Penumbra: The Shadow's Edge

[Nestor]

Let me try my hand at building both. If the point limit becomes a problem for one, I'll go with the other.

I'll bang out the write-ups tomorrow and hopefully have an idea where to go by tomorrow night. I'll have a fleshed out background too.

I assume the wiki link you posted above should work for providing a world background?

[Heroglyph]

Yeah the link is to an old webpage of campaign info. It is mainly geared towards 4 color super heroics, but it will at least give you an idea of the history of the world.

[Nestor]

I just glanced through it. If you're still using the Magic set-up from it, I can see a useful plot element.

Maybe the reason he transforms at night is because the curse is powered by a Rift on the Moon!

[Nestor]

I thought about sending you the write-up as a PM then I thought, I don't mind letting other folks see the sheet, and I could use the help anyway. Like I said, I'm still a newbie with this system.

Gargoyle by Night

B3 A2 M2
Soak x4, Dodge x2, Will x3
Claw Attack: x2, Damage x4

Mental Malfunction: Seeks cure for curse

Skills: Athletics (x2), Drive (x2), Stealth (x2), Investigation (x2), Security (x2), Streetwise (x2)

Powers:
Claws: Special Attack (+x1 dmg) (1 pt)
Claws: Clinging (1 pt)
Wings: Gliding (8 squares) (1 pt)
Tough Hide: Armor 1 (1 pt)
Strong-Willed: Mind Shield 1 (1 pt)
He knows His Stuff: Skillful 1 (1 pt)

Advantages:
Frightening Presence
Instant Change

Disadvantages:
Involuntary Change (to normal human when moon goes down)
Normal (B1 A2 M2 with no powers except for Mind Shield and Skillful)

(14 Stats + 6 Powers = 20 Pts)

Our hero was an enterprising police detective who got on the wrong side of a powerful magical being and was cursed to transform into a gargoyle-like beast when the moon goes up. Forced to quit the force, he now makes a living as a private detective (who keeps only daylight hours) and seeks a way to lift the curse so he can go back to a normal life.

Let me know if I did anything wrong or if you have any suggestions. If the write-up passes muster, I'll work on getting an image, writing up a full background and putting together a sheet.

[Heroglyph]

He looks good on first glance, but I need to go over it more closely.
First thing that jumps out is maybe Alter Ego Advantage. I need to do some research myself and find out exactly how that works.

Can you PM me your real name and email address, so I can send you an invite to the wiki?

[Nestor]

PM sent.

As for the Alter Ego advantage, it simulates the split-personality concept of alternate-form heroes (the textbook example being that iconic emerald-skinned behemoth with the purple pants).

With my character, there's no personality change when he transforms, so I didn't think it was applicable.

I did notice the werewolf example in the book uses limited Shape-Shifting for switching between wolf and human, but that seemed extraneous to me.

[Heroglyph]

His math checks out, however, I don't think you could have mind Shield in your normal form as it isn't a product of intense training.

I know with Alter Ego, you can have two separate forms with 2 separate writeups (I'm assuming built on the same points) but I am unsure if the Normal/ Involuntary change works the same way. Meaning, I don't know how many points your normal form should be built on.

[Nestor]

Not sure what you mean regarding Mind Shield. Where did I mention that it didn't come from intense training? It's not a big deal if you insist that he can't have it; my concept is that it stemmed from his strong will, though.

Also, allow me to quote from page 10 in the book, the section on "Alter Ego":

A character with the Alter Ego disadvantage essentially has two different personalities that may or may not get along or even be aware of each other. Each ego has its own separate memories, interests, and skills..."

Just to be clear, the above does not describe my character's situation. He does not change personalities when he transforms. It's still him, only in a different body. That's why I didn't see it as applicable for him.

In contrast, here are excerpts from the section on Normal:

You are a normal person, either all the time ... or some of the time (you transform into a super form). [emphasis mine]

and Involuntary Change:

Your ability to take on your super form is not one you can control. It happens under certain circumstances...

Those pretty much describe what I'm looking for. He has a normal form and a "super form" and he can't control when he changes.

[Heroglyph]

I see what you mean about Alter Ego.

RE: Mind Shield.
I meant that Mind Shield isn't listed as an Intense Training power category in the rules, it falls under Mental Powers.

My understanding is that if you take the Normal disadvantage, then your normal form cannot have any powers unless they are from "Intense Training" category, or gadgets.

So you could have it in Gargoyle form, but not normal form.

That being said, I'm not a fan of the power categories in the rules, because I think you could justify certain powers crossing over into other categories, (just as you describe, or a Push power defined as a Judo throw for example. ) but for now, I want to stick as close to the rules as I can (at least until I am more familiar with them) before I start making exceptions to them.

[Nestor]

Ah, no worries then. I'm just getting my feet wet with BASH myself, so I may be a bit dim on some subjects still.

Now comes the hard part: choosing the right name for our hero and detailing out his background. I'll try to have that for you, along with a finished character sheet by tonight.