World That Needs Heroes: Vanguard Academy: Continuum

[Libra]

I think you and i, should do a joint project of some kind.

I think my approval of this idea can be taken as granted, nay?

[JackGiantkiller]

Nice thor build you got there Jack.

Im curious why you didn't give this Thor a +13 attack bonus though, at the very least considering his Battle aspect.

Interesting choice to give him magical dwarf mail, what inspired this choice?

Mjolnir, interesting use of the Blast simulating a hammer toss as well. the sonic blast could be simulated with a Linked Dazzle attack to a blast attack in that AP structure.

And an interesting take on the Goats, that i didn't think about.

Also bravo, on using a little science in determining thor's strength.

I think you and i, should do a joint project of some kind. You have some creative alternatives. And what did you use for your source material for this Thor?

Elder Edda
Younger Edda
Encyclopedia Britannica
Sacred Texts.Com, especially: The Children of Odin and Teutonic Myth and Legend

The dwarf mail is pretty much specific to my game. The dwarves, Brock and Eitri, who made the great treasures of the Aesir in the myths, made a great store of armor for the gods at the behest of Odin. Megin, Thor, and others have such armor.

The thing to remember about Thor is that while he is a fighting god, he *isn't* a war god. He fights giants...who aren't exactly hard to hit. He is Strong, and he is Angry (the translations of the names of his sons Magni and Modi) but Tyr and Odin are far more skilled at war than he. For that matter, so is Sif, and her son Ullr. Thor wins because he's the strongest, not because he is the most skilled. The hammer is not the weapon of a trained warrior...it's the weapon of a big peasant with an attitude. Thor was a god for the common man.

i should have built a dazzle into the sonic blast. Hmmm.

[JackGiantkiller]

Magni

Power Level: 11 (175 power points)

*Abilities: STR 42(+16) DEX 10(+0) CON 36(+13) INT 10(+0) WIS 10(+0) CHA 16(+3)

Skills: Climb 4 (+16), Intimidate 7 (+12), Language (English), Sense Motive 4 (+4), Swim 4 (+16)

Feats: All-out Attack, Attack Focus (Melee), Attractive, Chokehold, Improved Critical (Unarmed), Improved Grab, Improved Grapple, Improved Throw, Improved Trip, Power Attack, Startle, Stunning Attack, Takedown Attack 2, Ultimate Effort(Strength Check)

Powers: Device (hard to lose) 5,
Growth 4 (E:Duration (Sustained->Continuous);F:Permanent)
Immunity 8 (Aging,Cold,Fatigue Effects,Heat)
Leaping 6
Super-Strength 10 (PF:Bracing,Counterpunch,Groundstrike,Shockwave,Super- Breath,Thunderclap)

Combat: Attack +5 Melee +6
Damage unarmed +16 (dc 31)
Defense 16 (Flat-footed: 13) Initiative +0
Grapple: +36 (Attack - +6,Strength - +16,Size - +4, Super-Strength - +10)

Saves: Toughness +16(+13) Impervious 10
Fortitude +13 Reflex +0 Willpower +6

Lifting: 8,519 tons

* - includes bonuses from Growth
Devices:
Brock's Hauberk (Hard to Lose):
Protection 3
Impervious Toughness 10
Immunity 2 (Critical Hits)
Fighting Gloves (Hard to Lose):
Immunity 10 (Damage Type (Cold),Damage Type (Fire))

Cost Summary:
Ability 52 + Skills 6 (24 Ranks) + Feats 15 + Powers 72 + Combat 24 + Saves 6 = 175 / 175

Size: Large
Description:


Created With Mutagen! version 0.8.7a - beta



Magni, son of Thor and Jarnsaxa, isn’t stupid, or evil. He’s just…dull. He never had a reason to hone his wit. He has a rivalry going with his half sister, Megin, but only really troubles her to please his mother. He would like to be the only Norse God of Strength…and he knows he will survive Ragnarok…and his mother is a giant…so you see what side he ends up on, in the grand scheme of things.

He has a mail shirt like his father and sister (The last brother, Modi, doesn’t have one, but that’s because he’s the berserker god) and a pair of gloves like Jarn Grieper…they protect him from cold and fire so that he can fight frost giants and fire giants with impunity, especially as some of them are freezing or burning to the touch, and he fights with his hands. He’s a terrifying pugilist and wrestler, but doesn’t use complicated tactics. He will pick up nearby objects and wallop you with them, however, the larger the better. With his carrying capacity that means buses, tanks, trains, cranes, buildings…small ones anyway.

He's an eight foot plus barrel chested massively muscled giant of a man. His hair is as red as his father and sister, cut short, these days to prevent it being grabbed by an enemy.

[JackGiantkiller]

Modi

Power Level: 11 (175 power points)

Abilities: STR 28(+9) DEX 16(+3) CON 38(+14) INT 12(+1) WIS 16(+3) CHA 10(+0)

Skills: Acrobatics 5 (+8), Climb 5 (+14), Intimidate 15 (+15), Notice 5 (+8), Sense Motive 5 (+8), Survival 5 (+8), Swim 5 (+14)

Feats: All-out Attack, Fearless, Improved Critical (Sword), Move-by Action, Power Attack, Startle, Takedown Attack 2

Powers: Device (easy to lose) 5,
Emotion Control 11 (F:Limited (Rage),Sense-Dependent(Hearing))
Immunity 8 (Aging,Cold,Fatigue Effects,Heat),
Super-Speed 2 (PF:Rapid Attack)
Super-Strength 4

Combat: Attack +10
Damage Unarmed +9 (dc24) Gram +12 (dc 27) Penetrating, crit 19-20
Defense 18 (Flat-footed: 14) Initiative +11
Grapple: +19 (Attack - +10,Strength - +9,Size - +0)

Saves: Toughness +14
Fortitude +16 Reflex +6 Willpower +10 Mind Shield +16

Lifting: 9 tons
Devices:
Gram (Easy to Lose):
Strike 3 (E:Penetrating Strike/Str;PF:Affects Insubstantial 2,Incurable,Mighty)
Mind Shield 6

Cost Summary:
Ability 60 + Skills 12 (45 Ranks) + Feats 8 + Powers 47 + Combat 36 + Saves 12 = 175 / 175

Size: Medium
Description:


Created With Mutagen! version 0.8.7a - beta


This is Modi, the angry brother. Little is known about him. I'm choosing to assume he is a son of Jarnsaxa. His name means angry, so I'm portraying him as god of rage, patron of Berserkers. I didn't give him the Rage feat because he's *always* enraged, and his stats reflect that. He hates nearly everyone, and lives to kill. He also refuses to wear armor, and avoids many attacks by rushing past.

I've given him Gram, the famous sword of Siegfried, forged by Wayland Smith...I assume he got it by killing the last owner, which is how one normally gets Gram. It can cut through nearly anything.

He’s a hairy little wiry blonde monster, who often goes shirtless, wearing only leather breeches and boots. And his swordbelt.

Note that Modi doesn't speak English. This is intentional.

[Thorpacolypse]

Keep those Norse builds a'comin' Jack. As if my handle didn't allude to it, I love me some Thor and his kin.

Baldur, soon, perhaps?

[Elric]

Nice Magni. The GM in one of the M&M games I was in used a version of Magni (sent to capture Fenris, our Norse-themed werewolf PC) and he was dishing out 18 damage to us left and right. So this seems like "low-powered Magni" to me

[JoshuaDunlow]

I'll be looking forward to seeing your build of sif.

[JackGiantkiller]

Nice Magni. The GM in one of the M&M games I was in used a version of Magni (sent to capture Fenris, our Norse-themed werewolf PC) and he was dishing out 18 damage to us left and right. So this seems like "low-powered Magni" to me

Well, with all-out Attack and Power Attack, he could be doing +21...

[JackGiantkiller]

I'll be looking forward to seeing your build of sif.

I can't top your final version, which is pretty sweet, but I'll do the version I plan to use in my game. I was just reviewing your Thor, and humorously, while he doesn't hit as hard, he lifts more than mine.

[JackGiantkiller]

Sif

Power Level: 12 (310 power points)

Abilities: STR 24(+7) DEX 16(+3) CON 24(+7) INT 16(+3) WIS 24(+7) CHA 26(+8)

Skills: Acrobatics 5 (+8), Bluff 5 (+13/+21), Climb 5 (+12), Craft (Home crafts) 10 (+13), Diplomacy 10 (+18/+26), Gather Information 5 (+13), Intimidate 2 (+10), Knowledge (Arcane Lore) 10 (+13), Knowledge (Earth Sciences) 10 (+13), Language (English, German), Medicine 5 (+12), Notice 10 (+17), Profession (Lady of the Hall) 4 (+11), Sense Motive 15 (+22), Survival 5 (+12), Swim 5 (+12)

Feats: Accurate Attack, Attack Focus (Melee) 2, Attack Specialization (Sword), Attractive 2, Defensive Attack, Defensive Roll 3, Elusive Target, Fascinate (Diplomacy), Improved Critical (Sword), Improved Disarm, Improved Initiative, Interpose, Quick Draw, Ritualist, Takedown Attack 2, Taunt, Weapon Bind, Well-Informed

Powers:
Deflect (Ranged and Mental) 14 (E:Action (Standard->Reaction),Automatic,Ranged (Touch->Ranged);F:Must have sword in hand)
Device (easy to lose) 2
Plant Control 10
Super-Senses 4 (Precognition)
Immunity (aging, Cold)

Combat: Attack +10 Melee +12 Sword +14
Damage Unarmed +7 ‘Sheaf’ +10 (dc 25) crit 18-20, Pen 3
Defense 24 (Flat-footed: 17) Initiative +8
Grapple: +17 (Attack - +10,Strength - +7,Size - +0)

Saves: Toughness +7 Defensive Roll +10
Fortitude +10 Reflex +10 Willpower +10

Lifting: 700 lb.
Devices:
Sif's Sword "Sheaf" (Easy to Lose): Strike 3 (E:Penetrating;PF:Affects Insubstantial 2,Improved Critical,Mighty)

Cost Summary:
Ability 72 + Skills 27 (108 Ranks) + Feats 23 + Powers 128 + Combat 48 + Saves 12 = 310 / 310

Size: Medium
Description:


Created With Mutagen! version 0.8.7a - beta



This my version of Sif, and I must point out that anyone trying to stat her has to make a whole lot of stuff up from vague references. For a more mystical build, see Joshua Dunlow’s version, which is quite good. She’s a very important Norse deity…but there are very few references to her. I have built this version of her as the defender of the home, and as a warrior goddess of the Vanir, battle prize of Thor.

She is tall, and muscular, though she hasn’t got the giants blood that gives Thor and his children their strength, she does have a touch of foresight, and power over growing things. She’s got hair literally made of flowing gold, eyes as blue as a clear sky, and skin as white as clouds. Among all the Aesir and Vanir, only Freya is more beautiful. Sif does not wear armor, as any fights she would get in would be in the home.

This Sif can deflect nearly any attack, if she has a blade in her hand. It need not be Sheaf. This is a manifestation of her protector’s role. I do nod to her association with magic by making her a Ritualist, but I’ve not actually seen her use magic in any stories.

In my world, as Sif is Megin’s mother, she obviously does what she can to protect Megin from Jarnsaxa’s schemes…and from the jealousy of her two brothers.
(Megin has her own Hall, in Asgard, the brothers still have to live with Dad.)

edit: Forgot to make her Immortal. Duh.:)

[JackGiantkiller]

Baldur

Power Level: 13 (282 power points)

Abilities: STR 24(+7) DEX 14(+2) CON 24(+7) INT 18(+4) WIS 26(+8) CHA 30(+10)

Skills: Bluff 5 (+15/+27), Climb 5 (+12), Diplomacy 10 (+20/+32), Gather Information 10 (+20), Notice 5 (+13), Perform (Oratory) 5 (+15), Swim 5 (+12)

Feats: Attractive 3, Benefit (Loved by all the world.), Connected, Fascinate (Diplomacy), Fearless, Inspire 2, Leadership, Luck 5

Powers: Device (easy to lose) 2,
Immunity 90 (Aging,Damage (Lethal Energy),Damage (Lethal Physical),Damage (Nonlethal Energy),Damage (Nonlethal Physical),Life Support),
Light Control 13 (PF: Accurate)
AP-Blast 13 (PF: Accurate)
AP-Dazzle (Visual) 13 (E:Area - Burst (65' Radius);F:Distracting)
AP-Obscure (Visual) 13 (PF: Selective)

Combat: Attack +9 Light Control +13 ‘Lios’ +11
Damage Unarmed +7 (dc 22) Light Control +13 (dc 28)
‘Lios’ +10 (dc 25) Pen 3
Defense 20 (Flat-footed: 15) Initiative +2
Grapple: +16 (Attack - +9,Strength - +7,Size - +0)

Saves: Toughness +7
Fortitude +15 Reflex +10 Willpower +10

Lifting: 700 lb.
Devices:
'Lios', Sword of Baldur (Easy to Lose): Strike 3 (E:Penetrating;PF:Accurate,Affects Insubstantial 2,Mighty)

Drawbacks:
Vulnerable (Mistletoe, Uncommon, Major (2x damage bonus), negates Immunities)

Cost Summary:
Ability 76 + Skills 12 (45 Ranks) + Feats 15 + Powers 126 + Combat 38 + Saves 18- Drawbacks 3= 282 / 282

Size: Medium
Description:


Created With Mutagen! version 0.8.7a - beta



First of all, Baldur’s dead. Ragnarok has yet to occur, at least in my world. So this represents Baldur before his death, or if encountered in Niflheim. And yes, he’s under caps, defensively. Why shouldn’t he be? He’s immune to everything, as far as he knows.

Baldur is the most beautiful of the gods. Only Freya matches him there. He is very wise, and kind…but he is not the best of fighters among the gods, nor is he the most powerful. Among the Aesir, he is a rarity, as he prefers peace to war.

I have given him a sword. It’s nothing special from the Aesir point of view, but it does strike spirits, helps get through the tough hide of giants, and actually swerves in his hand to hit an enemy. No, it isn’t from the myths. I just figure that all the Aesir have at least one nice weapon…none of which come anywhere close to Mjolnir, of course. Lios, btw, means Light.

[JackGiantkiller]

I think it might behoove me to explain some of my design choices.

You'll note that neither Sif nor Baldur has super-strength, instead topping out at human maximum. This is because neither has ever, to my knowledge, been portrayed in the original source material as particularly strong. While they are gods, and thus should be stronger than most mortals, I just don't see the majority of the Aesir being stronger than humanly possible. If they were, some of the old stories would makeless sense. On the other hand, people like Thor, Magni, Modi, Thrud(Megin) all have much more giant blood, and thus more strength. I realize that this is counter to popular tradition, much of which arises from Marvel Thor, where the Asgardians are all physically super human.

I have given many Asgardians minor magic items not listed in the stories. This is simply because they fit my idea of those gods, and their roles. Most Aesir will have a personal weapon that is very well made, and might have minor special features...but few willl compare to Mjolnir, Thrudstock, or Gungnir. Except maybe Frey's Sword of Victory. Or, should I say, Surtr's Sword of Victory?

I chose not to model Thor's ability to change size, or his ability to change the size of his hammer, as these things are only rarely referenced, and then mostly in post-Edda folklore. I do realize, however, that I might have to modify the Thor build to account for his insane weight...which doesn't allow him to use the Bifrost Bridge, and thus neccessitates his use of the chariot.

In closing, while these builds are, I think, far truer to the spirit of the characters than the Marvel versions, they are still intended for use in a super hero game, and are thus modified for their purpose, specifically to suit my game.

[JackGiantkiller]

Nice Magni. The GM in one of the M&M games I was in used a version of Magni (sent to capture Fenris, our Norse-themed werewolf PC) and he was dishing out 18 damage to us left and right. So this seems like "low-powered Magni" to me

Well, with all-out Attack and Power Attack, he could be doing +21...

Not to mention that a post Ragnarok version gets Mjolnir, and goes up 3 or four PL's...

[Libra]

Odin's Beard!

I like the mythological builds, Jack. Any chance of some more please?

[JackGiantkiller]

Absolutely...my game world of myth, so statting them up is something I'd have to do eventually anyway. I just have to juggle Asgard and other deities with my World Tour, I'm still on Ireland, and there are a lot more countries out there. I have to get through Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Australia, a few exotic fictional locations, and still finish all the American heroes and especially villains I already have names for in my index.