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20:04, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

The Harmon Building.

Posted by The Great KarnacFor group 0
The Great Karnac
GM, 9 posts
Two poodles and knitting
needles? Sweater level 12
Thu 16 Aug 2018
at 07:00
  • msg #1

The Harmon Building

We Begin Here.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:32, Mon 03 Sept 2018.
The Great Karnac
GM, 12 posts
Two poodles and knitting
needles? Sweater level 12
Sat 18 Aug 2018
at 04:26
  • msg #2

The Harmon Building

Common Knowledge:
The Crusaders are the primary band of heroes in Center City. They consist of Manta-Man, their leader, who emulates the aquatic manta ray and electric eel with his devices, Evergreen, a woman who controls and communicates with plants while appearing half-plant herself, Blizzard, a young mutant who controls cold and vibrations, Dreamweaver, the mistress of illusion, Enforcer, a detective with the ability to manifest force fields, and Laserfire, the youngest member of the team who appears wholly made of plasma.
The headquarters of the Crusaders is called the Crusader Citadel. It is housed in the top four floors of the Harmon Building, in downtown Center City. In addition to automatic defense systems, the citadel is watched over by the TEACHER computer system, an advanced AI. The top of the Harmon Building has been seen to completely open so that the Crusader's various vehicles (helicopter, space shuttle, etc) can launch.
Due to recent retirement or displacement, there are no other noteworthy heroes active in Center City at this time. In fact, the various superhero message boards have passed on an informal call for heroes to join the Crusaders, whether in fac​t or spirit is uncertain.
Although there are no well-known groups of villains within Center City, there is a loose confederation of individual villains with cause to hate the Crusaders for one reason or another. Some of these villains have taken to calling themselves the Crushers, and rumors have it they are constantly recruiting. Thus, their memebership is constantly expanding and changing.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 02:32, Mon 03 Sept 2018.
The Great Karnac
GM, 17 posts
Two poodles and knitting
needles? Sweater level 12
Thu 30 Aug 2018
at 05:05
  • msg #3

The Harmon Building

The opening scene is the Harmon Building as it fronts on East Main Street. On either side of the Harmon Building are more installations of high rise office space. There is a restaurant taking up half the lower floor of the building to the north, but to the south the extra space around the lobby is filled with a ratio of food carts and newsstands that depends on the time of day and prevailing weather.
Inside the Harmon Building lobby, the two security guards at the front desk nod wisely at every 'cape' that comes through the door and then directs them to a courtesy phone mounted on the wall in the back of the lobby. There are other phones on the same wall, but only one that is bright red beneath a simple sign that reads "Crusader Courtesy Phone".
This message was last updated by the GM at 02:32, Mon 03 Sept 2018.
The Great Karnac
GM, 18 posts
Two poodles and knitting
needles? Sweater level 12
Sat 1 Sep 2018
at 05:17
  • msg #4

The Harmon Building

Standing to the side of the bank of normal elevators is a separate system with a red door. This elevator goes directly to Crusader Citadel. Anyone that enters the elevator and presses ANY button hears "This is a recording. All Crusader personnel are currently involved in individual assignments and the Citadel is closed; TEACHER is on full security alert until our return. If you have important business, please feel free to use the red courtesy phone in the Harmon Building lobby or call our toll free number 1-800-CRU-SADE, and TEACHER will relay your message or aid you in contacting the proper authorities. No prank calls please. We are deeply sorry for any inconvenience our absence may cause. Thank you."
Calling the toll free number OR utilizing the red courtesy phone will get the following "This is TEACHER. Thank you for calling the Crusaders. At the sound of the tone, relate all relevant information. Be advised that you will undergo voice and psycho-inflectional analysis... all irrelevant calls will be discontinued. After relating the information, stand by for analysis and response. Do not hang up of response is desired. ...BLEEP."
The security guards in the lobby remark on the fact that TEACHER hasn't responded to a request in several days, merely hanging up on the callers. Testing this hypothesis shows the guards were paying attention, or have some psychic abilities as that is exactly what happens.
The lobby is seeing an unusual amount of traffic, today. After several heroes show up, listen to the, apparently, recordings, and begin to mill around trying to decide what to do a van from WCTV (local television station) drives up the the front door, and Joan Dillon (beautiful ace TV reporter) emerges from the van followed by a small camera crew. After they pass everyone by, they set up in the elevator and at the courtesy phone. After taping both messages, Joan arranges her crew and tapes the following:
"I'm here in the lobby of the Harmon Building, Ed, and all seems unnaturally peaceful. For the Crusaders are out of town once again, and neither the roar of their mini space shuttle not the sounds of super-powered conflict have been heard here in Central City for almost a week. But this is not because the city is peaceful; rather, it signals the go-ahead for the most terrifyling crimewave ever to sweep this metropolis."
"The Crushers, long-time foes of the Crusaders, prance almost unopposed through our fair community. Already they have assalted and nearly demolished two local research facilities, carting off truckloads of components to an unknown destination for some unguessable purpose."
"The police have been unable to stop this band of marauders, said to consist of six known Crushers: the armored FIST, Temper, the brutish Bull, the Shrew, the Vulture, and the Mercury Mercenary.
No other Crushers have been seen at these break-ins, but at least four other criminals thought to be associates of the Crushers are believed to be at large."
"And the break-ins continue. Detective Victor Broyko of the Central City police force urges calm but admits that without help from local heroes or the return of the Crusaders, the chances of finally ending this rampage are minimal. Where are you Crusaders? The city needs you, Joan Dillon, WCTV, at the Crusader Citadel."

This message was last edited by the GM at 05:49, Mon 03 Sept 2018.
Darryl Starre
player, 3 posts
Charming Journalist
DEX 14 SPD 3
Sat 1 Sep 2018
at 09:36
  • msg #5

The Harmon Building

Casually entering the building is a celebrity, of sorts. He is Darryl Starre of the Central City Chronicle. He writes a weekly column for the paper called the Starre report, where he chronicles the adventures and mishaps of the superhero and supervillain communities. His winning smile and charm has won the (temporary) affections of more than one starlet in town. He sports a wry grin as he hears Joan Dillon pleading for the Crusaders. There were all these Supers around....who needed the Crusaders? Once he sees Joan signing off, he slips next to her sound man and sees an open mic on the man's belt. With a quick "Excuse me, can I borrow this? Thanks-", he grabs the microphone and addresses the superheroes gathered in the Lobby. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the Superheroic community, my name is Darryl Starre. I know I have no official position here in town, but as the lovely Joan just pointed out, this city needs some heroes. Would you all be willing to step up and help? Any information I can give you about the Crushers, I will. and I have sources that might also have information, I just need to tap them. I think we could also use some sort of technical wizard to help us speak with TEACHER. Something is apparently wrong with it, and TEACHER likely has extensive files on all known Crushers, as well as some of their new recruits. Central City needs you all. Will you answer the call?"

02:38, Today: Darryl Starre rolled 23,3 using 8d6,1d3.  8 1/2 d6 PRE attack.
26 PRE attack

02:37, Today: Darryl Starre rolled 9 (with 3 body) using 3 with the Hero (Champions) system.  Persuasion 18-.

This message was last edited by the GM at 02:33, Mon 03 Sept 2018.
Joan Dillon
NPC, 1 post
Sat 1 Sep 2018
at 15:56
  • msg #6

The Harmon Building

Joan motions to a cameraman, then walks over to Darryl. As she reaches him, she throws him an off-camera smile as she pulls a small notebook from the small purse at her belt. "That's the Starre we all know and love, but this time it's not the last word."
"I'm going to interview a few of these new heroes, Dar. Why don't we work on the questions together, then we can share the answers in our own way? It would mean a lot to have input from 'The Supers Reporter'."
Yes, she did throw you air quotes.
Stepping to Darryl's left side and turning so they're facing the same way, she holds the notebook open in front of him.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:33, Mon 03 Sept 2018.
Goodguy
player, 17 posts
Teleporting tank
Dex 18 SP 4
Sat 1 Sep 2018
at 21:47
  • msg #7

The Harmon Building

Standing in his kitchen of his small farm house, Lester watches the news flash while he finishes up the dishes. He's heard of both these reporters and has up to now managed to avoid them both. He puts the dish rag down and walks to his room. Reaching into the closet he pulls out a clean pair of jeans and a new blue tank-top donning his signature look for 'super-heroing'. While not having a costume he still thought he should always look the same.

He wandered back and took a look at the TV and took a deep breath and sighed, "I hate this part." he thought to himself. "Why does there have to be so many people there?" With that he closed his eyes and concentrated. The air around him compressed for a moment then suddenly released with a flash and a ~whizzt~ and he found himself standing at the door to the Harmond Building.

Lester walks in trying to be as inconspicuous as a seven-foot six-hundred pound person can be. He tries his best to walk past the reporters and looks for the courtesy phone. On finding it he picks it up and listens to the message holding his over-sized hand up in a request for silence. Once it ends he leaves a message.

"Uh, hello there," he starts before being cut off with a ‘click’. Hmmm he mumbles to himself.


I took the liberty to have the street outside the building as one of his floating locations for teleporting. His farmhouse is another for now.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:33, Mon 03 Sept 2018.
StreetDemon
player, 5 posts
Sun 2 Sep 2018
at 03:47
  • msg #8

The Harmon Building

quote:
"I'm going to interview a few of these new heroes, Dar. Why don't we work on the questions together, then we can share the answers in our own way? It would mean a lot to have input from 'The Supers Reporter'." Yes, she did throw you air quotes.
Stepping to Darryl's left side and turning so they're facing the same way, she holds the notebook open in front of him.


"Yo, lady -- whassup?!?"


From the gathering the crowd a figure muscles his way through to stand in front of Ms. Dillon; he almost looks like some "Antifa" thug, dressed in a hoodie and leather jacket and sporting a red-hued "Anonymous" mask with devil horns protruding from the forehead.

"That's your big story?  Some rich white mutha-bleep gets robbed from a factory he probably already collected from the insurance on, and that's prime-time news?  Where was you last week, when that tenement building on M.L.K. Drive burned to the ground?" the figure says, gesturing out toward the street.  "You want a real story?"  He points directly at the news camera.  "How about you tell these people about the seventeen families livin' there, who lost everything?  Who's helpin' them out?  I'mma tell you who -- ME!" he adds, thumping his chest for emphasis.  "Makin' 'em temporary shelters from right outta the rubble..."  The masked figure waves his hands; glowing streamers of neon light emanate from his fingertips.  "Keepin' the lights on for 'em.  Organizin' food drives around the community -- people lookin' for out for each other!"

The masked figure straightens up a bit, his true feelings hidden behind the grinning devil mask.  "But don't even trip -- I got this.  I'mma show all y'all how it's done; and then maybe when the Crusaders come back from wherever the bleep they are, and they're ready to get serious about fixing this town, y'all are gonna see some real hope and change all up in this..."



[PLAYER/GM] Does GoodGuy or anyone else who's obviously a super have a Public ID or Reputation that might make them immediately recognizable as such within the crowd?  If so, it might help to know what's "common knowledge" about them, so the PC's might be able to start consolidating or at least interacting with one another.  Street Demon didn't take the "Reputation" Complication, but those with KS: Superheroes would probably know that he deals mostly with street gangs and activism within the poorer parts of the city...[/PLAYERGM]

This message was last edited by the GM at 02:50, Mon 10 Sept 2018.
Goodguy
player, 18 posts
Teleporting tank
Dex 18 SP 4
Sun 2 Sep 2018
at 04:05
  • msg #9

The Harmon Building

I have a public ID as well as positive reputation 8-
This message was last updated by the GM at 02:34, Mon 03 Sept 2018.
Knockout
player, 10 posts
Agile Brick
DEX 20(23) SPD 4
Sun 2 Sep 2018
at 05:52
  • msg #10

The Harmon Building

With all that fuss, the arrival of a Dodge Challenger, of a nice red painting, was not so noticed. But it stopped right in the middle of the street, like many other vehicles, as the situation attracted more attention.
The driver door opened, and a pair of long slender legs, covered in a sort of plastic polymeres armor emerged from it, immediatly followed by a body to die for. A model figure, with what could be qualified as an american beauty. Blonde hair, blue eyes, and some discreet glossy lipstick to enhance a face of an angel.

Knockout stood up there, starting to attract attention, and closed the car door. Looking around, she assessed the situation, in her awkward red armored costume and with a smile that invited some people totake pictures, she squat, only to hoist and lift the Dodge in the air over her head.

SLowly she turned, and started to walk towards the crowd, with this impressive package over her head, and excused herself, by a long explanation.

"Lifting a car isn't easy. I'm sorry, I guess that goes without saying. What I mean is that being strong enough isn't all there is to it. Doing it without damaging the vehicle and getting yourself covered in grime takes care and thought. If you just grab it by an edge you are likely to only tear pieces of the body off. You have to reach way underneath and get ahold of the chassis. It's dirty down there. Gloves are a good idea, but gloves can make things slippery too. So then I have to lift and lean so that the weight of the vehicle is all up on two tires. You can't let it stay that way for too long or you risk breaking something, maybe an axle. So I have to work my way underneath, hopefully without getting greasy dirt all over me, so I have to be careful and then hoist it up. Like I said, I have the strength, but it is still a lot of mass and I have to keep it balanced. If I drop it, I destroy an expensive car, so I take my time. When I'm doing something like this in an emergency situation, I'm not thinking about weather I break it or not, but this car belongs to someone who needs it."
She walked by the crowd put the car down as carefully as she had picked it up and brushed her hands, examining her long and well manicured nails.

"The Crusaders maybe gone, but there are other willing to take up the flag. Some may know me, some don't." She stoke a model pose, a hand on her hip, letting everyone admire her statuesque shape. "I'm Knockout. I'm here to help."
This message was last updated by the GM at 02:34, Mon 03 Sept 2018.
Darryl Starre
player, 4 posts
Charming Journalist
DEX 14 SPD 3
Sun 2 Sep 2018
at 07:00
  • msg #11

The Harmon Building

In reply to StreetDemon (msg # 8):

Darryl pulls out his recorder and asks "could you tell us your name, sir? What sort of abilities do you have?" Darryl makes a note to cross-reference the names gathered here with his database.
This message was last updated by the GM at 02:34, Mon 03 Sept 2018.
Goodguy
player, 19 posts
Teleporting tank
Dex 18 SP 4
Sun 2 Sep 2018
at 15:45
  • msg #12

The Harmon Building

Seeing the two heroes show up Lester relaxes a bit. He's happy to see them both working to attract the spotlight. The man has foul language and Lester shakes his a head a bit on hearing him talk but at the same time he can't argue with the stranger's points. The innocent needed more attention.

The woman, well she attracted his eye for a good long while. Lester smiles at her display of strength. ~She can pick up a car. That's cute~ He thinks to himself. Her display showed off much more than just her super-human strength, he caught himself staring and averted his eyes.

Deciding to take a seat in the corner, let the others do the talking and wait to see what happens, the man known as Goodguy keeps his eye on the room.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 02:34, Mon 03 Sept 2018.
Joan Dillon
NPC, 2 posts
Sun 2 Sep 2018
at 19:52
  • msg #13

Anyone He Can Interview I Can Interview Better

As Darryl walks away to talk to Street Demon, Joan mumbles, "and away he goes."
She turns to her cameraman and raises her eyebrows, and as he nods his head the sound guy points to the directional mike attached to the camera and gives Joan a thumbs up.
"Ok, that's good. Let's do the big guy before Dar jumps in and skews his responses."
She leads her crew to where Goodguy sits. As her crew starts to set up, Joan says, "you're Goodguy, right? Do you mind answering a few questions on camera, just background stuff, nothing specific?"
Before Goodguy has much chance to answer, she starts right in, "The community knows you as Goodguy, and you're well known for stepping in where you're needed. But I'm sure many of our viewers would be interested in learning more. Could you tell us something about yourself and what you can do?"
Goodguy
player, 20 posts
Teleporting tank
Dex 18 SP 4
Sun 2 Sep 2018
at 22:40
  • msg #14

Re: Anyone He Can Interview I Can Interview Better

Joan Dillon:
"you're Goodguy, right? Do you mind answering a few questions on camera, just background stuff, nothing specific?"


Lester groans internally and tries to think of something.

Joan Dillon:
Before Goodguy has much chance to answer, she starts right in, "The community knows you as Goodguy, and you're well known for stepping in where you're needed. But I'm sure many of our viewers would be interested in learning more. Could you tell us something about yourself and what you can do?"


Taking a deep breath, "Well I'm big and I can, uh... kinda teleport. That's about it I guess."
The short answer has him already breaking into a sweat.

"I really just want to see if I can help out." He says with the grimace of a smile.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:41, Sun 02 Sept 2018.
StreetDemon
player, 6 posts
Sun 2 Sep 2018
at 23:03
  • msg #15

The Harmon Building

Darryl Starre:
In reply to StreetDemon (msg # 8):

Darryl pulls out his recorder and asks "could you tell us your name, sir? What sort of abilities do you have?" Darryl makes a note to cross-reference the names gathered here with his database.


"Abilities?  Nigga, I'm the Wizard of Washington Park -- this whole city is mine to command!" the masked figure replies, thumping his chest again.  "People call me Street Demon.  Maybe y'all haven't heard of me yet, out there in the suburbs.  But pretty soon your readers are gonna be like, 'Manta Who?  Man, get that guy off the front page -- he's old and busted!  We wanna hear more about the Street Demon!  That brother's got it goin' on...'"

quote:
"The Crusaders maybe gone, but there are other willing to take up the flag. Some may know me, some don't." She stoke a model pose, a hand on her hip, letting everyone admire her statuesque shape. "I'm Knockout. I'm here to help."


Street Demon trails off from his posturing to turn and take note of the new arrival.  As Knockout delivers her soliloquy, he elbows Darryl in the ribs.  "You suppose if she gets into trouble, she gonna just talk 'em to death?"  Street Demon says under his breath to the reporter.  He takes another moment to look over her form.  "Still -- Da-a-a-a-amn..."
This message was last updated by the GM at 02:34, Mon 03 Sept 2018.
Joan Dillon
NPC, 3 posts
Sun 2 Sep 2018
at 23:35
  • msg #16

The Harmon Building

Seeing his discomfort, Joan waits a beat, and then says to Goodguy, "you're doing just fine, we'll clear everything in post so you look good. Unlike 'Shining Starre' over there, I try to cover things in a professional manner. So just relax and answer the questions, don't worry about a thing."
Letting another beat go by as she puts her 'reporting' face back on, Joan continues, "You say you're here to help, were you expecting to find the Crusaders at home, or are you planning to take on the Crushers anyway?"
This message was last updated by the player at 02:34, Mon 03 Sept 2018.
Goodguy
player, 21 posts
Teleporting tank
Dex 18 SP 4
Mon 3 Sep 2018
at 00:13
  • msg #17

The Harmon Building

Felling a little better Goodguy does his best. Drawing on all he remembers from his 4H public speaking he trudges forward.

"Well, yea I expected someone to be here but no one answered the phone. It seems to be broken too. But I’m not gonna' just stand by and let this happen. Those Crushers, they might be able to hide but they can't run from me. To answer your question, yes I intend to do something."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:32, Mon 03 Sept 2018.
Joan Dillon
NPC, 4 posts
Mon 3 Sep 2018
at 05:22
  • msg #18

The Harmon Building

Joan nods at Goodguy, and says, "that was great. I'm going to let Darryl talk to Mr. HotHead and have a go at Miss HotPants. You should probably do that, yourself. I mean, talk to them, not necessarily..."
"I am much better at this on camera, excuse me."

Her camera crew trailing, she approaches Knockout and says, "excuse me, miss, uh, Knockout?"
"I know you've never heard of me, but I wondered if I might ask you some questions. It's all background stuff, and I won't ask you anything about any previous press coverage unless you intentionally offer me the information."

Darryl Starre
player, 5 posts
Charming Journalist
DEX 14 SPD 3
Mon 3 Sep 2018
at 05:32
  • msg #19

Re: The Harmon Building

quote:
Street Demon trails off from his posturing to turn and take note of the new arrival.  As Knockout delivers her soliloquy, he elbows Darryl in the ribs.  "You suppose if she gets into trouble, she gonna just talk 'em to death?"  Street Demon says under his breath to the reporter.  He takes another moment to look over her form.  "Still -- Da-a-a-a-amn..."


Darryl sniggers. "Sounds to me like you're  the one who could talk them to death. Or at least bore them until they flatten you. Do you know anything about the Crushers? Like Mercury Mercenary, a speedster who is an expert with small arms? Or the Shrew, a former boxing specialist who gained superstrength? Learn to earn respect before you start trotting out the insults, kid. Manta Man has been doing his best for this city for the last 7 years. Do you care about the city beyond your tenement?"
Knockout
player, 11 posts
Agile Brick
DEX 20(23) SPD 4
Mon 3 Sep 2018
at 07:18
  • msg #20

Re: The Harmon Building

Offering a wide and cheerful smile, the blonde bombshell nodded back to the reporter, and explained herself, with some slightly obvious emotion in the voice:

"Well, I do know you Mrs Dillon. Always so pretty, and with impeccable makeup and fashion styled. A good way to make a good first impression. And you've got only one chance to do so, right ? Anyway, what can I tell you about me ? Hmm.. I'm the result of genetic mutations, and it gave me a supranormal active hormones charged metabolism. As a result, I'm more strong, resilent, fast and agile than average. As for my costume, it was provided by the US Army, so yes I'm known from them, and they gave me the opportunity to work on my skills in order to protect our country and people. God bless america ! So, now I'm ready to do the job, with whoever wants to help."

All along her speech, her face went through a pleasant happy display of feelings, a bit like a teenager who would have her first public speech, and not totally able to canalize the flow of emotions.
StreetDemon
player, 7 posts
Mon 3 Sep 2018
at 08:21
  • msg #21

Re: The Harmon Building

Darryl Starre:
Darryl sniggers. "Sounds to me like you're  the one who could talk them to death. Or at least bore them until they flatten you. Do you know anything about the Crushers? Like Mercury Mercenary, a speedster who is an expert with small arms? Or the Shrew, a former boxing specialist who gained superstrength? Learn to earn respect before you start trotting out the insults, kid. Manta Man has been doing his best for this city for the last 7 years. Do you care about the city beyond your tenement?"


Street Demon stares at Darryl, stone-faced, for a long, uncomfortable moment.  "Y'know, son?  You talk a lotta shit, for being so light in the ass..." he says at last.

Then something in Street Demon's stance shifts, and the tension between the two eases.  "But it's cool -- I'mma get down to business now, and then you'll see who really is here for this town!  You can tag along if you want -- I might even let you take my picture for your front page..."    Street Demon swaggers over to the interview in progress between Knockout and Ms. Dillon.  "Yo, girl -- whassup?" he says to her, interrupting Dillon's question.  "You 'bout ready to stop jawin' with these fools and start doin' some good for this city?"  He points across the room to Goodguy and calls out, "You too, Big G -- don't think I don't see you there, holdin' up the bleep-in' building!  Don't act like you don't want none of this action -- all you got to do is step up, fams..."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:50, Mon 10 Sept 2018.
Darryl Starre
player, 7 posts
Charming Journalist
DEX 14 SPD 3
Mon 3 Sep 2018
at 10:08
  • msg #22

Re: The Harmon Building

"Don't let the smile fool you, kid. I've tangled with DEMON and handled myself just fine." He follows StreetDemon over to the ladies and asks the new heroine "Knockout? You say you have supercharged pheromones? Does that mean you create an unnatural attraction from men? Or did your hormonal mutation simply  gestate into increased speed, strength, and durability? I heard that the Crusaders put out a quiet call to the superhero community for help in managing the Crushers. Is that why you are all here? And.....StreetDemon, this one's  likely up your alley. What do you know about the sightings of a winged man-bird in the Central City skies at night?"
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