Jl'rtz

Base Cost: 26 points

Origin:

Jl'rtz are an energy-based life form, evolved within the charged space in the vicinity of a quasar. Bundles of photons held in coherence by a powerful electromagnetic field, Jl'rtz can travel through the universe unaided, though they prefer the luxury of faster spacecraft.

Known Powers:

Circular Vision: lacking explicit sensory organs (or organs of any type, to be more precise), Jl'rtz can perceive the space all around them equally well. This ability functions in three dimensions, unless a given Jl'rtz wears additional equipment. (2 points)

Longevity: unlike material entities, Jl'rtz are not subject to aging, per se, though the electromagnetic field that binds their photons together does have a finite shelf life. Possessing Poor (4) rank longevity, Jl'rtz can persist for approximately 4,480 years, per this formula:

normal human lifespan (70) times power rank cubed (8) = eventual Jl'rtz lifespan (4480 years) (2 points)

Shrinking / Self: while each Jl'rtz represents an unimaginable amount of energy, these entities are small when you get down to it. Being a photon bundle the size of a golf ball, one surrounded by an electomagnetic field a bit over a foot in diameter, gives them this inherent ability.

Effectively possessing a permanent form of this power, Jl'rtz 'shrink' with Poor (4) ability, giving them a -2 size factor. In other words, human-sized foes assaulting Jl'rtz do so with a -2 CS penalty to hit, though attacks that do connect inflict +2 CS damage against them. (1 point)

Transformation / Self: this always-on ability serves to describe Jl'rtz individuals in their base state, that of a dense packet of photons held together and organized by complex electromagnetic fields. This energy bundle has an effective intensity of Amazing (50).

At will, Jl'rtz may release a small amount of their vast photon bank, issuing forth a burst of Remarkable (30) light, which can take a concussive (Force damage), thermal (Successively Decreasing Energy damage), or lased (Armor Piercing Energy damage) form, as they see fit.

Being primarily immaterial, Jl'rtz benefit from 3 CS of damage reduction against physical assault, and that which passes through them only serves to disrupt their energy matrix to a minor degree. This works both ways, though, and Jl'rtz possess an effective Strength of Shift 0.

Finally, as light, Jl'rtz can readily fly through unoccupied space at any speed up to the limit. While a trip at such velocities makes the duration feel short, however, it does take them out of play for long periods of time, something they avoid if at all possible. (16 points)

Limitations / Enhancements:

(none)

Equipment:

Jl'rtz are in contact with numerous material beings eager to sell them implements they can control via their own electromagnetic field, allowing them to utilize high tech devices or even the equivalent of cybernetics! The choice to use such devices or not is up to individual Jl'rtz, however.

Quirks:

Bigotry: having witnessed what material beings do when allowed to run rampant, Jl'rtz have overall decided they're better than such entities. Hiding their inherent bias requires they first pass a Psyche (will) ACTION roll with a -2 CS penalty, should they wish to play nice.

Enemy: while their behavior over the eons has made them few friends, Jl'rtz have deemed the floral Zaahi their principal foes. This is because these organics aggressively feed upon the energies that comprise Jl'rtz when encountered, considering them an irresistible delicacy.

Talents:

Astronaut: born in open space, albeit one charged with overwhemling amounts of power, Jl'rtz learn at an early age how to traverse it. Knowing how to avoid most conventional dangers in the universe, Jl'rtz may resolve ACTIONs required when traveling through space at a +1 CS.

Contacts:

Thanks to their curious politics, Jl'rtz treat others of their kind as a reliable contact, particularly in the face of other beings. It's sort of why they form vast, if patchy, interstellar governments - they wanted to ensure they had spaces where they're in charge of things.

This makes it hard for Jl'rtz to make friends outside their own species, but some do manage it - often despite their petty bigotries. Those who prove reliable friends to a given Jl'rtz are often cherished by them, as they defy the stereotypes their own people impose upon them.

Characteristics:

Jl'rtz tend to think more favorably of their own kind than they do material entities - or even other energy-based life forms. They're so assured of their superiority that they often bark orders at others, or even attempt to assume control, wherever they find themselves.

Well-traveled Jl'rtz often, though not always, shed these negative behaviors, once exposed to sufficiently competent and/or kind material beings.

Appearance:

Jl'rtz are small, yet mighty! Their core is a blindingly bright sphere of light about an inch in diameter, which can be any color a given Jl'rtz prefers, surrounded by what looks like a crackling electrical field twelve or so times that in size, replete with 'Kirby dots'.

Many Jl'rtz are content to coast through the universe 'naked', while others employ advanced devices that can interface with their electomagnetic photon binders to be controlled mentally. Such Jl'rtz are often dwarfed by the implements they utilize in this fashion.

Ecological Niche:

Jl'rtz developed from staggeringly energetic subatomic particle flows into a universe not quite ready for their raw power. While there is more than enough energy to sustain them in the place of their birth, Jl'rtz have wandered far and wide across the cosmos since their awakening.

Tending heavily towards organization and possessed of a smug superiority, they control vast reaches of space occupied by their material 'lessers', generally tamping down the technological and social development of those within their chosen domain to keep themselves dominant.

History:

Far, far away from earth, near the emission point of a quasar, the very space around that galaxy's heart is flooded with power. Within this seething cauldron of destructive might, a variety of energy-based life forms arose, one of which identify themselves as the Jl'rtz (Jill-Ritz).

One of several sentient energy fields that arose in this vast zone of intense radiation, Jl'rtz quickly spread far and wide in their home galaxy, thanks to their photonic nature. Of course, quickly is relative even at light speed, so it still took time for them to initially expand.

In their many, many encounter with material entities, Jl'rtz found them to be chaotic, something that offended their highly organized sensibilities. To this end, a large variety of them developed something of a superiority complex, a tendency they retain to this very day.

This has prompted them to overthrow large expanses of space, often of a non-continguous nature, thanks to their staggered spread through the universe. Jl'rtz don't crave conquest so much as they crave order, and are convinced that they are the most qualified to manage, well, everything.

Naturally, this doesn't sit well with many folks, and as a result Jl'rtz often engage in vicious conflicts to impose their will on others. Once conquered, these others are usually suppressed technologically, scientifically, or in any other way that preserves Jl'rtz supremacy over them.

At the same time, Jl'rtz have exploited their subordinate species to develop powerful technologies that can interface with their electromagnetic bindings, greatly improving their reach and capabilities. Not that they allow their 'lessers' to keep such technologies, naturally.

While they do throw their proverbial weight around, Jl'rtz are primarily at the mercy of the floral entities known as Zaahi. These botanical life forms can actively absorb the photonic energies that comprise a Jl'rtz, and share comparable attitudes towards expansion through the cosmos.

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