Supercape

GM "You can call me Isabella" purred the woman, who was somehow warm and cold at the same time. And..crying. "I am an artist, Senor. I do not make much money, but I am good artist. My husband, beautiful man as he was, was not happy with us being poor. He worked for the Rosa gang. You have not heard of them, from America, I guess. The Rosa gang have fingers in every street, and higher. Gambling and Prostitution are their food. And they make mucho moolah on Carnival day. They smile like everybody else, but for different reasons, you understand? Dont cross them, or they make you smile all the time..." She indicated a slice across from cheek to cheek. "They killed my husband in there. Much as a like to kill them, they have my sister, who..works for them..." she spat and looked inside La Rosa Club. "Senor, I tell you this to warn you. Enjoy Carnival, do not think of the sad faces today..."

GM Meanwhile, by Erik... A modern electronic band was playing by Erik, blasting out music that was alternately sublime and awful, and was accordingly accompanied by enthusiastic cheers and muted cheers, Even in a party, Erik had a detective's nose. There was something about the bar he passed, "El Rosa", with its chipped painted wood and smokey interior that looked suspicious. He caught sight of a woman dressed rather more fully than others, in a floral dress and scalf, and rather macabre death mask on. She was a deep, luxurious dark skinned beauty, with enveloping holes for eyes and a magnificent black mane of hair. Even with the skull mask, she looked intoxicating and attractive, demure and confident all at once. She swayed up to him, and whispered in his ear. "Sir, don't put your gaze in there. It is only for the dead and the killers" she said in faltering English. "I should know...I broke my heart in there..."

She is off in the crowds before Robert noticed. Finding her will require Search rolls, and of course her Superspeed would be noticed! (The initial notice roll was to notice being pickpocketed!)

GM Meanwhile Robert was accosted by a lady in a swishing rainbow robe and goat mask which revealed more bronzed flesh than one would find acceptable outside of a Carnival or a Beach. She bumped into him, smiled, and gave him a peck on the cheek before swishing off to the beat of some steel drums in a matter of moments, lost amidst the jostle of dancers and revellers that crowded them left right and centre. "My, these ladies do like to err...display their wares, don't they..." said Robert, pulling at his shirt collar and smiling. Despite the heat of the afternoon, he was still wearing a cotton shirt and trousers, and brown shoes, looking like an Englishman in the days of the Raj. He gave Megan a smile. "Of course, I only have eyes for you dear..." he said returning his eyes and gaze to his girlfriend and attempting to copy her dance steps, with limited success - although not, it must be said, without success at all. "I fancy one of those, I'm parched in this heat..." he complained, spying a street stall selling lemonade. reaching into his back pocket. "Oh dear..." he muttered. "Did I leave my wallet back at the hotel...?" he asked patting all his pockets to no avail...

I could put down Steam for this, although he is only PL 9, he fits the description (Diplomatic Status, "Alien", Lots of skills) pretty well.

GM Mid afternoon... The Streets were alive with music, dancing, and parades. And this was only the beginning. This night would last long, with the parties extending to the morning. Whatever noise pollution laws existed where either being ignored or had been suspended. It was not lawless, however, far from it, the police were out in full force, although they were enjoying themselves too, mingling rather than oppressing. Spirits were good rather than foul, and despite the preponderance of alcohol - and, no doubt, other intoxicants - crime was low. Pickpocketing, brawls, etc. But, accidents will happen... Accidents of all sorts! By Tyrone A Latin Band beat up an exceptional beat besides Tyrone, and the crowd, jostling around him exploded into cheers. It was none other than the famous singer Luiza Lego, a woman in her fifties who had lost little of her looks, and none of her charm or voice. A complex and irresistible rhythm belted through Tyrone. And he was surrounded by dancing crowds. He couldn't understand the lyrics to the song, but he had the inclination they were rather saucy, as the ladies who wore some sparkly nothings around him gave a particular cheer and wiggle at certain phrases. One such lady, whose face was obscured by an elaborate feathered gold mask, and whose body was obscured by little more than some paint, string, and ton of confidence, started dancing up to Tyrone. She was full of life but not seductive, just joyous. "Heya!" she smiled "Join in the party, Americano!" she laughed, guessing, correctly, Tyrone was from out of time. "I love Luiza!" she yelled to him over the music and cheers. "Will you dance with me?" she asked, flashing him a grin...

You may of course make some background checks via Gather Information or Knowledge (Current Events) on the Mayor. Its not hugely pertinent, but lets say DC20 to get the basics on him as per IC. Feel free to have some narrative license about exactly how much you know of his personality etc according to your background and knowledge skills etc.

OOC Thread for Graft, Velocity, and Omen run into some partying and problems in RiO, on Carnival night.

GM June 29th, 2013 Mayor Santo was a portly man with a bronzed face that was round and lined. He somehow carried off a magnificent smile and a handsome warmth, and had kept a magnificent lock of white hair on his head that made him look like a perfect mayor - approachable, experienced, warm but with authority. He smoked too many cigars. He drank too much port. He had a reputation with too many ladies. But he was not a corrupt man. That was a bonus. Yet politics was fierce, and he wanted to keep his job. And it so happened, that with the influx of several benefactors amongst the more successful upper class of RiO, and their businesses, he had the money to do it. Sure, every second float would have sponsorship's plastered all over it, but he had put together a city Carnival that would ignite the city this day. His younger - too young - some might say, and pretty - too pretty, some might say - wife, Sandra, came up to lean on his shoulder and comfort him from the stress he endured in the midday heat, as he coordinated with police, ambulances, and a thousand other details. The first signs of music, dancing, and costumes were already hitting the streets, and the smells of street food complimented the sounds and colours. It would be a long day, and a longer night. "My love my love" he said, patting Sandra affectionately, but - it should be said - patronisingly - "Leave me to my work. There will be time for fun later. Now! I must concentrate!" he said, with a smile. Something tickled the edge of his brain. He couldn't put the jigsaw together yet, but as he chomped on a cigar, he had the nagging feeling from various irritations and frustrations, and reports, that something wasn't going quite right...

GM ZZZZAP!!!! A burst of lightning hit right beside the Captain and Blod, setting alight a lifeboat - although at the rate the monsoon was coming down on them, the flames would be quashed in seconds. "Watch out you oaf!" shouted the Captain to the sky. It was no lightning bolt, but rather the powered armor of the Devil Ray, whose motors and servos could be heard whining in the air above them. Seeing him in the rain and dark was another matter, it was like seeing a flying black on black. "You didn't hire me, OVERTHROW did!" came the electronic voice from above them. "We both work for them, remember!" came the stern shout from the mercenary. "You do..." mumbled the Captain, out of Devil Ray's earshot, only audible to Blod.

Devil Ray is Bruised but will swoop down to Fire his Blasts at Blod. 1d20+8=15 which will miss. The Captain has surrendered so will not act. Round 10 25 - Blod - 1 HP 24 - Tsunami - Bruised - Fatigued - 1000 feet away (on coast) - 2 HP 21 - Crimson Tiger - Bruised (at engines) - 4 HP 13 - Devil Ray - Bruised x2 [Captain is Injured and Surrendered] NB: The Storm's effect provides partial concealment to Devil Ray flying above the ship, unless you have appropriate super senses or throw some light on the situation! It is now clear the ship is heading directly for the Naval Base of Freedom City. It is hard to guage the time to destination due to the storm, although the winds seem to be pushing it towards the direction, unfortunately. On that note, can I have a DC 15 Notice Roll from Tsunami. Blod is up

Its a fudgy area but I think lets say its a move action to get to the coast, so she hits the water this round but doesnt make any significant headway. Which means Crimson Tiger is up she is one more round from the engines, so its your call if you want to make another post, Thunder.

GM The Cut caught the man hard, and let blood. He sank to his knees and clutched his chest, the Shotgun fell to the damp wet floor of the Deck and skidded out of sight as the boat pitched and rolled. "I'm done..." he whispered. "I can't fight you, I'm too old..." he said, hoarsely. "Time was, when I was a soldier, I would have given you a run for your money. Time was when I could shoot straight and thrust true. But the years have taken the edge of me, no matter how much I might tell myself otherwise. I'm not a fighting man any more. I've lost my edge..." he said with hard eyes. "But I've still got the fire. I've forgotten more about tactics than you will ever learn. The ship is set for its course. Straight and true. My vengeance will be had, no matter if I die on this ship or see the blaze from the shore...." he said through gritted teeth. "You can't stop it now. The controls are jammed, the engines are on, and whatever power you used to move the waters, it seems to have deserted you..." he said. "I commend your swordsmanship, but I have learned that swords and guns...and even the mighty powers of superheroes are nothing compared to the hands that move the pieces on the chessboard..." he grunted, holding his chest firmly to stop the bleeding.

1d20+8=17 Bruised and Dazed (and hands up!) Tsunami is up, but obviously rather distant!

Carmen raised an eyebrow at the antiquated furniture, and antiquated butler. She gripped the Cantos cane firmly. Tell me I don't see any demons here, Tazel. You don't see any demons here, Master replied the demon in her belly dutifully and to the letter. As helpful as ever, you toad. Snorted Carmen, under her breath, with a hint of a laugh. She hoped Vince didn't here her. "*Ahem* Very clever, avoiding the road" she said ambiguously to Vince before ploughing on hoping to distract him from the meaningless statement. "Have you a family reunion here today? They must be very proud of the famous Rock Star God, eh? Have they always supported you? or are you the wild child of the family?" she started off, beginning the drilling questions.

Cape and Cowl Club seems a useful resource. As does the social thread thing. There has been a little (and largely unfounded) concern in the past about the presence of meandering social threads of rather long length with little actual meaning. I mention this because whilst I think the Cape and Cowl Club is a good idea to get people involved it is important that PCs on this site actually do things, rather than fluff about boosting post counts. I apologise if this sounds blunt, but it is also important to get new players on the right track as well as started.

I'm dressed like a Stiff, for a Stiff... Perhaps she was being hard on him. She thought. She was a wild Rock Chick, he was the other end of the Rock Road. But he wasn't a bank manager. She guessed ten years ago she could have partied with him, maybe even ended up in bed with him. He certainly had the looks of an idol. But now, she felt a pang of sorrow for him. He looked, well, kind of empty and hollow, as if something had been sucked out of him. She shook her head. Maybe she was just seeing things. Rock stars tended to fade. But he was still full of smiles, and eyes for her curves. She had a little pang of regret she didn't wear something a little more low cut. Not too low cut. But enough to glue his eyes to her for a second longer... "Hey, I didn't know I would be interviewing such a babe" she said, curling her lip up one side of her face into a smile as she entered, her stiff limp entwined with the click of the Cantos Cane as she walked. "Some place you got here. Real Gothic Vibe. You moving into emo?" she asked, casually.

Very interesting to have that limited Alternate Form which fades! However, the mechanics may be slightly off, as the fades limitation technically applies whenever you activate the power, which in the case of AF is a bit wonky (as per house rules). The way you write it is like a boost power (personal only, 1 trait, total fade) that applies to the Alternate Form Trait. I guess its being pedantic so excuse that! The major issue I see is that Regeneration from the unconscious trait is expressly forbidden by house rules. Also I dont quite know how you got to 9PP from that...Bruised no action is 3 PP, Unconscious no action is 3 PP (which is forbidden), and Injured and Staggered are both 6PP - that makes 18PP not 9 (although you cant buy the 3PP of unconscious regeneration). Now for a personal opinion, rather than with a ref hat on (although it may well be shared by many). Be aware that having Regeneration from all injury conditions as no action adds a hell of survivability to the character. Unless there is some drawback or limitation to that, you will be functioning at at least 2, and more like 3 or 4 PL's above your apparent PL in terms of defence (there is a good discussion on ATT about this issue). That is no problem, it's just a heads up for you and GM's to add that into the calibration when you discuss things. From my own experience these extreme levels of regeneration can lead to a rather dull immortality feeling unless you are careful. Of course, your built in "Timer" of alternate form is a great example of how to mitigate that issue! Its no surprise, however, that 3E eliminated the "no action" recovery regeneration option.

GM Steed sat down and crossed one luxuriously long leg over the others. She did, of course, quickly glance to check the autopilot was still functioning. At the moment, they were just hovering in a holding pattern. "Well...if I may absolve myself from my shut up status for a moment" she said, winking at Megan. "I found the other fragment from stories just like the one you told. They have sprung to life over the past few months. Ever since..." she glanced at Megan, and decided to stay shut up. "Well, ever since something else gave the signal, I guess" she said, evasively but accurately. "I heard the stories in Freedom City. The Dinosaur for one. And I would take a guess that it was you that flew it out of the park, hmmm? well, the descriptions match..." "Maybe putting the two of them in proximity is sparking them off?" she asked. "Maybe its something else?" she flicked off a glance at Robert. "In any case, I don't pretend I know how these things work. All I know is that I am pretty good at digging them out of the ground. Where was that one buried?" she asked.

Ok I'll say that Carmen is a bit short on cash at the moment due to various demoni troubles she has gotten herself into! so she is trying to play this straight. Tattoo covered (no infernal immunity), for one. If its ok with you she will do a bit of research on Vince first, taking 20 on Popular Culture knowledge for a total result of 30, see what she can find out about him and his music / band / etc.

Carmen killed the engine of her bike which spluttered with ill health. She gave it a friendly kick with her heel. She was pretty sure it needed an overhaul. But what with all sort's of infernal complications - literally infernal - recently, she hadn't been able to pull as much freelance work for Rock Report as usual. Not that it paid well in the first place. So pull this one off properly, Carmen she said to herself. She had dressed as properly as she could. Boots, trousers, a jacket and blouse. She looked half respectable today, and she had even risked covering up the tattoo that ran down her spine. Just for once, lets do this properly...sure she had a reputation as a Rock chick, but she could afford a slight dent in that today, for the purposes of making sure she got the job done properly. "Carmen Cantos, from Rock Report Magazine" she said politely, deleting the yo that her brain added and her mouth omitted. "I've come to see Vince? for an interview? its a wild wild house you have here, mister!" she added, with a smile.

"Hey, if there is treasure, I'm hunting, honey!" she said with a wink that Megan was not entirely sure was directed at her or Robert, or both of them, or possibly even Hronos too. "Look, you may think I am all smiles and bling, but I do know what I am doing here. I have a degree in Archaeology and I have been on more digs than either of you, I think" she said, warmly. Robert could not help but nod. "That's true" he agreed. "Upper second at London if I recall correctly". Steed ignored the jibe. "I have dug up more than most, I can tell you. Even if it because of my gifts. Look, I'm not demanding anything, I just want in on the action. Hronos, where did you get the fragment from? it could lead us to the third piece!"

Done!

As astute as ever, my friend answered Pitch back at her stomach. She full of irritation at Tazel's accurate comment and equally determined not to show it. Instead she stamped her cane down on the ground once more in irritation. The hailstones continued to sting her but many melted and steamed off her face as she breathed fire and smoke. She continued her slow march down to the edge of the Island. Later... Carmen surveyed the scene of the night. She had no doubt that things were bad, and probably worse than bad. She slung the bag on her shoulder back over her shoulder. Kill the flames, Tazel. She smoked down to just her Jacket, Jeans, and Boots. "Ouch Ouch Ouch!" she swore at the cold hailstones. It wasn't much fun without Tazel's warmth. But then, if the crew of the ship had been fighting off demons the last thing she wanted was to look like one herself. Better to tolerate a minute of the storm for the sake of appearances. She marched up to the hut and banged on the door. "Hello? Hello? Is anyone in there? I've come to help!" she shouted.

Re: Penetrates Concealment (Water), that's a real neat idea. However, I think mechanically it may be better represented as a limited selective Penetrates Obscure, Like Low Light Vision for 1 PP? in other words, it stops any notice penalties or partial concealment for being underwater? You could put Improved Pin as a feat of Enhanced Strength if you wished, to tidy it up. Wings often have a power loss (for 1 PP) drawback - if wings are tied or snared. I would wonder about boosting up DEX and maybe acrobatics skill. More comments when crunch is up!