Megalopolis: 2013

Location: Stonehenge, England

Epsilon breathed heavily. It had been a long battle with the Tarot Masters. He could barely remember what life had been like before the Domain had invaded with its Inter-dimensional Demons and Earthly allies. Had it only been three weeks? It

[36] Epsilon focused his mind. He sent two TK bolts at the Queen of Swords. The first missed and the second was stopped by her force field.

[34] Tomahawk ran across the floor to where the Knight of Swords stood. He stuck the Tarot Master Squad Commander hard with his sacred tomahawk tearing a gaping hole in the villain’s power armor. His follow up punch missed the Knight.

[24] The Knight responded by swinging his sword at Tomahawk. Swoosh! His strike missed as Tomahawk ducked.

[23] Starbolt fired two starbolts. He targeted the Knight and NINE of Swords. The Knight was knocked out when he was struck by the blast. The other blast missed NINE.

[20] Raven flew across the room. He raked his claws across NINE’s side. The Tarot Master screamed in pain but was able to continue fighting.

[19] Magnetor fired a magnetic wave at NINE. The wave missed.

[17] War Wagon shot NINE with his stolen Tarot Master pistol. NINE was hurt but still able to fight.

[16] NINE fired his pistol at War Wagon. The enchanted bullet struck War Wagon’s armor. The bullet did not penetrate.

[15] Queen of Swords fled from the Tower.

[15] Red Hawk fired a vibration blast at NINE. His blast missed.

[15] The Queen of Swords fled from the Tower.

She spotted a lone person standing in the midst of a bunch of fallen Zombies. The solitary individual was dress in all white and carrying military style weapons. In his hands were two FN Five-seveN Pistols. Faster than she could react, the White Warrior raised the pistols and fired at her.

The first two shots bounced off her force field. Knowing she would not be able to outrun him, she drew her sword. The Pale Pistoleer’s third shot struck perfectly in front of her force field device. The bullet short circuited the device.

Her force field dropped. She rolled with the fourth and final shot.

The Queen of Swords missed with her sword strike.

Her gaze met his stone cold eyes as Phantom holstered his pistols and drew his Gerber Mark II combat knife.

Meanwhile back inside the Tower on the second floor.

[29] Pulling out a yellow-nocked shaft the hooded blue bowman backed to the south a bit with the other heroes. "Please ladies, follow my lead." Hoping Kali understood and backed him. Daniel opened the Star-Comm to give warning to his fellow vigilantes. "On my mark close your eyes. MARK." He let loose with a Flare Arrow into the ceiling so as to engulf the Fool and as many of the Tarot Soldiers as possible.

The Flare Arrow struck its intended target true unleashing a blinding flash and painful light.

The Page of Cups ducked and covered her eyes. She was unharmed.

FIVE and TEN of Cups were hurt but not blinded by the flare. They could continue to fight.

The Fool, King, Queen, and Knight of Cups were hurt and blinded.

{GM Note: Reviewing the Light attack for blinding was referred to Darkness section for the impact of being blind. It had detailed rules on how to handle movement while blinded but not on the penalties for attacking while blind. Since that section was silent, I am using the rules for Invisibility to simulate the entire world being invisible to the blinded person. The first turn the blinded individual receives -1 to hit and +1 to be hit. It cumulatively increases each turn until the individual recovers from being blinded}

FOUR, SIX, and EIGHT of Cups were incapacitated by Flare Arrow. They were unable to fight.

[25] The King of Cups fired his pistol at where he last saw the Archer. His shot missed.

[23] The Queen of Cups fired at where she last saw Centurion X. Her shot missed.

[23] SEVEN of Cups hit with his pistol shot at Evergreen. The wound overcame her with pain. She was KOed.

{GM Note: Evergreen had a 10% change of KO from Hit Point loss, rolled an 8}

[23] "DS, How about using this big chunk of equipment as a bulldozer? How about it? Ten or twelve birds with one stone?" CX spoke calmly over the Comm.

Commander Rose watched the Archer step back and heard the warning to close his eyes. Smiling as the younger hero drew back his bowstring Joshua averted his eyes and heard when the Flare Arrows delivered its payload. Deciding the kid and ladies have that side covered DarkStar decided it's time he started pulling his own weight again. Loath to expose himself again to "Princess", regardless of his exhausted state, he moved around the corner with a wink and motion to the Centurion to stay close behind him, DarkStar moved close enough to give catch the villains on the west side of the tower in the full effects of the Shockwave. Slapping his hands together with enough strength to knock vehicles backwards the Titan of transport created an arc of force to slam those caught in it to the north wall.

In his fatigued state the force was less than usually generated, Malefactor was the only Tarot Master knocked back to the north wall.

Again DarkStar slapped his hands ignoring the pain that rippled through his rib cage.

{GM Note: DarkStar loss 2 Hit Points taking the second action}

The second arc of force lifted the Queen and THREE of Swords and the Priestess. The Queen slammed into the northern wall. The Priestess was lifted up with such force that she sailed through the window and out of the Tower.

DarkStar looked to the equipment on his right. It was the Gravity Generator which produces the awesome gravitational forces which form the Vortex. It was protected by a strong Invulnerability Field, which two of his normal punches would barely get through, fatigued as he wouldn’t be able to penetrate it without risking his life with a DarkStar Drop.

{GM Note: This is DarkStar’s patented maneuver of teleporting above a target and accelerating to maximum gravitational velocity striking the target with his body}

[22] Page of Cups fired her pistol at Archer. Even though she could see him she still missed.

[22] FIVE of Cups while still able to see missed his shot at Archer as well.

[21] The Fool while blinded was able to hit Archer with his enchanted pistol.

{GM Note: 11 damage, -4 PP and -7 HP}

[20] Dreamweaver sent a TK blast at SEVEN of Cups. SEVEN was hit and rolled with the blow. He was able to continue with the fight.

[20] Seeing that trying to grab the Ace of Quarts was a little more difficult to target than Centurion X thought, refocused his attack. While DarkStar had blown Priestess out of the Tower, she wasn’t beyond Centurion X’s reach and knowing that it had worked before, he used the bundled Priestess as a club against the Ace of Crops. "Hey Ace! I think the Priestess has a crush on you!!!"

*WHACK*

Malefactor grunted in pain and Priestess uttered curses at Centurion X.

[19] Malefactor threw a mystical fireball at Centurion X. Striking him in a green blaze. CX fell to the ground unconscious.

{GM Note: 11 points of damage, -3 PP, and -8 HP. 8% chance of KO and Rolled 6.}

[19] Black Orchid realized she was standing in front of a power generator that was twice the size and power as either of the two downstairs.

"OK, here's a big one. Third time's a charm..." Calling on her superior intelligence and engineering skill, The Black Orchid quickly assessed if her surgical approach will be quicker or if she should just enlist some aid to bash it to bits.

Her great intelligence told her if she decided the bash to bits route she would be setting of an explosion equivalent to Large Nuke. Whether surgical approach was faster or not, she knows it was safer.

The Black Orchid saw the action starting to spring up around her. "Please don't anyone on either side get any ideas!" She said to herself as she sets in on the big generator. "Must... be...careful..." taking every iota of her knowledge and willpower she slowly, carefully, yet deliberately sets about dismantling the third generator, amidst the fire and noise of the raging battle around her.

Soon she had succeeded. The generator stopped and power down. She looked up to see all the other computers and equipment shut down. All throughout the Anti-Matter Vacuum Tower everything shut down.

[17] THREE of Cups missed with a pistol shot at DarkStar.

[16] The blinded Knight of Cups missed with his shot at Archer

[15] Kali maneuvered around the SEVEN of Cups. She swung her Power-Chuks at him, missing.

[13] NINE of Cups hit with a pistol shot at DarkStar.

{GM Note: 9 damage, -9 to Invulnerability}

[13] TEN of Cups hit with a perfect pistol shot hitting DarkStar on his gauntlet. It destroyed his ability to communicate with Cybil.

{GM Note: Critical Hit with roll on 1. On critical hit table rolled destroy item or device. 12 damage, -12 Invulnerability}

Meanwhile upstairs on the third floor.

[22] Space Racer flew around the room maintaining his great speed. He tried the ram the Knight of Wands in the back but missed.

[21] The Queen of Wands fired an electrical blast from her wand striking Volcanic Man on his armor.

[21] Eight of Wands struck Volcanic Man with his blast too.

[20] Page hit Volcanic Man’s armor too. He rolled with the zap. He was losing too much armor and was worrying of becoming vulnerable.

[20] NINE of Wands missed badly with his shot. He hit equipment next to Volcanic Man instead of him. The Equipment pieces fell striking EIGHT of Wands. EIGHT was hurt but still able to fight.

[17] FIVE of Wands missed with his attack on Volcanic Man. He needed to practice aiming his wand more.

[17] Volcanic Man tried to punch the Page of Wands but missed. He struck the floor and his fist became stuck.

{GM Note: Volcanic Man rolled a Fumble. On the Fumble table it was rolled awkward position: +2 to be hit until next turn}

[16] Knight of Wands fired his wand at Volcanic Man. His electrical zap got passed Volcanic Man’s armor. The Magma hero grunted in pain but wasn’t about to quit.

[16] SIX of Wands struck Volcanic Man’s armor. The hero rolled with the damage to minimize the loss of his protective armor.

[15] American Woman flew in from upstairs. She fired a light ray at the Knight of Wands. Her laser like beam ripped away pieces of his Power Armor.

[14] THREE of Wands fired his wand at Volcanic Man. The zap bypassed his armor but Volcanic Man rolled with all the damage.

[13] Mindstorm attempted to project an image into Resonator’s mind. It was an image of her running across the run to the spot where Volcanic Man stood. Resonator was able to see through the illusion.

[13] Resonator hit Mindstorm with a sonic blast. She screamed in pain but was still able to fight.

At the same time on the top of the Anti-Matter Vacuum Tower, a fight raged but not with Tarot Masters but with Demons for the dimension of the Domain.

[44] The Demon Prince grabbed Klondike who had landed on him. The Abomination threw Klondike from the Tower. In the distance the hero landed in the Coral.

[37] Adamas listened to Thunderhead’s speech, and was touched. Here was a man from another time, but he expressed the sentiment Adamas felt so deeply.

Adamas left the enemy slime to American Woman, and focused on the one eyed menace. He blasted this enemy using his power blast on auto fire. All six blasts struck the Demon knocking it to the ground incapacitated. Adamas did not move from his current location, keeping an eye on Elwood.

[30] Dynamo flew over to Adamas and Elwood. She wheeled and fired an electrical bolt at the Slime. The electrical charge light up the slime like a Lite Bright piece. The Slime flattened out into a puddle incapacitated.

[26] Molecule Man changed from his hydrogen form into his diamond form. He ran around the giant Maw to come up behind the Abomination. With a mighty leap he punched the Demon Price in the back of the skull. It fell to the ground KOed.

{GM Note: Critical hit to the head, 68% chance of KO, rolled 37}

[21] Harvey lifted the unconscious Abomination telekinetically attempting to slam it on the Crawler. The first attempt missed but the second smashed the back of Demon Worm. It cried in pain but was still able to fight.

[20] Blastar fired his power blast at the Crawler. The blast hit but it was ineffectual. The Crawler was unhurt.

[19] The Crawler turned it head. It unleashed a sonic scream at Thunderhead.

[19] Skylark flew in front of Thunderhead. She counterblast the Crawler’s sonic attack with her own, the two blasts cancelled each other out.

[18] Thunderhead requested the Crawler to unconditional surrender. It refused.

The giant of justice used immense roof machinery as a brawling weapon to grimly pummel the Crawler into submission!

KA-SLAM!

The Crawler slumped to the rooftop unconscious.

{GM Note: 32% of KO, rolled 26}

[15] American Woman flew down stairs to the third floor.

{NEXT TURN}

{Third Floor}

[37] Adamas flew down the stars. Elwood told him that he and Harvey would stay upstairs. Adamas recognized Mindstorm from the night that Hannah was kidnapped. He unleashed an autofire power blast of six shots at her. Three of the six hit doing minimum damage. Mindstorm rolled with most of the damage and was still able to fight.

[31] Dynamo followed Adamas’ lead. She zapped Mindstorm. The Tarot Master psy dropped to the floor KOed.

[24] American Woman fired a light ray at the Knight of Wands. Her ray entered in a gap in his damage armor. The Knight cried out in pain but was still able to fight.

[24] Space Racer slammed in to the exposed back of the Knight. He was knocked to the ground but the Knight stood back up.

[23] Page of Wands damaged more of Volcanic Man’s armor with a wand blast.

[23] Skylark missed the Knight with her sonic attack. She left herself exposed in the air.

{GM Note: Fumbled to hit roll. +2 to be hit until next turn}

[21] The Knight of Wands missed with his shot at American Woman.

[21] FIVE of Wands missed with his shot at Space Racer

[18] Queen of Wands hit Volcanic Man, bypassing his armor. The Magma Might grunted in pain but was still able to fight.

[18] Molecule Man missed with his punch at the Knight.

[17] THREE of Wand hit Molecule Man but the ray wasn’t powerful enough to penetrate his diamond hard body.

[17] EIGHT of Wand hit Molecule Man but the ray wasn’t powerful enough to penetrate his diamond hard body.

[16] NINE of Wand hit Molecule Man but the ray wasn’t powerful enough to penetrate his diamond hard body.

[16] Blastar struck the Knight’s Power Armor with his power blast, destroying more of his armor.

[16] Thunderhead flew off the roof and down, alongside the tower and hovered so that he can see into the next floor down. After peering in, his deep, giant's voice called, "Surrender! Or retreat! This is your only chance!"

When the Tarot Masters don't comply immediately, Thunderhead reached in his over-sized hand to grab the Queen of Wands. He was surprised when he discovered an invisible Force Field surrounding her which prevented him from grabbing her.

[16] Resonator fired a sonic blast at the Knight. The sonic waves ripped more pieces from the Tarot Master’s Power Armor.

[15] Volcanic Man punched the Page of Wands. While the punch hurt her she was still able to fight.

[14] SIX of Wands missed Volcanic Man. He stumbled as he moved to take his shot exposing himself as an easier target.

{GM Note: +2 to be hit until next turn}

{Second Floor}

[31] Archer warned his teammates he was attacking the same way again. He shot his last Flare Arrow. The arrow flew true to its targeted location.

Prepared this time no new Tarot Masters were blinded.

The Fool and FIVE of Cups were KOed from the light rays.

The Queen, THREE and TEN of Cups were missed completely.

The King of Cups was protected by his Power Armor even though it was damaged.

Page of Cups was hurt by the rays but she was still able to fight.

Archer shot his last sonic arrow. All of the Tarot Masters were either missed or protected by their armor.

[36] Epsilon ran up the stairs from the ground floor. Seeing the unconscious Centurion X he ran to his side and revived him. “Come on, just a little longer to go. We should win this soon.”

[31] Tomahawk followed Epsilon up the stairs. He spotted the NINE of Cups pointing a pistol at DarkStar’s back. Tomahawk smashed the Tarot Master with his ancestral weapon. He KOed the NINE of Cups.

[26] Page of Cups missed with her pistol shot at Archer.

[24] Malefactor teleported away.

[21] Black Orchid shot THREE of Cups with her vacuum blast. He shivered as he was drained of power.

[20] The King of Cups blindly shot at Archer. His shot missed.

[20] SEVEN of Cups missed with his shot at Kali.

[20] Magnetor ran up the stairs. He targeted his magnetic device at the Page of Cups. He struck her with a mag wave. The blow incapacitated her.

[20] Dreamweaver unleashed a TK bolt at SEVEN. He rolled with the blast unhurt.

[19] Queen of Cups blindly shot at DarkStar. Her shot missed.

[18] Fighting past the fatigue DarkStar clapped his hands together again. The arc of force was deflected by the Queen’s force field.

THREE of Cups was blown back but was able to grab a hold of the edge of the wall to keep from being blown away from the Tower.

The TEN of Cups failed to grab anything and was blown away. He disappeared outside the Tower dropping to the ground.

Again pain course through DarkStar’s ribs as he clapped his hands together once again.

{GM Note: Loss of 2 Hit Points to perform second action}

The arc of force was deflected by the Queen’s force field once again.

THREE of Cups was blown away from the Tower, having lost his grip.

[15] Red Hawk flew up the stairs. He missed with a vibe blast he fired at the Knight of Cups.

[15] Kali struck the SEVEN of Cups with her Power-Chuks. The power coursing through the weapon KOed the SEVEN of Cups.

[15] Starbolt flew up to the next level. He didn’t want to leave any stragglers but Raven and War Wagon said they would handle it and he was more needed upstairs. "No sense letting them come at us from behind he thinks to himself”. He used his solid energy powers to plug up the entrance to the next level so that no one else from the ground floor could get in.

[13] The blind Knight of Cups missed with his shot at Archer.

{Ground Floor}

Raven yelled out. “Go upstairs I will handle the last Swords Tarot Master!”

[31] Epsilon ran up the stairs.

[31] Tomahawk followed Epsilon up the stairs.

[20] Magnetor ran up the stairs.

[15] Red Hawk flew up the stairs.

[15] Starbolt flew up to the next level.

[14] Raven clawed NINE of Swords. The Tarot Master rolled with the damage and was unhurt.

[13] War Wagon shot NINE with the enchanted pistol. The Tarot Master fell to the ground incapacitated.

{Outside}

[27] The Queen jumped back quickly to avoid the knife point that came dangerously close to impaling her stomach. The White Warrior had faster reflexes than her. She needed to cut him down quickly.

[21] She struck him with a vicious sword slice but it failed to penetrate his body armor.

{FINAL ACTIONS}

{Outside}

The Queen of Swords desperately used all of her swordsman skills to try to stay alive. The White Warrior stuck her in the side and ducked her sword thrust. He spun to stab her in the thigh. She cut him across the scalp. While the slice drew blood he did not fall.

{GM Note: 16% chance of KO rolled 46}

She pressed her advantage hoping the blow had fazed her silent but deadly opponent. She sidestepped his knife thrust but her sword stab was deflected by his armor. She twirled as fast as she could to avoid his backward slash. She slashed her blade against his back again failing to get past his body armor.

She panted from the exertion while he showed no sign of fatigue. His cold deadly eyes watched her for any opening looking for any sign of a weakness.

He leaped up and came with a downward swing of the knife. She lunged down and up with her sword only to have his body armor turn her point away again.

He attacked with a crossing slice on his blade. She desperately rolled with the cut. The Queen attempted to disarm him with a sword stroke to his arm. Once again she wasn’t strong enough to penetrate his body armor.

She realized too late this silence soldier had been maneuvering her into a vulnerable position. She saw a slight spark in those stone cold eyes to know that she had lost. The stone cold eyes of a professional were the last things she saw as the knife penetrated her armor then she blacked out from the pain.

{Second Floor}

[32] Tomahawk struck the Knight of Cups with his tomahawk. The Knight was KOed.

[31] Epsilon missed with both of his dual TK blasts at the King of Cups.

[29] Archer fired 4 normal arrows at the King’s head. The first struck his armored helmet removing it. The next 3 all struck his head but the King rolled with it and was not hurt.

[23] Magnetor missed with his magnetic wave fired at the King of Cups.

[23] Loath to expose himself again to "Princess" and regardless of his exhausted state, DarkStar decided it's time he threw his own weight around again. He silently moved to the north wall. He picked up the Priestess in her wire cage raising her over his head.

Priestess reached out with her hand touching Joshua. When she did nothing happened. In his fatigue state she wasn’t able to draw any more power because the Cobalt Commander had none to lose.

WHAM!

He smashed her into the Queen’s Force Field. The field buckled. Both the Queen and Priestess were hurt.

Ignoring the pain in his rib cage, Joshua raised Priestess above his head again smashing her into the Queen of Cups.

Both women were KOed by the blow. Joshua dropped the wire cage to the floor.

[21] The blinded King of Cups missed with his pistol shot he took at Archer.

[20] Red Hawk missed with his vibe blast at the King.

[20] Starbolt fired two starbolts at the King. Both missed.

[20] Black Orchid caught the King of Cups in a vacuum blast draining his energy.

[18] Centurion X removed the wire cage from Priestess. He sent it flying across the room in an attempt to capture the King of Cups. He missed.

[17] Dreamweaver missed the King with her TK blast.

[14] Kali missed the King with the swing of her Power-Chuks.

[38] Epsilon sent two TK blasts at the King. Both missed.

[31] Tomahawk cleaved passed the King’s Power Armor with his ancestral weapon. The King of Cups fell to the floor incapacitated.

{Third Floor}

[41] Adamas fired an autofire of six power blasts at the Queen of Wands. Four of the six blasts penetrate her force field. Her wand was blasted from her hand and her arm was wounded. She cannot defend herself as well now.

[37] Dynamo fired two electrical rays. One at the Knight of Wands and the other at the Queen of Wands, both rays hit. Both the Queen and Knight fell to the ground incapacitated.

[27] Page of Wands zapped Volcanic Man. The electrical blast bypassed his armor. He grunted in pain but was able to continue fight.

[21] FIVE of Wands missed with a shot at Dynamo.

[21] Molecule Man punched FIVE of Wands. The Tarot Master staggered from the blow but was able to continue fighting.

[19] EIGHT blasted Dynamo but instead of hurting her, Dynamo absorbed the electricity replenishing her energy. “Don’t use your Wands against her. She is an absorber!” EIGHT told the rest of the squad.

[19] Blastar missed with his power blast when he shot at Page of Wands.

[19] Volcanic Man missed with his punch at the Page.

[18] Resonator hit the Page with his sonic blast. Her armor muted the blast allowing her to roll with the remaining damage.

[17] THREE of Wands missed with his shot at Volcanic Man.

[17] Skylark missed with her sonic blast at Page of Wands

[17] Thunderhead reached his over-sized hand into the level and grabbed the Page of Wands like King Kong reaching into the Empire State Building to seize a screaming Fay Wray. Thunderhead had just seen that film, in its premiere release, last week. Or so it seemed to him.

[17] Space Racer continued to fly around the room. He rammed into SIX of Wands. The incredible blow incapacitated the Tarot Master trooper.

[16] American Woman missed with a light ray shot at NINE of Wands.

[13] Thunderhead hovered alongside the tower so that he can see into the third floor. Peering in with the last awake Tarot Master Officer trapped in his hand, he said in his deep, giant's voice, "Surrender! This is your final chance!"

THREE and NINE of Wands surrendered.

The Battle of Stonehenge had been won.

{GM Note: With the Ground and Top Floor defeated and all of the Power Generators shut down the Heroes won the battle. Instead of spending another issue or two performing mop up of the Tarot Masters. I took the existing turns and reviewing previous turns to finish the mop up which took about 2 turns with a few extra actions beyond that.}

{I hope everyone is happy with the issue and feels like I did justice to your characters during the mop up phase. If I messed up anything that you can’t live with because your character “just wouldn’t do that!” let me know and I will work with you to publish a revision. Please keep reading after the End of Battle Conditions, our story continues with the heroes returning to Megalopolis.}

{Thanks}

End of Battle Conditions:

Adamas Hit Points: 2 Power Points: 6 Invulnerability: 24

DarkStar Hit Points: 47 Power Points: 0 Invulnerability: 30. Fatigued

Elwood Hit Points: 9 Power Points: 54

Harvey Hit Points: 81 Power Points: 90

Magus Hit Points: 0 Power Points: 59 ADR: - 85; Adaptation Defense, Trapped in Ice

The Cure Hit Points: 1 Power Points: 62 Fled the Battlefield

Centurion X Hit Points: 66 Power Points: 35 Magnetic Defense active

Black Orchid Hit Points: 30 Power Points: 74 Willpower Defense active and Invisible

Starbolt Hit Points: 34 Power Points: 51 Creation Points: 38

The Wraith Hit Points: 10 Power Points: 52 Telekinesis Defense active, Fled the

Battlefield

Red Hawk Hit Points: 49 Power Points: 28 Invulnerability: 10

Thunderhead Hit Points: 303 Power Points: 66 Height: 24 ft

Phantom Hit Points: 15 Power Points: 38 Invulnerability: 5

1) Right FN Five-seveN Pistol: 10 rounds - 4 extra FN Five-seveN Pistol magazines
2) Left FN Five-seveN Pistol: 12 rounds
3) AR-57 Assault Rifle): 47 rounds - 2 extra AR-57 Assault Rifle magazines

Under-barrel M203 Grenade Launcher: 0 grenade - M406 High-Explosive Round - 3 extra grenades
4) Gerber Mark II Combat Knife

Archer Hit Points: 10 Power Points: 41 Willpower Defense Active;

Archer’s Quiver.

1) Explosive Arrowhead: +3 to hit, 1d12 damage w/ 3"radius Qty. 0

2) Sonic Arrowhead: 10% breakage. 1d12 damage w/10"radius Qty. 0

3) Flare Arrowhead: 2d8, Blinding Flash per Light Control Qty. 0

4) Paralysis Arrowhead: as per Paralysis Ray. Qty. 1

5) Anti-Grav Arrowhead: multiple target's weight by -10, duration 3 turns Qty. 0

6) Normal Arrowheads: 1d8 +1d3 HTH damage Qty. 16

{AFTER the BATTLE EVENTS}

After the battle the Heroes dismantled the Inter-dimensional technology and secured the prisoners. As they were leading the Ant-Matter Vacuum Tower they noticed the Coral was slowly fading away. Using their communications equipment they inform Command HQ of the victory. They proceeded to the relief station for medical attention and some rest.

Serena met them there. She informed them that with the halting of the Anti-Matter Vacuum Tower the Domain’s grip on Earth had weakened. No longer were demons arriving from the Domain but the demons already here were still here. They were still capable of fighting.

Shortly military transport arrived to return them to the airstrip they had arrived at. There at the base the Crimson Guard informed everyone they were not returning to the Megalopolis. They were going to stay in England. They were going to support the Crown Guard in their battle with the Domain Demons.

The Indestructibles decided to travel to Russia to support Red Guard’s fight.

The rest of the heroes boarded the transport flying back to the CHESS HQ in Megalopolis. They arrived without incident.

At CHESS HQ the New Super Society left for Hallowed Hills. They were going to help The Chosen, The Redeemers, Elemental Forces, and Dr. Arcane who were battling the demons there. The ancient city provided an unknown source of power which was the reason the demons were showing no sign of weakening.

Co-Director of CHESS, Huffington asked Black Orchid to meet with her to provide a debriefing on her activities.

Director of DSA, Gaunt asked Centurion X to meet with him for a briefing on the performance to the Tank and what happened at Stonehenge.

General Samuel wanted a debriefing from Commander Rose on the deviation from the battle plan.

Director of MEDUSA, Vlasov was frantically trying to reach Alexander Brandt, Owner of DeBrandt Industries

News reporter Jessica Anderson asked for a private interview from Adamas. When they were alone she kissed him.

Epsilon and Serena were quizzing the CHESS Rooks on whether they were making any progress on seeing where Telecomm had been taken to.

Director of FISH, Mr Delta and Director of Alien Affairs on Earth for GIANT, Detective Ravage wanted to discuss with Thunderhead about how he had arrived in the present day.

Manta Man wanted to talk with Starbolt before the Crusaders left for the Citadel. They were too hurt to continue with the fighting they needed to recover. Manta Man especially wanted to check on how Manta Lad was doing.

Detective Broyko of the Megalopolis Police Department wanted to question Phantom on his whereabouts the last few months.

Psimon asked Elwood and Thunderhead if they would like to join him for a drink at a pub not far from here.

Shatterman and Condor were ready to return to Central City, they asked Red Hawk if he was coming with them.

Bishop Prince asked to speak with Archer.

Dr. Arcane reminded Adamas, DarkStar, Elwood, and Harvey there was still 1 artifact left to be located.

Nomad contacted Thunderhead to remind him that there was still a need for heroes to come help free those that were being held prisoner in the Domain.

{GM Notes: Now would be the time to let me know if your situation has changed and you will not be able continue playing with us. Just let me know it is very understandable. I took need to cut back on efforts myself so. I am going to only be able to support 1 team book and a few solo books but I am going to have to limit the player to 1 PC. If you have more than 1 PC you like to keep then let me know and we will figure out a way for both to be on the team book but rotate then in and out as the mood (or muse) strikes you.}

{If you are continuing to play wonderful! Please be thinking about the direction you want your PC and future storylines you would like to play. Currently the plan is to finish the Domain storyline by taking the battle to the Domain. Once that is done we could continue with the cosmic level protecting the Earth storylines with a new threat to face.}

{If that doesn’t appeal to you and you would rather rid the cities of Megalopolis from Super Criminal threats let me know. I want to make sure you are enjoying yourself and feel invested in the story because you are part of shaping it.}

{The Quest was made without any players. I wanted to have something ready as I learned to GM by email and establish a solid group of players. I think I have reached both goals. Now I want to broaden it more with your help.}

{If you really don’t have any ideas on what to do next that is fine too. I can continue to modify existing V&V modules (with a few Champions modules sprinkled in) if everyone is having fun.}

{Thanks now for those staying here is the awarded XP from the Domain Crossover Event and the rules for advancement follow afterwards}

Thanks for playing with me

Tom

{GM Note: Current XP has all awarded XP and some unawarded XP for adventures prior to the Crossover Event.}

Current XP XP Awarded Total XP Level Comment

Adamas 14,500 2,000 16,500 5 New Level

DarkStar 14,000 2,000 16,000 5 New Level

Elwood 3,000 2,000 5,000 3 New Level

Harvey 3,000 2,000 5,000 3 New Level

Centurion X 0 2,000 2,000 2 New Level

Black Orchid 3,250 2,000 5,250 3 New Level

Starbolt 3,250 2,000 5,250 3 New Level

Red Hawk 3,000 2,000 5,000 3 New Level

Thunderhead 0 2,000 2,000 2 New Level

Phantom 3,500 2,000 5,500 3 New Level

Archer 3,100 2,000 5,100 3 New Level

Here are the Rules for Character advancement please let me know what you would like to do with your character.

Character Advancement:

(Composite of rules from various V&V forums, while names have been lost their contributions live on)

Mocker gained Illusions: sound and Shapeshifter gained additional damage later after character creation and now so can you.

Inventing

Inventing is still available to device creation, if scientist, engineer, or equivalent skill has been chosen.

Inventing points can be used for power stunts. A power stunt is a new use of a power that is not listed on the character sheet. Inventing points have to be used every time the power stunt is performed until that power stunt is chosen as a level advancement.

Advancement
Every level, your character improves. Here's how:

First, throw away the V&V rules on Training. I’ve developed a point-based system that covers the same sort of stuff:

With every level increase, a character may add 1/2 a hero point to their sheet.

This is equivalent to ½ of a Super Skill or ¼ of a Super Power. If you really want a new big, full-blown super-power, you may save up Hero Points until you can afford it. Or you may buy new weaknesses to help offset its cost. See below.

The ways that superheroes get new abilities include, but are not limited to.

a) Training to get better physical super-skills or stats.

Comic Book Example: the X-Men in the danger room, Captain America in the gym.

b) Studying to learn new skills, areas of knowledge, or even powers.

Comic Book Example: Wolverine learns Japanese, Batman was constantly studying to improve his skills, Doctor Strange studied to learn new magic spells.

c) Mutation of an unexpected nature. Makes the most sense with heroes whose powers are tied to their DNA, like mutants or ‘accidental scientific’ origin types.

Comic Book Example: Chemicals trigger a mutation in Beast’s DNA, giving him blue fur.

d) Discovery of pre-existing powers that are latent or otherwise hidden.

Comic Book Example: Invisible Girl is discovered to have Force Fields, years after her origin event.

e) Finding a new device, object, etc. These can also come with Weaknesses or future plot points.

Comic Book Example: Spider-Man’s Venom costume.

f) Invention of a brand new power. Usually works best with super scientist types.

Comic Book Example: Ant-Man becomes Giant Man by inventing Size Change Larger.

g) Receiving powers from another being. These too can also come with Weaknesses or future plot points that are not always pleasant.

Comic Book Example: Frankie Raye becomes Nova at the hands of Galactus.

h) Modification of an existing Super Power, usually through practice.

Comic Book Example: The Human Torch trains to go Supernova with his Flame Powers. Cyclops learns to create a wide beam blast that lets him target an area!

i) Also: Heroes may opt to pay down their Weaknesses, eventually eliminating them!

Comic Book Example: The Thing’s Reduced Charisma, that had him acting as nearly a villain in Fantastic Four issues 1-50, is severely lessened thereafter.

Your new abilities should make sense with your character’s existing personality and motif.

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Seeing that trying to grab the Ace of Quarts is a little more difficult to target than he thought, refocused his attack. Knowing that it has worked before, he uses the bundled Priestess as a club against the Ace of Crops. "Hey Ace! I think the Priestess has a crush on you!!!" *WHACK*

"DS, How about using this big chunk of equipment as a bulldozer? How about it? ten or twelve birds with one stone?" CX speaks calmly over the Comm.

Dave

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<<Black Orchid realized she was standing in front of a power generator that was twice the size and power as either of the two downstairs.>>

"OK, here's a big one. Third time's a charm..." Calling on her superior intelligence and engineering skill, The Black Orchid quickly assesses if her surgical approach will be quicker or if she should just enlist some aid to bash it to bits.

Marc

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Her great intelligence tells her if she decides the bash to bits route she will be setting of an explosion equivalent to Large Nuke. Whether surgical approach is faster or not, she knows it is safer.

Best

Tom

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The Black Orchid sees the action starting to spring up around her. "Please don't anyone on either side get any ideas!" She says to herself as she sets in on the big generator. "Must... be...careful..." taking every iota of her knowledge and willpower she slowly, carefully, yet deliberately sets about dismantling the third generator, amidst the fire and noise of the raging battle around her. If any of the villains notice her, she'll try to blast them. If any of the heroes get the bright idea to either destroy it or use it as a weapon, she'll whisper in their ear "This is Black Orchid. I'm dismantling the generator." If they seem like they are unable or unwilling to listen, she'll blast them too (and apologize later)

Marc

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OOC: Hi Tom,

Great issue as always.

Thunderhead will roll with the damage in this battle. He can't control the weather here, so his Power Points aren't critical. So far.

I'll let you know if he changes tactics. Thanks.

Here's the if-then chain of orders:

1) If the second Demon Prince or the Crawler are still conscious when Thunderhead's action comes, then he'll repeat the same maneuver on them:

-Request their immediate and unconditional surrender. (heck, maybe that's why the slime defected?)

-When they refuse, the giant of justice will use the immense roof machinery as a brawling weapon to grimly pummel them into submission! KA-SLAM!

2) If the Demon Prince or the Crawler are already subdued by his action phase, then he'll use the same tactic on anyone on the roof that is giving his allies trouble.

3) If there's no foe left on the roof that isn't subdued or under control, then Thunderhead will fly off the roof and down, alongside the tower and hover so that he can see into the next floor down. After peering in, his deep, giant's voice will call, "Surrender! Or retreat! This is your only chance!"

If any foes don't comply immediately, he will attack the one that seems the most powerful.

-If they are near him, he'll reach his over-sized hand into the level and grab them like King Kong reaching into the Empire State Building to seize a screaming Fay Wray. Thunderhead had just seen that film, in its premiere release, last week. Or so it seemed to him.

-If that foe is far, the man of thunder will fire bolts of lightning from his giant eyes at them. KRAKA-BOOM!!

Thanks. Hope that's clear.

Go Guardians!

Best,

Jeff

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Hey Tom

Sorry busy weekend with my sister getting married and all the "normal" stuff. Was hoping my Muse had something special in mind. Alas not. Maybe she'll have something for a Rampart story soon.

If it's not too late I would like Daniel to ...

<Archer IC: actions> Pulling out a yellow-nocked shaft the hooded blue bowman backs to the south a bit with the other heroes. "Please ladies, follow my lead." Hoping Kali will understand and back him Daniel opens the Star-Comm to give warning to his fellow vigilantes. "On my mark close your eyes. MARK." Letting loose with a Flare Arrow into the ceiling so as to engulf the Fool and as many of the Tarot Soldiers as possible.

Goal: to catch the Fool and as many Tarot Soldiers as possible in the radius using the ceiling as an anchor point so none may hide from its affects. Combined with damage from the Sonic Arrows (did any devices get damaged due to those two arrows?) these guys should be softened up for NPC to help finish off. Or at least that's the plan lol

Thanks Tom

John

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Okay DarkStar up to bat (and battered) lol

Commander Rose watches the Archer step back and hears the warning to close his eyes. Smiling as the younger hero draws back his bowstring Joshua averts his eyes and hears when the Flare Arrows delivers its payload. Deciding the kid and ladies have that side covered DarkStar decides it's time he started pulling his own weight again. Loath to expose himself again to "Princess", regardless of his exhausted state, he moves around the corner with a wink and motion to the Centurion to stay close behind him, DarkStar moves close enough to give catch the villains on the west side of the tower in the full effects of the Shockwave. Slapping his hands together with enough strength to knock vehicles backwards the Titan of transport creates an arc of force to slam those caught in it to the north wall

Goals: disorient and knock bad guys off their feet making them easier for everyone to hit. Hopefully give Archer chance to use his last Sonic and Flash Arrow on them next Turn. If he can do it and it is needed use his Dual Action and do a second Shockwave. If not cool :)

Thanks again Tom

John

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Dual action can be done but the 2 Power point cost will take from Hit Points.

Do you still want to take the second action?

Tom

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Hi Tom

Yes by all means, DarkStar is more than ready to take the HP hit if it means his allies have a better opportunity "to hit" next Turn. If the first Shockwave doesn't knock them all back into the north wall then definitely go with a second Shockwave attack.

<DarkStar IC: response to Black Orchid if appropriate.> "Any heroes out there need an extraction just make the call. DarkStar express will be there for you."

John

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Tom,

I'm just going to submit an action this time, with no fluff.

Harvey will attempt a telekinetic attack on XO'J, thrusting the demon into the back of Abomination 1.

Mike

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Starbolt will take out any stragglers before he heads up to the next level. " No sense letting them come at us from behind he thinks to himself. If things get too rough, he will fly upstairs, and use his solid energy powers to plug up the entrance to the next level so that no one else can get in.

Tom, if this isn't acceptable, let me know and I will come up with something else.

Jamey

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Hi Tom

Does DarkStar have a chance to see what block "B" is suppose to be and whether he could utilize Centurion X idea? Fine to get answer to this in the upcoming issue

Thanks
John

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Adamas listened to Thunderhead’s speech, and was touched. Here was a man from another time, but he expressed the sentiment Adamas felt soo deeply.

Adamas will leave the enemy slime to American Woman, and focus on the One eyed menace. He will use both of his actions to blast this enemy using his power blast on auto fire. Six blasts for each action. He will not move from his current location, keeping an eye on Elwood.

Jon Hammonds

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Will The Black Orchid have a sense of how long it will take her to shut down this big generator? (i.e. is it similar enough that she can use the knowledge from disabling the other two to make it easier, or is she starting from scratch?)

[OOC: I am enjoying this, even though the The Black Orchid isn't going toe-to-toe with the bad guys, I'm basically using all of her powers in one fashion or another every single round!]

- Marc

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Yes she will. I will make it part of the issue.

Glad to hear that you are enjoying it.

Tom

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OOC:

Hi Jon,

That's funny. When I created this super "heroic" type good guy, I was inspired by Adamas!

Best,

Jeff

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Saturday, November 16, 2013

Thunderhead Character Sheet

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Crossover: We Got Them on the Run! - Issue 12