Your Local Generation VIPER

[Hermit]

Introduced in Teen Champions, and it is mentioned in CU:NotW that the project will be expanding (to Vibora Bay I believe) and...since I'm running a teen Champs game myself near New Constantinople, I thought I'd give the kids of Horizon Academy some rivals/enemies with their own local group of GV.

 

What I need are a few suggestions for (200 or less) teen villains caught in this, along with their mentor (Obviously Mrs. Garter won't be it, she's already busy in MC). Any ideas or concepts you'd like to share in that vein would be most welcome. I'll possibly post a few of my own, but right now I'm blanking.

[Enforcer84]

Re: Your Local Generation VIPER

 

Make the mentor a Brick.

Mentalists take all the good teaching jobs.

[Hermit]

Re: Your Local Generation VIPER

 

Make the mentor a Brick.

Mentalists take all the good teaching jobs.

Sounds doable.

I suppose I could go with a 'deranged drill sergeant' mentality, wouldn't be the first one VIPER had hired, wouldn't be the last.

[Cygnia]

Re: Your Local Generation VIPER

 

Every school has one...Mr./Ms. Popular. The Ferris Bueller type. The one student who EVERYONE likes, no matter what social group they're a part off. The one who can convince the jocks to stop picking on the geeks and be listened to. The one who the socially clueless can commiserate to and feel like someone actually cares and listens.

 

Not a "pure" mentalist, this student rather has high levels of Presence that can be used on various social skills (like conversation, information gathering, high society, seduction and persuasion) in order to ferret out secrets. Of course, he/she also has high levels of Mental Defense just in case.

 

And the catch? This student ISN'T in the Viper school. He/she's at your heroes' school instead as a mole and recruiter.

[Peregrine]

Re: Your Local Generation VIPER

 

Another idea, if not for mentor then for trainer - The Agent Who Came Up Through The Ranks. Stack on the VIPER Agent packages until you have a wunderkind who is nearly a super themselves, and let that be your drill sergeant.

[Sketchpad]

Re: Your Local Generation VIPER

 

A few suggestions ...

I would make the teacher a Black Adam type. Someone quite powerful who could rule the academy with am iron fist. Possibly a former silver-age baddie who's "retired" and works as a headmaster

Some students:

Possibly a junior version of the headmaster.

- A few mentalists with easily uncontrollable abilities (pyrokinesis, TK, etc)

- A few perfect specimens (see MVP in Avengers: The Initiative)

- Size Changers are always fun and could prove to be a problem with heroes (what better way to infiltrate than to shrink down?)

- Burned out sidekicks. Maybe they play both sides of the game?

- Corrupted hero. Not all heroes can resist the temptation.

- Very powerful kid needing control ... why not use him as a weapon along the way? (Akira)

- The villainous child. What better place for the kid of some villains to be?

- The mad prodigy.

[assault]

Re: Your Local Generation VIPER

 

I would make the teacher a Black Adam type. Someone quite powerful who could rule the academy with am iron fist. Possibly a former silver-age baddie who's "retired" and works as a headmaster

Some students:

Possibly a junior version of the headmaster.

 

Young Nastyman.

 

I've always loved that name.

 

His female equivalent would be even... nastier...

[lapsedgamer]

Re: Your Local Generation VIPER

 

How about a team of martial artists/ combat specialist recruits based on Cobra Kai from Karate Kid. "Sweep the leg." "Put him in a body bag, Johnny."

 

Viper could recruit a group of young punks of high school age as potential cannon fodder, or to do odd jobs that they did not want their fingerprints on. They could disquise the whole thing as a martial arts school or a demented type of Outward Bound/Scared Straight program where they aren't trying to reform the kids, but instead are corrupting them more.

[OddHat]

Re: Your Local Generation VIPER

 

Religious Youth Group. May have started out as a genuine attempt by a religious Super to gather young Supers together and offer guidance, but has now been subverted by Viper. Parents of young Supers are happy to see them in the hands of "good" people who can help them, the kids think they're doing G_d's work as they commit progressively more violent acts at the urging of their mentors. A kid or two may have doubts, and may even turn to the heroes for help. Most of the kids believe the Heroes are minions of Satan sent to lie and deceive.

[BoloOfEarth]

Re: Your Local Generation VIPER

 

I had a VIPER-run school in my Champions game. Let's see what I recall...

 

Staff-wise, the Phys Ed teacher was a former long-time agent (he'd seen it *all*, had +20 PRE only for Defense and great rolls for Tactics and Teamwork) who had been volunteered for a super-agent program. He was a low-level brick (named Pugilist) for a time, was injured in the line of duty and walked with a limp, semi-retired to teach at the school.

 

The art teacher (Prism) had light powers; her Images were something to see. Impulse, the Chem and Physics teacher, had control of kinetic energy. And Silver Spectre, a compulsively flirtations telekinetic, taught Biology (as well as all Sex Ed classes).

 

As to the students, I had them all pretty much normals with attitudes (excessive ones even for teens ). If I was making some super teens, I'd mostly go against stereotypes. For instance:

 

• Telepathic/MC jock (quarterback, BMOC, etc.), reading the other team's minds during the game, or to steal the girl away from the PC teen hero, or find out dirty secrets and reveal them.
   
  
• Shapechanging cheerleader, disguising herself as a PC's friend at Horizon Academy and spreading rumors that make the PC miserable, or doing something illegal and getting a PC blamed for it. Someone with a grudge (a male PC wouldn't go out with her, or a female PC stole her guy, or any PC made her look bad) would work best IMO.
   
  
• Drama student with sonic powers (Hearing Images, NND EB, maybe even subliminal mind control), suggesting a "drama-club team-up musical for charity" then making the Horizon Academy students look bad on stage.
   
  
• Slacker type who is actually a perpetual teen. Former student to a medieval alchemist and caught in a lab accident, he's now immortal and incredibly regenerative. Unfortunately, he's also incredibly immature. He has centuries of knowledge and experience, plus more money than he knows what to do with (thanks to the magic of compounding interest, plus some chemistry breakthroughs under a variety of pseudonyms). Imagine the players' faces when they find out the main stockholder of Megacorp is actually a 14 year old punk.
  

 

Just a few ideas, hope they help.

[Hermit]

Re: Your Local Generation VIPER

 

Thanks for all the help folks. Sorry I haven't commented much in this thread, but I was hoping to have more to contribute to it before I did

[Hermit]

Re: Your Local Generation VIPER

 

I went for an energy projector instead of a brick for the instructor when I realized a good candidate already existed to play the part.

 

I advise any of my players for my Horizon game to avoid, (though they can peek if they want to, I trust them not to abuse the info) as it might spoil their fun.

 

 

 

AGENT RYDER

Val Char Cost Roll Notes

30 STR 20 15- Lift 1600.0kg; 6d6 [1]

20 DEX 30 13- OCV: 7/DCV: 7

25 CON 30 14-

10 BODY 0 11-

13 INT 3 12- PER Roll 12-

15 EGO 10 12- ECV: 5

20 PRE 10 13- PRE Attack: 4d6

12 COM 1 11-

 

7/23 PD 1 Total: 7/23 PD (0/16 rPD)

7/26 ED 2 Total: 7/26 ED (0/19 rED)

5 SPD 20 Phases: 3, 5, 8, 10, 12

11 REC 0

50 END 0

38 STUN 0 Total Characteristic Cost: 127

 

Movement: Running: 6"/12"

Flight: 15"/60"

Leaping: 6"/12"

Swimming: 2"/4"

 

Cost Powers END

19 Lightning Powers: Elemental Control, 48-point powers, (24 Active Points); all slots Activation Roll 15- (-1/4)

15 1) Shocking Field: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 1d6+1, Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4), Damage Shield (+1/2), Continuous (+1) (55 Active Points); No STR Bonus (-1/2), No Knockback (-1/4), Activation Roll 15- (-1/4) 2

19 2) Electrical Field: Force Field (12 PD/15 ED/5 Mental Defense), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (48 Active Points); Activation Roll 15- (-1/4)

21 3) Ride The Lightning: Flight 15", Position Shift, x4 Noncombat, Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4) (50 Active Points); Activation Roll 15- (-1/4) 2

52 Lightning Powers: Multipower, 65-point reserve, (65 Active Points); all slots Activation Roll 15- (-1/4)

5u 1) Blinding Lighting: Sight and Radio Groups and Normal Hearing Flash 8d6, Does Knockback (+1/4) (60 Active Points); Activation Roll 15- (-1/4) 6

5u 2) Bolt: Energy Blast 13d6 (65 Active Points); Activation Roll 15- (-1/4) 6

5u 3) High Voltage: Killing Attack - Ranged 3d6+1, +1 Increased STUN Multiplier (+1/4) (62 Active Points); Activation Roll 15- (-1/4) 6

4u 4) Line of Lightning: Energy Blast 5 1/2d6, Area Of Effect (22" Line; +1 1/4) (63 Active Points); No Range (-1/2), Activation Roll 15- (-1/4) 6

5u 5) Neural-Shock: Drain DEX 4d6+1, Ranged (+1/2) (64 Active Points); Activation Roll 15- (-1/4) 6

3u 6) Storm Strike: Hand-To-Hand Attack +6d6, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Armor Piercing (+1/2) (60 Active Points); Hand-To-Hand Attack (-1/2), Activation Roll 15- (-1/4)

20 Electrical Immunity: Energy Damage Reduction, Resistant, 50% (30 Active Points); Only Works Against Limited Type of Attack (Electricity/Lightning; -1/2)

7 Still have some Juice: Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4) (7 Active Points) applied to STR

8 Armored Costume: Armor (4 PD/4 ED) (12 Active Points); OIF (-1/2)

13 Wrist Communicator: Mind Link , Specific Group of Minds, No LOS Needed, Number of Minds (x8) (35 Active Points); Only With Others Who Have Mind Link (-1), IAF (-1/2), Affected As Radio and Hearing Groups, Not Mental Group (-1/4)

18 Back Up Blaster: Energy Blast 8d6 (40 Active Points); OAF (-1), 12 Charges (-1/4) [12]

 

Perks

2 Elite VIPER Agent: Fringe Benefit: Membership

2 Deep Cover

7 Contact: Doctor Barclow (Contact has extremely useful Skills or resources, Good relationship with Contact) 12-

 

Talents

3 Simulate Death

 

Skills

3 Electrical Manipulation: Power 14-

16 +2 with All Combat

3 Acting 13-

3 Interrogation 13-

2 KS: Superheroes 11-

2 KS: Superhuman World 11-

2 KS: Supervillains 11-

3 Oratory 13-

3 Persuasion 13-

2 PS: Teacher 11-

3 Tactics 12-

 

Total Powers & Skill Cost: 275

Total Cost: 402

 

200+ Disadvantages

5 Distinctive Features: VIPER Uniform (Easily Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)

15 Hunted: VIPER 11- (Mo Pow, NCI, Watching)

20 Hunted: Enemies of VIPER 8- (Mo Pow, NCI, Capture)

20 Psychological Limitation: Contempt for 'normal' society, it's rules, and its people (Very Common, Strong)

10 Psychological Limitation: Wishes to be adored, will settle for being feared (Common, Moderate)

10 Psychological Limitation: Twisted Protectiveness of his students (Common, Moderate)

20 Social Limitation: Secrets of his own, and of VIPER (Frequently, Severe)

20 Vulnerability: 2 x Effect From Drains, Supressors, etc (Common)

82 Experience Points

 

Total Disadvantage Points: 120

 

Background/History: Ryder splashed water on the face, it was a new face. It wasn't a face he liked particularly, and he didn't think it was as handome as his old one. The nose was too wide, and the lips not as full. The jawline was similar, and the eyes looked like their old selves, no.. not enitrely, the eyes were now accompanied by crowsfeet.

 

When the hell did I get so old? He mused.

He wasn't sure just when, but he was sure of where.

Stronghold.

...........

Sometime in the early 90s'...

 

The superhero streaked over the skyline of New Constantinople. Since Colossus had nobly sacrificed himself years ago to safe the city, people had sworn they'd never see another hero half so worthy again. Nox was considered by some a strange and frightening vigilante, other heroes of the Northwest visited, but didn't stick around. No wonder VIPER was running rampant, they said.

 

But then came Stormrider. The brightly clad hero smiled below to the crowds cheering him on. Colossus was the past, Stormrider was the present and future. The electrical projector was on everyone's lips. Women confessed their lust for him on anonymous computer forums. Men sought to emulate his look by putting his lightning symbol on patches they wore on shirts or jackets. And always he seemed to find the worst of criminals, the lowest of the low, the rapists, the killers. The scum.

 

Only a handful of people even bothered to question his lack of luck at actually dealing with VIPER itself and no one paid attention to such talk.

 

Losing the crowd, he went to his new loft. The place was expensive, but worth it; besides, he could afford it. Shedding his mask, he took two steps when he realized there was a figure in the room. He scowled, and lightning crackled along his fingertips, "Who the hell..."

The illumination revealed a figure in the familar green and gold of VIPER, "Sorry to startle you," The figure said.

 

"Damn it," Stormrider hissed, "Is your nest leader crazy? We can't be seen together."

"What, don't you want your money?" The VIPER agent chuckled and slid a satchel to him.

 

"I thought we agreed," snarled Stormrider aka Ulysses Peabody, "You guys are on my no touch list, and I help you remove your rivals for the big money making crimes, in exchange you keep me informed, you pay me regularly, and most importantly.. we work through THIRD parties!" He couldn't believe the incompetence.

 

"My mistake, or perhaps, we should say -your- mistake," The agent's voice shifted, "Special Agent Gravilla, UNTIL. You're under arrest, and you disgust me."

 

Stormrider never got a chance to explain, the gas from the satchel erupting and engulfing him too quickly for him to react, and causing him to pass out.

 

He started the day as hero, he'd end it as a scandal.

The Judge didn't care about the dubious nature of his arrest. The Jury showed no comprehension when he explained how, by helping VIPER, he was actually keeping real crime, violent and deadly crime, down. And then, his lawyer, assigned by VIPER hinted that if he didn't keep his mouth shut, he'd never live to see his sentence, but if he played it mum from then on, they'd look out for him.

 

After all, hadn't they understood where others hadn't?

 

Peabody looked out at the courtroom, it was a circus with standing room only. One vulture, a man who'd gone silver at the temples, needed a cane and was still insisting on watching him go down. They all were.

 

Ingrates.

.............

"I'm telling you, it's not just suppressing my powers, I can feel them.. fading, You've got to get me out! This is inhumane," Prisoner Peabody pressed against the forcescreen.

 

The warden was less than sympathetic, "Never did it to anyone else, you'll do your time just like anyone else...hero. Besides, you don't have a constitutional right to your powers. Good bye, Peabody."

 

Peabody watched him go, and felt a little more of what made him special die inside.

 

........

 

"He's dead," The forensics specialist said, "But deuce if I can figure out the cause."

The warden looked mortified. "He mentioned a power loss.."

"It shouldn't have caused this," she assured. "We'll take it from here."

"We have our own people to..." The warden started to explain.

The adviser shook her head, "and have this look like a cover up on your part? Let us have him, we'll find the proof you guys are innocent of any wrong doing."

 

Within a half hour, the body was in the back of a transport vehicle.

 

That's when it woke up, "I didn't think that would work," Peabody said gasping. The dampeners didn't prevent him from simulating death. He was almost surprised by that.

 

One of the so called guards smirked, his one good eye winking, "Morning Stormrider. Didn't VIPER tell you we'd take care of you?"

"Rushmore! I thought the care would be a bit sooner than that, and damn it, something is going wrong with my powers," he hissed.

 

"Better hope not, because VIPER has expended a lot of effort and graft to smuggle you out. We want something for our trouble," Rushmore shrugged.

 

"I gave you guys tips, I kept hands off..."

"And you were well paid for it, then you got yourself caught. So the question is? What have you done for us lately?" Rushmore countered, "Answer..not much. I'm on your side,Ulysses, but VIPER doesn't keep things that aren't of use. Any other skills you've got?"

 

Stormrider was busy staring at his hand, making it spark, once, twice, three times, good... four, five... it stopped. Then started again. It wasn't always working, "I was once..I was almost a teacher."

 

"Well, not much call for that in VIPER. Meet Doctor Barclow, she's a leading geneticist and Biologist. She's no Teleios...but.."

 

The woman who had played the 'expert adviser' shrugged. "I'm skilled enough to clone a corpse from your body and have you vanish. A useful trait, yes?"

 

"Yes," he nodded, "And now that I'm out from those suppressors, my powers should come back, right?"

 

Wrong. His powers weren't going to get better again. In fact, within fifteen years, they'd be gone entirely. He'd be one of them, the sheeple, the norms, the mundanes. The thought made him ill. To hell with their rules, to hell with their society. They'd squandered any right they had to the future.

 

When project Generation VIPER turned out to be a success, VIPER found itself looking for qualified 'teachers' who could keep young superhumans in line to expand the program. Agent Ryder, new face, new limitations, and old grudges, seemed perfect for the Northwest position.

...........

 

Putting on his VIPER uniform, he walked towards his class. Within were a group of young and special people. They represented the future. He was going to take them, mold them in VIPER's image. The 'normal' world had long ago lost any right to a future of their own. He'd and VIPER would give society the future it deserved.

 

Agent Ryder swung the classroom door open, "Welcome.. to monster 101... lesson number one, the dragon wins."

Wide eyes looked up at him. Some in fear, some in awe, but he knew his words were sinking in already.

Good.

 

 

 

Personality/Motivation: Agent Ryder, as he is now called, is carrying a grudge; A big one, against everything society stands for. They clearly don't appreciate the greater good he did, and the fact his only crime was the same they all shared, looking out for ones own interests to get by. His crime, he is sure, was that he was better at it than them, and society can't stand that. The fact that he brought this on himself has completely eluded him. He's too busy feeling sorry for himself as he feels his powers slowly fade over time.

 

That's not his only area of delusion. Threatening his students, abusing them, manipulating them, putting their lives in danger, or threatening their loved ones, all these are justified so they learn the same important lessons he did about the world. They'll thank him, one day, he reasons. At odd times, he has flashes of protectiveness over those same students, but the nobility of it is all through the shattered lens of his own skewed perspective.

 

 

Quote: "You have a home with VIPER. Normal society? Don't think they'll ever love you for long, not really... you're better than them, and they'll hate you for it."

 

Powers/Tactics: In many ways a 'standard' Electrical Energy projector, Agent Ryder has a variety of blasts, zaps, and more. His favored maneuver is the "Storm Strike", but he's practical enough to use whatever works for the situation he's in. He is also superstrong, though not at full brick levels.

 

Sadly for him, it is all going to go away. Year by year, his powers work a little less often. Because of this, he's actually taken to carrying a back up VIPER blaster and wearing a protective uniform, at least when expecting trouble.

 

 

 

Campaign Use: Meant to be an example of a man who's learned all the wrong lessons in life and determined to pass them on, Ryder (as he is now called) plays the opposite of those good mentors who raise the children right. He doesn't necessarily think superhuman powers are the SOLE determiner of what makes someone superior, but they certainly are one way.

 

Making Agent Ryder less powerful will be relatively easy. The best way is to increase his activation roll limitation. it is probably better he has at least some powers to intimidate the students with, but an increasingly unreliable power set is part of his concept.

 

To make him more powerful, raise his Multipower limits to 75, but (again) keep the activation roll.

 

Agent Ryder no longer hunts alone, when he hunts at all, which is rare. He caries many old grudges, but (mistakenly) thinks most of the old thorns in his side are either dead or moved beyond his reach and now has to answer to VIPER for any serious screw ups, so has to be cautious. Still, a 'field trip' in which he tries to teach his students to take someone down might be called for one day, when he thinks they are ready, and , of course, he has numerous secrets he MUST keep no matter what the cost.

 

 

 

Appearance: With brown hair and grey eyes, Ryder is an attractive man, though no longer as attractive as he was (or so he claims). VIPER has given him a new face, and time has done the rest.

 

In class, he dresses in a VIPER Uniform, specialized and stylized to his personal tastes. Outside of it, he wears slacks and button up shirts. Either way, he's a tall well built man.

 

 

 

 

[SKJAM!]

Re: Your Local Generation VIPER

 

Not so much powersets as personalities--

 

Sae from Peach Girl is a textbook example of the Toxic Friend. Give her an appropriate power or two (or even a non-related power just to get her on the squad) and she can cause some real emotional and social damage.

 

A character I've seen played, though he was supposed to be a relatively good guy: A fellow originally from "fly-over country" whose parents got into high-caliber diplomatic work, exposing him to the culture of the rich and powerful. Plus, he's darn good at classical music (though his powers aren't completely controlled, making it difficult for him to pursue his dream of professional musicianship.) He finds himself at school back in his home area, and is disgusted by how common and provincial the locals are, thinking of them as incurable hicks. Worse, they won't leave him alone to be superior; they want to be friendly, to treat him as an equal.

 

Give him the respect he thinks he deserves, and he'll gladly punish the fools for you.

[Hermit]

Re: Your Local Generation VIPER

 

As anyone reading the character for the main instructor can tell, Rushmore is going to be working with Ryder. Details (Though not a full sheet like Ryder had) below:

 

Rushmore acts as the guy sent out to snipe and assassinate, or arrange the 'accidental' death of people who learn to much, or parents if a kid needs to be 'orphaned'. Indeed, the threat of him killing their loved ones will keep the students who have loved ones very much in line, perhaps more than if Ryder does it, because Rushmore is so creepily cheery, and obviously has the ability to slip past most defenses.

 

Rushmore has many annoying habits, constantly quoting movie sound bites is one of them. The girls get the chills when he watches them walk by, and says "I love high school girls, yes I do. I get older, they stay the same." and so on.

 

Ryder has actually had to yank him back in line more than once.

 

 

[Narratio]

Re: Your Local Generation VIPER

 

You'll need a summer camp for the kids.

 

Ah yes, summer camp at Lake Waka Cho Bee. Where the Camp instructors are 'rugged individualists' who enjoy camping on the sides of cliffs wearing nothing but a leather thong and armed with a small knife for peeling fruit. A place where the teen aged camp helpers are always bright, smiling and full of "This is for your own good, one day you'll thank me for this" types.

 

Great for turning out good kids.

 

Over on the otherside of the lake is Camp Waka Bee Cho. This where the VIPER agents send thier kids for the summer. The Camp instructors are 'rugged individualists' who enjoy camping on the sides of cliffs wearing nothing but a leather thong and armed with a small knife for peeling fruit. A place where the teen aged camp helpers are always bright, smiling and full of "This is for your own good, one day you'll thank me for this" types.

 

Wait just a minute...

[Hermit]

Re: Your Local Generation VIPER

 

First student (who is still something of a work in progress)

 

 

Bombshell

Val Char Cost Roll Notes

20 STR 10 13- Lift 400.0kg; 4d6 HTH damage [2]

14 DEX 12 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5

20 CON 20 13-

12 BODY 4 11-

10 INT 0 11- PER Roll 11-

9 EGO -2 11- ECV: 3

13 PRE 3 12- PRE Attack: 2 1/2d6

14 COM 2 12-

7 PD 3 Total: 7/11 PD (5/9 rPD)

7 ED 3 Total: 7/11 ED (5/9 rED)

3 SPD 6 Phases: 4, 8, 12

8 REC 0

40 END 0

32 STUN 0 Total Characteristics Cost: 63

Movement: Running: 7"/[Noncombat]"

Leaping: 4"/[Noncombat]"

Swimming: 2"/[Noncombat]"

 

Cost Powers END

35 Boom!: Energy Blast 8d6, Personal Immunity (+1/4), Explosion (+1/2) (70 Active Points); No Range (-1/2), Extra Time (Full Phase, -1/2) 7

17 Say goodbye to your eardrums: Hearing Group Flash 8d6, Personal Immunity (+1/4), Explosion (+1/2) (42 Active Points); Linked (Boom!; -1/2), Extra Time (Full Phase, -1/2), No Range (-1/2) 4

11 Explosive Punches: Hand-To-Hand Attack +2d6, Double Knockback (+3/4) (17 Active Points); Hand-To-Hand Attack (-1/2) 2

5 Doesn't Blink Much: Sight Group Flash Defense (5 points) 0

5 Odd Bod: Power Defense (5 points) 0

8 Used to Loud Noises: Hearing Group Flash Defense (8 points) 0

5 Tougher than she looks: Damage Resistance (5 PD/5 ED) 0

8 Armored Costume: Armor (4 PD/4 ED) (12 Active Points); OIF (-1/2) 0

13 Wrist Communicator: Mind Link , Specific Group of Minds, No LOS Needed, Number of Minds (x8) (35 Active Points); Only With Others Who Have Mind Link (-1), IAF (-1/2), Affected As Radio and Hearing Groups, Not Mental Group (-1/4) 0

 

Perks

1 Fringe Benefit: Membership

 

Skills

2 +1 with Punch

3 Acting 12-

2 KS: Latest Music 11-

2 KS: VIPER 11-

1 Persuasion 8-

1 PS: Flute Playing 8-

1 Seduction 8-

3 Sleight Of Hand 12-

3 Stealth 12-

1 Streetwise 8-

 

Total Powers & Skills Cost: 127

Total Cost: 190

 

100+ Disadvantages

5 Distinctive Features: VIPER Uniform (Easily Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)

10 Hunted: By Superheroes 8- (Mo Pow, Mildly Punish (Reform,educate, possible jail time))

15 Hunted: VIPER 11- (Mo Pow, NCI, Watching)

20 Psychological Limitation: Blames others for her mistakes and choices (Very Common, Strong)

10 Psychological Limitation: Afraid of Instructors (Uncommon, Strong)

5 Social Limitation: Minor (Occasionally, Minor)

15 Social Limitation: Secret ID: Barbara Sheldon (Frequently, Major)

5 Unluck: 1d6

5 Vulnerability: 1 1/2 x STUN Radation (Uncommon)

 

Total Disadvantage Points: 190

Quote: "Why did you make me DO that? You could have just let me go! Now because of you, innocent people got hurt!"

 

 

I'm still fleshing out her background and other details. Obviously she and Ryder have some things in common, which means she probably gets on his nerves.

[OddHat]

Re: Your Local Generation VIPER

 

I went for an energy projector instead of a brick for the instructor when I realized a good candidate already existed to play the part.

 

I advise any of my players for my Horizon game to avoid, (though they can peek if they want to, I trust them not to abuse the info) as it might spoil their fun.

 

 

 

AGENT RYDER

Val Char Cost Roll Notes

30 STR 20 15- Lift 1600.0kg; 6d6 [1]

20 DEX 30 13- OCV: 7/DCV: 7

25 CON 30 14-

10 BODY 0 11-

13 INT 3 12- PER Roll 12-

15 EGO 10 12- ECV: 5

20 PRE 10 13- PRE Attack: 4d6

12 COM 1 11-

 

7/23 PD 1 Total: 7/23 PD (0/16 rPD)

7/26 ED 2 Total: 7/26 ED (0/19 rED)

5 SPD 20 Phases: 3, 5, 8, 10, 12

11 REC 0

50 END 0

38 STUN 0 Total Characteristic Cost: 127

 

Movement: Running: 6"/12"

Flight: 15"/60"

Leaping: 6"/12"

Swimming: 2"/4"

 

Cost Powers END

19 Lightning Powers: Elemental Control, 48-point powers, (24 Active Points); all slots Activation Roll 15- (-1/4)

15 1) Shocking Field: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 1d6+1, Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4), Damage Shield (+1/2), Continuous (+1) (55 Active Points); No STR Bonus (-1/2), No Knockback (-1/4), Activation Roll 15- (-1/4) 2

19 2) Electrical Field: Force Field (12 PD/15 ED/5 Mental Defense), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (48 Active Points); Activation Roll 15- (-1/4)

21 3) Ride The Lightning: Flight 15", Position Shift, x4 Noncombat, Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4) (50 Active Points); Activation Roll 15- (-1/4) 2

52 Lightning Powers: Multipower, 65-point reserve, (65 Active Points); all slots Activation Roll 15- (-1/4)

5u 1) Blinding Lighting: Sight and Radio Groups and Normal Hearing Flash 8d6, Does Knockback (+1/4) (60 Active Points); Activation Roll 15- (-1/4) 6

5u 2) Bolt: Energy Blast 13d6 (65 Active Points); Activation Roll 15- (-1/4) 6

5u 3) High Voltage: Killing Attack - Ranged 3d6+1, +1 Increased STUN Multiplier (+1/4) (62 Active Points); Activation Roll 15- (-1/4) 6

4u 4) Line of Lightning: Energy Blast 5 1/2d6, Area Of Effect (22" Line; +1 1/4) (63 Active Points); No Range (-1/2), Activation Roll 15- (-1/4) 6

5u 5) Neural-Shock: Drain DEX 4d6+1, Ranged (+1/2) (64 Active Points); Activation Roll 15- (-1/4) 6

3u 6) Storm Strike: Hand-To-Hand Attack +6d6, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Armor Piercing (+1/2) (60 Active Points); Hand-To-Hand Attack (-1/2), Activation Roll 15- (-1/4)

20 Electrical Immunity: Energy Damage Reduction, Resistant, 50% (30 Active Points); Only Works Against Limited Type of Attack (Electricity/Lightning; -1/2)

7 Still have some Juice: Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4) (7 Active Points) applied to STR

8 Armored Costume: Armor (4 PD/4 ED) (12 Active Points); OIF (-1/2)

13 Wrist Communicator: Mind Link , Specific Group of Minds, No LOS Needed, Number of Minds (x8) (35 Active Points); Only With Others Who Have Mind Link (-1), IAF (-1/2), Affected As Radio and Hearing Groups, Not Mental Group (-1/4)

18 Back Up Blaster: Energy Blast 8d6 (40 Active Points); OAF (-1), 12 Charges (-1/4) [12]

 

Perks

2 Elite VIPER Agent: Fringe Benefit: Membership

2 Deep Cover

7 Contact: Doctor Barclow (Contact has extremely useful Skills or resources, Good relationship with Contact) 12-

 

Talents

3 Simulate Death

 

Skills

3 Electrical Manipulation: Power 14-

16 +2 with All Combat

3 Acting 13-

3 Interrogation 13-

2 KS: Superheroes 11-

2 KS: Superhuman World 11-

2 KS: Supervillains 11-

3 Oratory 13-

3 Persuasion 13-

2 PS: Teacher 11-

3 Tactics 12-

 

Total Powers & Skill Cost: 275

Total Cost: 402

 

200+ Disadvantages

5 Distinctive Features: VIPER Uniform (Easily Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)

15 Hunted: VIPER 11- (Mo Pow, NCI, Watching)

20 Hunted: Enemies of VIPER 8- (Mo Pow, NCI, Capture)

20 Psychological Limitation: Contempt for 'normal' society, it's rules, and its people (Very Common, Strong)

10 Psychological Limitation: Wishes to be adored, will settle for being feared (Common, Moderate)

10 Psychological Limitation: Twisted Protectiveness of his students (Common, Moderate)

20 Social Limitation: Secrets of his own, and of VIPER (Frequently, Severe)

20 Vulnerability: 2 x Effect From Drains, Supressors, etc (Common)

82 Experience Points

 

Total Disadvantage Points: 120

 

Background/History: Ryder splashed water on the face, it was a new face. It wasn't a face he liked particularly, and he didn't think it was as handome as his old one. The nose was too wide, and the lips not as full. The jawline was similar, and the eyes looked like their old selves, no.. not enitrely, the eyes were now accompanied by crowsfeet.

 

When the hell did I get so old? He mused.

He wasn't sure just when, but he was sure of where.

Stronghold.

...........

Sometime in the early 90s'...

 

The superhero streaked over the skyline of New Constantinople. Since Colossus had nobly sacrificed himself years ago to safe the city, people had sworn they'd never see another hero half so worthy again. Nox was considered by some a strange and frightening vigilante, other heroes of the Northwest visited, but didn't stick around. No wonder VIPER was running rampant, they said.

 

But then came Stormrider. The brightly clad hero smiled below to the crowds cheering him on. Colossus was the past, Stormrider was the present and future. The electrical projector was on everyone's lips. Women confessed their lust for him on anonymous computer forums. Men sought to emulate his look by putting his lightning symbol on patches they wore on shirts or jackets. And always he seemed to find the worst of criminals, the lowest of the low, the rapists, the killers. The scum.

 

Only a handful of people even bothered to question his lack of luck at actually dealing with VIPER itself and no one paid attention to such talk.

 

Losing the crowd, he went to his new loft. The place was expensive, but worth it; besides, he could afford it. Shedding his mask, he took two steps when he realized there was a figure in the room. He scowled, and lightning crackled along his fingertips, "Who the hell..."

The illumination revealed a figure in the familar green and gold of VIPER, "Sorry to startle you," The figure said.

 

"Damn it," Stormrider hissed, "Is your nest leader crazy? We can't be seen together."

"What, don't you want your money?" The VIPER agent chuckled and slid a satchel to him.

 

"I thought we agreed," snarled Stormrider aka Ulysses Peabody, "You guys are on my no touch list, and I help you remove your rivals for the big money making crimes, in exchange you keep me informed, you pay me regularly, and most importantly.. we work through THIRD parties!" He couldn't believe the incompetence.

 

"My mistake, or perhaps, we should say -your- mistake," The agent's voice shifted, "Special Agent Gravilla, UNTIL. You're under arrest, and you disgust me."

 

Stormrider never got a chance to explain, the gas from the satchel erupting and engulfing him too quickly for him to react, and causing him to pass out.

 

He started the day as hero, he'd end it as a scandal.

The Judge didn't care about the dubious nature of his arrest. The Jury showed no comprehension when he explained how, by helping VIPER, he was actually keeping real crime, violent and deadly crime, down. And then, his lawyer, assigned by VIPER hinted that if he didn't keep his mouth shut, he'd never live to see his sentence, but if he played it mum from then on, they'd look out for him.

 

After all, hadn't they understood where others hadn't?

 

Peabody looked out at the courtroom, it was a circus with standing room only. One vulture, a man who'd gone silver at the temples, needed a cane and was still insisting on watching him go down. They all were.

 

Ingrates.

.............

"I'm telling you, it's not just supressing my powers, I can feel them.. fading, You've got to get me out! This is inhumane," Prisoner Peabody pressed against the forcescreen.

 

The warden was less than sympathetic, "Never did it to anyone else, you'll do your time just like anyone else...hero. Besides, you don't have a constitutional right to your powers. Good bye, Peabody."

 

Peabody watched him go, and felt a little more of what made him special die inside.

 

........

 

"He's dead," The forensics specialist said, "But deuce if I can figure out the cause."

The warden looked mortified. "He mentioned a powerloss.."

"It shouldn't have caused this," she assured. "We'll take it from here."

"We have our own people to..." The warden started to explain.

The adviser shook her head, "and have this look like a cover up on your part? Let us have him, we'll find the proof you guys are innocent of any wrong doing."

 

Within a half hour, the body was in the back of a transport vehicle.

 

That's when it woke up, "I didn't think that would work," Peabody said gasping. The dampeners didn't prevent him from simulating death. He was almost surprised by that.

 

One of the so called guards smirked, his one good eye winking, "Morning Stormrider. Didn't VIPER tell you we'd take care of you?"

"Rushmore! I thought the care would be a bit sooner than that, and damn it, something is going wrong with my powers," he hissed.

 

"Better hope not, because VIPER has expended a lot of effort and graft to smuggle you out. We want something for our trouble," Rushmore shrugged.

 

"I gave you guys tips, I kept hands off..."

"And you were well paid for it, then you got yourself caught. So the question is? What have you done for us lately?" Rushmore countered, "Answer..not much. I'm on your side,Ulysses, but VIPER doesn't keep things that aren't of use. Any other skills you've got?"

 

Stormrider was busy staring at his hand, making it spark, once, twice, three times, good... four, five... it stopped. Then started again. It wasn't always working, "I was once..I was almost a teacher."

 

"Well, not much call for that in VIPER. Meet Doctor Barclow, she's a leading geneticist and Biologist. She's no Teleios...but.."

 

The woman who had played the 'expert adviser' shrugged. "I'm skilled enough to clone a corpse from your body and have you vanish. A useful trait, yes?"

 

"Yes," he nodded, "And now that I'm out from those surpresors, my powers should come back, right?"

 

Wrong. His powers weren't going to get better again. In fact, within fifteen years, they'd be gone entirely. He'd be one of them, the sheeple, the norms, the mundanes. The thought made him ill. To hell with their rules, to hell with their society. They'd squandered any right they had to the future.

 

When project Generation VIPER turned out to be a success, VIPER found itself looking for qualified 'teachers' who could keep young superhumans in line to expand the program. Agent Ryder, new face, new limitations, and old grudges, seemed perfect for the Northwest position.

...........

 

Putting on his VIPER uniform, he walked towards his class. Within were a group of young and special people. They represented the future. He was going to take them, mold them in VIPER's image. The 'normal' world had long ago lost any right to a future of their own. He'd and VIPER would give society the future it deserved.

 

Agent Ryder swung the classroom door open, "Welcome.. to monster 101... lesson number one, the dragon wins."

Wide eyes looked up at him. Some in fear, some in awe, but he knew his words were sinking in already.

Good.

 

 

 

Personality/Motivation: Agent Ryder, as he is now called, is carrying a grudge; A big one, against everything society stands for. They clearly don't appreciate the greater good he did, and the fact his only crime was the same they all shared, looking out for ones own interests to get by. His crime, he is sure, was that he was better at it than them, and society can't stand that. The fact that he brought this on himself has completely eluded him. He's too busy feeling sorry for himself as he feels his powers slowly fade over time.

 

That's not his only area of delusion. Threatening his students, abusing them, manipulating them, putting their lives in danger, or threatening their loved ones, all these are justified so they learn the same important lessons he did about the world. They'll thank him, one day, he reasons. At odd times, he has flashes of protectiveness over those same students, but the nobility of it is all through the shattered lens of his own skewed perspective.

 

 

Quote: "You have a home with VIPER. Normal society? Don't think they'll ever love you for long, not really... you're better than them, and they'll hate you for it."

 

Powers/Tactics: In many ways a 'standard' Electrical Energy projector, Agent Ryder has a variety of blasts, zaps, and more. His favored maneuver is the "Storm Strike", but he's practical enough to use whatever works for the situation he's in. He is also superstrong, though not at full brick levels.

 

Sadly for him, it is all going to go away. Year by year, his powers work a little less often. Because of this, he's actually taken to carrying a back up VIPER blaster and wearing a protective uniform, at least when expecting trouble.

 

 

 

Campaign Use: Meant to be an example of a man who's learned all the wrong lessons in life and determined to pass them on, Ryder (as he is now called) plays the opposite of those good mentors who raise the children right. He doesn't necessarily think superhuman powers are the SOLE determiner of what makes someone superior, but they certainly are one way.

 

Making Agent Ryder will be relatively easy. The best way is to increase his activation roll more. it is probably better he has at least some powers to intimidate the students with, but an increasingly unreliable power set is part of his concept.

 

To make him more powerful, raise his Multipower limits to 75, but keep the activation roll.

 

Agent Ryder no longer hunts alone, when he hunts at all, which is rare. He caries many old grudges, but (mistakenly) thinks most of the old thorns in his side are either dead or moved beyond his reach and now has to answer to VIPER for any serious screw ups, so has to be cautious. Still, a 'field trip' in which he tries to teach his students to take someone down might be called for one day, when he thinks they are ready, and , of course, he has numerous secrets he MUST keep no matter what the cost.

 

 

 

Appearance: With brown hair and grey eyes, Ryder is an attractive man, though no longer as attractive as he was (or so he claims). VIPER has given him a new face, and time has done the rest.

 

In class, he dresses in a VIPER Uniform, specialized and stylized to his personal tastes. Outside of it, he wears slacks and button up shirts. Either way, he's a tall well built man.

 

 

 

 

Great write up, repped.

 

Typo in the Campaign Use section. "Making Ryder more" should be "Making Ryder more powerful".

[ParagonAlpha]

Re: Your Local Generation VIPER

 

Possible Classes or Seminars:

 

"Psychological Profiling: Know Your Enemies Weakness and How to Exploit Them"

 

"Environmental Engineering: Making the Build Fall on a School Bus as a Means of Withdrawal"

 

"Self-Esteem: Superman is Just a Boy Scout who Wears His Underwear on the Outside"

 

"Teamwork: How to Win Friends and Influence Henchmen"

 

"Leave No Clues: CSI and Law & Order Are Just Television Shows"

 

"Pick Your Stomping Grounds: Grand Rapids, Michigan has No Super Heroes"

 

Also if you want to make the classes really tough, have each "class" split into two groups and compete against each other. One class graduates the other dies. Being a Villain is a cutthroat career.

[Hermit]

Re: Your Local Generation VIPER

 

Great write up, repped.

 

Typo in the Campaign Use section. "Making Ryder more" should be "Making Ryder more powerful".

 

Whoops. Let me go edit that. Thanks!

[OddHat]

Re: Your Local Generation VIPER

 

Whoops. Let me go edit that. Thanks!

 

Glad to help, and enjoyed the character.

[Narratio]

Re: Your Local Generation VIPER

 

It does make a great place to stash your 'B' list villains as guest instructors and replacement teachers. All those Fu ManChu wannabees handling Home Ec, Chem, Bio and Physics. The gadgeteers who, now they're out of prison, lack resources to replace thier tech are running the metal work and autoshops.

 

End of terms math quizzes would be fun. "You have stolen $100,000. You have 12 goons, 3 henchmen and an underling. At current VIPER payscales, how long can you feed them before you have to commit another daring daylight robbery on an armoured car? Calculators are not allowed."

[OddHat]

Re: Your Local Generation VIPER

 

It does make a great place to stash your 'B' list villains as guest instructors and replacement teachers. All those Fu ManChu wannabees handling Home Ec, Chem, Bio and Physics. The gadgeteers who, now they're out of prison, lack resources to replace thier tech are running the metal work and autoshops.

 

End of terms math quizzes would be fun. "You have stolen $100,000. You have 12 goons, 3 henchmen and an underling. At current VIPER payscales, how long can you feed them before you have to commit another daring daylight robbery on an armoured car? Calculators are not allowed."

 

I love the idea of bitter, former would-be world conquerors down on their luck and taking teaching positions. Great fun to be had with the long, anecdote filled lectures harping back to the Glory Days.

 

"Invulnerable foes are a problem, but one you can overcome! I recall that when I fought Captain Steel, I employed..."

 

"Captain Steel!? Didn't he just win the Kirby Hero Medal?"

 

"Eh? Yes. Bastard. As I was saying..."

[Captain Obvious]

Re: Your Local Generation VIPER

 

You'll need a summer camp for the kids.

 

Ah yes, summer camp at Lake Waka Cho Bee. Where the Camp instructors are 'rugged individualists' who enjoy camping on the sides of cliffs wearing nothing but a leather thong and armed with a small knife for peeling fruit. A place where the teen aged camp helpers are always bright, smiling and full of "This is for your own good, one day you'll thank me for this" types.

 

Great for turning out good kids.

 

Over on the otherside of the lake is Camp Waka Bee Cho. This where the VIPER agents send thier kids for the summer. The Camp instructors are 'rugged individualists' who enjoy camping on the sides of cliffs wearing nothing but a leather thong and armed with a small knife for peeling fruit. A place where the teen aged camp helpers are always bright, smiling and full of "This is for your own good, one day you'll thank me for this" types.

 

Our teen heroes end up at the wrong camp, and hilarity ensues.