Masks: Exalt/Exile Issue 2

[arscott]

http://i.imgur.com/q7DhOEo.png
The Cover to issue #2 shows an underwater scene. The villain Aquaria stands on some sort of unidentifiable rusted ruin, with strands of seaweed snaking up toward the distant surface of the water. The five remaining exalts and the exiles surround her in dramatic drowning poses.

A caption reads: "This Issue: Deep Trouble!"

Illuminator has been keeping you away from Takama-Ga-Hara. The evil organization that is his nemesis. The one that killed your brother. Does he think you need protecting? Are you going to stand for this?


If you decide to investigate Takama-Ga-Hara on your own, decide how you're going to do it. If you do it the way Illuminator would, roll + Superior. If you forge your own path, roll + Danger. On a 10+, Choose 3, and on a 7-9, choose 2:

-You learn something about the Banque Internationale, and how TGH is moving its money
-You learn something about the auction in the warehouse district, and how TGH is securing dangerous new tech
-You learn something about a rival gang who is making a play for TGH's narcotics operation
-You learn something about Izanagi and the rest of the TGH "royal family"
-You learn something about Illuminator, and why he didn't want you investigating this (don't choose this if you rolled with superior)
-Takama-Ga-Hara doesn't realize you're asking questions about them (don't choose this if you rolled with danger).

On a miss, choose 1 of the top 3 options, and Illuminator finds out about your inventigations. Give him influence or mark guilty.


Oh, and we should also mention the matter of rent. You don't have much time left to pay that bill.

If you go to Someone who might help:

If it's Illumintor, he pays your rent, no questions asked and no repayment needed. Give him influence over you, though.

If it's another NPC, say who and roll + nothing. On a 10+, they've got it but they're either your new roommate or you'll need to pay them back, as approprate to the circumstances. On a 7-9, they can't solve your problem but they can give you a lead. what direction do they point you in? On a miss, they laugh in your face, mark angry or hopeless.


Anyway, hope you get that dealt with quick, because the clock is ticking.

Best Wishes,
Your Friendly Neighborhood GM

So, you don't live in the best neighbourhood. There are lots of downsides to that, but also one big upside: you don't have to go very far from home to find opportunities for quick superheroics. And since you do have the night free...

If you indulge in some quick superheroics, tell me who from your neighborhood has run into what trouble, and then roll to defend them. On a hit, choose options like normal, and say what you did. On a miss, tell me what went wrong, and I'll tell you who saves the day instead of you.

But then the next night, you have a date! You're finally treating Gina the way she deserves. Tell me what restauraunt you're taking her to, and what other obligation (masked or otherwise) you're ducking out of to make this happen. Then Roll + Mundane.

On a 10+, the eveing is perfect. Gina reveals a secret hope about your future as a couple. Tell me what it is, and then take influence over her. On a 7-9, Gina reveals a secret fear about your future as a couple. Tell me what it is, and then she takes influence over you.

On a miss, something from the superhero world comes crashing into the middle of your date--and that's where you'll start the next issue!

Romance, Amiright?

Best Wishes,
Your Friendly Neighborhood GM

I have some very bad news. Your wheelchair is broken. Also, it's been impounded as evidence by Agent Jackson Gregg (He can be kind of a jerk, if you haven't noticed). Anyway, you need a new one. That's well outside the price range of your 16-year-old self, and I'm not sure insurance covers "turning-into-a-dragon" related replacements.

So, where do you go for help. Tell me who helps you, and roll the label that best describes them.

On a hit, you have a wheelchair, either your old one rescued and restored, or a new one, as appropriate. On a 10+ choose one:
-The chair has some unique feature, installed by the person who helped you get it. Say what your chair can do that most wheelchairs can't.
-The person who helped you also gave you an extra gift. Say what the gift is.
-You know you can count on this person for help again if something else happens to your chair.

On a miss, you still get your wheelchair, but the person who helped you is put in a bad spot by their efforts.

Meanwhile, your mother, Halfrida, is back in Halcyon city after an extended trip to South America. She's promised to take you on a special outing in the city, wherever you want to go, whatever you want to do. What do you choose, and is there anyone else who goes with you?

We'll be finding out what happens on that outing as issue #2 begins.

Best Wishes,
Your Friendly Neighborhood GM

It's important to have time for yourself. It's the only thing that keeps you grounded. And ideally, keeping you grounded will prevent you from turning into a murderous megomaniacal eugenics-obsessed crime-tyrant like your father.

So tell me. What is your hobby. What do you persue in your quiet time, alone in your appartment? Painting? Reading? Video games? Restoring vintage cars?

Whatever it is, if you choose to engage in that hobby during your preceious downtime, roll + mundane. On a hit, it goes well. Say what you accomplished. On a 10+ it's especially relaxing or renewing. Mark potential or clear a condidtion.

On a miss, it just feels like you're going through the motions, like nothing here is really you. Mark a condition of your choice.

Once that's done, back to work. I think its safe to say that the auction didn't go exactly how Takama-ga-hara had planned. And with your family's organization in disarray, it's become harder for you to keep on top of your conflicting identities and loyalties. In order to keep it all intact, roll + Superior.

On a 10+, choose 1. On a 7-9, choose 2.

-There's an AEGIS mole, and for some reason, you're a prime suspect.
-Killdozer thinks he was set up and figures you and your family owe him one. Mark him for Obligation.
-You've got a tail. Someone in a black trenchoat and a skull mask has been following you around when you're in your costumed identity. Fortunately you were able to shake him.

On a miss, just the last one. Only, I guess you weren't able to shake him after all, since he just shot a rocket through your penthouse window. That can't be good. We'll see what happens after that as the session begins.

Best Wishes,
Your Friendly Neighborhood GM

So, you were cool with the hounds of Tindalos, huh? Though you could take em? Maybe you can, maybe you can't. But I know that you're having nightmares about it.

As you toss and turn in your sleep, roll + Savior. On a Hit, you have nightmares of being chased by something you can't see. On a 10+ you're cool, but on a 7-9, you're terrified. Mark Afraid.

On a miss, you have nightmares that something is chasing Iconoclast and Riese, and you're not there to help them. Mark Guilty, and maybe keep an eye out for your friends, okay?

Anyway, once you wake up, you still have that weird orb that you snagged from the auction. Maybe you should spend a bit of time figuring out what it is. If you do that via psychic meditation, roll + freak. If you actually use books and the internet and such, roll + superior. On a 10+, ask 3. On a 7-9, ask 2.

-How is this connected to the negaverse?
-Why did Takama-Ga-Hara have this?
-Who else is this connected to?
-How can I use this to develop my own abilities?

On a miss, you can still ask one. And you'll also learn why the city library is a much much safer form of research than opening your brain to the psychic void.

Though the psychic void doesn't have late fees, so there are trade-offs either way.

Best Wishes,
Your Friendly Neighborhood GM

[Sahaar]

Scott lived unfortunately close to a chunk of city nicknamed the "little slice of hell", and as the name implies, it's not a swell place to live. Gang warfare is just a fact of life in the area, and if you aren't used to the gunshots at night, you will be soon enough. On this night, like many others, Scott spent some of his spare time dispensing justice to those who needed it. Tonight, it was a thug going after a young couple. Not anything out of Battery's reach.

[roll0]

In hindsight, perhaps he should have had more restraint. On the other hand, he recognized the thug he attacked. Though he did not know the miscreant's name, he knew what crimes that face had committed, and who knows how many had gone unavenged. The young couple ran as fast as their legs could carry them, but not before they recognized Scott's mask, and not before they heard the thug screaming for mercy. Nobody died that night, but a certain repeat offender had the fear of god put into him, and his god's name was Battery.

(I choose to clear a condition: Angry)


That night he finally spent some quality time with Gina. With work at an all time high and the superheroing, he hadn't had much time to spend with her. He took her to a nice restaurant closer to where she lived--a much nicer neighborhood to be sure.

[roll1]

The evening out went pretty well; the food was good, the conversation was funny, and everything seemed to be going pretty well. And then Carrion Crow, a B-tier villain from the projects decided he was going to make a grab at the manager's vaults. Like an idiot, he didn't have his suit with him, but as long as he didn't use his powers, he should be able to pass as a well trained civilian.

[Merilan]

It really isn't appropriate for Riese to roll anything but Mundane for a new wheelchair at this point, I think:

(2d6-2)[7]

That's a hit! Riese is pretty scared to admit to her mom that she wrecked her wheelchair, but fortunately she's got an art student friend from Halcyon High who likes creating functional crafts -- Melinda. She's been wanting to up her game recently and make more complex things, so the wheelchairs are perfect practice for her.

As for time out with mom, Riese wants to go have dinner with mum at the really nice Malaysian restaurant she likes, Sri Mahkota, and catch a movie afterwards. She wants to extend the offer to Cameron for what he did for her at the Sanctum, healing her wounds.

In the few days following AEGIS' assault on the auction house and the Exiles' subsequent battles with Ragnarok, Riese had a new challenge ahead of her: Agent Gregg confiscated her wheelchair as evidence, and she needed to procure a new one. She felt a bit loathe to think it, but this wasn't the first time it'd happened -- Halcyon City Station was the first, with her first ever wheelchair destroyed in the wake of Fenrir's blast.

But she had a bit of an out, as far as that went -- Melinda Hayes, senior girl she befriended in Halcyon High was some kind of a prodigy when it came to mechanical crafts; she'd lamented how the courses at school wasn't challenging enough for her, and creating something like a wheelchair was just mechanically complex and precise to be challenging but doable for her. She'd promised things like motorised chairs and even fancier tech, but Riese... in truth, didn't want something more than the simple stuff.

She didn't want to stand out. She just wanted to live a normal life. As much as she did things to contradict that, sometimes.

The surprises didn't end there, though -- when she returned home to her cozy townhouse, she found that her step-mother Halfrida had returned, and after an exchange of hugs and kisses, she immediately took her up on the offer to go anywhere she liked -- and that meant a dinner at one of her favourite places, a Malaysian restaurant several few blocks down that made some really authentic food.

And thinking Malaysian and spicy, she couldn't help but think of Cameron, too, so when she had the chance back in her room, she picked up her cellphone and rung his number.

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Afraid.

He knew he had exposed his psyche to the void as he transferred his own vitality through the resonator, but after Psyche, he refused to let another teammate, another friend, suffer. It seemed something had found him, attracted to his psyche, for his dreams had been plagued by a faceless, formless dread. A malevolent entity, that pursued him as he slept, and at times, seemed to haunt his waking hours.

And then, despite the inherent dangers, he had opened his psyche again, aligning his mental energies with the resonance from the gemstone he had recovered from the Takama-ga-hara sponsored auction. That line of insight had revealed that the stone could be used to access a Nega-verse Anchor, without a corresponding Aspect, which was a valuable tool in denying Terminus usage of another Anchor, but still he would need to discover more details, so make use of it. So far, his meditations, and psychic probes had revealed an alien intelligence, Tiamat, and he could only assume that the creature's discovery was linked to his feeling of dread.

It took Cameron two days of mediation, and self discovery to determine the facts surrounding the stone, and during that time he remembered what Psyche had once told him. Never neglect the physical body as you explore the psychic potentialities. And so, this morning, after a long lecture from his foster father in regards to his failing grades, and his long absences, he was out, running through Halcyon City.

Sprint, Vault, Cat Fall, Leap Through, Lache, Roll Up, Kip, Double Kong. Thanks to his practice with both Aldebaran and Kshritij, he was just cutting his fingers and palms on the rough concrete, fire escapes, railings, and pipes he used to maneuver through the densely packed area of Halcyon known as the 'Slice of Hell'. It was exhilarating, and despite his fear, and trepidation regarding Terminus, the Nega-verse, and his dreams of late, he was able to concentrate on a single obstacle, a building, a fence, a fifteen foot vault, and conquer those, and slowly regain his composure.

His cell chirped, he landed on top of a roof, about two stories up, his clothes stuck to him, a mixture of sweat and the humidity. He answered it, still panting from his intensive workout, noting Riesenlied's number.

"Hey Riese, what's shaking? Everything good?"

[Razade]

Iconoclast
Conditions: Insecure

It was rare that Tristan let his emotions show, even in the wake of a total disaster and so instead of screaming or killing lackies like so many thought was part and parcel of being a super villain he did what he always did. Bury himself in work. A lot of that work happened to be with Killdozer who took the whole Auction as some sick joke at the hands of Takama-ga-Hara, a belief he was sadly unshakable in. Tristan had pledged some redress in the future to ease the wroth man. The annoyance at dealing with Killdozer only made things more of a disaster and what little off time he had he spent with Mai at their weekly dancing classes. She got what she wanted, time with him without politics, and he could simply dance until he wanted to pass out. Which brought him to today.

Mai was out for work, the telltale scent of her perfume hanging through their apartment to say she'd at least spent the night there and a plate of cut fruit and a pot of coffee sat in the small kitchen for him when ever he had decided to wake up. He was an early riser and the sun was just grazing the horizon when he got dressed in his usual suit and tie, ran a comb through pale hair and took the small walk to the nearest flower shop. The auction wasn't he only thing he'd mulled over, he and his sister had had a bit of a spat and that needed to be set right. Apparently love wasn't enough to keep her happy. So, after picking up twelve star gazer lilies, he set off towards her office with set jaw. Cole's did not apologize.

[Merilan]

Riese sat on her bed and looked out to the window slowly, saying, "Oh, hey Cam. This isn't a bad time... or anything, is it? You sound winded." A pause. "My mom's back in Halcyon and she was going to take me out to dinner and a movie. Probably that Malaysian place on 7th, I think we went there once? Do you want to come with? I asked Mel and a few other girls as well, but they were busy."

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Afraid.

"Oh yeah, everything's fine, just," he almost said 'out for a run', caught himself, "exercising, blowing off some steam. Didn't sleep real well last night, you know." He shrugged non-commitally, "But yeah, I'd love to. 7th, eh? That's Mahkota's right? So, uhhh," he ran a hand through his sweaty hair, "what time do you want me to meet you there? Or do you want me to meet you and your mom at your place?"

[Merilan]

Riese was a bit silent, perhaps being able to pick out a bit of the hitch from Cameron's voice. She felt guilty, since he'd sacrificed his health to restore hers, but she didn't want to harp on that topic -- she didn't think it'd make him feel better either. "Mom's saying half past six, if that's all right. It's a bit early for dinner, but the movie'd go on a bit late. And yeah, that's Mahkota -- see you there?"

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Afraid.

A flood of emotion washed over him, he had made a specific decision to try to isolate himself from his friends, knowing that a time may come where he needed to make a hard choice, weighing his own life against the continued existence of humanity. Yet here he was, having had a long rest and his heart rate was still elevated. He took a deep breath, centered himself, "Yeah, that'd be great Reise. See you then."

He stowed his cell in his pocket, and vaulted off of the roof, near dancing down the fire escape, and landing with a smooth vault, that left a homeless man staring at him angrily, shaking a fist and muttering something. The anger in his face, seemed to contort and swirl, and behind him, in the depth of the box he had used to shelter himself from last nights rain, the shadows seemed to twist and roil, as if a living thing.

He took off at a dead sprint for the apartment he shared with Jackson, his foster-father, and he told himself it was because he was excited to spend the evening with Riese, and not because something intangible in the vagrant's fury had reminded him of his restless nights.

Davis was still on day shifts with the HCPD, and so Cameron had the apartment to himself. He threw in a load of laundry, while completing his Poli Sci report. By the time he had flipped the laundry to the dryer, he was finished the rough draft. As he was folding his clothes, a thought popped into his head, and he fired Riese a quick text.

>>Hey, R., your mom knows we go to school together right? Nothing else?<<

He took the clothes from the basement laundry back to his apartment, threw his phone on the bed and hopped into a scalding hot shower, in preparation for a night out with the al-Rashid's.

[Merilan]

After Riese finished her conversation with Cameron, she went back to doing her homework. Her worst subject by far, barring P.E., had been History; she looked up at a corkboard full of flash cards with dates written on them, frowning that she still couldn't memorise them all.

She paused, when she brushed her hand against one of the cards--

--for a moment, she didn't feel the sensation of bare skin, but rather the sensation of scale and claw--

--and then it passed, as she recoiled and let out a little cough, holding at her heart. She felt it again, the heartbeat. The heartbeat that kept beating against her own, yet inextricably being one and the same with hers. The heartbeat that pushed her to heights greater than the ground she'd like to stay upon. The heartbeat that made her take action back in Halcyon, and made her go with her friends, to investigate the Takama-ga-Hara auction.

She reflected upon what her mother asked her once:

What do you want to do?

She couldn't answer her well. Her heart was full of conflict, between the beats that intertwine within it. She shivered and reclined backwards, letting out another cough and reaching for her inhaler, just now recalling that she'd missed taking her medicine earlier. Her head was starting to get a bit fuzzy, but then she heard her phone ring out with a text.


>>Hey, R., your mom knows we go to school together right? Nothing else?<<

She quickly texted back:

>>She knows I can transform, but I haven't told her about you or T. or D., no<<

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Afraid.

>>K. Cool. Thx. See you at 6:30. :)<<

He checked the clock, noting that it was about half past four in the afternoon. He figured he should check in with his foster father, Jackson, since he disappeared on him for a few days with the TGH auction and that trip to the Anchor. He dialed the HCPD, and got the duty desk, "Oh hey Jenna, listen I know Jackson's still on duty, but can you get him a message, I'm heading out to Mahkota's tonight, round 6ish, and then a movie after, so probably won't be home til around eleven thirty or midnight. Thanks."

After he got off the phone with Jenna, he broke out his lap top and starting laying out a draft for the final copy of his Poli Sci assignment. Figured if he could get some time in on that, it'd be less work to do in class the next day, but as he did so he started to randomly Google Tiamat, and while finding some interesting things about a 'chromatic dragon', and a Babylonian goddess, he didn't find anything that really helped him in that regard. Though he did promise himself that he'd stay away from lobster and shellfish at the restaurant.

At quarter to six he started to get dressed, dark distressed jeans, some ankle height lace up leather boots, a white tee with a beige corduroy button up over top. He pulled his necklace out of the top drawer, a rather feminine looking silver chain, which was threaded through his grandmother's wedding ring. He remembered when he found out his mother had sold it for a fix, Jackson had spent three days running down pawn shops until he found it. It was the only thing of his mother's he actually kept, and the only reason he had it was Jackson. He kissed it, and tucked it under his tee, then headed out to the restaurant.

He arrived at about quarter after and waited outside looking out for Reise and her mother. He wasn't sure if they had made reservations or not.

[Merilan]

Riese and her mother came at about the same time, and Cameron could see the familiar family coach pull up -- Riese was lucky enough that her foster parents purchased a car with a mechanical ramp for her purposes. The back hatch opened up, and Riese gently wheeled herself out and pressed the button to fold the ramp back in. The Kurdish girl was wearing one of her white dresses with an earthen brown cardigan thrown ontop, along with her usual black leggings. "Hey Cam, you didn't wait too long, did you?"

She pushed her way up along the up-ramp to the restaurant, and said, "Mom made a reservation already, she'll catch up once she parks."

[arscott]

Iconoclast
Conditions: Insecure

He was an early riser and the sun was just grazing the horizon when he got dressed in his usual suit and tie, ran a comb through pale hair and took the small walk to the nearest flower shop. The auction wasn't he only thing he'd mulled over, he and his sister had had a bit of a spat and that needed to be set right. Apparently love wasn't enough to keep her happy. So, after picking up twelve star gazer lilies, he set off towards her office with set jaw. Cole's did not apologize.

In a series of panels, we see Tristan make his way into a plaza of gleaming glass buildings and beautiful gardens. Pristine. Tasteful. A circle of wide outer buildings enclose a garden courtyard, with the tall but narrow Cole Tower in the center.

"Cole Plaza" the caption reads. "It's beautiful. But for all it's beauty, Cole Plaza is a prison."

"The inventor of this design called it a panopticon--Greek for 'all are seen'. By this design, prison cells are arrayed in a circle around a single watchman, who can observe each one. And the companies that have their offices in these buildings are each, in one way or another, prisoners of Arnold Cole and his family.

Instead of solid walls, they have nothing but transparent glass between them and the gaze of the unseen watcher in the center tower. And today's watcher is none other than the Chief Operating Officer of Cole Industries: Arnold's daughter Megane."

And here, we finally have a panel of an interior view. Megane, in her office, looking out the window. The final panel of the page shows an over the shoulder view of what she's looking at: her approaching brother.

How do you approach your sister? What do you say to her?

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Afraid.

Cameron nodded as Riese spoke, "Ok, cool." He held the door for her as she rounded the last corner of the ramp, "Hey, thanks for inviting me. It'll be nice to just, be me for change, you know?" He looked at the hostess, smiled, "Table for three, reservations," he looked towards Riese, "ummm, they are under al-Rashid, I think?"

He kept his attention on Riese, but occasionally checked his shoulder, keeping an eye out for Ms. al-Rashid. Even as he did so, he told himself that he wasn't afraid of some nameless, faceless, entity. And he knew it was a lie.

[Merilan]

"I think she put it under hers," Riese looked up from her chair. "Weber, or Halfrida?" She hadn't explained to Tristan or Cameron, she realised; her step-mother had let her keep the surname she'd been associated it over in Iran, though she changed her first name as she wanted to have Halfrida give her a new one.

They're settled into their booth before too long; the restaurant had a particularly nice decor that was trying to go for traditional-authentic, starting from the Buddhist-style decorations and draperies hung about the walls. A stereo nearby played appropriate folk music, and the soft scent of incense filled the air.

"And, you're welcome," she grinned embarrassedly. "Things have been kind of crazy, I just wanted to do something... nice, for a change."

[arscott]

Scott


That night he finally spent some quality time with Gina. With work at an all time high and the superheroing, he hadn't had much time to spend with her. He took her to a nice restaurant closer to where she lived--a much nicer neighborhood to be sure.

The evening out went pretty well; the food was good, the conversation was funny, and everything seemed to be going pretty well. And then Carrion Crow, a B-tier villain from the projects decided he was going to make a grab at the manager's vaults. Like an idiot, he didn't have his suit with him, but as long as he didn't use his powers, he should be able to pass as a well trained civilian.

"Thats right, Mammals!", crow squawks. "Put your hands in the air. Jewelry and Wallets into the bag!"

You dunno why he's on the "mammal's bit". Dude may have black feathery wings, but other than that, he's s mammalian as the rest of us. That said, he's also got a blinged out .38, so the smart thing might be to hold off on criticism for now.

Gina whispers "You planned this didn't you?" She's joking, but she's also shaking. Crow is grabbing his shineys (A fancy watch and some earrings) from the folks two tables down.

What do you do?

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Afraid.

"Oh yeah, I hear you." He replied with a self-conscious smile.

Cameron watched her hand on the table, almost absently he thought about how it might feel under his own, and then he caught himself. If he wasn't careful he'd actually broadcast that thought, that emotion through the neural network, and she'd ...

Of course Riese, thanks in part due to his sudden resurgence of self-control, wasn't privy to his private thoughts. What she did notice is that he flinched, almost inexplicably as he was staring at her hand.

Almost nervously he ran a hand through his short cropped hair, "Soo, ummm, what's your mom like? Anything I should expect?" What he left unsaid, was that he was afraid she'd judge him, running down a mental checklist on whether or not he was up to her standards, or good enough for her daughter.

"Umm, yeah, I'm nervous. Sorry." He raised his hand, "Could we get some water please?"

[arscott]

Kshritij

Link's phone number is out of service, which means means a trip up the winding tree-lined road toward the Kincaid house.

Alexander Kincaid has a fancy Art Deco house in Halcyon Hills (And of course, the house also hides the "Nightlair" where all of Nightstalkers costumes and vehicles are kept). You arrive on your motorcycle, where Kincaid greets you at the door.

"Kshritij. It's wonderful to see you. I hope you're doing well."

"I hope you didn't drive all this way just looking for Link. He moved out last month. He and I... well, we both felt he might benefit from more independence. I can give you the address of his new residence, if you'd like. Only, be aware that he's... well, just be careful, Kshritij. And be kind to him."

Link's new "residence" turns out to be a small warehouse. There's a cot in one corner. The rest is a training area with sparring mats and gym equipment, and a metalworking shop, an array of weapons, and then a lot of empty space.

Link looks different. More grown up. Since you were buff as hell and he always looked like he was fifteen, it was easy to forget that he's actually your brother's age. But he's bulked up, grown some stubble, and maybe even gotten an inch or two taller. And those are definately scars around his nose--he's been getting into fistfights He also smiles a lot less than he did before.

"Damascus. You haven't talked to me in three months, seven days, and two hours. Why are you here now?"

how do you respond?

[Sahaar]

Scott turns his head away from the commotion, purposely ignoring him.

"Don't react, just be blind and deaf," whispers Scott. "When he comes by to deal with us, I'll disarm him and take him out as normally as I can." He smiles at Gina. "Works every time."

[Razade]

In a series of panels, we see Tristan make his way into a plaza of gleaming glass buildings and beautiful gardens. Pristine. Tasteful. A circle of wide outer buildings enclose a garden courtyard, with the tall but narrow Cole Tower in the center.

"Cole Plaza" the caption reads. "It's beautiful. But for all it's beauty, Cole Plaza is a prison."

"The inventor of this design called it a panopticon--Greek for 'all are seen'. By this design, prison cells are arrayed in a circle around a single watchman, who can observe each one. And the companies that have their offices in these buildings are each, in one way or another, prisoners of Arnold Cole and his family.

Instead of solid walls, they have nothing but transparent glass between them and the gaze of the unseen watcher in the center tower. And today's watcher is none other than the Chief Operating Officer of Cole Industries: Arnold's daughter Megane."

And here, we finally have a panel of an interior view. Megane, in her office, looking out the window. The final panel of the page shows an over the shoulder view of what she's looking at: her approaching brother.

How do you approach your sister? What do you say to her?

Tristan had a strong dislike of the Cole Plaza, there was something voyeuristic about it that struck him as off. He wasn't here for pleasure however and as the elevator took him to the main office he bolstered himself. "Sister." he calls out as he enters the room, displaying the large bouquet of lilies. "If I might have a moment of your time?" He'd picked the flowers for obvious reason, they were her favorite, and at least one bouquet already sat in the room.

[arscott]

Scott


Scott turns his head away from the commotion, purposely ignoring him.

"Don't react, just be blind and deaf," whispers Scott. "When he comes by to deal with us, I'll disarm him and take him out as normally as I can." He smiles at Gina. "Works every time."

Carrion crow saunters in your direction.

"Lookit here. You brought your girl out on a nice date?" He turns to Gina. "Sweetheart, your boy brought you to the wrong restaurant. Purse and necklace--into the bag."

You only now realize that Gina is wearing her favorite necklace. Objectively, it's probably worth about a dollar. But it's from one of your very first dates, when you went to the boardwalk and played carnival games. You were hoping to win it for her, but she beat the pants off of you and everyone else playing the game, and got it for herself.

"And I'll be having your wallet and your cellphone", he says, pointing the gun at your chest



[I]What do you do?


Tristan

Tristan had a strong dislike of the Cole Plaza, there was something voyeuristic about it that struck him as off. He wasn't here for pleasure however and as the elevator took him to the main office he bolstered himself. "Sister." he calls out as he enters the room, displaying the large bouquet of lilies. "If I might have a moment of your time?" He'd picked the flowers for obvious reason, they were her favorite, and at least one bouquet already sat in the room.
She closes a file, and turns to face you. She smiles when she sees you holding the lillies.

"Tristan, come in. I always have time for my favorite brother."

She sets the file on her desk. You can't help but notice the label: "Project Atlantus"

What do you say?

[Razade]

Tristan

She closes a file, and turns to face you. She smiles when she sees you holding the lillies.

"Tristan, come in. I always have time for my favorite brother."

She sets the file on her desk. You can't help but notice the label: "Project Atlantus"

What do you say?

"Is that so? I am your only brother of consequence." Tristan offers a slight smile as he holds the flowers out. "I'll only take a moment. I wished to...apologize." He turns away, moving to one of the many windows that gives a good view of the prison below. If he had to apologize, and he had, he hoped at least he'd be given the small comfort of not staring Megane in the face. "I spoke out of turn sister, I was frustrated. It is no excuse to have lashed out at you. I value our relationship, I could not ask for you to reconsider your actions, only beg a chance to earn back your friendship."

[Merilan]

Riese blinked, and then put her hand to her mouth to softly giggle. "Cam! It's not like you're here for an-- an interview or something!" She did notice the twitch, and she did kind of pick out that he wasn't feeling totally relaxed, but... that's part of what she was hoping the night could do -- help them unwind or something. "She's got a big heart. I mean, if it weren't for her, I wouldn't be here in the States, yeah...?"

[arscott]

Tristan

"Is that so? I am your only brother of consequence." Tristan offers a slight smile as he holds the flowers out. "I'll only take a moment. I wished to...apologize." He turns away, moving to one of the many windows that gives a good view of the prison below. If he had to apologize, and he had, he hoped at least he'd be given the small comfort of not staring Megane in the face. "I spoke out of turn sister, I was frustrated. It is no excuse to have lashed out at you. I value our relationship, I could not ask for you to reconsider your actions, only beg a chance to earn back your friendship."

"Tristan, I'm your sister. That's not something you have to earn back, because it will never go away."

Megane takes the flowers from you--she already has a vase ready for them.

"Tris, you and I are both part of a larger destiny. Everyone in our family has our part to play in a grand design, and sometimes we're all so focused on that design that it's easy to forget we actually are a family. I know that your path is taking you in one direction, and my path is taking me in another. But I want you to promise me that however far away from eachother these paths take us, you won't forget that you and I are brother and sister."

She pauses. Then seems to recall something. "And listen. You don't have to do anything to earn my friendship, but there is something you might be able to do for me as a favor. Let me explore some other avenues first, but for now, do what you can to earn the trust of that exalt team as Iconoclast."

[Sahaar]

Unfortunately for Crow, Scott had remembered to charge himself that morning, allowing him to react with lightning speed. In a flash, Scott grabs the back of Carrion Crow's wrist, slams it into the table with enough force to snap it--causing the villain to drop the gun--drive the elbow of his grabbing hand into Crow's jaw, kick his legs out from under him and finish with a choke slam into the ground.

A tad more flashy than necessary, but he had the criminal on the ground by the neck, nobody was hurt and (hopefully) it all came across as expert martial arts maneuvers.

[CoreBrute23]

Kshritij rides up to Wren's warehouse, parking his motorcycle to the side. He's in his civies, which in this case is a navy blue jacket over a black shirt and jeans.

He knocks before entering, and scans the place as he enters. It was strange seeing a man from so much priviledge, a child actor raised by an A-lister, who was a member of the Harbringer, choosing such spartan accommodation.

We've all changed since those days. Kshritij thought. When he saw Link, he took a breath, trying to come up with something casual but cheerful-how do I do cheerful again?-when Wren interrupted him.

"You know why I didn't call. Sandra*. I didn't call many people." He frowns as he steps forward, his good mood vanishing with each step. "And phones work two way. Jackass." He stops when he's about a foot away from Link. It was strange now that Link was tall enough to look him in the eye. But these eyes weren't the same joking eyes as before.

"What's with the new look? You going through your Justin Beiber bad boy stage?" Secretly though, he was worried. Link never looked like this before, this aggressive.

I don't know if Psyche's secret ID has been picked yet, so I just put down Sandra. If it's something else, I'll change it.

He's going to pierce the mask on Wren, to try and understand what's going on with his friend. Also, guys I'm one point from advancing, I'm excited either way! Rolling Mundane, -2 cause I'm Angry.
[roll0]

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Afraid.

He relaxed as Riese started to talk about her own mother, and the way she had been willing to sponsor the orphaned immigrant, and accept her into her life, and her home. He absent mindedly fingered the ring under his tee as he responded, visibly relaxing, "Yeah, not everyone is able to say they've got good family. Solid people, like Jackson, it anchors you, you know? Especially with all," he looked around at the other patrons, "other stuff we got going on."

He seemed to notice he was playing with the jewellery at his throat, dropped his hand back to the table. "I don't think I've ever heard you mention your dad, is he coming tonight too, or just your mom?"

[Razade]

Tristan


"Tristan, I'm your sister. That's not something you have to earn back, because it will never go away."

Megane takes the flowers from you--she already has a vase ready for them.

"Tris, you and I are both part of a larger destiny. Everyone in our family has our part to play in a grand design, and sometimes we're all so focused on that design that it's easy to forget we actually are a family. I know that your path is taking you in one direction, and my path is taking me in another. But I want you to promise me that however far away from eachother these paths take us, you won't forget that you and I are brother and sister."

She pauses. Then seems to recall something. "And listen. You don't have to do anything to earn my friendship, but there is something you might be able to do for me as a favor. Let me explore some other avenues first, but for now, do what you can to earn the trust of that exalt team as Iconoclast."

Tristan turns to look at Megane, usual flat expression giving nothing though he offers a nod. "As you say." His nose crinkles at the mention of Exalt, the boy giving a derisive snort. "If that is what you wish sister. I think it dangerous. They are aligned with AEGIS and there is a boy...we have history. If that is all? I would like to raise the possibility of cannibalizing those neural hook ups and incorperating them into my suit. Give it some thought? If that is all, I will begin my infiltration."

Is her Obligation to get in good with Exalt? Seems like that's rather esoteric so just making sure.

Tristan is also making a request on Megane to research how to add Guidewire's numeral hook ups to his suit since she's all techy. That means I mark an Obligation for her?

[Merilan]

Riese shook her head, looking just a bit sad. "No, sadly. He's still over in the Middle East -- mom got the approval to take leave, but they couldn't have both of them go at once..." She waved her hand and said, "It's okay, though. I think we're going to plan to be together around Christmas time, it'll be nice."

Arscott, did you want me to play Halfrida?

[arscott]

Kshritij

"You know why I didn't call. Sandra*. I didn't call many people." He frowns as he steps forward, his good mood vanishing with each step. "And phones work two way. Jackass." He stops when he's about a foot away from Link. It was strange now that Link was tall enough to look him in the eye. But these eyes weren't the same joking eyes as before.
"What's with the new look? You going through your Justin Beiber bad boy stage?" Secretly though, he was worried. Link never looked like this before, this aggressive.
"Hey, that's when his music got good.

But is that what you came here for? To criticize me for growing up? To badger me about not calling when your phone was disconnected? To remind me that you and illuminator let my friends get hurt and killed when I'm not there to stop it?"

That last is a reference to Guidewire as well as Psyche. Wren knew Vik even before he met you.

Also, for missing your pierce the mask roll, I'm giving Wren influence over you.

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Afraid.

"Yeah," he smiled, it felt a little forced to him, after all he tended not to think of the future. He'd seen it, a glimpse at least, and he knew that if he couldn't find a way to stop it, there might not be a Christmas, not for Riese, not for anyone.

"A tree," he was looking somewhere, off over her shoulder, his eyes unfocused, "lights," he paused, continued, "family." The smile faltered, fell from his face. He whispered almost to himself, "I hope I get to see another one."

He looked up, his eyes dark, haunted, scared. "I'm, uhh, going to get some water." He slipped out from their booth, walked through the restaurant, one of the servers noticed him, assumed he was looking for the restrooms and directed him with a nod of her head.

He walked into the bathroom, well furnished, clean. He walked to the sink, ran the cold water, splashed some in his face. Dammit Cameron, she came here to have a nice night out, you don't need to ... something moved, deep in the mirror, behind it, like a ripple. He backed away, slowly, turned around, he was alone. When he turned back the mirror was flat again, solid.

He shook his head, toweled off his face, and as he walked out to rejoin Reise and her mother, he tried desperately to convince himself it was a side effect of the resonator, and he was just seeing lingering psychic impressions. He tried, and failed.

[Merilan]

Riese's eyes widened slowly, and while she wasn't necessarily the most perceptive of people around, she knew Cameron enough to know when he was having difficulty. "Cam, wait--" but she let her hand down, and then tucked her head down as well, biting her lip and mumbling, "Oh, I'm an idiot..."

She shook her head for a moment, and sighed. It was nice. At least, that's what she told herself. She wanted this... she wanted family, respect, companionship, comfort. But at the same time, that heartbeat kept pulling her away from it. Were they headed in different directions, irreconcilable? And if they did, did it also go in a different direction than where the other Exiles would be?

Would she be... alone again?

[arscott]

Riesenlied

Your mother arrives, having parked the van.

"Riesenlied, darling, I'm sorry I left you waiting for so long. Where is that young man who's dining with us today?" Her eyes dart around the restaurant, looking for Cameron. When she doens't see him, she gives a little *Humph*

Tristan
Megane looks over the Neuro-helm.

"Hmm. This is only half. I could get it to work for you the way it worked for him--But it will require brain surgery.

But I also think I could clone the software and adapt the technology to work without a surgical implant. Not the light powers-that's beyond what I can do without drilling into your skull--no, I think the best use would be to adapt the fine energy control mechanisms that would give you a much more fine control over your own powers. How do you want me to procede?"

[Merilan]

Riese gave a weak smile to her mother and said, "He just had to use the bathroom, mom." She-- pointed to Cameron as he left the bathroom to go, "There, look." She paused and switched topics right away, "You think about what you're going to order yet, mom? I remember you really liked this place too..."

[arscott]

"I think I'll have the Penang Laska tonight. What about you, darling?"

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Afraid.

Cameron sighed as he walked back to the table, he saw Riese's mother already seated, which meant while he was in the washroom trying to hold it together, she had come in to join her daughter. Great first impression Cam!

He walked back to the table, more than a little trepidation. "Hey there Ms. al-Rashid, it's, uhh, a pleasure to meet you. Reise is always talking about you." He smiled nervously, and held out his hand before he took his seat.

And, as stated in the OOC thread, I want to try a Pierce the Mask, Mundane of +0, so a raw roll, and the dice gods decide ... a 3! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21279367&postcount=47) Nope, Cam doesn't have a hope of knowing how Ms. al-Rashid feels about him!

[arscott]

"It's Mrs. Weber, actually." she replies somewhat coolly. "And my Riesenlied has told me so very little about you. Tell me, how did you and my daughter meet?"

Her gaze bores into you, searching out your intentions like you'd hope to search out hers. answer the question "What are you really planning?"

[Razade]

Tristan
Megane looks over the Neuro-helm.

"Hmm. This is only half. I could get it to work for you the way it worked for him--But it will require brain surgery.

But I also think I could clone the software and adapt the technology to work without a surgical implant. Not the light powers-that's beyond what I can do without drilling into your skull--no, I think the best use would be to adapt the fine energy control mechanisms that would give you a much more fine control over your own powers. How do you want me to procede?"

"It's something to consider. Look into it at least." Tristan shrugs, glancing back out the window. "Unless there's anything else, I suppose I have work to do. As do we all. Do you require a hug or am I free to leave?" His tone is almost joking. Almost.

[CoreBrute23]

"Oh I'm sorry that my phone not working for a couple of days, is too great a hurdle for one of the Harbringers! For someone who spends his time in space, your head is still firmly up in your ass." Kshritij could feel his muscles pre-emptively tighten. His body knew this could turn to violence, but his heart hoped it wouldn't.

"You do not get to play that card with me Link! You left us to join the big leagues, to be a big time hero." He poked Link in the chest. "Well where were you when the people you loved needed saving? I'll give you a hint, she wasn't on the f-ing moon!"

Well this isn't going to end well. Since I already know this will end in failure, because of my prior roll, I'm just going to make this worse. I want to Provoke him into taking a swing at Damascus-ideally one he can dodge, but will justify a response. I don't know if I've got influence over him, but given how I'm pushing his buttons and our history, he may be susceptible to my words.

[roll0]

[arscott]

Scott

Unfortunately for Crow, Scott had remembered to charge himself that morning, allowing him to react with lightning speed. In a flash, Scott grabs the back of Carrion Crow's wrist, slams it into the table with enough force to snap it--causing the villain to drop the gun--drive the elbow of his grabbing hand into Crow's jaw, kick his legs out from under him and finish with a choke slam into the ground.

A tad more flashy than necessary, but he had the criminal on the ground by the neck, nobody was hurt and (hopefully) it all came across as expert martial arts maneuvers.

Everyone in the restaurant is staring at you--aghast. Gina has a horrified look on her face. And as you wonder why, you realize that the sound of a gunshot is ringing in your ears.

Take a powerful Blow.

Kshritij

"Oh I'm sorry that my phone not working for a couple of days, is too great a hurdle for one of the Harbringers! For someone who spends his time in space, your head is still firmly up in your ass." Kshritij could feel his muscles pre-emptively tighten. His body knew this could turn to violence, but his heart hoped it wouldn't.

"You do not get to play that card with me Link! You left us to join the big leagues, to be a big time hero." He poked Link in the chest. "Well where were you when the people you loved needed saving? I'll give you a hint, she wasn't on the f-ing moon!"

Well this isn't going to end well. Since I already know this will end in failure, because of my prior roll, I'm just going to make this worse. I want to Provoke him into taking a swing at Damascus-ideally one he can dodge, but will justify a response. I don't know if I've got influence over him, but given how I'm pushing his buttons and our history, he may be susceptible to my words.

[roll0]
Link takes a swing at you. You know it's coming and can react to it however you like--he's letting his anger, not his combat instincts, drive.

Do you take the punch or dodge it? And then what do you do?

[Merilan]

Riese already looked really awkward as she glanced between Cameron and her mother, sighing. "Sorry, mom, we just started hanging out at school, I wanted to tell you more about my friends, really! You're just not around a lot..."

A pause. "Oh, right, Cam, you really love spicy food, don't you? I think you'd love how hot they can make it!" She giggled. "I'm gonna have the satay, I'm a wimp for spicy food myself..."

[Sahaar]

The first thought that shot through Scott's mind was oh $#!^, I overdid it, my cover's blown. Then his adrenaline levels start to plummet and he feels the pain in his stomach worsen and worsen. Looking down from Crow's battered body, he sees blood--his own blood--dripping onto the floor.

"Who...put that...th...?" he tries and stammer out a witty remark before the world blurs and spins, causing him to collapse on the floor. Somehow, he has enough strength to think to himself, better me than a civilian. Or Gina.

[arscott]

"It's something to consider. Look into it at least." Tristan shrugs, glancing back out the window. "Unless there's anything else, I suppose I have work to do. As do we all. Do you require a hug or am I free to leave?" His tone is almost joking. Almost.

"Nah. I think hugs are something our family transcended on the pathway to genetic apotheosis. Thanks again for the flowers, though."


Our final comic panel of this scene show you leaving the lobby of the building, walking past an abstract paining in magenta, gold, on a field of sky-blue.

"This paining has hung in the lobby of Cole Tower for the past nine months." Reads the caption. "Tristan does not know what the painting is meant to represent. It might be a sunset. It might be flowers in a pond. It might be just an arrangement of pink and yellow blobs.

But he does know that it's not his father's. Arnold Cole wouldn't choose to hang this painting. He'd find it sloppy and upsetting. But Arnold Cole spends less and less time in the building that bears his name. Someone else is making many of the decisions he once did.

Megane Cole knows what the painting depicts. She knows who painted it, and what title the painter chose.

He called it 'Freedom'."

[CoreBrute23]

Link had gotten fast. Damascus thought, as he ducked under the swing. He swung his leg low to topple Wren over, but the former child star easily leaped over his attack. Damascus however was in perfect crouching position to tackle his old friend in mid air, sending the two flying.

In moments they were struggling on the ground, throwing punches, locking joints, and kicking wildly. This wasn't a battle between two trained fighters-this was two young men expressing their anger, their guilt, their fear through the only expression they allowed themselves. Both men were hurting, both had gone through the same loss, and both wanted someone to understand what they were going through.

But would they be able to hear each other? Or was this the final nail in the coffin of their friendship?

This may seem weird, but I'm actually trying to comfort/support Wren in my own special way. Men don't talk about their feelings-they punch each other, then go for a beer. I assume Wren is feeling guilty over something, given his radical life change. Let's see if it works! (Which I doubt, given how Angry I am)

[roll0]

EDIT: Sounds about right. 1 more potential for me.

[Razade]

"Nah. I think hugs are something our family transcended on the pathway to genetic apotheosis. Thanks again for the flowers, though."


Our final comic panel of this scene show you leaving the lobby of the building, walking past an abstract paining in magenta, gold, on a field of sky-blue.

"This paining has hung in the lobby of Cole Tower for the past nine months." Reads the caption. "Tristan does not know what the painting is meant to represent. It might be a sunset. It might be flowers in a pond. It might be just an arrangement of pink and yellow blobs.

But he does know that it's not his father's. Arnold Cole wouldn't choose to hang this painting. He'd find it sloppy and upsetting. But Arnold Cole spends less and less time in the building that bears his name. Someone else is making many of the decisions he once did.

Megane Cole knows what the painting depicts. She knows who painted it, and what title the painter chose.

He called it 'Freedom'."

"Well. What Father wants, Father gets. Anything for you, sister."

Tristan pauses at the picture, giving it only a few moments of thought. He was always one for more physical art such as dance or theater but he could appreciate paintings. What ever his take away, his usual stony faced silence is all he allows before marching towards the exit of the prison. He too was a prisoner, but unlike those within this building his chains were longer.

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Afraid.

As Reise interceded on his behalf Cameron smiled, but the look from her mother let him know he wasn't off the hook just yet. "It's ok Riese, we can tell her." He turned back towards Halfrida, "It's kind of funny anyways. We'd always seen each other around the school, casual hi's and such, shared a couple classes, then one day she sees me getting into the back of a cruiser." He smiled, remembering the incident.

"The next day we're in class, and before it starts, she leans over and asks me what happened. I totally gapped that Jackson," he paused, his family dynamic was really screwed up. "He's my mother's brother. When she," he paused took a sigh, he didn't want to bring it all up, with the inevitable questions Riese had a strong relationship with her mom, and so he wanted her to like him as well. "Passed away, I ended up in a government orphanage. He was training to be a cop, over the next few years he worked the system, and became my foster father." He shrugged, a little nervous, "So he's my dad and my uncle, if you want to get technical."

"Anyways, he had picked me up from school the day before, but his partner was still in the car, so I had to get in the back. Everyone, including your daughter," he shot Reise a playful look, "thought I was getting arrested."

"So she asked if everything was ok, and I explained the whole deal, we laughed at people's assumptions. Then we got to talking about family, and about how sometimes you run into people who open their heart to you, their homes. Your name got mentioned Mrs. Weber, and so while you don't know much about me, I know that you're solid, just from the way Riese talks about you."

He picked up his glass, took a sip, he was nervous, for obvious reasons, but he really didn't want Mrs. Weber's next line of questions to be about his mother. Luckily Riese deflected, bringing their attention back to dinner. "There it is," he said pointing to his menu, "Kam Heong chicken. It's got some heat, that's for sure."

As for answering the question; What are you planning? Especially in regards to Riese, she's a friend, a close friend, and I plan on being there for her, whenever she needs me. There might be growing affection, but he would never allow that to hurt her, or damage their friendship.

[Merilan]

Riese listened empathically and patiently as Cameron explained his story, though like any other time they let out the story there was always some nervousness and anxiety in her that she'd judge. But... she really trusted her mother, she wouldn't do that in a situation like this.

[arscott]

Scott

The first thought that shot through Scott's mind was oh $#!^, I overdid it, my cover's blown. Then his adrenaline levels start to plummet and he feels the pain in his stomach worsen and worsen. Looking down from Crow's battered body, he sees blood--his own blood--dripping onto the floor.

"Who...put that...th...?" he tries and stammer out a witty remark before the world blurs and spins, causing him to collapse on the floor. Somehow, he has enough strength to think to himself, better me than a civilian. Or Gina.
"Mr. Kale, are you awake?"
"Scott, baby, please wake up. Scott I need you to be okay."
"Scott, come on, dude. You're not gonna let one bullet take you out, right?"

Your eyes snap open. You're in what must be a hospital room. Your shirt has been removed, and white bandages cover your abdomen. You feel a sharp, constant pain in your lower left side. An IV is hooked into your arm.

A doctor or nurse leans over you. Behind him you see Gina, her face streaked with tears. Her hand is gripping that of a very worried-looking Other Scott.

What do you do?


Kshritij

Link had gotten fast. Damascus thought, as he ducked under the swing. He swung his leg low to topple Wren over, but the former child star easily leaped over his attack. Damascus however was in perfect crouching position to tackle his old friend in mid air, sending the two flying.

In moments they were struggling on the ground, throwing punches, locking joints, and kicking wildly. This wasn't a battle between two trained fighters-this was two young men expressing their anger, their guilt, their fear through the only expression they allowed themselves. Both men were hurting, both had gone through the same loss, and both wanted someone to understand what they were going through.

But would they be able to hear each other? Or was this the final nail in the coffin of their friendship?

This may seem weird, but I'm actually trying to comfort/support Wren in my own special way. Men don't talk about their feelings-they punch each other, then go for a beer. I assume Wren is feeling guilty over something, given his radical life change. Let's see if it works! (Which I doubt, given how Angry I am)

[roll0]

EDIT: Sounds about right. 1 more potential for me.

"Yeah. I joined the big leagues." A snap kick gets you in a soft spot. He's fighting smart now. "Because I have the skills for it." an open-hand strike his a pressure point on your neck. "I went hand to hand with an invincible alien who was trying to destroy humanity. I was saving the world" one punch, second punch, third punch--all where it hurts. "I trusted that you and Sandra and Dagny could keep eachother safe from bush-league threats like Ragnarok."

"I guess I was wrong." A roundhouse kick to finish.

Take a powerful blow.


Cameron

[SIZE=4][B][url=http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6]
[COLOR="#000080"]"So she asked if everything was ok, and I explained the whole deal, we laughed at people's assumptions. Then we got to talking about family, and about how sometimes you run into people who open their heart to you, their homes. Your name got mentioned Mrs. Weber, and so while you don't know much about me, I know that you're solid, just from the way Riese talks about you."

He picked up his glass, took a sip, he was nervous, for obvious reasons, but he really didn't want Mrs. Weber's next line of questions to be about his mother. Luckily Riese deflected, bringing their attention back to dinner. "There it is," he said pointing to his menu, "Kam Heong chicken. It's got some heat, that's for sure."

Mrs. Weber reaches across the table and takes your hand in hers. "You have set your gaze far past where it should go, Aspect. The hounds have caught your scent across the angles of time."

The waiter arrives, and smiles. "Even now, their keening cries echo across the dreamscape of this world. None will be safe when they fully manifest."

What do you do?


Riese
Your mother reaches across the table and takes Cameron's hand in hers. "I've spent my life as a doctor in some of the most troubled places in the world. The one thing I've learned is that the capacity for human kindness is enough to triumph over anything."

The waiter arrives, and smiles. "Hi. Are you ready to order? Today's special is the Nasi Ayam with a tamarind ginger sauce."


Tristan
You find your walk back interrupted by a protest.

An anti-powers group is gathered protesting outside a business called "Mutant Books and Coffee"

You see signs reading "N.O.C.A.P.E.S.", "Exodus 22:18", and "Keep our children safe from them". Several have taken up a chant of "Freaks Out!"

One man has a hand-painted sign that clearly features Riesenlied's dragon form. When you pass him, he shouts "Ejder ji bajarê we bên, da ku tevlî cin din. Paqij mala xwe ji vê nexweşiyê li ber xerab her tiştê tune dike!"

A smaller counter-prostest is gathered near the entrance to the shop. Signs read "Rights for all" and "Powered Pride"--several of the counter protesters have evident physical changes.

There's a kid in a grey hoodie walking down the street near you, and as you get closer to the protest, a couple of the anti-capes protesters break off to harass him--one of the protesters pulls his hood off, and you can see he has bright green skin and finned ears. They start shoving him around and calling him "frogface".

What do you do?

[Razade]

Tristan
You find your walk back interrupted by a protest.

An anti-powers group is gathered protesting outside a business called "Mutant Books and Coffee"

You see signs reading "N.O.C.A.P.E.S.", "Exodus 22:18", and "Keep our children safe from them". Several have taken up a chant of "Freaks Out!"

One man has a hand-painted sign that clearly features Riesenlied's dragon form. When you pass him, he shouts "Ejder ji bajarê we bên, da ku tevlî cin din. Paqij mala xwe ji vê nexweşiyê li ber xerab her tiştê tune dike!"

A smaller counter-prostest is gathered near the entrance to the shop. Signs read "Rights for all" and "Powered Pride"--several of the counter protesters have evident physical changes.

There's a kid in a grey hoodie walking down the street near you, and as you get closer to the protest, a couple of the anti-capes protesters break off to harass him--one of the protesters pulls his hood off, and you can see he has bright green skin and finned ears. They start shoving him around and calling him "frogface".

What do you do?

Always something. Luckily Tristan has brought along a spare outfit albiet a crude one, he ducks down one of the nearest alleyways and changed with a small wrist device. Then it was back onto the street just in time to catch the poor defenseless meta getting harassed. "Enough!" he shouts seeing the protesters aren't likely to leave it just at hurtful words, a wall of molten rock suddenly lifting between the mutant and his aggressors. "Return to your protest. You do not want to cause a scene. It will not go well for you."

Rolling for unleash

[roll0]

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Afraid.

As Mrs. Weber places her hand atop his, and begins to intone in the dreadful voice, his skin began to crawl, his hand snapped back on instinct alone, his eyes grew wide, his mouth hung agape. Abject terror, blind, terrifying panic.

Then the waiter spoke, in the same terrifying voice, as though uttered from across a great distance, softly burrowing into ones ears, into ones thoughts.

He pushed back from the table, sending the waiter off balance, he looked across the restaurant, he heard the other patrons muttering, discordant. Yet as their various exclamations and murmuring filtered through the sound of his own heart hammering in his chest, he heard a choir, a chorus of gibbering madness lurking beneath the surface of reality, of sanity.

He turned, fled, knocking over the waiter as he did so, his path was not marked by the usual grace, and acrobatic skill of an urban gymnast, but by bumbling blind terror of prey, pursued by some vastly superior predator.

As he hit the street he skidded, falling to the pavement, slamming into the patron of a family just now entering the restaurant. He looked up, the father's face was twisted, not in rage, but confusion, and yet to Cameron it appeared as if something, beneath the skin, was twisting, stretching, contorting his features. He pushed back, scrambling across the sidewalk, he gained his feet and fled down an alley.

As he found a moment of isolation, his morphic costume, worn under his clothes, began to adapt to his fear, it flowed over him as a shadow, almost a living thing itself. Advent Omega stood in the alley, and he was afraid. In a shimmer of light and darkness, he departed, went to the only place that would let him prepare for this new threat, this cosmic horror.

The Anchor.

He was greeting by the chill vastness of the antechamber, the cold isolation. He should have known better, the less lives he touched, the fewer people who cared for him, it would be better in the end.

He collapsed into the fetal position, rocking back and forth, staring out, through the view port, into the vast, empty, void of space.

Something was coming for him, and perhaps it was the fear draining from him, or the exhaustion, yet he swore he could hear the baying of hounds.

*slow clap*

Masterfully done, Arscott. Masterfully done.

On a side note, I think my fleeing from the restaurant may have cleared my Afraid condition, but you let me know if you consider that a 'difficult situation.'

[arscott]

Iconoclast

Always something. Luckily Tristan has brought along a spare outfit albiet a crude one, he ducks down one of the nearest alleyways and changed with a small wrist device. Then it was back onto the street just in time to catch the poor defenseless meta getting harassed. "Enough!" he shouts seeing the protesters aren't likely to leave it just at hurtful words, a wall of molten rock suddenly lifting between the mutant and his aggressors. "Return to your protest. You do not want to cause a scene. It will not go well for you."

Rolling for unleash

[roll0]
The harrassers spit some curses at you and flip you the bird, but go back to rejoin their protest. The kid stares at you for a moment, and breaks out into a grand smile.

"Hey, thanks for showing those jerks!" He walks around and enters the bookstore/coffeshop.

What happens to the magma wall? Is the sidewalk restored, or is there a permanent barrier blocking it?


Riese

[SIZE=4][B][url=http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6]As Mrs. Weber places her hand atop his, and begins to intone in the dreadful voice, his skin began to crawl, his hand snapped back on instinct alone, his eyes grew wide, his mouth hung agape. Abject terror, blind, terrifying panic.

Then the waiter spoke, in the same terrifying voice, as though uttered from across a great distance, softly burrowing into ones ears, into ones thoughts.

He pushed back from the table, sending the waiter off balance, he looked across the restaurant, he heard the other patrons muttering, discordant. Yet as their various exclamations and murmuring filtered through the sound of his own heart hammering in his chest, he heard a choir, a chorus of gibbering madness lurking beneath the surface of reality, of sanity.

He turned, fled, knocking over the waiter as he did so, his path was not marked by the usual grace, and acrobatic skill of an urban gymnast, but by bumbling blind terror of prey, pursued by some vastly superior predator.
So, uh, that just happened.

What do you do?

[Sahaar]

Scott looks around the room, getting his bearings. His side hurts like hell, but he's alive, and that's what matters.

"Hey guys," he says to those present. "What happened? Where's Crow?"

[Razade]

Iconoclast

The harrassers spit some curses at you and flip you the bird, but go back to rejoin their protest. The kid stares at you for a moment, and breaks out into a grand smile.

"Hey, thanks for showing those jerks!" He walks around and enters the bookstore/coffeshop.

What happens to the magma wall? Is the sidewalk restored, or is there a permanent barrier blocking it?

Iconoclast offers a nod, a hand movement dropping the cooling wall back into the ground though a large scar remains to show it was there and could return. He spares a parting glance to the protest before ducking back into the alley and changing back to his civvies.

[Merilan]

Riese flinched back and her eyes shot wide open, knowing that this was not a usual occurrence for Cameron. She tried to wheel herself after him, but given her inability to move very fast, she couldn't get very far. "Cameron, wait...!" She let out a shaky breath and started clutching at her chest, the anxiety from experiencing that starting to make her feel pretty bad. She reached for her phone and stared down, for a moment, then fumbled and texted him.

>> what happened? <<
>> I'm worried <<

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: None.

His legs folded under him in a half lotus, levitating in front of the main wall screen while he searched the Anchor's database for the fragmentary clues he had on the nature of the beings pursuing him. Hounds. Angles of time. Dreamscape. Manifest.

He wasn't sure what he would discover, or if it would amount to anything, but he had gained the attention of some entity from the void. He needed knowledge, something he could use to prepare himself for these beings arrival. The light from the monitor underlit his face, his cowl was down, his mask pulled back, intent, his eyes focused, his shoulders hunched over the console.

He knew that fleeing the restaurant had hurt Riese, had damaged beyond all repair his relationship with Mrs. Weber. His phone chirped, he noted her number, he flipped the phone his telekinesis setting it spinning, leaving it unanswered. He fled the restaurant to protect her, to protect those he cared for. Those he loved.

He needed to find what was coming for him, before he could reach out to them.

I will roll Superior, -1, to try to Assess the Situation, specifically to find any information on the Hounds of Tindalos. [roll0]. My two questions would be; What here can we best use to end this (being pursued by the Hounds) quickly? And, What here can I use to return the Hounds to wherever they came from?

[arscott]

Scott

Scott looks around the room, getting his bearings. His side hurts like hell, but he's alive, and that's what matters.

"Hey guys," he says to those present. "What happened? Where's Crow?"
"He Shot you, Scott." Gina's face clouds with anger. "All he wanted was some stupid trinkets. You tried to tackle a man with a gun, and he shot you! Were you trying to be a hero? Because you passed out, and you left me alone with a masked robber!"

Other Scott and the medic both shift awkwardly but stay silent.

What do you do?


Iconoclast

Iconoclast offers a nod, a hand movement dropping the cooling wall back into the ground though a large scar remains to show it was there and could return. He spares a parting glance to the protest before ducking back into the alley and changing back to his civvies.
The man from the protest--the one whose sign depicts Riese's Dragon Form, stumbles into the alley just after you're finish changing. He shouts "Hevalbendekî aži di vir de bû. Ew bang xwîna şewitandina ji erdê. Van xerabiya bi destê hebûna wê mimkun kirin." He gets in your face, and switches to a heavily accented English "The Serpent is here. She will destroy everything you love!". It is, needless to say, a bit creepy.

What do you do?


Riese

Riese flinched back and her eyes shot wide open, knowing that this was not a usual occurrence for Cameron. She tried to wheel herself after him, but given her inability to move very fast, she couldn't get very far. "Cameron, wait...!" She let out a shaky breath and started clutching at her chest, the anxiety from experiencing that starting to make her feel pretty bad. She reached for her phone and stared down, for a moment, then fumbled and texted him.

>> what happened? <<
>> I'm worried <<
Your mom chases you in turn. When she sees that you have trouble breathing, she pulls an inhaler for you from her purse. You have one, of course, but the one she always keeps on her person for you is already out and ready.

After your breathing is restored, you see her frown. "I'm not sure I like that friend of yours any more, Riese. He seemed very unserious, and leaving like that shows he has very little regard for your needs and well-being. Darling, I worry that he'll only hurt you."

Your mother is telling and showing that you're fragile and suggesting that your fragility disqualifies you from having friends like Cameron. If you accept, shift Freak up and Mundane down.

How do you respond?


Advent Omega/Cameron

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: None.

His legs folded under him in a half lotus, levitating in front of the main wall screen while he searched the Anchor's database for the fragmentary clues he had on the nature of the beings pursuing him. Hounds. Angles of time. Dreamscape. Manifest.

He wasn't sure what he would discover, or if it would amount to anything, but he had gained the attention of some entity from the void. He needed knowledge, something he could use to prepare himself for these beings arrival. The light from the monitor underlit his face, his cowl was down, his mask pulled back, intent, his eyes focused, his shoulders hunched over the console.

He knew that fleeing the restaurant had hurt Riese, had damaged beyond all repair his relationship with Mrs. Weber. His phone chirped, he noted her number, he flipped the phone his telekinesis setting it spinning, leaving it unanswered. He fled the restaurant to protect her, to protect those he cared for. Those he loved.

He needed to find what was coming for him, before he could reach out to them.

I will roll Superior, -1, to try to Assess the Situation, specifically to find any information on the Hounds of Tindalos. [roll0]. My two questions would be; What here can we best use to end this (being pursued by the Hounds) quickly? And, What here can I use to return the Hounds to wherever they came from?
The hound travel not through the curved nature of physical spacetime but through the angled and segmented conceptual psi-space. Dreams, visions, ideas. To dwell on them is to provoke their ephemera and stigmata, and eventually their presence. Perhaps you could summon them through simple concentration.

But once they arrive, you don't think they'll go home without feasting on their prey--and they're hunting you. Or, at least they're hunting your mind-energy. It's possible, even likely, that you could fool them with a psychic construct, but it would have to be imbued with your thoughts and memories in order to satisfy their hunger.

When you feed the Hounds of Tindalos a psychic construct laced with parts of your actual soul, pick three of your labels and I'll rearrange them randomly. Then I'll ask you a question about one of your memories--answer and I'll tell you which part of that memory was eaten by the hounds.

[Sahaar]

"I wasn't about to let this guy get away with all kinds of stuff. So he had a faster trigger finger than I thought, so what? I'm alive, you're alive, and his wrist is broken. Should be easy to find him now." He takes a deep breath and shakes his head. "No, you're right, I @&%$'d up, and I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry. I really am."

[Razade]

Iconoclast

The man from the protest--the one whose sign depicts Riese's Dragon Form, stumbles into the alley just after you're finish changing. He shouts "Hevalbendekî aži di vir de bû. Ew bang xwîna şewitandina ji erdê. Van xerabiya bi destê hebûna wê mimkun kirin." He gets in your face, and switches to a heavily accented English "The Serpent is here. She will destroy everything you love!". It is, needless to say, a bit creepy.

What do you do?


"I thought I told you to get back to your protest." Iconoclast growls when he hears the shouting growing closer, turning on the crazed man. "Oh. We haven't met. I love nothing." He turns to walk away, he had no time for vagrants and mad men. Especially if they were ranting about Ries. The point after all was to get her to destroy. At least for what Takama-ga-Hara wanted. He...wasn't so sure.

[Merilan]

Riese worked her way through her coughing fit, inhaling into her mother's provided inhaler with relief and gratitude; when she spoke, though, she lowered her head and clutched at her armrests. "M-mom, he's not usually like that... he's working through some hard things himself, okay...?" She wanted to sniffle a little, but it wasn't like her to want to argue with her mother.

Riese is accepting her mother's influence, which... means she has to take a condition? She'll feel Guilty.

[CoreBrute23]

Kshritij

The roundhouse kick sent Damascus flying into a box containing various training weapons. Damascus stumbled to sit up, but in that time, one of the metalic Bo-staffs had rolled over Wren. Damascus swore internally-no way he could stand up before Wren could strike him with that staff.

"Yeah your a big hero now. That's why you've isolated yourself in this warehouse. Lots of world ending threats here. I feel so much safer." He said, trying to buy time as he tried to get a read on his opponent.

Trying to Pierce the Mask. Why? Because a -2 means failures are more likely, and this is a great way to get potential. Yay for suffering! I can see why my PCs always make bad decisions.

[roll0]

[arscott]

Kshritij

The roundhouse kick sent Damascus flying into a box containing various training weapons. Damascus stumbled to sit up, but in that time, one of the metalic Bo-staffs had rolled over Wren. Damascus swore internally-no way he could stand up before Wren could strike him with that staff.

"Yeah your a big hero now. That's why you've isolated yourself in this warehouse. Lots of world ending threats here. I feel so much safer." He said, trying to buy time as he tried to get a read on his opponent.

Trying to Pierce the Mask. Why? Because a -2 means failures are more likely, and this is a great way to get potential. Yay for suffering! I can see why my PCs always make bad decisions.

[roll0]
Wren walks toward you slowly, the staff in hand. Lightning fast, he slams the end of the staff on the ground less than an inch from your ear. Then a light blow against your chest. Not enough to hurt you, just enough to show you he could if he wanted to. Then another blow against your ribs. This one a little harder, a little more painful.

"This is pathetic, Kshritij. You're twice as strong as me, and I'm still kicking your ass. Are you trying to fight like Illuminator?" He leans over, right in your face. "Like your brother? Keep your head in the game and out-think your opponent? well, you're not smart enough for that."

He is, of course, telling you that you're more dangerous and less superior. Do you accept his words?


Riese

Riese worked her way through her coughing fit, inhaling into her mother's provided inhaler with relief and gratitude; when she spoke, though, she lowered her head and clutched at her armrests. "M-mom, he's not usually like that... he's working through some hard things himself, okay...?" She wanted to sniffle a little, but it wasn't like her to want to argue with her mother.

Riese is accepting her mother's influence, which... means she has to take a condition? She'll feel Guilty.

Your mother looks around the restaurant, then back at you. "Riese, do you still want to stay here for dinner? Or would you rather just go home?"

How do you respond.

[CoreBrute23]

"Maybe I didn't want to mess up your meal ticket pretty boy." Kshritij's eyes glow orange. "So I'll stop holding back." He wraps his legs around Wren's torso, slams down with his hands, and throws Wren flying with just his legs.

"OK big star." Damascus flips to his feet, clenching his fists as orange light flows around him. "Lights." He bangs his hands together, with a loud clank as if they were metal.

"Camera," He runs at Wren, arms pulled back, no longer holding back. "ACTION!"

Thank you. That was exactly what I was waiting for. I accept his words, my labels have shifted. Directly Engage (which triggers my Venting Frustrations, clearing my Angry): [roll0]

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Afraid, Guilty.

Cameron floated in his Sanctuary, the weird bio-organic machinery creating a deep thrummm throughout the vast empty station, a frequency, a vibration, that he could feel in his core. He contemplated the curved nature of space-time, and the segmented conceptual psi-space, a dimension that sat beneath physical reality. These beings, stalking him, hunting him, were hunting his psychic energy, would devour it, leaving him less than a husk.

As he considered the structure of reality, he was reminded of a night which seemed long ago, a trip to the Amusement Park at Lookout Point. His foster-father, Jackson, took him to the fun house, the hall of mirrors frightened him, but he couldn't identify why. The distortions of perceptions, twisted, contorted, the images hung there, almost between the mirrors themselves. Hung suspended. Trapped.

A glimmer began there, mirrors, images, suspension. Yet, to trap an image, a reflection, you needed two mirrors, to reflect the image back towards the viewer, reflections, illusions, figments. A mirror.

Another memory, Grendel, and the psychically empowered twins, Huginn and Muninn, Psyche and Cameron standing back to back amidst the devastated wasteland of the mind-scape. His eyes snapped open, he'd searched the psi-space tirelessly for her after the Ragnarok event, until his friends reminded him that she was gone, and that his guilt, his depression, his self loathing wouldn't bring her back.

Yet now, here he was, and if he was to trap these beings, these alien intelligences which pursued him, which sought to burn out, destroy his psyche. Yet, he needed to survive, for he was the only one who would be able to stand against Terminus and his anchors. As the plan began to take form in his mind, he hated himself for it, he knew that the price would be terrible, and could very well cost him his friends, yet, what choice did he have.

His relations with his team, or the safety of the entire dimension, he had to safeguard the world against the coming of Terminus.

Her body lie in some secret AEGIS facility, kept alive by machines that kept her heart beating, her lungs breathing. Her neurological functions forever severed from her mind by the disastrous events within the shared mind-scape. Yet, somewhere, deep within the psi-space, lay figments, fragments of her psyche, shattered perhaps, but each fragment still protected by a residual self image.

His body shimmered, seemed to shift out of phase with his surroundings, and he drifted towards the psi-space moving at the speed of thought, scanning, searching, scouring, for the fragments that would enable his to access Psyche's self image, he needed her help, now. More than ever.

Going to roll Freak, +2, to Unleash. [roll0]. I will spend a Team selfishly, as they would most likely think I've been pushed over the edge if they discovered that I ressurected Psyche as a mental construct. I will shift my Freak up, now a +3, and my Mundane down, now a -1. The increase to Freak will give me a 7, a marginal success.

I will choose to mark Guilty so that the effect isn't temporary or unstable. Also, wouldn't be surprised if this counts as over exerting your powers, and advances my Doom track, let me know.

[arscott]

Scott

"I wasn't about to let this guy get away with all kinds of stuff. So he had a faster trigger finger than I thought, so what? I'm alive, you're alive, and his wrist is broken. Should be easy to find him now." He takes a deep breath and shakes his head. "No, you're right, I @&%$'d up, and I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry. I really am."
You notice Scott twitch when you talk about finding Carrion Crow. There's something he knows that he's not saying.

Gina just stares at you the whole time you're talking. She pauses a moment after you finish, and then turns away. Still facing away from you, she quietly says "okay" in response to your apology. Gina takes influence over you.

The nurse clears his throat. "Mr. Kale? there are a few tests we need to run now that you're awake." He looks at Gina and Other Scott, and seems somewhat uncomfortable with their continued presence in the room.

What do you do?

[arscott]

Kshritij

"Maybe I didn't want to mess up your meal ticket pretty boy." Kshritij's eyes glow orange. "So I'll stop holding back." He wraps his legs around Wren's torso, slams down with his hands, and throws Wren flying with just his legs.

"OK big star." Damascus flips to his feet, clenching his fists as orange light flows around him. "Lights." He bangs his hands together, with a loud clank as if they were metal.

"Camera," He runs at Wren, arms pulled back, no longer holding back. "ACTION!"

Thank you. That was exactly what I was waiting for. I accept his words, my labels have shifted. Directly Engage (which triggers my Venting Frustrations, clearing my Angry): [roll0]
Wren goes flying in one direction. Several of his teeth go flying in another. From flat, he wobbles back up to his feet while laughing and spitting up blood.

"Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. Hit me again!" he goads, while bringing his fists up. You could continue to kick his ass, or you can just walk away.

What do you do?


Advent Omega

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Afraid, Guilty.

Cameron floated in his Sanctuary, the weird bio-organic machinery creating a deep thrummm throughout the vast empty station, a frequency, a vibration, that he could feel in his core. He contemplated the curved nature of space-time, and the segmented conceptual psi-space, a dimension that sat beneath physical reality. These beings, stalking him, hunting him, were hunting his psychic energy, would devour it, leaving him less than a husk.

As he considered the structure of reality, he was reminded of a night which seemed long ago, a trip to the Amusement Park at Lookout Point. His foster-father, Jackson, took him to the fun house, the hall of mirrors frightened him, but he couldn't identify why. The distortions of perceptions, twisted, contorted, the images hung there, almost between the mirrors themselves. Hung suspended. Trapped.

A glimmer began there, mirrors, images, suspension. Yet, to trap an image, a reflection, you needed two mirrors, to reflect the image back towards the viewer, reflections, illusions, figments. A mirror.

Another memory, Grendel, and the psychically empowered twins, Huginn and Muninn, Psyche and Cameron standing back to back amidst the devastated wasteland of the mind-scape. His eyes snapped open, he'd searched the psi-space tirelessly for her after the Ragnarok event, until his friends reminded him that she was gone, and that his guilt, his depression, his self loathing wouldn't bring her back.

Yet now, here he was, and if he was to trap these beings, these alien intelligences which pursued him, which sought to burn out, destroy his psyche. Yet, he needed to survive, for he was the only one who would be able to stand against Terminus and his anchors. As the plan began to take form in his mind, he hated himself for it, he knew that the price would be terrible, and could very well cost him his friends, yet, what choice did he have.

His relations with his team, or the safety of the entire dimension, he had to safeguard the world against the coming of Terminus.

Her body lie in some secret AEGIS facility, kept alive by machines that kept her heart beating, her lungs breathing. Her neurological functions forever severed from her mind by the disastrous events within the shared mind-scape. Yet, somewhere, deep within the psi-space, lay figments, fragments of her psyche, shattered perhaps, but each fragment still protected by a residual self image.

His body shimmered, seemed to shift out of phase with his surroundings, and he drifted towards the psi-space moving at the speed of thought, scanning, searching, scouring, for the fragments that would enable his to access Psyche's self image, he needed her help, now. More than ever.

Going to roll Freak, +2, to Unleash. [roll0]. I will spend a Team selfishly, as they would most likely think I've been pushed over the edge if they discovered that I ressurected Psyche as a mental construct. I will shift my Freak up, now a +3, and my Mundane down, now a -1. The increase to Freak will give me a 7, a marginal success.

I will choose to mark Guilty so that the effect isn't temporary or unstable. Also, wouldn't be surprised if this counts as over exerting your powers, and advances my Doom track, let me know.

Piece by piece, you rebuild something that resembles the Psyhe you know before. Cobbled together half from the mental fragments of her left behind after the grand battle and half from your own memories. But it's enough to fool the hounds, whose cries are getting louder and louder.

What happens?

[CoreBrute23]

Kshritij

Damascus' fist comes hurtling like a comet at Wren's face, the brightness was blinding.

Then the shine disappeared. Kshritij's fist was less than an inch from Wren's face, no longer glowing with light. Kshritij pulled back his arm, and looked down at his friend.

"I came looking for my friend. I wanted to see the hero he'd become." He turns around and heads to the door. "When he comes back, tell him to call me." He shuts the door behind him.

"I really miss him." He whispers.
Yeah he's leaving. So glad my move cleared my anger, or that could have got a lot worse. I think this counts as my scene ending, so feel free to put me in another scene or tell me to wait. If you want, I can visit Scott in the hospital, or we can leave him to a solo scene-don't want to interrupt his story.

[Merilan]

Riese swallowed, and took her time to recentre her breath. As much as she was concerned for Cameron, she was in no state to be able to chase after him, and he wasn't responding to the texts. She knew she had to give him time alone, and she missed her mother anyway.

"Y-yes, I want to have dinner with you, still, mother." She gave her her best smile, which was a bit strained.

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Afraid, Guilty.

He looked at the psychic construct, it was like looking at Sarah, at Psyche, through a fun-house mirror. It felt like her, moved like her, but something about it was wrong, off kilter, she, it?, seemed to have forgotten how to walk, how to talk, and was rapidly re-learning.

He knew that mental communication was faster, and would bring her up to speed quicker, but he didn't want to contact her thoughts, not directly, for fear of what he might find there. Judgment, anger, resentment for their final moments, he had sought out and assembled this simulacrum from the vestiges of her thoughts and emotions that had been scattered across the psi-scape when the shared mental construct they had used to try to imprison Ragnarok had failed, had shattered.

"Psyche," he spoke tentatively, "I need your help one last time."

She looked at him quizzically, cocked her head to one side, "Cam?" Her voice was hollow, ethereal, and it echoed from the vast empty spaces that comprised the Anchor, his Sanctuary.

"Yes, it's me, you," he paused, scared of the response, "you remember?"

She nodded her head, something flashed across her face, regret, disapproval, fear, "You shouldn't have done this Cam." She brought up her hands, inspected them. "I'm not me. Why? Why would you try to bring me back?"

He nodded, fought down his emotions, tried to keep the tears from his eyes, his throat tightened, his voice cracked. "I know. I never got to say I'm sorry. Never got to say goodbye."

Her eyes narrowed, she looked angry, "This?" She held up her hands, looked down at her body, "This?!" She said with disgust, "Is for a goodbye? Out of guilt? Pity? Fear?"

"No." He paused, took a deep breath, and still couldn't meet her eyes. "I was going to lose her."

"Who?" There was a tone of accusation in her voice.

"Riese."

She raised an eyebrow quizically, though the set of her face hadn't changed. It was uncanny, this was Sarah, this was Psyche. And yet, paradoxically, it was not, and would never be.

"Ragnarok. Several days ago, Draugar. He assaulted the dragon's form, it's essence. It retreated, Riese collapsed. She was so close Sarah ...," His throat did seize, his chest tightened, the last came in a hoarse whisper, "... she was going to die ..."

A dull spark, nowhere as bright as Karina's lit behind the constructs eyes, "Like me."

He couldn't speak, he nodded weakly.

Dawning realization, "What did you do Cameron?"

He pointed towards a corridor that branched off the main ante chamber. As he did so, something awful, something not wholly of this world, echoed behind the ever present thrum of machinery that kept the Anchor, his Sanctuary, floating high above the earth.

"You gave her a vestige of yourself? Of your mind? Of your soul?"

He nodded weakly. "I couldn't lose her ...," he choked as he responded.

"The Hounds?"

"Yes."

She looked at herself again, then to him. "You have given form to the fragments of my thoughts, my memories," she paused, looked to Cameron an quizzical look flashed across her face, "my desires."

Again he nodded, speechless.

"Capture the hounds. Trap them within a refraction." A look of respect, "You always were resourceful. It will take two thought-forms."

He nodded, pointed to the corridor. There, stepping from the shadows, another simulacrum, cloaked, cowled, like himself. It began to walk towards the pair as though it was just learning to do so.

"You sacrifice a piece, a thought, a memory? Of what? Of who? It must be powerful Cameron, or the refraction will not hold."

"It is."

She looked at him, curiosity clear on his face.

He answered her unspoken question. "You."

"Oh Cam ...," the simulacrum stepped forward cupped the young man's face in her hands, and looked at him gravely. "You cannot continue to be the martyr, you cannot continue to sacrifice pieces of yourself on the altar of your guilt."

"I can't lose anyone else ...," he looked up pleading, "I can't."

She, it?, stepped back. Looked down at Cameron, his grief plain on his face. The other Cameron, the construct walked towards the two.

The baying of the hounds became louder.

"You loved her." It was not a question.

He nodded weakly.

"As she did you."

She took the hand of his construct, crafted from his memory of Psyche, of Sarah, and his love for her. It was tempered with anger, guilt and regret. The two thought forms smiled at one another, sadly, and began to walk towards the corridor, to the baying of the hounds.

"Love and loss. Joy and sorrow. Life and death. Together, we will hold."

And then ... nothingness.



When he awoke the next day, the world felt colder, smaller, like the gap between him and the rest of the world had grown impossibly vast. He had the vague impression of losing something, something he should have cherished, but he could not, no matter how hard he tried, remember what that something was.

He pushed those feelings aside, compartmentalize. He could analyze them at a later date, for now, he knew that it had been some time since his last meet with Kshritij, and after the auction, and the re-emergence of Ragnarok there was certainly information that he needed. He thought of his destination, Java Lava, and as he did so his costume, adapting to his subconscious shifted to what he had been wearing the previous night at restaurant

In a flash of light from the teleportal, he was gone. The cavernous antechamber silent, except for the thrumming of the Anchors bio-ogranic machinations.

[CoreBrute23]

As Kshritij walked through the mall, he reminded himself how much he hated pop music. It's why the sound of it coming from all the stores nearby, as a way to entice customers, made him want to punch something. Preferably the speakers, then the manager.

What the hell are you thinking about? He scolded himself, as he walked to his destination. But thinking about nonsense was important. It kept him from thinking about what was really bothering him. About how he left things with Wren.

He walked into the large Jamba-bucks, a franchise coffee store that styled itself on it's 'summer style beverages', whatever that meant. All he knew, was they served a lot of bubble tea here. Needless to say, he had a water.

As he sat down at a table against the wall, he popped in his headphones, and put on the song Advent had selected. If it was stuck in his head, he'd stick out to the telepath, rather than just yelling into the psychic ether, which might attract it's own trouble.

"Why did it have to be this song?" He muttered, as he set the song to repeat.

What song did you pick for Kshritij to play in his head? Also, feel free to initiate contact here.
Why do the agents believe the coast guard are still alive after a week at the ocean's floor, rather than suffocated from their oxygen running out? Has Kshritij been told yet?

[Merilan]

Riese sat back down and apologised to the confused waiter, and she and her mother eventually picked their dishes out -- she settled for something comforting and familiar, chicken satay on rice. As they waited for their meal, she fidgeted, not able to really get the events of the last couple of days out of her mind.

There was an awkward silence between them, but eventually Halfrida broke the silence to speak: "You transformed again, didn't you, Riese?"

She paused, picking at a bit of hair. She knew her mother would know, eventually; she was on the chain of comms whenever trouble swung her way.

"I... I did, mother," she admitted, a little meekly.

"This was no accident this time, was it?"

"No..."

She sighed quietly, and looked forward towards the small girl. "Why were you out there, at that time, Riese? Does this have to do with your friend, Cameron?"

"Mom, I--"

"I need to know, Riese," she spoke firmly, but compassionately. "Are your friends convincing you to go out and do dangerous things with them?"

She shook her head rapidly and protested, "N-no, I came out there because--" she choked a little, shoulders sinking. "I wanted to go there."

Halfrida had an even expression on her face, trying her hardest to be patient. "Why is that, Riese?"

Riese drew her hands to her chest and couldn't bear to face her mother. She knew all too well that she was the contradictory one here -- she'd expressed at length how she just wanted to live a normal life, how she just wanted to have peace and quiet, away from all the troubles in the Middle East, of the cults that wanted her to 'awaken', of The Dragon within...

... but at the same time, it wasn't something that she could just completely ignore.

That heart beat within her was all too real, and its pulse kept reminding her of who she was. It kept making her doubt about who she really was meant to be.

"Mom, I--" she gasped a little, and lowered her head. "I'm... there are-- there are frightening things out there, and I just can't let them be--"

"There are a lot of heroes in this city," Halfrida patiently reminded them. "Good people, men and women who wouldn't let such frightening things lie. It's one of the tenets of Halcyon City, and why we came here. So that you can live the quiet life you wanted. Do you remember?"

"How could I forget?" she responded, a little hurt. "But mother, doing nothing also leaves me feeling discontent..."

The German woman sighed again, very quietly. "Riese, dear, I know you're smart enough to know that you simply can't have both. I know that there are a lot of people out there who want to hunt you. I have no illusions about this."

"I know..." Her response was soft, dismayed. Like she was undoing a lot of the hard work that her mother, and a lot of other people, were doing for her. "But I feel like if I do nothing, I'd just be-- lying to myself."

Her mother looked at her. "Is that my dearest Riesenlied talking, or is it someone else in there?"

She bit her lip. "I still don't know, mother. But..." She tilted her head, and then resolved to say, "Both of us really, really love you, mom."

Halfrida had to content herself with that, with a quiet smile. And then the waiter drew in with an impressive spread of satay and panang laksa, served with fried scallions and garnished with a wedge of lime. At the very least, she had to console herself with that tonight.

[Sahaar]

Scott nods and smiles at Gina's single word, then turns to the nurse.

"Alright, doc, do your tests, tell me how %&^#@ I am."

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Afraid, Guilty.

As Cameron sat in Java Lava, his hands wrapped around a venti, no foam latte, with vanilla syrup and a hint of cinnamon, he stared into space. His eyes closed, he focused on the heat, and the scent of coffee. Any extended period on the Anchor left him feeling cold, and this morning, for whatever reason seemed worse than previous. Like he had lost something, lost focus. He couldn't put his finger on it, he still felt bad about the dinner with Riese and her mother, but he felt, somehow, free from the fear that drove him out of the restaurant. The <don't think about them Cam!> didn't have a hold on him any longer, and while he should feel ... something, he only felt hollow, and cold.

He took a sip of his latte, and reached out, letting his thoughts brush up against the others throughout the coffee shop, and it expanded outwards to some of the trendy boutiques that surrounded Lava's. He had to be careful, he only wanted to brush their consciousness, he didn't want to push, if he would experience their thoughts, their fears, their doubts. He didn't want to experience his own today, there was no way he was prepared to deal with the weight of strangers innermost thoughts.

There, he heard the familiar tones of Simon and Garfunkel's '64 classic. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zLfCnGVeL4) In response to Kshritij's disdain for the musical beacon, he shrugged, 'Maybe you have to be a telepath to understand the significance of the lyrics.' It was Sandra's favorite song, but Cameron wouldn't know that. Not now. He took another sip of his latte, 'I'm glad you came, it's been awhile. We need to talk, the auction was a $h!t show and Ragnarok is back.'

[CoreBrute23]

Yeah, well I don't need any reminders of her today. Kshritij didn't elaborate on who her was-Cameron would know. Instead he moved swiftly on.

I did some research, and a lot of the tech at that auction is coming from Bethesda, Maryland. Yeah, same place where AEGIS administration office is located. Not sure of the connection, but I doubt it's a coincidence.

Speaking of Ragnarok, you remember Ava Wilson, aka Hel, aka the girl with the same kind of energy signature as you? Terminus or nega energy, or whatever you call your bad mojo. Found something that had the same signature as you, AEGIs is calling it 'Project Atlantus'. Thought you'd want to know. Damascus leaned his head against the wall, and closed his eyes. For all intents and purposes, it looked like he was asleep.

Instead, Damascus was walking through his mental library. It was a visualisation trick Illuminator had taught him, to help memorise data. However, Damascus' didn't look like an old library, as the norm. Instead, it resembled an old fashioned music store, with records and CDs for sale. The labels however, didn't bear the names of genres of music or artists, but instead feelings, events or people.

There was a section in the back that had been cordoned off by velvet rope. When Cameron asked him what was in there, Kshritij lied and said it was the stuff he cleared his browser history of. The truth was it was everything he didn't want to face right now.

Kshritij picks up a cassette tape, and hands it to Cameron.

"Here's all the info I was briefed (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21320469&postcount=91) on about Project Atlantus." After Cameron has had time to absorb it, Kshritij asked,

"So, you in the mood for a swim?"

[arscott]

Scott nods and smiles at Gina's single word, then turns to the nurse.

"Alright, doc, do your tests, tell me how %&^#@ I am."

You spend the next half hour being asked variations on the question "how much does this hurt?"

The eventual verdict is that you're very very lucky, and the bullet managed to miss anything especially important. The doctors predict a speedy recovery, but urge you to take it light in the physical activity department. "It's okay if you light exercise after a few days, but try to avoid anything that's especially intensive on your abdominal muscles, like martial arts or swimming."

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Guilty.

As he wandered through Kshritij used record store, he marveled at the young man's mental discipline, creating a mental construct, storing information, memories, it was difficult work. Bordering on obsessive. He reviewed the AEGIS de-briefing, in regards to Project: Atlantus. The fleeting impression of a great crustacean, arrayed with multitudinous pincers and tentacles. And a name: Tiamat. The Orb, had been destroyed in the auction, or lost. Cameron knew that was false, the question was.

'So tell me Kshritij, are you AEGIS yet? Have they given you a card and a badge? Because I can get us into Atlantus, but I am not handing over the keys. This is bigger than them, this ties directly into my bad mojo as you so aptly put it. And they've already demonstrated that they aren't willing to work with me to prevent that mojo from seeping through and poisoning everything it touches.'

He paused, and probed at his memory of the team, before Ragnarok, when they were a team. But there was something missing, a void, a hollow, and it seemed wrong somehow. He kept probing it, like a man missing a tooth, running a tongue over the gap.

'I miss the team, the way we were. Me and Riese were at the Auction, but Icon missed it, Dagny's missing. You weren't there giving us $h!t for our flawed tactics,' his self image half smiled in the dim light of the record store, 'Aldebaran wasn't there to do her own thing, pretending she chaffed under your leadership, and Scott wasn't there to eat Shieldmaiden's lightning and throw it back at her, laughing like a kid.' He shrugged, 'Something big is coming, and there is some serious bad mojo in Atlantus. AEGIS can't help us, not really. But we can rescue their team, buy ourselves some goodwill, save some lives at the same time. Just like old times.'

[Sahaar]

*Some time later*

Scott looks at himself in front of his bathroom mirror, shirt off, looking at the bandages wrapped around his body. He tries to stretch, but recoils in pain before he gets far. Swallowing a couple painkillers and a glass full of water, he places his hand on an electrical socket. Even absorbing energy pains him, but the energy he absorbed will help speed his recovery. He opens his phone--scrolling past all the "get well soon" texts from his coworkers--and sends a message to Damascus:

Carrion Crow is back and he shot me in the gut at dinner, so I'm not feeling well. Sorry I didn't msg you sooner, but I was in the hospital. -Scotty


He gingerly crawls into bed and opens a comic book that he'd been putting off on reading for days like this. Something told him that he'd be here awhile.

[CoreBrute23]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Guilty.

As he wandered through Kshritij used record store, he marveled at the young man's mental discipline, creating a mental construct, storing information, memories, it was difficult work. Bordering on obsessive.
"Don't look so impressed." Kshritij said modestly. "You aren't the first Psychic whose been in here. Trust me-it used to look a lot more shabby."


He reviewed the AEGIS de-briefing, in regards to Project: Atlantus. The fleeting impression of a great crustacean, arrayed with multitudinous pincers and tentacles. And a name: Tiamat. The Orb, had been destroyed in the auction, or lost. Cameron knew that was false, the question was.

'So tell me Kshritij, are you AEGIS yet? Have they given you a card and a badge? Because I can get us into Atlantus, but I am not handing over the keys. This is bigger than them, this ties directly into my bad mojo as you so aptly put it. And they've already demonstrated that they aren't willing to work with me to prevent that mojo from seeping through and poisoning everything it touches.'

"Not a badge, so much, but I've got access to a lot more than your self-Exiled group." Kshritij responded.


He paused, and probed at his memory of the team, before Ragnarok, when they were a team. But there was something missing, a void, a hollow, and it seemed wrong somehow. He kept probing it, like a man missing a tooth, running a tongue over the gap.

'I miss the team, the way we were. Me and Riese were at the Auction, but Icon missed it, Dagny's missing. You weren't there giving us $h!t for our flawed tactics,' his self image half smiled in the dim light of the record store, 'Aldebaran wasn't there to do her own thing, pretending she chaffed under your leadership, and Scott wasn't there to eat Shieldmaiden's lightning and throw it back at her, laughing like a kid.'

"Yeah well," He leaned against some shelves. Man he wished he had thought up some chairs. "Things ain't so great with Exalted. Aldebaran's run off to deal with some ninja things-don't know when she's gonna be back, or if she'll ever be back. Maybe she and Dagny ran off together? I bet they'd get along-crazy ninja chicks sticking together." He rested on the floor.

"I wish things could go back to the way there were too. Everything seemed a lot-well not easier, it was still tough. But simpler. More colorful. Less gray and confusing."


He shrugged, 'Something big is coming, and there is some serious bad mojo in Atlantus. AEGIS can't help us, not really. But we can rescue their team, buy ourselves some goodwill, save some lives at the same time. Just like old times.'

Kshritij raised an eyebrow and gave him a look. A dangerous look. A look that said, 'we're gonna get in so much trouble.'

"Where do we start?" Kshritij smiled for the first time in a long while.

*Some time later*

Carrion Crow is back and he shot me in the gut at dinner, so I'm not feeling well. Sorry I didn't msg you sooner, but I was in the hospital. -Scotty


A little while later, Scotty received a message from Damascus.

Open your window. -Ks

There, standing outside, was Kshritij, in civilian wear. He came in once Scott opened it up, and tossed him a package.

"Sorry to hear you date got crashed." He said casually. "I got you some dinner." Inside the wrapped package was a jumbo set of Duracell batteries.

"D-batteries, your favorite." He said, doing his best at a bad joke. "Hey chin up. So you got shot, we all get shot. You can't let what happened keep you down. It's like Illuminator would say-'the past is a teacher, not a burden'."

I'm trying to Comfort Scott, using my Heroic Tradition Move. By saying what I think Illuminator would say, I can roll with superior instead of Mundane. Let's go! [roll0]

"Anyway, chow down, and then put on your water wings." He crossed his arms. His body glowed slightly blue.

"We're going for a dip."

Any chance of a smash cut here boss? Assuming I didn't fail above and emotionally cripple Scott?
EDIT: Success! That move finally proved useful! Assuming Scott accepts my words.

[arscott]

Everyone...
...is deep, deep underwater. You're above a bed of seaweed, which partially conceals an alien looking metallic structure.
Decide and describe how you can move and breathe underwater. Damascus Blaze would have been able to get the team(s) some underwater propulsion units with attached rebreathers from Illuminator, but if you have different ideas you're welcome to use other resources or powers instead or in addition.
Suddenly a voice booms through the water.

"Surface Dwellers! You dare return here after the horrors that your meddling has already wrought? Return to your dry land now, or face the wrath of the Sea's protector!"

The voice belongs to Aquaria, who rises out of the seaweed, blocking your way to the Project Atlantus structure and the trapped Coast Guard divers.
http://i.imgur.com/q7DhOEo.png
Aquaria Panthalassa is a sea elemental, arisen to protect the very spirits of the world's waters. She is not unsympathetic to humanity, but she is more than willing to end the lives of those who would harm her beloved ocean.
What do you do?

[CoreBrute23]

Damascus was grateful that Illuminator had been so forthcoming with these propulsion devices. And by forthcoming, he meant out on a mission when Damascus went to borrow them from HQ.

Well I doubt he would mind. Besides, it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission. He thought to himself as they went down to the deep ocean, his powerful legs instinctively kicking behind him.

He came to a sudden stop as the blue skinned elemental appeared in front of them. Aquaria? She's involved? Maybe I should have talked to Illuminator, he could have warned me about his fish and chips on the side.

Damascus concentrated and a blue light bubble appeared around him. He took off his rebreather, but the light field kept the water from getting in.

"Aquaria, we mean you no harm. My name is Damascus Blaze. I believe you are acquainted with my mentor Illuminator?"

As he spoke, he glanced around, trying to get a lay of the situation, in case things turned sour. Hopefully Illuminator treated Aquaria more kindly than his other femme fatales.

I assume Advent is keeping up a telepathic link, if the rest of us are wearing rebreathers. Even so, I'm not thinking any of my thoughts to the guys.

Assess Situation roll: [roll0]

Well that would normally be 1 question, however my Protoge Move 'Be mindful of your surroundings' gives me an extra question if I assess the situation before a fight.

My questions are:

How could we best end this quickly?
What here is in the greatest danger?

[arscott]

"Aquaria, we mean you know harm. My name is Damascus Blaze. I believe you are acquainted with my mentor Illuminator?"

As he spoke, he glanced around, trying to get a lay of the situation, in case things turned sour. Hopefully Illuminator treated Aquaria more kindly than his other femme fatales.

I assume Advent is keeping up a telepathic link, if the rest of us are wearing rebreathers. Even so, I'm not thinking any of my thoughts to the guys.

Assess Situation roll: [roll0]

Well that would normally be 1 question, however my Protoge Move 'Be mindful of your surroundings' gives me an extra question if I assess the situation before a fight.

My questions are:

How could we best end this quickly?
What here is in the greatest danger?


"Your mentor?"

She extends her arm toward you and a wickedly curved sword appears in her hand--coalesced from the seawater.

"Does he hope that an emissary might win back my favor where his own words could not? Leave this place, and tell your master that no man can tame the sea!"


Here's your assessment of the situation:

You could, of course, best end this quickly by turning around and going home. But the best option if you're trying to defeat her in a conflict is to trick or provoke her. Aquaria is the opposite of subtle, and lacks a strategy beyond direct assault, so use that against her.

As far as who is in the most danger, your fellow exalts and exiles, but especially Scott. Aquaria might cut you some slack because of her relationship with with Illuminator, but that won't extend to the rest of your group. And Between the uncertain nature of Electricity powers underwater and his injury, he's probably the most vulnerable of your companions right now.

[Razade]

Iconoclast
None: Insecure


Getting a wet suit hadn't been difficult, after all every villain needed some sort of underwater minion, though Tristan's own suit was drastically modified. Sleak, form fitting and black with red accents the suit was very "him" complete with a face obscuring helmet and ample oxygen supply. A fight wouldn't do well, what with Riese's condition it was best to end this quickly. "He is correct, we have not come to fight. By the will of Susanoo'o I order you. Stand down."

I'll try a Provoke Roll

[roll0]

Oh you forum roller, I'm doomed never to roll a 10 again.

[arscott]

Iconoclast
"He is correct, we have not come to fight. By the will of Susanoo'o I order you. Stand down."

I'll try a Provoke Roll

[roll0]

Oh you forum roller, I'm doomed never to roll a 10 again.

"By the will of who?" She looks confused.

Aquaria stumbles: take +1 forward against her.

What do you do?

[Merilan]

Riese couldn't say she expected to spend the day like this, but she was there, down beneath the waves; she couldn't help but be a bit distracted at first, clearly not someone who'd ever even experienced the water in mundane fashions. She was surrounded in Advent's bubble, her chair held aloft as they descended.

"We only wish to rescue the Coast Guards that came here, and no more," she begged of the aquarian.

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Guilty.

Cameron had accepted the re-breather that Kshritij had appropriated from Illuminator's arsenal, he relied on his force constructs and adaptive costume for the rest. As they were preparing he had implored Riese to use the aquatic propulsion pack and pressurized suit, but she seemed to trust that Cameron's fields could withstand the pressure at depth, and he'd be damned if he'd fail her. Again.

This, Aquaria though, it was an unforeseen complication, and it needed to be dealt with. He could feel the energies pulsing from the Anchor located behind the kelp forest, and knew that was the much larger threat. Typically the Aspect, in this case the crustacean Tiamat, were very protective of their Anchor, it was after all, a place of power for them.

Perhaps, he thought, they could use an ally, he reached out psychically touch the elemental's thoughts. It was ... unnerving, almost primordial, but he struggled to project his own consciousness to create a link by which they could communicate. Once the link was established, he extended the communication network to include her thoughts.

'Aquarius, a great threat to our world lay beyond the kelp forest behind you. It is a device, an anchor if you will, that will, in time allow a great malevolent presence access to our dimension. I do not know how long it has been beneath the waves, and the ocean is a very deep, very ancient power, something worthy of our respect. AEGIS, fearing that very same structure sent a team to investigate the awful energies that sustain it, and in so doing lost contact with that team. We seek to find them, to return them to the surface.'

'There is more,' he continued through the link, 'the energies from that place, dubbed Atlantus by AEGIS, in their ignorance, have imbued, perhaps corrupted something. This place, it is a place of power and has a guardian, Tiamat.' As he projected the name to the elemental mind of Aquarius, he also projected the visual image that had been revealed to him through the orb, 'I fear that Tiamat prepares his territory, which rests squarely in the oceans that you guard so fiercely, so that the Anchor's master may transport himself to your oceanic realms, and in so doing threaten all life on this planet, both above, and beneath the waves.'

He nodded his head in respect to the primordial strength of the woman in front of the team, 'We ask for your aid, to preserve the integrity of the oceans, and to return our AEGIS allies to the surface. Please, you have knowledge and experience, that we,' a sweep of his arm indicated the team, 'airbreathers do not. Help us face this threat, to both our worlds. Together.'

And after that wall of text, I am going to activate my new Doom Ability, Bolstered, and mark my Doom track. I can now use the Adult move, Persuade with Best Interest, and roll with Superior, -1. Here we go, dice gods be good to us, I don't want to drown! [roll0].

Team? Team Pool anyone? Please? ;)

[CoreBrute23]

Damascus placed his rebreather on. Now that Cameron had created a link to Aquaria, he could speak through it.

"He's telling the truth. We are only here to help. Also, if it makes any difference, I didn't tell Illuminator we were coming, so he has no part of this at all."

Here you go pal, take a team point. Bring it up to 7.

[arscott]

"I know well of the mother of monsters, for it is my charge to protect the sea from all threats. Do not be so vain to think that you land-dwellers are the only danger that the oceans face.

I sought to prevent you from disturbing Tiamat in her slumber, but these others you speak of must have already done so. I will help you find those fools if they are still alive."

Her eyes narrow. "But you must swear a sacred oath to the waters. Tiamat's spawn must not be unleashed upon these coasts and shoals again. If we do not defeat her, you must use that orb of yours to seal her away--even if it means that not everyone escapes her lair."

How do you respond?

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Guilty.

Cameron nodded, slowly after listening to Aquaria's thoughts, fears and concerns. He reached out through the communication link he had established with her, 'I know, perhaps more than anyone here, the corrupting nature of the Anchor, and the power of it's creator. You have my word that I will not allow Tiamat or her creations to exit the Anchor while I still live. I vowed to stop the spread of Terminus' cancer in our world, and this Tiamat is just a symptom of that far more fearsome corruption.'

As he spoke, he drove his emotions into the link, so that Aquaria could feel his resolve as a physical, tangible reality. Iron-clad and inviolable.

[Sahaar]

As Battery awakes, it takes him a moment to realize the extent of his situation. He tries to get his bearings and, seeing his teammates, remembers the rebreathers Damascus had acquired prior to the mission.

He quickly detatches it from his belt and attaches it to his face. His side, though somewhat healed, still causes him a significant amount of pain as he moves his arms.

This is not an ideal situation. Though he can move and breathe, he is quite possibly in the worst environment for a confrontation. Any use of his powers would electrocute his teammates as much as it would Aquaria, and his martial arts are useless underwater.

Battery decides to stay out of the negotiations; he never was one for trading more than snide quips with the villains he faced. Instead, he focused his attention on what he could do if things went south.

I could try and grapple with Aquaria, but with my injury and her mastery of the environment, it'd be like trying to wrestle a tidal wave. Although if I could buy enough time for my allies to escape the water, I might be able to release a small enough discharge to take her out...

[arscott]

'I know, perhaps more than anyone here, the corrupting nature of the Anchor, and the power of it's creator. You have my word that I will not allow Tiamat or her creations to exit the Anchor while I still live. I vowed to stop the spread of Terminus' cancer in our world, and this Tiamat is just a symptom of that far more fearsome corruption.'

"Your vow is made, and the ocean hears" Aquaria intones. Your left hand glows with a blue light: a sigil appears, marking the oath you have made.

***

The anchor itself is alien in geometry, incorporating odd angles and spiral shapes. But there is very clearly an entrance--a portico with a circular platform and shell-shaped roof supported by helix colums leads to a tall oblong opening-sealed with etched panels that look like they open inward.

[assuming Advent Omega uses the orb to open the doorway]

The interior is vast, and it's clear that the inner dimensions don't correspond to the exterior. Strange crystaline coral lines the walls, its bioluminescence suffusing the chamber with a dim green glow. Tiny creatures dart, scuttle, and squirm through the chamber: crabs, octopuses, jellyfish, and others. A Diver Propusion Vehicle (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diver_propulsion_vehicle) sits near the entrance, the letters USCG prominently adorn its side.

What do you all do?

[Merilan]

Riese settled herself inside with a quiet gasp; she'd brought along one of the rebreathers and wore the diving suit, but she had hoped that she didn't have to use it. She... didn't actually have a lot of experience with swimming at all, given her state, so she wasn't sure if she would be up to the task immediately. "That's the Coast Guard's symbol, isn't it? I wonder where they went..."

I want to Assess the Situation to see where the Coast Guards may have been taken -- [roll0]

[Razade]

Iconoclast
Conditions: Insecure, Afraid

Iconoclast scanned the area, tense but thankful that they got in without a fight. The Coastguard ship was present which meant there had to be some kind of sign of where the men went.

I'll use an Assess with my +1 from the Provoke

[roll0]

Wow. I'm telling you guys. I think my roller is broken. I haven't had a roll above 5 naturally for a month now.

[arscott]

Riesenlied and Iconoclast

You look around, and you see things lurking in the dark, their glowing eyes peer out at you. You see a school of silver-dark fish swarming around something. When you get closer, you realize it's the corpse of one of the Coast Guard divers.

His flesh has been picked over by the fish, but it's clearly the spear through his chest that killed him. One that looks like it belongs to exactly the sort of spear-gun that he and his fellow divers were carrying.

Both of you, mark afraid.

what do you do?

[Merilan]

Riesenlied let out a terrified scream that was muffled by her rebreather, but the terror still echoed through in their psychic link. T-this man was... this man was... why did they fight each other...? Did they fight each other?


Conditions: Guilty, Afraid

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Guilty.

Cameron shuddered, this is why he needed Riese, the Wyrm, to prevent him from spiraling into a monster who could assault a man's mind, to have him turn on his friends, his allies.

'It is likely that this Aspect, Tiamat, can affect one's thoughts, one's mind, and turn them against one another. Or cause them to see images that aren't there.'

He concentrated, 'I can try to bolster the neural network with my own psychic energy to reinforce our thoughts from outside influence.'

Forgot to post my roll, can't edit it in, so I did it in the OOC thread and got a 12! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21343797&postcount=124)

As much as Raz is complaining, I wouldn't mind some more Potential, I've only gotten 2 so far! The dice like me, I think it's Terminus lulling me into a false sense of security for when my Doom comes!

[CoreBrute23]

Damascus followed Advent as he opened the door, and looked around. The first thing that struck him when he saw the DPV, was a worrying thought.

I thought a team went down here? He thought aloud. Most DPV can't take more than one person at a time. It couldn't have been a very big team. That is, unless they took their DPVs further in.
Is this DPV big enough to take the whole team down? Also, how many members of the team were there?
However, before he could investigate further, Riese let out a terrified scream at the sight of the body. Damascus swam closer to it, confidence bolstered by the psychic shield Advent just set up.

Calm down Puff. Damascus told Riese telepathically. Don't jump to conclusions. We do not know what occurred here. First we need to process the facts, gain an understanding of the situation. He looked over the spear wound. Don't let your emotions cloud your judgement.

I'm talking like Illuminator would, so I am trying to comfort Riese, but with my Superior +1. Iconclast, I don't know you are scared, that's why I'm not helping you. yeah that's the reason...

[roll0]

He grabbed the scuba diving mask, or what was left of it, and took it off. He hoped the mask would have preserved some of his expression. He might be able to learn something from him, or what drove him. Had he attacked his friends, or was it self defense? What clues was on this corpse?

Since Assess the situation failed, I assume I can't roll it myself. Thus, I am piercing the mask on this corpse-a bit strange yes, but I'm studying it to look for any hints or clues. Hopefully this counts. Mundane is ago!
[roll1]

[Razade]

Riesenlied let out a terrified scream that was muffled by her rebreather, but the terror still echoed through in their psychic link. T-this man was... this man was... why did they fight each other...? Did they fight each other?


Conditions: Guilty, Afraid

Iconoclast is quick to place a firm hand on Ries's shoulder even as a pang of worry ran through him. "We'll be fine. We now know how hard we have to fight."

[arscott]

'It is likely that this Aspect, Tiamat, can affect one's thoughts, one's mind, and turn them against one another. Or cause them to see images that aren't there.'

He concentrated, 'I can try to bolster the neural network with my own psychic energy to reinforce our thoughts from outside influence.'
A voice echoes through the chamber and through your minds. It is deep and cruel, like the ocean, and like motherhood.

"There is no need for that, aspect. It was human cruelty that killed that one, not any power of mine. Besides, the Aspect of Birth has no need for horrors of the mind..."

http://i.neoseeker.com/ca/rift_conceptart_tITlg.jpg
http://bogleech.com/dnd/morkoth3.jpg

Two monstrosities emerge from the darkness, ready to rend and devour your band of intruders.

What do you do?

[Razade]

That was certainly not a good sign as a voice echoed through his head, or the monsters that simply appeared. They were in the open and needed cover. Badly. He reached out, tugging at the sub that had brought the poor doomed men down here in the fist place and willed it hot, using the molten metal to erect a wall. With another clench of his hand he cooled it, forming just enough space for their party to use to their advantage.

Well. Here goes an Unleash.

[roll0]

ABOUT. TIME.

[CoreBrute23]

"Get back!" Damascus shouted telepathically, waving the team behind the magma wall Iconoclast had created.

"Battery your electricity won't work here," Damascus spoke quickly. His arms charged with light. "I know we haven't tried this before, but now's a good time to see if you can absorb my light powers." He threw a beam of light at one of the fish horrors from behind his cover.

I don't know if I get a bonus from using Iconoclast's armor, but I assume no, so I'll just roll straight Danger. [roll0]
This is me giving narrative justification for Battery having some way to attack, without electrocuting us all. GM, do you want a support action? Or is this fine without it?

[arscott]

The more fishlike horror dodges your beam of light, it opens its maw and shoots towards you like a living torpedo. You manage to duck behind Iconoclast's wall--if it hadn't been there, the thing would most likely be feasting on a chunk of your flesh. Instead, it swims overhead, and then reverses direction in a ballet of tentacles. Now there is no wall to stand between you and this monstrosity.

[Razade]

"On your six, Damascus." Iconoclast shouts, bits from the floating shield to lance at the strange crab people.

Well, with a -2 to Directly Engage and a +2 from my Danger...why not fail a roll?

[roll0]

Yep. That's how I expected it to go.

[arscott]

The crab horror reaches out with its pincers, tearing your hot metal barrier into so much tinfoil, and leaving the whole team defenseless from it and any other monsters that Tiamat may send your way.

[CoreBrute23]

"Worry about yourself Iconoclast!" He saw the creature tear through the wall his magma wielding ally...Magma, Kshritij found himself thinking, before shaking his head.

"Hey ugly, I'm getting jealous here!" He threw several small balls of hard light at the fish creature that had advanced on Iconoclast. "I thought we had something! What's a guy gotta do to get some attention?"

I'm switching back from the Italicised speech, just assume I'm using the telepathy to communicate. Yes it won't work on the fish, probably, but quips are quips.
I'm trying to defend Iconoclast from an immediate threat. Aka, the fish person who just broke through our cover.

[roll0]

EDIT: It worked! No fails, it's the start of a good day, and I didn't even have to hug Counterspell! :smallbiggrin:
For my hit, I'll take influence over Iconoclast.

[Merilan]

Riese looked towards Damascus and tried to stiffen herself up, prevent herself from becoming too agitated. She heard her teammates' words, each of them, nodding and swallowing tightly, feeling her lungs clutch up a little. You-- you're right... thank you, Damascus. Thanks for being there, even when we haven't seen eye to eye before. I--

There wasn't a lot of time to answer further, though, because each of the menacing aquatic monstrosities approached; she watched the battle unfold, and felt a bit helpless. Should she transform -- here, now? She'd scarce fit into this room, and potentially threaten her teammates further in this hostile, underwater environment.

She had to do it. Here and now. Do or ... well, possibly, die. Or simply be a further load to her teammates.

She extended her hand and concentrated, hard. She felt the heartbeat of the dragon pulsate harder, in a way she hadn't before. She let out a stifled little cry -- and then her arm, no, her hand exploded outwards; the fibers of the divesuit simply ripped as her right hand distended into that of The Dragon's, far larger and dangerous than her own. It shot forward, to grab and slam the fishlike horror clawing through Iconoclast's wall.

I hope this is okay -- I'm going to say that Riese is beginning to explore how to use her powers without having to Dragon up (use Burn), and directly engage the threat. [roll0]

Assuming that's OK, I'll select to resist or avoid their blows in turn.

[arscott]

"Worry about yourself Iconoclast!" He saw the creature tear through the wall his magma wielding ally...Magma, Kshritij found himself thinking, before shaking his head.

"Hey ugly, I'm getting jealous here!" He threw several small balls of hard light at the fish creature that had advanced on Iconoclast. "I thought we had something! What's a guy gotta do to get some attention?"

I'm switching back from the Italicised speech, just assume I'm using the telepathy to communicate. Yes it won't work on the fish, probably, but quips are quips.
I'm trying to defend Iconoclast from an immediate threat. Aka, the fish person who just broke through our cover.

[roll0]

EDIT: It worked! No fails, it's the start of a good day, and I didn't even have to hug Counterspell! :smallbiggrin:
For my hit, I'll take influence over Iconoclast.
The fish horror swims back, keeping its distance from your light blasts but giving Iconoclast some room to breath.


Riese looked towards Damascus and tried to stiffen herself up, prevent herself from becoming too agitated. She heard her teammates' words, each of them, nodding and swallowing tightly, feeling her lungs clutch up a little. You-- you're right... thank you, Damascus. Thanks for being there, even when we haven't seen eye to eye before. I--

There wasn't a lot of time to answer further, though, because each of the menacing aquatic monstrosities approached; she watched the battle unfold, and felt a bit helpless. Should she transform -- here, now? She'd scarce fit into this room, and potentially threaten her teammates further in this hostile, underwater environment.

She had to do it. Here and now. Do or ... well, possibly, die. Or simply be a further load to her teammates.

She extended her hand and concentrated, hard. She felt the heartbeat of the dragon pulsate harder, in a way she hadn't before. She let out a stifled little cry -- and then her arm, no, her hand exploded outwards; the fibers of the divesuit simply ripped as her right hand distended into that of The Dragon's, far larger and dangerous than her own. It shot forward, to grab and slam the fishlike horror clawing through Iconoclast's wall.

I hope this is okay -- I'm going to say that Riese is beginning to explore how to use her powers without having to Dragon up (use Burn), and directly engage the threat. [roll0]

Assuming that's OK, I'll select to resist or avoid their blows in turn.
The Crab horror is knocked back, shell cracked. It starts to click its claws rapidly and flap its flukes in a rhythm, creating a pattern of micro-currents that make it very difficult for any of you to swim.

If anyone tries to move through the choppy current, it's unleashing your powers

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Guilty.

Cameron looked down at his hand, the blue glowing sigil marked upon it, he spoke, not through the neural net, not through his re-breather, but sent his thoughts out into the sea that surrounded them.

'You have heard my oath, that I would give my life to stop Terminus' taint from corrupting your life giving waters,' he felt something, similar to Aquaria, but deeper, not as aware, but connected to all the teeming life beneath the waves. 'These creatures are abominations, creations of the Nega-verse, a dark reflection of our own world, they threaten the balance of our world with their very presence.'

Normally he used his psychic strength, to bolster, sub-quantum particles, to give them rigidity and solidity. In the past he had created constructs, shields, walls, geometric shapes that were as solid as steel, he used them to entrap, to protect. Now, he sent out the same psychic energies, with the same strength, but he tried to follow the connect, to the waters that engulfed them, along those molecules. Strengthening them, flowing around them, until he could sense the water that was flowing through the gills, through the minute cracks in the crustaceous shell surrounding the clawed horror, and then with a flick of his wrist, and made a fist. Solidifying those water molecules, at first it formed like ice, spiraling out from the monstrosity in fractal patterns, but it soon began to solidify into something stronger than steel.

The desired result is to entrap the Lobster horror, and to shatter his Carapace, exposing him to my allies attack. So I think that this is a Directly Engage maneuver. Rolling Danger of +1, [roll0]. Lets see how this works!

Annnd potential!

[Sahaar]

Let's see if this works...

Absorbing what he can from Damascus' beam of light, Battery unleashes an under-powered, but very bright, burst of energy. It wouldn't kill the creature, but it might stun it, and if things went awry, it shouldn't do more than frazzle his teammates.



Rolling to Directly Engage (intending to stun)

My roll is here because I tried to post this too soon after I posted in the OOC. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?360840-Dice-Roller-Test-Thread-IV-A-New-Hope&p=21345138#post21345138)

Man, nobody can hit this thing!

[arscott]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Guilty.

Normally he used his psychic strength, to bolster, sub-quantum particles, to give them rigidity and solidity. In the past he had created constructs, shields, walls, geometric shapes that were as solid as steel, he used them to entrap, to protect. Now, he sent out the same psychic energies, with the same strength, but he tried to follow the connect, to the waters that engulfed them, along those molecules. Strengthening them, flowing around them, until he could sense the water that was flowing through the gills, through the minute cracks in the crustaceous shell surrounding the clawed horror, and then with a flick of his wrist, and made a fist. Solidifying those water molecules, at first it formed like ice, spiraling out from the monstrosity in fractal patterns, but it soon began to solidify into something stronger than steel.

The desired result is to entrap the Lobster horror, and to shatter his Carapace, exposing him to my allies attack. So I think that this is a Directly Engage maneuver. Rolling Danger of +1, [roll0]. Lets see how this works!

Annnd potential!
"Do you think your gifts will work so easily against my children, Omega?" Tiamat's voice booms in your head. the Crab horror walks through your solidified water like it's not even there, grabbing at your midsection with a large claw.

Take a powerful blow.

Battery

Let's see if this works...

Absorbing what he can from Damascus' beam of light, Battery unleashes an under-powered, but very bright, burst of energy. It wouldn't kill the creature, but it might stun it, and if things went awry, it shouldn't do more than frazzle his teammates.



Rolling to Directly Engage (intending to stun)

My roll is here because I tried to post this too soon after I posted in the OOC. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?360840-Dice-Roller-Test-Thread-IV-A-New-Hope&p=21345138#post21345138)

Man, nobody can hit this thing!


It seems like whatever energy you absorbed from Damascus hasn't stuck, at least not yet--the energy burst fizzles uselessly. The fish horror swims at you with gaping jaws, and you manage to duck out of the way--but it's not enough. At it swims past you, it grabs you with one of its tentacles.

What do you do?

[Sahaar]

For a brief moment, Scott panics. His powers aren't working and now this horrifying beast has him this close to its mouth. He struggles, but under the water like this, his strength isn't worth much.

Then he has a eureka moment. Maybe all he needs is a little burst of energy to scare the fish away. At this range, he can put all of his power into a close-ranged burst that will stun the fish, giving his allies the breathing room they need.

He takes a deep breath--as deep he can take while grappled by a fish, waits for just the right moment, and lets it all out.


Rolling Unleash Powers to overcome the obstacle that is this nasty fish.

[roll0]

[arscott]

Battery

The fish horror clamps down on your shoulder with its jaw.

Take a powerful blow.

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Guilty.

Cameron was a little unnerved when Tiamat used his name, though, in truth, they both shared a connection with the Negaverse, and Terminus himself. Still, as he aberrant spawn attacked him he pushed the thought from his mind, better to concentrate on the here and now before he ended up flotsam for Tiamat's monstrosities.

As the crustaceous horror maneuvered quickly through Advent's water-reinforced construct, a claw the size of his torso snapped out for his abdomen. Almost instinctively he surrounded himself in a near form fitting psychic field, the field held, though from the pressure on his ribs, just barely. 'These guys don't play around! Focus fire! Take out the fish-like one, it is faster, and more maneuverable than the claw here! Nrrrrgh!' The last was an exclamation of pain, as the crushing grasp of the claw bore down on his ribs, painfully.

"Enough!"

With an indomitable will he bolstered his psychic fields, slowly, but inevitably forcing the crushing, bone breaking, open, freeing himself from it's deadly grasp.

Rolling Condition marked, +1, to Take a Powerful Blow. Will edit in a narrative based on this check. [roll0]. Hopefully the low rolling trend continues! Nice! Another Potential and I don't get cleaved in two by a Surf 'n Turf entree!

[Merilan]

Riese looked extremely nervous as she paced herself, knowing she was more reliant on the rebreather and the underwater device to manuever herself rather than her -- well, her actual limbs. She was really struggling with this newfound power, and it felt extremely painful now that her arm was exposed -- but she had to keep going, they were still all in danger.

She gasped a little as Battery and the fish began to grapple, and exclaimed -- at least in thought, Get away from him!

She summoned the Dragon Claw again, and heaved it forward, pricking her fingers into one point for a crushing blow.

Directly engaging the fish! [roll0]

Woo! I choose to resist their blows and to give Battery an opportunity -- to escape, or make a counterattack, whichever one he prefers.

[arscott]

Riesenlied
Your claw digs into the fish horror, tearing at its slimy flesh. Like a squid, it lets out a burst of ink, obscuring the battlefield.

What do you do?

Battery
Riesenlied's attack buys you a moment, and you have one chance to act before the ink obscures your vision.

What do you do?

[Sahaar]

[roll0]


As Riesenliend's attack disorients the fish, Battery opts to hightail it the hell out of there. His attacks clearly aren't connecting, and he doesn't want to risk injuring himself--or his teammates--any further. Panic sets in again. Nothing he does works. Was he really doing anything here? Or is he just a liability?

[Merilan]

Riese yelped in a bit of panic as the fish monster distended into a burst of ink, and attempted to swim away from the ink to get a better vantage and hopefully not get ambushed by the crab clawed horror. As she did so, she pulled up closer to Battery and placed a hand on his shoulder. Are you okay, Battery? I was worried. It--it will be okay.

Riese is terrible at it, but I want her to support Battery since it's clear to her that he's having some trouble. [roll0]

[arscott]

Everyone
A splash panel shows the progress of the battle so far.

A cloud of dark ink billows out from the center of the scene. On the left, the Crab Horror faces off against Advent Omega, but is keeping his distance, maneuvering right into the path of the fleeing Battery. Advent, meanwhile, is looking towards Riesenlied, who is in front of the ink cloud. Both of them have only now noticed the pale tentacles of the Fish Horror snaking their way out of the cloud towards Riese. To the right is Damascus Blaze, whose gaze has been drawn to the extreme right of the scene by a shout from Aquaria. Aquaria is battling a third horror, this one with a more crinoid or starfish-like apprearance. She's taken off a few of its many limbs, but one of the other limbs has attached to her leg with countless tiny suckers, and she finds it unnerving to say the least.

in the extreme foreground is Iconoclast--The panel is actually an over-the-shoulder from his vantage point. Damascus managed to draw the fish off of him for a while, which means he has a little bit more breathing room and is in a position to act on any ongoing part of the battle.

http://img02.deviantart.net/de1b/i/2016/150/7/1/star_vampire_by_crystalsully-da4e3u8.png

What do you all do?

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Guilty.

As Riese maneuvered closer to Scott, in an attempt tp aid him against the faster moving razor mawed monstrosity, Cameron watched as the crustacean moved sideways towards the pair. It was only then that he noted Aquaria was squared off against a third abomination. The team was getting overwhelmed, and it threatened the entire mission.

His thoughts rang out through the neural net, 'Icon, assist Aquaria, disengage and bring up some magma barricades between us and Tiamat! Blaze, laser fire, slice the calamari's limbs off! Riese, Scott, I am going to bring up a barrier between you and fish face, if he breaks through Riese and I are taking off to the far side of the grotto, I'll collapse the barrier into a conduit between you and it. Fry him! The barrier will hold the charge!'

With that, Cameron used his telekinesis to maneuver himself into the path of the crustacean, while simultaneously creating a psychic barrier between Riese, Scott and the horrific fish-creature.

Not really an inspire type move, but Cameron is committed to spending alot of Team Pool on our behalf to get these things down. Focus fire people! Maybe that will help with our $h!tty rolls! First things first though, going to roll to Defend Someone. Specifically Reise and Scott, now I have Influence over Reise, but not Scott. So I will roll my base Savior of +1, here goes! [roll0]. As we're moving towards a combined thread, I will take Influence over Scott, aka Battery.

[Razade]

Iconoclast
Conditions: Afraid, Insecure

Iconoclast does as ordered, vast rents opening up from the floor below before forming a large series of pillars and shields for the team to duck and dodge between. This however takes quite a lot of work and even without seeing his face, Tristan is clearly under a good deal of strain in maintaining the walls.

Well, what can go wrong with another Unleash roll.

[roll0]

I'm going to go with Unstable/Temporary

[Sahaar]

Behind the barrier, Battery has a moment to think. His shoulder is spilling blood into the salty water around him, and his gunshot wound still pulses with pain with every heartbeat, but he tries to focus.

There must be something we can do to take this beast down. Something we haven't seen yet...


Assess the Situation

[roll0]

[arscott]

Everyone

The Fish Horror's tentacles reach out for Riese, only to be stopped by a telekinetic shield. The Crab Horror seems to realize that it can't get to Battery without exposing itself to Advent's counterattack, and so moves to engage Advent directly.

Iconoclast's lava pillars create a roiling wall of super-heated steam--it's enough to block any possible reinforcements, but only as long as those pillars stay hot. The cave is simply to vast and open a space for Iconoclast to completely block off.

What do you all do?

[Merilan]

Riese grimaced and backed up, rapidly finding herself out of breath from even the few exertions of the Dragon's power. She hadn't done it before, and it was more exhausting than she thought. If I can just at least take one of them down, I can afford us some breathing space... S-should I transform, if all else fails? She was herself trying to convince herself to not just fall back upon that easy answer. Focus...

Riese paused, and then she steered the device to propel her towards the Fish horror once more. The Dragon's claw thrust out once more, more recklessly than before, seeking to gash in a whirling vortex that stirred water around her.

Best to try to eliminate one of the threats, and the Fish monster's already been damaged before! [roll0]

[arscott]

Riesenlied
The shields Advent Omega put up to protect you from the Fish Horror are now protecting it from you. The power in these shields is nothing compared to your own--it would be simple to just push through them and rip the Monster to bits--but that might have a feedback effect on Advent.

Will you end this quickly and risk whatever fallout comes? Or will you sit safely but powerlessly on the far side of the psychic wall?

Mechanically, you can land a hit on the Fish Horror (which is enough to finish it off, since it's been wounded), but doing so will force Advent to take a condition. Or you can let the psychic barrier he put up when he rolled protect stay intact

What do you do?

[CoreBrute23]

Damascus

On it! Damascus turned to Aquaria, who was locked in battle with the squid creature. He brought his fingers together, forming a sharp solid blade of light. Can't risk ranged fire in the middle of a grapple-time to go in close.

He jetted himself toward Aquaria, and slashed at the tentacles ensnaring her.

Is this a Defend action for Aquaria? I assume if Aquaria didn't have to worry about protecting herself, she could finish off this squid by herself. That's what I assume anyway. My danger is the same as my Savior anyway.

[roll0]

EDIT: Yay, a 10. Hopefully the GM agrees this is a Defend action. In which case, I will take influence over Aquaria. Look at Damascus, making so many friends. Speaking of which,

"Hey Aquaria, I'm kinda looking for a room mate. You interested? We can talk smack about Illuminator and eat nachos all night long!":smallwink:

[arscott]

Battery
At first the situation looks too chaotic to make sense of. But the minds of your teammates are brushing against yours in the psychic link, and Iconoclast's in particular helps focus your awareness. There's a certain directness, even harshness to the way he thinks, and that helps you realize the solution:

Go in for the kill.

You're a bunch of dry-land types fighting swimming monsters in the water. All this dancing around and throwing up barriers is helping keep the team a little bit safer, but it's also drawing out the conflict and more time gives these guys more chances to use their superior maneuverability. You and the team need to just hit them directly, even if it means taking your lumps.

You get +1 to following this advice, presumably via 'directly engage'. You can also share this advice with your team, and give one of them +1 instead.

Damascus Blaze
Freed from the grasp of the suckered limbs, Aquaria slashes the Crinoid Horror to bits with her solid-water sword.

"Room mates? Ha! You are truly just like your Mentor. Shutting yourself up in a tiny wooden box, when everything under the sky could be your home, and asking me to do the same. Aquaria Panthalassa needs no room but the sea, and every fish in the ocean is her room mate!

...Though I do enjoy your land-dweller nachos."

Aquaria is telling you who you are. Living in a "wooden box" like a land dweller makes you more Mundane and less of a Freak. Do you accept or reject? Don't forget, you have influence on her so you get +1 if your roll to reject.

Everyone
What do you do?

[CoreBrute23]

"Nachos are pretty tight. I can't handle 'em soggy-costs of being a mere mortal." Damscus conceded. Privately he thought to Advent, Damn it man, I think she's reading my mind! I keep telling you, make your links more secure. This is how Dagny almost found out I had a crush on her!

"Ok, 1 down, 2 to go!" He glanced around, re-gauging the situation. "Guys, we're just land dwellers (and Aquaria) it's time to stop fighting these monsters." He began to glow with blue light. "It's time to go fishing. And guess whose the bait?" Both thumbs point at himself.

Since these creatures are deep water (you said ocean floor), they will likely be sensitive to, or at least attracted to light. That's how Anglerfish get their prey. So I want to do the same thing. Stand behind the hot fire, and get these things to come straight at me, hopefully exposing their backs to my allies to get some good shots in.

I'll be using my new move, Are you Watching Closely. Come on dice!

[roll0]

Dice roller, dice roller, why must you always do me wrong? Anyway, if someone wants to spend a team point to bring it to 7, my chosen options are:

Expose a Weakness or Flaw
You confuse them for some time


Otherwise, I'll take the potential, and my condition will be...Afraid. What? They're a lot scarier when you end up on the menu! :smalleek:

[Merilan]

Riese retracted her Claw with a gasp, realising that she'd be hurting Advent. She couldn't chance that, not at all, grimacing.

[Razade]

Iconoclast
Condition: Afraid, Insecure

So Damscus wanted to create a diversion? He'd give him space. The walls suddenly shunt down, swirling as they try to lunge after the crab man to no real effect.

Going to try and directly engage the crab monster while it chases. I only need one more fail for my second Advancement.

[roll0]

WOOOOOOOOOOOW. I really hate this forum roller.

[Sahaar]

Steeling himself, Battery focuses his energy into a burst of alacrity as he throws caution to the wind and dives straight for the fish horror's gaping maw. As he nears it, he unleashes his pent up energy in a powerful electric blast, yelling, "DIE, BEAST!" At the top of his lungs.


Unfortunately, with Afraid I get -2 to this roll, but with the Assess and Game Face bonuses, I can bring it up to +1 again.
[roll0]

I choose to Avoid Their Blows--otherwise, with only one condition left to mark, I'd have to quit the field.

[arscott]

Everyone
Battery sends a bolt of lightning arcing at the Fish Horror. It twitches repeatedly under the electrical assault and then slumps, unmoving. If this weren't underwater, it would be smoking right now.

Damascus Blaze glows with a blue light, trying to attract the Crab Horror's attention. At first it doesn't seem to be working, until Iconoclast shifts his magma walls, and directs the creature's eye stalks toward a Gleaming Blue Damascus Blaze. Damascus is, if anything, is glowing too brightly for the dim under-water light. As he gets close, the crab monster goes completely blind, but the crab wasn't the only one staring at the light. Iconoclast, you've gone temporarily blind as well.

What do you all do?

[Merilan]

I knew you could do it, Battery! Riese exclaimed telepathically, and swept forward, perhaps rather excited at the momentary freedom she'd been afforded by the underwater device. With another quiet exhalation of effort, the Dragon's Claw moved forward once more, seeking to sink underneath the claw horror's shell and rip it apart.

She was getting more used to this -- with a forceful, awesome swipe, she clashes with the claw and clenches down with her massive talons, draconic muscle rippling taut against her scales, seeking to keep it in place. I've got it in place, everyone, finish it!

Might as well follow Advent's advice -- keep attacking. [roll0]

Goodness! I'll choose to avoid their blows and to also create an opportunity for my allies.

[Razade]

This was the last time he was going to go anywhere near water Tristan thought as he quickly brought his hands up to shield his eyes a bit to late from the blinding flash. Blind with a limited air supply, the day wasn't shaping up to be all that great.

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Guilty.

Despite the chaos, and the stakes involved Cameron almost laughed at Blaze's comment, 'You're broadcasting man! If you hadn't have been day dreaming about Dagny's assets she never would have picked up on it!' He surveyed the situation even as he responded to his doubts about the neural net. Cameron noted that everyone had managed to extricate themselves from close proximity to Tiamat's horrific sea spawn, as such he had a moment of reprieve.

'Creating a sphere to protect us! Pulling the plug on these things!'

He created a large barrier around the team, and was sure to include Aquaria within it, as the effects of his next maneuver would be unpredictable at best. He then proceeded to create a rift, similar to the one created at the auction that shunted the energy from the exploding relics harmlessly into space, except this time it would create a conduit that would drain the water from Tiamat's anchor, forcing the sea-born spawn to fight in a dry environment, shifting the advantage to Cameron's teammates.

Hopefully this works, going to Unleash my Powers, rolling Freak of +3, here goes! [roll0]. Fingers crossed! Success ... kinda. Definitely going with Temporary!

[arscott]

I knew you could do it, Battery! Riese exclaimed telepathically, and swept forward, perhaps rather excited at the momentary freedom she'd been afforded by the underwater device. With another quiet exhalation of effort, the Dragon's Claw moved forward once more, seeking to sink underneath the claw horror's shell and rip it apart.

She was getting more used to this -- with a forceful, awesome swipe, she clashes with the claw and clenches down with her massive talons, draconic muscle rippling taut against her scales, seeking to keep it in place. I've got it in place, everyone, finish it!

Might as well follow Advent's advice -- keep attacking. [roll0]

Goodness! I'll choose to avoid their blows and to also create an opportunity for my allies.

Riese doesn't need her allies' help, though. The thing's shell cracks into a million pieces, and then it and it's horror siblings start to dissolve into a greenish goo.

"So, the final Avatar has defeated the least of my children--but only with the help of his powerful friends." Tiamat's voice echoes in your heads. "If they gave you such a struggle, what do you think would happen if you tried to fight me in person?"

[Sahaar]

Well for one thing, now we know how to beat you, Battery thinks to himself. Although, as his gaping shoulder wound and other throbbing injuries tell him, speed is definitely the key.

[arscott]

Everyone
Tiamat's anchor, though it seemed the size of a modest city building from the outside, is vast on the inside. Advent Omega has a keen sense of where to go, but it will be a long trek before you arrive at your destination.

What do you do?

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Guilty.

As Tiamat's thought's echoed through the neural network, he composed himself. His thoughts rumbled through the network, powerful and focused.

'You speak truth, your spawn have been defeated, in no small part due to the power and skill of my teammates.' He paused, he knew that he could defeat the Aspect, without the aid of his friends, but he knew the cost of that power. 'You call yourself the Aspect of the Birth, but a mother is creation, she nurtures, educates, protects. You sacrificed your spawn, your children to stop us, to delay us, to test us?!?'

He withdrew the orb, the key to the Aspect's anchor, to her lair. He spread his arms wide. 'This place is an Anchor, but what is the cost Tiamat? To your children, to your spawn, to the oceans that birthed you? You could tap into his power, the power to defeat us. All of us, but what cost? He won't preserve your oceans, your spawn, he is the end, of everything, and the more power you take, the more he gives. But it's all tainted! You sacrifice yourself, what makes you, YOU, you become an empty vessel of destruction, death, of endings.'

He pointed at Tiamat, the waters leaking through minute cracks in the hull of the vessel, the splashing echoing through the voluminous chamber. 'We can help you, preserve the oceans, protect them, preserve life, or you can sacrifice what makes you the Mother, and become the herald of the end and rule over oceans run dry, and shores littered with corpses. I've seen it Tiamat, that's why I fight him, now the question is, will you?'

I not sure what exactly the above is, I think I am attacking Terminus' Influence over Tiamat, so I am tempted to call that a Directly Engage, though a psychic battle of wills. I am trying to throw one of my Dark Visions at her, showing her the consequences of allowing Terminus to use her Anchor to break through the dimensional barrier and invade our own.

I'll roll Danger of +1, [roll0], and hope for the best! A success! I'll chose to take something from her; specifically Terminus' Influence over her. Unless that's too general? But it opens me up to Trade Blows which could suck. :(

[arscott]

"I am not the aspect of nurture, Omega. I am birth, but I am a reflection of birth that reflects the dark nature of Lord Terminus. I lay eggs which hatch chitinous terrors. I vomit tentacled nightmares from my loins. There is nothing of the motherhood you suppose in what I do.

Across this planet, almost no creatures care for their young. Mayflies that die before their young are hatched. Turtles that lay eggs on the sand and then swim away. And humans--well, tell me how much your mother cares for you, aspect? Does she nurture you and educate you and keep you safe? Or does she abandon you to the fates, just as i abandon my children?

I represent motherhood as it truly is, Omega. Terrible and selfish and perverse. Just as Hel represents death as cold and bitter. Each of us is a mirror held up to the world and showing darkness. And you're no different, with your frantic quests and ill-considered plans. Every step you take to stop Terminus from manifesting only brings him closer to this plane."

She's using her influence to tell you who you are. Saying that you're more of a danger and less of a savior.

How do you respond?

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Guilty.

Tiamat's description of her nature did not faze Cameron, perhaps he had been expecting as much, perhaps he had been testing her, to determine if there was anything left worth saving. Yet, when the aspect began to talk about his own mother, a subject he had never spoken of, even to his closest friends, that is when they saw the greatest change come over him.

His back stiffened, his fists clenched, and a scowl formed on his face, 'Thank you. You have proven with your words that you are beyond redemption. Our course is clear! Get! Out! Of! Our! Heads!' As his anguished emotions reverberated through the neural net he shut her out and began to pace through the muck and silt accumulated on the bottom of the Anchor.

"We're going to need to confront her, of that I have no doubt." As he spoke, he stared over at the corpse of the AEGIS diver, "But she has no reason to lie to us, we still don't know what happened to him." He walked over to see if the suit the diver wore had a name, rank or designation of some sort. "As much as I want to confront Tiamat, to prevent her or her spawn from flooding the oceans, I still want to be able to tell this guys family why he's not coming home."

Ouch! Very well played in regards to the natural order, and the lack of nurturing found in nature. Anyways, I am going to roll to reject, base roll, we'll see what happens. [roll0]. Here's hoping!

Nice, success! I am going to cancel Tiamat's Influence over me, and take +1 Forward against her. Also, as for Merilan's question, yes, Cameron drained the water from the current chamber/section of the Anchor we're in. He wasn't thinking of Riese's mobility, he was more concerned with taking away the aquatic horror's maneuverability. Sorry! It is only temporary, water's rushing back in as we speak.

[arscott]

Tiamat's laughter Echoes in your head, and then slowly fades to silence. You sense that she's gone, at least for now.

The water rushes in and Riese can move, but Iconoclast is still completely blind, and you have a long trek of swimming ahead. What do you all do?

[Merilan]

When the water drained, Riese let out a little yelp as she tumbled down onto the ground; she panicked a little, but not as much as she would've if the monsters were still present. All she could do was watch as Advent struggled and jibbed against the mighty presence before them; she felt like she had very little to contribute, though she had to wonder what her place was amongst such great creatures. She looked concernedly to Iconoclast and, as the water filled back in, moved slowly to echo, Are you going to be all right...?

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Guilty.

As Tiamat's voice receded from the neural net, Cameron spun and took account of their situation. Scott was injured, blood leaking from a jagged wound in his shoulder, Riese was crawling towards Iconoclast who held his hands to his eyes. He sighed heavily, slumped to the floor, tried to center himself.

Had he been too focused on the Aspect, to the detriment of his allies. He had failed them, at least he could help them recover, recuperate, after all they still had a job to do, lives depended on them. He walked towards Icon, reached out through the neural link, 'Icon, we can feed sensory information through the neural net, at least until your sight returns. We've got to get moving, before Tiamat sends more of her spawn, we need to stop her and we'll need everyone work together to do it.'

He turned, looked at the others, 'I'm sorry, I failed you all, but she wasn't wrong when she said it was your power that defeated her, not mine. We need to keep moving forward, but as long as we work together, we can defeat anything that b!tch throws at us.'

Going to roll to Unleash, so I can feed visual information from the neural net directly into Icon's optic nerves. [roll0].

[CoreBrute23]

Kshritij swims over to Battery, which turns into a stumbling run as the water drains away, grabbing his team mate.

"Damn, why didn't you tell me you weren't fully healed?" He grabs his friend, and looks around. "Alright, light energy doesn't seem to agree with you. What about..." He stops when he sees the smouldering magma (lava now) from Iconoclast's walls.

"Heat! Yeah, good old heat, you can still absorb that right man?" He carried Scott over to the wall. "Just drink up that energy, and fix your body alright?"

I'm trying to Support Batter, so it's a good thing my Mundane just got a boost. Also, I have influence over Scott, so that's a +2. [roll0]

[Sahaar]

Battery's eyes widen, and he reaches out his hands. The heat energy flows from the magma into him, and he feels his wounds heal.

"Awwwright! This feels good!" he says as his shoulder wound begins to close. "Now I feel like I can make a difference!" He grabs Kshritij's shoulder and follows his lead.

"Too bad I can't stay here and let this heal completely, but we've got a job to do. Let's kick some ass!"

[Razade]

When the water drained, Riese let out a little yelp as she tumbled down onto the ground; she panicked a little, but not as much as she would've if the monsters were still present. All she could do was watch as Advent struggled and jibbed against the mighty presence before them; she felt like she had very little to contribute, though she had to wonder what her place was amongst such great creatures. She looked concernedly to Iconoclast and, as the water filled back in, moved slowly to echo, Are you going to be all right...?


Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Guilty.

As Tiamat's voice receded from the neural net, Cameron spun and took account of their situation. Scott was injured, blood leaking from a jagged wound in his shoulder, Riese was crawling towards Iconoclast who held his hands to his eyes. He sighed heavily, slumped to the floor, tried to center himself.

Had he been too focused on the Aspect, to the detriment of his allies. He had failed them, at least he could help them recover, recuperate, after all they still had a job to do, lives depended on them. He walked towards Icon, reached out through the neural link, 'Icon, we can feed sensory information through the neural net, at least until your sight returns. We've got to get moving, before Tiamat sends more of her spawn, we need to stop her and we'll need everyone work together to do it.'

He turned, looked at the others, 'I'm sorry, I failed you all, but she wasn't wrong when she said it was your power that defeated her, not mine. We need to keep moving forward, but as long as we work together, we can defeat anything that b!tch throws at us.'

Going to roll to Unleash, so I can feed visual information from the neural net directly into Icon's optic nerves. [roll0].

"I'm fine." Tristan growls, though grasps for Riese when she swims near, then the world snaps back into place which only prompts a brief nod towards Advent. "Thank you. Shall we leave then?"

[arscott]

Everyone

It's a long swim in this weird dark cave. The only lights are the ones you brought with you and some bioluminescent sea life.

Which means you almost miss seeing three human-sized green Lumps on the sea floor.

You've found the rest of the dive team--each team member is encased in a gelatinous green substance, their mouths gaping open like they're drowning in it. They appear to be alive, in some kind of suspended animation.

Nearby, the dive team's vehicle sits alongside their discarded equipment--notably oxygen tanks and spear guns.

What do you do?

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Guilty.

'What the hell!', Cameron exclaimed through the neural net. He swam over to the bodies of the recovery team, now completely engulfed in the weird gelatinous cocoon. 'They ... seem alive. Let me try to contact them mentally ... see what they can recall from ... whatever the hell this is!'

He expended his hand towards the entrapped diver, focusing his mental communication. Fearing the impact of the divers panic, fear, or worse, he severed the neural net for the moment so that he'd only expose his mind to the divers response.

'I'm Advent, AEGIS sent us down here looking for you ... I've established a telepathic link, please remain calm,' he paused, braced himself, 'but I need to know what happened to you and your team.'

I don't think the above is really a roll for anything, as we've established Advent can communicate with most minds telepathically. As such I will just wait for a response, or if you want me to make a roll, I will do so in the OOC thread.

[arscott]

In Seaman Jacob's mind, you hear nothing but wordless screaming. Waves of horror, entrapment, betrayal. Vague images of a monstrous figure that might be Tiamat.

Petty Officer Gutierrez's mind is much clearer, and he seems to sense your presence. "Hello? Is someone there? please help us!"

Petty Officer Edwards, though, is the strangest. She has some psionic power, and she's actively broadcasting a signal to someone specific--you can't tell who. It's the same message, over and over again: "...Please retrieve. I am inside the anchor, but I've been captured by the aspect. Escape impossible. Seaman Danton is dead, and the rest of the team is also captured. Please retrieve. I am inside the anchor, but I've been captured by the aspect...

What do you do?

[Merilan]

Riese looked no less horrified, eyes widening as she saw the coast divers encased in the green goop. How do we take them out of the goo? I could try the claw, but I don't want to harm them accidentally...

[CoreBrute23]

Kshritij glances around. He didn't want to be caught off guard in another ambush.

"We're still deep underwater. Their goo cocoons might be the only thing preventing them from drowning. Perhaps we should take them up to the surface first, where AEGIS can remove the cocoon safely, where oxygen is." He looks to Aquarion.

"Aquarion, you are the strongest and greatest swimmer. Would you be willing to take them to safety, above water?"

Looking around. Don't know if this is before a fight, so maybe Be Mindful of the Situation won't apply. GM's call.

[roll0]

EDIT: Dang only a 9. Well unless my move kicked in, I get only one question:

What here is the biggest threat?

If I am allowed 2, my other question is:
What here is in the greatest danger? (Hey these coast guard guys might actually be safer since they were defeated. We're still active targets!)

[arscott]

Kshritij glances around. He didn't want to be caught off guard in another ambush.

"We're still deep underwater. Their goo cocoons might be the only thing preventing them from drowning. Perhaps we should take them up to the surface first, where AEGIS can remove the cocoon safely, where oxygen is." He looks to Aquarion.

"Aquarion, you are the strongest and greatest swimmer. Would you be willing to take them to safety, above water?"

Looking around. Don't know if this is before a fight, so maybe Be Mindful of the Situation won't apply. GM's call.

[roll0]

EDIT: Dang only a 9. Well unless my move kicked in, I get only one question:

What here is the biggest threat?

If I am allowed 2, my other question is:
What here is in the greatest danger? (Hey these coast guard guys might actually be safer since they were defeated. We're still active targets!)
"I am here to protect the deep oceans from a great threat, and you would have me leave to save the lives of helpless land-dwellers?" Aquaria stares at you, as if daring you to say more.

But as you look closely, you're not sure if moving the gelatinous cocoons is the best idea--the gel is near-liquid and held in place by a thick membrane--moving them might puncture the membrane and disrupt the stasis. On the other hand, puncturing the membrane might be the best way to get the divers out of here--Their scuba equipment is nearby, and it appears to be intact. As long as they don't panic when the membrane breaks, they'd be able to put the equipment on quickly--though they'd probably not have enough energy to swim to the surface un-aided.

[Sahaar]

Battery shakes his head in shock. "We could...I mean we could come back for them when we're finished, right?"

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Guilty.

He knew their names, he broke contact and turned to his team, he pointed to each cocoon. As he reestablished the neural net, he couldn't help thinking of the sacs of fluid as wombs, protecting, nurturing children. Perhaps it was the Aspect's response to his earlier plea. 'Danton, that's the name of the one in the previous chamber. Jacobs,' he pointed to the catatonic AEGIS agent, 'catatonic, paralyzed by fear. Gutierrez, seems, rational, confused. Officer Edwards though, seems to be a patent psychic, she is broadcasting a message, endlessly, on repeat, looking for retrieval, aware of her location in the Anchor, and captured by the Aspect.'

He paused, opened his hands indicating the chamber and the captured AEGIS agents, 'The thing is, I don't know who she is broadcasting to, or why? We can help them, but it will take a tremendous amount of time to repair the psychological damage they have suffered. And we still don't know how Danton was killed. Perhaps we continue on, and confront Tiamat. If we survive that, then we can sort out the rest.'

As for what Icon could do to take Influence over Cameron, he would need to be someone Cameron could trust, someone he could respect, though that seems much more long term and generalized. If he were to help Cameron shoulder the burden of responsibility in the upcoming confrontation, Cameron wouldn't feel as if every mistake were his alone.

[Razade]

Iconoclast
Conditions: Afraid, Insecure

"It would be best to deal with what is most threatening at the moment." Iconoclast gazes, thanks to his teammate's quick thinking, at the rest of the team. "If we try to take them to the surface they will merely weigh us down if we have to fight. They will more than likely live if we do not prioritize them. If not...then we have at least solved with the source of the problem. Acceptable losses are certainly part of A.E.G.I.S's equation. We are likely part of them."

[Merilan]

Don't-- don't say that like they're just things to be thrown away... Riese echoed back, though she had to agree there was nothing they could do for them at the moment.

[Razade]

Don't-- don't say that like they're just things to be thrown away... Riese echoed back, though she had to agree there was nothing they could do for them at the moment.

"They were well aware of the risks when they took this mission. We will save them, we are heroes. That is what we do. Merely being practical." He didn't want to admit it of course, but the people they were coming to save weren't the only ones who knew the risks. Doom and gloom were probably not the best courses to take at the moment though.

[CoreBrute23]

Officer Edwards though, seems to be a patent psychic, she is broadcasting a message, endlessly, on repeat, looking for retrieval, aware of her location in the Anchor, and captured by the Aspect.'

He paused, opened his hands indicating the chamber and the captured AEGIS agents, 'The thing is, I don't know who she is broadcasting to, or why?

"Probably to someone at Aegis. Wouldn't surprise me if they have telepaths on staff for these situations." Damascus responded telepathically. "That's likely why they were so confident this scuba team would still be alive a week after being trapped under water so long."


'We can help them, but it will take a tremendous amount of time to repair the psychological damage they have suffered. And we still don't know how Danton was killed. Perhaps we continue on, and confront Tiamat. If we survive that, then we can sort out the rest.'



Iconoclast
Conditions: Afraid, Insecure

"It would be best to deal with what is most threatening at the moment." Iconoclast gazes, thanks to his teammate's quick thinking, at the rest of the team. "If we try to take them to the surface they will merely weigh us down if we have to fight. They will more than likely live if we do not prioritize them. If not...then we have at least solved with the source of the problem. Acceptable losses are certainly part of A.E.G.I.S's equation. We are likely part of them."

"Are you mad?" Damascus shouted mentally. "We can't leave these people suffering like this-didn't you just hear how mentally traumatized they are already? Is this how the Exiled operate-forget those in need, let's kill the bad guy first?" He gave the opposing team a scrutinising glare (which was mitigated slightly by both his mask and diving helmet) before stopping on Iconoclast.

"Treating those in danger as an afterthought is not what heroes do. The people are the priority." I have Influence over Iconoclast, so I will be telling him who he is. I'm saying he's not being very heroic [-1 Superior] and is endangering lives [+1 Danger]. He can roll to reject if he wants.

After hearing responses he turns to Advent.

"I understand dealing with Tiamat is a priority, but let's look at this practically. Leaving them behind, vulnerable like this, means that Tiamat has hostages she can use against us. We still don't really know what caused Danton to die, so it might happen to the other three.

"Let me take them to the surface. I'll get the three into their suits, strap them to jets, and make sure they get to the surface safely. I'll come back as soon as I can." He then looked at Battery.

"Battery you can accompany me if you feel injured. AEGIS patrols likely have a medic who can patch you up. But if you feel up to it, I'm sure the others will need your back-up more than me."

[Sahaar]

Battery nodded. "I was actually going to volunteer to take them to the surface myself, considering my injuries." He kneels next to the cocooned team members. "I'm afraid I won't be much good in a fight with these injuries, but if I can get them to help fast enough, I can come back down and help, if needed."

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Guilty.

'Blaze!', his voice dominated the neural net, 'enough! Icon is trying to help! Yes, innocent lives are of import, so is stopping the Aspect from activating the Anchor and ending the world as we know it! Look at the AEGIS team!'

He pointed towards the gelatinous cocoons that surrounded each individual agent, 'A membrane protecting them from the crushing pressure at this depth, beneath that membrane is some sort of fluid, embryonic perhaps, that allows them to breath. Most likely filling their lungs to prevent them from collapsing because of the pressure.' There was the mental equivalent of a sigh, 'We can't just swim them to the surface, if we puncture the membrane they drown.'

He concentrated a moment, his next neural message intended for Blaze, and Blaze alone. 'And don't you EVER question my motives again. I have, and I will, sacrifice EVERYTHING! to stop the Aspects, and prevent Terminus from destroying everything, and everyone, you have ever known. I can show you what it is going to cost me, but it would shatter your mind and leave you catatonic.'

He re-established the neural net with the entire team, 'Icon, once we're clear, seal this chamber off with one of your magma flows. Prevent Tiamat from using the agents as hostages, and then we move out.' He drifted over the Scott, rested a hand on his uninjured shoulder, 'Battery, you are wounded, if you need to sit this one out, nobody will think less of you. You could stay and protect the agents, but Icon's flow would cut you off from the rest of us.' He paused, looked into the young man's eyes, 'I know we haven't talked since Ragnarok, but I need you.' He looked to everyone else, 'They need you, this isn't going to be easy, but if we're down a man it's going to be damn near impossible.'

Going to try to Comfort & Support Scott, rolling Mundane of -1, [roll0]. We'll see how the dice like me this morning. Orrrr I'll mark Potential. Le sigh.

[Merilan]

Riese flinched and felt a bit helpless as the argument went back and forth, between Icon and Blaze, and she didn't really know what to do to contribute; for all she knew, she would just make things worse. Why is the membrane here in the first place? Does that mean that Tiamat wanted to keep them alive -- to use against us? Or did someone else put them up to prevent them from dying...?

[Razade]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Guilty.

'Blaze!', his voice dominated the neural net, 'enough! Icon is trying to help! Yes, innocent lives are of import, so is stopping the Aspect from activating the Anchor and ending the world as we know it! Look at the AEGIS team!'

He pointed towards the gelatinous cocoons that surrounded each individual agent, 'A membrane protecting them from the crushing pressure at this depth, beneath that membrane is some sort of fluid, embryonic perhaps, that allows them to breath. Most likely filling their lungs to prevent them from collapsing because of the pressure.' There was the mental equivalent of a sigh, 'We can't just swim them to the surface, if we puncture the membrane they drown.'

He concentrated a moment, his next neural message intended for Blaze, and Blaze alone. 'And don't you EVER question my motives again. I have, and I will, sacrifice EVERYTHING! to stop the Aspects, and prevent Terminus from destroying everything, and everyone, you have ever known. I can show you what it is going to cost me, but it would shatter your mind and leave you catatonic.'

He re-established the neural net with the entire team, 'Icon, once we're clear, seal this chamber off with one of your magma flows. Prevent Tiamat from using the agents as hostages, and then we move out.' He drifted over the Scott, rested a hand on his uninjured shoulder, 'Battery, you are wounded, if you need to sit this one out, nobody will think less of you. You could stay and protect the agents, but Icon's flow would cut you off from the rest of us.' He paused, looked into the young man's eyes, 'I know we haven't talked since Ragnarok, but I need you.' He looked to everyone else, 'They need you, this isn't going to be easy, but if we're down a man it's going to be damn near impossible.'

Going to try to Comfort & Support Scott, rolling Mundane of -1, [roll0]. We'll see how the dice like me this morning. Orrrr I'll mark Potential. Le sigh.

"As you wish." Tristan pivots towards the exit of the cave, no need to keep the argument up.

[CoreBrute23]

As Advent began his private message with Blaze, the young protoge reflexively formed glowing curved blades (http://static1.comicvine.com/uploads/original/11117/111170821/5296927-7408251198-52610.jpg)of light around his hands.

Cameron, who has been the one whose always been on your side in your war? Whose the one who helped you when others wouldn't, who broke international treaties and federal laws to get you the info you need from AEGIS?

You aren't the only one whose made sacrifices-you're just becoming too eager to do so. What will you sacrifice next-me? Your father? Reise? You said you'd die for the world. Well, who are you willing to live for?

He turned to look at how Advent touched Battery's shoulder.

"Yes Omega, that's a 'real' choice-"feel free to leave Battery, just remember if we die, it's on you." Oh also, he's trapping us in here with Tiamat, so none of us can retreat, turning this into a do or die mission." He steps past Icon towards the unconscious seamen.

"Come on Battery, let's get out of here. We came to rescue these men, not abandon them for a kamikaze strike. I'll watch your back, so neither of us get caught off-guard on our way to the surface."

What do people do? Provoke Kshritij to stay? Hit him, block his way?

[Razade]

Iconoclast
Conditions: Angry, Insecure, Afraid

Iconoclast slowly moved in the way of Damascus, shaking his head as he glanced towards Advent. "No. This is a team decision. You will not lay the blame where you please. Is this what A.E.G.I.S teaches? To simply disobey when the order of your superior displeases you? You will assist the team. Or we will inform your superiors of this transgression. You may place their lives on me if they perish. You will not blame Advent."

Working my way to Three Potential! PROVOKE!

[roll0]

HEEEY! Finally!

Mark a condition if you don't follow Advent's orders Core.


Does this count for taking Influence over Advent Zen?

[CoreBrute23]

Damascus's light blade was up against Iconoclast's throat in an instant.

"He. Is not. My superior." He almost snarled at the magma manipulator. "By all means speak to AEGIS. They would love to have a chat with you all. Because unlike you, Battery and I aren't hiding from the authorities." Slowly he moves his blade from Iconoclast.

"My mission was to rescue these seamen-not to die fighting an Elder God. I invited Advent along, he is not the one who answers to AEGIS-I do."

I will accept that condition, taking Angry.

He turned to look at Advent.

"Superior? You Exileds are acting more AEGIS than AEGIS. So what happens now?" He tilts his head at Iconoclast.

"Is this the part where you sic your underling on me?" Damascus presses a finger against his own temple. "Or is this the part where you break my mind like an egg, and make me agree with you?"

I shall Provoke Advent. I want him to get Iconoclast to back off, and allow me (and Battery if he wants to come) to leave with the seamen.

[roll0]

Yay! If he does what I say, he can add a point to the team pool.

[Sahaar]

Battery steps between Damascus and Advent. "Look you two, we're not going to get anywhere with you arguing like five year olds. We have a mission to accomplish, let's ge it done and we can bitch about it when we get back to base, alright?" For good measure, he gives them a light push away from each other.

[Razade]

Iconoclast doesn't flinch, slowly floats back only as Battery intercedes and though his face panel is tinted black, it's obvious he stares directly at Damascus. "A man draws his weapon only when he intends to use it Damascus."

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Guilty, Hopeless.
Burn: 3 of 3

As Kshritij's words hit home, Advent's hood dropped, his face, his eyes, wide, confused. Tired. The water prevented his words from reaching anyone's ears, his telepathy though made them ring through their thoughts, 'I'm sorry Blaze, you're right. You've been by my side, despite AEGIS, despite what happened with Ragnarok, despite what your own mentor thinks about me.'

He paused, took a breath. 'You're right. I know you are. It's difficult for me to lean on those around me, there's always another threat, Terminus, ever present looming over me.' He looked at Riese, then back to Blaze, 'You asked for my help with this, not with Tiamat, but with these people.'

He focused his energies, 'I could have the Sanctuary portal these stasis pods to the AEGIS ship we dove off of. I just need to focus my energies, and then we can try to stop Tiamat. I just need to know that you all can still trust me?'

I'll activate my Team Move 'When you share a vulnerability or weakness with someone, give them Influence over you and ask if they honestly think there’s hope for you. If they say yes, mark potential or clear one box of your doom track. If they say no, mark a condition or mark your doom track.' If Blaze still trusts me there's hope, if he can't then it's a Condition or the Doom Track for me.

Either way, I am going to Charge up my Powers, rolling Conditions marked, Guilty & Hopeless, [roll0].

Oh, and to activate the Team Move, Blaze gets Influence over me, and due to his actions so does Icon.

[CoreBrute23]

"If I didn't trust you," Damascus lowers his finger from his temple. "I would have floored this snob ass and left." He didn't have to motion to Iconoclast to let everyone know who he was referencing.

"I know that you're gonna be the one who saves the world and kicks T-face to the curb-that's why I've always got your back." He grabs Advent's hand into a manly shake.

I think there's hope for you mate.

Just out of curiosity, what did Iconoclast do that lets him claim influence over Advent? Or was it a narrative thing?

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Guilty, Hopeless.
Burn: 3 of 3

Cameron clasped Kshritiji's hand and gave it a firm shake, before pulling him in and giving him a clap on the shoulder, 'Big damn heroes.' As he stepped away he looked to all the others, 'I'm sorry for putting Tiamat first, we're here to save lives, and I need to remember that EVERY, SINGLE, ONE, matters.' He paused, looked towards Battery, 'I'm sorry Scott, if I was putting you in a difficult position, you're well being is as important to this operation, as anyone elses.'

He floated over to the gelatinous cocoons, placing a hand on the surface of each, very gently, so as not to puncture the outer layer. He familiarized his psyche with the resonance of each AEGIS operative, 'Blaze, contact AEGIS, inform them that these four will be appearing on deck in short order and they should have a medical team on hand.'

He reached out to the Sanctuary, visualizing the four agents, the AEGIS vessel that floated far above their heads on the surface of the tumultuous ocean. Sanctuary was able to lock on and transport him anywhere on Earth, he hoped that's it's tele-matrix field would be able to make the short hop from Tiamat's ocean layer to the deck on the AEGIS ship above.

Firstly with Blaze telling me that there's hope for me, I am going to remove a box from my Doom track. YAY! Now, I am going to try to access the Sanctuary's tele-matrix to beam these guys out of Tiamats layer, to the AEGIS ship we originally dove from. I just need to know what it's going to cost.

[arscott]

The call to to AEGIS vessel is static-filled, but you think the message went through.

"Roger----alt. Standing by for tran----ivers---ondintion"

And then the pods are surrounded by the same dark glow that Advent's powers use, and vanish.

What do you all do?

[Merilan]

Riese kept afloat and let out a quiet mental sigh of relief when the agents, encased in their blobs and all, were transported out. It was a deep shame about the one that had been killed, but they couldn't do anything about it. She thought about how everyone argued and held being Exiled or AEGIS to heart; did she do that, as much? She couldn't know; this was the first time she really consciously stepped out on her own merit...

Should we move forward? she asked the group.

[arscott]

The first panel of this page shows the team swimming towards an outcrop.

Caption: They're close. They can feel it.

A close-up of Advent Omega's face.
Caption: Not just Advent Omega--all of them can feel the presence of the mother of Monsters.
[Advent: What expression is on your face in this panel?]

A panel showing Riese and Iconoclast swimming
Caption: For some, her presence uncomfortably resonates with their own monstrous natures.
[Riese: Are you swimming alongside Iconoclast? Or are you keeping a bit of distance?]

A panel showing the group, seen from behind as they approach the mound of rocks. The view centers on battery, and behind him, we see Damascus Blaze looking at the Team in front of him.
Caption: Others are preoccupied with thoughts of their own safety or the safety of their teammates.
[Battery: What evidence of your injuries is visible to the readers of the comic (and Damascus)]

A panel showing the same scene from the same perspective, but the team is further ahead, visible only as tiny figures in front of the vast hill.--But the hill starts to rumble, stirring up clouds of underwater much.
Caption: But they will have to put those anxieties aside...

A final panel from the same perspective. It's clear that what seemed like a rocky hill is a gigantic creature.
Caption: Because they have found their foe at last
http://wallfon.com/walls/fantasy/giant-crab-monster.jpg

What do you all do?

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Guilty, Hopeless.
Burn: 3 of 3


A field of psychic energy surrounds Advent, keeping the water, a thin sheath of telekinetic power. The panel shows a close up of his face, mouth set in a straight line, his brow furrowed, his eyes narrowed, focused. Concentrating. Yet, a second panel in the first, shows a close up, a single drop of sweat rolling down his brow. When the reader returns their focus to the first panel, in the depths of Cameron's eyes, there is something there, fear, doubt.

As he watched the Mother of Monsters rise from the depths, he knew that the team was in trouble. The aspect, Tiamat, had given herself to the Nega-verse, had been infused with it's power. Cameron himself hadn't accepted that power, and his own abilities, while impressive were only a trickle of power, as much as he dared channel without allowing it to overwhelm who he was, without corrupting him.

"Guys ... I'm not going to be able confront this thing on the psychic plane. We're going to have to defeat her, physically." He swallowed, hard. And began to hover above the group, "Ideas?"

[Merilan]

This feeling... this sensation... the Mother of Monsters... it should be a repulsive, foreign feeling to most...

Riese couldn't help but be a little preoccupied, staying close to Iconoclast as they moved down towards the outcropping where Tiamat awaited them. She'd resolved to fight, at this point; there was no more doubt left. There was no one left to save, only the battle that laid ahead of them.

She wondered if that was Riese talking, or whether that was the Dragon within, that preferred that.

But why... I feel like... I'm much closer to her than I really ought to...

A pause.

"Come on, Advent, enough with that 'I'm gonna do this on my own' talk... we're here, together, to fight as a group," she encouraged him. Then she faced the giant enemy crab, her eyes beginning to glow as a mandala erupted underneath her feet. Arcane energies began to channel throughout her entire body, shimmering even underneath her wetsuit. Her hair started to flutter ever which way as a wellspring of power only whispered in legend, for fear of retribution, rose up within her.

"With my size, I can keep Tiamat at bay. You guys'd be best finding some sort of way underneath that thick shell to hurt her where it hurts most."

She shut her eyes, and took a deep breath -- lightning struck her where she floated, and an opaque dome of darkness surrounded her... and when it dissipated, the waters pushed aside in fierce currents. Where there was a tiny girl before, there was now a massive monstrosity, enough to equal the size of the Mother of Monsters herself.

How ironic, that she is called 'Mother'.

The Dragon flew forward, seemingly unabated by the pressures and weight of water, in order to sail to a head-on collision and attract the crab's attention, draconic talons against claw.

I'm sorry, Mother, but... I think that I might be more...

She had to push the feeling of guilt away to the back of her mind, at the moment.

Riese is going to transform, using Burn to charge up her powers. [roll0]

That's a hit, and I'm marking Guilty since Riese feels like she's letting Halfrida's efforts and sacrifice to let her live a normal life go to waste.

Then, she'll unleash her powers to march forward and draw Tiamat's ire towards her. [roll1]

[Sahaar]

A panel showing the group, seen from behind as they approach the mound of rocks. The view centers on battery, and behind him, we see Damascus Blaze looking at the Team in front of him.
Caption: Others are preoccupied with thoughts of their own safety or the safety of their teammates.
[Battery: What evidence of your injuries is visible to the readers of the comic (and Damascus)]





Though the readers can't see the gunshot wound, the massive bite wound on Battery's shoulder remains. It's healed somewhat thanks to a slight diversion of energy (i.e., it's not spilling blood any more), but the nasty red injuries remain.



What do you all do?

Battery charges himself up, eyes glowing and energy cracking all over his body. "Expose its weakness and nuke it. From the inside, if need be."

[Razade]

Iconoclast
Conditions: Afraid, Angry, Insecure

Iconoclast was thankful he could actually see again, the dull throbbing of madness in his head would have been much worse if he couldn't put the sensation to the image of a giant lobster monster. Advent wanted a direct approach, we'll he could help that. Best way to deal with a for larger than yourself was to turn the world against it. He dug deep and felt the earth beyond the water and then...he pulled. Massive spears of molten earth pulled from the sea floor below. This was more than just places for them to hide, this was intentional to mire those many legs of Tiamat and hopefully pierce her shell.

I haven't used the Dice Roller in weeks, do you think it'll forgive me for that? Rolling for Unleash

[roll0]

Nevermind!! That's a nat 12!!

[arscott]

The dragon rushes forward, her shockwave shattering the ground beneath Tiamat's many feet. Spears of molten rock shoot from the ground, pinning her in place.

"Useless Children. What have you done. You've trapped me! Trapped me...

... At the very center of my Negaversal Anchor. At the single spot on this planet where I am at my most powerful."

Her mocking psychic laughter reverberates through your brain. And calloused protrusions on her carapace begin to crack--and as they do, roiling swarms of tiny creatures burst from them, swimming towards you.

What do you do?

[CoreBrute23]

At the sight of the giant monster that lumbered in front of them, Kshritij's flight instincts kicked him hard in the gut, begging him to run. Luckily, Illuminator's training had helped him beat that voice down.

He smirked towards Advent, and a chuckle was heard through the telepathic bond.

"Did you hear that Advent? Dumb crab just told us where it's power came from." He nodded at where Tiamat stood trapped in place.

"Any chance you or Battery can divert the power from this anchor away from it, cut it off at the source? Puff and Jackass-Oclast can keep it in place. I'll deal with the swarm." He paused a moment.

"Feel free to assist, I just didn't want to impose on you." He privately communicated her. No need to offend elemental spirits and all.

"These guys really don't seem to like the magma." He raised his hands, and he glowed with blue energy. "So let's turn up the heat!" He fired high intensity laser beams towards the swarm.

Normally he didn't use this attack, partially because of it's high lethality and how it drained the reserves, but in addition, it wasn't very precise. That wasn't a problem when he was in a, how did Illuminator describe being hopelessly outnumbered? A high target density environment. Besides, if they tried to dodge the burning lazers, they would just run into the lava pillars.

Also, he still had a lot of frustration he needed to let out, and this was more relaxing than duck hunt.

So I think this counts as Directly engage a threat, assuming the swarm counts as a threat. It might be an Unleash, I'm not sure. But if it does count as a Directly Engage, my Venting Frustration lets me clear my Angry condition!

[roll0]

EDIT: Lovely! A 13. I will Create an Opportunity for my allies, and resist/avoid their blows.

[Sahaar]

"Energy siphoning? Sounds like my cup of tea." Battery surges forward, body glowing with residual energy, and attempts to absorb the energy from the Negaversal Anchor.


Yes, my freak is -1, but I should still have a +1 from using Game Face earlier.

[roll0]

[arscott]

Damascus, your lasers boil away half the swarming creatures, and drive the other half to the sea bed, away from you and your lasers but within easy reach of Iconoclast and his magma powers.

"Die, foul polluter of the Deeps!" Aquaria shouts, as she conjures watery javelins and launches them at Tiamat. The spears don't seem to have much effect, though--failing to pierce her protective carapace.

Battery, you reach out to absorb Tiamat's power, and you can feel it flow through you, dark and sinister. The strange face of Terminus flashes through your eyes.

And then you begin to choke, uncontrollably. There's something in your throat. you claw your breathing mask from your face as a slimy eel emerges from your mouth. Blisters form on your hands and then pop, releasing tiny fish with blind-white eyes and teeth instead of scales. You can feel other, stranger changes happening to your body. What do you do?

[Merilan]

The Dragon stood tall in the midst of the battle, amidst the spears of molten rock and grappling away at Tiamat's massive form.

There was a similar tone of laughter -- one unlike that of Riese's -- emanating psychically, perhaps mocking the Aspect in turn. You take too much pride over your connections to such transient and vestigial matters, Mother of Monsters. You of all people should know how fleeting that power is.

The Dragon's voice echoed distinctly, in a tone that sounds ancient, cultured, foreign. It's like it would be speaking in a different language if it weren't sharing psychic sensations.

The times have changed, Aspect. Power exists in the hand of those you deem lesser.

It opened its mouth, and another mandala of eldritch power rippled through its jaw, forming into a sphere of pure energy... that it sends forth, in a roiling pure-white path of destruction.

Your existence should lie only as a footnote in the annals of history.
Scathe, as only the ancients know how, Tiamat!

Riese will mark Angry from her previous Unleash, and I'm spending a point of Burn to directly engage the threat, not caring about collateral damage at the moment.

[roll0]

[Razade]

Iconoclast remained in place, the strain was still quite a bit to bare keeping all the earth in place like that. But while he was at it, might as well try to wreak some more havoc with the magma as he tried to raise further pillars even as Riese unleashed herself.

I think this counts as an Unleash still...the game doesn't give you a perfect roll to not take away from you the next however.

[roll0]

Yep! ****ing knew it. I hate these ****ing dice more than anything. Maybe someone can use a Team Pool to boost it.

[arscott]

Riesenlied,

Tiamat Screams psychically as your energy blast hits her. She tries to scramble backward, but is pinned in place by the shattered ground and magma spears.

She lashes out with a wave of raw negaversal energy. It splashes off harmlessly at first, but she just keeps channeling the dark energy toward you, and you feel that unless you stop it, it will begin to sap your strength.

What do you do?

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Guilty, Hopeless.
Burn: 2 of 3

Cameron watched, both shock and awe on his face, as he friends, his team, unleashed their abilities, the initial onslaught thwarting Tiamat's offensive, pushing her onto the defensive. Then he stopped, and surveyed the situation, she had manipulated Scott's bio-morphic field, changing it, corrupting him with her spawn, Icon struggled under the weight of his own power, channeling the blistering heat of the earth through the caverns geo-thermal vents, and Tiamat's own retaliation against Riese concerned him.

His first instinct was to protect Riese, but he needed to trust in the ancient powers that the young woman had drawn to her. He could only hope that her determination, her psyche could withstand the corrupting onslaught of the Negaverse.

He channeled his energy through the neural link, hopefully enough to bolster and energize his allies, so that Icon could continue to pour on the heat.

Then he spoke to Tiamat directly, 'Mother of Monsters, you are the corrupted aspect of life, and while we are in your domain, I am Advent Omega, the beginning of the end. Your children, your spawn, crawl sightless, from the primordial ooze, driven by instinct, hunger, survival. Instinct, thought, determination ... that is my domain!'

In truth Cameron had only ever allowed a trickle of his powers in, for fear of not being able to control the torrent, to resist the corruption of Terminus himself. Bolstered by his teammates, their faith in him, their trust, he opened the conduit, slowly, feeling the power trickle in.

He looked at Scott, horror on his face as an eel wriggled free of his throat, his skin, blistering, bulging, with spawning, corrupted life. She was manipulating his own bio-morphic field, changing his self image to some twisted horror, yet as she attacked Riese, even Tiamat could not keep her powers focused on two fronts. He probed his allies mind, found images, memories, thoughts, precious, vital, that comprised who Scott Kale was, what he loved, about himself, about other's, he took those images, and flung them back towards him, powered by Cameron's own powerful psyche.

'THAT,' he practically screamed over the neural net, 'is who you are! Scott! Focus on who you are, why you are here! She cannot change that, you are not a monster, you are not her spawn, you are Scott Kale. A Hero!'

I don't have Influence over Scott, so I am not attempting to shift his labels, but I am trying to divert Tiamat's attention from the bio-morphic assault on Battery. And then I am using my memory manipulation to find those character defining memories we all have, re-double them and throw them back at Scott through the neural net to try to counteract any lingering fear, or horror he may be encountering after her particularly ... horrific ... assault on him.

Long story short, I am using my own Psyche protect Scott, I will spend a Blaze to use Shielding, and roll with Freak, [roll0]. Also, by bolstering the Neural Net, I am hoping to aid Icon maintain his geo-thermal assault, and spending a Team to push his Unleash from 6 to 7.

Then, I have a plan! Mwah hahahaha!

Success! Just barely, but still! I just witnessed the best and brightest things about Scott's life, and shared that with him, so it seems fitting that I now take Influence over Scott.

[arscott]

Advent Omega's psychic imagery overwhelms the connection that Battery has made with the tainted Netherverse energy, cutting off the stream of energy before it can warp Battery's biology any more.

And with the psychic network in place and reinforced, Iconoclast is able to effectively direct his magma attacks against his chosen target.

[Sahaar]

Battery's horrifying spasms begin to weaken as Omega severs Tiamat's psychic connection, but he still feels...different. His limbs remain human, he doesn't look any different, but he can't help but shake the feeling that something about his physiology had fundamentally changed.

As Omega's words echo through his head, he can only shake his head. He's been nigh on useless this entire fight. Why was he here? He hadn't contributed a damn thing to this fight. He look for a weakness, something he can exploit. There has to be something he can do.


[roll0]

[Merilan]

The Dragon's eyes shimmered, echoing the light of a forlorn power from ages ago. The water around the massive creature rippled, and walls of what looked like solid light shimmered into place, chained with constructs of ancient mandala of a language long forgotten.

The Dragon's throat rumbles with a noise that could be construded as a chuckle. Is that fear I detect from you, Mother of Monsters? This will all be over, soon enough.

I'm creating a barrier to defend myself from her dark powers, cutting it off by counteracting it with light. I assume this is unleashing my powers per the book ("You don’t trigger defend someone when you’re trying to keep yourself safe from an NPC or environmental threat—that’s much more likely to be another move, like unleashing your powers, or rejecting their Influence."), so:

[roll0]

I'll make the barrier unstable or temporary.

[Zen Gypsy]

Advent Omega (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21259920&postcount=6)
Conditions: Guilty, Hopeless.
Burn: 2 of 3

After defending Scott from Tiamat's bio-morphic field, he realized that he was surrounded by teeming swarms of life, consuming, burrowing, stinging, her creations, her monstrosities. He knew that he couldn't fully confront Tiamat psychically. Instead he focused his attention to the swarms of corrupted, tainted life, he reached out, his thoughts touching the oily surface of their most primal instinct.

He took that instinct, focused it, and re-doubled it, the need to return to their mother, he twisted it, molded it with their hunger, their fear, even as Icon's magma vent boiled the abominations alive. The need to survive, the need to feed, the need to return to their spawning ground.

She was their spawning ground, their mother, their provider, their nurturer, in her own twisted way. As her spawn redirected their attentions to their mother. Cameron drilled his thoughts into Tiamat's psyche, "Your spawn are no longer your own, the world has turned against you, it does not wish to allow the Nega-verse through. You are an abomination, your spawn corrupted and tainted!"

Attempting to directly Engage by subverting the control of her spawn and using them to creep, crawl, slither, and burrow through the chinks in her armor to the soft flesh beneath. Rolling Danger of +1, [roll0]. Let's see how this goes.

I will choose to create an Opportunity for my Allies.