Ari

That's a fact. The Dark Lords are a pretty good short-form "From beyond, Evil!" resource. But the Master Mage is supposed to be dealing with them, not more garden-variety sorts, and unless one just snuck past through some weirdness we're not likely to see one unless we go looking. Though it'd be kind of funny to have the site mages take on that job for a day, as a one-shot. And the Grue are pretty much what you describe actually. More rapacious conquerors than mindless killer monsters though. And most of the time they're busy being the not!Commie Menace in the interstellar Cold War between them and the Lor Republic. That is, of course, because individually they aren't much of a threat, and-I just had a great idea for a possible story, putting this in Story Talking!.

The purpose of the status quo is to provide a clear baseline for everyone involved to be on board with. So we don't also have a huge pile of additional canon for people to sort through so they can understand why everything's happening. Of course, things will have to change sometime, or else we'll start in with even more snide comments about stuff we haven't bothered to move forward. I hear that the Moderation team is setting up some kind of system to better detail how we've diverged since the sourcebook left off in 2005, so let's leave them to it! As for ways to make a broader playing field for higher-PL PCs. One of the simplest ways that would also allow for long-form stories would be "Return to X"-style stories. Where PCs who went to, say, Erde while PL10, go back as PL15 and use their greater power to leave their mark on the place. Stuff like uncovering some terrible secret of the Tyranny Syndicate to weaken their world's obeisance(whatever that word is, something like that), doing something about the mysterious anomalies floating over several North American cities, stuff that might well be impossible to do without that greater ability and support. As for the greater villain supply, that's a great point Knight. Space stories(not using mine as examples, because they were...not good) have a history of either being really anticlimactic or else dying early on for exactly the reason that it's not obvious who the heroes are supposed to be fighting. I'd suggest we come up with general stats for the major powers' ships so we have some kind of "THIS is what these guys can do, mostly" marker. And I need to finish those Khanlets, feel free to let me know how they could be done better, as I'm sure they can. One thing that I disagree with you though Knight is the use of the Preservers as suppliers of post-vanishing foes. I say we keep them almost wholly off the table, even for PL13 or higher, because otherwise we'll end up with a cavalcade of all these relic colliding on Earth at one point or another, which defeats the point of them being mysterious and not leaving many intact traces that they even existed. I thought the Freedom League handled that? Since Earth is still a developing world(especially socially) it's not like they have much to offer the Lor at present anyway, and a S.W.O.R.D-style gang would be up against how very infrequently Earth is as a target of alien conquest compared to most frontier worlds in the Republic, since those are harder to defend and aren't largely concealed. Asteroid mining and Moon bases are very grand, as the Justice League can attest, but I question how much our PCs could really do with them. If they're owned by Lab PCs, then they could easily be a ready source of drama, but not really much more than similar mining facilities here, unless you really go into the hazards of space travel, say with Blackstar attacking a small station that needs to be evacuated before the super-battle. And at the heart of it all, I'm uneasy with the idea of that being the focus of progress. How about some of that Tony suggested? More political or social change being open than at mid-level, where most PCs are starting out. Where higher-powered PCs are increasingly called upon to act as representatives of the super community, or asked to be part of larger endeavors than even most teams deal with. For example, in theory, Gabriel could talk just about anyone willing to listen out of or into almost anything. That seems like something people would want to bring to bear in rather sensitive situations, like maybe ensuring peace talks go well between some warring nations, dissuading dictators from horrible atrocities, and other times where being very persuasive would be just about the best power ever. It seems a little jumping the gun for our heroes to have spaceships roaring around blasting those backwards aliens before they get involved in politics at home, is what I'm saying. I'll write up something to explain why I think that is later. But yeah, Star Khan. That guy and his tactical acumen and legions of warships could use some love, totally.

Osprey had gotten up and stood back from the pods very quickly as the American's mental 'voice' detailed what they were about, his face twisting in a grimace. The obvious question was why. What on earth were the Vanguard thinking when they adopted something like this? Why would they set up a system to- -oh, so that was why. 'Lovely. Been here three minutes, already got stuff trying to attack us' Alden gritted his teeth and reflexively grabbed at the wire bundles on his belt, realizing with a horrible sinking feeling that he was the closest thing to the captured agents, something that wasn't helped by a deluge of memories of sparring with Eileen at the gym 'This is gonna hurt, mates, going up to the rafters!' he added mentally as the let fly with the wires, sending their weighted ends buzzing around the arms and legs of the heaviest-looking agent. "Jasmine! If you've got something that can keep folks from movin', be great if you busted it out here!" he shouted over his shoulder. Then something clinked far above, he saw the weapons beginning to swing out, and he muttered to himself "Aw, **** this night."

She's the first one to appear in the current era, so Centuria would be the second. Also, why is the Super-Strength listed as costing 9PP?

Standard action then.

I am now incredibly tempted to take 1 and automatically fail that roll...but I'll let Invisible Castle do that for me: 25. Go to the depths of Hell, Osprey. And stay there. Initiative roll: 22. Well this isn't going so well... Surprise Round Standard Action: With the tangle-wires(Snare 6), Power Attack(-3 Attack +3 Damage) on the closest compromised agent: 25. Hits, DC19 Reflex save for them. Surprise Round Move Action: Using the Grapple Gun to get up into the rafters. Surprise Round Free Action: Suggest to Catalyst that she use something to restrain the antibodies. If she has something like that, and what are the odds?

Clasping his hands in a silent gesture of thanks, Roi then set to work searching hurriedly for the small leather-bound book that served as the passenger log, overturning as little as he dared(both from fear of the captain's wrath, and not wishing to disturb the more noisome drawers). At her question he glanced up distractedly "What? Oh, yes! Small book, noire leather, it will be someplace easy to find, to make sure we all give him his dues." Nodding at the bulging chest of drawers next to the one he was rifling, he said mildly "Join in, mon ami voleur. Faster than both of us searching the same one." 'Much as that might make it a little more enjoyable' he added internally, settling back into the hasty task of finding that book...

Heraldo let loose an echoing shriek of pain as he felt the fangs close on his ankle, the venom-tipped needles puncturing the hard leather and tearing his flesh...and swung his foot backwards, shaking off the serpent in a flashing arc into the water with an angry bark, his body flaring with the Blue Dame's power. "Finally, some action!" the muscular boy said with a grimace "Wish it wasn't here though, of all places." Turning on the suddenly-roiling water, he whipped the Banner into a ready stance, with the result that his broadly-spaced legs were seized by the coiling plants! Struggling furiously against them, he caught the sound of the approaching crocodile and jumped just in time to feel them break and snap under the attack. Staggering to firmer ground and planting himself, the young paragon took a quick look at the battleground. Seeing Young Britannia in the grip of the water streamers, and held fast by the croc's tail he held the Banner high, letting its light blaze forth. The flying standard of Puerto Rico transformed into a flag as black as pitch, shining rays of primordial terror into the hearts of the beasts. It whispered of the dread of approaching battle, and the menace of a power far greater than theirs, filling them with a desire to flee, and never stop running until they were free of the accursed light! "Not gonna start by beating you up! You're just pawns of Malaise, that'd be a jerk move. But if that's what it takes, that's what's coming!" he called to the animals.

I am sorry for taking so long. Also I should really spend some of those PP Heralodiekarsus has, he's hilariously weak. Using the Emotion Control in the Banner to attempt to instill Fear in the hearts of the Swamp Creatures. DC20 Will save. Move Action to assume the Herald's Charge Container.

There already is a Centuria in canon. Future-Freedom(2050s) has a female Centurion by that name in the League. No physical reason there couldn't be another in this time, but it's worth keeping in mind. The histories are definitely not conflicting though. EDIT: Checking the Worlds of Freedom book, she's the daughter of Centurion from another universe. So yeah, no conflict at all. Also it's the 2040s, my mistake.

GM Soaring through the air, Young Britannia quickly closed the distance even despite her weakness, mostly thanks to the other's great speed. As she lifted off, she heard more than a few exclamations of surprise and excitement from the crowd,mingled with the click of cameras, and just before she was out of range she heard the gleeful shout of "Go Brite Brit!" In a matter of seconds though, she and the approaching figure were face to face. He fitted the description given by the man below with his black & white costume patterned like a chessboard, and from the raised eyebrow and careful once-over he found her an unusual sight. The man was black, surprisingly well-built and clean-shaven, with dreadlocks hanging to his broad shoulders and a friendly grin. Standing on a swirling platform of what looked like black, oily water, he stepped forward on it to offer his right hand, which bore a black glove. "Hey there, sister!" he said warmly "What's a gal like you doin' around here? You lost your way? I'm Castle of the Chessmen, if you need help I'm here to give it!" The Light's whisper grew louder.

Sorry Supercape, I meant that Osprey is 'flagging' their locations and the sensors so the others know where to avoid them. But if you'd rather that's what he was doing, I'll edit my post to reflect that, and edit in a roll here of Disable Device.

They were Unfriendly before her first roll, Indifferent after it, now they are Friendly. She gets their names and home numbers, and they're much more cooperative and less inclined to act against her,.

Aidah had burst out of the van almost as soon as it stopped, smiling with a touch of self-satisfaction at the welcoming committee, putting the hand not resting on her hip to her mouth and hollering gleefully "HELLOOOOO, CLAREMONT! Your new goddess, Sunbeam, has arrived! Prepare yourselves for a neverending summer!" Her voice cut like a blazing sword through the mild pleasantries being exchanged by the teachers and Dakana's emissaries, and Okoro visibly winced. Only a little though. Neither of the two teens had ever seen such a quick recovery of composure as the diplomat brightly continued a conversation with a dour-looking civics teacher. Aidah began a jovial march over to the slightly startled students, most of whom had paused to glance hurriedly at each other at this unexpected enthusiasm, to turn eagerly to her new schoolmates. "My friends" she said with utter seriousness, eyes alight "you've been to this institution for a while, right? Would you be so good as to show me around my new domain, tell me its history, introduce me to some of the gallant princes I hear attend Claremont, maybe let me in on some of the local clubs? Er, you have those here, correct?" she added with a trace of nervousness "They are not...dull here?"

GM "Talk? Sure thing, buddy!" The man got up instantly, looking straight at Joe. He was a good few inches shorter, and obviously lacked the steelworker's brawn, but seemed to like his odds. "What shall we discuss first, impeding technological progress or maybe the intrinsic drag on society that physical labor has been for thirty years?" His eyes burned up at Joe, but his stance seemed more like somebody prepping for an argument than a brawl. A voice broke in, much rougher than any of the people from the mill "Son, you should leave. Quit while you're ahead." From one of the corner tables a sturdy man with a a craggy face and iron-gray hair stepped up. He was dressed in a tight-fitting white shirt and thick jeans studded with patches, with thin glasses. Giving Joe a quick nod he turned back to the suited man, who looked him up and down sourly. "I've got as much right to be here as anyone!" he snapped "What, don't want people crashing your back-patting?"

Meanwhile, her head resting against the ceiling, Red Moon looked down at the expo, wholly invisible to the visible light spectrum. She had snuck in much earlier, mainly to watch the scenery being set up('Manual labor, for all this...') and so she could get a closer look at the Reorganization Field Emitter before the crowds arrived. She hadn't dared try and get a really close look at the interior of the device, but the materials she could make out on the casing and exposed sections gave a definite clue for just how complex the thing's innards had to be to require that much solid titanium. At the moment, Atraxia was busy enough listening for the most important parts of the conversations filtering through her terrasuit, with hardly a moment to spare for anything more leisurely. There was technological progress to be charted! Besides, the machine might hold a clue to reanimating her dead body more permanently than even Farsider science had managed...

The More Powerful Array(?) at rank 12.5 would be 25PP per Array slot, not 20. +10 Defence would be 20PP, not 24. Don't forget to list the cost of your Saving Throws.

Stepping forward, Gothic Marceau made a placating gesture to the guard "Oh, come on! What harm can a pair of glasses do? He isn't going to start stabbing people with them, or sinking us into the inky void" Putting an arm around the old painter's shoulders he went on imploringly, with an eye on the nearby crowd "He's just here to have a good time, we all are. Look, if it becomes a problem, you can just lay it on me, I'll make sure he keeps himself in check, aye? We won't cause any problems while we're here, we're cool." His white-streaked face was utterly grave and hopeful "Come on, miss, have a heart. Glasses won't make for any kind of trouble."

Diplomacy roll to try and convince Steampunk Armor Door-Warden to let René keep his glasses: 24.

Alden noted Jasmine's reluctance, and so marched in along with the rest, his booted feet practically inaudible even in the harsh and echoing chambers of the power-house. Leaving the finer technical matters to the others, Osprey set about prowling the Haven for any traps or sensors that might impede them, paying especial care to small corners, the jutting metal doorways, places where the eye would not normally be directed and where a small electronic eye could be watching. Thanks to his altered bodily chemistry, his eyes were better at gathering light than they had been before, making the place merely shady instead of brutally dark. This gave him plenty of excuses to stare in awe at the austere and cold, but still grand fortress that had just a short time ago housed the United Kingdom's mightiest. 'Champion walked these hallways once...and Lucy Diamond made ruddy jokes here...this must be what archaeologists fee-right. Sorry Dee, I'll stick to the job, shall I?' The idea of communicating just by thought briefly repelled him, but he had to agree that it made sense. Sound might prove too slow when trying to do their work. 'Lots of visual scanners, putting throwing knives next to them' he added lightly, stopping next to one at elbow-height and jamming a talon in a fairly conspicuous spot. Sliding around a just-seen sensor he'd noted glaring down from the ceiling, he stopped, halting his cape as he realized what he was walking towards. Looking down, he realized what he was walking over. Dropping at once to his hands and knees, he inspected a rounded bulge on the floor's edge that turned out to be a hinge. Looking up, he gauged the height of the roof '...About six feet...' and hurriedly measured the space between each hinge '...and four feet. Dee, You- Mz. Britannia, Jasmine, I'm near the workshop, found something that might be hiding...I dunno, prisons or something. Going to check one out.' Taking the makeshift torch he neatly cut a small hole in the floor, peering down...and at a very snug containment pod. His mental voice became very uneasy '...Yep. Looks like something to hold blokes in. Do the records say anything about prisoners, or the recent investigators? There's a few pods here, might be more scattered about.'

Heraldo Subito's grin faded away as each sentence marched out of Elias' mouth and lined up to confront him. He half-turned at the words "...so he has given up on trying that", but could only open and close his mouth as the crushing realization suddenly broke full-force on him. Offering no resistance at the teen psychic's abrupt movements, he watched the other boy stalk off to the refreshments table. This was more or less the opposite of how he had been expecting that exchange to go. Normally Errant just rolled his eyes and went along with it, and Heraldo had assumed early on that that was their bit, just friends joking around. It had never entered his darkest dreams that the continued efforts to make him more like the more outgoing students might have been deeply offensive after all. He looked down at the floor for a minute, grappling with what, if anything, to do. To the Atlantean Amazon he muttered "Gotta agree with you there, Thae. Probably isn't too cool with either of us." Arcturus leaving decided that. Raising his head, Heraldo told the girls "Um...I'll be right back." With that he turned on his heel and walked after the other two boys, coming up right on Marcus' heels. He paused at hearing the other alumni's question, and the terse answer. 'Huh. That's more or less true, isn't it?' "You're fine, yeah." he broke in, standing in the doorway with an apologetic look "That's what I didn't get, you see. El, I wasn't trying to embarrass you or anything, I just figured you were like me, and that if I kept at it long enough you'd be more that than, well, you. I guess it never occurred to me that wasn't true, or helpful at all. And come to to think of it," he added sheepishly "given what you've said about your home, that was probably compounded by what happened there. So...I'm sorry Errant, I won't do that again. Promise on the Banner." Bowing slightly to the psychic, he quickly retraced his steps to the knot of Claremonters, smiling cheerily at the girls "So! Tigre, Tsunami, how have you been? Learned anything awesome? Oooh! and Thae," he snapped his fingers and looked at the demigoddess "pro'lly best to leave Errant be, work it out on his own. Also, I wanna talk to you about maybe visiting Atlantis later. Is that cool?"

GM Vector Both of the former smugglers' faces were suddenly dominated by the unmistakable open-mouthed, wide-eyed look that said across the furthest reaches of time and space "I got took." At the question of who it was that had fooled them, that too changed: into cold and remorseless fury as they turned to look at the man lying unconscious nearby. The slighter one set off purposefully towards him, while the other stayed and explained curtly "Told us his name was Brian, that he had ties to the Omegas and was some kind of undercover agent trying to bring 'em down from within. Whenever we asked 'bout his contacts, he'd get real cagey real fast. Figured it was just him trying and keeping 'em safe, not an act to **** around with us." "We'll leave him to you" announced the leaner gent, as he dumped the softly groaning man into a heap before the superheroine "We'll, uh, head off. Warn other guys 'bout stuff like this. Right Ted?" he added with a pointed glance at his cohort, who nodded emphatically.

El Heraldo 3 IC posts. King of Suits 1 IC post. Extracurriculars: Vignette(w/Pitch) Osprey 4 IC posts Red Moon No posts. Extracurricular: Wave-Eye No posts Extracurriculars: GM In order of preference: King of Suits, Red Moon, Wave-Eye, Osprey, El Heraldo

Red Moon Behind the veil 1.52 AM, Lantern Hill The Lady of the Red Moon had come from the bloody Moon of Mars, cast there by a human sorcerer after she refused to yield up the secret of her immortality and cursing her to eternal death. Mentor, the man of Adam's House, had broken the curse over her and allowed her free passage to Earth's sphere, a gift she repayed by watching over those who dwelt there and protecting them from evils they could not see. On Lantern Hill, that cluster of old stone that once housed the first towers and keep of New Camelot, the stronghold built to ensure that even when threatened by invaders from the sea the light of civilization would not fade, a woman in long red robes was watching something. It had not seen her yet, but she knew to give it time. All around her was the battered rock of centuries, houses piled upon houses, a few roosting birds and an archer on sentry duty watching the rooftops below with especial care. The strange costumed caperers who had made the city such a legend were often hard to distinguish from each other in the deep gloom they so loved, and their adventures sometimes had to be detoured with a few well-placed warning shots. The Lady of the Red Moon avoided this attention by the simple act of passing her physical form into the veil that shrouded the physical and ethereal worlds. Her soul was already half-unbound into the Lunar Sphere, which other mystics named the Astral Plane, and this let her pass through walls, escape the sight of earthly eyes...and see what lay beyond. This came at a price 'It has been many an age since I felt that,' she thought sadly, noticing the watchman shiver and pull his collar closer to his coarse neck as he peered into the night 'would that I could lend him my cloak', before her eyes turned back to the beast crouching above them. In form it resembled an aurochs, its color was a deep blue save for the white of its horns and the brown of its eyes. The Lady knew it was not born from the minds of the city-dwellers, whose hearts knew little evil or desire to destroy, which left only Them, the ones who crept in Wharton forest, hating human light and ever seeking to extinguish it. The knights had already reported that many monsters lived on the new world, which was perhaps not surprising, seeing as this land had known no knights before the coming of Arthur's World Kingdom to its shore. Her musings were cut short as the bull rose, snorting and shaking its beared head. Its eyes were fixed on her, she realized with an icy stroke of horror, and it was all she could do, once again, not to turn and flee. Instead she got smoothly to her bare feet, shaking the sleeves from her withered arms with their hideous hands ending in talons. With a rumble like thunder smiting the earth, the hazy monster began to step nearer, its head lowered so as to bring the great horns to bear, and each hoof striking air like hammers pounding iron. 'My one chance' thought the deathless woman 'is to catch the neck.' This was so. The monsters of the Lunar Sphere had powerful cores, and heads like seven-fold helms, but the neck that linked them was weak thanks to their unthinking nature, and a good strike there could decide the entire battle with a single blow. Even as she began making ready though, it struck. Charging in an unstoppable blue mass, the bull swept past her at a hair's breadth, its target only just managing to dodge, crying out in anger as she lashed out, missing the bulging throat by inches with her claws. The beast passed through the stone roof a few feet behind the sentry, a bellow of rage echoing through the Astral veil before it burst back through, eyes blazing with mindless wrath! Centering herself, She of the Red Moon faced down the impending horror, her hood cast back and revealing the pallid face of a corpse. Eyes black as night narrowed against the glare and twisting Lunar mist, against the tangle of mystery that latticed her vision of the world beyond. Everything seemed to slow...and then 'There, the opening!' letting loose a shout of triumph from lungs that had long ceased to breathe, she dove forward and swung downwards, arcing at the last possible moment, feeling the horn tear through her side like a red-hot lance...before her claws slid home and turned the beast below her to howling mist. Collapsing to the roof with inhuman grace, the lady of the Red Moon nursed her wound and smiled in relief. "I...I am victorious. Another menace slain, and peace restored. Eldritch's faith in me is vindicated for another night." Sighing deeply, the Lady released her grasp on the Lunar Sphere, appearing in the physical world yet again. Just as the sentry turned. Starting at the sight of her, he hastily raised his bow and nocked an arrow, shouting to her "Hi! Get ye down from here-! Oh," he lowered the weapon as he saw that she was hurt, and stepped forward in wary compassion "Doth thou need assistance, lady?" Shaking her head, the Lady of the Red Moon smiled and stepped off the roof, falling lightly to the street below with hardly a whisper in a swirl of tattered crimson cloth. Gathering it around herself, she called up "I salute thine vigilance, watchman! The people sleep deeper with such guards as thee. I bid thee good night, and sharp eyes." Bowing, she stepped away into the shadows and soon disappeared. Snorting, the sentry shouldered his bow, turning his gaze back to the rooftops "Aye, that they do. It's not many as see what I can!" Settling back into his duty, he kept close watch. Never once dreaming of the secrets just beyond the veil.

OOC thread for this thread, where Joe Macayle learns that some people will always be henchmen.