Avenger Assembled

"Hmm." Riley was in full costume, the way he usually was when training unless specifically ordered not to, his brown and green poncho an odd color contrast against the flat grey of the Doom Room control room. He'd set his bow down, carefully uncocked, when they entered, but still wore the hatchet at his belt. "Don't think Archer's 'round - don't hear those little pitterpats he does when he's going fast." Catching his girlfriend's mood, and feeling his own tension rise in the narrow space, he tentatively stepped close before sliding his arm around her waist. "He's prolly gonna put us up against some other chump and see who thinks they're as good as Nighthawk and Woodsman and then write a lot in his notebook afterwards. In the meantime, though, we're technically in public," he reached up and stroked her hair. "so if I kiss you, we aren't gonna get in trouble..." And so he did just that.

http://orokos.com/roll/404437 = 24 Not this time, Woodsman. Ah well.

TRÊS BY HGM In Brief: Exiled princess turned superheroine Alternate Identity: Nina al-Darsah Identity: Public Birthplace: The Kingdom of Socotra Occupation: Exiled Princess, Socotran exile spokesperson, professional celebrity Affiliations: The Liberty League, the Socotran exile community, Mark Lucas, the people of Socotra Family: The Al-Darsah Dynasty of Socotra Age: 24 Gender: Female Ethnicity: Arab Height: 5'3" Weight: 140 lbs Eyes: Black Hair: Black https://c4.staticflickr.com/4/3222/2732831969_f52bc55a8a.jpg Description: Nina has the 'look' of the al-Darsah line - she's shorter and stockier than the average, with a dense build that comes from natural inheritance and intense regular exercise. She keeps her long black hair in a bun when she's in costume or dressed formally, but when she's dressed in civilian clothes and among friends she lets it hang loose. Her skin is darker than the usual for Caucasian women living in Freedom City, enough to mark her as an 'outsider', but actually rather fair for a native of Socotra. She prefers long-sleeved shirts and pants when not 'dressed up', but wears short blue and gold hijabs when socializing formally or with other Muslims, but generally doesn't bother when around Westerners or friends. When dressing up for diplomatic occasions, she plays the part of the dispossesed princess to the hilt in a blue and white abaya. The 'undersuit' for her armor resembles a blue and white burkini with a gold circlet around the top of the head. Her armor deliberately cuts a more old-fashioned look than typical power armor in the World of Freedom - the metal construction looks more like wrought iron than advanced metals, both in the face and the heavy, articulated gauntlets, and the overdress and belt look more like cloth. Her armor's colors are blue and white - her cape and cowl are however a brilliant shade of gold, with Arabic characters for Victory embroided along the edges. Her sword is a keen-bladed scimitar that gleams a brilliant gold along the edges. She generally keeps it strapped to her back, underneath her cape. History: The youngest member of the al-Darsah family, scion of the line of Typhoon, the infamous dictator, king, and would-be conqueror, now aged King of Socotra, Nina al-Darsah has been driven into superheroing by circumstances. She came to America to go to college, wanting something more out of her life before undertaking the family's political games, where she met the superhero Edge (Mark Lucas) - they fell in love, his matchless power and guileless good nature an interesting match with her limited powers but fascination with human nature and the things she could talk them into doing. The surprise reappearance of her mother prompted her to turn against her father in defense of her long-lost love - only to find out that her mother wasn't terribly interested in bonding with the result of what she considered to be the greatest mistake of her life, and one of many crimes perpetrated by the great Typhoon. Life with Mark and his fellow superheroes was a way to live for something larger than herself after being cut off from her family and her people. News that her father has pitted her siblings against each other in a Great Game to decide who will succeed him has prompted her to make a bold decision. Her father is the tyrant everyone has always said - he must be deposed! Personality and Motivation: Nina is a woman of parts - on the one hand she's more self-involved than your typical superheroine, eying situations to see how they can be turned to her advantage, and she's reluctant to stick her neck out for people who don't seem to deserve it. Deep down she thinks the people of Freedom City should give more power to their superheroic population - and she plans to rule Socotra as its queen. But by the same token she's a fundamentally self-sacrificing person, willing to make sacrifices for others even if they don't deserve them. She's able to turn many situations to her advantage. Noblesse oblige is the watchword of the day. She disguises these traits with a sharp tongue and a willingness to be seen like a worse person than she is, something that makes her the sharp knife to Edge's open hand. Powers and Tactics: Monsoon takes the lead against super opponents with her scimitar, cutting and striking with powerful blows augmented by her armor and hydrokinesis. She does the same against groups - she's actually somewhat better with it than she is with her powers. Her powers, which take the form of a swirling black tornado projected from her hands, are useful against single targets, or when mowing down groups of minions. Given the time against a tough opponent, she's likely to try a trip manuever, then strike with her blade. Keep the 'Complications'

Richard lacked Paige's ability to actually broadcast soothing thoughts - but he sent her the reassurances he could through their link. He knew his wife well enough to know when she was holding things back - just as he knew what she could handle. "Looks like he's been getting into a lot of fights tracking this guy down. Can't have gone missing that long, his spot's still open at his place of work." He passed on a mental narrative of what he'd seen to the other two, sitting on the steps of McNider with his hand in his chin. "If they did drug him, thief's gotta be around here somewhere. I'm gonna look for people who recently got fired or coulda known who he was. You finding anything, Junior?" he asked mentally.

DEUX BY HGM New math for Monsoon. New fluff coming soon. Abilities: 8 + 8 + 8 + 4 + 6 + 4 = 38PP STR 22/18 (+6/+4) DEX 18 (+4) CON 18 (+4) INT 14 (+2) WIS 16 (+3) CHA 14 (+2) Combat: 12 + 12 = 24PP Init: +4 ATK: +6 (+10 Melee/+14 Noahic) [+8 (+12 Melee/+16 Noahic in suit)] DEF: +12 (+6 Dodge Focus, +6 Base, +3 Flat-Footed) Grapple: +14/+12 w/Noahic [+16/+18/+14 w/Noahic in suit]) Knockback: -12/-6/-4 Saves: 3 + 3 + 4 = 10PP TOU +12/+8 (+4 Con, +4 Protection, +4 Protection [Suit], [+12 Impervious w/Suit Array]) FORT +12/+7 (+4 Con, +3, +5 Suit) REF +12/+7 (+4 Con, +3, +5 Suit) WILL +12/+7 (+3 Wis, +4, +5 Suit) Skills: 68 r = 17PP Acrobatics 6 (+10, SM) Bluff 15 (+17, SM) Diplomacy 6 (+8) Intimidate 6 (+8) Languages 3 (Arabic, English, Farsi, [Base] Soqotri) Knowledge (History) 4 (+6) Notice 12 (+15, SM) Sense Motive 12 (+15, SM) Stealth 2 (+6) Feats: 23PP Acrobatic Bluff Attack Focus: Melee 4 Challenge 2 (Fast Feint, Fast Taunt) Dodge Focus 6 Environmental Adaptation (Underwater) Evasion Fearless Quick Draw Second Chance (Will Saves vs. Mind Control) Skill Mastery (Acrobatics, Bluff, Notice, Sense Motive) Startle Takedown Attack Taunt Uncanny Dodge (auditory) Powers: 7 + 30 + 3 + 5 + 17 + 4 + 2 = 68PP Device 2 (Farida's Scimitar, Flaw: Easy to Lose, PF: Indestructible [technological]) [7PP] Damage 6 (PFs: Affects Insubstantial 2, Improved Crit, Mighty) [10DP] Device 7 (35PP, Monsoon's Armor, Flaw: Hard to Lose, PFs: Restricted 2 [Monsoon] [technological]) [30PP] Enhanced ATK 2 (to ATK +8) [4DP] Enhanced Noahic Array 0 (PF: Alternate Power 1) [1PP] BE: Impervious Toughess 12 (hydrokinetic stiffening) {12/12} Enhanced Saves 15 (Fortitude 5, Reflex 5, Will 5) [15DP] Enhanced Strength 4 (to STR 22/+6) [4DP] Immunity 6 (cold, disease, heat, radiation, poison, suffocation [Buys Off Flaw]) [6DP] Protection 4 [4DP] Super-Senses 1 (Danger Sense [radio]) [1DP] 4 + 1 + 15 + 4 + 6 + 4 + 1 = 35/35 Immunity 3 (cold, drowning, high pressure [mutation]) [3PP] Movement Array 2 (4PP, PF: Alternate Power 1 [mutation]) [5PP] BE: Flight 2 (25 MPH/250FPM) [4PP] AP: Swimming 4 (25MPH/250FPM) {4/4} Noahic Array 6 (12PP, PFs: Accurate 4, Alternate Powers 1 [mutation]) [17PP] BE: Move Object 6 (Effective STR 30, Heavy Load 1200 lbs, Extra: Damaging, Flaw: Duration [Concentration]) [12/12] AP: Trip 6 [12/12] Protection 4 [4PP] Super-Senses 2 (Darkvision) [2PP] ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC 19 Tou Bruised/Injured Sword Touch DC 25 Tou Bruised/Injured Noahic Array Ranged DC 21 Tou Bruised/Injured Unarmed in Suit Touch DC 21 Bruised/Injured Sword in Suit Touch DC 27 Tou Bruised/Injured Abilities (38) + Combat (32) + Saving Throws (10) + Skills (17) + Feats (17) + Powers (68) - Drawbacks (0) = 180/180 Power Points

UNO BY HGM Math update for Edge. Fluff update coming soon. Abilities: 2 + 4 + 14 + 10 + 2 + 14 = 36PP STR 12 (+1) DEX 14 (+2) CON 24 (+7) INT 10 (+0) WIS 12 (+1) CHA 24 (+7) Combat: 8 + 10 = 18PP Init: +2 ATK: +4 (+10 w/Move Object) DEF: +10 (+5 Dodge, +5 Base, +2 flat-footed) Grapple: +4/+24 w/Move Object Knockback: -10/-3 Saves: 1 + 6 + 7 = 14PP TOU: +20/+7 (+13 Force Field, +7 Con) FORT +8 (+7 Con, +1) REF +8 (+2 Dex, +6) WILL +8 (+1 Wis, +7) Skills: 72r=18PP Bluff 8 (+15) Concentration 7 (+8) Craft (Artistic) 10 (+10) Diplomacy 20 (+27) Knowledge (Popular Culture) 10 (+10) Knowledge (History) 10 (+10) Languages 3 (English [Base], Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish) Medicine 4 (+5) Feats: 60PP Beginner's Luck Benefit 1 (Status [Hey, It's Edge!]) Connected Distract (Diplomacy) Dodge Focus 5 Eidetic Memory Inspire 5 Jack of all Trades Luck 7 Sidekick 36 Powers: 16 + 3 + 14 + 2 + 12 + 54 = 105PP Enhanced Feats 4 (Ultimate Save 4 [Fortitude, Reflex, Toughness, Will]; Extras: Affects Others, Range 2 [Perception]) [16PP] Enhanced Feats 2 (Quick Change 2, Extra: Affects Others, Flaw: Action [Move], PF: Precise) [3PP] Force Field 13 (reality bending, PF: Subtle [magic senses]) [14PP] Immunity 2 (aging, despair effects) [2PP] Luck Control 4 (cancel GM Fiat, cancel HP expenditure of others, give someone else HP, spend HP for someone else) [12PP] Mark is Magic 25 (50PP, PFs: Alternate Powers 4) [54PP] BE: Damage 15 (Extras: Area [General, Burst], Selective, PFs: Indirect 3, Variable Descriptor 2 [any accident]) [50/50] AP: Create Object 15 (Extras: Duration [Continuous], PFs: Innate, Precise, Selective) [48/50] AP: Move Object 20 (Effective STR 100, Heavy Load: 12.5ktons, Extra: Damaging, Flaw: Duration [Concentration], PFs: Accurate 3, Affects Insubstantial 2, Indirect 3, Precise) [49/50] AP: Teleport 10 (1000 ft/Earth to Moon, Extras: Accurate [+1], Area [General, Burst], Selective, Flaw: Long Range Only, PFs: Progression 10 [100k lbs]) [50/50] AP: Transform 10 (inanimate to inanimate, 1000 lbs, Extras: Duration [Continuous], Flaw: Action [Full]) [50/50] DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC 16 Tou Bruised/Injured Damage Touch DC 30 Tou Bruised/Injured Create Object Ranged DC 25 Reflex Caught Move Object Ranged DC 30 Tou Bruised/Injured Abilities (36) + Combat (18) + Saving Throws (14) + Skills (18) + Feats (60) + Powers (105) - Drawbacks (0) = 250/250 Power Points

"What?" asked Comrade Frost, briefly startled by the young woman's words. "Your powers are fine!" declared the cloud of icy mist still pooling and coiling around Shkin, holding down the icy shell of bodily fluids that kept cracking and reforming as the giant slowly advanced forward, obviously hobbled but still in some sort of fight. "Weeping sores are exceedingly unpleasant! Get in his brain and eat it for all I care!" he declared.

Yes! Though you might want to stunt a Restorative there.

Reagent: 19 Various Hostile Deep Ones: 18 Sea Devil: 16 Monster: 15 - Bound and Helpless Singularity: 11 Glamazon: 9 Phantom: 3 Reagent is up - I'll let you know, Giz, that the Deep Ones searching for her are going to find her when it's their turn.

"Well if I needed to use my lungs," declared Dimitri with an erratic wave of his hand, "I wouldn't be smoking these things. They give you cancer." He lit up and took a long drag, pulling back his hood and relaxing as the hot smoke filled his frozen lungs. "Pacific War was bad business, very bad. Americans fought like we did against fascists." He held the cigarette with the casual ease of a man raised in a different generation, holding it neatly between his fingers as he rested his arms on the table. When Petia brought out the drinks, he rose and pecked the old woman on the cheek with real warmth (well, as much as he could manage) before sitting down again. "Leilani has quite the story - may sound familiar."

"Did ok," Woodsman commented, thinking about the interaction. "Got a little stupid talkin' to him. Don't do that much," he admitted, something that he was sure Wander and Com-Midnight already knew about. "Should get more things t'say. Thought about goin' in," he went on, shooting a glance up at the upper-story windows of the warehouse, "but crazy t'go in without recon. Could have who knows what in there. Got the info. And I do have a knife," he went on, patting his belt. "Could get one with a bigger handle, better for punchin'" He looked back at the warehouse and asked, "We goin' in?" He was fairly confident his escorts hadn't been seen - and supremely confident he hadn't been seen either.

What should happen now, TV?

http://orokos.com/roll/403618 = 25 No need to reroll the Grapple, save that HP!

APPROVED

APPROVED

APPROVED

5PM After his dance with Yolanda, who had practically had to stand on his polished shoes, Steve rejoined Miss Americana at their table. The reserved attendant had said very little during and after the service - he had played his part to perfection and honored the trust that the bride had placed in him. That was enough - and if he’d been tense during the service, at least he’d had no doubt whose eyes everyone had been on. He smiled at her and took her hand, and for a little while they sat together in the privacy that only a crowd could give. “I expect to wake up,” he finally said quietly, turning from watching Yolanda’s conversation with the young scion of a line of Earth-Prime superbeings to look at Miss Americana. “Or for the dream to turn sour.” Gina would know how poorly he’d slept over the last few nights. Miss Americana reached out and rested her perfectly manicured fingers on the back of his scarred hand. She was not one for many intimate gestures in public, even in her polished and beautiful guise. “It was a beautiful wedding,” she murmured, “and you looked fantastic in your tux, by the way. Those kids have been waiting a long time to get what they want, I think they’re going to be just fine.” She shrugged elegantly and faked a sip of her espresso. “Sometimes if the person is right, it doesn’t matter if everything else is going to hell, you’re still okay.” She looked over, met his eyes. “So you never told me how you liked the bachelor party.” “Ah, well, I thought the custom was not to speak of that to women. “ Steve hmmed. “It was pleasant. There was gambling, intoxicants, and the men spoke to each other at length. The machine intelligence and I partnered in the gambling, to our profit. She suggested I spend the money on something nice for my woman, which I have,” he added. He and Redbird had been the only partygoers unaffected by the intoxicants, which had helped their mutual strategizing. He took her hand in his and squeezed it lightly. “There was great talk of the women’s party today. But I doubt I would have appreciated the performances as they did.” That got him a surprisingly Ginalike smirk from his companion. “Yeah, I’ll bet not. Just so long as everybody had fun, I guess. And it helps make up for the fact that you’ll be pulling doubles while your boss is on her honeymoon. You should negotiate for at least an extra piece of cake.” “Perhaps,” said Steve in the noncommittal tone that he usually used to answer suggestions he promote himself. “She has done worse for me.” He studied Miss Americana across the table, thinking of Gina back at their house, alone in the basement but for her machines. They might never have an occasion like this - but they had this, and that was fine. “I will not linger long here. The images have been made, the compound is well-guarded, and my place is elsewhere.” He squeezed her hand again, his dark, scarred hand against her immaculate pale one. “But I have not yet danced with the most beautiful woman here.” “No, but from the way her new husband is glowering at anyone who tries, I think you’ll be better off with me,” she quipped with a diplomat’s smile. Rising from the table, she took his hand and led him toward the dance floor. “No bad dreams tonight, okay?” “Let them be forgotten - in pleasant memories.” No one would ever mistake Miss Americana and Steve Murdock for a normal couple - but on the dance floor that night, arm-in-arm and cheek to cheek, they were who they needed to be - and that was enough.

"Your hands are lovely," Dimitri assured her grandly, patting hers as they headed inside the bar. "Petia! You old war horse, what are you doing hanging around with giant Englishwomen? Have you a collection?" They embraced, briefly, and bestowed cheek kisses - DImitri careful not to linger too much on old bones. There was rapid-fire Russian around the bar as Dimitri took his seat at the bar itself, the dusty old place adorned with mementos commemorating the Red Army in both its Soviet and Russian flavors. It was the sort of theme bar that might have already been colonized by hipsters if the bar itself had been in a better neighborhood. "So, never did ask," said Dimitri, fumbling around in his parka pockets. "Petia lets me get away with things in here because we are old Russian companions. You mind if I smoke?"

Okay, let's have Phantom be up.

"But I was going to be shot by steamjets!" declared Frost mournfully, his accented voice booming as he spread his arms wide, making a great show and spectacle of himself. "Do you know how nice that is?" he demanded, turning from soldier to Jack of all Blades to captain to general, as if describing some terrible personal sacrifice. "The really hot stuff, like shoving face into live boiler! Or maybe red-hot bullets, just passing through like little kisses. it's just so nice! And so much easier than it is for you people here." He sighed, turning away dramatically. "Very well, Bombshell, we will do as you say and take the side route. But if anyone gets shot, I hope it is me."

If someone had clearly been able to perceive Woodsman in the darkness, they'd have seen the round pupils and heard the steady breathing - the same reflex that had taken him months earlier in training when he'd 'killed' Dr. Metropolis. You see me. You see me. "Hey! Hey!! I'm over here!" yelled Riley, catching the attention of more shadow creatures before firing another bolt loaded with noxious chemicals at his feet, the cloud blocking the gaze even of the shadow creatures. Running backwards out of the cloud, Riley spun and fired a bolt directly upwards - this one attached to a line hooked to his belt. When the bolt hit the heavily-secured steel above, Riley began climbing upwards, leaping from window to window, using the line for guidance in the dark more than actually supporting his weight.

Woodsman: Standard Action: fires his Obscure to cover the retreat of the remaining students on the quad. Move Action: switches to his movement arrow and begins ascending the side of the dorm.

Dimitri stared at Klara, throwing his arms wide. "Do...you just loiter around every Russian bar in this damnable town all night?"This is what they teach you in that London of yours." It was as friendly as he was likely to get with Klara. "Volcanic, the famous Warrior Woman. I know her from old times in Great Patriotic War." He made a grand gesture between the two women. "Klara, Volcanic is my associate. We are here for...well," He looked up at the bar, then over at Volcanic. "...what do you think, you want to try some drinks?" he offered to Volcanic, gesturing up at the seedy-looking bar that Klara had just departed. The best way to be normal is to be normal, he thought to himself. The Night Witch over the door was clear as a bell to him in Russian. "You like the bartender, she is ruddy-faced old woman. Don't worry, you set anything on fire, we blame it on British embassy party."

Lacking Tiamat's sense of self-preservation, as well as being considerably more sturdy when it came to surviving physical assault, Comrade Frost swarmed up behind the monstrous man as a cloud of icy frog, wrapping featureless limbs around that hideously warped torso and clinging on. The temperature dropped, and dropped fast, as he grappled Shkin, icy crystals spreading over the foul fluids on the man's body in a way that was unpleasant to look at - much less be part of. But Shkin didn't like it, and Dimitri pressed harder, feeling skin begin to turn cold at his touch as the first stages of hypothermia set in. "/See how you like that, you disgusting man-monster!/" he declared in guttural Russian.

That hits! http://orokos.com/roll/402168 Okay, let's call that a staggered and dazed. Take an HP, HGM!