MJL's The Shield aka The Iron Clad Shield NPC For For The Victorious Rpg & The Belle Époque Role Playing Game

 Combining the MLJ Shield's patriotic theme and super-powers with the clockwork and steam technology of the Victorious era (a setting based on the Victorian/Edwardian Age) requires a character concept that is both heroic and technologically grounded. This post picks up from the  Chronos: The Temporal Tyrant

Based on the original character's powers (superhuman strength, great leaping, invulnerability/indestructible costume) and the core mechanics of the Victorious RPG (which uses Attributes, Heroic Classes, Skills, and Powers), here is a suggested stat block and concept for The Iron-Clad Shield.

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 The Iron-Clad Shield (Victorious Steampunk Hero)

Concept: A decorated, patriotic agent who uses a suit of steam-powered, Aetherium-laced Iron armor to replicate the powers of the legendary Golden Age heroes. His invulnerability and strength are a product of advanced, experimental Contraptionist engineering, supported by the British Empire's Special Branch or a similar patriotic organization.

1. Attributes (A typical Hero starts with 3 Attributes at 4, and the rest at 3)

Attribute	Score	Notes
Agility	3	The suit is powerful, but not built for excessive grace.
Strength	5	Primary - Needed for his power and lifting ability.
Endurance	5	Primary - For the suit's durability and his own persistence.
Perception	3	Focused on physical threats, not keen observation.
Willpower	4	For his iron resolve and sense of duty.
Knowledge	3	Average for an agent, focused more on application than theory.
Reasoning	4	Able to make quick tactical decisions in combat.
Charisma	3	Not a socialite; his presence is imposing, not charming.

2. Heroic Class

• The Contraptionist (The source of his Steampunk power)

  • Alternative: The Strongarm (To emphasize his powerful, direct combat style). The Contraptionist is chosen here to justify the armor's abilities.

3. Skills

Skill	Attribute	Rank	Notes
Athletics	STR	3	Essential for moving the suit and for Leaping (often an effect of his high STR).
Brawl	STR	3	The Shield's primary attack (punching, slamming, grappling).
Drive	AGI	1	Basic handling of motorized vehicles.
Engineering	KNL	2	Can maintain and make basic repairs to his own suit.
Intimidation	CHA	2	The sheer presence of the suit can be unnerving.
Gunnery	AGI	1	Familiar with using firearms, though he prefers his fists.
Survival	END	2	Can operate in harsh environments thanks to the suit's life support.

4. Powers (Using the Contraptionist Class)

The Shield's powers are all derived from his Iron-Clad Battlesuit. These are typically bought using Power Ranks.

Power	Ranks	Effect/Description (Steampunk Adaptation)
Armor	4	Invulnerability. Provides exceptional damage reduction (DR), reflecting the heavy gauge, Aetherium-reinforced iron shell. The suit's patriotic star is a reinforced breastplate.
Super-Strength	3	Hydraulic/Steam-Assisted Lifting. Allows for heavy lifting (up to 2-3 tons) and adds a bonus to Strength-based rolls (like Brawl and Athletics).
Leaping	2	Compressed-Air/Piston Jump Assist. Allows him to leap great distances and heights, replicating limited flight or a rocket-assisted jump.
Immunity	1	Sealed Suit/Life Support. Immune to external factors like most Gases, Toxins, or the effects of extreme temperatures (as the suit is temperature-regulated).
Weapon: Integrated Gauntlets	1	Overcharged Punch. Provides a bonus to his Brawl damage, representing the kinetic energy release of the suit's attack systems.

5. Weaponry & Equipment

• The Iron-Clad Battlesuit: (Self-contained Contraptionist power source).

  • Drawback: Requires a brief (1-round) pre-combat 'firing-up' sequence before max power is achieved. If critically damaged, the suit can seize up or vent steam dangerously.

• The "Flying" Shield: Not a separate power, but a large, thick, heavy buckler integrated into the suit's left arm, used for defense and as an improvised throwing weapon (using his high Strength).

• Utility Belt: Contains basic tools, radio communicator, and a limited supply of high-pressure Booster Vials for temporary suit overcharge (often used as an in-game Heroic Advantage).

6. Steampunk Flavor & Liabilities

• Look & Feel: His uniform is a suit of deep-blue, star-spangled iron plating, riveted and jointed, with brass fittings and glowing red Aetherium coils (or steam vents) visible at the joints. His helmet is a patriotic mask with narrow, glowing optical slits.

• Liability (Shortcoming): Conspicuous/Clumsy. The suit is huge, heavy, and loud. It can't easily sneak, fit into small spaces, or hide its presence, imposing a penalty on Stealth and Agility rolls not related to the suit's function. The distinct chuff-chuff-chuff of the steam engine can be heard from a distance.