Ari

Alright, that gets KoS a +2 bonus for a grand total of 28. The Family's general Intimidate save: 15. That is one heck of a loss! Consider them cowed.

"Oh, right." Subito stopped mid-fumble, looking abashed at the stall girl. He hadn't remembered that they were in a barter economy, and one where a universal currency didn't exist. Sadly zipping the battered red backpack shut, he began to sling it over his shoulder when a light blazed in his eyes. With a smooth movement, he turned to the interpreter who had been doggedly following in their footsteps. Walking up to the man he put a hand on his shoulder, and looked into his eyes with great intensity. "Could you ask her," he said politely "what she will take in exchange for a statue?" the towering man looked baffled, but shrugged and relayed Subito's question to the young woman, who blinked in surprise and answered hastily <"Uh...obsidian? Maybe a-"> without hesitation the stocky Hispanic declared "I'll get you some!" with a bright smile he spun on his heel back down the street, waving back to the statuette seller before she was lost in the swell of the crowd of jungle dwellers. "I have gotta get one of those!" he told Giang excitedly, hazel eyes still bright "It's gonna be a present for my cousin, he's always been a fan of the Atom Family. Oh hey, you got any suggestions for something Cery-" he realized abruptly who he was talking to and blushed furiously, looking away and muttering sheepishly "S-sorry Giang, I...nevermind. So! Where to now?"

GM The retired heroine smiled, evidently she had expected the question, and this time there was no hesitation in her response. "My greatest accomplishment? Heh, that undoubtedly was the time I defeated Set. It was 1965, a fine warm morning in July, and I was just crossing the south river to get back to my and David's apartment in the 'Center when a pyramid rose out of the water, its walls opening out to reveal Set and a small army of his serpentine soldiers!" Pouring another cup of tea for herself with a careful hand, she went on "He naturally began to sound out a challenge that rang through the whole city, declaring that he would level Freedom City if Horus didn't come and fight him. Of course I was suspicious at once! Set never played this boldly, he had to have had an edge. After landing on his pyramid and sneaking inside, I found it: a great crystal with an inscription that proclaimed it could place an inviolable wall between the gods and whoever spilt their blood upon it. It was in the center of a vast chamber obviously intended as an arena, and I knew then exactly what to do." Smiling to herself, Grace took a careful sip of her drink, wrinkling her lips as she accidentally burned the tip of her tongue "Gh! Sorry dears. Anyway, I appeared before Set, and offered to accept his challenge as Horus was slow to arrive. He assumed I was someone else bound to one of the Pesedjet, and I didn't care to disillusion him. We fought, and I'll tell you kids, he didn't go down easily. He called up darkness to swallow me, I blasted holes in it, he tried to rend me with his claws, I blocked it force-fields, I tried to catch him again and again with old bounce the beam off the wall and floor trick, he got wise to it fast. At last, both of us were nearing exhaustion, and Set was mad. Mad and out of all patience. He teleported behind me, threw me onto the crystal, and taking a lance from one of his soldiers slashed me on the arm, laughing in triumph as my blood spilled onto the crystal." The former Sekhem took a more gentle sip "Then a looked into his snake eyes, smiled, and punched him so hard he fell unconscious. I was about to be swarmed by his furious army when the Freedom League just blasted clean through one of the doors and annihilated the force. Set vanished in the confusion, but the crystal was blown up and the day was saved!" Turning to Subito she added "When they heard my story, I was promptly inducted into the Freedom League. I didn't go on many missions though, mostly helped take care of rebuilding after disasters, or serving as a substitute Horus. Never the glamorous work, but it helped folks and I'm glad I did it." she said with a smile. Looking back at Darren, she looked wistful for a second. "I was mostly...encouraged to give up crimefighting by the Scions of Sobek incident. I suppose for my generation it was sort of like the Terminus Invasion of '93 for the next. A sudden, shocking attack that subverts everything you expected and leaves far, far too many dead and too much destroyed to ever go back to the way things were." Grace looked at the table for a little while before admitting softly "I finally retired after Tectonic and Halogen were killed in the Katanarchist rampage. Something had changed about the world, and I knew I couldn't do the same good as I had any longer. I was too old anyway. After attending their funeral and the Centurion's last meeting where he disbanded the League, I went home and hung up the Sekhem. I picked it up again to fight the Terminus Invasion, but that was the last time." Taking a deep breath she smiled at the two young Claremonters across from her. "Thank you both for listening. Now, humor an old and feeble woman: what do you want to be before you retire?"

KoS Intimidate roll: 26!

Subito brightened immediately. The marketplace was a great start. "Sure! C'mon!" he said, waving her to follow as he walked quickly for the distant, tell-tale din of the stalls and yells for people to buy their wares. Both of the Claremont students had read about cultures from the past, and Subito could sometimes catch glimpses of the Taino as they lived before the Spanish came. Neither of them could have expected, however, the riot, noise and clamor of a busy market day in the Lost World! Weaving as best he could between brightly-clothed jungle dwellers, many of them cheerfully greeting them with <"Welcome, outsiders!"> Subito wandered through the narrow, crowded streets, looking around wide-eyed at the massive slabs of meat hanging from hooks, the piles of rings dangling on strings from poles, the fantastically-shaped fruit whose pungent smell rose even above the strange mingling perfumes, oils and the sharp smell of people who didn't wash too often, and doing his best not to stop and talk to every merchant they passed. "So, what do you think of this place so far, Giang?" the stocky boy asked the girl curiously, smiling broadly, quite relaxed and at home. "I think it's great! We can learn all about a whole new culture, and maybe teach them some stuff too!" then he saw something that pushed such thoughts from his mind entirely. "Look! Giang, they've got statues of the Atoms!" he exclaimed gleefully, pointing a powerful arm at a stall bearing at least a dozen masterfully-carved wooden statuettes, each bearing the uncanny likeness of one of the famed adventuring family. The strong looking and pretty girl who was running it quickly saw his interest, and waved the pair over with a bright smile. <"They come from the north, each was shaped by a different master. Take one as a reminder of your stay here!"> she offered cheerily, the bracelets around her muscular arms glinting in the bright light of the Lost World's sun. The Puerto Rican stared at the young merchant with dancing eyes, then turned to Giang "Oh wow! She says they're each specially made! Should we buy some? I think we should!" Subito told the water-controller, already searching in his backpack for space.

By now Subito was wishing he had spent less time getting his cursive to look good and more time making the letters quickly. Putting down his pencil for a moment to massage a hand getting the first twinges of writer's cramp, he looked deeply chastened by the sad tale of Man-Scorpion, though the name did raise a grin that was difficult for the stocky boy to hide. Nodding his agreement at Darren's next choice of questions, the swarthy teen asked "An' if it's not prying into anything, did you ever work with the Freedom League?" Subito was puzzled by Darren's gesture, but put it down to irritation 'Not like I don't often deserve it' he thought ruefully.

The parade through the city had left Subito almost breathless with glee, and he'd quickly gotten into the spirit of exchanging powerful hugs, shouting a half-understood greeting and then passing on. Arriving in high spirits at the steps of Zandar's hall, he bowed politely to the crowd as he was introduced, turning full of excitement to the Jungle Lord as he finished his announcement. He could go anywhere until it was supper-time, and Subito knew just where he and Cerys could go. He had spotted a tower on the other side of the city, with a jungle of roofs between it and them. "We thank you for your welcome, Zandar!" he told the towering man, grinning from ear to ear as the door shut, and whirling around to Blodeuwedd, just about to speak when she said "...Oh, okay." He looked almost crestfallen for a moment, but soon recovered his earlier cheer as he said "Will do, princess! Don't get into too many crazy adventures by yourself, I want to be part of at least a couple!" he added laughingly. Watching Blodeuwedd depart for a while, he turned to Giang with an awkward smile and a shrug "So...uh...what do you wanna see around here?" he asked hopefully, the Puerto Rican boy unsure exactly what to suggest.

Player Name: Arichamus Character Name: Ma'at Power Level: 12, 180/180PP Trade-Offs: None Unspent Power Points: 0 Progress To Bronze Status: 0/30 In Brief: A young artist who serves as a vessel of the Egyptian goddess of truth, harmony and justice after a dire experience with the forces of chaos. Alternate Identity: Ashley Marks Identity: Secret Birthplace: Augusta, Georgia, USA Occupation: Former musician, Cartoonist/comic-book artist; Goddess Affiliations: Harmony, Truth, Justice, the Egyptian pantheon, Castle Comics Family: James Otis Marks(father, date of birth: September 1964), Elisabeth Marks (neé Green)(mother, date of birth: May 1963) Description: Age: 27 (DoB: 1986, January 14) Apparent Age: Same as actual/Ageless as Ma'at Gender: Female Ethnicity: African-American/Ancient Egyptian as Ma'at Height: 5'6"/6'10 as Ma'at Weight: 230lbs. Eyes: Brown/Gold as Ma'at Hair: Black Ashley is squat and heavily-built; a graceless, rounded albeit not flabby form, usually wearing a weathered leather vest over incongruously colorful cotton shirts, sauntering in thick denim pants and well-used work boots is how she tend to present herself, with the occasional bit of beaded leather for bracelets and an earring carrying a white feather on her left ear. Contrasting with this style is the gold Egyptian amulet she wears, showing a kneeling woman with multi-colored wings outstretched. Ashely's voice is rough and peppered with the accent and mannerisms of somebody who grew up in the Deep South. Her hair is shorn into a mohawk that clashes badly with her warm, open manner and the easy smile on her broad face. On those times when an actual dress code is enforced, she tends to soft blue suits with long skirts, a simple wig disguising her more recalcitrant head. Her skin is dark and slightly rough to the touch, marked by several long scars on the torso, arms and back that she claims are from a hiking accident in Washington. Ma'at is unhuman. Smooth grace marks her every move, her deep golden eyes draw others' to them seemingly of their own accord, and her unmistakably Egyptian face and body is as perfectly, understatedly formed as a sculptor's dream. Like many of the Ennead Ma'at wears white, in her case a crisp shift embellished with a golden belt holding a scarab beetle. Around her neck she wears a bright collar that drapes to her shoulders, detailing the way to a harmonious life, while her arms carry a fantastic pair of wings like two rainbows that change color from moment to moment. In a gold band around her crown, there is s single white feather. Ma'at prefers not to wear anything on her feet, in fact tending to float above the ground when she can. When she speaks her voice is high and clear, and every word seems charged with both gravity and love. Power Descriptions: Ma'at's powers come from her status as a goddess, and thus are mostly quite obvious. Be they a sun appearing above her head and flinging bolts of fire or shafts of light, her wings carrying her across the sky or an enemy's eyes taking on a golden hue as she touches their mind, when she uses her gifts it's readily apparent. To those with mystic sight, Ma'at and Ashley share the same space in a kind of double-vision, linked by a golden cord to both of their hearts. History: Ashley Marks was born and raised for most of her life in the city of Augusta, Georgia. She early on took an interest in the arts, especially drawing and music. Encouraged by her hard-working, well-to-do parents, both grateful that their child was so outgoing, she passed mostly uneventfully through her early years; making friends, trying out new ways to realize her bursting imagination, exploring the world around her, Ashley was blessed enough that those are the most vivid memories of her school years before she went on to college pursuing a degree in fine arts. The young woman had been deeply inspired by other artists, but not the intricate designs of the Great Masters, the refinement of the Pre-Raphaelites, or the subtle theories and stark radicalism of the moderns, but the simplistic beauty and energy of comic books. Ashley had fallen in love with them at the age of seven, after she and a friend happened upon a huge collection of aging books in her parents' attic. Buried among the first-editions, architectural folios and ancient treasure maps were comics from the dawn of time(1938) to the late 70's, detailing the derring-do of the world's strangest champions! The simple, punchy storytelling and smartly-done art quickly hooked the pair, sparking a near-obsession with this amazing new medium. By age nine, Ashley was determined that she too would become as good as the prolific Centurion peniciler Kurtz Dive. His elegant mixture of the realistic and the fantastic captivated her, and it was this childhood dream that followed her as she made her way into the adult world. It also met with the same harsh reality. Ashley had a good hand, was quite talented and developed a determined work ethic that made good on her potential, but she wasn't any kind of artistic genius. It was a hard blow, but made up for by the knowledge that she wouldn't have to be that good to be happy. She had a whole pack of friends, the comics industry was as booming then as now, and she'd met Dorian. He was a scion of old money from the Furrows family, bursting with ideas about how to try and improve the world, the two falling for each other thanks to his admiration at her skill in portraying even the most abstract ideas, vivid imagination and passion for life, while she quickly grew to love his kindly heart, elegant good looks and solid altruistic ambition. Partway into their last couple of years at university, the tragedy struck. Dorian became involved with a cult that claimed it could "drown the darkness in the human soul", and while Dorian was no believer in black magic the concept appealed to him. After a few weeks with the cult, he vanished, leaving only a cryptic message that started Ashley on a trail that led all the way to the rainforests of western Washington, a small village on the shore of a lake once considered scared. Ashley arrived too late to save her love, who before her eyes was taken over by a monster from beyond the void, a miniscule portion of Kar'Kradas, who had corrupted all the others living in the village, sending them out to gather new converts. Just managing to escape with her life, Ashley was approached by a small local Order of Light chapter, who offered to help her rescue Dorian along with the others. The Order mages had little power but a lot of ingenuity, and they had heard of a strange amulet hidden in an a house near the village that might give them an edge. Searching the house, which had once belonged to a professor of Egyptology and was full of copies of artifacts, Ashley discerned a hidden pattern in the tomb paintings that led her to the amulet's hiding place. Reaching out to take it, her mind was suddenly filled with a deep harmony and she heard the voice of the goddess of harmony and justice. Ma'at knew their plight and offered the young woman her power to defeat the cult and their monstrous patron, asking that in return she would follow 42 laws without fail. Accepting the terms without hesitation, Ashley became the statuesque goddess! Newly embodied, Ma'at was not quite at her full strength, but the divine duo promptly went on the offense against the avatar of chaos and its servants. In a battle that made the sky tremble, she defeated Dorian after being herself injured and sought to cleanse his mind, finding to Ashley's heartbreak that they were too late to save him. She managed to bring him back just long enough for the two to say goodbye and exchange a last kiss before she buried him in the black water of the lake, there to sleep until he healed. Full of fury and grief, Ma'at used her divine power over the mind to order all those who could be saved to leave, then took fire from the sun and used it to incinerate the village and the monster that lay beneath it without so much as singeing the surrounding forest, throwing its charred body into the void from whence it came. Returning to Georgia, Ashley slowly recovered from the ordeal, throwing herself back into her work just in time to graduate the next year almost at the top of her class. Dorian's family, her friends and parents all tried to find out what happened from her, and she told all that she could without revealing the whole truth. It was assumed that Ma'at was some new superhero, and that Dorian had perished thanks to some evil none could fully understand was all too easy an explanation to swallow. After graduation Ashley took off to see the country, Ma'at often guiding her to places that needed justice done, or compassion and clear-mindedness, or just a new perspective. On her travels she briefly joined the experimental metal band Roar of Sekhmet, started by a terrifyingly-intense, chain-smoking poetess former schoolmate of hers, who wanted to introduce epic fiction styles into modern music. She played bass guitar, so few people noticed much when she joined or left, but it was an experience that rekindled her love of life for its own sake. In mid 2013 Ashley came to Freedom City after a few years work among the comic companies on both coasts, landing a drawing and inking job at Castle Comics. It's the kind of work she's dreamed of having, working with some of the greatest talent in the country and helping bring mind-blowing stories to life whether true or imaginary. She's all but at the center of the world, surrounded by living examples of the limitless possibilities of life, and with Ma'at's help she knows harmony be achieved. The forces of evil that gnaw at the corners of the Earth can be beaten, hatred cast aside, fear banished and hope vindicated, and though the goddess will admit the recent reappearance of Set is a trifle worrisome, she knows 'was' is not 'will be'. Personality & Motivation: Ashley is blunt, straightforward, bursting with energy, hardly able to sit still when talking, and is easily excited. She has looked into the face of horror more than once, and come out tempered not with cynicism but hope. Believing without question that people are naturally good, she does her best to bring that out of others and actively encourages those less confident than she. Always ready with a second chance and to forgive, Ashley dances perilously close to being downright naive. Balancing this is the knowledge that she needs to act in accordance with 'her' goddess's rules, which sometimes chafes against her free-spirited attitude and desire to try new things. Ma'at is quiet, solemn and composed. She speaks seldom, but always with gravity and penetrating insight, preferring to support rather than lead. She hopes to show mankind how to achieve peace in themselves and in their nations, reestablishing the rule of her spirit. Ma'at has seemingly boundless patience, though clear foolishness can reveal a sharp temper and imperious streak that otherwise goes unseen. As a goddess she is naturally accustomed to obedience, but several millennia has shown her the changing spirit of the omniverse, something that both warms and saddens her heart. Powers & Tactics: Ashley, despite her training and skill, is not much of a fighter. She prefers to get to cover and transform rather than try her luck in a super-brawl. If she encounters a really conflicted bad guy she'll at least try to talk them out of it. Ma'at for her part does her best work at a distance, throwing lances of solar fire and light, or if time allows using her mastery of the mind and will to sway the mood of her enemies, saving for truly special occasions her ability to take command of the very soul, overpowering by brute divine force their will with her own. Complications: Forty-Two Negative Confessions: Abilities: 6 + 4 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 4 = 22PP Strength: 16/26 (+3/+8) Dexterity: 14 (+2) Constitution: 14 (+2) Intelligence: 12 (+1) Wisdom: 12 (+1) Charisma: 14/20 (+2/+5) Combat: 16 + 16 = 32PP Initiative: +2 Attack: +8 Melee, +12 Ranged Grapple: +0 Defense: +12 (+8 Base, +4 Dodge Focus), +4 Flat-Footed Knockback: -1, -6, Saving Throws: 5 + 6 + 11 = 22PP Toughness: +12 (+2 Con, +10 Protection) Fortitude: +7 (+2 Con, +5) Reflex: +8 (+2 Dex, +6) Will: +12 (+1 Wis, +11) Skills: 112R = 28PP Bluff 5 (+7/+10) Climb 3 (+6/+11) Concentration 9 (+10) Craft(Artistic) 9 (+10) Diplomacy 10 (+12/+15) Drive 3 (+5) Intimidate 12 (+14/+17) Knowledge(Arcane Lore) 4 (+5) Knowledge(Art) 10 (+11) Knowledge(Current Events) 8 (+9) Knowledge(History) 5 (+6) Knowledge(Popular Culture) 8 (+9) Knowledge(Tactics) +4 (+5) Languages 4 (Ancient Egyptian, English(Native), French, Greek, Spanish) Perform(Stringed Instruments) 10 (+12/+15) Survival 5 (+6) Swim 3 (+6/+11) Feats: 15PP Accurate Attack Attack Bonus(Ranged) 4 Benefit(Inspiration) Defensive Attack Dodge Bonus 4 Equipment 1(5PP) Fearless Luck Power Attack Second Chance(Mind Control) Powers: 62 + 0 + 0 = 62PP Device 15(75PP Device, Hard to Lose, Power Feats: Restricted 2(Ashley))[62PP] Ma'at amulet Divine Power 11(55PP Container; Active, Sustained)[55PP] Comprehend 2(Spoken Languages; understand all, speak all(one at a time))[4PP] Enhanced Strength 10(to 26)[10PP] Enhanced Charisma 6(to 20)[6PP] Enhanced Feat 1(Benefit: Status(Goddess))[1PP] Environmental Control 2(Light; 10ft.)[4PP] Flight 5(250MPH, 2500ft. per round)[10PP] Immunity 10(Aging, Emotion Effects, Hot Conditions, Suffocation, Sleep)[10PP] Protection 10[10PP] Coming of Order 13(26PP Array; Power Feats: Alternate Power 4)[30PP] Base Power: Blast 12(Power Feats: Affects Insubstantial, Variable Descriptor(Holy Fire/Light)[26PP] AP: Emotion Control 12(Extras: Area(Cloud, 60ft.), Contagious(shadow of ma'at); Flaws: Limited(Calm), Sense-Dependent(Auditory))[24PP] AP: Healing 12(Power Feats: Persistent, Regrowth)[26PP] AP: Mind Control 12(Extras: Area(Cone, 60ft.); Flaws: Sense-Dependent(Visual); Power Feats: Mental Link, )[26PP] AP: Mind Reading 12[12PP] + Communication 8(Mental Senses, 2,000 miles; Power Feats: Dimensional)[9PP] + Immunity 5(Interaction Skills)[5PP] =[26PP] Drawbacks: (-5) = -5PP Normal Identity(Intensity: Major; Frequency: Very Common)[-5PP] DC Block (see below) Totals: Abilities (22) + Combat (32) + Saving Throws (23) + Skills (29) + Feats (15) + Powers (62) - Drawbacks (5) = 178/180 Power Points

Heraldo took in the mighty specimen of Avian-kind that stood next to the Cressida's entryway, eyes widening in brief amazement before he quickly got into a ready stance, the Banner gripped in his hands. He was about to bust open the hatch and leap through when a warning shot into his mind. 'Wait! Wai-! Ah I gotta...I gotta make sure the others are on board with taking this guy on.' he drove the flagstaff into the floor, staring out at the tremendous figure outside. "Okay, really big guy on the entrance, what's the plan?" he asked as he heard the last Avian inside crash to the floor. He glanced around with an anxious look "Er...should we save these guys? Pretty sure airship explosions are very dangerous for people not as tough as me."

Well, Subito is pretty sure they're in a hurry, but he doesn't want to risk hurting their ship, so he'll wait for the others first.

Getting lightly to his feet, the King of Suits removed the hardy red glove on his left and hand and rapidly compassed the small group, shaking the hands of the three other heroes with vigor and an enthusiastic "Good luck!". Replacing the glove he stood nearby Voltage, a fearless smile on his face. "Slip in, place the device, destroy Dr. Green's database and hopefully end his villainous career. Simple enough. I am quite ready and able, Voltage!" he nodded to Crusader "This shall at least be more interesting than our last meeting. More productive, too!" he added with a warm smile.

Eyes dancing with enchantment, Heraldo murmured in answer "Beauty, I beg you to teach me about this thing. Whatever it was that made you like..like this, I wanna learn all about it. And you." Listening to the rhythm of her heartbeat with his tousled head resting against her chest, he suddenly lifted his face and gently placed a small kiss on her neck... A while later... Subito sent another splash of murky water over his face, scrubbing with grim determination several yards from Malaise' court. It was a terrible idea, but at least it made him feel a little better. Outside, he appeared quite reserved. On the inside, he was filled with quiet and wailing horror. 'Blarghrarghlubarebul Be at peace, Herald! I saw everything, and unlike you my vision was not filled with visions of our 'Maiden' friend in- Quit it! What happened? Pah, rudeness. Anyway, you will not need to worry about Father Guimont needing to talk with your parents. Nothing untoward happened Good' With that, Heraldo dried off his face on his shirt, took a moment to collect his buzzing, disorder thoughts, and trudged off to find Young Britannia.

Marceau had stayed quiet for the exchange, willing to let René deal with the haughty Prince as his confederate. Stepping to one side so Parsinkle and Hartfoul could pass by, he waited until the pair were out of sight before entering the room. He looked quietly surprised at his friend's outburst, and when the mage asked his opinion he took a long minute to think over the question. However much he wrangled with the matter, the answer to why they would be by turns so circumspect and then bold as brass eluded him, and he gave his initial response as a short, sad shrug. "René, I am afraid these creatures are far less opaque to you than I. I can see it as well, they plot something even within their professed honesty, but what it might be..." he shrugged again. Glancing down the hallway he wondered glumly if Fey hearing was stronger than the human 'They must have adapted to constantly needing the power to hear plots, judging by this it would appear they're quite used to this. It must be practically normal to them-wait!' he turned suddenly to the painter, eyes brilliant with excitement. "Although that may work to our advantage! The Fey, they assume plots everywhere, as they work schemes and plans for the increase of their power and status constantly, oui? If so, what if we started going around to the staff of this castle, appearing to casually be plotting the downfall of Parsinkle? It will not be what they expect from humans, but it might encourage them to speak more freely than otherwise, since we will be doing as they do. Imagine, if you will," the King of Suits continued, leaping elegantly onto the table and crouching on it so as to speak at head-level with René "that you met a Grue at a book shop, and they wore clothes like ours and talked like we do and did business as we do it. The Grue is conforming to our standards and would hence be better accepted than if they barged in shouting mental commands and trying to attack you so it could take what it wanted." Giving the mage a look that invited comment he went on "We would be suspicious. But less hostile than if it did as we expected, and perhaps more open." Jumping down from the table he asked René eagerly "What do you think mon amis? Could that work?"

The King of Suits stared at White Knight for a long moment, letting the last words sink in. With a neat twist of the wrist, he slid the explosive card he had drawn back into his sleeve, drawing the chemical-powered gauntlets over his hands instead. "You know, I have lived here for years, Mr. White Knight, and nobody has ever called me that. Congratulations." drawing the grapple gun he fired it into the wall next to the supervillain's head, rocketing towards him in a red and black streak through the air that whizzed straight at White Knight's face! Just before he collided, Marceau swerved, driving the ram into the hellfire-powered Klansman with a tremendous impact! Landing neatly on the brick, he turned and glared back at his enemy. "Want another?"

KoS springs into belated action: using the Grapple Gun to zip up to White Knight, then punching him with the Gauntlets(Power Attack +-3): 27. Hits! DC25 Toughness save: 15. Fiating a reroll(+1 HP to KoS and Crow): 15. so 25. Withstood! Crow is up!

The blue knight crashed to his knees with a clatter of metal, which slowly dissolved off him to reveal the battered form of the young Puerto Rican. Rodrigo was breathing painfully, clutching the side of his head and mumbling in pain. "Oh Roddy, why..." Subito asked quietly, gently picking up his cousin, who even in a dim morass of pain tried to snarl something indecipherable. Galanta nodded, dashed over to the fallen Serge and hoisted the mutant Claremonter over her shoulder, jogging back to Wisp and looking at her expectantly. "So, ho-?" And they vanished with a puff of smoke. The trip to Nurse Joy's office was quick and painless, the kindly young woman leaping into action the moment she saw the two injured boys, rushing them to a free room and quickly seeing to it that they were cared for. Soon Rodrigo and Serge had ice packs on their painful bruises, and Subito's cousin was given painkillers. Galanta called her parents about what had happened, Pavor and Broma's shock and horror evident just from her desperate explanations. "Yeah. Love you too, see you in a bit." she put down the phone into its cradle and leaned against a wall, shrugging and looking at the floor. "They...they said they didn't think it would happen so soon. They'll be here in a few minutes."

Sense Motive roll: 8. Good enough to know they're hiding something, not good enough to make a guess at what it is.

So, any ideas of how to improve on the base premise? It is a tad sketchy.

Let me be clear: I don't see myself Gamemastering this. Mainly because I'd prefer someone else to try their hand at it, but also because I'm still loaded. :oops:

GM Grave shrugged "Going by the Hand's constant babbling about "destined wielder" and "tool to unlock true power"it might well be. I was never one for detective work about those things, and Freedom City was the place to be if you wanted to become a great protector. Besides, I figured that if they did show up again, better I was in a place where you couldn't go three blocks and not see one of those boys in spandex jumping around instead of alone." she smiled fondly "I remember, for a few years it was like every hero in the city was wearing at least a little blue; made me feel very proud of myself that I wore white and gold, even if the sekhem did make the clothes for me." taking a slurp of tea, she smacked her lips with savor and attended to Darren's second question. "As for the Hand, it was only ever that one in the cloak..no, that didn't do much to stop them, they appeared again in 1968, backed by a small army of those snake-men. Didn't help them much. And they showed up again in 1973, this time with a suit of armor filled with mystic power. And then some more times throughout every month '76, it was like they were getting desperate. I could never discover who they were, or where they were getting their various artifacts and allies from, but I did manage to shoot them through a door of space/time that collapsed as they went through. That seemed to do it, I haven't heard from that man, woman, monster or spirit since. Although..." she looked suddenly doubtful, and put her cup down gently, staring into the wavering liquid for a while before speaking again. "I once fought the ghosts of every enemy who died because of me, and the Hand wasn't among them...ha!" Mrs. Sobczak laughed, tossing back her tea and taking another cupful as she went on jauntily "Maybe they made one too many pacts, and got their soul dragged down into the darkness of Apep. Wouldn't surprise me a bit. Don't go making bargains with such things, young men" she added with a warning look and wave of her finger "Nobody but the dark gods get a thing out of such deals! Believe me, a fine young gentleman of my acquaintance who went by Man-Scorpion(ridiculous name, though a wonderful and gallant lad) once tried to get the better of Hades himself, and lost everything! Even his very soul! Quite tragic." In much better humor, she reclined against the chair and smiled warmly at the pair. "So, what else would you like to ask?"

"Certainly!" Heraldo turned to the officer "Excuse me, officer, can I borrow some of your alcohol wipes? I think I saw some in that" he gestured to the cruiser in question "car over there. It would be much appreciated!" he added with a brilliant smile. Turning to Elias he said "Will you be alright from hereon out, citizen?" 'Any place you wanna see next?'

Oh I know that, don't worry, I was just being silly. :D

Basic idea: a noble of the Stellar Khanate sends a secret message to the Star Knights that her beloved has been captured and imprisoned by one of her greatest enemies in Kinan Khan's court. She wants assistance in freeing him, which is taken by Mentor to mean an almost certain trap of some sort. Sri Montoya of Earth takes on the mission regardless, taking the precaution of asking for aid from among Earth's space-faring heroes. The band must somehow rescue the houseguest without creating a diplomatic incident, evade or defeat the army of a powerful Khanate noble(allowed due to distinguished service by the Star Khan), and secure a happy ending! Thoughts?

I'm going to do that anyway, I meant another thing!

Heraldo shrugged "Well, Tona would never use her life as a club to win an argument, and she definitely wouldn't throw her girlfriend off a roof" he carefully beat back the waves of self-recrimination at not thinking to try and intercept Kit instead of Blodeuwedd. Another thing that would drive him into a sobbing bundle by the time this was done. The Blue Dame was doing a commendable job of keeping him focused, he had to say! Raising the Banner, he said aloud "Comrades. We will destroy this creature, and end its evil! But before we crush it beneath righteousness' fist," he glared down at the raging Blue Jay "we will discover where our friend has been taken from it!" as he spoke, a wash of golden smoke curled around Warp, Blodeuwedd and himself, filling them briefly with a shout like soldiers preparing to charge! A strength flowed through them, and everything seemed possible.