Shaper

Shaper powers are an unusual sub-type that start out incredibly weak, but can become horrifyingly strong when given room to grow. A Shaper-class metahuman lacks any special combat capability of their own, but makes up for it with the ability to create weapons, gadgets, and in some cases even living beings that can rival the strength of other metahumans. From engineering geniuses with suits of powered armor, to would-be wizards brewing seemingly magical potions, all Shapers are known and feared for their long-term adaptability and nearly limitless potential.

This power is not without a weak point, however. All of a Shaper's creations will require time and resources to make, and reaching the peak of their power can take months or even years of sustained effort. During this buildup, Shapers are vulnerable to having their workshops and creations destroyed, a loss that can set them back by weeks at a time. If they wish to reach their Zenith, a Shaper must have patience, caution, and creativity in equal measure, as well as a healthy serving of good luck.

Each Shaper creation must be approved by staff in the #shaper-discussion channel before being completed in-character. Shapers are also a Slotted Class, meaning only a certain number can exist on the server at once.

## **Shaper Features**

**Limitless creation:**
Every Shaper has a certain specialty in what they create, and this specialty can be almost anything. There are Shapers who enchant objects by carving mysterious runes on them, Shapers who sculpt golems and bring them to life, Shapers who build giant mechas or birth horrific creatures in bio-vats... And many more. While each one is restricted to their specific field, they can branch out within it as far as their creativity allows, cooking up specialized creations for nearly any purpose imaginable. If you need a job done, then chances are a Shaper can make something that does it.

**Shared gifts:**
Shaper creations can be freely used by anyone who gets a hold of them, even unpowered humans. For this reason, people will pay them huge amounts for access to their work, and sometimes go to great lengths to steal it.

**Alone in their field:**
Even if some Shaper constructs are based on technology, it's impossible for non-Shapers to replicate their creations. Shapers can mimic each other to some extent (such as two tech-based Shapers both making laser beams), but their creations are always fundamentally different. Attempting to fuse or combine the creations of different Shapers results in them shutting down completely, no matter how similar or different they may appear. In addition, Shaper creations cannot reproduce or self-replicate through any means.

In short: Shapers have to build all of their creations directly, using their skills alone.

**Time and effort:**
Every Shaper creation takes time and/or resources to make. They cannot simply conjure up results out of thin air: every miracle they bring forth must be paid for somehow with their own hard work (or at least a generous donation from an ally). A Shaper can remake old creations whenever they want, but can only make completely new things once per week at maximum.

**Rising power:**
Shapers master their powers over time, starting with simple and weak creations before moving onto more difficult projects. The IPTO ranks their level of proficiency as follows:

* ***Genesis:*** a Shaper just beginning to learn. Their best creations are comparable in potency to a metahuman power rated 1 or 2.
* ***Ousara:*** an experienced Shaper. Creations comparable to powers rated 3 or 4.
* ***Praetorian:*** an expert Shaper. Creations comparable to powers rated 5 or 6.
* ***Legatus:*** an exceptional Shaper, notable enough that the IPTO will prioritize their surveillance. Creations comparable to powers rated 7 or 8.
* ***Zenith:*** a Shaper at the peak of their powers. Individuals of this class are considered a high security risk, and the IPTO will often seek to recruit or contain them. Their creations are comparable to the very strongest of metahumans.

## **Shaper Terminology**

* **Shapertech:** A term for technology created by Shapers.
* **Shaperwork:** A more general term for Shaper creations.
* **Shaperspawn:** Living creatures made by Shapers.
* **Specialty:** The area that the Shaper specializes in.
* **Sub-specialty:** Minor specialties that supplement a Shaper's main areas of expertise.

## **Designing a Shaper**

Firstly, select a specialty to build your Shaper around. This can be golems, plantlife, mech suits, airships, or anything that you can conceivably create. Let the staff know about your specialty, and we'll tell you if it's a viable option. We're generally pretty open to ideas, though some overpowered specialties (such as 'everything' Shapers, or Shapers with self-replicating creations) may be rejected outright.

Second, come up with the details of your chosen specialty, and the resources required to bring it to life. What can your Tinker theoretically make, and what are their limits? What kind of resources do they invest in their creations? This may be a good time to draft a couple of creations, and get an idea of how your Shaper will operate. Once you're confident that they'll be balanced and fun to play, then submit their character sheet for feedback and approval.

Third, begin playing! Take your time, build up your creations, and then sell them, share them with allies, or wield them yourself and wreak havoc. Details on new types of creations can be posted in your designated thread in the #shaper-discussion channel for staff approval (note: you'll need to get each one approved before you can make/use it, and are limited to one new submission per week).

## **Example Power**

Character Y is a Shaper specialized in plants. The plants they grow are both mobile and highly aggressive, and can be controlled by Y using specialized pheromones. Plant creations can differ from real-world counterparts in both size and shape, but will always be based on the same general physiology, since fungi and other plant-like organisms are not included within this power's specialty. Each plant creation requires time to grow, as well as an appropriately-sized plot of fresh soil and regular access to sunlight and water. Some smaller creations can be planted in batches, so that several will sprout at once.