Supercape

1d20+7=11 for the Mess 1d20+6=18 for the Hound. Harry is going to catch Chen, Freddy is going to boost

1d20+5=23 for da Mess! 1d20+11=23 for da Hound! How about that!

NPC "Now that is interesting..." muttered a pale Hound, reaching for his cigarettes, and stuffing into his numb lips without lighting it up. And terrifying... "And not, I must add, particularly good for my nerves" he continued, his eyes shifting left and right even as he spoke. "So what's the word then? are they fighting over her? The gang's might have some sort of code of honour, but they don't hold back from a good turf war when the mood catches them, that's for sure. Are they working together or is this some kind of crossfire we have walked into?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady. One thing's for sure, if we got wind of them, they have got wind of us. Which means we need to close this case as soon as possible... "And did they have any luck in finding her?" he added hopefully.

GM The master wafted to the ceiling of the burning prison, his form flickering with ember and heat. "This is not without regret, child. I see now that you were my greatest creation. The balance between the insane passions of Nora and the bleak emptiness of the Lady. Perhaps, one day, I can recreate that potent mixture. I hope so, to lose you causes a vexation that borders on the pulse and heart that I wish to reclaim!" he said, his voice remaining cold but flecked with the merest hint of emotion. "Yes, yes, I can feel the shade of my heart now. How vile the fates are, to give me this shadow to grasp at, destroying the only thing that will move me! enough! enough! I spit at you, fates! I will make my own destiny!" With a wail of remorse, the gaseous form of the Master wafted away, through the solitary grilled air duct in the centre of the cellar.

Hot! Revenant 4 HP - Injured So Revenant has an action now, and the Master has effectively escaped in normal muahahaha fashion (albeit with melodrama). We can drop out of combat, but for each round/action after Revenants next one, fire damage as above. The air vent, by the way, is easy enough to rip open, but its an escape artist check to squeeze through. The ceiling is quite high (about 10 foot) but I think Rev is strong enough to jump up that high?

As we are about to shift time / dimensions whatever - to clarify are EH and YB going back to present day FC? (Broken Crow will of course stay in the past). Also in terms of the future, Lorenzio Vile and Malaise are still active. DO you wish to weave them into the present again?

NPC Harry slammed the phone down in a cold fear. Something about Mr. Chen's voice set a chill down his spine. It didn't, he conceded to himself, take much to frighten him. But that's why he was still breathing. "Freddy, get yourself half descent. Put a shirt on for Christ's sake" he said to the bare chested pugilist who was playing hoop. "Or at least a damn T-shirt" he added, not wanting to aim too high. "We got a meeting with Mr. Chen. And my nose is twitching. This could be a lead, my friend. Also, it could be a sneak attack by a horde of ninja's. So keep your eyes peeled and watch my back!" he snapped as he tossed the keys of the Caddy into his hand and revved the engine. "Ninja's? Cool!" smiled the Mess as he climbed in, cracking his knuckles. "You and I have very different idea's about what Cool is" replied Harry as they sped off. "I don't consider it cool to have a poison dart in my neck or a flashy sword in my chest" he muttered.

"I did something?" said the two Rene's in perfect union. His memory was not perfect after so many years, but one thing he wouldn't forget was the young man and Gallia when they met for the first time. "If I recall correctly, I was manipulated and deceived at every turn!" he retorted, indignant with rage. "Even if had the ways to bind you, even if you could be bound, I was barely out of youth. No, I was your pawn, not the other way around...make no mistake, I trusted you not, and do not trust you still, but I had neither the will or inclination to bind or chain you!" He thought back. The painting...could it be? Something burned in his memory. Something he felt buried. Something at the edge of his consciousness...

Supercape raised both eyebrows in shock as Azel disappeared in shock, in what he strongly suspected was a flirtatious move. He sat down, his forcefield flickering out of existence, and took a deep breath. "I'm not sure I particularly like her either" he answered to Trigger. "And I trust her even less. What disturbs me is the ease in which she seems to create and close dimensional anomalies in the blink of an eye. That, sir, is not safe. " He turned his eyes to Trigger. "I don't know what kind of mess you and your partner have gotten into. But you helped back there. Know this, I would like to help you get out of it. I don't much mind what kind of crookery or shady dealings you have dined on, but this is a lot bigger than any minor skullduggery you may have engaged in" He paused and gave a look to Trigger. "So I'm going to ask you what you know about this creature!"

Freddy lead his dog, or perhaps, more accurately, his dog lead him, at a brisk pace down towards Highway 6. There were a few too many people on the walkways to risk an open conversation. Instead, Freddy talked to the mutt and the mutt gave some rather astute growls in response. "Looks like we got ourselves a trail!" said Freddy gleefully as they trotted along. Woof! "I heard of the Riveter guy. Genuine one-hun-dred per-sent bad guy" he drawled, picturing a slug out in his head. Freddy wasn't one to back away from a fight, and brimmed with confidence at the thought of some pugilism, but that didn't mean he was over confident or unrealistic. Slugging things out often got nasty, and even for him, it hurt. "Kinda guy I'd like to knock off the street, y'know?" Woof! "So I guess he got in coming. You and me, we can take him out!" he said, punching a fist into a palm. Woooooooof? Woof and woof? "Heads up, partner! he we are!" he finished as they walked into town...

NPC With an almighty bark, Harry woke up with a bark. Damn, I have to work out how to stop that he thought to himself with utter futility. He hadn't managed to stop in forty years. Working his away around the maze of Mr. Zhou and Mr. Ling was not easy. His head hurt but he managed to piece together the basics. Not that it helps. Another god-damn mystery. Still, at least I know what the old man looks like now. Not just a mystery shadow in Hong Kong. He studied the picture of Mr. Zhou carefully back at the barn, whilst the Mess prepared a steak for the both of them. Freddy wasn't a good cook, but he knew how to make a good steak. Seeing as the lump knocked back several of them a week, he had got good just from practice. Dude must be seventy or more. Possibly older. Must have had our little runaway when he was, what? fifty? at least. Well, I have to hand it to the guy... Harry drummed his fingers on the desk. He felt the pieces falling into place, but for the life of him he couldn't stick em together quite yet. Maybe he was just tired. Or frustrated. Or both. "I'm calling it for tonight, Freddy. Can't think straight and short on inspiration. I need a clean head, and that ain't coming without some proper shut eye in my own bed!" he called out.

"To France" replied Rene, downing the wine. He was now feeling frankly drunk. He would not be falling over, but he felt warm and slowed. It seems that it is not just me that the spirits of the ages have sent to this place. A priest too. But I will not jump to assumptions - there are always wheels within wheels, and webs within webs... "It seems then that we are both ensnared in fate" he replied. "And, I fancy, more than one strand has woven us together today. I thank fortune that I ran into you today, or visa versa" he smiled. "Now, you are more wise to the ways of the land here than I, stuck in Paris. Tell me, could we penetrate this mystery together? our course is not clear, but not acting is an action in itself - and normally an unwise one. Could you take me to the Hautpoul manor?"

OK, given we have a bit of time, Harry is going to try and pop to the library and do some research on Mr. Zhou. Taking 20 on knowledge checks: Knowledge (Civics) result of 25 Gather Info: 22

NPC Harry stroked his stubble. He was hardly the most regular shaver in the world, so a little grey flecked facial hair in the morning did not bother him. He felt a bit dirty, and even odorous. But nothing that would kill him. If anything, he looked more crumpled than normal. Freddy beside him stretched, yawned, and started doing some press ups to warm himself up. "Now that is interesting" commented Harry, studying the picture. "A copy. Something tells me our mysterious benefactor knows more than he is letting on..." Ok, he was suspicious, but it was his job to be suspicious. And, on more than one occasion, it had saved his bacon. "Why didn't he have an original of his daughter?" he asked aloud. "I think I might try and look into this guy..."

NPC "I'm the guy that's gonna take all your money tonight, pal! hehe" chuckled Harry, opening up his palms. "No no, seriously..." he added, slouching onto the wall in a serious, and seriously crumpled, posture. "We are here to enjoy the fight, you know? Nothing like the thrill of the gladiator is there? We may pretend we are civilised and all, but you know, at the end of the day, we are animals at heart, am I right? or am I right?" He hoped the sweat on his brow was not to obvious, or if obvious, not to incongruous. "I have myself a champion!" he said with enthusiasm, bending a thumb over to Freddy, who frowned at the thought and the implication. "And we would like to earn our selves some top dollar in the ring!"

Actually, it was Bloody Nora (Mess is someone quite different )! This arc has been developed by myself and TiffK for quite some time - the Master (who created Rev) is a vampire, a scientist and a magician. He has been experimenting on ways to manipulate death and life, and create something with the strength of the undead and the heart and soul of the living. His three major creations, Nora, Revenant, and Lady Stone, are - whilst undead, not technically vampires, they are more like experiments. In other words, we pretty much fudged the whole issue. Which is the best thing to do, leaving it open for whatever plot device is needed in the future. Personally I think vampirism should remain a reasonably permanent thing for the rank and file, with various plot devices about reversing or altering it. This leaves it open for more stories.

Sorry for what? STunt is fine! Heraldo - 2 HP - Fatigued Ill say there are twenty swampies out there for now. To keep this simple, Ill say that 15 run (a will save of +0). Post away.

NPC "What do you think, Freddy?" asked Harry, turning to his partner. But his friend had already slumped onto a chair, head rolled back, and a low rolling snore came from his nose. He couldn't resist a little chuckle. "Well, I guess we are going to take a nap here then Lance. Leave you to your thing" he smiled. "To be honest, I could do with a sleep before I get behind the wheel of the Caddy once again. I know you burn the midnight oil, but I'm getting too old to pull all nighters any more" he sighed, feeling his age. He was in good health for a man of forty five, but he sure looked his age. "Having said that, I have slept on enough sofa's in my time..." he said, stretching out and kicking of his shoes. He shut his eyes with ease, feeling sleep come upon him. "Wake me up if you find anything" he muttered, before he settled into a slow drift to sleep.

GM Silence hit the crowd just as hard as Crimson Tiger's fist. Knuckles lay sprawled on the floor, out cold in front of her. A cheer, slow and soft at first, but accelerating to a din, came from the old dockers. The thugs looked angry. Angry and drunk. For that matter, so did the old dockers, who, now emboldened by the impressive victory of Crimson Tiger, started advancing - with some caution but much deliberateness against the thugs of Knuckles O'Hagan. "Take our jobs, would you?" "You ain't dockers. You are just low life scum...." The air sweated violence. There was going to be a royal rumble between the two dozen men, and Crimson Tiger was in the middle...

No worries, RL hit me with tons of busy stuff too! I think awaiting your IC post?

1d20+4=9 KNOCKOUT!

Isnt she vulnerable to fire?

"My thanks to you to, my good master of foods and wines!" bowed Rene, warming to the creature despite his initial suspicions. He sidled up to the King of Suits, and muttered in a voice tinged with excitement. "So, war it is then?" he asked. "I have not the taste for it myself. On our realm, it is a thing of blood and horrors. Here, however, it may be different. They sing, it seems, a different tune..." He pressed his fingers to his temples, considering what the chef had said. "Now then, it seems that the various parties here are not under one banner. Well, certainly not the lord and his little pet spider's. I have to say, my friend, much as I abhor war, uprisings have a certain nobility to them. Well, we are French are we not? perhaps a little French liberty to the servants and the crushed here might work in everybody's favour, hmmm? what say you? perhaps we may find some allies in the gutters and the cellars of mighty castles?"

1d20+10=20 Flat footed!

NPC Harry sank even further into the chair he had been offered, fighting a yawn and taking a comprehensive swig of coffee. "Lance, you are a star and a gent, as always" he said, saluting the man with his mug. "Freddy, my friend Lance here is a master with this. Nobody I would trust to do a better job!" "How long do you need, Lance?" he asked politely, as a yawn hit him with a sneak attack. "I'm beat. I could shut my eyes and drift off here, to be honest. It's been a long day, and coffee can only keep you going for so long..." Even Freddy looked a little sleepy at this point, he noted.