Here's my first draft build. I'm very pleased with it. Capable of covering several roles, but not in a way that threatens specialists, I think, this character will likely be shifting forms a lot in any encounter.
Note that 'humanoid' form covers humans, elves, possibly dwarves...any being of human proportions and body shape, of normal human size. The idea being that not ALL humanoid forms will have low light vision and a Dex bonus...but she can become an Elf, so those abilities need to be in the bag. She can 'mix' those powers with a bit more flexibility than the abilities of, say, a tiger, because of the similarity between humans and elves...the same similarity that lets them have children together, in fact. Races with very different traits, like halflings and perhaps Dwarves will get their own separate alternate effects, with a reduced ranking in Morph that only covers their race.
The Beginner's Luck advantage is meant to represent 'flashes' of insight from previously lost memories momentarily revealing themselves. I plan on buying Comprehend both for languages and animals as well, but couldn't afford them just yet. We'll say she's relatively newly awakened.
I don't see Aridha limited to animal shapes. These are just the shapes she's acquired so far. In choosing them, we learn the story of her awakening.
[sblock]
When I awoke, I only knew hunger. I caught a cat that was investigating me, and I ate it.
Later, as the cat, I climbed a tall tree and found an eagle's nest. The mother was away, so I ate a chick.
From the sky I looked down and spied a snake sunning itself on a rock, alert to danger from every direction but upwards.
When I was swimming in a watering hole, a tiger came to the water's edge to drink. It did not see me until I struck. I survived its paw, and while I waited my poison overcame it.
She does not mention how she gained the shape of a human, or elf.[/sblock]
Aridha
Abilities 28
Strength 0
Stamina 2
Agility 0
Dexterity 0
Fighting 2
Intellect 2
Awareness 4
Presence 4
Defenses 10
Dodge 4 (0 base + 4)
Fortitude 4 (2 base + 2)
Parry 4 (2 base + 2)
Toughness 2 (2 base)
Will 6 (4 base + 2)
Initiative +0
Skills 13 (26)
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Acrobatics +3 (3)
Athletics +5 (5)
Close combat (Unarmed) +4 (4)
Deception +8 (4)
Insight +8 (4)
Perception +6 (2)
Persuasion +6 (2)
Stealth +2 (2)
Powers 36
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Shapes: 27
Humanoid 23pp
- Morph 3 (Any Humanoid), 15pp; Enhanced Dexterity 3, 6pp; Senses 1 (low light vision), 1pp; Attractive 1, 1pp;
Tiger
- Morph 1 (1 form only: Tiger), 5pp; Growth 4, 8pp; Enhanced Str +2, 4pp, Speed 2, 2pp; Leaping 2, 2pp; Senses 1 (low light vision), 1pp; Enhanced Athletics +2, 1pp
Snake
- Morph 1 (1 form: snake), 5pp; Move 2 (Slither), 2pp, Damage 1 (Penetrating), 2pp; Affliction 6 (poison), 6pp; Enhanced Dodge +2, 2pp; Enhanced Stealth +2, 1pp; Enhanced Athletics +2, 1pp; Swimming 2, 2pp; Protection +2, 2pp
Eagle
- Morph 1 (1 form: Eagle), 5pp; Shrinking 4, 8pp; Flight 4, 8pp; Senses (Extended Vision), 1pp; Enhanced Perception +2, 1pp
Cat
- Morph 1 (1 form: cat), 5pp; Shrinking 8, 16pp; Leaping 1, 1pp; Senses: Low Light Vision, 1pp
Regeneration 3, 1pp/rnk, 3pp
Immortality 3, 2pp/rnk, 6pp
Advantages 3
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Improved Initiative
Beginners luck
Animal empathy
Totals: 90/90
Attributes: 28
Defenses: 10
Skills: 13
Advantages: 3
Powers: 36
Complications
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Physical Sample - To acquire the ability to shift into a new species, Aridha must ingest part of it. Blood, skin, bone, meat, hair...any part of it will do. The creature sampled can be living or dead, willing or unwilling. Once a species has been added, Aridha can imitate any individual of that species that she touches. No ingesting is required for this, but skin to skin contact is required.
Blank Slate - Whenever her Immortality causes her to recover from death, she loses memories based on how severe the damage is, and how old the memories are (older memories being more fragile in this case). She also loses whatever shapes she's learned up to that point, reverting to Humanoid form, but capable only of using the Morph ability from that form until specific abilities are absorbed.
Collector - She experiences an almost instinctive urge to acquire more forms, and while she can control the impulse, it's always there. This does not require her to commit murder, but it can be tricky to say the least.