"THE MOLE & THE MYSTIC"

Moments after the Zigursky incident beneath Brickstown...

Max knew they were in the clear, he could sense no unusual seismic activity so there was no immediate threat, but he couldn't linger. Well, Max could linger underground for days...but not Archie. By the time Max got to Archie's holding cell he found the old man had run afoul the automated defenses. Fortunately Max's inhibitor collar had become disabled, so without further adieu...he leapt upon the automated drone with toothy sneer and guttural snarl, ripping it asunder as if it were made of paper mache. Unfortunately Archie had already been shot...several times, and was only marginally conscious. Getting Archie to the infirmary was out of the question, the Zig had degraded into an all-out free-for-all!

"When in doubt, dig your way out..." Max recanted one of his favorite mantras - so he did.

With Archie in tow, Max dug underneath the Zig...underneath the moat, and past the parameter security fencing until he was certain they were not being followed. That was the easy part, trying to tend the old man's injuries was a different matter. Prison clothing made for poor bandages, and the old man was getting delirious, blathering nonsensically in a language Max wasn't familiar with...air was thin underground so oxygen deprivation was taking it's toll.

"Don't ya worry none, Archie, gonna be topside soon." Max would say over his shoulder as he tore through the bedrock, "Plenty of fresh air, get ya patched up right...you'll see, gonna be just fine."

Might as well have been talking to himself, in a sense he was - sedating his own mounting anxiety as the old man had passed out on the makeshift gurney he drug behind him. Earlier than desired, Max dug his way upwards...closer to the Zig than he wished, but he wasn't going to let the old man die on him. Not after all the "fun times" they had in the Zig where Max spent a portion of his time kicking the crap out of any newcomer that thought the old man was an easy mark.

Before he breached the surface, just below a secluded alleyway, he could hear Archie call out weakly. "These bracers...need removed..." the old man gasped feebily.

"Those gaudy things? Ah hell, Archie...thought those were yours!" exclaimed Max as he examined the iron wrought bracers.

No clasp, no lock, they seemed to be welded on...and they didn't look like they were going to come off easy. "Can't this wait 'til we're topside?" Max grumbled.

The old man coughed a weak laugh and muttered, "These bracers...are to me...as that collar...was to you."

That made Max's skin crawl...for years he wondered what it would've been like if his mutation hadn't manifested, but after spending time in the Zig with that damn inhibitor collar on, fending for himself (and Archie) with naught but his wits and his streetwise brawling prowess...to be honest, he was never more thankful to be clawed and hairy.

"Just saying, it'll hurt..." Max glowered as he sought the best way to work a claw underneath. No doubt about it...the old man was gonna lose some skin in the process, at least.

The old man only chuckled weakly in response, just like the time when they first met after Max beat the snot out of some newly interred Freakshow gangbanger who beat Archie senseless just because the freak thought Archie looked funny...and wanted Archie to look funnier.

"Yeah, this'll probably tickle after what you've been through...okay, here goes." Max intoned.

Holding the old man's wrist secure with one hand, Max worked a claw underneath one of the bracers and pulled outward...he expected to hear a snap - he only heard the old man grunt and groan instead.

"The hell?..." Max thought as he pulled again with a little more force...the iron bracer screeched metallically, Archie's cry was a little more guttural.

"What're these things made of?!..." Max inquired worriedly having dug through solid rock. A little trinket like this bracer should not be giving him this much difficulty.

"Okay, Archie, deep breath...just one...more...PULL!" exclaimed Max as his muscles bulged, pitting his entire frame against the wretched bracer...the old man cried out and spasmed, only to collapse silent and still the instant Max's claw tore through.

"Archie? ARCHIE?!" Max exclaimed. The old man was still breathing...though ragged, probably in shock.

The other bracer came off far more swiftly, but before Max could chuck the broken bracers down the tunnel from which they came...a steady, firm hand rested upon his shoulder.

"Hold, my little changeling friend..." stated old man in a strong, steely tone as he sat upright, "...I still have need of those."

Moments later, after breaching surface, Maxwell Tillerman watches in shock as the Arch-Druid freezes a police officer solid...



This message was last edited by the GM at 23:17, Thu 28 Oct 2021.

The Mole & The Mystic

By the time Crimson Fury, Windwalker, and Detective Ramirez leading a squad of officers in a PPD containment van, arrive on the scene...the situation was already turning ugly in the hot evening breeze. A mob of citizens were crowding the parameter of barricades, some holding signs saying "Mutant Lives Matter" while others read "Die Mutie Scum!"

Detective Ramirez looks concerned as the containment van pulls up past the barricades near the massive industrial sewer entrance, and exits the cab as the armed and armored squad of officers disembark from the rear.

"The Mole saved my life!" shouts a middle-aged woman carrying a sign from one side of the mob.

"That mutie killed my daughter!" roars a burly man with a baseball bat on the other side.

"We want justice - Street Justice!" cries a tall lanky fellow, shaking his fist at one of the PPD officers securing the barricade.

The senior officer on the scene with a bullhorn booms loudly, though almost inaudible compared to the rising friction between the two mobs, "Attention citizens! This is the PPD! Disperse and return to your homes, this area is off-limits! I repeat, off limits, until further notice!"

"Sergeant, what's the sitrep?" Ramirez asks the senior officer loudly as she approaches.

"They just came outta nowhere, ma'am...and have been growing by the minute. One group wants to put a stop to this operation, the other wants to put a stop to The Mole...and they both look like they'd be more than happy to put a stop to each other." reports the senior officer. "We...didn't exactly prepare for the possibility of a full-blown riot, ma'am." he adds hesitantly.

"Just keep the parameter secure, Thomas...call for backup if need be." replies Ramirez as she gives the simmering mob a furtive glance before she whistles and gestures to the squad she arrived with, "Alright, boys, let's head in!"

Doom Pool: 2D8

Scene Distinctions: Industrial Grade Sewer Entrance, PPD Barricade & Evening Heatwave

5d6 Pro-Mutant Mob
Angry, Obtrusive, Obstinate
Combat Novices: D6
SFX) Riot! - Add a D6 and keep an additional effect die for every additional target.
LIM) Mob Coherency: Each mob die can be subjected to area effect attacks and complications.

5d6 Anti-Mutant Mob
Vengeful, Anxious, Determined
Combat Novices: D6
SFX) Riot! - Add a D6 and keep an additional effect die for every additional target.
LIM) Mob Coherency: Each mob die can be subjected to area effect attacks and complications.

D6 PPD Barricade Officers
Diligent, Lawful, Courageous
Combat Novices: D6
Sidearms: D6

3D8 PPD Anti-Mutant Squad
Seasoned, Snarky, Confident
Firearms: D8
Nullifiers: D10
Body Armor: D8
Combat Experts: D8
SFX) Focus Fire - In a dice pool that includes Firearms or Nullifiers, you may replace two dice of equal size with one die +1 step larger.
SFX) Covering Fire - Add a D6 and keep an additional effect die for each additional target.
LIM) Squad Coherency: Each mob die can be subjected to area effect attacks and complications.
LIM) Specifically Tailored - Nullifiers last until the next Transition Scene, Nullifiers can only effect the target they were specified to Nullify (The Mole).


D8 Detective Ramirez
PPD Veteran Officer, Woman In A Man's World, Stubborn & Convicted
PPD Standard Issue
Firearm: D6
Armored Vest: D6
Nullifier: D10
Combat Expert: D8
Psych Expert: D8
Crime Expert: D8
SFX) Thorough & Well Connected - When using Crime Expert to create a Crime Expert resource, spend a Doom Die in order to step up the resource +1 step.
LIM) Gear: Shutdown a PPD Standard Issue power and gain 1 PP. Take an action vs. the doom pool to recover.
LIM) Specifically Tailored - Nullifier last until the next Transition Scene, Nullifier can only effect the target they were specified to Nullify (The Mole).

D8 PPD Containment Van
Rugged, Sluggish, High Profile
Nullify: D10
LIM) Bioelectric Induced Remission - Nullify only works on targets inside the van, effects work on any mutant secured inside the power dampening cell.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:10, Mon 01 Nov 2021.

Fury glared at the anti mutant rioters. He remembered people like that being pro war, except it was for a war of lies. The truth was they just feared and hated anyone diffent. That, and he had been dumb enough to believe the lies leading up to the war.

"Let me try something..." he said to Ramirez. He then took to the air, floating over both groups. He reached out with a glowing hand, and began converting the ambient emotions into raw energy. An orb of glowing red light hung over both crowds. One he could use to try and quell any outbreak of violence.

ooc-creating a asset: emotion energy orb battery.

Team-d8
Feeds on rage...and trying to control it-d4
Mind control-d8
Meance-d10
Sfx:
Constructs: +1 effect die, +d6
Area effect: vs group of foes. +d6 for every die after 1st for group.

I get 1 pp for using a d4, and then spend it for asset to last throughout encounter.

18:22, Today: Crimson Fury rolled 4,4,6,1,1,19 using D8,d4,d8,d8,d10,5d6 with rolls of 4,4,6,1,1,5,4,5,3,2.  Creating an asset.

19:34, Today: Crimson Fury rolled 22 using 5d6 with rolls of 4,4,5,5,4.  Area effect sfx-other mob.

Total=11
Effect die=d10

Rolling vs 2d8 doom pool.




This message was last edited by the player at 23:35, Sat 30 Oct 2021.

When her smartwatch pinged with the notification that a situation was brewing near the sewers in response to the threat of the Mole, UV looked towards the general direction. It wasn’t going to be far to flight, but she needed to make sure she didn’t upset the situation. Opting to lift off and use her aura to give her arrival ample forewarning so that UV didn’t make the situation worse.

1) INTENT: Arrive at the Sewers
2) AFFILIATION: Team d6
3) DISTINCTION: Coronal Aura D8
4) TRAITS: Superhuman Speed(Flight) D10
5) SPECIALTIES: None
6) ASSETS: PPD General Alert D8
7) PUSH/STUNT or RESOURCE: None
8) TARGET STRESS: None
9) TARGET COMPLICATION: None
10) SFX: None
11) LIM: None
12) DICE POOL: 1D6 + 2D8 + D10
13) RESULT: 10, D8 Effect
14) OPP: 2

21:11, Today: UV rolled 12 using 1d6+2d8+1d10 with rolls of 1,1,6,4.  Arrive at the Sewer Scene! –

Hate to say this, but I'll be spending a Doom Die in order to interrupt the Action Order (which I'll explain in post). Tenzing, you're action post will be delayed.

UV, the default Doom Pool rolled a 10 total...ties go to the player (or initiator of the action), but you rolled 2 opportunities leaving you with only a default D6 effect die. Since your effect die didn't exceed D6, UV is delayed one action post as she cuts across the sky and finds herself momentarily taken aback at the sheer number of protestors that have arrived. She isn't even at the target location and can see a massive throng closing in on the area she sought to reach.

CF, rolling against the Doom Pool is generally done when there's no clearly defined target or opposition in question. Since CF took an action, this is now considered to be an Action Scene. 2 opportunites (1's) were rolled which I go ahead and purchase - CF gains 2 PP, I step up one D8 in the Doom Pool to D10 and add a D6, Doom Pool is now D10, D8, D6.

***

Reaction Post

***

Since CF is trying to affect the whole mob, the whole mob gets to resist: 10d6
I'll use the Scenic Distinction Evening Heatwave as a detrimental factor, increasing the mobs agitated state: D8

***

As Crimson Fury takes to the air rising above the two mobs, he manifests a pair of crimson orbs that instantly begin seething with the ambient amounts of angst the two opposing mobs emanate. Ambient may have been too subtle, their anger was absolutely gushing.

Just like before...just like war...when two opposing sides refuse to reason...

The opposing mobs react hesitant and uncertain to Crimson Fury's reddish manifestations, and for a brief moment, in Kings Row - slum of Paragon City, during an unseasonable evening heatwave...the opposing mobs become so silent...you could almost hear a drop of sweat...drop...

***

Today: Mender Phantasm rolled 37,7 using 10d6,d8 ((6,4,3,2,1,3,4,5,5,4,7)).
Total: 13 (6+7)
Effect: D6
Opps: 1

One opportunity is rolled and on the table for this Action round for any player to purchase for use, CF gets first dibs.

CF's attempt to create an Asset fails, though retains the PP previously spent to make the Asset lasting.

***

"What's he doin'?" peers a member of the mob on the Anti-Mutant side.
"Hey CF! I thought you were on OUR side!" shouts another from the Pro-Mutant side.
"He's a mutie lover!" screeches a woman from the back of the Anti-Mutant mob.
"MUTIE LOVER! MUTIE LOVER!" chants the Anti-Mutant mob like a rallying cry!

Anger in such abundance, like holding water in a sieve...the seething crimson orbs bloat then shatter from within as the anger Crimson Fury sought to absorb and contain escapes his will to manipulate and control!

***

I spend the D10 in the Doom Pool to interrupt the scene (Sorry Windwalker), Doom Pool is now D8 and D6, and the 5D6 Anti-Mutant Mob act next...

***

Action Post

***

"Red don't mean shit!..." exclaims a man from the Anti-Mutant mob before hollering, "I'mma BULL, muthafucka!" as he hamfists a member of the Pro-Mutant mob in the face!

Just like before...another goddamn war.

***

The 5D6 Anti-Mutant Mob riots, targeting the 5D6 Anti-Mutant mob as well as the D6 PPD Barricade Officers. CF is in the air and out of reach. Windwalker, Detective Ramirez, the 3D8 Anti-Mutant Squad and D8 Containment Van are behind the barricade so for narrative reasons, I'll say they're not targetable as long as the D6 PPD Barricade Officers remain active. As a Watcher, I can't roll against myself regarding NPC interaction so it's just a question of assigning 5D6 effect die based on the 5D6 Anti-Mutant Mob trait.

2D6 of the Anti-Mutant Mob deal 2D6 Physical Stress to the Pro-Mutant Mob. Since a D6 Mob can take D8 Physical Stress, the Pro-Mutant Mob is now 4D6 as several of the Pro-Mutant Mob get literally trampled underfoot of the surging Anti-Mutant Mob.

Another 2D6 Anti-Mutant mob die deal 2D6 Physical Stress to the D6 PPD Barricade Officers. Before the Barricade Officers have time to react...they go down courageously as the mob surges forward through the barricade towards the Industrial Sewer Accessway like a lynch mob on a witch hunt.

The remaining D6 of the Anti-Mutant Mob apply their D6 effect die to the Doom Pool, adding a D6, as that portion of the Anti-Mutant Mob begins causing general property damage like smashing nearby windows and slashing tires while chanting, "Humans First! Humans First!". Doom Pool is now D8, 2D6...

Next Action: Windwalker may now act. UV may act once The Pro-Mutant Mob, Detective Ramirez with her Anti-Mutant Squad post their action.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:59, Mon 01 Nov 2021.

In reply to Mender Phantasm (msg # 6):

"Have it your way!" Fury snarls at the anti mutant crowd. "I tired to play it soft, but you wanna be loud! Let's see you shout down this!"

Even as the two orbs popped, the energy did not disperse. Instead anger itself started to be drawn upwards into the two places the constructs had been. Red lines of force cane from the heads of the anti mutant crowd, and they began to feel the rage sap from them...

OOC-spending 1 pp to do a stunt via the oppertunity. I am creating a scene distinction...rage drain. D8 scene hazard on anyone feeling rage...expect for me of course. I will spend an additional PP in order to make it last.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:21, Mon 01 Nov 2021.

OOC:
Can I use the dice from the my action?  If I change the effect but use same action type.  You did say my actions was delayed.
My new action will be based on what Windwalker was trying to do while Crimson Fury mess everything up.
Slowly shakes head at Crimson Fury (he he).

This message was last edited by the player at 21:12, Mon 01 Nov 2021.

In reply to Windwalker (msg # 8):

Go ahead and reroll as the circumstances of the scene have most assuredly changed...there are downed Barricade Officers and members of the Pro-Mutant Mob while those of the Anti-Mutant Mob not directly involved with either of those two instances, are smashing up the scene, making this particular area of the slums to look that much more slummier (dumpster fires are sure to follow). What would Tenzing like to do?

In reply to Crimson Fury (msg # 7):

When activating an opportunity that a Watcher has rolled, a player made add a D10 stunt die to their next roll. I like the way you described it, draining the anger to fuel CF's next action...but the rage is like a faucet, more than enough for him to use...but he'd have to cause some sort of complication against the mob in order to cause some sort of affliction (like Rage Drain) on your next action.

For some reason, only the Watcher can create Scenic Distinctions. :/ Not a real fan of that, I love using Scenic Distinctions because they, by default, help or hinder anybody! :D
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:58, Mon 01 Nov 2021.

Windwalker was trying to set up the TV projection on building with sound.  However the mob turn nasty.
As he was half way though doing what he was doing he turns what he was doing around.
He changes the direction of the projects the TV lights into the eyes of the mob and changes the wave length of the programs to wavelength that hurt the ears of the mob and make them want to move away from the area.  Thus finishing the action he started but with slightly different effect (which why I ask to keep my dices).

OOC:
To disperse the crowd with bright lights and painful but not damaging wave lengths.

OOC:
D10  Affiliations: Team
D8 History/Backstory: Technology has it uses (even if I hate it).
D8  Reflexes. (Techno chip).
D10 Master:- Crime.

---

First role if I can keep dice as action is almost the same:-
01:11, Yesterday: Windwalker rolled 15,12 using 2d10,2D8 with rolls of 5,10,6,6.
Results: 16  Effect: d10 Opp:- Emotional Damage instead of Emotional distraction

---

Second role if I cannot keep my dice as an action:-
23:20, Today: Windwalker rolled 15,2 using 2d10,2D8 with rolls of 5,10,1,1.  Unhappy re-roll.
Results: 10  Effect: d10 Opp:2 Emotional Damage.

OOC:- +3 exp   When you use technology to over come someone instead of your monk skills. ???

Edit:-
01:11, Yesterday: Windwalker rolled 15,12 using 2d10,2D8 with rolls of 5,10,6,6.
Results: 16  Effect: d10 vs Anit-mutant d8 vs Pro-mutant.  Opp:- Emotional Damage instead of Emotional distraction
This message was last edited by the player at 23:42, Mon 01 Nov 2021.