Sunday, March 18, 2018

Crusade: Switching Partners - Issue 43

{Location: Ancient Burial Mound in the Everglades Florida}



 The Indian chanted, “Ai – Ah – Oi- Ai –Ah – Oi”


The drum beat.

Bum-a-Brum Bum-a-Brum Bum-a-Brum Bum-a-Brum Bum-a-Brum Bum-a-Brum

[11] Skink grabbed John Croaker and ran out of the Burial Mound. “I will get him to safety!”

[10] Adamas said to Strike Force, "What do you say we switch dance partners"?

Watching as his escrima sticks passed harmlessly through the spirit, the Bionic Brawler thought, "I guess that the straight forward approach is not going to work on this one."

Adamas commented about switching partners, to which he replied. "Sure Adamas, hopefully you'll have a better result than I have had."


Adamas blasted Asi-vaholo 5 times. 4 of the 5 blasts hit the Vengeful Spirit. They passed harmlessly through it.

[7] Turning to face his new opponent, StrikeForce, adopted a defensive posture, and began a scan of the apparitions, using the full spectrum of his senses, "Here's hoping that I can gather some Intel that can assist us." He internal monologue to himself.

[7] "Damn!" The Black Orchid saw the effect on Manta Man. Instinctively; she moved to position herself between Manta-Man to prevent further damage. "Well here goes...He thinks his body is nothing. Let's see if we can suck that nothing into the void." The Black Orchid reached out and attempted to blast at Asi-vaholo. Her blast missed.

[4] Asi-vaholo waved his hands, the amulet around his neck glowed, and he spoke in a language none of the New Crusaders could understand. A fine yellow glow appeared around Asi-vaholo hands then released a ring of energy flew toward Adamas. The energy ring missed. It hit a piece of rock in jutting from the mound wall. The yellow energy ring constrict tightly around the rock.

 [4] Manta-Man slowly changed from the wooden statue back into his normal self. “Whew, I really hate transmuters. So what was I? Sometime when this is over I will have to tell you about the time we fought Od and his Avant Guard.”

{GM Note: Manta-Man had an End save of 11, the transmute effect had a modifier of -8. So the save was 3 or less. Manta-Man spent 2 power points to push it to 5. The 1d20 roll was a 5}

[3] The Indian with the drum turned around and headed back toward the others. He came up behind Adamas. The Spirit Warrior chanted louder and sped up the tempo of his drum playing. The mystical drum began to vibrate. A force wave for vibration launched from the drum at Adamas. The vibe blast struck Adamas. The Alien Powerhouse rolled with the damage that got past his invulnerability.

{GM Note: Drum did 9 points of damage. Adamas Invulnerability stopped 7 points (3/4) of it, rolled with the remainder -2 Power Points.}

[3] The Bow Wielding Indian aimed at both Black Orchid and Manta-Man. The Spirit Warrior fired two arrows. Both hit. Black Orchid and Manta-Man rolled with the majority of the damage. Both can continue to fight.

{GM Note: Black Orchid was hit with 9 points of damage. She rolled with 8 damage points, -8 PP; the rest went to hit points, -1 HP}

{GM Note: Manta-Man was hit with 7 points of damage. His suit provided protection stopping 2 damage points. He rolled with 5 damage points, -5PP}

[1] The Spirit with the Spear attempted to strike StrikeForce. He defended himself for the apparition successfully fending off the attack.

StrikeForce’s scans were now complete. He determined that the Spirits were completely non-corporeal but their weapons weren’t. The weapons were corporeal. The weapons could be broken or taken from the Spirits. StrikeForce scanned Asi-vaholo a second time. While he didn’t have a weapon he was wearing an Amulet. It was corporeal as well. All the Indian Spirits has a corporeal item that could be broken or taken from them. When it was done, the Indian Spirits would be rendered harmless.

[0] Black Orchid regenerated the 1 Hit Point lost.



<Turns and Actions due March 26th>

Battle Conditions (Mighty Protectors character data):
Adamas                        Hit Points:   24  Power Points:   53        
Black Orchid                 Hit Points:   24  Power Points:   81         Visible
StrikeForce                  Hit Points:   31  Power Points:   91         Attack Style:
The Skink                     Hit Points:   24  Power Points:   82         Attack Style: Defensive
Manta-Man                    Hit Points:     1  Power Points:   59        


Phase of Action for next turn:
[15]       Adamas
[ 6]       Manta-Man
[ 5]       Black Orchid
[ 2]       StrikeForce

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"Damn!" The Black Orchid sees the effect on Manta Man. Instinctively; she moves to position herself between Manta Man to prevent further damage. "Well here goes...He thinks his body is nothing. Let's see if we can suck that nothing into the void." The Black Orchid reaches out and blasts at Asi-Voholo.

Marc
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OOC: I'm not sure what StrikeForce can do if he cannot touch them. Any ideas?

Jamey
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Adamas says to Strike Force, "What do you say we switch dance partners"?

Adamas will blast Asi-Vaholo with autofire.

Jon
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StrikeForce has a Heightened Senses package (Hearing and Sight) which give bonuses to Perception test and other Skill tests. StrikeForce could use his turn on analyzing the Spirits to see what the New Crusaders Options would be.

Currently his Perception test starts at 12 or less. When Heightened Senses Sight can assist +4 is added, so Perception test is 16 or less. If StrikeForce spent 2 power points focusing on the test then it would be an 18 or less.

If StrikeForce did this while assuming a full defensive attack style he would spend 2 power points, not attack, perform a Perception test at 18 or less on d20, and have a +6 bonus to his defense for a total Physical Defense of 8 and Mental Defense of 8.

Thanks
Tom
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Tom, StrikeForce will use the strategy that you have laid out.

Jamey
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Are you going to spend 2 power points to get the +2 bonus to the Save score (18 or less)?

Tom
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Oops, I see. You meant the last paragraph. I got it.

Thanks
Tom
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Tom, will Adamas "switching partners" cause problems with the strategy?

Jamey
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No not at all.

I would have StrikeForce facing the Spirit with the Spear in full defensive mode.
Tom
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Thanks.

Jamey
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"Sure Adamas, it looks like you'll probably have more success than I have."

Jamey
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Watching as his escrima sticks pass harmlessly through the spirit, the Bionic Brawler thinks, "I guess that the straight forward approach is not going to work on this one."

Adamas comments about switching partners, to which he replies. "Sure Adamas, hopefully you'll have a better result than I have had."

Turning to face his new opponent, StrikeForce, adopting a defensive posture, and begins a scan of the aperations, using the full spectrum of his senses, "Here's hoping that I can gather some Intel that can assist us." He internal monologues to himself.

Jamey
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Crusade: Clash beneath the Burial Mound - Issue 42



{Location: Everglades Florida}

The New Crusaders went to the path of the Burial Mound. There Black Orchid removed her mask and gloves and covered herself in the “darkness clothes” as she had before.

When she approached the boy, realized she knew him. It was John Croaker, the Indian boy she had talked to at the village. The boy that the doctor has falsely claimed had been attacked by a panther. John had claimed ardently that he had been attacked.

Since she had already met him, Black Orchid put back on her mask and gloves, dropping the “darkness clothes”.

“John,” Black Orchid said, “what are you doing hiding out here in the trees?”

Looking intently at her, he said, “I think I dimly remember you. The last few days or weeks are only a clouded memory to me, but when my ‘sight’ was clear again, I knew that something was not right at the reservation. You see, this black panther tale, I think, is not a real memory. I think somehow it was put in my mind.”

“I have been trying to figure out why. I think it is something the Shaman has been doing at night at the Burial Grounds. That is why I am here. I am trying to figure out what it is they are taking from the Burial Grounds to the Burial Mounds. … shh, they are coming …

 Black Orchid and the New Crusaders from where they were located could all see the path into the woods back towards the village. The Shaman and 8 other Indians emerged from the woods and walk towards the middle of the Burial Grounds. The 8 Indians carry four boxes, 2 per box. The boxes could vaguely be made out to appear to be coffins. They sat the boxes down at the command of the Shaman. The Indians began to dig.

“Strange”, John Croaker said, “They do not bury here anymore.”

After several long minutes, the Indians cease digging and the Shaman looked up and gazed searchingly around the area, as if he was making sure that they were unobserved. Appearing satisfied, he commanded the Indians again.

Form the holes dug, four bodies were lifted out and put into the coffins. Shaman led the Indians to the Burial Mound.

John Croaker stood up from where he was hiding. His bodied stiffened and he appeared to not see Black Orchid anymore. A few tense seconds later, his body relaxed. He pushed the bushes aside stepping onto the path. John walked up the path to the Burial Mound.

John walked down into the Burial Mound entrance, into a large chamber. He passed a pair of large wooden statues. These are both old and had no hidden meaning beyond their obvious archeological interest.

John walked along one side of the chamber until he reached the entrance to a smaller chamber. It had been hidden from view before. John entered into the smaller chamber.

In the chamber the Shaman was performing an ancient incantation. There were the eerie sounds of drums as if from beyond this world. Storm Clouds were appearing and growing at the top of the small chamber. Below the clouds was the source of the drumming, an Indian spirit was beating its tom-tom. There were 3 other spirits with it.




[12] At the sight of the spirits the Skink froze. The thought that the dead could be brought back to life shocked him. This realization brought back the memories of the horror of finding his father dead in his lab. “Could he have done more? What if he had tried to find Dr Arcane or Guardian Spirit back then? Would they have been able to bring Dr. Harris back?”

Doubts plagued him as Skink wondered if fear for his freedom had doomed his father, Henry forever.

[10] StrikeForce asked, “Adamas do want to dual rush the Shaman?”

Adamas said “Oh, yeah!  I haven't wanted to hit someone this bad since we fought Samhain...”

"Samhain? Sounds like an interesting story, would you tell me about it later?" StrikeForce replied.

Adamas used his ethereal vision to ensure he was attacking the actual Shaman, not some illusion. Once he knew for sure he went in blasting with his auto fire power blast.

All 5 blasts struck Shaman hard. The Indian Mystic collapsed incapacitated.

[ 7] StrikeForce followed Adamas as he auto fired. If Shaman was still able to attack, StrikeForce was prepared to engage him, but Shaman was out, StrikeForce attacked the next closest enemy which was the weaponless Spirit.

“You dare attack Asi-vaholo? Invader of our lands, my vengeance is at hand!”

Both of StrikForce’s escrima sticks hit the Spirit Warrior. Asi-vaholo was unhurt as the escrima sticks passed harmlessly through it.

{GM Note: Mighty Protectors has departed from V&V 2.1 where ability to damage is combined with ability to hit. Mighty Protectors separated it. StrikeForce can hit with escrima sticks which are a Blunt Kinetic damage attack. Non-Corporealness is completely immune to Blunt Kinetic damage when in the Non-Corporealness state. The escrima sticks passed harmlessly through Asi-vaholo’s body}

[ 7]  “At hand and administered are two different things. You are in the wrong time and place. Time to go back to the happy hunting grounds.” Manta-Man fired an electrical bolt at Asi-vaholo. The Aquatic Avenger’s shot missed.

[ 5] Asi-vaholo screamed in rage! “This is our sacred burial mound and these are my people to do with as I please!” Asi-vaholo waved his hands, the amulet around his neck glowed, and he spoke in a language none of the New Crusaders could understand. A fine red glow appeared around Asi-vaholo hands then released a beam toward Manta-Man.

When the beam struck Manta-Man, his body turned rigid. Manta-Man straightened into a “soldier at attention” like position. Manta-Man skinned transmuted into wood. He became a wooden statue like the two that were seen by the New Crusaders when they entered the burial mound.

[ 4] The Indian Spirit with the spear gave a loud war cry and moved toward Adamas. The Spirit Warrior stabbed his spear twice at Adamas, hitting both times. Adamas’ Invulnerability stopped the majority of the blows and he rolled with the rest.

{GM Note: In Mighty Protectors, invulnerability isn’t an all or nothing defense, that stops everything until it is gone then it stops nothing. The Spear did 11 points of sharp kinetic damage on the first hit. Invulnerability stopped ¾ of the damage which was 8 points. 3 damages points made it through which Adamas rolled with -3 PP. The Spear did 16 points of sharp kinetic damage on the second hit. Invulnerability -12 points and -4 Power Points.}

[ 3] The Indian Spirit with the bow shoot 2 arrows at StrikeForce. Both of them hit his armor barely penetrating, StrikeForce rolled with the damage.

{GM Note: In Mighty Protectors, armor isn’t ablative (reducing for damage taken) or has to be rolled to see if it blocks (ADR % roll). It works every time for the type of damage it protects from. The first Arrow did 8 points of sharp kinetic damage. StrikeForce’s armor stopped 6 points and -2 Power Points for the rolled damage. The second Arrow did 9 points of sharp kinetic damage, armor -6 points and -3 Power Points for rolling with damage.}

[ 3] The Black Orchid steeled herself and threw out a blob of darkness in front of where John was hiding. "Stay behind that." She watched the attacks and tried to analyze who might be most vulnerable to her vacuum blast. She wasn’t able to determine who was vulnerable to her vacuum blast.

{GM Note: In Mighty Protectors, this is called a Perception Test. It is a roll of d20 vs. Intelligence save of 14-. So a 14 or less needs to be rolled. Black Orchid rolled an 18. Mighty Protectors does allow Save rolls to be improved by effort (spending power points). For 2 Power Points, Black Orchid can increase the Intelligence Save to 16-.}

[ 2] The Indian Spirit with the drum started chanting and playing the drum. It moved from the small inner room of the burial mound into the larger outer room, past Adamas, StrikeForce, and Manta-Man. The Spirit Warrior chanted louder and sped up the tempo of his drum playing. The mystical drum began to vibrate. A force wave for vibration launched from the drum at Skink. The vibration blast missed Skink.

The Indian chanted, “Ai – Ah – Oi- Ai –Ah – Oi”

The drum beat.

Bum-a-Brum Bum-a-Brum Bum-a-Brum Bum-a-Brum Bum-a-Brum Bum-a-Brum




<Turns and Actions due March 11th>

Battle Conditions (Mighty Protectors character data):
Adamas                        Hit Points:   24  Power Points:   60        
Black Orchid                 Hit Points:   24  Power Points:   92         Visible
StrikeForce                  Hit Points:   31  Power Points:   93        
The Skink                     Hit Points:   24  Power Points:   82         Attack Style: Defensive
Manta Man                    Hit Points:     1  Power Points:   66        


Phase of Action for next turn:
[11]       Skink (2 actions, Held action from last turn and this turn)
[10]       Adamas
[ 7]       StrikeForce
[ 7]       Black Orchid
[ 4]       Manta-Man

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OOC: So Gentlemen, how do you want to proceed?

Jamey
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It looks to me like the Shaman is behind this, and it needs to stop. 

Adamas will use his vision powers to find the Shaman.

Jon
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Shaman is standing beneath the storm cloud and the Indian Spirits

Tom
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OOC: This doesn't look good. Jon, does Adamas want to dual rush the shaman?

Jamey
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Oh, yeah!  I haven't wanted to hit someone this bad since we fought Samhain...

Adamas will use his ethereal vision to ensure he's attacking the actual Shaman, not some illusion.  The he'll go in blasting.  Autofire...

Jon
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OOC: StrikeForce will follow Adamas as he auto fires. If the first option is still able to attack, StrikeForce will engage him, but if he is out, then StrikeForce will attack the next closest enemy.

IC: "Samhain? sounds like an interesting story, would you tell me about it later?"

Jamey
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I think Tom has it documented on the Megalopolis website... is that still up?

Jon
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I believe that it is. I was attempting to have it be interaction between our characters. I guess that I wasn't clear enough, sorry.

Jamey
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The Black Orchid steels herself (activates Willpower) and throws out a blob of darkness in front of where John is hiding. "Stay behind that." She'll then watch the attacks and try to analyze who might be most vulnerable to her vacuum blast (since it looks like everyone else is jumping in and she's used her actions for this round)

Marc
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Crusade: Path to the Burial Mound - Issue 41



{Location: Everglades Florida}

The New Crusaders were following a lead on the theft of chemicals from the U.S. Military. It led them to a small island within the Swamp. There they were attacked by Swamp Rat and Sludge. The New Crusaders defeated the Swamp Fiends.

No! I can’t go back! ARRGH!  The dimensional being that inhabited the mud creature was forcefully sent back to its home dimension in a crescendo of pain and anguish.

Manta Man flew over and joined the others as Black Orchid dissipated her darkness silhouettes. He said “Wow I am glad that is over. As far as traps go that was a doozy.”

“StrikeForce, we don’t have time for me to fully recover so I want you to maintain tactical command.”

Manta Man looked the rest of the New Crusaders. “We must be on the right track because the villains set a trap for us. What do you think our next steps should be?”

Looking around at his teammates StrikeForce asked, "So after we turn in the swamp rat, where do you want to proceed next? I'm thinking Tank Gunner should be next on our next target."

Manta Man of the New Crusaders contacted the military base he found out that Tank Gunner had not reported back to the base and was consider AWOL.

"You ok, MM?" The Skink asked,

Manta-Man replied, "I am banged up but will survive."

The Skink had asked in between speed inspecting the swamp boat, and looking close at the pieces of sludge with his thermo vision. "What's next?"

Manta-Man looked at the other New Crusaders, "That is a very good question. Any ideas?"

When Skink inspected the swamp boat, there were scrapes on the bottom on the boat that suggested that this was the boat used in the theft at the military base. He couldn't be sure without a thorough study with scientific equipment but he knew his senses were right.

Examining the pieces of sludge revealed as mud from this region; there were bits of bone and flies in the mud. Skink remembered one of his lessons from Dr Harris, his "Dad".  This was a coffin fly, Coricera tibialis was its scientific name. This mud had come from a grave site.

"Give me a minute", Adamas said having launched himself into the air.

Adamas used the height, and his vision powers to search for the bird they followed to the hut...  “No way to track a boat, but it's not a long range vehicle”, he thought.  The Alien Powerhouse looked around for anything unusual nearby, reporting what he saw back to the group.

From his height Adamas could easily see the surrounding area. He couldn't find the bird. He wasn't sure if it’s because he couldn’t tell it apart from similar looking birds or if the bird wasn't flying or sat on any of the branches.

Adamas saw there were Indians coming and going from the village to ancient Indian burial grounds. It appeared they were working. He looked to see if the archaeologist Karen Morgan was leading them but he didn't see her. Adamas did spot an Indian boy in the trees and bushes watching the Indians work {GM Note: successful perception roll}.

Adamas saw the Old Coot's cabin. The Swamp goat was outside his cabin fishing.

Adamas didn't see Tank Gunner anywhere.

The Black Orchid breathed a sigh of relief that Manta Man and the rest of the team were OK. Musing on the Skink’s comment she said “A grave site? Did we see a grave site in the village when we were there?”

Adamas heard Black Orchids question as he landed nearby.

"The burial ground is nearby, I saw some Indians working there.  There was a boy watching them."

Black Orchid said “I don’t know what other information we have on Tank Gunner right now. Is there a way for us to interrogate this joker before we turn him in?”

StrikeForce checked on Swamp Rat. He found that the Swamp Rat was incapacitated. The New Crusaders would have to attempt to wake him up first before they could question him. StrikeForce didn’t believe the villain was in any physical condition to be questioned today.

“Should we drop him off with Lt. Nash, and check out the burial mounds?” The Bionic Brawler said.

"I agree. It's not worth it to wait for him to wake up. The graveyard looks to be our most immediate lead, especially if that thing was 'summoned' and the people who did so are still there." Black Orchid replied.

Manta Man asked “How do you approach the graveyard, the Indian workers, and/or the Indian boy?”

Adamas said, “The boy.”

“I say the boy as well. Adamas are you going to fly in while the rest of us walk up?” StrikeForce asked.

Adamas replied “It looked like he was hiding, maybe Orchid should go in first... he might be less likely to bolt from her.”

"I'd be willing to try to talk to the boy, especially if you think I might be less startling to him." Black Orchid said.

“Sounds good to me” said StrikeForce.

"How does this look?"

The Black Orchid took off her mask and gloves and created a fairly form-fitting darkness to look as much like street clothes as possible - a turtleneck and black jeans. "As long as I stay in the shade, it shouldn't look too out of place."

"It looks pretty weird, I don’t know if some kid is going to fall for that." The Skink said.

Manta Man said, “I think Black Orchid’s goal is to appear none threatening not to trick the boy in some way.”

 “Excuse me, I know you’ve seen superheroes running around and swamp creatures, but here I’m this swamp beatnik!"

Manta Man laughed.

"No, we should just ask these folks straight out. They know we're here. These other creeps have been here for who knows how long, causing all kinds of what. They'll welcome the help getting rid of bums like Tank Gunner, or that dirtbag Spyder if he's involved."

Manta Man said, “I know you think everyone wants them gone but you will be surprised how many don’t. Somehow they gain allies that will protect them. I think that is why Tank Gunner was always the first to volunteer to bring the relief supplies to the Indians.”

“It appears the Inhuman League have not disclosed themselves. It was StrikeForce who discovered Tank Gunner on the military base. The Army had no clue he was there.”

“The Department of Defense called us here because unknown thieves had robbed their base, not because the Inhuman League has attacked them. If that had happened, they would have called all of the Super Forces to deal with it and not us. While the Super Forces can handle super powered squad level combat, they can’t investigate within a civilian population like we can.”

“Who should open the dialogue with them?” StrikeForce asked, “Adamas has the highest public profile being with the Super Forces, then Guardians, and now with us, but who gives us the best chance of success?”

“I thought she would have a better chance of going unnoticed than a group would.  Maybe she could get some information about what's been going on here.  I'm pretty sure that "Swamp Thing" came from that burial ground, so maybe the kid knows something.”

“It'd be nice to not get blown up again.” Adamas said.

“I'm not a fan of getting blown up either.” StrikeForce agreed.

Everyone agreed that Black Orchid’s plan was the best plan suggested.

The New Crusaders took Swamp Rat to Detective Nash. Detective Nash thanked them and provided information of where and when they could interview Swamp Rat tomorrow, if they wanted.

The New Crusaders went to the path of the Burial Mound. There Black Orchid removed her mask and gloves and covered herself in the “darkness clothes” as she had before.

When she approached the boy, realized she knew him. It was John Croaker, the Indian boy she had talked to at the village. The boy that the doctor has falsely claimed had been attacked by a panther. John had claimed ardently that he had been attacked.

Since she had already met him, Black Orchid put back on her mask and gloves, dropping the “darkness clothes”.

“John,” Black Orchid said, “what are you doing hiding out here in the trees?”

Looking intently at her, he said, “I think I dimly remember you. The last few days or weeks are only a clouded memory to me, but when my ‘sight’ was clear again, I knew that something was not right at the reservation. You see, this black panther tale, I think, is not a real memory. I think somehow it was put in my mind.”

“I have been trying to figure out why. I think it is something the Shaman has been doing at night at the Burial Grounds. That is why I am here. I am trying to figure out what it is they are taking from the Burial Grounds to the Burial Mounds. … shh, they are coming …

 Black Orchid and the New Crusaders from where they were located could all see the path into the woods back towards the village. The Shaman and 8 other Indians emerged from the woods and walk towards the middle of the Burial Grounds. The 8 Indians carry four boxes, 2 per box. The boxes could vaguely be made out to appear to be coffins. They sat the boxes down at the command of the Shaman. The Indians began to dig.

“Strange”, John Croaker said, “They do not bury here anymore.”

{GM Note: From this point on the New Crusaders can interrupt the action at any time they please. Please let me know where that is when it occurs. If you don’t interrupt, keep reading to the end.}

After several long minutes, the Indians cease digging and the Shaman looked up and gazed searchingly around the area, as if he was making sure that they were unobserved. Appearing satisfied, he commanded the Indians again.

Form the holes dug, four bodies were lifted out and put into the coffins. Shaman led the Indians to the Burial Mound.

John Croaker stood up from where he was hiding. His bodied stiffened and he appeared to not see Black Orchid anymore. A few tense seconds later, his body relaxed. He pushed the bushes aside stepping onto the path. John walked up the path to the Burial Mound.

{GM Note: if you are still waiting then the New Crusaders can follow John and will see/know everything written next.}

John walked down into the Burial Mound entrance, into a large chamber. He passed a pair of large wooden statues. These are both old and had no hidden meaning beyond their obvious archeological interest.

John walked along one side of the chamber until he reached the entrance to a smaller chamber. It had been hidden from view before. John entered into the smaller chamber.

In the chamber the Shaman was performing an ancient incantation. There were the eerie sounds of drums as if from beyond this world. Storm Clouds were appearing and growing at the top of the small chamber. Below the clouds was the source of the drumming, an Indian spirit was beating its tom-tom. There were 3 other spirits with it.


<Turns and Actions due February 19th>

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IC: Looking around at his teammates StrikeForce asks, "So after we turn in the swamp rat, where do you want to proceed next? I'm thinking Tank Gunner should be next on our next target."

OOC: I just want to start spitballing some ideas.

Jamey
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"You ok, MM?" The skink asked, in between speed inspecting the swamp boat, and looking close at the pieces of sludge with his thermo vision. "What's next?"

Chuck
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Reminder, turns are due today.

So far StrikeForce has suggested hunting down Tank Gunner. There hasn't been any other suggestions or agreement with StrikeForce's idea. When the New Crusaders contact the military base they will find out that Tank Gunner has not reported back to the base and is consider AWOL.

Reminder, so far:
The New Crusaders were told that Tank Gunner was in the Village but no one saw or meet him there.
They meet several people in the village. The Shaman suggested they talk with the old Coot in the swamp
The Swamp Goat suggested they follow a bird.
The bird led the New Crusaders to an island which appeared the thieves used.
The Island Hut was booby trapped, set by Swamp Rat and Sludge.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Tom
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Manta-Man replied, "I am banged up but will survive."

"What's next?"

Manta-Man looked at the other New Crusaders, "That is a very good question. Any ideas?"

When Skink inspected the swamp boat, there were scrapes on the bottom on the boat that suggested that this was the boat used in the theft at the military base. He couldn't be sure without a thorough study with scientific equipment but he knew his senses were right.

Examining the pieces of sludge revealed as mud from this region; there were bits of bone and flies in the mud. Skink remembered one of his lessons from Dr Harris, his "Dad".  This was a coffin fly, Coricera tibialis was its scientific name. This mud had come from a grave site.


Thanks
Tom
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"Give me a minute", Adamas says launching himself into the air.

Adamas will use height, and his vision powers to search for the bird they followed to the hut...  no way to track a boat, but it's not a long range vehicle.  He'll look around for anything unusual nearby, and report back to the group.
Jon
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From his height Adamas could easily see the surrounding area. He couldn't find the bird. He wasn't sure if its because he can't tell it apart from similar looking birds or if the bird isn't flying or sitting on any branches.

Adamas saw there are Indians coming and going from the village to ancient Indian burial grounds. It appeared they are working. He looked to see if the archaeologist Karen Morgan was leading them but he didn't see her. Adamas did spot an Indian boy in the trees and bushes watching the Indians work (successful perception roll).

Adamas saw the Old Coot's cabin. The Swamp goat was outside his cabin fishing.

Adamas didn't see Tank Gunner anywhere.

Tom
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The Black Orchid breathes a sigh of relief that Manta Man and the rest of the team are OK. Musing on the Skink’s comment she says “A grave site? Did we see a grave site in the village when we were there?”

“I don’t know what other information we have on Tank Gunner right now. Is there a way for us to interrogate this joker before we turn him in?”

Marc
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Adamas hears Black Orchids question as he lands nearby.

"The burial ground is nearby, I saw some Indians working there.  There was a boy watching them."

Jon
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Swamp Rat is incapacitated. You will have to attempt to wake him up first before you can question him.

If you drop him off with Lt. Nash, Swamp Rat can be questioned tomorrow (because he needs 1 night to recover 1 healing rate of Hit Points)

Thanks
Tom
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Should we drop him off with Lt. Nash, and check out the burial mounds?

Jamey
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"I agree. It's not worth it to wait for him to wake up. The graveyard looks to be our most immediate lead, especially if that thing was 'summoned' and the people who did so are still there."

Marc
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How do you approach the graveyard, the Indian workers, and/or the Indian boy?

Thanks
Tom
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I say the boy...

Jon
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I will say the boy as well. Is Adamas going to fly in while the rest of us walk up?

Jamey
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It looked like he was hiding, maybe Orchid should go in first... he might be less likely to bolt from her.

Jon
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"I'd be willing to try to talk to the boy, especially if you think I might be less startling to him."

Marc
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Sounds good to me.

Jamey
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"How does this look?"
The Black Orchid takes off her mask and gloves and creates a fairly form-fitting darkness to look as much like street clothes as possible - a turtleneck and black jeans.
"As long as I stay in the shade, it shouldn't look too out of place."

Marc
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"It looks pretty weird, I don’t know if some kid is going to fall for that."
 “Excuse me, I know you’ve seen superheroes running around and swamp creatures, but here I’m this swamp beatnik!" "No, we should just ask these folks straight out. They know we're here. These other creeps have been here for who knows how long, causing all kinds of what. They'll welcome the help getting rid of bums like Tank Gunner, or that dirtbag Spyder if he's involved."

Chuck
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OOC: Who should open the dialogue with them? Adamas has the highest charisma, but who gives us the best chance of success?

Jamey
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I thought she would have a better chance of going unnoticed that a group would.  Maybe she could get some information about what's been going on here.  I'm pretty sure that "Swamp Thing" came from that burial ground, so maybe the kid knows something.

It'd be nice to not get blown up again.

Jon
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I'm not a fan of getting blown up either.

Jamey
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