Monday, March 26, 2012

The Wraith: The Hunt - Issue 22

Location: Crusader Citadel

A heavy storm raged around the Citadel. It had grown in magnitude when the Megalopolis SWAT team had entered the Harmon Building Lobby.

ZZABBBOOOOMMM!

A lightning bolt struck the lobby again!

The lights were out in the entire building.

On the top floor several heroes walked into the stairway making their way down into the Citadel.

Black Orchid said, "Alright Tomahawk, lead us down to where Manta Lad is and please tell us if you see anyone lurking in the shadows, especially that b--, uh, Hauntress character. Starbolt, did ML say how far he went down the stairs?"

"M-L went down to the infirmary area. He made a mad dash down attempting to rescue the Crusaders. "Starbolt replied to Black Orchid. “He has great potential." The Stellar powered hero thought to himself. “But he has to learn that rushing in half-cocked like this does neither himself nor the team any good." To the rest of the group Starbolt said, “I would prefer if we kept Wraith and myself paired up with one of the other group members without a fast-move ability, in case we have to get out of here in a hurry."

The Black Orchid agreed as she put her hand on Tomahawk’s shoulder as they started to go down the stairs."We may still have some element of surprise left if they think that ML came in impetuously on his own from above. Wraith, I think you can help us with that when the time comes with your telekinesis. Let's go!" Despite calling out orders, The Black Orchid seemed completely unaware that she's trying to take charge of the situation.

The Wraith silently moved at reduced speed, hoping to avoid running into anything, toward the infirmary.  He swept the floor in from of him using his TK ability.

Tomahawk whispered to the others as they reached the fourth floor. “I see a Crusher exiting the Elevator across the room. He can fly and has extra large eyes on his helmet. He is flying toward us. I don’t think he can see us but must know about someone using the stairs to gain entrance. Do we continue down to the next floor or stop this Crusher first?”

Having left his teammates behind Manta Lad was several floors below them. He opened the stairway door and ran toward the Infirmary. As he placed his hand on the Infirmary door heard voices from the computer room.

“We’re under attack! Someone has reached us I can smell him.”

“Don’t just don’t stand there! Go beat him senseless, while I start the emergency generator!”

It was Mace and Mocker.

Manta Lad slipped silently into the Infirmary and waited, holding his breath, hoping that Mace didn't follow him in there! He quickly texted Starbolt: "Mocker in Computer Room near Infirmary! Mace headed to generator!" careful to tediously spell it all out longhand, knowing how clueless grownups were about texting. Luckily, the teen was fast on the keyboard.

"Way to jump into the deep end, genius!" he thought to himself, grateful that Manta Man hadn't seen that dumb stunt. Then he saw Manta Man and the Crusaders.

Locked down until power was restored, they looked so helpless. And there was nothing he could do about it. For a moment he felt lost. Everything he had gone through to get here. Broyko. Recruiting a team of grownup heroes. Discovering that the Crushers had the Crusaders. Tracking the Crushers. His hand touched Manta Man's glass prison. This wasn't how he imagined their reunion.

Then he remembered Mace and Mocker. And anger took a hold of him. All the frustration and fear of the last few days added fuel to the fire. His hand moved away from the glass and formed a fist. He turned and faced the door. Expecting Mace to come into the infirmary, he went to a shelf. Open the lids on several chemicals and then Manta Lad hid. He hoped the medieval moron wouldn't be able to smell him in a room full of medical smells.

Mace did walk into the infirmary. The Teen Techie watch as Mace didn’t look around but held his head high. He was actually trying to find him by smell. When Mace turned his back toward Manta Lad’s hiding place.

SHAKOW!

Manta Lad sucker punched him with a blast of white hot electricity! The Mace cried in pain, dropping to his knees.  He slowly rose back up to his feet. He looked for his attacker.

KRASH!

He had blindly swung his mace, smashing a shelf of chemicals with it.

“Quit hiding you back-blasting chicken!”
{GM Note: Manta Lad did not get the ambush benefit because all the Crushers know they are under attack. While The Mace couldn’t find Manta Lad he was expecting a fight. While Manta Lad gains several bonuses to hit because of his hiding, stealth chemical, and attacking from behind, The Mace was able to roll with damage.

All Heroes passed their Endurance save so the Stealth Chemical is in effect next turn.}

<Due Date: March 17th, Actions? Replies?>

Current Conditions:
Black Orchid                 Hit Points: 30    Power Points: 86 Invisibility: +2/-2 Willpower Defense active
Manta Lad                     Hit Points: 10    Power Points: 64 Invisibility: +2/-2 Luck Points Pool: 2, Lightning Def inactive
Starbolt                                    Hit Points: 34    Power Points: 75 Invisibility: +2/-2
The Wraith                     Hit Points: 10    Power Points: 53 Invisibility: +3/-3
Tomahawk                    Hit Points: 69    Power Points: 84 Invisibility: +2/-2

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Manta Lad

OOC: Great issue, Tom.

We have communicators?
I know Manta Lad has a cell phone. Before the communicators, early on, we used cell phones to talk. ML has Starbolt's number, correct? Anyone else?

Also, is Manta Lad's Lightning Defense visible when activated?

Thanks,
Jeff
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GM

Yes, you still have the communicators you were given by Det. Broyko.

Manta Lad does have Starbolt's number in the cell phone.

Unfortunately all the other team members are late arrivals so Manta Lad does not have there phone numbers.

Manta Lad's Lightning Defense is visible with activated and the energy emitted would destroy the Stealth Compound too.


Best
Tom
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Manta Lad

Manta Lad slipped silently into the Infirmary (stealth skill use!) and waited, holding his breath, hoping that Mace didn't follow him in there! He quickly texted Starbolt: "Mace and Mocker in Computer Room near Infirmary!!!" careful to tediously spell it all out longhand, knowing how clueless grownups were about texting. Luckily, the teen was fast on the keyboard.

"Way to jump into the deep end, genius!" he thought to himself, grateful that Manta Man hadn't seen that dumb stunt.

If he heard Mace go past the infirmary, he'd silently explore the Infirmary. If the Crusaders really were in there he'd try to free them! Manta Man first of course! (Lightning Control powers to control theses devices, plus First Aid skill and Technology skill)

If Mace came into the infirmary, (yikes!) he'd hide (stealth skill again), hoping the medieval moron wouldn't be able to smell him in a room full of medical smells. (Luck Point use in this case, to force Mace to make two Detect Hiddens to find the meta-monkey wrench!)

If Mace was about to find him, Manta Lad would use his Lightning Control device to short out Manta Man's containment device to noisily free him (control panels overload, exploding with sparks and smoke) in order to:
a) Cause a surprise/diversion so Mace won't find Manta Lad in here
and
b) Free his hero, Manta Man!

If Mace was about to find him, and the Crusaders aren't in the infirmary, the kid could still use the overloading equipment stunt in a pinch to distract Mace from finding him. In this case, Manta Lad would want the explosion to hurt Mace.

Those are the best laid plans of mice and men anyway.

OOC:
Goals:
In equal priority:

-Text Starbolt for backup!
-Hide from Mace!
-Free the Crusaders!

Thanks.
--------------------------------------------
GM

Quick reminder the Citadel is completely without power so unless Manta Lad has a way to power the devices his Lightning Control is useless.

Here is general knowledge that Manta Lad would have from where he is standing. He can see through a window in the door that the Crusaders are in the Infirmary. They are being held captive in table-sized Plexiglas tubes filled with mind-numbing vapor. Manta Man designed them that if there is a loss of power they automatically seal shut and can't be opened until power is restored. He didn't want a badly injured person to die from the Citadel losing power and the tube opening.  Manta Lad is aware of how the tubes work and that they can't be opened until power is restored.

Best
Tom
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Manta Lad

OOC: Ugh.  ;-)

OK. Will need to send new orders. But I will still text Starbolt.
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Manta Lad

OK. Take 2.  ;-)

IC:
Manta Lad slipped silently into the Infirmary (stealth skill use!) and waited, holding his breath, hoping that Mace didn't follow him in there! He quickly texted Starbolt: "Mocker in Computer Room near Infirmary! Mace headed to generator!" careful to tediously spell it all out longhand, knowing how clueless grownups were about texting. Luckily, the teen was fast on the keyboard.
"Way to jump into the deep end, genius!" he thought to himself, grateful that Manta Man hadn't seen that dumb stunt. Then he saw Manta Man and the Crusaders.

Locked down until power was restored, they looked so helpless. And there was nothing he could do about it.
For a moment he felt lost. Everything he had gone through to get here. Broyko. Recruiting a team of grownup heroes. Discovering that the Crushers had the Crusaders. Tracking the Crushers. His hand touched Manta Man's glass prison. This wasn't how he imagined their reunion.

Then he remembered Mace and Mocker. And anger took a hold of him. All the frustration and fear of the last few days added fuel to the fire. His hand moved away from the glass and formed a fist. He turned and faced the door.
If Mace came into the infirmary, he'd hide (stealth skill again), hoping the medieval moron wouldn't be able to smell him in a room full of medical smells. (Luck Point use in this case, to force Mace to make two Detect Hiddens to find the meta-monkey wrench!)
If Mace was about to find him, then Manta Lad would sucker punch him with a blast of white hot electricity! Otherwise, he'd let him go to the generator and Tomahawk.

If he heard Mace go past the infirmary (or if Mace entered the infirmary, couldn't find Manta Lad and left) then Manta Lad would creep out and sneak to the Computer Room (more stealth skill use) to ambush that s.o.b. Mocker with a lightning blast!
OOC:
Goals:
-Text Starbolt for backup!  (move or "speech")
-Hide from Mace!               (move)
-Sneak attack on Mocker! (attack, preferred)
      But if his hand is forced:
-Sneak attack on Mace      (attack, second choice)
Thanks.
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Starbolt

What powers does Tomahawk have?
--------------------------------------------
GM

He has improved STR, END, and AGI. He is not better in a single area than any of the other heroes i.e. Starbolt’s STR is better, Black Orchids END is better, and Manta Lad AGI is on par with his. He has heightened senses make him a great tracker, boost his detect danger, and gives him Night vision. He has an ancient Tomahawk which he is an expert with.
Best
Tom
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Starbolt

Starbolt will ask Tomahawk to take the lead because of his ability to see in the dark. Starbolt's actions will depend on what happens. He will take out the Crushers as he finds them, clearing floor by floor as he goes. He isn't too happy about M-L taking off, but he would attempt to help him if he becomes outnumbered. (You don't turn your back on family).
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Black Orchid

"Alright Tomahawk, lead us down to where Manta Lad is and please tell us if you see anyone lurking in the shadows, especially that b--, uh, Hauntress character. Starbolt, did ML say how far he went down the stairs?" The Black Orchid puts her hand on Tomahawk’s shoulder as they start to go down the stairs."We may still have some element of surprise left if they think that ML came in impetuously on his own from above. Wraith, I think you can help us with that when the time comes with your telekinesis. Let's go!" Despite calling out orders, The Black Orchid seems completely unaware that she's trying to take charge of the situation.

[OOC: Who all is with us now? Did I address everybody? I assume that just because The Black Orchid has Darkness Control doesn't mean she can see in the dark, correct?]
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GM

Correct, she can't see in the dark.

In stairway is Black Orchid, Tomahawk, Starbolt, and The Wraith.

In the infirmary is Manta Lad.

On the Lobby floor is the MPD SWAT team and Det. Broyko.

Regards
Tom
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Manta Lad

OOC: Who iced the generators?

Thank,
Jeff
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GM

Det. Broyko took did it when he traded spots with Black Orchid. The plan was for her to do it until the team was short handed. So he did it instead.

Regards
Tom
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Manta Lad

OOC: Thanks. Manta Lad will text him" "Crushers headed to generators! Watch out"
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Starbolt

"M-L went down to the infirmary area. He made a mad dash down attempting to rescue the Crusaders. "Starbolt replies to Black Orchid. “He has great potential." The Stellar powered hero thought to himself. “But he has to learn that rushing in half-cocked like this does neither himself nor the team any good." To the rest of the group Starbolt says, “I would prefer if we kept Wraith and myself paired up with one of the other group members without a fast-move ability, in case we have to get out of here in a hurry."
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Black Orchid

I've been out of town, so I may have missed it. Did Tomahawk start taking us down the stairs?
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GM

Yes he has. You haven't reached the next floor yet. Normal movement in the stairway will cover 2 floors, so it will take you 2 turns to reach Manta Lad.

Thanks
Tom
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The Wraith

Sense he has presumably been sprayed with the chemical invisibility AND has his own invisibility-in-darkness (and it's all dark now), Wraith will assume he has....wait for it...DOUBLE SECRET INVISIBILITY!

He also has ten hit points, so perhaps now is not the time to get too cocky.  He will continue moving--at reduced speed, to hopefully avoid running into anything--towards the infirmary.  If possible, he'll use his TK to sort of "sweep" the floor in front of him, hopefully tripping any potential adversaries along the way.

Crusading the Streets,

Greg
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