After Kongotron's final defeat in 1983--at the hands of Infi-Knight, Sister Salem, Profesor Titanium of the Astral Guardians, Carbine of the Exemplars, and Pyroclaw, a young student at Phoenix Academy--the cybertronic giant gorilla was remanded into the permanent custody of M.E.T.I.S., who hold him to this day in an undisclosed location. Government black sites aside, this was not the end of the Kongotron threat. His son, Kongotron Jr., escaped from captivity.

Over the next 39 years, Kongotron Jr. expanded Clan Kongotron to unheard of heights. Despite public concerns about the cultural sensitivity of the use of this name, the Kongotrons perpetrated a number of prominent heists and attacks throughout the city for years on end. Although many members of the clan were captured, several members of the clan remain free today.

It was your team's bad luck during a routine patrol to come upon Kongotron IX, a super-strong Bonobo ape with extending arms and rocket feet, at the docks. The heroes found themselves hidden under cover of dark from behind a shipping container, watching as the dark horse of the Kongotron family stuck up some dock workers.

Or, well, they were under cover of dark. Another of the Kongotrons, Kongotron LVII, howled with anger from atop the shipping container, hoisting his infamous Displacer Beam overhead and firing a shot into the sky. The air crackled with white fissures in the wake of the beam, which sealed up with loud audible pops.

Looks like it's on!

OOC: So, I'm gonna tell you how this Play-by-Post thing works. Generally, everyone will update once, and then I'll respond. You can adopt a post order, or not. Occasionally, I'll respond to some posts between major updates.

These types of games work when everyone is both invested and willing to make bullshit posts to keep things going.

I intend to have personal scenes, but let's tackle this when we come to it (which may be relatively quickly, to be honest!).

In Masks play-by-post particularly, it's vital that you not see your character as your self, but as a character you're writing in the service of a story we're all telling together.

So, a major problem in PbP PbtA games is people wanting to roll a move with every post. You should not do this, because we'll never get to the end of the first issue before your characters are retired. Don't screw the game like that, please. We'll use moves sparingly, when they're called for. You should not roll social moves constantly--if you have any doubt about whether it's been long enough since your last Pierce the Mask, just ask me.

This does mean that, sometimes, I'll roll on your behalf. If you're pretty sure you'll need to roll, but don't know what roll to use, just roll 2d6 and I'll apply the correct labels.

I'll help keep your conditions, labels, etc. in the other thread up to date, but please help me out.

Now, this is important. When you make Out Of Character comments, you should use Orange text and the "OOC:" tag to denote that. When your character speaks, you may consider coloring your text to make it easier to parse dialogue out from the rest of the post. I can't tell you how many times I have missed entire lines of dialogue because a post didn't have consistent coloring.

Also, please put the reason for roll in the field, and please do use a digital roller I can see the output of if you're not rolling on-site.

This message was last edited by the GM at 10:38, Sun 13 Mar 2022.

Hunter sighed at the sight of Kongotron LVII's show of force.

"Alright, team! Looks like we're not avoiding a fight... Form up!"

Stepping out from behind the shipping container, Hunter holds an arm to the sky, lightning crackling at his fingertips.

"COME NOW TO MY AID, ABSOLUTION!"

The light bends around him, and his mecha forms around him from it, Hunter sits within, ready to fight. He reaches a hand out from Absolution and takes aim at Kongotron LVII's Displacer Beam, he's not trying to harm Kongotron, rather disable his weapon.

OOC: 06:28, Today: Ironforged Hunter Graves rolled 7 using 2d6 ((6,1)). (Unleash my powers)

That's a 7, I'll take unstable or temporary.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:33, Sun 13 Mar 2022.

Sage, seeing that Hunter is handling Kongotron LVII, refocuses their attention onto the Dock workers. They attempt to send a large gust of wind toward Kongotron IX in hopes of throwing them off balance so that the dock workers can escape.

OOC: Ahh Post

Trouble smiles, determined. Her wings flutter a little nervously but also with excitement. Trouble looks at Imp and says,

"Isn't this so exciting? We get to show off our stuff!"

Then she's going to help Sage in the focusing of the dock workers by trying to make sure they have a clear path as they escape. Basically moving anything that would be in the dock workers way so they can run to safety.

OOC: i'm just making sure that I'm doing the OOC thing correctly, don't mind me.

Imp looks far more serious, and scowls a bit after Trouble.

“Exciting yes, after victory! Now- stay careful!”

She leaps over the shipping crate to another high ledge, and calls out to provoke Kongotron IX into moving away from the displacer.

“Over here! Stupid fuzzy robot!”

OOC: Imp rolls a 5 to provoke Kongotron IX.
Aw well, free potential babyyyy

OOC: Both of those actions by Trouble and Imp fall under the rubric of helping Sage Finch out here, drawing the largest part of the group into conflict with Kongotron IX. I'll let Imp keep that potential because I'm nice, though. :)

Let's calculate Team! One team at the start of the session.

Two Team to the pool for being in a battle.

• If the leader has Influence over every
teammate, add another Team.
• If everyone has the same purpose
in the fight, add another Team.
• If any team member mistrusts the
leader or the team, remove a Team.
• If your team is ill-prepared or offbalance, remove a Team.

So, there's at least 1 Team. Your team leader, who you all should decide on, may take  Condition to avoid removing Team from the pool.

I rolled this for Sage: "00:00, Today: Secret Roll: Master of Ceremonies rolled 8 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 4,3.  roll for Unleash Your Powers (Sage Finch). – 8"

How things go in the next beat will largely depend on whether or not we're treating this roll as a 10+.

Wildfire rushed into action against Kongotron IX, crossing around to the other side of the shipping container and approaching the customs office. Coming in behind them, the freakish duo of Trouble and Imp leapt into action as well.

First, Imp caught the attention of the hyper-intelligent ape. Following up, Wildfire surged forward, blasting a targeted gust of wind at Kongotron IX, and knocked the cybertronic ape off of his balance, providing an opportunity for the scared workers to begin rushing away under Trouble's direction.

"You dare to call me fuzzy robot, false ape?!"


Ironforged found himself separated by circumstance, with further circumstances soon developing. Firing an expertly-placed lightning bolt at the Displacer Beam held by Kongotron LVII, Ironforged found that the results were unpredictable. The Displacer Beam started surging in various directions, first propelling Kongotron LVII to the ground, where Ironforged caught him, preventing any harm, and then a further surge sent the two of them rocketing dangerously across the ground, sliding out onto a dock, where eventually the two came to a halt, skidding apart at last.

Gathering themselves to their feet, they were joined by Kongotrons LV-LVI, who were armed with bludgeons. Kongotron LV said: "The metal boy takes exception to our actions?"

OOC: Y'all are separated by a beats' worth of action at least. :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:42, Mon 14 Mar 2022.

Hunter furrowed his brow in annoyance at the 3 Kongotrons before him.

"Yes, the metal boy takes great exception to terrorizing innocents! Are you going to tell me what it is you're doing here? What is worth all of this trouble, huh?"

Hunter hoped for a genuine reply, but anticipated an attack. His grip on Absolution's controls tightened.

OOC: I feel like Hunter is the leader of the group out on patrol, he does have legitimate tactical experience after all. Ill prepared? No. Off balance? At the moment I would say so. I believe our purpose would be protecting the innocents on the dock, and secondly, ascertaining why the Kongotrons are here.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:35, Tue 15 Mar 2022.

OOC: I too think Hunter is team leader and he does in fact have influence over and is trusted by Sage. Unless Hestia and Imp spend team to help Sage I’m gonna say that she does in fact mark a condition (Guilty).

Trouble makes sure the scared workers get out safely, but is distracted by the fact that Kongotron IX is focusing on Imp. Trouble prepares to back up Imp if Imp gets attacked/jumps into the fray, having her back.

"I got your back, Imp!"

OOC: I agree, Hunter is the leader in this situation. as for the other questions, I think we all have the same purpose in the battle and I don't feel like we're off balance? Trouble doesn't mistrust Hunter either. And Trouble's gonna spend team to help Sage.

Imp smiles to her, and looks more at ease knowing that Trouble is there for her. Nonetheless, she raises her hackles and leaps a little farther up, trying to keep this kongotrons attention on her.

“Imp dare yes! Imp also says fuzzy robot just angry because tail envy!”

OOC: oh yeah, Hunter is the leader. He also has influence over Imp if this silicates everything.

Seeing that the workers are getting away, Sage, just for a split second, turns his attention back to Hunter only to see him not there. Looking around frantically they spot him on the dock.

Sage yet again makes the assumption that Hestia and Imp can handle helping the dock workers finish their escape and attempts to temporarily stall the attack on Hunter. They try to do this by making a wall of fast flowing water appear between Hunter and the apes.

OOC: Since only one person would be helping Sage I’m gonna keep that condition marked. Also lmk if this is even possible Sage has an ok range but its not like insane, also her powers weaken the further away she is.

OOC: So, as I mentioned above, it'll take a beat to bridge that gap. That's just the price you pay for switching out on a situation. :)

Kongotron IX cackled at Imp. "Those in this world with intellects as prodigious as mine do not envy others, false ape."

Making no move to stop Wildfire from departing, Kongotron IX paused for a second, inching back and forth between the two of them. The workers had all left the area, but Kongotron IX remained in the customs office. With startling speed, he reached up to the desk, grabbing onto a coffee mug while his extending arm shot out towards Trouble.

Kongotron LV-LVII circled around Hunter, Kongotron LV retrieving his own bludgeon. The three monkeys cart-wheeled to confuse Hunter's senses and then leapt forward, swinging their bludgeons all at once.

OOC: So, now that you've all allowed me to attack your characters, who does something? :)

Hunter's eyes narrow, he has to think, quick! He couldn't take three at once, could he? He spotted Sage making their way towards him... maybe he could help bridge the gap!

"Here goes nothing!"

Hunter, throwing caution to the wind, charged forward with his mech, he had faith that he could break through and get himself off of this dock. Absolution would hold, right...?

OOC: 05:31, Today: Ironforged Hunter Graves rolled 8 using 2d6 ((2,6)). Unleashing my powers!
I'm going to mark a condition to make that work, marking angry.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:36, Wed 16 Mar 2022.

OOC: So, Hunter went out onto the dock, Sage/Trouble/Imp went perpendicular down the way to the customs office--the shortest line between the two of them is across the water.

Sage, please roll to Unleash Your Powers to keep Hunter afloat as he leaps out onto the water.

Trouble notices the coffee mug Kongotron IX is holding and says, "What, you need coffee just to keep up with us?"

And as Kongotron IX extends an arm towards Trouble, Trouble's going to attempt to catch the arm and tear it off of him.

OOC: if I need to roll, I'll just take the L if it's a mixed success (or just an L if I gay up fail)
This message was last edited by the player at 15:39, Wed 16 Mar 2022.

Sage, seeing Hunter leap onto the water, quickly changes their plans and allows the water directly under Hunter to act as a solid keeping him up. If Hunter chooses to move, the solid water will move with him, Sage informs him of such.

OOC: 17:09, Today: Sage Finch rolled 9 using 2d6+1 ((3,5)). Unless someone uses a team to help I'm gonna mark another condition, this time Afraid.

OOC: As we wait for Imp to re-write the update, I'd like to remind some of our ranks that, as this is the opening action scene, you're more than capable of whooping ass if you try. :)

Imp takes the opportunity while he’s distracted to leap behind him. Using inhuman might, Imp leaps on to Kongotron IX’s back, wraps her prehensile tail around his arm and wrist that’s holding the mug, and then proceeds to make him hit himself over and over again while she cackles. The mug breaks on his head.

“Why hitting self? Why hitting self? Why hitting self? Ahahahaha~! Who false ape now?!”

OOC: Imp rolled a 9 to engage a threat, so I pick to suprise, impress, or frighten the opposition.

Ironforged soared out from the ranks of the Kongotrons LV-LVII. Wildfire balanced Ironforged in the water, providing strong upward pressure to keep him afloat. The gambit paid off, as the Kongotrons all leapt into each other, crashing against one another violently. They rose up from their humiliation, however, and brandished shipping crates around themselves, which they threw into the air at Ironforged and Wildfire. They howled angrily as they hefted the crates.

Behind them, Ironforged and Wildfire simply heard a small pop and some babbling voices--nothing alarming, of course. Well, except for Imp and Fiend, for whom it was extremely alarming.

But, let's step back--Imp is cackling at Kongotron IX, bashing him over the head repeatedly with his own hand. Fiend attempts to grapple with the extending robotic arm, but the flexibility of the thing surprises her as it wraps around her throat and pulls her across the floor back towards Kongotron IX.

"Impressive, false ape. But consider this!" Rather than continuing on with some salient point immediately, Kongotron IX reached up, grabbing Imp by the nape of the neck powerfully. Then his rocket feet activated--the rockets were very quiet, actually, making almost no noise for the intensity of the propulsion they offered. The haphazard trio of friends and enemies rocketed forward, crashing through the window of the space with a weirdly satisfying pop! "Anything you can do, I can do better!"

They soared through the air, struggling together as they soared past rows and rows of buildings, placing an impossible-to-bridge distance between the two halves of the team.

Then he said this: "Allow me to demonstrate!" He turned to the ground, rocketing with incredible speed towards the roof of a brick building.

OOC: Imp, since you picked nothing, I select Impress.

"02:31, Today: Secret Roll: Master of Ceremonies, on behalf of Trouble, rolled 3 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 1,1.  this is Directly Engage. – 3"

So, I am going to need Trouble to mark off the condition Afraid.

Kongotron IX marks Angry.

Finally: Sage and Hunter, please tell me how you defend yourselves or one another (defending yourself is Unleash; defending another is Defend); Trouble and Imp, please roll to Take a Powerful Blow, pick your options if necessary, and then tell me what you do afterwards.

OOC: okay I'm gonna roll to Take a Powerful Blow and use my move, "I am not my body" which allows me to roll as if I have two fewer conditions marked than I do.

"09:32, Today: Secret Roll: Trouble rolled 11 using 2d6 with rolls of 5,6.  Take a Powerful Blow. – 11"

I rolled a 10+, so I have to choose to lose control of myself in a terrible way.

Hestia is so afraid, she begins to act on instinct instead of thinking through her actions. In a panic, she begins to tear at Kongotron IX, trying to tear off his robotic parts to get his to stop. She's just blindly tearing at him, so she doesn't even see Imp as she attempts to tear off the arm that is holding Imp in a desperate attempt to stop Kongotron IX.

"We've got this, Wildfire!"

Hunter positions himself in front of Sage, attempting to catch the shipping crate(s) heading towards her with his mecha.

OOC: 11:34, Today: Ironforged Hunter Graves rolled 11 using 2d6+2 ((6,3)) Defending Sage.

Since that's a hit on defend, I'm going to clear that Angry condition I marked earlier.

OOC: Hey Imp, treat your roll as one result higher. E.g., 2-6 = 7-9 results, 7-9 = 10+ results, 10+ = knocked out.

Hunter, as I discovered the other day, you'll be able to unmark at the end of the scene.

Realizing that they are not in immediate danger, thanks to Hunter's actions Sage decides to help Hunter in turn.

Using one hand to focus on keeping Hunter afloat, Sage uses his other to direct some tendrils to rise up out the water beside Hunter. They use these to catch the barrels flung at Hunter, so that Sage can be throw them back at the apes.

OOC:22:51, Today: Sage Finch rolled 7 using 2d6 ((5,2)). this was to directly engage.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:53, Tue 22 Mar 2022.