Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Quest: Don't Need No Stink'in Battle Plan! - Issue 47


Location: Hidden Tomb of Cor on Easter Island

Thunderhead said “Jacco has lived an unnaturally long life as it is. His death dealing powers helped extend his life. As he took someone else's life it added to his own.” The hero from another time said, “On top of that the Soul-Syckle transfers damage from the wielder to the trapped souls within the magical weapon. It is possible that the effects of aging are considered damage that can be transferred as well.”

Clark’s eyes moistened as he spoke, “Liang, Xing, the Guardian of the Soul-Syckle, wasn't immortal because she refused to kill and trap souls in the Soul-Scythe for her own gain. Without any trapped souls the enchanted weapon offered no protection.” Thunderhead avoided looking at Black Orchid who now held the Soul-Syckle in her grasp.

The Black Orchid looked down at the Soul Scythe she was holding while they are talking and pondered the implications of holding it.

Then Thunderhead said, "If you want to clear the hall, I can try to wind blast the doors open, unless anyone else has another way to do it?"

"Thunderhead please wait.” Red Hawk said, “Adamas ... Can your Ethereal Vision see through the doorway?  If not I can phase through the portal and take a quick look with a flashlight on the other side. While I'm doing that maybe Starbolt and Centurion X could use their powers to free the key and at least give Jacco a chance to breathe if he isn't dead of suffocation already. After we secure the Key then let's go with Clark's plan ... unless anyone else has an idea to add?"

Starbolt maintained his current distance and continued to project light so that the team can see. He continued to watch for attacks from the rear.

"I do not think it is a doorway in the sense you believe," Adamas replied looking at the young leader, "and if I'm right, we're definitely going to need that rod."  Adamas looked past the doors with his Ethereal Vision


Turning to the ancient spirit with the form of a child, "Jack, would you please reshape the Ice to free the rod, and open an airway to allow Jacco to breathe?"

"Why of course," said the young immortal to Adamas.  ZING!!

Adamas reached into the hole and pulled the key free. He nodded to Thunderhead it was his turn.

WHOOSH!!
A massive wind echoed down the halls of the ancient tomb of Cor. It rushed into the room the Guardians were standing in with a tidal wave of force to push the doors open.


As the Guardians looked down the long hallway, they heard a bestial roar; the statue was magically changing into living breathing Demon Horror of the Domain!

Eyes wide the young hero looked as his earlier jokes seemed to be coming to life. "This place is a Saturday night horror movie fest.” Red Hawk thought to himself.


When the demon statute came to life, she looked up and immediately moved into the corner. "If it's looking for the scythe, I'll make it a little harder." She then turned invisible while still holding it. "She whispered to Thunderhead, I'll sneak past the thing if I can."

[38] Adamas let's out his own ROAR and slammed into the tentacle faced demon, flew into him, and pushed him through the opening behind him, down the hallway, and into the far wall.

WHAM!

The Horror was slammed into the wall of the new room.

{GM Note: Adamas’ use my house rule for a Move Through attack. In the attack Adamas’ did a normal attack plus +2d8 for velocity. Adamas then pushed the Horror down the hall into the wall. The horror received ½ of Adamas original attack damage points again for hitting the wall. The other ½ damage points were applied to Adamas. Adamas received 13 points of damage to Invulnerability; -13 Invulnerability}

The sudden ROAR from the right drew Red Hawk's attention as Adamas hurtled himself at the marble statue turned matinee monster. "Right ...” Red Hawk thought “Why form battle plans when you have the powers of Axiom? ...”


The two crashed next to a statue that resemble a beetle-man armed with a long wicked pike. The room is 30 feet across and 30 feet high, hemispherical shaped, carved out of living rock. The dome is encrusted with hundreds of small jewels.

On either side of the dome are two more identical statues of beetle-men with long wicked pikes.

[34] The Horror let out another roar. It raked the claws of both its hands across Adamas’ back. Adamas’ cape is shredded but Adamas was unharmed.

{GM Note: Dual attacks do 6 and 7 damage Points. -6 to Invulnerability and -5 Invulnerability, -2 Power Points}

[33] Thunderhead flew straight away down the hallway. He soared into the Dome

ZAKOW!

Lightning blasted the Horror. The Horror’s armor was scorched and broken as it rolled with the damage. The Horror was still standing and able to fight.

[29] Jack Frost dipped and dove as he flew down the hallway. He floated to a stop in the Dome.

BRZZZZ

The ice ray struck the Horror. Jack’s attack got past its armor. The Horror rolled with the damage and glared at Jack Frost with the knowledge that the ancient guardian was facing another ancient guardian.

[26] Red Hawk said “Right, Adamas we're right behind you" as hurtled himself down the 10 foot wide and 45 foot long hallway. He stretched his wings wide as he entered the Dome and powered dived into the Domain Horror.

CRACK! BAM!

Red Hawk slammed both fists into the Horror. His left fist smashed the remaining armor of the Horror, reducing it to practically nothing. The right slammed hard into the Horror’s chest. The Domain Demon was knocked back 5 feet to the wall. He was still standing and the tentacles on his face twitched in pain and anger.

{GM Notes: Red Hawk gained a bonus of +1d8 for his velocity. I could have had him fly faster but at that speed Red Hawk suffered a -2 to hit. I didn’t want to increase the ‘to hit” penalty by using a higher speed.}

[23] Starbolt flew down the hallway after Adamas to get a shot in. Thinking to himself "Manta-Man said that there would be days like this, but I don't believe he said that there would be so many of them."

ZWALT!

Starbolt’s star bolt missed the Horror.

[22] Centurion X activated his targeting sensors. The metal bearings started to spin faster around his hands as he engaged his thrusters. CX flew down the hallway toward the Dome.

{GM Note: CX is holding his action to prepare to intercept the Horror’s next action to protect the Horror’s target from being hit. Holding an action can be carried over to next issue being the first to act regardless of the initiative rolls}

[19] The Horror raised its clawed hands as it prepared to attack Adamas. As the claws started to strike CX flew into the room. The ball bearings flew across the room creating a metal protective cover between Adamas and the Horror.

SCREECH!

Claws shredded metal as both strikes cut deep grooves in the metal shield. CX’s shielding held. The Horror was unable to strike Adamas.

{The Horror has heighted speed so it gets multiple actions per turn. That is why it is taking a second action this turn with the possibility of more}

[18] Black Orchid ran down the hallway. No one could see her as she entered the room and moved toward the side of the Dome.

[4] Frustrated the Horror turned toward Thunderhead. With a running start it leaped toward the Ancient Archeologist. Its first claw attack missed. The second claws struck home but it was able to penetrate Clark’s natural defenses.

{GM Note: Horror did 6 damage points, -6 to Invulnerability}

[1] The Statues of the Beetle-man magically came to life. All 3 stepped down from their podiums to engage the intruders.




<Replies and Actions due April 12th >

Battle Conditions:
Adamas                        Hit Points:   41  Power Points:   76   Invulnerability: 0
Black Orchid                 Hit Points:   30  Power Points:   87   Willpower Defense active and invisible
Centurion X                   Hit Points: 138  Power Points:   99   Magnetic Defense active
Jack Frost                    Hit Points:   24  Power Points:   67   Ice Defense active
Red Hawk                     Hit Points:   74  Power Points:   30  Invulnerability: 10; Vib Def active; WP Def active
Starbolt                         Hit Points:   34  Power Points:   74  Creation Points: 45, Used: 0
Thunderhead                 Hit Points:   28  Power Points:   76   Height: 6ft, Invulnerability 14

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OOC: Apologies to all, I had completely overlooked this issue (Thanks Tom for the reminder).

Adamas let's out his own ROAR and slams into the tentacle faced demon, flying into him, and attempting to push him through the opening behind him, down the hallway, and into the far wall.

Jon
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Thunderhead and Jack Frost have same idea. Both will blast the living statue demon. One with lightning, the other with ice, if they have to use movement to get a clear shot, they will.  Thanks!

Best,
Jeff
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The Black Orchid looks down at the Soul Scythe she is holding while they are talking and ponders the implications of holding it. When the demon statute comes to life, she looks up and immediately moves into the corner. "If it's looking for the scythe, I'll make it a little harder." She then turns invisible while still holding it. "She whispers to Thunderhead, I'll sneak past the thing if I can."

Marc
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If Adamas is successful in pushing back the demon, she will follow with "...or not."

Marc
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Starbolt will attempt to blast the demon as well. If he must fly down the hallway after Adamas to get a shot in, he will.
Thinking to himself "Manta-Man said that there would be days like this, but I don't believe he said that there would be so many of them."

Jamey
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As the Guardians looked down the long hallway, they heard a bestial roar, the statue was magically changing into living breathing Demon Horror of the Domain!

LOL. No time to catch our breath (or some PP) I guess eh Tom? :-). Into the the Valley then ... :-D

<Red Hawk: IC response and actions> Eyes wide the young hero looks as his earlier jokes seem to be coming to life. "This place is a Saturday night horror movie fest." The sudden ROAR from the right draws Red Hawk's attention as he hurtles himself at the marble statue turned matinee monster.} "Right ... {Why form a battleplan when you have the powers of Axiom? ... Right, Adamas we're right behind you."

Action: if Adamas is successful tackling the creature down the passageway Red Hawk will follow and bel assault the creature with his fist. If he is stopped Red Hawk will phase through the wall into the hall behind the creature and blast him from behind.

OOC: I'm limited to posting through phone for a while. When you see a {thought} written up like {this} please consider it internal dialogue. Thanks :-)

Regards
John
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Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Quest: Key to the Trap! - Issue 46

Location: Hidden Tomb of Cor on Easter Island


The room was piled high and deep with mummified corpses. Atop the pile rest three “important-looking” bodies, decked out in jewelry of great value. Piercing the chest of the central important corpse was a great rod. Red Hawk can’t see for sure through the ice but he thought it might be a key. The rod might be brown in color and there might be markings on it. The ice was too thick to be sure.

On the other side of the room was a statue. The statue was in the shape of an octopus-headed warrior with tusks and eight spidery eyes. He stood with his arms folded across his chest. Thunderhead using his archeologist skills spotted a doorway behind him.

Thunderhead recognized the statue as one of the demons drawn on the hallway. Adamas remembered seeing similar looking creatures in Occult’s castle in the Domain.

Thunderhead told the team about the door he found.

Red Hawk watch as Thunderhead was investigating what looked to be a door guarded by a statue that looked ominously like Marutukku.

The archeologist checked the door for mundane, mechanical traps. Clark couldn’t see any mundane mechanical traps on the door, floor, the door frame, or the statue.



Not detecting any traps either, Chris followed Adamas and Thunderhead into the chamber. Shaking his head as he looked at the beautifully crafted block of ice, he could only wish it was a bird cage or something easier to see through. Ah well.

"Adamas, can you get a better look at this rod like object buried in the ice?  It looks like it might be a key and I don't know about the rest of you but I'm still pretty drained after the fight. I'd just as soon avoid wasting any more energy on phantasms ... or creepy looking guardian statues if I could"

Adamas stepped up next to the young leader. Using his heightened vision powers, he investigated this rod/key.

"Hey Jack is it possible for you to shape your ice so we can extract the rod?” Red Hawk said.

Jack said “Yes” and then he looked at Red Hawk with a mischievous smile while waiting.

Looking through the ice toward the bodies, Adamas saw three bodies decked out in expensive jewelry. Behind them Adamas saw Jacco entombed and incapacitated in the ice. Adamas told the others what he saw.

Thunderhead said, "Jacco must have been laying in wait beneath the bodies, waiting to ambush us! Good work, Jack."

Adamas focused back on the central important corpse with the rod piercing its chest. The rod was a great bronze key. On the key was an inscription. He attempted to read the ancient language but wasn't able to. He did remember seeing a parchment with the same writing in Dr. Avery's library. Donnah had told him that it was an ancient language from the country of gibberish.

Adamas paused; he knew he hadn't remembered correctly. He tried to remember Donnah's words again. When he did Adamas told the rest of the Guardians.

"The key is inscribed in ancient Babylonian."

Jack used his magical powers of ice and cold to render the ice as clear as a glass window, so the key could be read by all. 

Knowing Ancient Babylonian, Thunderhead read the inscription on the key to everyone, "Key to the Worlds Beyond".

"This must refer to the portal. But why was Jacco unable or unwilling to remove the key??" Thunderhead looked a little closer. Jacco was close to being in the perfect position to grab anyone who touched the great key without the person first seeing him. It would have been the perfect trap with the perfect bait. It was being attacked by Jack's ice that caused his presence to be revealed.

{GM Note: in other words, Jacco moved trying to escape before being trapped. Thunderhead made a successful detect hidden roll for this information}

The Black Orchid moved to the other side of the entryway so she could keep an eye on Thunderhead examining the idol and what the others are doing around Jacco. She's glancing back and forth between the two scenes looking for anything appearing out of the ordinary. She was still a bit nervous and said quietly to herself; "I've got a bad feeling about... no..., no silly Han Solo references." she sucked in a breath of air and kept watching.

Clark examined the garments and jewelry of the dead to see if he could place them. Thunderhead guessed it was from the time of Cor, but he couldn't be completely sure.

Red Hawk said, "Okay so we have two dilemmas we need to resolve. We need a way through the door and maybe this key will do the trick.”

Clark checked the door to see if there was a keyhole for that key. There was no keyhole in the door, only a metal ring.

Thunderhead said, "It would appear that this door can simply be pushed open." 

Red Hawk said, “Okay, maybe it's for something else. This means breaking at least some of the ice. With that in mind we aren't really going to leave Jacco entombed in the ice are we? He might be a villain but he is an old man and it will kill him if he is in there too long. This also means breaking the ice. Is there some way we can safely manacle him so he isn't a threat as we continue the Quest? Maybe the earth elemental could take him to the surface with the others?"

Jack said to Red Hawk, "You may carve or blast away what ice you like, leaving manacles behind."

To Red Hawk's statement, Thunderhead replied, "There's an Arabic proverb I learned in my travels to Persia: A man who treats the scorpion with the hand of compassion has only himself to blame when he is stung."

“Jacco has lived an unnaturally long life as it is. His death dealing powers helped extend his life. As he took someone else's life it added to his own.” The hero from another time said, “On top of that the Soul-Syckle transfers damage from the wielder to the trapped souls within the magical weapon. It is possible that the effects of aging are considered damage that can be transferred as well.”

Clark’s eyes moistened as he spoke, “Liang, Xing, the Guardian of the Soul-Syckle, wasn't immortal because she refused to kill and trap souls in the Soul-Scythe for her own gain. Without any trapped souls the enchanted weapon offered no protection.” Thunderhead avoided looking at Black Orchid who now held the Soul-Syckle in her grasp.

Then he said, "If you want to clear the hall, I can try to wind blast the door open, unless anyone else has another way to do it?"

"Thunderhead please wait.” Red Hawk said, “Adamas ... Can your Ethereal Vision see through the doorway?  If not I can phase through the portal and take a quick look with a flashlight on the other side. While I'm doing that maybe Starbolt and Centurion X could use their powers to free the key and at least give Jacco a chance to breathe if he isn't dead of suffocation already. After we secure the Key then let's go with Clark's plan ... unless anyone else has an idea to add?"

Starbolt maintained his current distance and continued to project light so that the team can see. He continued to watch for attacks from the rear.

"I do not think it is a doorway in the sense you believe," Adamas replied looking at the young leader, "and if I'm right, we're definitely going to need that rod."  Adamas looked past the door with his Ethereal Vision


Turning to the ancient spirit with the form of a child, "Jack, would you please reshape the Ice to free the rod, and open an airway to allow Jacco to breathe?"

"Why of course," said the young immortal to Adamas.  ZING!!

Adamas reached into the hole and pulled the key free. He nodded to Thunderhead it was his turn.

WHOOSH!!

A massive wind echoed down the halls of the ancient tomb of Cor. It rushed into the room the Guardians were standing in with a tidal wave of force to push the door open.

{GM Note: The artwork shows it as two split doors instead of one door. I forgot that when I was writing it up and doing emails. It won’t make a difference in how the game plays. That is why I didn’t change what was written}


As the Guardians looked down the long hallway, they heard a bestial roar, the statue was magically changing into living breathing Demon Horror of the Domain!



<Replies and Actions due March 21st >

Battle Conditions:
Adamas                        Hit Points:   41  Power Points:   78         Invulnerability: 24
Black Orchid                 Hit Points:   30  Power Points:   87         Willpower Defense active and invisible
Centurion X                   Hit Points: 138  Power Points:   99         Magnetic Defense active
Jack Frost                    Hit Points:   24  Power Points:   72         Ice Defense active
Red Hawk                     Hit Points:   74  Power Points:   32         Invulnerability: 10; Vib Def active; Willpower                                                                                                                                                     Def active
Starbolt                         Hit Points:   34  Power Points:   75         Creation Points: 45, Used: 0
Thunderhead                 Hit Points:   28  Power Points:   77         Height: 6ft, Invulnerability 20
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<Red Hawk: IC Responses> Not detecting any traps, Chris follows Adamas and Thunderhead into the chamber. Shaking his head as he looks at the beautifully crafted block of ice, he could only wish it was a bird cage or something easier to see through. Ah well. Thunderhead was investigating what looked to be a door guarded by a statue that looked ominously like Marutukku. "Adamas, can you get a better look at this rod like object buried in the ice?  It looks like it might be a key and I don't know about the rest of you but I'm still pretty drained after the fight. I'd just as soon avoid wasting any more energy on phantasms ... or creepy looking guardian statues if I could" . . . "Hey Jack, is it possible for you to shape your ice so we can extract the rod?"

<Red Hawk: goals> RH pp are looking pretty low if we get into another fight so I'm hoping to gain some of his pp back if possible. If Jack can extract the rod great if not can Hawk use his vibrational ability to extract it? No point giving the corpses a chance to go all a walking dead on us if it isn't necessary.

Thanks again
John
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Adamas steps up next to the young leader. Using his heightened vision powers, he'll investigate this rod/key, and share what he finds with the group.

Jon
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Adamas looked through the ice toward the bodies. He looked at three bodies decked out in expensive jewelry. Behind them Adamas saw Jacco entombed and incapacitated in the ice. Adamas focused on the central important corpse with the rod piercing its chest. The rod was a great bronze key. On the key was an inscription. Adamas attempted to read the ancient language but wasn't able to. He did remember seeing a parchment with the same writing in Dr. Avery's library. Donnah had told him that it was an ancient language from the country of gibberish.

Adamas paused; he knew he hadn't remembered correctly. He tried to remember Donnah's words again. When he did Adamas told the rest of the Guardians.

"The key is inscribed in ancient Babylonian."

Regards
Tom
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Thunderhead will tell the team about the door he found.

"Jacco must have been laying in wait beneath the bodies, waiting to ambush us! Good work, Jack."

He'll check the door for mundane, mechanical traps. Is there a keyhole for that key?
Does the adventuring archaeologist know Ancient Babylonian?

Jack will use his magical powers of ice and cold to render the ice as clear as a glass window, so the key could be read by all. 

Best,
Jeff
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<Red Hawk: IC response> "Okay so we have two dilemmas me need to resolve. We need a way through the door and maybe this key will do the trick or maybe it's for something else. This means breaking at least some of the ice. With that in mind we aren't really going to leave Jacco entombed in the ice are we? He might be a villain but he is an old man and it will kill him if he is in there too long. This also means breaking the ice. Is there some way we can safely manacle him so he isn't a threat as we continue the Quest? Maybe the earth elemental could take him to the surface with the others?"

OOC: Fate of the universe and me playing a character worried about the bad guys. Who knew lol.

Regards
John
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He'll check the door for mundane, mechanical traps. Is there a keyhole for that key?
GM: This is based on visual inspection only, please let me know if Thunderhead does more that that.

There is no keyhole in the door, only a metal ring. This is an ancient door that appears to push open and pull closed. Clark cannot see any mundane mechanical traps on the door, floor, the door frame, or the statue.

Does the adventuring archaeologist know Ancient Babylonian?
GM: Yes he does.

Jack will use his magical powers of ice and cold to render the ice as clear as a glass window, so the key could be read by all. 
GM: Thunderhead reads the inscription on the key to everyone, "Key to the Worlds Beyond".


Best
Tom
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Thunderhead read the ancient Babylonian inscription and said, "This must refer to the portal. But why was Jacco unable or unwilling to remove the key??"
Clark examined the garments and jewelry of the dead to see if he could place them.  

To Red Hawk's statement, Thunderhead replied, "There's an Arabic proverb I learned in my travels to Persia: A man who treats the scorpion with the hand of compassion has only himself to blame when he is stung."
(OOC: What does Clark know of Jacco's powers that have granted him unnatural long life?)

Thunderhead said, "It would appear that this door can simply be pushed open." 
(OOC: Can his weather power create a focused blast of wind to push the door open from a distance?)

Jack said to Red Hawk, "You may carve or blast away what ice you like, leaving manacles behind."

Jeff
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Thunderhead read the ancient Babylonian inscription and said, "This must refer to the portal. But why was Jacco unable or unwilling to remove the key??"

GM: Thunderhead looked a little closer. Jacco was close to being in the perfect position to grab anyone who touched the great key without the person first seeing him. It would have been the perfect trap with the perfect bait. It was being attacked by Jack's ice that caused his presence being revealed (in other words, Jacco moved trying to escape before being trapped). {Successful detect hidden roll for this information}

Clark examined the garments and jewelry of the dead to see if he could place them. 
GM: Thunderhead guessed it was from the time of Cor, but he couldn't be completely sure.

(OOC: What does Clark know of Jacco's powers that have granted him unnatural long life?)
GM: His death dealing powers helped extended his life. As he took someone else's life it added to his own. Clark also knew that the Soul-Syckle transfers damage from the wielder to the trapped souls within the magical weapon. Clark thinks it is possible that the effects of aging was considered damage to be transferred to. Clark knew that the Guardian of the Soul-Syckle wasn't immortal because he refused to kill and trap souls in the Soul-Scythe for his own gain. Without any trapped souls the enchanted weapon offered no protection.

(OOC: Can his weather power create a focused blast of wind to push the door open from a distance?)
GM: Yes, but the room is enclosed except for the hallway entrance. Thunderhead would have to summon the wind from outside the entrance to the tomb then down the hallway into the room. Clark would have to make sure no one was in the way to keep it from turning into his throwing (with a wind blast) teammate into the door.

Regards
Tom
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Thunderhead shared all of this information with the team. Then he said, "If you want to clear the hall, I can try to wind blast the door open, unless anyone else has another way to do it?"

Jeff
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<Red Hawk IC: response> "Thunderhead please wait. Adamas ... Can your Ether Vision see through the doorway?  If not I can phase through the portal and take a quick look with a flashlight on the other side. While I'm doing that maybe Starbolt and Centurion X could use their powers to free the key and at least give Jacco a chance to breathe if he isn't dead of suffocation already. After we secure the Key then let's go with Clark's plan ... unless anyone else has an idea to add?"

John
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"I do not think it is a doorway in the sense you believe," Adamas replied looking at the young leader, "and if I'm right, we're definitely going to need that rod."

Turning to the ancient spirit with the form of a child, "Jack, can you reshape the Ice to free the rod, and open an airway to allow Jocco to breathe?"

Jon
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OOC:  Tom, can Jack do that?

Jeff
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Yes he can. It only requires movement.

Tom
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"Why of course," said the young immortal to Adamas.  ZING!!

Jeff
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Starbolt maintains his current distance and continues to project light so that the team can see. He will also continue to watch for attacks from the rear.

Jamey
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The Black Orchid moves to the other side of the entryway so she can keep an eye on Thunderhead examining the idol and what the others are doing around Jacco. She's glancing back and forth between the two scenes looking for anything appearing out of the ordinary. She is still a bit nervous and says quietly to herself; "I've got a bad feeling about... no..., no silly Han Solo references." she sucks in a breath of air and keeps watching.

Marc
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Quest: Ice Castle - Issue 45

Location: Hidden Tomb on Easter Island

The archaeologist avatar moved closer to Adamas and waited until the team was reunited!

Black Orchid readied herself to blast if something comes shambling towards them, trying not to let on that the description of the undead unnerved her a bit, with unknown magic and sorcery being polar opposites to the comforting world of science she knew so well.


As the group gathered together, Starbolt flew forward and said, "Well, that was certainly interesting. It makes me cautious about what could be next."


Jack and Black Orchid looked into the room in front of them. This was what they saw.


Once the group is all together, Adamas took the lead.  He listened to everyone's tales of what they have seen, he was ready for anything.

Moving into the passageway Red Hawk saw the team scattered ahead of him. Finding Starbolt at his back he said, "Thanks SB. I don't know what happened. Suddenly everyone was gone and CyberDoom was threatening to take me and overwrite my programming. I lost it I guess." Speaking to be team through the amulet, “I apologize if I hurt anyone. Is everyone okay?"

"Clark, are we anywhere near you last saw Jacco?"

Thunderhead replied, via the mystical amulet: "I confronted Jacco in the first chamber, but now I wonder if any of that was real or just an illusion!"

"How did you guys make out with the hieroglyphs? Are they any helping finding the portal?"

Thunderhead told everyone the ancient tale.

“Ten thousand years ago a race of men journeyed here from a faraway planet. The trip took many generations. There was a colony here on Easter Island, but when the travelers arrived they found that it had been destroyed by Earthly creatures. The new people erected the great stone heads in honor of the previous colony, and they built their own magnificent city around them. For hundreds of years they prospered, and grew proficient in the occult arts. Their king in those days was named Cor, and he begged the wizards to stop their dealings with the demons from beyond. But they did not, and finally they called forth a great demon which consumed their whole city. Then King Cor fought the demon and slew it, saving a handful of his subjects. He himself did not survive the battle. A secret tomb was built for him, guarded by undead spirits and cursed by the vengeful demons.”

First listening to the brainiacs and arcane experts Hawk looked into the room. Red Hawk made sure not to enter the room until the experts in archeology and the arcane gave the thumbs up, but a peek from the passageway while listening to a report on the hieroglyphs couldn't hurt could it?

 "Starbolt, my sensor suite has highly advanced detection gear but seeing in the dark isn't part of the package . . .

Responding to Red Hawk, "Sure, no problem on the light. Would you like it radiating outward from me to light the area we are in, or directed forward like a flash light?"

“Can you give us a radial illumination? That way we can take it all in at a glance. I suppose its possible Jacco slipped past us up above but I'd rather avoid any more nasty surprises of possible." Red Hawk said.

Starbolt moved his position to gain maximum effectiveness from the light.

Using his Heightened Senses, Red Hawk attempted to detect for signs of danger within the room, be it an ambush from Jacco, falling granite blocks, pit traps, etc

Centurion X stayed in the rear with Starbolt. He readied his magnetic powers to come to the defense of his teammates.

The young immortal also smelled a trap, but of a very different kind. Jack feared the ancient corpses were actually sacred guardians that would rise from the dead should anyone enter this chamber! This was just the sort of thing his ancient kin would've devised.

He acted to prevent that.  ZWOOOOOSSHHHH!!!!  A blizzard of ice and snow magically appeared from Jack's hands and buried the corpses deep!

Chris's thermal sensors sensed the entity called Jack Frost as he also looked through the portal into the next room. When suddenly the chill turns frosty and sheets of ice start to form over the piles of desiccated corpses. "Jack, NO!" Worried the summoned elemental of winter will trigger an unknown trap, Red Hawk tried to abate the blizzard already started.

Over the corpses the surface of the massive ice block was intricately sculpted with loving detail, like a Currier and Ives print, forming an ice sculpture of a grand fairy tale castle of long ago. Snow gently fell on the castle, gathering lyrically on its nooks, roofs and window wells.


Adamas was floating about six inches off the ground, he was ready to take action, and was prepared to be on the offense.  He was looking to hit anything coming at them, and hit it hard.

Thunderhead was relieved that everyone was together, having passed the first test the tomb offered but certainly not the last.

The two-fisted 1930's archaeologist adventurer scanned the new chamber of this haunted tomb without entering it, looking for mundane mechanical traps (ala Indiana Jones). 

He did not find any hieroglyphics to translate.


The room was piled high and deep with mummified corpses. Atop the pile rest three “important-looking” bodies, decked out in jewelry of great value. Piercing the chest of the central important corpse was a great rod. Red Hawk can’t see for sure through the ice but he thought it might be a key. The rod might be brown in color and there might be markings on it. The ice was too thick to be sure.

On the other side of the room is a statue. The statue was in the shape of an octopus-headed warrior with tusks and eight spidery eyes. He stood with his arms folded across his chest. Thunderhead using his archeologist skills spots a doorway behind him.

Thunderhead recognized the statue as one of the demons drawn on the hallway. Adamas remembered seeing similar looking creatures in Occult’s castle in the Domain.

<Replies and Actions due February 28th >
Battle Conditions:
Adamas                        Hit Points:   41  Power Points:   78         Invulnerability: 24
Black Orchid                 Hit Points:   30  Power Points:   87         Willpower Defense active and invisible
Centurion X                   Hit Points: 138  Power Points:   99         Magnetic Defense active
Jack Frost                    Hit Points:   24  Power Points:   72         Ice Defense active, Controlling Weather - Snowfall
Red Hawk                     Hit Points:   74  Power Points:   32         Invulnerability: 10; Vib Def active; Willpower Def active
Starbolt                                    Hit Points:   34  Power Points:   75         Creation Points: 45, Used: 0
Thunderhead                 Hit Points:   28  Power Points:   77         Height: 6ft, Invulnerability 20
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OOC: Well wasn't that a hoot? I was beginning to get really nervous. Flashbacks to the Charity Ball and the appearance of the Destroyers nervous. My email communications skills being so fabulous and all.

<Red Hawk: IC> Gliding back up through the floor ready to fight his creator, Red Hawk is confused at being alone in the chamber. Moving into the passageway he sees the team scattered ahead of him. Finding Starbolt at his back. "Thanks SB. I don't know what happened. Suddenly everyone was gone and CyberDoom was threatening to take me and overwrite my programming. I lost it I guess." Speaking to be team through the amulet. <<"I apologize if I hurt anyone. Is everyone okay?">> Hearing Thunderhead's call for everyone to regroup at Adamas location Red Hawk confirmed he and Starbolt were right behind them.

"Clark, are we anywhere near you last saw Jacco?"

"How did you guys make out with the hieroglyphs? Are they any helping finding the portal?"

IC: First listening to the brainiacs and arcane experts Hawk will to look into the room it Starbolt could please provide some light. Using his Heightened Senses, he will Detect for signs of Hidden/Danger within the room, be it an ambush from Jacco, falling granite blocks, pit traps, etc

OOC: Lol. I haven't played a D&D dungeon crawl in decades. Definitely has the feel of one so far :-)  Not to shatter the illusion (pun intended) but what is our light source down here? I'm sure the combat kit Chris got from StarCorp has a flashlight or flares but neither much good on the run in a fight.  Of course Starbolt is our best bet but didn't want to assume too much. Man the last month or two seems like a year. Sorry if I asked this stuff earlier.

IC: Careful to listen to the advice of the teams brainiacs and arcane experts Hawk will ask Starbolt to light the room up and so he can us his Heightened Senses to Detect for Hidden Dangers

OOC: I forget. How is the team seeing underground? Is Starbolt lighting our way? Hawk might have some flares and a flashlight from the gear he was provided by StarCorp but they aren't going to be much good in a fight.

*Zombies? Didn't we have enough fun with those at Stonehenge? (Lol) Please don’t tell me Jacco is hiding in a pile of dead bodies?*

Regards
John
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Thunderhead replied, via the mystical amulet: "I confronted Jacco in the first chamber, but now I wonder if any of that was real or just an illusion!"

Jeff
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Is the pile moving?

Marc
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No. They appear to be more like ancient corpses than zombies.

Tom
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OOC: Nobody had asked for him to provide a light source, but he would be happy to oblige.

IC: Responding to Red Hawk. "Sure, no problem on the light. Would you like it radiating outward from me to light the area we are in, or directed forward like a flash light?"

If necessary, he will move his position to gain maximum effectiveness from the light. Unless this interferes with what someone else's actions, then he would move.

Jamey
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<Red Hawk: IC> Red Hawk makes sure not to enter the room until the experts in archeology and the arcane give the thumbs up,  but a peek from the passageway while listening to a report on the hieroglyphs couldn't hurt could it? "Thanks Starbolt. My sensor suite has highly advanced detection gear but seeing in the dark isn't part of the package . . . Can you give us a radial illumination? That way we can take it all in at a glance. I suppose its possible Jacco slipped past us up above but I'd rather avoid any more nasty surprises of possible."

Thanks
John
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Hi Tom,

Another fun issue.  Thanks!

IC:

Thunderhead:
Thunderhead was relieved that everyone was together, having passed the first test the tomb offered. But certainly not the last.
The two-fisted 1930's archaeologist adventurer scanned the new chamber of this haunted tomb without entering it, looking for mundane mechanical traps (ala Indiana Jones). 
He will translate any hieroglyphics he can read, and try to divine the room's original purpose.  He will share all he learns with his team mates.


Jack Frost:
The young immortal also smelled a trap, but of a very different kind. Jack feared the ancient corpses were actually sacred guardians that would rise from the dead should anyone enter this chamber! This was just the sort of thing his ancient kin would've devised.

He acted to prevent that.  ZWOOOOOSSHHHH!!!!  A blizzard of ice and snow magically appeared from Jack's hands and buried the corpses deep!
The surface of the massive ice block was intricately sculpted with loving detail, like a Currier and Ives print, forming an ice sculpture of a grand fairy tale castle of long ago. Snow gently fell on the castle, gathering lyrically on its nooks, roofs and window wells.

[OOC: Jack uses his Ice Creation power to form as much ice as possible to bury the corpses under.  He'll use all his ground movement to do this, generating 100 cubic feet of ice to encase the bodies in, but still leaving an open pathway for the team to move past them.]

Thanks.

Best,
Jeff
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Adamas:

Once the group is all together, Adamas will again take the lead.  He will listening to everyone's tales of what they have seen, he is ready for anything.

Adamas is floating about six inches off the ground, he is ready to take action, and is prepared to be on the offense.  He is looking to hit anything coming at them, and hit it hard.

Jon
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ZWOOOOOSSHHHH

<Red Hawk: IC>
Chris's thermal sensors sense the entity called Jack Frost as he also looks through the portal into the next room. When suddenly the chill turns frosty and sheets of ice start to form over the piles of desiccated corpses. "Jack, NO!" Worried the summoned elemental of winter will trigger an unknown trap, Red Hawk tries to abate the blizzard already started.

John
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