Morpheus Unbound | Supporting Cast | GURPS
a.k.a. Alpha Stone
created January 1996 by P.
Rogers
ST 10 (0 points)
DX 10 (0 points)
IQ 14 (45 points)
HT 14 (45 points)
Damage: Thrust 1d-2, Swing 1d, Punch 1d-3, Kick 1d-1, Speed 6.0, Move
7, Fatigue 10
Appearance: African-American male, age 26, 5'6", 150 lbs., brown eyes,
and well-trimmed dark brown hair
Total Points: 500 (2 unspent)
Advantages
Acute Vision +8 (16 points)
Charisma +3 (15 points)
Unusual Background: Super (50 points)
Disadvantages
Enemy: Louis Farks, head of a Detroit criminal organization, 6 or less (-5
points)
Unluckiness (-10 points)
Vow: to bring Louis Farks to justice (-5 points)
Super Advantages
360 degree Vision (25 points)
Dark Vision (can see colors +20%, 30 points)
Independently Focusable Eyes (15 points)
Infravision (15 points)
Magnetic Sense +2 (linked to Microscopic Vision +20%, 12 points)
Microscopic Vision +10 (linked to Magnetic Sense +20%, 48 points)
Nictating Membrane +3 (30 points)
Penetrating Vision +5 (50 points)
Polarized Eyes (5 points)
See Invisible (15 points)
Spectrum Vision (40 points)
Telescopic Vision +5 (30 points)
Skills
Biochemistry-13 (4 points), Chemistry-15 (6 points), Computer Operation-14
(1 point), Driving (Stock Car)-10 (1 point), Electronics Operation (Medical)-14
(2 points), Genetics-14 (8 points), Karate-10 (4 points), Language (English,
Native)-14 (0 points), Lockpicking-14 (2 points), Politics-14 (2 points),
Running-14 (4 points), Scrounging-14 (1 point)
Quirks
Doesn't drink wine or liquer, only beer
Wears dark sunglasses as Jackson Optic, even indoors
Doesn't notice changing light levels, keeps working even if the room is
dark
Non-super Equipment
Kevlar vest
Glock pistol
Mace chemical spray
Story
Alpha Stone grew up in Detroit. He started out on the streets, but moved into the suburbs with his mom and new stepfather when he was 10. His new stepfather was a police forensics expert, and it was from him that young Alpha developed an interest in chemistry.
At age 16, Stone started working during the summer in the Ford automotive plants to earn money for college. While there, he had his first experience with the name Farks, when he overhead two co-workers talking about getting loan money from Farks, but not being able to pay right away. Three weeks later, while on a hunting trip one of those employees was accidently shot and the other broke both legs. People suspected it was Farks, but no charges were ever pressed.
Stone eventually attended the University of North Dakota and earned his B.S. in Chemistry. During the summers, he would return to Detroit and work in the Ford plant to earn money. It seemed that each year the name "Farks" came up more and more often. One evening over dinner, he asked his step-father about "Farks". In bitter tones, Stone's step-father explained that Louis Farks was a Detroit loan-shark. Originally, Farks had been fairly small time, but he was moving up and trying his hand at organizing the local street gangs. The police department had been trying to build a case against Farks for a long time, but to date couldn't make anything stick. After earning his B.S. in Chemistry, Stone worked for the Upjohn corporation in the Detroit area for three years as a chemical engineer's lab assistant.
In 1993, Stone decided to earn his Master's Degree in bio-chemistry. At both Ford and Upjohn, he had occassionally worked with meta-humans, and Stone had developed a practical interest in how they're abilities worked. Stone entered the Master's program at the University of Detroit and landed a position as research assistant to Doctor Alexander Mangin. Among his other accomplishments, Mangin had done some genetic typing which had provided conclusive evidence against two of Louis Farks "employees " in a recent kidnapping case. Unlucky as he is, Stone was in the lab one evening when Farks and two of his thugs broke into the lab. The thugs captured Stone and held him while Farks stalked about the lab, ranting and raving about his revenge. Fa ks found some of Stone's personal items and discovered that Stone's step-father was the police forensics expert who had shut down his drug distribution operation. In a rage, Farks poured a boiling viral culture into Stone's eyes, shouting "all you microscope people are bad for my business!", and fled the building.
Weeks passed, and Stone still wore bandages over his eyes. He had tried to file charges against Farks, but even with Stone's testimony, there was not enough evidence to take the case to trial. While recovering at home, the material in the viral culture "infected" Stone's damaged eyes and regenerated and mutated the tissue. Though still wearing bandages, Stone discovered he could see through them. He quickly guessed at what had happened, and with a little experimenting learned the range of his new vision powers. Working quietly and leaving the police tips under the name "Jackson Optic", Stone was able to arrange the arrest of several of Farks' thugs, but could not nail Farks himself. He keeps trying, though, and one day, he hopes to put Farks in prison.
Campaign Role
Stone eventually finished his degree, and now works as a scientific consultant. Characters with scientific contacts might meet Stone at a conference, or professionally on the job. In his off time, Stone dons an armored costume and stalks the criminal's involved in Louis Farks' criminal organization. In costume, Stone uses the name Jackson Optic. Other PCs who prowl the streets, or who have law enforcement contacts, might have heard of Jackson Optic, or might meet him on the streets, gathering evidence against Farks.
Personality
As Stone, he's reserved and courteous. He doesn't make friends easily, but is warm to those he likes. As Optic, he's extremely intense, often appearing nervous and on edge.
Abilities
Stone possess superhuman vision powers, including the ability to see any spectrum of electromagnetic energy, see through materials, and read magnetic or optical computer media. He does not, however, have the skills or technical background to make use of many of his abilities.
Battle Tactics
Stone has studied a little karate and other self-defense techniques since his encounter with Farks, but he has no illusions about his combat abilities. He will try to avoid contact with his opponents, and failing that will run. Alpha Stone is license d to carry a concealed firearm, and he often does so when "on duty" as Jackson Optic.
Adventure Seed
A strange crime that the PCs are investigating develops links to Farks' organization. This, in turn, leads them to the strange figure who occassionally watches Farks during the evening hours (Stone, as Optic). The PCs might want to identify this stra nger to determine why he is watching Farks. Is he a good guy, or part of a rival organization?