Alter Physical Structure: Utility Pole
Alter Physical Structure: Utility Pole (Major) by Stone Gargoyle
"Give me a call sometime."
The character can transform into a metal structure resembling, and acting as, a telephone pole, which is 120 feet tall.
A utility pole, alternately referred to as a telephone pole, power pole, telegraph pole or telegraph post (all names commonly misused colloquially, as these names refer to their specific equipment), is a (usually wooden) pole used to support overhead wire, cable, fiber optic cable, and related equipment such as transformers and street lights. A single pole is often used to support both electric power distribution lines and telecommunications cables, as well as their associated equipment. Wire and cable are routed overhead as a relatively inexpensive way to keep them insulated from the ground and each other, and out of contact with pedestrians or vehicles. Utility poles were first used in the mid-1800s with telegraph systems.
1. Alter Physical Structure: Metal: The character transforms into a metal being which is elongated to 20 times his height with an SDC of 1,200 (roughly10 SDC per foot) and a Natural AR of 18. Attacks under the AR do no damage, while attacks 13 and above do full damage. Since the character is grounded, he is impervious to electrical attacks, lasers and energy bolts. The hero is resistant to cold-based attacks, poisons and drugs.
Fire, plasma and magical fire do half damage.
Takes half damage from wind-based attacks and random automobile/vehicle strikes, unless hooked up to guide wires and support framework.
2. Rooting to the ground: The character is able to anchor himself into a hole set up for a pole to fit in and can replace an existing telephone pole. Doing so, he will resemble a standard utility pole. In doing so, he will become unable to move unless stepping out of the hole. He will typically not move while disguised as a telephone pole so as to be indistinguishable from other utility poles.
3. Pole Position: When hooked up to the phone network, the pole is able to hold electrical and communications lines. Utility poles are commonly used to carry two types of electric power lines: Distribution lines (or "feeders") and sub-transmission lines. Distribution lines carry power from local substations to customers. They generally carry voltages from 4.6 to 33 kilovolts (kV) for distances up to thirty miles, and include transformers to step the voltage down from the "primary" voltage of the lines to the lower "secondary" voltage used by the customer. Service drops carry this lower voltage to customers' premises. Sub-transmission lines carry higher voltage power from regional substations to local substations. They usually carry 46 kV, 69 kV, or 115 kV for distances up to 60 miles. Voltages of 230kV can be placed on two- or three-pole towers. Transmission lines carrying higher voltages are usually not supported by poles, but by metal pylons (known as transmission towers in the United States). The character possesses all necessary connections and wire transfer apparatus. As such, the character can use a power line to attack with by unhooking the line and causing a power outage in the neighboring area. A high voltage power line used to attack will do 5d6 points of electrical damage (to Hit Points of unprotected humanoids) and stun or kill the recipient of the current (roll save vs. coma/death must be made).
The character also has connectors for phone lines which allow him to act as a living switchboard and monitor calls coming in over a line for use in spying on a location. This is done with a telephone communications skill of 45%, plus 5% per level of experience.
4. Hammering Limbs: Due to his increased size, the character can morph into a humanoid shape with hammering limbs which extend out for 60 feet and do 4d6 damage plus PS damage bonus, with a +1 to strike and parry.
5. Bonuses and Abilities While in Metal Form:
- The character reads on thermal sensors the same as any metal pole, making his metal body unable to be seen on infrared, thermal and heat sensors.
- +3d6 PS, considered Extraordinary.
- Heals damage at a rate of 4d6 SDC per 10 minutes.
