Tiko-chan 
Character Name: Tiko-chan        (330 points) by James Davis

OCV: 10+    PD 10         ED 10         Levels: 4 w/grab, strike and dodge
DCV: 10+    rPD 5         rED 5         Defenses: 10 points mental
ECV: 8      Total 15      Total 15                 5 points power

Description:  Tiko-chan is a martial artist of obvious Gaelic ancestory 
with a Japanese accent.  She is quite young in appearance, seeming to be 
only 16 years old.  However, due to a magical spell cast on her centuries 
ago by a Japanese magician, she is actually immortal.  Tiko is quite small,
only 4'10" tall and weighing only 92 pounds.  Her fiery red hair and her 
large green eyes are typical of those of Gaelic decent.  She has no costume 
or special identity state.  She often wears martial arts uniforms (Japanese 
and Chinese), but any outfit that catches her eye and does not restrict her 
movements could be worn.

 25     Str    15       Cost    Skills/Talents/Perks:
 30     Dex    60               =====================
 23     Con    26        3      Acrobatics 15-
 15     Bod    10        3      Breakfall 15-
 13     Int     3        3      Conversation 11-
 23     Ego    26       12      4 CSL with strike, grab, dodge
 10     Pre     0        6      4 CSL with strike, only to offset defensive
 20     Com     5               actions [bought as range levels]
 10     PD      5        2      KS: magic 11-
 10     ED      5        3      KS: martial arts 12-
  5     Spd    10        2      PS: dancer (DEX based) 15- [includes the
 10     Rec     0               point from everyman package]
 40     End    -3        2      PS: singer 11-
 40     Stn     0        5      science: linguistics 14-
	---------        2      science: psychology 11-
	Total 162        3      linguist (Japanese is native)
			12      languages: fluent English and Catonese
				conversational German, Basque, Russian,
				Persian, Arabic, Spanish, Gaelic and French
			 5      contact: Kanoo family (quite powerful) 12-
		      -----
			63 Total
Dex Roll: 15-
Int Roll: 12-
Per Roll: 12- (16- hearing)
Ego Roll: 13-

Cost    Powers:
	=======
 28     31 point martial arts multipower, -1/4 variable limitation
  4     (m) +20 STR, 0 END, no knockback, HTH combat only (-1/4)
  4     (m) +8 DEX, only for CV/dive for cover (-1/4)
	    dexterity (CV):  38 (13)   35 (12)   33 (11)   30 (10)
	    normal damage :    6d6       7d6       8d6       9d6
  1     (u) 4d6 aid to any physical stat, 1/2 END, healing only, full phase
	    [chi healing and meditition]
  2     (u) 1d6 flash to N-ray and all vision vs LOW (+0), 0 END, no range
	    [blinding nerve strike]
  1     (u) full missile deflection, +1 OCV, uses END [superior dodging]
  2     (u) 1d6+1 physical HKA, 0 END, no knockback, reduced penetration
	    (2d6+2 w/STR) [killing blow]
  1     (u) 2d6 NND vs armor special effect, 0 END, no range, must grab (-1/2)
	    [choke hold]
  2     (u) 5d6 penetrating HA, 0 END, no knockback, penetrating only (-1/4)
	    (8d6 w/STR) [nerve strike]
  1     (u) 50% resistant physical damage reduction, only if aware of attack
	    (-1/4), only against hand to hand attacks (-1/2), activate 15- 
	    [roll with or slip the blow]

 10     5 PD/5 ED armor, only if aware of attack and able to defend (-1/2)
  1     enhanced sense: detect magic, full phase, 1/2 DCV throughout
  8     enhanced sense: +4 enhanced hearing [language spell]
  3     enhanced sense: ultrasonic hearing [language spell]
  6     life support: does not age, immune to disease [life spell]
  5     10 points mental defense [magical defense spell]
  5     5 points power defense [magical defense spell]
 10     11" running
  5     2" stretching, indirect (+1/2), OAF (unbreakable, semi-universal) 
	ribbon, no noncombat stretch (-1/4), no fine manipulation (-1/4), 
	not in water (-1/4)
  6     11" superleap
	-----
105     Total

150+    Disadvantages:
====    ==============
 15     distinctive features: cute little red haired girl (concealable only
	with disguise skill) causes people to treat her as a child
 10     vulnerable: x2 STN from ultrasonic attacks [upsets delicate system]
 10     susceptible: 3d6 from being teleported [upsets delicate system]
  5     phys lim: legally a minor
  5     phys lim: requires special medical care (paramedic at -0)
  5     phys lim: completely colorblind [magical side effect]
 15     hunted by Demon (MP, NCI, mild, 8-) [detected some magic in her]
 10     enraged if innocent killed 14-/11-
 15     3d6 unluck
 20     psych lim: code against killing (common, total)
 15     psych lim: hates to decieve (uncommon, strong)
 10     psych lim: will not endanger innocents (uncommon, total)
 10     psych lim: adolecent emotions, lighthearted (common, moderate)
 40     expience spent (40 earned)
	-----
330     Total

Character Concept:

Tiko-chan's personality is the direct result of her unusual background. Since her physical and emotional development stopped at the age of 16, she often acts like a young, fun loving child. She is entranced by the unknown. As a result, she loves to travel and explore new places. She also loves to solve mysteries, although she is still quite unskilled at this. Her long training in the martial arts has given her a strict moral code, which includes never killing a sentient being, always protect and serve the needy, and never lie unless it is absoultely necessary. Finally, Tiko-chan is group oriented and prefers to work with other people. It is theorized that this is due to a combination of her undeveloped emotional state and the influence of asian thought (which often emphasizes the group over the individual) on her.

Tiko-chan has three primary talents: martial arts, gymnastics and linguistics. Her Martial Arts and gymnastics talents are the result of long and hard training. She has conditioned her body to it's very limits using martial arts training exercises. Indeed, her physical power and quickness are quite suprising.

The linguistic talent came from a magical spell cast on her many centuries ago by a Japanese wizard trying to circumvent the language barrier between Tiko and himself. The essence of the spell was to change her native language from Gaelic to Japanese. The spell worked reasonably well. However, there were unforseen side effects. Luckily for Tiko-chan, they are all beneficial. She gained a great aptitude for languages, and became capable of learning languages from just hearing them spoken. Also, complete knowledge of her knowledge of the Gaelic language was not completely removed, for she can still speak in the language despite the fact that she cannot remember ever being taught the language.

Explanation of Powers:

Tiko-chan's powers are fairly self evident. However, her multipower has an unorthodox -1/4 variable limitation, resulting in a -1/8 point savings. This disadvantage is on the reserve of the multipower. Each manuever in the multipower has at least a -1/4 limitation, satisfying the variable limitation without having to take further limitations on the spot. Using her multipower, she can simulate various martial arts manuevers by running different amounts of dexterity and strength. Her base damage is 6d6 normal at DEX 38, but she can also get 7d6 at DEX 35, 8d6 at DEX 33 and 9d6 at DEX 30. Furthermore, any of her special manuevers may be used at DEX 30 (except for missile deflection, which may be used at DEX 33). The flash is little complex, and deserves special attention. The special is a blinding nerve pinch, and the lack of weakness defense is appied to the flash damage instead of the flash defense. The logic is that the special defenses can be switched for +0 advantage (as they are attacks vs limited defenses) if the end result is not abusive. The NND vs armor special effect is a choke hold which prevents blood from reaching the brain. Any resistant defense with the special effect of a tough body will stop it, but the armor power with an absorption or forcefield special effect will not. For example, her own armor, with the special effect of reducing the damage by dodging the blows, would not work against this attack even though it is armor. The missile deflection is a superior dodging skill (which is why she can't use it to defend others), the penetrating hand attack is a nerve strike, the aid power is a form of Chinese healing and meditation which allows her to heal both herself and others and the 50% damage reduction is a roll with the blow or slip the blow.

Furthermore, Tiko-chan's STR is quite high. This is because she's had hundreds of years to exercise and train her body. Since she is still in the adaptive state of youth, her STR has been gradually improving due to all her hard training. It could be said that her muscle tone is at the peak of perfection. She is suprisingly strong. However, her body is so finely balanced that it is easy to mess up her metabolism. She has a special doctor who has spent 20 or so years working as her physician. She must have "research" done by her physician for him to really understand the treatment she needs. In truth, her body is the model of the perfect athlete and requires the special kind of training and care that athletes need.

Tiko-chan has abilities that are a result of various spells cast upon her by the magician before he died. The first of them is the life spell. This gives her life support: immunity to aging and immunity to disease. The second spell is the magical defense spell, which wards against all types of esoteric attacks, yielding power defense and mental defense. The final spell is the language spell, which gave Tiko-chan complete knowledge of the Japanese language, the linguist skill, ultrasonic and enhanced hearing. Her hearing is enhanced to the point where she can easily hear things such as active sonar. Note that Gaelic is her true native language, but has been repressed by the language spell.

The final power of interest is her stretching. The power is to simulate a special version of the ribbons used in gymnastic floor routines. It will let her do most of her multipower manuevers (except her healing and her missile deflection, since her missile deflection is defined as dodging). The focus is 'semi-universal', meaning that anyone with the appropriate training (acrobatics and dancer skills) can use it, but that it is useless to others. The ribbon was produced by Sci-Tech labs.

Finally, she has an unusual skill. She has 4 combat skill levels with strike "only to offset defensive actions." The effect is that she strikes so quickly that it is very difficult to defend against. They are bought as range levels, since range levels only help offset bonuses that the target would get from range. In any case, if the target performs a block or roll with the blow, Tiko's OCV is considered to be 4 higher than normal for determining success of this manuever only. Or if the target dodges, Tiko may add as many levels to her OCV as the defender gets points of DCV. So a normal dodge would be worth +0 DCV, but a martial dodge would be worth +1 DCV.

Tiko-chan has several unusual disadvantages. Due to the fact that she has honed her physical attributes to near-perfection, her metabolic system is very delicate and can be upset by things such as being teleported and ultrasonic attacks. She also needs specialized medical care by a physician who is willing to put extra time into learning about the delicate balances of her body.

Background:

Tiko-chan was born in the middle ages to a Gaelic merchant family. In their widespread travels, they became separated from their daughter. She was captured by a group of Mongols and kept as a slave girl. She served in that capacity for several years until the barbarians came across a little old Japanese man travelling alone. One of the warriors in the band gave the old man a difficult time, and the man responded with a terrifying display of arcane might, leaving the barbarian quite unconcious and his friends quite respecful. When the sorcerer noticed the young girl with flame-red hair amongst the black-haired asian barbarians and asked about her, the leader quickly "gave" her to him as a token of peace. Amused, the sorcerer took her and left. He quickly found that she could not speak any of the languages that he knew, so he magically adjusted her native tongue from unintelligible Gaelic to Japanese. The young girl apparently did not have a name, so he went about the business of naming her. After much reflection, he decided to adopt her and give her his family name. Thus he named her Kanoo Taeko. Shortly after, she mispronounced her own first name "Ti-ko" as the language spell had not completely taken hold yet. The old man was so entertained that he started calling her Tiko-chan. The old man quickly discovered her love to travel, and wishing her to see as much of the world as possible, set about the business of indefinitely extending her life. The plan was to cast a spell that would stop her aging processes when she had completely matured, but the spell stopped her aging immediatly instead, probably because her maturing seemed like aging to the spell. So, at the age of 16 years, her aging halted. Her mental development seemed to halt with it, and even when she was 37 years old she seemed like a teen-age child.

Therefore, Tiko got her wish and travelled the world, especially the asian continent. She loved physical activity, especially acrobatics and Martial Arts. She wandered China, Japan, the Phillipines and Okinawa, studying all forms of martial arts that she could find. She even went to India to study Kali, a unique Indian fighting style. As a result, her fighting style ended up being diverse but not specialized. She can remember learning martial arts from the masters who formulated them, including Kanoo Jigoro (Judo) and Otsuka Hirinori (Wado Ryu Karate Do), who she remembers specifically because they passed away not too long ago. Some of her favorite places to visit include Bhagdad, Iraq and Tokyo, Japan, but none of these compare in her mind to the beauty of her ancesteral homeland in Ireland, which she has had several opportunities to visit now.

However, most of her time has been spent with the Kanoo family, a quite innovative and powerful industrialist family in Japan. As a result of all the favors she has done them in the past, she has earned their respect and affection. Although she is hundreds of years old, the Taekoo family considers her to be their daughter.

About 450 years ago, Akira of the Kanoo family was born. He had natural martial arts talent, and Tiko-chan loved to work out with him. Akira's power complimented Tiko's agility and speed perfectly, and the two found that they made an effective fighting team. However, at the age of 23 Akira disappeared. He was presumed dead until a year ago, when he reappeared on a pirate ship in New York Harbor. Taking the name Misfit, Akira started his war on all the horrible crime that he saw. He eventually met up with Tiko-chan, and they teamed up again to make the land safe for everyone.

Tiko has developed a strong moral code from all her martial training, and in times of need she had always helped the needy. When the modern superhero evolved, she travelled to America in hopes of joining one of these new superteams. She encountered a hero named White Eagle, and asked to join his 'team.' He accepted, even though there was no formal team. Tiko has served with that team ever since.

Due to the special circumstances surrounding her past, Tiko-chan is considered to be a minor and a ward of the state. The martial arts superhero White Eagle currently holds the position of Tiko-chan's guardian. This is quite interesting becuase White Eagle is only 17 years old, using his disguise skill to appear older. (One martial artist looks young but is actually ancient and the other looks mature but is really a minor.)

Sample Encounter:

Although Tiko is no Criminologist, she loves to investigate crime. To this end, she carries her "Hero Kit," which contains many of the tools necessary for investigations. This includes things like a walkie-talkie, a flashlight, a small camera, etc. She never grows tired of solving puzzles. She can often be found unearthing clues on her own, often becuase she did not know that there was another superteam on the case. As such, she can easily become a factor in any investigation. Furthermore, her information has a certian "risk" to it because she is a complete ameteur at the art of investigation. This can lead to some interesting play.

An example of her investigative methods:
Tiko (at the scene of the crime): "Hmmm, better take a look around... Well, look at this. A matchbook to the Gothic City Hotel!"
White Eagle: "Tiko, that could have been left here by anyone."
Tiko: "Oh yeah? I'll bet it's real important. I'm saving it."
White Eagle: "Suit yourself..."

later...

White Eagle: "Wow! This paper is the critical piece of information we needed! Considering this, we now know that Vector is really behind all these crimes and where to find him."
Tiko: "Hmmm, I think I hear him coming. That sounds like his powers."
White Eagle: "If he sees that we have this we're sunk! We have to destroy this paper fast."
(Tiko reaches into her "hero kit" and produces a book of matches... Tiko: "I knew these would be important." (Flash, burn.)

An example of her in combat:
Powerhouse: "I'm gonna pound you little girl." [Strikes at her.]
Tiko: "Now, now. No need to be upset." [Dodges, DCV 20. Powerhouse misses.] "Can't we work this out? You'll get hurt at this rate."
Powerhouse: "Suck car, girl!" [Throws car.]
Tiko: "So sad." [Dives for cover with a 17- DEX roll.] "If that's the way you want it." [Tiko beats up Powerhouse with 9d6 strikes while maintaining a DCV of 14.]

Possible Extensions and Campaign Use:

Although Tiko-chan is already 330 points, there are many things that can be improved upon. Tiko-chan is no powerhouse, but rather a well balanced and diverse character. In the realm of combat ability, expanding her multipower pool would up her damage past 9d6 normal, and she could really use some defenses through OIF - armored costume from SciTech Enterprises and some other investigation gadgets. The combat skill levels could be expanded to levels with all hand to hand combat. Also, she could get defenses from various martial arts abilities, such as increasing the dodging based 5 PD/5 ED armor or investing in armor, requires a skill roll (KS: martial arts) to represent an "Iron Skin" discipline. However, she is not a weapons user, and will not carry weapons since she believes them to be impractical (they are not always there). She does not look at her ribbon as a weapon as it does not enhance her damage potential but it only enhances her reach. In the field of skills, she could soon develop criminology, deduction or other investigative skills. Finally, a better roll in her linguist skill plus more languages would not be out of order.
Taken from the pages of Jens-Arthur Leirbakk