angrydurf

Waves of deathly energy rolled off the avatar of of the final plague sapping strength and vitality with each burst of necromantic power. Phalanx stood battered by the waves and pummeled by the entities assault but resolute, "You will be stopped." he intoned fervently as he pressed in taking the attack to the creature once more keeping it's focus on him not his more fragile allies or the innocents in the city beyond. Unleashing a mighty flurry of blow the paragon battered through the deadly aura his attack perhaps little more than distraction from the real battle that waged still in the hospital room above, but he wasn't about to give up. Even as the necrotic power of this being drove im to his knees he resolutely stood once more bearing the brunt of the creatures fury, "We will not let you do this."

Ace Danger Entrance of the Gladiators Kanunu Down the Unfamiliar Road Ouroboros ToV: Darkness Three Days Long Kick Off: Dark Horse Phalanx ToV: Angel of Death Skin Side Inside Sandman Savant GM ToV: Darkness Three Days Long

They were saved from the doom of Dimitri does small talk by Aces timely return. The door cracked open and Ace emerged face downcast eye's glistening slightly with moisture yet the immortal wore his mask of implacable non-chalance once more. Embracing his aunt briefly he gave voice to what most could already guess. "He's gone." his tone was somber but comforting at once. Stalwart, almost fatherly. When Rachel had gone to inform the family leaving Ace with his friends he turned and tanked them, "I know the dangers and hardships of the journey to bring me back and I won't forget it." Ace said solemnly. He paused a long moment meeting Dimitri then talyas eyes and lied almost seamlessly, "He was gone when I walked in, they don't need to know." he said quietly indicating his family in the next room. What was said in that room that Ace would rather pretend hadn't been was however a mystery yet.

So how many times a round does that toughness go off? Or does it have a touch range aura in addition to the ranged aura that hit everyone on its action? Toughness: 26 fail by six so another injured and dazed now.

Hmmmm. Seems like time for more punching, well probably not but when you have a hammer... Attack roll: 23 I think that misses if for some reason not, DC 33 Toughness.

"Grey Panel van." xavier replied cagily, "That actually pays for parking." he noted as in the dilapidated remnants of the mall that had to be unusual. He nodded to her terms and gestured for her to lead the way, "You can tell me anything pertinent on the way to your burger." he invited and fell in careful step behind her. "The men with the van." he disclosed carefully, "they are probably dangerous." not that danger wasn't a given down here, "But I need to find where they go." he explained not elucidating further. He followed her to the burger stop and payed for her food and an extra serving of fries he positioned on the distressed table within her easy reach ostensibly for himself but the invitation to eat more was clear. "So have you seen anything like that?" he asked quietly as he awaited a response.

I think any thread to introduce the new lineup needs to really be about defining what that team is. They are heavy hitters but what about the team separates them from heavy hitter teams like the Interceptors, or Liberty League. Go too big and it strains credulity that the FL alone steps in (assorted invasion scenarios run into this just from the nature of how big an invasion force really is). Not to mention why the not yet or barely retired A team isn't stepping in for 'one last go'. I think it has been pretty well established that we don't want this tied into a crossover mega-event style thing so perhaps the thread should be more along the lines of a hand off of the "Day to Day" of the Freedom League dealing with major threats that up till now don't usually get attention on screen but are big. That tends toward international and towards lots of power but not alot of organization. Basically a High PL threat on a rampage kinda scenario so the league swoops in and takes care of it, another day at the office. Kaiju threat of beast of Kilimanjaro certainly could qualify. Or set up on of the red threats from Geezers old thread as a recently empowered super that's out of control for some reason. Setting it outside Freedom City explains why a big threat isn't met by more local involvement as well and plays up the world wide scope of the leagues endeavors. Probably open it up with something like the Main league handing over the keys informally as they set up to go give their retirement speeches that evening so the Aux steps up to handle the threat and prove why they are ready to sit at the big table now.

Sandman Probably fits, he's a bit more photogenic than Frost but pretty specialized in his niche and dealing with that niche and non-hero things tends to tie up a significant part of his time.

Choshech Toughness Save: 1d20+12=15 Fail by 15 means, Lightninged! He's down for the count and we're out of rounds.

Round 4 FIGHT! 28 Woodsman (Unharmed, 1 HP)23 Sekhmet (Bruised)22 Nighthawk (Unharmed, 1 HP)19 Set (Bruised, 4 HP)17 Waverider (Unharmed, 1 HP)14 Choshech (Unharmed)7 Ouroboros (Unharmed, 0 HP) Woodsman is up I also updated Set and Sekhmets status As I forgot they got bruised by the animated shadows before and I think those are all correct now feel free to point out if I missed something.

GM A blinded Choshech was driven back by the flurry of blows from the empowered Nighthawk but unharmed it seemed by the searing slashes of her claws. Throwing up an arm to block the vibratory barrage waverider unleashed he snarled, "You shall all PAY for the your insolence!" the shadow man bellowed voice breaking with strain. He swung awkwardly toward where Ouroboros channeled his spell and unleashed a withering blast of shadow in the young magus' direction the bolt of darkness sweeping wide past the dhampirs head seemingly unnoticed under the deep concentration Huang maintained to keep the searing light above him banishing the shadows from the courtyard.

With a challenging snarl Ouroboros met the thief's overconfident gaze the dhampirs eyes flaring with dark power. At the invocation of his inherited power his foe was flooded with the memory of his every sin and failing, every missed shot, every stumble in training, every harsh word from a mentor or classmate, every crime and guilty moment laid bare filling his mind with blind dread, "You can't beat us." he echoed darkly and seeing the thief wilt under the weight of despair redoubled his efforts calling forth a chant of freezing winds a lance of frost forming in the air as the wave of intense cold engulfed the shaken thief.

Hmm Alright then since he's shaken we'll risk a surge: Attack: 28 Which should hit particularly since he's down 2 So DC 27 Toughness save (with a -2 from the shaken status)

ok bluff him into meeting my eyes as a move action: 1d20+6 (+10 if he wants muh body) =19 and standard will be emotion control 10 so a DC 20 Will save vs. Despair.

Chosech tries to attack Oroboros: Miss chance 3 so no go. IC post soonish

While dazed you can take no actions so you can't use an action to maintain a grapple meaning they automatically win if they can take an action to escape while the person is dazed. Since escape is house ruled to a move action though she can do that if her distract is successful.

I'm down.

toughness save: 1d20+12=17 woooo fail by ten So staggered and dazed... ugh HP I guess Reroll: 28 so fine now and out of HP

"Great I get Riley with ADHD and this guy gets the flirty femme." Ouroborus rumbled under his breath as Nevermore grappled with the flirtatious would be thief in more ways than one. Electricity arcing between his palms he sneered at the crossbow wielder, "You think your bolt thrower can save you?" He growled with menace, "I command the very elements!" The dhampir Boomed. With a echoing chant he unleashed another arcing blast at the nimble thief, in hindsight perhaps announcing one's intent was not a great move against a supernaturally speedy foe of course.

Alright then Move Action: Fast Demoralize: 1d20+5=21 *EDIT* Whoop strike that. Can't intimidate after failing. So just the ineffective blastinating then Standard Action: Attack: 1d20+12=20 Oh orokos how I loath you. Probably a miss but DC 27 toughness if it hits.

I think that basic breakdown works though I don't know that we want a main roster and Aux rosters. There also might be some shake up of the Aux group make up as Velocity was main FL while PCs were briefly allowed there and is only under Aux now due to that shift so not sure how in sync that character is with that team. I'm a big fan of PCs building teams themselves to make manageable cohesive groups that complement each other in powers and play/writting style. So I'd say we open it up to have the NPCs as you list them then on an OOC level have players work out teams and focus for those teams to come up with where they fit in if at all. I think the "learning the ropes" type stuff is best handled by team ups and Freedoms Finest style threads than sticking people on the Aux for the sake of sticking them there. Freedom League -Mission Control: Bowman -Support: Johnny Rocket, Daedalus, Doctor Metropolis -Part-Time: Siryn, Sri Montoya, Pseudo, -PC FL Teams -PC Affiliate Teams And getting to Affiliate or FL team status is based on a teams OOC desire then a thread or two to explain how/why (not necessarily with much NPC interaction) to explain it all. I don't find individual membership to the league to be helpful just lead to a pool of people in vaguely teammate status by virtue of not being on a team but without the bonds, shared history, or interdependencies that make a team feel like a team.

Xavier tugged his hat low over his brow as he stepped off the bus into the dilapidated mall of the millennium. Sharply alert he scanned the people he passed as he made his way into the shops. Parking stub means delivery through the parking structure not loading docks, he mused as he tried to map out where the parking access points were located, even here a body or unconscious girl will attract some attention, too risky even for expendables Xavier made his way to the nearest parking access and began to pay particular attention to the people. He'd need a guide, someone capable but not already on the payroll of another gang. Strung out, no gang tats, possible, but risky. too clean, too well fed, new kid runaway from the burbs. Older, limp suggests old injury, shirt is ragged but factory uniform, survivor, Possible less risky. He moved through the area analyzing until he found a likely target and began his approach, "I'm looking for something." he said quietly as he approached, "And someone who knows the area to help me find it."

Choshechs toughness save: 28

Johnny Rocket's backstory covers that his grandfather's speed gave out with age. Carrying that over to Johnny wouldn't be hard. But it's a bit of a tweak to his backstory to do so. Just to toss out some basic ideas of how to move from the current league to the next version we want I'm sure there are options. Hero Fatigue: Thunder retires cus he's old and slowing down. Raven is already heading that way too, could add in Rockets powers flagging to add him to the retire pile. Siren could go back to being a gulf coast hero (and maybe return to prominence in vibora bay?), Pseudo and Sri Montoya go to space. Daedalus and Doc Metropolis focus on recovery and detection/sciencey advisorial roles not wanting to take up a mantle of leadership but being too experienced to really have Bowman or themselves calling the shots. So recruitment is needed. Bowman forms an NPC team with himself as a lead, maybe ties it to the government in some way. Other teams are brought in by the remaining members as equals with focus on a few areas (city, international, terminus related, etc; Bowmans Team probably more like a traditional national team) Pros: Easy just get OOC interest and start to structure a few teams from interested parties that want to work in teams. No big event needed just a convergence of coincidence to bring alot of the current team off scene. Cons: Bowman, Daedalus, and Metropolis don't really have a reason not to just round out the team with a few of the available notable NPCs and keep the status quo. Very hard to imagine Bowman signing up to have a freedom league working for the government He was trained by Archer and the league has always stayed apolitical very purposefully. On the whole this method is easy because we glaze over the parts that don't make sense because they are NPCs. Death of Captain Thunder!: Stratos or a similar old foe of Thunder, (Maybe Typhoon to add international incident to the pot) pushes the line too far or his powers falter and Thunder dies. Either shortly before or thereafter Bolt and some other next Gen maybe Join up. The team is split on how to react with bolt and some of the newer heroes striking out to get revenge on the villain in decidedly Iron Age fashion. Other heroes on the league or PCs stop it before it gets out of hand but Bolt and the younger heroes are in a position of being less trusted and feeling less faith in their own judgement decide to sign up for government oversight. Daedalus and Doc Metropolis don't due to having lived through the moore era and stay on to advise the next batch of PC teams now at vague odds philosophically with Bolt, Bowman, Et Al. Raven, Siren maybe even Johnny rocket retire after the affair comes to a close to leave room for a new generation maybe privately disgusted by the affair. Pros: Clears the slate for PCs and starts a storyline for why things are different than the past while setting up a philosophical rivalry with the "by the book" heroes of the Bowman/Bolt team. Has a certain shock value to shake up the status quo enough that PC's more entrenched in non-Freedom League roles might join up since there are changes in the organization. Cons: More work as it requires an event, thread, or at least vignette style short form story to progress it. The Moore Era kinda covered this ground and as much as retreading stuff popular when editors were kids is in vogue in real comics not sure we want to run that meta ... Puts Bolt and company if a pretty bad light even if they don't seal the deal. The Status Quo!: FL heroes pass the mantle to a protege as they step back. This is most in keeping with Canon as it's what has happened through most of the history of the league. Raven passes off to Nevermore, Sri Montoya to Cavalier, Siren to Nick Cimitiere, Rocket to velocity, and so on. Others interested in the league join the Auxiliary. This is how most of the league changes over the years happen. With occasional additions and swaps. Pros: Very simple and in keeping with how things go in the books. PC's on the team move the FL back more to the forefront for events and day to day both. Cons: Well Only raven has a PC protege. So either people who are a good match retcon or rush a mentorship and there isn't a solid way for those roles to pass again if a player drops off the site for whatever reason or there is a mixed PC/NPC team in name only since they will almost never share thread space. Crisis on infinite flashhpoints! Decide what teams would make good freedom league sub teams (Interest and suitable) then have a world colliding super event where we retcon/ establish those teams into being Freedom League of the reality that comes out of the event. Pros: Fitting canon is easy as we're rewriting it. Stops any past rulings on how League membership works from impeding the present. Easy to make the new form of the league exactly what we want. Cons: Retcon events are lame. Lots of work to rewrite new stuff that may end up having issues when it's done that need another similar event to explain the fixes going in. Retcon events are lame. Did I already mention that? And many more! I'm sure others have ideas. share them! Goals are 1 credible NPC team(can be a FL team or not) that has a good reason to not be on screen much but still impacts PCs socially. Have the (remaining) Freedom League composed of discrete but multiple teams of PCs

I was perhaps using authoritarian incorrectly. I meant more authoritative like respected position of authority than like draconian authoritarian government style. I do like the idea of it being government sponsored/overseen as an explanation for a more conservative approach to crime fighting (meaning, less vigilante style patrols and whirlwind jetting off to foreign climes to fight aliens and monsters, more bureaucratic going through channels) as I feel that really locks in a a team of heroes still doing good but not being on screen as much as the PCs are. I also don't think that a bloodbath is what is called for with a precipitating event. As I elaborated above only Bowman and Johnny Rocket of the starting lineup don't have an alternate role that makes as much or more sense. And sure the simple answer is to have Seven stick around and add in Bolt and Megastar to round out the lineup having Bowman and/or Bolt take on leadership roles. But if we want to change up the Freedom League role in the setting as it seems we do that probably needs more reason in world than a few rotations in the cast of the league. Anyway I like Gizmos ideas for the role the league plays and how to set up the Aux and other league teams. It's just how to address that change and what role the NPCs currently on the league end up taking out of it.