"Good choice choosing him over me, Impostor. We both know you couldn't handle the heat." Scorch Scale said in an attempt to intimidate. Saul had dedicated time to finding a balance that keeps things in check, this villain hadn't. So if she took away the "superpower" of being possessed by Drocan... Things would be precarious to say the least.

He had to keep his distance so she couldn't retaliate, by sword or by power-pick-pocketing. Which lead to his idea, see, you can become invisible in one of two ways. The first is becoming undetectable, the other was to blind your opponent. So, thankful for the water Goodwill left behind, Scorch Scale released the heat from within his body, gushing out a hot flame. When it interacted with the water on the street, there was a hiss as water was converted into steam.

He had to hope that the wind wouldn't pick up, and that the steam would be enough to obstruct human vision...

(Since the key thing you're trying to do is to not get hit, I'm calling this an Agile roll, since that's what Agile is for...

09:25, Today: The Grandmaster, on behalf of Scorch Scale, rolled 9 using 2d6+1 ((3,5)) Partial success.)

"Hey! Where'd ya go? Are y'over here? Maybe over here?"

SWOOOSH... SWOOSH...

Well, Scorch Scale's attempt at steam worked somewhat. On one hand, it delayed him getting whacked with a giant sword. On the other hand, it didn't stop The Impersonator, only slowed her down... and her not being able to see what she was aiming at meant innocent bystanders were in more danger than ever, as she swung blindly...

(There are now two possible opportunities for rescue:
--Protect innocent citizens
--Help Scorch Scale

Until/unless the steam is removed, all heroes will have a -1 to rescue rolls...)
This message was last edited by the player at 15:40, Tue 27 Nov 2018.

The Silver Streak races to action, pulling people out from the steam and into the street. Squinting through the thick air he does his best to get each and every person. It would take a while, but he was going to make sure there wouldn't be any bystander left in swatting range.

OOC: Using the power Catch: You can rescue people like a Romantic Idiot with your powers and Confident.

15:35, Today: Silver Streak rolled 8 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 2,5.  Romantic Idiot!

--You leave them somewhere precarious (if out of immediate danger)
--You take significant time to rescue them

1. Silver Streak, answer: What is the new situation that is precarious, though out of immediate danger, into which you move the people?

2. Because it takes even Silver Streak time to save so many people (as much as he is, anyway), Silver Streak will miss the next round because he's busy... I'll remind you when you can take your next turn, Silver Streak...

Scraps loved playing with people.   These people were so much fun.
He ran over enthusiastically to where the nice girl was playing with the nice lizard man, and joined in playing with them.

Like only a cute, bouncy puppy can, he managed to get right under Impersonator's feet, inadvertently causing her to have to choose between backing off or tripping over and becoming stunned.

          - rolled 7 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 2,3.  Hold 'Em off

"What th'?! Puppydog, is that you again? You're the most dangerous out of all these guys...!"

The Impersonator backs off for a moment.

(OOC: >smacks forehead< When I said earlier "Until/unless the steam is removed, all heroes will have a -1 to rescue rolls..." I kind of wondered if I shouldn't apply that to messing with the Impersonator, too, but I said it the way I meant to say it, and I'll stand by it...)

It's Clobberin Time!
23:48, Today: Scorch Scale rolled 7 using 2d6+2 ((2,3)).
-You hit hard (+1 Harm)

From the innocuous comments that Impersonator had said, Scorch Scale knew that she had taken some of the magic resilience with her and the sword could do some nasty damage. He had to hit hard and do so now. She needed to go down.

While he had the senses to perceive in the steam, and the ability of shaping the fire to avoid hitting Scraps the Dog, he couldn't say much for the rest of the flames beyond the initial blast. He had to trust that Silver Streak had the rescue end covered.

quote:

X Area of Effect
You can selectively hit everyone in a given area.  You do not need to attack allies.

That ability covers saving Scraps.

quote:

X Enhanced Senses
You get a reflexive roll to investigate someone whenever the Editor decides.  This will include any ambushes, any shapeshifters, and probably a whole lot of false alarms as there won’t always be one and the Editor won’t tell you what you are looking for,

That ability I'm just RPing as you said about freedom to mess with Impersonator without penalty.

Scorch Scale aimed over the dog's head, missing him completely. He also used his draconic senses to be sure to miss all the citizens milling around in the steam...

However, his flames snapped an electrical cable overhead... it didn't hit anyone when it fell, but it was only a matter of time before someone wandered into contact with it!

Meanwhile, The Impersonator was displeased. "OWWWW that's hot! That hurts! I'm gonna get you, dragon guy...!"

(Silver Streak, you're up... you can try to deal with The Impersonator before she finds Scorch Scale, or else deal with the live electrical cable... but touching the live cable could result in damage to you...)

Almost half a mile due south of the Police HQ was the Manhattan end of the Brooklyn Bridge, crossing the East River into Brooklyn. It was the river that Gil wanted, not the bridge. But the bridge was an excellent landmark to look for over the tops of buildings as he'd risen into the air with the burning car, and had shown him precisely where to go.

It took less than a minute to cross the distance, even keeping his flight speed to about half of his maximum. Gil wasn't sure that the car could withstand being buffeted by winds at that speed. The last thing he needed was it to rip in half in his hands, at which point he'd surely drop at least one of those halves into the city below. So he kept the speed down on the short trip to the river.

There was plenty of free space on the river, fortunately, for him to throw his flaming payload without hitting anything else. He flexed both arms and pitched it overhand. It splashed down and promptly exploded, sending up a spray of polluted river water, but causing no harm to anyone or anything besides itself.

Gil turned, slapping his hands together in a futile attempt to de-crud himself, and flew back to the battle site.

This time, he went a lot faster.

Time seemed to freeze for the Silver Streak. He saw the falling cable, the distracted villain, who he couldn't directly touch... and an idea formed. "I just know I'm going to regret this," he springs into action with a grimace. The Silver Streak snatches the downed line and races towards the Impersonator. He grits his teeth, bracing for pain as he forces his legs to move. He runs until the cable snags against the Impersonator and uses his momentum to circle a few coils of live voltage tightly around the power-stealing menace.

OOC : 15:18, Today: Silver Streak rolled 9 using 2d6-1 with rolls of 6,4.  Hold Them Off.

--They can’t act as effectively (-1 Stun ongoing until your actions are countered)

And that's it. The Impersonator shrieks, and collapses.

(Silver Streak takes 3 stress.)

Suddenly, the cable around The Impersonator is cut from behind... Sir Gareth picked up his sword that The Impersonator dropped. Now The Impersonator is still wrapped up in the cable... but the section she's wrapped in no longer carries any current.

The crowd gasps and mutters, since Silver Streak's speed has sufficiently dispersed the last of the steam. (They get out of the street, too.)

"A bold move, Silver Knight, and nobly self-sacrificing, but the villainess would surely die if not freed from the cable's bite. Fortunately, her relinquishing my power allowed me to act."

He turns. "Now, let us parley further, Drocan... or, well... Boy, if not Drocan. Prithee explain to me further exactly why I should go from hither and suggest to the Knighthood of St. George that there is a small possibility that you should not be hunted down and slain as soon as possible... for I warn you, they shall be loath to cease questing for your end merely on my say-so..."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:23, Sat 08 Dec 2018.

Scraps hen came bounding over, and leapt bodily at Scorch Scale
... catching him full in the chest and sending the lizard-lord to the ground upon his back.

Scraps then began licking the red dragonic’s face enthusiastically.
Showing everybody, including Sir Gareth, what an awesome fellow the scaley hero is ... because everyone knows that animals can sense evil, and certainly wouldn’t be loading the reptilian up with doggy kisses if he were, indeed, evil.


- Play to the Crowd (including Sir Gareth)
- rolled 9 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 6,2.  Play to the crowd.
= they think better of you as a group

Though it wasn't strictly necessary, Gil chose this moment to make his return known to all in a suitably dramatic fashion. He executed a perfect three-point 'heroic landing', dropping out of the sky in an eyeblink to land with one knee and one fist upon the ground. He placed himself between Sir Whatsisface and Scorch.

"Then you can do it on my say-so," said Goodwill in his best authoritative tone as he rose to both feet. He'd just carried two tons of flaming steel to the river using his bare hands. Anyone with half a brain would take his say-so extremely seriously. "Because I judge men by their actions... and his have been far more noble than yours."

But really he wasn't trying to convince the knight directly. This trial was going to be in the court of public opinion, where Goodwill generally shined.

---

+1 Charming - how good you are at influencing people
--Play to the crowd

Goodwill rolled 12 using 2d6+1 ((5,6)).

When you ask bystanders for help, understanding, sympathy, or to be impressed, roll +Charming.  On a 10+ pick 3, on a 7-9 pick 1
--They don’t think you are either whiny or showing off
--They think better of you as a group
--They provide assistance
--You are buoyed by their cheers and take +1 Ongoing until they are seriously threatened or the scene ends

This message was last edited by the player at 16:33, Sat 08 Dec 2018.

Everybody watching goes "Awwwwwww...!"

Even Sir Gareth cannot hide a tiny smile...

"Hmph," says Sir Gareth. "Doing is not the issue. It is whether my order is convinced that shall be the problem... Still..."

The crowd yells at Sir Gareth, and small shouts of things like "leave dragon guy alone!" can (barely) be heard.

"Mmmmph. Anyone can act chivalrous. If you people knew of Drocan's..." Sir Gareth trailed off, and sighed. "Still, actions are not to be discounted... no matter how effective they may or may not be, apparent intentions should count for something... Still, I wouldst hear from this... boy... myself, before acting further..."

"Aww, come on. Stop it you, lil' rascal." Scorch Scale protested. Despite his low voice, he couldn't put up a tone of genuine resistance to the dog. It didn't help when he made weird drake chuckles under the layer of affection. If he was Saul, he especially couldn't see the nice dogs enthusiasm in a bad light.

Before he could get up from the floor and defend himself, Goodwill was already on the case and seemed to get some people happy with him. He was pretty sure there were one or two people who were practically agast at this man with angelic presence. It seemed nice for people to have his back.

When he could finally get up and address the knight, Scorch Scale felt the good mood from everyone there buoying him a little. Which was helpful to counter the act of being called "Boy" by the walking tin can man.

He almost started with the insult, but kept it down to save face. "Look, um, Sir Gareth. I am not that dragon from before, I really intend to do good, to save lives, even if it is difficult and inconscievable. I will continue to put others before myself."

"I am well aware that it might be impossible to change their minds in one encounter. But, at the very least, can you see about them planning the  bouts to be away from civilians?" Scorch Scale made a gesture to the damage around them, from scraps of metal from the car, to the bits of rubble, cut electrical wire, water and damaged hydrants. "So much damage can occur in battle, even indirectly, and I don't want anyone else getting harmed over this. At least consider telling them this. Please."

Standing beside Scorch Scale, Scraps barked once to Sir Gareth enthusiastically,  as though suggesting to the knight, “Yeah, whadda ya say, friend”.  His tail wagging so hard it nearly shook his bum off.

Then, he went bounding over to leap into Goodwill’s arms.

"That's my good boy," Gil said, catching Scraps. He scratched the good spot behind the puppy's left ear. "You've been making yourself useful, I see. Good doggy! Best doggy!"

Sir Gareth sighed. "I shalt tell them." He looked around. "The young enchantress be subdued, and yon miscreant of lightning be waylaid as well. An none shall seek to halt me... I shall depart. Wouldst any speak otherwise...?"

"I wouldn't, but they might." Scorch Scale gestured behind himself with a thumb at the hole in the police station. Property damage was a thing after all.

"No, that's okay..." calls a police officer. "...We still haven't found where that girl hid our guns yet, so..."

Sir Gareth awkwardly slings his big sword over his shoulder, walks into a nearby alley, and is gone.

The lieutenant walks up to the powered colleagues. "You all okay...? Silver Streak? You looked like you took quite a shock, there..." He's kind of awkward too, probably because of knowing what he (and his fellow officers who were present) now knows about Silver Streak's identity... and perhaps he is thinking about the heroic act of self-sacrifice he saw the hero perform...

The Silver Streak barely hears the officer. Now that the immediate threat was over, his mind was starting to catch up with what happened inside the police station. He had been exposed. "I- I'll be all right," he tells himself as much as the Lieutenant. His helmet, usually a source of empowerment, felt stifling. He badly needed to get out of here. To clear his head, and maybe sleep for a week. Struggling to stay composed, he flashes Goodwill and Scorch Scale a brief salute and nod "You two really saved my hide - I appreciate it. Until next time." With a gust of wind, he was gone.

Scorch Scale looked to the police to say
"If you guys are serious on cooperation, maybe get some spares on the talk boxes. No, what are they, pixie messengers? No, radio, that's it! Get those."

Then he focused on the other supers left. "You did good work Goodwill, Scraps, brilliant saving all round. Thanks."

Scorch Scale was part way leaving when he turned his head back to add, "That attitude, before. Others getting hurt because of me doesn't sit right. You know? But hey, could always be pride. But, I'll see you around." With that he went around the corner Silver Streak used. Then he too left, left to wonder how was he going to survive keeping up that premise to the Order of St George? If they believed him anyway. That was a question for another time.

"Not a problem, man," Goodwill said to the dragon-fella. "You use power to help folks, and that's all I need to know. Maybe I'll even see you around.

"C'mon, Scraps. Let's go say 'hi' to some folks."

He started over towards the bystanders, who were, well... standing by.

"Hey there, everybody. That was quite the kerfuffle now, wasn't it? Makes me feel like I might'a come to the right town, now."

It wasn't a minute before he was shaking hands and signing autographs. This always gave Gil a rush, being among fans. And before long, 'Goodwill' would be a common household name around New York, and then he'd have plenty of fans.

Scraps, ever Goodwill’s sidekick and companion, bounded around as Gil signed autographs, kissed hands and shook babies.
He adored the public’s attention as much as Goodwill did.