Geez3r

The heroes were lead into what was probably one of the locker rooms by the staff and various signs. Inside the room were a few of the organizers and officials for the event. The two prominent figures were Eric Roberts, the owner of the Liberty Dome, and Patricia Nielson, the organizer for the event. They were going over all the usual fair for this sort of thing. Explaining the rules, and reminding you that this was to be a friendly event. They also noted a door off to the side for any of the female competitors to have privacy if they needed to change before the event. There were also some refreshments along one of the walls. This was more of a social gathering right now more than anything. A nice time to chat before you went out to have your bouts. And once again, everyone thanked the heroes for their participation.

And now Tempest was confused. "So in a sense, Christmas has become a new religion. These toy companies are a certain branch of church that started under the Catholic religion. However, they changed the practices of the religion so much that it is no longer part of the Catholic order. And, that would make this "Santa Claus" the savoir for the Christmas religion then?"

"And vhat is zat supposed to mean!? I'll have you know zat I'm big-boned and I have a zyroid condition." says Atlas with mock indignation. "But I zink zat ze "Midnighters" is a good name da? And I was..." Atlas paused for a moment. You could see the hamster wheel turning. "...Vait a minute. You said 'Our home.' does zat mean zat ze two of you are togezer?"

"Greetings Fulcrum human." said Tempest shaking her hand, his grip noticeably weak. "I believe all are gathered that are attending, so I shall now proceed to explain the reason you are here, and the reason for my current state of being. If you would please make yourselves comfortable..." Tempest motioned to the various chairs laid out. He waited until everyone was settled before continuing. "As many of you have likely surmised, I am not human. As such, I was not born, but rather created. The process by which this was done is impossible to explain to humans as it requires intimate understanding of 3 different senses humans do not have. As a side effect of this process, I must enter a state of being that you humans have likened to "Nirvana" or "Enlightenment" on a regular basis. Should I fail to do this, my connection to this realm of existance would be severed and I would no longer be Created. At this point, I believe it would common place for me to say "just roll with it" Tempest paused for a moment to let all of the information sink in and for the assembled heroes to ask any questions.

Nyrath's got a point there. Still entitled to fill the old villain slot with the same amount of points.

Wisdom of 30 = horrendously insightful

"Needs vork." says Atlas in regards to the name. He leans back, so he's now lying on the ground looking up at the sky, hand's neatly tucked behind his head. He closes his eyes and looks like he's about to nod off for a little nap. After its quiet for a moment, he cracks open an eye. "Vat!? I'm not ze idea one on ze team. I'm ze hit zings guy. Vell, ve other one. ...Vell, ze other, other one anyvays. Besides, names in English are hard."

Melee Attack roll vs Big Zombie - All Out Attack 5, Power Attack 5 DC 35 Toughness (1d20+5=11) Poor Atlas, he can't hit the broad side of a barn... Array is at SS 9, and Leaping 4. Move Action, Leap to engage creature in melee. Standard, swing and a miss.

Atlas goes to make good on his word. He leaps across the room to clock the giant zombie, but he winds up hitting nothing but air as the creature's erratic movements evade the oncoming attack. Atlas' buries his hand in the concrete, which promptly shatters and breaks under the force of the blow. "Atlas vrassle zis monster!" roars Atlas as he pulls his fist out from the concrete, and turns to face the creature again.

"So this Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ human? And this Jesus the Christ human was apparently the savoir under the Catholic ideaology? That would make sense. The humans seem to regularly celebrate the birth of other humans so it would seem likely that the birth of an important human would be celebrated even beyond their death. Then because this event happened so long ago, people have the actual date of celebration wrong, but because the event is so pervasive, the humans cannot change the date without causing chaos. Am I correct thus far?"

Is it bad that this is the song that popped up when I started writing a post? popPQmikR9w

"The coffee is a unique experience, but I am not sure as to whether or not I have derived a proper amount of enjoyment from its consumption. I shall inform you when the deliberation process has been completed." Tempest paused while he took a sip of the coffee. "I have understood your story so far. Please continue."

"Heh. Zis has got to be ze weirdest group in Freedom. So basically Head, you just vant to make sure zay zis band of monsters stays on ze up and up? Vell, ve could certainly come up vith vorse reasons to stay together." mused Atlas with shrug. Atlas didn't really think that anyone here was in danger of loosing control of themselves. It seemed as though they had all come to terms with what they were. Then again, he himself had not. Maybe it was better if he stayed with this group, at least until he figured out what he was.

"Religion is a common set of beliefs passed down from one generation to another through a series of stories. These stories help the new generation learn what is acceptable behavior and what is not. Different religions believe different ideals are more important than others. There are also different groups within a given religion that practice their religion differently from one another, but are similar enough to be considered the same religion. Also, more humans have been killed in the name of religion than for any other reason."

Stamped.

"It is no problem Geckoman human. I am merely glad you could arrive at all. Though in the future, I would advise you to attempt to avoid the trees. Please, have a seat." For the time being, Tempest seemed completely oblivious to Geckoman's rather eccentric nature. Though the particular form of landing was unique, Tempest did not know enough about the Pitchoo to know that wasn't the way it was supposed to land.

Atlas swung a vicious right hook, and then fell on his butt because he hit nothing. Quickly getting to his feet, Atlas looked around and saw the horde fading away. Atlas was simply too stunned to do anything else than drop to his knees. Relief swam over him, clouding his senses. He was vaguely aware of everyone else celebrating all around him, but there was something nagging at the back of his head that kept him from doing likewise. Then it struck him. Looking down at his hands, he saw that they were still red. Like they had been for a long while. He wasn't transforming back...

Samael crouched down into a 3 point stance, and his jacket split up the back, the now visible flesh rippling and contorting. In a few seconds Samael, body had completely transformed. In Samael's place stood the red behemoth known as Atlas. "Atlas crush ugly zombie!"

Well seeing as how this thread occured a while ago in game time, Atlas needs to hulk out, so that's what I'm gonna do.

Colt had given Tempest coffee, this could only end in tears. Tempest tried the coffee at Colt's suggestion, and didn't particularly care for the case. When Colt mentioned that the favor could change, Tempest looked back and forth between the coffee and the milk & sugar with a look that clearly stated "How do I does?" In regards to the discussion of Christmas Tempest said "Start at the very beginning. My knowledge of Christmas is shockingly limited compared to that of the humans in regards to this event. For now, let us start with why it exists, if you please."

"I have never had coffee before Colt human, put I will try some." said Tempest patiently as Colt moved about the kitchen. "Well Colt human, I have learned a great deal about your culture, but I have come across an issue that I cannot seem to fully comprehend. There is this event, called Christmas, perhaps you've heard of it? I am merely inquiring into general information about this event. Why and how it exists and things of that nature."

"It's vorth a lot actually." said Atlas quietly to Taylor. Turning to Hellion "If she says you're ze only one who could have saved us, zen I believe you. You did ze right zing in ze end and zat's all zat matter ven you zink about it." said Atlas sagely as he sat back down on the ground. "Just... don't do it again. Zat day sucked."

Tempest By All Your Powers Combined - Player/GM On the First Day of Christmas News Thread Invasion! - Hanover Atlas Once Upon a Midnight Fisticuffs Fundraiser - Player/GM News Thread Invasion! - Danger Mansion Invasion! - Riverside Darkness Rising White Wedding

"I zink zat zis is a new one for everyone Head. Ve kind of tick off a few of zose minority categories." After Hellion finished talking, there was a bit of a pause on Atlas' end. He looked at Hellion for a moment before saying "And ze reason ve're not pounding you into ze ground so you don't do it again is...?" Atlas looked like he was half ready to get up off the ground and slug Hellion if he gave a smart alek answer.

"Quite the ecclectic group. I believe Geckoman human and Fulcrum human are also joining us today. Others are possible, but unlikely due to my inability to contact many of them effectively. I require nothing immediately for now Colt human, though your offer is generous. However, as the host I have provided some meager refreshments if you are so inclined." Tempest motioned to the "chairs" that were set up along with a collection of berries and what appeared to be honey around a center "table".