Thursday, September 11, 2014

Quest: Tug of War! - Quest 39


Location: Jacco’s Village Hideout on Easter Island

The Guardians had left Megalopolis in search of a Dimensional Gate and Glenn Jacco who was hiding on Easter Island. Jacco had been a major adversary to Clark Powers in 1931. It was a result of his combating Jacco’s actions in Peru that lead to Clark’s discovery of the lost mountain top temple of Ilyapa, Incan Goddess of the Storm. Imbue with the powers of an Incan Avatar, Clark became known as Thunderhead. He stopped Jacco, which the newspapers had dubbed Obituary because of his obsession with death and ancient tomes. While Obituary was in prison, Clark Powers disappeared from the Earth in 1931. He had been approached by the Superhero known as Nomad, who was a Geonesian from the dimension known as the Domain. Thunderhead’s help was needed for the resistance. Thunderhead with his knowledge of both archeology and mysticism would lead a strike force of Earth’s heroes through a secret passage that connected Earth and the Domain. Travel through the passage was undetectable by magic or technology.  Nomad used his dimension travel powers to bring Clark from Earth 1931 to the Domain then to Earth 2014.

In 2014 Thunderhead found the Guardians who he was suppose to lead to the Domain. The Guardians had been on the final leg of their Quest to find the Artifacts of Powers. All but one had been located and retrieved. It was the Soul Scythe. Dr Arcane was able to scry that the Soul Scythe was on Easter Island and in Jacco’s possession but there were wards in place which prevented him from see where they were. During their Quest Dr Arcane’s granddaughter and 3 other archaeologist were captured by sorceress of secret cult, Magi of the Black Rose. Occult with her revenants took their four captives to the Domain. There they planned to use magic scrolls to create Hybrid monsters, Half Human – half Domain Demons based on the Earth Elements of Wind, Fire, Earth, and Water.   They were to lead the four armies of the Domain during the invasion of Earth. The Guardians rescued Donnah and the other three from Occult but not before they had been changed. The four scrolls that had changed them were destroyed in the magical transmutation process but the fifth scroll. The scroll with controlled the hybrids had been rescued as well. The guardians had brought it back with them giving it to Dr. Arcane. Using their new found powers the Natural Forces what Donnah and the other three were now calling themselves, protected Dr Arcane and the Guardians with the rest of Earth’s heroes successfully fought off the Domain vanguard.

During the brief respite to heal and prepare to finish their Quest, Donnah was turned from the side of Earth. She left to join the Domain forces who are gathering their main invasion forces. The Guardians were unable to pursue Donnah because they had to complete the Quest and stop the Domain from invading once and for all. They left for Easter Island to get the final artifact.

There they were able to successfully find Jacco but he wasn’t alone. The remaining Domain sympathizers, known as the Tarot Masters, have fled to there and the Natural Forces were there as well.

The battle was joined with the Guardians focusing of taking the Soul Scythe as their opponents battered them in an effort to prevent it. They were able to bring the force field down that was protecting Jacco from their reaching him. Red Hawk grabbed the Soul Scythe but was unable to pull it from Jacco’s hand even though Starbolt had shackled Jacco’s arm and foot to the ground.


The battle continues …


Jacco reached over with his free hand grabbing Red Hawk by the arm that was holding onto the Soul Scythe. He smiled as he started to feel Red Hawk’s life drain into him but then it stopped. “You resisted my death touch for now but do not feel you are immune. You are made of metal but you are not that different from a Golem made from clay. I can kill them I can kill you too. Someone was able to give you life; I can take that life away”

Thunderhead had made a fatal miscalculation. He mistakenly told Red Hawk he was immune to Jacco's power, and now Hawk was in grave danger because of him. The giant of justice had no choice. He had to fix his mistake.

Connecting through the Amulet, Starbolt sent his thoughts to Red Hawk. "Hey, I've currently got this geezer clamped down, what would you prefer my next actions to be?"

While coordinating with the team, CX said, "We get this done quick and the beer and pizza's on me!!!"

After a strange sidewise look at CX... 

[37] Adamas quickly decided that the best offense was to remove the enemies defense, and turned his powerful vision attacks on Marutukku. Adamas fired a single power eye blast at Marutukku. The awesome power blast took him out of the fight rendering Marutukku incapacitated as he smashed into the furniture and the wall of the hut.

Remembering that Obituary had said: "I can kill them I can kill you too. Someone was able to give you life; I can take that life away."

The spirit of winter looked at the raving wizard in disgust. Jack spat, "Miserable magician. Your kind ever seeks to poison the world...  Also, I don't like your face."

The young immortal gestured a nimble hand at Jacco as he attempted to grow ice on the shaft of the Soul Scythe!

[33] Jack created slippery ice on the Soul Scythe where Jacco is gripping it in his wresting contest with Red Hawk. He succeeded in making the handle near Jacco's hands slippery

{GM Note: When Jacco rolls his HtH dice the result will be halved because of Jack’s attack}

Seeing that he had attracted the attention of two of the enemies, CX smiled inside his helmet.

"Got your attention", he thought to himself.  He knew the attacks would come, but as long as they were firing at him, the others don't have to take their attacks.

His smiles widened when he saw Red Hawk had grabbed the Scythe.  He concentrated through the amulet to Red Hawk.

“Use the amulet with me.  I am going to try and enhance your strength with my magnetic’s”

[27] CX concentrated his magnetic Control to move with Red Hawk and effectively increase the new leader's physical prowess.

{GM Note: CX’s magnetic capacity HtH will be rolled with Red Hawk’s HtH in their coordinated effort to pull the magical cleaver of souls from Jacco’s grasp}

Chris thought to himself as both he and Jacco held onto the ancient artifact, “Talk about irony ... Little old man has a death grip on the Scythe”

Red Hawk silently nodded in acknowledgment to the golden defender's suggestion. Focusing his own thoughts back to the team. "I will time my attempt to disarm Jacco of the Scythe when I feel your power surround me CX . . .

[27] Chris timed his attack to coordinate with CX enhancement, pulling the final artifact of power in the Quest from Jacco. He blasted Jacco with a Vibration Blast as he flew up into the sky. Jacco was unable to roll with the blast but he was tough enough to survive it. He waived his free fist in fury as he watched Red Hawk leave with the Soul Scythe.

{GM Note: Jacco’s arm and foot is held in Starbolt’s construct. He does not get his damage modifier for HtH in his Str vs Str roll against Red Hawk. Str vs Str is normally HtH plus damage modifier. Because Jack Frost has cover the part of the Scythe with ice that Jacco is holding making it slippery Jacco Str roll is not HtH/2. CX is using his magnetic power to augment Red Hawks Str. Red Hawk and CX HtH plus damage modifiers are added together. For the Str vs Str  test: Red Hawk with all the modifiers Str resulted in 26 points and Jacco with all his negative modifiers Str resulted in 1 point. Red Hawk pulled the Soul Scythe away from Jacco}

[24] Coriolis flew up to Red Hawk. “I am sorry Red Hawk, even if I wanted to return to my grandfather. I can’t. Lord Noman has the Scroll of Controlling now. He controls all four of us with it.” She called a hurricane force gale to force him back towards the hut. Red Hawk withstood the first blast but couldn’t the second. He was knocked 30 feet down and couldn’t fly any higher.

{GM Note: Coriolis performed a non damaging attack instead getting a higher knock back result}

[22] Torrent moved through the fog quickly. She arrived at the hut and looked for Red Hawk. Finding him she launched a wave of water at him. Torrent’s giant water spout missed.

[19] "Aargh, I'm down, one more hit and I'm done. Can't... move...!" Black Orchid said out loud, but then through the amulet said "I'm fine, just baiting squid-face". Then she moved directly behind Jacco to hit him with her Vacuum blast. "I hope that nun got lucky with that shot and she doesn't really know where I am." She thought to herself.

Her Vacuum Blast struck Jacco draining him of energy. He was tired but wasn’t yet fatigue.

“Starbolt, somebody needs to keep the bad guys off our backs now that I wrenched the Soul Scythe free from the old 
man. Can you either put the clamps or take out Noman? He was one of the villains’ officers at Stonehenge. I'm betting we need to put him down fast while we have the initiative.” 

[19] Acknowledging Red Hawk's request, The Stellar-Powered Sentinel attacked Jacco with a light blast and missed.

Black Orchid used the amulet to say to Starbolt "Let me jump on your back before you go"

Starbolt swooped down and when he felt her weight on his back he flew up to Red Hawk.

Red Hawk thought, “Thunderhead, any suggestions what to do with the Scythe now that we have it in our possession? There is some spirit in it claiming to be Xing Liang, Guardian of the Soul Scythe. Can I trust him ... or should I just start swinging for the fences?”

“Her” Thunderhead thought, “Xing is a her. Yes she is trust worthy.”

Thunderhead made sure that his thoughts were no longer sending through the amulet. “I trusted her with my life and … more. I have no regrets about doing it”

Thunderhead remembered back to a time before he became the Inca Incarnation. When Clark Powers wasn’t Thunderhead Superhero and Xing Liang wasn’t the Guardian of the Soul Scythe.  He was an Archeologist and she was a princess in a remote Chinese province. He had discovered her village while he was researching an ancient culture which was the guardians of a great weapon which was to provide protection from a race of Demons which was ruled by Supay. Clark was curious why his text pointed to a location in China was the resting place for the protection from the Incan god of Death, Supay. He would have expected it to be in Peru or another South American Country.

He had to investigate this abnormality. When he arrived he did not expect the guardians to still be a thriving society. Isolated and unknown to the rest of the world but thriving regardless, he mistake nearly cost him his life as he was ambushed. Struck by a poison dart his chances were bleak as his attackers left him to die in the jungle. But Xing had found him. She provided the antidote and brought him into her hut. This act brought shame upon her and protection upon him. None of the guardians dared to attack him until she cast him from her presence.

When he had recovered Clark was taken by Xing to meet her father, The Guardian of the Soul Scythe.   He begrudgingly welcomed Clark to his village and did not banish Xing for her actions. Clark spent the first weeks there proving she had not made a mistake. He proved to be a value sharing his knowledge of the race of Demons with the Guardian. Soon he proclaimed Clark Powers a Defender and Brother of the guardians. Not only did it make him part of the society but it removed the shame Xing had been shown.

Clark spent months in the secret society studying their ancient texts and learning their history. While he learned much the secrets of the Soul Scythe were kept from him, but he could accept it because of all he gained from the other texts.

While he spent a great amount of time studying their culture and their texts, he still made time to be with Xing. He even asked her to leave with him when it was time to go. With tears in eyes she refused. While she loved Clark, Xing was next in line as Guardian of the Soul Scythe. She could not abandon that responsibility for one day the Demon race would return and the Soul Scythe will be needed. There had to be a Guardian there to wield it fearsome power. She asked Clark if he wouldn’t stay instead. While his heart wanted to he knew he couldn’t. He too had a destiny that had to be fulfilled.

Thunderhead focused his mind back onto the battlefield. He was shocked that Xing’s destiny and his had become intertwined again but he couldn’t think about that now.

[18] Conflagration flew across the village to get closer to Red Hawk in the fog. He blasted Red Hawk with a large flame blast engulfing Red Hawk in it. Red Hawk felt the flames rippling across his body then it was gone. The feeling was gone, not the flames.

{GM Note: The Soul Scythe protects it wielder from harm. Red Hawk isn’t being harmed with he loses his invulnerability. Once the Invulnerability is gone the Soul Scythe will protect him from damage so he won’t have to roll with the damage either. The protection is not unlimited. Conflagration did 17 points of damage, -10 Invulnerability and -7 Soul Scythe}

Red Hawk stared in shock at what he witnessed next. The flames disappeared and out of the Soul Scythe came a woman. It wasn’t a solid person but the image of a woman, like the astral projection of Dr Arcane and the telepathic image of Psimon was. Not only did he see her but he knew she was, what lead to her soul be trapped in the Soul Scythe and he could hear her last thoughts as her soul disappeared.

She was FBI Agent Emma Mulder, female age 57. She was a trained negotiator and her last case was to hunt down Glenn Jacco. He was a suspect in recent kidnappings. She and her teammate Sofia Silva were killed by the Soul Scythe when the FBI team tried to capture Jacco. He had laughed as their gunfire hadn’t harmed him. He slew them before anyone could get over their surprise. Emma begged Chris to keep the Soul Scythe from falling into Jacco’s hands ever again.

[18] Super Nova flew toward Red Hawk with both hands outstretched. Dual blast of fire struck Red Hawk. He was engulfed in flames but was again unhurt.

{GM Note: Super Nova did 31 points of damage,-31 to Soul Scythe}

Red Hawk heard Oliver Robert’s final death cry. Red Hawk looked into his eyes as Oliver’s soul left the Soul Scythe. Oliver was a 45 year old reporter for the Truth Seeker Weekly News. He was writing a story of the secret society the Magi of the Black Rose and their quest release a Demon Master from his prison. When released from the Domain the Demon Master would rule the Earth and the Magi would be rewarded with wealth and power for their service.

The next soul to leave the Soul Scythe was beautiful Asian woman. Makara Wu was a 33 year old graphic artist. She had been hired to make ancient looking documents for an advertising campaign. Her client had provided drawings of what the lettering and designs were on the scroll. She made the scroll and all the markings and lettering perfectly. She was especially proud of the aging process she had used. Her client was extremely pleased. She was hoping that he might pay her a bonus for the fine work instead he had killed her. She had thought the ancient weapon he had brought with him was another prop for the ad campaign. She had not expected it to be lethal or to have the ability to steal her soul.

The final soul freed from the Soul Scythe to move onto a place of eternal rest was a young Ukrainian man. He was 24 years old and his name was Vadim Gurka. He was a craftsman specializing in magical enchantments. He had learned from his grandmother this special form of art. Glenn Jacco had brought a scroll to him to enchant. Vadim knew it was a replica. Vadim could not recreate the great magic the original scroll had but since all Jacco was asking for was a simple Charm spell he was able to do it. He hadn’t trusted Jacco. Vadim had taken proper precautions but his wards and spells were too weak a defense against the Soul Scythe.

Chris focused on his amulet trying to communicate to Dr. Arcane and the team. "Guardians ... There is an ancient chamber beneath the floor of Jacco’s hut. I saw ancient runes and markings on the floor and hieroglyphics on the walls. I know the mission is to secure the Scythe but unless we get ourselves hurt badly, I don't think we can leave until Thunderhead gets a look at Jacco's secret passageways."

Thunderhead replied telepathically: "It's a likely place for the Domain Gate. Once we secure the Scythe, we should search it."

CX thought over the amulet, "Meta-battles and multitasking.  Not a good combo.  Let's get that scythe first, then we can worry about Captain Jeritol's club house."

Thunderhead replied “That is what I said let’s get the scythe first and then find the gate.”

[17] With Red Hawk protected by the Scythe, and Orchid protected by her invisibility, Thunderhead made a strategic pivot. He tore up the floor to reveal the secret chamber.  Then he flew into through the chamber. “I am searching for the Gate!”

[17] Sister Indigo circled around in flight. She flew toward Red Hawk with great vigor and enthusiasm. She hated the Soul Scythe. She knew it was an instrument designed to slay the Demon Master. It should be destroyed before it could be used for that purpose. She had begged Lord Noman to destroy it. It was too powerful for them to control. He had refused her request. She had offered anything Jacco wanted in exchange for the reaper of souls. Sister Indigo felt shame from having debased herself to making such an offer and then fury when Jacco had rejected her.

Now was her chance to seize the ancient artifact and destroy it. She went all out firing multiple dual blasts of her Spirit Bolts. Her aim proved true with all six Spirit Bolts striking Red Hawk in the Chest. The bolts went into his body. Red Hawk screamed in pain as he rolled with the last two bolts. The protection of the Soul Scythe had been exhausted.

{GM Note: Sister Indigo rolled successes on all six rolls on her two multiple attacks. She did 69 points of damage,-49 to Soul Scythe, -7 to Red Hawk’s PP and – 13 HP.}

The remaining souls in the Soul Scythe left. Red Hawk knew them all as their images rose to the heavens.

Deepak Dhaliwai was a 16 year old electronic genius in India. He had devised a device which blocked satellite surveillance by sending images of other locations as overarching layers on top of the original image. The layers could be as deep as 300 image layers. Each layer had its own encryption key. Each key would need to be deciphered first before the layer could be removed. He was able to bring his family out of poverty in his first sell to an American. His second sale was to Glenn Jacco. From him, Deepak received a totally different kind of payment.

Camila Garcia was a 48 year old Peruvian Pilot. She had flown Lord Noman and the other Tarot Masters to Easter Island. She had promised she would never tell anyone about the flight. It was unregistered so no one would know. She begged for her life. None of that mattered to Jacco.

Arjun Rajagopla was a 27 year old News reporter for the Truth Seeker Weekly News. He believed the statues on Easter Island had a connection to the Demons that had invaded Earth. Arjun left India to travel to Easter Island to test their magical properties himself. To prove that they were a protection from the Demons, that they were a magical ward, but Jacco had laughed in his face. “They aren’t a protection but a path. Too bad you won’t see them arrive but I can’t risk your escaping to warn the world where they are coming from next.” Those were the last words Arjun heard as the Scythe struck him.

Helen Thompson was an American woman age 54. She was a scholar of ancient civilizations especially in the South American region including Easter Island. She was the leading specialist on Easter Island ancient civilizations, having written several books on their greatest King. His name was Cor. King Cor the Demon Slayer was a mighty protector of his people. His death came when he had called for the banishment of all wizards who summoned Demons and dealt with them. Helen believed the story of how King Cor died was written with the Tomb of Cor. She had hired a specialist in tomb and gravesite searching to lead her to it. Glenn Jacco had thanked her for the ancient texts and manuscripts. Without them he would never had found it. Helen died without ever seeing the Tomb. She had begged from the Soul Scythe for Jacco to describe what he had found in the Tomb but he refused her requests. Once in a while he would describe a very small section in exchange for a lot of her knowledge on King Cor and the Demons but it was never an equal exchange.

Sasha Maslak was a 16 year old girl with a gift for forgery. She had created the fake passports that the Tarot Masters and Jacco used to travel the world in search of ancient magical artifacts.

Yuan Tatou was a 54 year old lock pick. He had help Glenn Jacco escape from prison. This had been his reward.

Eva Galkin was a Russian woman of 48 years old. She was a horseman and guide. She had lead Glenn Jacco from Russia into China. She had interpreted the map and guided him to the hidden society in the jungles of China. She had help him escape when he stole the Soul Scythe from the village. She didn’t live long enough to regret her decision.

Xing Liang was the Guardian of the Soul Scythe. She had just recently lost her father and taken up the mantle herself. She was easily fooled by Glenn Jacco when he arrived in their village. When he revealed his true nature and intentions she knew what she had to do but she hesitated. No Guardian had used the Soul Scythe in generations; their training had evolved away from the truth into mythic proportions. They had forgotten about the Demon had allies on Earth, that these allies were human, if they had ever known. She was ill prepared for battle with a Magi of the Black Rose.

[15] Mother Superior flew at Centurion X again. She attacked with her magical flail. “I know your weaknesses Armored One. I will destroy you!” she yelled at CX. Her attack bounced off harmlessly against his Magnetic defenses.

[14] Lord Noman stared into the sky. “No one defies the will of Noman. Return thief!” He waved his wand in 2 concentric circles and then once counter-clockwise. A bolt of lightning streak from a cloud strike Red Hawk in the back.

{GM Note: Lightning did 11 points of damage, -4 PP and -7 HP, rolled 70 for 1d100 for system failure}

[14] In a frenzy Jacco slashed his free hand and claws against his restraints. He screamed in rage at Thunderhead as his claws slashed through the solid light constructs freeing himself. Jacco ran around the hole in the floor to a chest. He quickly opened it to reveal a secret entrance. He ran down the stairs to the underground chamber under his hut.

{GM Note: I set the Constructs with a structural rating of at steel rating of 10. All four attacks of Jacco were successful so all multiple attacks hit. All damage rolls equaled 10 or higher. The total HP of the construct was the 30 points used to create the constructs. Jacco did 44 points of damage to the 30 HP of the construct. The construct was completely destroyed}

[13] Quarry moved across the village. His huge lumbering body pounding the ground as he moved, he stopped when he passed Jacco’s hut. He launched his fist at Red Hawk. He pulled earth into his body and his arm stretch into the sky. The arm grew long enough to reach Red Hawk. Red Hawk flinched in surprise when a fist and arm as large as his body passed by him without hit him. Quarry retracted his arm, angry that he had missed in his attack.

[1] Red Hawk’s android body repaired itself.

{GM Note: Red Hawk regenerated 3 HP, spending 2 PP to do it. Black Orchid is fully healed, she doesn’t need to regenerate this turn}


Please remember when you are calculating range that the Flying PCs are 16” above ground. So for Quarry, Torrent, and Lord Norma who are on ground level a value of 16” has to be added as well as the actual squares counted to determine whether they are in range and for determining range penalties.

<Replies and Actions due August 23rd >

Battle Conditions:
Adamas                        Hit Points:   47  Power Points:   57         Invulnerability: 24
Black Orchid                 Hit Points:   30  Power Points:   58         Willpower Defense active and Invisible
Centurion X                   Hit Points: 138  Power Points:   81         Magnetic Defense active
Jack Frost                    Hit Points:   24  Power Points:   62         Ice Defense active
Red Hawk                     Hit Points:   39  Power Points:   41         Invulnerability: 0 and Vibration Defense inactive
Starbolt                                    Hit Points:   34  Power Points:   74         Creation Points: 45, Used: 0
Thunderhead                 Hit Points:   43  Power Points:   65         Height: 6ft, Invulnerability 20

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OOC: Great stuff.  Exciting read.  Nice job!

Jeff
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<Red Hawk: IC> Chris thinks to himself, 'Talk about irony ... Little old man has a death grip on the Scythe'

LOL. Excellent Tom.

Sometimes the dice tell a better story than we could ever make ourselves don't they? :-)

Definitely enjoying the Easter Island battle story. Thanks for the fun. 

Sincerely
John
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OOC:  Hehehehe  I love it!

IC:  Seeing that he has attracted the attention of two of the enemies, CX smiles inside his helmet.

"Got your attention", he thinks to himself.  He knows the attacks will come, but as long as they are firing at him, the others don't have to take their attacks.

His smiles widens as Red Hawk grabs the Scythe.  He concentrates through the amulet to Red Hawk.

'Use the amulet with me.  I am going to try and enhance your strength with my magnetic’s”

CX concentrates his magnetic Control to move with Red Hawk and effectively increase the new leader's physical prowess.

OOC:  I'm not really sure how this is going to work with the rules.  My thinking is that his synthetic form will allow CX to use his magnetic powers "against" it.  Instead of trying to control Red Hawk's body, my hope is that they can coordinate through the amulet and CX can aid Red Hawk in his struggle for the scythe.  

Dave
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You're welcome. I agree the dice do create some fun dynamics to the story.

Best
Tom
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I will consider this a coordinated attack. Since you are focusing on Red Hawk the "to hit" roll will succeed on any other than a natural "20" (since this game has an automatic fail mechanic). I will then add Centurion X's Magnetic HtH roll to Red Hawk's HtH roll for the Strength vs Strength attack.

Please remember this game has an initiative feature, To perform a coordinated attack both players have to hold the action on their phase and then attack on a later phase together. It can be the phase immediately after the initiative of the slowest player to react.

So I need both you and John to include that you are both holding your actions and then attacking together. 

Thanks
Tom  
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OOC:  Okay.  That sounds perfectly fine with me.  It seems very fair and fun.

IC:  CX will hold his action until he can coordinate with Red Hawk.  :)

Dave
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OOC: Cool beans. CX suggestion sounds like a good beginning to next stage. Red Hawk replies ...

<Red Hawk: IC Reply> Red Hawk silently nods in acknowledgment to the golden defender's suggestion. Focusing his own thoughts back to the team. <"I will time my attempt to disarm Jacco of the Scythe when I feel your power surround me CX . . . Somebody needs to keep the bad guys off our backs until I can wrench it free from the old man . . . Thunderhead, any suggestions what to do with the Scythe once we have it in our possession? There is some spirit in it claiming to be  Xing Liang, Guardian of the Soul Scythe. Can I trust him ... or should I just start swinging for the fences.?">

<Red Hawk: Actions> Chris will time is 'attack' to coordinate with CX enhancement. He will use the second or his dual actions to do the same if they are at first not successful. If they are successful he wills his second of his dual actions to blast Jacco with a Vibration Blast. Unless Thunderhead has a suggestion that will make better use if or protect the  Scythe. Jacco shouldn't (?) be able to roll with the Blast this hopefully knocking him out freeing Starbolt to help with Marutukku or one of the other villains. 

Regards Guardians
John
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CX will use his dual/second action to try a second time in getting the scythe if the first is unsuccessful.  If successful on the first attempt, then his second action will go to being fully defensive.

Dave
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"Aargh, I'm down, one more hit and I'm done. Can't... move...!" she says out loud, but then through the amulet says "I'm fine, just baiting squid-face". Then she moves directly behind Jacco to hit him with her Vacuum blast (hopefully with as many bonuses as she can muster). "I hope that nun got lucky with that shot and she doesn't really know where I am." She thinks to herself.

Marc
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 IC: Connecting through the Amulet, Starbolt sends his thoughts to Red Hawk. "Hey, I've currently got this geezer clamped down, What would you prefer my next actions to be?"
OOC: Starbolt will maintain his defensive flight pattern.

Jamey
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OOC: Hey guys. I just wanted to check and make sure we were basically on same page of what we were up to before making more In Character responses.

Our priority has been the Scythe and it looks like we are very close to getting that out of Jacco's hands next turn with Red Hawk and Centurion X actions . . . which won't mean much if the bad guys can grab it right back of course. :-)

I think  Jacco, Marutukku and maybe Noman should be double teamed until they go down. They seem to be the bad guy HQ staff. Obviously though we can't ignore the others or we run the risk of being taken down in a similar manner.

I'm just spitballing but I was thinking we should make some use of Starbolt, Black Orchid and anyone else's abilities to effect multiple opponents at once. The others continue taking out bad guys as available using two vs one attacks to overwhelm the bad guys as quickly as possible. We need something to give us a tipping point or risk not being able to continue to take the fight to the Dominion without some serious healing time.

Thoughts? Suggestions? :-)

Regards
John


SB IC: Connecting through the Amulet, Starbolt sends his thoughts to Red Hawk. "Hey, I've currently got this geezer clamped down, What would you prefer my next actions to be?"
OOC: Starbolt will maintain his defensive flight pattern.
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While coordinating with the team, CX says, "We get this done quick and the beer and pizza's on me!!!"

Dave
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OOC:  Way OOC... just thinking how Adamas would interpret that statement... picturing this big armored guy covered in beer and pizza... I'd almost think he would pause and look at CX a little confused. :) 

Jon 
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OOC:  LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

Dave
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Hi everyone!

IC:

Thunderhead:

Jacco reached over with his free hand grabbing Red Hawk by the arm that was holding onto the Soul Scythe. He smiled as he started to feel Red Hawk’s life drain into him but then it stopped. “You resisted my death touch for now but do not feel you are immune. You are made of metal but you are not that different from a Golem made from clay. I can kill them I can kill you too. Someone was able to give you life; I can take that life away”

Thunderhead had made a fatal miscalculation. He mistakenly told Red Hawk he was immune to Jacco's power, and now Hawk was in grave danger because of him. The giant of justice had no choice. He had to fix his mistake.

OOC:

If-then orders:

1) Clark will save his action.  If Jacco still has the Scythe and attempts to touch any hero (or Donnah) with his Death Touch, Thunderhead will use his saved action to interpose a titanic hand to block the attack. "Obituary! Stop this insanity now!"
Goal: Defend teammates.

2) If Jacco attacks before Thunderhead then when Thundy goes, he'll make an attempt to grab the Scythe, and join with Red Hawk and CX to wrest it away, saying: "You demented madman. Give us that, before you hurt someone."

If Thundy successfully grabs the Scythe, he'll use his movement to fly straight up 2,000' with the Scythe, Red Hawk, CX and maybe Jacco if he's still hanging on. 
Goal: Get the Scythe.
PS: Thunderhead will also use this option if Squid Face is about to reform the force field, and Thundy has a saved action to pre-empt Squid Face.

3) If Jacco loses the Scythe at any moment, but the Scythe is still present on the battle field, Thunderhead will pick it up (or grab the hero that holds it) along with any other heroes in the area that he can grab, and fly straight up 2,000 feet. 
Goal: Evac, retreat, regroup, and find the Gate to the Domain.

4) If Jacco is somehow back behind a forcefield when Thundy acts, (and still has the Scythe) then Thunderhead will use the stone monolith attack again on the forcefield, targeting the squid-faced sorcerer again, in case he smashes through the barrier.
Goal: Destroy the forcefield again.

Hope that's clear, and legal.  :-)

IC:

Jack Frost:

Obituary said: "I can kill them I can kill you too. Someone was able to give you life; I can take that life away."

The spirit of winter looked at the raving wizard in disgust. Jack spat, "Miserable magician. Your kind ever seeks to poison the world...  Also, I don't like your face."

The young immortal gestured a nimble hand at Jacco as he attempted to grow ice on the shaft of the Soul Scythe!

OOC:  
Jack wants to create slippery ice on the Soul Scythe where Jacco is gripping it in his wresting contest with Red Hawk. The goal isn't to cause damage, but to make the handle near Jacco's hands slippery
Goal: Make Jacco (but not Red Hawk) lose his grip on the Soul Scythe.

If, by Jack's turn, Jacco has already lost the Scythe, or is behind a force field, or some other event that renders the above action impossible or pointless, then Jack will double blast Squid Face (or his force field) again, like last turn.  In this option, Jack will use the above insult on Squid Face instead.

If the Guardians start to evac, Jack will use his movement to fly after them, spinning, laughing and diving on the wind. 

Thanks,
Jeff
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OOC: After a strange sidewise look at CX... 

IC: Adamas quickly decides that the best offense is to remove the enemies defense, and turned his powerful vision attacks on Martuku. 


If-then seems to work. 

1) If the force field is down, Adamas will do a multiple attack on Martuku.  Not an auto-fire, but two separate power blasts in an effort to take him out of the fight. 

2) If the force field is up, Adamas will take to the air, and Join the battle going on there, teaming up on Nova... "I believe we have some unfinished business", He will say with a smile, and proceed to do the multiple attacks on him. 

Adamas will not attack Donnah, and will attempt to dissuade anyone that tries to do so. 

Jon 
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Current state of game, middle turn on Phase 17. All the other Guardians have acted except Thunderhead. Red Hawk has the Soul Scythe and has successfully fended off 3 attacks.  It is obvious the Soul Scythe is protecting him. Currently it appears all the villains (not engaged in HtH combat) will attack Red Hawk in an attempt to get the Soul Scythe back.  Marutukku is unconscious. Thunderhead can easily grab Red Hawk but wasn't able to find Black Orchid because she is invisible but he knows from the amulet that she is in the hut with Jacco (still caught in Starbolt's constructs) and Lord Noman are there too.

Game Mechanic wise Thunderhead has to roll a 3 or less to grab Black Orchid.

If he fails his roll would Thunderhead still fly up to 2,000 feet leaving Black Orchid behind?

I don't think he would but I don't know what he would do in the current situation. Since it is obvious to Thunderhead that Red Hawk doesn't need protection (at the moment) and he has a very little chance of picking up Black Orchid, I am thinking that carrying out your orders which closest fits the situation is wrong.

After 11 PCs and NPC have acted the landscape has changed too much. Could you please give me Thunderhead's action based on this current situation?

Thanks
Tom
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Hi,

Thanks for asking.

If then:

1)
If Red Hawk mentioned (or telepathically revealed) the secret chamber he found, Thunderhead will assume the Gate is there.
IC:
With Red Hawk protected by the Scythe, and Orchid protected by her invisibility, Thunderhead made a strategic pivot. He would use his action to tear up the floor to reveal the secret chamber.  Then he'd use his movement to fly through the chamber, searching for the Gate!

2) 
If Red Hawk doesn't mention the secret chamber, then:
IC:
Seeing that Red Hawk was safely protected by the power of the Soul Scythe, Thunderhead made a strategic pivot. He'd defend his injured team mates until they could all successfully evacuate. 

OOC:
Thunderhead will save his action for one phase and then thought-send: "Black Orchid, please reveal yourself so we can go."
If she can turn off her powers without an action (like the rules for "hitting the deck") Thundy will grab her, Red Hawk, and anyone else he can and hurtle skyward.

If she can't turn off her powers between actions, Thunderhead will save his action.
If anyone tries to attack the injured Orchid, he'll use his action to block or otherwise foul their attempt by pre-empting their action with his.
Hopefully this can be done without seeing Orchid, but by seeing a villain attempting to attack "mid air".
Goal: defend Orchid.

If no one's attacked her (and Thundy still has his action) by the final phase, then he'll use that action to try to grab Black Orchid.  If he fails, he'll stay with her til next turn, protecting her. He'll thought-send: "Guardians, go!  We're right behind you!"

Next turn, hopefully she'll grab him, or turn visible on his action phase, and then he'll fly off with her.

Best,
Jeff
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OOC: okay it looks like CX Hawk and Orchid are focused on Jacco with Adamas Jack and TH alternate plans for squid face and sunburn.  tweaking Hawk reply ... Replies desired but not required for SB and TH :-)

<Red Hawk: IC Reply> Red Hawk silently nods in acknowledgment to the golden defender's suggestion. Focusing his own thoughts back to the team. <"I will time my attempt to disarm Jacco of the Scythe when I feel your power surround me CX . . .
Starbolt, somebody needs to keep the bad guys off our backs until I can wrench it free from the old 
man. Can you either put the clamps or take out Noman? He was one of the villains officers at Stonehenge. I'm betting we need to put him down fast while we have the initiative  . . . Thunderhead, any suggestions what to do with the Scythe once we have it in our possession? There is some spirit in it claiming to be  Xing Liang, Guardian of the Soul Scythe. Can I trust him ... or should I just start swinging for the fences.?">

<Red Hawk: Actions> Chris will time is 'attack' to coordinate with CX enhancement. He will use the second or his dual actions to do the same if they are at first not successful. If they are successful he will his second of his dual actions to blast Jacco with a Vibration Blast. Either way he will finish his Turn by flying 24 (6 horizontal 18 vertical) inches away to the northwest (map top left) of his current location

Unless Thunderhead has a suggestion that will make better use if or protect the  Scythe. Jacco shouldn't (?) be able to roll with the Blast this hopefully knocking him out freeing Starbolt to help with  or one of the other villains. 

Regards Guardians
John
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OOC: Tom, has Thundy heard of Xing Liang?
If yes, he'll offer what sage advice he can via the telepathy amulets.

Best,
Jeff
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OOC:  Not going to change my actions.  Just didn't wanna get legft outta the repost frenzy!   LOL!!!!  :D

Dave
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Acknowledging Red Hawk's request, The Stellar-Powered Sentinel will attack Norman with a light blast.

OOC: If unable to free the scythe he will keep Jacco  clamped down while he attacks Norman. If we are able to wrest the scythe away from him, Starbolt will turn his attention towards covering our escape. He will also remember to retrieve Black Orchid.

Jamey
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How will Starbolt retrieve Black Orchid? She is invisible and doesn't know where she is on the ground?

Thanks
Tom
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Sorry Tom,

I was going on the assumption that she would reveal herself if/when we were ready to depart. If that does not happen. Starbolt will simply follow the team and defend our escape.

Jamey
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Jamey, No problem. I wanted to make sure you understood the current situation.

Marc, Does Black Orchid reveal herself to leave with the others?

It won't take an action on her part. I count her turn invisibility on and off like talking but with PR requirement per her character sheet.

Thanks
Tom
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Hi Tom,

fyi, If Black Orchid told Thundy to leave (via their amulets) he would, and they could rendezvous later.

Otherwise he's happy to wait.

But he won't wait against her wishes.

Best,
Jeff
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She'll use the amulet to say to Starbolt "Let me jump on your back before you go"

Marc
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<Red Hawk: IC Response> Chris focuses on his amulet trying to communicate to Dr. Arcane and the team. <"Guardians ... There is an ancient chamber beneath the floor of Jacco’s hut. I saw ancient runes and markings on the floor and hieroglyphics on the walls. I know the mission is to secure the Scythe but unless we get ourselves hurt badly, I don't think we can leave until Thunderhead gets a look at Jacco's secret passageways.">

Good Luck Guardians
John R
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Wha???

Serendipity!

Best,
Jeff
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Thunderhead replied telepathically: "It's a likely place for the Domain Gate. Once we secure the Scythe, we should search it."

Jeff
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IC (over amulet):  "Meta-battles and multitasking.  Not a good combo.  Let's get that scythe first, then we can worry about Captain Jeritol's club house."

Dave
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OOC: Ha.

Thunderhead said let’s get the scythe first and then find the gate.  :-)

Jeff
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