Nike
| Strength 12a |
Agility 12a |
Intellect 6x |
Willpower 15x |
| Hand Size: Edge: |
4 (25) 2 |
Known Powers:
Immortality (s): the daughter of the titan Pallas and the goddess Styx, Nike's power draws from a rather potent lineage. Her family background gives her this power at intensity 10, meaning she can be killed, but will eventually get better. Her power includes these resistances:
* Invulnerability to Disease and Toxins (s): Nike's titanian heritage, in addition to making her immortal, liberates her from the more insidious threats of organic life. She is completely immune to the ravages of disease and the effects of toxins (including alcohol and other drugs).
Lightning Speed (a): though not quite as fleet of foot as is Hermes, Nike is nonetheless possessed of impressive speed. She possesses this power at intensity 15, allowing her to cross vast distances in a relatively short period of time, whether on the ground or in the air.
Luck Control (w): the Greek goddess of Victory, Nike is naturally associated with luck. She is not averse to granting the boon of good luck to those she favors - or the curse of bad luck to those opposing her current favorites. Nike wields this power at intensity 20.
Size Alteration (a): Nike possesses this power at intensity 10, allowing her to shrink down to about six inches in size; she often does this when aiding other gods in order to avoid stealing their thunder. When so diminutive, she loses 10 points of Strength, but gains 10 points of Agility.
While she has never been depicted as using the opposite function of this power, it is important to note that, with her particular lineage, it wouldn't be at all out of character for Nike to grow to an impressive height. At a maximum height of 26 feet, she'd gain 10 points of Strength but lose 10 points of Agility.
Wings (a): Nike has a pair of magnificent, feathery wings with which she can propel herself through the skies. She has the ability to fly with intensity 4 (4a) speed, about 60 miles per hour, though she often enhances this significantly with her lightning speed when she's in a hurry.
Equipment:
Armor (s): on occasion Nike will wear classical bronze armor into battle. This armor is not overly sophisticated by modern standards, but it suits Nike's purposes in both style and substance. Nike's combat armor allows her +2 resistance to physical and energy attack.
Weapons (s): being well-versed in the art of battle, if not an actual war goddess, Nike can use any melee skill with ease. She usually has one on hand that suits her purposes, and if not she can usually improvise one (or several) should the need arise.
Hindrances:
(none)
Skills: *
Acrobatics Genius (a): one aspect of Nike's sphere of influence is athletic matters. As a result, she wields all skills with an Agility suit; many are applicable in athletic pursuits (aspect of victory), while others come into play as sheer expressions of prowess (aspect of excellence).
Gladiatorial Genius (s): a large portion of Nike's aspect as a goddess of victory involved warfare. While not a god of war, per se, Nike is nonetheless an expert melee combatant, whether with or without weapons; as such, she has all skills with a Strength suit.
Calling:
Mentor: the quintessential expression of this calling, Nike exists to encourage competence - in both her followers and those she has taken a fancy to. Whether this comes in the form of subtle personal aid or overt manipulation of probabilities to help out, Nike works to help others excel.
Costume:
When she presents herself to mortals, or even other gods, Nike usually wears one of three simple outfits. The first is naught but a white robe and sandals, the second is an ornate suit of bronze combat armor, and the third is, well, nothing. She often carries ceremonial censers or laurels with her as well.
Personality:
Her persona reflecting her godly sphere of influence, Nike strives for excellence in everything she does. She works to aid others in the pursuit of victory in their various goals, whether good or evil, but is known to punish those who rely on her patronage and fail, for she cannot abide incompetence.
Real Name: Nike (pronounced 'nee kay')
Occupation: goddess
Legal Status: citizen of the multi-planar realm of Olympus
Marital Status: single
Alias(es), if any: Victoria (Roman name)
Group Affiliation: the Gods of Olympus
Height: 5' 6"
Hair: light brown
Eyes: brown
Weight: 180 lbs (those are big wings)
Other Distinguishing Characteristics: Nike has a large pair of feathery, bird-like wings.
Story:
The child of the titan Pallas and the goddess Styx, Nike first came into prominence when Zeus rallied the gods to help him overthrow his father, Cronus. One of the first gods to join with Zeus, Nike (and her siblings) earned an important place in the house of the gods once the war with the titans had ended.
In time, she grew to be best friends with Athena, and worship of the two goddesses became a somewhat blurred devotion; Nike aided Athena in her efforts, after all, and statues built to venerate Athena are often believed to be devoted to Nike instead. Unless both were in the same statue, of course.
Associated with excellence and victory, Nike became a favorite goddess amongst the people of Greece, who venerated her after winning various athletic and martial events. While not a 'prime mover' in the Greek pantheon, Nike is a vital, behind the scenes component of their many triumphs.
Modern Day Potential:
Though the Greek gods do not receive the same amount of respect they used to, it's quite possible that Nike herself isn't seen so much since she's likely very busy. Few mythological entities receive the same amount of attention in the modern day as do Nike, for a variety of subtle reasons.
For one thing, everybody knows the shoe company, Nike. The corporation has made the goddess' name known to the world as a whole, even if most people don't associate it with her. Not to mention the fact that there are countless statues in homes around the world bearing her image, even if unwittingly.
One never knows just how much influence Nike has on the world at large, but many events can be easily theorized to occur due to her actions. Just how many athletes can you think of that had a sudden rise into ridiculous infamy - only to crash and burn as soon as their Hubris got the best of them?
On the other hand, direct devotion to Nike could occur in the form of obsessively hard working individuals, those wishing to impress their patron deity by pushing themselves to perfection in every aspect of life. They may have exceptional skill in their area of expertise along with faith-based powers...
* Nominally, a character with one 'genius' skill is not allowed to have other, unrelated skills - not to mention another 'genius' skill. However, while it slightly bends the rules, it is important to note that the skills simply fit with the concept of Nike as a goddess of victory and excellence.
Extra Goodies:
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