KnightDisciple

"Both sides are good sides." Corbin's eyes twinkle with mischief at that statement, though they don't leave the game. He continues to sit cross-legged in the air, not even noticing the effort needed to do so. He grunts each time he or Erin scores, but is rather quiet while he plays. It's clear he's got more practice, but not by a large margin. Likely he's been busy for a couple months. When he wins, he can't help but briefly manifest a "#1" in the air above him, before nodding at Erin's question. "Sure. Maybe the football game will live up to this game's excitement." He meanders over to check on Quo-Dis and Trevor, his legs having unfolded and touched back down in the meantime.

Gabriel narrowed his eyes as the wretched Grue swarmed him and tried to strike. They were still shaken by his earlier condemnation, though, and none were able to touch him. He moved like water around their strikes, his eyes evaluating the situation. He grimaced as the android Captain was shut down. "Enough." He floated to the ceiling, disdaining the ground and the rabble beneath him. His voice rang clear in the room. "Fleur, Knight, if you would be so kind as to take care of the rabble, I will cut the head off the snake." He pointed his spear toward the fleshy Captain, and a lance of sonic energy flew into the alien's body, enormous energy slamming into his enemy all at once.

Hm. GK and Fleur are better at AOEs. Move Action: Float up to the ceiling, clearing my line of sight if not getting me out of melee range. Free Action: All-Out Attack 2: Defense +10, Attack +14 Power Attack 2: Attack +12, Toughness Save up by 2 Free Action: Switch Sonic Control to Blast Standard Action: Attack the Grue Captain! 21. That succeeds by 1, if he's still got Defense +10. DC 29 Toughness Save!

Okay, so, tough situation! Can't just break it as-is, can't slip out with Escape Artist. Looking at my current sheet, I'm thinking a Stunt is the best way to go. Unfortunately, I lack books at the moment. :? That said, I'm thinking a Teleport Stunt, with the fluff of "shifting to the ethereal plane". Would that be kosher?

I'll pre-roll Notice and Sense Motive, and add anything else I think might work in an Edit. Notice: 19 Sense Motive: 18 ...Well, good thing the bonus is good...

Well, SCIENCE!, or something vaguely like it! So, I was trying to figure out how to do this, and rather than clutter up Character Building, I've put this here. My next project after my "team of Midwest Hero NPCs, and their Rogues", is going to be some builds. Specifically, Transformers! "But KD!" you say. "But KD, there are so many! And there's like 15 billion versions!" you say. "This is true!" I say. But I have a solution! I have a vision! Specifically, I'll be using Generation 1 Transformers to guide the builds. Because I'm old school , and because those old figure cards (and occasionally the cartoon!) gave us some nifty powers to work with. Now, the first build will be Soundwave. Soundwave superior. But after that, it's up to you, my fellow forumites! Here's how we'll do it. I'll let this here thread simmer for a few weeks; probably until the 2nd week of October or so. Then, I'll tally up all the votes as best I can. In the meantime, everyone gets to vote once. Use the above list/link, and pick 5 Transformers. The top 5 votes will get builds. After those builds, any other votes will get built in descending order by vote #, and as I have the will/Energon. Now, Vote, and Roll Out!

Uper-Diplomancer Mode, Activate! Power of: +20 Charisma Bonus! Shape of: +20 Diplomacy! Combine with Skill Mastery! Form! Diplomacy Check! 50! That's in the conversation in the office, if it's not clear.

Gabriel nodded his thanks to the security guard. "My thanks, sir." He continued in thoughtful silence until they reached the office. He waited until Wave-Eye was inside, then closed the door. A slightly sad look crossed his face as he spoke. "Ma'am, we know about what's going on here. We're here to help. One Mr. Morris was being accosted by a gentleman of dubious legality a few blocks away. Once I'd settled that dispute with some diplomacy, I asked him what had brought about the confrontation. He explained that your company has been beset by persons of ill repute, low character, and rather more ability than the average man or woman. I'm choosing to think the best of you, that you're in an impossible situation and have simply tried to survive what is likely no small number of threats." He smiled then, and made a quick sweeping gesture. "I'd like to help you with all of this, as would my companion, Wave-Eye here. All we require is whatever information you have on hand. If worse comes to worst, I have friends I can call for help who can, shall we say, level the playing field. But the first step must be yours." He sat down in a free chair, folding his hands in his lap and waiting patiently for Mrs. Scallop to speak.

16+6=22

Gabriel doesn't visibly react to the negotiator's words. Inside, a part of him is actually sad. 'I feel like I could end this without violence...But the hostages are more important right now.' He cleared his throat after a moment, speaking in the same friendly tones. But something was off as the negotiators listened. But it was just a sense of some undercurrent in his speech, nothing they could feel. "You seem like a reasonable man. To a degree, I can see where you're coming from about some of your worries. That you're willing to compromise speaks to your character. Sadly, it doesn't matter. None of this matters. You realize, of course, that even just sitting here, I'm just humoring you, yes? You know I could probably lay out half your force, by myself, in less than a minute? Even if you hurt the hostages, it would just make me mad. And of course, I'm not alone. I have many of Freedom City's finest here with me. Wouldn't it be easier to give up? To just give in and let us take you in, with no fight? That's the more reasonable and humane option, isn't it? Instead of fighting all of us and losing anyways. This makes you seem reasonable. Fighting just makes you hated. You're already so despised. Why make it worse? Just sit there and let us cuff you, and it will all be over. Fighting isn't worth it, is it? No, no it's not. You'll just lose in the end." The words were odd to the negotiators. To the OVERTHROW agents sitting in front of him, Gabriel's words had the weight of a mountain. They crashed down like a mighty wave, driving down against their courage, conviction, and confidence. His voice ground against them, shoving resignation and despair into the deepest parts of their mind.

All the OVERTHROW members in front of Gabriel need to make a DC22 Will Save vs Emotion Control: Despair.

"Hello! Well, if at all possible, I would like to request to speak with Mrs. Scallop. Nothing serious, just a few questions. I like to keep my ear to the ground here in Southside. One of your employees was accosted on his way home, and I helped him out of his sticky situation; Mr. Morris is fine, just giving his statement to law enforcement.. I thought she'd like to know the details, and I can see if there's something I can do to prevent future issues along those lines." Gabriel was calm and confident. He hoped the man at the door was a regular guard, and not someone from this villain group "undercover". Still, if he was, the hero in white felt he had a good chance of things...

"So long as all they're doing is escorting said individuals out, that seems an entirely reasonable request to make." His sidelong glance to his fellow negotiators indicated he was sincere in that statement, and didn't wish for things to escalate yet. "Though I feel you're over-selling some of your points. While this city certainly isn't perfect by any stretch, I think many of those who work as city servants, such as the people in City Hall, genuinely want to help. Many of these so-called greedy people you accuse of only wishing to exploit the man actually do much good. Miss Americana, for instance, not only keeps Archetech, a company that employs thousands just here in Freedom City, running, but she also works hard on developing new and better prosthetic devices for anyone and everyone. We have more than one charitable foundation made possible by people such as this. Are there greedy people and exploiters of the masses? Most certainly! But I think it hasty to try tearing down so much, so soon. I'm a cautious man by nature, and I like to examine all the angles. Still, if you spend too long dwelling on the negative, I can see how it would stir a fire in your belly." He gave the man a sympathetic smile. "As for my fellow heroes, I think you overestimate what's acceptable not only to the law, but even among our own community. I myself theoretically hold the power to take lives, but I don't. This is true of all but a very few, and those few are not looked upon kindly by the rest of us. We all feel a responsibility not only to the citizens of this city, country, and planet, but also to the law itself. We work in a very gray area already, after all. The ones who are truly irresponsible enough that harm comes to the innocent are not left to their own devices. As for fighting those rebelling against the "loathsome laws"..." Here he shook his head with a sad expression on his face. "Mostly I find myself confronting those who seek to keep the less fortunate of this city in a state of misery. Whether they push illegal poison on our people, or threaten them with harm to gain temporary monetary advantage, these people are the ones harming and exploiting the people of Southside most often. Rarely have I encountered anyone claiming a more noble goal like your group is. Usually they're just claiming, with no thought for their fellow man. And in the face of that, you have people like myself and others, blessed with power and skill that set us above the rest. We could, perhaps, sit in our homes. But instead we go out and use what we have to help others. Whether the power is divine or hellish, earthly or alien, technological or terminus-based, I think the important thing is what those people try to do with those powers, don't you? Surely you can find some sympathy in your heart for those of us who simply want to go out and make the world a better place with our own two hands, whether we hide our birth face and name or not?"

"To whom much is given, much is required. Words in the Scriptures I follow, and generally good words to live by. I've been generously gifted, but I should be generous in return. As for why? Because, while I can't fully understand Him, I can to a degree. And He wants us to. It's not a one-way street by any means." He smiled at the thought, but his face shifted to alarm when Wave-Eye fell. The triton caught himself before Gabriel's aid was needed, but perhaps it was best to focus on the matter at hand. He took his bearings and slowed to a stop a couple buildings down, waiting for Wave-Eye to stop as well. He pointed as he spoke. "Over there. We made good time. Looks like they caught Morris pretty quickly. Best to keep your guard up; no telling how many of them are in there, or how strong they might be. Hm. I'm not terribly good at stealth myself. Might be best to just walk up to the front door and knock."

Gabriel seated himself last among the negotiators, keeping the polite smile on his face the whole time. He masterfully buried the anxiety he felt, knowing how many lives depended on him right now. He locked that worry away and focused on the task at hand. He didn't even nod to acknowledge the advice from the negotiator. "Well, obviously we're all a bit tense right now. Perhaps instead of doing everything at once, we can do this in stages? Here's my request: Any hostages who are injured, have diabetes or some other chronic condition, disabled in some way, expecting mothers, or otherwise might need to be seen by a doctor and free more directly and urgently than the others, release them. Perhaps a few more, such as the eldest staff. Certainly no more than a quarter of who you currently hold; I don't expect more than that to fit the criteria I laid out." He shifted a bit in his seat, getting comfortable. "While that's going on, perhaps we can discuss the nature of your grievances with how this city operates, and who you feel may be qualified replacement candidates?"

"Well, it was more the idea of "put a coin in, pull a lever, get something out", but that works too. My point was that, for me, it's not about "give Prayer 1 for Result A" or some such. It's about communication and relationship. That's what it's always been about with Jehovah. Even when things were...stricter..prayer was always welcomed and even encouraged. I can't imagine being struck down for praying." He managed not to say 'it sounds horrible', but the implication was there. At the question of power changing him, he was silent for a bit. "Somewhat. Mostly it's given me a much broader sense of responsibility. Before, I was just an "average" person whose highest goal was to help people in rather mundane ways. Now I'm part of the Freedom League, and I daily end up saving lives. But my power could be misused, so I constantly check myself to make sure I'm not misusing it. It's a burden, but it's one I bear gladly."

"Right, I'll be sure to keep them talking. Everyone, stay safe out there. Maddicks, you let me know if things change. This is your show, I just want to help." Gabriel had heard a bit of the mans' reputation, and wanted to make sure to keep his feathers un-ruffled. There were hostages to worry about first. ------------------------------------------- Gabriel kept pace with the rest of the negotiation team, his spear nowhere to be seen. His white coat flapped a bit in the breeze as he strode forward, his simple presence radiating calm, confidence, and compassion. When the OVERTHROW agents stepped out, he raised his hands a bit in a gesture conveying both "I come in peace" and "I am unarmed". He gave them a warm smile and spoke with a friendly tone. "We come to you in peace, gentlemen. Please, there's no need to point guns at us. We wish only to talk with you for a bit. You understand, of course, that one of our primary concerns is the safety of those inside the building. The hostages, yes, but also your people. I do not wish to see any blood shed this day. Now. Obviously we simply cannot give you everything you want at the drop of a hat. Perhaps we can take some time now to discuss how we can both get what we want in a reasonable manner and timeframe?" He wasn't quite lying; he was going to discuss how they could arrange things. He just wasn't planning on actually giving it to them...

Switching Gabriel's array to have Charisma 50 and +20 Diplomacy. Using Skill Mastery on Diplomacy, for a total check of 50.

"Okay, wow. That was both really exhausting, and a total rush, all at once." CT bent down and calmly slipped the Orange Ring from the man's finger, placing it in a pocket on his armored belt. The man's orange glow faded, leaving him in severely anachronistic garb. "Well, at least he didn't age super-fast or anything. Though...I don't really know where we should put him. He's...he was good, once. I got flashes of it while we struggled. He's centuries old. He found that thing and at first, he used it to try to protect his home. Something went wrong, and...well." He gave a vague wave at the 4 unconscious men on the ground, and the severely damaged wilderness around them. "This. Makes a guy wonder sometimes..." He shook his head after a moment's contemplation. "Right, so. Sorry our little meeting got interrupted, but on the plus side, I think I've got some good ideas on what to do, now."

GM Post Then there was a flash of orange light and a roar of noise. Cobalt Templar was thrown back with a cry, and something like 30 spectral cavalry made of orange light suddenly charged Nick and Midnight, driving them back and worrying them a bit with their mostly-solid weapons. The attack was powerful, but clearly made to just separate them from Cobalt Templar; a few moments after the charge stopped, they were surrounded with orange stone on 3 sides and above them, with a wall of faintly orange glass let them look upon the Bearer of the Orange Ring as the walked slowly toward CT, who was just getting up from where he'd been thrown on the ground. "You mock me, but you don't even know the true nature of my power! You think those blows were enough to fell the likes of me?" The Man in Orange now wore ancient-style clothing and, instead of "armor", was merely sheathed in roiling orange flames. He raised a hand, and a finely-wrought two-handed sword appeared. "Now I will kill you and take your ring." He raised the blade before bringing it down in a brutal swing....Which was met by a matching sword of blue fire. Cobalt Templar grit his teeth as he slowly stood, his feet sinking into the earth a bit as he fought against the incredible surge of strength. Their auras flared, and after a few moments, the sword constructs were abandoned for two ring-bearers grappling with one another, neither gaining any ground, the earth around them burning and heaving in turn. Something in their rings was reacting to each other, and soon a column of burning stones swirled 10 feet in the air above and around them. This went on for a couple of minutes, until suddenly the blue flames flared up and consumed all the stones, and CT head-butted the orange ring bearer. He fell to the ground again, bonelessly, and the construct around Midnight and Nick dissolved in the breeze that had been kicked up. The small clearing was basically ruined, but the fight was won.

Cobalt Templar gave a sigh of relief. "Man, I'm glad that's over. Even if he was sorta stupid and crazy, he was kinda tough." He walked over to the downed man in orange, before turning to face the others a moment. "Give me a sec, I'm going to get this ring off him so we can take him into custody and such. Of course, it's all the more reason to get this place set up sooner rather than later..." He crouched down and reached for the man's ring...

Gabriel nodded at Crow's estimates and plan. "Distraction I can do, as well as hitting him when he realizes what's going on." After the boy disappeared, he took a moment to center himself, before stepping out and striding up to the warehouse, stopping about 20 feet away from the entrance. The air shifted, and suddenly there was something a bit different, something that would make people sit up and take notice when he spoke... "Hey! Cobweb! Are you in there, Cobweb? Or did you have to run back home to clean Titania's sheets again? Or are you running errands for Puck these days? I'm sure you're busy working hard for the real fairies, but could you spare a moment of your time?" He crossed his arms with a smirk, waiting for a response.

Uh, TK? The bit that 'looks like this' is Gabriel thinking, not speaking. That's why it's in italics and a single quote, not regular font and a double quote. He's not insulting her, but he did need a second to process someone whose costume was "OMG UNION JACK!". What with him being a bloody Irishman and all. ;)

FYI I've got another post or two coming IC, just short on time right now.

GM Post The man in orange energy cried out as Nick struck him with his ectoplasmic talons. His armor was torn asunder, and he staggered back, falling to his knees for a few seconds, at which point his confused voice all but whispered out his next words. "But I...should have won...had the power...the knowledge...surprise..." With that, he fell backwards, sprawled on the ground. His armor started dissolving, bit by bit, and his breathing seemed to slow to that of a sleeping man...