"We're sending Carnage into the Darkforce Dimension," Moon Knight said, even more gruffly than usual. It was the icy chill of death itself. Anyone not given pause by this voice had already spent way too much time staring into the abyss. "It's a Hell dimension, and he'll be punished for his actions forever. Same as killing him outright, except that this way we know what Hell he'll be going to.

"This needs to happen. I need this to happen. And I wasn't asking for opinions."

---

OOC: There. If that doesn't start an argument, I'd say we're all agreed.

Venom jumps to land beside Moonlight, "If you can ensure our monstrous spawn can actually be contained we will support this. But he must be separated from his mate. She strengthens his madness infecting the world around them."

His symbiote skin writhes a bit on his body as the venom mask retracts to show Brock's face, "We do not agree with Spiderman for ourselves but we understand if the rest do not wish to redden their hands. If it must be so we'll drag him to this Hell you speak of ourselves."

As the heroes and vigilantes converse amongst themselves, Detective Knight gives a long sigh and steps forward into the circle. She looks at each of her companions in turn as she speaks-- casting a glance also at the ever-alert Domino, who remains on the periphery. It's clear by the lines of worry on Misty's face that this night has taken a serious toll on her. Iron Fist and Luke Cage stand off to her side, arms folded as they give her their quiet support.

"With all due respect, Mister... Moon Knight," she begins, "Carnage is our problem, and we all have a say in this."

Her tone is not angry or defiant, but rather somber as she continues. "Kasady and his goons killed some of my boys earlier tonight. They swore an oath to protect this city, and they paid with their lives. A murdering piece of filth like that, with no respect for human life... Well, I couldn't blame someone if they put him out of his misery for good. Especially with the kind of bad blood some of y'all have with the scumbag."

She gives a solemn shake of her head.

"What y'all have been through... What y'all are talking about doing... It sounds crazy. Completely, utterly, bonkers. But if this little magic spell of yours gets him out of New York... keeps him from hurting any more innocent people..."

She sighs again, as if she can't believe the words coming out of her own mouth.

"Well, I suppose this good ol'-fashioned honest cop can look the other way."

Having finished, she cranes her head around, looking for any sign of the villainous duo.

"Now, did anyone actually see where Chucky and his bride ended up?"

More coming.

One by one, the other heroes and vigilantes voice their approval of the plan to banish Carnage into the Darkforce Dimension:

"If there's any chance of preserving life, I say we take it," nods the Iron Fist. "And since Kasady so enjoys darkness and despair, let's give it to him."

Beside him, Luke Cage shrugs his broad shoulders. "I had half a mind to snap that evil bastard's neck myself," he growls. "But I guess this could work... as long as he stays in there."

Trudging up to the group next are the Black Cat and Morbius. The Living Vampire speaks first:

"Kasady and his ilk prey on the weak-minded and the desperate. His gang is mostly made up of other Ravencroft escapees, or small-time criminals who find his brand of chaos appealing. So yes, let's cut the head off the snake."

His red eyes narrow as he bares his fangs in anger, remembering some past misdeed.

"They got to me when that worm Carrion promised me a cure for my vampirism. They said the Life Foundation was the key... but all they wanted was the symbiotes. I was a fool to trust them. Allow me to make good on my errors."

"Whatever you guys are gonna do," says the Black Cat, "Better do it now. I think your friend over there's found something." She nods toward Daredevil, whose full attention seems focused on the sky.

"There," he says quietly. He points with his billy club, inviting everyone to look up, up, up...

Another Watcher post coming shortly.

Hovering high in the sky within a sphere of sonic energy, Shriek eyes the heroes below with contempt. As a few of them begin to turn their heads skyward toward her, she rockets away to light atop the stadium's ruined press box.

Carrying the wounded Carnage in her arms, Frances gently sets him down and inspects his wounds. "Carny... Carny, wake up! Wake up!" she cries frantically. But there is no answer from Cletus.

His face is swollen with purple bruises from where the symbiote barely protected him from Domino's bullets earlier. An ornate, silver blade juts from his chest, stained with blood and symbiote ooze. In the light of the moon, it can be seen that the blade pierced into a small, metal object between the symbiote and Kasady's flesh. The device sparks and crackles before the red, flashing light on it fades to black. Whatever this little machine is, it seems to have just barely prevented the dagger from reaching Kasady's heart before it broke apart. Realization and rage dawn on Shriek's face as she remembers the kiss Domino shared with Carnage earlier. Did she plant this tracker on him?

"You...!" she snarls, staring down at Neena from the press box with murder in her eyes. "You planned this!"

With a manic expression, Shriek calls out to the crowd of villains who are just now pulling themselves from Carrion's overturned truck.

"Don't just stand there!" she screams. "Kill Spider-Man and all his little friends!"

But as the villains from the baseball game earlier-- Bullseye, Sabertooth, Scorpion, and all the rest-- crawl clear of the flaming wreckage, it's clear that none of them have any intention of listening to her.

"You're on your own, freakshow," growls Sabertooth. "Or did you forget you tried to blow us all up a few minutes ago?"

"Furball's right," shrugs Bullseye. "Let's leave these guys to their fun."

As one, the villains turn to leave... and soon, only the core of the Carnage Family remains: Carnage, Shriek, and their three "children!"

"You... you cowards!" Frances shrieks. Her dark hair swirls wildly around her face as she looks for any sign of help from anywhere. "Carrion! Demogoblin! Protect your mother and father!"

"No. Dagger-- Tandy Bowen-- was no more than a child," rasps the Demogoblin. "And you both killed her. I was in this to punish the wicked of New York, not the innocent. Or don't you mad dogs realize there's a difference?"

"Yes..." nods Carrion. "Yes, I finally see now. I've nursed this grudge against Spider-Man for so long... And yet, when those missiles were seconds from blowing us away, he saved our lives!"

He points an accusing finger at Shriek. "You and 'Father Carnage'... You fueled my hatred of him, and the other heroes in this city. Twisted my mind with your lies... Well, no more!"

As he and Demogoblin move to join the crowd of heroes and vigilantes, Shriek lets out a cry of utter fury.

"Doppel! Doppel, please!" she begs. "If not for Carnage, then do it for your mother, Shriek! Help me!"

As the recovered Doppelganger hears the plea, his bullet wounds healed by Dagger's light, anyone nearby can see the alien being's inner conflict playing out across its bizarre features.

"Mother... Mother..." it croaks. The twisted, jittery creature shakes its head before it finally finds the nerve to continue: "Mother is... wrong. Dagger was... friend. Spider is... friend. Venom... Grandfather... is friend."

The Doppelganger stares up at Shriek with a defiant look in its eyes, seeming as human in that moment as any one of the other heroes and vigilantes.

"Doppel is not like Mother and Father. Doppel is... hero."

Finished, the creature looks to its allies with a strange grin. It's as though an enormous weight has been suddenly lifted from its' shoulders. Doppel shifts from a crouching position on all six of his legs to stand upright and shoulder-to-shoulder with Spider-Man and Venom. There is a long silence as Shriek stares down at them all, her face completely stunned.

"Well then, you little traitor..." she says at last, an eye flashing bright white as she taps into her namesake power one more time. "I guess you leave me no choice!"

I think we're almost ready to roll some dice!
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:29, Sun 17 Jan 2021.

Seeing the many confused civilians in their midst-- easy prey for Shriek's riot-inducing powers-- Cloak acts quickly.

"No!" he shouts, his cloak expanding over the field. "You won't get to them this time!" In an instant, his power envelops dozens and dozens of the citizens, though he takes care not to surround any of his fellow heroes and vigilantes.

"Whoa, hey!" shouts a man as he falls into the void, a confused look on his mustached face.

"What is this?!" cries a bespectacled woman, clutching her two children close to her.

Even the news crews, cowering behind the mounds of rubble, are sought out by Cloak's power. Ben Urich is swallowed up in the folds too, though he tries to wriggle away.

"Hey, I'm trying to cover the story! Let go of me!"

But in an instant, Cloak vanishes, with the many civilians in tow. When the solemn hero re-appears, he turns to the others.

"I've dropped them off at the Sanctum," he nods. "They won't be falling under her spell again any time soon. And now..."

"Hey, wait!" cries Tigra, reaching for the young man. "You can't go up there alone!" But Ty disappears again, this time to re-appear alone atop the press box across from Shriek.

"It stops here, murderer..." he seethes. "No more running. No more riots. Now, you go back to where you belong... where I should have left you to rot!"

"Y'mean that madhouse you call the Darkforce Dimension?" Frances mocks him. "How'd that work out the first time, Ty? Think I've got any marbles left to lose? Face it-- you made me what I am today! Dagger's dead because of you!"

Seeing her words have an effect on the young man, the villainess reaches toward her boot. "But don't worry, you'll see her again real soon!" Without warning, she draws a pistol and fires it right at him!

The next few seconds seem to happen in slow-motion. Cloak's body shimmers as he goes intangible, allowing the bullet to pass through his body. But as he regains solidity, the bullet curves and does a complete 180, heading back to strike him from behind. Cloak gasps as the symbiote-seeking bullet goes through his stomach... and with a loud ping!, it strikes the hilt of the dagger embedded in Carnage's chest, driving it deeper into his heart!

But all Shriek seems to notice is the blood spurting from Cloak's wound, and she lets out a whoop of excitement.

"Nabbed that magic bullet off your pal Domino!" she smirks. "How's it taste?"

Cloak doesn't respond. He just cries out in a frenzied rage as he launches forward and tackles Shriek into the Darkforce Dimension-- leaving the comatose Carnage out in the open as Tigra suddenly appears! As Shriek is sucked into the vortex, her smirk fades as she realizes what has happened to Carnage. "No, wait! Get away from my Carny! CARNY!"

But in an instant, both she and Cloak are gone. Tigra's eyes glow as she recites the magical incantation Moon Knight bequeathed to her from the Predator:

"Cali mon ta rēn fooloo belaga. Cali mon ta rēn fooloo belaga. CALI MON TA REN FOOLOO BĒLAGA!"

Down on the field, fierce winds suddenly whip up all around the crowd of heroes as an ominous chill settles down their spines. Up above the press box, Carnage's limp, spinning body is drawn up into the air toward what looks to be a rip in space-time. Then the gap expands-- WHOOOOSH! and swallows him up. Right before he disappears, there is a sound from Kasady that none of the heroes will ever forget. As he struggles in the mouth of the void, with no trace of his usual mockery or menace, Carnage merely screams.

"NO! NOOO! AAAAAAGGGGGHHHHH!!" But it's no use. The portal winks shut and he is gone forever. As Tigra ceases to levitate, she looks at the other heroes with an expression of amazement and relief.

"He's... gone," she breathes. "It's finally over. Whatever that spell was... it worked. His soul belongs to the Predator now."

Before anyone can agree, another portal opens behind her-- and a massive, red hand reaches through to snag the sorceress in its grasp!!

Oh great, what now?!
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:05, Mon 18 Jan 2021.

The portal yawns wider above the stadium, stretching to fill the width of nearly half the baseball field. The edges seem to vibrate with a bone-jarring hum of spatial distortion, as anything they touch seems to crumble to dust. From beyond the aperture, everyone can hear the familiar sound that's been plaguing them all night: "HAHAHA! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!" Something, or someone, seems to be coming through the portal-- someone utterly gigantic.

Kasady-- if that's who he still is-- touches down on the field, standing nearly a dozen times the size of even a big brute like Venom. In one hand, he clutches the stunned Tigra.

"Kasady?! What-?" Greer shouts. "What has that demon done to you?!"

"He opened my eyes," Carnage grins, his booming voice echoing out across the stadium. "To what I can be. To what I've always been."

Greer lets out a scream as the red symbiote swallows her up, absorbing her body into the mass of ooze that makes up the giant's body.

"I don't need love, or a family, or anything else," the monster grins. "This symbiote and I... We were made for each other."

He levels a hand at the assembly of heroes and vigilantes. Reddish spikes extend from his palm, aimed right at the group.

"There is no 'family.' There is no Cletus Kasady. From now on, there's only CARNAGE!"

Then there is a violent THWIKK!! as the symbiote-spikes fly straight at Spider-Man and his allies!

Solo 3d10
Maximum Carnage d8
Shapeshift d8
Combat Expert d8
Area Attack 5d6

SFX: Area Attack. Target multiple opponents. For every additional target, add d6 to your pool and keep +1 effect die.

16:27, Today: Carnage rolled 8,2,10,8,6,1,1,5,5,3,4 using 1d10,1d10,1d10,1d8,1d8,1d8,1d6,1d6,1d6,1d6,1d6((8,2,10,8,6,1,1,5,5,3,4)).

Total: 18
Effect: d10 to Spider-Man, d8 to Venom and Moon Knight, d6 to Daredevil, Domino, Mayhem, and Spider-Woman
Opportunities: 2 (Available to the first reacting heroes)

*Reactions Needed: Spider-Man, Venom, Daredevil, Domino, Mayhem, Moon Knight, Spider-Woman

Actions Available: Spider-Man, Venom, Daredevil, Domino, Mayhem, Moon Knight, Spider-Woman

*I may handle Daredevil's reaction as the player is on hiatus.

Son of a bitch. It was getting so that you just couldn't trust an elder demon anymore. Him and his 'collection'. At least he wasn't sending them a giant Jack the Ripper to fight.

Naturally, Carnage took out their big gun on his first attack, sucking up Tigra and he Sorceress Supreme mojo with her before she could send him back to where he came from. And as much as that bothered Moon Knight, it bothered him more that Carnage had made it look easy. He just sucked her up like a plate of spaghetti.

The worst part, of course, was that he just wouldn't shut the hell up. When he hurled the spikes, it was almost a relief that he was shooting off more than his mouth for a change.

Team d6
Fist of Khonshu d8
Superhuman Reflexes d10
Shapeshifting d10
Combat Master d10

Moon Knight rolled 4,2,8,2,10 using d6,d8,d10,d10,d10 ((4,2,8,2,10)).

Total: 18
Effect die: d10

Tears well up in April's eyes before they-- tears and eyes alike-- vanish behind Mayhem's inhuman, writhing mask. As Carnage renounces his "family", Mayhem moves to stand with her own... two of her three parents, and this poor lost child... her Spider-Sense screaming in vain at the back of her mind.

She takes three or four of the symbiotic spikes straight into her chest. Her tentacles get longer and sharper as the color drains out of them.

"Oh, right. You're still here." And I never knew you could do that. Maybe I'll have to try it myself.


10:44, Today: Mayhem rolled 20 using d8+d8+d10+d8+d10 with rolls of 3,4,2,5,6.  Dodging Spikes: Team d8 + Auntie M d8 + Superhuman Reflexes d10 + Shapeshifting d8 + Acrobatics d10.

Effort: 11
Effect: d10

Physical Stress stepped up to d8 for minimum Effort, stepped back down to d6 for the d10 Effect die. Plot Points: 0.0
This message was last edited by the player at 18:20, Mon 18 Jan 2021.

Reaction to Carnage's (total: 18) attack
d6 Team
d8 Hardened Mercenary
d10 Superhuman Reflexes
2d8 Combat Mastery

- rolled 5,5,8,7,1 using d6,d8,d10,d8,d8.
Spend 1PP to use an additional die in total
Total: 20
Effect: d8
Opportunity: 1   ... gives Domino +1PP

Activating a Watcher Opportunity to use:  SFX: Domino Effect. On a successful reaction against a physical stress attack action, inflict physical stress with your effect die. Spend 1 PP to step it up.
Total:  20
Effect: d10 damage



Domino moved instantly in reaction to the Carnage Spikes that flew in their cumulative direction.
Even as she did an aerial roll above the spike that come her way, it passing centimetres from her ... she spun her gun in that direction, and let of a shot that only a Combat mastered, Hardened Mercenary with Superhuman Reflexes could possibly have managed.


PP: now 2
Next Re/Action: any hero.

Venom is stunned at the giant Carnage's appearance and can't manage to move in time as the spikes rain down. As Carnage's tendrils slammed into him Venom rippled and he stabs his claws into the tendrils that passed into him, "NO FAMILY? You are OUR SPAWN your existence belongs to US! We were wrong to entrust your end to others!"




OOC
Team d6
We Are Venom d8
SuperReflexes d10
Combat Expert d8
Symbiote enhancement d12

Total: 6
Effect: d12
No opps no PP
Spending 1 Xp to create 1 PP
Spending 1 PP to Change Physical to Emotional Stress
10:04, Today: Venom rolled 2,3,3,2,2 using d6,d8,d10,d8,d12 ((2,3,3,2,2)).

This message was last edited by the player at 21:50, Wed 20 Jan 2021.

"You've gotta be kidding me!"

Spider-Man leaps from side to side, using his Spider-Sense and his alien suit's web-slinging to aid him in avoiding the towering Carnage's symbiote spikes.

Reaction to Carnage's attack (Total: 18, Effect: d10 to Spider-Man)

3 PP
Team d6
With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility d8
SPIDER-POWERS: Superhuman Reflexes d10
SYMBIOTE SUIT: Web-Slinging d8
Acrobatic Master d10

02:33, Today: Spider-Man rolled 5,4,5,5,8 using d6,d8,d10,d8,d10.

Spending 1 PP to add additional die to total

Total: 18
Effect: d10
Opportunities: 0
PP Remaining: 2

With centimeters between Spider-Man and the large spikes piercing the ground, he narrowly avoids being skewered.

"Phew! I was almost turned into a friendly neighborhood Spider-Kabob!"

As Peter lands, he sees that some of his comrades were not so lucky.

"Nooo!"

He calls out, unable to save them.

When Spider-Woman saw Carnage spew a hail of spears, she reacted with superhuman precision. Jessica leaped into the air, twisting her body with spider-like speed and agility! The projectiles zipped past her, sinking into the turf with soft thuds.



OOC:

Team 1d10
S.H.I.E.L.D. Super-Agent 1d8
Superhuman Stamina 1d10
Superhuman Reflexes 1d10
Acrobatics Expert 1d8

I‘ll use 1PP to add 1 extra die.

18:47, Today: Spider-Woman rolled 3,6,9,4,4 using 1d10,1d8,1d10,1d10,1d8.  Reaction .

Total: 19
Effect: d10
Opportunities: 0

"Naughty, naughty," Mayhem said, ignoring the spikes still sticking through her body. She sprinted toward the massive Carnage and leapt directly toward his left hand, seemingly trying to free Tigra again

Instead of continuing the attack, however, Mayhem spun in mid-air and twisted her flesh around Carnage's spears and fired them directly at his face.

23:12, Today: Mayhem rolled 21 using 1d8+1d4+1d10+1d8+1d8+1d6 ((2,2,4,3,7,3)).

The best I can turn this pile of crap into is 11/d8 (Physical Stress. Gained a Plot Point for Somewhere I Belong, because this is not the Carnage I'm used to fighting. Stepped up my Physical Stress to 1d8.

Next: Any.

1 PP

There were seventy-three different ways to attack the giant Carnage, with over three hundred minor variations. Moon Knight considered them all in a blink. Most of them were pointless given Carnage's array of powers, shapeshifting chief among them. But anything he could do, Moon Knight could do (maybe better)... so he discarded seventy-two other methods and went for the very simple, very direct punch him in the face.

Breaking from his team, the Fist of Khonshu charged the Kong-sized Carnage. Using his own shapeshifting to grow himself as large as possible, Moon Knight leaped at Carnage and swung for the fences with his superhuman strength.

Team d6
Fist of Khonshu d8
Superhuman Strength d10
Shapeshifting d10
Combat Master d10

Moon Knight rolled 6,1,2,4,5 using d6,d8,d10,d10,d10 ((6,1,2,4,5)).
Spending 1PP to keep an extra die as part of attack.

Total: 15
Effect: d10
1 Opportunity

Venom takes d10 of Emotional Stress. Mayhem takes d8 of Physical Stress. Spending 1d6 doom to ignore the stress from Domino's counterattack using the Symbiote Armor SFX:

SFX: Symbiote Armor. Spend 1d6 doom to ignore physical stress unless caused by heavy artillery, explosives, or other sufficient penetrative force.

Doom Pool: 1d6

As the symbiote-spikes rain down on the field, embedding themselves in the charred grass with audible thud's, Spider-Man, Moon Knight, Domino, and Spider-Woman take evasive action. Domino even manages to fire off a few shots at Kasady as she nimbly avoids the incoming projectiles, though they have no visible effect on the super-sized symbiote. As for the bulked-up Venom, dodging is a considerably more difficult matter, and he and Mayhem can be forgiven if the sudden appearance of a giant-sized Carnage takes them off guard. A few of the spikes raze each of them as they scramble out of the way, while Moon Knight rushes in on Carnage for a counterattack!

Carnage reacts to Moon Knight's counterattack-- not so much dodging as withstanding.

Solo 3d10 (Large Scale Threat)
Carnage Rules! d8
Superhuman Reflexes d10
Combat Expert d8

16:01, Today: Carnage rolled 9,4,1,7,3,7 using 1d10,1d10,1d10,1d8,1d10,1d8 ((9,4,1,7,3,7)). Carnage reacting to Moon Knight's shapeshifted attack.

Total: 16
Effect: d10
Opportunities: 1 (Available first to Moon Knight)

Noticing Moon Knight-- bulked up, yet small in comparison to Kasady-- "nipping at his heels," Carnage just shrugs off the incoming counter-attacks and laughs in his booming voice. He gives a little flick of his foot to launch Moon Knight away, looking down at his palm as Mayhem now leaps atop it, attempting to wrestle Kasady's hand into firing the spikes at his own face:

16:12, Today: Carnage rolled 5,5,7,3,10,5 using 1d10,1d10,1d10,1d8,1d10,1d8 ((5,5,7,3,10,5)). Carnage reacting to Mayhem's attempt to make him hit himself.

Solo 3d10 (Large Scale Threat)
Carnage Rules! d8
Superhuman Reflexes d10
Combat Expert d8

Total: 17
Effect: d10
Opportunities: 0

"That all you got, pipsqueaks? Who else wants some?!"

As the heroes watch in dismay, Tigra is absorbed fully into his mass, and the symbiote that surrounds Kasady begins to glow with a bright light...!

Reaction Needed: Daredevil

Actions Available: Spider-Man, Venom, Daredevil, Domino, Spider-Woman
This message was last edited by the player at 00:31, Tue 26 Jan 2021.

Reaction to King Carnage's attack, Total: 18, Effect: d6:
Team    d6
Blind Justice (literally)    d4
(+1 PP)
Hypersenses/Radar Sense/Superhuman Senses    d10
Acrobatic Master    2d8
Family Secrets: Carnage Resource    d12

Daredevil rolled 1,1,3,3,2,12 using d6,d8,d10,d8,d8,d12 ((1,1,3,3,2,12)).

Total: 15; Effect: d10
2 Opportunities

PPs: 4 (starting; from msg #437) +1 (negative Distinction) +1 (rolled Opportunity) = 6 but 5 due to limit

Daredevil has drifted far from the conversation. He knew well enough that when planning started, get the Plan B and C ready; the best way to make sure something wouldn't happen would be to plan for it. So he knew that all this talk was hot air and they would face the real choices when the situation actually arose for them. And if murder was on the table, well, so would be conflict, and maybe the meaning of the word "hero" could be tested. Regardless, as the heroes blathered and the night didn't get any cooler, he tracked Shriek reappearing, and anything on the periphery. The others had the benefit of looking up at the threat but DD had to focus his senses, pushing them out to take in what was happening at a distance, picking up more but for an intense effort. His muscles were on a hair-trigger, waiting to jump as soon as she acted, but she was all talk, too. If it wasn't going to be the chance to make real plans or figure out where they've all been, they could use the moment to catch their breaths. But was there something else, across the field --

The portal gave no warning before it opened then started shooting spikes from its maw. Carnage's voluminous voice was more of an assault on DD's hearing than the harpoons, but those are easier to dodge, to an extent. Daredevil, on the other side of the group, rolls out of the way, still allowing one of the spikes to rip across the side of his thigh but leave only a flesh wound, then he comes to his feet, in a ready crouch. Taking on Carnage straight-forward isn't going to do a thing except maybe get the good guys wiped out. There has to be another strategy to this, something that doesn't involve physical force, but it could be up to the keys he held.

Earlier, Carnage had just laughed off Spider-Woman’s venom blast. With Tigra once again endangered, Jessica couldn’t risk wasting her bioelectric reserves on a futile attack. Instead, she seemingly abandoned the fight, soaring across the field on gossamer wings...

Stepping up 1d6 from Domino's opportunity in Msg #475. Stepping up 1d8 from Moon Knight's opportunity in Msg #480. Adding 2d6 from Daredevil's 2 opportunities in Msg #482.

Doom Pool: 2d6, 1d10

Daredevil takes d6 Physical Stress. He also earns 2 XP for opportunities he rolled, since he is full up on PP's.

The super-sized Carnage suddenly seems to be ignoring the heroes for the moment, as his gigantic form begins to glow with a strange light! With Tigra having disappeared from view, sucked into Kasady's symbiote mass, it begins to appear he is somehow drawing upon her own magical power!

"Hmm, that demon freak said he'd give me some upgrades... Guess he was telling the truth! This feels good!"

He extends both his giant hands toward the field. They begin to pulsate with the same glow as Kasady's body, as magical power is focused straight into his palms.

"The sorceress was having so much fun with her magic spells and enchantments... But now it's time I performed a little spell of my own!"

Whatever he's going to do next, it appears there may be only seconds to act!

Actions Available: Domino, Daredevil, Spider-Man, Spider-Woman, Venom

Domino was annoyed with herself that she'd simply stood around like some casual noob while Shriek and her 'children' had full conversations on the rooftop.
It would have been the perfect opportunity to finish Kasady as he lay helpless at her feet.  But Domino, for some reason, had stood around doing nothing.

Then, the cat-witch had gone up there, and cast an entire spell.  More time consumed that Domino could have finished her mission, but again she'd just stood there and watched.

And then, that HERO had taken even Shriek away, while Domino had stood around with her thumb up her proverbial.


Frustrated, Domino grabbed one of the nearby Pumpkin Bombs and Teleported herself to a rooftop nearby where she might get the chance to toss it down onto Mega-Carnage.

"Cletus!" Daredevil calls, addressing Carnage by the killer's real name. "It doesn't have to be like this." He approaches the giant-size symbiote empty-handed, with only a slight limp from the previous attack, and showing no intention of a physical attack. "You want to be angry for what your parents did when you were a kid? Hey, mine weren't great either. But what does it get you to hurt anyone else like this? How many more do you have to kill until one kills you?" He keeps talking as long as he can for as long as he's safe but his guard is up. "You remember watching baseball games at the orphanage? You're there now, what you saw on the TV. Doesn't that account for something? No one had to die in those games." Daredevil's radar sense tracks the deadly tendrils around Carnage, knowing that even a hesitation in one of them means he might be getting through. Since the villain's heartbeat is buried deeper than even Daredevil's senses can pick up, putting it all together with his super-hearing to catch any aberration in his behavior is marshaling so many uses of his powers, but there's no other place to run but on the edge.

DD realizes how cheesy the words sound as soon as they leave his mouth but he trusts his ability to sell it -- lawyer super-powers can come in handy even in a red-devil costume. But if he could distract Carnage just enough, it could be the pause to make an opening that he -- or someone else -- could take advantage of. Getting closer could put him in position for a sneak attack... if Carnage doesn't obliterate him now right in front as easily as breathing. Leaving himself open to such an attack just to fake some sincerity is a dangerous and even foolish ploy... but he is, after, a man without fear!

Mental attack on Carnage:
Team    d6
Man Without Fear    d8
Hypersenses/Radar Sense/Superhuman Senses    d12 (with potential reroll)
(-1 PP)
Hypersenses Power Stunt    d8
(-1 PP)
Psych Expert    d8
Family Secrets: Carnage Resource    d12

Daredevil rolled 2,4,4,8,4,7 using d6,d8,d12,d8,d8,d12.
Radar Sense SFX Reroll: DD rolls 5,8,6,5,5,8 using d6,d8,d12,d8,d8,d12 ((5,8,6,5,5,8)).

-1 PP to add third die to Total
Total: 21; Effect: d12

PPs: 5 (starting; from msg #482) -1 (Radar Sense SFX) -1 (Power Stunt) -1 (to add die to Total) = 2

In reply to Daredevil (msg # 486):


As the mega-sized Carnage focuses Tigra's siphoned power into his palms, his focus is disrupted by the shouting voice of Daredevil from nearby. He cocks an eyebrow in the hero's direction, a bemused expression on his face as he hears the horned vigilante call to him. What effect will the super-powered lawyer's words have on the towering maniac, if any?

Carnage reacts to Daredevil's attempt to inflict mental stress upon him (Total 21, Effect d12).

Solo 3d10
Chaotic Killer d8
Menace Master d10

21:53, Today: Carnage rolled 1,8,3,2,6 using 1d10,1d10,1d10,1d8,1d10 ((1,8,3,2,6)). Carnage reacting to DD's attempt to talk him down.

Total: 17
Effect: d8
Opportunities: 1 (Available first to Daredevil)

DD wins and eliminates 1d10 from Carnage's 3d10 Affiliation dice. Spent 1d10 doom to add a 3rd die to Carnage's total.

Doom Pool: 2d6

The villains' task seems to be momentarily forgotten as he turns in Daredevil's direction, as though surprised to hear such personal details being mentioned. It's as though his life's story is now being laid bare for all to hear. But despite whatever distracting effect the hero's words may be having on the killer, his thirst for violence seems to be intact.


"Oh, but it does," Cletus laughs. "You see, the Missus-- that's my symbiote for those of you at home-- gets a little cranky when I go too long without a little murder." He gestures to the lot of heroes and vigilantes running around his heels. "I'm sure you understand."


"You know, it's funny. I chose this place for tonight's main event, but I never cared much for the sport. Mostly I just liked to watch my old man's reaction when his team lost the big game. I couldn't help but laugh in his face... no matter how hard he swung that belt of his!"

He turns his head from Daredevil to Spider-Man, Venom, Spider-Woman, and the rest. Only Domino seems to avoid his gaze, from her perch atop the nearby rooftop.

"Now, are we going to talk all night, or are we going to kill each other?!"

Actions Available: Domino, Spider-Man, Spider-Woman, Venom
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:26, Mon 15 Feb 2021.

Seeing Daredevil attempting to get in closer to Carnage for a sneak attack, Spider-Man attempts to press the same buttons with a distraction.

"So what you're saying is that you're just a little troll that loves torturing people because of your own insecurities and because you hate yourself. Sounds pretty sad to me. All you wanted was everyone to be as unhappy as you are. That's pretty pathetic, Cletus."

Spider-Man fires off a few shots of web at Carnage as he weaves around him, trying to annoy him and draw his attention to him more than cause damage.

Attempt to create Distracted complication on Carnage
2 PP
Team d6
Wisecracker d8
SYMBIOTE SUIT Web-Slinging d8
Psych Expert d8

00:16, Today: Spider-Man rolled 4,5,1,6 using D6,D8,D8,D8.

Total: 11
Effect: d6
Opportunities: 1
PP Remaining: 2

Reaction Needed: Carnage
Next Action: Spider-Woman

While Spider-Man sling webs at Carnage, Spider-Woman took advantage of the confusion. She sprinted and jumped around the field, moving into Carnage’s blind spot. Jessica gripped Dragonfang in hand, thankful that she’d recovered it from the helicopter wreckage. Peter served the Spider-Man shtick that enraged and distracted more villains than even S.H.I.E.L.D. could document.

Banter in battle wasn’t really Jessica’s game, though. She was more terse in her fights, but she cared more about kicking ass than throwing shade. When Spider-Woman moved into position, she readied Dragonfang. “I don’t do the snappy banter, Carnage.”

The Dark Angel raised the magical sword, then slashed with all her spider-strength at the psychotic symbiote’s Achilles’ tendon! “I just kick super-psycho ass!”


OOC:

Spider-Woman attempts a sneak attack on Carnage with Dragonfang!

Team 1d10
S.H.I.E.L.D. Super-Agent 1d4 to gain a PP
Super-human Stamina 1d10
Superhuman Strength 1d10
Covert Master 1d10
Dragonfang (Advantage) 1d12

I’ll spend a PP for an extra die on my Total.

06:33, Today: Spider-Woman rolled 10,3,5,5,6,5 using 1d10,1d4,1d10,1d10,1d10,1d12.  Sneak attack with Dragonfang.

Total: 21
Effect: d12
Opportunities: 0
PP remaining: 1

Reaction needed: Carnage.
Next Action: Domino.

Daredevil stands his ground, noticing Jessica coming up on Carnage's side. Perhaps they could all serve as a distraction to Carnage for each other, until a final strike can get in to end this nightmare once and for all. With the Spiders accounted for, that leaves Venom and Domino, who are both just out of reach of his senses to catch. There is hope that they will fall in and make their own attacks, then that is superseded by just hoping they were both okay, wherever they are.