Thevshi

That will catch him flat footed. The Sorc #2 only gets a 11, missing by 13. I will just say that knocks him out completely. Two of the Shadow-in-shadows will break their concealment to attack Red Lynx, both missing. At an order from Sorc #1, the two Wheel-in-Shadows will first try to attack Veronica and Masque, both missing and then start flying down the hallway past Veronica and Masque. That brings up Masque.

GM After ducking away from the General's flying attack, Vannox quickly spun to continue facing the Andromedan as the insectoid flew a short distance away and landed back on the floor of the arena. Vannox then started forward in a run, but in a surprising move, the Boran then leapt into the air, covering the remaining distance airborne. Though Giirok attempted to reposition some of his weapons to block any attack from Vannox, it turned out making a leaping strike was not what the Boran had in mind. Brining his glaive down to connect with the two swords raised by Giirok, Boran’s momentum carried him over those weapons, taking him toward the Andromedan’s head. Vannox slid over one of Giirok's shoulders to the Andromedan's upper back. With a quick move, the Boran pulled the shaft of his glaive across Giirok's throat, catching it on the other end with his other hand. While the Andromedan tried to resist Vannox's grapple, the suddenness of the move caught Giirok of balance and Vannox was able to pull tightly against Giirok's throat with the shaft of the glaive. But, while Vannox clearly had achieved the upper hand, he did not fully capitalize on his advantage. Giirok was an experienced enough combatant to know Vannox had purposely not pressed his advantage, instead just choosing to put himself in a position where he had some control over Giirok and was momentarily safe from attack. Then Giirok heard the Boran whisper something into his ear canal. "Tell me Andromedan, do you only exist for mindless battle? Or would you prefer to be free from doing the bidding of others?" There was a brief pause before Vannox continued. "If you prefer freedom, fly us over towards the arena wall to our right, like you are trying to use the wall to scrape me off. A means for both of us to escape will present itself."

Tsunami As the last robber started to run, another figure came through the door toward the backroom of the store. The newcomer appeared to be a young Asian woman, dressed in a skin-tight bodysuit that was colored in several shades of blue that had a pattern that seemed almost to flow and shimmer like water. She wore a dark blue domino mask that covered the upper part of her face and had one hand extended in front of her, generally reaching out toward the water that had formed the barrier around the hostage. Turning her gaze toward the robber attempting to flee, the costumed female lowered her extended hand and the water that had formed barrier spilled down to the floor. With a smooth motion, the Asian woman brought her hands together in towards her torso and then extended out once more, a blast of water shooting forth from her open palm. The blast struck the fleeing robber squarely in the back, knocking him unconscious and sending him flying out into the open area outside. Lowering her hands, the costumed young woman turned her gaze towards Dust Devil. "Greetings, I am Tsunami." She stated calmly as she started forward to check on the hostage who had dropped down to sitting on the floor.

GM The robber barely had a chance to be shocked by the appearance of the water that protected his hostage when Dust Devil's sand blast slammed into his chest. The impact knocked him unconscious which caused him to let go of the hostage and he was sent flying backward where he slammed into a turned over display case. The pistol in the hand of the last robber was shaking badly as the man tried to take in all that was going on around him. But he seemed unable to pull the trigger, instead choosing to run towards the blasted out windows, trying to get around Dust Devil. Of course, the swirling sand around him slowed him down and he was just able to make it to the opening.

They are minions, so you could have just taken 10. Anyway, that hits and he cannot pass that toughness save, so he goes down. To speed things up, I will say the last guy starts to run, not getting very far given the hampered movement. Then Tsunami appears from the entrance to the back of the store and fires a blast of water that knocks out the last bad guy (as she can take 10 and he will have even less chance to resist the attack that the guy Dust Devil hit)

ROUND SIX? 14 Vannox (unharmed) 8 General Giirok (bruised, 2 HP) This time Vannox tries something different, he runs over and leaps up at the General, getting a 21 on his attack roll as he initiates a grapple. He gets a 33 for his grapple check. Need an opposed grapple check from the General.

Alright, once the water gets right up underneath the hostage and the man holding her, it then suddenly rises up into the air and forms a barrier over the woman that is toward the gun. The criminal fires, but the water barrier easily makes the DC 18 toughness save to protect the woman. So, Dust Devil is up!

GM Between the swirling sand and Dust Devil's presence, the two remaining robbers did not notice the approach of the water, which flowed across the floor far faster than water likely should. "Do you want it on yours?" The man with the gun called out, his hand trembling slightly, but he did his best to keep the weapon aimed at the hostage’s head and his eyes on Dust Devil. The sands lashing around him made the second harder, but he was managing to resist the stinging sands for the moment. The water pooled up underneath the man and his hostage as a few tense moments passed, the two robbers unsure how to proceed as Dust Devil continued to block their exit. Then, the water rose up into the air in a flash, spreading out over the side of the woman that was toward the robber's pistol, moving all the way up to include a barrier between her head and the pistol. Even as the water formed this barrier, it seemed to shift in nature, seemingly becoming more…solid. Although surprised, and still holding the woman with his other hand, the robber pulled the trigger of his pistol. The bullet slammed into the water that was between the weapon and the hostage, glancing harmlessly away without any apparent ill effect to the water barrier. The other robber had taken his gaze off Dust Devil at this moment, the pistol he had been aiming at the hero dropping down slightly as the man's attention was no longer on where he was aiming his weapon…

As the younger man began working to get the baggage out of the Land Rover, the older butler led the Harrows and Lulu through the main entrance into the great hall inside. As one of the rooms that was often part of tours to the home, the great hall was maintained as it likely had appeared for well over a hundred years, with large paintings hanging from the walls and a variety antiques spaced along the hall among the various doors to other rooms. A grand staircase with an ornate banister led up to the upper floors. Making their way down the great hall into another wing of the home, the butler led the four into one of the side rooms. While some of the furniture in the room was a bit more modern, it was still very richly appointed, with a mahogany table with six chairs around it (though it easily had space for twice that). Several formal sitting chairs were along three of the walls of the room, while the fourth (across from the door) mainly consisted of large windows which looked out towards gardens beyond. Seated at one end of the table was a woman who appeared to be in her early sixties. She had shoulder length brown hair that contained a fair amount of grey and was wearing a semi-formal black dress over which she wore a light grey cashmere sweater. As Barrymore had stated, an assortment of food was set out on the table, and the older woman had a plate in front of her. Robert quickly strode forward, moving over next to his mother as he leaned down to kiss her cheek. "Good afternoon mother, so wonderful to see you are doing well." "Hello Robert," she replied with a small smile, "I hope you had a safe and uneventful trip?" As he gave an affirmative response, Robert stepped aside as Megan moved over to give her mother-in-law a small hug. "So good to see you again my dear." The older woman replied before she turned to be greeted by Lawrence who had somehow moved around the other side of the table rather quickly and gave his grandmother a hug as well. After a brief greeting to her grandson, Robert's mother turned her steady gaze towards Lulu, studying the teen a brief moment. "And you my dear must be Louise."

GM "Phalen likes his caves. Phalen safe there." Was the initial reply, but Phalen seemed to listen to the other questions Starshot asked, and after a brief pause, he replied. "Red Devils are pirates from far away, seeking prey far and wide. The Red Devil himself is dangerous and ruthless. Phalen could not fight him. Red Devils intercepted cargo transport working for independent prospectors that had found this world, located its prime recourses and began working on mining them. Prospectors traded with inhabitants of this world, leaving them to their homes." "First peoples where ones who taught words of those from far sky to Kurabanda." Ermorada stated in confirmation of Phalen's statements. "Red Devils killed or drove out prospectors and began enslaving this world's inhabitants to increase the mining operations." Phalen continued.

Okay, as Dust Devil takes in the scene unfolding before him, he notices a pool of water flowing out of the back room behind the robbers, moving toward the robber holding the hostage. The water is not moving like one would expect water to move, like, it is not just expanding outward like spilled water would on a tile floor, it is moving like a river.

Okay Syl, so this means that the General is bruised and dazed. You have the option of spending a Hero Point to remove the daze so you can act this round, otherwise you will not get to act this round and Vannox will get to attack you again (though you do not suffer any penalties to defense).

GM Vannox tracked Giirok's movements as the massive Andromedan began to circle, his glaive held out in front of him, blade toward the General. After Giirok had made about a quarter circle, the red hued Boran bolted forward, slashing towards Girrok's left shoulder with his glaive. But as the Andromedan brought his swords up to block the slash, Vannox pulled back the haft of his weapon, bringing the blade away from the swords. Then, in a flash, he thrust the blade forward once more, this time aiming lower, getting below the axe the General tried to bring down to block and slashing the glaive against the Andromedan’s right leg. This time, Vannox found an opening in the General's chitin, the blade biting into the softer under tissue of the General's leg, causing the leg to give way slightly and dropping him to one knee. Vannox had already pulled back, weary of Giirok's many weapons and not wanting to risk a counter attack by pressing the advantage too hard…

GM The robbers were barely able to register Dust Devil's appearance when the shockwave he created slammed into them full force. The three in front of him, including the one with the Terminus weapon, were knocked off their feet and sent flying backward to slam into walls. Unfortunately Dust Devil's shockwave was not as indiscriminant as it blasted out the remaining sections of the windows to the store, shattered several glass cases within and knocked over other display cases in addition to causing other chaos within the store. When the dust settled, two more robbers appeared from a door toward the back of the store. One of them had his arm around a young woman and was holding a pistol to her head. The other was aiming his weapon at Dust Devil, but did not fire. "Back off!" The man holding the store employee yelled. "Back off or she's dead!"

Okay, will say that you get 3 robbers in the shockwave (in addition to smashing out some more glass and some other collateral damage. All three miss their Reflex saves and miss and miss their toughness saves (forgot to make that first roll three rolls).

Okay, Vannox will try a power attack once more (-2/+2), he hits again with a 26. @Sylinator This time it is a DC 27 toughness save.

ROUND ONE 27 Veronica (unharmed, 3 HP) 17 Thule Sorc #1 (unharmed) 16 Red Lynx (unharmed, 1 HP) 16 Shadow-in-Shadows (4, all unharmed) 13 Thule Sorc #2 (unharmed) 11 Wheel-in-Shadows (2, both unharmed) 4 Masque (unharmed, 5 HP) 3 Thule Sorc #3 (unharmed) Okay, Veronica will use her first turn to reconfigure her gadget array, dropping the teleport and using some of the points to create the following: Blast 8 (eldritch bolt, Feats: Accurate 2 (18/25 pp) That is her full first action, so we will go to the Thule Sorcerer #1, who is going to try to Mind Control Veronica to help them get what they want. DC 18 will save, which she easily makes with a 31 That brings up Red Lynx! @angrydurf

GM The Thule sorcerer gave a small chuckle at Elizabeth's taunts, but kept his focuses on Veronica as she gave him her ultimatum. "Brothers," he stated, addressing his two fellow sorcerers, "let us see if we cannot ‘convince’ these two youths to help us obtain what we seek." With that, the sorcerer raised his hands and cast a spell, directing mystical energy at Veronica as he tried to seize control over her mind. The spell easily found its mark, but even as the magical energies tried to dominate the teenage Danger, she was able to resist the attempt, brushing the spell aside as she remained in control.

Veronica If the situation were not so serious, Veronica would probably be laughing at the taunts Elizabeth was making toward the Thule sorcerers. While the teenage Danger did not expect them to make the sorcerers lose their composure, one thing was certain, they would be focused on both of them and less likely to notice Kam. Estimating that she had given Kam enough time to make his way through the portal, Veronica disengaged the spell she had created to form that portal, reconfiguring some of her small trinkets into a mores offensive spell. As she did, she looked back at the Thule sorcerer that had spoken. "So, last chance. Turn around and leave."

The robbers get a 5 on their initiative check, so… Round One 22 Dust Devil (unharmed, 2 HP) 5 Robbers (multiple)

GM Dust Devil's sandstorm quickly filled the air around the robbers he could see outside the store, the sand and wind swirling around them as the men raised their arms to try to shield their faces from the onslaught. "What the…" Several called out, along with a few colorful comments as the four robbers all tried to regain their bearings, in the face of the swirling sands. None of them noting the approaching sand cloud that was Dust Devil himself. As he drew closer, Dust Devil noticed there were still a few civilians near the scene of the robbery, a handful of people that had ducked behind some sort of cover when the commotion apparently started and where now to terrified to try to get further away…

So, if you two want to make any sort of reaction IC post, go ahead, then make an initiative check. Otherwise, just make an initiative check.

Veronica Veronica focused on the approaching figures ahead of them, leaving the portal behind her open for the moment to ensure that Red Lynx had managed to make his way through. The teen noted the three figures radiating mystical energy, as well as the fact that there appeared to be some things hidden in the shadows near the five figures. When one of the robed figures spoke up, warning the two teens he could see not to interfere, Veronica smirked. "Not likely." She replied. "Your back up there are SHADOW, which makes the three of you Thule Society. Neither particularly know for carrying about collateral damage or innocent lives." "So, we would love it if you would just save everyone some trouble and surrender, but I think we would be willing to settle with you just forgetting about whatever it is you're doing here and leaving."

GM Once Elizabeth and Kam finished getting ready for action, Veronica moved through her portal, the other two following quickly behind. Red Lynx immediately moved into some nearby shadows, disappearing from sight. The wide hallway the trio of teens had arrived at was dimly lit and empty save for five figures that were approaching from the far wing of the museum. Three of the figures were dressed in black robes, the shadows of their cowls concealing their faces. To Veronica and Masque's senses, the three radiated mystical energy. Following closely behind the figures in black robes were two other figures, dressed in black and grey uniforms, full black masks covering their faces and a red circle with a black lightning bolt shape adoring the center of their grey tunics. All three teens also felt that there seemed to be something in the shadows to either side of the hallway around the five figures, but none of them could quite discern what might be there. The robed figures came to a halt as the notice first Veronica’s gate, and then both her and Masque. "Well Miss Danger," one of the figures spoke, taking half a step forward, speaking with an Eastern European accent, "it would seem there is more to you than one might expect. And you seem to have brought along a mystically inclined companion as well." The figure gave one small nod of his head toward Masque. "I will give you both fair warning, do not interfere with us and we can avoid the need for anyone to come to harm."

@Fox @angrydurf give me notice checks please. Veronica gets a 26.