Knowing the threat behind them wouldn't wait for long, Schism reached for power, his fingertips whitening as they pressed into the rough-hewn stone of the cave floor.  For just a moment his mind was silent, the inward focus his search demanded a poignant rest that made the following notes all the more striking.  With a harsh exhale, the psychic let his gift overflow, a sub-sonic rumble filling the space around him as the world resounded with the force of his will.

OOC:  Extra Effort to Power Stunt Signal Coherence 32PP into: Weaken [Toughness] 8 (Affects Only Objects +0, Area of Effect 120' Cone +2, Concentration +1) 32PP
Maintaining the effect, reducing the cave's toughness by a cumulative 8 for each failed save, until Puddle finishes collapsing

In reply to Schism (msg # 61):

Even as the cave walls of the tunnel below weaken and shudder, the water swirls and gurgles. Merna seems horrified, as if recognizing the reasoning behind such strange liquid movements. Sure enough, the reason is clear.

Even as the tunnel below collapses with Schism and Puddle's efforts, at the last moment the Atlantean himself shoots up into the room. Clearly far faster than any of the other infected, he managed to bypass his minions to arrive in the room. He lands on one knee, His free hand on the ground to steady himself. His other hand held a golden trident, but it looks rusted and twisted. Clearly the magic sustaining the weapon was leaving it as the life had left the man holding it.

The Atlantean rose, his glowing red eyes observing the room. Clear feral intelligence was there, although weather or not he could be reasoned with quickly was answered as he roared and snarled. He briefly laid his gaze upon Merna, who returned his anger with her own rage. She gestured, and formed the water trident once more, ready to face off with her former husband.

OOC-Roll initiative!

Puddle's eyes got wide when the Atlantean emerged. His first instinct was to punch him. It might even work. But they had put togeather sort of a plan and reinforcements seemed bad so he wound up and punched the ceiling where Schism was vibrating it or what ever he does.

"Bwahhhhh!" he adds to the screaming.

OOC: Growth 2, Tentacular Strike 10

Hit +4
Damage +12

13:29, Today: Puddle rolled 17 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 13.  Punch.

12:51, Today: Puddle rolled 22 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 20.  Initiative.


This message was last edited by the player at 16:51, Tue 28 Mar 2023.

With his eyes screwed shut as he focused on maintaining his psionic assault on the integrity of the cave, Schism never saw the stones fall, but he certainly felt the moment they gave way.  Pulling himself back into the moment as the rumble of the collapsing tunnel replaces the psychic echoes of his ability, Matthias had only seconds to wonder at the churning water before the Atlantean bursts from it.  Throwing himself back with a startled exhalation that was mostly drowned out by the combined snarls of the former hero and Puddle's yells, Schism scrambled back to his feet with even less than his usual grace.  Spreading his hands defensively, the psychic tried to shake off the fatigue that pulled at his limbs as he studied the new threat.

OOC: Schism is Fatigued from Extra Effort and thus Hindered (1/2 movement).  Initiative 17.
11:33, Today: Schism rolled 17 using 1d20+6 ((11)). 

OOC:
11:42, Today: Merna rolled 8 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 4.  Initiative .

11:41, Today: Atlantean rolled 24 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 18.  Initiative .

The Atlantean ignores the three members of Team Green, and goes for the foe he knows-Merna. He swings his rusted trident in a overhead blow, but Merna blocks it with her weapon formed of magic water. However, her weapon is burst apart and returned to a pure liquid state. Leaving her unarmed.

Alderwood falls back from the main conflict, and looks at Schism. He points to his forehead, and then points at Schism. Clearly sending some sort of unspoken message.

OOC-11:45, Today: The Haze, on behalf of Alderwood, rolled 5 using 1d20 with rolls of 5.  Initiative .

Retreating further as the Atlantean leapt onto his former love, Schism allowed himself a moment to check that the tunnel had fully collapsed before focusing on their immediate threat.  In the months since the Cancerverse had first been unleashed he'd done his best to avoid direct confrontation with the infected, but standing in the same room as a snarling simulacrum of one of the Brigade's best was an unavoidable reminder of just how far the world had fallen.  Unable to shake that horrible image, Matthias glanced between his allies instead, checking their positions to ensure he wouldn't occlude anyone's line of fire and to remind himself that they weren't wholly alone.  Alderwood's pantomime was easy enough to decipher and had the psychic reaching almost almost reflexively for his old gifts, but thankfully he stopped himself before the corrupted static that had replaced them could answer.  'This is what we get for such a bare-bones briefing.'  He mused, forcing away the odd grief thinking of his old self tended to call up as he focused on what he could do.  Lifting a hand to frame his temple, Schism let his signal flow outward as he focused it upon their enemy.

OOC:  Schism needs contact to read thoughts so he did not actually receive that message.  Thankfully Merna conveyed the sentiment earlier so they're in good shape!
Switching arrays to Neural Relay (Dodge +6, Parry +6) and Synaptic Assault (Mental Blast 8: Will DC 23, Penetrating 1), then using the latter on the Atlantean.  Quirk (Psychic Ringing) is 'audible' to everyone in the area due to his telepathic fallout.

In reply to Schism (msg # 67):

Schism feels the endless hunger that fills every infected mind. However, this was...diffrent. While the Atlantean's eyes narrow and he glares at Schism, growling-Schism can detect the vast change from the average Beta infected brain vs the Omega infected. The Omegas did not have the resistance vs his power that the Betas did. While the Betas could be harmed by his abilities, it rarely had the effect that just the purely physical damaging use of Schism's directed mind.

OOC: 10:58, Today: Atlantean rolled 26 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 16.  Will save.

Puddle watches the battle between the Atlantean royal family. Knowing he's outclassed by either combatant. "I haven't tried this on a dead-head yet." He mutters. His right hand withers into a potato-like growth, moldy spots start to form on in and then he swings his arm to throw it at the Atlantean in an underhand toss.

OOC: Dreamroot (Affliction) Fort DC 18

In reply to Puddle (msg # 69):

Turns out there is a reason the infected never got tired, or sick, or only suffered the most major of injuries. Things like drugs and toxins had no effect on them. As a result, the dangerous venom struck the Atlantean in the chest and bounced off. Causing him to pause and look confused.

OOC-Infected are immune to fort saves. Puddle gets a hero point.

That turned out to be a good thing, because Merna smashed him in the face with her fist-launching him across the chamber. He got up, eyes glowing, growling. Then he charged her, hitting with a tackle and launching her across the room in return. She proceeds to grab his head to keep him from biting, but he then shoves the trident into her side.

She resists the injury, but her blood is flowing and is clearly losing the struggle to keep his teeth away from her.

OOC-You guys are up. Actions!

Flinching back at the sheer virulence of the hunger that answered his sending, Schism chose to continue the movement as he tried to escape the former lovers who were now flinging each other back and forth across the cave.  Using the distraction offered by Merna's efforts to evade her ex-husband's gnashing teeth, the psychic let his power rise again and sent it outward.  Directing his energy out along convergent pathways, Schism forced the pitch higher and higher until the nexus of the colliding signals threatened to collapse.

OOC: Using Signal Collapse (Damage 8; T-DC 23): Increased Range (Perception) +2/r, Penetrating VIII +8f; 32PP on the Atlantean.

In reply to Schism (msg # 72):

The Atlantean is thrown back due to the force of the mental power of Schism. He smashes against the wall, and off of Merna. Taking advantage of the opening, she pulls the trident from her side-a dangerous move due to the blood flowing. She turns the weapon about and impales the three pronged symbol of the Atlantean throne into the chest of her former husband! However he seems more disoriented from Schism's blast that the trident sticking out of his chest, through his back, and pinned to the rock wall behind him.

OOC:
10:19, Today: Secret Roll: Atlantean rolled 16 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 4.  Toughness save. Atlantean takes -1 injury and is dazed for a turn.

Puddle is up!

Puddle sees the opportunity, he lets his plant-weapon wither, his body shrinks down to a normal human stature as he sprouts numerous tentacles. He tried to cry out as he slammed into the Atlantean with his tentacles but he had lost his mouth in the whirl of tentacles.

OOC: Giantism Array: 12 Tentacular Strike (12PP, Damage), 8 Liquid Pseudopods (4pp, Elongation), 8 Arbitrary Appendages (8PP, Extra Limbs)

10:30, Today: Puddle rolled 17 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 13.  Tentacular Strike!

I doubt that even hits him but if it does and it hits him extra good then I have Multiattack.

If successful, increase the attack’s resistance check DC by +2 for two degrees of success, and +5 for three or more. This circumstance bonus does not count against power level limits.

Toughness DC 27

In reply to Puddle (msg # 74):

Despite the Trident in his side, the inhuman reflexes of the former King of Atlantis is enough to dodge Puddle's blow. The fact he rips his own weapon from the stone wall behind him, that had been pinning him seconds before. Puddle smashes the wall he had been stuck to, striking only rock and air.

OOC-Schism is up!

Teeth clenched in a grimace of mixed concentration and savage satisfaction as his first burst of power landed, Schism paused only long enough to drag a hissing breath before continuing his assault.  Narrowing his eyes as he lifted his hands and pressed another surge of his dissonant signal outward, Matthias tried not to dwell on who their victim had once been as he condemned them to a second death.

OOC: Using Signal Collapse (Damage 8; T-DC 23): Increased Range (Perception) +2/r, Penetrating VIII +8f; 32PP on the Atlantean.

In reply to Schism (msg # 76):

This time the Atlantean was ready for the psionic attack. His glowing eyes glare at Schism, and he seems to push through the damage of the Hero's powers. However, blood can be seen coming out of his ears.

Merna charges him, but he blocks her fist and then shoves her aside. He proceeds to leap at Schism, trying to smash him down with both hands.

OOC:
10:47, Today: Secret Roll: Atlantean rolled 20 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 8.  Attack on Schism.

10:44, Today: Secret Roll: Atlantean rolled 22 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 12.  Toughness save. He takes another injury.

He barley clips you, Schism. Make a DC 27 toughness save and Puddle is up!

"Dude! Look out!" Puddle yelled moments before the Atlantean leapt at his temporary and very squishy teammate. He lashed out again hoping that a lucky shot would knock the Atlantean off course.

OOC: Giantism Array: 12 Tentacular Strike (12PP, Damage), 8 Liquid Pseudopods (4pp, Elongation), 8 Arbitrary Appendages (8PP, Extra Limbs)

10:59, Today: Puddle rolled 14 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 10.  Tentacular Strike!

Toughness DC 27

Not great.

In the moment before the Atlantean's blow landed the portion of Schism's attention that was caught up in the process of monitoring his telepathic emissions tried to sound the alarm even as his teammate cried out the same warning.  Neurons fired, nerves sang, and a panicked surge of adrenaline rushed through his system, but with so much of his attention bound up in his efforts to control the signal he was using to unmake the former hero, his reactions lagged just a second behind.

Flinging himself to the side as the blow descended, the psychic managed to shift the impact from the crown of his head to his shoulder at the last instant, but was still sent reeling by its force.  Blinking through a momentary haze as his vision darkened, Schism scrambled to right himself, hands coming up and weight shifting back as he drew on memories of bygone days to settle into an approximation of his old mentor's fighting stance.

OOC: Toughness save DC 27 - 11:54, Today: Schism rolled 19 using 1d20+5 ((14)).
Failure by 2 degrees, Schism is Dazed and takes -1 to future Damage Resistance Checks.
Defending for the turn.  13:10, Today: Schism rolled 12 using 1d20 ((12)). - Dodge/Parry 10 + 12 = 22

The former hero leaps aside from the massive tentacle. Obviously the old reflexes ingrained in fighting giant octopus helped the infected warrior. Leaping away from Puddle, he rolls, grabs up his fallen weapon, and jumps past the giant green hero to land next to Schism. Stabbing with his trident with a speed that is clearly inhuman. Schism cannot seem to avoid the attack...

OOC-16:29, Today: Secret Roll: Atlantean rolled 29 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 17.  Attack Schism...expect..
This message was last edited by the player at 20:34, Wed 26 Apr 2023.

In reply to Atlantean (msg # 80):

Merna body checks Schism at the last moment. Knocking the hero away and taking the Trident to her chest. He eyes widen in shock as her former husband howls in rage. She staggers back, kicking at the Atlantean and knocking him into the wall. As she does so, a slight stream of moonlight is seen, coming from a breach from above as some rocks shift.

"Hurry! We need to go!" Alderwood said, finally reacting to the combat. He moves to the moonbeam, and touches the light. As he does so, his hand seems to shimmer and fade. However, the rest of him stays solid. "Everyone into the beam!"

With every scrap of his old training brought to bear and his senses screaming warnings with every pulse of the telepathic signal he used to monitor the world around him, Schism knew with utter finality that he just wasn't fast enough.  The glittering points of the trident were on track to skewer him quite neatly, a bright edged blur that should have spelled his end, but instead whizzed past as he was thrown sideways.  Lifesaving as it might have been, Merna's tackle combined with his own aborted attempt to dodge the blow was enough to send Matthias tumbling, his breath escaping in a startled shout even as he scrambled to get his feet back under him.  The former queen saved his life, but the price is dribbling down her chest and leaving streaks across the floor even as their escape route finally takes form.  Pushing to his feet with a groan, Schism dashed for the beam of moonlight and their chance to escape.

OOC:  Double move (still Fatigued) to make it to Alderwood and the moonbeam. 

"Go!" Merna hissed, and cries out as she removes the weapon from her body. Sure enough, her veins start to blacken. The Atlantean's blood had covered his own weapon, and as a result it carried the infection with him. She looks over at Puddle. "Bring this place down before you go!"

Then she moves to intercept her former husband as he roars and charges. Using his own weapon against him. As he moves forward, she readies the trident like a spear against a charging animal. Sure enough, the Atlantean simple charges into the weapon, impaling himself on it. However, he pulls himself towards Merna. Ignoring the damage to his internal organs as he does so.

Both Schism and Puddle manage to bring down the roof, burying both the Atlantean and Merna. The last they see of her is stabbing her former husband with another water trident and pinning him down. Alderwood manages to transport his fellow heroes, but when they manifest on the moonlit beach-he does not appear with them. It is unsure what happened to him during the moonlight gateway teleport.

Thinkmaster contacts Schism and Puddle, telling them that the open air underchamber below Toronto has been sealed. It is unlike the Atlantean could burrow through all that raw stone and earth, even if he managed to stay intact while being crushed by it. However, trying to retrieve Merna or his bodies seems impossible.

Canada is safe...for now.

OOC-Any remaining heroes gain 5 xp!