Critique this character

[CorpCommander]

Any help appreicated from min-maxing to "that isn't legal" to whatever you have to say about it. Several of the tricks were taken from The Ultimate Brick which I highly recommend.The Character is by all appearences a man from India who owns a taxi service in Millenium city. His name is Taj Mahal Bombay (not original). However he can transform into Vishnu like Boddhisattva - a sort of Hindu angle whose purpose is to make the Universe right and help enlighten all sentient beings. He is portrayed here as a brick with minor mystical powers. The way I look at it, Boddhisattvas are the superheroes of indian mythology.Kedar means Mountain God or Powerful in sanskrit.KedarPlayer: Peter Mancini

Val	Char	Cost
30/60	STR	20
10/17	DEX	0
15/25	CON	10
10/20	BODY	0
10	INT	0
10	EGO	0
10/40	PRE	0
10	COM	0
14/20	PD	8
17/19	ED	14
2/4	SPD	0
9/29	REC	0
30/50	END	0
33/63	STUN	0

6"/16" RUN02" SWIM06"/12" LEAP0Characteristics Cost: 52

Cost	Power	END
24	+30 STR (30 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)	3
16	+10 CON (20 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)
17	+7 DEX (21 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)
16	+10 BODY (20 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)
24	+30 PRE (30 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)
16	+2 SPD (20 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)
19	+12 REC (24 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)
2	Change into Heroic Form: Cosmetic Transform 2d6 (10 Active Points); Only on Self (-2), No Range (-1/2), Extra Time (Full Phase, -1/2), Incantations: By Buddha! (-1/4), Gestures: Raised Fist (-1/4) [Notes: Uses Standard effect rule, since self only no attack roll necessary. Method of healing back is shouting "By Buddha!" with a raised fist again.]	1
4	2 extra arms: Extra Limbs (2) (5 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)	0
5	Damage Resistance (6 PD/6 ED) (6 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)	0
16	Long Legs: Running +10" (6"/16" total) (20 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)	2
5	Heavy: Knockback Resistance -3" (6 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)	0
6	Long Reach: Stretching 1", Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (7 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)	0
4	The Third Eye: Ornamental Jewel of Liberation: Multipower, 10-point reserve, (10 Active Points); all slots OAF (-1), Arrangement: Must be worn in turban (-1/4)
1u	1) Detect lies, deception and illusion A Large Class Of Things 11- (Unusual Group) (10 Active Points); OAF (-1), Arrangement: Must be worn in turban (-1/4)	0
1u	2) Nightvision, Discriminatory (10 Active Points); OAF (-1), Arrangement: Must be worn in turban (-1/4)	0
1u	3) Buddha Sees All: Increased Arc Of Perception (360 Degrees) with Sight Group (10 Active Points); OAF (-1), Arrangement: Must be worn in turban (-1/4)	0
34	Enlightened Powers of Strength: Multipower, 60-point reserve, (60 Active Points); all slots Requires An Enlightenment Roll (-1/2), Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)
2u	1) Arm Sweep: Naked Modifier: Area Of Effect (up to One Hex; +1/2) for up to 60 Active Points, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (45 Active Points); Requires An Enlightenment Roll (-1/2), Can be blocked (-1/4), Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4) [Notes: -4 Enlightenment Roll]	0
1u	2) Barrier Penetration: Naked Modifier: Indirect (Same origin, always fired away from attacker; +1/4) for up to 60 Active Points (15 Active Points); Requires An Enlightenment Roll (-1/2), Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4) [Notes: -1 Enlightenment RollKedar is so strong he can punch his fist through a wall or force wall or any other barrier creating a hole just big enough to reach through and hit or grab a target without collapsing the barrier.]	1
3u	3) The Bombay Whallop!: Naked Modifier: Double Knockback (+3/4) for up to 60 Active Points, Reduced Endurance (Half END; +1/4) (56 Active Points); Requires An Enlightenment Roll (-1/2), Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4) [Notes: -5 Enlightenment RollThe Bombay Whallop is a special attack designed to send the enemy flying!]	2
2u	4) Demon Touch: Naked Modifier: Affects Desolidified Any form of Desolidification (+1/2) for up to 60 Active Points (30 Active Points); Requires An Enlightenment Roll (-1/2), Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4) [Notes: -3 Enlightenment RollAllows Kedar to affect any form of desolid figure, a popular defense of Demons and other supernatural beings.]	3
3u	5) Flick of Unconsciousness: Energy Blast 6d6, NND ([standard]; +1) (60 Active Points); No Range (-1/2), Requires An Enlightenment Roll (-1/2), Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4) [Notes: -6 Enlightenment RollA flick of Kedar's powerful finger against the head chakra and unconsciousness usually follows.]	6
3u	6) Life is but a Dream: Healing 3d6, Variable Effect: BODY + STR simultaneously (+1/2), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (60 Active Points); Requires An Enlightenment Roll (-1/2), Extra Time (Delayed Phase, -1/4), Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4) [Notes: -6 Enlightenment RollSince life is a transcendental state anyway, properly modifying the dream through meditation will return life and strength.]	0
3u	7) Buried: Entangle 5d6, 5 DEF (Stops A Given Sense Group Sight Group) (60 Active Points); Requires An Enlightenment Roll (-1/2), Limited Range: 10" (-1/4), Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4) [Notes: -6 Enlightenment RollKedar can lift tons of sand, dirt, stone and rubble and drop it on an opponent, trapping them. The covering can be thrown a short distance and still remain tight enough to cover the target.]	6
1u	8) Vishnu's Heavy Hand: Naked Modifier: Area Of Effect (up to One Hex; +1/2), Ranged (+1/2) for up to 30 Active Points (30 Active Points); Extra Time (Full Phase, -1/2), Requires An Enlightenment Roll (-1/2), Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4) [Notes: -3 Enlightenment RollKedar is able to find large objects, section of pavement, building parts - whatever is necessary and hurl them at single open hexes using up to 30 strength [6D6]. Range is limited by the throwing table (pg. 22, 5E).]	3

Powers Cost: 229

Cost	Skill
12	Power 17- (18-) (15 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4) [Notes: Used to access special enlightened strength powers (based on dex as described in The Ultimate Brick Pg 32. These are deft uses of strength, not intelligent ones. As with many paths to enlightenment, this one is a physical discipline not a mental one.)]
5	+3 with DCV (15 Active Points); Only when using Enlightened Powers (-1 1/2), Visible: Faint Golden glow, as if lit from behind (-1/4)
	Taxi Related Skills
3	1) Shadowing 11-
3	2) Combat Driving 11- (12-)
3	3) Navigation 11-
3	4) Mechanics 11-
6	5) AK: Millennium City 14-
2	6) PS: Taxi Operations 11-
3	7) Trading 11- (17-)
2	Acrobatics 11- (12-) (3 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)
4	Language: Hindustani (Idiomatic, native accent)
6	WF: Common Martial Arts Melee Weapons, Common Melee Weapons, Common Missile Weapons, Off Hand (7 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4) (7 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)

Skills Cost: 52

Cost	Perk
13	Vehicles & Bases
4	Contact (Contact has significant Contacts of his own, Very Good relationship with Contact) 8-

Perks Cost: 17

Val	Disadvantages
25	Psychological Limitation: Must always practice the virtues of the Primitas Very Common, Total [Notes: Virtues: Giving, Ethics, Patience, Joyous Effort, Concentration, Wisdom]
15	Physical Limitation: 10' Tall, can't enter buildings or small spaces Frequently, Greatly Impairing
5	Dependence: Lackshmi's Curry -10 Active Points from Strength, Uncommon, 1 Day [Notes: If Lackshmi were out of the picture for some reason her curry would be extremely hard to recreate. Kedar could not simply go to Sitar Indian Resturant and order up some curry. Hers is made with love and thats the secret ingredient. It would not be /impossible/ to replace but certainly extremely difficult at best.]
20	Dependent NPC: Lackshmi and sons 11- (Occasionally), Slightly Less Powerful than the PC, Group DNPC (x4 DNPCs)
5	Enraged: If anyone damages the taxi (Uncommon), go 8-, recover 14-
25	Hunted: DEMON 11- (Frequently), More Powerful, NCI, Harshly Punish
15	Hunted: VIPER 8- (Occasionally), More Powerful, Harshly Punish
25	Distinctive Features: 10' Tall, blue skin, 4 arms - yeah, people are gonna notice this! Not Concealable, Extreme Reaction (Fearful), Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses
15	Enraged: In combat with any type of demon Uncommon, go 11-, recover 11-

Disadvantage Points: 150

Base Points: 200Experience Required: 0Total Experience Available: 0Experience Unspent: 0Total Character Cost: 350

Height: 3.06 m	Hair: Brown
Weight: 180.00 kg	Eyes: Brown

Appearance: Taj - 5'5" ordinary Indian man from Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay.)

Kedar - 10' tall, blue skin, 4 arms

Personality: He tells positively the worst jokes. Some of his clients ride in the cab just to hear his dumb founding unfunny jokes. It’s not so much that they aren’t good comedy but more that they are incomprehensible to the people of Millennium City. Here is an example:

 

A Marwadi guy and a Gujarati guy went out to a very expensive restaurant for dinner one night. Finally, the waiter came over and asked, "Who should I give the check to?" The Marwadi guy said, "Give it to me. I'll take care of everything." "Fine," said the waiter. The next day the headlines read: 'Gujrati Ventriloquist Strangled to Death'

 

After he has dispatched a criminal he is often heard to shout: “T’ank You! Come Again!†When transforming into Kedar he is sometimes heard to say “By Buddha!†When taunting opponents he can often be heard to say “Did you ever T’ink to ask, what would Buddha Do?â€

 

Kedar’s 3 sons (Sashish, Ahmed and Sanjay) are minor Bodhisattvas (known as Protectors.) His wife, Lakshmi, is an ordinary woman of great enlightenment and radiant love for her family. She doesn’t always understand Taj’s coming home late and if she has suspected his supernatural powers she hasn’t let on. Certainly she would be very proud to know her sons are enlightened super-beings!

 

Kedar knows and is known by several Asian super-beings. The 5 million gods of Hindu and Japanese culture all have some knowledge of each other. Of course he is also hunted by the demons and oni of those cultures as well. Further, the Super Villian group known as DEMON in particular hunts Kedar. They want his supernatural artifacts Arahat and The Jewel Ornament of Liberation. VIPER is also after Kedar; they refer to him as Cobra Killer. Kedar has thwarted some of their plans and they see him as a threat to their ongoing operations.

 

Kedar is attempting to achieve the 10 levels of the Buddha: Great Joy (seeing the benefits of Enlightenment – Current level which he has attained), Stainless (untouched by moral corruptions), Radiant (with the Light of Dharma), Luminous (a light that burns that which opposes Enlightenment), Train the Untrainable (an enlightenment to reaches even the most recalcitrant sentient being), Obviously Transcendent (able to abide in the here and now as if in either Samsara or Nirvana), Gone Afar (perfection of helping others with skillful means), Immovable (in the perfection of aspiration able to choose his place of rebirth), Good Discriminating Wisdom (the perfection of strength), Cloud of Dharma (the perfection of wisdom). All of this will lead to Buddhahood.

 

Kedar is bound by the practice of several virtues, known as Parmitas. They are the perfection of:

· Giving

· Ethics

· Patience

· Joyous Effort

· Concentration

· Wisdom

These are not guidelines – the Vow of the Parmitas is very serious and would have a major impact on the blessing granted to Kedar (as well as be reflected in his normal life as well.)

 

Finally, in or out of heroic form Taj is not preachy. While he is a supernatural being his emphasis is on enlightenment and transcendental issue. He believes that preaching and quoting religious scripture is a wasted effort. The truth and true enlightenment is visible and that others will become enlightened when the light of truth is shined on them. True, some require longer exposure than others and the “light of truth†can, in fact, be fists of righteousness!

 

Taj fears no death, he is immortal in a transcendental sense – he believes in rebirth and since he will be on the wheel of life until the end of time a single lifetime makes no difference to him. Taj is extremely optimistic at all times. Taj enjoys his normal life with his wife, his sons and his business. He is rather obsessive with his taxi and he can’t resist a good curry (an Indo-man’s Kryptonite!) In fact he needs to have Lakshmi’s Curry at least once a day. If he is going to be on a long adventure outside of the City either she must come or preparation need to be made. As is traditional she never asks too many questions so long as Taj keeps her informed when he won’t be around.

Quote:"T'ank you! Come again!"Background: Taj long ago immigrated to Millennium City and set up shop as a taxi driver. He has made a good living for his family building his business, which he runs with his three sons. Golden Poem Taxi Service has the cleanest and shiniest taxis in the entire great metropolis. In fact Taj is a bit obsessive about keeping his taxi clean. For him it represents his mission on Earth, which is to help free every mortal from hell and help everyone find enlightenment. For Taj is no ordinary Indian Taxi Driver. Taj is a Bodhisattva.

 

The Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who have made a special vow to continue on the wheel of life until every soul has made it to Nirvana, holding off their own entry until everyone can join them. They do this through their immense compassion, aiding others while also themselves remaining on a quest for the highest state of development, the full enlightenment of a Buddha. This involves saving innocents from disaster and crime, stopping crimes and restraining criminals so that they may seek enlightenment and making things right in the Universe.

 

Taj is an expert at knowing every street, alley, park and corner of Millennium City. He prides himself on getting his clients to their destinations with speed but also safety. His job as taxi driver also ends up performing another role: patrolling Millennium City. Once he sees trouble Taj leaps into action!

 

Taj transforms into his savior form and takes the name Kedar. In the heroic form of Kedar he is able to fight the toughest of villains using his enlightenment powers. When Taj transforms into Kedar he goes from being a 5’5†middle age Indian Man to a 10’ tall, blue skinned multi-armed God. Relying as much on non-lethal force as he can, Kedar uses his immense strength to restore enlightenment. In his Turban is a great Ruby known as the Third Eye that has great mystic powers. Kedar’s body is extremely strong. He also is capable of wielding the 9 Spoke Vajra known as Arahat (literally “Foe Destroyer†or also translated as “Worthy of Respect.â€) It is a special double-ended dagger used for vanquishing Demons. It has multiple shapes it can assume like Kannon (the Bodhisattva that enlightened Taj who can assume any shape or form.)

Powers/Tactics: Kedar knows several martial tricks. He can throw his fists through walls and force walls without collapsing them. He can use an arm sweep to get at pesky, agile adversaries. He can find weakness in objects and opponents alike. There are several other powers Kedar uses where he exerts his strength.

 

Kedar’s Third Eye gives him great enlightenment allowing him to detect lies, deception and illusion. It can even help him with blind fighting. The Jewel Ornament of Liberation is one of several gifts passed down by the Buddhas to help achieve Universal Enlightenment.

Campaign Use: 

[CorpCommander]

Here is the HD format of the character.

 

Enjoy!

[JmOz]

Re: Critique this character

 

A few quick things:

 

Nightvision does not need discrimitory

 

Drop the Cosmetic change (This is a natural part of transforming into HID these days)

Add the No figured lim to dex (you are not getting any anyways)

 

I know what Ultimate Brick says, but I would never allow naked Modifiers for Str to be placed in a MP, but you could receive much the same effect by putting the same mods on HA

[Acroyear]

Re: Critique this character

 

For 2 points you can get 1 more Dex and benefit from the round off for your Dex based skills (you have 2 of them, if you were to buy +1 for both, it'd be 4 points. So it's a good deal).

 

I don't think you need the instant change. Although with the limitations on it, you may be able to use those as disads to prevent your transformations and replace some of the more questionable ones. If you GM requires it to enter HID, then it's a keeper, naturally.

 

The limitation on the DCV levels. No way, imo. I have to assume that his attack multipower is going to be frequently used. As long as you have the End, you can maintain the DCV through an entire fight - just keep a slot like the Knockback one going. If you're extra cheesy, you just don't apply the advantage to all the strength, reducing endurance cost and eliminating a penalty to the skill roll. That means -1.5 becomes -.25 unless you include some way to limit the use of the MP a lot more.

 

Check with your GM on those MPs. You can not put special powers (like the senses) and naked advantages into a framework without permission. However, this "ruling" seems to be broken repeatedly in other Hero material. I wouldn't have a problem with it (nor do I agree with the costs End ruling for ECs), but I don't know your GM. The same goes for the naked advantages.

 

The dependence makes him seem more like Popeye than an enlightened being. Just something to think about. Also, the weakness he suffers is probably psychological moreso than an actual physical dependence. He just gets depressed, but he could be fooled into thinking he's eating it and not suffer ill effects. I'd ditch this as a disad, myself, but at the very least I'd suggest pursuing another angle to include it. You didn't define the curry as actually having any special magical powers or anything, so it seems very out of place. Unless I'm mistaking this character as a "serious" one when it's intended to be comedic.

 

I think the enraged makes him... well, insane. Especially when you're talking about a Taxi which will be getting dinged, scratched, etc frequently. Also, keep in mind, a bit of road debris that hits the hood or cracks the window will set him off with a "blank" enraged. That could be particularly nasty. This, too, is not very enlightened. And his attachment to these material things is definitely not going to help him on his path. And what happens when a little old lady has an accident? Say, her brakes fail and she hits the taxi? Or a child's baseball is hit wild and smashes the window? With a bad roll, the next thing you know this enlightened guy just beat a little old woman or child to death - possibly with a single blow and before he can recover. Depending on the rules you use, a 6d6 attack is potentially lethal to even a healthy, normal man, let alone a child or something.

 

The distinctive features, btw, ARE concealable. He reverts to his normal identity. Sure, it puts him in a rough spot, but if he and another 10' tall, 4 armed blue guy who CAN'T revert to human both have to get into an airport unnoticed, which of the two will be able to? Simple, the one who can make himself look human. Less points for the guy who can look normal.

 

I notice his skillset is lacking some of the skills which I would consider essential for this character. You might be able to shave some points from AK. I'd also ditch the vehicle (I'm assuming it's the taxi). No need to pay points for that. But where's his knowledge of his own religion? Where's his KS of all these other gods? How about some additional KS relating to the history of his "kind"? Maybe even look into some grappling levels from those extra arms.

 

Not trying to be harsh or anything. I like the concept and that's what I got from my read through. I don't know your campaign, so it could be acceptable as is. I'd want some changes if approval was up to me.

[DoctorItron]

Re: Critique this character

 

20 PD, 19 ED, 25 CON

 

The character is likely to get CON-stunned too often. Assuming a campaign where 12d6 is a standard attack, for an average damage roll of 42, subtract 20 PD, for 22 average damage per incoming attack. Any slightly above average damage roll will daze your character.

 

If that's not intentional, I'd suggest decreasing REC and using the extra points to boost CON and/or defenses.

[CorpCommander]

Re: Critique this character

 

Hey! These are all great critiques. Some I had considered before hand.

 

The GM is looking over the character today so maybe I'll have more feedback before then. I'll incorporate most if not all of these suggestions into the character and resubmit.

 

Thanks a lot for the help - many of these suggestions add greatly to the roleplayability of the character which I think with this GM are going to be vital (he's not the Monster of the Week kinda GM so I hear.)

 

Again, Big Thanks! Keep them coming. I will post Kedar V2 soon.

[Spideyguy]

Re: Critique this character

 

This is just me, but I don't see how Must be worn in turban (-1/4) is a limitation. He's already claiming a whopping -1 for the OAF limitation, which means the jewel is obvious default. Just seems a little munchkiny to me.

 

YMMV

[CorpCommander]

Re: Critique this character

 

This is just me' date=' but I don't see how [i']Must be worn in turban (-1/4)[/i] is a limitation. He's already claiming a whopping -1 for the OAF limitation, which means the jewel is obvious default. Just seems a little munchkiny to me.

 

It won't work just holding it. A turban, if you've ever seen one or worn one, takes quite a bit of time to rewrap correctly if it comes off. So one wind blast spell or a dexterous hand and all that power is gone until he can spend the time to put it all back together. It is a limitation in letter and spirit.

 

*** EDIT ***

and in addition I am going to rewrite that into the character write up - it takes a full turn to put the turban back into working order and thats without the distraction of combat! That's worth the -1/4 I would think, no?

[CorpCommander]

Re: Critique this character

 

First off, thanks for the many great suggestions!

 

I had to get clever in several parts to get this to balance out. I got rid of several things. The +3 DCV levels are gone. I'll purchase them later on during the path of enlightenment! The Enraged over the Taxi thing is gone. The Enraged at demons thing was toned down. The transform for HID has been removed and a disadvantage takes its place.

 

I got rid of the curry,

 

He is now listed as having concealable features! I kept the phys lim on his size intact since if he wants to enter a small space he needs to become human again and when he gets through the small space it takes a full turn for him to regain Boddhisattva status again.

 

I pushed CON to 30 which should keep him awake and less sleepy during combat! ;-)

 

As for senses and naked advantages frameworks I will leave it up to the GM to veto it or not. I put emphasis on playing the role more than on getting my rocks off on pretending to hurt things with my made up character so I don't think it will be abusive. Plus I added a limited Code vs. Killing. It fits and better describes him as enlightened.

 

This Peer Review has been excellent. Here is the latest version in HD format.