Character du jour: Jarod

[Beleriphon]

Dandra

Power Level: 8 (120 power points)
Abilities: STR 10(+0) DEX 18(+4) CON 14(+2) INT 18(+4) WIS 16(+3) CHA 16(+3)
Size: Medium
Skills: Concentration 8 (+11), Diplomacy 4 (+7), Knowledge (Arcane Lore) 4 (+8), Knowledge (Theology and Philosophy) 4 (+8), Survival 4 (+7)
Feats: Attack Specialization 2 (Blast), Dodge Focus 5, Eidetic Memory, Minions 8
Powers: Blast 2, Device (easy to lose) 2, ESP (one sense type) 5 (AP: Telekinesis 2), Immunity 1 (Tetkashtai's possession effect), Super-Movement 3 (Air Walking (Normal Speed), Slow Fall; F:Limited (Air Walking, no more than 10 feet over a surface), Telepathy 3 (E:Affects Others), Teleport 4 (F:Limited (Short range), Tiring 2)
Combat: Attack +4 Defense 20 (Flat-footed: 12) Initiative +4
Grapple: +4 (Attack - +4,Strength - +0,Size - +0)
Saves: Toughness +2 Fortitude +4 Reflex +9 Willpower +12
Lifting: 100 lb.
Devices:
Crysteel spear (Easy to Lose): Strike 4 (E:Penetrating;PF:Thrown)
Complications:
Enemy (Dah'mir), Minions (Tetkashtai's default attitude is unfriendly),

Cost Summary:
Ability 32 + Skills 6 (24 Ranks) + Feats 16 + Powers 32 + Combat 18 + Saves 16 = 120 / 120


Tetkashtai

Power Level: 8 (110 power points)
*Abilities: STR --(--) DEX --(--) CON --(--) INT 18(+4) WIS 16(+3) CHA 14(+2)
Size: Diminutive
Skills: Knowledge (Arcane Lore) 8 (+12), Knowledge (Life Sciences) 8 (+12), Knowledge (Physical Sciences) 8 (+12), Knowledge (Theology and Philosophy) 8 (+12), Sense Motive 4 (+7)
Feats: Attack Focus (Ranged) 8, Improved Critical (Blast)
Powers: Blast 2, Boost (Psionic Traits) 6 (E:Total Fade;AP: ESP (one sense type) 3), Immunity 30 (Save Effect (Fortitude)), Impervious Toughness 16, Possession 8 (E:Aura;F:Range (Perception->Touch)), Shrinking 12 (E:Duration (Sustained->Continuous);F:Permanent), Telekinesis 8
Combat: Attack +4 Defense 10 (Flat-footed: 10) Initiative -5
Grapple: -17 (Attack - +0,Strength - -5,Size - -12)
Saves: Toughness +16 Fortitude +0 Reflex +0 Willpower +13
Lifting: 0 lb.
* - includes bonuses from Shrinking
Drawbacks:
Mute (Cannot speak;Common,Minor), Power Loss (No blast without a body;Very Common,Moderate)

Cost Summary:
Ability -52 + Skills 9 (36 Ranks) + Feats 9 + Powers 121 + Combat 0 + Saves 29 - Drawbacks -6 = 110


Dandra is an odd character she is actually Tetkashtai psicrystal (a psion's familiar in effect) that was forced forced into Tetkashtai's body. Tetkashtai resents the whole thing since she feels that Dandra isn't making an effort to switch back.
Without Tetkashtai's assitance, with the Boost, Dandra has limited powers on her own. Tetkashtai will help Dandra if she feels threatened enough, or Dandra can convince her with a Diplomacy check to bring her to Friendly or better.

[Beleriphon]

Herakles

Power Level: 12 (160 power points)
Abilities: STR 32(22)(+11(+6)) DEX 13(+1) CON 22(+6) INT 14(+2) WIS 14(+2) CHA 17(+3)
Size: Medium
Skills: Climb 12 (+23), Handle Animal 4 (+6), Intimidate 8 (+11), Notice 6 (+8), Ride 4 (+5), Sense Motive 8 (+10), Survival 6 (+8)
Feats: All-out Attack, Attack Focus (Melee) 2, Benefit (Status) 3, Chokehold, Diehard, Endurance 2, Equipment, Fast Overrun, Improved Grab, Improved Grapple, Improved Pin, Improved Throw, Luck 3, Move-by Action, Power Attack, Startle, Takedown Attack 2, Ultimate Effort (Save (Toughness))
Powers: Device (easy to lose) 4, Enhanced Ability (Strength) 10
Combat: Attack +8 (+10 melee) Defense 19 (Flat-footed: 14) Initiative +1
Grapple: +19 (Attack - +8,Strength - +11,Size - +0)
Saves: Toughness +15(+6) Fortitude +14 Reflex +12 Willpower +8
Lifting: 1 tons
Devices:
Nemean Lion Skin (Easy to Lose): Protection 9 (E:Impervious)
Equipment (5 points):
Club (4)
Complications:
Accident (Killed his family), Enemy (Hera), Fame (Well known), Reputation (Violent), Temper (Easily angered)

Cost Summary:
Ability 42 + Skills 12 (48 Ranks) + Feats 25 + Powers 22 + Combat 34 + Saves 25 = 160

My first of what should be several classical Greek heros. Herakles is a powerhouse brawler. True to his roots he's not fool, but there are far brighter and wiser heros in his world. Still when you need a man to help you out in a fight, and really all of the heros are related at some level, you call in Herakles for some muscle.
Unlike Kevin Sorbo's campy version this Herakles is very much the violent, short tempered bruiser of classical myth. He's as likely to laugh at an insult punch your lights out.

[Beleriphon]

Achilles

Power Level: 12 (180 power points)
Abilities: STR 20(+5) DEX 18(+4) CON 18(+4) INT 16(+3) WIS 14(+2) CHA 20(+5)
Size: Medium
Skills: Bluff 8 (+13), Diplomacy 8 (+13), Intimidate 8 (+13), Notice 4 (+6), Sense Motive 8 (+10)
Feats: Accurate Attack, All-out Attack, Assessment, Benefit (Status), Connected, Defensive Attack, Endurance, Equipment 5, Fearless, Inspire, Leadership, Move-by Action, Power Attack, Takedown Attack 2, Throwing Mastery
Powers: Immunity 40 (Damage (Lethal Physical),Damage (Nonlethal Physical))
Combat: Attack +11 (+12 Masterwork spear), Defense 22 (Flat-footed: 15), Initiative +4
Grapple: +16 (Attack - +11,Strength - +5,Size - +0)
Saves: Toughness +4 Fortitude +11 Reflex +14 Willpower +11
Lifting: 400 lb.
Equipment (25 points):
Masterwork Plate-mail Armor (6), Masterwork Spear (8), Large Shield (7)
Complications:
Rivalry (Agamemnon), Temper (Boundless rage)
Drawbacks:
Weak Point (Achilles' Heel; Uncommon,Major)

Cost Summary:
Ability 46 + Skills 9 (36 Ranks) + Feats 20 + Powers 40 + Combat 42 + Saves 26 - Drawbacks -3 = 180 / 180

Good old Achilles. Described as the finest warrior of the Trojan War he has a one point trade-off in favour of his Defense. Over all he can easily do tons of damage, hit more often, defend himself, or anything in between.
Achilles' complications revolve around his disputes with Agamemnon, and the fact that while he isn't easily moved to anger once he is he never lets it go.

[Beleriphon]

Odysseus

Power Level: 10 (135 power points)
Abilities: STR 18(+4) DEX 14(+2) CON 16(+3) INT 20(+5) WIS 18(+4) CHA 18(+4)
Size: Medium
Skills: Bluff 12 (+16), Diplomacy 12 (+16), Knowledge (Civics) 6 (+11), Knowledge (History) 6 (+11), Knowledge (Tactics) 6 (+11), Knowledge (Theology and Philosophy) 6 (+11), Perform (Oratory) 8 (+12), Sense Motive 8 (+12), Stealth 8 (+10)
Feats: Assessment, Attack Focus (Ranged) 4, Defensive Roll 2, Equipment 5, Improved Block, Master Plan, Power Attack, Taunt
Combat: Attack +8 (+12 ranged), Defense 22 (Flat-footed: 14), Initiative +2
Grapple: +9 (Attack +8, Strength +1, Size +0)
Saves: Toughness +3 (+8) Fortitude +11 Reflex +9 Willpower +12
Lifting: 150 lb.
Equipment (25 points):
Sword (5), Chain-Mail Armor (3), Large Shield (7), Bow (9)
Complications:
Enemy (Poseidon)

Cost Summary:
Ability 44 + Skills 18 (72 Ranks) + Feats 16 + Powers 0 + Combat 34 + Saves 23 = 135

Odysseus is the Batman of the ancient world, so he gets the big old Master Plan. A thinker Odysses is still fairly skilled in combat, although all things considered he doesn't compare to the likes of Achilles or Herakles.
A quick edit, I forgot that Odysseus should probably be much stronger since he was the only one that could string his massive bow. So he gets boost up to 18 strength.

[Mike5000us]

Wow nice Greek Heroes! So are you going to write up any of the Greek Gods?

[Sunbear]

From Hercules to Stormtroopers to Bugs Bunny. What a thread. Very nice work. Thanks a bunch.

[Taliesin]

Cool. Love the mythological heroes.

Shouldn't Odysseus be a lot stronger, though? It was considered a feat to be able to string his bow, much less wield it properly.

[Beleriphon]

Cool. Love the mythological heroes.

Shouldn't Odysseus be a lot stronger, though? It was considered a feat to be able to string his bow, much less wield it properly.

Yes.... I'll have to change that.

Wow nice Greek Heroes! So are you going to write up any of the Greek Gods?

I might just do that Mike, especially given their propensity for twinking around in mortal afairs. Of course then I have to take into account all kinds of still things, like Zeus being able to shape shift into damn near anything. Silly deities.

I do plan on doing Jason, Perseus, Theseus, and quite a few of other classics first.

[Beleriphon]

Perseus
Power Level: 10 (150 power points)
Abilities: STR 20(+5) DEX 20(+5) CON 16(+3) INT 14(+2) WIS 16(+3) CHA 18(+4)
Size: Medium
Skills: Bluff 6 (+10), Diplomacy 8 (+12), Intimidate 6 (+10), Notice 4 (+7), Ride 4 (+9), Sense Motive 8 (+11)
Feats: Attack Focus (Melee) 4, Benefit (Status) 4, Distract (Bluff), Endurance, Equipment 2, Fearless, Improved Initiative, Power Attack
Powers: Device (easy to lose) 5, Device (hard to lose) 4
Combat: Attack +8 Defense 22 (Flat-footed: 16) Initiative +13
Grapple: +13 (Attack - +8,Strength - +5,Size - +0)
Saves: Toughness +8(+3) Fortitude +7 Reflex +15 Willpower +10
Lifting: 400 lb.
Devices:
Helmet of Invisibility (Hard to Lose): Concealment 8 (PF:Close Range), Protection 3
Adamant Scythe (Easy to Lose): Strike 3 (E:Penetrating;PF:Mighty)
Medusa's Head (Easy to Lose): Transform (one thing into one other thing) 8 (E:Continous;F:Permanent,Sense-Dependent)
Equipment (10 points):
Sword (5), Matserwork Leather Armor (2)

Cost Summary:
Ability 44 + Skills 9 (36 Ranks) + Feats 15 + Powers 31 + Combat 40 + Saves 21 = 160

Here's Perseus just after having killed Medusa, so he hasn't given the head to Athena just yet. An all around kind of hero Perseus is most famous for killing the gorgon Medusa and marrying Andromeda. There is some suggestion among scholars that he could very well have been a real person, sans the monster head that turns stuff to stone one would hope.
The picture is from www.mythweb.com, which is a great, and funny, resource for some of the more famous Greek myths.

[Beleriphon]

Jason

Power Level: 10 (102 power points)
Abilities: STR 14(+2) DEX 18(+4) CON 16(+3) INT 12(+1) WIS 15(+2) CHA 17(+3)
Size: Medium
Skills: Bluff 6 (+9), Climb 6 (+8), Diplomacy 6 (+9), Perform (Oratory) 6 (+9), Ride 6 (+10), Stealth 6 (+10)
Feats: All-out Attack, Attack Focus (Melee) 6, Benefit (Status), Equipment 3, Inspire, Leadership, Power Attack
Combat: Attack +6 Defense 18 (Flat-footed: 14) Initiative +4
Grapple: +8 (Attack - +6,Strength - +2,Size - +0)
Saves: Toughness +3 Fortitude +9 Reflex +8 Willpower +11
Lifting: 175 lb.
Equipment (15 points):
The Argo (7), Sword (5), Chain-Mail Armor (3)
Complications:
Obsession (Womanizer)

Cost Summary:
Ability 32 + Skills 9 (36 Ranks) + Feats 14 + Powers 0 + Combat 28 + Saves 19 = 102

Now we get Jason, leader of the Argonauts. He's a fairly well rounded chap, but doesn't really compare to the likes of his fellow voyagers such as Herakles. No matter, he's the one that owns the boat so he's the star of the story. I'm just treating The Argo as the yacht from the main rule book in terms of size and speed.

[Beleriphon]

Just as a heads up once I get through my stock of Greek heroes I'll be moving on to Arthurian legend. So we can see Arthur, Galahand, Merline and the rest of that particular ensemble.

I'm also beginning to realize something about these Greek heroes, they weren't really that heroic, and they all kind of blend together except for the specific details of their stories. Reading over Jason, Theseus and Perseus they could all be the same person, if they each had not performed different tasks.

I think that might make a good design journal entry.

[Beleriphon]

Theseus

Power Level: 10 (100 power points)
Abilities: STR 15(+2) DEX 18(+4) CON 14(+2) INT 16(+3) WIS 16(+3) CHA 12(+1)
Size: Medium
Skills: Acrobatics 8 (+12), Climb 8 (+10), Handle Animal 4 (+7), Notice 8 (+11), Stealth 10 (+14), Survival 10 (+13)
Feats: Acrobatic Bluff, Defensive Roll 5, Dodge Focus 5, Equipment 2, Fearless, Power Attack, Second Chance (Damage), Sneak Attack 2, Track
Combat: Attack +5 Defense 20 (Flat-footed: 12) Initiative +4
Grapple: +7 (Attack - +5,Strength - +2,Size - +0)
Saves: Toughness +10(+2) Fortitude +7 Reflex +13 Willpower +7
Lifting: 200 lb.
Equipment (10 points):
Sword (5), Chain-Mail Armor (3)

Cost Summary:
Ability 31 + Skills 12 (48 Ranks) + Feats 19 + Powers 0 + Combat 20 + Saves 18 = 100

Theseus, for those not in the know, was the Greek hero that killed the Minotaur on the island of Crete. His defeat of the Minotaur is as much a function of stealth and survival skills in the Labyrinth as luck. So Theseus gets some feats and skills that emphasize his sneakiness.

[Beleriphon]

Design Diary #2
How to make similar character different

I came across quite a problem when developing the stats for my Classical Greek heroes. Once I moved beyond the likes of Achilles or Herakles I was finding that that difference between the characters were so minimal that you could take any one of them, drop them into another story, and not notice the difference. This was mainly due to the characters not having any real distinguishing feature beyond a certain point. For example Herakles is strong and tough, described a brawler and wrestler the stats were easy enough to work out. Achilles is described as the perfect warrior and his stat represent a warrior of pinnacle human achievement. Odysseus was a thinker, the ancient world’s Batman after a fashion. Then I started looking a Jason, Theseus and Perseus. Jason was a guy with a boat, Theseus was a guy with some stuff, and Perseus killed the Minotaur. But those are just story elements, the descriptions of these characters in ancient texts is vague at best. This presented me with a real problem for the stats of these characters.

Now I’m sure that you’re asking yourself how did Beleriphon resolve his problem. The answer is fairly simple. I focused on a single aspect of the character’s story and extrapolated how the character would have completed their quests using that one method. In other words I specialized the characters on one aspect that fits their story. For example Theseus becomes a stealth expert, relying on Sneak Attack and stealth.

This same principle can be applied to other characters. If you took a group of PL 5 heroes due the low number of suggested points available you could end up with a group that looks exactly the same by trying to diversify in all area, or you could end up with a group of specialists each with their own niche. In fact Jason had the same idea. You can’t all be Achilles, but as a group you can be the Argonauts.

[Beleriphon]

Atalanta

Power Level: 9 (135 power points)
Abilities: STR 16(+3) DEX 18(+4) CON 10(+0) INT 16(+3) WIS 14(+2) CHA 18(+4)
Size: Medium
Skills: Acrobatics 8 (+12), Bluff 6 (+10), Climb 6 (+9), Handle Animal 8 (+10), Medicine 4 (+6), Notice 8 (+10), Stealth 10 (+14), Survival 14 (+16)
Feats: Ambidexterity, Animal Empathy, Attack Focus (Ranged) 3, Defensive Roll 5, Dodge Focus 7, Endurance 2, Equipment 3, Favored Environment (Woodlands), Improved Critical (Bow) 2, Improved Initiative 2, Luck, Precise Shot, Ranged Pin, Sneak Attack, Track, Ultimate Effort (Aim)
Combat: Attack +6 Defense 23 (Flat-footed: 13) Initiative +12
Grapple: +9 (Attack - +6,Strength - +3,Size - +0)
Saves: Toughness +0 Fortitude +7 Reflex +14 Willpower +10
Lifting: 230 lb.
Equipment (15 points):
Bow (9), Leather Armor (1), Sword (5)

Cost Summary:
Ability 32 + Skills 16 (64 Ranks) + Feats 33 + Powers 0 + Combat 24 + Saves 25 = 130

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atalanta that explains it better than I can.
In terms of abilities Atalanta is a skilled hunter. She is geared to striking from cover, and moving onto to do it again.
She is creditted with being faster on her feet then any man. I was tempted to give her one rank in Speed, but that is superhuman speed, she's not that fast. So instead I gave her several ranks of Endurance letting her run all out for longer then most other people.

[Beleriphon]

King Arthur Pendragon

Power Level: 10 (150 power points)
Abilities: STR 16(+3) DEX 13(+1) CON 16(+3) INT 12(+1) WIS 16(+3) CHA 14(+2)
Skills: Diplomacy 8 (+10), Handle Animal 4 (+7), Intimidate 8 (+10), Knowledge (Art) 4 (+5), Knowledge (History) 6 (+7), Knowledge (Tactics) 10 (+11), Knowledge (Theology and Philosophy) 4 (+5)
Feats: All-out Attack, Attack Focus (Melee) 4, Benefit (Status), Defensive Roll 3, Dodge Focus, Equipment 6, Inspire, Leadership, Move-by Action, Power Attack
Powers: Device (easy to lose) 3 (PF:Restricted), Device (hard to lose) 4
Combat: Attack +5 Defense 15 (Flat-footed: 12) Initiative +1
Grapple: +8 (Attack - +5,Strength - +3,Size - +0)
Saves: Toughness +3 (+12) Fortitude +11 Reflex +7 Willpower +12
Lifting: 230 lb.
Devices:
Excalibur's scabbard (Hard to Lose): Immunity 20 (Damage (Lethal Physical))
Excalibur (Easy to Lose): Strike 5 (E:Penetrating;PF:Mighty), Enhanced Feats 3 (Improved Critical 2, Weapon Break)
Equipment (30 points):
Full Plate Armor (6), Large Shield (7)

Cost Summary:
Ability 27 + Skills 11 (44 Ranks) + Feats 19 + Powers 26 + Combat 18 + Saves 23 = 124