'cause there's more to superheroics than beating stuff up, right?
No, seriously.
I'm just wondering, what other talents, abilities, and knowledge do the Legendary members have? I'm asking in the hope this will shake loose some story ideas. Plus, y'know, it ain't comics without Mister Fantastic saving the day with some invention or Batman doing a genius investigative end-run.
Then there's...well, my favourite part of the whole JLA/Avengers crossover mini-series - I've got reprints of the whole set - were the bits where the heroes work together on stuff. Iron Man giving Green Lantern a design for a massive cannon construct...
I know some of 'em, of course. Gil's obviously a pretty good detective, and we all know Looney's got mad kitbashing skills. ElectroEagle's an engineer as well, if I recall, and Lora'Lai's also got tech skills. Yukiyo collects magical spells...and Alexis...well, Morganni's thread amuses me greatly.
So what do your characters do?
Starting with some of mine...
Superball knows Paragon's meta-gangers pretty well, because he used to BE one of them. He's also an extremely dedicated and focused guy, behind the mask. Since taking up the Superball mantle, he's been studying things like police procedure, law, and equipment. At this point he probably knows more about such practical matters of heroism than most Paragon crimefighters - he could tell you, for example, precisely what brand of epinephrine auto-injector you want in your emergency medical kit. Of course, given his manic surface persona, getting useful info from him is tricky at best.
Syndesis doesn't have any formal education to speak of. She was created by a mad scientist, after all. Well, actually, the Federal Bureau of Superhuman Affairs believes Syn was actually a runaway or kidnapped child. They're pretty sure she was force-grown to maturity, so she might technically still be a minor. That was a major factor in their granting her freedom after the Rikti War. Syn is quite aware of her status, so she'd be the first to claim she doesn't know anything. She was, though, the chief henchwoman of a supervillain. So Syn's very familiar with the biotechnology branches of mad science. For instance, she'd be able to make sense out of data seized from Crey or whatever. She also a decent commander, at least on the battlefield. These days, though, she's reluctant to take leadership roles...largely 'cause most of her "siblings", Metaphase's children, died on her watch.
Space Mage has an encyclopedic knowledge of science fiction, fantasy, and anime trivia. She insists this is essential to modern heroing. Like most "native" magic users in the CoH universe, she's a descendant of Mu. She doesn't have a lot of Mu blood...her innate magical capacity is tiny. But she somehow manages to use what power she has as a catalyst - to tap pure inspiration, pure creative force, the energy created by human beings. Space casts spells, but the manner in which she does is widely varied. Sometimes gestures, words, materials, sometimes not. They all require mental visualisation, though. She dreams her magic. She's ALWAYS coming up with new and different spells. It's ridiculously easy for her. Where another mage would plan and research, she just instantly comprehends. Her spells can be reproduced by others - Yukiyo's scribbled down one of her tricks - but not as effectively. This'd make her both a blessing and terror if the Legendary's mages ever need to collaborate, much like Doug in that respect.
Mirrorshard Isis is a magical girl. Or a former magical girl. Hard to say. She's certainly not a girl anymore, given she's been around for two or three centuries. Maybe longer. She used to be a Mirrorguardian, one of Naoko's predecessors. She also lost her fight, and her knight was killed. Isis survived, though she was...broken. She still clung on to some power, though, filling in the gaps with conventional magical studies. Unlike Space Mage, Isis is a magic-user of the library research and grimoire school. Her speciality is ritual magic, but she's had many years to pick up...other things. Having been around that long, she's also got a real spider's web of connections, and a fairly large personal fortune. "Spider's web", literally. Her goals are...probably good, but ends justify means...
Flu Shot is an engineer...kind of. He didn't go to school for that, and his lack of concern for math and calculations is almost frightening. He was a garage assistant before building his suit and going into heroism. Thing is, the Flu Shot armour is really a complete mess. It's more or less a bootleg Crey Cryo suit. The fact ice surrounds his entire body when it's running was originally a malfunction, it was just supposed to encase his fists. He tweaked it a little and called it a feature. On the other hand, he DID build the thing, and he DOES have a strange savant-esque talent when fiddling with supertech. He gets results, and his creations are...kinda reliable. Kinda. He'd probably give the other Legendary tech-heroes fits, if it came to discussion...and his number one priority when it comes to battlesuit design? Plumbing and heating. Hey, when you're a walking fridge...
Dusker is a Warshade - with two distinct personalities in there. Argent Dusk takes a more advisory role, but occasionally a very vocal one. He's an OLD Nictus warrior, only recently defected. Wesker is his first willing host. He's got centuries of battle experience from far-off planets...some of which is actually relevant to the task of crime-fighting on Earth. This might be useful...if he knew how to deliver strategical advice in something other than clipped barks. "NO. FIGHT NOW." Wesker, on his part, was an empath...not a healer, a guy who senses feelings. He can still do that, as Dusker - he can tell if you're lying or hiding something, what buttons to push. A good interrogator. Pre-conversion, Wesker was a con artist and CoV-style criminal broker. He was small-time...but he's still knows some people, which might be useful.
Obsolete is an old robot from the 1950s, when everything was shiny and atomic-powered. She's not shiny anymore, but still atomic-powered. She actually evolved self-awareness on her own accord...and has been keeping herself running for the past half century, repairing her body, adapting technology...but if you think Flu Shot makes kludges, Obsolete is far, far worse. Her newest combat chassis (latest costume) was constructed from salvaged Freakshow parts. 'Salvaged' defined as ripping them straight off and installing them directly - she didn't bother to remove the bits of shredded meat. That might help the Infamous, might not. She could repair another robot, but they'd probably not appreciate the experience. Lord Omega, I'm lookin' at you...
-- Acyl
No, seriously.
I'm just wondering, what other talents, abilities, and knowledge do the Legendary members have? I'm asking in the hope this will shake loose some story ideas. Plus, y'know, it ain't comics without Mister Fantastic saving the day with some invention or Batman doing a genius investigative end-run.
Then there's...well, my favourite part of the whole JLA/Avengers crossover mini-series - I've got reprints of the whole set - were the bits where the heroes work together on stuff. Iron Man giving Green Lantern a design for a massive cannon construct...
I know some of 'em, of course. Gil's obviously a pretty good detective, and we all know Looney's got mad kitbashing skills. ElectroEagle's an engineer as well, if I recall, and Lora'Lai's also got tech skills. Yukiyo collects magical spells...and Alexis...well, Morganni's thread amuses me greatly.
So what do your characters do?
Starting with some of mine...
Superball knows Paragon's meta-gangers pretty well, because he used to BE one of them. He's also an extremely dedicated and focused guy, behind the mask. Since taking up the Superball mantle, he's been studying things like police procedure, law, and equipment. At this point he probably knows more about such practical matters of heroism than most Paragon crimefighters - he could tell you, for example, precisely what brand of epinephrine auto-injector you want in your emergency medical kit. Of course, given his manic surface persona, getting useful info from him is tricky at best.
Syndesis doesn't have any formal education to speak of. She was created by a mad scientist, after all. Well, actually, the Federal Bureau of Superhuman Affairs believes Syn was actually a runaway or kidnapped child. They're pretty sure she was force-grown to maturity, so she might technically still be a minor. That was a major factor in their granting her freedom after the Rikti War. Syn is quite aware of her status, so she'd be the first to claim she doesn't know anything. She was, though, the chief henchwoman of a supervillain. So Syn's very familiar with the biotechnology branches of mad science. For instance, she'd be able to make sense out of data seized from Crey or whatever. She also a decent commander, at least on the battlefield. These days, though, she's reluctant to take leadership roles...largely 'cause most of her "siblings", Metaphase's children, died on her watch.
Space Mage has an encyclopedic knowledge of science fiction, fantasy, and anime trivia. She insists this is essential to modern heroing. Like most "native" magic users in the CoH universe, she's a descendant of Mu. She doesn't have a lot of Mu blood...her innate magical capacity is tiny. But she somehow manages to use what power she has as a catalyst - to tap pure inspiration, pure creative force, the energy created by human beings. Space casts spells, but the manner in which she does is widely varied. Sometimes gestures, words, materials, sometimes not. They all require mental visualisation, though. She dreams her magic. She's ALWAYS coming up with new and different spells. It's ridiculously easy for her. Where another mage would plan and research, she just instantly comprehends. Her spells can be reproduced by others - Yukiyo's scribbled down one of her tricks - but not as effectively. This'd make her both a blessing and terror if the Legendary's mages ever need to collaborate, much like Doug in that respect.
Mirrorshard Isis is a magical girl. Or a former magical girl. Hard to say. She's certainly not a girl anymore, given she's been around for two or three centuries. Maybe longer. She used to be a Mirrorguardian, one of Naoko's predecessors. She also lost her fight, and her knight was killed. Isis survived, though she was...broken. She still clung on to some power, though, filling in the gaps with conventional magical studies. Unlike Space Mage, Isis is a magic-user of the library research and grimoire school. Her speciality is ritual magic, but she's had many years to pick up...other things. Having been around that long, she's also got a real spider's web of connections, and a fairly large personal fortune. "Spider's web", literally. Her goals are...probably good, but ends justify means...
Flu Shot is an engineer...kind of. He didn't go to school for that, and his lack of concern for math and calculations is almost frightening. He was a garage assistant before building his suit and going into heroism. Thing is, the Flu Shot armour is really a complete mess. It's more or less a bootleg Crey Cryo suit. The fact ice surrounds his entire body when it's running was originally a malfunction, it was just supposed to encase his fists. He tweaked it a little and called it a feature. On the other hand, he DID build the thing, and he DOES have a strange savant-esque talent when fiddling with supertech. He gets results, and his creations are...kinda reliable. Kinda. He'd probably give the other Legendary tech-heroes fits, if it came to discussion...and his number one priority when it comes to battlesuit design? Plumbing and heating. Hey, when you're a walking fridge...
Dusker is a Warshade - with two distinct personalities in there. Argent Dusk takes a more advisory role, but occasionally a very vocal one. He's an OLD Nictus warrior, only recently defected. Wesker is his first willing host. He's got centuries of battle experience from far-off planets...some of which is actually relevant to the task of crime-fighting on Earth. This might be useful...if he knew how to deliver strategical advice in something other than clipped barks. "NO. FIGHT NOW." Wesker, on his part, was an empath...not a healer, a guy who senses feelings. He can still do that, as Dusker - he can tell if you're lying or hiding something, what buttons to push. A good interrogator. Pre-conversion, Wesker was a con artist and CoV-style criminal broker. He was small-time...but he's still knows some people, which might be useful.
Obsolete is an old robot from the 1950s, when everything was shiny and atomic-powered. She's not shiny anymore, but still atomic-powered. She actually evolved self-awareness on her own accord...and has been keeping herself running for the past half century, repairing her body, adapting technology...but if you think Flu Shot makes kludges, Obsolete is far, far worse. Her newest combat chassis (latest costume) was constructed from salvaged Freakshow parts. 'Salvaged' defined as ripping them straight off and installing them directly - she didn't bother to remove the bits of shredded meat. That might help the Infamous, might not. She could repair another robot, but they'd probably not appreciate the experience. Lord Omega, I'm lookin' at you...
-- Acyl