Opinions of consequences of power combination

External Since: Sep 09, 2005 Posts: 10

Greetings,

I have a character in my superheroic campaign with electrical powers
and the ability to teleport through and along electrical conductors.
He also has a disadvantage that when he is soaked and charged up (i.e.
using his powers), his internal energy discharges completely. This is
a Hero System campaign, by the way.

I am sure that a number of you can figure out my question by now.
Basically, what is the result of him teleporting through water? My
personal opinion is that since he is in an energy form during the
teleport, there is no problem. However, if he does not end on a dry
surface (i.e. stops in the middle of the water), he will short out
since he has to be powered up to teleport. However, I would like to
get other opinions.

And to clarify the part about being "soaked". First, it is only when
he is using his active powers is he considered "powered up". Most of
his defenses do not require that he pour any power into them. Second,
"soaked" refers to him being hit or drenched with a significant amount
of water. A glass of water in his face, or him walking though a puddle
will not short him out, although it might raise some sparks. A water
attack or being knocked into and breaking a fire hydrant, however, will
leave him soaked as a result.

Mark Sebree

External Since: Jan 09, 2006 Posts: 16

Well, I'd have to say there should be a series of possibilities here.

1.) if the fellow uses the linearity of wires to help him keep his
shape (meaning that his "teleport" ability does not include a "keep
your shape" sub-power), then the teleportation through water may cause
some (permanent/semi-permanent) disfigurement and damage. This assumes
that he is in another "form" during teleport; and that that form
doesn't hold its shape.

2.) If the fellow uses the linearity of wires to direct his path, then
going through water should mean that he goes in a random direction,
until he reaches the end of the water, at which point he solidifies,
and shorts out. this, again, assumes he's in another "form" during
teleport. Mind you, this could be bad; the "end" of water could be the
surface, the sea floor, the beach, whatever. Random direction, you
know.

3.) if the fellow isn't in another "form" during teleport, or if that
form has some of the same limitations as his usual, then he immediately
stops and shorts out.

4.) The man disperses entirely. end of program. Congratulations; you
are one with nature.

5.) different body parts go different places. R.I.P.

6.) The man doesn't need wires to direct him or help him keep his
shape; and since he's in the form of electricity, he doesn't need to
worry about shorting. But if he hits something that isn't a conductor;
anything at all, he turns back to normal and immediately shorts out.
Meaning, someone hits him with a surfboard, an air bubble, or he
surfaces or hit the bottom of the ocean, or living flesh or anything
solid other than metal, he's solid, powerless, drowning.