Do some of 1 and lead it into 3, or a clue/hint/attack that presages 3, giving the characters a reason to work together and something to work against, even if it's not right then and there.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Background</div><div class="spoiler_body"> <br/> <br/>Ling Chen  AKA Darkling<br/><br/>A bookish Chinese-American woman working on a history degree at the University of New Orleans, Ling did side research into erotic history through the ages and that lead her to a club (or cult) of people with similar interests... and got into some pretty kinky stuff based on an old tome they had.  Well, not that old, it was a 1960s translation of the Kama Sutra, graphically illustrated and with a lot of more modern techniques and values inserted, along with a great deal of other mysticism.  <br/><br/>Her card turned while enaged in some of the tantric sex depicted within, as did her partner, making the tantric sex magic work for them!  They spent a lot of time delving into their powers and limitations.  It was more than a human body could easily channel.  Using too much magic, or without enough tantric sex caused them to take on demonic or bestial aspects!  This was reversible with effort, at least so far.  <br/><br/><br/>Her partner found a way to put these consequences on others, as well as draining people of their energy instead of generating it with them.  They split over this and other things, but still run into each other from time to time.  They're connected by their shared magic tradition and background, despite other differences.  <br/><br/>Ling is now going to grad school part time, tutoring for money and, in her Ace identity as Darkling, taking on clients in need of magical (or Ace) assistance, including some in the mayor's office and police department.  She's not a very public ace, communicating with clients via her astral projection instead of a phone.  <br/><br/>There's a fair amount of “magic” themed Aces operating in the region, both voodoo and other sorts.  The long traditions of it in the New Orleans region have influenced a lot of peoples's cards, in a way similar to the many Living Gods in Egypt.  She's been working on a paper about that.  She uses her power to help people and the region, out of a sense of wanting to do good and from the pleasure that comes from using her powers.<br/><br/>Ling is a very attractive woman of Asian descent with a form that's grown increasingly buxom and curvy since her card turned.  She uses a witch's hat when appearing in public along with a variety of skimpy outfits, fetish wear or lingere, or a coin belt loincloth and topless, with thigh high boots or stockings and high heels.  She never wears more than one layer... for going out in her secret ID, she'll wear a long jersey or T-shirt or a coat with nothing beneath.  <br/><br/>Darkling's tantric magic ace is powerful and versatile, with some notable limitations.  She can call forth a wide variety of destructive forces, lift a truck with a glance, send her astral form anywhere in the country and teleport to anyplace on Earth.  Or subject someone to intense pleasure with just a touch.  Moving that much magical energy through her body has a cost, and if she doesn't have enough tantric power saved up, using her magic can change her body, the typical demonic features associated with old-time witchcraft.  Pointed ears, exotic-colored eyes with animalistic pupils, hooves like a goat, wings like a bat, red or green skin... she's been able to change back when this has happened, gathering a great deal of tantric energy or taking on a gaes.  That's one reason for her clothing habits, for instance.  <br/><br/><br/></div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Stats</div><div class="spoiler_body"><br/>PL 6 110/110  points<br/><br/><br/>Str 8<br/>Dex 10<br/>Con 14<br/>Int 18<br/>Wis 16<br/>Cha 18<br/>Characteristic total 24 points<br/>   <br/>Attack +0 (Magic +6)<br/>Defense  0 (+4 dodge shield)<br/>Initiative +0<br/><br/>Toughness save +2 (+8 with shield)<br/>4 Ref. Save +4 (+8 with shield<br/>4 Fort Save +6 (+8 with shield<br/>7 Will Save +10<br/>Save Total 15 points<br/>  <br/>Skills:  72 18<br/>Bluff +11/15<br/>Concentrate +4/7<br/>Computer +1/5<br/>Diplomacy +6/10<br/>Gather Information +2/6<br/>Knowledge (Arcane Lore) +11/15<br/>Knowledge (History) +6/10<br/>Knowledge (arts) +4/8<br/>Language 4 (French, Latin, Japanese, Spanish)<br/>Notice +5/8<br/>Perform Erotic Art +6/10<br/>Search +5/8<br/>Sense Motive +7/10<br/><br/><br/>Feats:  4 CP<br/><br/>Fascinate - Bluff<br/>Equipment 1 Base<br/>Ritualist<br/>Quick Change <br/><br/>Power Total 58 CP<br/><br/>29 CP Greater Tantric Sorcery<br/><br/>-Arcane Bolt - Blast 8 Accurate 2 Power Attack Homing 2 (21 CP)<br/>-Fireball - Blast 6 Area Burst 1 Improved Range 3  (21 CP)<br/>-Mystic Bonds – Snare 6, Transparent, Accurate 3 (21 CP)<br/>-Lightning Serpent - Close Blast 6 Area Line 1 Selective, Penetrating on 4 (21 CP)<br/>-Shadow Walking Accurate Teleport 9 Extended Only Extra Mass 3 (21)<br/>-Astral Travel 4  Selective, Linked to other Astral Travel (21 CP)<br/>-Telekinesis 7 Perception (21 CP)<br/>-Mystic Barrier Create Object 6, Impervious, stationary, Tether progression 1 (21 CP)<br/>-Pleasure Touch Nauseate 6 Aura, vs Will, Selective, Subtle, Reversible  (21 CP)<br/><br/>21 Tantric Sorcery:<br/>-Astral Travel 4 linked (20 CP)<br/>OR<br/>18 Barrier of Protection<br/>Shield 4 <br/>Force Field 6<br/>Immunity 2 Suffocation – Sustained<br/>Immunity 2 Critical Hits – Sustained<br/>Enhanced Defenses +2 Fort save, +4 Ref. save <br/><br/>1 Flight 1 Levitation<br/><br/>1 Magical Awareness<br/> <br/>1 Immunity 1: Aging<br/><br/>1 Tantric Ritual Magic-  Quickness 4 (Expertise Arcane Lore tasks only) requires tantric sex with partner(s) for duration<br/><br/>Shapeshift 1, limited, uncontrolled 6 CP<br/><br/><br/>Drawbacks: <br/>Power Loss (Needs to speak and gesture to attack or utility arrays) -3<br/><br/>Involuntary Transformation common, major -4<br/><br/>One-way transformation common, major -4<br/><br/>Complications<br/>Motivation<br/>Enemy<br/>Secret ID<br/><br/>Base<br/>Size small, toughness 10, living quarters, library, concealed, pool or security system 5 EP<br/><br/><br/></div></div><br/>This is pretty close to done, need to specify the motivations and the sorts of changes the Shapeshifting can cause... they have significant effects (IE, actually providing powers) to complicate the fact they're there. And maybe tempt her to change willingly sometime!