Background
Werner Vertigo is a member of the former Vlatavan royal family turned super villain who inherited his families inner ear defect that was corrected with an electronic implant. He was able to modify the device to be able to cause vertigo in others. With the modified implant he embarked on a career of crime often coming into conflict with Green Arrow and Black Canary.
At some point his vertigo powers became internalized and his own inner ear problem became fixed. Also some how he gained the power of flight. At one point he was a member of the the Secret Society of Super Villains and the Injustice Society. He was even a member of the Suicide Squad and a White Knight in Checkmate.
Description
Werner is a tallish, blond haired, blue eyed man of regal bearing. He typically wears a green and black body suit with a cowl that hides about half of his face. On the costume's chest is what appears to either be rings or a stylized eye. He wears a large, green cloak to add to his "regal" appearance.
Powers
Count Vertigo's primary power is to cause vertigo in a target(s). This means he obstructs the target(s)' ability to reconcile their sensory input in relationship to themselves and to the world around them causing them to become nauseous, lose their balance or be unable to aim properly. This power also affects technological items like infrared sensors, targeting systems, motion detectors, etc...
The exact range of the power isn't listed but he can affect multiple fighter jets flying in formation as well as small tank battalions. He has even affected people watching him over video monitors. The power is even strong enough to effect the likes of Superman and Aquaman. That being said a well trained mind can learn to deal with the vertigo effect or at least one person had managed to do it.
He also has the power of flight. Once again the full extent of this power isn't stated so I would have assumed that he could probably fly between 40 and 60 mph but from examples I've found he can fly fast enough to intercept incoming fighter jets and can keep pace with a crashing jet so I would put his flight powers at somewhere closer to between 150 to 200 mph (I could be wrong of course). I'd say his flight powers may be equal to Angel's powers of flight minus the ability to carry 500lbs at arms in flight with him.
If I was Count Vertigo
This power set is of course awesome for military and police use. Take out incoming military vehicles, mess up snipers, set off sophisticated bombs systems and alarms, disable crowds, riot control, disarm terrorist, et cetera and so on. Now I'm not much of a joiner and I'm not the best at following orders so although I've mentioned that with certain power sets I might join the military or be a police officer. This power set lacks the protections provided by those sets. This is what I would call a support power set, meaning that it's great for helping others but not necessarily a power set that you would venture out alone with. You could if you were braver than me but I'm not into unnecessary risk taking.
I think I would run a neighborhood watch. It would be my way of training, getting used to how the powers works, its limits and an excuse to get my sorry carcass in shape. After that it's working in a private security firm. The going rate for someone who can neutralize targets en mass without touching them and can reach any place quickly no matter the terrain is very high, I'm sure.
Thanks for reading
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
If I was Angel
Background
Warren Worthington III is a mutant with feathery wings born into a wealthy family. In his teens he was invited to attend Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters as part of the first group of X-Men. Unlike the others Warren had already began a career as a superhero when at an other he boarding school. He wore a nightshirt as a costume and named himself the Avenging Angel. He has since had a long and illustrious superhero career with various groups like the Champions of Los Angeles, the Defenders and of course many incarnations of the various "X" groups.
Up until he lost his wings to amputation his powers remained stable but since then his powers have gone through a number of variations all based on his angelic theme. He was Death where he had techno organic wings with launchable poisoned feathers; (eventually) as Archangel he would maintain his usual powers but would transform back into Death again when enraged; finally he now possesses "angelic" powers from the "Celestial Seed of Life".
Powers
For this posting I'm going to stick with "classic Angel". Therefore his body is adapted for flight meaning his strength to weight ratio is higher than a normal human due to his body being more lean than average. His stamina and vision are also superior to normal although to what degree is not documented but one would assume not super humanly so but then they are geared toward high speed, long distance flight so still greater than the general population maybe even greater than an elite athlete. One would expect that his vision is naturally polarized to protect it from the harsh sun light at high altitudes and that like a bird he could see over further distances to permit navigation despite the heights he's flying at.
His wings are flexible and can be tied down so as to be concealed. His top flight speed is 150 mph (240kph) and his cruising speed is 70 mph (112kph). He can fly at his top speed for for up to half an hour and fly overall for 12 hours. He can perform a power dive for up to 180 mph (290 kph).
His maximum altitude is 29,000 feet (8840meters) and he can only maintain that height for several minutes. He routinely flies at 6,500 feet (1981 meters) but he could fly at 10,000ft (3,000 meters) just as easily.
He's capable of flying with up to 500lbs of cargo with him in flight. He's flown around carrying Colossus in his metal form. How much it affects his stamina has never been stated. It should noted that his arms are strong enough to carry a 500 lbs person so his overall general strength is fairly high.
I should note that Angel can get airborne from a standing position with just one wing beat. Also he is ridiculously agile in flight frankly beyond what feathered wings seem to permit.
If I was Angel
I would say that I wouldn't go out of my way to be a superhero. I mean if I could give a hand I would. I'm not a monster but I don't see having feathery wings as a real superhero power. If nothing else the wings would make you an excellent target. This is another one of those power sets that I think is more suited to enhancing your daily life.
This is of course an excellent travel power set. Seventy miles per hour in the air is better than seventy miles per hour following a road. However I'm more thinking of the wind through my feathers and hair. The ability to feel the flight, being dependent on air currants and rising up on thermals.
Having said that last sentence I would probably go into business with someone who wanted to open a hang gliding or sky diving business. If nothing else I could provide an extra security if shoots or hang gliders fail. I could also provide the ice breaker for getting people into the air for the first time. Hell if I really wanted to I could offer tandem flying runs. A whole new sport altogether. Heck maybe have clients wear the flight suits then carry them and drop them and pick them up again when they need to gain height again.
Yes that is what I would do if I was Angel. I would open a tandem flight business mixed with hang gliding and skydiving.
Thanks for reading.
Warren Worthington III is a mutant with feathery wings born into a wealthy family. In his teens he was invited to attend Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters as part of the first group of X-Men. Unlike the others Warren had already began a career as a superhero when at an other he boarding school. He wore a nightshirt as a costume and named himself the Avenging Angel. He has since had a long and illustrious superhero career with various groups like the Champions of Los Angeles, the Defenders and of course many incarnations of the various "X" groups.
Up until he lost his wings to amputation his powers remained stable but since then his powers have gone through a number of variations all based on his angelic theme. He was Death where he had techno organic wings with launchable poisoned feathers; (eventually) as Archangel he would maintain his usual powers but would transform back into Death again when enraged; finally he now possesses "angelic" powers from the "Celestial Seed of Life".
Powers
For this posting I'm going to stick with "classic Angel". Therefore his body is adapted for flight meaning his strength to weight ratio is higher than a normal human due to his body being more lean than average. His stamina and vision are also superior to normal although to what degree is not documented but one would assume not super humanly so but then they are geared toward high speed, long distance flight so still greater than the general population maybe even greater than an elite athlete. One would expect that his vision is naturally polarized to protect it from the harsh sun light at high altitudes and that like a bird he could see over further distances to permit navigation despite the heights he's flying at.
His wings are flexible and can be tied down so as to be concealed. His top flight speed is 150 mph (240kph) and his cruising speed is 70 mph (112kph). He can fly at his top speed for for up to half an hour and fly overall for 12 hours. He can perform a power dive for up to 180 mph (290 kph).
His maximum altitude is 29,000 feet (8840meters) and he can only maintain that height for several minutes. He routinely flies at 6,500 feet (1981 meters) but he could fly at 10,000ft (3,000 meters) just as easily.
He's capable of flying with up to 500lbs of cargo with him in flight. He's flown around carrying Colossus in his metal form. How much it affects his stamina has never been stated. It should noted that his arms are strong enough to carry a 500 lbs person so his overall general strength is fairly high.
I should note that Angel can get airborne from a standing position with just one wing beat. Also he is ridiculously agile in flight frankly beyond what feathered wings seem to permit.
If I was Angel
I would say that I wouldn't go out of my way to be a superhero. I mean if I could give a hand I would. I'm not a monster but I don't see having feathery wings as a real superhero power. If nothing else the wings would make you an excellent target. This is another one of those power sets that I think is more suited to enhancing your daily life.
This is of course an excellent travel power set. Seventy miles per hour in the air is better than seventy miles per hour following a road. However I'm more thinking of the wind through my feathers and hair. The ability to feel the flight, being dependent on air currants and rising up on thermals.
Having said that last sentence I would probably go into business with someone who wanted to open a hang gliding or sky diving business. If nothing else I could provide an extra security if shoots or hang gliders fail. I could also provide the ice breaker for getting people into the air for the first time. Hell if I really wanted to I could offer tandem flying runs. A whole new sport altogether. Heck maybe have clients wear the flight suits then carry them and drop them and pick them up again when they need to gain height again.
Yes that is what I would do if I was Angel. I would open a tandem flight business mixed with hang gliding and skydiving.
Thanks for reading.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
If I was Banshee
Background
Sean Cassidy (yeah I'm sure he was named after the singer but I can't say for sure) is a mutant who is the cousin of Black Tom (who I made an entry about previously) and father of Siryn (who now also goes by the name Banshee). He is most famous for being a X-Men and a number of the derivative groups there of but he started his career as an Interpol officer and later reluctantly as a criminal. His worst crimes were committed when he was kidnapped by the mutant group Factor Three who put a bomb device on his head and forced him to do his bidding. That brought him into contact with the X-Men who eventually freed him.
Description
Sean is what you would call a tall, "handsome devil" with blue eyes and strawberry blond hair. I believe he was created as some kind of Sean Connery clone but I couldn't say for sure. He was created before my time.
As an X-Man he has worn a number of costume variants of the X-Men uniforms as well a green and yellow version of his own individual costume. Regardless of the costume he wore they all had the one same feature, a pair of "wings' similar to the flap of skin of a flying squirrel that permits aids him control his flight.
Powers
Banshee has a combination of superhuman vocal cords and "psionic" abilities making him a master of sound. He is capable of generating a "sonic scream" that can be used to do things like generate concussive force, shattering/disintegrate objects (referred to as his sonic lance) or even counter other sources of vibrations like when he prevented Moses Magnum from unleashing earthquakes powerful enough to destroy japan. He can also use his voice in non-violent ways like putting people in trances, causing disorientation or even knocking them unconscious.
His psionic powers let him use his powers for things other than just yelling. He can use them to direct sound below and behind him, propelling him through the air in controllable flight at speeds apparently up to the speed of sound. He can also warp sound around him creating a sonic force field although I have no idea how effective of a shield it is as I have no comic books with him using his powers like that. His psionic abilities also protect him from being harmed by sound and sonic attacks.
Whether he has a specialized hearing mechanism or it's actually part of his psionic repertoire he is capable of using his voice for sonar. He has used it to scan a large underground compound from the outside with enough clarity for him to point out a safe place for Nightcrawler to teleport to even though neither of them had been inside the compound before.
As Black Tom is immune to his powers, he is immune to Black Tom's in return.
If I was Banshee
Well I'd learn to sing for one thing if only to give myself more vocal versatility. I haven't seen Sean portrayed as being a singer of any type other than after he's had a pint or two not unlike myself. I'd like to sing well and use my superhuman vocal powers to bring some joy to people and even bring some "spiritual up lifting". Singing does more than entertain people. When done right it moves people and inspires them in fact as mentioned above sound affects the human mind in many ways that have nothing to do with actually interpreting the sound.
With the discovery of directed sound I would have another skill to learn. Using directed sound you can talk to one person in a direct line from you and only they could hear you. I watched a documentary on it. It's really wild to see some one react to a sound while every one else around them is oblivious. It's not only an effective way of stealth communication, it's also an effective way of directing your sonic attack directly at the target you want to hit.
Mostly I would be a signer. The rest of the powers would be for my personal amusement. I would get around using the flight power. I would flirt at a distance using directed sound or maybe even learn to use a sound or two to make people "feel good".
Despite this power set's potential for destruction I can't see myself using it that way. Yes I would help if I saw someone was in trouble but I would use it to help people feel better. Actually if I'm to believe some medical claims, sound can be used to help harmonize the body back into health. The claims are controversial but if they were true I would learn how to use the powers that way. Maybe open my own "Healing and Harmony Center".
Thanks for reading
Sean Cassidy (yeah I'm sure he was named after the singer but I can't say for sure) is a mutant who is the cousin of Black Tom (who I made an entry about previously) and father of Siryn (who now also goes by the name Banshee). He is most famous for being a X-Men and a number of the derivative groups there of but he started his career as an Interpol officer and later reluctantly as a criminal. His worst crimes were committed when he was kidnapped by the mutant group Factor Three who put a bomb device on his head and forced him to do his bidding. That brought him into contact with the X-Men who eventually freed him.
Description
Sean is what you would call a tall, "handsome devil" with blue eyes and strawberry blond hair. I believe he was created as some kind of Sean Connery clone but I couldn't say for sure. He was created before my time.
As an X-Man he has worn a number of costume variants of the X-Men uniforms as well a green and yellow version of his own individual costume. Regardless of the costume he wore they all had the one same feature, a pair of "wings' similar to the flap of skin of a flying squirrel that permits aids him control his flight.
Powers
Banshee has a combination of superhuman vocal cords and "psionic" abilities making him a master of sound. He is capable of generating a "sonic scream" that can be used to do things like generate concussive force, shattering/disintegrate objects (referred to as his sonic lance) or even counter other sources of vibrations like when he prevented Moses Magnum from unleashing earthquakes powerful enough to destroy japan. He can also use his voice in non-violent ways like putting people in trances, causing disorientation or even knocking them unconscious.
His psionic powers let him use his powers for things other than just yelling. He can use them to direct sound below and behind him, propelling him through the air in controllable flight at speeds apparently up to the speed of sound. He can also warp sound around him creating a sonic force field although I have no idea how effective of a shield it is as I have no comic books with him using his powers like that. His psionic abilities also protect him from being harmed by sound and sonic attacks.
Whether he has a specialized hearing mechanism or it's actually part of his psionic repertoire he is capable of using his voice for sonar. He has used it to scan a large underground compound from the outside with enough clarity for him to point out a safe place for Nightcrawler to teleport to even though neither of them had been inside the compound before.
As Black Tom is immune to his powers, he is immune to Black Tom's in return.
If I was Banshee
Well I'd learn to sing for one thing if only to give myself more vocal versatility. I haven't seen Sean portrayed as being a singer of any type other than after he's had a pint or two not unlike myself. I'd like to sing well and use my superhuman vocal powers to bring some joy to people and even bring some "spiritual up lifting". Singing does more than entertain people. When done right it moves people and inspires them in fact as mentioned above sound affects the human mind in many ways that have nothing to do with actually interpreting the sound.
With the discovery of directed sound I would have another skill to learn. Using directed sound you can talk to one person in a direct line from you and only they could hear you. I watched a documentary on it. It's really wild to see some one react to a sound while every one else around them is oblivious. It's not only an effective way of stealth communication, it's also an effective way of directing your sonic attack directly at the target you want to hit.
Mostly I would be a signer. The rest of the powers would be for my personal amusement. I would get around using the flight power. I would flirt at a distance using directed sound or maybe even learn to use a sound or two to make people "feel good".
Despite this power set's potential for destruction I can't see myself using it that way. Yes I would help if I saw someone was in trouble but I would use it to help people feel better. Actually if I'm to believe some medical claims, sound can be used to help harmonize the body back into health. The claims are controversial but if they were true I would learn how to use the powers that way. Maybe open my own "Healing and Harmony Center".
Thanks for reading
Thursday, May 5, 2011
If I Was Iron Munro
Background
Arn (Arnold) Munro is the child of Hugo Danner (the DC Universe version). For those of you that don't know it is believed that Superman is "derived" from Hugo Danner from the novel Gladiator. Hugo had one last fling with a former lover before disappearing to South America. Arn was the result of that fling.
His powers developed at ten years old. His mother swore him to secrecy about them. When he was a senior in high school he rescued the superheroes TNT and Dan the Dyna-Mite members of the All-Star Squadron from a car accident. This led to him becoming a superhero as a member of the Young All-Stars.
As he grew older he became a member of the Freedom Force and even later became a secret agent under the code name Gladiator 1.
Iron Munro was added to the DC universe as a replacement for the Golden Age Superman that existed during World War 2 in the Pre-Crisis of Infinite Earths continuity. In the current continuity there was no Superman during World War 2.
Description
Iron Munro is a tall (6' 3"), handsome "superman" with black hair with a white "crest" and blue eyes. He looked a lot like Superman including the curl on the forehead. He tends not to wear a costume, preferring a tight t-shirt and slacks instead.
Powers
Iron Munro essentially has the powers of the golden age Superman: super strength, speed, leaping and a degree of invulnerability. In his adolescence he was said to be able to leap an eighth of a mile (660 feet) , run at 70 mph and that his skin could only be penetrated by a bursting shell. What he could lift was never defined but as an adult (at least according to his DC Wiki entry) he can lift 50 tons over his head at arms length. I assume as an adult he is even more powerful than described in his teen years. I'll assume he also has superhuman stamina as he has proven able to run along side a jeep for an extend period of time without needing a break.
If I was Iron Munro
I would become the unofficial protector of a city. It wouldn't go out of my way but I know if I saw something "going down" in front of me I would stop it. I would even go so far as to follow the police when I saw them flash their lights and blaring their sirens. I would have no problem keeping up with them and if there was something I could do you know I would do it. In fact I might actually train as a fireman then as a cop to give me a perspective on what is needed to help them and not make a nuisance of myself.
Another thing I would do is start a charity and raise money by doing shows of displaying my "powers". I would have people spreading rumors about how it's all fixed and that I have no actual powers. What I would raise money for I'm not sure so I might just start a foundation and use the foundation to donate to whatever charities I want.
This is another "pitch in" power set. You're basically useful in just about all situations when all your physical attributes are enhanced to a super human degree. "This kidney needs to get to the hospital in the next city and all the roads leading out of the city are closed." No problem super speed and jumping ability gets you past things like that. "There's a fifty car pile up and we need to separates the vehicles to get to the people trapped inside." No problem super strength covers it. "Oh my God! Someone opened fire in the local mall. We need someone to stop the gunman." No problem bulletproof skin.
Overall I would love this power set.
Thanks for reading.
Arn (Arnold) Munro is the child of Hugo Danner (the DC Universe version). For those of you that don't know it is believed that Superman is "derived" from Hugo Danner from the novel Gladiator. Hugo had one last fling with a former lover before disappearing to South America. Arn was the result of that fling.
His powers developed at ten years old. His mother swore him to secrecy about them. When he was a senior in high school he rescued the superheroes TNT and Dan the Dyna-Mite members of the All-Star Squadron from a car accident. This led to him becoming a superhero as a member of the Young All-Stars.
As he grew older he became a member of the Freedom Force and even later became a secret agent under the code name Gladiator 1.
Iron Munro was added to the DC universe as a replacement for the Golden Age Superman that existed during World War 2 in the Pre-Crisis of Infinite Earths continuity. In the current continuity there was no Superman during World War 2.
Description
Iron Munro is a tall (6' 3"), handsome "superman" with black hair with a white "crest" and blue eyes. He looked a lot like Superman including the curl on the forehead. He tends not to wear a costume, preferring a tight t-shirt and slacks instead.
Powers
Iron Munro essentially has the powers of the golden age Superman: super strength, speed, leaping and a degree of invulnerability. In his adolescence he was said to be able to leap an eighth of a mile (660 feet) , run at 70 mph and that his skin could only be penetrated by a bursting shell. What he could lift was never defined but as an adult (at least according to his DC Wiki entry) he can lift 50 tons over his head at arms length. I assume as an adult he is even more powerful than described in his teen years. I'll assume he also has superhuman stamina as he has proven able to run along side a jeep for an extend period of time without needing a break.
If I was Iron Munro
I would become the unofficial protector of a city. It wouldn't go out of my way but I know if I saw something "going down" in front of me I would stop it. I would even go so far as to follow the police when I saw them flash their lights and blaring their sirens. I would have no problem keeping up with them and if there was something I could do you know I would do it. In fact I might actually train as a fireman then as a cop to give me a perspective on what is needed to help them and not make a nuisance of myself.
Another thing I would do is start a charity and raise money by doing shows of displaying my "powers". I would have people spreading rumors about how it's all fixed and that I have no actual powers. What I would raise money for I'm not sure so I might just start a foundation and use the foundation to donate to whatever charities I want.
This is another "pitch in" power set. You're basically useful in just about all situations when all your physical attributes are enhanced to a super human degree. "This kidney needs to get to the hospital in the next city and all the roads leading out of the city are closed." No problem super speed and jumping ability gets you past things like that. "There's a fifty car pile up and we need to separates the vehicles to get to the people trapped inside." No problem super strength covers it. "Oh my God! Someone opened fire in the local mall. We need someone to stop the gunman." No problem bulletproof skin.
Overall I would love this power set.
Thanks for reading.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
If I Was A Water Bender
Background
Human beings in the World of Avatar learned the art of water bending from the Moon. How exactly that happened I'm not sure but that is how the legend goes.
Description
The northern and southern tribes and yes even the swamp tribe that produce the water benders are the World of Avatar's equivalent of our world's Inuit or Eskimo if you will but as a cultural note Inuit generally don't like being called Eskimos as it means "blubber eater" and is not the actual name of their people
Powers
Water benders use their chi to imitate the moon to push and pull on water. With training this becomes a complete art form that permits them to do all kinds of things far beyond just attracting and repelling water. All benders can do simple things like cause water to float up into the air or shape it into fluid forms like rings, whips and spheres. There is a long list of skills created to manipulate water in a variety of ways like creating water bullets or water running.
Aside from being able to simply move, shape and levitate water a water bender can alter its physical state by either freezing it or turning it into steam. Consequently they can also manipulate ice and steam as easily as they can manipulate water in its liquid state.
As with all bending techniques water bending requires the bender to be able to move in order to direct their chi to manipulate water. Although how much movement is needed is up for debate. Masters of great skill can actually manipulate their personal chi with very little need for movement. Although not a water bender King Bumi was able to use earth bending with just a simple head movement. He had no choice his body was restrained in an iron box. In a water bender's case the arms are the most important parts that needs to move.
A secondary skill with water bending that shows up from time to time is the ability to influence the chi in another living being's body causing accelerated healing when she (female water benders tend to be taught this skill or have a natural aptitude for it) covers the wound in water. This skill however can't cure birth defects or cause a subject's body to heal things that it couldn't naturally heal.
Water benders are strongest during the night of the full moon and powerless during a lunar eclipse. The new moon doesn't leave them powerless but they are definitely not at their most powerful then.
Other uniquely developed techniques include plant bending and blood bending. Plant bending works on bending the water inside a plant and blood bending is performed by bending the water found in blood. Unlike plant bending that can be used as long as water bending is possible blood bending can only be performed during a fool moon. Blood bending basically permits it's user to manipulate creatures with blood like puppets.
Water benders can draw water from virtually any source not just water that is obviously out in the open. A skilled water bender can draw water from the air (even when it's not raining or humid) and even from living beings. Katara used has used her own sweat.
How much water a bender can manipulate and how far away they can reach water from depends of their potential and training. Katara could manipulate enough water to separate the war ship she was standing on from another warship and even move it away from them.
If I Was A Water Bender
I live near a great lake and consequently a place with high precipitation. I wouldn't be at a loss for sources of water to manipulate. However I would still carry a water bottle with me or maybe a camel pack just to make sure I always have some.
Now if I were a water bender I would probably become a life guard. You know water bend the liquid out of the lungs of drowning victims, use water to lift people out of the water, or rescue people from undertow. You know let the water do the work that other life guards have to do manually.
I would also use water bending to cook. In more than one episode Katara has used it to stir and serve soup. You can do more than that however. With the power to alter the state of the water you could boil water without adding a fire or freeze it without using a freezer. Not only could you boil and steam food you can act as a living microwave over. Microwave ovens cook thing by heating up the water inside them. On top of that you can can also make frosty drinks and desserts. You could offer a full dinner. It might behoove me to expand my cooking repertoire and take up mixology so I could offer a complete restaurant service.
Since I live in the cold, cold north water bending offers me something else. One I don't need to buy snowshoes, skis or skates or even a snowmobile. I can use one of the many water bending techniques to travel along the snow and ice that covers the ground and water. Also I would never lack for anything to bend at that time. I think my winter would consist of doing two main things: shoveling driveways and roads; and ice sculpting. There would of course be other activities. I would make giant ice rinks for people to skate on during a winter festival but I'm sure I would be spending most of my winter making sure people weren't trapped in their homes and that emergency vehicles can get where they're needed.
Personally I'd use my bending to make sure that I always have a "sauna" or "hot spring" whenever the opportunity presents itself. I love how relaxing those are. I'd also buy myself a canoe that I can use to ride around in. Especially in the winter. I can see me sliding around on the snow doing my shopping. Then making my way to the river that divides the town in two and take off to my sister's cottage in a near by lake. For the first time in a while we would be able to keep it open year round.
I might also learn to build ice buildings like an ice hotel. If I did I know I would build myself an ice fortress during the winter and stay in there. Arm it with huge snow and ice balls. It would have many slides and doors only I could open.
Thanks for reading.
Human beings in the World of Avatar learned the art of water bending from the Moon. How exactly that happened I'm not sure but that is how the legend goes.
Description
The northern and southern tribes and yes even the swamp tribe that produce the water benders are the World of Avatar's equivalent of our world's Inuit or Eskimo if you will but as a cultural note Inuit generally don't like being called Eskimos as it means "blubber eater" and is not the actual name of their people
Powers
Water benders use their chi to imitate the moon to push and pull on water. With training this becomes a complete art form that permits them to do all kinds of things far beyond just attracting and repelling water. All benders can do simple things like cause water to float up into the air or shape it into fluid forms like rings, whips and spheres. There is a long list of skills created to manipulate water in a variety of ways like creating water bullets or water running.
Aside from being able to simply move, shape and levitate water a water bender can alter its physical state by either freezing it or turning it into steam. Consequently they can also manipulate ice and steam as easily as they can manipulate water in its liquid state.
As with all bending techniques water bending requires the bender to be able to move in order to direct their chi to manipulate water. Although how much movement is needed is up for debate. Masters of great skill can actually manipulate their personal chi with very little need for movement. Although not a water bender King Bumi was able to use earth bending with just a simple head movement. He had no choice his body was restrained in an iron box. In a water bender's case the arms are the most important parts that needs to move.
A secondary skill with water bending that shows up from time to time is the ability to influence the chi in another living being's body causing accelerated healing when she (female water benders tend to be taught this skill or have a natural aptitude for it) covers the wound in water. This skill however can't cure birth defects or cause a subject's body to heal things that it couldn't naturally heal.
Water benders are strongest during the night of the full moon and powerless during a lunar eclipse. The new moon doesn't leave them powerless but they are definitely not at their most powerful then.
Other uniquely developed techniques include plant bending and blood bending. Plant bending works on bending the water inside a plant and blood bending is performed by bending the water found in blood. Unlike plant bending that can be used as long as water bending is possible blood bending can only be performed during a fool moon. Blood bending basically permits it's user to manipulate creatures with blood like puppets.
Water benders can draw water from virtually any source not just water that is obviously out in the open. A skilled water bender can draw water from the air (even when it's not raining or humid) and even from living beings. Katara used has used her own sweat.
How much water a bender can manipulate and how far away they can reach water from depends of their potential and training. Katara could manipulate enough water to separate the war ship she was standing on from another warship and even move it away from them.
If I Was A Water Bender
I live near a great lake and consequently a place with high precipitation. I wouldn't be at a loss for sources of water to manipulate. However I would still carry a water bottle with me or maybe a camel pack just to make sure I always have some.
Now if I were a water bender I would probably become a life guard. You know water bend the liquid out of the lungs of drowning victims, use water to lift people out of the water, or rescue people from undertow. You know let the water do the work that other life guards have to do manually.
I would also use water bending to cook. In more than one episode Katara has used it to stir and serve soup. You can do more than that however. With the power to alter the state of the water you could boil water without adding a fire or freeze it without using a freezer. Not only could you boil and steam food you can act as a living microwave over. Microwave ovens cook thing by heating up the water inside them. On top of that you can can also make frosty drinks and desserts. You could offer a full dinner. It might behoove me to expand my cooking repertoire and take up mixology so I could offer a complete restaurant service.
Since I live in the cold, cold north water bending offers me something else. One I don't need to buy snowshoes, skis or skates or even a snowmobile. I can use one of the many water bending techniques to travel along the snow and ice that covers the ground and water. Also I would never lack for anything to bend at that time. I think my winter would consist of doing two main things: shoveling driveways and roads; and ice sculpting. There would of course be other activities. I would make giant ice rinks for people to skate on during a winter festival but I'm sure I would be spending most of my winter making sure people weren't trapped in their homes and that emergency vehicles can get where they're needed.
Personally I'd use my bending to make sure that I always have a "sauna" or "hot spring" whenever the opportunity presents itself. I love how relaxing those are. I'd also buy myself a canoe that I can use to ride around in. Especially in the winter. I can see me sliding around on the snow doing my shopping. Then making my way to the river that divides the town in two and take off to my sister's cottage in a near by lake. For the first time in a while we would be able to keep it open year round.
I might also learn to build ice buildings like an ice hotel. If I did I know I would build myself an ice fortress during the winter and stay in there. Arm it with huge snow and ice balls. It would have many slides and doors only I could open.
Thanks for reading.
Monday, March 28, 2011
If I Had Freya's Cloak
Background
Freya's cloak is a magical cloak. Who made it and where it comes from is unclear. It is never mentioned in the comic books nor in folklore who created it.
Description
The cloak is made of golden feathers and seems to be a full thick winter cloak.
Powers
Freya's cloak permits it's wearer to transform into a falcon while retaining their mental faculties such as their personality and memory and intelligence as long they choose.
If I had Freya's Cloak
Not that this will be the most exciting entry as far as what I would do but it is one of those where you just sit back and think of the possibility of things. Firstly one has to consider that the falcon is a bird of prey. So if you're starving you can go hunting and find food. Secondly falcon's are small creatures relative to humans so if you found yourself homeless it would be easier to find a place to bed down for the night by assuming your falcon form and sleeping in a small space in an abandoned building or mountain ledge.
Since falcons fly and can soar using the cloak on a daily basis is good for the environment. Instead of driving your car or taking mass transit you just put on the cloak and transform yourself and fly yourself where ever you are going: to work, visiting friends and families or just for a joy ride. As a falcon you can even carry small items under five pounds with you as long as you have the means to grasp it. So in theory you can do at least some of your groceries or other shopping traveling as a falcon. If you wanted to take a solo vacation you could travel as a falcon since they're migratory birds and usually migrate alone. You would have to have your luggage sent ahead of you but you could fly to your destination and then pick up your luggage and check in.
Thanks for reading
Freya's cloak is a magical cloak. Who made it and where it comes from is unclear. It is never mentioned in the comic books nor in folklore who created it.
Description
The cloak is made of golden feathers and seems to be a full thick winter cloak.
Powers
Freya's cloak permits it's wearer to transform into a falcon while retaining their mental faculties such as their personality and memory and intelligence as long they choose.
If I had Freya's Cloak
Not that this will be the most exciting entry as far as what I would do but it is one of those where you just sit back and think of the possibility of things. Firstly one has to consider that the falcon is a bird of prey. So if you're starving you can go hunting and find food. Secondly falcon's are small creatures relative to humans so if you found yourself homeless it would be easier to find a place to bed down for the night by assuming your falcon form and sleeping in a small space in an abandoned building or mountain ledge.
Since falcons fly and can soar using the cloak on a daily basis is good for the environment. Instead of driving your car or taking mass transit you just put on the cloak and transform yourself and fly yourself where ever you are going: to work, visiting friends and families or just for a joy ride. As a falcon you can even carry small items under five pounds with you as long as you have the means to grasp it. So in theory you can do at least some of your groceries or other shopping traveling as a falcon. If you wanted to take a solo vacation you could travel as a falcon since they're migratory birds and usually migrate alone. You would have to have your luggage sent ahead of you but you could fly to your destination and then pick up your luggage and check in.
Thanks for reading
Saturday, February 26, 2011
If I Was a Champion of Shazam
Background
Super Wisdom: Essentially this amounts to super intelligence, super memory, intuitive clairvoyance making them more aware of their environment making it easier to make accurate guesses. It also includes access to vast amounts of knowledge among other things making them "omni-lingual" as well as aware of the magical nature of the world.
6,000 years ago the wizard Shazam decided that he needed someone who could succeed him as a champion of the Earth. The gods that empowered the wizard himself had long since been forgotten by humans so he petitioned more contemporary ones to give the new champion powers. He has done this at least three times. Once for Black Adam, a second time for Isis and a third time for Billy Batson. These "godly" powers sets have been shared with or used by others such as with the Marvel Family and Black Marvel Family. Black Adam has also used the powers of Isis after she died when he couldn't access his own powers.
Description
Anyone who is a champion of Shazam becomes more "heroic" looking versions of themselves. Generally in males it means being larger and more lean and muscular and in Billy Batson's case he assumed an adult version of himself. With women it's hard to say if they change at all since they're already drawn as attractive and idyllic in the first place but I should say that the most recent Isis seemed taller and had a more impressive physical presence and her brother noted that she looked prettier. I should note that Black Adam for some reason has pointed ears.
The males who become champions of Shazam all have essentially the same basic uniform. A body suit of one specific color: Billy Batson in red, Teth Adam in black and Freddy Freeman in blue. The body suit comes with golden "folded over cuff" boots, banded arm bracers and sash as well as having a large golden stylized lightning bolt on the chest. Osiris' costume is a slight variation on Black Adams having no sash, the lightning bolt on his chest is much broader and extends to going over his shoulders and his boots are banded like the arm bracers. Both Freddy and Billy have capes attached by golden "rope". The capes are white with golden trim and golden stitching.
Both Isis and Mary Marvel have different costumes. Isis dressed like Egyptian royalty including golden sandals and bracelets. Mary wore a costume similar in design to Captain Marvel but had a short dress instead of a body suit and lacked the banded arm bracers and wore "slippers" instead of boots. She later wore a white version of her costume to differentiate herself from her brother.
Powers
All the Champions of Shazam have the power to cast a spell that transforms them into a heroic looking version of themselves powered by a variety of gods (or godly immortals) or in Isis' case only one.
With the exception of Isis all the champions of Shazam had the following powers regardless of the Gods that empower them but their power levels very somewhat depending on the individual god or god-like being giving the particular power as example it would seem that Amon is stronger than Hercules since Black Adam seems stronger than Captain Marvel.
Super Strength: Super strength on par with Superman permitting them to move at least Earth size planets. The supernatural nature of the strength permits them to lift massive objects with out damaging them by the simple act of lifting and moving them.
Super Stamina: Essentially the raw ability to endure physical exertion for possibly an unlimited period of time. It also includes the ability to survive in outer space as well as other hostile environments. They do not need to eat, sleep, or breathe when transformed.
Power: This essentially grants them magical powers. Among them the ability to travel to the dimension that houses the Rock of Eternity where Shazam lives, the ability to use the magical lighting that transforms them for a number of uses such as healing themselves, powering magical spells, charging their fists for lighting punches and electrocuting an opponent by placing them between themselves and the lightning bolt when they call it. It also gives them their great resistance to magic and great magical potential should they pursue the study of sorcery.
Super Courage: Aside from giving them super human inner strength permitting them to persevere in the face of adversity and emotional strain. Somehow this also includes virtual physical invulnerability.
Super Speed: This permits them to move and fly at speeds greater than that of light as well as making them faster than Superman. They also have the appropriate reaction time to go with that speed. They are capable of interplanetary and interstellar travel under their own power.
Although each champion with the exception of Isis all possess the same type of powers their power levels are not all necessarily equal. As an example Black Adam is physically stronger than Captain Marvel because in the DC Universe Amon is considered stronger than Hercules.
I guess the first thing would be to decide who would be my "godly" benefactors. I figure since I have Scandinavian heritage on my maternal grandfather's side I'll go with the Norse gods. If your familiar with Norse mythology you know I won't be able to spell out Shazam using the first letters of each gods name but since Isis had no such limitation I won't put that limit on myself either for this entry.
Odin (wisdom) He drank from Mimir's well of wisdom, hung himself from or had himself stuck to the Tree of Life by a spear so he could learn the secrets of the rune stones as well as using his two ravens to permit him to keep abreast of what is going on in the world at all times.
Magni (strength) he was stronger than his father Thor (who can beat mountains into valleys) even at 3 yrs old.
Ull (stamina) essentially the god whose life style requires more stamina then any other god since among other things he is the god of snow shoes, winter, hunting and the chase.
Thor (power) well for the obvious connection to lightning as the god of thunder and being among the the most powerful Norse gods but also because he is actually a fairly impressive spell caster. He kills the goats that pull his chariot so he has something to eat then the next day then he casts a spell that returns them to life.
Balder (courage) he is essentially the godly embodiment of hope and hope breeds courage even in the darkest times. Aside from that Balder can't be harmed by anything but mistletoe.
Zoran (speed) he is known not only for his own speed but for the ability to build vehicles that also travel at ridiculously incredible speeds.
I would imagine that I would end up with a green or indigo version of Black Adam's costume and that I would end up with gauntlets instead of just arm bracers.
The transformed state of the champions does not age making them virtually immortal if they remained in that form all the time. Black Adam is thousands of years old but only appears as an adult in his prime.
Although each champion with the exception of Isis all possess the same type of powers their power levels are not all necessarily equal. As an example Black Adam is physically stronger than Captain Marvel because in the DC Universe Amon is considered stronger than Hercules.
If I Was a Champion of Shazam
I guess the first thing would be to decide who would be my "godly" benefactors. I figure since I have Scandinavian heritage on my maternal grandfather's side I'll go with the Norse gods. If your familiar with Norse mythology you know I won't be able to spell out Shazam using the first letters of each gods name but since Isis had no such limitation I won't put that limit on myself either for this entry.
Odin (wisdom) He drank from Mimir's well of wisdom, hung himself from or had himself stuck to the Tree of Life by a spear so he could learn the secrets of the rune stones as well as using his two ravens to permit him to keep abreast of what is going on in the world at all times.
Magni (strength) he was stronger than his father Thor (who can beat mountains into valleys) even at 3 yrs old.
Ull (stamina) essentially the god whose life style requires more stamina then any other god since among other things he is the god of snow shoes, winter, hunting and the chase.
Thor (power) well for the obvious connection to lightning as the god of thunder and being among the the most powerful Norse gods but also because he is actually a fairly impressive spell caster. He kills the goats that pull his chariot so he has something to eat then the next day then he casts a spell that returns them to life.
Balder (courage) he is essentially the godly embodiment of hope and hope breeds courage even in the darkest times. Aside from that Balder can't be harmed by anything but mistletoe.
Zoran (speed) he is known not only for his own speed but for the ability to build vehicles that also travel at ridiculously incredible speeds.
I would imagine that I would end up with a green or indigo version of Black Adam's costume and that I would end up with gauntlets instead of just arm bracers.
With power to literally reshape the world I figure I would start off by watching it every day from orbit. Really learning to fall in love with it and those that inhabit it. You have to I think. If you can wipe out life on a planet by throwing a tantrum you have to have enough love in your heart for it so that you react to what happens in the world with care and understanding instead of anger and frustration.
At first I would maintain a secret identity and would lead a full "normal" life doing a variety of jobs to make sure I could see things from a variety of people's perspectives. I would probably even get married and raise a family before fully immersing myself in the role of champion. When they pass and if I hadn't shared my power with them for whatever reason then I would start dealing with world leaders and establishing my presence full time as the world's protector.
I would set up a world wide non-profit organization that people could volunteer at to keep me in touch with those I would be protecting. To help people you need to know what they need in the first place. It's not right to just assume you know. If you do that you become a tyrant not a helper when you wield so much power.
Thanks for reading.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
If I Was Vanisher
Background
Vanisher is one of the X-Men's oldest enemies. Over the years he has gone from major villain with his own henchmen to an X-team indentured transporter (since he can teleport other people as well as himself) until he was killed by a Sentinel.
Description
Vanisher is a bald man of average height and build with green eyes who now has tribal tattoos. By the end of his career he gave up wearing a costume.
Powers
The Vanisher can teleport himself and extra mass. Technically it seems he passes at an incredible speed through another dimension and reappears on Earth. So fast it seems that neither he nor the inhabitants of that dimension are aware of his passing through it.
His powers are "psionic" in nature and includes an instinctual spatial awareness ability that permits him to "teleport blind" to anywhere in his range. In other words he may want to teleport behind a closed door but if there is something that would prevent from him "materializing" there he will know not to teleport there even if he may not know what was in the way or any other detail of the area.
The maximum range of his teleportation powers is not yet been declared but he has teleported himself and seven other people from Southern California to an island north east of Madagascar. When he assembled the Fallen Angels (a group of young mutants runaways) he regularly teleported ten others including a 20 feet tall, 6000 lb. dinosaur.
If I Was Vanisher
I think I've talked enough about liking to explore and how I'd use various super powers to do it. Well the ability to teleport blind makes it even easier to explore places I haven't been. Also it makes taking vacations easier or even group vacations. The places that are opened up to you when you can get there almost instantaneously; a Maui beach in the afternoon and dinner by the Eiffel Tower at night. Imagine you're watching television and you're thinking the place you're watching seems like it would be a great place to visit so you just teleport there and check it out in real time. Then you come back and watch the rest of the show.
This is another one of those power sets that are life changing. The ability to move freely through the world in literally the blink of an eye makes it all different. I would have to do something life changing with it. I could do like Harry Keogh the Necroscope and use it to be the most kickass weapon delivery system ever. "Put the bomb where?" Poof. Poof again. "Okay It's there." But I'm thinking more about delivering medical supplies and even transporting patients and doctors quickly to the places they need to be in an emergency.
I might actually wear a costume that hides my identity. That way I can help the police and military out without being identified by those I've helped them against and that they themselves do not abuse my help. It's not that I think poorly of everyone in the police and military but I know that these are large organizations with authority over people's lives and not every one giving the orders is necessarily interested in everyone's best interests. Don't take my word for it read history books or pay attention to the news.
To indulge my "darkside" I would do a lot of breaking and entering minus the breaking part. My sense of exploration would eventually lead to me teleporting into businesses after hours just to see what they're like after hours. Like how a hacker breaks into a system just to see what's there but doesn't do anything with the data they've seen. I might also become a scourge to preservation lands teleporting into them most often unwittingly just to see what it's like where I'm not suppose to go. I can also see myself transporting into royal palaces and the homes of world leaders just to see how they live. I could really get myself into a lot of trouble.
If nothing else I would develop a combat style based around teleportation. A lot of dodging by teleporting and quick counter attacks by shifting my position to an exposed area on my opponent. Among the deadlier moves would be teleporting myself in such a way that when I materialize my weapon appears inside my opponent but then that might not be possible given the intuitive spatial awareness that prevents teleporting into solid objects. Regardless it should be an effective combat style especially since I would dedicate a room to housing various weapons that I would use in combat and teleport there to switch weapons as needed.
Thanks for reading.
Monday, February 14, 2011
If I Was Black Tom
Background
Thomas Cassidy is an Irish born mutant with a knack from crime who is the cousin of the former X-Man Banshee. He is the long time partner in crime of the Juggernaut and the two have fought the X-Men on many occasions.
Description
Black Tom is a tall, well put together man (6' tall, 200 lbs) with black hair and brown eyes. Typically he wears a goatee.
His current costume is a black body suit with red ankle high "boots" with a black over coat with red trim on the sleeves and something like a large bat shaped "T" as its emblem.
Powers
Black Tom has the ability to project bolts of heat, concussive force or both simultaneously that he must project through a wooden medium such as his shillelagh which is unharmed by its use. There doesn't seem to be a specified limit to his powers but it is noted that he can melt metals with his heat blasts and can wreak "considerable havoc" with the concussive force.
He is immune to the powers of his cousins Banshee and Siryn.
If I Was Black Tom
One of the first things I would do is set up my house to have easily accessible pieces of wood in every room. With that done I would move to making myself a "side arm". Among my choices would be wands of various styles. There are tons of websites that sell ornately crafted wands. Some look pretty nice. I may keep a wand or two up my sleeve. I may make use of my own carving skills to make gun shaped carvings, maybe a variety of dragons or "laser guns". I even thought it might be cool to make wooden replicas of Iron Man's gauntlets. If nothing else I would wear a couple of rings carved from wood on each hand.
Another thing I would do is make sure all my bowls and plates were made of wood as well as my serving and baking utensils. That way I could use a low level heat blast to warm food in them. Possibly I could use the force aspect of the concussive blast to mix things or at least shake them up. Having said that I might make a number of hand tools out of wood that can make use of my blasts. Or I might just use chopsticks for wood burning and carving. With a lot of practice I may even develop laser-like precision in cutting using the powers.
I know that as with all energy blast powers I would like to see at how low of a level of output I could use the energy blasts. I would like to use the concussive element of the blast to push things with minimal damage to them and I would like to be able to use the heat element of it to warm a person or a room without burning them.
I might also find ways to use my powers for propulsion. A wooden paddle would be a great tool to push myself along in a canoe. I might use a wooden board to move along the water or on the snow by projecting force out the back of it. I might create a flying rig that lets me use the blast power that I can guide with my arms. Possibly a safety harness attached to some gauntlet-like arm rockets.
I might also take up kendo and become a swordsman. That way I could use the wooden practice swords in all kinds of cool martial arts way. That may lead me to playing local protector or at least trying to be useful.
Thanks for reading.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
If I Was Jade
Background
Jennifer-Lynn Hayden is the daughter of Allan Scott the original Green Lantern of Earth who derived his power from a Lantern created from the Star Heart rather than a Green Lantern Corps' Power Battery. For some reason that I don't know Jennifer-Lynn was born with a connection to the Star Heart that gives her Green Lantern-like powers.
She has had a long, distinguished career as a super heroine and was a member of many super groups and was even at one point the leader of the Outsiders. When her connection to the Star Heart was severed she lost her powers and became a member of the Green Lantern Corps serving as Earth's Green Lantern.
Description
Jade like virtually all super heroines is an attractive, athletic female. At one point she made a living modeling. Where she differs is that she is green. Not only does she have green eyes and hair, she has green skin as well.
She wears a green and white costume with what looks like a green stylized atom for its emblem.
Powers
As a conduit for the Star Heart she has extensive energy manipulation powers. Most notably she can create "constructs" out of the green energy of the Star Heart like shields, hands, swords, simple geometric shapes, force fields or whatever she can imagine. Although her power manifests itself with an accompanying green light phenomena, she can manipulate a variety of natural forces and energies like gravity, radiation, heat and light.
Aside from solid energy forms she can use her powers to make herself invisible, fly, pass through solid objects (although apparently she moves through the "4th Dimension" do do that). She can project beams of heat or force or blinding light and can hypnotize people. As some natural defense she can even when unconscious produce a protective aura that not only protects from harm from external attacks and hostile environments but can also sustain her when there is no oxygen or suitable atmosphere.
Being a conduit for the Star heart she possesses a number of super human sensory powers. She is essentially aware of and can perceive the entire electromagnetic spectrum and is also capable of sensing and perceiving magical and spiritual phenomena. Her sensory powers also give her the ability to "detect danger". The source of danger is "highlighted" in green.
She is capable of more feats than I've listed but those are the most common use of her powers. It is said that like with the Green Lanterns including her father the true limit of her powers is the strength of her will and the quality of her imagination. That being said due to the Star Heart's particular magical nature it is most effective against metals and least effective against plant life, wood being totally immune to it. Other forms of plant life can still be affected but to a lesser degree than things from the animal and mineral kingdoms.
If I Was Jade
Well...I'd be green but I wouldn't care. When I'm having a bad day I would sing "It's Not Easy Being Green" like Kermit the Frog does.
I'd train myself to have a number of attacks and defenses to the point that they are intuitive. I would also declare myself the "Supernatural Protector of the Planet". From there I would choose a country and make them a super power. I would do that because I don't specifically want to rule the world. It sounds cool at first but it's an incredible pain in the ass in the long run. You rule things because you want to be in charge. Being in charge means you're responsible for everyone you're in charge of. Way too much a pain in the ass. So instead I'd let others deal with that. If I like what they're doing I back them with my power. If I don't I let them do it on their own or take them down.
Another reason I don't want to be in charge is because with Jade's power level I'd prefer to be tackling natural disasters like tsunamies, land slides, earth quakes, ect... I'd also like to tackle cleaning up space debris, processing landfills, repelling asteroids, cleaning up pollution, that kind of thing.
Another thing I would do is explore the solar system for other forms of life or new elements and materials that don't exist on Earth and either bring them back for research or bring researchers to them. Once again I would increase humanity's knowledge of the universe.
Thanks for reading.
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