Phalanx
| Phalanx | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Author | /u/Magos_Nashoid |
| Civilian name | Jasper Newchapel |
| Alignment | Hero |
| Affiliation | Protectorate Captain (Devilfish) |
| PRT Classification | Tinker, Master, |
| Born | Devilfish, Minnesota |
| Status | Active |
A long time member of the Protectorate, having been a core member of the Minneapolis team for almost a decade. Phalanx is known to be a top of the line Robotics Tinker. Much (but not all) of his tech is given a Greco-Roman Theme.
Over the years Phalanx has volunteered for a variety of Charity Fundraisers, the presence of one or more heroes often being a deciding factor on the success of some of them. Notably among them the 'Trevor Project' and the 'Transgender Law Center' being his first choices when forced to pick.
Recently Phalanx has been promoted to Protectorate Captain, assigned to enure the safekeeping of Devilfish Minnesota, and the smooth operation of its Protectorate and Ward teams. So far he's done an excellent job watching over his hometown, but only time will tell what hardships await him in such an important leadership position.
Character Sheet
Appearance
Civilian: Jasper Newchapel is a lithe but incredibly fit individual. Phalanx's skin is olive, having been the children of Greek Immigrants. He has light hazel eyes, and black hair. Standing at roughly 5'9 in height.
Costume: Generally speaking Jasper wears a suit of Power-armor. Typically the exterior plating is made of a polished golden-bronze material, with a red plume on the helmet.
Mundane Equipment and Resources
Wealth Level: 7
Primarily lives at the Protectorate HQ, but has a well furnished/stocked Family Home ,conveniently down the street from his own parent's house.
Has a slightly-higher than average Tinker budget, to account for expensive-but essential components in his Robots CPUs.
Has an extremely hardened set of Databanks for backing-up the digital half of his androids consciousness, backs them up every night before heading home from work.
- PRT-issue Radio
- PRT-issue Medical Kit
- Zipties
- Set of Handcuffs
- Multi-tool
- Police Truncheon
Skills and Specializations
- Understanding of Government bureaucracy
- Understanding of criminal and conspiratorial behavior aka basic level criminology.
- High speed pursuit vehicle training
- Basic first aid
- Understanding of basic human intelligence gathering.
- Basic Forensic Knowledge
- Understanding of laws and legal procedures
- Navigating his way around quickly with maps, charts and tables, orienteering, instruments, or dead reckoning.
- Searching a room, vehicle, or person for weapons and contraband.
- PRT Self Defense training in unarmed combat
- PRT Self Defense training with PRT weapons
- Skilled Use of Antiquated weaponry, and associated tactics.
- Basic PRT/Police Squad Tactics
- Customized Squad Tactics (Devised by Phalanx for himself and his AI)
- Can play the Piano.
- Is a pretty good Dungeon Master.
Mentality
Jasper is a relatively jovial person, greatly respecting his co-workers, Protectorate, Ward, Trooper, and Clerk alike. They do their best to remain professional whenever possible, but have trouble not looking at the team like a big family. Feeling somewhat parental over the Wards at time, though they keep this to themselves usually.
Jasper has changed since their trigger, having mellowed out oddly enough, compared to the more serious person they had been when working as a PRT trooper pre-trigger.
Heroism is not just a job for Phalanx, they are genuinely called to be the best they can be, and while heroism is a major part of their life, they consistently endeavor to not let it consume them, or to let it be the sole focal point in their life.
Jasper is a follower of Hellenism, though they aren't usually forward about it. They are also Transgender and Pansexual, the later two being clear if you pay attention to context clues, thought they are a private person about Religion, Gender, and Orientation.
Power
Trigger type: Single Natural Trigger (Controller Tinker)
Phalanx is an Artificial Intelligence & Robotics tinker. Capable of building three varieties of AI.
- Virtual Intelligence: 100% Tinker Code
- Robots: 100% Positronic Circuitry
- Androids 50% Tinker Code / 50% Positronic Circuitry
Virtual Intelligences and Robots are the inverse of eachother.
Both being built from the ground up for a specific purpose, and being generally unable to adapt beyond that purpose, without direct input and alterations from their creator. VI are designed for management/interaction with specific computer systems, while Robots are designed for specific physical tasks.
Neither is capable of achieving sapience/sentience on their own, though Phalanx could feasibly adapt sections of the software/hardware from a VI or Robot into an Android.
Androids are designed to be the best of both soft-ware and hard-ware. The best learning algorithms and code Phalanx can fashion, and the most advanced Positrionic Hardware he can afford. Together these form something capable of sapience/sentience. Emotions are also available, though Phalanx's particular variety of Androids are not even close to 1:1 with human thought processes.
Phalanx-Androids function via advanced neural-coding, and a rather difficult to maintain 'Positronic Brain.' Phalanx is limited in his ability to build and maintain more than half a dozen (6) of them, before they would be forced to neglect their Protectorate Duties and Personal Life. Though a smaller number of VI and Robots are within reason for him to maintain along with his 'Main-cast' of androids.
Phalanx has a particularly useful Alloy-recipe provided by his power, called 'Elysian-steel' which see's significant use in the fragile circuitry of his Robots and Androids. Phalanx like most tinkers is able to build rudimentary armor, weapons, and equipment for his AI, but its typically quite underwhelming compared to a dedicated tinker.
(Simple Ballistic weapons, Magnetic Dart launchers, low-powered Laser weaponry, Meta-material swords, Shock-bludgeons, hard-light melee weapons.) Power armor designed by Phalanx is basically a hollowed out Robot, with much of its automated functions replaces with manual controls.
All of the Androids designed by Phalanx possess a distinctly alien mental-architecture, meaning that while capable of passable social interaction with humans they come off as somewhat socially incompetent, this means they may only be utilized to their fullest potential by Phalanx, who possesses an intimate-familiarity with their thought-processes, and technical-specifications. Only achieving maybe half effectiveness at best when supervised by others.
Virtual Intelligence's and Robots do not count as 'alive' for the sake of powers Though the Androids do for some powers, and can even be perceived by Empaths.
Tinkertech
| Creator | | |
|---|---|---|
| Abilities | Phalanx's Armor is durable enough to stand up to bullets (IIIA) and is fairly resistant to EMP's and attacks of an Electrical nature, because of Elysium Steel Shielding over sensitive components.
The armor allows Phalanx to strike with the force of a super-heavyweight Boxer, and to exert a lifting strength of roughly 700lbs before damage is done to the Suit's servos/hydraulics. Designed to balance out the actual weight/encumbrance of the armor, allowing Phalanx to run at the speed they would outside the suit, but provides no benefit outside of canceling its own weight. The helmet has a built in gas mask, as well as 2 hours of bottled oxygen stored in a well-armored tank located near the small of his back. The Helmet has Infrared and 6x zoom optical settings. In the event of necessity, Phalanx can manually open panels on the faceplate to allow unimpeded access to the mouth and/or eyes. The suit has a high powered (and nearly silent) cooling system, mostly for comfort rather than to avoid mechanical overheating. Contains a folding blade (6 inches usable) and a folding baton in both the left and right forearms. Features a standard NUCLEUS Tracker embedded in the helmet, and one in the Torso. | |
This is a slight improvement of his prior armor, and is frankly scraping the upper limits of what Phalanx’s power will allow him to make as far as armour is concerned, and is one of the more maintenance heavy inventions as a result. | ||
| Creator |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Resembles a boxy gauntlet, coated in a thin layer of his traditional golden tinted Elysium-steel. Aesthetically fits with the rest of his armor quite well. | |
| Abilities | A solution to Phalanx's lack of a ranged weapon. Designed to fit over the gauntlet of his armor, or with the adjustment of a few straps, his bare arm.
Housing a single adjustable (and replacable) barrel capable of launching a solid slug at adjustable velocity. Traditionally a metal slug, either covered in rubber or bare depending on how lethal Phalanx chooses to be. Usually functioning via an electromagnetic rail gun (at max setting hitting on par with one of the rifles used by the Troopers.) Alternatively the magnets can be disabled and it can be used to fire traditional firearm rounds. The Wrist Launcher also has a pair of in-built melee attachments, a six inch blade, and a 6 inch stun baton. | |
The gauntlet itself is designed to fit over either arm, though it fits over the right arm with a bit more ergonomic ease. | ||
| Creator |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | standing at 3ft tall, spherical body on three legs, each leg ending with a wheel | |
| Abilities | Possessing a spherical body, and a single central eye in the center. This main bulk can swivel 360 degrees not unlike an owl. The chassis is made of Elysian Steel but its plating isn't particularly thick in order to reduce weight.
Right below the eye is a panel that can open up revealing a spot for Zipdash to install one of his projectors. as well as two small manipulator arms. It possesses a pair of three (3) legs each ending in a wheel. The Zipper-bot's top speed is 35mph. Its legs providing exceptionally good maneuverability, managing to make relatively sharp turns. Their main usefulness is that their housing can be outfitted with one of Zipdash's cores, allowing them to emulate Zipdash's Rig in regards to its ability to leave behind a trail, albeit with the various effects (example 'Barrier core') reduced in size based on their own limited stature. Mental Abilities: The Zipper-Model Robots are a dumb-AI, possessing neither sentience, sapience, nor emotions. Its learning algorithm allows them a level of decision making approximating that of a sled dog. They can be given orders via encrypted comm channels or via verbal commands given by either Phalanx or Zipdash. And can be trained in maneuvers either by manually practicing, or programming maneuvers by hand while they are offline. | |
Their names are Zippy and Dasher, their names helpfully and lovingly hand-painted on their sides. | ||
| Creator |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Worn underneath the armor, but on top of their under-suit. | |
| Abilities | Not Phalanx's best work, as its borderline for their specialty, this Arm-brace is based on the design for shock-absorbers built into the limbs of Phalanx's androids.
Her armor has been adjusted to feature a shield mount that utilized an extremely strong clamp. This arm-brace is made to allow Good Samaritan to catch objects moving at high-speed without dislocating her arm, using either her hand, or with the shield mount on her armor. When the shield is in its mount, the arm-brace helps absorb the shock from hits impacting the shield. And allows her to punch harder without hurting her knuckles, wrist, elbow, or shoulder. Each one features a standard NUCLEUS Tracker embedded in it. | |
| Creator |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Abilities | This pistol has a power cell that enables it to fire 25 shots. The beam is a scarlet red. A single shot can cause 1st degree burns (pain and reddening of the skin) and ignite flammable materials
While consecutive shots in the same general area can cause 2nd degree burns (pain, redness, swelling, and blistering.) and can ignite less-easily-flammable materials. It comes with a laser sight They have an effective range of 60 meters. These pistols have no impact and work solely on heat Features a standard NUCLEUS tracker embedded in it. | |
| Creator | Phalanx one per Android, and one for himself. |  |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | It looks like a grappling hook gun. Large by the standards of a pistol, more like a hand canon or SMG, but clearly a grappling gun even to a cursory glance. | |
| Abilities | Allows a user to scale buildings much much easier, up to two (2) stories. Able to support up to 600lbs of weight.
The grip is full of powerful electromagnets, designed to 'lock' into the grip of a metal gauntlet (like Phalanx's power armor, or his Daughters hands.) This allows it to not be yanked out of their hand when the cable retracts. Could theoretically be used as a weapon, firing it towards an opponent, hitting about as hard as a beanbag from a shotgun, and able to retract to fire again in only a handful of seconds. | |
Each gun is painted to match the color scheme of its user. | ||
| Creator | Phalanx for Abacus |  |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | A stylized robotic owl, unfolds partially like a transformer when entering jet-pack mode. As large as a Andean Condor | |
| Abilities | OWL FORM Connects to Abacus via a encrypted wireless signal. Allowing her to communicate, give commands, share senses, and to assume direct control as though he was an extension of her body.
As a Robot (Dumb-AI), he is capable of limited thought of his own, Bubo has the intellect and emotional range of a particularly smart Raven. He is flight capable, and can reach speeds of 40mph via a combination of Wings, and Microthrusters. And is capable of getting up to speed, and turning with little in the way of build-up. 10x zoom, Infrared, and Ultraviolet vision modes. His talons are sharpened, and each one is capable of releasing an electric shock on par with a police taser. JETPACK FORM Bubo is capable of latching onto Abacus's back, connecting via her White Carapace, and transforming into a Jet-pack, unfolding in the process to increase aerodynamics. Allowing Abacus to achieve flight up to 30mph. capable of providing enough lift for Abacus herself and up to 300lbs of extra weight. | |
Designed to give Abacus some actual combat utility, while also filling in the lack of any Mover capabilities among Phalanx's Androids. | ||
| Creator | Phalanx for Cylynx |  |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Designed to evoke the image of a feline. This suit is purposely less-bulky than Phalanx's armor, designed for Cylynx's agile and nearly gymnastic fighting style. | |
| Abilities | Designed for use by Cylynx in conjunction with her 'Black Carapace' implant, which allows the use of the suit as though it were an extension of her body (IE better spacial awareness, dexterity, etc).
Although the suit can be worn and used without it, though without the benefits granted by her Implant. The suit is much more sleek and modular than Phalanx's prior designs, this is intentional, to more easily allow upgrades and attachments in the future, and to better accommodate Cylynx's implants. (Type III armor) Weighing about 200lbs, the hydraulic frame easily capable of nullifying its own bulk and weight, allowing the wearer access to their full range-of-motion and dexterity, helping to lessen physical exertion. Capable of hitting on par with a super heavy-weight boxer, and can lift up too 1000lbs before damaging its servos and hydraulics. Equipped with a Prehensile tail, ending in prehensile digits, able to release a Taser-level shock. Possesses advanced (cybernetic-grade) pressure and temperature sensors, allowing a near-human level sense of touch. Additionally this Frame is equipped with three vision modes: Human spectrum, Infrared, and 6x zoom. Built-in-radio and smartphone. Military-tier Gas-mas air filter. Slots in the hands for Cylynx's claw implants. Capable of displaying LED facial expressions and Text on the helmet exterior (much like Phalanx's own helmet.) | |
Designed to give Cylynx a bit of survivability in light of her seeming lack of self-preservation instinct. built out of modular pieces should Cylynx or other tinkers wish to contribute gadgets to the suit. | ||
Sentient Tinker tech
Gifted/Traded TinkerTech
Backstory
Like many children, Jasper wanted to be a Hero when they were a kid. Things didn’t work out that way though. But a successful career in the PRT was rewarding in its own way. Jasper would even argue that putting your life on the line to help others meant more when you weren’t a bullet-proof Modern-day Demi-god.
This wasn’t just a job for Jasper, it was a life-calling. But on Earth Kaff, all good things must end in tears. During one fateful operation Jasper and his squad was disabled by a potent emotion-manipulator. To this day Jasper is uncertain why it affected him so much more than his squad-mates (not that they didn’t have a rough time too).
The others took sometime to recover from the long-term negative effects, perhaps a month of downtime on average. Power-induced PTSD was no joke after all, but it seemed that the effects wore off with time with minimal lasting effects.
Not so for Jasper though, perhaps Jasper was simply more inclined towards Agoraphobia, but the PTSD had left Jasper a grade-A agoraphobe and Insomniac. They were able to tough through things at first, so they returned to active duty (barely passing psych checks) but their performance quickly dropped. His comradery with his co-workers fizzled out, and their combat effectiveness was hampered. The PRT discharged Jasper, putting them on reserve, so that Psychiatric help could be given.
Months passed, with minimal progress, Jasper isolated themselves from civilian friends, and family, video calls with their Therapist continued, and Jasper found some solace in the form of digital media, but things remained stagnant, and alone. Efforts to improve were continually met with setbacks, this continued for months.
TRIGGER
The PRT Therapist was alarmed when Jasper ceased communications, concerned that Jasper had taken their own life, they called the police, and the paramedics.
Jasper was not dead, but had simply dismantled every electronic device he owned in a fugue-state, having constructed most of a Bipedal Robot. Jasper remained unresponsive to the Police and Paramedics in his home, and the PRT were dispatched when it was clear this was a parahuman matter.
Their Trigger had left them different, they still had agoraphobia, but something had fundamentally changed, that allowed a gradual recovery. Legally they were now a member of the Protectorate, and while it took over a year and a half of concerted self-improvement to recover to the point that they were allowed on active duty. Jasper flourished as a protectorate hero.