It is a busy night for young David. He is attempting to try to make two meetings tonight. First is to meet with his mysterious benefactor, Craftsman. The second meeting came from a tip. The Nicotines and Talons of the Jade Emperor are meeting on the shipping docks of the Foundry. David hopes to make both in one night.
He gets to the meeting point that the Craftsman provided. It is an abandoned Warehouse in the Foundry’s industrial area. He enters through a window in the rafters. Using his heightened sense of Spatial Detection, Archer searches the offices and warehouse floor in attempt to find Craftsman first.
After covering three quarters of the warehouse, the Archer is surprised that he can’t find the Craftsman. “I can’t explain it but I know I’ve missed something?” he thinks to himself. Silently he draws a target arrow from his quiver. “I don’t want to have to kill this man if I don’t have to, but this feels like an ambush.”
From above David hears, “Bravo, well done lad. You were able to get in here and only trip 2 of my 4 alarms. That is very impressive for one as young as you are.” Looking up to the second floor, standing in front of the janitor’s closet which is now open, is a man and he is holding a pistol. Pulling the arrow to a full draw, David looks down the shaft past the barrel of the pistol and into the eyes of his ambusher. “Two? I don’t think so, but if this is my Benefactor, I can play this game.” David says, “As I explained in my message, I have another invitation this evening. I expected to draw you out after tripping the first one, but apparently you have your own agenda.” Tipping his head toward the stranger’s pistol.
“Come let the Craftsman show you his workshop” he says. Looking at where the Archer’s eyes are focused. “Never mind the gun. I wasn’t sure it was you until I saw your reaction to my new name. I hadn’t seen you since you were a child. Let’s not talk here, come. You have your weapon and I will have mine, as it should be.” Archer ponders this, “So it is the Craftsman. Hmmm, the Master would scold me soundly for showing reaction of any kind. Especially to a Caucasian. Obviously I need to train even harder now that I’ve left the Monastery. A child? Just who is this man?” Slipping the arrow back in his quiver David nods to his mysterious benefactor as a sign of respect.
David decides to see this through. He walks up the stairs and follows him in the closet. The back wall is slide to the right to create an opening. Wincing, the Archer realizes he didn’t try to “see‟ beyond the wall because he expected it to end there. “Even after my time in Hong Kong, I’m still not quite use to all the mysteries modern cities can hold in store for me. I have to push limits, push my Awareness pass the obvious.”
In amazement, he stares at the most high tech room he has ever seen. “So David, which do you want to know about first; me or your Father?”
“Father? No! No . . . focus, focus on the Mission”. David focuses then speaks to the former ‘company man’, “Maybe we should take one thing at a time, and like I said earlier, I have another engagement this evening. “
“I assume you know why I’m doing what I am. With all due respect to your wonderful “gifts, my first question is why would you choose to assist me. Why take a chance with your secrets, trusting me? I’m sure my “father” has something to do with it, and I respect that, but let’s leave as much of that aside as possible for the moment.
"Why the bow?” Craftsman responds, “I knew you liked archery at the Monastery. As far as what you are going to do with it, well the Monastery didn't teach a lot about peace and forgiving your enemies, especially there wasn't anything about 'turning the other cheer' was there?"
Craftsman continues, "Why would I help you? I was your Father's handler for the company before he was 'burned'. When he left you and your mother behind, he asked me to watch over you and keep you out of the hands of the Talon. I have done for my best friend the best that I can."
After years of shutting aside the pain of his mother's loss a tide of deeply buried anguish burst inside the Daniel's soul. Struggling, but still in control of himself. "My father! My father, if he was such a man to be respected then why did he leave me and my mother in such danger? Why? Why you, from the shadows, and not the man she loved? And after all these years why make yourself known to me now?"
“Your father had to flee the country. When who his employer was made public he had no choice and the ‘company’ wouldn’t help. They do not take care of their own. He barely made it back to the states alive, if the trip was made with all three of you, you would have all died. Your Father did not ask me to protect your mother because he knew she would do anything for you including sacrifice herself. He wanted her to choose her own path as she always had with dignity and strength."
Craftsman says with a grim smile, “Why make myself know now? You were able to come to me. In the states the Talons presence is just beginning. They are not in a position of strength. Here I don’t have to hide from the government, competing ‘companies’, and the Talons.
Sighing with just a slight shift of his shoulders, the young hunter almost seems to relax. “Mother always was more worried for others than herself. I never truly understood why we were being hunted the way we were. Now I know. She was afraid this man's enemies would use my existence against him. She must have really loved him. He damn well better have been worthy of her and her sacrifice, or I swear we'll have a reckoning of our own someday.”
"Thank you, thank you very much for the respect and things that you have done for my mother and myself. I need some time and time is short at the moment, but maybe, maybe you can tell me more of my . . . father, if I live through the evening. Speaking of tonight, if it's not a bother do you happen to know of 2 individuals? One named the Oracle, the other Lightning Fist?"
“Word on the street is that someone named The Oracle has start sending tips to superheroes in the last two months.
"Lightning Fist? All that I know about him is he works this side of the street and your Father and he has teamed up once or twice".
"Go David meet your other appointment, contact me again and I will meet you here. This isn't my only safe house."
With that Daniel shoulder's his gear and starts to head out of the "workshop" and back to his bike using the same path he entered by. Checking again with all his knowledge and senses, for the alarm systems Craftsman says he tripped. "No use wasting an opportunity to improve myself."
At the docks, the Archer moves with a practiced and measured pace. He is constantly moving forward as he shifts his spatial detection between half and full distances, making sure he can penetrate the objects he is scanning. He moves gracefully between alley ways to the roofs of the warehouses and back down to the alleys. He has constructed a detailed and precise mental map of this area of the docks.
At this time of night, he has only crossed a few security guards and no one else. He is nearing the location that The Oracle had provided. Archer quickly finds the best vantage point from a nearby roof top. He silently moves to it. Reaching out with his spatial sense he senses the meeting. He ‘sees’ the outline of a sedan, three motorcycles and six men. The sedan has no passengers in the car and no weapons in the trunk.
The men separate into two groups of three. One group walks to the three motorcycles. They are carrying heavy saddle pads. Peering inside the bags, David senses powder. The texture of the powder reminds him of Blue Xiang. Blue Xiang is the designer drug that the Ministry of Pleasure sold in its Den of Delights establishments. It is a very powerful narcotic and very addictive.
Quickly the avenging bowman focuses his senses on what the other three men are carrying. In the duffle bags being carried is currency. He can’t tell if it is American currency or some other form of currency but he knows it is money and lots of it. The men toss the duffle bags into the trunk of the sedan. Two get into the front of the car and one into the back.
Back at the motorcycles the three men have finished securing the saddle bags. They climb on and start to ride off. The motorcycles are heading back out of the docks the way David had just came from. They ride off at a steady and slow pace. Taking extra care because of the extra weight they are carrying. The Archer knows he can run back to the lit parking spot he had parked his bike and catch them before they reach the main roads.
The sedan is not leaving the docks. It is driving very slowly down to the waterfront. The avenging bowman guesses that it must be heading to where the ships are dock. The Department of Transportation must have one of its cargo ships docked in the harbor. The sedan is moving slowly enough that David could keep up with it by simply running.
Standing on the edge of the roof, the Archer looks towards the motorcycles and then the sedan, Blue Xiang or cash, Nicotines or Talons.
Which should he choose?
<Actions, Goal, Replies>
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I took the document you sent and weaved the Archer's responses into the story you had written to that point. Editted documents ready for download.
Dude dirty pool having the old guy sneak up on Archer like that Tripped two of the old guys alarms did he Man, making my boy look like a rank amateur compared to the other guys right off the bat.Phantom getting ready to bitch slap about 9 gangstas and Wraith's ready to slap a few bad boys around himself. Hell even Bonesnapper's traveling in the circles of Agents and Assassins (TM).
Seriously though Tom story's shaping up very nicely. Enjoying the character development immensely. Just hope I don't get myself bogged down and screw the time continuity up
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Quick question about Issue 2 and Craftsman ability to surprise Archer. I would have thought Archer's grey vision would have penetrated to it's full base measure once activated? Along those same lines I would expect his 360 degree aspect have picked up on him as he opened the door from the janitor's closet?
I'm cool with how the story's going. I do want to be on the same wavelength for when I'm deciding on actions in less friendly environments though. It's been years since I read Daredevil comics, but I assume someone must have been able to sneak up on him from time to time, but I betting he didnt miss too many guys stepping out of broom closets
All hail Deux ex Machina
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GM Reply
On the Janitor's closet, the false wall is made out of Titanium, so Archer would have to spend a turn's full movement to penetrate the wall. I decided there wasn't a reason for the Archer to spend a full turn using his 'sight' to see if there was a false wall at the end of the closet.
On not seeing Craftsman exit the room. I envisioned the warehouse to be a football field in length, so the Archer was greater than 35 yards away on the first floor from the second floor, so Craftsman didn't come into his base range. I will try to do better to describe the environment.
In more hostile environments, I will ask how much movement will be committed to increasing range and density penetration and having switch back and forth. I didn't this time since it was all storytelling mode.
On the alarms, I rolled against the Stealth skill 4 times. He made the saving throw of 2 and failed on 2. While his base level is better than 50%, when I applied the Craftsman opposed score, the saving roll was at 50/50 situation.
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Very Cool
I expected almost that exact same explanation - although I thought angle and height would be reason for not being aware of Crafty’s appearance
Very nice storytelling - enjoying its progression
Obviously I need to pump points into my stealthy skills
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GM Reply
Craftsman reply, "Why would I help you? I was your Father's handler for the company before he was 'burned'. When he left you and your mother behind, he asked me to watch over you and keep you out of the hands of the Talon. I have done for my best friend the best that I can."
"Your Father did not ask me to protect your mother because he knew she would do anything for you including sacrifice herself. He wanted her to choose her own path as she always had with dignity and strength."
"Why am I helping you? I have been doing that all your life. I wasn't ready to stop now".
"Why the bow? I knew you liked archery at the Monastery. As far as what you are going to do with it, well the Monastery didn't teach a lot about peace and forgiving your enemies, especially there wasn't anything about 'turning the other cheer' was there?"
"Lightning Fist? All that I know about him is he works this side of the street and your Father and he has teamed up once or twice".
"I was hoping that letting you know where I live and what my connection is would give you the confidence to let me help you in person. If you never want to see me again, just give me the word and I will never be a part of your life again. No need to apply any of the Monastery teaching on me."
"Go meet your other appointment, contact me again and I will meet you here. Still isn't my only safehouse."
With that Daniel shoulder's his gear and starts to head out of the "workshop" and back to his bike using the same path he entered by. Checking again with all his knowledge and senses, for the alarm systems Craftsman says he tripped. "No use wasting an opportunity to improve myself."
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GM Reply
If you never want to see me give me the word and I will never be apart of your life again. No need to apply any of the Monastery teaching on me."
Oops
Sorry for the mistake
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Hey Tom
I'd like to carry on Archer's conversation from the point he and Craftsman entered the "workshop". I'll weave in the potential Craftsman responses you gave me to choose from. If I do or take anything out of context we can just tweal it as needed. Hope that is what you were suggesting
In amazement, he stares at the most high tech room he has ever seen.
“So David, which do you want to know about first; me or your Father?”
<Archer: IC> Father? No! No . . . focus, focus on the Mission. “Maybe we should take one thing at a time, and like I said earlier, I have another engagement this evening. “
“I assume you know why I’m doing what I am. With all due respect to your wonderful “gifts, my first question is why would you choose to assist me. Why take a chance with your secrets, trusting me? I’m sure my “father” has something to do with it, and I respect that, but let’s leave as much of that aside as possible for the moment.
Craftsman reply, "Why would I help you? I was your Father's handler for the company before he was 'burned'. When he left you and your mother behind, he asked me to watch over you and keep you out of the hands of the Talon. I have done for my best friend the best that I can."
<Archer: IC> After years of shutting aside the pain of his mother's loss a tide of deeply buried anguish burst inside the Daniel's soul. Struggling, but still in control of himself. "My father! my father, if he was such a man to be respected then why did he leave me and my mother in such danger? Why? Why you, from the shadows, and not the man she loved? And after all these years why makeyourself known to me now?"
Craftsman reply, "Your Father did not ask me to protect your mother because he knew she would do anything for you including sacrifice herself. He wanted her to choose her own path as she always had with dignity and strength."
"Why am I helping you? I have been doing that all your life. I wasn't ready to stop now. I was hoping that letting you know where I live and what my connection is would give you the confidence to let me help you in person. As far as what you are going to do, well the Monastery didn't teach a lot about peace and forgiving your enemies, especially there wasn't anything about 'turning the other cheek' was there?"
<Archer: IC> sighing with just a slight shift of his shoulders, the young hunter almost seems to relax. Mother always was more worried for others than herself. I never truly understood why we were being hunted the way we were. Now I know. She was afraid this man's enemies would use my existence against him. She must have really loved him. He damn well better have been worthy of her and her sacrifice, or I swear we'll have a recenning or our own someday.
"Thank you, thank you very much for the respect and things that you have done for my mother and myself. I need some time and time is short at the moment, but maybe, maybe you can tell me more of my . . . father, if I live through the evening. Speaking of. If it's not a bother do you happen to know of 2 individuals? One named the Oracle, the other Lightning Fist?"
Craftsman's response, "Lightning Fist? All that I know about him is he works this side of the street and your Father and he has teamed up once or twice. Go meet your other appointment, contact me again and I will meet you here."
With that Daniel shoulder's his gear and starts to head out of the "workshop" and back to his bike using the same path he entered by. Checking again with all his knowledge and senses, for the alarm systems Craftsman says he tripped. "No use wasting an opportunity to improve myself."
<OOC:> I hope I was able to weave all Craftsman's potential responses into Archer's storyline in a way that works for you. I copy/pasted most everything you had, just differing where it showed in some places and deleting anything that way have been needed if there had been a negative response from Archer. Off to recon the Docks.
<Goals:> He'll use a similiar approach to the Docks as he did the Warehouse. Hopefully learning a trick or two from his "mistakes" he made earlier. Secure the bike in a nearby public area with security cameras. Then take to the back alleys using his Spatial Awareness, at half movement, to detect any potential tails (probably not nessesary at this point but I want to illustrate a modus operandi he would have been using since a child to escape the Talon's detection) Making his way to a roof top he'll change into Craftsman's gift. The modern tech replica of the monastary's dueling garb. Alternating his use of Spatial Awareness at base, half, and full range combined with the skills learned at the Monastary he'll try to avoid detection, while patrolling the Docks until he picks up on either the Nicotines, Lightning Fist or the Talons. He'll then follow as far away as possible until they make their way to the Meeting. He'll conserve his Power, by resting from time to time in a secure location, so as to try and be at full strength as much as possible.
