My application for Zeus' Champion, hopefully it won't drive the game or players into any political (or religious) polarity. Background is subject to change based on setting details.
Background:
From his earliest days, Lander Horkios was destined for great things. The first generation American born son of a Greek immigrant laborer that met and married an American heiress with old money ties dating back to the robber barons of antiquity, Lander was raised on two things from his first days: conservative values and his Greek heritage. Lander shared his father's large frame and his mother's gift for saying what people wanted to hear, but his true talent was as a subtle bully, able to force people, through gravitas, to agree with his views and opinions. As was expected, his youth was charmed and filled with luxury, but his father thought it was making him soft, and urged him to join the military just out of college.
Lander took to the military fairly well, and was able to find his way to piloting A-10's for the Army by the time the Gulf War broke out in the early 90's. His time in the war was brief, but he was good at selling himself, and he has managed, over the years, to have his lack-luster wartime performance portrayed in a light that paints him as a war hero. It also left him with a feeling that, as a soldier, he was helpless to the whims of those with real power, the politicians. He decided that his true path should be pushing the politicians around on the great chessboard, and, once he had spent enough time to make the resignation of his commission to seem honorable, he left the Army for his higher aspirations.
His first hurdle was in public speaking, something he had little talent or experience in, but he took lessons at the same time that he was studying to pass the DC Bar, and found that he had a knack for it once he learned to apply himself. He spent some time as a 'talking head' for the Republicans, but, as time went on, he gained a large number of Washington contacts, and became as much a behind-the-scenes power broker as a political expert or consultant.
By the time George W. Bush was elected to the White House, he was as respected a strategist as Carl Rove (who had more clout in the Bush camp due to his history with the family, and their shared religious views). As the Republicans lost more and more credibility during that Presidential term, Lander was one of a growing few Republicans that blamed the religious right, and their evangelical disciples (to include the President), for the greatest failures of the party. After McCain's loss to Obama, that small faction gained power and popularity, ingraining itself into the newly formed Tea Party movement, among others.
In secret, Lander had joined the ranks of the followers of the Hellenistic traditions that had been rising in popularity over the past years. Fueled by stories of his heritage, and the simple values of the Greek Gods, some of which he shared, Lander was sure that the Olympians were the best hope for leading people into light after the darkness of the last few years. He was determined to help lead conservatives to see that close-minded interpretations of the Christian faiths were greatly to blame, not only for the current conflicts with the Muslim world, but also with a general downfall in the character of America. These interests, combined with his political power and contacts, lead him to the attention of Zeus, and the King of Olympus arranged a series of challenges for the political-minded mortal.
Though not without difficulty, the challenges were met, showing Lander's faith was true and his talents were impressive, by mortal standards. As other Gods were soon to do, Zeus chose Lander as his Champion on earth, a herald to the Olympian return to power and a force of his will. To help him to meet the challenges ahead, Zeus bestowed Lander with powers that enhanced his natural gifts, and even bestowed on him a figment of his own mythical shield that was constructed in Hephaestus' workshop to resemble a modern emblem of wealth and status: a golden wristwatch.
So equipped, Lander is poised to help the King of the Gods to return to his place of glory in the world, hoping that he will be able to prevail politically while bringing his own religion to the forefront of conservative politics and usher in a new era of the American nation under God.
Appearance:
Lander is a man in his early to mid forties, in excellent physical condition with an strong eye for men's fashion and style. He accessories well, and always draws an eye do to his excellent wardrobe choices. He is equally at home on the podium or in front of a TV camera as he is sitting across the table. Everything about him hints at a boundless gravitas and electric energy barely constrained.
Lander HorkiosChampion of Zeus
PL 10, 150 PP
Abilities: [36 PP]
Strength 18 [8 PP]/ 26 (Super Strength 2) w/
Olympian AuraDexterity 10 [0 PP]
Constitution 18 [8 PP]/ 22 w/
Olympian AuraIntelligence 16 [6 PP]
Wisdom 16 [6 PP]
Charisma 18 [8 PP]/ 20 w/
Aegis Wristwatch/ 24 w/
Aegis Wristwatch and
Thunderous PresenceCombat: [33 PP]
Attack +8 [16 PP]
Defense +3 [6 PP]/ +6 w/ Dodge Focus/ +8 w/ Dodge Focus and
Aegis Wristwatch (+2 Flat-Footed)
Toughness +6 [0 PP]/ +10 (+4 Impervious) w/
Aegis Wristwatch (+6 {+0 Impervious} vs. Critical Hits or Flat-Footed)/ +12 (+4 Impervious) w/
Aegis Wristwatch and
Olympian Aura (+8 {+0 Impervious} vs. Critical Hits or Flat-Footed)
Fortitude +8 [4 PP]/ +10 w/
Olympian AuraReflex +2 [2 PP]
Will +8 [5 PP]
Feats: [25 PP]
All-Out Attack
Benefit 5 (Security Clearance, Status {Well-Connected Political Strategist}, Wealth 3) [5 PP]
Connected
Contacts
Dodge Focus 3 [3 PP]
Equipment 5 [5 PP]
Luck 2 [2 PP]
Master Plan
Power Attack
Skill Mastery (Bluff, Gather Information, Intimidate, Performance {Oratory})
Ultimate Effort (Ultimate Master Plan)
Tough 2 [2 PP]
Well-Informed
Skills: [27 PP]; 108 Ranks (*Skill Mastery)
*Bluff +6 (+10/+11/+13/+15)
Computers +2 (+5)
Diplomacy +6 (+10/+11/+13)
Drive +1 (+1)
*Gather Information +12 (+16/+17/+19)
*Intimidate +10 (+14/+15/+25!)
Investigate +4 (+7)
Knowledge (Business) +2 (+5)
Knowledge (Civics) +8 (+11)
Knowledge (Current Events) +4 (+7)
Knowledge (History) +2 (+5)
Knowledge (Tactics) +2 (+5)
Knowledge (Theology and Philosophy) +4 (+7)
Language 3 (Ancient Greek, Greek, and Latin; Native is English)
Notice +4 (+7)
*Performance (Oratory) +10 (+14/+15/+17)
Pilot +4 (+4)
Profession (Lawyer) +2 (+5)
Profession (Political Strategist) +8 (+11)
Search +2 (+5)
Sense Motive +7 (+10)
Stealth +2 (+2)
Survival +1 (+4)
Swim +1 (+5/+9)
Powers: [29 PP]
Gifts of the Gods: Array 8 (Alternate Powers 5) [21 PP]
-
Thunderous Presence: Enhanced Charisma 4 AND Enhanced Feats 10 (Challenge 6 {Fast Distract, Fast Startle, Fast Demoralize, Mass Intimidation, Powerful Intimidation 2}, Distract {Intimidate}, Second Chance {Intimidate Checks}, Ultimate Effort {Ultimate Intimidate Check}, Startle) AND Enhanced Skills 2 (Intimidate +8) [Initial Effect]
-
Everything to Everyone: Enhanced Feat (Quick Change) AND Enhanced Skill (Bluff +4) AND Morph 7 (Humanoid Forms) [AP]
-
Some of the People, All of the Time: Mind Control 3 (Subtle; Conscious, Effortless, No Saving Throw, Insidious; Limited {May Only Target Minions}, Sense Dependent {Hearing}) [AP]
-
All of the People, Some of the Time: Mind Control 5 (Subtle; Conscious, Effortless, Insidious, Perception Area {Hearing}; Touch Range, Sense Dependent {Hearing}) [AP]
-
Olympian Aura: Enhanced Constitution 4 (Noticeable {Golden Aura}) AND Enhanced Strength 8 (Noticeable {Golden Aura}) AND Enhanced Feats 4 (Grappling Finesse, Improved Grab, Improved Grapple, Improved Pin; Noticeable {Golden Aura}) AND Super Strength 2 (Noticeable {Golden Aura}) [AP]
-
Calling the Thunderbolt: Blast 12 (Indirect {Originates from the Sky}; Limited {Attack Must Originate from a Cloud Outdoors}; Full Power) AND Dazzle 8 (Hearing; Indirect {Originates from the Sky}; Alternate Save {All Fortitude}; Limited {Attack Must Originate from a Cloud Outdoors}; Full Power} [AP]
Aegis Wristwatch: Device 2 (Hard to Lose) [8 PP]
-Enhanced Charisma 2 {2 PP}
-Protection 4 (Force Field, Subtle; Impervious; Limited {Power Ineffective Whenever the User is Denied Their Dodge Bonus}, Weak Point) {4 PP}
-Shield 2 (Subtle) {3 PP}
-Super Senses 1 (Time Sense) {1 PP}
Totals:
Abilities [36 PP] + Combat [33 PP] + Feats [25 PP] + Skills [27 PP] + Powers [29 PP] = [
150 PP]
Equipment: {25 EP}
Designer Wardrobe (Attractive) [1 EP]
Masterwork Laptop [1 EP]
Masterwork Smartphone [1 EP]
Masterwork Full-Size Luxury Car (AP) [10 EP]
-Limousine Car Service [AP]
Mansion: Headquarters (Large Size, Toughness 15; Communications, Computer, Garage, Library, Living Space, Power System, Security System 2 {DC 25}) [12 EP]
Complications:
Allegiance (America and Zeus): Lander is fully invested in his political career in the American system, and is dedicated to the rise of Zeus as the next chief diety of the world.
Motivation (Responsibility): Lander feels it is his responsibility, as the Champion of Zeus, to help others to understand the power of the Gods, and the benefits to being loyal and faithful servants of them. It is a burden that he readily bears in exchange for the powers that have been bestowed upon him.
Enemy (Liberal Political Operatives): As a leading conservative strategist, Lander finds him self at odds with his political rivals, which can lead to everything from professional friction to downright media conflicts.
Fame (Conservative Strategist): As one of the leading conservative political consultants in American politics, Lander is widely recognized and has to deal with the good and bad issues related to fame.
Responsibility (Political Consultant): As a widely known political consultant, there are many drains on Lander's time that have nothing to do with his duties to the King of Olympus.
Additional Notes:
The
Gifts of the Gods Array represents the powers that Zeus bestowed on Lander so that he can better serve the God. The default
Thunderous Presence Power is all about intimidation. When active, Lander seems larger than life, and his words are often accentuated with weather phenomena that enhance their effects. Even the strongest will find him overbearing and difficult to resist. His
Everything to Everyone Power is a minor equivalent to Zeus' own power of transformation, limited to resembling human forms, and enhancing his ability to bluff so that the disguises seem more believable. The
Some of the People, All of the Time power is the one that is most likely to seem abusive, as it is an irresistible Mind Control power, but it is limited to Minion level targets, and represents an ability to command the 'weak-minded' without effort. His
All of the People, Some of the Time power is a sound based Mind Control with an Area of Effect, but a weak power level, again representing it's focus on 'weak-minded' targets. Both are based on the ability to hear his voice. His
Olympian Aura power is a golden aura that bestows an Olympian's might on Lander, giving him superhuman strength and enhancing his stamina and grappling abilities. Lastly, his
Calling the Thunderbolt power represents his ability to call on his patron for support in battle, with a powerful lightning bolt that also deafens it's targets.
The
Aegis Wristwatch is an impressive timepiece by the standards of any connoisseur, but it's other features are the most impressive. A weightless, invisible shield can be summoned with a thought from the watch, protecting the user from harm just as an actual shield would. It also increases the bearing and poise of the wearer, making them more impressive to those they interact with.
by El Duderino » Tue Jan 10, 2012 4:59 pm 
