Malfi has been working with the Prophets -- she may, in fact, be the reason they know so much about Hyadean physiology -- and quickening a new ARM of weblike strands that sap a foe's life force. All this in addition to scouring Aquvy for Hyadean survivors of the Photosphere's destruction. She has discovered several and has set them up so they can contact her (and each other) if needed. Her PTSD symptoms have gradually resolved, but overwork has left her tired and haggard. She does not seem herself these days.
Profile
Loves: Coffee, recognition
Likes: reading, old books, sweets and pastries, experiments that work
Flaws: Pride, vanity, overreaching ambition, inexperience and lack of critical thinking
Weaknesses: Sorcery, lack of a real killer instinct
Personality Traits That Could be Exploited: Honor code, scientific curiosity
Background
Powers and Abilities
Malfi is a typical tank-fighter, slow but strong. Her weapon is a lance (it telescopes). She adds the Electric/Lightning Element to most of her attacks. She is also notorious for “Net” attacks that Entangle and/or capture opponents. If she is monster-hunting, she will always have a way to immobilize the monster and transport it back for study and/or training. Her resources range from ropes and cords and muzzles to cages to force-cages to sedatives to stasis fields.
Scientific curiousity. Malfi is always seeking out intriguing specimens. If she's unable to capture a live one or procure a dead one, she'll settle for scanning it. Her scanner also carries compact records of her databases.
Huntress. Some of the monsters she pursues are wily, cagey, and/or powerful.
Traps, Snares, and Tranquilizer Darts. She has a variety of ways to capture her targets.
Electrical element. She absorbs non-magical Lightning attacks (though an actual lightning strike would probably kill her) and can sense non-magical electromagnetic fields. Her Heal buff involves transferring bioelectrical life energy, and while it would work on Filgaians, they wouldn't find it comfortable, particularly if they have ties to the Guardians. She has internal batteries to power these abilities.
Built for War. Don't let her status as a scientist fool you: she can hit hard.
Bogey. Her Metal Beast Bear-Dog mount/companion has atypical programming for a Metal Beast. He resembles a hairless steel bear with dog mannerisms (or perhaps a Vulcan sehlat without the fangs) and can be quite friendly when not in combat mode. If he IS in fighting mode, watch for his bites, rakes, and bear hugs. He is omnivorous to a fault, but like his master, prefers metals. He will protect his rider at all costs.
Adolescent Anti-Reality Bubble. Take an Earth teenager. Make them immortal. See how the delusions of invincibility get even worse? Yeah. So far, she believes the propaganda she's been raised with, and she hasn't learned (much) critical thinking yet. In spite of this she has a serious demeanor and comes across as older than she is. The bubble is gradually being punctured, as she's been defeated by humans several times now.
Kinsight. She can spot other Metal Demons, even when they're in disguise.
Standard Metal Demon Powers. Shapeshifting, regeneration. And you thought just making the teen immortal was bad... Her shapeshifting is adequate enough that she can pass for human if she likes, though in a more petite form. She can also adapt her senses, particularly her vision, to see ultraviolet, infrared, or distance.
Damage sponge. Her armored form adapts to battlefield conditions, on top of her already impressive hit points. Her "armor" is actually part of her body. It is alive. It has a pulse. (Yes, she can unmanifest it at will). She normally wears a surcoat over it.
Hammerspace. Like every JRPG character ever, she somehow manages to stow away her oversized, overwrought weapon whenever she needs hand(s) for something else. ICly, she probably just teleports it into storage and back. Her backup weapon is a broadsword.
Google Translate. See notes above. The translation happens in her BRAIN, so she appears to be proficient at speaking and reading Filgaian (at least until the translator screws up). It is no help with ancient runes and such, though. She can update its vocabulary manually with a bit of concentration.
Portable Scanner. She is rarely without this.
Barista. After a year of preparing coffee at least once daily, she's pretty good at it. She has perfected a recipe for arnica latte, which helps with pain and speeds healing. She is using synthetic arnica, which is far less effective than the real thing, so the healing effect is light to moderate.
Rumor Has It. She keeps up with the latest rumors, though she disbelieves 95% of them.
Batman prepared. When Digging she carries a backpack full of useful supplies.
Boomerang. Admirable sense of honor. She doesn't trust Luceid, though, for being a Guardian.
Dean Stark. Clobbered her good, then dragged her to safety after Lords Alhazred and Berserk abandoned her to bleed out. She owes him a debt of honor.
Ebony Wings. Respects them but has steadfastly refused to join them. She agrees that using deceased Metal Demon parts to make ARMS is grotesque (and morbid).
Lady Harken. Grateful she looks after her subordinates. More people should do that.
Neriah Parringer. Enigmatic and secretive. Has proven her loyalty, such as it is, on multiple occasions.
Noeline. Why would she throw in her lot with the Tainted?
Riesenlied. A pacifist, and worse, apostate. The Tainted are, for the most part, seriously defective.
Siegfried. Respects and is intimidated by him. He is a strong commander who expects results. [OOCly, he's a bad guy but he's also, y'know, right. Kind of like Magneto that way].
Yarobeleedt. Annoying but situationally useful. Bottom of the pecking order. His nickname for her is ^Creature Creature^.
Zed. He's very brave, or very foolish. Possibly both.
Specimens Malfi Would Like to Claim and Study
Claude C. Kenny. He has an usual power [OOC: chi]. I'd like to study it. [OOC: And very quick wits!]
Fei Fong Wong. Is relieved they buried the hatchet, but that doesn't mean she won't do a number on his Gear if it comes down to it.
(Cecilia Adlehyde). Seen from a distance, she's a blonde shamaness who calls down the Turtle's wrath.
Chime Isa. She just HAS to be one of those super-annoying perky morning people. An elf with healing powers. Operates a pair of mean crossbows. Devastating "Arrows of Light" attack.
White Knight Leo. Her initial skepticism about those moon stories has been routed, now that she's actually BEEN TO Lunar.
Enemies
Ethius Hesiod. Is dishonorable and not to be underestimated. Nearly killed her with a dust attack during an altercation.
Ida Everstead-Rey. A truly frightening human with mysterious powers. Kicked Malfi's ass and beat Yarobeleedt into a coma at the Nota Bridge. Malfi refers to her as "THAT WOMAN," or she did until the big escape from the Photosphere.
Kaguya. Admits to being an alien, but what kind, exactly? Deceptively fragile-looking. Wish I'd had the chance to scan her; then I might've gotten some answers!
Other / Notes
Character portrait by Angeline Roussel, commissionable through ArtCorgi.