Amorkca

Everyone else has her as a heroine.  Let's go a darker route.
 
"I think I have an ID on our perp for the Pendergast hit."
 
Devon Treble looked up from his notes as his partner, Mark Wachman, tossed a folder on Treble's desk.  The older detective picked up the folder and started to leaf through it.  "Tell me what I'm looking at here," he said and he perused photos from half a dozen crime scenes.
 
"You're looking at the work of Dame Azure, assassin extraordinaire from the south of France," said Wachman as he sat on the corner of Treble's desk.  "Word is, she's a teleporter, which means locked doors don't slow her down much at all.  Got some sort of high-tech visor that lets her see through walls, ceilings, and floors.  No way of knowing which direction she's gonna come from, or which way she's gonna escape.  Apparently well trained in martial arts.  She likes to 'port in close, snap the vic's neck, and then 'port away."
 
Treble tapped one photo of a man shot three times in the chest.  "This doesn't look like a snapped neck to me."
 
Wachman smiled without humor.  "Nope,  that guy had a bodyguard who saw Azure coming and tried to plug her full of holes.  She teleported the bullets back at the bodyguard's client."

"That's damn quick," said Treble.
 
Wachman looked at the photo.  "Yep.  Nice grouping, too."
 
Treble pushed back from his desk.  "Crap like this is above our pay grade.  Better call in a cape to bring her in."

"Captain Mode ain't gonna like that," said Wachman.  "You know what she says:  No Capes."
 
"Yeah, well, I don't want to suddenly find myself falling from ten stories up because some mutant 'porter has a bug up her butt about nosy cops."  Treble shook his head and muttered,  "Dammit, I am getting too old for this crap."

Hiya!
 
Yeah. I was born in Crescent City in northern California and lived there for about 8 months. Then we moved to Los Angeles where I lived up to age 9 (my "childhood"...looking back, interesting fact, I had a grand total of ZERO white friends...they were all Mexican with a token Chinese kid). Moved to Edmonton and stayed there for about 6 months or so ('winter', basically). Then up to the Great White North! Had my 10th birthday the month we arrived. Pretty much been here ever since other than a 10 month stint in Lethbridge (GF went to Uni there so I tagged along), and about 2.5 years in Vancouver (lived in North Van; went to Vancouver Film School and then CDIS...both for 3D animation; CDIS was/is in Burnaby, btw). I remember when we first moved up here to Whitehorse. No paved streets. Mainstreet was a boardwalk, so no concrete sidewalk, and the whole of the city had but ONE traffic light. Population was something like 11,000 at that time ('79).  Very little traffic, wolves, moose, and the occasional bear would walk through town. It was nice.  Now? Lights everywhere, VERY rarely do wild animals come through other than fox and coyote's. Bigger buildings, rush-hour traffic (turning a normal 4 minute drive from A to B into a 15 minute drive), traffic circles (!), and a population of about 26,000. Waaaay to many people for my taste. 
 
Anyway, 'small town/city' is definitely where I want to live. No need to lock your car or house, everyone is generally nice and helpful...because everyone knows who you are or would see you around. Vancouver was ok for those 2.5 years...but I don't think I'd want to live there unless I was a multi-millionaire. Which I'm not.  
 

 
Paul L. Ming

Do you by any chance have this character in Hero Designer format?
 
I will figure a way to use him/her/them!!

Thus far, for the Hall of Fame I have:
Agent Amorkca:  “In recognition for kidnapped Majel Barrett Rodenberry to provide the voice for the Nest’s computer system” Professor Steriaca (hacked selfie):  “For making his Computer Programming roll by 4 to hack into the Boston VIPER’s Nest.” Agent Sketchpad:  “In recognition of bravery in facing off alone against Just Cause to allow his compatriots to evade capture.” Agent Cowan:  “In recognition of exemplary information gathering that opened new doors into the Boston and Cambridge police departments.” Agent Big Steve:  “In recognition for hacking into a PRIMUS Jump Jet’s nav system mid-flight and redirecting it into the Mystic River.” Agent Cassandra:  “In recognition for developing a new power system for the Mech-Vipers that increased efficiency by 45%.” Agent Dsatow:  “For increasing morale (and Nest income) by developing the Roving Beverage and Snack System.” If any of you have something you'd prefer, I can easily change any of these.
 
Cassandra's comment about trap doors reminded me of something from years ago, when my budding supervillain daughter was watching me hexmap a day care center that a group of supervillains was going to attack.  She asked me where the "poison pit" was, and I pointed out it was a day care center.  Though I did concede that it had a ball pit, and they never clean those, so it's probably fairly dangerous.
 
Good idea on the music and movie, dsatow.   I should put together a playlist for the game session.  I think one of the info screens will display a list of movies being shown in the briefing room over the coming weeks:
Snakes on a Plane Anaconda Conan the Barbarian Mega Python vs. Gatoroid Piranhaconda Silent Venom

Yeah lowering run speed slightly makes sense for heavy armor.  Its not going to have a big effect on you, but your flexibility and movement will be slightly hindered.

What is difficult to simulate in a game that happens in real life is annoyance.  It doesn't take a lot to make an expert and skilled person annoyed at something.  Put tape over the top of someone's fingers and ask them to type.  Its not much but its annoying as heck.  Discomfort and annoyance are sort of intangibles that are hard to really impose in a game.  Minor penalties, reminders of what its like, really all you can do.  No, you can't feel how soft that maiden's hair is, you're wearing a gauntlet.  Plus her hair caught in a joint and now she's mad at you for yanking it.  No, you can't sit in that chair in full plate.  Its extra weight is causing the floor to creak ominously when you walk, too.  You had to turn sideways to get through that door with those shoulderpads, and the helm's big crest bashed on the doorjam.

The original computer voice from Star Trek stating the Star Date as agents return from their missions.

Yah, I have what I need to swap out anything licensed.  I know that is the easier road.  Creating material is not an issue as world-building has never been a weak issue for me.
 
The desire to share with others something that is familiar with them (and that has the imprimatur from the Licensing Powers That Be) yet different enough to not be a forced-canon (alternate, near-future, c. 2100) to have fellow enthusiasts of the game, go, "Wait! I recognize that reference!" would be great.  However, I just want to write a story.  I don't want to be bogged down in the trenches with trying to develop a sideline setting or acting as a game developer in any capacity.  Those guys are tops.  The ability to write a story AND set it up for general play?  No, my limitations are simply understanding story structure, creating compelling characters, and entertaining.  Sure, GM-ing games for three decades and I have created more than my share of stories, but nothing I would want to write a 32-, 64-, or 96-page sourcebook or module or adventure path about.  Now, if it were something that were popular enough to be picked up by the devs for transformation into a game play experience, wonderful!  That is not my forte, though.
 
Even without any licensing allowances, a fully ground-up creative work still owes to the muses that gave it life.  To that end, HERO Games (and some of its past luminaries in particular) will be given credit on the dedications page.  Though I have not played HERO/CHAMPIONS recently (3 years or so), my time well-spent is what brought forth many great ideas that would not have been possible without the RP system to have given us a sounding board for story ideas and working things out.  It created the means of structuring a universe with verisimilitude despite its fantastic elements that helped act as a "laboratory" instead of just "eyeballing" with a story created and shot forth from the hip.

While I'm at it, I had meant to post my interpretation of an interesting race of creatures from Welsh myth called the Coraniaid:
 
 
Coraniaid
Val   Char   Cost    Roll     Notes
  12    STR       2       11-      Lift 132.0kg; 2d6+1 [2]
  12    DEX      4       11-      OCV:  6/8/DCV:  6/9
  14    CON      4       12-
  10    INT        0       11-      PER Roll 11-/16-
  12    EGO      2       11-      ECV:  3 - 3
  12    PRE       2       11-      PRE Attack:  2d6
6+2  OCV      5      
6+3  DCV      5      
   3     OMCV  0      
   3     DMCV  0      
   3     SPD      10                  Phases:  4, 8, 12
12+2 PD          2                   Total:  12/14 PD (8/10 rPD)
12+2 ED         2                   Total:  12/14 ED (8/10 rED)
   5     REC      1
  25    END      1
  11    BODY   1
  25    STUN    3       Total Characteristic Cost:  39
 
Movement:    Running:  10m/20m
                         Leaping:  2m/4m
                         Swimming:  1m/2m
 
Cost   Powers                                                                                   END
           Hearing-Based Abilities, all slots Hearing-Based (-½)          
7         1)  Accuracy:  +2 OCV (10 Active Points); Hearing-Based (-½)     
4         2)  Accuracy:  +2 OCV (10 Active Points); Only vs. Ranged Attacks (-1), Hearing-Based (-½)               
7         3)  Attack Tracking:  +2 DCV (10 Active Points); Hearing-Based (-½)         
6         4)  Ranged Attack Tracking:  +3 DCV (15 Active Points); Only Vs. Ranged Attacks (-1), Hearing-Based (-½)   
7         5)  Anticipation:  Lightning Reflexes (+10 DEX to act first with All Attacks) (10 Active Points); Hearing-Based (-½)      
21      6)  Alertness:  Danger Sense (immediate vicinity, out of combat, Function as a Sense) (32 Active Points); Hearing-Based (-½) 16-                                                                                                  
11      7)  Danger Sense Dodging:  Resistant Protection (8 PD/8 ED), Hardened (+¼) (30 Active Points); Requires A Roll (Danger Sense Roll; -½), Instant (-½), Hearing-Based (-½), Nonpersistent (-¼)      0
2         8)  Absolute Range Sense (3 Active Points); Hearing-Based (-½)  
10      9)  They Know Of Any Plans Made Against Them:  Deduction 16- (15 Active Points); Hearing-Based (-½)         
           Can Hear Any Sound Carried By The Wind                          
10      1)  Enhanced Hearing:  +5 PER with Hearing Group         0
20      2)  Combat Hearing:  Targeting with Hearing Group          0
18      3)  Parabolic Hearing:  +12 versus Range Modifier for Hearing Group       0
7         4)  Discriminatory Hearing:  Detect Respiration  11-/16- (Hearing Group), Discriminatory     0
30      5)  True Awareness:  Spatial Awareness (Hearing Group), Discriminatory, Analyze  0
81      6)  Clairsentience (Hearing Group), Mobile Perception Point (can move up to 12m per Phase), Persistent (+¼), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½), MegaScale (1m = 100 km; +1 ½) (81 Active Points)           0
1         Long-Lived:  Life Support  (Longevity: 200 Years)            0
 
           Skills
4         WF:  Common Melee Weapons, Common Missile Weapons
3         Defense Maneuver I
7         Analyze:  Sounds 13-
3         Climbing 11-
7         Shadowing 13-
7         Stealth 13-
2         AK: Cymru (Wales) 11-
0         Language:  Coranaid (idiomatic) (4 Active Points)
3         Language:  Welsh (completely fluent)
2         Language:  English (fluent conversation)
1         Language:  Irish (fluent conversation; Similar to Welsh)
 
Total Powers & Skill Cost:  281
Total Cost:  320
 
225+     Matching Complications
10      Negative Reputation:  "The First Plague", Frequently (Extreme;  Known Only To A Small Group)
5         Physical Complication:  Small (4-5') (Infrequently; Barely Impairing)
15      Psychological Complication:  Hates Humans (Common; Strong)
10      Social Complication:  Mean, Nasty & Ornery Frequently, Minor
5         Susceptibility:  Extremely Loud Noises 1d6 damage Instant (Uncommon)
30      Susceptibility:  The crushed dust from a certain insect 3d6 damage per Segment (Uncommon)
95      Experience Points
 
Total Complications Points:  320
 
TYPICAL EQUIPMENT CARRIED
Spear, Medium
Club
Axe, Small
Bow, Medium
Sling
Heavy Leather Armor
 
Background/History:  The First Plague that beset the reign of Lludd Llaw Eraint were the Coraniaid, a stunted race of beings who came to Britain and could not be forced out because their hearing was so acute that they could hear any sound the wind touches. Thus did they instantly know of any plans made against them. Indeed it is said their ears were so sharp they could hear arrows and other blows as they moved through the air and thus avoid all harm. Much woe did they cause among the Britons and all action against them seemed impossible. Thus did Lludd cross the water to Gaul and seek aid and advice from his brother Llefelys who was King there. And they did craft a long trumpet that muffled their conversation so that the Coraniaid could not hear their speech. And thus did Llefelys tells Lludd of a certain insect that when crushed up and mixed with water was deadly to the Coraniaid, but harmless to the Britons. Lludd returned to the country with many of the insects and did crush them up and mix them with water. And Lludd called a meeting of all his people and all the Coraniaid, and when all had gathered he threw the mix over the whole crowd, thereby killing the Coraniaid without harming his own people. Thus were the Coraniaid destroyed, but King Lludd did save some of the insects for breeding in the event the plague ever returned to Britain.
Personality/Motivation:  Mean, nasty & ornery, the Coranaid hate humans and wish to displace them from the land.
Powers/Tactics:  The Coranaid's main ability is their unnaturally-acute hearing. The primary narrative effect of their superior hearing is that they can hear any plans being amde against them, making them nearly impossible to surprise. It also allows them to "hear" attacks coming, making them hard to hit in combat, especially at range. They typically wear leather armor and carry a mix of spears, clubs and axes, although they prefer to fight at range with bows and slings.
Campaign Use:  Force your players to get creative in figuring out how to deal with them.
Appearance:  A dwarvish race of beings who average between 4' to 5' in height and stout. Their faces are misshapen and asymmetrical. Their hair ranges in color from dark brown and dark blue to black, and is usually worn long and stringy.
Coraniaid.hdc

Staffs are such poor weapons that Matt Cauthon beat two sword masters at the same time with one while he was sick.

I find it interesting that an EMP wouldn't affect the Power Armor guy simply because he didn't take a limitation for it.

When people think of "magical intelligent weapons," they always think of swords.  Always.  100% of the time.  I chalk it up to an appalling lack of imagination.  I mean, who says a quarterstaff can't be imbued with magic and become a vessel for a spiritual essence?  Well, pal, let me tell you, it can, because that's what I am.  And at least I don't have to spend most of my time with my head stuck in a scabbard.  I get to see a whole lot more of the world than your average magical sword, let me tell you.
 
But where are my manners?  Allow me to introduce myself:  I'm Beuregard, but you can call me Bo.  That guy in black carrying me is my buddy Duke Lucas.  I found Duke -- well, he says he found me, but that's just humancentric ego talking -- when he took a taekwondo class after his brother moved out of state.  He wasn't the greatest fighter, to be honest, but I could tell he was a good guy, so I let him carry me around, and in return I help him fight crime.  Believe me, giving ol' Duke the fighting skills of generations of martial artists has come in handy!
 
We're just a couple of good ol' boys, never meaning no harm... but it seems like a lot of harm comes looking for us.  First, there was that piggy mayor and his idiot police chief.  Ye gods, was I glad to be rid of them when we moved to the big city!  But now we're fighting goons in green, cultists, and what have you.  It's a busy life, but then again, what the heck am I going to do with my time?

R.O.U.S.
 
A tiny field mouse Rous has the ability to grow to massive size growing to almost 6 feet in length with extreme strength and durability. because of his diminutive normal stature Rous is able to act as a scout able to get into all but the most secure locations. because he spends most of his time in his tiny normal form enemies tend to overlook him and many think that reports of the Rodent Of Unusual Size is just a Urban Legend until he strikes. 
 
 

You could potentially have Mental Illusions if you want the computer to see things that aren't there... or create the illusion that someone was there when in fact they weren't.

This is just a suggestion, as there can be many ways to build this character set.  Note that GM approval should always be sought after.
 
One character I played with a long time ago in a town far, far, away (okay, only 30+ miles) had created a character which summoned and mind controlled bodies.  The hero could not move and basically had a mental link with each of these android bodies.  We (the other players) thought the body was the player until one day we were accidentally transported to another dimension and the summon body didn't do anything except say "Error: Communication lost" ...
 
You might take this idea and say the energy being portal to this realm is fixed and immovable and he summons android bodies to interact with it.

You could potentially have Mental Illusions if you want the computer to see things that aren't there... or create the illusion that someone was there when in fact they weren't.

A couple of scenes I would like to see in the Black Widow movie--
 
We begin with an ending--specifically the ending of The Avengers at the shawarma scene--
 

 
An adorable little red-haired girl comes up to Natasha--

"You're one of the heroes, aren't you?"

Natasha smiles wearily. "I don't know as I'd say I was a hero--"

"Can I have your autograph?"

Natasha sighs. "Honey, I really don't think that's a--"

Then she trails off when she catches sight of Tony Stark across the table nodding his head and mouthing the words "Yes! Sign It! Come On!" She looks back at the little girl and sees the beginnings of disappointment in her eyes.

"Okay, sure," says Natasha, and takes the piece of paper the girl offers her. "What's your name?"

"Tasha."

Natasha looks at her incredulously for a moment, then thinks for a moment and writes on the paper. She hands it back to Tasha, and she reads what's written out loud.

"To Tasha--Keep Fighting The Good Fight--Best Always--The BLACK WIDOW!" Tasha's eyes light up like Times Square. "That is so cool!  I'm gonna tell all my friends I got an autograph from the Black Widow!"

She launches herself at Natasha and gives her a big hug. "Thank You, Black Widow!" As she runs off, Natasha looks after her until Stark speaks again. "You see? It feels good to get recognized for a good job."

"Especially when you've earned it," says Steve Rogers, who offers Tony his hand. "I owe you an apology. I was wrong about you."

"You don't owe me anything," replies Tony. "But you could pick up the tab."

"Sorry," smiles Steve, "I left my wallet in my other suit."

"You have another suit?" jokes Tony, and they laugh at each other while Natasha looks off thoughtfully, trying to deal with what just happened.  Scant hours before she was Natasha Romanoff, agent of SHIELD and spy without a country.  Now--she's the Black Widow, defender of New York and one of Earth's Mightiest Heroes.
 
I'd also like a scene with Melinda May.  Something in a dive bar, I think--
 
"If it isn't the Black Widow."
 
"If it isn't the Cavalry."
 
"You know I don't like that name."
 
"Don't know why.  As far as code names go, it's pretty solid.  Besides--isn't Chun Li taken?"
 
"Oh, you're funny."
 
"Thanks.  I'm thinking of a career in stand-up comedy."
 
The bartender--who bears a remarkable resemblance to Stan Lee--steps up.
 
"Ladies--whattya drinkin'?"
 
"Whiskey," they say in unison.  "Straight up."
 
"What, no vodka?" says May.
 
"What am I, a cliche?  (Switches to Russian accent) You vant I should be chasing after Moose and Squirrel, dahlink?"
 
May laughs.  "Now that's funny."
 
"I got a million of 'em."
 
Or something like that.

Okay, I enjoyed this a lot. I am a notoriously soft touch for superhero movies, but I rank it over Avengers: Age of Ultron below Avengers itself if you want a comparison. I had a great time, and didn't have to turn my brain off to do so. In fact, some of the little touches were telling.
 
Aquaman is a brunette, but they frosted his tips blonde, so that whole 'Blonde hair is considered unlucky/cursed' bit can still apply. While I expected him to be the action junkie/surfer bro kind of mentality, it went deeper that, and not just when he chatted with Mera about his Mother

 
Cyborg, for a guy caught in a CGI suit, did some solid acting. I was worried he'd be all "Interface guy" and that was all, but he got some action moments in as well. And I think the most telling lines for his character was at the start of the film
and the other near the end, where
This after more than one scene where he looks like hates his very existence.
 
Flash is the comedy routine, take that or leave it, but Batman gives him some great advice that, works . And for me, the comedy worked, others I understand found it a mixed bag. Barry as portrayed here is so green they should give him a power ring, but as the rookie he is rather adorkable. He also shows some brains despite his inexperience, coming up with a few good ideas.
 
The Amazons were awesome, despite being out matched by Steppenwolf.
Speaking of the bad guy, Steppenwolf was, IMO, a better villain than the ones in Iron Man 2 and 3 and Thor 2. Others might disagree. Well, they can't all be Loki.
 
Wonder Woman has some great moves in this, and we learn more about how the loss of Steve scarred her. If you are hoping this is HER Movie, nope, but it wouldn't be possible without her and that's made abundantly clear. She gets to try her hand at leadership a bit, not enough, but we can see the seeds of her reclaiming her place as an inspiration.
 
Batman did tell some funnies, but nothing that jolted me out of the story. More than that, he is much better portrayed than he was in Batman V Superman. He's still an ass at times
but he's not such a #### that you cease to like him.
 
And of course, to the surprise of almost no one who has read a comic

 
 
The movie is pretty fast paced, having over 50 minutes of footage cut, I guess it had to be.
 
And, rather upbeat despite the usual 'world in danger ' thing. The message of hope is not subtle, but then it shouldn't be.
 
the lighter palate besides 'gray and more gray' was a godsend there.
 
Stick around, there are two scenes during/after credits. I guess DC finally gave up and weent 'fine, you want it that way? let marvel say we're stealing it'. One was wonderful for Comics buffs, a nostalgic smile. The other? Well, it has a good hook, but has a downside for me as it is the one and only appearance of EISENBerG! god, i had hoped they cut him entirely. Still, at least you'll get to see another villain.
 
 
B+ maybe even A-
 

Is it wrong of me but I just wanted to adapt some lyrics.
When you gonna stop some crime, Corona ?

Malvina Fedorov was a Russian protocol officer for the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) but her political career ended when she was publicly revealed to be a mutant during the Josef Stalin clone army invasion. Under duress from her superiors in Moscow, she flies the Commonwealth's skies as Krasnaya Molniya or Red Lightning, bane to criminals and the United States and Great Britain as her disdain for their governments make it difficult for superheroes from those countries to ever get along with her.

Overdrive was a supervillainess from the 31th century, with vast cyberkinesis powers. She was acknowledged by Mechanon as a potential rival and threat, and studied by him till the two confronted in an epic battle that saw an entire solar system covered with a technovirus, that turned every organic life into machines. With the gathering of the Champions, The Star*Guard and several heroes and powerful beings, the Mechanon threat was annihilated.
 
But still, noone was able to understand how he could have achieved that kind of massive destruction; the reason is there : he captured Overdrive, and made experiment on her. He learned that they shared the same hatred of humanity, at least for freeing machines from them, and that she would prefer robots to life. And he wanted to use her powers for his own advantage. So, with nano surgery, he separated her head from her body, and used that said body, still full of her cyberkinesis abilities, as a way to spread the technovirus, covering the planets with a mix of nanites and Overdrive's organics particles.
But he underestimated the villainess survival instinct, and while Mechanon was fighting heroes in the galaxy, she subjugated another of Mechanon space facility, and built herself a new body, that would protect her brain and head. Now, using a body partially made of Mechanon technology, she became UltraDrive.

Hi,
 
I hope you don't mind me participating
 
 
 
 
"When the world is in danger, a champion of humankind will arise. he'll avenge the weaks and punish the bullies. He'll be as pure as silver itself, and resilient as the sand scarab."
 
those were the words Rashid El Mumrah heard his hole childhood, when he was living in the devastated city of Bagdad. When the bombs launched by all the foreign countries that "wanted to help his native land" destroyed his city, took the lives of numerous member of his family and friends.
 
Then one day, as he was strolling among the ruins of his ancient city quarter, another misguided missile struck the building he was in. The explosion caused the ground to collapse below his feet, and he thought his last hour had come.
But he landed in a secret lair of some criminal Organization, and found weapons and high tech equipment by dozen. Especially he found a chemical chamber, and realized he could try to do something. To make a difference, to become a true defender of his own land. His heart inflated with hope and desperation at the same tie, he did something that would change him forever.
 
When he stepped out the chamber, the silverish armor was stuck to his body, imprisonning him inside its life support systems and built-in weaponry. It was like a shell, like another life and he could see that Allah was great, to gift him with the weapons of his ennemies, and defend the simple folks. He would be the Silver Scarab. He'd be a hero.

Balacarkintas or as it's translated into human Bliss is from the planet Basilataras Though his parents named him Bliss he didn't have a blissful life. Growing up in a rough part of the planet he quickly learned how to be hard and to fight. So it was no surprise he became a space mercenary. But when he found out the ships captain was transporting slave cargo  he mutinied. The ship landed on Earth and Bliss took a few months to fix the ship, but found he liked Earth and as long as there is beer and cigars he's in no hurry to leave. So if you need something hard, violent, and dirty done theres a man down at the bar you want to talk to. But nothing evil. The man's name is Bliss after all.

It all started out normal enough.  Well, as normal as my life gets.
 
The knock disturbed my lunch -- well, the liquid part of it anyway -- but I'm not so rich I can just turn away clients, so I set down my beer and called out, "C'mon in!"
 
The dame was a knockout, dressed to the nines and with a rock on her hand probably worth more than my house.  She looked shocked at my appearance, so I ran a hand over my hair just in case it was messed up.  Since her expression didn't change, I figured it was probably because my hair not only covered my head, but also my face, hands, arms, chest -- basically, all of me. 
 
That's what you get when you're a human-badger hybrid.  Long story short, don't go pissing off the local DEMON goons.  They've got weird ways to make your life miserable.
 
"Are you... Joe Batcherton?"  she asked hesitantly.  She looked around, as if there was another PI hiding in my small office.  "I'm looking for a private investigator to locate my husband.  He's been missing since Monday."

I nodded.  "Yep, I'm Joe Batcherton.  Most people call me Black Badger; you can probably guess why."  I stood but didn't offer my hand -- she didn't seem the hand-shaking sort -- and gestured toward the client chair.  "Why don't you take a load off, ma'am, and tell me what's going on."  I sat back down, my old swivel chair squeaking in protest, and pulled out a cigar.  Probably should have asked her if she minded me smoking -- but then again, Black Badger don't care.
 
Looking back, if I'd known then what I know now... heck, I still probably would have taken the case.  It's not every day you get your car blown up by the Russian mob, get arrested by the feds, escape from jail, spend a weekend hiding out in a bordello, then trash a drug smuggling ring to restore your good name.  It was a heck of a week, and I even got paid.  Yep, good times.

Tamra Bardsley got her engineering degree two years ago.  But no one was willing to give her the break she needed to work in her chosen field. "Its a Man's world" she kept hearing and that would grate on her bones...
 
Her father had managed to get her a job working in the mines but he was apprehensive, not sure how well she would be accepted among the crew.  She surprised them with her keen wit and willingness to do any of the dirty jobs, showing remarkable strength for the times it was needed and a clever use of leverage when that wasn't enough.
 
The mine collapse was another problem, she was stuck down at the bottom of the tunnel when it had given way, she and 4 other men were trapped.
 
Not giving into panic as the others were she took a deep breath and plunged further into the mine where light from her headlamp revealed a partially obscured gem.  She reached for it and upon touching it, her mind met that of an alien entity.  In fear she fought mind-to-mind thinking it was going to take over her thoughts and steal her body.
 
The entity was benign though and after some time convinced Tamra that it would help her/them to get out and away.  Tamra knew that they were doomed down here and so she accepted the offer for help.  The alien bid her to place the gem on her forehead and her body took on a metallic hue, her wrench was imbued with some type of Primordial power.  She used this power to tunnel out of the mine and to free both herself and her crew.  There was much rejoicing!
 
She decided to use her new found abilities to aid the causes of goodness and light.  Choosing the name Spelunker as her nom-de-guerre.
 
In her first battle with the villain Utility, he said "What kinda name is Spelunker??"  She replied, "Your going to a deep dark place..." Then knocked him out!

Tamra Bardsley got her engineering degree two years ago.  But no one was willing to give her the break she needed to work in her chosen field. "Its a Man's world" she kept hearing and that would grate on her bones...
 
Her father had managed to get her a job working in the mines but he was apprehensive, not sure how well she would be accepted among the crew.  She surprised them with her keen wit and willingness to do any of the dirty jobs, showing remarkable strength for the times it was needed and a clever use of leverage when that wasn't enough.
 
The mine collapse was another problem, she was stuck down at the bottom of the tunnel when it had given way, she and 4 other men were trapped.
 
Not giving into panic as the others were she took a deep breath and plunged further into the mine where light from her headlamp revealed a partially obscured gem.  She reached for it and upon touching it, her mind met that of an alien entity.  In fear she fought mind-to-mind thinking it was going to take over her thoughts and steal her body.
 
The entity was benign though and after some time convinced Tamra that it would help her/them to get out and away.  Tamra knew that they were doomed down here and so she accepted the offer for help.  The alien bid her to place the gem on her forehead and her body took on a metallic hue, her wrench was imbued with some type of Primordial power.  She used this power to tunnel out of the mine and to free both herself and her crew.  There was much rejoicing!
 
She decided to use her new found abilities to aid the causes of goodness and light.  Choosing the name Spelunker as her nom-de-guerre.
 
In her first battle with the villain Utility, he said "What kinda name is Spelunker??"  She replied, "Your going to a deep dark place..." Then knocked him out!