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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Davies" data-source="post: 8804788" data-attributes="member: 30538">Shuǎ Shé Rén/耍蛇人 <img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/My-First-Gallery/i-zKP6v5g/0/be56c647/M/ajax-love-finalsimple-M.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /><a href="https://www.artstation.com/domin0arts" target="_blank">Art by Ajax Love</a>The People's Republic of China makes something of a show of tolerating independent superpowered operatives within their borders, the better to uphold their claim that all members of the Metahuman Guard are volunteers. Of course, many of the "privileges" that superheroes in other nations enjoy are entirely absent, the most notable of which is the concept of the secret identity. Any individual in China, whether powered or not, who fails to present adequate identification when asked by the authorities will find themselves in considerable trouble. While this has created difficulties, most superheroes in China live within these restrictions and strive to do as much good as they can.And then there are the Sīfa Zhuānjiā ("Experts of Justice".) Officially regarded as outlaws and criminals by the government in Beijing, they nevertheless strive to protect the people of the People's Republic from those who would threaten them, whether from within or without. In order to do so, they must necessarily keep their identities secret, both from the agents of their government and from others who might unwittingly (or otherwise) betray them. Thus, even Argus has many unanswered questions about them. Their first leader, who called himself Tiankui ("Leader Star") and was active between 2007 and 2014, claimed that there were exactly 108 members of the organization. Most doubt this number, but even the lowest estimates suggest that there might be as many as 36 and possibly more, making it one of the largest groups of extragovernmental superpowers on Earth.The current leader of the group uses the alias Shuǎ Shé Rén ("Snake Charmer") and is known by the civilian name Xie Liyin. She has been a member of the organization since its establishment and was chosen to replace the fallen former leader of the group late in 2021, after her precursor apparently fell during the invasion. (It is not clear whether that individual died or only suffered injuries that forced their retirement.) What follows is the narrative she tells about her life, which may or may not be accurate or truthful.She was born in Shenzhen in 1991 to a father who was already elderly at her birth, and who was then a well-respected teacher of qigong. Unfortunately for him, he became associated with a clinic that was associated with a certain group that fell under official suspicion of opposition to the state government. (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falun_Gong" target="_blank">No, not that one.</a>) Perhaps a bit presciently -- though not enough to save himself from a horrid fate -- he had sent his only child to be taught by an associate and distant relative in the north, in the shadow of the Bayan-Har mountains.There, she was tutored in certain practices that were contrary to those she had seen her father use. Where he only employed his talents to heal, she was carefully taught how to inflict harm. Finding herself increasingly uncomfortable with the antisocial and violent ideology expressed by her mentor, Liyin began to consider how best to escape. An opportunity arose when Tiankui attempted to recruit her mentor and came under attack; she joined forces with him to allow them to both flee successfully, and was accepted as one of the Sīfa immediately.In addition to her ability to inflict "poison" effects on those whom she touches, Shuǎ Shé Rén is a highly skilled martial artist whose reflexes, balance and general coordination are all clearly enhanced. Her body has become impervious to the effects of both her own poisons (and similar abilities) and more mundane venoms and toxins. Her olfactory senses are keen enough to detect and identify such substances in even minute amounts. Perhaps her most unusual ability, however, is a social one. Somehow, she has been recognized as a friend by a group of highly unusual snakes, similar in most respects to the Carpet Pythons, who demonstrate near-human levels of intelligence and a level of cooperation almost unknown among reptiles. The snakes cannot speak, but demonstrate some ability to understand human speech. Exactly how this connection was established is not something she has ever discussed even with her closest allies in the Sīfa.Shuǎ Shé Rén considers herself a realist, first and foremost. While she would like to see China transformed into a more just and open society, she does not believe that this will happen in her lifetime, or the lifetime of any children she might have. She will do what she can to help those she can, and try not to think about those she has failed to help, or about those who have fallen in the struggle. She is not a god. She makes mistakes. And eventually, she too will fall. But not today.Shuǎ Shé Rén -- PL 10Abilities:STR 2 | STA 3 | AGL 6 | DEX 4 | FGT 7 | INT 2 | AWE 2 | PRE 2Powers:Poisonous Kung Fu: Array (25 points) <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Agonizing Poison: Cumulative Affliction 8 (Resisted by Fortitude; Dazed & Vulnerable, Defenseless & Stunned), Extra Condition, Limited Degree, Reversible, Secondary Effect - 25 points</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Paralysis Poison: Cumulative Affliction 8 (Resisted by Fortitude; Hindered, Immobile, Paralyzed), Reversible, Secondary Effect - 1 point</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Sleeping Poison: Cumulative Affliction 8 (Resisted by Fortitude; Fatigued, Exhausted, Incapacitated), Reversible, Secondary Effect - 1 point</li> </ul>Steeped In Poisons: Immunity 2 (own powers, poison); Senses 3 (ranged acute detect poison [olfactory]) - 5 pointsStriking Strength: Strength-based Damage 2 - 2 points Advantages:Agile Feint, Assessment, Close Attack 5, Defensive Attack, Defensive Roll 2, Improved Initiative, Improved Trip, Improvised Weapon, Minion 5, Power Attack, Takedown, Uncanny Dodge.Skills:Acrobatics 5 (+11), Athletics 7 (+9), Close Combat: Unarmed 1 (+8), Deception 6 (+8), Expertise: Performance 6 (+8), Expertise: Streetwise 7 (+9), Insight 6 (+8), Perception 5 (+7), Stealth 4 (+10), Treatment 5 (+7).Offense:Initiative +8Unarmed +13 (Close Damage 4)Agonizing Poison +12 (Close Fortitude 8)Paralyzing Poison +12 (Close Fortitude 8)Sleeping Poison +12 (Close Fortitude 8)Defense:Dodge 10, Parry 12, Fortitude 6, Toughness 8/3, Will 8Totals:Abilities 56 + Powers 31 + Advantages 21 + Skills 26 + Defenses 18 = 155 pointsOffensive PL: 10Defensive PL: 10Resistance PL: 7Skill PL: 6Complications:Responsibility--Motivation. Hunted by the Authorities. Secret Identity.Snake -- PL 5/MR 5Abilities:STR 2 | STA 2 | AGL 4 | DEX 0 | FGT 4 | INT -2 | AWE 1 | PRE -2Powers:Small But Long: Permanent Shrinking 4 (-1 Strength, -2 Intimidation, +2 Dodge, +2 Parry, +4 Stealth), Innate; Reach 2 on Strength Damage - 7 pointsSnake Feet: Movement 1 (slithering) - 2 pointsSnake Nose: Senses 3 (acute olfactory, ranged detect heat) - 3 pointsSnake Skin: Protection 1 - 1 pointAdvantages:Chokehold, Close Attack 2, Defensive Roll, Fast Grab, Improved Hold, Improved Initiative, StartleSkills:Athletics 6 (+8), Intimidation 12 (+8), Perception 6 (+7), Stealth 0 (+8).Offense:Initiative +8Unarmed +6 (Close Damage 2)Defense:Dodge 6, Parry 6, Fortitude 4, Toughness 4/2, Will 4Totals:Abilities 20 + Powers 13 + Advantages 8 + Skills 12 + Defenses 5 = 68 pointsOffensive PL: 4Defensive PL: 5Resistance PL: 4Skill PL: 3Partially inspired by Eternal Phoenix's <a href="https://www.echoesofthemultiverse.com/viewtopic.php?p=160762#p160762" target="_blank">Poisonous Martial Artist</a>.</blockquote>

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