What IF? Putting the Shadow in the Cat Disclaimer: The concept of this What IF? belongs to Darque Phoenyx. The characters and "world" belong to Marvel.com, to whom thanks for many years of comics enjoyment go. This is for entertainment purposes, and there is NO profit being made. Key Time Line Differences: *Colossus died from his injuries in the wake of the Mutant Massacre. *Havok has become a pure energy being as a result of his injuries, and is strangely, much saner and happier. *Nightshade and Shadowcat become Undercloaks as a result of the life saving effects of the Crimson Dawn. *Scarlett and Psyche are also changed, as a result of their respective roles in trying to save their friends. *Darkchilde was stranded in the Crimson Dawn instead of Limbo, with her stepping shadows. She was tutored in sorcery and ninjitsu by Kuragari as she grew up there. Eventually they developed a romantic relationship, and she became his Consort. It was she who contacted Logan and suggested the Dawn to heal her friends. *Charles is presumed dead, and remains in space with Lilandra as the Imperial Consort, helping rule the Shi'ar Empire. They have a son named Adam. *Magneto has abandoned his terrorist ways, becoming Polaris (aka Michael Gabriel Xavier, his brother). His proactive ways have brought X-Force to prominence and respect. *The "Friends of Humanity" are akin to the KKK/NeoNazi's: not widely accepted, and often thought of as crackpots, albeit dangerous ones. This time line splits from main continuity, during the X-Men vs. Fantastic Four, right after the "Mutant Massacre". The X-Men had turned to Reed Richards for help "healing" Shadowcat's and Nightcrawler's life threatening injuries. Kitty was stuck phased, and loosing control over that power, which would eventually kill her. Her psyche was also losing cohesion, save that Psyche (a powerful telepath ally of the X-Men) was using her immense abilities to hold the girl's mind together and helping her maintain some control over her powers. Kurt was unable to teleport at all, though he retained his wallcrawling and blending abilities. But in the "mainstream world" Reed faltered, and the X-Men turned to Dr. Doom for help, the difference here is that instead of turning to Doom; Logan turned to the Crimson Dawn to cure Kurt and Kitty. He immersed the portions of their souls entrusted to him as father/brother figure in the Ebon Vein, thus saving their lives. But they are not unchanged... Kitty was stuck phased, requiring intense concentration to solidify, and Kurt was unable to use his "bamph" teleportation. Both discovered that there was more to their healing than a crimson mark on their faces (Kitty's being the "normal" one, and Kurt's being akin to the AoA Kurt's). Psyche, who was holding Kitty's mind together, was also changed due to her link with Kitty... But there are other differences: X-Factor never formed, because Warren Worthington was in Italy, with his bride, Candy Southern; Scott remained in Alaska, with his pregnant wife, Madelyne, Hank remained with the Avengers, and Bobby joined them eventually. Jean was discovered by the Fantastic Four, and with the help of "Michael Xavier", was safely recovered. She chose not to let Scott know of her return, out of respect for him and his new wife. She works under the codename Ms. Marvel. She's headblind but has become a very versatile TK. (Because of this, the X-Men never faked their deaths, Inferno and all subsequent events never happened. "Michael Xavier", aka Magneto, still runs the Xavier Institute and serves as White King of the Hellfire Club. Emma Frost, the White Queen brought her 'specially gifted' students to Xavier's, and let go of the Massachusetts Academy to her sister, Adrienne Frost. And Excalibur never formed. "Meggan", being a were creature of uncertain gender, bonded off to Liz Braddock instead of Brian while Liz was Captain Britain, and became a 'male' and her lover. (Brian was killed during the Jasper's Warp Indic dent.) During the taking down Vixen and Slaymaster, Liz was blinded and gave up her position to "Captain UK", Linda McQuillion. She journeyed to the US, where Forge created her bionic eyes some time back, and she went to the Xavier Institute for recovery and therapy!) In recognition of an equal number of women on the strike force and in the school: the name of the team was changed to X-Force, which is a well known group, almost as recognizable as the Avengers, whether their identities are public or not. They realise they are role models and try to act accordingly. The Hellfire Club is more of a grey area, working through socio-economic and political means to advance earth, most often behind the scenes, and very discreetly. Their most recent triumph was the blocking of the Mutant Registration Act and revealing the Project Wideawake plans to the public. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Tale of Two Sisters: The Greys adopted Lorna after Xavier contacted them about an orphaned girl with green hair. Jean's loss of her twin sister, Sarah, to the car accident that originally awakened her telepathic abilities, leaving the girl despondent caused them to take action, and adopt the girl. Xavier treated and mindhealed Jean, she and Lorna gradually came to love, accept and understand each other. Years later, when Jean was discovered in Jamaica Bay by the Fantastic Four, it was Lorna, who as next of kin, chose not to reveal Jean's existence to the original X-Men outside of Beast, when Liz had a vision of disaster were the other's notified. Thus, Jean is happily single, and Scott and Madelyne are happily married, celebrating the birth of their son, Christopher in Alaska. Jean has, however died her hair green, and uses "Jana" as a token to Carol Danvers (aka Rogue), whose blessing she has to use the name Ms. Marvel. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sibling Rivalries: The offspring of Sir James, Baron Braddock and Lady Elisabeth Morgan Braddock (Morgan LeFay): *James (Jamie) : Playboy baron, Gran Prix race champ and team sponsor. Wild, almost decadent, extremely overprotective of Betts. Peak human on a physical level. Into "extreme sports" and daredeviltry ala the president of Virgin Records. *Philipa (Pippa): Brash, temperamental, over confident. Outre and exhibitionistic. Has a sibling rivalry with Jamie over daring. Pippa is an action film actress and martial arts champion, dabbles in pro wrestling. Physical Adept. *Elisabeth (Betts): Ruthless, cunning and subtle. Highly intelligent, pragmatic and practical. Cultivates an image of a high society model, with aloof, inscrutable regal mannerisms to conceal her career as an espionage agent. She doesn't have a rivalry with anyone, because she *knows* she's the most powerful. Beyond peak human on a physical level, in addition to her psychic/mystic powers. *Brian: Scholarly, bookish. Reluctant hero, bullyish in his strength and physical prowess, very bad tempered. Alcoholic. Thinks with his fists when frustrated. One of the things which helped get him killed during the Jaspers Warp. *Faline: Playful, hedonistic, innocent. Curious, and duh, cat-like Ingenue. Adores her sister, Betts, for whom she oft acts as a familiar. Psychic, changeling (cat/girl). More intelligent than she appears. Brian was killed by the Fury during the Jaspers Warp, and Betts took over as Britannia, while Jamie was off jet setting and Pippa was involved in film making. Saturnyne, Betts, Faline and Captain UK found "Morgan" at the time the Warpies were taken in. Betts also discovered her alien ancestry at that time (haven mistakenly believed herself and her purple maned sisters to be mutants previously), meeting her mother, and her cousin Mordred and Mastermind (the AI). During this time period, her friend and fellow psychic, Alison Double aided the young "were creature" in shedding its monstrous appearance, training it in its empathic abilities. "Morgan" chose the form of a handsome young man and developed romantic friendships with both Miss Double and Betts, and became Faline's best friend. Betts was later blinded while tangling with the Slaymaster and Vixen, while she in turn killed them with her psycho-blasts. At Jamie's insistence, she retired as Britannia and Captain UK took on that moniker and role. She spent several years in Switzerland, recovering with Morgan, Faline and Alison--discretely visited by her mother and cousin, who aided her healing and restored her beauty--as well as helping her form a foundation and Journeyman rank in the Faerie tradition of magick. She was contacted by Nick Fury and Logan, old friends of hers, with an offer she could hardly refuse--her sight was retired by Forge's technomagickal prosthetics, and in return she and Faline infiltrated the Xavier Institute to determine "Michael Xavier's" real motives as he appeared to have abandoned the moniker and mindset of "Magneto". And it gave her an excellent, safe environment to recover and reorient to being sighted. Just before the "Mutant Massacre", she was accepted by Emma Frost and Micheal..her Sight and other psychic abilities proving invaluable as well as her computer and espionage skills, and there, Morgan was finally able to master his abilities as an empathic metamorph. Betts and Faline were able to drive off Sabretooth--away from the survivors of the Marauders' attacks on NYC mutant enclaves, which earned her a place as an ally of the team. Betts finally began to blossom again, as she was away from her overprotective brother and overbearing sister. She studied advanced swordsmanship with Kurt von Darkholme, refined her street fighting technique with Ororo Munroe and mastered several martial arts and kendo with Logan's expert instruction. But she was more than a student, as her computer/espionage background enabled her to find common ground with the injured young Kate Pryde and other young students, to whom she acted as a counselor and teacher, along with Michael and Emma. She took the codename Psyche, and used her restyled Brittania uniform in training with the youngsters, though she was older. And in the wake of the Massacre, that friendship with Kate enabled her to save the girl's life as her phasing went rogue. The outworld psi-talent was able to control the girl's mind and powers, literally holding her together with spit and psychic bailing wire, though it was only a stopgap measure as Reed Richards wasn't able to save her. Neither could she rouse Kurt from his coma, and rather than turn to Dr. von Doom for help, Logan came up with a mystical alternative after being secretly contacted by Elaine Nichols, who hadn't died, but rather had grown up in the Crimson Dawn and become its Sorceress Supreme. Vandal, who had been severely burned; Kurt and Kitty were escorted by Logan and Betts into the Citadel, where Brave Kuragari met them and removed Gomurr the Annoying from the scene while Logan battled the neon spiders for the right to allow their wounded comrades to drink of the sacred elixir. Dr. Strange dipped silver chalices for Vandal and Kurt to partake of, while Betts flooded Kate's containment vessel with the stuff and quite literally poured her out in a new form. The changes effected her through the psychic link she had to the girl, fully awakening her latent magickal abilities and enabling her to manipulate ordinary shadows and learn shadow magick of the Crimson Dawn tradition...and last, but not least, it made the physical effects of her old Brittania uniform permanent... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Xavier Institute The Massachusetts Academy's metahuman students joined Xavier's, benefiting from the association as well as adding nonmutant metahuman students to the mix. Currently, Xavier's is a school, where the graduates (X-Force) and allies are teaching the younger students along with other metahuman and human guest instructors. Not all students are geared toward adventuring lives. There are several scholarships for different areas of study: The Peter Nichols Memorial Scholarship for the Arts, the Charles Xavier Memorial Scholarship (for sciences of all types), and the John Proudstar Memorial Scholarship for Cultural/Historical Studies. The X-Force Ronin: Logan Yashida Rogue: Carol "Ace" Danvers Longshot: Marc Fortune Dazzler: Allison Blaise Havok: Alex Summers Nightshade: Kurt Darkholme Polaris: "Michael Xavier" Ms. Marvel: Jana Grey Jade: Lorna Grey Psyche: Liz Braddock Shadowcat: Kit Pryde Phoenix: Rachel Grey Guise: Morgan Ashra Domino: Beatrice LeBlanc Gen X Impulse: Manuel de la Rocha Catscratch: Faline Braddock Tarot: Marie-Ange St. Croix Warpath: Jamie Proudstar Sirocco: Haroun al-Rashid Firestar: Angelica Armstrong-Jones Wolfsbane: Rahne Sinclaire Cypher: Doug Ramsey Cannonball: Sam Guthrie Boomer: Tabitha Smith Skids: Salia Blevins Backdraft: Rusty Collins Siryn: Therese Cassidy Marvel Boy: Vance Grey Mirage: Danielle Moonstar M: Monet St. Croix Gemini: Nicole & Claudette St. Croix Chrysalis: Paige Guthrie Synch: Everett Thomas Shatterstar Rictor: Julio Ramirez Amazon: Caitlin Fairchild Burnout: Bobby Lane Freefall: Roxanne Spaulding Thunderbird: Sarah Proudstar Bliss: Cordelia Frost Threshold: Matthew Frost Legion: David Haller Copycat: Gem Antonelli Sublime: Rachel Goldberg Dagger: Amanda Carlisle Cloak: Ty Johnston (Allies: Forge, Dr, Hank "Bones" McCoy (Avengers), Elena Ivanova (FBI), Phillip Carlisle (attorney), ) Those who will split off and form a new group: Shadowcat, Nightshade, Psyche, Scarlett, and they will be joined by Spitfire, Unionjack, Brittania, Morgan Ashra Faline Braddock, Rahne Sinclaire, Tangerine and the AI, Mastermind. Notes: Ronin: Logan typically wears black samurai garb, carries his wife, Lady Mariko's family Daisho. Is a contained, though passionate soul, who defines his life with Bushido. Ororo Frosthair: Goddess of the Thunder. wields Stormdancer (a majestic rod/mace) and has gained the invulnerability and immortality of her newly divine status in Ysgard. She wears Thor's girdle /gauntlets and has become active in the Avengers. She is well versed now in Ysgardian magick, and her storm powers were reawakened by the ascension to divinity. Rogue: Carol is the only persona living in this body now. She can control the absorption powers, typically wears "Emma Peels", and has hidden the white streak with a tasteful dye job, her eyes are blue. She is happy and adventurous, often aiding the Avengers. Havok: Pure energy being, and far saner than he was in the flesh, contained in suit or containment chamber; more a living weapon than an man, somehow more stable and philosophical than he ever thought he could be. Has somehow achieved balance! Nightshade: swordsman, mutant (?), and former teleporter--touched by the Ebon Vein/Crimson Dawn to save his life in the wake of the "Mutant Massacre", his natural teleportation ability ("Bamphing") is no longer usable. The shadow powers and shadow melting of the CD are his to use instead. He wears the Excalibur (sexy swashbuckling outfit) era outfit. He is romantically fond of Psyche (Liz Braddock), teaching her further weapons training, acrobatics and martial arts. He is constantly on guard against the temptations of the Dawn, being as spiritually pure as he is, that and his deep faith serve as an excellent defense. Longshot: "Marc Fortune" is a popular action film star, ally of X-Factor, using his uncanny luck and acrobatics to win his way into women's hearts and box office hits. Dazzler: Alison Blaise, techno/metal diva, with her blonde hair dyed black. she has taken Lila's earth-based band and become an over night sensation. She has remade the Bedazzled movie in a cyberpunk mode, publicly revealing her mutantcy and it's made her a star. Polaris: "Michael Xavier", a good guy, more open and caring than Ol' Cueball, a good leader. Involved in the HFC as White King, is involved romantically with his White Queen, Emma Frost. Wears hair long, neatly pulled back, and white suits, he is agelessly handsome. Ms. Marvel: Formerly Marvel Girl, a head blind telekinetic. She is happily single, modeling and enjoying being alive. Wears a dark green/gold version of Carol's old Ms. Marvel outfit, dyes her hair green like Lorna's. Has a number of creative ways to use her kinetic powers, the loss of her telepathy has caused a massive increase in the TK powers. She is close to her step-sister, Lorna, and has an intense attraction to Logan, but won't act on it due to his marriage. She dyed her hair the same shade of green as Lorna's so the latent mutant didn't have to dye *hers* a "normal" shade. She is not afraid to reveal her mutant nature, and desires no contact w/ any of the original X-Men outside of Hank McCoy of the Avengers. She uses the name Jana Elaine Grey to honour Carol Susan Jana Danvers, whose blessing she has to use her "new" codename. Jade: Lorna Grey is a latent mutant, her energy detection powers are the only active ones. She was placed with the Greys thru Ol' Cueball's efforts, after Jean's sister Sarah died. At age 17, Jean rebelled against helping dye Lorna's hair red, insisting on dying her hair green, and this gesture brought them closer. Jean is the Looker, and Lorna is the "Smart One" (though she is attractive, she is not beautiful.) When Jean took up modeling, Lorna took up clothing design; when Jean went into gymnastics, so did Lorna, both girls excelling in the sport. Lorna learned to hold her own, and even if her full powers never emerge, it doesn't bother her...she prefers to think her way out of situations using skill, guile and "good ol' Yankee ingenuity." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Crimson Dawn: The Dragons of the Crimson Dawn (Elders): Brave Kuragari (Fire) Mighty Barak (Earth) Wise Ay'in (Air) Fair Ys'bet (Spirit) Mistress Ra'al (Water) Known denizens/allegiants: Elektra Nachtions/Crimson Nina Polychronis/Shade Katherine Pryde/Shadowcat Kurt von Darkholme/Nightshade Spyral Vandal Xavier/Scarlett Elaine Nichols/Darkchilde Kwannon Yashida/Lady Mandarin Kenuchio Yashida/Sunfire Mariko Yashida/Nightfire Matasu'o Tsurayaba Natasha Romanova/Black Widow Barbara Morse/Blackbird The Mandarin Silhouette Laniya Kurynkova/Darkstar ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CerebroFiles on the Primary Dramatis Personae: Callsign: Shadowcat Alias: Oneko-san Real Name: Katherine Rebekkah Pryde Occupation: Student, Adventuress Legal Status: Citizen of the USA Identity: Secret Place of Birth: Deerfield, Il Martial Status: Single Known Relatives: Carmen and Rachel Pryde Base of Operations: The Xavier Institute Current Affiliation: X-Factor Red Ht: 5'5" Hair/Eyes: Dark Brown/Glowing Golden Wt: 117 Skin: Indigo Other: Pointed ears, Crimson Dawn tattoo Demeanor: Protector Nature: Investigator F: Rm A: Rm S: Gd E: In R: Rm I: Rm P: Rm H: 110 K: 90 R: Gd P: 10 App: Gd Known Powers: Phasing: In *Airwalking: In ability to walk on air, up or down "stairs" at normal speed. *Astral Detection: In ability to see the forms of beings operating in the Astral Plane, including psionics, mages and mystics. *Partial Phasing: In ability to phase or solidify a selected portion of her body while the remainder remains in an opposite state. *Passengers: In ability to phase other beings/items on contact. *Phase Cutting: In ability to attack by taking an object out of phase and then solidify it within someone else. *Phase Inversion: In ability to phase entire sections so things pass through while the affected sections remain solid. Kitty can only affect nonliving matter and only what she is touching. *Phaseshift: In ability to phase out on surprise, or to phase in, attack and shift out again in 1 round. Also allows her to use her Phasing rank when dodging attacks. *Scrambling: In rank side effects that have a detrimental effect on electrical currents and devices. Phasing thru such devices causes them to malfunction, on people, it causes nausea, vertigo and extreme disorientation, a successful End FEAT to avoid being disabled for 1-10 rounds. *Possession: In ability to phase inside someone and solidify just enough to control their actions. Shadowcasting/shaping: Am *Blending: In ability to effectively disappear into shadows, akin to Nightcrawler. *Stealth: In ability to avoid being tracked, negating IR signature etc. *Animate Shadows: In ability to animate and solidify shadows for a number of effects from the comical to the sinister. *In ability to negate/block heat, light, hard radiation and radio wave transmissions. Darkforce Manip: Am *Teleport: In ability to "melt" into shadows and reappear up to 10 miles away. *Energy Solidification: In ability to cause shadows to "gel" and become solid objects of various shapes and sizes. *Summon Undercloaks: In ability to summon up to 10 average Undercloaks to do her bidding for 1-10 rounds. *Darkforce Shapes/Weapons: In material strength objects of pure darkness. *Body Armor: In rank body armor *Regeneration: In regeneration when immersed in the shadows (and only then) Talents: Computers/Electronics, Repair/Tinker, MA (all), Oriental Weapons, Multilingual, Thief, Espionage, Journalism/Writing ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Callsign: Psyche Alias: Amethyst, Black Bishop, Fair Ys'bet Real Name: Lady Elisabeth Nymue Iseult Braddock Occupation: Aristocrat, Adventuress Former Occupation: SHIELD Agent, Model Legal Status: Citizen of the UK, Otherworld, Diplomatic Immunity Identity: Secret Place of Birth: Malden, England Martial Status: Single Known Relatives: Lady Faline Siobhan Ygraine Braddock (Catscratch, twin), Morgan Ashra (aka Meggan occasionally, significant other), Baron James Zachary Braddock (brother), Lord Brian Edward Braddock (brother, deceased), Baron James Braddock (father, deceased), Lady Elisabeth Morgan Braddock (mother, aka Morgan LeFay) Base of Operations: The Xavier Institute Current Affiliation: X-Factor Red, Hellfire Club Ht: 6' Hair/Eyes: Violet Build: Athletic Wt: 198 Skin: very fair Other: Pointed ears, Crimson Dawn tattoo Demeanor: Exemplar Nature: Majestic F: Rm A: Sp S: Rm E: Am R: Fn I: Un P: Aw H: 155 K: 225 R: Am P: 60 App: Mn Known Powers: Telepathy: Sh X *Mindmeld: Un ability to temporarily merge minds with another willing being. Target must make a Psyche FEAT vs. Un or is dominated by Psyche. *Personal Rapport: In ability to forge a permanent mindlink between two or more willing individuals, need not be between herself and another party. *Mindscape: Un ability to enter and function in the Mindscape of another being or beings. Akin to Astral Projection, but is instead the unconscious reality of a mind. *Telepathic Gestalt: Un ability to share psionic strength with other psionics, boosting either her power or theirs by the rank number of the power to be used. *Sedation: Am ability to render others unconscious and keep them that way. *Rangeless: Psyche has no practical limits on the range of her telepathy. *Life Detection: Sn ability to sense/identify lifeforms. *Psychic Invisibility: Am ability to radiate a subtle suggestion to other minds that she and/or selected subjects aren't there, or encourage the target(s) to ignore something. *Psychic Surgery: Mn ability to undo psychic damage, mental illness etc. *Mental Probe: Un ability to probe a mind with Un Psyche or defenses or less in search of specific information. *PsiScreen: ShY defenses against all forms of mental and emotional attack, whether psychic, technological or mystical in origin. *Detect Psionics: Aw ability to detect the past or present use of psionics, latent presence or nature of psionics in an area. *Detect Lies: Mn ability to sense whether a subject(s) is telling falsehood either actively or by omission. *Teamlink: Am ability to create mindlinks between individuals or a group. *Telelocation: Sp ability to locate beings by their thought/brain patterns. *Empathy: Am ability to perceive emotional state of beings, and communicate with non sentient plants and animals. *Comm w/Cybernetics: Rm ability to communicate with cybernetic/AI devices. *Comm w/Nonliving: Gd ability to gain a sense of psychic impressions left in nonliving objects and locations. *Psi-bolts: Un bolts of pure psionic Force, range of 4 areas, ignores body armor, forcefields and other purely physical defenses. *Astral Supremacy: Un ability to enter the Astral Plane, must use Sorcery to take her body into the Astral. +2 CS to actions therein. Mind Control: Un *Memory Alteration: Am ability to alter the memories of a subject(s) or erase selected memories altogether. *Brainwashing/Deprogramming: Mn ability to brainwash or reverse the process in a subject. This application requires her to have the subject in her presence or at least in close proximity where she can view/monitor the individual. *Mindwipe: Sn ability to completely "reformat" the brain of a person, wiping away their existing personality/memories, leaving them a tabula rasa. Must be in proximity to the subject, requires a Psyche FEAT on her part to over come defenses, and may not be performed on a person with a Psyche higher than hers. *Power Control: Un ability to block or limit a subject's ability to utilize powers that require conscious or uncurious brain function to work. *Psionic Control: Mn ability block/reduce or amplify psionic powers. *Neural Manipulation: Mn ability to manipulate neural and sensory functions. *Emotion Control: Rm ability to manipulate emotions Psycho-blasts: Sh Z *Does Energy damage against the Psyche, and can easily kill by shredding the synapses, causing strokes, seizures and neurological trauma. These attacks require a Psyche FEAT to regulate at less than full power. Psyche has been known to give Juggernaut a migraine through his helmet. True Invulnerability: Rm Regeneration: Rm Immortal Telekinesis: Ex ESP: In *Clairvoyance: In ability to remotely view up to 50 miles away *Pre/Postcognition: In ability to perceive past or future events. Requires a Psyche FEAT for accuracy, more remote events are less accurately perceived w/o magick or a focus, such as Tarot. *Detect (all): In ability to perceive Astral, Chronolocational, Dimensional, Energy, Evil, Lifeforms, Magick, Illusions, Invisibility, Psychic etc. *True-sight: Rm ability to perceive things as they truly are. *Environmental Awareness: In ability to attune herself to her surroundings, making it very difficult to surprise or ambush her, among other things. She can become psychosomatically ill in places where great evil has existed. Shadowshape: In *Resist Light/Dark at In rank *Shadowboxing: In ability to animate shadows to attach their "owners" for power rank Blunt damage. *Shadowplay: In ability to change/alter the shape and intensity of extant shadows, animating them and creating "shadow images" that have no substance, and are immune to attack, save for light. *Shadowspots: Rm ability to confuse opponents with darkness. *Blending: In ability to cloak herself in shadows and become virtually invisible in areas of darkness. *Absorption: In ability to cause shadows to absorb light an EM energy Darkforce Control: Ex *Darkforce Missiles: Ex intensity Force damage *Forceshapes: Ex material strength items created from Darkforce. *Window: Ex ability to impose Darkforce over her body to allow attacks to pass "through" her. *Teleport: Ex ability to teleport over 20 miles between shadows. Sorcery: Am Psyche is a Master mage, having a foundation in Faerie magick, and additional training in the Crimson Dawn tradition of sorcery, making her magick more powerful in the Isles and in low light conditions (+2cs to magick FEATS) but vulnerable to Cold Iron and light (-2cs to magick FEATS). The penalty is only +/-1 cs if only one of the conditions is present! Personal: Dimensional: Astral Supremacy: Am Cyttorak Apparition: In Cinnibus Admittance: Rm Ebon Vein Heal: Am Roma/Otherworld Learning: In Reflective Aura: In Servant: Rm Group: Shapeshift/Limited: In Shapeshift/Unlimited: In Eldritch Attacks: Sp Shield/Great: Am Pishogue: Fn Shield/Individual: Am Thaumaturgy Tongues: Rm Invisibility: In Misc: Universal: Conjurer's Sphere Glamour: In Dart of Black Lightening Illusion: Fn Psychic Seal of Permanence Healing/Others: Am Spell of Dispellation Invisibility/Others: Rm Spell of Exorcism Nature Control: Sp Spell of Silence Shield/Aura: In Gateway: In Talents: Martial Arts Weapons, Brawling, Edged Weapons, Acrobat/Tumble, MA A/C/G/J, Thrown Objects, Espionage/Detective, Occult, Computers, Criminology, Psychology, Performer, Observation, Survival, Intimidation, Manipulation, Psionic Mastery, Politics/Diplomacy, Trivia: British Folklore/mythos --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Callsign: Scarlett Alias: none Real Name: Vandal Xavier Occupation: Sorceress, Adventuress Legal Status: Citizen of the USA Identity: Secret Place of Birth: Wundagore Mountain, Romania Martial Status: Single Known Relatives: Michael Gabriel Xavier (Polaris, father), Pietro Maxmiov (Quicksilver, brother), Kit Pryde (Shadowcat, foster sister), Lady Elisabeth Braddock (Psyche, oathbound sister) Base of Operations: The Xavier Institute Current Affiliation: X-Factor Red, Hellfire Club Ht: 5'7" Hair/Eyes: Dark Elburn/Dark Green Wt: 135 Skin: light olive Other: Crimson Dawn tattoo Demeanor: Guardian Nature: Idealist F: Gd A: Ex S: Gd E: Fn R: Ex I: Rm P: Am H: 55 K: 100 R: Rm P: 30 App: Rm Known Powers: Hex Spheres: This power is a unique and very warped power that might have been a form of energy control, based on her father's diverse powers, but the mystical upheavals at her birth caused it to become an ability to control probability and Chaos Magick. Vandal can't cause the impossible to happen, just the very improbable, and this power is limited only by her imagination and willpower. She can effect up to Cl 1000 materials, and may utilize this power at Am intensity. The player should describe what result is desired, and the GM should determine the intensity of the FEAT needed for success. Vonda's abilities are less effective against unnatural things, technology and complex alloys for example, being at a -1CS effectiveness. Vandal can also alter "luck", improving the odds for her allies and tipping them against foes, though she can't always control just how this works out. Her Hex Spheres appear as globes of crimson energy, and is "spellbased", functioning best with gestures to focus it. Mage-sight: Am *Sense Magick/Energy/Life: Sp *Sense Illusion/Dimensional/Dimensional: Ex Body Resistance: Rm Regeneration: Rm Lightforce: Sn The neon-red energies of the Crimson Dawn are hers to wield in a variety of ways. *Hypnosis: Am ability to manipulate light in hypnotic patterns, requires a Psyche FEAT to avoid being placed under Scarlett's power. *Illusions: Am ability to create images of neon-red light, are typically abstract or stylized rather than realistic, like neon tube art. *Laser: Sn intensity ruby laser, does Energy damage at full intensity or may be no more than a laser pointer or light show at Fb-Pr intensity. *Lightshow: In illumination, an artistic or disorienting display *Strobe: Am intensity light, can blind, produce nausea or induce seizures, depending on speed. *Lightshapes: Am material strength constructs in any shape Vandal can imagine. *Resist Light/Dark: Am *Dispel Shadows/Darkforce: Am intensity ability to banish these powers. Forcefield Generation: Rm Vandal can project coherent fields of transparent ruby light. *Rm protection versus magick/energies/psionics *Remote field: Rm ability to project a field up to 3 areas away *Repulsion field: Rm ability to repulse physical objects/weapons etc. *Expanded field: Rm intensity field, centered on Vonda, covering up to 1 area. *Entrapment: Rm material strength field, which can be used to encapsulate a foe, who must make a Strength FEAT vs. Rm to overpower the field. Sorcery: Am Vonda is an Adept in Chaos magick and the Crimson Dawn tradition. She is very well versed in a number of spells, which operate in conjunction with her Hex Spheres power, which is raw Chaos magick. Her spells appear to be of neon-red energies, or of ruby crystals etc. Her spells are typically of Sp to Am strength, so no individual values are listed. Personal: Universal: Astral Supremacy Charm Empathy Confusion Flaw Fear Heal Curse Immovability Matter Rearrangement Levitation/Flight Mesmerism/Mesmermechanism Luck Nature Control Mental Barrier Plant Control Protected Senses Power Block Servant Static Field Shield/Great Trap Shield/Individual Teleportation Telepathy Energy Control Telekinesis Conjure Dimensional: Group: Cyttorak Eldritch Attacks Dimensional Aperture Scrying Cyndriarr Sensing Agomatto Witchery Faltine Disguise Group Misc: Shapeshift/Unltd Shield/Multiple Circle of Renewal Environmental Independence Ethereal Magnetic Vortex Crimson Dawn Talents: Brawling, Knives, MA C/G, Thief, Slight of Hand, Occultist, Loremaster, Dimensional Geography, Chronicler of Magick, Bibliophile, Scholar of Antiquities, Stamina, Runesmith, Leadership, Teacher, Trance/Meditate, Dance --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Callsign: Nightshade Alias: Fuzzy Elf Real Name: Kurt von Darkholme Occupation: Adventurer Former Occupation: Circus Acrobat Legal Status: Citizen of Germany Identity: Secret Place of Birth: Bavaria Martial Status: Single Known Relatives: Raven von Darkholme (Mystique, father), Irene Adler (Destiny, mother) Base of Operations: The Xavier Institute Current Affiliation: X-Factor Red Ht: 5'10" Hair/Eyes: Indigo/Glowing Yellow Wt: 160 Skin: Indigo Other: Pointed ears, Crimson Dawn tattoo, ala AOA Demeanor: Swashbuckler/Chevalier Nature: Romantic Idealist F: Ex A: Am S: Ex E: In R: Gd I: Ex P: Rm H: 130 K: 60 R: Gd P: 15 App: Gd Known Powers: Wallcrawling: Am ability to cling to walls, 3 ar/rnd, not on slippery/frictionless. Prehensile Tail: Gd Fighting, Gd Strength. +1 attk. Blending: Am ability to blend into shadows/darkness. Bamphing Teleportation: formerly at Am, now unusable. Darkforce Control: Am *Teleport: Am ability to teleport via shadows, global distance, may take passengers. *Displacement: Am ability to push something out of the way when he teleports into a space, if it was occupying the same area before he arrived. *Fusillade: Am ability to rapidly teleport and make multiple attacks. Can be used as a Stunning attack, wherein an unwilling passenger must make an Endurance FEAT to remain conscious. *Gateway: In ability to create a portal/door in the shadows to other dimensions, planets etc. Can have up to 40 terminus points at any given time. *Summoning: Sp ability to bring an Undercloak, a distant opponent or other object he can sense in shadow to his present location. Particularly useful for bringing a foe to him, or a weapon in a pinch. *Quick turnaround: Rm ability to teleport, grab/drop something/someone and return in 1 round. *Force shapes: Am material strength constructs of pure darkness, including weapons. *Darkforce Missiles: Am Force or Edged attacks *Phase: Rm ability to become intangible in shadows by partially melding with them. *Extradimensional Detection: Fn ability to sense things in the Ebon Vein, or in areas of darkness. Can clarivoyantly/clairaudiently perceive via shadows. Shadowshaping: Rm *Rm ability to see in darkness, even in the abs cense of UV/IR. *Absorption: Rm ability to cause shadows to absorb light/EM/Radiation *Stealth: Rm passive feature of his nature, preventing him from giving of a heat, motion signature. Talents: Climbing, Edged Weapons, Fencing, Acrobat/Tumble, MA A/B/C/E/G/H, First Aid, Pilot, Electronics, Mechanic, Repair/Tinker, Leadership, Religion, Trivia: Christian Lore, Dimensional Geography, Performer (Circus) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Callsign: Crimson Alias: Lady Mandarin Real Name: Elektra Nachtios Occupation: Assassin, Adventuress Legal Status: Unknown, considered legally dead Identity: Secret Place of Birth: Athens, Greece Martial Status: Single Known Relatives: None Base of Operations: The Xavier Institute Current Affiliation: The Undercloaks Ht: 5'9" Hair/Eyes: Black/Glowing Red Wt: 157 Skin: Very pale Other: Crimson Dawn tattoo, wears red Demeanor: Outcast Nature: Samurai F: Am A: Rm S: Ex E: Sp R: Ex I: Ex P: Sp H: 145 K: 85 R: Gd P: 0 App: In Known Powers: Chi: In *Iron Will: In ability to ignore injuries of In intensity or less for up to 1 day. After that time must make an Endurance FEAT or immediately collapse and suffer the full effects of her wounds. *Berserker: In *Enhanced Senses: Rm all senses are augmented *Regeneration: In *Resist: Poison, Disease: Rm *Body Resistance: In Darkforce Control: Sp *Create Darkness of Sp intensity within a 4 area radius *Forceshapes: Sp material strength constructs, typically creates various martial arts weapons out of sheer darkness. *Forcefields: Sp fields of pure darkness, repel up to power rank physical damage, absorb up to Am EM energies. *Teleport: Sp ability to teleport herself globally via shadows, and self only. *Resist Light/Dark at power rank level. *Window: Sp ability to sheath herself in shadow and allow attacks to pass right "through" herself via the Ebon Vein. *Armour: Sp material strength armor *Gateway: Rm ability to open a portal for herself and up to 30 others. May also be used as an attack to sink foes into the liquid darkness and drop them somewhere else. This is always an area of effect. Lightforce Control: Ex *Purification: Ex ability to dispel disease/drugs/poisons, insanity. *Lightknives: Ex Edged/Energy or Force/Stun in the form of crimson blades. As "punch daggers" or may be thrown. *Lightsword: Ex Edged/Energy or Force/Stun, may be focused through a device to boost to Fn. *Lightbody: Elektra may transform herself into a form of glowing neon-red light. Does Ex damage on contact, Rm illumination, Rm phasing. Talents: Knives, Oriental Weapons, Weapons Master, Acrobat/Tumble, MA (All), Thrown Objects, Espionage, Trivia: Crimson Dawn/Ebon Vein Lore, Intimidation, First Aid, Politics, Assessment, Blunt Weapons, Edged Weapons, Military, Trivia: Oriental Philosophy/Lore --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Callsign: Darkchilde Alias: Oscura, nee' Elena Nicklovna Rasputina Real Name: Elaine Nichols Occupation: Student, Adventuress Legal Status: Naturalized citizen of the USA, legally dead Identity: Secret Place of Birth: Belarus Martial Status: Single Known Relatives: Nikolai Fedorvich Rasputin (father, deceased), Olga Mikhalovna Rasputina (mother, deceased), Mikhail Nikolovich Rasputin (brother, deceased), Peter Nichols (Piotr Nikolovich Rasputin, brother, deceased) Base of Operations: The Crimson Dawn Current Affiliation: Sorceress Supreme of the Crimson Dawn Ht: 5'3" Hair/Eyes: White blonde/Glowing Golden Wt: 120 Skin: Indigo Other: Pointed ears, Crimson Dawn tattoo Demeanor: Exemplar Nature: Majestic, Guardian F: Fn A: Ex S: Gd E: In R: Ex I: Fn P: Un H: 105 K: 155 R: Am P: 90 in the CD, 0 on Earth App: Rm Known Powers: Stepping Disks: Un Elaine has the ability to summon shadow disks which teleport those standing upon them to the Crimson Dawn, where a second set of disks appear to transport the passengers to their destination. She must make a Psyche FEAT to target the disk correctly. A failed roll means the passengers may appear a quarter mile off target, or might wind up early or late. An unwilling target may attempt to Dodge. Psi Screen: Mn Shadow Armour: Ex-Mn *The body Armour is initially of Ex Material, and improves +1CS/rnd to a max of Mn, remaining in effect for up to 5 rounds w/o her having to use magick specifically for the purpose of keeping it there. Darkforce Control: Mn *Blending: Mn ability to blend into areas of shadow or darkness. *Phase: Mn ability become intangible when in any sort of shadow or not in direct light. *Extradimensional Detection: Mn awareness of anything occurring in the Crimson Dawn/Ebon Vein, may also clairvoyantly/clairaudiently perceive anything in some degree of shadow on a Psyche FEAT. *Chronolocation: Mn ability to know where/when she is in time by relating to the CD/EV. *Create Darkness of Mn intensity, filling up to 10 areas. *Aura: Mn intensity personal forcefield that fits like a second skin, making her appear to be a living silhouette. *Darkforce Missiles: Mn ability to create power rank/material missiles that do Force/Stun or Energy/Edged damage, may also create Blunt missiles. *Forceshapes: Mn material strength constructs of any form imaginable. *Resist Darkness: Mn rank protection *Forcefields: Mn intensity/protection, same stunts as Forcefield Generation. *Shadow Knives/Sword: Mn as lightknives/lightsword. *Purify: Mn ability purge disease, poison, insanity etc by sinking a subject into the liquid darkness. May also use as Mn Healing and "self revival" on herself and others. *Regeneration: Mn self healing when she is in the darkness, and only then. Astral Projection: In *Detect Astral presences Shadow Control: Mn *Absorption: Mn ability to absorb light/EM *Darksight: Mn ability to see in total darkness *Shades: Mn ability to protect her light sensitive eyes with a veil of darkness. *Shadowboxing: Mn ability to animate a foe(s) shadow and attack or harass him with it. *Shadowplay: Mn ability to animate/manipulate ordinary shadows into 3d forms that are intangible to attack save for light, for entertainment, distraction etc. *Shadowspots: Mn ability to disorient foes with Shadowspots before their eyes, blinding them. Magesight: Un *Detect Magick/Illusions/Invisibility/Energy: Un Sorcery: Un As Sorceress Supreme of the Ebon Vein, Elaine may cast any spell at Un level when in her native dimension, she is limited to Sn-Mn level when on Earth, and suffers a -2CS penalty when in bright/direct light on all FEATS. She is a very talented sorceress, and her magick takes on shadowy forms/effects or a 'black light' effect (that peculiar dark purplish colour). Her preferred spells are listed below. Personal: Dimensional: Alteration/Body Weapons Cyttorak Armor Cinnibus Enchanted Eye Eldritch Attacks Flaw Passing Flight Scrying Growth Sensing Immovability Thaumaturgy Luck Witchery Mental Barrier Daveroth Manipulation Faltine Protected Senses Ikonn Shapeshift/Unltd Raggadorr Shield/Great Shield/Individual Misc: Shrinking Telekinesis Circle of Renewal Telepathy Clamp of Containment Tongues Conjurers Sphere Transformation Dart of Black Lightening Trance Psychic Seal of Permanence Spell of Cosmic Banishment Universal: Spell of Dispellation Spell of Distortion Charm Spell of Exorcism Confusion Spell of Protection Conjure Spell of Silence Curse Spell of Vanishment Energy Control Fear Forgetfullness Matter Rearrangement Mental Control Mental Probe Mesmerism Nature Control Power Block Revival Static Field Trap Vapours/All Talents: Mystic Origin, Occultist, Edged Weapons, Bibliophile, Chronicler of Magick, Runesmith, Scholar of Antiquities, Stamina, Theoginist, History, Multilingual, Dimensional Geography, Lore, Mythology, Assessment, Politics, Brawling, Trance, Archery, Thrown Objects, Survival --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Grey Sisters Callsign: Ms. Marvel Alias: Jana Susan Elaine Grey Real Name: born Jean Elaine Grey Occupation: Grad Student, Adventuress Legal Status: Citizen of the USA, no criminal record Identity: Secret Place of Birth: Annadale-on-Hudson, NY Martial Status: Single Known Relatives: Dr. John and Elaine Grey (parents), Sarah Grey (sister, deceased), Lorna Marie Grey (Jade, adopted sister) Base of Operations: The Xavier Institute Current Affiliation: X-Force Ht: 5'6" Hair/Eyes: Red (dyed green to match Lorna's)/Green eyes Wt: 135 Skin: lightly tanned Other: Athletic build Demeanor: Guardian Nature: Responsibility Of Power (DC style) F: Ex A: Ex S: Gd E: In R: Ex I: Ex P: Am H: 90 K: 90 R: Gd P: 25 App: Rm Known Powers: Telekinesis: Sp *Forceflight: Sp 450 mph *Instachange: can reconfigure her clothing or that of others into any style/fabric she desires. Works best with unstable molecular fabrics. *Fine Manip: Sp agility for performing tasks that require dexterity over brute force. *Internal Attack: Sp ability to cause severe internal damage, stopping heartbeat, breathing, slowing blood, bursting/rupturing vessels/organs etc. *Life Support Sp CPR and artificial respiration/circulation. *Deflection: Sp intensity repulsion of physical attacks/objects, on a Psyche FEAT, she may control the direction/speed etc. *Object Swarm: Sp ability to animate any number of small/medium objects into a swarm to either protect or attack a subject, or small group in the same area. *Passengers: Jana may carry up to 45 tonnes at Ex airspeed. *Transmute Nonliving: Sp intensity ability to alter the molecular structure of nonliving materials and items. Functions as Elemental/Molecular Conversion. *Teleport: Sp ability to teleport up to 3000 miles. She may employ Quick Turnaround, Exoteleport, and Displacement Forcefield Generation: Sp *Forceram: Sp intensity beam of force, maintained in place. Initial strike inflicts Force damage, and knocks back target. The ram is used to pin the target in place, and while they are immobilized, she can continue to apply damage each round. It requires a Mn Strength FEAT to escape this application. *Forceshapes: Sp material strength constructs molded out of her forcefields. She has been documented as creating ramps, stairs, slides and other simple tools such as wedges, levers, even razor sharp blades and a quarter staff, as well as a sword and shield for melee combat. *Scatterblast: Sp rank projection of scores of tiny forcebubbles at high speed, much like buckshot. Multiple targets in a 1 area radius around her can be targeted. Does Sp Force. *Energy Bottle: Sp containment field, holding energies until dispersing them in a chosen direction the following round. *Entrapment: Sp material/strength field used to contain a target(s). The target gains the field's protection, but can't break free unless they can over power the field (Sp Strength). Can also use this to 'grab' an object and separate it from it's 'owner'. *Expanded Field: Sp intensity to project a full strength forcefield up to 2 areas away, centered on herself. *Levitation: Gd ability to "airwalk" on forcefields projected beneath herself ala Floating Disk. May also be used by others. *Forceblades: Sp Edged attack *Forcebolts: Sp Force/Stun *Force Cushion: Sp material/strength, resilient enough to absorb power rank damage if used to break a fall or blow. *Forcebubble: Sp ability to create a forcebubble inside a small opening and expand it to inflict up to power rank damage. Ignores mechanical body Armour, can also be used to harm living beings if formed within small orifices or internally. *Remote Field: Sp intensity forcefield centered elsewhere, up to 2 areas away. *Forcefield is Sp protection against energy attacks, physical attacks and psionics. *Microenvironment: Sp ability to encapsulate a survivable environment for herself or others. Kinetic Control: Sp Jana's forcefields are transparent green, and faintly luminous (Pr Light Gen). *Absorption: Sp ability to absorb up to power rank damage on contact (punches, impact, forcebolts, bullet impacts, any form of physical damage, including falls), or reduce the attack by 45 pts. If she absorbs or diverts the damage into her strength, it disperses at the rate of 5pts/round. *Energy Reflection: Sp ability to reflect the full intensity of an attack up to Sn, back at it's source. *Immovability: Sp ability to remain rooted to the spot, so long as she concentrates. Requires a Psyche FEAT to maintain this power. *Momentum: Sp ability to impart momentum to an object at rest, causing it to act as if pushed, thrown etc by Sp strength. Is oft used to ballistically fire small objects which do material strength or power rank damage, which ever is greater. Column is determined by the object used. *Repulse Field: Sp strength field which can be "pushed" out to 2 areas, affecting everything "outside" it's path. *Ricochet: Sp ability to redirect objects/attacks etc. *Wideangle Beam: Sp intensity beam that can effect every one within 2 areas, shape and origin are determined before firing. *Mach Control: The ability to prevent the pressure of Mach speeds from creating as devastating an effect in enclosed areas, such as when flying between city buildings. *Resist Pressure: Sp resistance to air/water pressure etc. *Paralysis: Sp rank paralysis, by preventing a subject(s) from moving, freezing them in place. EnergySheath: Mn Jana has learned to create a unique function of her telekinetic powers. While she is using the EnergySheath, she is not able to use any other powers, save for the specific applications associated with this manifestation, which appears to be a greenish aura of energy surrounding her body. While incased in this "aura", Jana is able to employ Sp Strength and Agility, and possesses the following abilities: *Forcebolts: In *Flight: In *True Invulnerability: Mn *Self Sustenance: In *Lightening Speed: In *Spaceflight: Jana is able to reach Sh Z speeds when outside the Earth's atmosphere. She may still be stunned or slammed, though she is otherwise unhurt. Light Control: Rm *Illumination: Rm illumination, creating a greenish glow. Danger Sense: Ex Telepathic Gestalt: Fn Jana was once a telepath with Fn rank abilities. She has since lost these abilities, but is able to "boost" another telepath or empath by acting as an "amplifier" to their abilities. This ability acts as a +5CS boost to another psi. Talents: Brawling, MA A/B/D/E, Acrobat/Tumble, Ariel Combat, First Aid, Astronavigation, Pilot, Trance, Survival, Performer (Model), Weapons Master, Thrown Weapons/Objects ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Callsign: Jade Alias: none Real Name: Lorna Marie Grey Occupation: Grad Student, Athlete, Adventuress Legal Status: Citizen of the USA, no criminal record Identity: Secret Place of Birth: Unknown Martial Status: Single Known Relatives: Dr. John and Elaine Grey (adoptive parents), Sarah Elise Grey (adoptive sister, deceased), Jana Susan Elaine Grey (Ms. Marvel, adoptive sister) Base of Operations: The Xavier Institute Current Affiliation: X-Force Ht: 5'8" Hair/Eyes: Light Green/Dark Green Wt: 170 Skin: Lightly tanned Other: Body Builder Demeanor: Thrill seeker Nature: Adventuress F: In A: Rm S: Ex E: Rm R: Ex I: Ex P: Rm H: 120 K: 70 R: Gd P: 20 App: Ex Known Powers: Detect: Sp (Energy, Life, Invisible, Illusion) Environmental Awareness: Rm Telepathy: Gd Body Resistance: Fn (trained to resist heat/cold, physical/energy) Martial Supremacy: Ex w/Weaponsmaster Latent Powers: Magnetic/Light/Gravity/Electricity/Radiation Control: Pr (Sp if ever triggered) Talents: Brawling, Oriental Weapons, MA (All), Edged Weapons, Shields, Marksman, Thrown Weapons/Objects, Pilot, Drive, Lore (MA), Artist, Survival, Leadership Equipment: Body Armor: In, Katana/Wakizashi: In material Strength --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------