (OVID, -1/4)
4 Nightvision (OVID, -1/4)
8 Radio Perception (OVID, -1/4)
14 Fearsome Appearance and Voice: +20 PRE (Only to Cause Fear, -1/4), (OVID, -1/4)
16: Flight 12” (OVID, -1/4)
4 Gliding: 6” (OVID, -1/4)

Total Cost For Dark Knight Armor: 102

Dark Knight Fists:
Spiked Gauntlets: 37
25 Flesh-eating Virus: 6d6 Minor Transform (Difficult to Dispel, +1/4) (Gradual Effect, 1 Day, -1 ¾), (OVID, -¼) plus
5 Spiked Gauntlets: 2d6 HTH (-1/4 Hand-to Hand Attack) (-1/4 OVID)
7 plus 1 pip HKA, Penetrating (+1/2), 0 END (+1/2) (-1/4 OVID) (-1/2, Linked to Flesh-Eating Virus)

My Demon Servants!
84 Summon 4 Man-Bats (350 pts) (Arrives under own power, -1/2) , (11F, -1/4) (+1 Slavishly Devoted)

You Shall Pay!:
84 Multipower: Gas Tube Grenades (8 Charges. -1/4) (OVID, -1/4) (+1 Fully Indirect) (IAF: Smart Batarangs, -1/2)
3 1) Fear Gas: 9d6 Mental Illusions (One Hex Area Effect, +1/2), (Only to Cause Fear, -1/4), Based on Con (-1), (Thrown Range, -1/4)
8 2) Mustard Gas: 2D6 Killing Attack, (NND does Body [Defense is Life Support vs. Blistering Agents] +2), (One Hex Area Effect, +1/2), (Thrown Range, -1/4)

Cops are a Cruel and Cowardly Lot:
10 Missile Deflection: Bullets and Sharpel (Must Make Dark Knight Reputation Roll: 14-)

Total Powers Cost: 102+37+ 84+ 95+10 = 328

Perks
70 Follower: Catwoman (350 pts)
70 Follower: Penguin (350 pts)
70 Follower: Riddler (350 pts)
70 Follower: Mr. Freeze (350 pts)
6 Money: Wealthy
2 Repuation: Scourge of Gotham,

Total Perks Cost: 288

Skills

3 Bribery 13-
5 Defense Maneuver II
3 Electronics 14-
9 Interrogation 16-
5 KS: Gotham Police Department 16-
5 KS: Arkham Asylum 16-
3 Oratory 13-
3 Persuation 13-
7 Seduction 15-
3 Shadowing 14-
7 Streetwise 15- 3 Systems Operation 14-
3 Tactics 14-

Total Skills Cost: 56

Disads

5 DNPC: Butler Alfred: Normal, Useful Skills, 8-
20 Hunted: Gotham PD (As Powerful, NCI, Limited to Gotham City, Appearanec 14-, Harshly Punish)
10 Hunted: Barbara “Two Face” Gordon (Less Powerful, NCI, Limited to Gotham City, Appearance 11-, Harshly Punish)
10 Hunted: Clayface (Less Powerful, NCI, Limited to Gotham City, Appearance 11-)
15 Hunted: Bane (As Powerful, NCI, Limited to Gotham City, Appearance 11-)
20 Psychological Limitation: Code Versus Killing (Common, Total)
20 Hates Law Enforcement (Common, Total)

Disad Total: 100

Experience: 771

Total Character Cost: 184+15+318+10+288+56=871

[Hermit]

Bumping an ancient thread of your own design is probably a sign of egomania run amok.

;)

[Lawnmower Boy]

I push you out of the way of the amok egomania and take its full blast myself!

Y'know, "my mother was an underwater skank" is a better hook than any possible writeup could sustain. I'm imagining more of an underwater Lobo/Wolverine interacting with a Justice League type group. All cool with the cigarettes and the leather jacket and stuff, but maybe with a little less emo, a little more style.

Supervillain henchgirl (possibly looking to trade up): "How did you get your kickass underwater powers, Darkshark?"
"My Ma was an underwater skank. Now let me show you something that we call the "full Atlantean."
Henchgirl: >Giggle.<

Wouldn't work on a good girl, of course. But who wastes time with those?

[CrosshairCollie]

#1 is something I've wanted to do for a bit. I regularly play people who become animal hybrids (permanently or temporarily ... werewolves or just mutations). After watching Alpha and Omega, though, I had the thought about reversing that and playing an animal who got uplifted to human sapience. It'd be hard to make it a good supers character due to a lack of offensive capabilities, though.

Wolf martial arts?

[Hermit]

I push you out of the way of the amok egomania and take its full blast myself!

Y'know, "my mother was an underwater skank" is a better hook than any possible writeup could sustain. I'm imagining more of an underwater Lobo/Wolverine interacting with a Justice League type group. All cool with the cigarettes and the leather jacket and stuff, but maybe with a little less emo, a little more style.

Supervillain henchgirl (possibly looking to trade up): "How did you get your kickass underwater powers, Darkshark?"
"My Ma was an underwater skank. Now let me show you something that we call the "full Atlantean."
Henchgirl: >Giggle.<

Wouldn't work on a good girl, of course. But who wastes time with those?

I already repped you for this, but have to thank you for helping me with my NEXT Half atlantean concept :)

[phoenix240]

Wow! These are really great. You could populate your own elseworld :)

[DusterBoy]

I recall there was a short story in 2000AD that riffed on Superman's origins. "Jor-El" turned out to be wrong and, this being 2000AD, as soon as the US and the Soviet Union detected the capsule, each assumed it was a nuke launched by the other side. The final panel shows Earth engulfed in a global nuclear war and (IIRC) the baby sucking its thumb and going "huh"?

(So there's also a riff on 2001: A Space Odyssey as well).

Still, I voted for Option 3.

[Hermit]

Looks like the Supes and Wondy homages are holding onto the lead :)

[Lucius]

I know this is several years old and memory is fallible, but I could have SWORN that I remember another option...


Option 9: Following an accidental exposure to gamma radiation, a researcher using biofeedback to explore the limits of conscious physiological control discovers that by entering a meditative state he is able to literally transform his physical body into an indestructible powerhouse for just so long as he is able to maintain that balanced state and resist hormonal imbalances such as anger and fear. "Don't tell me to calm down. You wouldn't like me when I'm calm."


Lucius Alexander

After eating radioactive peppers, the palindromedary becomes The Green Llamma!

[phoenix240]

I know this is several years old and memory is fallible, but I could have SWORN that I remember another option...


Option 9: Following an accidental exposure to gamma radiation, a researcher using biofeedback to explore the limits of conscious physiological control discovers that by entering a meditative state he is able to literally transform his physical body into an indestructible powerhouse for just so long as he is able to maintain that balanced state and resist hormonal imbalances such as anger and fear. "Don't tell me to calm down. You wouldn't like me when I'm calm."


Lucius Alexander

After eating radioactive peppers, the palindromedary becomes The Green Llamma!

This one would be an interesting character to run in an rpg.