Kang stands still among the chatter, hardly looking around to anyone speaking. He lets the conversation(s) ramble on, hands clasped behind his back, silent. Anyone who believes they can move, even with great strength, are met with painful resistance; even those who move are quickly reset back to their previous position, of hanging, pinned to the air, leading to the confounding question if they had even moved in the first place.

When finally the yammering ceases for a moment, Kang at last moves, fully in control of his own mobility, and turns around languidly, taking in the assemblage at his own pace. “You all speak as if you seek the opportunity of wasting precious moments withh nonsense,” he says. “Thhere is only one hhere who hhas that luxury and it is not you. I hhave conquered time, the greatest force in all the multiverse. All thhat is contained withhin thhat, down to thhe infinitesimal fractions, of whhich you are far beneathh, is withhin my -- “

“I didn’t think the hot air could get any thicker in here,” the Punisher growls. “Then you spout off and up the ante even more. If you’re not going to shut up, can you at least give a reason for listening to you?”

Kang turns slowly to the Punisher. “Ahh, yes,” Kang says, as he steps to the hanging vigilante. “I could give you a reason for being here. I could impart great knowledge to you. I could release you. I could even trade your disrespect with a show of true power...” As he speaks, Kang lifts his hand, palm out, fingers bending, forming like claws. “... And a display of your limits.”

“Do your worst, you freakish, two-bit -- ARGH!” When Kang slowly closes his fingers, like grasping an unearthen skull, the Punisher winces then screams in agony, even though Kang is meters from the immobile man. As Kang starts to make a fist and the pain noticeably becomes worse, the Punisher’s body seems to whittle, skin becomes ashen, and the beard he had cultivated for years in the place from which you have just come (or have been here for an eternity), extends and fades to gray. “ARGGGHHH!” The Punisher deteriorates, without the ability to move to relieve any suffering. But finally Kang stops, leaving the Punisher in a state of agony.

The blue-masked man turns to the rest of the group then approaches the center of the circle again. “Now thhen,” he says. “From your chhatter I can surmise thhat you still do not fathhom the weighht of whhy you are hhere. Surely thhere are none so dull who hhave not realized whhat hhas happened to thheir own world, thhat from whichh you come?”

The Punisher takes d6 Physical Trauma, spent from the Doom Pool

Anyone dealing Stress to Kang has the option to instead have him answer a yes/no question about the campaign

In reply to Watcher (msg # 509):

Danny struggles and cries out as the Punisher is subjected to the whims of Kang's temporal energies. Helpless to intervene, he inevitably grows quiet and still again. But his scowl lingers on the time-traveler when he again speaks:

"All you've done since we got here is lord your knowledge over us," he growls at Kang. "But if you really do have the answer of what happened to this world, then you also have a responsibility to tell us. The longer you keep us standing around here, the longer we have to wait to set things right again. For our friends. Our loved ones. For everyone."

Speaking still isn't easy. Danny pauses for a moment to gather himself, then redoubles his efforts:

"I already shared what I know with you," he continues. "Or at least what I suspect, about Captain America, and how things seemed off with him in the time leading up to our arrival here. Now answer me this-- does the Red Skull have anything to do with all of this?"

Emotional attack on Kang, to persuade him to share his knowledge.

Team d6
Indifferent Billionaire d8 (Practiced negotiator)
Psych Expert 2d8 (Doubled from Scene SFX)

10:11, Today: Iron Fist rolled 1,5,5,4 using 1d6,1d8,1d8,1d8 ((1,5,5,4)). Emotional attack on Kang to get him to share his info.

Spending 1 PP to add a 3rd die to the total.

Total: 14
Effect: d4
Opportunities: 1
PP's remaining: 1 (from Msg #462)

Next Action: Anyone
This message was last edited by the player at 17:20, Thu 01 Apr 2021.

Add d6 to Doom Pool from Iron Fist's Opportunity

Defend from Iron Fist's mental attack, Total: 14, Effect: d4:
Solo d10
No Place So Quiet (no distractions to such a direct attack)
(step up Doom Pool die)
Psyche Master    3d6
Iron Fist Mental Stress    d12
from Doom Pool    d10

Kang rolls 4,2,5,3,6,3,4 using d10,d4,d6,d6,d6,d12,d10 ((4,2,5,3,6,3,4)).

Total: 11, Effect: d12
Higher reacting Effect die steps acting Effect down, to 0

Doom Pool: 7d6, 4d10 +d6 (-d6/+d8) -d10 = 7d6, d8, 3d10

Every word passed through the heroes' frozen jaws is swallowed by the silence of the place, and Kang's answer to Iron Fist is like a crackle, even though he speaks in a low, relaxed tone. "The Red Skull -- only a man -- is no cosmic being, as evidenced by the disaster he has wrought upon himself when attempting to grasp great power. However, he holds influence over mortal men. He could very well -- " There is a jump where Kang seems to blur for a moment, then reappears. He acts as if nothing has happened. " -- nd what else do any of you know about the present state of the dear Captain?"

Despite her own earlier flippant remark, this was a terrible and frightening situation.  Jan didn't want to die --  hated to think she was already dead, and reprieved only at the whim of this time-skipping madman, who'd imperiled the Avengers again and again with his seemingly endless schemes.

While Ironfist sparred verbally with the time-tyrant, she forced herself to focus, and think.  She was a founding Avenger --  had been part of the team since Kang's very first attack on them.   He was a familiar foe.  And something, to her, seemed off in his demeanor; his speech, with its odd quirk.    She strove to get some sense of what, exactly.  Anything that might help get her friends and herself out of this predicament...

Team D10
Founding Avenger D8
Psych Master 2D10   (another player doubled "because of scene SFX," so I did too)

Wasp rolled 2,2,10 using d10,d8,2d10 with rolls of 2,2,3,7.  Attempting to gain useful or helpful insight on Kang. Is he acting funny?  In a way that suggests anything in particular?

Total = 12; Effect = D10
This message was last edited by the player at 15:35, Mon 05 Apr 2021.

The Scene SFX you're using would be Glitch in the System, as explained in msg #497, which also makes the 2s you rolled into Opportunities, so your Total, as your only option, would be 10 and your Effect is d4 (default).

Add d8 to Doom Pool from Wasp's Opportunity

Doom Pool (7d6, d8, 3d10) reaction to Wasp's attempt to create Asset(? Please be clear of your purpose in a dice pool action), Total: 10, Effect: d4:

Watcher rolled 4,3,6,4,2,3,6,4,6,7 using d6,d6,d6,d6,d6,d6,d8,d10,d10,d10 ((4,3,6,4,2,3,6,4,6,7)).

Total: 13, Effect: d10

Doom Pool: 7d6, d8, 3d10 +d8 = 7d6, 2d8, 3d10<b></b>

Kang again disappears for an instant, then back, still with hands behind his back. His frequent glitching is unusual enough, making this place such a strange environment that it's impossible to pick out something in particular singularly from the conqueror. He strides slowly, still musing. "Our dear Captain would seem to be the lynchpin in all this, wouldn't he?" he asks. "But is that even the right question?"

Venom chuckles, "You the self-styled Conqueror of time are even more a prisoner than we. We watched the Doctor explain exactly what you are dealing with. Glitches are our perception of time punishing you for your trespass giving you a chance to fix it before it consumes you." Mac's voice rings out, "Wow Venom....that was actually insightful." Venom chuckles again, " The Second season episode four when he was talking to the Master quote. Gotta hurt him something fierce. His willpower is admirable. You, humans, get all whiney when I eat a spleen you don't use. Bing Bang the Conqueror there is literally losing cohesion of his entire body just to talk or walk which breaks his total concentration. "

Venom sighs, "Look Mr. Conqueror. We don't comprehend the situation because you are doing the whole dramatic pause nonsense. So please skip ahead to the next act of the melodrama. "

"I've been trying to get him to do that for what seems like hours," Yellowjacket said to Venom. Had the others had private conversations with Kang, or had it just been him? He didn't know, and didn't entirely care, except for proper context. "He won't shut up, but he won't say a damned thing."

"Its a special kind of torture" Bishop added gruffly "Only slightly less painful than having needles drilled into my eyes"

"You know," begins Spider-Man, breaking his uncharacteristic silence, "This place isn't exactly in my price range, but maybe an Airbnb? I don't know. I feel like I'd be too worried about making a mess of the place to enjoy my time here. Like, you know hotels have a maid service, but, you know, you just don't want to leave a mess. You don't want to look like a slob, right? So I always make sure I tidy everything up before they come in. And it's just so weird to have someone come in behind you to clean up! I feel like a burden on them. I mean, I know it's their job and everything, but I don't want to be that one guest that they talk about to the other employees like, 'Oh, the guy in 213? Such a pig! Crumbs everywhere, dirty socks on the floor, used up all the towels and little shampoos. Sooo annoying!' Hey, is it just me, or does anyone else think this place could use some music? A little slow tempo jazz or pop instrumentals? A magazine or a TV stuck on trashy daytime talk-shows? Anyone? Tough crowd. Just flew in to this extra-dimensional time paradox and boy are my molecules tired. I'll be here all week. For eternity."

Wolfsbane was simply watching from 'her corner' of the circle.
But she was intrigued by Kang's glitching, and wondered ...

The next time he glitched out, even for a moment, she attempted to move her arm.
She was testing to see if his control of this place, and their incarcerated positions, lapsed or weakened in that moment he was not present.

Through clenched teeth, She-Hulk groaned at Spider-Man’s banter. “Aw, come on, Spidey! That joke is older than Kang’s underwear!” She cut her emerald eyes toward their captor. “Even Kang’s monologuing showed more originality...if not coherence. Why don’t you just tell us why we’re here already?! Just because you have all Eternity at your disposal doesn’t mean you need to take it to get to your point!”

OOC:

Team 1d10
Crusading Attorney 1d4 + 1 PP
Superhuman Stamina 1d10
Psych Expert 1d8

12:11, Today: She-Hulk rolled 9,4,9,7 using 1d10,1d4,1d10,1d8 with rolls of 9,4,9,7.  Impose an Emotional Complication on Kang.

Trying to Psych out Kang and get him flustered enough to spill the beans.

Total: 18
Effect: 1d8
Opportunity: 0

PP: +1


 

Using the Psyche Specialty would make it a mental attack

Defend from She-Hulk's mental attack, Total: 18, Effect: d8:
Solo d10
Eternal Conqueror    d8
Psyche Master    2d8
from Doom Pool    d10

Kang rolled 5,5,3,2,6 using d10,d8,d8,d8,d10 ((5,5,3,2,6)).

Spend d10 from Doom Pool to add third die to Total
Total: 14, Effect: d10

Higher reacting Effect die steps acting Effect down, to d6

Kang takes d6 Mental Stress

Doom Pool: 7d6, d8, 3d10 -d10 -d10 = 7d6, d8, d10

To an untrained, foolish eye it might appear that Kang has been composing his thoughts. In reality, he has been shutting out the nattering voices around him, until finally She-Hulk breaks through, judging from his reply. "Woman," he says firmly, the volume in his voice rising but still composed. "Who are you to make demands upon me, the conqueror of all time? When your very existence hangs quite literally by my very whims? Do you believe you are the one in particular whom I have brought here? That you are the one to save your precious timeline?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:25, Thu 15 Apr 2021.

Deadpool piping up in the sterile silence comes not only as a reminder that he is there but also how nice it's been that he hasn't been talking. ""החדשות הטובות הן שאיש השעון לא מצפה מכולם לנחש איך הוא רוצה שכולם ייצאו מזה. החדשות הרעות הן שאין לו שום תוכנית שכולם ייצאו מזה ויסיימו את הסצנה. זה בעצם יורד שיהיה לך את הרעיון הטוב ביותר להציל את עצמך ולהתרחק, בזמן שאתה לא יכול לזוז. וכנראה שאתה צריך להפעיל לחץ על קאנג. אם אתה מתכנן להשתמש במומחה לפסיכולוגיה, אל תשכח לשחק את זה! ""

That Kang takes a moment to exhale, as if to ready himself to exude forth in greater magnitude, and does not hesitate to put a pause to an effect greater than languidly collecting his thoughts for the next moment, could be the crack in his façade, albeit perhaps the only one he will allow. Calming himself but not completely ridding of a more intense volume of voice, he continues, louder. "Silence? That is all?" He says, his eyes growing wider and his mouth pulling back further with his words. "You stand on the precipice of the fate of your universe and you contribute nothing? Even if you had not been removed from your timeline, would you have been present enough to make the difference your vaunted heroism boasts by its very definition? Where are these heroes? Could you truly have saved anyone when it was most crucial? Could you save yourself?" he says, as if speaking to each individual hero here and dangling.

Bishop was as happy keeping silence as 'Kang' was asking cryptic questions.
I can do this all day he thought to himself.
It still beats running away from the murder-bots of his timeline.  But only by the slimmest of margins.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:28, Mon 03 May 2021.

Kang passes a look around the heroes. "Such proud warriors and scientists and defenders and you have nothing more to say?" he says, with hands behind his back. "The very place you call home stands on the precipice of eternal destruction and you have no more inquiry? Who but you stands to defend your world? For all you are aware, my contribution could save you and all you hold dear." It is not difficult for any hero to call up a memory so slowly fading, an image of someone they may never see again, a discovery not to be made, a love they miss the chance to express, a soul that escapes their hunger, an enemy never to have vengeance struck against, a mission they could not complete, or a future -- their own or their universe's -- they may not be there to protect.

“Why don’t you stop farting around and just tell us already?” She-Hulk sighed. “Yeah, we’re iffy about you because you’re...well, you! However, that doesn’t mean we’re too proud or too stupid to work with you if it’ll save the universe. So stop playing with your Villain Boner already and tell us why you brought us here!”

With a superior display of Gamma-spawned strength, Jennifer raised her forefinger. “And before you come at me again with that ‘Who Do I Think I Am, I’m Oh-So-Irrelevant’ crap, let me remind you that the Time Variance Authority tried that already and lost!”

OOC:

03:51, Today: She-Hulk rolled 10,5,2,5 using 1d10,1d8,1d10,1d8 with rolls of 10,5,2,5.  Impose Mental Stress on Kang.

Team Player 1d10
Crusading Attorney 1d8
Superhuman Strength 1d10
Psych Master 1d8

Total: 20
Effect: 1d10

Spend 1 PP to increase Total die.



This message was lightly edited by the player at 18:42, Thu 06 May 2021.

"I don't think he can make that argument anyway," Hank said in response to She-Hulk. It was a sly attempt to engage Kang, but basically a schoolyard taunt. "His grasp of temporal mechanics isn't all that. He likes to talk a big game, but he doesn't have the chops to prove anything he's saying. He's been talking at me non-stop, but hasn't said one verifiable thing."


Team d8
Towering Intellect d8
Science Master 2d10
Scene SFX: Glitch in the System. Step up (maximum d12) or double a die in an action dice pool, but 2s rolled from that pool are considered Opportunities like 1s.

Today: Yellowjacket rolled 3,5,9,9 using d8,d8,d10,d10 ((3,5,9,9)).

Total: 18
Effect: d8

With an exaggerated, almost melodramatic, sigh, Wolfsbane said, "For Gods sake, you morons, why are you bothering?
Isn't it fucking obvious that he doesn't know!
This patsy is just a worm, dancing on someone else's hook ... the same person running the fake Captain America show back there at home.

Dipshit has been tapped to keep us busy, and out of the way, while everything else gets done.  He probably doesn't even know WHY he's keeping us on ice," she exclaimed, "he's just doing what he's told".


Action: contribute to the social confusion that the team is creating
d6   Team
d8   Advice is free, Actions are not
d10 Psyche Master

- rolled 1,2,1 using d6,d8,d10 with rolls of 1,2,1.
     well shit, just forget about me ...

Opportunities for the Bad Guy:  2

"Among the Avengers' rogues gallery, you are kind of unique Kang. I've got to give you that.  Having failed at generic conquest and B-grade time-travel schemes - more times than I want to embarrass you with - you had a future where you became a wiser and better man.   But, just 'cause your still bloated ego couldn't cope with thinking you weren't the CEO, you skirted that future, and went right back to the same ol' same ol'.    No wonder you're milking this moment -- it's like when someone's sunk ten grand into lottery scratch offs, and then finally wins five bucks! Vindication, baby!" Janet laughed at him.

Team D10
Founding Avenger D8
Psych Master 2D10
Scene SFX: Glitch in the System. Step up (maximum d12) or double a die in an action dice pool, but 2s rolled from that pool are considered Opportunities like 1s.

Wasp rolled 10,2,6,1 using d10,d10,d10,d8 with rolls of 10,2,6,1. Mental stress Kang
Total = 16; effect = D6 (default)
Opportunities 2   Ugh...

Bluelight special on opportunities, isle twelve!  We're just given'em away.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:01, Mon 10 May 2021.

"Kang, you better release us now, or the best you could hope for is us refusing to help you in whatever scheme you concocted" the worst being finding himself with Bishop's foot up his ass, a prospect he personally starting to look forward to the longer the 'conversation' continued

Team 1d8
Uncompromising 1d8
Menace Expert (stepped up to 1d0 due to Glitch in the system)

Bishop rolled 5,6,10 using 1d8,1d8,1d10 with rolls of 5,6,10.  Intimidate Kang.
will use a PP to keep an extra die
Total = 21, effect = 1d6 (default)
New PP total = 2-1=1

However far She-Hulk thinks she moved her hand using her gamma-irradiated strength, it blips back to its original position alongside her utterly immobile body so quickly to make her wonder if it had ever happened in the first place, considering how utterly immobile she is. But certainly she can still talk.

Defend from She-Hulk's mental attack, Total: 20, Effect: d10:
Solo    d10
No Place So Quiet (no distractions to such a direct attack)    d8
Psyche Master    2d8
Divine durability    d12
from Doom Pool    d10

Kang rolls 1,4,6,3,10,6 using d10,d8,d8,d8,d12,d10 ((1,4,6,3,10,6)).

Total: 16, Effect: d8

1 Opportunity available first to She-Hulk


Defend from Yellowjacket's mental attack, Total: 18, Effect: d8:
Solo    d10
No Place So Quiet (no distractions to such a direct attack)    d8
Psyche Master    2d8
Yellowjacket Mental Stress    d12
from Doom Pool    d8

Kang rolls 1,1,4,8,3,5 using d10,d8,d8,d8,d12,d8 ((1,1,4,8,3,5)).

Total: 13, Effect: d12

Extraordinary Success steps attacking Effect die up one, superior defending Effect die steps it back down

2 Opportunities available first to Yellowjacket

Add d8 to Doom Pool from Wolfbane's Opportunities

Defend from Wolfsbane's mental attack, Total: 2, Effect: d4*:
Solo    d10
No Place So Quiet (so many distracting voices)    d4
(step up Doom Pool)
Psyche Master    d10
Wolfsbane Mental Stress    d4

Kang rolls 5,2,6,2 using d10,d4,d10,d4 ((5,2,6,2)).

Total: 8, Effect: d10

Extraordinary defending Effect Die steps attacking Effect Die to 0

Add d8 to Doom Pool from Wasp's Opportunities

Defend from Wasp's mental attack, Total: 16, Effect: d4*:
Solo    d10
No Place So Quiet (more, distracting voices)    d4
(step up Doom Pool)
Psyche Master    2d8
From Doom Pool    d6


Kang rolled 9,1,7,8,5 using d10,d4,d8,d8,d6 ((9,1,7,8,5)).

Total: 17, Effect: d8

Defend from Bishop's mental attack, Total: 21, Effect: d4*:
Solo    d10
No Place So Quiet (no distractions to such a direct attack)    d8
Psyche Master    d10
Bishop Mental Stress    d6
from Doom Pool    d6

Kang rolled 9,6,1,6,2 using d10,d8,d10,d6,d6 ((9,6,1,6,2)).
Add d6 from Doom Pool to add third die to Total

Total: 21, Effect: d6

Extraordinary defending Effect Die steps attacking Effect Die to 0

1 Opportunity available first to Bishop

* Having no die left in an action roll to use as an Effect Die makes it a d4 by default

Doom Pool: -d10 -d8 +d8 (-d6/+d8) +d8 -d6 (-d6/+d8) -d6 -d6 = 2d6, 4d8

If Kang is affected by the forthright remarks directed his way, he does not show it. But the fact that he is silent for so long, as he gives anyone the space to talk, could speak its own volumes. In the middle of the circle of upside-down heroes, the time-conqueror looks down, fists behind his back, gazing at the floor for endless moments -- either an instant or just short of eternity, for however time flows in this space -- then finally looks up.

"The divergence in your time has long been an source of fascination to me," he says, with a refreshed calmness in his voice, but a strain, as if he is pushing careful, measured words through gritted teeth. "When you have conquered as much as the great Kang has, trivialities can be a means of study, or even sport, if you will. Yours is the one I have chosen to leave unconquered, so that I may study its quirks and intricacies. Your home is a pleasant diversion, but variables such as you have been an amusement. I have often wondered: Why do you fight? Why do you defend? Why can you not be more effective? You were trapped so easily in this web, and taken from your place of origin. Now you are a microbe on a slide, in terms of your very primitive science. My interest is how your presence or lack of presence affects that world. You have seen the end of all significant beings in one time. Though you were present at its end, its demise was ushered forth from your absence from that time, after I absconded you long before. Or... was it because you had stayed, taken from a different timeline? Were you even returned? So many paths, so much time. Though not nearly as much for you, clearly."

"We fight because we can. We have to. We have great power and greater responsibility, and none of us can ignore it. It's not something we have to think about. Even if we wanted to, I don't think any of us floating here would be able to ignore it. When everyone else is running away, our feet are moving us towards that threat before we realize what's happening. Heroes aren't made by powers and spandex. We're the ones that run headlong into danger so that others don't have to, even if we don't stand a chance."

Even if hidden behind a mask, Spider-Man's pleading eyes can be felt by those around him.

"Kang. You've seen countless timelines. If you want to study something, help us get back to where we belong and let us fix all of this. This may seem trivial to you with your vast knowledge and all, so you must know what we can do to stop it. Observe that. Give us an answer and see if we can utilize it to prevent this from happening. Prove that you can conquer this inevitability using only your knowledge."

Plea to Kang mental attack
Starting PP: 1
Team d6
With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility d8
Psych Expert d8 (doubled to 2d8)
Scene SFX: Glitch in the System. Step up (maximum d12) or double a die in an action dice pool, but 2s rolled from that pool are considered Opportunities like 1s.
11:19, Today: Spider-Man rolled 3,7,1,8 using d6,d8,d8,d8.

Total: 15
Effect: d6
Opportunities: 1
PP Remaining: 1

Reaction needed: Kang

Add d6 to Doom Pool from Spider-Man's Opportunities

Defend from Spider-Man's mental attack, Total: 15, Effect: d6:
Solo    d10
No Place So Quiet (no distractions)    d8
Psyche Master    2d8
Spider-Man Mental Stress    d8
from Doom Pool    d8

Kang rolls 9,5,8,5,8,5 using d10,d8,d8,d8,d8,d8 ((9,5,8,5,8,5)).

Total: 17, Effect: d8

Doom Pool: 2d6, 4d8 +d6 -d8 = 3d6, 3d8

Kang's strides in the midst of the hanging circle of heroes once again become controlled, calmed, minimal. He starts facing Spider-Man then turns away. "You cannot stop blathering long enough to hear what I have already told you. What makes you think that you can fix what will happen? What makes you think that your presence in your time was not what led to the destruction you have seen? There will come a time when you cannot fix whatever you intend. And... what if that time has come?" His face twists, into something that could become a sneer. His eyes dart around the heroes. "If it was you being there that led to the obliteration of human life on your world, could your boundless ego allow you to stay away so that it may survive?"

Venom chuckles, "Yeah Spiderman! What if it was your fault! HA Twang the Talkateer pegged you good. He can't stay away because he has to! He has a responsibility so he has power or something.... hard to remember between his teen angst and his lust over redheads and crazy cat ladies. What really baffles me is what if time itself is what ends time! Imagine that thinking you understand and control time is exactly what makes you delusional! All that proposed and made-up words all jumbled up in the little primate brain! Huwang the Conversationalist I be that is why you seem to have your body in seven different time zones! Repent brother, repent and cast off the bonds of sanity. We can justify eating minions to ourselves!"