Grapple

F Ty 6

A Mn 75

S In 40

E Gd 10

R Am 50

I Gd 10

P In 40

Res Ex 20

Pop Gd +10 *

Health: Karma:

131 100

* Amongst humans, at least. In +40 to fellow Autobots, In -40 regarding Decepticons.

Origin:

Grapple is a Transformer! These powerful, silicon-based life forms originally came into being on the planet Cybertron, a world of unknown and variable distance from our own. This inexplicable origin accounts for all of Grapple's incredible capabilities.

Known Powers:

Cybertronian Physique: hailing from Cybertron, Grapple is one of the Transformers! The apex life form on his world, Transformers have numerous common capabilities that explain their prowess, capabilities that can only be considered super-human in scope. They include:

* Body Armor: while he isn't particularly damage resistant, the simple truth is that Grapple is built tough. Large, blocky, and thick in both forms, his primarily metallic body provides him Excellent (20) protection from injury, which is applied in this fashion:

Ex 20 / Ty 6 / Fe 2 / Sh 0 / Sh 0

* Growth / Shrinking: a consistent volume is something most Transformers scoff at, as a variable size helps their interaction with others in all their forms. For example, Grapple is twenty-one foot tall in his humanoid form, technically giving him Typical (6) growth.

Grapple thus benefits from a +1 size factor. As a result, he suffers a -1 CS when targeting human-sized foes, but gains a +1 CS on any damage he inflicts against them. Conversely, human-sized foes assaulting him do so under the reverse of those modifiers.

When he transforms into his vehicular mode, however, Grapple grows slightly, making room for human-sized passengers to occupy his cab. He swells to about twenty-four foot long, which allows him to function using the vehicular characteristics detailed below.

Dynamic volume shifts like this enable Transformers to interact with beings of differing sizes without further modifications being required of them. This ultimately allows Transformers like Grapple to wield or ride within their fellows seamlessly.

* Microscopic / Telescopic Vision: like his fellow Transformers, Grapple can adjust the scope of his vision to various ends. Thanks to these Feeble (2) ranked powers, Grapple can see objects miles away with ease, or zoom in on microfiche to view its contents.

* Radio Transceiver: as are most Transformers, Grapple is equipped with an audio / video transmission system. This communications rig allows him instant contact with any other Cybertronian within a wide radius of his person, having Excellent (20) range (100 miles).

* Resistance / Invulnerability to Disease and Poison: thanks to his innate immunity to carbon-based disease and poison, Grapple can explore terrestrial environments with ease. Sadly, his protection from more chemically creative disease is 'only' Unearthly (100).

Crane: since he can transform into a Mitsubishi Fuso crane, it stands to reason that Grapple should have a powerful means to move matter! He can lift and position up to thirty-five tons of material at once, doing so with Monstrous (75) skill.

Headlights: Grapple is equipped with two headlights in his Mitsubishi Fuso crane mode, mounted over his front bumper. These dual lamps allow Grapple to generate Excellent (20) illumination, which makes driving at any time, day or night, a breeze.

Rocket Launchers: Grapple's inherent weapons, he can retract his hands into his wrist linkages, replacing them with rocket launchers! Once he transforms his arms thus, Grapple can fire missiles with the following characteristics, inflicting +1 CS damage if he fires both:

C Gd 10

S Am 50

B Ex 20

Damage Rm 30 Edged Attack (fragmentary)

Shape Change: his claim to fame as a Transformer, Grapple can transform between a humanoid configuration and a Mitsubishi Fuso crane mode. Grapple's vehicle mode isn't equipped with any armaments, but possesses these vehicular characteristics:

C Mn 75

S Ty 6

B Ex 20

P Ex 20

Limitations / Enhancements:

(none)

Equipment:

Arc-Welder Rifle: one of Grapple's main construction tools, this implement's very name is a misnomer. Capable of emitting infrared radiation either in contact or within Near distance, Grapple's arc-welder rifle can thermally weld materials with Monstrous (75) ability.

Quirks:

Gullibility: though incredibly smart and skilled, Grapple is also kind of gullible. He's easily tricked into building things for anyone who praises his work, even the Constructicons, and will fall for others' guile unless he can pass a Reason ACTION at -2 CS.

Talents:

Artist: complementing his engineering skill, this talent is where Grapple truly shines. Adding flair to all his creations, no matter how limited in scope their function may be, Grapple may add ten Karma per week he engages in beautiful (to him, at least) engieering work.

Engineering: his primary talent, Grapple is a world-class engineer - his skill is from beyond this world, even. He can design and build just about anything, ranging from cars to houses to battleships, as though his Reason was +1 CS higher than is listed above.

Contacts:

Grapple is one of the Autobots! While he's not the most useful in a fight, Grapple's primary function as an engineer is vital to the creation and maintenance of Autobot structures. Highly valued, Grapple can easily consider his fellow Autobots reliable contacts.

Likeness:

Whether he's in his humanoid or his Mitubishi Fuso crane or humanoid configuration, Grapple is primary safety yellow in hue. He complements this with black trim in places, whether random stripes in vehicle mode or his hips, upper legs, and 'helmet' in his humanoid form.

Personality:

While his Autobot function is to be an architect, Grapple's true calling is that of an artist. He constatnly elevates the nature of his planned buildings into unparalleled works of art, even if he chafes when limited by practical, tactical concerns.

Emotionally attached to his creations, Grapple is often sidelined upon their inevitable destruction at the hands of the Decepticons. Morose and depressed as he sees his work undone, it often takes a lot for his friends, even good buddy Hoist, to cheer him back up into functionality.

On the flip side of this, Grapple can easily be prodded into building just about anything anyone wants him to, if they butter him up enough. Sometimes even the Decepticons can manage this, the Constructicons in particular, who excel at stroking his ego.

Real Name: Grapple
Occupation: architect
Legal Status: citizen of Cybertron with no known criminal record
Marital Status: inapplicable
Alias(es), if any: none
Group Affiliation: Autobots

Height: 21'
Hair: inapplicable
Eyes: blue
Weight: several tons
Other Distinguishing Characteristics: Grapple is safety yellow! Incredibly conspicuous in either form, he cuts that blast of color with black here and there, though he also makes use of chrome on his grill, bumper, and crane in places.

Design Notes:

My CASE description of Grapple primarily sticks to the process described in Transcribing Transformers. His Fighting would have been a bit high, however, so as I did with folks like Perceptor, I swapped his Speed and Skill for the purposes of his primary ability scores.

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