Lucius

I withdraw my secondary domain choice
 
New choice: Interference.
 
The Dream Precedes.
Nothing lasting or important comes to pass but it is first dreamed of. If a mortal could but recall all his dreams, he would find all that befalls him to be foreshadowed. But mortals seldom recall their dreams past waking, and what they do recall is usually couched in obscure symbolism. Thus the Augers of the Goddess Divine are kept busy at dream interpretation, one of their main duties.
 
Gods have both better recall of dreams, and better insight into them, but they too often forget or even sometimes misunderstand the portents that come to them in dreams.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
Dreaming of a palindromedary
 
 
 
 

yes
 
Lucius Alexander
 
Inspired by a palindromedary
 
 

I withdraw my secondary domain choice
 
New choice: Interference.
 
The Dream Precedes.
Nothing lasting or important comes to pass but it is first dreamed of. If a mortal could but recall all his dreams, he would find all that befalls him to be foreshadowed. But mortals seldom recall their dreams past waking, and what they do recall is usually couched in obscure symbolism. Thus the Augers of the Goddess Divine are kept busy at dream interpretation, one of their main duties.
 
Gods have both better recall of dreams, and better insight into them, but they too often forget or even sometimes misunderstand the portents that come to them in dreams.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
Dreaming of a palindromedary
 
 
 
 

I'm late to the party, but here's a bigfoot flatfoot:
 
Officer Clint Sasquatch
 
Val Char Cost Roll Notes
25 STR 0 14- Lift 800.0kg; 5d6
15 DEX 0 12- OCV: 4/DCV: 4
21 CON 0 13-
13 INT 3 12- PER Roll 12-
13 EGO 3 12- ECV: 3 - 3
20 PRE 5 13- PRE Attack: 4d6
 
4 OCV 0
4 DCV 0
3 OMCV 0
3 DMCV 0
4 SPD 0 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12
 
15 PD 0 Total: 15 PD (3 rPD)
16 ED 0 Total: 16 ED (4 rED)
11 REC 0
33 END 0
10 BODY 0
35 STUN 0 Total Characteristic Cost: 8
 
Movement: Running: 9m/18m
Leaping: 4m/8m
Swimming: 4m/8m
 
Cost Powers END
Sasquatch Powers
18 1) Sasquatch Strong: (Total: 24 Active Cost, 18 Real Cost) +3 PD (3 Active Points); Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 2) plus +3 ED (3 Active Points); Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 2) plus +6 STUN (3 Active Points); Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 2) plus +3 REC (3 Active Points); Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 2) plus +10 STR (10 Active Points); Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 😎 plus +1 with STR Roll (Real Cost: 2) 1
17 2) Wild Reflexes: (Total: 25 Active Cost, 17 Real Cost) +5 DEX (10 Active Points); Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 😎 plus +1 OCV (5 Active Points); Linked (DEX; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 3) plus +1 DCV (5 Active Points); Linked (DEX; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 3) plus Lightning Reflexes (+5 DEX to act first with All Actions) (5 Active Points); Linked (DEX; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 3) 0
27 3) Sasquatch Tough: (Total: 49 Active Cost, 27 Real Cost) +11 CON (11 Active Points); Limited Power Not vs Stunning (-2), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 3) plus +4 PD (4 Active Points); Linked (CON; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 2) plus +4 ED (4 Active Points); Linked (CON; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 2) plus +4 REC (4 Active Points); Linked (CON; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 2) plus +9 STUN (5 Active Points); Linked (CON; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 2) plus +13 END (3 Active Points); Linked (CON; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 1) plus Cannot Be Stunned, Inherent (+¼) (19 Active Points); Linked (CON; -¼) (Real Cost: 15) 0
9 4) BIG foot: (Total: 18 Active Cost, 9 Real Cost) Density Increase (200 kg mass, +5 STR, +1 PD/ED, -2m KB), Persistent (+¼), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½) (7 Active Points); Always On (-½), Perceivable (-½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 3) plus +5 PRE (5 Active Points); Linked (Density Increase; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 3) plus +2/+2d6 Striking Appearance (vs. all characters) (6 Active Points); Linked (Density Increase; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 3) 0
9 5) Sasquatch Hide: (Total: 16 Active Cost, 9 Real Cost) Resistant Protection (3 PD/4 ED); Perceivable (-½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 7) plus +2 PD (2 Active Points); Linked (Resistant Protection; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 1) plus +2 ED (2 Active Points); Linked (Resistant Protection; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 1) 0
5 6) Sasquatch Senses: (Total: 5 Active Cost, 5 Real Cost) Nightvision (Real Cost: 5) 0
Police Powers
1 1) I Carry a Badge: (Total: 2 Active Cost, 1 Real Cost) +1/+1d6 Striking Appearance (vs. [a specific group of characters](criminals being arrested)) (2 Active Points); OIF (-½) (Real Cost: 1) 0
7 2) Service pisrol: (Total: 20 Active Cost, 7 Real Cost) Killing Attack - Ranged 1d6+1 (20 Active Points); OAF (-1), 4 clips of 6 Charges (Increased Reloading Time: 2 Full Phases; -½), Beam (-¼) (Real Cost: 7) [6]
3 3) baton: (Total: 7 Active Cost, 3 Real Cost) Hand-To-Hand Attack +1d6+1 (7 Active Points); OAF (-1), Hand-To-Hand Attack (-¼) (Real Cost: 3) 1
11 4) Cuffs: (Total: 69 Active Cost, 11 Real Cost) Entangle 3d6, 8 PD/8 ED (standard effect: 3 BODY, 8 PD/8 ED), Takes No Damage From Attacks Limited Group (+¼) (69 Active Points); 1 Recoverable Charge (-1 ¼), OAF (-1), Does Not Prevent The Use Of Accessible Foci (-1), Set Effect (Hands Only/Feet Only) (-1), No Range (-½), Conditional Power Must follow Grab or target must be willing (-½) (Real Cost: 11) [1 rc]
10 5) Powered by coffee and donuts. And beef jerky.: (Total: 20 Active Cost, 10 Real Cost) +2 SPD (20 Active Points); Costs Endurance (-½), Conditional Power Must have consumed coffee and donuts that day. (-¼), 1 Recoverable Continuing Charge lasting 5 Minutes (-¼) (Real Cost: 10) 2
Police Training
Maneuver OCV DCV Notes
3 Basic Strike +1 +0 7d6 Strike
4 Choke Hold -2 +0 Grab One Limb; 2d6 NND
5 Defensive Block +1 +3 Block, Abort
4 Bear Hug +0 +0 9d6 Crush, Must Follow Grab
3 Legsweep +2 -1 6d6 Strike, Target Falls
4 Martial Disarm -1 +1 Disarm; 35 STR to Disarm
4 Martial Dodge -- +5 Dodge, Affects All Attacks, Abort
3 Martial Grab -1 -1 Grab Two Limbs, 35 STR for holding on
4 Reversal -1 -2 40 STR to Escape; Grab Two Limbs
5 Takeaway +0 +0 Grab Weapon, 35 STR to take weapon away
1 Weapon Element: Clubs, Default Element: Unarmed
 
Skills
0 Sasquatch Skills
11 1) Hide and Seek World Champion!: Concealment 16-
5 2) Surpisingly quiet for such a large creature: Stealth 13-
3 3) Survival 12-
3 4) Climbing 12-
0 Police Skills
3 1) "A lot of police work is just talking to people.": Conversation 13-
2 2) Combat Driving 10-
3 3) Streetwise 13-
1 4) Interrogation 8-
2 5) WF: Small Arms
2 6) Paramedics 10-
 
Total Powers & Skill Cost: 192
Total Cost: 200
 
200+ Matching Complications
150 Base Points
15 Distinctive Features: Bigfoot! (Not Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)
15 Social Complication: Subject to orders (member of police force) Frequently, Major
10 Psychological Complication: Loyal to the ideals of police work - "to serve and protect" (Common; Moderate)
10 Enraged: Pestered about the location of his tribe or of other sasquatch (Common), go 8-, recover 14-
 
Total Complications Points: 200
 
 
Lucius Alexander
 
and here's a palindromedary tagline

I'm late to the party, but here's a bigfoot flatfoot:
 
Officer Clint Sasquatch
 
Val Char Cost Roll Notes
25 STR 0 14- Lift 800.0kg; 5d6
15 DEX 0 12- OCV: 4/DCV: 4
21 CON 0 13-
13 INT 3 12- PER Roll 12-
13 EGO 3 12- ECV: 3 - 3
20 PRE 5 13- PRE Attack: 4d6
 
4 OCV 0
4 DCV 0
3 OMCV 0
3 DMCV 0
4 SPD 0 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12
 
15 PD 0 Total: 15 PD (3 rPD)
16 ED 0 Total: 16 ED (4 rED)
11 REC 0
33 END 0
10 BODY 0
35 STUN 0 Total Characteristic Cost: 8
 
Movement: Running: 9m/18m
Leaping: 4m/8m
Swimming: 4m/8m
 
Cost Powers END
Sasquatch Powers
18 1) Sasquatch Strong: (Total: 24 Active Cost, 18 Real Cost) +3 PD (3 Active Points); Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 2) plus +3 ED (3 Active Points); Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 2) plus +6 STUN (3 Active Points); Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 2) plus +3 REC (3 Active Points); Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 2) plus +10 STR (10 Active Points); Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 😎 plus +1 with STR Roll (Real Cost: 2) 1
17 2) Wild Reflexes: (Total: 25 Active Cost, 17 Real Cost) +5 DEX (10 Active Points); Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 😎 plus +1 OCV (5 Active Points); Linked (DEX; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 3) plus +1 DCV (5 Active Points); Linked (DEX; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 3) plus Lightning Reflexes (+5 DEX to act first with All Actions) (5 Active Points); Linked (DEX; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 3) 0
27 3) Sasquatch Tough: (Total: 49 Active Cost, 27 Real Cost) +11 CON (11 Active Points); Limited Power Not vs Stunning (-2), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 3) plus +4 PD (4 Active Points); Linked (CON; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 2) plus +4 ED (4 Active Points); Linked (CON; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 2) plus +4 REC (4 Active Points); Linked (CON; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 2) plus +9 STUN (5 Active Points); Linked (CON; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 2) plus +13 END (3 Active Points); Linked (CON; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 1) plus Cannot Be Stunned, Inherent (+¼) (19 Active Points); Linked (CON; -¼) (Real Cost: 15) 0
9 4) BIG foot: (Total: 18 Active Cost, 9 Real Cost) Density Increase (200 kg mass, +5 STR, +1 PD/ED, -2m KB), Persistent (+¼), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½) (7 Active Points); Always On (-½), Perceivable (-½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 3) plus +5 PRE (5 Active Points); Linked (Density Increase; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 3) plus +2/+2d6 Striking Appearance (vs. all characters) (6 Active Points); Linked (Density Increase; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 3) 0
9 5) Sasquatch Hide: (Total: 16 Active Cost, 9 Real Cost) Resistant Protection (3 PD/4 ED); Perceivable (-½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 7) plus +2 PD (2 Active Points); Linked (Resistant Protection; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 1) plus +2 ED (2 Active Points); Linked (Resistant Protection; -½), Unified Power (-¼) (Real Cost: 1) 0
5 6) Sasquatch Senses: (Total: 5 Active Cost, 5 Real Cost) Nightvision (Real Cost: 5) 0
Police Powers
1 1) I Carry a Badge: (Total: 2 Active Cost, 1 Real Cost) +1/+1d6 Striking Appearance (vs. [a specific group of characters](criminals being arrested)) (2 Active Points); OIF (-½) (Real Cost: 1) 0
7 2) Service pisrol: (Total: 20 Active Cost, 7 Real Cost) Killing Attack - Ranged 1d6+1 (20 Active Points); OAF (-1), 4 clips of 6 Charges (Increased Reloading Time: 2 Full Phases; -½), Beam (-¼) (Real Cost: 7) [6]
3 3) baton: (Total: 7 Active Cost, 3 Real Cost) Hand-To-Hand Attack +1d6+1 (7 Active Points); OAF (-1), Hand-To-Hand Attack (-¼) (Real Cost: 3) 1
11 4) Cuffs: (Total: 69 Active Cost, 11 Real Cost) Entangle 3d6, 8 PD/8 ED (standard effect: 3 BODY, 8 PD/8 ED), Takes No Damage From Attacks Limited Group (+¼) (69 Active Points); 1 Recoverable Charge (-1 ¼), OAF (-1), Does Not Prevent The Use Of Accessible Foci (-1), Set Effect (Hands Only/Feet Only) (-1), No Range (-½), Conditional Power Must follow Grab or target must be willing (-½) (Real Cost: 11) [1 rc]
10 5) Powered by coffee and donuts. And beef jerky.: (Total: 20 Active Cost, 10 Real Cost) +2 SPD (20 Active Points); Costs Endurance (-½), Conditional Power Must have consumed coffee and donuts that day. (-¼), 1 Recoverable Continuing Charge lasting 5 Minutes (-¼) (Real Cost: 10) 2
Police Training
Maneuver OCV DCV Notes
3 Basic Strike +1 +0 7d6 Strike
4 Choke Hold -2 +0 Grab One Limb; 2d6 NND
5 Defensive Block +1 +3 Block, Abort
4 Bear Hug +0 +0 9d6 Crush, Must Follow Grab
3 Legsweep +2 -1 6d6 Strike, Target Falls
4 Martial Disarm -1 +1 Disarm; 35 STR to Disarm
4 Martial Dodge -- +5 Dodge, Affects All Attacks, Abort
3 Martial Grab -1 -1 Grab Two Limbs, 35 STR for holding on
4 Reversal -1 -2 40 STR to Escape; Grab Two Limbs
5 Takeaway +0 +0 Grab Weapon, 35 STR to take weapon away
1 Weapon Element: Clubs, Default Element: Unarmed
 
Skills
0 Sasquatch Skills
11 1) Hide and Seek World Champion!: Concealment 16-
5 2) Surpisingly quiet for such a large creature: Stealth 13-
3 3) Survival 12-
3 4) Climbing 12-
0 Police Skills
3 1) "A lot of police work is just talking to people.": Conversation 13-
2 2) Combat Driving 10-
3 3) Streetwise 13-
1 4) Interrogation 8-
2 5) WF: Small Arms
2 6) Paramedics 10-
 
Total Powers & Skill Cost: 192
Total Cost: 200
 
200+ Matching Complications
150 Base Points
15 Distinctive Features: Bigfoot! (Not Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)
15 Social Complication: Subject to orders (member of police force) Frequently, Major
10 Psychological Complication: Loyal to the ideals of police work - "to serve and protect" (Common; Moderate)
10 Enraged: Pestered about the location of his tribe or of other sasquatch (Common), go 8-, recover 14-
 
Total Complications Points: 200
 
 
Lucius Alexander
 
and here's a palindromedary tagline

As I was serving my term as DA,
A cop came in to me and asked what crime to charge a man whose camel had two heads?
And I said
"Does anybody really know what crime it is? (I don't)
Is anybody really scared? (if so I don't know why)
Does anybody really know what crime it is?
We've more important crimes to try."
 
As I was serving my term as DA,
A citizen came in to ask what I would do about the "bicephalous threat"
And I said
"Does anybody really know what crime it is? (I don't)
Is anybody really scared? (if so I don't know why)
Does anybody really know what crime it is?
We've more important crimes to try."
 
Does anybody really know what crime it is?
 
Lucius Alexander
 
a palindromedary is not a crime

"Medieval Demographics Made Easy" mentions glove makers. Using the ratio given, there'd be 83 in Thalassene -- not an insignificant guild.
 
Good bit of "local color" for the associated "Pure Gatherers," though. (Huh. Somebody's right in the "Immersion" thread: Fantasy verisimilitude requires poo.) 😁
 
Actually, the whole list from MDME may be of interest, so here it is with explanatory text:
-----------------
Each type of business is given a Support Value (SV). This is the number of people it takes to support a single business of that sort. For instance, the SV for shoemakers (by far the most common trade in towns) is 150. This means that there will be one shoemaker for every 150 people in an area. These numbers can vary by up to 60% in either direction, but provide a useful baseline for GMs. Think about the nature of the town or city to decide if the numbers need to be changed. A port, for instance, will have more fishmongers than the table indicates.

To find the number of, say, inns in a city, divide the population of the city by the SV value for inns (2,000). For a village of 400 people, this reveals only 20% of an inn! This means that there is a 20% chance of there being one at all. And even if there is one, it will be smaller and less impressive than an urban inn. The SV for taverns is 400, so there will be a single tavern.

    Business        SV
    Shoemakers        150
    Furriers        250
    Maidservants        250
    Tailors            250
    Barbers        350
    Jewelers        400
    Taverns/Restaurants    400
    Old-Clothes        400
    Pastry-cooks        500
    Masons        500
    Carpenters        550
    Weavers        600
    Chandlers        700
    Mercers        700
    Coopers        700
    Bakers            800
    Watercarriers        850
    Scabbardmakers    850
    Wine-Sellers        900
    Hatmakers        950
    Saddlers        1,000
    Chicken Butchers    1,000
    Pursemakers        1,100
    Butchers        1,200
    Fishmongers        1,200
    Beer-Sellers        1,400
    Buckle Makers    1,400
    Plasterers        1,400
    Spice Merchants    1,400
    Blacksmiths        1,500
    Painters        1,500
    Doctors        1,700*
    Roofers        1,800
    Bathers        1,900
    Locksmiths        1,900
    Ropemakers        1,900
    Copyists        2,000
    Harness-Makers    2,000
    Inns            2,000
    Rugmakers        2,000
    Sculptors        2,000
    Tanners        2,000
    Bleachers        2,100
    Cutlers            2,300
    Hay Merchants    2,300
    Glovemakers        2,400
    Woodsellers        2,400
    Woodcarvers        2,400
    Bookbinders        3,000
    Illuminators        3,900
    Booksellers        6,300
    *These are licensed doctors. Total doctor SV is 350.
Some other figures: There will be one noble household per 200 population, one lawyer ("Advocate") per 650, one clergymaqn per 40, and and one priest per 25-30 clergy.
----------------------
These can of course be adjusted to suit campaign needs. For instance, Thalassene probably has more booksellers, since this setting has the printing press.
 
Dean Shomshak
 
 

In case it's useful and of interest, here's a small, b/w map of the part of Thalassene that includes Oddmonger. I hope it's not too small to be legible.
 

The more things change, I thought as I strode through the bus station. How many years ago had I arrived after a long bus ride to find Pinprick waiting for me. I was way too young to get nostalgic, but I looked back at the moment fondly. My God, I was green back then. As then, I wore a costume now. I lacked Pinprick's advantage (if you can call being permanently shrunk an advantage) so everyone definitely noticed me. 
 
The reaction, that was different. I was known to the public now, a superhero who had saved Costa Sagrado, or at least swathes of it, repeatedly. People even bought T-shirts with my logo on it (Though, Tornado was quick to point out his merchandise was more popular), and I smiled as I saw one ten year old boy with his mouth open who was wearing one now. I nodded at him, and looked about.
 
I heard the mutters "It's Eel."
"The Fish Guy?"
"Yeah, he fought a giant chicken once, I #$## you not."
 
I knew that I'd never fully shake off the Fish Guy commentary with the public, though I had made progress with certain newsmen, but really? The giant chicken is where they go to when they remember my exploits? Oh, well, I didn't come here for the glory.
In my head I could almost imagine Pinprick saying something like "Oh then so far, great job."
 
Was I already missing his sarcastic jibes, or had a weird sort of Stockholm syndrome set in?
 
Still, most of the reactions were positive, and that was cheering. Uplifting even. I don't care what line of work, or calling you're in; it's nice to have your efforts noticed and appreciated. The team did good work, and the locals were proud to call us their own.
 
But when I first came to this bus stop? Well, I was the object of indifference at best, and scorn was not unheard of. Now it was my turn to pick up a new guy, one who couldn't hide himself easily, and probably felt as lost and out of his depth as I had. Well, we'd build up Hussar's confidence and make him feel welcome soon enough. That's why I was here.
"Can I feel?" A woman's voice caught my attention. It was so eager and interested, I didn't even have to look to visualize bright eyes and fascination in the as yet unknown woman's expression.
 
"Sure, let me move the old chain mail," This time a man's voice, and I hear something that sounded like a slight clinking. I turned just as two or three women started to coo, and saw Hussar. He had stripped off his costume's top (Though the mask, painted like a wrestler's designs wasn't coming off) and bared his admittedly cut chest allowing the crowd of young women to touch his chest. His wings spread triumphantly, and frankly, the whole posture reminded me of a rooster one of my great uncles had purchased as he introduced himself to the hens. 
 
"God, your'e so cut," One girl declared after her hands roamed over him.
"He is," Another agreed
.
I? I was feeling a bit uncomfortable at this. Envious? maybe, but geez, there were families around here and this was starting to look like cheap jazz music was about to begin.
 
Hussar went on, "Super-strength, it's pretty common, but sometimes it leaves you deformed so, there's that going for me. I still work out though, gotta stay competitive, got to even out the toning." He said as if explaining a very important life tip.
 
"Sure don't look deformed to me," One brunette declared.

Others purred agreement.
 
And, I discovered I had gained the power of metaphorical invisibility. Not a single soul was looking at me right now. And I suppose that made sense. While I'm not sure how masculine good looks are judged by women, I could safely say that Hussar cut an impressive figure. And the white and gold wings were fascinating.
Still, what am I? Chopped Tuna?
 
"Hussar," I declared in a loud, clear, voice, "You ready to go?"
 
"Eel?" He said as his eyes focused on me, then he smiled, and looked to the women around him, "Sorry, ladies, looks like the New Samaritans need me to save the day."
 
"You're joining the Sammies?" One girl gushed, clearly a local as she was using the nickname.
 
I arched a brow. Technically he was training with the Sammies, not joining us, and I wondered how much I should let slide out of the unspoken guy code that you don't crush another guy's swagger in front of women he is trying to impress unless he's up to no good.
 
"Maybe," Hussar shrugged, "I'm checking them out, scouting around. But you know heroes, we go where we're needed. They need me, I'm here."
Now I really was wishing Pinprick was around. If anyone could check the gathering ego storm, it was him. So I asked myself something I have to say was not my usual mantra?
What would Pinprick do?
 
"Sure do," I said with a smile, and as he looked even smugger, and the girls looked more enraptured, I added, "Got at least two toilets backed up at the base, and that's trainee work if I ever saw it. Let's go."
There is very little sexy about the term 'backed up toilet', and one could see the light of feminine libido dim if not outright die in the faces of the three women who up to that point were devoted groupies.
Then, before he could protest, I turned and walked towards the vehicle, trusting he would follow.
Behind me, I could hear him saying "He's joking, he's just joking .. I'm oh #$#$ he's going, see you girls around."
"Maybe," One said with no enthusiasm whatsoever as I continued my walk to one of the team vehicles awaiting us.
I fought a smile at that. 
I heard the flap of wings behind me, and could tell Hussar had caught up by the time said vehicle was lowering for easy access. I got in the driver's seat, and he slide into the passenger side looking vexed.
Good word, vexed.
"Not cool, man," He said, "not cool."
"Well, I figured with all the bull you were slinging, you'd be an expert at backed up $#**," I told him, "Now turn your headlights off and relax. It's one thing for you to strut, but you try to make the Sammies sound like your sidekicks? that I have a problem with."
He glowered, but started to put the faux Chain-mail shirt back on "I was just trying to impress girls, you know how it is."
I did, in fact, know how it was. I had been rather shameless at one pool introduction, though in my defense I didn't recall putting anyone else down to make myself stand taller at the time.
Instead of saying that, I ordered him, "Check your shirt, make sure no one planted anything on it while it was off."
"What?" He blinked.
"Trackers, mini-mics or cameras, that sort of thing," I told him, "You'd be surprised how paranoia can be practical in our line of work. 
You maybe bullet proof, but a degree of secrecy for you and your team can be the best defense of all."
 
"You're kidding," Hussar protested, but while he protested he flipped over the shirt he had almost put on, looked around. Nothing fell out, except for a slip of paper with a phone number.
"Hey," He brightened at that last, "Guess you didn't kill my chances with all of them."
 
I had forgotten to stop channeling Pinprick and quipped, "Well, there's always room for improvement," Then realizing I was probably being too harsh, I decided to throw him a bone, "Lady Obsidian thinks you have the material to be a good superhero. That's enough for me to give anyone a chance, but the New Samaritans are my team. I know you're used to being a loner, but you'll find if you get a team of your own one day that creates some pretty strong bonds."
 
Between the mention of Lady O vouching for him, and the phone number of at least one girl, Hussar had eased up, "I guess. I hear you guys are the the toughest team on the West Coast. Pretty much cleared crime out of the city."
 
"Super crime is down a lot," I said as we flew over the city, "but even that pops up now and then, and no one can stop all crime of all kinds. We try to discourage super crime, violent crime, and robbery in roughly that order, and everyone helps fight fires or with rescue operations. On those later, you'll want to listen to the firemen and rescue crews- take their lead." 
I noticed with a bit of a smile that he was rubber-necking. Sure, he could fly on his own, but the city was new to him. I wondered if it was the biggest city he'd ever been in? I doubted it, Chicago wasn't that far away from where he was raised, right? Still, as cities go, Costa Sagrado wasn't small, and it had it's own style.
 
"You'll get a tour later, learn the lay out of the city, which neighborhoods need help most and so on," I continued, "You all will. The people of Costa Sagrado are good folk over all, like anyone else look after the folks they care about, make ends meet as best they can, and blow off a little steam now and then. You might want to learn Spanish, it's the second most used language here and will allow you to help more citizens, but it's not required. I-" Then I noticed he wasn't really looking at the city anymore, nor was he listening to me.
 
He was texting away on a phone, and judging by his smile, it was to the girl who had given him that number.
 
The ghosts of a hundred manner enforcing aunts and grand aunts rose up in me in all the Southern Ire, and I felt a strong urge to tilt the vehicle hard to the side. Instead, to get his attention, I said , "The radiation will sadly shrink your genitalia." 
I figured that might catch Hussar's attention as that's what he was clearly thinking with.
His head whipped around "Say what now?"
"I was saying, don't bring your phone to orientation, team meets, or training sessions," I gave him a look I normally served for criminals dumb enough to pull a small caliber gun on me. The sort of look that says 'whatever device you next use will be your lunch'.
Hussar huffed, but he put the phone away, and crossed his arms in what seemed to me some petulant body language, "Great, a thousand plus heroes in the world and my mentor is Captain Buzzkill."
"Captain was taken," I said, thinking of Valerosa and flew us on to the base. I could only hope the other rookies wouldn't have this much attitude.

The Normal Characteristic Maximum rule, requiring a double expenditure to buy Characteristics above a certain point, is a bad idea and you should abandon it.
 
As for setting limits for certain character types, just set the limits. If you want Hobbits to be restricted to STR 15 or less, just forbid anyone from playing a Hobbit with STR over 15.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
And a normal human palindromedary

The Normal Characteristic Maximum rule, requiring a double expenditure to buy Characteristics above a certain point, is a bad idea and you should abandon it.
 
As for setting limits for certain character types, just set the limits. If you want Hobbits to be restricted to STR 15 or less, just forbid anyone from playing a Hobbit with STR over 15.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
And a normal human palindromedary

The Normal Characteristic Maximum rule, requiring a double expenditure to buy Characteristics above a certain point, is a bad idea and you should abandon it.
 
As for setting limits for certain character types, just set the limits. If you want Hobbits to be restricted to STR 15 or less, just forbid anyone from playing a Hobbit with STR over 15.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
And a normal human palindromedary

My Support Character:
 
Python, the Titan who empowered Pythia
 
My adversaries:
The Anunaki and the Olympians
 
My title: The Union of the Snake in: The Tower Must Rise Again
 
Lucius Alexander
 
My tagline : a palindromedary

The Normal Characteristic Maximum rule, requiring a double expenditure to buy Characteristics above a certain point, is a bad idea and you should abandon it.
 
As for setting limits for certain character types, just set the limits. If you want Hobbits to be restricted to STR 15 or less, just forbid anyone from playing a Hobbit with STR over 15.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
And a normal human palindromedary

I don't know about anyone else, but in my experience, the average person has literally no clue whatever about role playing games.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
And no clue about palindromedaries, not that that's relevant

The Very Hairy Man stopped and looked for a moment. The man he was looking at was just sitting, but somehow it didn't seem he was stopped for a moment's rest. The way he held his head in his hands suggested either deep exhaustion or overwhelming sadness. The hairy man set down the block he was carrying and sat on it next to the sitting man. "Are you okay?" he asked, "Do you need water maybe?" The sitting man looked up revealing a tear stained face. "No I'm just......I was there when some of the bodies were uncovered."
"Oh" said the Hairy Man, and waited. He knew the condition some of those bodies had been in.
"They were CRUSHED!" said the mourning one, "their entrails were.....everywhere." The Hairy Man put a hand on the shoulder of the distressed one. "That's a hard thing to see, even for a hardened warrior" said the Hairy Man. "My wife," said the distressed one, "she used to work in the Tower as a clerk. I keep seeing her face on those bodies..." In some alarm the Hairy Man asked "Your wife is okay, right? Wasn't in the Tower when it went down?" "She is okay, but I keep thinking of what could have been...." "Stop thinking of that. Go home and take the rest of the day off and see your wife and KNOW she's okay. I'll talk to the foreman, he'll listen to me." The man in such distress looked at the Hairy Man and asked "Who ARE you anyway? And why do I feel a little better just for having talked to you?" "I am Enkidu" said Enkidu, "The companion of Gilgamesh. If the foreman won't listen to me, I'll get His Majesty on his case." The distressed man actually smiled at that. "Let's go talk to the foreman then and then I'm going to go see my wife."
 
My Heart Guy: Enkidu, from the Epic of Gilgamesh.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
My tagline: a palindromedary of course
 

I don't know about anyone else, but in my experience, the average person has literally no clue whatever about role playing games.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
And no clue about palindromedaries, not that that's relevant

I don't know about anyone else, but in my experience, the average person has literally no clue whatever about role playing games.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
And no clue about palindromedaries, not that that's relevant

"Thanks for the help," Aquaman said to the heroine who had come to their aid. "I'm a little confused how you knew where we were, let alone that we were in trouble?"
"You might have been in trouble, I was winning," Namor scoffed, then added, "Eventually." He eyed the woman suspiciously, "It seems a coincidence you should show at such a time. I do not trust coincidences. Is this world your home?"
"Wherever the light of my father can be seen is my home," the woman assured, "Any world, any place, any Canada. I help you for the same reason you help them. Under the dome of the sky, there are no strangers, merely fellow souls we have not yet met. You believe it too, or you'd not fight so hard to protect them."
Aquaman actually felt a little guilty, "In truth, we came here largely just to learn what the scientists here knew."
"Of course,  Aquaman," The demi goddess smiled, "Did you think extended hands to help only traveled one way? Even the mighty are not truly alone, unless they choose to be, and even the meek may have strengths to be relied upon."
"Good words," He agreed, "I'm sorry, what was your name again?" 
 
"Did I not say? Call me..."
 

 
The Heart: Nelvana of the Northern Lights
 

My Leader: Gilgamesh, the First Hero
My Lancer: Nimrod, a mighty hunter before he turned to architecture.
 
Lucius Alexander
 
The palindromedary says I am still considering antagonists.