Sunday, June 19, 2011

The Wraith: Face Off - Issue 8

The Wraith is facing off with the Shamrocks’ Meta Warlord in their hideout.  He is surprised to find out that it is a woman. The hideout has a greenhouse in the back section of it and that is where they are facing off.

She smiles and makes no attempt to escape from The Wraith’s hold.  Suddenly The Wraith feels vines wrapping around his legs, arms, chest and neck. He has been captured by vines as well. “

“I am Shillelagh, the Meta Warlord of the Shamrocks.”

"Interesting name.  Even more interesting outfit," The Wraith replied.  "Unfortunately, you've planted roots in the wrong town, woman.  You and your minions must leave town immediately, or everything you're trying to grasp will simply--disappear."

The Wraith teleported behind Shillelagh, into the shadows of some other plants.  Shillelagh smiles, “Two can play this game” and she disappeared.  The Wraith smashed out the skylights over where he had last seen her.  He watches the falling glass to see if you can spot her or see if the glass cut her.  He saw nothing which would tell her where she is.

Within his hiding spot he waits for her next move.  She doesn’t attack. “Maybe I was able to disorient her with the falling glass or maybe she doesn’t want to move because walking on the glass would give her presence away?” He looked about the green house trying to spot her and fails. [GM Note: Fail detect hidden roll]

An eerie silence falls over the greenhouse as the two hidden adversaries plot their next move.



< Due Date: May 7th, Actions, Goal, Reply>


OOC:  Yeah, I was afraid of this.  When I heard "Shillelagh," I figured I'd be looking at a tank-type character with a big club.  But Gamemasters are notorious for throwing curve balls...

IC:   "Interesting name.  Even more interesting outfit," The Wraith replies.  "Unfortunately, you've planted roots in the wrong town, woman.  You and your minions must leave town immediately, or everything you're trying to grasp will simply--disappear."

And with that, The Wraith will teleport behind Shillelagh, preferably into the shadows of some other plants.  If he has any movement left, he'll begin smashing out the skylights over her head to disorient/distract her.

Patrolling The Streets,

Greg

Phantom: Quick Draw - Issue 8

Jimmy Joe burst through the door and tried desperately to bring his 12gauge to bear on Phantom. BLAM!!! The weapon’s blast just narrowly missed its intended target.

Phantom instinctively dropped his combat knife and grabbed for both of his pistols. Jimmy Joe pumped his shotgun. BLAM!! He fired and missed again. As both weapons fly free from their holsters, Phantom is shocked as the Wagon Wheel Chandelier broke free.  It hits him as it crashed to the floor. [GM Note: 8 damage – 5 to Invulnerability and 3 to PR]

Phantom fired off two rounds from each of the pistols. BLAM-BLAM!!! BLAM-BLAM!!!  The Chandelier threw off his aim.  He missed on three of his shots with the last one hitting Jimmy Joe.

Phantom fired again. BLAM-BLAM!!! BLAM-BLAM!!!  This time three of the shots hit.  Jimmy Joe staggered backward to the wall and falls to the floor dead.



Phantom walked past the Son of James members on the floor. He entered the hallway leading to the front entrance and the second floor.  He looked up the steps to see if there was an ambush waiting for him.  He saw a sign hanging on the entrance to the stairs.



He walked up the stairs with both pistols drawn and ready.  He hears music playing.  He kicked open the door to the second floor.  No one was in the main room.  In front of him he saw a closed door.  Phantom quickly kicked this door in as well.  There he finds a Son of James member and a fool.



<Due Date: May 7th, Actions, Goal, Reply?>

Current Conditions:
Phantom           Hit Points: 23    Power Points: 40           Invulnerability: 0 (will be 5 at start of Issue 8)     
                        Right FN Five-seveN Pistol: 12 rounds
                        Left FN Five-seveN Pistol: 12 rounds
                        FN P90 Submachine Gun: 31 rounds
                        MK3A2 Concussion Grenades: 4


           


>PHANTOM’S IC RESPONSE<

Jimmy Joe bursts through the door and tries desperately to bring his 12gauge to bear on Phantom. BLAM!!! The weapons blast just narrowly misses its intended target.

Phantom instinctively drops his combat knife and grabs for both of his pistols. As both weapons fly free from their holsters, he fires off two rounds from each of them. BLAM-BLAM!!! BLAM-BLAM!!!


> PHANTOM’S GOAL(S)<

Phantom is looking to take down Jimmy Joe quick and easy. He wants to finish up with this floor and head upstairs for a peek – he’s assuming that most of the second floor inhabitants have fled the building, but who knows what he might find up there.


> PHANTOM’S OOC RESPONSE<

Phantom is going to fire off two rounds from both of his pistols – no special targets – simple torso shots.

-------

I’m still working on a weapons list to better fill out Phantom’s ‘Weapons Cache’ Power and should have it to you in the next few weeks - with any luck I’ll have it done sooner.

Still die’n to bump into some of the other characters in the campaign lol. I’ve been intentionally trying not to read too much of the other players stories ( although its been hard not to ) so that when Phantom does finally run into them I can give a somewhat uniformed reaction on Phantom’s behalf – thus staying more in character. I’m beginning to suspect that he may actually end up on some of their ‘Most Wanted’ lists lol.

Speaking of ‘Most Wanted’ – I was just remembering the conversation we had a few ago about a possible ‘light side’ to Phantom’s character and maybe introducing some kind of religious figure or something at some point to maybe help keep Phantom from totally ‘going over to the dark side’ – and I got to thinking about future police interaction.

I’m assuming at some point he is going to run into corrupt cops, good cops and everything in-between, but I was really wondering about sympathetic cops. I hate to keep referring back to the same two Punisher: War Zone scenes as examples, but for some reason they seem to work really well for Phantom. If you take a look at the last minute or so of this scene . . .

Talk to you all soon,

-Kev

Bonesnapper: Loose Ends - Issue 8

The Bonesnapper has defeated an assassin of C.R.I.M.E.  Will this be the killer of his beloved Jessica or is the just the first of many he has to overpower? Using the wiring from the telephones and computers he has come up with enough to tie the Machete Killer to a chair.  It wasn’t hard because the killer is offering no resistance.  He has both hands broken and is in shock from the pain.

Now the Bonesnapper has to decide his next move.  Does he call the police to turn this man in? Does he interrograte him? He has to consider his next move carefully because time is on an essance.  The reporter who brought him here is out there being chased by other C.R.I.M.E. assassins and the Leader of C.R.I.M.E. is making his escape as well.

What will the Bonesnapper decide to do next?


Current Conditions:
Bonesnapper                Hit Points: 18    Power Points: 53

< Due Date: May 7th, Actions, Goal, Reply?>



Archer: Rest and Recovery - Issue 8

Having spent the first few hours after midnight insuring he had truly alluded the agents of CHESS and MEDUSA, Daniel finally made his way back to his bike and the civilian clothing he had awaiting his return. No longer bleeding but in a weakened state, he takes every caution making his way along the city's wet blackened streets. He reflected on the night's events.

**What was I thinking? I spent entirely too much time with Craftsman, and not near enough scouting escape routes from the Docks. It was sheer luck I escaped the net that tactical team was using. If they
had been properly manned, I'd be in custody instead of making my way back to the Warehouse. I can't let this happen again. I have to step up my training ... especially when taking on multiple opponents. The Master was right. I still had much to learn. I wasn't ready for the forces I would face on this Mission. I didn't choose this though, it chose me**

Pulling his bike into a parking garage a dozen blocks from Craftsman's Warehouse, Daniel makes his way to the roof. Looking out across the city the young man uses his special awareness to sense the movement of the city around him. It's the quite time, only a few hours before dawn.

Daniel takes a great amount of effort to avoid observation from anyone outside the Warehouse than from those within. Taking care to remain silent as the night, Archer purposefully trips the first alarm he comes across, so that Craftsman is aware of his presence, if he's even here. Quietly focusing his spatial awareness to it's greatest range, Daniel makes sure the coast is clear before making his way through the Warehouse and into Craftsman's lair. The darkness being no deterrent to the bloodied bowman, Daniel drops his gear on a nearby workbench. Careful not to disturb any of his benefactor's projects, the weary warrior falls asleep in a cold corner.

Quickly the morning comes to Megalopolis

David wakes up. He is sore but feeling better. Sitting at a work bench nearby is the Craftsman. He works silently on a project. David sat up. He removes the target points from his quiver He will replace them with blunt arrows later.

Craftsman turned on the Megalopolis news. The lead anchor speaks, “we take you to the opening of the Dragon Kai dojo in Megalopolis Chinatown district. It is a state of the art Martial Arts training facility. It teaches the classic arts not the hybrid MMA which is popular today.”  A video is played showing the school and its students as they do their exercises and display their skills for the T.V. crew.

Jessica Anderson reports on gang violence at the docks. “A bow wielding gangster killed a member of the Nicotines. The Nicotines are one of the oldest biker gangs in the city. It appears this is the result of a new upstart gang that attempted to rob the Nicotines of their drugs. The Megalopolis PD spokesman would not comment on the rumor that a new Asian gang is trying to muscle into Nicotines turf”.

The T.V. turns off. Craftsman spoke, “Rough first mission? They never go exactly as planned. It is always messier than expected. Only sparring matches are neat affairs. It is because they are a controlled environment."

“If you want to talk I will be here to listen. If you need to think about it first don’t go somewhere private. Go where people are celebrating. It will remind you why you do what you do or let you know if the price is too high. Why don’t you go to ‘The Hunter and Its Prey’ Festival.”

“While you are gone, I will attempt to create a new arrow which will give you a tactical advantage. Think about what you are wanting. I can make an explosive arrow, a taser arrow, or an acid arrow.”

David nodded and gathered his stuff. He contacted Tommy to see if he wanted to go to the Festival with him. Tommy agreed to meet him there.

Tommy has a great time teaching David ‘how to pick up babes”. David can’t decide if Tommy was a good teacher or not but it was fun to watch.

Near the pavilion area, David stopped in his tracks. “Spot a hot one?” Tommy asked. It wasn’t a woman. It was something blocking his spatial awareness.  It shouldn’t be blocking him like it is.

He wasn’t paying attention when this man walked behind the pavilion and started walking toward the woods. He left David’s visual sight but was still in his spatial awareness. At the same time he had heard a WHOUMP sound; a huge man suddenly appeared in his awareness blocking the other man. But for the large man to block his awareness like this he would have to be made out of metal.  Before David could focus his spatial awareness to figure out what the man was and what he was made up of, he heard a WHOUMP sound again and the giant man was gone.

David thought the other man had disappeared with him but then he saw the man walking back to the pavilion. “How did he get back here so fast? How did he slip around my awareness?” David thought

Tommy studied David’s face. “No that is not the look of a guy who has spotted ‘his prey’. Tommy laughed at his own joke. With a big smile, Tommy says, “I know! You saw the Prankster! He appeared and disappeared right before your eyes right?”

David responded by asking, “Who?”

Tommy lets out a huge laugh, “really, you don’t know the capes that defend the Refuge Islands? Boy, if they don’t act all Kung Fu Master like you just don’t know them.”

“C’mon on man your killing me here. Okay, maybe you know them by a different name. How about?”

“Prankster and Wonder Boy?”

“The Delightful Duo?”

“The Caped Comic and the Boy Genius?”

“I give up. How about we go to the archery range? The person in charge looks really cute and I know you like archery, right?”

You both walked down to the range. It is closest to the river.  It is away from the other events. They have set it up where the arrows that miss the target will land near the riverbank and a really bad miss would go into the river. This prevents a stray arrow from landing among the Festival attendees. The area is roped off with heavy poles and stakes setting up the parameters.

Tommy enjoyed waiting in line. The person in charge of tickets was showing interest in Tommy. Whenever the Archery lanes were full and the participants were taking their five shots she would leave her station to talk to Tommy.

She hinted she has a friend that would like David, if he was interested.

David looked at the river toward the Winthrope Bridge as she talked to them. He started to get a massive headache.  Something was messing with his spatial awareness. At first he thought it might the giant again but this felt different.

The air and water started to shimmer. He has seen this in a desert once. It was heat waves creating the water effect. This was similar but it was coming from heat.

Suddenly there was a purple flash in front of him. It wasn’t blinding but it revealed a large … worm? He had never seen anything like it before and that was the best description he could come up.  He only had time for that single thought before the wave of water washed over the entire archery area. Desperately David searched for something to grab a hold of as he was submerged and thrown by the moving wall of water.

He found the archery parameter rope and grabbed it.  As the wave reseeded, he was brought above the water line and could breathe again.  Fortunately the parameter roping was secure and did not give away.  David saw that Tommy and others were also hanging onto it.

David noticed a Sailboat flying above him. Looking up, he saw it was not a product of the wave but that a man wearing yellow and white with a cape was carrying it.  It a blur of movement, the man bashes the monster with the Sailboat.

KaBOOm! Wood and metal pieces fly across the river and into the festival.  Tommy yells, “David!” He is pointing to where a man is holding onto the rope.  He was hit by a fragment.  He hangs on to the rope but loses the grip he had on his 9 year old daughter.  The girl is dragged by the undertow of the water as it moves back toward the river.  The dad is hurt and can’t move.  The girl is 5 feet from David and 20 feet from the river.

David hears a woman scream.

“Someone save my Katie!”

< Due Date: May 7th, Actions, Goal, Replies>

Current Conditions:
Archer               Hit Points: 44    Power Points: 75
                        Blunt Head Arrows:    0
                        Target Point Arrows:  0
                        Broad Head Arrows:   0




Holy Pigs in a Poke

Tom that was so cool. I could feel my guts tighen as the MEDUSA squad started tightening the noose. Thought for sure I was either going to have to fight my way through the Feds or turn myself in.

That was a lot of information/plot twist all at once. Mind if I get things straight in my head before we take the next step. I think I got it right but much of it had me a bit confused - just like you like it I'm guessing! BTW  I like how you use his first name sometimes - I mean really - you'd have to be a bit off in the head to refer to yourself as "Arsenal" when thinking to yourself.

First - if even the Feds are a bit confused about it then I take a bit of pride in having them and the Nicotines entertaining the possibility they had been double crossed.

Second - Wow great :( Now they have DNA and a voice print for Archer.

Third - I'm a bit fuzzy on the Criminal Welfare thing. Are they starting with the good stuff and then slipping in an alternate drug after they've cornered the market?

Fourth - the Informant - is Invulnero? Okay now thats a twister. So Invulnero called "back-up" when the Nicotines started going down? SoB sure didnt mind putting some slugs in Daniel did he?  He sounds awfully well connected to the good guys for someone whose a drunk and gives unreliable info - great I couldn't even take out a drunk (lol) :)

Fifth - Sooo ..... just how hard is it to hotwire a Skycycle :)

Note to self - Celestial Garden - weapon sales okay but what constitutes a military action?

Archer slips from his hiding spot. Unseen he enters the nearby the building to enter the sewer system. In a few minutes he is on his motorcycle and leaves the docks behind him.

Current Conditions:
Archer Hit Points: 41

At the moment I'm a bit stumped what direction i want to take it from here. The obvious play is to go for the Celestial Garden. Given his first outing I'm not quite sure Daniel is ready to beard the lion in his den (recurring metaphor today) just yet.

<Archer: OOC first actions> I think Daniel will take a very circuitous route and make his way back to the Warehouse. Take Craftsman through an after action report, asking for advice on what he could have done better (maybe some better medical aid - not sure bothering Tommy's mom would be too smart) and slap an ideal or two around about the possibility of a "specialty arrowhead"

Great Stuff Tom - had a blast reading it
John R
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First - if even the Feds are a bit confused about it then I take a bit of pride in having them and the Nicotines entertaining the possibility they had been double crossed. Nicotines were fooled. The Feds, it depends, CHESS and MEDUSA on the other hand don’t believe that is what happened. That makes more sense considering the whole Invulnero thing.

Second - Wow great :( Now they have DNA and a voice print for Archer. And depending how careful he was in handling his arrows they might even has his fingerprints too. I think his Forensic studies would have him taking all the possible precautions to avoid that kind of thing, including possibly his mask altering his voice, but that might be a bit revisionist I think

Third - I'm a bit fuzzy on the Criminal Welfare thing. Are they starting with the good stuff and then slipping in an alternate drug after they've cornered the market? The Talon’s provide everything they need.  All they have to do is follow orders and will make money.  Soon the Talon’s are the only contacts they have and their only connection to money, drugs, weapons, housing (yes they provide safe houses and gang HQ), and protection.  If someone leaves they are totally out in the cold with nothing. Okay that's even simpler than I was thinking - seems a bit expensive, but hey, I guess you gotta spend money to make money.

Fourth - the Informant - is Invulnero? Okay now that's a twister. So Invulnero called "back-up" when the Nicotines started going down? SoB sure didn't mind putting some slugs in Daniel did he?  He sounds awfully well connected to the good guys for someone whose a drunk and gives unreliable info - great I couldn't even take out a drunk (lol) :) Yeah, winning the birth lottery of being younger brother of Megalopolis  Police Chief Douglas Ravage has helped him a lot.  Big Brother even got him into CHESS.  It helped he wasn’t a drunk then.  It was after a failed mission that he became a drunk.  Sorta his own personal Khyber Pass event. Awww now your just trying to make feel sorry for the poor guy uhm no

Fifth - Sooo ..... just how hard is it to hot wire a Skycycle :) Not to hard but disabling their personal version of Lo-Jack is on the level of DarkStar lol - yeah that's what I figured on. Oh well a poor asian kid can dream can't he.
Note to self - Celestial Garden - weapon sales okay but what constitutes a military action? What I attempted to say was Drug Sale okay, selling military weapons would generate a response from MEDUSA.  Other military actions – Assassinations, Political Kidnapping, Invasion or Theft of Military Property/Intelligence. My bad on that one. I think I got hurried/tired/confused by the time I was making that part of the post.
Thanks for the clarifications. All the CHESS and MEDUSA stuff has put a really cool twist in the story I wasn't expecting. Makes not running into Lightning Fist a lot less disappointing. I thought for sure with the Oracle info, he'd have made an appearance - I'm still digging the scene with the Medusa tactical squad. Awesome story right up

New Business
Actually the write up was so good I'm a bit stuck what direction to go at the moment. I know I want Archer to carefully make his way back to the Warehouse get patched up and bounce some ideals around with Craftsman, talk about a possible "specialty arrow" but beyond that I'm a bit blocked.

After the alley, I'm not sure about taking on the "Celestial Garden" right away. Seems he need some more experience before baiting that lion in his den??? Not worried about Genghis as much as the possibility of running into multiple skilled opponents - a definite possibility given the Talons organization. Combine that with the appearance of CHESS and MEDUSA I think Daniel could really use some advice from Craftsman.

Also ... he's killed a guy, even if it was by accident, and he's not comfortable with that. I think I'll try to address that at the same time his physical injuries are healing. I want this to be something that effects him as much as it might have Matt Murdoch when he was a college student. Peter Parker maybe but less four-color more grey in tone.

Think I'll have him check his e-mail while he's healing up also. see if Oracle has anything to say.

So how do you want to proceed from here. A dialogue scene at the Warehouse? Extemporize the story through that and jump into something else? Some third option?

Thanks for the great storyline
John R

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Hey Tom

Sounds like a good time for character development. How about I do an Archer: Side Shot #1 and then you pick up the conversation with Craftsman from there. If at all possible, I'd still like him to make a cameo appearance on the Damned Bridge snapping some shots into the Dhole Demon. I envision him and Craftsman's conversation winding up when they see the information on the news or the hero hotline ... something  Inspired by conversation about his dad, the guilt from killing Marlboro, he heads out in an alternate, maybe makeshift costume, to either distract the creature til the "real heroes show up or save a few lives on the bridge - cameo stuff.

How about we do the Patriarch conversation during a meal he has promised to have with the rest of the family on a weekly basis. This big stuff. A character's lair defines him in many ways. You know I sat here for a bit thinking about it, and while a warehouse is kinda copycatting Craftsman, it's a great ideal. Other than a restaurant, or small factory nothing else remotely makes much sense for a private owner, especially with her background. I look forward to developing that part of his storyline. I can see it being the subject of a couple Side Shots as he cleans up, renovates and customizes it to his needs - hmm maybe I should have went after Genghis and the money after all

I'm going to deal with part of this in the Archer: Side Shot #1, and I'm sure you've either thought of it, or going to make me pay for bringing it to your attention We talked about a potential voice print and the DNA evidence from blood on the roof, but it occurred to me it could get worse. If they decide to do a detailed DNA analysis, I'm sure comic book forensic experts for CHESS or MEDUSA could find Asian and Caucasian DNA markers from his blood. This could potentially re-enforce the Talon double-cross story. Alternatively if agent DNA is on file a deep search could possibly mark the Archer Alley Ambusher as a blood relative to the Enforcer!

Just had to roll a 1 didnya
John R

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Believe that I will have cross-overs but I want it to be significant and meaningful.  None of this "Lets put Wolverine of the cover because it will sale more" Marvel  style antics.

LMAO - Not a fan of that myself. LOL - was actually picturing some comic ages ago. I think Byrne was retro-working the FF. Galactus was setting up shop in Manhattan and all the street level heroes like Spider-Man Daredevil and oddly eough Doctor Strange I think all realized this was a fight they had no place in and mostly sat on the sidelines helping the odd citizen while the Avengers and Fantastic Four did the heavy lifting.

I'm excited about writing this Side Shot its a great place for me to work throught the psych aspect of Archer dealing with Marlboro's death. I'm not going all Peter Parker with it but feel Iron Fist and Daredevil would go through similiar regret, and Archer being so young is going to fall somewhere between the two - I think

Thanks Kimosabe

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The early morning brings a cool wet rain with the ebbing of the moon, as a bandaged bowman's bike makes it's way through dark streets and alleys of the Factory. Having spent the first few hours after midnight insuring he had truly alluded the agents of CHESS and MEDUSA, Daniel finally made his way back to his bike and the civilian clothing he had awaiting his return. No longer bleeding but in a weakened state, he takes every caution making his way along the city's wet blackened streets. Reflecting on the night's events.

**What was I thinking? I spent entirely too much time with Craftsman, and not near enough scouting escape routes from the Docks. It was sheer luck I escaped the net that tactical team was using. If they
had been properly manned, I'd be in custody instead of making my way back to the Warehouse. I can't let this happen again. I have to step up my training ... especially when taking on multiple opponents. The Master was right. I still had much to learn. I wasn't ready for the forces I would face on this Mission. I didn't choose this though, it chose me**

Pulling his bike into a parking garage a dozen blocks from Craftsman's Warehouse, Daniel makes his way to the roof. Looking out across the city the young man uses his special awareness to sense the
movement of the city around him. It's the quite time, only a few hours before dawn. No traffic on the streets, no sirens in the distance, not even the skycycles of CHESS disturb the early morning. It's almost as if the whole city were holding it's breath ... waiting for ... something? Sighing with a heavy sense of duty, Daniel starts to make his way over the rooftops, using every once of energy and skill he has to move as a shadow, almost afraid to disturb the stillness of the night.

**Mom, I'm sorry. I don't know if this is what you would have wanted me to do. I'm sure you would want me safe, with a nice girl and steady job. Everything you never had a chance for** A grim smile slide over the avenging archer. **Or maybe not. Between you and my unknown father, adventure may run through my veins. I can promise you one thing. I promise to make myself the best I can be. I promise to fight the evil that would force a young mother to sacrifice herself and abandon her child in the foothills of a mountain to save his life.
I promise to break the back of the Talons of the Jade Emperor, and that promise starts here in Megalopolis. Craftsman going to kill me**

Although loathe to awaken Craftsman if he's asleep, Daniel takes a great amount of effort to avoid observation from anyone outside the Warehouse than from those within. Taking care to remain silent as the night, Archer purposefully trips the first alarm he comes across, so that Craftsman is aware of his presence, if he's even here. Quitely focusing his spatial awareness to it's greatest range, Daniel makes sure the coast is clear before making his way through the Warehouse and into Craftsman's lair. The darkness being no deterrent to the
bloodied bowman, Daniel drops his gear on a nearby workbench. Careful not to disturb any of his benefactor's projects. The weary warrior falls asleep in a cold corner.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cool then,

Looking forward to starting Downtime. I love the character development stuff every much as any combat issue - too bad there's not an XP system for non-combat stuff

I starting to think how inheriting the warehouse is going to affect Daniel's action/decisions. Use as a warehouse, start a dojo, let lay fallow and abandoned? I'm not use to thinking with subterfuge in mind. going to be an interesting. that and I'm waiting for your next damn curve ball

Thanks
John  R

Crusade: Clash with the Crushers - Issue 5

Outside Manning Enterprises, Detective Broyko noticed that The Black Orchid breezed through the entire folder quickly, but obviously reading everything. Once they're there, she stepped out of the car, looked back at the Detective briefly and said "Thanks for the info and the ride, I hope I didn't make you too late."

“Nay, I am a spectator.  It is the new capes’ show.” Broyko replied as he pointed to Manning Enterprises.

The Black Orchid looked at the building to size it up. When she approached she saw the double doors are ripped back.  The doors were to the warehouse.  The warehouse is single story and 40 ft high.  Two unconscious bodies are in the door way. Temper and Peregrine are the Crushers laying there and their feet are glued to the floor.  There was glue covering the opening.  Black Orchid would have to jump past the glue to go in.  She silently moved further down the outside the building to the next entrance.

Inside the warehouse Manta Lad silently knuckle-bumped Starbolt and grinned beneath his mask. Starbolt's trap had worked! Two Crushers were down before the fight even started! He remembered how Manta Man was always preaching that out-thinking an opponent was easier than out-fighting them. It seemed boring at the time.

Manta Lad was convinced the Crushers were responsible for the disappearance of Manta Man and the Crusaders, if only because the Crushers were the ones capitalizing on their disappearance.

Time to put his theory to the test!

Starbolt tells Manta-Lad "I am going to help subdue Merc. I think that we should have a partner. No member of our team should be alone, that only opens us up to being double teamed by these guys."  He flew off from the top of the rafters toward the side of the building with the offices.

Black Orchid arrived at the office side of Manning Enterprises.  The door had been blown off.  In the doorway was Mercury Mercenary.  He pulled his rifle from his where was slung on his back. He fired 5 shots in quick succession in the opposite direction of her.

BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! 

Black Orchid saw the bullets hit their mark.  A man with a skull face on a black bodysuit was the target.  The bullets passed through him without harming him.

Mercury Mercenary step out of the frozen glue patch he was in. He took one step and was gone.  Meltdown turned and started running after him.  Mercury Mercenary was faster but Meltdown could take shortcuts by running through the walls.  The two raced around the office building.  The lapped their starting position three times before Meltdown found the angle he was looking for. ZWAST! His eyebeams of disintegration lashed out, missing Mercury Mercenary.

The killer speedster changed course.  In mere seconds he is running toward Meltdown.

BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! 

The high velocity of the combatants and the bullets caused the amazing happened.  Meltdown was hit 3 times.  The ghostly marvel managed to roll with the shots and not lose his balance. [GM Note: Meltdown is hit for a total of 15 damage; PR -14 from rolling with damage and HP -1].

Meltdown turned, running through a wall.  In seconds he is behind Mercury Mercenary pursuing him.

Inside the warehouse Manta Lad silently swooped down from the rafters and kicked the top of the crate-tower nearest Mammoth, with the intention of crashing it all down on top of the man mountain!  He was unsuccessful in crashing it down and the top crate missed.  Both Mammoth and The Shrew looked up to where the crate came from.

Manta Lad hovered high above them and held his arms out so that the manta cape made its signature silhouette! With electricity sparking from his hands to partially illuminate him, he lowered his voice and shouted in his best imitation of Manta Man: "Toth! Brewster! Your little game is over! Give it up!" Hopefully the distance and the darkness covered a multitude of sins.

The teenage troublemaker watched to see Shrew and Mammoth's reaction!

Mammoth looked at The Shrew, “Manta Man has escaped!  We have to tell Mocker. What if the other Crusaders have escaped as well?” The Shrew glared back, “We’ll tell Mocker alright! But after we capture him and bring him back.”  She picks the nearest small crate and threw it at ‘Manta Man’. She hit him!

KRACK! [GM Note: Manta Lad is hit for 9 damage; PR -6 and HP -3 and no luck points were used to fool Mammoth and The Shrew]

Phade fired from the rafters at Mammoth.  He hit the furry beast with a glancing shot. It appeared as if Mammoth didn’t even feel it.

Inside the offices, the deadly race continued with Meltdown chasing Mercury Mercenary.  They weaved in and out of the office hallways until they were racing toward the entrance which the Crushers had come through.

The Black Orchid took a deep breath and let fly with a vacuum blast at the Merc. "That should take some of the wind out of his sails." Unfortunately she missed the speedster.

Starbolt flew to the location where Mercury Mercenary was at and let loose a pulse of power directed at the speedster. Mercury Mercenary easily moved out of its path to avoid being hit.

Black Orchid looked over her shoulder and saw Starbolt zooming in. She started for a moment and then realized who it is. "Whew! You startled me! Are there more?"

While the move by the speedster for hire avoided the pulse, it brought him right in line with Meltdown’s withering gaze.

ZWAST!

Mercury Mercenary fell to the ground unconscious.

Meltdown stopped running. He bent over and rested. He looked like he couldn’t take another step.

Inside the warehouse, Emerald Dragon swooped down from above Mammoth unleashing his acid breath.  SPLUSH!  The acids splashed the crates and floor but missed the hairy criminal.

Mammoth picked up a huge crated. “Manta Man catch this!” He threw the crate missing his target,

Phade took a second shot at Mammoth. He hit his target again. The time he could tell that Mammoth felt it.

Starbolt flew in from across the warehouse. BREAMMM! Starbolt fired a pulse of power at Mammoth.  KRACK! Starbolt missed but destroyed two crates.

<Due Date: May 7th, Actions? Replies?>

Current Conditions:
Black Orchid                 Hit Points: 30    Power Points: 84          
Emerald Dragon            Hit Points: 81    Power Points: 98           Acid Breath: 29 Doses
Manta Lad                     Hit Points: 21    Power Points: 59           Luck Pool: 2
Meltdown                      Hit Points: 63    Power Points: 54           Non-corporals
Phade                           Hit Points: 17    Power Points: 58           Invulnerability: 8
Starbolt                         Hit Points: 34    Power Points: 71





Manta Lad 

OOC:
Another great issue Tom! Mammoth?!?!   :)

Welcome Marc! Black Orchid looks very cool.

Tom, where are Manta Lad, Starbolt and Emerald Dragon in relation to the map?

Thanks,

Jeff / Manta Lad

PS: And Phade!
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GM reply

They are on the second floor map.  No one provided me locations, so I decided not to show it.  You can decide your starting location for next issue (part of the benefit of the surprise).  If you fly below 20 feet that places you on the first floor, above it will have you on the second floor map (Rafters are at 35ft and ceiling is at 40ft).  To see both maps refer back to issues 2 or 3 and it is available on the web here:

http://vav-megalopolis-pbem.blogspot.com/2011/03/crusade-team-meets-issue-2.html

Thanks

Tom
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Black Orchid

[OOC]
Do I just reply to all here? From other posts it looks that way, so I'll proceed.

Thanks for having me in the game!

[IC]
Detective Broyko notices that The Black Orchid breezes through the entire folder quickly, but obviously reading everything. Once they're there, she steps out of the car, looks back at the Detective briefly and says "Thanks for the info and the ride, I hope I didn't make you too late."

The Black Orchid looks at the building to size it up. "Well, stairs it is I guess. Pain is ephemeral." ([OOC] Unless of course it is 20 stories up or something, I can't remember) She activates her Willpower (1 PP/rnd) once inside to make it easier to run up the stairs and to steel herself to the upcoming combat. She doesn't know exactly what's going on inside so she will take the closest set of stairs up to the main floor of Manning Enterprises. Whichever set of stairs she comes out, she will move to the closest intersection and quickly scan for activity.

1) If I see anybody (friend or foe) I will move in their direction to either help or engage them.

2) If she sees someone who doesn't match the description from the dossiers (or is not obviously a security guard) she'll take a shot with her Devitalization Ray. [flavor text when appropriate: The Balck Orchid raises her hand, and a beam of darkness shoots from her open palm, striking and enveloping her opponent in the icy cold blackness of a vacuum, sapping him of energy but causing no permanent damage]

3) Otherwise she will listen and move in the direction of activity.
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GM

You are correct this is the correct way to respond.

This is Manning Enterprises (not the Harmon Building with Crusader Citadel is in). So it is a 2 story building with a warehouse nearest Black Orchid and the offices further away.

When Black Orchid approaches she will see the double doors are ripped back.  This is to the warehouse.  It is single story and 40 ft high.  Two unconscious bodies are in the door way. Temper and Peregrine (Vulture if you have the module) are the Crushers laying there and their feet are glued to the floor.  There is glue covering the opening.  Black Orchid would have to jump 1" (5 feet) to get past the glue.

Further door is to the office sides.  It is two stories without any outside stairs.  The door is gone and a patch of ice covers the entrance.  A man is standing in the doorway.  He matches the description of Mercury Mercenary.

Regards
Tom
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Starbolt

Welcome to the team Marc. Glad to have you join us.

Jamey
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Starbolt

OOC: Starbolt would want to assist taking out Mercury Mercenary. His speed makes him a problem if he gets loose.

IC: Starbolt tells Manta-Lad "I am going to help subdue Merc." “I think that we should have a partner. No member of our team should be alone, that only opens us up to being double teamed by these guys."

Starbolt flies to the location where Mercury Mercenary is at and lets loose a pulse of power directed at the speedster.
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Black Orchid

The Black Orchid takes a deep breath and lets fly with a vacuum blast at the Merc. "That should take some of the wind out of his sails." Only then does she look over her shoulder and see Starbolt zooming in. She starts for a moment and then realizes who it is. "Whew! You startled me! Are there more?"
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Meltdown

Continue attacking Merc and then make my way to the others (If it was not assumed before - I am activating my Non Corp)
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GM Reply

Yes, I had him in Non Corp form before he made his attack (Action performs in setting up the surprise ambush).

Tom
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Meltdown

Alright cool just wanted to make sure.

Andrew
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Manta Lad

Manta Lad silently knuckle-bumped Starbolt and grinned beneath his mask. Starbolt's trap had worked! Two Crushers were down before the fight even started! He remembered how Manta Man was always preaching that out-thinking an opponent was easier than out-fighting them. It seemed boring at the time.

Manta Lad was convinced the Crushers were responsible for the disappearance of Manta Man and the Crusaders, if only because the Crushers were the ones capitalizing on their disappearance.
Time to put his theory to the test!

Manta Lad silently swooped down from the rafters and kicked the top of the crate-tower nearest Mammoth, with the intention of crashing it all down on top of the man mountain!
Then he hovered high above them and held his arms out so that the manta cape made its signature silhouette! With electricity sparking from his hands to partially illuminate him, he lowered his voice and shouted in his best imitation of Manta Man: "Toth! Brewster! Your little game is over! Give it up!" Hopefully the distance and the darkness would cover a multitude of sins.

The teenage troublemaker watched to see Shrew and Mammoth's reaction!


OOC:
Movement: Fly to the crate tower
Attack: Knock crates onto Mammoth, hopefully in a sneak attack
Speech: Pretend to be Manta Man. The metahuman monkeywrench will spend a Luck Point to help pull off the deception

Intention: Hurt Mammoth and gauge their reaction to the seeming appearance of Manta Man

Thanks,
Jeff
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Phade

Phade fires from the rafters at any available targets, if none, Phade uses the shadows to teleport behind in of the bad guys and starts firing.