Ari

Congratulations on your birthday, Sorus! May you see many more, and each happily. Thanks so much for your diligent and tireless work making this place actually work, function and be a good place to play in! It wouldn't be nearly the same without you. :toot:

OOC thread for where Heraldo has some stuff happen in the spirit world of Puerto Rico. For rolls and other out of character methods of conveying information and resolving issues.

Central Puerto Rico, the northern side of El Yunque('the Anvil'), July 25th 2013 Subito had ended up going to Puerto Rico alone with his family. Cerys was busy, Serge doubly so, and the rest had either graduated or were hard at work preparing for it. That had turned out to be a considerable blessing for the muscular teen, as the sudden explosion of familial visits and reunions with laughing cousins was something he felt would have been hurt if he'd dragged someone else along for it. He, Galanta and Rodrigo had finally been allowed a day to wander the island before the celebratory meal, and the trio had quickly taken advantage of it and their maternal grandparent's closeness to the mountain to trek up its slopes. Subito was in his usual white shirt and jean shorts, and had found an excellent seat in a rock shelf partway up the northern face. He looked out at the island from that vantage point, quietly watching the slow sway of the trees stretching to the horizon, the movements of birds, the stealthy creeping of grounded animals and the distant glimmer of the sea. He felt a sudden, powerful connection to everything he sensed, and all the myriad of things built by humanity just out of sight. Here at last he could learn the truth. Steeling himself, he whispered 'Dama, I ask leave to enter your dominion and hear from your mouth what this knight means, and why you refused to explain. I will surpass any obstacles you place before me, and defeat any foe who stands against my quest My permission is granted, Herald. And you shall hear it and understand. Since you have already seen the bridge, the pool and the rest I will only say this: do not retreat. Be strong, I must not guide you once you enter.' Closing his eyes he willed the beating of his heart to a slower, stronger rythm, gradually attuning himself to the island. The books lent to the young paragon by the mages of Parkhurst had been amazingly helpful and complete, describing meditation techniques for mental and spiritual travel that could take you almost anywhere imaginable. Of course, he reflected, cracking an eye open and smiling, the books would have been useless without Mali's help teaching him how to meditate properly. Settling back into stillness and silence, arms laid on his crossed legs and hands turned upwards, he opened the inner eye and walked out of is body for the first time, drawing back an invisible curtain on the universe and passing through to the other side with a rush like being flung backwards by a deluge. Recovering himself, he stood up and looked around. The change was immediate. The world was watercolors now, the rock around him had gone from the uneven brown patterns of unending erosion to a solid mass of light gray stone, the air was abruptly motionless and filled with the smell of perseverance and hardihood, and the forests before him were transformed into an immense tangle of vivid greens and browns that perfectly hid what his senses told him was a riot of barking, shrilling and baying animals. The sky was overcast with golden clouds shaped like mighty birds of prey under a blazing sun. Below him on the green pastures stood two he knew at a glance depsite their filmy appearance: Galanta looked like a statue of steel, resembling an Athena he had seen pictures of; the other was a towering stereotypical Spanish knight in armor that glistened blue, the helmet shaped like a fishes' skull though Subito knew his cousin Rodrigo was inside. The reminder of his strange curse suddenly made the patriotic paragon's visit just a little more eerie, and Subito grappled with a momentary surge of guilt at just letting Claremont's veterans take care of him, and not finding a way to cure him in the months before. Around the ghostly pair ranged hundreds of sheep in armor of their own, grazing on the grass. They looked like if someone had heard that armor was supposed to be practical defensive wear, and decided that they were better than that. Every inch was intricately carved and sculpted in a different way, and the gold and silver used to make the figures gave the herds the impression of a large field covered by wandering metal barrels. Climbing down from his perch, Subito glanced up at the now literal iron anvil crowning the mountain and grinned despite himself. Sauntering northwards through the mysterious herd at the mountain's foot, he nodded politely to the massive ram with blood-dripping horns who seemed to be in charge, surveying the rest from a boulder. <"Don't suppose you can tell me anything"> he said aloud, scratching the sheep behind the ears fondly and starting when the ram butted his hand aside as it answered flatly <"I can. The caretaker of this island excepts you. Follow the path and do not stray"> without a backward glance he jumped down and vanished into the clanging mob. Staring after the animal, Subito turned away with a muttered <"Ooookay then, guess that's all I can expect from these weirdos"> glancing around he caught sight of a small dirt track leading away to the north through the forest. At the mouth of the woods yellow eyes glittered at him. Meeting the stares grimly, placed a hand over his heart and said crisply <"Dama, I ask that you not grant me your power while I am here. You pro'lly weren't gonna anyway, but still. I'll be with ya soon."> With a shake of his curly hair, he set his jaw, squared his shoulders and marched into the gloom, the forest blocking the light almost utterly as he was swallowed up.

Very well, thanks for letting me know about the inaccuracy. Edited. Voltage isn't Active anymore, so I can't well use him.

Wave-Eye's blood-thickened scales attempt to repel this mighty invasion, bulwarking that hissing tide with a 16!? His spirits are crushed, he has been vanquished utterly! He is down with a Bruise and a Dazed condition! Oh folly!

I don't know, you'll have to ask TheAbsurdist that. It does sound quite good to me, however!

Players: me and TheAbsurdist. Characters: Asad and King of Suits The Scheme: I am reasonably sure nobody has picked up the DeCosta Construction company's possible ties to the Freedom City mafia, so I figured we might as well get on with that! The Gamemaster may use any plot they choose, just remember to run your request to use DeCosta and/or the Mob past the Refs.

And it is Sunbeam's turn. She's going to try and Intimidate the Chocolateer: 24. Remarkably good. Chocolateer #1's Intimidate save" 20. Shaken. Her Initiative roll: 20. Giant Chocolate Bar Monster makes for another attack on Blodeuwedd: 13. Miss. Round 4 Blodeuwedd: Unharmed, 2HP Chocolateer #1: Unharmed, Shaken, Slowed-GM Errant: Unharmed, 2HP Sunbeam: Unharmed-GM Giant Chocolate Monster: Bruise(x2)-GM Blodeuwedd is up!

Personally I think capping it there would be perfect.

Okay, edits made to Merge and slightly edited Cubist's offered blurb.

Wandering around Whitby was a nice change of pace from skulking in back alleys or desperately trying to avert those horrible small disasters that happened in Freedom City, but for all that Marceau was glad to return to the English Pub. Very little annoyed him as much as a fruitless hunt, since growing up his parents had been very stern in imparting to their son the value of time. At least Det. Kapoor was an excellent hostess to the two foreigners. Lounging against the bar and watching carbon-dioxide bubble up from his beer, the King of Suits considered what they did and did not know: they knew that Gallia had a new host and what she looked like, apparently Rene's premonition led here so something important had happened or been put here relating to either the old painter or the vengeful spirit. Or maybe something was going to happen. What they didn't know was if she had in fact changed to another body on reaching England, if this was in fact the last part of a longer journey and they were here too soon, or if they had drawn a false conclusion somewhere else down the line. Taking another draught of the beer as a fresh wave of gloom hit him, the unmasked man glanced up sharply at the sound of a new arrival, raising an eyebrow at the sight of the young woman. He vaguely recalled somebody with that face and hair, but for the life of him he couldn't remember where from. Listening to Aaliyah he replied curtly "Maybe they want to keep an eye on anyone who can walk in those things, see to it they don't turn their uncanny gifts to evil" gesturing to her boots with a flick of his fingers. He turned back to his drink and raised it to his lips. "The more the merrier, mademoiselle Stone" Marceau said drily, making space for her "It seems this is one mystery everyone's in on..." he trailed off as he glanced at her feet again, then his eyes darkened and he glared down into his mug, growling "Why do women wear those things? Every month it seems I have to rescue someone in an alley who apparently forgot that the purpose of shoes is to make it easier to move about, not harder! What is the purpose, what is the point of those wretched high heels?!" Looking back up he added to Agnus "No offense meant."

Ack. Alrighty then Cubist, I'll see what I can do. Thanks for the heads-up! I thought 'Grue sleeper agent' effectively meant he had been transformed by aliens, and totally forgot he's one of Asad's Angels.

GM The demon stared at the humans in bafflement, eyes wide and mouth agape. After a few seconds it burst out laughing, a raucous sound like a saw hacking metal that echoed crazily into the rafters. After the last whispers had faded from the air, the Instrument recovered itself and replied "Our Father of Noise and Havoc? Bestir Himself to oversee a bargain this small? Impossible!" seeing their faces it went on "I grant you, He might decide to take part in this matter if we came before the low seat and it amused Him, but that is hardly even to be considered! The way is perilous and full of all sorts of dangers fit to overthrow the most virtuous soul. And you, Pitch" the monstrous face slid like oil across its body to glare at her "are hardly what even such a bedarkened fiend as I would term 'virtuous', any more than those two sinners" it flicked two wires at Celeste and Mary "or that material-minded savage" it finished with a furious look at Riff.

Player Name: Arichamus Character Name: The Osprey Power Level: 10 / 11 (160/164PP) Trade-Offs: +2 Attack/ -2 Damage(Utility Belt), +2 Defense/ -2 Toughness Unspent Power Points: 4 Progress To Platinum Status: 14/120 (Gold earned with >King of Suits) In Brief: Test subject using his new-found powers to battle the criminal underworld and uncover the truth. Alternate Identity: Alden Richards Identity: Secret Birthplace: Southwark, London, England Occupation: Shipping warehouse employee, chemistry technician, superhero Affiliations: Ministry of Powers, Docklands, Eileen Rose(junior officer in the SAS), Order, Justice Family: Patricia Richards(Mother, Divorced), Russel Richards-Brown(Father, Divorced), Maria-Annabelle Richards(Sister), Frances Richards(Sister) Description: Age: 24 (DoB: 1989, February 9th) Apparent Age: Same as physical age Gender: Male Ethnicity: English Caucasian Height: 6' 2"/1.9m, 6' 11"/2m Weight: 200 Lbs/90.7kg Eyes: Brown/Yellow Hair: Brown/White & brown feathers Alden during everyday life wears sturdy, eminently practical clothes in dull colours. Thick jeans, heavy boots and tan jackets over long-sleeved grey cotton shirts feature prominently in his limited wardrobe, and his utilitarian glasses are hardened grey steel. On the job he wears the crisp green/white waterproof uniform coat and pants of his company. His hair is thick, curly and cut short, and he has a perpetual five-o'clock shadow around a frequently dour mouth below his thin high eyebrows, bright, lively eyes and broad nose. He's unusually pale from working mostly nights, and his recent start as a vigilante crimefighter has deepened that noticeably. Years of physical work has kept him trim and lean, and a dedicated exercise and martial arts regimen has hardened and bulked him up considerably more than most men his age. He speaks with a low, soft voice in an almost stereotypical English accent, though in times of stress, excitement or anger it takes on a rougher edge. Movements are loose-limbed and casual with considerable grace. In his disguise as Osprey he's a tall, imposing man in a mostly white costume with a dark brown cape cut to vaguely suggest wings(the result of weeks of work), the colors scattered like the fish eagle's plumage, and a white mask covering his head adorned with a short, sharp curved beak. On the chest in a patch of black is a white emblem of an osprey diving. A simple belt of weapons hangs on his waist. When he activates his powers Alden grows even taller as well as sprouting wings from his back, his skin is covered in feathers, his feet and hands turn into claws and his head mutates to adopt avian features including bright yellow eyes. Power Descriptions: Osprey's animal powers are quite obvious, as they appear when he transforms wholly into a giant bird-man. His altered biology lets him use powerful claws to cut through steel, fly under his own power, grip things with phenomenally power talons and briefly survive underwater and in icy cold. A couple of lingering affect of his mutation is that he has a bizarre ability to understand and communicate with birds, and see far further than most in the dark or underwater. Aside from that he has a small pool of highly specialized weapons, like a small acetylene torch for cutting through walls and doors, or a LED for temporarily blinding with light.. History: Alden Richards had admired heroes for a long time before Prof. Blackpool's invitation arrived. Since childhood he had watched on the television or out the window the exploits of Britain's mightiest heroes besides the Lioness Britannia: the strange and beloved Vanguard. Or the Royal Squadron or Crownguard or the Fab Four or whatever the papers called them that month. The country didn't have nearly as many heroes as the States or Canada so the sight of people who called Great Britain home and possessed extraordinary powers they used solely for the public good, not to mention their rumored association with the legendary and excitingly mysterious Ministry of Powers, was always something people came running to see. Alden rarely needed much excuse to leave the house anyway, since being there meant he had to endure the endless and furious arguments that erupted in the family as surely as the tides. There was always something for the resourceful to complain about, since even on the good days things were lean the apartment was too small for even the small family and winters were painful to get through on what little they could afford. Like most, the photogenic, handsome and upstanding Champion(Powerful melding of man and alien machine! Sworn defender of the British Isles and the world!) had the lion's share of his heart, and when the hero came in person to deal with what would have been a devastating fire on the Richard's street during a battle against aliens, stopping just long enough to make sure nobody else was in danger, Alden's boyhood reverence for superheroes rivaled just about any other devotions he had. They didn't have problems, they SOLVED them for other people. By his mid teens however the young man had other things to think about. His parents' marriage had always been a little unsteady, but at last in 2005 they divorced after Patricia was fired from the plant she had worked at for well over a decade, more than halving the family income. Alden frequently spent time with his mother in eastern Southwark, not least because of the hard-won jobs he got in the area that let him help support her. Walking and biking to work brought him again and again up against the crime and poverty eating away at sections of the city, the misery that everyone seemed helpless to stop, It was partially because of that that he took up martial arts training for self-defense, practicing every day he could so that when the time came he could make the difference between life and death for someone. His twenties rolled around, and by 2009 the only real results of his training was a stray bullet from an abortive mugging breaking his rib and making friends with an athletic young woman named Eileen Rose, someone made of sterner stuff than him and who bent herself inexorably to a job in the military. Both of them were starting to lose hope in their dreams when Professor Thomas Blackpool contacted them. He was doing biochemistry research to test out a mutagen with possible military applications, and wanted volunteers. To sweeten the deal he offered the pair close to a thousand pounds each to go through a series of clinical trials, happily assuming legal responsibility for whatever happened. Both leaped at the chance, Alden especially eager for what sounded like the perfect way to get real actual superpowers(and help support his parents), Eileen gleeful for the chance to get known by whatever higher-ups had ordered the study. The trials took several weeks of regular checkups, injections with the formula code-named Osprey, observation of the slow change in them and the other trial subjects' chemistry and a host of other strangely mundane ways of checking the progress of super-science. Alden and Eileen got more and more uneasy as months passed and they weren't seeming to change at all. During a stay at the lab to test sleeping patterns everything went utterly wrong. Alden didn't remember what happened but he awoke to find himself strapped down, spattered with blood and Eileen being rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. A distraught Blackpool explained that the young man had transformed into a man-bird in the night and attacked his friend, but that she was almost bound to live and the charges against him weren't likely to end in jail time. However, Thomas sadly told him that this was the last straw and his lack of progress meant he would need to be taken out of the trials. Given a prescription of serum to help get the chemicals safely out of his system, Alden left with only a fraction of what he had been offered, and thankful for it. That night, after breaking the painful news to his mother about what had happened, he was jolted awake by the sound of a distant cry for help. Gulping down the pills Blackpool had given him, Alden raced out to see what had happened...and crashed in an agonized heap as the transformation began. In the next few months he worked on triggering the changes by sheer effort of will, managing to make his new power more of a help than a hindrance. Knowing that downtown London would be hard to hide in he practiced out in the countryside, flying by nights to and fro across the green hills and valleys. During his cross-country training he ran into a stranger eerily like himself, a half-crazed owlman whose ravings held several declarations that he had once been like Alden, and wanted to save him from the 'true threat'. This was the release, the power and world he had always dreamed of! He wasn't the mighty protector of the weak he wished he could be, though swooping down to save the helpless from the guns and knives of criminals satisfied him deeply, the fear and shock in their eyes making every painstaking hunt worth every rain-soaked hour. On top of it all, the Osprey Treatment had opened the world of chemistry up to him, and he managed to get enough training to start work as a technician at a small chemistry lab in eastern Southwark that supplemented his income from the dockside warehouse. From his studies he learned something troubling: the medicine Blackpool had been supplying him with before he vanished back into the world of academia, his Osprey Formula a qualified success, wasn't actually cleansing him of it, and in fact was slowly increasing its potency. Alden was shocked, horrified that he had been lied to like that and instantly suspicious...but on the other hand, it let him fight against evil in the world, so was it really best for him to give it up? And why had he had such a violent reaction when Eileen had returned to the study with such(as she enthused to him) astounding success, with even some rumors that she was being considered for the special forces? Whatever the case, his friend's wish was soon granted as well, being selected for a prestigious(and amazingly grueling, she confided) position in the Service attached to the Ministry of Powers, a branch of the armed forces composed of people with supernatural abilities to deal with rare yet dangerous rogue powers. Surprisingly enough, they've remained each others' confidante on personal matters, and the strong-hearted Eileen gladly agreed to give him whatever help he asked for, though she did warn him that it would count as a favor. Taking his mind off of those problems Alden flung himself into the world of costumed crime-fighting, dedicating himself to becoming a true superhero at last, his 'look' and focus inspired heavily by the Raven and the fearsome Scottish archer known as Arrowhawk. Between putting together his disguise, gathering materials for weapons so he wouldn't have to rely on his power to win his battles, teaching himself how to solve crimes that had already happened, his work and meeting with his friends, the next year passed all too quickly, until at last the Osprey was ready to strike. Now, three years later, the Vanguard have mysteriously disappeared and the Osprey has gotten a pretty reputation as a menace to the underworld of Britain. Everyone from the fastidious Middleman to the common thug has at least heard a rumor about him. The Ministry of Powers has decided to extend an invitation to the young man, an offer to find out the truth of what really happened to Britain's strongest heroes, defend his home from greater threats than ever before, and join the ranks of the Ministry's greatest asset in the new Taskforce UK! Personality & Motivation: Alden is terse, patient, calm and quiet. Not to an extreme, but he won't babble on for twenty words when two will do and keeps his thoughts and feelings close to the vest. This often leads to him clamming up even more when under pressure as his mind races. He rarely truly rests and is almost constantly physically or mentally active, knowing all too well how impermanent most situations are. A long time in poverty has embittered him to people with fantastic wealth like the aristocracy and nobility and a corresponding liking for people who grew up like he did. Alden is polite and warm when meeting somebody for the first time, but unafraid to precisely speak his mind and unlikely to consider somebody a friend unless they really share something. Most days he carries himself freely and confidently, a composed young man still excited about where his life is going. He has a firm and absolute belief that everyone can change and can recognize what's right and wrong, and has a lot of compassion for the people he often battles. Not that he'll let anyone know that if he can help it. When disguised as Osprey he plays to a T the role of a dread figure of the night, talking only when necessary and doing his best to present a coldly enigmatic front. Body language shifts to slower and more dramatic motions and his tendency to loom ominously behind people skyrockets. Behind the harsh face of the eagle Osprey conveys the message that everyone, no matter how powerful they think they are, can be brought low before the forces of justice. Powers & Tactics: Osprey prefers not to use his powers, instead focusing on ambushes and strikes from above. His tactics shift quickly and depend largely on how many he's fighting. If a few he'll do his best to isolate them first, if many he'll try to cluster the majority together so he can keep track of them better as he picks off outliers, if one or two he sets up a simple ambush and leaps upon them. He tries to avoid physical combat when he can, but when he can't just knock foes out from hiding he turns into a blur of savage punches and brutal kicks, aiming with the utmost precision to decisively bring down his enemies. His transformation power is something he keeps for emergencies or when he needs to chase after someone and his grapple gun isn't enough. Complications: Adrenaline Requirement: A surge of adrenaline is the fastest way to activate the transformation agent, and while usually that's easy enough to spark it means while in human form Osprey's powers can be simply blocked. Animal Instincts: Osprey's nature frequently shines through his humanity, driving Alden to violence, making him irrationally protective of birds and giving a strong impression that something's 'off' about him, especially in his eyes. Blind Without 'Em: Alden is near-sighted while human, yet far-sighted when in bird-man form. Glasses and special goggles help with this, but he can always lose those. Clean-up: Osprey's combat arsenal is mostly re-purposed civilian tools or weapons made from more or less easily-accessed sources. If somebody manages to find them, they could be used to track him down. Destabilised: The Osprey formula coursing through his body makes him that much more susceptible to other drugs, and infections are very hazardous. Enemies: The London Mob and most criminal groups operating around the Docklands have deep grudges against the Osprey by now. Honour: Alden has a habit of leaving pragmatism on the wayside. Prejudice: Aristocrats, old and new money who "Don't do anything worth doing" with their wealth, the idle rich. Responsibility: Family. Alden's family is unaware of what he does, and he aims to keep them safe from his other life by whatever means necessary. Secret: Identity Twisting Body: For all of Alden's control, the chemical agents that let him transform are never totally in his hands, and turning into a monstrous bird-man in everyday life is a very real, if unlikely, danger. Abilities: 10 + 8 + 8 + 4 + 4 + 6 = 40PP Strength: 20/26 (+5/+8) Dexterity: 18 (+4) Constitution: 18 (+4) Intelligence: 14 (+2) Wisdom: 14 (+2) Charisma: 16 (+3) Combat: 20 + 12 = 32PP Initiative: +8 Attack: +10 Base, +12 Utility belt Grapple: +15/18 Defense: +12 (+6 Base, +6 Dodge Focus), +3 Flat-Footed Knockback: -4/-7 Saving Throws: 4 + 6 + 4 = 14PP Toughness: +8 (+4 Con, +4 Armored Jumpsuit) Fortitude: +8 (+4 Con, +4) Reflex: +10 (+4 Dex, +6) Will: +7 (+3 Wis, +4) Skills: 104R = 26PP Acrobatics 4 (+8) Bluff 5 (+8/+12 with Attractive) Climb 4 (+9/12) Computers 9 (+11) Diplomacy 5 (+8/12 with Attractive)) Disable Device 11 (+13) Escape Artist 9 (+11) Gather Information 5 (+8) Intimidate 10 (+13) Investigate 6 (+8) Knowledge(Streetwise) 6 (+8) Knowledge(Physical Sciences) 4 (+6) Medicine 5 (+7/+9 with Masterwork Medical Gear) Notice 6 (+8) Sense Motive 8 (+10) Stealth 6 (+10) Feats: 17PP Accurate Attack Attractive Contacts Dodge Bonus 6 Equipment 3 [15EP] Hide in Plain Sight Improved Initiative Power Attack Sneak Attack Startle Equipment 3 = 15EP [equip] Armored Jumpsuit(Protection 4)[4EP] Camera[0EP] Cell Phone[0EP] Grapple Gun(Super-Movement 2 (Swinging, Wall-Crawling 1) + Speed 1)[5EP] Handcuffs[0EP] Medical Gear(Masterwork)[2EP] Multitool[1EP] +3EP to Vanguard HQ The Haven for the Features Concealed, Defence System 1 and Holding Cells Powers: 16 + 2 + 12 + 3 = 33PP Alternate Form 3.2[16PP] Damage 2(Talons; Feats: Improved Critical(19-20), Mighty)[4PP] Enhanced Strength 6(Improved Musculature; Feats: Improved Pin)[7PP] Flight 2(Wings; 25MPH, 250ft. per Round)[4PP] Immunity 2(Altered Biology; Cold Environments, Drowning; Flaws: Limited(Half)[1PP] Comprehend 2(Animals, Speak to & Understand; Flaws: Avian Animals Only)[2PP] Device 3(15PP Device; Hard to Lose)[12PP] Utility Belt Array 6(12PP Array, Power Feats: Alternate Power 3)[15PP] Base Power: Blast 5(Eagle Talons; Power Feats: Mighty 2(DMG 7])[12PP] AP: Dazzle 4(Visual Senses; Extras: General Area Burst)[12PP] AP: Obscure 3(Visual Senses, Smoke, 50ft. radius; Extras: Independent, Total Fade)[12PP] AP: Snare 6[12PP] Super-Senses 4(Normal Visual: Counters Obscure(Limited: Water), Extended 1(100 Notice Increments), Low Light Vision)[3PP] Drawbacks: 2 =2PP No Fine Control(Can't use Device while in Alternate Form or manipulate small objects; Frequency: Common; Intensity: Minor)[2PP] DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC20/23 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Dazzle Ranged DC14 Fortitude Blinded Snare Ranged DC16 Reflex (Staged) Entangled/Bound Strike Touch DC27 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Totals: Abilities (40) + Combat (32) + Saving Throws (14) + Skills (26) + Feats (17) + Powers (33) - Drawbacks (2) = 160/164 Power Points

I wrote words for Red Moon!

DC17 Fortitude save: 14. Failed by 3, so Chocolateer #1 is Slowed.

It shall be done.

GM There was silence as the Roman digested that tidbit of good news, and then he nodded slowly. "Very well, I'll-I shall do as you command." Drawing himself up and edging away from an unconvinced-looking Kazra he said quickly, glancing between the steely Jungle Princess and the teens up on the rafters "The Serpents plan to attack in five day's time so they will have the numbers to beat the Romans in the field, they've captured one of your number and taken him to their lair in the savage lands of Viracochasuyu. That flying boy, I believe" he added with a nervous look behind himself at the walls of water. Carefully tucking a few loose folds in his toga he went on more smoothly. "There's some new empress of the Serpent lands, she has a power none of her predecessors had that is binding all the clans together for their gre-terrible, terrible work I mean." He looked a little shaky "Er...and many of the city beggars are Serpents. I was taking the message to their leader, please don't kill me!" "And I was curious why you worked for them," Kazra snarled, sheathing the spear in a quick move and folding her arms "Who would have thought you were just a coward. What do we do now?" she asked the group as a whole "I say we head for the Sun Mountains right now, can't let that weird guy get killed. Though...how'd they capture one of you people? He seemed pretty tough."

That is precisely what I was planning to do. And today was the day so, go coincidences. Understood, amending those errors.

Jumping backwards with a cry of horror as the dome shattered above them, Wave-Eye briefly groped for the twisted shell at his hip before the weight of water crashed down onto them, rendering anything he could do moot. Following the icy current with his massive eyes, they widened even further as the two shadowspawn dripped into the room. They were small compared to the things that had come out of the deep long ago, but their faces were the same as the silent dragons that had terrorized the sea for that long century. Mastering himself, Wave-Eye turned in time to see Silver Spider hurl herself improbably through the air and deftly swath the revealed Deep one to the ground. Blinking at the sight, the triton suddenly burst out laughing and charged after the fleeing shades, his massive legs carrying the hulking fishman with astounding speed across the flooding room. Clawed feet splashing through the water spreading across the aquamarine floor, he jogged beside the two shades and drew the red-veined conch to his lips, taking a moment to gather the breath that sent a rush of ribboned water spiraling up from the floor around them in a cacophonous *brrrraaaauuuoom*! The sound rang through the temple like the war-horn it was. Taking it from his lips, he winced and called out apologetically "I am sorry! I did not recall our peril! Temperance, can you block their escape?" he added over his shoulder to the young water-wielder, seeing with frustration that one of the shades had dodged his attack.

Using Speed to catch up to them, Wave-Eye Moves adjacent to the Depthshades. Readying the Conch, he SURGEs for another Move Action so he can conclude the Full-Action attack, then attacks them with the Damage Cone. Accurate Attacking(+2 Attack -2 Damage): 16, 22. He hits Depthshade #2 For a DC27 Toughness save, misses #1. He is now Fatigued.

Alright, those two mistakes are fixed and numerous others as well. Keep them coming.

Scrolling through all the heroes of Freedom City Play by Post and trying to work out what's going on can seem a daunting exercise for new players, so in that spirit I'd like to offer the Roster of Active Player Characters, giving a quick overview of who's who and what's up in the world of our site's narrative. This won't ever be final of course, things change. So don't be shy about whatever needs fixing, adding, removing and so forth to make this as helpful as it can be. If you want to submit blurbs yourself, I welcome it. You know your characters best and how to present them. Roster of Active Player Characters: A Ace Danger: <His Name. Immortal two-fisted adventurer and free-loving socialite, blithe yet wounded scion of a family of heroes. Close friends with Bombshell, affiliated with the Danger Foundation. Amorph: Ralf Steiner. An innocent, protean form of life created by a rengade of SHADOW. A student at Claremont Academy with no close friends or group affiliation. Apex: Alexandria Lorne. Self-assured young genius unraveling far-future technology to change the world, prove her superiority and save her parents. Uses sophisticated drones in battle. No close allies, affiliated with her company LorneTek. Arcturus: Marcus Irons. Straight-laced and gentle young wielder of bestial power and ancient rune magic. A student at Freedom City University fighting a hereditary ursine curse. No close allies, a Claremont alumnus. Ardent: Phaedra Morningstar. Guarded and politically dicey half-angel half-demon, with powers andmoral compass drawn from both. No close allies, affiliated with Claremont Academy. Argonaut: Yves Zerme/Yvejskrujanharbh'aar. A.E.G.I.S. agent and free Omegadrone. Close with HarArgonautrier and affiliated with the aforementioned agency. Arrowhawk: John Aaron Fraser. Avenging, aging trick-arrow archer with a temper. Driven and almost manically determined to fight evil and find his lover's murderer, he has a dim view of what he sees as 'amateur' superhumans. Affiliated with the (NPC) Sherwoods of Nottingham. Asad: Amir al-Misri. Deceptively layabout tycoon with energy-absorption powers. Close with Velocity and Young Britannia, with no group affiliation. B Bastion: Eric Michaels. Former armored anti-superhuman criminal with a new life and a new suit. No close allies, affiliated with A.E.G.I.S. and Blackstone Prison. Bliss: Birth name forsaken. A dour Xuli'pa warrior with cybernetic and genetic enhancements, escaped from her homeworld in search of something better than servitude. Close allies and affiliated with the other Voidwalkers Roulette and Ruby Voxx. Blodeuwedd: Cerys Pfer(false name). Quiet young Welsh anti-supernatural agent wielding weapons magical and technological. Has close allies in Blue Jay, Crimson Tiger, Kit and Tsunami, affiliated with the Order she serves and Claremont Academy. Blue Fox: Eve Martel. Agile and iron-willed French mentalist. She is close allies with other former members of Young Freedom(especially Midnight II), romantically involved with(NPC) Wendy-Go, and is affiliated with Claremont Academy and Martel Enterprises. Blue Jay: Antoinette Baudin/'Tona'. Determined archer from a devoured Earth. Close allies with Blodeuwedd, Crimson Tiger, Fleur de Joie and Tsunami, romantically involved with Kit and affiliated with Claremont Academy. C Cannonade: Joseph Macayle. Labor-aiding legacy superman. Close allies with other Liberty League members and affiliated with that team. Cavalier: Kyle Steward. Level-headed, well-traveled alien abductee and stellar guardian. No especially close allies, but his affiliation with the Star Knights means he often works with other space-faring heroes. Citizen: Sharl Tulnik. Stalwart and skeptical young AI from the digitized city of Tronik. Master of his native cyberspace and now owner of a space-worthy robot suit. Close allies with other Claremont alumni, and super-geniuses such as Dragonfly and Miss Americana. Romantically involved with Temperance, and affiliated with Young Freedom, Miss Americana and Tronik. Comrade Frost: Dimitri Peshkov. Undying jovial Russian draugr(heat-draining vampire). Close allies with the Freedom League(Auxiliary), Fleur de Joie, Gabriel, Gaian Knight & Tiamat, Set & Sekhmet. He is affiliated with the Russian Guard. Corona: Aya K'Zan/ Anya Corazon. A Lor investigator with energy-projection powers and a brusque attitude, forced onto Earth by her enemies in high places. No close allies, affiliated nominally with the Lor Republic, high school biology teacher. Crimson Tiger: Mali Benjawan. Fearless and fierce young Muay Thai artist. Close allies with Blodeuwedd, Blue Fox, Blue Jay, Citizen, Cobalt Templar and Kit. Affiliated with Young Freedom. D Dragonfly: Mara Hallomen. Mentally-warped, weapons-hating inventor with a space-warping suit. Part of the loose genius gathering at the Lab, associated with the Interceptors via her romantic involvement with Jill O'Cure. E Echo: Elizabeth Stein. A university student thrilled by her reality-changing powers and horrified at the implications of her alternate-universe doppelganger. No close allies or team affiliations. Eclipse: Talisyn Alar. Freelancer cyborg star captain who's rejected both the sides of order and chaos in the universe. Close allies with crewmates Rock & Nae-Dae, no affiliation besides personal sense of justice. Edge: Mark Lucas. Quarter-djinni with bottomless good cheer and power. Affiliated with the second Liberty League, Claremont Academy and the United Nations agency UNISON. Close allies with many Claremont alumni. Romantically involved with (NPC) Nina al-Darsah. El Huracan: Anibal Herrera Miramonte. Self-confident, elegant and aristocratic Mexican mutant. Wields wind-controlling powers and a cutting-edge flight sut. No close allies, affiliated with Claremont Academy. Elite: Lady Tatiana Gaius Libera. Unfalteringly honest and restrained alien, wielder of an infamous super-sword, a noble tactician and valiant warrior. Close allies with the other surviving members of the Praetorians, with whom she is affiliated. Errant: Elias Silvestri(false name)/Hector Aguayo III. Hard-bitten psychic from the land of tyrants. Affiliated with Claremont Academy, no close friends or allies(largely by choice). Equinox: Dr. Siobhan Drake. Streetwise elementalist Wiccan. Affiliated with the loose magical gathering of Parkhurst Hotel, close allies with Ghost Girl and Nick Cimitiere. F Fast-Forward: Richard Anthony Cline. Reformed fast-mover with a super-family and mystic accessories. No team affiliations, close allies with Set & Sekhmet and Wail. Father of Thoughtspeed(William) and (NPC) Holly Cline, husband of Hologram(Paige Psion-Cline). Fleur de Joie: Stesha Madison. Warm-hearted plant controller and florist with two Earths to care for. Close allies with many, many heroes, including Jill O'Cure and Velocity. Affiliated with the Freedom League. Foreshadow II: Erick Sloane. Prescient acrobatic vigilante. Close allies with street heroes like Graft and Revenant, in an odd friendship with Synapse. No team affiliation. Frostbyte: Catherine Clouston. A pallid, withdrawn and altruistic mutant with the power to form and control ice. No close allies, a student at Claremont Academy. G Gaian Knight & Tiamat: Tarrant Mcleod & Teagan(real name unsaid). Jovial geology professor with versatile geokinetic powers, a magic sword and a fiery dragon comrade. Close allies with Fleur de Joie, Gabriel and Set and Sekhmet. Affiliated with the Freedom League. Galvanic: Chlo'zel Elzak. Brilliant and vivacious Tempestian scientist, given great physical strength and control over electricity by her boundless curiosity and desire to explore the universe. No close alies or team affiliation. Geckoman: Christopher Kenzie. An irreverent young man with more wit than smarts. Wields the proportional might of a gecko along with technological weaponry and vehicles. He is close allies with Edge, Jack of all Blades, Midnight II and Wander, and several Claremont alumni. He is affiliated with the Interceptors and romantically involved with (NPC) Spellbound(Liz Lawlett)" Ghost Girl: Kimberly Storm(real name Rebecca Stone). An upbeat Canadian girl who died in the 1980's, returned as a chill ghost superheroine. Close allies with Crimson Tiger, Equinox, Nick Cimitiere, Temperance, Wraith and several Claremont alumni. No team affiliation. Glamazon: Thaelia. Rambunctious Atlantean demigoddess whose true home is the sea. Close allies with Rampart, Temperance and Tsunami. Affiliated with Atlantis and Claremont Academy. Graft: Dr. Tyrone Mendoza. Biologist and life-loving medical doctor attached to a fearsome Grue biological weapon that refuses to kill. Close allies with Foreshadow and Velocity. No team affiliation. Owns a clinic in the Fens district of Freedom City. Grim: Matthew Rivera. Ill-tempered teenage grim reaper raised by wolves. Possesses strong spirital attunement and the power to summon spirit hounds. No close allies, affiliated with Claremont Academy. Grimalkin: Lynn Epstein. Energetic fairy-made ninja with powers of glamer. Close allies with Jack of all Blades, Jill O'Cure and the other Interceptors. Assisted by The Shrike, socially-conscious and dry-witted Gretchen McDaniels, at the bookstore and in crime-fighting. No team affiliation. Widow of (archived) Colt. Gryphon: Flynn Ramsey. A genius struggling to care for his mother, with more smarts than sense. Uses a personalized suit ofarmor to agment his mutant powers. No close allies, affiliated with Claremont Academy. H Harrier: Steven Murdock. Free, eternally-grieving Omegadrone who uses his powerful armor to rescue others. Close allies with Dragonfly, Gabriel, Jack of all Blades, Miss Americana and Wander. Hologram: Paige Psion. Maternal psychic with an entropic twist. Close allies with Set & Sekhmet and Wail. No team affiliation. Mother of Thoughtspeed(William Cline) and (NPC) Holly Cline, wife of Fast-Forward(Richard Cline). Hronos: Time-traveling robot and guardian of the timestream. A sombre, mysterious creature. He has no close allies besides Velocity, and no team affiliation besides the other(NPC) Mechanodynames, robots who embody concepts. I J Jack of all Blades & Jill O'Cure: Erik and Eliza Espadas. Peerless energy-wielding swordsman and brilliant biokineticist who are never at a loss for words. Many close allies including Fleur de Joie, Gabriel, Miss Americana and Wander along with other members of the Interceptors, the team they effectively lead. Jack is romantically involved with Willow(Minerva Espadas) and Jill with Dragonfly(Mara Hallomen). Jack is the father of Eden Espadas, and their family has adopted otherworldly refugee Yolanda K Kit: Samantha Vance. Unconventionally-minded thief born in Hell and bearing a brand of demonic power. Close allies with Blue Jay, Blodeuwedd, Crimson Tiger and Fleur de Joie. Affiliated with Claremont Academy. L M Mater Vyrdna: Vyrdnaya Solnys-Kori Milareth. Idealistic alien cyborg mechanic who long lost her family and is discovering a new one. A part of her ship, able to command technology and form myriad tools and weapons. Affiliated with the Praetorians. Maxima: Dr. Cassandra Steel. Prodigy using SCIENCE to go past human limits. No close allies, affiliated with the Grant Conglomerate. Meatheral: Jeremiah Cornwell. Bookish and story-loving scholastic mystically bound to a tome of elemental power under mysterious circumstances. This binding allows him to assume the nature of the Greek elemental forces. No close allies or team affiliations. Midnight II: Trevor Hunter. Monosyllabic bringer of nocturnal retribution who hunts the unjust with weapons mundane and cosmic. Close allies with Blue Fox, Cannonade, Cobalt Templar, Dragonfly Edge, Fleur de Joie, Geckoman and Wander. Affiliated with the Liberty League. Romantically involved with Wander(Erin White) and grandson of the first Midnight(Travis Hunter). Miracle Girl Casey Blankenship. All-American heroine with a manipulatable energy shell inherited from her father that grants tremendous speed, strength and flight, and journalistic interests gained from her intense curiosity. No close allies, affiliated with Claremont Academy. Miras: Asli Safiyya Sadik/DJ Eclectic/'Sophie'. Opinionated and spontaneous half-Djinn music-minded heroine. Practitioner of book-learned time magic and imbued with the fires of humanity's spiritual kin, with which she battles the forces of apathy and selfishness. No close allies or team affiliation. Mirror: Alton Gotti. Engineer with shallow pockets and a prankster streak. Gifted with powers over both light and glass by a mysterious girl named Mary. No close allies or team affiliation. Miss Americana: Gina Evans/Cyberknife. A superhuman mind who controls a lovely robot body to briefly escape her hateful organic one. Close allies with Dragonfly, Gabriel, Gaian Knight & Tiamat, Harrier, ubiquitously known to scientific heroes, and main stakeholder of the super-science conclave of the Lab. She is romantically involved with Harrier(Steven Muddok). Miss Grue: Daphne Celeste(no "true" name). Shape-shifting Grue gal with a kindly heart. No close allies or team affiliation. Moon-Moth: Myothizar A'lira. Alien mystic from a race of magically-gifted moths. A gentle, open-minded soul blessed with power. Close allies with other surviving Praetorians, with whom he is affiliated. Myth: Ian Cantnor. An endlessly positive city culture organizer with a passion for legends. Empowered by the domain of myths to fight from the shdows against evil. No close allies or team affiliation. N Net Fly: Serge Explinker. A young mutant with the power to manipulate sound waves, and the smarts to improve on that. Close allies with Tsunami, affiliated with Claremont academy. Nick Cimitiere: Eric LaCroix. A once directionless man submerged in death and returned with the powers of a psychocomp. Works at a coffee shop. Close allies with Changeling, Equinox, Ghost Girl, Pitch and Silhouette. Affiliated with the loose gathering of mystics at the Parkhurst Hotel. Nighthawk: Robin Chevalier. Scrap-happy teenage orphan from the Fens of Freedom City. Uses her remarkable strength and spirit to fight bigger bullies. No close allies, affiliated with Claremont Academy. Nightingale: Nicola Cervenka. An unwilling, determinedly altruistic vampire struggling with her faith and longing for vengeance on the murderer of her convent. No close allies or team affiliation. O Oracle, The: Zephyr Brooks. Quiet, introspective and dry-witted psychic, a student at Claremont. Determined to become a reformer of minds. No close allies, affiliated with Claremont Academy. P Paradigm: Amara Val-Ren. An alien pillar of morality and loyalty granted great power by an empire now dead. Close allies with the other surviving Praetorians, whom she is affiliated with. Phantasmo, the UNLIVING: Henry Gibson Trent. Garrulous and homeless deceased English stage magician. A jocular revenant granted extraordinary powers in life and death through a pact with Mr. Infamy, using his powers to defend the helpless. No close allies, affiliated with the homeless of Freedom City. Prism: Hannah Cooper. Shy, socially-awkward student who does't want to be a hero. Manipulates and generates powerful creations of light. No close allies, affiliated with Claremont Academy. Q Queenie: Maybelle McQueen. Openhearted, food-focused master chef atoning for past selfishness. Wields a mighty magic ring from the future. No close allies or team affiliation. R Reagent/Alkahest: Winifred Wei. Fiercely intelligent Victorian-era alchemist caging an inner monster. Skilled in chemical combat, with hullking backup. No close allies, affiliated with Clremon Acadmey. Revenant: Lucy Harker. An undead lawyer from the Prohibition era, cursed with undying strength and devoted to the justice of law. Close allies with Foreshadow and Solar Sentinel. Can be found at the Our Lady of Mercy shelter. Rock & Nae-Dae: Those Are Their Names. Calm living mountain with a warm, volcanic heart & energetic four-armed tech monkey. Crewmates of Captain Eclipse of the 'Horizon'. No other allegiance. Roulette: Stahnze Turk. Proud, compulsive liar born of unlikely parents, with the criminal skills and eye lasers to leave his mark on the universe. Close allies with the other Voidwalkers Ruby Voxx and Bliss. No other affiliation. Ruby Voxx: Ruby Hawkins(birth name). Alien-abducted and fearlessly daredevilish bounty hunter. Armed with self-powered weapons and an armored encounter suit. Close allies and affiliated with the other Voidwalkers Roulette and Bliss. S Sea Devil & Jessie White: Ackwareeaa In-His-Mouth/Aquaria Innsmouth. Rambunctious uncorrupted Deep One, bonded to a suit of cosmic armor and best friends with an enhanced, traumatized alternate universe warrior. Recently released from Project Freedom, a superhuman rehabilitation program. Close allies with the Liberty League(especially Midnight and Wander) and their patron Blue Fox. Set & Sekhmet: Ever-glib Egyptian god of darkness and outsiders on parole with the brusque and standoffish goddess of war. Close allies with Fleur de Joie, Fast-Forward, Gabriel, Gaian Knight & Tiamat, Hologram and Temperance. Affiliated with the Freedom League. Seika: Seikahi'ino("Sei"). Raptor-like arboreally-adapted alien archer with superhumanly keen senses, searching for a home for her outcast people. No close allies, but she does have an odd tie with the hunter [NPC]Starshot. Solar Sentinel: Henry Mason. A sombre American veteran of the first World War given cosmic powers to fight a war among the stars. Close allies with Revenant, who he is romantically involved with. No team affiliation. Solvrytter: Gunnar Ornsberg(Sir Gunnar of Ornsberg Hall). A young knight wielding mystic weapons from an Earth fallen to the Terminus. He is close allies with Nevermore and Polarity, and affiliated with Claremont Academy. Sparkler: Raina Sanderson. Sharp-tongued witch burning to defy all expectations. Practitioner of the tarot-themed Arts Arcane. Close with her familiar monkey Merlin, affiliated with Claremont Academy. Starlight: Samantha Lawrence. Former drug addict and single mother from an abusive home, determined to turn her life around and prove to herself she be more than she was. Semi-energy being made of and able to control light. No close allies or team affiliation. Synapse: Dawn "Dee" Farrington. Rebellious and sullen aristocratic heir granted psychic powers and a mad sister by the government. Close allies with Foreshadow, and affiliated with the Vanguard. T Temperance: Eliza Oxum. Streetwise scion of water-spirit nobility. Close allies with Ghost Girl, Glamazon, Tsunami and Wail, romantically involved with Citizen. No group affiliation. Terrifica: Qiaolian Song/Samantha Carson. Brilliant and inventive crimefighter sure of her smarts. No close allies or team affiliation. Traveler, The: Sitara Shishakala. Immortal, jaded and endlessly curious augmented warrior borne to fight among the stars. Survivor of her native and adopted civilizations. Close ally of the other Praetorian survivors, whom she is affiliated with. Triakosia: Dancia Devons. Centurion's Compatriot. Investigative reporter with otherworldly power. No close allies or group affiliation. Works for the Freedom Ledger. Tsunami: Giang Trang. Understated water-wielding young woman. Close allies with Blodeuwedd, Crimson Tiger, Glamazon, Net Fly and Thoughtspeed. She is an alumna of Claremont Academy. U Ulysses: Alexander Cross. Kindly old English museum guard suffused with the power of the mighty steam engine. No close allies or team affiliation. V Velocity: Velocity: Megan Howell. Former cheerleader and veteran super-speedster. Close allies with the Freedom League, Asad, Fleur de Joie, Grimalkin and Young Britannia, romantically involved with (NPC) Robert Harrow and member of the Freedom League. Mother of Lawrence Harrow. W Wail: Keith Lemarr. Stentorian gay 80s icon. Close allies with Temperance and Wander. No team affiliation. Wander: Erin White. Hard-hitting enhanced survivor. Close allies with other Liberty League members, Dragonfly, Fleur de Joie, Gabriel, Harrier and romantically involved with Midnight II. She is affiliated with the Liberty League. Wayward: Born Margaret Carter Jr., best known as Valerie Cain. Musically psionic lesbian showbiz heroine. No close allies or team affiliation. Willow: Minerva Espadas(nee Salix). Organic robot empowered to preserve the Earth's biosphere. Close allies with other members of the Interceptors, Fleur de Joie, romantically involved with Jack of all Blades and affiliated with the Interceptors. Mother of Eden Espadas. Woodsman: Riley Smith. Focused young forester from a now-inaccessible Earth reconquered by warped nature. Relies on incredible skill and a uniquely powerful crossbow. No close allies, affiliated with Clremont Academy. Y Young Britannia: Agnus Stone/Annice Stone. Pop star infused with the British Spirit of Justice. Close allies with other Vanguard members, Asad and Velocity, affiliated with the Vanguard.

GM With a crisp *snap* a narrow crack appeared across the creature's arm where the foot impacted, apparently Blodeuwedd had struck just in the right place to follow through on her earlier attack! It roared and flailed backwards, its sudden voice a surprise both because of its mouthless head and the very feminine timbre to it. As the massive slab of confectionery clutched at its arm, a figure shimmered into view standing on impractically-heeled boots on top of an abandoned SUV. She was dressed in what loosely resembled a 17th century French Musketeer outfit, albeit filled with far more ruffles, lace and a very flamboyant hat, with a red and brown checkered pattern on the tabard and an insignia of a chocolate bar. Looking irritatedly up at the two young heroes through a domino mask that did nothing to hide her face and grey eyes, and clutching her arm in the same way the giant chocolate monster was, she called out angrily "Hey, what gives? That really hurt!"