Character For review: Dryad

[Corven_Ren]

Here's a character I have created for the Force Pacific campaign in the Global Guardian Universe. I would like other people's opinions on it.

Dryad
Real Name: Aeryka Austin
Player Name: Chad McMinis

Height: 5'5"
Weight: 125 lbs
Hair: Green
Eyes: Green
Birthplace: Portland, Oregon
Birthdate: May 17, 1971

Characteristics

Val Stat Base Cost
14 STR 10 04
24 DEX 10 42
15 CON 10 10
15 BOD 10 10
23 INT 10 13
10 EGO 10 0
23 PRE 10 20
26 COM 10 08
5 SPD 3.4 16
15 REC 5 20
50 END 30 10
50 STN 28 22
Total Char Cost 165

Skills/Perks/Talents
Cost Skills/Perks/Talents
0 Everyman Skills
Acting 8-
AK: Portland Oregon
Climbing 8-
Computer Programing 8-
Concealment 8-
Conversation 8-
Deduction 8-
Language: English 4pts, literate
Paramedics 8-
Persuasion 8-
PS: Botanist 11-
Shadowing 8-
Stealth 8-
TF: Small Ground Vehicles
4 Force Pacific Package
2 Fringe Benefit: San Diego Police Powers
1 Teamwork 8-
1 TF: Force Pacific Hydroplane
3 Team Base Donation
9 Team Communicator
2 Team Vehicle Donation
-15 Monitored by San Diego Police Dept 8-
3 Persuasion 13-
3 Seduction 13-
4 Scientist Package
Fringe Benifit: Doctorate in Botany (1 Active Point)
KS: Research Methods 11-
PS: Academic Researcher 11-
PS: Botanist 11-
SS: Mathematics 11-
SS: Botany 17-
SS: Chemistry: 15-
SS: Toxicology 15-
SS: Biology
Social Limitation: Occupation Scientist
Social Limitation: Publish or Perish
2 Survival Temoerate/Sub Tropical Forests 13-
4 Talent: Attractive
2 Talent: Trackless Stride
22 Total Cost Skille/Perks/Talents

Powers
Cost Powers
60 Plant/Wood Creation & Manipulation: Multi-Power (60 pt Reserve)
6u Bark Blast: 12d6 Energy Blast vs PD (60 Active Pts)
3u Control Plants & Wood: Telekenesis 30 STR;Only Works Vs wood & plants (-1/2) (45 Active pts)
2u Sawdust: 5d6 Flash vs Sight Group (25 Active pts)
3u Wall of Wood: Force Wall 10 PD & 10 ED 4" Long; 2" Wide; Vulnerable to fire (-1) (58 Active Pts)
3u Wood Cage: 6d6 Entangle; Vulnerable to Fire (-1) (60 Active pts)

60 Gaia's Protection: Force Field 20 PD & 20 ED; Reduced Endurance, (0 END +1/2) (60 Active Pts)
5 Life of Forest: Life Support: Longevity; Immunity Phytotoxins (400 years) (5 Active Points)
13 Rooted: Knockback Resistance -10" (20 Active Pts) Only While In Contact with the ground, natural earth, stone, or soil)
8 +4" Running
165 Total Power Cost

163 Char Cost
22 Skill/Perk/Talent Cost
165 Power Cost
350 Total Char Cost

Disadvantages
Cost Disadvantage
10 Distinctive Feature: Very Attractive; Concealable; Notice & Recognized; detectable by commonly used senses
15 Physical Limitaion: Wierd Bio-Chemistry requires special medical attention
10 Psych Limitaion: Must Help Those in Need
15 Psych Limitation: Phobia: Pyrophobia
20 Psych Limitation: Will not Kill
1 Quirk: Bi-Sexual
1 Quirk: Does not wear shoes unless necessary
1 Quirk: Loves Gardening
1 Quirk: Loves Pro Football
1 Quirk: Metal Head
10 Social Limitaion: People who are attracted to her fall all over her
15 Social Limitaion: Public Identity: Aeryka Austin
10 Social Limitation: Recognized Area of expertise (Botany)
10 Social Limitation: Sex Object
10 Vulnerability: 1 1/2 X Body from Fire
20 Vulnerability: 2 X Stun fire

Origin
The woman know as dryad was born Aeryka Austin. her parents were park rangers and from an early age Aeryka developed a love for nature. Sher was an excellent student, and in high school was involved in many extra-curicular activities, especially anything that involved helping the environment. She was aslo very beautiful and was both homecoming queen and prom queen her senior year. At 17 graduated valedictorian and also suffered a great tragedey as her parents both died fighting a forest fire. Aeryka entered Oregon State University on a full academic scholarship and by age 25 had her doctorite in botany. Over the next few years she was called to work on numerous research projects involving plants and their effects as medicines or poisons and has also been an active spokeswoman against clear cutting of the worlds forests. In May of this year, just one week after he birthday, she discovered a illegal lumber operation in Mount Hood National forest and through her efforts the culprits were brought to justice. Unfortunatly, her life would change forever after this great triumph. Aeryka was doing research in her private lab when she was attacked by one of the loggers she had helped put away. He easily over powered her, knocked her out and set he lab on fire with her in it. She awoke to find hersel surrounded by flames and she feared she would suffer the same death as her parents. She began to panic when she saw that she could get to a window but would have to move a rack of plant toxins. She quickly move towards the rack when an explosion behind her threw her into the rack of toxins and out the window. She managed to crawl away from the building before she passed out thinking that she would die from all of the toxins that covered her skin and in her blood. The toxins however reacted with her latent meta-gene and altered her physiology. When she awoke in the hospital three days later, she was in shock that she was alive, she was even more shocked when she saw herself in the mirror. Her blonde hair was now green as were her blue eye. Her once pale skin was now a very light shade of brown. She quickly released herself from the hospital, returned home, and of course, being a scientist, beagn to try to discover how much she had changed. She quickly discovered that she could not only manipulate and levitate plants and wood but create wood in many forms including sawdust. She also discovered that she could raise a defensive shield that surrounded her with a green glow and protected her from harm. She decided then and there she would use her powers to help her fellow man.

Physical Description: Dryad is a very slender but shapely woman, she was very beautiful before her accident but her transformation has seemed to give her an almost unearthly beauty. She wears her waist length hair loose and she almost always goes barefoot.

Personality: Dryad is a very outgoing and outspoken person and is not afraid to tell you what she thinks of you.

Quote: "Nature has it's own ways of dealing with evil. I'm one of them"

[JeffreyWKramer]

Drop STR from 14 to 13; the extra point there serves no purpose.
26 COM? I guess if you want, but really, what does that even mean in game terms? 23 would be the attractiveness equivalent of genius-level IQ or olympic-level athlete.

The Wood/Plant MP is pretty cool.

I would save points and rebuild the Force Field 0 END as Armor with the Visible Limitation. You could even save points by putting another Limitation on it that makes it non-persistent, if that's what the player is going for.

What does having the Doctorate do for her that justifies charging a Perk for it? It's not like botanists have to be licensed or anything like that, and at her level of skill in her field (denoted by the SS skills), I'd think that alone would indicate high expertise appropriate for the PhD. Being a licensed physician has some potential game effect. I don't see how just having a PhD does, really, other than qualifying one for their job - and that's really not worth charging anyone points for.

PS: Botanist doesn't make sense - what does being a professional botanist add beyond what the SS: Botany adds? I'd give her PS: College Instructor or PS: Grant Writing or something like that, since she's also an academic researcher.

I personally don't like the Quirk idea very much - I don't see most of those things qualifying as even a one-point Limitation. Characters already get XP for defining and playing a distinct personality for their character, I don't know why they should get initial points for the same purpose. YMMV, of course.

Why is being a botanist a Social Limitation? I don't see how being an expert in your field really qualifies, unless you're such a household name that people are constantly showing up at your home, trying to book you for their talk show, etc... and frankly, it's hard to imagine anyone achieving that degree of fame for being a botanist. How many world-class botanists can you name? Hell, how many famous scientists other than Stephen Hawking would you recognize if you saw them on the street? Save that kind of Disad for professional athletes, rock stars and multimilliionnaires.

WTF does "Sex Object" mean in this context, and what does it have to do with this character? If it just refers to her being sexy and attractive again, she's getting double points for the same thing, and I think it makes more sense to reflect that as a Distinctive Appearance than a Social Limitation. Same with the "people who are attacted to her fall over her" - that's an Extreme Reaction component to a Distinctive Appearance.

Where are her PD and ED?

Overall? Interesting character and power-set. You can save a few points as noted above. You might use the points to give her a Change Environment slot to the MP - create plant cover that impedes movement and vision, and gives her something to animate via her TK.

Her Disads need to be reconfigured - badly. Even putting aside my philosophical objection to the quirks, I would not let the multiple, overlapping Social Lims and Distinctive Features stand. Give her a susceptibility to weed killer or some Hunteds or something.

Anyway, that's my two cents.

[paigeoliver]

10 Social Limitation: People who are attracted to her fall all over her

I KEEP seeing this on character sheets. WHERE is this coming from? I thought a limitation had to be a LIMITATION for it to be worth points. This is not a limitation, if anything I would call it a perk.

Is this on one of the master lists or something? Was it a book example (probably not). What is the source of this non-limitation?

[nexus]

I KEEP seeing this on character sheets. WHERE is this coming from? I thought a limitation had to be a LIMITATION for it to be worth points. This is not a limitation, if anything I would call it a perk.

Is this on one of the master lists or something? Was it a book example (probably not). What is the source of this non-limitation?

Look at it this way, everyone who is attracted to the character basically becomes an obessed fanboy(girl) or a stalker for lack of a better word. With a public ID on top of it? This character is going to be up to her armpits of freaks and weirdos that think she is their one true love.

[Worldmaker]

I KEEP seeing this on character sheets. WHERE is this coming from? I thought a limitation had to be a LIMITATION for it to be worth points. This is not a limitation, if anything I would call it a perk.

Is this on one of the master lists or something? Was it a book example (probably not). What is the source of this non-limitation?

You and I already had the discussion about how disadvantages are handled in my gameworld, I think. If a limitation dictates in a substantial manner how the character will be played (or how the campaign will shape itself around the character), then its a legal limitation.

This is a legal limitation. I'm more interested in well-rounded characters who are good for the story than being a dick when it comes to points.

[JeffreyWKramer]

This is a legal limitation. I'm more interested in well-rounded characters who are good for the story than being a dick when it comes to points.

So, you don't have a problem with this character getting points for three Disadvantages (two of the Social Lims and the Distinctive Features one) which are overlapping to a degree that essentially it's writing the same Disad on the sheet three times?

And what is the rationale for the "Recognized Area of Expertise" Social Lim? I'm honestly curious about that one.

[Worldmaker]

So, you don't have a problem with this character getting points for three Disadvantages (two of the Social Lims and the Distinctive Features one) which are overlapping to a degree that essentially it's writing the same Disad on the sheet three times?

First, the Distinctive Feature does not overlap with the Social Limitations. The DF outlines something that is noticed and recognizable about the character, while the Social Limitations dictate how other people treat the individual.

As for the two Social Limitations, they complement each other, but do not overlap. From the Master List of Limitations (which I am assuming you've at least heard of):

Sex Object
Frequently, Minor: 10 Points | Very Frequently, Minor: 15 Points

Type: Social
Description: The character has too much sex appeal for his own good. (Traditionally, this is a female role, but male characters can qualify as well.) The character will be steered towards careers where an attractive appearance is mandatory, and will be presumed by many to only be successful because of his appearance and sex appeal. He will be looked down upon by the prudish, and considered a rival or annoyance by those who aren't sexually attracted to him. He is likely to be sexually propositioned far more than he's interested.

A character with this disadvantage must have a relatively high Comeliness, and may have Presence purchased with the -½ limitation "Only vs. People Sexually Attracted to Him." He will also have Distinctive Features: Unusually Attractive/Very Sexy at the Concealable with Effort level.

People Who Are Attracted To The Character) Fall All Over (Him/Her)
Frequently, Minor: 10 Points

Type: Social
Description: This character's charm, beauty, or reputation precedes them, and wherever they go, anyone who might be attracted to them falls all over them. They get fan mail from teenagers who 'like, totally swear I'm gonna die if you don't love me, man!', can't have a quiet dinner out without some gushing beauty asking them for their autograph, get marriage proposals in the mail, etc.


There is nothing wrong whatsoever in taking complementary limitations. Or at least, I fail to see why you consider something wrong with taking complementary limitations.

And what is the rationale for the "Recognized Area of Expertise" Social Lim? I'm honestly curious about that one.

Recognized Area of Expertise or Skill
Occasionally, Minor: 5 points | Frequently, Minor: 10 points | Very Frequently, Minor: 15 points

Type: Social
Description: The character's reputation of being an expert in a particular field is well known. Since this a Disadvantage, the affects should generally be negative. For example, being known as the best thief in the four kingdoms may cause the character's name to always show up on the short list of suspects. Or, being the best brain surgeon in Alpha Quadrant may cause the character to be constantly called upon to treat every aristocrat who blows out a frontal lobe, regardless of the personnel life or needs of the character.

The frequency of this Disadvantage should be based upon how well known the character's status is to the general populace. Also, the character should either take the Reputation Disadvantage if he is known for something less than good. Conversely, he should purchase the Reputation Perquisite if known for something good.

[JeffreyWKramer]

Worldmaker, your game, your call. For my tastes, three of those Limitations seem to overlap way too much, and I think they'd likely be best served by just doing a Distinctive Features/Extreme Reaction. As is, I think the effect goes way beyond "complementary" into "getting more points for restating the same thing." To me, it seems like letting a person getfull points for both "Code vs. Killilng", and "Avoids Using Lethal Force"

I'm also still not sure how being a world-class botanist is tangibly going to be a game disadvantage. I can't think of any botanists who are well-known to anyone other than maybe other botanists. I can see it for high-profile professions like Law, Ministry, Politics or Sports, but Botany? Nahhhhh. People seek out Johnny Cochrane or Billy Graham for help with problems, but how often does the world expert on toenail growth get a call?

But again, your game, your call for your game.

[Worldmaker]

I'm also still not sure how being a world-class botanist is tangibly going to be a game disadvantage. I can't think of any botanists who are well-known to anyone other than maybe other botanists. I can see it for high-profile professions like Law, Ministry, Politics or Sports, but Botany? Nahhhhh. People seek out Johnny Cochrane or Billy Graham for help with problems, but how often does the world expert on toenail growth get a call?

This is a good point, but remember that the character posted above has yet to be audited, and this disad might not survive the process. We are pretty careful about things. Not overly dictatorial, but careful.

[Brandi]

Above and beyond the overlapping of the "sexy" disads, is anyone else vaguely concerned about a character who seems to be something of a bisexual sextoy as far as onlookers are concerned, or am I just suffering residual paranoia from this player I used to know?

[JeffreyWKramer]

Above and beyond the overlapping of the "sexy" disads, is anyone else vaguely concerned about a character who seems to be something of a bisexual sextoy as far as onlookers are concerned, or am I just suffering residual paranoia from this player I used to know?

It seems like a lame premise for a character to me, and is suggestive of a fairly immature view of sexuality. Sadly, I've seen so many characters of that sort over the years - including, sadly, some in the comics - that I've become somewhat deadened to them. Another good reason for toning down those disads would be to hopefully channel an okay core character concept away from such silliness.

[Worldmaker]

Above and beyond the overlapping of the "sexy" disads, is anyone else vaguely concerned about a character who seems to be something of a bisexual sextoy as far as onlookers are concerned, or am I just suffering residual paranoia from this player I used to know?

That is an issue to be dealt with separately.

[Worldmaker]

It seems like a lame premise for a character to me, and is suggestive of a fairly immature view of sexuality. Sadly, I've seen so many characters of that sort over the years - including, sadly, some in the comics - that I've become somewhat deadened to them. Another good reason for toning down those disads would be to hopefully channel an okay core character concept away from such silliness.

As I said, this is a separate issue from "are these legal limitations". Most likely, should the character be accepted (not a certainty), the player will be asked to tone down that aspect of the character during the audit.

[Brandi]

That is an issue to be dealt with separately.

Understood. I think I just wanted to vent my vague apprehension here.

And, for the record, I think the 'Sex Object' and 'People fall HARD for her' disads are redundant. Replacing the latter one with a stalker, or three (some form of Hunted) might be entertaining.

[Corven_Ren]

I would like to finally put a word in my defense.
1) I based this character after mythological dryads/nymphs. According to myth they were so beautiful that a man looking at them would die or blinded. I did not, of course want to go to that extreme. So I chose the disadvanages that I did.
2) I built this character without owning ANY of the rule books, as I cannot afford them, using only the demo version of Hero Designer and the information of the Global Guardians list of limitations.
3) I am just attempting to get into some sort of role-playing game right now as I have no other role-playing outlet, and have not gamed in almost 2 years.