Sollir Furryfoot said:
Still working out some of the details, but your character would have been relatively normal before being transformed in some type of program. The program itself would have probably lasted between three and six months, after which you would be set free. I said 'relatively' normal because they would have picked exceptional people for the program, either physically or mentally strong or simply strong convictions/character. They would have approached at the most opportune time preferably (up to the player), shown that the results were very much true through a display of power and then give a fairly tempting offer. The powers granted would be specific to the person, dependent on their personality/traits, etc... (up to the player of course) with an optional genetically engineered defensive option available.
Was the program a military thing? International? Black Ops? Or something else? Is the program generally secret and superpeople largely unknown, or has word crept out and it's more of an issue of the program demonstrating that it can give you powers instead of demonstrating that powers exist in themselves? What does one generally do during one's six months in the program, at least for the typical subject?
A few capsule concepts. The way I usually go elements of each of these would end up in the final product here and there, but one or two would dominate. These all of course would stand for revision when we've got a clearer fix on the nature of the program that grants powers.
Superdude #1) Nanites! The character's body was infiltrated with nanites which have coopted his bodily functions and largely turned him into a kind of living robot. Powers would be focused around the interface and control of machines and electronics. The nanites weren't intended to work this way. Rather he developed the control over them after exposure. Sort of a mutant/tech hybrid. Might be too high tech for the setting, though.
Superdude #1.5) A slight variant of this would be dropping the nanites but keeping the powers similar. Electricity control with machine and computer operation, but the source is more the result of being dunked in an entertainingly-named chemical that should have killed him. Instead the mutation took over and radically changed his body to incorporate the stuff into him.
In either case, the character would be more of an intellectual bent, likely a scientist of some sort. Variant 1.5 would probably be pretty reconciled to and fascinated by his powers, the other would probably be less thrilled but not a total angstburger. They both know they're something quite a bit posthuman, the question being whether it's something they embrace and eagerly pursue, or something that makes them fearful with its uncertain future.
Superdude #2) An unwilling experiment. The powers don't necessarily bother him at all. He might even be quite fond of them. But on the principle of the thing he's not so enamored of being abducted and tinkered with against his will. This is a man of conviction and the principles of the thing matter greatly to him. I'm thinking of using the telekinesis suite with the metals-only limit for a sort of alternative Magneto effect. The character would still be an intellectual, but probably in more of a liberal arts angle. Maybe he's an academic.
Superdude #3) Does he even have powers? A subtle telepath. He doesn't have the saintly restraint you sometimes see in the comics. Rather he views his abilities as a useful tool and tends to rationalize a bit on his subjects never knowing he did anything. He has a noble side deep down, but for a combination of philosophical (really, it's no different than a person with exceptional powers of persuasion and those get elected to office!) and personal (I could stay here all night talking you into something, but Lost is on) reasons his use of powers can run to the unethical.
Superdude #4) A flame elementalist. No accidents, no mistakes, no coercion, he volunteered. How this works would I guess depend on the nature of the program, but anyway he was a willing participant. Probably a person of limited means before, his powers are a sort of personal affirmation. Yes, I can do something now. He'd probably be actively trying to be a hero and not just live out a quiet, normal life. The mindset about heroing would be a sort of reverse Superman. His alternate identity is the Clark Kent but he's really superfierydude.
Superdude #5) Classically-trained musician. He's brilliant and mercurial, eccentric. He used to be a child prodigy. It's all so damned easy for him that he got bored with it. Think of the dialog from that scene in Good Will Hunting where Matt Damon is popping off to the math professor about how easy this all is and lights his paper on fire. He stopped performing and was on the verge of becoming a recluse when the project came knocking on his door. The idea of being in the very exceptional .0001% of the world's population had an incredible draw for him. It was a chance to relive his glory years when everything was new and the accolades hadn't all blurred together. This could really go with any sort of powers. It could easily be swapped from music for science or something else.
Or, you know, something else that isn't a super-charismatic speedster.
Duplication is probably a no go even if you have enough points however, it seems like a very tricky power to adjudicate.
