Megalopolis: Crusade - Issue 92: Do You Believe in Magic?

William interlocked his fingers and pushed out letting his fingers click as he stretched his arms out. He watched as the human skin turned rough, scaled, and green. The 'Armour' spell never ceased to unnerve him, but it was a necessary and often lifesaving part of his mystic arsenal. He shook out his hands and watched as lightning arced between his fingers.

"Here we go then..." he mused as the Cloak of Storms lifted him into the air. He flew towards the din of battle.

As William glides towards the melee in a standing position, with his newly reacquired Cloak of Storms billowing behind him he speaks over the shared comms: “Hello everyone. So, not to put too finer point on this but about 500 feet below us is a deathly hollow of a cave hiding a device designed to mentally control whole communities of people. It’s currently being occupied by Dr Dumbledork and his Hogwarts rejects. Anyway, I've just escaped from there, so we probably need to wrap this up pretty quick - as they are probably not too far behind me!"

Inside the lab

[7] Listening to Dr. Wildman's update via radio, Patty chuckled ruefully. "Well, we knew this would get pear-shaped sooner or later, but it sounds like a pretty prickly pear!! We gotta take this little trash out quick, everyone!!"

Realizing Enforcer is being impeded from using his big ordinance, she grabbed a nearby SLAM {SLAM 10} and tossed it away from her into a clear area of the room so Enforcer could hit it with explosive rounds.

Patty grabbed the Android Tech by the shoulders, lifted him up and threw him away from the scrum.

WHAM! SLAM 10 flew into the wall on the other side of the lab. SLAM 10 fell prone to the floor. It rolled with the damage and was still able to fight.

{GM Note: Patty Plus needed 13 or less to grab and throw. She rolled a 10. SLAM 10 was tossed for 7” from damage points rolled. Its mass roll was 2. SLAM 10 flew 5 inches into the wall taking 1 point of damage to its power points. It failed its Agility Save and is now prone}

[5] StrikeForce continued to fight the SLAMs in the room.

WHIFF! StrikeForce missed with his first escrima attack as the android side stepped the blow.

{GM Note: StrikeForce needed a 16 or less, he rolled a 19, missed.}

WHIFF! StrikeForce missed with his second escrima attack as the android used his large tool to redirect the strike away from him.

{GM Note: StrikeForce needed a 16 or less, he rolled an 18, missed.}

[4] Powercell sidestepped to have clear shots at SLAM 2 and 9. “Good strategy, Patty! We need to spread them out to give all a better chance at taking them down.” Powercell fired 2 lightning bolts, one each at SLAM 2 and 9

KKZZKTT! The lightning bolt hit SLAM 2. It dropped to the floor in a spasm of twitches and jerks as its circuits fried and fused together. It was incapacitated

{GM Note: Powercell needed a 12 or less, rolled a 13, He hit for 17 points of damage. The android’s protection stopped 3 points of damage. It rolled with 4 points to Power Points. SLAM 2 had only 2 Hit Points. The remainder went to Power Points for a total reduction of 12 points to Power. SLAM 2 was incapacitated.}

KKZZKTT! The lightning bolt missed SLAM 9.

{GM Note: Powercell needed a 12 or less, rolled a 16, missed.}

[3] SLAM 3 said, “We often miss opportunity to beat you down because it’s dressed in sweat and blood and looks like work, but I am willing to put it the work to end you” It swung its large weapon at StrikeForce

BAM! The Large tool struck StrikeForce in the shoulder. He rolled with the damage and is still able to fight.

{GM Note: SLAM 3 needed 15 or less, rolled 9. The android did 10 points of damage. StrikeForce’s protection stopped 6 points of damage, rolling with the remaining 4 points of damage. -4 to Power Points. He is still able to fight}

[2] Demy peripherally saw the ensuing fight between the New Crusaders and these mechanicals.

It looked like the team was making some progress on taking out these androids, just not fast enough.

After gauging the initial attacks, Demy figured it best to focus fire on specific targets who appeared to be damaged most to deplete their numbers.

Patty was holding her own, but he wanted to ensure she wasn't overwhelmed.

M.I.S.H.A. was a mass of swinging limbs, claws, and her ferocious visage. Funny how this was, he wasn't certain if this was by design by her creators, but he saw (felt?) that she was becoming.....more....intense came to mind. Perhaps it was to incite fear and intimidation or was it something else?).

If M.I.S.H.A. experienced any pain from the damage received to her leg, Rubicon didn't feel it.

"Oprovergat' ....", Demy said as he observed his H.U.D. of M.I.S.H.A.'s operating system details, she was imposing redirection of her energies to initiate self-healing. Hopefully that would last so she could continue to help Patty draw attention in the fight.

Just then, outside the building at about the same time hearing Dr. Wildman's warning of impending danger, Demy heard a rumble and felt the now familiar vibrations that could only be Erdbeben. He was hopeful this was a good thing and was holding his own out there.

"Da!", Demy said in response to Dr. Wildman over the commlink. "Call it if we need to exfil and rendezvous to next location".

Demy took aim again to increase his hit chance and fired at SLAM 8.

BLAM! The shot hit SLAM 8 in the chest. It rolled with the damage. It was still able to fight.

{GM Note: Rubicon need 15 or less, rolled a 5. He rolled 9 points of damage. SLAM 8’s protection stopped 4 of the damage points. It rolled with the remaining 5 to Power Points. It could still fight}

He had M.I.S.H.A. multi-attack. M.I.S.H.A. bit into SLAM 5.

CHOMP! The android jerk and jolted in the maw of the Cybernetic Bear. It stopped functioning powering down as all its systems shut down.

{GM Note: M.I.S.H.A. need 8 or less, rolled a 3. She rolled 12 points of damage. SLAM 5’s protections stopped 4. It rolled with 4 points to Power Points. SLAM 5 had only 2 Hit Points left. It is incapacitated.}

M.I.S.H.A. switched her claw attacks to SLAM 1.

WHIFF! M.I.S.H.A.’s claw swipe missed as SLAM 1 ducked under it.

{GM Note: M.I.S.H.A. need 6 or less, rolled a 9, missed.}

WHIFF! M.I.S.H.A’s claw swipe missed as SLAM 1 jumped backwards in time to avoid it.

{GM Note: M.I.S.H.A. need 6 or less, rolled a 16, missed.}

"Da!", Demy said in response to Dr. Wildman over the commlink. "Call it if we need to exfil and rendezvous to next location".

"Roger that; will keep eyes on the skies" replied Dr Wildman as he floated towards the cacophony of collapsing buildings and combating androids. From his vantage point he scans the horizon for incoming mystics!

[2] SLAM 10 stood up. “Grit is what stands the test of combat. I have grit down to my circuits, what about you?”

[1] Enforcer said, “I have the bullet especially made to remove grit.” He fired at SLAM 10.

KABOOM! SLAM 10 was engulfed in the bullet explosion. When the smoke cleared SLAM 10 laying on the ground incapacitated with pieces of it missing.

{GM Note: Enforcer fired an area attack. He needed to roll 19 or less to hit the spot, rolled an 11. SLAM 10 tried to dive out of the 3” area blast. It needed an 8 or less (Defense of 2 plus 9 minus 9, 3 for every 1 inch in the area attack, plus 6 for diving to land prone. It rolled 13. SLAM 10 failed. The explosion caused 15 points of damage. Android’s protection stopped 3 points. It rolled with 4 points to Power Points. It took 8 points of damage to Hit Points. That is all it had left. SLAM 10 was incapacitated.}

[1] SLAM 8 attempted to move next to M.I.S.H.A. Patty blocked its path preventing it from getting closer to her teammate’s companion. SLAM 8 said “We are all connected; To each other, by my weapon!” It swung its large tool at Patty.

BAM! SLAM 8 struck Patty’s shield, she rolled with the blow which penetrated her shielding. Patty still could fight.

{GM Note: SLAM 8 tried to move through Patty’ zone of control. Since she tried to stop it, it had to roll a save vs a Target of 7 (10 plus its Defense of 2 minus Patty’s Defense of 5), rolled 9. Patty prevented SLAM 8 from moving.

SLAM 8 needed 12 or less to hit Patty, rolled 3. It did 9 points of damage. 7 points were stopped by reflection leaving 2 points to reduce her Power Points.

Patty needed 12 or less to reflect the 7 points of damage to SLAM 8, rolled 20 and 12. Missed}

{GM Note: Section 4.14 Combat Maneuvers on page 114 starts the section with certain unique fighting situations require special modifications to the basic combat rules.

Section 4.144 on page 116 are the special modifications for Coordinate Attack. Groups of characters may attempt to combine their attacks by attacking simultaneously. All of the participants must attack on the same phase. Each attacker suffers a -3 penalty to hit.

Each of the participants who hits rolls damage. Protection is applied separately vs the damage for each hit, but the target may only roll vs damage once, divided amount all of the simultaneous attacks (round down).

I am providing the rules because the SLAM 1 and 9 are performing a Coordinated Attack against M.I.S.H.A.}

[1] SLAM 1 and 9 swung their weapons at M.I.S.H.A. in a coordinated attack to bring the Cyber Beast down. SLAM 1 said, “Science advances one funeral at a time” and SLAM 9 replied, “I believe that I am supposed to make that funeral this foul beast’s.”

WHAM! WHAM! Both attacks hit M.I.S.H.A. M.I.S.H.A. flew into the wall next to StrikeForce. It was knocked prone.

The Cyber Bear was hurt, lying on the floor but still able to fight.

{GM Note: SLAM 1 needed 14 or less to hit M.I.S.H.A., rolled 4. It did 6 points of damage. M.I.S.H.A rolled with 2 points to its Power Points. M.I.S.H.A. received 4 points of damage to Hit Points}

{GM Note: SLAM 9 needed 14 or less to hit M.I.S.H.A., rolled 3. It did 13 points of damage. M.I.S.H.A rolled with 2 points to its Power Points. M.I.S.H.A. received 11 points of damage to Hit Points M.I.S.H.A rolled 6 for Mass roll. M.I.S.H.A was knocked back 25 feet. After 5 feet, M.I.S.H.A smashed into the wall making a 3 inch hole. Since that is too small for M.I.S.H.A. to go through it took 4 points of damage from hitting the wall. M.I.S.H.A. rolled with -4 to Power Points. M.I.S.H.A had to make an Agility save not to fall prone of the floor. It needed an 11 or less, rolled a 14. M.I.S.H.A. is prone. M.I.S.H.A. will have to spend it full turn getting up or attempt an Agility save to get using all its movement or its action for the turn}

[7] Invisible, Black Orchid is continuing to lock in Cyberians and Robots until she feels they are mostly pulled in I assume that will take the whole round. Black Orchid noticed someone was changing mission parameters on the Skyberions. She pulled up the area of the system. Cyberdoom was changing their mission from protecting and capturing intruders to the Island to attacking the New Crusaders on the base. Tracing the network connections Black Orchid discovered that Cyberdoom was in the underwater base that Adamas had spotted. She scoured the network and found where the Seaberions mission parameters were kept. Analyzing her options she could:

· Oppose the Skyberions reprogramming that Cyberdoom was doing

· Reprogram the Seaberions to attack the underwater base and Cyberdoom

· Reinforce her programming which had the buildings in lock down which kept the Cyberions was moving

· Shut down the underwater tubes shuttle system which would between movement between islands and the underwater base

· Shutdown 3 gigantic Dynamos which powered the majority of island except for the ones with offline backup generators

{GM Note: This will use the Opposition to Saves/Tasks rules in Section 3.0.2.4. Black Orchid would use her Intelligence save value of 14. She can spend 2 Power Points for +2 to Save target. Cyberdoom will oppose will be a minus to the target for every point over 10. Black Orchid can use 1 action to perform a Task and all movement to perform a Task; 2 Tasks/Saves per turn}

[6] If there is no sign of impending arcane assault he will float down to Blizzard in the airship and administer a healing potion to the downed cryogenic Crusader.

Blizzard healed and tried to wake up but didn’t

{GM Note: Blizzard needed to roll a 7 or less, rolled 15}

[5] Erdbeben coughed and spat as the dust and debris settled from most of the building collapsing. The explosion on the other side of the building didn't help either.

He was a little disappointed to see most of the killbots getting up. He'd hoped they would have been taken down by the building.

Looking around at all of the destruction, he was beginning to feel a bit like a psycho kill in a land down under.

Either way, the job wasn't finished. He targeted the closest two killbots and fired a vibration blast at each of them.

VARR! The vibe blast hit Worker 1. It withstood the blast rolling with less than half the damage, but it didn’t fall. Worker 1 was still able to fight.

{GM Note: Erdbeben needed 13 or less to hit, rolled 12. Erdbeben did 17 points of damage. The Androids protection stopped 4 points. It rolled with 5 points reducing its Power Points and had -8 to Hit Points. It still has Hit Points left so it can still fight}

VARR! The vibe blast hit Worker 3. It withstood the blast rolling with more than half the damage, but it didn’t fall. Worker 3 was still able to fight.

{GM Note: Erdbeben needed 13 or less to hit, rolled 2. Erdbeben did 11 points of damage. The Androids protection stopped 4 points. It rolled with 5 points reducing its Power Points and had -2 to Hit Points. It still has Hit Points left so it can still fight}

[4] Worker 1 said, “Okay, so that is how you want to be. We’ll dance until morning, ‘til there’s just you and me.” Worker 1 fired his blaster at Erdbeben.

VOOM! The power blast from the blaster pistol hit Erdbeben. He rolled with the damage and was still able to fight.

{GM Note: Worker 1 needed 11 or less to hit, rolled 4. Erdbeben is in heavy cover, on 14 or less the cover protects him, rolled 17. It rolled 4 points of damage. Erdbeben rolled with 3 damage to Power Points. -1 to Hit Points. He has more than half his Hit Points. He could still fight}

[3] Worker 5 ran toward Erdbeben, yelling “Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty because you bring that house down on top of me, isn’t it a pity I didn’t stay down too?” It swung a fist at Erdbeben.

SWISH! Worker 5’s attack missed.

{GM Note: Worker 5 needed 9 or less to hit, rolled 11, missed.}

[2] Worker 3 said, “even if time ain’t really on my side It’s one of those days for take the fight to your side.” He fired his pistol blaster at Erdbeben

VOOM! The power blast from the blaster pistol hit Erdbeben. He rolled with the damage and was still able to fight.

{GM Note: Worker 3 needed 11 or less to hit, rolled 3. Erdbeben is in light cover, on 6 or less the cover protects him, rolled 17. It rolled 4 points of damage. Erdbeben rolled with 3 damage to Power Points. -1 to Hit Points. He has more than half his Hit Points. He could still fight}

[0] M.I.S.H.A. healed 11 Hit Points.

{GM note: M.I.S.H.A heals 10 Hit Points automatically. Needs to roll 7 or less to heal 1 extra. Rolled 6 and 10. Healed 1 extra Power Point}

[0] Blizzard did not wake up.

{GM Note: Blizzard needed to roll 7 or less, rolled 8}

<Turns and Actions due August 5^th>

Battle Conditions (Mighty Protectors character data):

Adamas Hit Points: 22 Power Points: 72 Gone

Black Orchid Hit Points: 24 Power Points: 92 Invisible

Dr. Wildman Hit Points: 12 Power Points: 53 Form (9): Man; Armor; Control (2): Shark; Flight: 8”

Erdbeben Hit Points: 44 Power Points: 30

Patty Plus Hit Points: 15 Power Points: 38 Corporeal, Using Reflection ability.

StrikeForce Hit Points: 31 Power Points: 91

Rubicon Hit Points: 20 Power Points: 64 Absorption Protection

MISHA Hit Points: 31 Power Points: 40 Prone

Blizzard Hit Points: 5 Power Points: 37 Unconscious

Enforcer Hit Points: 12 Power Points: 58 Forcefield up

Powercell Hit Points: 13 Power Points: 26 Electric Aura on

Manta-Man Hit Points: 13 Power Points: 66 Gone

Next Turn Action Order

[ 7] StrikeForce

[ 5] Patty Plus

[ 4] Black Orchid

[ 3] Powercell

[ 2] Dr. Wildman

[ 2] Erdbeben

[ 1] Rubicon & M.I.S.H.A.

[ 1] Enforcer

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"Here we go then..." he mused as the Cloak of Storms lifted him into the air. He flew towards the din of battle.

Steve

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StrikeForce will continue to fight the slam's in the room. If they get taken care of he will move into the next room and continue to take out the opponents.

Jamey

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Erdbeben coughed and spat as the dust and debris settled from most of the building collapsing. The explosion on the other side of the building didn't help either.

He was a little disappointed to see most of the killbots getting up. He'd hoped they would have been taken down by the building.

Looking around at all of the destruction, he was beginning to feel a bit like a psycho kill in a land down under.

Either way, the job wasn't finished. He targeted the closest two killbots and fired a vibration blast at each of them.

OOC: Sorry for the late submission. Been a busy last couple of weeks for me, as well.

Paul

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No problem, I understand how it is.

Tom

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Listening to Dr. Wildman's update via radio, Patty chuckles ruefully. "Well, we knew this would get pear-shaped sooner or later but it sounds like a pretty prickly pear!! We gotta take this little trash out quick, everyone!!"

Realizing Enforcer is being impeded from using his big ordinance, she attempts to grab a nearby SLAM and toss it away from her into a clear area of the room so Enforcer can hit it with explosive rounds.

Shane

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IC:

Demy peripherally saw the ensuing fight between the New Crusaders and these mechanicals.

It looked like the team was making some progress on taking out these androids, just not fast enough.

After gauging the initial attacks, Demy figured it best to focus fire on specific targets who appeared to be damaged most to deplete their numbers.

Patty was holding her own, but he wanted to ensure she wasn't overwhelmed.

If M.I.S.H.A. experienced any pain from the damage received to her leg, Rubicon didn't feel it.

"Da!", Demy said in response to Dr. Wildman over the commlink. "Call it if we need to exfil and rendezvous to next location".

Demy will take aim again to increase his hit chance and fire at SLAM 8.

He will have M.I.S.H.A. will multi-attack again like last turn but will focus her Claw/Claw/Bite attacks on SLAM 5, switching her next attack to SLAM 1, then SLAM 9 should any fall along the way.

Greg

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"Da!", Demy said in response to Dr. Wildman over the commlink. "Call it if we need to exfil and rendezvous to next location".

If there is no sign of impending arcane assault he will float down to Blizzard in the airship and administer a healing potion to the downed cryogenic Crusader.

Steve

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I'm so sorry Tom,

I've been feeling really uninspired lately, and have let things slip through the cracks

I think Black Orchid is continuing to lock in Cyberians and Robots until she feels they are mostly pulled in I assume that will take the whole round.

Marc

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Not an issue. It can be tough to push through. Thanks for giving me what you did.

Tom

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Messed up Quotes Easter Eggs

“Truth is what stands the test of experience” - Albert Einstein (SLAM 10)

“I believed I was where I was supposed to be.” - Katherine Johnson (SLAM 9)

““We are all connected; To each other, biologically. To the earth, chemically. To the rest of the universe atomically.” – Neil deGrasse Tyson (SLAM 8)

“We often miss opportunity because it’s dressed in overalls and looks like work.” – Thomas Edison (SLAM 3)

“Science advances one funeral at a time” – Max Planck (SLAM 1)

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Saturday, March 14, 2026

Crusade - Issue 92: Do You Believe in Magic?