Quest: I'm Not Done with You Yet! - Issue 48

Location: Hidden Tomb of Cor on Easter Island

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

The eternal child gasped at the presence of another ancient guardian! His usual, playful smile disappeared. "What are you doing here!" he demanded in righteous indignation. 

The Tentacle Horror from the Well of Dead replied, “I have always been here. I have maintained my duties where you have acted like the little child you earth guardians are. I am the protector of the Portal to the Domain. Here I am and here I will stand.

Red Hawk asked Thunderhead if he knew how the Scythe was able to absorb the souls of the living. Red Hawk said, “I was thinking the Horror creature might be a good one to use the Scythe against in this fashion?”

Thunderhead didn't know exactly but he believed hitting the opponent with it was required.

Focusing on his amulet, Red Hawk thought, “Black Orchid, Clark says the Scythe needs a soul to work properly. I hate to ask but we I think we will need its power against C'tegorf.”

The Black Orchid sucked in her breath at seeing the statues come to life and relayed over the amulet. "Give me the word Team Leader and I'll use the scythe on squid-face!"

"No!" Clark pleaded through the telepathic amulet.

"Don't become like Jacco! Resist the Scythe's temptation, and its curse, as did its former guardian!" Clark said, referring to his lost love.

Red Hawk held off on giving Black Orchid the go to attempt to turn the enemy's power against them and charge the staff with the soul of the demonic horror. "I'm confused Clark. You're okay with leaving an insane old man to die in a block of ice but this you have a problem with? We know the souls can be released later. Orchid are you sure you're okay with this? I'll do it if need be. I don't think I have a soul for the Scythe to imperil if that is the problem."

Thunderhead replied "Jacco has already been destroyed, driven mad by his warped quest for dark, arcane power.  Don't let Black Orchid join him! 

"Why do you think the last Guardian never used the Scythe?"

[35] Adamas’ eyes began to glow red, "I'm not done with you yet!"

As the tentacle terror attacked the team Titan, Adamas pulled him back, and unleashed an Auto-fire Power Blast to his face.

“Let him try to rap his tentacles around that!”

Adamas fired 4 power blasts. The first blast missed the tentacle terror.

The second blast hit and the Horror rolled with the damage.

The third blast hit but the Horror rolled with the damage and remained standing.

The fourth blast struck the Horror in the face. The Horror rolled with the damage and continued to fight.

[31] On the other side of the tomb's supernatural guardian, the man of yesteryear retaliated against the Horror's vicious claw attack. The two-fisted titan manifested the power of the Incan goddess of the storm to summon a bolt of lightning!

KRAKA-BOOM!!! Thunder roared as twin jagged, white-hot arcs of electricity flew from Clark's eyes at the writhing, tentacle Horror!

The Horror cried out in pain as it was struck by both attacks. The Tentacle Terror fell to the ground incapacitated.

[29] Centurion X delayed his action as he watched the 3 Beetle-Warrior Horrors. He was prepared to protect his teammates from them.

[27] The otherworldly spirit of winter let loose an icy blast at the Beetle-Warrior Horror #1’s legs, so that if any ice accumulated from the attack, it would hinder the monster's movement. ZING!

The ice blast missed.

[27] Red Hawk evaded as he struggled with the burden that leadership had placed on him.

[24] Beetle-Warrior Horror #3 swung his pike at Thunderhead. The Horror attacked off balance, tripped, and fell to the ground when he missed with his pike strike.

[22] The Black Orchid silently evaded as she waited for the Guardians’ team leader to give the word.

[21] Beetle-Warrior Horror #1 moved toward Jack Frost while raising his pike.

[21] CX attempted to intercept the attack with his metal shield but wasn’t able to move it across the room in time.

{GM Note: CX has to roll a successful to hit to get his shield in place. I am using the framework of the counterblast rules to determine CX’s attempts to provide metal shielding from attacks}

[21] Beetle-Warrior Horror #1 pike struck Jack Frost in the side, wounding the immortal guardian. Jack was still able to fight.

{Gm Note: Horror did 15 damage points, -6 Power Points and -9 Hit Points}

[18] Since his last shot missed, Starbolt used his energy construct to attempt to pin the closest opponent to the wall. He constructed a clamp with an attached wedge that had a textured bottom to grip the floor. "No sense risking hitting one of my teammates if I miss." He thought to himself.   He attempted to fly back towards the doorway to keep out of the team’s way.

"Nice move Starbolt. Let's see if we can take advantage of that." Red Hawk said.

Starbolt said, "I hope it helps. It is quite the ugly convention they have going on."

The clamp missed. It struck the wall.

To the team he said aloud, "If anyone needs me to help, just let me know."

[16] Horror #2 struck Adamas in the back with his pike. The blow was not strong enough to even faze Adamas.

{GM Note: Horror did 13 damage points, -13 to Invulnerability}

<Replies and Actions due May 10^th >

Battle Conditions:

Adamas                        Hit Points:   41  Power Points:   72         Invulnerability: 11

Black Orchid                 Hit Points:   30  Power Points:   87         Willpower Defense active and invisible

Centurion X                   Hit Points: 138  Power Points:   94         Magnetic Defense active

Jack Frost                    Hit Points:   15  Power Points:   56         Ice Defense active

Red Hawk                    Hit Points:   74  Power Points:   30   Invulnerability:10; Vib Def act; Willpow 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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Attention Players: It has been portrayed for the last 2 issues but it might have been too subtle. I want to you be aware of the situation especially for this issue. Adamas left his amulet with Donnah. He can NOT hear your PCs with they communicate with thoughts using the amulet. Please keep this in mind this turn. Adamas can NOT hear you unless you speak out loud.

I have updated the Website with all the back issues, so if you want to read what each Player Character experienced during the Fog of War in the Tomb of Cor, you can read them now.

Thanks

Tom

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Regarding the amulet, I thought that would be a nice twist going into this... glad you caught it. ;) 

Jon 

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Adamas IC: Adamas eyes begin to glow red, "I'm not done with you yet!" 

As the tentacle terror attacks the team Titan, Adamas pulls him back, and unleashes an Auto-fire Power Blast to his face. 

Let him try to rap his tentacles around that! 

Jon 

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How many blasts do you fire with the autoblast. Please be aware because of the close quarters any misses I will need to roll to see if they hit someone else.

I did that is the last issue with Starbolt's miss. I rolled to see if he hit Adamas. I just forgot to include it in the issue.

Thanks

Tom

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I thought I had responded to this, but can't find my response. 

Four blasts either way, and let's try to line him up with one of the beetle guys in case of a miss.  :) 

Jon 

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Since his last shot missed, Starbolt will use his energy construct in an attempt to pin the closest opponent to the wall. He constructs a clamp with an attached wedge that has a textured bottom to grip the floor. "No sense risking hitting one of my teammates if I miss." He thinks to himself.   He will attempt to fly back towards the doorway to keep out of the team’s way.

To the team he says aloud, "If anyone needs me to help, just let me know."

Jamey

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Jack Frost:

The eternal child gasped at the presence of another ancient guardian! His usual, playful smile disappeared. "What are you doing here!" he demanded in righteous indignation. 

Regardless of the answer, the otherworldly spirit of winter let loose an icy blast at the Horror's legs, so that if any ice accumulated from the attack, it would hinder the monster's movement. ZING!

Thunderhead:

On the other side of the tomb's supernatural guardian, the man of yesteryear retaliated against the Horror's vicious claw attack. The two-fisted titan manifested the power of the Incan goddess of the storm to summon a bolt of lightning!

KRAKA-BOOM!!! Thunder roared as twin jagged, white-hot arcs of electricity flew from Clark's eyes at the writhing, tentacle Horror!

Thanks.

Best,

Jeff

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Thunderhead:

"No!" Clark pleaded through the telepathic amulet.

"Don't become like Jacco! Resist the Scythe's temptation, and its curse, as did its former guardian!" Clark said, referring to his lost love.

Jeff

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Let's go with four.

Jon

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OOC: Thank you for communicating the issue with the Adamas Tom.

I was likely one of the perpetrators.

I will ask later for Red Hawk IC but I am curious does Thunderhead know how the Scythe is able to absorb the souls of the living? I was thinking the Horror creature might be a good one to use the Scythe against in this fashion? Yes it's xeno-ist but killing robots and monsters is okay. Bruce Timm said so. :-)

Thanks

John

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Thunderhead doesn't know exactly but he believes hitting the opponent with it is required.

Tom

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Thunderhead will thought-send that information to the artificial man.

More later! 

Jeff

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<Red Hawk: IC> "Nice move Starbolt. Let's see if we can take advantage of that."

Focusing on his amulet <<"Black Orchid, Clark says the Scythe needs a soul to work properly. I hate to ask but we I think we will need its power against C'tegorf.

OOC: I will write more IC the angst asking this cause Red Hawk when I do his Action.

John R

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Starbolt IC: "I hope it helps. It is quite the ugly convention they have going on."

Jamey

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Thunderhead:

"No!" Clark pleaded through the telepathic amulet.

"Don't become like Jacco! Resist the Scythe's temptation, and its curse, as did its former guardian!" Clark said, referring to his lost love.

Jeff

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Thunderhead:

"No!" Clark pleaded through the telepathic amulet.

"Don't become like Jacco! Resist the Scythe's temptation, and its curse, as did its former guardian!" Clark said, referring to his lost love

<Red Hawk: IC Response> Holding off on giving Black Orchid the go to attempt to turn the enemy's power against them and charge the staff with the soul of the demonic horror. << "I'm confused Clark. You're okay with leaving an insane old man to die in a block of ice but this you have a problem with? We know the souls can be released later. Orchid are you sure you're okay with this? I'll do it if need be. I don't think I have a soul for the Sythe to imperil if that is the problem." >>

:-)

John

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Thunderhead:

"Jacco has already been destroyed, driven mad by his warped quest for dark, arcane power.  Don't let Black Orchid join him! 

"Why do you think the last Guardian never used the Scythe?"

Jeff

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The Black Orchid sucks in her breath at seeing the statues come to life and relays over the amulet. "Give me the word Team Leader and I'll use the scythe on squid-face!"

Marc

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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 12^th >

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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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 21^st >

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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