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Who is... COUNT INFINITY?


Lord Liaden

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While recently playing with nyakki's wonderful Random Character Generator, this name happened to come up. It immediately struck me as IMHO one of the catchiest, most clever super monikers I've ever run across, and immediately ideas for a character began to percolate.

 

However, rather than just use my own ideas I thought it might be interesting, helpful and fun to let the rest of Herodom Assembled play with it and see what you come up with. So I ask for your suggestions: What comes to your mind when your hear "Count Infinity?" What sort of background and origin? Powers, Skills etc? Personality and motivation?

 

Any and all concepts are welcome. I invite you to stagger me with your creativity. :)

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Re: Who is... COUNT INFINITY?

 

Wow, I LOVE this idea. I hope you don't mind that Im going to steal him and turn him into a Super Villian for my supers tabletop game...

 

I'll give you a full character write up and history of my version when I get a chance (after work maybe).

 

The basic premise Im going to use is the ability to duplicate ANYTHING he touches. I'm even going to let his own duplicates duplicate, however, I'm going to limit it somehow, possibly by reducing each duplicates endurance pool for every duplicate that the duplicate creates (ie the original is the first generation CI, while all of his duplicates only have full endurance, and THEIR duplicates only have 1/2, then their duplicates only have 1/4....then 1/5, 1/6, etc...until the lower generations will be nothing more than scads of beings with super powers, but only 4 or 5 endurance to run them off of....). Im not sure on that part...

 

He'll also beable to duplicate other supers, yet place them under his control. I'll give him a large duplication multi power to let him duplicate other items while in combat (Superjump by letting him duplicate about 20 of himself and then recombine as he lands, throwing a scapel, that turns into a few THOUSAND while in the air, etc...)

 

I haven't worked out the details, but I'll keep you posted on what I'm going to run with.....

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Powers: A powerful mystic, Count Infinity knows many spells and rites from many times (and perhaps many worlds). He prefers the 'subtler' magics, but can unleash eldritch energies that would cause the most stubborn athiest to believe in the fury of hell itself if need be.

 

Skills: A true "Renaissance Man" in every sense of the word, Count Infity's chief area of expertise is the occult, but the sciences also hold an appeal for him. He sees symbols of old in new studies. Is the helix of a chromosome really so different from the ancient greek symbols for health? He is also skilled at linqustics, picking up most tongues with ridiculous ease even without the use of magic.

 

Count Infity has a great love of music, and to this day plays the harpsichord to soothe his troubled brow... until the magic pulls him away again.

 

 

Background/History:Once there was a Bavarian nobleman who dabbled with the occult during the Renaissance. A brilliant man, the Count coralated various bits of lore from the Catholic Church, ancient writings of the East, and even bits of folk tale and discovered one of the great secrets of the Champions Universe...

 

Magic was real, but like a tide, it receded and then returned again. Great power was just out of reach, which is why the great rites of ancient times no longer worked.

 

Ah, but what if a man could somehow cast a metaphysical line to the source? What if he could create a metaphysical canal to 'borrow' a bit of magic from other planes. He could be as a true wizard of old, and work wonders for the betterment of all mankind. He attempted to tie his very spirit to an old "Dragon trail" (aka Leyline) and act like a living 'sink' to fill himself with the magic.

 

Of course, it didn't go that well. It never really does, does it? The count did indeed tie himself to an eddy of magical energy, but rather than draw it into himself, it drew him into it! The tide of magic moved, and carried him with it. The count touched worlds undreamed by men, and times when gods would roam openly. His mind was forced to deal with the infinite possiblities magic could bring, and for a time, he went utterly and completely mad.

 

When Magic returned to this Universe, with it came spells once lost, creatures forgotten... and one Bavarian Count who's mind had emptied of much self identity in order to make room for the secrets of the multiverse that had indeed filled him... and nearly destroyed him.

 

He was deposited into his homeland, only to find it had fallen to evil, and an unruly tyranny. He wandered as a vagabond, seeking to sort out what was transpiring, and reclaiming scattered thoughts. He was attacked by super humans serving both Axis and Allies, and defended himself almost casually. In the end, however, it was the allies he helped from the Shadows, of course. Covertly he warned them of the secret powers behind Thule Society and the dark rituals of those mystics. When asked who he was, he realized he no longer knew himself. In exchange for his sanity, he had given up his name. He was a man with title, but no identity.

 

"I am Count Infinity" He said in better english than many of the super heroes he spoke to, for he was an educated man.

 

After the war, he withdrew from his Homeland. At first because he could not bear to see it in defeat even if it had been in the wrong, and later because of the guilt he felt at not stopping greater powers from dividing it like a chess board. He wandered the world, aware of all things that magic touched. Indeed, he was drawn to it, like a salmon driven upstream. A shameful thing for a man of intellect to be a slave to the instincts of power now within him for ever.

 

Sometimes, he would vanish, for decades it seems, only to reappear at the next magical crisis. He no longer ages. The German Count is now an odd parody of the Wandering Jew, cursed by higher powers to never rest.

 

And he wanders still.

 

Personality/Motivation: Count Infinity was a good, but arrogant man who has paid the price for that arrogance in a lost name, a lost land, and a lost time. In exchange, he has gained great knowledge and great power. In many ways, this experience has humbled him. He realizes that he is a speck, a bit of flotsom on the cosmic oceans. This does not mean he is completely devoid of pride, there are times that is all he feels he has to cling to. That, and doing what is right and preventing others from trafficing with magics beyond them as he did. He is a man of many quirks. While he mostly adjusted to the modern world's sensibilities, it is more a tolerance than total acceptance. The rude or boorish still offend him and incur his disdain. A strong sense of Noblise Oblige resides in his behavior still, and ladies (be they beautiful or not) in need of aid, or children with eyes full of wonder never fail to command his attention. He always keeps his word.

 

And Count Infinity wonders, when Magic goes again, will he go with it?

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Re: Who is... COUNT INFINITY?

 

A "Quantum Energy" manipulating mad scientist. He has apparently been around since Victorian days (or longer) and most of his amazing devices (his Clockwork Men, his Infinity Enginine, his Ether Ship) have a retro steam-punk feel. He had acces to microchips in 1900 and his Clockwork Computers actually process informaion using clockwork with gears built out of single molecules. His own vast powers are rarely used diretly in combat; his strange long range plans do not require him to engage in petty fisticuffs with the angry children of this age.

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Re: Who is... COUNT INFINITY?

 

Have a different randomly generated powerset each time the players run into him on a new adventure. Literally an "infinite" number of combinations to challenge them. The only thing that remains the same is the mind and personality of the villain.

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Re: Who is... COUNT INFINITY?

 

Wow, some fine responses already. :thumbup:

 

simplygnome, that does sound like a very nasty villain concept that certainly plays off the name. I look forward to your further details.

 

Hermit, as usual you present a richly detailed (and slightly angsty) character background. Your concept is not terribly dissimilar from mine, although I'm trying to eschew the magical origin - IMO we have a glut of magical Champions characters right now. (No criticism of you intended.)

 

Oddhat, "quantum steampunk" is IME a new concept. Pretty cool!

 

Wombatman, that sounds like a lot of fun - sort of a villainous "Dial H for HERO." Might be a pain to GM, though. ;)

 

Thanks for the ideas, gang, keep 'em coming. I'll put my own concept down in the near future, but this is certainly stimulating. :D

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Re: Who is... COUNT INFINITY?

 

Count Grigory Bestev stepped into the cold chamber below his own castle. His breath escaped his mouth, forming a swirling wraith around his head in the cool air. He had inheireted the castle from his father's death. But something pulled him towards the secret passage that lead below, to the deep dark and frigid heart of his new home.

 

It's not that the Bestev's ever used the palace, it was just a place they owned. And when his father died, Grigory was left this place while his brother had the main holdings. The place had been deserted for ages without any staff, and each passage looked like the one he travelled now. Why would he even agree to live here. His wife was happy to have a grand place to call thier home, rather than the smaller manor near Stalingraad they owned. But now, both her and his opinion changed about the place.

 

He reached the end of the passage which terminated in what he could only describe as an ornately decorated iron wall.

 

"This was meant for me", thought Grigory. Withou concious thought he placed his hand on the freezing surface of the wall and touched the center design which resembled a face constructed out of a swirling vortex. There was loud echoing thunk, and then the wall slid down. Metal on stone reverberated thoughout the passage. Grigory took two steps back away in shock.

 

Light began to cast out in the dim passage he occupied. It was supplied by what was in the next room. Beyond the iron wall was a circular greystone room without any sort of decor. In the center, casting the light was a beam of some sort of illuminating energy. The cold didn't seem to affect Grigory anymore when his eyes fell upon it.

 

"He left this for me. There is something I must do here", raced through his mind but he spoke it out loud.

 

He stepped into the chamber and reached for the light. Grigory Bestev of 1845, Siberian Count was never seen again. At least not here.

 

------

 

He had seen everything though the energy. It was all laid out before him. He could see through time and space, all things large and small in the beat of a heart. But there was more beyond just that, there were other places, other tangets of his own world. He could see them as well. But they were infinate in number.

 

He could not escape from where he had gone but he could watch. He turned his minds eye to his wife and looked upon her, hoping to call for her to help him. When he saw her, he reached out and called to her. She was with some other man that Grigory had never seen before. They were embraced and in the heat of a long passionate kiss. Rage built up and he broke through the barrier between the energy and the vision.

 

In his rage, he slew the man. He questioned her on why she would do this. But she did not know who he was. Knowing that the energy beam was calling him back, he slew her in his anger and building madness.

 

Now Grigory searches throughout infinity for his place, his time. Each time he enters another place, his mind slips a little more and disaster soon follows. Even through the beam he can reach out an influence events in any world so that he can control people. Just by moving a chair slightly to the left of where it sat, he ended up ripping a world to shreds through some fiery holocaust where men launched great machines into the sky and reign death upon those who stood against them. He watched both outcomes, one where the chair remained, and one where he had moved the chair. The sequence to him became almost comical.

 

Yet, he could not find his place. His time. Perhaps he could find people or powers that would aid him. Now...where to find what he needs?

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Re: Who is... COUNT INFINITY?

 

A "Quantum Energy" manipulating mad scientist. ... His own vast powers are rarely used diretly in combat; his strange long range plans do not require him to engage in petty fisticuffs with the angry children of this age.

 

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to OddHat again.

 

Awesome concept. :thumbup:

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Re: Who is... COUNT INFINITY?

 

I kind of like the play on words. Count Infinity.

I think he'd be one of two flavours.

 

The New Warriors had a group of antagonists early on known as the Psionex. One of them was a "Math Telepath". I think I'd use that.

 

or

 

A mystic whose specialty is Numerology or mathmatics based magic.

 

He'd play it like a master vampire though his mathmatical abilities and his name would be an inside joke. He would not be a crappy Bat Villain...

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Re: Who is... COUNT INFINITY?

 

Count Infinity is just... incredibly lucky. He is the master of infinite chance. He is the Infinite Improbability Drive personified.

 

His Powers are Combat Luck (lots of it), Combat Unluck (uncontrolled, usable on others) [is this legal? Do it anyway!], and a VPP which allows him to use any skill, talent or power in the book, as long as the Special Effect is that it relies on Luck.

 

For example, he can hack into any computer by typing in random characters at the login screen, because he will just happen to type in a valid user id and password. He can break into any safe by twiddling the dial randomly, because he will enter the correct combination by pure chance. He can get past any guard, because they will be in the john, or looking the other way, or just asleep at the moment he walks by their station. But he couldn't pick a lock, or learn to fly a helicopter instantly, or see in the dark, for example, unless the GMis inventive enough to think of a way this could be done by fluke (the lock is not actually locked, for example).

 

He is impossible to apprehend. He causes flying characters to become entangled in overhead telegraph or power lines, ninjas to fumble and brain themselves with their own nunchuks, energy projectors hold their fire because a civilian walks across their line of fire at the critical moment, speedsters fall down open manhole covers, focuses are dropped, Charges are left in the hero's other suit, any power with an Activation doesn't, a long-lost Hunter turns up - you get the idea.

 

He used to make a good living fleecing Casinos until they all banned him as a "counter", a label which inspired his criminal ID. Since he has no real skills - the only thing he was good at at school was muliple-choice tests - he decided to try his luck at robbing banks and other places with valuables. He also gets included in heists by other gangs who look on him as a lucky charm. When he's around, things just seem to go their way...

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Re: Who is... COUNT INFINITY?

 

I kind of like the play on words. Count Infinity.

 

That was what immediately appealed to me about the name, as well.

 

Boy, you guys are good! Some awesome ideas here, more creative than what I came up with IMO. GaryB, your Count is a truly tragic figure - his origin almost sounds like a Twilight Zone episode. (That's a compliment BTW.) ;) Enforcer, I like your "Numeromancer." And Mantis, that's a well-thought-out suite of luck-based powers and SFX, although I do feel that the tie-in to the character's name is a little tenuous.

 

I suppose it would only be fair to present what I was thinking of for the character. I haven't worked out his powers yet, although I have a good idea of what I'd want them to be able to do, and how they'd be limited. My concept is similar in some ways to what a couple of other folks here have done, although I've tried to work out more issues relating to how to use him in a campaign, and to make him as flexible to slot in as possible. You can judge how well I've succeeded...

 

------------------------------------------

 

Background/History: Salvatore Infiniti was born to a titled family of wealth and privilege, but his life began with tragedy. His mother died from complications giving birth to him, and his father blamed Salvatore for that loss. He remained cold and aloof toward his son for the rest of his life, only seeing to it that his material needs were met.

 

Salvatore was a shy and studious boy, uncomfortable in social situations. He rarely played with other children, and had little interest in athletics or, as he grew older, romance. On the other hand he was academically gifted, and excelled in the sciences, particularly mathematics. He won numerous science awards and earned his first PhD at age eighteen. Salvatore taught mathematics at university for several years, but always felt more at ease alone in a laboratory or library doing research.

 

The elder Count Infiniti died from cancer when Salvatore was twenty-eight. Salvatore made all the arrangements as befitted a dutiful son, but was largely unmoved by his distant father's passing. Inheriting the family title and fortune, Salvatore retired from teaching and became a near recluse, indulging his passion for research.

 

Salvatore had long been particularly fascinated by fractal mathematics. The patterns generated by fractal equations underlay everything from weather movements to traffic flow to the growth of anthills; but because the tiniest variables could result in massive changes, the patterns were too complex for even the most advanced supercomputers to predict. But Salvatore was convinced that there were fundamental constants underlying fractal mathematics that would allow one to predict these patterns, and even influence their development. He spent years searching for them, becoming more and more obsessed with his quest.

 

One night after days of nonstop work Salvatore fell asleep at his desk in his study, overcome by exhaustion. In a dream the answers he had long sought suddenly appeared to him, and he started awake, amazed. For in perceiving those principles the entirety of the pattern of the world was abruptly laid open to him. He could see, he could feel the patterns all around him, in every leaf, every breeze, every drop of water. It was as if he had been blind all his life, and was suddenly granted sight. As he sat still and opened himself to this new perception, his consciousness expanded, following the growth of developing patterns outward, across distance, across time. He could foresee the entire course of human development, the future of the whole planet; he could predict Man's greatest achievements, his greatest crises, and his greatest failures. And he perceived how the development of those patterns could be change by even a single person, through the proper application of will in the right place, at the right time.

 

This revelation nearly overwhelmed him, but it was almost immediately followed by clarity of vision. Salvatore Infiniti could see what needed to be done, and realized that he was singularly and supremely qualified to do it. He finally understood his own place in the greater scheme. He understood the equations by which the world could be reshaped into a better place, and Count Infinity would see to it that they were applied, no matter what or who stood in his way.

 

Personality/Motivation: Count Infinity is motivated by a combination of noblesse oblige (reinforced both by his noble birth and awareness of his own intellectual superiority), by unshakeable certainty in the rightness of his cause, and by a genuine sense of compassion and responsibility. The Count is an essentially benevolent man who truly wants what is best for everyone, but because his perceptions are dominated by "the big picture" he is quite prepared to (regretfully) accept causing short-term suffering if it advances his long-term goals. Having spent most of his life apart from other people, Count Infinity has little empathy for the feelings of individuals and can't comprehend why others would oppose his goals. He usually chalks it up to their limited perceptions.

 

The Count is very focussed and driven, but shows no outward sign of madness or megalomania. He is always calm, patient and rational, and more than willing to explain his actions to anyone who wants to listen. However, once he has decided that a course of action is necessary it's almost impossible to dissuade him from it.

 

Quote: "If you could see as far as I do, you'd see why this is for the best."

 

Powers/Tactics: Count Infinity is able to perceive the fractal patterns of movement and growth in all physical phenomena around him. His awareness transcends normal human senses; he can perceive phenomena from the microscopic to the global scale. By following the developing course of these patterns he can predict future events and how to alter them in the present, but this isn't a perfect precognition. The larger the event and the farther in the future it occurs, the more clearly the Count can foresee it; but immediate local actions are too chaotic for him to predict.

 

Count Infinity has also learned to manipulate fractal patterns through sheer force of will. He can control and channel almost any physical force, from massive enough to shatter a wall to delicate enough to cause a flower to bloom. The Count's power to cause instantaneous effects is relatively limited (power level equivalent to a Standard Superhero), but given time he can initiate the growth of fractal patterns that can have truly epic results. With enough time to focus on it, Count Infinity can create earthquakes capable of levelling major cities, promote the spread of epidemics across an entire country, or warp the weather patterns over a whole continent. The larger the phenomenon, though, the more difficult it is for the Count to control - there's always a danger that it will escape him and cause random destruction, particularly if he's interrupted by some outside agency.

 

Count Infinity is also a proficient scientist. Although not as brilliant in the applied sciences as he is in theoretical ones, the Count has invented several remarkable devices to aid him in his task, operating on principles incomprehensible to almost anyone else.

 

Count Infinity is extremely difficult to intimidate. He's glimpsed vistas that most mortal minds couldn't even imagine let alone comprehend, and there's very little in this world that impresses or frightens him any more.

 

The Count usually prefers to work behind the scenes, instigating and manipulating events. In the case of more massive uses of his powers, most people won't even realize there's anything unnatural involved unless they are unusually sensitive to natural phenomena. For schemes on a more human scale the Count will often hire flunkies (super or otherwise), but doesn't maintain permanent operatives as such. He has tried to recruit others to his cause, but has found it almost impossible to persuade them that he isn't just delusional.

 

Should he be confronted directly the Count is well prepared to defend himself, although he tries to use the minimum force necessary. He's particularly adept at taking control of his foes' attacks and turning them back against them. If there's no benefit to the fight for him, though, the Count prefers to use his powers to withdraw, preferably where he can't be followed (passing through the solid earth is one of his favorite routes).

 

Campaign Use: Count Infinity can be used as a world-class master villain. The schemes he sets in motion usually have far reaching consequences. Although his long-term goal is the preservation and betterment of the entire world, his viewpoint is so broad and so far ahead that the immediate results of his actions may still be disasterous. For example, the Count may create a major "natural" disaster resulting in great death and destruction, in order to change conditions that would have led to an even worse disaster sometime in the future (perhaps centuries or even millennia).

 

Even so, Count Infinity's greatest powers require time and effort to employ, so he could still be successfully opposed by teams of less-powerful heroes if they can confront him in time. The GM could tailor his level of threat relative to the PCs based on how much time he's had to gather his power.

 

On the other hand Count Infinity would gladly assist the authorities or any heroes if doing so would help him reach his goals. In fact the Count respects dedicated, selfless heroes even if he believes their opposition to him is misguided. The GM could make the Count a true wildcard, opposing PC heroes during one adventure while aiding them the next. His ability to foresee the future makes him a handy deus ex machina if the PCs have gotten in over their heads. That and his obvious idealism may win the Count the respect of the PCs, leading to a more complex relationship than that of simple enemies.

 

Appearance: Salvatore Infiniti is in his early thirties, of medium height with a slender build. He has shoulder-length dark hair, dark eyes, pale skin and aquiline features, and is clean-shaven. He normally dresses in expensive but casual clothing in neutral colors - the Count has little use for pretension, preferring to focus on results.

 

Count Infinity is not very prepossessing at first glance, unless you count the calm, resolute expression on his face, and his relaxed, confident bearing. His tenor voice is normally quiet, but clear, precise and decisive, with a cultured manner and sophisticated vocabulary. He speaks several languages fluently, all with a slight Italian accent. The Count often has a far-away look in his eyes, as though he was viewing distant vistas, and it's sometimes difficult to get his attention.

 

When using his powers Count Infinity and the space immediately around him takes on a fractured, fragmented appearance, as though he was being viewed through a prism. People in his vicinity will hear what sounds like discordant music, and feel as though something rough was being rubbed over their skin.

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Re: Who is... COUNT INFINITY?

 

Quip from designated jokester of super-team: "Look out guys, it's Figure-Eight Man again!" :nya:

 

Count Infinity: "Grrrrr. Stop saying that, insolent dolt!" :mad:

Works for me. I love any villain who uses the word "dolt." "Insolent" is also good. It's wonderfully Silver Age.
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Re: Who is... COUNT INFINITY?

 

My take on Count Infinity would be something like this.

 

Medieval count makes a wish with a demon, gypsy, or some other mystical source that he "wants to live forever and have the ability to visit any time or place instantly". Of course, wish granters being what they are, they don't quite give the count what he wants. Instead, they turn his castle in a "nexus of worlds". Essentially, he came open up doors in his castle to any time or place; and he will live forever, providing he himself never leave the castle, if he does so, he will die.

 

While at first, he is annoyed with this resolution of his wish, he soon decides to make the best of things and begins to create a network of contacts in various times and places and becomes a supplier of goods and services from one location to another as well as providing access to these locations to those who want to travel there.

 

This version of Count Infinity could be a good guy. Perhaps he creates a group of troubleshooters from throughout the multiverse who could be sent out to solve problems anywhere in the multiverse that needs them.

 

He could be neutral. He'll sell his services to anyone who'll pay his price.

 

He could be a criminal mastermind with his finger in any number of endeavors througout time and space. He has massive resources to draw upon even if he himself can never leave his castle.

 

In any event, he would most likely be quite eccentric as a result of living in one building for hundreds of years. Perhaps he has little concern with individual human lives as he has seen so many of them simply come and go over his lifetime -- maybe he's seeking an immortal mate with whom he can share his life.

 

Just a few ideas off the top of my head,

 

Rod

 

PS: I am annoyed at myself, though, for missing the math connection when I first read the name. As a former math major and someone who has written too many puns in his life, I should have seen it.

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Re: Who is... COUNT INFINITY?

 

Works for me. I love any villain who uses the word "dolt." "Insolent" is also good. It's wonderfully Silver Age.

 

Yep, 'dolt' is very silver-agey and Doc Doomish. If the villain is vastly more powerful we could always go with 'insignificant gnat!". :D

 

Hey, villain soliloquys and insults might make a cool thread!

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