Flare

Context

This character is an original creation. We often call these “homemades” or “homebrewed” – think home cooking or craft beer.

Many of these characters were created to take part in tabletop role-playing game sessions. Others were invented as a creative writing exercise, often as part of a community event.

History

Flare is the heroic identity of Anthony (Tony) Jomak. Tony, 26, is married and has a two-year old son. His family lives in a western suburb of Chicago.

One cold, windy day he was walking to his car in a shopping mall parking lot. Seeing his car about 100 yards away, he thought to himself how he wished he was there already. Suddenly, he was.

This was the first manifestation of his power, and he is unaware of any other reason why he has the power. He suspects previously untapped mental power common to all humans. He’s wrong, but the source of the powers was to be a major storyline in a campaign that I never devoted enough time to start up.

After experimenting with his powers a bit and discovering his ability to “float”, as well as the limits of his teleportation range, Tony began looking for ways to use his powers.

I shall be that hero

His first opportunity came during a long hostage incident at a Chicago high-rise, when Tony was able to teleport through a 11^th story window and back out with the victim. Since then he has also used his powers to quickly search burning buildings for trapped people and in rescue efforts where the person is inaccessible by normal methods.

He has been working on developing skills that he thinks may be useful in his new career (dodge and stealth). He has also appeared on The Tonight Show and been interviewed by People.

Tony was a programmer for a large firm, but resigned to market his own software. His wife handles the business end of things while he develops the programs. This allows him to work at home, with an all-news station on the radio, so he can respond quickly when some situation occurs where he might be able to help.

Notes

The campaign scenario was to be basically the same as in Power Plays and similar stories, what would happen if super-heroes were to appear in the world today ? The people who gain super powers have no idea why. Flare is the first super-hero to appear in the world, but not the last.

At first all the super-heroes appear around Chicago, but eventually they begin appearing elsewhere. Not all the powers are particularly useful nor does everyone with powers decide to use them.

By Tim Tjarks.

Source of Character: Homemade.

Helper(s): Sébastien Andrivet (adjusted the original writeup, which was 1^st edition compliant).