Dr Archeville

"Really?" His tone was more annoyed than anything as he batted out the flames on the dying frat boy, then lunged for and batted out Ethan. "You," he grabbed Ethan's shoulder, and pointed to his associate with his free hand, "carry him that way," he indicated the end of the alley where Strix was. "I'll get your friend back there, then him" he nodded to the homeless man, "and we'll meet you there. And then we're all going to have a nice chat." Really hope Strix ain't too hungry when he gets up from somethin' like that. He dashed over to the frat boy he thought was only dying, but found he was in fact dead. "No. No. No, no, no." He began to scoop up the boy, "weren't s'posed t'be like this. Shoulda stayed home, kid..."

Beginning of Round: Become fatigued from having used Extra Effort last round. Reaction: Spend HP to nix that. Move Action: Extinguish Dying Frat Boy. Skipping the DC 15 Reflex save, Dead Head'll take it. Move Action: Extinguish Ethan. Ditto. Free Action: Instructions. Free Action: Extra Effort to surge to get another Move action. Move Action: Move to Dead Frat Boy. 2 HP, Unharmed, will be fatigued at start of next round.

"Pull mah head off? Why, I'll save ya th' trouble, friend!" Dead Head reared back a bit, then jerked forward, causing his head to detach, rolling down his chest, up Hernandez's back, over his head, and hit the floor. It spun a bit, finally stopping on its side, looking up at the vampire. Through this all, his grip remained as unyielding as ever. "So, got any more threats?" Nah, I got 'im. In fact, bring 'em down to the basement morgue, I can ferry us all back to th' Lodge in one go. And that's exactly what he did.

Good catch. Okay, I'mma do that. HP to burn off the fatigue from last round's Extra Effort. Extra Effort for an AP on his Teleport.

Ah, no, I had missed that. Okay, DH'll extinguish homeless guy, in the hopes that dying frat boy's friends will be moving in to save him.

I believe we've established that the Twilight Lodge itself counts as a "place of death," so Dead Head can use his Gravewalking power to teleport there? With Hernandez? (I'll burn an HP to get a rank of Progression, so he can handle the extra mass.)

Jeezus! Fire rarely bothered Dead Head anymore. Not physically, certainly, even as the flames licked around him, burning his clothes, for his flesh regenerated as quickly as it burned. Emotionally was another matter. Yes, his second death had involved an exploding gas main, that torched him & all his friends who were at that New Year's Eve party, leading his family and surviving friends to assume he'd died. And the first few times he'd encountered a burning building, or saw a charred corpse, it triggered some unpleasant flashbacks. But he'd run into enough of those by now that it barely dredged up those feelings. Which was good, because he had people to save. Unpleasant, ignorant people, but people nonetheless. He stopped the altered flow of necrotic energies through his body, letting it resume its usual dried mummy-like state. He held up his left hand to Ethan and the other frat boy with him (who was on fire), and used his right to point to the unconscious and dying and on-fire frat boy behind them in the middle of the alley. "Your friend is dying. I can feel it. Help him." Hoping they would choose helping their friend over pursuing vengeance against the Woodchuck-Man, Dead Head did not wait for a response, and ran to the dying frat boy and the still-unconscious (and burning) homeless man. He ran a quick assessment, and figured that if the frat boy's friends were coming to help, he could focus on the homeless man. He batted out the flames with his own hands, heedless of any damage it caused.

From ye olde discord: Fire is not one of the things that can bypass Dead Head's Impervious, so he'll just take it. Ah, better clarify something: Okay.... Standard Action: Attempt to Intimidate Ethan & On-Fire-But-Not-Dying-Fratboy to help their Dying companion who is behind them. His Forceful Intimidation challenge feat might be relevant. I believe I can use the Fast Task Challenge to do so as a Standard action (instead of a Full Round one) by taking a -5 penalty. That'd put him at +9. I've got Skill Mastery on that, but I'm going to try for a better result. 1d20+9: 29 [1d20=20] ... that'll do. Move Action: move to Dying Frat Boy & homeless guy. Free Action: Extra Effort to Surge, gain another Move Action. Move Action: Extinguish Dying frat boy homeless guy. Free Action: Tell Homeless Man to run.

"I may have been born at night, Mr. Hernandez," he calmly said while pushing his shovel up & forward, an act which would have dislocated a normal human's shoulders, "but I weren't born last night. I've dealt with enough hucksters in mah day t'know when someone's jus' tellin' me what I want t'hear." Burt Lee was actually born in early afternoon, but -- as Jack of All Blades had helpfully explained -- that didn't have quite the same ring. "Now, ya wanna try that again?" While he had the vampire pinned, he took a moment to really study him, particularly the necromantic magics coursing through him. He'd already noted some similarities and differences between Javier Delgado & Strix earlier that night, but now he could get a closer look, and maybe learn more. How badly is this affectin' yer mind, hrm? Is there any hope for ya, or are ya just a beast what needs t'be put down? On the way over, he'd been thinking about how to quickly & quietly communicate with Strix. And an idea just hit him. In life, Burt Lee had been a psychic, powerful but with almost no control. Now, he channeled some of his animating energies through his own dead brain, to send out a message to any & all undead in the area (as well as anyone who was sensitive to the spirit world). Hey, Strix, can ya hear me? It's Dead Head. I got one'a them vamps pinned down in th' basement. A Mister Hernandez. I was able t'study 'im a bit, an' here's what I found...

Niiice. 5 HP now. Free Action: Maintain Grapple Standard Action: Inflict damage. Not sure if you'd include his Shovel's Strike bonus in on this. If so, that's a DC 24 Toughness save; if not, DC 22. Move Action: Studying Sr. Hernandez (with his Magic Awareness, which is Acute & Analytical for Necromantic effects). Notice check, he's got Skill Mastery, Taking 10 gets him 21. I'll take that, that should give him some info but not everything (so we'll still have investigating to do). Free Action: Extra Effort to Power Stunt off his Necromancy Array (17pp) Communication 3 (“haunt hotline,” mental, 1,000 feet; Extras: Area; Flaw: Limited [Only with Undead and Characters with Comprehend/Spirits]; PFs: Dimensional 2 [afterlives], Selective, Subtle) {7} plus Mind Reading 10 (“memento mors”; Extras: Action 2 [Free for surface, Move for probe], Sensory Link; Flaws: Limited [only memories & thoughts pertaining to death & killing], Range 2 [Touch]) {10} {7+10=17/17} Free Action: call out to Strix -- well, to every undead/spirit medium in the entire 1,000 foot area, and hope Strix is in range -- and tell him what he's learned. 5 HP, uninjured, will be fatigued at start of next round.

Groovy. 4 HP now, uninjured, won't be fatigued. I've got Skill Mastery on Sense Motive, but Taking 10 would only get me 25. I'mma roll. 1d20+15: 28 [1d20=13] Beats it by 1!

Bedlam General Hospital, Basement Lady Horus ash'd the first one'a these suckers 'fore we had a chance t'examine 'im, 'fore I could figure out if they can control their hunger an' live a semblance'a their old lives, like Strix do, or if all they is is hunger. But I might be able t'reach this one. Dead Head reached behind him and drew out -- not from any holster, but from a pocket realm inside Guinee -- one of his shovels, and leaned on it as he gently swayed. Crafted from his own bones and ligaments, it was nearly as tough as he was, and he'd become very good at wielding it. "Sorry, Mr. Hernandez, but I'll have t'pass on that offer. I ain't like you, but I know someone who is..." While he typically moved about in an ambling shamble, Dead Head was capable of quick bursts of movement. He'd never be as quick as Strix, but he rarely needed to be, since so many assumed he couldn't move faster than a mostly-dead person on their last legs. (And this wasn't even touching on his ability to teleport.) But now, in a blur of movement, he'd darted around and behind Hernandez, bent him over the morgue drawer that he'd just popped out of, and had used his shovel to pin his arms behind his back. "... an' fortunately for you, he's not here. Because he'd just as soon rip yer heart out as talk to ya. But I'm an amiable sorta fella, an' I like t'give folks th' benefit'a the doubt. Now, I know yer new t'this whole vampire thing, an' ya got a lot'a questions. Yer body's changin', yer feelin' new urges. It's natural t'be confused. But I'm here t'tell ya, ya don't need t'be a slave to yer hunger. Ya got that urge in ya, sure, but y'ain't gotta act on it. Just 'cuz ya see a pretty girl -- or guy -- walk by with they neck uncovered ain't mean ya gotta bite 'em. We cain't help how we feel, but we can control how we act on those feelin's. So, whaddaya say, we calm down, we go to th' butcher an' talk this out over a pint'a pig's blood, hrm?"

Woof, been a while since I've done some real combat. Alright, IIRC Dead Head's got 3 HP at the moment, and is uninjured. Free Action: Manifest Shovel Standard Action: Grapple. Using full All-Out Attack (-5 Def/+5 Att). Melee attack at +14, Grapple at +23, Defense at -1. 1d20+14: 34 [1d20=20] Nat 20! Which gives me another +5 on the Grapple check, making that +28. Grapple check 1d20+28: 46 [1d20=18] Yeesss Free Action: Extra Effort to Surge, to gain another Standard Action. Full Round Action: Diplomacy check to try to calm him down/reach him. 1d20+11: 25 [1d20=14] Whoa 3 HP, uninjured, will be fatigued at beginning of next round.

"You melted, too? Like I did? So... maybe I can learn... maybe you are the best choice for teaching me..." He smiled, and placed one hand on hers, "I do really like these powers. I grew up in Freedom, I've seen so many, and of course," his speech sped up a bit, "I've thought about what it would be like to have them, but to actually have them is another thing entirely!" He grinned happily when she brought Miss Grue in, "two crazy aunts?! Well, I have one crazy uncle, and- OH!" His eyes went wide, easily three times as wide as any human's should, "my uncle! He's the only one who knows about my abilities, the rest of my family doesn't! But if any of them come to campus, and see all the teens with superpowers running around, they'll figure out I must have something, right? Augh, geeze, I do want to tell them, I want to share this, but I know they'd freak out so bad." He cradled his head in his hands, unsure how to proceed.

Thaelia? Here?! And Dalekos looks none too pleased with this. Clearly he wasn't expecting her here... does the Royal Family even know about this? Was this sanctioned by them? They'd have to know something, the military alone could not have arranged for all this, they'd need additional resources... but did they keep them in the dark about what was really going on here? He swam next to his father, glanced at Dalekos, then back to Xyles. "Father," he whispered, relying more on hand signals and gestures than spoken words, "what did you see? I have seen much which makes me question this place. Their ultimate goal seems noble, but their methods-" Then Thaelia entered, and he swiftly raised his clenched right fist to his temple in salute, as any commoner would to a noble (or military agent), then quickly bowed. "Your highness honors us with her presence." He did not look up again until she (or Dalekos, or his father) spoke to him.

Dead Head closed his eyes and concentrated a moment, "yeah, I can sense some traces'a mystical mojo, but it's faint, an' fadin'. It ain't necromancy, but," he shrugged and opened his eyes again, "that's about all I can tell, an' I know that ain't too useful." Merge's findings caught his attention, "ooh, whatcha got there? Hunh. Basic tag, not very creative. I've lost track'a how many times I've seen some would-be warlock or edgy teen use that. Not sure it'll help narrow-" He suddenly stopped talking, and got a far off look. "Oh? Oh, really?" It was clear he was not talking to Merge or Strix. "Ooh, sounds nasty. Okay, thanks a bunch. Right, so," he focused back on his 2+ companions, "looks like it's the Mara what done this. Or maybe this was owned by some Mara, and someone's goin' after 'em. Either way, they's involved."

What, if anything, does Dead Head know about the Mara? He's got Well-Informed and a Skill Mastery'd Gather Information check of 20.

Davyd laughed nervously at Pan & Veronica's remarks. Okay, okay, I can do that. Shark half up front, octopus half in back? Yeah, I think I can work that. But the size, though. I know Grue can assume bigger forms, I've seen it -- why can't I? I'll have to be sure to bring it up next time I see my 'aunts'. He enjoyed the post-meal walk, and Pan's subtle (and not-so-subtle) reminders. When he thought no one was looking, he'd flash him a very toothy grin, or wiggle some tentacle-fingers his way. It was fun, and a pleasant distraction from his feelings towards Lulu. He took a seat behind Pan. He'd been on a few boats before -- mostly trips with the family, also a few late night jaunts with his uncle -- but never in one with a group of kids his age, and never this far out into open waters. He closed his eyes to concentrate on the smells and sensations, the salty breeze whipping about him.

Free Action: Extra Effort for a power stunt off his Necromancy Array (17pp): AP: Communication 3 (“haunt hotline,” mental, 1,000 feet; Extras: Area; Flaw: Limited [Only with Undead and Characters with Comprehend/Spirits]; PFs: Dimensional 2 [astral, ethereal, and afterlives], Selective, Subtle) {7} plus Mind Reading 10 (“memento mors”; Extras: Action 2 [Free for surface, Move for probe], Sensory Link; Flaws: Limited [only memories & thoughts pertaining to death & killing], Range 2 [Touch]) {10} {7+10=17/17} Free Action: Communicate with Strix Alright, then, let's do Free Action: Delay to give Strix a chance to do that. Free Action: Switch Necromancy Array to "Boo" Standard Action: Fearsome Presence 10 vs. the frat boys. (And, unfortunately, probably against Woodchuck Man, too.) That's got a 50 ft. range, and they need to make a DC 20 Will save. Those who fail are shaken. Those who fail by 5+ flee from Dead Head. Those who fail by 10+ panic, dropping any held items and flee from DH as quickly as possible. (Unless they're Minions, in which case I believe any failure counts as the worst possible failure? Or is that just for Toughness saves?) Move Action: If anyone's left, Intimidate to Demoralize. DH's got Skill Mastery, so I'll Take 10, for 24. And I guess that moves DH to Initiative count 11, yeah?

Dead Head teetered and wobbled, but -- perhaps because he was so used to shambling -- he managed to stay on his feet! Think, Burt, think. Groundhog-Man ain't attackin', he's movin' all defensive like. He's more a-feared of them than anything. I would spook 'em all, get 'em t'run th'other way, but that blue fella's floatin' there and he don't look none too friendly. An'- oh, there's Strix now... ah! Looks like he's thinkin' th' same thing I am. Alright. He swayed slightly, and started groaning, louder than the blue man at the end of the alley. He altered the flow of the mystical energies coursing through him, accelerating the decay of his body. Flesh putrefied and sloughed off in patches, falling wetly to the ground. He reached out with both hands, the nails grown to rough, ragged edges. He lunged now and again, jaws biting at air, fetid tomb-breath washing over the boys.

Burt's only got +2 to initiative, so at best he's going to tie. 1d20+2: 8 [1d20=6] Nope!

"Gunshot... gunshot... gunshot... stabbing... gunshot... overdose... ooh, 'animal mauling,' that looks promisin'." He shambled over to the corresponding drawer, and reached out for the handle, when Mutt called in. Yeah, Mutt, y'all can stay. Keep an eye on 'im. He's lost his ma an' pa, he's had it rough already. But, uh, don't mention any of that. Best he gets that news from one'a us. Just keep close to 'im. Oh, wait, where is it Lady Horus's takin' y'all? Once that was done, he knocked on the cabinet door, "hellllllooo, Mr. Hernandez? Are ya decent?" And then he pulled open the drawer...

No response to my offer. He barely even seemed to register it. But obsessive types tend to not see things that don't fit directly in with their tasks. Perhaps continued conversation could turn his attentions, and get him to change his mind. He shot a quick text to Delta repeating his thoughts as he responded to their captor-host. "Investigation does lead to action, yes, but what that action shall be has yet to be determined. Perhaps that can be one topic of continued discussion? I would be honored to take up your offer," he bowed slightly, "though I shall leave it to my comrades if they do the same. I do find this conversation stimulating, and look forward to continuing it over such an exotic repast. You're sure such fare will be safe for us, no prehistoric parasites lurking about? And I take it this chef is another one of your uplifted apes?" He slowly approached Uplift, allowing himself to be escorted to the dome's interior. "Oh, one last question," he stopped in his track, "and I know this may be a bit gauche, but I do need to know: do we have your word that, after the meal, we shall be allowed to leave -- if indeed we choose to leave -- in the same condition in which we arrived?"

Reflex save 1d20+5: 6 [1d20=1] He's wobblin'... Opposed STR Check (DC 13) 1d20+8: 16 [1d20=8] ... but he don't fall down! Notice check (DC 25) 1d20+11: 23 [1d20=12] Ah, so close!

The dry cells were distinctly uncomfortable, both for the arid conditions and the stench of dried blood. But the trip was eventful, confirming some of his guesses while raising further questions. He bid Atli farewell, and made his way back to the rendezvous point to meet with Dalekos. 'I am transformed by flesh of my spawn'? Well, the most literal interpretation would mean that Deep One spawn are used in the process of transforming Atlanteans into Deep One. Sacrificing them in some ritual? Possibly cannibalistic? No, no, that's too mad even for them, killing their own young to change another... although, if they were desperate, and needed adult soldiers more than future generations... Wait... no... was Laertes using... no... using Atlantean children to transform Deep Ones back into Atlanteans? What was it mother's talked about, using donor tissues from relatives having a better chance of... no no NO! He paused in the hallway, feeling ill. He was hyperventilating, tried to force himself to slow his breathing, but the faint stench of gore in the waters, the lingering odor of disinfectants, kept dredging up images of experiments in his spiraling imagination.