Paragon's Collaborative Special Force

My story implies leadership, but I have no problem allowing Mao Kahn leadership.

I made my original concept before we nailed down our origins though (with "The Island" and all) - and being king in another dimension doesn't necessitate auto-leadership in this one. Plus, I don't want to be stepping on someone else's character concept, especially since I said I would remake mine to reflect our official beginnings.

Why am I hitting Shift/Enter to try to make a new paragraph? Sigh.

Mao can be all full of himself and just thinks he should be in charge. I'll sit down this afternoon and work up a new background with the Islander's stuff spelled out up there.

If Mao still wants to be leader, maybe we could settle it like animals do -- through combat in the Arena! Winner takes leadership.


What immortal hand or eye dare frame my fearful symmetry?
That's right, meat. Keep your distance!

- Mao Khan

This post is pulling our various brainstorming from the FB 'thread'... and is not 'canon.' LOL

I would like to explain a few more of my thoughts on the group, and things I had in mind when I created my two characters.

We were created by the as of yet unnamed organization housed on Iota Sigma 12-5 (the Isle), under the heading of Project Moreau. The intention of this project was to create a cadre of part-human part-animals that could be made into a sort of army, or serve other useful purposes to humans. All were crafted through a mixture of genetic engineering and magic (aside from those that were "born in captivity" like Jason's character) so that they would be hybrids, but also have the ability to turn back into a human form when they require a level of stealth or if their animalistic talents were no longer required. Most of these Islanders were first animals, and then mutated into humanoids, however this is not universal, as some were first human and then forced into somewhat more animalistic appearances. There is no clear way to tell which an Islander is just by looking at it, though if it is known, there is some level of stratification among the Islanders (though this is more a personality quirk of certain individuals than anything else).

Another thing I was thinking about a lot when I created my two characters were names. What type of name should I have? Why? How did he get it, and should it mean something?

I came to the conclusion that each character's name would have been chosen by the character him/herself or by his 'family' similar to the way in which we humans name our young. It also occured to me, that the scientists of the project would not have given personal names to the 'experiments' and would likely have referred to them by original species and perhaps a number. After all, it is generally not a good idea to name and befriend livestock you intend to slaughter, nor would it be to name animals/people that you intend to conduct morally ambiguous (at best) experiments on.

Also, in writing this, it occured to me that naming one another and themselves COULD have been one of the first ways in which the Islanders rebelled... or at least showed signs of rebelling. They could well have formed far more social groups than the handlers would have anticipated, and so were somewhat taken aback and dismayed when they showed they could speak, that they referred to each other by name, and indicated a level of humanity that shocked the researchers. (Speaking of names, it is interesting that most everyone gave their characters somewhat unconventional names that we didn't speak about at all before we made them. In fact, I thought it was interesting that most are a single word, and are obviously personal names, rather than discriptors or more 'super-hero' names.)

Just to be clear, the majority of what I just wrote is subject to discussion, but reflects a good deal of the thought I put into my characters as well as being fairly representative of what we have already created.

As an aside to this, I would like to Photoshop together a little collage of all of our characters, and since many of us have several, it would not be possible to have them all on at the same time for a screenshot together. Sooooo, if you could all take a screen capture of all of your characters in the costume creation screen, or on the Character Selection screen and e-mail it to me, I would be much obliged. (If you don't know my e-mail, or can't send it to me via FB instead, PM me and I will let you know what it is). I want to have a nice little group shot to post here so that folks can admire our wonderfully diverse animal creations!

I have two characters in the VG atm. My Main is my "Rat", other is my "cheetah". I have pondered more on Cer then I have my cheetah. So far what I have is this... and all input will be appreciated.
I was only about a year old at the time, I was living on an "Island" minding my own business when I noticed this really strange smell. I went to see what it was and found myself scurrying across the floor of some building that held tons of other animals. I watched for a few moments as the humans interacted with some of the others. What I saw I have not the stomach to repeat aloud. I feared for my life so I ran for it. While running I failed to see what was around the corner. I found myself caught in some type of a trap with my leg in agonizing pain. I tried to get myself loose but failed to do so. After about 10 min of pain I saw a figure begin to move towards me, I slowly began to notice my eyesight fade and I blacked out.

Next thing I knew I awoke in a small shoe box. There was a little girl standing there looking at me.As I looked her over I noticed she did not look like other humans did she even smelt different. There was some type of tail coming out from behind her. She was moving her mouth making some type of sound but I could not understand her. I stayed there with her for many years.We played together and everyday she would feed me the same odd tasting pellets. They had a bitter taste but at the same time I always wanted more. Soon I noticed I could begin to understand her words. Everything seemed to become easier to understand, I could figure out what the writing was in the books she would read to me. It seemed odd yet at the same time I enjoyed being able to learn. Until that one fateful day that I shall never forget.
I awoke like normal too this sweet child who for the last 4 years had taken care of me. She acted different today then normal, as if she was sad. She asked if she could go show me something so I agreed, As we walked I would catch a tear fall down her cheek every few moments. We walked out the door and across the yard to a huge building. The smell was of rotten meat, and chemicals. As my whiskers twitched I could sense the something was wrong. Then it hit me, that horrid animal smell I remembered from when I was young. I yelled, "No please don't take me in there I don't wanna go!" The girl cried and said " I'm sorry my friend he says I have to." Then as we walked through the door this tall man whom almost looked disfigured grabbed me out of her hand and growled aloud. "Yes you will do just fine"! I panicked screaming and biting at his hands finally I got one deep mouthfull of his finger and then he threw me onto this table. I screamed at him and swatted my front paws at him. This huge ball of for lack of better word, energy came flying out and I heard him yelp a tad. Then he laughed aloud and said " Fabulous, it has begun. It will be interesting to see how you turn out, but first we must do something abotu that temper of yours". He placed this can in front of me and sprayed. I was knocked unconscious.
When I awoke it felt like i had been out for days. My body felt as though every bone was broken. I attempted to stretch and notice an odd feeling, my body had grown in size and i had human traits.
Many years went by and everyday I fought and screamed about what this man had done to me. I talked to what animals I could, well the ones that could understand me at least. I felt so much pain and sorrow for my fellow animals. I worked everyday to learn about the facility we were all stuck in.
Finally I had, had enough and decided this was the day I would escape. When the tall man came in to see me that day I didn't fight him. I did all i was told, then I saw it. My moment to break free. He took me out of my cage as he had done everyday and then he failed to besure to lock my hands to the table where he did his "testing". As he turned hi back to me he reached for a bottle, (which i knew held a sleep agent in it) and I did it. I ran as fast a I could and built up all the energy I could master and knocked him down with the bottle falling on top of his head. As he fell asleep I raced with great speed to unlock what cages I could I yelled at them all to "Run get away as fast as you can how ever you can"!
I left once i got all I could free. I cried for the loss of those I could not save and no tears were shed for the girl that once was my best friend. I vowed from then on to never trust a human. Oddly enough it was ironic that at the time i made that vow to myself I passed by a brook that showed my reflection and I noticed I had looked more like a human than ever before. I was furious at the idea of being one of "them" and as I watched my reflection i saw my natural form become more noticeable. This will be something I will need to ponder on at another time, now all i need to focus on is getting as far from here a I can. After days of travel I found myself in a strange place. I calmed down as much as I could so i could use my human form to talk to someone. I saw this lady just walking by and as much as I did not like the idea of talking to a "human" I asked her where I was and she told me "Where have you been in a gutter your whole life? Your in the Rouge Isles duh"! Of course why would she have been civil about it all, I thought to myself. "hey you!, what's your name?" I heard her call.. hmm a name i thought.. "You can call me Cer" i replied. "Well, Cer if you are needing work you can talk to this Burke fella and he will get you set up with what you need." Then she faded from sight..

Nice Ny ... Is it pronounced, "Sir" or "Kerr"? I've been think-speaking it "Sir", which I think is neat, calling a mouse, sorry rat, Sir.

And now -- more thoughts! I know, right?

A question burns inside of me. I have no Pepto Bismol to quench it therefore it must come out now.

Have we fled the pocket dimension/research facility and the experiments continue in our absence, or did we rebel and wreck holy abandon upon the project's scientists and overseers, releasing all our bretheren from "The Island" and building our home upon their ruins?

I prefer the latter ... I want to have killed the project and made a home of the Island. We would access the Island by means other than Portal Corp, maybe by using the magic or technology of our Old Masters. Our motivation in venturing forth from the Island are missions of proactive defense, learning the threats of the Old Master's world so we may defend our new home from them.

Purraj is our liberator therefore he should be the VG leader, and have the responsibility of maintaining the VG. Mao could lead in missions and stuff, and carry the ever-repugnant team star.

I don't see us leaving the Island and abandoning our bretheren without some justice delivered first.

PS: I'll try to post some pics soon

Here's Mao Khan's story:
-------------------------

Project Moreau, Panthera tigris

Project Coordinator:
Dr. Heins Klaus- Molecular Geneticist; Tiger Genome Project Coordinator; BioTech Advances, CEO (Retired)

Project Technician (Magician):
Arcanus Master Mao Ji; Elementalist, Lycanthropist, Empath.

Project:
20.9-070519 – Siberian Tiger
Origin: Jilin Province, People’s Republic of China

Physical Characteristics:
Length: 3.50 m (11 ft 8 in) snout to tail
Height: 124 cm (4 ft. ) tall at the shoulders
Mass: 318 kg (700 lb)



Miscellaneous project notes, Master Mao Ji:

TD-01
What a majestic beast they have brought us! One of the largest tigers I’ve ever seen, though not the largest in recorded history. When I lay hands upon him I feel his savagery, he will make fine stock for the soldiers our Project leaders desire.


TD-04
In the few short days 20.9 has been with us he has demonstrated cunning and amazing intelligence – for an animal. I’ve spent time with him, reformed in body, of course, to gain insight into the nature of his aura and essence. Such a personality!


TD-07
A week and Klaus’ testing is complete. I have such disdain for science and its sterility. We’ve developed in full Khan’s genome … Khan is our name, or rather his name that we have arrived upon together. It is our secret. Klaus will begin extracting DNA for crossing and splicing, my task will be to empower Khan, and the subsequent tiger derivations, with magical abilities.


TD-11
Fire. It is the only element that will hold with Khan, the nature of his aura repels all other elements. When I take his form my tiger eyes are overwhelmed by his presence. When I look upon him with my human eyes I see a primal savagery that can be expressed only through fire. Khan is fire. His eyes burn with it, he burns with it.


TD-21
I came upon a poem. I’ve shunned mundane literature, but this one took me. It is written by a mundane poet named William Blake.

Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?


In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare sieze the fire?


And what shoulder, & what art.
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet?


What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?


When the stars threw down their spears,
And watered heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?


Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

It is my hand that dares to seize the fire, it is my shoulder and my art that will forge Khan upon my Anvil. He will be a weapon the world will not soon forget.


TD-62
Klaus has submitted papers asking for my dismissal from the project. He thinks I have grown to close to my brother Khan. He believes I spend more time with him in reformed body than is appropriate.

Scientists.

What do they know? What does he know? He knows nothing. Khan will receive his pyroblast, his fire seed, in the ceremony tomorrow. But I have another gift for him as well, one Klaus will not suspect.


TD-63
I will not be taken from my brother Khan. My psychoblast, my mind seed, has been made ready, it will be delivered with the pyroblast into Khan during the ceremony. As such, this will be my last entry. In two months Khan has become my brother and I will not allow him to enter into the world without a soul. A fiery, savage soul. I will be consumed, of course, by Khan’s primal ferocity but I accept that with honor. May Khan find use for what I give.

With this act of sacrifice I forge you and frame you, Tyger, my brother Khan, may your fire burn all that stand against you.

Here's Mao Khan ...
He's abandoned this costume; though impressive, it was too much weight and
bogged him down in combat. This is armor and tech taken from the Isle.

Maybe we could use the Eden map for AE missions on the Isle ... an abandoned and destroyed research station being overtaken by nature. The "Hamidon towers" might be made by genetically/magically altered termites or moles - or maybe just a geologic feature of the asteroid/Isle.

I'm going to post Mao Khan's new costumy bits tomorrow. Must sleep. Work in morning. ZZZZzzzz......


PS! Do you want a left-profile, right-profile or head-on (like the one I supplied up there)?


End!

Straight on is good, like the one you did. I plan to assemble them similar to my signature. Maybe I will do a sillhouette shot too as an alternate view just for giggles.

And the Eden idea is a great one! Don't turn that brain of yours off.

If I could afford your fee, I'd commission you to do a "roster" of my heroes and villains like the one you have in your sig.

Okay, here's Mao's new costume. Much more functinal and less cumbersome.

Nice! I see I have some more PSing to do.

Also, all of my characters have a human form now. I heart Costume Salvage.

OOps ... I made a human costume too (my main sent me some costume salvage too, isn't he nice?), should I post it or just reveal in in game?

Muahaha!

I posted that from his account as a test for the new sig...

Not sure if this will work or not... but here is my new toon for Freedom Release: Cameron Magus

I like him! Gotta love the IDF pieces (I will be using the boots on my character).

Your signature and avie are SWEET looking. A note, though, you may want to scale down your sig a bit, I think there is some rule about width... though I don't remember a number of pixels off the top of my head.

[Edit...]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Signature Rules Note: The maximum size of your custom image is 600 by 120 pixels or 146.5 KB (whichever is smaller).

Found it... though I am pretty sure mine violates that as well. Don't want you getting Mod-smacked. :P

Thanks man! Yea, I dig the IDF pieces a lot, especially for my guy and his story, I just worry about so many other people using it since its the newest costume... I still might tweak it a bit so he looks unique (I REALLY wish my Ascension belt was available b4 50).

Yea, I have no idea how to make it smaller; I too thought it seemed way too big. Ill futs with it later today and see if I can make it smaller somehow. I was actually toying with the idea of a signature like yours featuring all my heroes... If you ever have some spare time, since photoshop is simply BEYOND me, would you ever consider helping me put one together? Not sure how I would reciprocate, perhaps I could send you a ton of influence in-game or something? Let me know.

You can use this one...



Might I also suggest you use [center][IMG code][/center] to make it centered? I dunno what it is with me and centering sig images, but I think it looks better.

If you can, you should prolly re-host it on a different photo storage website though, that way if folks explore the directory structure they won't be rooting through my stuff thinking its yours.

"As you may know, there are many alternate realities that share features with this one. I hail from a reality in which Marcus Cole eventually partnered with Requiem to conquer the vast majority of the world. His Imperial Council Force (ICF) is a military organization the likes of which this world could never imagine.

That, is the reality that I call home and it is from the ICF that I received my training. It was also in the service of that organization that I received the ability to be here now. Cole, at the height of his power suddenly and inexplicably disappeared. At that same time, my world began falling apart at the seams. Whole continents disappeared in immense temporal rifts.


A campaign was led to find Cole and use technology similar to Portal Corp's to empower soldiers to traverse time to fix our world. I am one of those soldiers."


Any input on costume and/or new background? OH, and his Mercs are the clones of volunteer soldiers in his home reality who I bring here via my time dilation/reality warping abilities.