Sunday, August 15, 2021

Crusade: Issue 73 - Destroyers

 


Location: Destroyers HQ.

{GM Note: Performed Perception Tests with appropriate modifiers, to determine if any of the Destroyers noticed the portal opening. Shapeshifter, Ratman, Iron Maiden, and Annihilator did. The others know they are under siege, and something is happening since the security cameras were destroyed, so they won’t be surprised by the attack. They will be able to defend and roll with damage, but they will not have actions until next turn}.


The Cyborg Crusader addresses the team, "Alright, let's go team, time to take it to The Destroyers!"


{GM Note: I didn’t know the order to place the New Crusaders. Please feel free to give me new positioning for them in the Chemistry room as well as providing an order of the New Crusaders as they enter through the portal, No more than 2 at a time can travel through it.}

[ 3] "Well THIS is getting interesting," Patty said. "I'll see if I can't distract the Destroyers."

She turned invisible, then moved at her maximum astral speed to the door of the room the Destroyers are in. Turning visible again (but still in her astral form) she yelled "BOO!" at the top of her lungs.

All the Destroyers, except for Iron Maiden and Annihilator, turned their heads and looked at Patty Plus.

Iron Maiden kept working on the computers in front of her. Annihilator realizing that the rest of the New Crusaders would be attacking now raised his forcefield.

{GM Note: This is Influence Tasks per 3.1.1 in the Mighty Protector rules. Patty Plus successfully cajoled the NPCs into performing a desire action. The desired action was to look at her and not at the teleportation portal. What this means in game terms is applied in 4.6 Acquiring Targets. Section 4.6 stated in order to attack a target, a character must be able to perceive it. I haven’t used this rule much because we rarely have used stealth and few NPCs have attempted to attack Black Orchid while she was invisible. For Acquiring Targets using vision, which is a full sense, only a Critical Fumble applies any negative modifiers. I decide that Patty Plus Influence causes a Critical Fumble for Acquiring Targets, so they get a -3 to their Defense since they are unaware of the attack coming from the other direction.}

{On Patty Plus roll for Influence Tasks for Iron Maiden, she needed to roll a 10 or less. She rolled a 12 which is a miss.}

{On Patty Plus roll for Influence Tasks for Annihilator, she needed to roll a 10 or less. She rolled a 20 and 15. This was a critical fumble. Reviewing the Fumble Chart, the only appropriate result would be Annihilator gaining a free action which he used to raise his forcefield.}

[ 3] Adamas planned to push his strength and flight speed to try to take Behemoth through the portal. Unfortunately, when he tried to move, he couldn’t. He could only go when Dr. Wildman told him to.  He wanted to ready himself to autoblast any of the Destroyers if his teammates needed help, but his eyes wouldn’t respond to his own thoughts. His eyes were still watching where Dr Wildman told them to.

[ 3] Dr Wildman's plan was to 'hang back' keeping the portal open as the Crusaders entered the room; Dr. Wildman caused Adamas to fly straight at Behemoth attempting to push him. The Druidic Mind-Controller continued to use Adamas' vision to respawn the portal behind Behemoth.  Adamas missed Behemoth and flew through it - porting himself to a safe place in the Refuge Islands next to the Steading, Dr. Wildman’s home. After having flown past the Steading, Adamas was finally able to turn around and started flying back toward the portal.

{GM Note: As a GM I want Mind Control and Emotion Control to behave differently. For Emotion Control the NPC has free will but all actions are taken based on the emotion they are experiencing, and their action must support that emotion as best as possible. For Mind Control the NPC (or in this case the PC) doesn’t have free will in the area that the Mind Controller has set down parameters. If the NPC doesn’t want to be mind controlled then every action is a fight against that control, trying to find a gap in the control they can exploit. Not unlike a teenager trying to do what they want while following whatever interpretation of their parents’ instructions that allows to do what they wanted while still being able to say they obeyed what they were told to do.}

{Adamas needed a 17 to hit after applying -3 to Behemoth’s defense. He rolled an 18}

[ 3] StrikeForce's preferred target was Iron Maiden. He charged through the portal with both Escrima sticks readied. He stepped right in front of Behemoth, who had his attention on Patty Plus. When the Bionic Brawler started to move toward Iron Maiden, Behemoth reached out to grab him, StrikeForce slid under the Big Man’s arm using his Parkour skills.

{GM Note: 4.4.8 Zones of Control. If a character attempts to pass through an opponent’s zone of control, the opponent may try to bloc them. The Character must then make a task check vs. 10 plus their own physical defense, minus the opponent’s physical defense. If the check is successful, the character may process. If not, their movement ends for that turn. StrikeForce has knowledge of Parkour which provides a +3 for movement type Task saves. Now StrikeForce must run the Destroyer Gauntlet to get to Iron Maiden.}

{Electrocutioner is a coward, he doesn’t use his zone of control except for a few select circumstances.}

{Behemoth attempted to stop StrikeForce from moving. StrikeForce has 10 plus 2 for his Defense plus 3 for Parkour. Behemoth has his Defense with a -3 for Patty Plus Influence. StrikeForce needed to roll 16 or less. He rolled a 3}

StrikeForce did a forward flip over Shapeshifter’s hand to move five feet closer to Iron Maiden.

{GM Note: Electrocutioner did not attempt to stop StrikeForce from moving.}

{Behemoth could not attempt to stop StrikeForce as StrikeForce was leaving his Zone of Control, not moving through it}

{Shapeshifter attempted to stop StrikeForce from moving. StrikeForce has 10 plus 2 for his Defense plus 3 for Parkour. Shapeshifter has her Defense with a -3 for Patty Plus Influence. StrikeForce needed to roll 14 or less. He rolled a 14}

StrikeForce attempted tried a tried a spin and leap to get to Iron Maiden, but Shapeshifter enlarged her hand and Annihilator shifted his forcefield to block him. They stopped him from reaching Iron Maiden.

{GM Note: Electrocutioner could not attempt to stop StrikeForce as StrikeForce was leaving his Zone of Control, not moving through it, not that he would have tried.}

{Ratman attempted to stop StrikeForce from moving. StrikeForce has 10 plus 2 for his Defense plus 3 for Parkour. Ratman has his Defense with a -3 for Patty Plus Influence. StrikeForce needed to roll 13 or less. He rolled a 4}

{Shapeshifter attempted to stop StrikeForce from moving. StrikeForce has 10 plus 2 for his Defense plus 3 for Parkour. Shapeshifter has her Defense with a -3 for Patty Plus Influence. StrikeForce needed to roll 14 or less. He rolled an 18, he was stopped}

{Annihilator attempted to stop StrikeForce from moving. StrikeForce has 10 plus 2 for his Defense plus 3 for Parkour. Annihilator has his Defense with a -3 for Patty Plus Influence. StrikeForce needed to roll 9 or less. He rolled a 15, he was stopped.}

Unable to reach Iron Maiden, StrikeForce attacked the Destroyer nearest to him, which was Shapeshifter. He attacked with his Escrima sticks.

KRAK! StrikeForce hit Shapeshifter hard! Shapeshifter winced in pain, but she could still fight.

WHIF! His second attack missed.

{GM Note: StrikeForce needed an 18 or less to hit. His first attack he rolled a 1 and 7 for a Critical Success. On the Crit table he rolled +3 additional damage. StrikeForce rolled 21 points of damage. Shapeshifter had protection and rolled with most of the damage but was hurt. No knockback occurred because her mass roll was high enough. On StrikeForce’s second attack he rolled a 20 and 6 which is a miss.}

[ 3] "OK, I think I'll target Ratman since he has the potential to make things worse before you know it." The Black Orchid readied herself for the assault. Black Orchid moved through the portal. She quickly spotted Ratman. She fired a Vacuum Blast at him.

ZUMPT! She hit him. Ratman cried out as he felt his energy drain from himself due to the extreme cold.

{GM Note: Black Orchid needed an 18 or less to hit. She rolled a 15. She rolled 21 points of power drain.}

[ 3] Knowing Patty’s intent, Demy moved through Dr. Wildman’s portal with MISHA. Demy’s pistol set to stun, aimed and ready to target any of the Destroyers. MISHA tried to move closer to Ratman, but Behemoth stopped him. Demy ducked under Behemoth’s outstretched arm to move further way from the portal so he could get a clean shot off without hitting an ally.

{GM Note: Behemoth attempted to stop MISHA from moving. MISHA has 10 plus 1 for his Defense. Behemoth has his Defense with a -3 for Patty Plus Influence. MISHA needed to roll 12 or less. He rolled a 15, he was stopped}

{Behemoth attempted to stop Demy from moving. Demy has 10 plus 2 for his Defense. Behemoth has his Defense with a -3 for Patty Plus Influence. Demy needed to roll 13 or less. He rolled a 10}

MISHA fired his power blast at Ratman

VAVOOM! The blast missed.

{GM Note: MISHA needed a 12 or less to hit. He rolled a 15.}

Demy fired pistol at Ratman attempting to stun him.

ZOM! The shot missed.

{GM Note:  Demy need a 13 or less to hit. He rolled a 16}

[ 2] As for Erdbeben, he's caught flat footed by all of the sudden activity and ended up being the last one through the portal. He blasted the first target he saw, which was Behemoth, with his vibro blast.

VARR! Behemoth rolled with the blast and yelled in frustration, not pain. “Alright little man it’s on! It’s you and me now!”

{GM Note: Erdbeben either saw Electrocutioner or Behemoth first. Because of Behemoth’s size and distinctive appearance, I decided Behemoth was the easiest Destroyer for Erdbeben to identify and target.}

{Erdbeben needed a 19 or less to hit. He rolled a 11. He rolled 32 points of damage. Behemoth rolled with all the damage}.


<Turns and Actions due August 30th >

 

After Battle Conditions (Mighty Protectors character data):

Adamas                        Hit Points:   24 Power Points:   50      

Black Orchid                Hit Points:   24 Power Points:   89        Invisible

StrikeForce                 Hit Points:   31 Power Points:   93      

Dr. Wildman                 Hit Points:   20 Power Points:   50        Form: Human with Armor   Transform: 9 left

Patty Plus                    Hit Points:   15 Power Points:   55        Non-Corporeal

Erdbeben                     Hit Points:   46 Power Points:   56       

Rubicon                       Hit Points:   20 Power Points:   66        Absorption Protection

MISHA                          Hit Points:   41 Power Points:   99       

Dreamweaver               Hit Points:   13 Power Points:   56

Blizzard                       Hit Points:   12 Power Points:   51

 

Phase of Action for next turn:

[14]       Adamas

[  9]      Dr. Wildman

[  7]      Blizzard

[  5]      Black Orchid

[  4]      Patty Plus

[  4]      StrikeForce

[  2]      Erdbeben

[  2]      Rubicon

[  2]      M.I.S.H.A.

[  2]      Dreamweaver

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Thanks again for all the work on these issues!

I forget, do we have sufficient intel on the Destroyers' powers?

I don't want to use any unfair knowledge (having DDwtD since it came out)!

- Marc

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Thanks for your kind words.  It great to know what I am doing is appreciated

The players were briefed by CHESS and Adamas fought them before.  So you know generally about what they can do and their threat level.

The players wouldn't know all of Annihilator's, Shapeshifter's, and Chrysalis powers but for the rest theirs are known.

Tom  

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In all fairness, I kept hearing the Peter Gabirel song in your eyes in my head, the whole time I was reading the episode. :)

Loved it, I'm good to be the first one through the breach, I know I go first, but I'm not really in control of my actions at this point, so I'll follow the team’s lead.

Jon

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Really enjoyed this issue. Just noticed it in my mail today, not sure why it didn't show up until now. I feel like I am already behind on my characters' actions. I'll work on my response this weekend. I am hoping to have it done on time. I hope that I haven't held anyone else up on their characters' actions. If I have, please accept my apologies. I hope that everyone is doing well.

Jamey

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No problem.  As far as I can tell you are holding no one up.

Tom

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Hi everyone, I have been on vacation for 2 weeks so will be back to reality from Monday. Will post then if that's ok.

Hope you guys are all well.

Cheers

Steve

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I missed this too. Glad to see traffic and look forward to see how this plays out. I'll respond this weekend after some review.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Greg

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OOC: Alright, I know Adamas wants to engage Behemoth, and StrikeForce will target Iron Maiden (if possible). Does anyone else have a preferred target? Just asking so that we are not leaving any of The Destroyers without a "dance partner". If we can only enter two by two, I would propose entering in this order.

1. Adamas and Dr. Wildman. They are already linked, so to speak, and it would be good to send in a couple of heavy hitters to begin with.

2. Rubicon and M.I.S.H.A. They are a package deal, and it would seem right to split them up.

3. Erdbeben and StrikeForce. Erdbeben, this is as close to the rear as we can keep you, and still allow...

4.Black Orchid to sneak in invisible.

Everyone's input is appreciated.

Thanks.

Jamey

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Rubicon and M.I.S.H.A. can act independently but can benefit from enhanced To Hit when Demy focuses.

I was considering M.I.S.H.A. charging into the line of the 3 or 4 of the Destroyers outside Dr. Wildman’s portal. The intent is to draw as much attention to him (her?) and cause as much carnage as possible firing into and then clawing/biting whomever is in the way. Rubicon can follow firing his blaster pistol set to stun whoever appears to be the free target.  That's pretty general as a starting point but can zero in on details with further direction and feedback.

Greg

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Sounds good to me. I thought that Demy and M.I.S.H.A. would work best together, being able to engage 3 or 4 targets at once would be really help out the team. Glad that you are up for a challenge Greg.

Jamey

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"Well THIS is getting interesting," Patty says. "I'll see if I can't distract the Destroyers."

She turns invisible, then moves at her maximum astral speed to the door of the room the Destroyers are in. Turning visible again (but still in her astral form) she yells "BOO!" at the top of her lungs.

OOC: My goal here is to do a ... persuasion? type check to see if I can distract some of the Destroyers from watching the portal to give the New Crusaders that much more of an advantage.

Best,

Shane

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OOC:

Ok, how about this - M.I.S.H.A. & Rubicon perform multiple actions as much as possible doing the following:

I am thinking of having M.I.S.H.A. start his turn in the yellow "1" square.

Charging at full speed while firing his plasma canon with the attempt at ramming into as many available targets directly in line upon egress from the portal.  Specifically:Electrocutioner, Shapeshipter, Annihalator, and Iron Maiden.  His intent is to not come to stop until he goes through the wall that Iron Maiden currently resides by, whether that is mechanically allowable or something interrupts him, that is the goal.

If there is any opportunity to continue the attacks of the those in reach he will claw and bite as much as he can in melee.

He will Push on his applicable abilities to do any of the above as well.

Rubicon start his turn stacked behind M.I.S.H.A. in blue square "2".  He can also start "above" or "below" M.I.S.H.A.'s "2" square should others need it.

Demy moves in from there entering Dr. Wildman's portal tactically with pistol set to stun, aiming and ready to target any Destroyers.

He will choose those he observes not currently engaged first and then any he can get a clean shot off on without hitting an ally.

He will attempt to open and exit the far door between Chrysalis and Iron Maiden if MISHA does break through the far wall, if possible, to provide some breathing room.

If he can't, he would like to end his movement at either of the selected squares in the Security Room.

Either way, we will continue to draw fire and target anyone he can.

I think we started the attack on the building with our defenses activated, but if not, Demy will ensure he expends the PR to do so prior to initiating his movement into the portal.


Sorry, that's pretty sterile, but wanted to talk tactics before I did anything in character, and it not pan out.

 I'll respond with my IC turn accordingly pending other Team coordination.

 Let me know your thoughts all.

 Looking forward to this!!!

Greg

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OOC: I think Dr Wildman's plan is to 'hang back' keeping the portal open as the Crusaders enter the room; 'causing' Adamas to fly straight at Behemoth and push him. The plan would be to continue to use Adamas' vision to respawn the portal behind Behemoth so Behemoth and Adamas fly through it (Dr Strange style) - porting them to a safe place (for the general public) so they can have their super smack down without damaging too much (The pyramids of Egypt would make an amazing cinematic background for these two powerhouses!).

If all goes well William would follow them both through the portal to the pyramids to aid Adamas (I have an idea for this as well but one stage at a time, eh?)

Steve

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For MISHA, his blast would attack Electrocutioner first. If it causes knock back, he could ram Shapeshifter. That is where MISHA stops this turn even if Shapeshifter is knocked back. Next turn he can ram the next Destroyers. It will take at least 2 turns for MISHA to reach the wall.

Tom

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Checking Dr. Wildman's character sheet, the Teleportation portal has a range of 700 miles. Egypt is too far. It will have to be somewhere in Megalopolis. The Refuge Islands (specifically the Steading and the Island it is on) and Crusader Citadel are memorized anywhere else is considered a Blind Teleport.

Where do you want to open the Portal?

Tom

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Yes, Shane. You can use the persuasion task attempt to have them focus on Patty Plus instead of the Portal.

Thanks

Tom

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Thanks for clarifying Tom.

Shane, that sounds hilarious. If Demy knows about Patty's intent, he'll only move to one of any available squares above Electrocutioner to engage Ratman.

I don't want to interrupt Patty's Boo!

Greg

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 Tom,

StrikeForce's preferred target is Iron Maiden, if he is unable to reach her, he will engage the Destroyer nearest to him. He attacks with his Escrima sticks.

Jamey

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How many attacks will StrikeForce make?

Tom

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 How many can he make? He will "push" to increase his chances, especially if it is Iron Maiden.

Jamey

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Increasing your chance to hit is one of the few things that Pushing can't do. You can push Damage but have to declare before knowing whether you hit or not.

2 attacks is  -1 on each  attack

4 attacks is -4 on each attack

Additional increase of -3 after that.

Thanks

Tom

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 It's the steading then...don't break my house too much Adamas! eep 😬

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As for Erdbeben, he's caught flat footed by all of the sudden activity and ends up being the last one through the portal. He'll blast the first target he sees with his vibro blast and then start to consider if anybody needs a medic, yet.

Paul

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If it is Iron Maiden, he will make 2 attacks and push damage. If one of the others, 2 attacks without pushing damage. That seems like it represents how he feels about what she cost him.

Jamey

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Steve,

Behemoth vs. Adamas?! I'm sorry my friend, but I hope Dr. Wildman has his insurance up to date. It is practically a requirement to live and work in Megalopolis. StrikeForce will be willing to assist in repairs if you need him. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.😁

Jamey

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"OK, I think I'll target Ratman since he has the potential to make things worse before you know it." The Black Orchid readies herself for the assault.

Marc

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Black Orchid will target Ratman with what? I would guess Vacuum Blast but she could punch him or try to grapple him.

Tom

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I love the double teleport idea.  Adamas will push his str and flight speed to try to take Behemoth through the portal, so he'll be holding his action until Dr. Wildman goes.  If someone gets in trouble before he goes, he'll change plans and autoblast if needed.

Jon

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Sorry, always the vacuum blast; punching is not her strong suit!

Marc

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Here's a thought. If Dr. Wildman's teleport is via a portal, can he just create a portal to outside of the building, however many stories we are above the ground, and then just push Behemoth through it?

Paul

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If I understand correctly, I think they're trying to get Adamas and Behemoth far, far away because the fight will be super destructive.

Shane

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This would be kind of the reverse of what happened to Tommy/Monolith falling from the Space Needle in the Elementals comic while fighting Behemoth.

Greg

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Shane, you didn't tell me where Patty Plus is going to enter the room. Is she next to Iron Maiden or Behemoth or somewhere else in the room? I need to know where to place her on the map. Different locations won't give you any bonuses, but I want to place her where you want her.

All, Patty Plus' action is on Phase 3. I presume your characters are coordinating and waiting until after her action. If your PC is not, please let me know.

Thanks

Tom

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Yep, I said "the door" but that's not very descriptive, is it? Sorry! :D

This is where I see her. The goal would be to direct as much attention to her as possible but to be opposite the portal. As a reminder, she can be heard and seen but is still astral.


 Best,

Shane

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Tom,

StrikeForce will wait until after Patty Plus's action to do his attack.

Jamey

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