Adventures Assemble S3E3: The Great Brain Robbery!

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kenseido
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Re: Adventures Assemble S3E1: Enemies of the State!

Post by kenseido »

Spellbinder
HP: 5, Condition: Fatigued

"Any scumbag who would attack innocent people in a city to 'free' them isn't worth talking to, much less joining. But since you don't know me, let me introduce myself. I am Jason Maxwell, son of Alexander Maxwell, or as the world knew him, Arcanis. But you can call me Spellbinder.

And to drive his answer home, he summons two mystic blades and crouches into a fighting stance.

"And you day is about to get a lot worse."
Initiative: 1d20+6 20
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Psistrike
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Re: Adventures Assemble S3E1: Enemies of the State!

Post by Psistrike »

Moonlight
HP: 3 LP: 0
Condition: Fine

"Kill us, I've not been with the Champions as long as most of the team but that is a lot harder than you seem to think it will be. We faced an incarnation of war and prevailed. While I agree there is corruption in the existing governments, simply tearing them down is not the solution. There is a better way. And we will find it, with or without you." Moonlight already has a barrier of solid air formed around her, ready for a tough fight as anyone who can break through the barrier she and Jason made together in 4 blows is someone you take seriously.

OOC: Initiative: Initiative check: 1d20+8 25
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Re: Adventures Assemble S3E1: Enemies of the State!

Post by Gilliam »

Nightbird
HP: 5 > 4 LP: 1
Condition: Normal


"Four blows" Imogen said in her neutral tone leaving it up to the hearer to determine whether she was impressed or unimpressed.

"General Havoc to be honest you have us at a disadvantage, you know of us but we do not know you and I agree with Moonlight and Spellbinder you and your group stand for everything we do not but I am curious why, why this attack, why did you ever think any of us would side with you and Anarchy Command?"

OOC wrote:
Using an HP to try and make General Havoc do a villain monologue. If you would rather not do this then feel free to say she was too focused to fool for something like that.

Nightbird Initiative: 1d20+10 20
Ysariel
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Re: Adventures Assemble S3E1: Enemies of the State!

Post by Ysariel »

Gelert
General Arms Systems -- Underground STARS Assembly Plant
stavaros_the_arcane wrote: Sat Dec 04, 2021 10:03 pm"That's right robots, keep your eyes on the corgi."
Your rain of blue light descends upon the drones, blowing up a vaguely "S"-shaped chunk of the factory floor that hits #3 on one end and arcs around Amethyst to get #2 on the other. Computer monitors, spare parts, paper printouts, and all manner of electronic detrius go flying in every direction. Inactive STARS units are blown about like toys or topple over from the force of the explosion. But their armor holds, as the unit with the technopath in it takes only superficial damage.

In retaliation, #3, the one apparently possessed by the technopath, looks at you for a moment, but nothing happens. "IMPOSSIBLE," a robotic voice blurts out through the suit's speakers, the first time your unseen adversary has spoken. "A MACHINE I CANNOT POSSESS?!"

You realize he refers to your Ring of Hope.

The STARS Equalizer gestures. The drone that was attacking Amethyst abruptly breaks off its attack and fires its nullifier rays at you, but misses by a mile. Behind you, Amethyst steps into the unoccupied STARS unit, wearing it over her own battlesuit. It comes to life, tearing free of its maintenance harness and firing its power nullifiers at the STARS drone containing the technopath.

The beams hit, and the STARS Equalizer convulses like a human electrocuted. A mass of red electricity, vaguely humanoid, is thrown out of the suit. It crackles and sizzles on the ground for a fierce moment, then abruptly coalesces into the form of a young man in a black bodysuit, looking dazed. Apparently he's finally decided that the situation is turning against him, because he scrambles to his feet and turns to run.

Not towards the lifts -- but in the opposite direction, deeper into the facility.

OOC

STARS Equalizer #3 (with technopath) takes a -1 penalty. #2 takes no damage.

The STARS Equalizer #3 uses Possess Technology as a Standard action on your Ring of Hope.
It doesn't work.

STARS Equalizer #2 uses Power Nullifying Ray on you.
STARS Equalizer #2 attack vs Gelert: 1D20+10 = [5]+10 = 15
Misses

On her turn, Amethyst gets into the STARS armor as a move action. Then she uses Power Nullifying Ray on the possessed STARS Equalizer as a standard action and hits it. The Equalizer loses 4 ranks from all its powers, the amount by which it failed its save.

Losing even 1 rank from his Digital Transference would make Black Hat no longer intangible. Losing all 4 turns off the power, ejecting him from the STARS drone and returning him to his normal physical form. He still has his own powers (at reduced ranks), and retains control of the other drone. Getting up and running is only descriptor (consider it the result of an Insight check to determine his next intentions). He cannot actually move yet until his next turn.

Round 5
23 Gelert *
11 Black Hat (-4 power ranks)
11 STARS Equalizer #2 (-1)

10 Amethyst (wearing STARS armor)
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Re: Adventures Assemble S3E1: Enemies of the State!

Post by Ysariel »

Spellbinder, Moonlight & Nightbird
Section 3 -- Submersible Docking Bay
kenseido wrote: Sun Dec 12, 2021 2:17 pm "And you day is about to get a lot worse."
General Havoc nods to acknowledge you, apparently satisfied that you are not going to waste time with the futile diplomatic approach.
Psistrike wrote: Mon Dec 13, 2021 12:54 am "We faced an incarnation of war and prevailed."
"The Incarnate of War was defeated by not fighting," the General observes. "How well shall you fare against an enemy that will?"
Gilliam wrote: Mon Dec 13, 2021 8:40 am "General Havoc to be honest you have us at a disadvantage, you know of us but we do not know you and I agree with Moonlight and Spellbinder you and your group stand for everything we do not but I am curious why, why this attack, why did you ever think any of us would side with you and Anarchy Command?"
The General raises an eyebrow. She looks like she has been asked why the Earth is round, or why breathing and eating are necessary for life, etc.

"Because," she says in the patient voice of a schoolteacher, "the world since the beginning of the 20th century has been dominated by the nation-state: a nation -- a common ethnicity -- with the powers of a sovereign state. But what about the superhuman, whose abilities are so superlative to the general population that they struggle even to be classified as the same species? We, a people apart from any nation, are bound by laws which do not apply to the general population, looked upon as threats to the social order, living under constitutions that insist on the lie all men are born equal, controlled by agencies formed specifically to exploit with us, militarized, oppressed, and murdered. Professor, show them."

The Professor steps forward in his armored suit and raises one open palm, facing upwards. A holographic projection flickers into being above it. The quality is low, but it is still clear enough for you to see uniformed troops moving through endless rice paddies, burning huts in the background. "In the 1950s, flush with victory in the Chinese Civil War, the Communist Party ordered the massacre of superhumans alongside a general purge of anti-Communist elements. Soviet super-soldier teams cooperated with the Party to exterminate thousands of superhumans suspected of counter-revolutionary leanings."

A different series of images, now. Black choppers and limousines. Men in dark suits and dark glasses, brandishing futuristic weapons. Super-soldiers in skintight bodysuits, strange devices protruding from their heads and backs, faces slack in zombie-like trances. "During the 60's, S.P.E.C.T.R.U.M. was formed to marshal the superhuman resources of the United States to counter Soviet influence and Grue infiltration. Thousands of superhumans were forced into its armies and those who would not serve willingly were blackmailed, threatened, kidnapped and drugged into doing so."

More images. Row upon row of armored humanoid robots saluting a U.S. flag, shutting off the powers of metahumans with beam weapons, mowing down the depowered survivors with missiles and laser fire. You do not know it now, but you are looking at the same STARS units Gelert is fighting. "Even now, General Arms Systems is developing anti-superhuman weapons using the powers of Daka crystals. They plot to give the states of the world the ability to forever put superhumans firmly under their tyrannical boot. And once they no longer need you, heroes, what will happen to you then?"

Professor Pandemonium closes his palm, and the images vanish. General Havoc points an accusing finger at you. "The Anarchy Command will not sit idly by as this prelude to a second holocaust begins. The institute of the sovereign nation-state, that endless font of superhuman oppression and violence, must be utterly destroyed. We are the enemies of the states; we will build a world without nations."

"General," Professor Pandemonium says in a low voice, and leans in close to speak to the General.
Spellbinder & Moonlight -- Perception

Professor Pandemonium says...

"Ze U.S. Navy is engaging our picket fleet. Ze Ragnarok cannot maneuver with the breaching drill attached. Is easy target. And ve have not heard back from Black Hat at the G.A.S. factory..."
"Your failure, and that of the others, is noted," General Havoc states, making him flinch. "The twins, for failing to deal with these interlopers; and you, for allowing your breaching drill to be stopped by the elf's magic. Disciplinary action will be meted out in time."

OOC
Forcing a villain to monologue usually has the same effect as a use of the Fascinate advantage which they get no resistance check against. They can't attack or perform any offensive action until you do so, or until there is imminent danger. I rule that the arrival of the U.S. Navy counts as the latter, and that is when General Havoc begins her attack.

Round 1
25 Moonlight *
22 GENERAL HAVOC (with power of Daka)
20 Nightbird (higher initiative)
20 Spellbinder

01 Professor Pandemonium

Moonlight is up!
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kenseido
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Re: Adventures Assemble S3E1: Enemies of the State!

Post by kenseido »

Spellbinder
HP: 5, Condition: Fatigued

Jason relaxes his stance a bit as the villain monologues. It must be some sort of multiversal law.

"Oh, so you're one of those 'throw the baby out with the bathwater' nutjobs. Good to know."

As he resets his stance, he whispers. "Moonlight, did you hear what he said about the big sub being unable to maneuver. It would really suck if they got trapped here."
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Re: Adventures Assemble S3E1: Enemies of the State!

Post by Psistrike »

Moonlight
HP: 3 LP: 0
Condition: Fine

Getting ready to act, she whispers to Jason. "I heard about the big sub, but with General Havoc in the way, after what she did to the barrier we made together I don't want to risk trying to get past her to take out the submarine while she is still conscious. 4 blows to take it down, I don't want to know what even one of those blows could do to me. We need to fight carefully and smartly to win this one. I'm going to disable Professor Pandemonium first, we don't want to be fighting them both in a prolonged battle." Taking aim at Professor Pandemonium, Moonlight focuses the fury of a hurricane upon the mad scientist.

OOC: Attack check for Nature Strikes [air descriptor], +2 DC, -2 Atk: Attack roll: 1d20+10 19 DC 29 if that hits.
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Re: Adventures Assemble S3E1: Enemies of the State!

Post by kenseido »

Spellbinder
HP: 5, Condition: Fatigued

Jason shrugs at Moonlight's comments. He was thinking she would go out the other way, but whatever. Like everyone else here, Moonlight doesn't have a clear understanding of his capabilities.

This "General" didn't even realize he's the mage here. As cool as Moonlight's abilities are, they did not appear magical to Jason.
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Re: Adventures Assemble S3E1: Enemies of the State!

Post by Gilliam »

Nightbird
HP: 4 LP: 1
Condition: Normal


Well one thing was certain, General Havoc is a true believer and they are the most dangerous opponents. Yet Imogen couldn't help not to be impacted by the images of the past shown by the holographic projection, it wasn't that long ago when she had to flee from the Phoenix Bay police after being framed for a crime and while it did not take too long to be resolved, for the paranoid it wouldn't take much to expect the Government to do something similar and she did have first hand experience of Spectrum's legacy.

Yet Havoc was letting herself be ruled by fear in lashing out like this, so much wasted potential.

kenseido wrote: Fri Dec 17, 2021 4:25 pm As he resets his stance, he whispers. "Moonlight, did you hear what he said about the big sub being unable to maneuver. It would really suck if they got trapped here."
I am too young to need hearing aids wondered Imogen as she didn't hear what Pandemonium whispered to Havoc.
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Re: Adventures Assemble S3E1: Enemies of the State!

Post by Ysariel »

Moonlight
Section 3 -- Submersible Docking Bay
Psistrike wrote: Fri Dec 17, 2021 11:39 pmTaking aim at Professor Pandemonium, Moonlight focuses the fury of a hurricane upon the mad scientist.
Your blast of hurricane-force wind sweeps the docks clean of shattered rock and rubble and causes the glowing, molten edges of the ruined drill to glow brightly with fresh oxygen. Professor Pandemonium's bulky armored suit -- some eight feet tall and built like an early-20th-century diving suit -- even staggers back for a moment, but before he can be lifted completely off the ground he activates magnetic boots and anchors himself firmly to the floor. Rocket thrusters fire to counter the force of you wind blast. "General!" the professor says . "I am at your disposal to dispatch zeese interlopers with all haste. We have a nation to destroy!"
OOC
Unfortunately, a 19 is a miss (just barely).
General Havoc moves with such blinding speed that she seems to disappear and reappear in front of Moonlight. She draws back her right arm and swings it at the heroine. Her fist stops an inch before the elf's face and she flicks her index finger forward with such speed that it produces a shockwave that could topple an 18-wheeler.

You know, an instant before it connects, that General Havoc's power is unnatural -- that such powers are as far above most superhumans as superhumans are above normals. In fact, the last being of comparable power you fought was no less than the fallen Star God, Lucifer Lightbringer. You know now the power that has united the fractious Anarchy Command after 20 years of internal strife and turned it, once again, into an army of terror bent on the destruction of the international world order.

OOC

General Havoc activates Speed 20 and moves into melee range of Moonlight with a move action. She then uses her unarmed attack on Moonlight.

AA General Havoc attack vs Moonlight: 1D20+10 = [12]+10 = 22
Hits. Moonlight must make a DC 35 Toughness check against damage.

Round 1
25 Moonlight
22 GENERAL HAVOC (with power of Daka)
20 Nightbird (higher initiative) *
20 Spellbinder

01 Professor Pandemonium

Nightbird is up!
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Re: Adventures Assemble S3E1: Enemies of the State!

Post by Psistrike »

Moonlight
HP: 3 LP: 0
Condition: -1 Toughness [heal in 5 turns], Dazed

Moonlight's wind barrier around herself holds off the worst of General Havoc's attack, but it still knocks the wind out of her leaving her dazed. And she knows she got lucky, if her winds had been even just a little weaker she would have been on the ground hurting right now. "Guys, she is as powerful as the Lightbringer. We are in trouble here, unless the rest of the team can get here, and soon the three of us will struggle just to hold her off, let alone with Professor Pandemonium aiding her."

OOC: Toughness check: 1d20+14 26
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Re: Adventures Assemble S3E1: Enemies of the State!

Post by Gilliam »

Nightbird
HP: 4 LP: 1
Condition: Normal


Psistrike wrote: Sun Dec 19, 2021 3:56 am Moonlight
Moonlight's wind barrier around herself holds off the worst of General Havoc's attack, but it still knocks the wind out of her leaving her dazed. And she knows she got lucky, if her winds had been even just a little weaker she would have been on the ground hurting right now. "Guys, she is as powerful as the Lightbringer. We are in trouble here, unless the rest of the team can get here, and soon the three of us will struggle just to hold her off, let alone with Professor Pandemonium aiding her."
"Well we all know what happen to Lucienne the Lightbringer" Imogen tries to sound nonchalant as she sizes up her opponent, a finger flick nearly bowls Moonlight over, yes Havoc is powerful so no point in holding back now.

Charging the rear of General Havoc, Imogen made as to attack the small of her back before changing her momentum at the last moment to target the General's knee hoping that she could knock the other woman off her feet or at least slow her down before moving to the far side of the room.
OOC wrote: Nightbird will use Move by Action to attack General Havoc with PA +/-5 and after the attack to use the rest of her movement to get as far as away from the General as she can.

NIghtbird PA +/- 5
Nightbird PA +5: 1d20+15-5 30
Critical and DC34 Toughness Save
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Re: Adventures Assemble S3E1: Enemies of the State!

Post by stavaros_the_arcane »

Ysariel wrote: Wed Dec 15, 2021 4:06 am Gelert
General Arms Systems -- Underground STARS Assembly Plant
stavaros_the_arcane wrote: Sat Dec 04, 2021 10:03 pm"That's right robots, keep your eyes on the corgi."
Your rain of blue light descends upon the drones, blowing up a vaguely "S"-shaped chunk of the factory floor that hits #3 on one end and arcs around Amethyst to get #2 on the other. Computer monitors, spare parts, paper printouts, and all manner of electronic detrius go flying in every direction. Inactive STARS units are blown about like toys or topple over from the force of the explosion. But their armor holds, as the unit with the technopath in it takes only superficial damage.

In retaliation, #3, the one apparently possessed by the technopath, looks at you for a moment, but nothing happens. "IMPOSSIBLE," a robotic voice blurts out through the suit's speakers, the first time your unseen adversary has spoken. "A MACHINE I CANNOT POSSESS?!"

You realize he refers to your Ring of Hope.
Gelert makes a mental note to profusely apologize for the mess later.

"Something Something, sufficiently advanced technology indistinguishable from magic. Look I'll be honest I don't understand how it works beyond 'Hope goes in, light comes out'." Gelert replies.
Ysariel wrote: Wed Dec 15, 2021 4:06 am The STARS Equalizer gestures. The drone that was attacking Amethyst abruptly breaks off its attack and fires its nullifier rays at you, but misses by a mile. Behind you, Amethyst steps into the unoccupied STARS unit, wearing it over her own battlesuit. It comes to life, tearing free of its maintenance harness and firing its power nullifiers at the STARS drone containing the technopath.

The beams hit, and the STARS Equalizer convulses like a human electrocuted. A mass of red electricity, vaguely humanoid, is thrown out of the suit. It crackles and sizzles on the ground for a fierce moment, then abruptly coalesces into the form of a young man in a black bodysuit, looking dazed. Apparently he's finally decided that the situation is turning against him, because he scrambles to his feet and turns to run.

Not towards the lifts -- but in the opposite direction, deeper into the facility.

OOC

STARS Equalizer #3 (with technopath) takes a -1 penalty. #2 takes no damage.

The STARS Equalizer #3 uses Possess Technology as a Standard action on your Ring of Hope.
It doesn't work.

STARS Equalizer #2 uses Power Nullifying Ray on you.
STARS Equalizer #2 attack vs Gelert: 1D20+10 = [5]+10 = 15
Misses

On her turn, Amethyst gets into the STARS armor as a move action. Then she uses Power Nullifying Ray on the possessed STARS Equalizer as a standard action and hits it. The Equalizer loses 4 ranks from all its powers, the amount by which it failed its save.

Losing even 1 rank from his Digital Transference would make Black Hat no longer intangible. Losing all 4 turns off the power, ejecting him from the STARS drone and returning him to his normal physical form. He still has his own powers (at reduced ranks), and retains control of the other drone. Getting up and running is only descriptor (consider it the result of an Insight check to determine his next intentions). He cannot actually move yet until his next turn.

Round 5
23 Gelert *
11 Black Hat (-4 power ranks)
11 STARS Equalizer #2 (-1)

10 Amethyst (wearing STARS armor)
Gelert homes in on fleeing Technopath. They can't let him get away long enough for his powers to recover so he can jump into another piece of technology and either fight or escape. Gelert is pretty sure that without this guy giving the remaining controlled unit further orders, subduing it will be a lot easier.

"And just where do you think you're going?" Gelert sights a beam at the saboteur.

OOC: Blast: Damage 13 (DC 28; Increased Range: ranged, Precise, Variable Descriptor: close group - laser or concussion)
Vs Black Hat 1d20+11: 26
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Re: Adventures Assemble S3E1: Enemies of the State!

Post by Ysariel »

Nightbird
Section 3 -- Submersible Docking Bay
Gilliam wrote: Mon Dec 20, 2021 9:06 amCharging the rear of General Havoc, Imogen made as to attack the small of her back before changing her momentum at the last moment to target the General's knee hoping that she could knock the other woman off her feet or at least slow her down before moving to the far side of the room.
Your blow solidly connects with the General's knee, but although her lip curls in intense displeasure she does not stumble. Instead, one hand shoots out to grab hold of you with a strength that could crush tanks as easily as beer cans.

However, great though the General's powers may be, you sense she is not quite the seasoned street fighter that you are -- someone accustomed to the swift and brutal urban combat of downtown alleys and crime-ridden neighborhoods. Despite her preternatural speed her movements are easily predictable to your eyes and you slip out of range of her grasp.

General Havoc raises an eyebrow. "Impressive. I see Kilpatrick trained his little bird well."

OOC
AA General Havoc Toughness DC 34: 1D20+20 = [12]+20 = 32
Failed 1 degree, -1

Upon failing a resistance check General Havoc uses Counter Attack as a reaction.
AA General Havoc Counter Attack vs Nightbird: 1D20+10 = [9]+10 = 19
Misses, no effect

Round 1
25 Moonlight
22 GENERAL HAVOC (with power of Daka) (-1)
20 Nightbird (higher initiative)
20 Spellbinder *

01 Professor Pandemonium

Spellbinder is up!
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Re: Adventures Assemble S3E1: Enemies of the State!

Post by kenseido »

Spellbinder
HP: 5, Condition: Fatigued

Blades disappear from Jason's hands and he vanishes, appearing behind Professor Pandemonium.

"I guess that leaves you for my dance card. While I have only just introduced myself, I do know a bit about you. You're the guy who launched a bunch of cheap junk to attack the city. If that is a sign of your tech skills, you should give up now."

He waves his hand in the appropriate pattern and shouts "Affilcto!" But his attempt at flair causes the blast to miss.
Switch Personal Magic array to Blink and teleport behind Professor Pandemonium
Afflicto attack: 1d20+10 11
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