Downtown Strength Agility Intellect Willpower 7d 5b 6d 5d Hand Size: 3 (17) Edge: 1 Origin: While he possesses a seemingly supernatural aptitude for geometry and range finding, Downtown is in fact a mere normal human. He lacks special powers of any variety, but the government-issue hardware he wields could paint him as a high tech hero, if one were so inclined. Powers: (none) Hindrances / Augmentations: (none) Equipment: Helmet (s): since he works with explosives, Downtown wears a helmet on the job, should something... bad happen on the clock. This metal device offers him intensity 8, or +2, protection versus any non-facial head assault, and it has a visor handy to protect his eyes, as well. Knife (s): you never know when you're going to have to cut something - or someone - in the field. As such, Downtown always carries a blade with him on the job, which can be used to inflict his Strength +2 damage in melee, or to (eventually) cut through items of up to m.s. 12. Mortar (i): this weapon allows Downtown to launch various projectiles, with significant (artillery) range, at a target. The shells that this mortar can fire typically cause intensity 12 damage, and Eric can load several types of canisters into it, such as: * Explosive Canisters (i): these dangerous shells will inflict damage within near missile range of where it hits, as well as -2 damage out to firing distance. These are great for destroying tanks, buildings, et cetera. * Incendiary Canisters: these shells can inflict SD energy damage to everybody within the target area; this means that the fire burns at a -1 in intensity each exchange, until those set aflame can pass a Strength action against the SD intensity of the flames. * Smoke Canisters (w): these shells contain smoke that can obscure a target area with intensity 9 ability. Folks within must pass a Willpower (or similar with super-senses or detection devices) action opposed by the smoke to see or sense effectively through it. Revolver (a): a curious weapon to be sure, Downtown prefers it to modern, semi-automatic fare. Every round he fires from this weapon inflicts his Agility +5 in damage each, and can fire six shots with it before he must reload the device. Skills: Boxing (s): an essential skill everyone picks up in the military, Downtown has the ability to defend himself at any time. He may divide his pre-card play action score between two unarmed melee attacks, the last of which occurs as a contingent action. Guns (a): though he prefers to wield his mortar, Downtown is rather adept in the use of modern firearms. Whether he's wielding a standard, semi-automatic, or fully automatic rifle or pistol, he may do so at one difficulty level lower than is normally required. Marksman (a): an offensive application of his natural, geometric ability, Downtown has the ability to effectively wield all line-of-sight weaponry. He may ignore range penalties when wielding such items, and may target with them at a reduced difficulty. Mathematics (i): while he's always had natural geometric ability, Downtown supplemented this with proper mathematical study. The man receives a reduction in the difficulty on attempts to solve a math problems - a bonus which applies to his artillery training. Military / United States (w): the source of all his marketable talents, this skill serves as an origin of sorts for Downtown. It denotes his inherent knowledge of the Army's Standard Operating Procedure, as well as his ability to function effectively in almost any fighting unit. Sports / Basketball (a): while he didn't have the height for basketball, Downtown was able to make many a shot that others thought impossible. He nonetheless still enjoys the game, and should receive a reduced difficulty on basketball actions, whether involving playing or trivia. Contacts: Downtown is a member of the GI Joe team in good standing, and can readily rely upon his teammates for help in almost anything should he but ask; the man has proven himself on numerous occasions after all. Downtown has additional contacts in military circles, as well. Calling: Soldier: Downtown is a true trooper. The man enjoys the Army way of life and using his skills to defend his nation. He considers himself lucky to be in a group like the GI Joe team, which allows him to take an active role in the protection of his friends and family from evil. Costume: Downtown's GI Joe field uniform is simple and practical. It consists of a long-sleeved, collared teal shirt, brown trousers, red shin guards, black boots, a black leather belt, orange and green web gear with black equipment pouches strapped on, and a red combat helmet. Personality: Thomas is athletic, body-proud, and a demon on the basketball court. He likes to enjoy himself, and works hard at everything he does. As such, he's usually very, very good at it, whether it involves making a foul shot on the court or blooping frags on a body from a mile away! Real Name: Thomas P. Riley, Grade E-4 Occupation: infantry, artillery Legal Status: citizen of the United States with no known criminal record Marital Status: single Alias(es), if any: none Group Affiliation: GI Joe Height: 5' 9" Hair: blonde Eyes: brown Weight: 155 lbs Other Distinguishing Characteristics: none Story: Downtown earned his nickname back in high school, when the man vigorously played high school basketball. He wasn't pro material (being much too short to slam dunk), but Downtown had gained quite a reputation for never, ever missing a foul shot on the court. There's something about the man, he's just that good with geometry. It's nothing conscious that he does, really, it's just that Downtown has an amazing head for judging range, distance, and trajectory - by eyeball, even - that he usually knows where to lob something to perfect effect. As he didn't go to college on a basketball scholarship, Downtown instead enlisted in the military, who quickly put his amazing skills to good use as a mortar man. Evaluation of his ability proved that he was a natural for the job, being able to hit anything he can locate with a shell. Whether he has first-hand information or that of a spotter's, Downtown can easily target just about anything within range of his mortar, and flatten it within two shots, no matter how distant or small or obscured it may be. He's just that good, and it shows. This is what got him a place on the GI Joe team. The recruiters for that elite organization are always on the lookout for the best of the best, and they chose Downtown as an addition to the team's mortar corps. It was just a matter of him getting through the horrid entrance exam. Strong and tenacious, Downtown managed this soon enough, and was quickly put to work on the GI Joe team proper. He remained with that group for the duration of its original incarnation, participating in a variety of so-called Special Missions that are classified to this very day. (Historical Divergence) As the GI Joe team moved in and out of an active status over the years, Downtown has helped them out on a reserve basis whenever they needed his assistance, as they did during the second Cobra Island Civil War, which saw the entire team rolled out to that terrible land. Downtown also assisted the GI Joe team during World War III, helping the team to narrowly defeat Cobra when they almost conquered the entire planet in one fell swoop. Downtown was serving in Georgia (the nation) at the time, along with several other Joes who were in the area. With Cobra's seeming defeat, Downtown has remained an active Joe, as the team has been charged with rounding up all the Cobras who'd escaped justice upon their ultimate (?) defeat. He stands ready to wield his particularly destructive skills on any Cobra force that resists capture!