Because he definitely deserves to be first, I hereby present ...
Tobias FletcherNumbers Stuff[ Spoiler ]
Attributes
Body: 5 {6}
Agility: 2 {3}
Reaction: 5 {9}
Strength: 2 {3}
Charisma: 4 {7}
Intuition: 5
Logic: 6 {9}
Willpower: 7
Edge: 7
Magic: 14 {9}
Essence: 3
Initiative: 14 / Passes: 4
Astral Initiative: 10 / Passes: 3
Matrix Initiative {AR}: 14 / Passes: 4
Composure: 11
Judge intentions: 13
Lifting / carrying: 7 {9}
Memory: 16
Spellcasting drain: 16 {centering +8}
Summoning drain: 11 {centering +8}
Street cred: 30
Notoriety: 8
Public awareness: 6
Ballistic armor total: 11 {13 w/ helmet}
Impact armor total: 7 {9 w/ helmet}
Physical damage track: 11 { - }
Stun damage track: 12 { - }
Skills
Active Skills
Arcana: 1 {spell design +2 / nanites +3}
Artisan: 1 {flute +2 / nanites +3}
Assensing: 5 {aura reading +2 / nanites +3}
Computer: 1 {commlinks +2 / nanites +3}
Con: 3 {fast talk +2 / mentor +2}
Counterspelling: 6 {combat spells +2 / shielding +8}
Data search: 1 {magic-related data +2 / nanites +3}
Disguise: 2 {cosmetic +2 / altskin +2 / nanites +3}
Dodge: 6 {ranged +2}
Etiquette: 4 {magical +2}
First aid: 3 {drain +2 / nanites +3}
Infiltration: 2 {astral +2}
Intimidation: 4 {magical +2}
Medicine: 2 {magical health +2 / nanites +3}
Navigation: 1 {orientation system +2 / nanites +3}
Perception: 4 {visual +2 / vision enhancement +3 / audio enhancement +3 / co-processor +3 / nanites +3 / directional +2}
Pilot ground craft: 1 {wheeled +2}
Spellcasting: 7 {combat spells +4 / power focus +6}
Summoning: 3 {air spirits +2 / power focus +6}
Survival: 2
Knowledge Skills
Archeology: 2
Art: 1
Atlantean Foundation: 2
Black markets: 2
Current events: 2
DIMR: 2
Dragons: 2
Fashion: 1
Folklore: 4
History: 3
Law: 1
Magic background: 5
Magical threats: 6
Music: 1
Parazoology: 2
Power sites: 3
Psychology: 1
Smuggler's routes: 1
Spirits: 3
Tarot reading: 3
Tourist trivia: 4
World religions: 1
Language Skills
English: native
Afrikaans: 1
Arabic: 1
Aztlan spanish: 2
Dutch: 1
French: 1
German: 1
Japanese: 1
Latin: 2
Or'zet: 1
Russian: 2
Souix: 1
Sperethiel: 1
Ancient / dead languages: 2 {written only}
Knowledge / language bonus: mnemonic enhancer +3 / nanites +3
"I have this tendency to be able to pick up little tidbits of knowledge about all sorts of subjects, but it seems that very few topics outside of magic itself hold my interest long enough to really delve into their deeper mysteries."
Qualities
Aptitude {spellcasting}
Exceptional attribute {willpower}
Magician
Mentor spirit {Dragonslayer +2 to combat spells / +2 to con / -1 to all actions if promise is broken until fulfillment or atonement}
Quick healer
Mild addiction {psyche}
Mild phobia {astral projection}
Mild phobia {virtual reality}
SINner
Spirit bane {threat spirits}
Weapon curse
"I suspect that you've probably heard a rumor or three, but I just don't want to talk about it. Don't be expectin' me t'be doing any shooting though."
Augmentation
Bioware
Ares PainAway-Pro8 - damage compensators {8}
Evo BetterBody - suprathyroid gland
Evo BluddBuffer - platelet factories
Saeder Krupp Fyte-or-Flyte-4005ev - reflex recorder {dodge}
Shaiwase Time OptimizR - sleep regulator
Spinrad Industries MemTurbo - mnemonic enhancer {3}
Universal Omnitech CoreTechs-77 - cerebral booster {3}
Universal Omnitech Hyperflex Elite - synaptic booster {3}
Cyberware
Evo NanoNanny6 - nanite hive {6}
Horison Aurexec Deluxe - cyberears {2} - audio enhancement {3} / damper / ear recording unit / select sound filter {2} / sound link / spatial recognizer
NeoNet UltraJack - platinum datajack engraved with mystic symbols / skinlink
Renraku Integra - commlink
Shiawase XtrAlert - attention coprocessor {3}
Zeiss Zeta-82-9 - cybereyes {3} - eye recording unit / eye lights / flare compensation / image link / low light vision / thermographic vision / vision enhancement {3} / optical vision magnification / protective covers
Nanoware
Ares Battleskin-k3.5 - altskin - armor {3 / 1} / newprint / sealant / shade / shifter
NeoNET Sixth Sense XT - limbic neural amplifier {3}
Horison Nan-Q-6.3 - neocortical neural amplifier {3}
Shiawase O-Shield Plus - o-cells {9}
Universal Omnitech Royal Flush - universal nantidotes {9}
Zeta-ImpChem NooBlooGoo - universal nanite hunters {6}
Genetech
Evo Ankh - life span expansion 1
Cosmetic
Spinrad Industries Spin Shop - cosmetic surgery 3
Inoculations
Aura deficiency syndrome
Mana-active aura deficiency syndrome
Ebola plus
Gamma-anthrax
HMHVV
Vitas-3
All implants deltaware where applicable
- bioware essence loss: 2.175 {4.35 / 2}}
- cyberware essence loss: 0.825 {3.3 / 2 / 2}
- total: 3
"It's cost me a more than a little in magical potential, and a ton of nuyen and favors, but let me tell you right here and now that this state-of-the-art wetware's been worth every last bit of it."
Spells
Combat
Ball lightning - type: P / test: O {rea} / range: LOS {a} / dam: P / dur: I / drain: {F/2} + 4
Manabolt - type: M / test: O {wil} / range: LOS / dam: P / dur: I / drain: {F/2}
Powerbolt - type: P / test: O {bod} / range: LOS / dam: P / dur: I / drain: {F/2} + 1
Shattershield - type: M / test: O {for} / range: T / dam: P / dur: I / drain: {F/2} - 3
Slaughter spirit - type: M / test: O {wil} / range: LOS {a} / dam: P / dur: I / drain: {F/2} + 1
Stunball - type: M / test: O {wil} / range: LOS {a} / dam: S / dur: I / drain: {F/2} + 1
Stunbolt - type: M / test: O {wil} / range: LOS / dam: S / dur: I / drain: {F/2} - 1
Detection
Analyze device - type: P / test: S {or} / range: T {dir} / dur: S / drain: {F/2}
Astral window - type: M / test: O {for} / range: T {dir} / dur: S / drain: {F/2}
Catalog - type: P / test: S {or} / range: T {a} / dur: S / drain: {F/2} + 2
Detect life {extended} - type: M / test: O {wil} / range: T {ea} / dur: S / drain: {F/2} + 2
Mind probe - type: M / test: O {wil} / range: T {dir} / dur: S / drain: {F/2} + 2
Translate - type: M / test: O {wil} / range: T {dir} / dur: S / drain: {F/2}
Health
Heal - type: M / test: S / range: T / dur: P / drain: {DV} - 2
Healthy glow - type: P / test: S / range: T / dur: P / drain: {F/2} - 1
Oxygenate - type: P / test: S / range: T {v} / dur: S / drain: {F/2} - 1
Illusion
Improved invisibility - type: P / test: O {int} / range: LOS / dur: S / drain: {F/2} + 1
Trid phantasm - type: P / test: O {int} / range: LOS {a} / dur: S / drain: {F/2} + 3
Manipulation
Fashion - type: P / test: S / range: T / dur: P / drain: {F/2}
Fix - type: P / test: S {or} / range: T / dur: P / drain: {F/2} + 1
Influence - type: M / test: O {wil} / range: LOS / dur: P / drain: {F/2} + 1
Interference - type: P / test: S / range: LOS {a} / dur: S / drain: {F/2} + 3
Levitate - type: P / test: S / range: LOS / dur: S / drain: {F/2} + 1
Magic fingers - type: P / test: S / range: LOS / dur: S / drain: {F/2} + 1
Makeover - type: P / test: S / range: T {v} / dur: P / drain: {F/2}
Mana static - type: P / test: S / range: LOS {a} / dur: P / drain: {F/2} + 4
Offensive mana barrier - type: M / test: S / range: LOS {a} / dur: S / drain: {F/2} +3
Physical barrier - type: P / test: S / range: LOS {a} / dur: S / drain: {F/2} + 3
Sterilize - type: P / test: S / range: LOS {a} / dur: I / drain: {F/2} + 2
"This is what it's all about, as far as I'm concerned. Nothing even comes close to the feeling that comes from spellcasting, from the Mana flowing through you as you shape and channel it to meet your needs. To be honest, I think it's probably more addictive than any drug or beetle."
Spirits
Fire {combat}
Air {detection}
Earth {health}
Man {illusion}
Water {manipulation}
"Spirits are a rather touchy subject with me. While individual Spirits themselves may come in a multitude of varieties and motivations, it is my theory that the whole Binding process affects them in a not altogether benign manner in regards to their outlook on metahumanity. Of course, as you can imagine, this is not a popular point of view, but all I can say is that more than what could be considered a fair share of the problems I've faced have had Binding thrown in the mix at one stage or another."
Initiation
Grade: 8
Shielding
- Group: Kayoss Kollective {MIT&T student initiatory group}
- Ordeal: oath - seek out and destroy threats and other abusers of magic
Masking
- Group: MC24
- Ordeal: asceticism
Centering
- Group: MC24 {Atlantean Foundation initiatory group}
- Ordeal: meditation
- Centering Actions: drawing from a deck of tarot cards or playing the flute
Sensing
- Group: none - assisted by several koradji at Kata Tjuta, Australia
- Ordeal: metaplanar quest
Cleansing
- Group: MC24
- Ordeal: deed - eliminated toxic Bear shaman and her retinue in oil fiasco
Filtering
- Group: Luna Arcana {DIMR dedicated group}
- Ordeal: metaplanar quest
Extended Masking
- Group: Luna Arcana
- Ordeal: deed - eliminated vampire cult in Berlin
Absorption
- Group: Luna Arcana
- Ordeal: asceticism
"In my opinion, the whole idea of Magical Groups is over-rated, which is kinda ironic considering I've belonged to three of them. Hell, technically I'm still a member of two of them, but that doesn't really mean all that much. The Kollective just sort of fell apart as all student groups tend to do, and from what I've heard most of the members have all kicked off, except for Irving Radcliffe, who's now workin' for Saeder Krupp. Strange thing is, from what I can ascertain, Luna Arcana have never actually booted me out. You certainly can't accuse the AF of that kind of oversight though."
Magical Paraphernalia
Power Focus {6} - dragon-headed, orichalcum and ivory serpentine armband - worn on right bicep
"I acquired this little trinket in one of the back alleys of Berlin. I was quite surprised to find that it took me almost half a year to attune its aura to my own."
Armor
Genesis Corporation A-64669-JC - jungle fatigues - usually appears to be street-chic style clothing in black and varying shades of purple
- ballistic {8} / impact {6} / chemical protection {6} / fire resistance {6} / nonconductivity {6}
"This is the stuff that the elite Amazonian forces wear, and I'll be damned if it isn't some of the most comfortable clothing I've ever worn."
Aztechnology Dri-Z-Bone - duster - usually appears to be a long stylish white overcoat
- Insulation {6} / thermal damping {6}
Ares Urban Warrior - helmet - usually appears to be a either a stetson or Boston Red Sox baseball cap
- ballistic {+2} / impact {+2}
Electronics
PAN - 'Private'
Mode: 'Hidden'
Icon: smoky, indistinct purple and black, vaguely humanoid shape
Commlink: Renraku Integra - response {6} / signal {6}
Operating system: Slipperstream - firewall {6} / system {6}
Programs {all at 6}: analyze / attack / black hammer / browse / command / decrypt / eccm / edit / encrypt / exploit / medic / scan / sniffer / spoof / stealth / track
- Agent: analyze / eccm / encrypt / spoof / stealth - loaded into persona
- IC: analyze / sniffer / stealth / track - active on commlink
- IC: analyze / armor / attack / stealth - active on commlink
- IC: analyze / attack x5 - inactive on commlink
- Investigation agent: analyze / browse / decrypt / edit / sniffer / stealth - inactive
- Thief agent: analyze / command / exploit / scan - inactive
"It took me quite a while to fully understand the whole idea of electronic security, and even then only just enough to know that it's mostly over my head. Abby cooked up this little software package for me, and taught me a thing or two about how to use it. Seems pretty chill and all, but I don't expect this kinda thing to be puttin' her out of work anytime soon."
Sensor armband - atmosphere sensor {3} / cyberware scanner {6} - 15m / geiger counter / MAD scanner {3} - 5m / ultrasound sensor / directional microphone - 100m / skinlink
"This little gem was a Christmas present from the Major. Although fashion is not normally one of Billy-Bob's long suits, this bracer is not only handy, it's a real thing of beauty, from the supple feel of the rich Aztlan leather to the platinum sensors shaped like little dragon heads."
Oakley I-on-Chic - shades - image link / orientation system / skinlink
NeoNET WhisperCom - microtransceiver {6} / subvocal microphone / skinlink
PAN - 'Public'
Mode: 'Passive' or 'Off' {active mode only when necessary}
Icon: nondescript male figure dressed in black suit and reflective shades
Commlink: Transys Avalon - response {4} / signal {4}
Operating system: Slipperstream Lite - firewall {6} / system {4}
Programs {all at 4}: analyze / attack / spoof / stealth / track
- IC: analyze / spoof / stealth / track
- IC: analyze / attack / stealth
- IC: analyze / attack x5 - inactive on commlink
"This, of course, is the counterpart to the hardware Abby talked me into getting implanted. Just to be safe, every couple of months or so I load up the software into a new 'link."
Electronic security
Wireless function disengaged on everything unless absolutely necessary
Firewall {6} - IC x5: analyze / attack - IC: eccm / encrypt - active on all non-commlink cyberware implants and applicable external devices
Other Gear
Worn / Carried
Ares KaosFlash - flash-pak - skinlink
Evo Savior-MMT-Elite - armband - biomonitor / nano-medkit / skinlink
Saeder Krupp Optiflex 4 - endoscope
Spinrad Industries Organic Chaos - deck of tarot cards
Yamaha Orchestralius Elite - silver flute etched with swirling celtic patterns
Drugs - psyche x2 / spirit strength / antidote patches {6} x2 / stim patches {6} x2 / trauma patch - skinlink
Cash - CAS - $2,000 / UCAS - $5,000 / CL - $3,000
Certified credsticks - ebony - ¥10,000 / Ebony - empty / gold x4 - ¥1,000 each
Evo Transcontinental - shoulder bag
Ares Saf-T-Pak Plus - survival kit
Spare ration bars x20
Saeder Krupp Pocket Poppers - pre-loaded disposable microflare launchers x4 - green / purple x2 / yellow
Shaiwase GlowMax Stix - light sticks x3
Stuffer Shack Second Skin - small pack of latex gloves
Evo Savior Stuffers - medkit supplies x3
Genesis Corporation WallHacker NC-107-m - smart metal corrosive spray
Genesis Corporation WallHacker NC-107-p - smart plasteel corrosive spray
Horison Starmaker - small nanopaste disguise kit
NeoNET TagAway - RFID tag eraser
Wuxing Magic Vice - universal sealant spray
Drugs - antidote patches {6} x10 / stim patches {6} x20 / trauma patches x5 / long haul x10 / psyche x30 / spirit strength x2 / anti-bac x2 / zeta-interferon x2
Spinrad Industries Troubleshooter - briefcase
Manadyne Celtic Dreams - spare deck of tarot cards
Datachips - assorted magic periodicals and travel brochures
Mapsofts {6} - wide variety of continental, national and civic maps
Spare clothing
"I've never been that big on possessions. Don't even feel the slightest urge to own my own house, or car, or walk-in closet full of Armante. Besides, I'm usually on the move and I prefer to travel light. Other than a few tools and the essentials, pretty much everything I own, which includes my Magical Lodge {10 - comprising a hodge-podge of chips, fetishes, and knick-knacks from around the world} and not much else, I keep stashed with Abby in Cape Town."
Lifestyle
High {1 month prepaid} - waterfront hotel suite
Total finances: ¥125,000 {bank - ¥100,000 / certified credsticks - ¥14,000 / fake ids - ¥9,000 / cash - ¥2,000 = +/- $10,000 ucas/cas/cl}
"I haven't had a regular 'home' in well over ten years. Never seemed to be a priority to me, and to be honest, I think I'd miss room service too much."
IDs
Real SIN - Tobias Ulysses Fletcher - magic consultant
- augmentation license / driver's license / magic license / bank balance - ¥110,000
Fake SIN {6} - Daniel David Foster - freelance security consultant
- driver's licenses {6} / magic license {6} / private investigator's license {6} / bank balance - ¥3,000
Fake SIN {6} - Morris Alan Heatherington - DIMR troubleshooter
- driver's license {6} / magic license {6} / bank balance - ¥3,000
Fake SIN {6} - Stephen James Kennedy - Interpol agent
- driver's license {6} / magic license {6} / bank balance - ¥3,000
Contacts
Rita Abbott - {L: 3 / C: 5} - female human - concierge / fixer - 'Crystal Tower Resort' in Miami, South Florida
"Working for Rita almost always means spending a week or two at some extremely exclusive retreat or other. Good thing I also get paid, or I don't know how I'd stand it."
Dr. Jean-Pierre Damon - {L: 2 / C: 4} - male dwarf - archaeologist - Atlantean Foundation in Atlanta, CAS
"J.P.'s a stuck-up son-of-a-slitch, but I have to admit that the little guy does know his stuff when it comes to diggin' up arcane artifacts."
Jack Delaney - {L: 2 / C: 3} - male troll - talismonger / tracker - 'Outback Jacko's' shop in Darwin, Australia
"I've worked with Jacko a few times now. He's a decent enough tracker, I guess, but not a guy I'd be trustin' lightly."
Juan Carlos Domingo - {L: 1 / C: 3} - male dwarf - rebel fixer - 'La Casa Puta' bar in Tenochtitlan, Aztlan
"It's hard to believe, but I think Juan gets sleazier each time I meet him. He covers his activities by running a string of malnourished but well-used joygirls and boys."
Tammy May Fargo - {L: 3 / C: 3} - female ork - travel agent - 'Travel Magic' in New York City, UCAS
"I've been using Tammy for years, yet she never fails to find somewhere new and exotic to intrigue me whenever I call. That, and the fact that she always remembers those little details keep me coming back again and again."
Billy-Bob Gibson - {L: 5 / C: 4} - male human - rigger / smuggler - desert camp outside Austin, CAS
"Me and the 'Major', along with Mishka and Abby, have been through a lot together 'cross six different continents, but especially Central and South America. I have to say I've never met anyone who hates the Azzies more than Billy-Bob."
Bartholomew Hamilton VII - {L: 4 / C: 6} - male human - fixer - 'Cafe de Soleil Franc' in Marseilles, France
"Stuffy and aristocratic? Sure, and he hates it when I call him Bart, but he's been my 'go-to-guy' for both Europe and Africa for quite some time now."
Sasha Harris - {L: 3 / C: 5} - female elf - fixer / talismonger - 'Feather Tokens' shop in Tarislar, Seattle, UCAS
"I first met 'Feather' way back when she was still runnin' the shadows. 'Course, that was before she made that deal with 'You-Know-Who'."
Dieter von Henke - {L: 1 / C: 3} - male human - mercenary sergeant - MET2000 compound in Berlin, AGS
"In the Sudan I happened to get caught up in the same meat grinder as Dieter's platoon. About half of us made it out, but unfortunately his twin brother wasn't one of the lucky ones. Damn good man in a fight."
Mikhail Larionov - {L: 5 / C: 3} - male ork - arms dealer / pirate - 'Peg & Hook' bar in Vladivostok, Russia
"Mishka has been through more drek with me than anyone else. There's nobody I'd rather have 'round when the lead starts flyin' ... as long as I don't touch his guns. Too bad he's got it in his head to settle down some."
'The Maestro' - {L: 3 / C: 5} - female human - or possibly free spirit - fixer - somewhere in Istanbul
"She's a tricky one. There just doesn't seem to be any personal data on her to be found. I've never had any problems, but I never know what to expect with her either."
Dr. Francine Morrison - {L: 3 / C: 6} - female human - surgeon - 'Le Clinic' in Geneva, Switzerland
"Are you kidding? There's nobody else I'd trust. She fixed my arm and put in my first implants back in my old AF days, then did the rest after she'd moved up in the world."
Martin Odder - {L: 4 / C: 4} - male human - fixer - 'Odds & Even Odder's' shop in New Orleans, CAS
"Seriously omae, Martin definitely lives up to his name. But he's fun and reliable, and somehow always seems to manage to send work my way when I need it most."
Irving Radcliffe - {L: 2/C: 4} - male elf - corporate mage - Saeder Krupp headquarters in Cairo, Egypt
"Irving and I were never all that close, and I lost contact with him for a couple of years after I left college, only running into him again by chance one night in Beirut. He hasn't changed much, but is uncharacteristically tight-lipped about his recent activities."
Owen Spotted Cat - {L: 3 / C: 4} - male ork - magical threat specialist - DIMR in Washington D.C., UCAS - currently 'on loan' to the Oxford Royal College of Magicians in England
"Owen's the leader of my former group at the Institute. He's just like his totem in a fight ... almost as good as me!"
Dr. Harold Starling - {L: 2 / C: 4} - male elf - professor of thaumaturgy - MIT&T in Boston, UCAS
"I really didn't even like the doc until after I'd already quit school. He's been quite helpful more than once since then though."
Yoshi Takahara - {L: 1 / C: 3} - male human - fixer - 'Ronin's Retreat' bookshop in Tokyo, Japan
"This guy's back-alley 'smut 'n' scolls emporium' suits him to a tee. I guess it's hard for me to warm to a guy when I just know that I'll always be 'only a Gaijin' in his eyes."
Maynard Tennenbaum - {L: 1 / C: 5} - male human - professor of abnormal magic - University of Vienna, Austria
"He's undoubtedly one of the leaders in his field, but lately Maynard has started to play the media game, and has become a little more coy in revealing his findings."
Thomas Thompson - {L: 3 / C: 4} - male human - talismonger / club owner - 'The Tom Tom Club' in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
"I've heard that 'TomTom' has become a real social butterfly since the last time I saw him. If so, it'd be quite a change from that shack on the edge of the swamp."
Carlos Vega - {L: 2 / C: 5} - male dwarf - dock master / smuggler - Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
"There's very little in the islands that 'Vegas' doesn't have his fingers in, one way or another. And I ain't heard of nobody gettin' past him without lining his greasy little palm somehow."
Michael Wallamalla - {L: 1 / C: 4} - male elf - koradji - Kata Tjuta, Australia
"Mikey doesn't trust me. Hell, he doesn't even like me all that much, but that hasn't stopped us working together when the need arises."
Abigail Witherspoon - {L: 6 / C: 4} - female elf - hacker - 'HacknSlash' bar in Cape Town, Azania
"What to say? 'Slipper' and I go way back. I'm talkin' grade school days. We've been through just about everything together. Hell, we even tried to do the domestic thing for a while, but you know how it is. Abby's a prime techie and deck ... hacker, but she's quit takin' on the more active jobs now, and has settled down with her daughter, Trixie."
Written Stuff[ Spoiler ]
Human Male
Background
Tobias Ulysses Fletcher was born in Toronto on August 11th, 2037 to a young corporate couple in the employ of Fuchi, Thomas as a software sales representative and Nancy in the accounting department. The three, later to be four with the arrival of his younger sister Bethany, enjoyed a normal. corp-drone style childhood until Toby awakened at age 11. This event was quite a traumatic experience for the young boy, involving a prolonged period of involuntary astral projection. From that point on, family relations become strained, to say the least.
Fortunately for the Fletcher family, Fuchi in its benevolence stepped in to help, offering the fledgling mage a scholarship, first to a private high school, and then, after he showed some promise, eventually to MIT&T. Not to mention the added bonus of a contract thrown in after he graduated. How could they refuse?
At university, Toby joined the Kayos Kollective, an Initiatory Group formed by students whose ideals were quite similar to those of the UMT. Here he got his first exposure to the term 'Chaos Magic', and it immediately rang true with the way he envisioned his own personal Magic.
Toby's studies suffered under the weight of a combination of his boredom, his new-found party lifestyle, and his absolute refusal to even consider learning anything concerning conjuring or enchanting. His academic difficulties became even more pronounced after his mother's fatal heart attack. The downfall of Fuchi, and subsequent abrupt cessation of funds was all the excuse he needed to drop out, luckily slipping though the contractual cracks during the corporate shuffle.
Toby was quickly scooped up by the Atlantean Foundation with promises of action and exotic locales, both of which turned out to be true enough. He joined MC24, one of the AF's internal Initiatory Groups, and happily found himself a member of the fabled Mystic Crusaders.
Over the next couple of years, Toby was exposed to numerous bad things!
Sent all over the world, quite often independent of the Foundation with his own crew in tow, he was usually tasked with the elimination of one Threat or another. This type of work was exactly what Toby had been craving, but this type of work also had its pitfalls. He was permanently cursed when breeching a Kaer in Albania that left him barred from physical weapons of any sort, and he lost his entire left arm while clearing out a vicious nest of Ant Spirits in Fiji. Fearing that he was too slow, Toby decided to use the opportunity afforded by his subsequent clone replacement surgery to have state-of-the-art bioware implanted to boost to both his synaptic nerves and mnemonic abilities.
Some time later Toby's father, who by now was working for Novatech, and Bethany were kidnapped by Penelope Golden Bear, a toxic shaman, as part of her twisted plot to magically ignite the Athabaskan oil fields. Unfortunately Thomas was killed during the rescue operation, and Toby was severely injured enough to miss the funeral. Bethany visited afterwards, thankful but sad and confused, and mumbled something about going off to do something concerning aquaculture with Proteus AG. He hasn't seen his sister since, though he does get the occasional comm-call every every once in a while.
Upon recovery he left the Atlantean Foundation and hooked up with the Dunkelzahn Institute of Magical Research. There Toby joined Luna Arcana, DIMR's investigatory Initiative Group dedicated to seeking out and either understanding, capturing, or eliminating Magical anomalies.
Of course, this resulted in a couple more years of being exposed to an even wider variety of bad things!
Things like a cult of shedim in Mumbai, a free spirit dictator in the middle of the Congo, a secret vampire cabal in Montreal, blood magic in both Aztlan and Australia, and even a rampaging young dragon cutting loose near the Siberian border.
All of which, of course, eventually meant more injuries. The doctor who performed his first implant surgery had recently taken a new job at an exclusive Delta Clinic in Geneva, and after barely dragging himself away from a harrowing, three-day weekend battling a coven of witches in a small town in Belgium, Toby was lucky enough to be able to impose on her generosity. He ended up getting some top-class custom wetware, as well as upgrading his older implants, and even installing a custom commlink. While recuperating, Toby was invited to attend a few lectures in Austria featuring, among others, Schwartzkopf himself.
Eventually Toby grew tired of the day-to-day routine, and set about becoming an independent consultant, basically a troubleshooter specializing in eliminating magical Threats. Though officially having cut ties with the DIMR, he still maintains unofficial relations with the Draco Foundation.
Description
Toby's originally plain features have been finely crafted to achieve a ruggedly handsome, man-of-action effect. Although he is over 34, he still appears to be in his mid-to-late 20's, despite the hardships he has dragged himself through over the last decade and a half. And Toby certainly doesn't act his age either. His violet eyes, even despite being implants, look quite natural and seem to gain an extra sparkle at the prospect of action of any variety.
Always meticulous about his appearance, he keeps his face clean-shaven and his coal black hair short and trendy. Regardless of whatever type or style of clothing covers his 177 cm - 81 kg frame, Toby will magically alter them the fit the situation, and probably clean them in the process.
Since losing his left arm, Toby has taken to having the clone replacement tattooed with any and all small arcane symbols that he comes across during his travels. As of now, all of his upper arm and most of the shoulder are covered in a wide array of tiny yet colorful tattoos and bio-tattoos. A variety of scars and other small reminders of past encounters are scattered about the normally non-public areas of the mage's body.
Outlook
Toby enjoys life to the fullest, relishing a roaring party almost as much as he does a heated battle. Apart from that, the thing he loves most is travel, and doing the 'touristy thing' in exotic, well-known, and maybe even not-so-well-known locations.
He has a personal vendetta against magical threats of all kinds, a trait reflected in his Totem and reinforced by the Oath taken during his first Initiation. Related to this, Toby never uses Binding on principle, and thinks a little less of those that do.
He both despises and fears projecting onto the Astral, having many less-than-happy occasions while out-of-body, and will only do so as a last resort ... if then. In a strange way, this has also affected his outlook on the matrix, which he looks at in a similar fashion to the Astral, and he therefore absolutely refuses to immerse himself in full VR mode.
His work, as well as his crusade have made Toby somewhat detached, and he come to think very little about causing injury or even death, and he easily rationalizes away the 'lesser evil' in the pursuit of the 'greater good'. That being said, he dislikes Aztlan and Azzies more than others, and killing them needs no rationalization in his mind.
Red Sky at Morning, -High Karma meets High Seas
Aug 20 2007, 03:49 PM
