Tow-Line

Powers:

Cybertronian Physique: like his fellow Autobots, Tow-Line is a robotic entity of Cybertronian design and origin. As such, this slow yet sturdy combatant has, by his very nature, the use of a large variety of abilities that reflect this. His very body gives Tow-Line these super human powers:

* Body Armor (s): like most Cybertronians, Tow-Line was built (or formed) with a reinforced steel frame, one that offers him +2 resistance to injury. This makes him immune to most basic human attack forms, and moderately resistant to his fellow robots (taking his Strength into consideration).

* Growth (a): most Cybertronians have a degree of control over their size, no matter their form. Due to his significant height in his humanoid mode, Tow-Line has this power via technicality; he may very well grow somewhat while transforming, but doesn't appear to do so.

This power is bound in Tow-Line's case by the Permanent limitation, meaning that Tow-Line is always 12 foot tall in his humanoid mode. Due to his size, Tow-Line possesses this power at intensity 2, and while it's permanent, the requisite Strength and Agility changes are not applied.

This since his foes often vary in size considerably; the Autobots are not all die-cast from the same mold. For the sake of simplicity, one could just apply those alterations and call it a day, or he may go for accuracy and vary them based on the size of his current opponent; whichever works for your game.

* Invulnerability to Disease and Toxins (s): like all robots, Tow-Line is highly resistant to diseases and poisons that would kill organic beings. He possesses complete immunity to organic pathogens, and a 'mere' +10 resistance to other, more chemically creative substances.

* Microscopic + Telescopic Vision (w): all Transformers can alter their visual sensitivity where distance is concerned. Functioning at intensity 2, these powers let them see objects up to a mile distant with ease, as well as allowing them to read items on microfiche.

* Radio Transceiver (i): as are most all Transformers on earth, Tow-Line is equipped with an audio / video transmission system. This communications rig allows him instant contact with any other Cybertronian on earth, having intensity 10 power (25,000 mile range).

Headlights (i): to better emulate earthen vehicles (and since they come in handy in the dark), most automotive Transformers on earth are equipped with a set of convenient headlights. These twin lamps can be used to generate intensity 8 illumination, making driving at night no problem.

Kinetic Control (i): in addition to having his wrecker gun handy in his humanoid mode, Tow-Line apparently has something akin to a telekinetic power, in that he can topple enemies with an unseen force. He can use this power to manipulate (or inflict damage) with intensity 12 ability.

Shape Change (a): whenever he desires, Tow-Line can transform between his humanoid and tow truck mode, and often does so quickly in battle to maximize the use of his abilities. This power is voice-activated, however ("Tow-Line, Transform!"). He's relatively fast for such a large vehicle, too.

Consider him to be moving as though he had intensity 4 Lightning Speed in his automotive form.

Wrecker Gun (i): inherent to his form, this gun makes up Tow-Line's grill and a part of his under-carriage in his vehicle mode. When firing this blaster at an opponent, Tow-Line can inflict intensity 13 concussion damage per shot - though he usually prefers to use his wrecker hook in combat.

Wrecker Hook (s): Tow-Line's primary weapon, which he can use in either his humanoid or vehicular mode, this is a powerful, nigh-indestructible cable attached to a rather large hook. Tow-Line can use this hook to inflict +4 damage, grapple (like a whip), or tow objects of considerable bulk.

Equipment:

(none)

Hindrances:

Programmable: Tow-Line has proven to be easily reprogrammed; Sky-Bite managed it with but a simple (relatively speaking) compact disc. Whenever someone manages to rewire Tow-Line's personality, he or she changes his calling to Soldier, and can direct the poor Autobot to do his (or her) bidding.

Skills:

Law Enforcement (w): as a part of his efforts to 'blend in' and 'be useful' when not fighting the Predacons / Decepticons on earth, Tow-Line works to support Tokyo law enforcement officials. Learned through trial and (much) error, this skill also grants him the ability to tow / confiscate illegally parked vehicles.

Marksmanship (a): as a part of his basic law enforcement duties, not to mention his training as an Autobot warrior, Tow-Line has had to learn how to use a firearm if necessary - especially his own. While his skills focus on advanced energy weapons, Tow-Line can use any firearm at a reduced difficulty.

Whips (a): while he can use his wrecker gun well, Tow-Line truly prefers wielding his notorious hook in battle, as it's less deadly - and more effective overall. When wielding his wrecker hook - or any other whip or weight on a rope, Tow-Line may do so at a reduced difficulty.

Calling:

Protector: though he still goofs up here and there, Tow-Line's heart is in the right place (so to speak). He strives to protect innocents from the scourge that the Predacons (and later, the Decepticons) represent. He'll go out of his way to help save folks from this evil, or even from themselves if he must.

Likeness:

In his vehicle mode, Tow-Line resembles a heavy duty, lime green / sea green tow truck, one with orange trim and windows, and a large, purple tow hook. When he transforms into his humanoid configuration, Tow-Line appears to be a rather stocky robot built from assorted green, purple, and orange truck bits.

Personality:

While he's not all that dim, per se, Tow-Line seems to have had a rather difficult time adjusting to the traffic laws on earth, which he has dedicated himself to supporting in his 'down time'. This tends to cause the slow-talking Autobot to make several curious mistakes, and almost as many problems as he solves...

Real Name: Tow-Line
Occupation: warrior, parking law enforcer
Legal Status: citizen of Cybertron with no known criminal record on earth
Marital Status: inapplicable
Alias(es), if any: none
Group Affiliation: the Autobots

Height: approximately 12'
Hair: inapplicable
Eyes: orange
Weight: several tons
Other Distinguishing Characteristics: Tow-Line is composed of a strong alien metal that is primarily lime green and sea green in hue (with orange and purple highlights), regardless of his form.

Story:

As opposed to most other Autobots on earth, Tow-Line is something of a late arrival, having showed up shortly after Megatron and his Predacon cronies first started tearing the planet up. Apparently sent to act as a reinforcement for the Autobots, Tow-Line quickly assumed a terran form to help them do their jobs.

His stasis pod scanned in a tow truck, a form that would better represent his own strengths and abilities, and once he got in touch with the Autobots already working to 'blend in' as earth vehicles of various stripes, he started assisting Prowl in his law enforcement duties.

Of course, Tow-Line proved to have some difficulties adjusting to the peculiarities of earth culture, and as a result he wound up towing several vehicles that he shouldn't have; nothing critical, mind you, but definitely enough to disrupt life in the city he'd vowed to protect from the Predacons.

Seeing him in action, Sky-Bite and Megatron's other cronies noted that he seemed quite inexperienced, and resolved to take advantage of this. To this end, they abducted poor Tow-Line, and used a special disc of Sky-Bite's design to reprogram the newly arrived Autobot, confusing his priorities.

He came to believe that the Autobots were, in fact, the villains he came to earth to earth, and began to capture all the Autobots he could. However, when collecting X-Brawn, Tow-Line suffered a 'head' injury, one that confused his new programming, causing him to dump his prey in an unforeseen location.

While he collected several other Autobots, including Side Burn and Rapid Run, the Predacons sought Tow-Line and his captured 'enemies' out. Optimus Prime and Prowl did as well, and once they found Sky-Bite's mind control disc, they removed it from Tow-Line's CD player, returning him to normal.

Tow-Line then led his two fellows to where he'd dumped the others. This naturally led to a big ol' brawl, at least once the Predacons arrived on the scene, though the villains were beaten in the end. Once this mess had been resolved, Tow-Line continued his education in the ways of earth culture.

He didn't participate in too many (publicized) battles after this, as his skills were put to use helping humans in a less combative capacity. However, Optimus Prime summoned him, along with every other Autobot on earth, to assist him in his final battle with Galvatron (an evolved Megatron) and his minions.

Though this was a nasty fight thanks to Galvatron's energy vampirism powers and augmented fighting abilities, the Autobots ultimately won out in the end, transporting all the villains home in captivity. After a short vacation, Tow-Line and his allies then left the earth once and for all...!

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