Friday, July 29, 2011

Quest: TO BREAK THE SPELL! - Issue 13

Location: The Hunter and Its Prey Festival on the Refuge Islands.

 The Cult of Stellar Propitiation had summoned the Star-Devourer to prepare the way for the Domain’s invasion and ultimate control of Earth.  Our stalwart heroes had stopped the second ceremony.  This magic incantation would have given control of the Dhole to the Cultists.  The Cultists are in disarray and the Star-Devourer was free and still causing carnage in the waters next to the Islands.  Our heroes had secured the Orbs the Cultists were using to channel their spell but were unable to break the original summoning spell.  If it is not done soon the Dhole will be on Earth permanently.

Adamas and DarkStar engaged the Star-Devourer in an effort to focus its destructive powers upon them and not on the nearby Winthrope Bridge, which connected the Refuge Islands to the city of Winthrope Station.

At the festival site Windblown and Agent America, in the disguise of a Cultist of Stellar Propitiation, were fighting the Cultists. Only their leader Mystic and 3 out of the 18 Cultists were still standing.

The Man from MEDUSA smiled insolently at Mystic. But the cultists remained the priority targets.

He planned to lay into the ones that had just attacked Windblown, hopefully attacking their backs. His goal was to systematically take them apart with his bare hands. The mercenary minuteman was careful to monitor their positions by their feet, not their eyes.

As the Agent in Disguise launched his attack, he was shocked to see a head rising from the ground.  Thinking this was a new attack on him, he aborted his strike. To his shock it was Dr. Arcane rising from the ground and the Mystic Hero was going to attack him. Agent America quickly flashed a series of hand signals and the Doctor of Arcane Magic stopped his spell. Sorry, Agent I didn’t recognize you.  This lack of communication is frustrating.  It is time I restored my amulets to full functioning order.”  Dr. Arcane turned.  He floated away from the Festival into the wooded area next to it. Four men appeared from behind the trees and spoke with the Ancient Hero of the Mystical Order.

[GM Note: rolled a natural 20 on 1 of AA’s three multiple attacks, so AA first action is a failed attack]

Adamas kept up his barrage. ZZWWT!! ZZWWT!! ZZWWT!! ZZWWT!! ZZWWT!! Five beams of power left his eyes striking the Dhole.  The destroyer of planets continued to focus on Adamas, looking away from the bridge.  

"DarkStar, the orbs are the immediate concern.  I think we have the Devourer distracted with that hole you just punched through its defenses. The cultist and everything else are secondary in my mind."

Turning his attention from the conversion among the trees back to the festival, the American Spy discovered that his disguise was fooling the remaining Cultists.  Their attention was focused on trying to make contact with Windblown.  Agent America launched into his attack.  He successfully struck all three at once is a series of Karate strikes. KPOW! BLAM! WHAM!  All three dropped like bricks to the ground.  Agent America turned and looked hopefully at the Dhole.  A look of disgust crossed his features.  Incapacitating all the Cultists was not what was needed to break the spell.

Windblown turned his attention to Mystic, now that the threat from the raven was out of the way. "You like to shoot things," he muttered to himself, "then try this on for size!"

He summoned up a windstorm that lifted her from the ground. After raising her up, he let it dissipate and dropped her. KRUNCH! She slammed into the ground.  Mystic dropped her power rod and the box she was holding in her other hand.  The box with the bronze glow slowly dissipated revealing Agent America’s amulet. Mystic was clutching her leg in pain.  Windblown moved toward Mystic. She offered no resistance. He determined her leg was broken. He gathered up her Rod of Power and the amulet.  He tossed the amulet to Agent America.  Windblown swirled a air around raising his cloak, “I would recommend you surrender now.”  She surrendered.

Yeah cannonball into the big bad Star Demon. Real genius at work there Rose. Screw this, time to focus on a solution and end this now! "Guys I can't contact Doc with the amulet or the comm-link. Unless someone has a better idea how to shift this monstrosity back to its home dimension, I'm going to neutralize the Orbs. It might take me a few seconds to get back. Don't anybody die out here on me today"

"Darkstar, Adamas states, "I believe they stated the orbs displayed the constellations when the time came, even though they were inside the museum."

 "I think we should isolate the orbs if possible, perhaps if we were to bury them in the earth, place them on separate planets, something to that end."

Looks like Agent and Wind have the witch and cultist taken care of, and you couldn't have designed a better set of powers for handling the Dhole than Adamas has. "Cybil I need you to run a scan of the Dhole, we need to get these Orbs to Doc and get back here to make sure this thing returns to its own dimension. As soon as we're free of the ECCM, run a comparative anatomical analysis of the Dhole to any earth creatures regardless of size resembling the monster's physiology. We're looking for the location of anything that might be the creature’s heart, brain, or nerve clusters.”

Twisting in the creature’s grasp to face his flying friend. “HEY ADAMAS. Get ready. When I teleport this thing is going to start moving again.”

*Whoump*

Location: At DarkStar’s secret underground research and development facility.

 “Arrghh, Christ that hurt like hell” Once again attempting to focus his thoughts through the amulet, “Doc! We lost contact with you at the Festival and MEDUSA’s jamming out comm-links. I’m locking the Orbs up in one of my workshop vaults that are designed to contain radioactive materials. We can sort out what to do with them later. Maybe I’ll drill three holes in each of them and we can form a bowling team. I’ve got one more stop to make if you have any advice. Does the Dhole have a heart or brain I can attack?”

 “Cybil honey, you’re on the clock. Five more seconds and we’re going to be in the fray again.”

*Whoump*

While in Europe a few years ago, amongst the ruins of a dilapidated castle, Commander Rose admired the gargantuan steel statue of a medieval knight standing at parade rest. What he remembers today is the two-ton sword the knight had been resting his hands upon. Using his lightning control powers to cut the sword free, DarkStar heaves the twelve foot, four-hundred year old memory to those ancient warriors and .  .  .

*Whoump*

DarkStar teleported a top the Bridge of the Damned, gripping the colossal sword at the ready. He attempted to activate his electrical defenses, only to have them seemingly short out. Undaunted DarkStar takes position on the bridge ready to defend the civilians and CHESS agents with his life if the Star Demon attempts to once again ventured this direction.

“Thou shall not pass”.

A loud cheer arose behind Joshua.  Some the Knights and bystanders on the bridge were chanting “StarCorp! StarCorp!” A few were pointing to the logo on DarkStar’s chest.  The Dhole was gone and they had been saved.  A wave of relief and joy swept from the bridge to the Island.

Agent America and Windblown I would like to introduce you to Mr. Delta of F.I.S.H.” One of the four men stepped forward.  The other three moved to take Mystic and the Cultists into custody.

 The four men were wearing tailored suits made of blue wool. Their glasses matched with lenses tinted blue. All were wearing expensive dress shoes. Mr. Delta nodded, “My pleasure gentlemen.  I am a senior leader of the Federal Intelligence on the Supernatural and Horrific, or F.I.S.H because our government loves acronyms.”



“Sorry again, Doctor about blocking your communications but standard protocol is to block all magical support that is being provided by outside magical objects, beings and deities. That is why the Cult had to risk bringing the Orbs here.  We will take these miscreants into custody. We will provide non magical duplicates of the Orbs to the museum. We can do that now because there is proof of the magical ability. Under law all things are considered non magical until demonstrated otherwise.  On the issue of safeguarding the Orbs, we leave that to your discretion, Dr. Arcane.  You may protect them or provide them to us for their protection.” With a bow of respect, he turned to assist his team in taking the Cultists into custody.

As Adamas and DarkStar joined their fellow Heroes, a news crew approached. They requested an interview with each of you.

Dr. Arcane politely declines which allowing himself to be filmed and indicated the decision is up to each person on whether to speak with the reporter or not.

GM Notes: Congratulations on completely our second adventure.

I am making a rule change. I have been looking at what takes the most time for putting these together.  What takes the longest is figuring out what the second action for PCs would be that make sense after everyone’s first set of actions as well as how to split up their movement.  Most of the time I have been allowing full movement on both actions especially for powers which use movement as their cost.

The remove this problem, I am not shortening the turn to 10 seconds, so everyone gets one action per turn.  This will make playing out the turns easier for figuring the action and how to use the movement correctly.  I am introducing a new House rule to compensate for the change.

Dual Attacks: Any character with Agility of 15 or higher can attack twice in one action without it counting as a multiple attack.  A Dual Attack has a cost of PR=2.  This is represented as punches with both hands, firing power blasts from two sources (hands, eyes, etc) or firing at a more accelerated pace than usual (two arrows from a single bow). Movement cannot be used in-between Dual Attacks so the intended targets have to be in range when the Dual Attack is made.  A player will have to state in his turn that he is making a Dual Attack otherwise a Single Attack will be assumed.

The next issue will be a downtime issue. So provide what your character will do in his off time. Meet with NPCs, work on personal situations, training, and interactions with each other. Please let me know how long you would like to pass before next adventure. I would recommend a minimum of 3 days.

Experience from this Adventure

Each gets 1,852 points for defeating the Star-Devourer and the Cultists
Each gets   500 points for protecting civilians and the bridge
Adamas gets 500 points for figuring out how to break the spell with the Orbs.

Adamas has 6,967 experience and is at level 3 now (this is a level advancement)
Agent America 6,467 has experience and is at level 3 now (this is a level advancement)
DarkStar has 6,467 experience and is at level 3 now (this is a level advancement)
Windblown 4.467 has experience and is still at 2 level (this is not a level advancement)


< Due Date: July 27th, Actions, Goal, Replies>

Current Conditions:
Agent America                  Hit Points: 83      Power Points: 85
Windblown                         Hit Points: 6        Power Points: 88              Telekinesis Defense inactive
Adamas                                Hit Points: 34      Power Points: 66              Invulnerability: 24
DarkStar                               Hit Points: 233   Power Points: 57              Armor: 36



DarkStar

Hey Kimosabe

Yeah I figured that was going to be pretty stupid maneuver for DS, but what's a teleporter to do?

Hey couple quick notes: I'm fairly certain DS does NOT have 105 ADR as noted in "Current Conditions" (pretty sure ret-con DarkStar won't be this reckless :) )

I assume but want to make sure there's no reason I can't teleport from someones grasp? (Wraith and Shillelagh's fight has been interesting to DS to say the least)

Can DS not see the Orb's silvery glow? Could I get a OOC explanation? Won't effect anything he has done or will do, just curious.

Lastly MEDUSA? ECCM? What the hell are they thinking? If it's effecting Cybil and the comm-links, it got to be effecting the Emergency Crews also, or is it more localized than that? Still seems strange though.

I will get into real responses tomorrow. Tell Doc "heads up" the Mountain (Man) is coming to Mohammad with a bag full of goodies.

Happy Father's Day
John R
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GM Reply

Yes, DS's Armor is ARD 36 and should be stated at that in Current Conditions

DS can teleport from someone's grasp. He chooses whether that someone comes along if they are within his Carrying Capacity but it is his mental decision. Basically he has to decide that the person or item in coming with him.  If the item is greater than his Carrying Capacity, he would have to make a special attack to only take part of it. (Remember Nightcrawler in the Age of Apocalypse storylines?). If he fails, I haven't decided what the impact is besides that no one teleports anywhere.  I am thinking of a feedback effect of Power Loss equal to total weight being transported.  Basically the character's being hit with a Devitalization roll with the dice of the HtH for Brawling weapons because the power is recoiling back into his body since they aren't moving.

Yes, DarkStar saw the Orbs were glowing when he picked them up.  If he checks his rucksack, he will be able to see the glow through the rucksack.  OOC the Orbs have to be filled with Stellar Energy in order to perform their spell and bring the Star-Devourer here.  As long as they are glowing, the spell is active.  When the summary spell is broken, the Orbs will not glow at all.  If the Control spell had been completed the glow would have been purple instead of silver.

MEDUSA is thinking that something has brought this creature.  Since they don't believe in magic, they believe the cause is scientific tech and are attempting to disrupt the device. The Emergency Crews can do their job after the creature is gone.  MEDUSA and CHESS are opposites in a lot of ways.  CHESS always protects first where MEDUSA hits hard and hits often.

It will be interesting to see what next issue brings.  Remember this is Comicbook world.  Adamas, Windblown, Agent America, and DarkStar can all talk to each other.  You are cut off from talking with Dr. Avery, Cybil's intel, Kevin, and Trish.  You could even talk with the CHESS Knights/ Valkryies and Telecom & the Valiants.

Telecom is the person that is standing on the ridge, watching.  While I didn't name her, she is famous enough that the team knows who she is on site (in case you didn't check the website to see if you know her or I forgot to put her image in the issue where I mentioned her.)

Tom
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DarkStar

Hi Tom and the Guys

1st Response

<DarkStar: IC> Yeah cannonball into the big bad Star Demon. Real genius at work there Rose. Screw this, time to focus on a solution and end this now! "Guys I can't contact Doc with the amulet or the comm-link. Unless someone has a better ideal how to shift this monstrosity back to it's home dimension, I'm going to neutralize the Orbs. It might take me a few seconds to get back. Don't anybody die out here on me today"

[DarkStar: OOC - all the rest of it]
Thanks for the clarification on the TP. Sounds exactly how I'd handle it - I don't think DS will be trying to teleport the Star Demon today :) I could use a couple other questions answered if possible for my response

*And some input from the guys might be a big help also - please*
I'm missing access to Issue 10 of Quest and 9 of Archer (not posted on Megalopolis?) so I need some memory jarred. Id have done it last issue instead of attack the Star Demon but losing my electronic and arcane comms must have thrown me off my game :)

First Priority: We have the Orbs and half the Cultist down. What is our highest priority? Destroying (not likely event if I remember Doc's mission brief correctly) the Orbs? Hiding the Orbs from Stellar radiation? Or ignoring the Orbs and knocking out the chick and rest the old guys?

Which of the above is going to make that damn Star Demon go away quickest? I thought stopping the chanting was going to do the trick. Wrong I guess?

I'm sure we talked to Doc about what to do with the Orbs after securing possession of them but can't remember what the conclusion was. If I have to, I'll have DS teleport directly to Doc for instructions but that kind of seems a waste. If we didn't or someone wants to suggest something cool. Otherwise I'm thinking of having DS teleport into a nuclear reactor (preferably inactive) to stop the stellar radiation. That cultist dudes vault might due to but not sure we knew what it was made of. Could use some help here making a decision - Telecom better keep her grubby paws off our toys though.

AA and WB seem to handling the Cultist just fine, but that might be her or them not being able to hit the broad sign of a barn also. I looked her up today - crap good thing the Willpower twins are her immediate targets. The Star Demon is a bust to fight obviously. If you guys need help just say something and DS will stick around, but pounding on girls and old men in cardigans just seems like the wrong use of the team Bricks (plural Adamas).

Jeff wouldn't mind AA piping up on this one? Rose is gaining trust in Adamas and Windblown but your character's still the most combat veteran of the group.

Thanks
John R

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Agent America
OOC:
Hey,
So far so good.

Best to keep Adamas and Darkstar away from the festival grounds.
Mystic and the cultists might be able to affect you two.

Please keep on keeping the Devourer occupied so casualties are
minimized. Only you two can withstand that thing.

This turn, AA and WB will try to finish the cultists and take away
Mystic's rod of power. (Windblown, which target do you prefer,
cultists or Mystic?)
Hopefully that, or defeating Mystic, will break the spell and send the
Devourer home.

I think our plan is working, slowly but surely.

Best,
Jeff

----------------------------------------------------

Agent America

OOC:
Medusa has tech that can jam our amulets? Awesome!

I like your teleport rules.

What are Telecomm's known powers? Likewise, the Valiants?

Thanks,
Jeff | AA

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GM

Sorry, I wasn't clear. MEDUSA is the ECM source that is blocking the comm units. MEDUSA wouldn't even believe the amulets worked, much spend money to create tech to block.  The amulet blocking is coming from a different source.

Telecom has enchance sight.  It is rumored she can see microscopic to the subatomic level and telescopic, as small as one square foot on the moon.

Serena is a master of disguise and she can project an aura of compassion.

Epilson has Telepathy and Telekinesis - MEDUSA has him in the Low category of power groups.  They have recorded him lifting a motorcycle with his TK but nothing heavier.

Tom

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OOC
Thanks.
Maybe we have the Valiants evac the bridge with CHESS?

Jeff | AA

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Adamas

IC: Adamas will keep up the barrage... Trying again to lure the big worm away from the bridge. "DarkStar, the orbs are the immediate concern.  I think we have the Devourer distracted with that hole you just punched through it's defenses. The cultist and everything else are secondary in my mind.  You have to take care of those orbs!"

OOC: Just curious, which attack appears to have more impact on the devourer, throwing boats, or just blasting away?  Whichever appears to be having the greatest impact, Adams will replicate.

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DarkStar

Hey Jon

Hope life is somewhat settling into a normal routine after your family's recent loss.

Glad someone encouraged DS to "handle" the Orbs. I agree with Jeff that AA and WB about have the cultist in hand, and Adamas is better suited for the Star Demon with his flight and ranged attacks than DS is. That leaves big blue the Orbs.

If your still interested in making a few responses for the DarkStar side stories I'm writing. please let me know and I'll send you the "scenes" where he plays important (to me at least) parts. Not a big project just 2 or 3 scenes with responses to further the storyline

If you don't want to or feel you don't have the time, I perfectly understand. If it's still okay to "borrow" him in that case, I would promise to try to remain true to the character as possible. I have to admit though I was/am particularly interested in Adamas's thoughts of Mars as he delivers/activates DarkStar's SSPS device.

Later Questor
John R

PS: Tom I have a question regarding your House Rules.( Jon, I'm tossing this ideal your way as I feel the Star Demon is your baby. In all honesty it'll still probably be futile but like the Cannonball, I feel it's such a cool "comic book" special effect if you don't try it I will.) How might the Star Demon be effected by a "Killing Attack"? I'm picturing a someone diving down with a "Piercing Attack" and skewering the creature with a big pointy steel object. the way you roll "1"s and "20"s I bet there's at least a 8 or 9% chance of killing the sucker in a single blow. Up to you Jon - hell maybe at worst you pin the sucker on the road like a butterfly to a display table.

----------------------------------------------------------------

GM

To perform a Killing Attack you would have to know where its vital organs are. Then a special attack would need to be made to strike it.  If successful then the creature will do a Save rolls against its Agility and Endurance.

That brings us to the question "Does it have any vital organs" and if it does "How do you identify them"?

Tom

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DarkStar

Maybe if I pop out to drop the Orbs off with Doc he can tell me?

okay okay fine I'd still think he's make a cute butterfly  display

Remember this ideal is coming from a guy who KNEW attacking the the Star Demon was futile - and Cannonballed into it anway

later gator
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GM

Jon, I know a lot has happened in RL since you submitted your reply for Issue 9.  Adamas had the answer to Orbs.  I am wanting to remind you what you said.

Adamas states, "I believe they stated the orbs displayed the constellations when the time came, even though they were inside the museum.  I don't think a little cloud cover will prevent their performing as they were created to.  I think I would recommend isolating the orbs if possible, perhaps if we were to bury them in the earth, place them on separate planets, something to that end."

I hope you don't mind me reminding you of this.  This is the biggest problem with PBEM vs Face to Face.  It is easy to forget the solution when it is time to implement because so much time has past.

Thanks
Tom
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Adamas

No worries, I got both, I was trying to figure out if I could just share it as it was... I know that was actually what to do with them.  I started to forward it to DarkStar, but thought you might like me to "play" it out. 

I also wanted to ask what you thought about the history of Adamas, were you going to use it in the story line?  I did share it with DarkStar, he was wanting to do a cross story with our characters, and I sent it to him just to read...

Too bad about Dom, hate to see that game come to an end, but I'm having as much if not more fun with your game... I don't see how you do it.  Three games running at once.  You da man!

Have a great time on your vacation. 

Hammer

------------------------------------------------------------------------

DarkStar

<OOC> Okay Tom my man, I just re-read “Cannonball”. (lol) Did I amuse you with how I had DS secure the Orbs or what? Everyone and his sister must have noticed the silvery glow from his backpack. I mean just what else does one carry into a combat situation to retrieve 4 glowing bowling balls of doom? (lol)

<DarkStar: IC initial response> Yeah cannonball into the big bad Star Demon. Real genius at work there Rose. Screw this, time to focus on a solution and end this now! "Guys I can't contact Doc with the amulet or the comm-link. Unless someone has a better idea how to shift this monstrosity back to its home dimension, I'm going to neutralize the Orbs. It might take me a few seconds to get back. Don't anybody die out here on me today"

(Adamas responds to DarkStar)

<DarkStar: IC follow-up response> Looks like Agent and Wind have the witch and cultist on the ropes, and you couldn't have designed a better set of powers for handling the Dhole than Adamas has. "Cybil I need you to run a scan of the Dhole, we need to get these Orbs to Doc and get back here to make sure this thing returns to its own dimension. As soon as we're free of the ECCM, run a comparative anatomical analysis of the Dhole to any earth creatures regardless of size resembling the monster's physiology. We're looking for the location of anything that might be the creature’s heart, brain, or nerve clusters.” Twisting in the creature’s grasp to face his flying friend. “HEY ADAMAS. Get ready. When I teleport this thing is going to start moving again.”

*Whoump*

At DarkStar’s secret underground research and development facility.

<DarkStar: IC response> “Arrghh, Christ that hurt like hell” Once again attempting to focus his thoughts through the amulet, Doc! We lost contact with you at the Festival and MEDUSA’s jamming out comm-links. I’m locking the Orbs up in one of my workshop vaults that are designed to contain radioactive materials. We can sort out what to do with them later. Maybe I’ll drill three holes in each of them and we can form a bowling team. I’ve got one more stop to make if you have any advice. Does the Dhole have a heart or brain I can attack? “Cybil honey, you’re on the clock. Five more seconds and we’re going to be in the fray again.”

*Whoump*

<DarkStar: 1st Action> While in Europe a few years ago, amongst the ruins of a dilapidated castle, Commander Rose admired the gargantuan steel statue of a medieval knight standing at parade rest. What he remembers today is the two-ton sword the knight had been resting his hands upon. Using his lightning control powers to cut the sword free, DarkStar heaves the twelve foot, four-hundred year old memory to those ancient warriors and .  .  .

*Whoump*

<DarkStar: 2nd Action> DarkStar teleports atop the Bridge of the Damned, gripping the colossal sword at the ready. He attempts to activate his electrical defenses, only to have them seemingly short out. Undaunted DarkStar takes position on the bridge ready to defend the civilians and CHESS agents with his life if the Star Demon attempts to once again venture this direction. “Thou shall not pass”.

<Goals>

First – to secure the Orbs in a chamber designed to stop all manner of radiation, including stellar. Second - to grab a pointy electrically conductive material (first thought was a flag pole with an Old Glory attached to it. Any long sharp steel object would do but I like these two visuals best. Three – return to the combat asap and ready to assault the Star Demon if he heads back toward the bridge. So I think technically I’m holding my second action (first real was acquiring the long pointy steel object unless you count dropping the rucksack off at the Vault as his first, I see it as movement, but if I’m doing too much that’s cool) DarkStar will not attack the Dhole this turn (if he has the action to do so) unless it attempts to return to the bridge or is an immediate threat to civilians this turn.

PS: Losing his ability to generate an electrical defense is the first visual step toward the changes that take place in his Ret-Con.
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GM Reply
I agree placing the Orbs in the Vault is movement only and gathering the sword is DarkStar's first action.

Tom
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Adamas

IC: Adamas sees DS disappear, and grabs his medallion, still firing on the giant worm... "Darkstar, Adamas states, "I believe they stated the orbs displayed the constellations when the time came, even though they were inside the museum."

 "I think we should isolate the orbs if possible, perhaps if we were to bury them in the earth, place them on separate planets, something to that end."

Much as I enjoyed the visual of the Balrog(Dhole) dragging Gandalf(DarkStar) to the abyss...

Sorry for the delayed response...

Hammer

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DarkStar

Much as I enjoyed the visual of the Balrog(Dhole) dragging Gandalf(DarkStar) to the abyss...

<OOC:> Oh what it is to have a host of friends

"Over the Mountains
Of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,"
The shade replied-
"If you seek for Eldorado!"

Catchya at the Bridge Guys
John R

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Agent America:

The Man from MEDUSA smiled insolently at Mystic. But the cultists remained the priority targets.

He'd lay into the ones that had just attacked Windblown, hopefully attacking their backs. His goal was to systematically take them apart with his bare hands. The mercenary minuteman was careful to monitor their positions by their feet, not their eyes.

When and if that got done, then he'd put the hurt on Mystic.

Between attacks he glanced at the the otherworldly leviathan near the bridge, being bombarded by the Angels' metahuman manpower. Never seen anything like it. He smiled. It was a good day to be alive.

OOC:
Action 1: Maximum multiple attacks on remaining three cultists.

Action 2: Repeat.
If the cultists are down, he'll move on Mystic and strike her with his martial arts. The attack on Mystic won't be a multiple attack.

If defeating one cultist breaks the apparent three-way hand-holding requirement to do magic, and the orbs are suddenly depowered, he will move on Mystic then and there. Otherwise, he'll stay with the cultists until all three are down.

Thanks!

Jeff

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Windblown

Windblown turns his attention to Mystic, now that the threat from the raven is out of the way. "You like to shoot things," he mutters to himself, "then try this on for size!"

He summons up a windstorm to lift her from the ground. If he can get her up to a reasonable distance, he lets it dissipate and drops her. Not far enough to kill her, but just enough to hopefully take the fight out of her (about 15 feet). (Sorry so late, guys, I've been ill.)