Ari

What does Wave-Eye make out of the incantation?

Running a hand through his short hair Subito considered this question, frowning as he realized he wasn't really the best person to ask about such things. "It's..." he groped around for a suitable analogy before his eyes brightened and he began talking eagerly "Well, you know how we translate words into a written language so we can store it in books and stuff? Well, we've found a way to translate written stuff into electric signals that can be stored on computers, meaning we can carry around loads of books with things the size of your thumb" he said, gesturing to Tona's hands. Replacing his cap he went on"It's done so we can access 'em from a computer, without needing to carry a lot of copies, or getting replacements if they get lost or damaged, it's a pretty big advance, I think. A few of the guys and gals around here'd be happy to tell you more about the technological side, I'm pretty ignorant about stuff like that" he admitted with an embarressed grin. He looked hopefully at Tona "That make sense?"

GM It was a hard scrabble through the tunnel, but at last the two heroes and Jane found a small vent in a side-tunnel only a few yards from the opening looking down into a dark room. From what could be seen, three serried ranks of the cultists that had fled through the doors at Silhouette's attack were standing with arms raised in worship before an obsidian altar, chanting a slow song in what sounded like Latin as they watched a surprisingly dapper and merry gentleman with silver-gray hair and a spotless gray suit under a heavy black robe. He was bowing low before the giant snake head rising out of the altar, the slow movement of its eyes reflecting the small lights on the floor and the pulsation of its visible throat telling them at once it was alive, though it stood so still it was otherwise impossible to tell. Raising his head, the old man said gravely in a voice that was almost wheedling "O messenger of Apep, O child of our dread lord Apophis, we beg our master and God to forgive us, for two interlopers have attacked us and driven us into the tunnels you bore for our worhip. One of them has strange powers that ape your might and can cut your darkness; the other is of no import, a mere man with little tricks up his sleeve. We will destroy them speedily, and send their broken souls to you for your pleasure," he added, sweeping the black floor with his long hair as be bowed again "we vow this by the dark river from which you drink and create." The colorless beast stared at the human with an unguessable expression, then nodded once, rose to an impossible height in the enclosed space, and dove into the altar it had sprung from, its huge coils writhing after it for what seemed like miles, the surface of its impromptu passageway to the Schattenwelt rippling like watery gelatin. As the serpent departed the apparent leader of the cult rose, dusted off his knees, turned to his flock and intoned in a much stronger voice "Now, my fellow soldiers of darkness! We shall form bands, arm ourselves, and search every passage and cranny for these intruders! I have heard it reported by our shadowed brethren" he said quietly with a face twisted with grief "That our fellow soldier Jane Guan has been captured by the invaders, and that...she was executed by them" he finished, a catch of horror in his throat as he said the word 'executed'. A gasp of shock and horror rose from the throng, who all began whispering to each other as weapons glinted suddenly int heir hands, mostly pistols, but a few carbines as well.

So that's where she is! And if my ears do not deceive me, there are others with her though the King of Suits as he caught the slight auditory hints pointing where he and the Bee-Keeper needed to get to. "We need t-" he began to explain, when the collapsing apartment building rudely cut him off in a rain of flaming debris. Starting backwards with a muffled curse he took a moment to regain his composure "Ah...yes. They are trapped below us! Follow me, monsieur Hornet!" he shouted behind himself as he dove down through the hole the crashing mortar had, rolling as he hit the ground and leaping up as he dashed over to where the calls for help had originated. The heat was like being in a blast-furnace, and Marceau wished he had fire-proofed his costume.

Subito had watched the speedy descent of the two girls down the side of the wall with undisguised awe, removing his baseball cap with a sweeping movement and clapping enthusiastically when Tona and Cerys reached the ground. "Bravo!" he exclaimed when they began approaching Mali and him "I couldn't do somethin' like that, my hands would get in the way. As for where next..." he glanced around the campus before his eyes alighted on the much-used attachment to the main school building "Aha! I know, how about the library? Your general repository for all study-relevant information needs? It's got loads of paper books" he added, not knowing if she would be familiar with the idea, seeing as she didn't appear to know what plastic was "though some are being digitized for internet access and...uh...did you get to read any books back where you're from, Tona?" he asked politely To Mali he muttered "If I do or say anythin' stupid, feel free to bust in"

"A mechanical device? But how could it been mistaken for a mystical artifact? Aren't those things kind of completely different from each other or something?" El Heraldo asked Blodeuwedd with a raised eyebrow "I mean, i'm not a magician bu-" The young national spirit-bearer turned just in time to see the incoming hammer just as it cashed into him. Due to this, he was able to lash out with the Banner at the legs of the gigantic man, which to his dismay whistled just past his target, making a small dent on the floor that he felt very self-conscious about. Luckily, he wasn't hurt besides in his pride, the sheltering power of the Dama Azure allowing him to absorb the blow harmlessly.

El Heraldo Subito Sondo

DC25 TOU save: 28! Going to try and use the Trip power of the banner on him. Attack roll: 18. Which misses.

That article sounds intriguing, and I can well understand how giving a character the ability to teleport at will would be dangerous in a story. Maybe you could ask Azuth65 or one of the Refs about that issue? i'm sure they'd help iron out stuff like that.

GM Tapping an obscured black button on the black tabletop with his purple hand, the admiral retrived a small USB-like tab "All we have on the portal the creature was maintaining is in here, we made it so it can easily be accessed by both sophisticated hardware like the suits you and Dadalus use, and your more..unsophisticated computers" he said, hesitating at the appropriate choice of words. More strongly he went on "As well, we have supplied a few schematics for software to upgrade the Watchtower, our scans show it has some slight deficiencies in its communications system" To Quintessence he added "From what I am told, you and these others managed to talk the creature into deactivating the machines keeping the portal active. I commend you all for that!" he stopped, frowning at them before he said "I was...not expecting such a diplomatic solution. Most of the times I hear about you it always seems like you're brutalizing something or someone. This is a welcome change, and very promising for your prospects in the Republic."

Scanning the tent-dotted clearing sparkling in the unnatural sunlight, the 'Redcap' narrowed his eyes and shaded them to see past the now-infuriating gentle haze and glare suffusing the glade. With a croak in his voice that the prince had instructed him to adopt he offered "Perhaps they are hidden, and watching us to see what we do? It would not surprise me if this apparent openness was a trap laid to ensnare us. They will know they are hunted," he added in a softer voice "or not. But whichever it is, they will be wary, I have heard that the Fey prize human captives. All we can do is play our part for now, and hope we do not alert them to who and what we really are." He gave Rene a short, grim smile "I'm sure you'll do fine, my friend" and taking him by the hand led him roughly into the clearing, calling out in a gruffer voice "My brothers, another of our prey!"

Staring at his new foeman, Subito thought Okay...a big, loud old guy with wings and a mace-no, a hammer he gulped a little, which he largely managed to conceal beneath a brazen grin and a cocky tilt to his feathered cap. Any suggestions, O Dame? he thought hopefully I am afraid we will need to observe our enemy for a time. I have never encountered an enemy like this before. Try smacking him upside the head she suggested idly, though from the tone he could easily see the quirk of her lips. he was just about to reply heatedly when Cerys landed next to him in a swirl of her cloak and glint of the mighty sword. Jumping slightly in surprise at her sudden appearance he answered her instead, much more politely "Alas, no, friend Blodeuwedd. I have just met this gentlemen, who seems to have confused me for someone who has harmed his children. If you will be so kind," he added, beginning to walk up to the impressive winged man, "I would welcome your help in showing this fellow the door" he said the last darting forward, punching with a viciously precise left hook into the stomach of the mighty invader with an impact that resounded around the club. "Unless you want to start explaining yourself, leave!" he told the much older man sternly as he floated smoothly backwards to Blodeuwedd's side "Neither of us will tolerate such assaults. Depart, please, at once and instantly!"

The time is come! Going to make a move action up to Blessed(DIIIIIIIIIIIVE!!),Accruate Attack(+-3) with the Strike, then retreat after saying summat. Attack roll: 29! Second 19 today, freakish...DC23 TOu save.

Seeing in the flash of Mz. Stone's blazing attack, the Herald noted the posture of Agnes, realizing that she seemed to be tiring now that the fight appeared to be drawing slowly to its conclusion. Placing a hand on her shoulder he said with utter sincerity "Comrade, it is my belief that we shall soon have the honor standing victorious over this man, so let me lift the weariness from your arms" the banner flared once with a stream of dense golden fog that swirled around the Spirit of Justice, clearing the mind, bolstering the spirit and dissolving the tiredness of the body. That accomplished, he turned sharply on Lorenzo. Walking up to where he had heard the furious splutter he grabbed out at where he presumed the man to be, found his collar and held him up for a second. "Then we shall battle you until you decide the time has come" he said crisply, punching him with tremendous force in the sternum.

GM Net Fly: The interior cannons of the ship turned out to be astonishingly powerful for self-defense weapons, the scanners onboard the small craft informing its crew in general about a series of "sudden decompressions and hull integrity failures" through multiple decks of the ship. If before the comms chatter had been busy, now it was a cacophany of scattered information and rapid queries and replies all coming slowly down to one thing: mounting a counter-assault on their tormentor in the captured cessel, several clear orders from what seemed to be squad leaders were already forming up to march on the tech-genius mutant and his last refuge... El Heraldo: "Oh that's quite easy" explained Strongarm blithely as he watched the ant-like squad cars(a few STAR vans close behind) hurtle into the Pyramid Plaza, the few civilians there at that point in the day clearing out with surprising speed "When I let you go, you won't be conscious." Hoisting the teen up so their heads were even he said "You see, there are a lot of ways to make a splash in this town, and with the Freedom League away I'll need to do something to make myself known around here. Of course, beating on a kid like you is pretty unpleasant, but at least I won't have to get thrown in the slammer to get known" he smiled thinly at his captive "So, anything you want to say before i toss you down for the boys in blue?"

Using the Leadership feat to remove Young Britannia's Fatigued condition(2HP), and then making a Move Action up to Lorenzo, Surging to get another standard action to hit him with fists, using a HP to remove his own Fatigue condition(1HP). Attack roll: 26! That should hit, DC26 TOU save for Mr. Vile! EDIT: Roll against Concealment: 3. Rerolling. 11!

Initiative roll: 4. Very well. Imp. Initative looks like a better purchase every time...

Notice roll to try and locate where the direction the girls' yells came from: 25.

Marceau was getting to liking the armored apian, he(Well, they) seemed eager to help, and quite tireless. He had clanked and whirred throughout the hallways, searching with minute care and a quick eye that the King of Suits outright admired. That he could also bust through doors with tremendous ease and clear fallen debris was even better. The search was fruitless, which in a way was a relief to the gas-masked man, as it meant that nobody else on the floor was in danger and needed to be helped to escape. He was just about to suggest going to the lower floors when the cry rang out through the hallways, stopping his head in mid-turn as he tried to figure out where the call for help had come from. As the echoes died away he said rapidly to the Bee-Keeper "Can your armor find wherever that shout came from? I cannot track such things. If not, an idea of the direction would be welcome." He had whipped the explosive card from his sleeve as he spoke, and stood ready to move at the next moment. For all that he asked, he was even then trying to figure out where the cries seemed to be coming from himself, his head craning around the hallways at the haze of smoke and licking flames.

Wave-Eye watched with a look of deep surprise and admiration as Harrier smashed his way through the drones that had all but shot and pummeled him into the ground. By the time the freed 'Drone was done, two had been bashed to pieces and the last was buzzing and crackling right in front of him. Taking heart at this turn of events he raised the conch to his lips again. With any luck, this will do better than the last he thought dourly as he sent a roaring blast through it that shook the walls and floor, sending a gushing column of red-streaked sea water smashing into the hovering artificial animal. The fingers of water slid through its armor, tearing it asunder in an explosion of metal, wiring and chips that scattered across the now-slick floor of the...laboratory? Whatever this place is, I never understood it. Turning to Harrier with a grave bow he gurgled "Thank you for your help, Harrier. My apologies for being so...inept, it is quite unusual, my reputation as Wave-Eye was not founded on nothing" he said with a wry smile. Looking over at the assembled humans he raised his rasping voice to say "Have you found anything to help find this prisoner they're holding? That poor unfortunate I am sure they will want to tell us all about now?" he had the odd feeling he had somehow forgotten to introduce himself earlier.

"Thank you for your willing cooperation, Mr. Cloak" Subito said brightly "and we will defend you from your 'benefactors', don't worry" he said the word 'benefactors' with undisguised contempt "So rest assured." He meant what he said, confident that the two of them would prove adequate protection against any threat. In answer to Glow he said "I hope they don't! If they keep quiet and calm about this, we'll miss our best chance yet to catch those behind all this!" he slid the Banner back into its slot with a sharp *tnnk!* as he turned to go, holding the door for his comrade. To Mr. Cloak he added sternly "Please do not turn renegade on us, sir. It will do nobody any good!" As they passed the receptionist on the way out he thanked her profusely for letting them in "Thanks to you, we are closer than ever before to stopping this Evil!" he proclaimed to her. When they left the building he took off his hat and wiped his forehead before replacing it, muttering to Glow with a slight grin "You were fantastic back there, can I be a fan of yours?" sobering up he frowned at Mr. Cloak's office "What shall we do now? We commence interrogating the post office employees?"

Reason for submission: a relative dearth of European heroes statted, especially 'iconic' ones, as well I plan to do a thread in the near future dealing with a small branch of SHADOW that involves Silver-Age style weird science, based on the mention in the book of Russia's attempts to make superhumans, with Protonik being the heroes' liaison(and GMPC) to the Russian Guard who are also investigating. That and I just liked the guy from what I read of him in the 1E Core and the 2E Crooks! books.

Player Name: Arichamus Character Name: Protonik Power Level: 13 195/195PP Trade-Offs: -2 Defense/ +2 Toughness, -2 Attack/+2 Damage Unspent Power Points: 0 In Brief: Nuclear-powered Russian champion of the common man. Alternate Identity: Aleksander Solokov, the Proletarian. Identity: Public Birthplace: Irkutsk, Russia. Occupation: Nuclear fission physicist, superhero. Affiliations: Russian Guard, Russia, the U.N. Family: No direct relatives living. Description: Age: DOB: 1963, June 7th Apparent Age: 40 Gender: Male Ethnicity: North Russian Height: 6' 2" Weight: 184 Lbs. Eyes: Green Hair: Black, small greying streaks. Protonik is a muscular, tall and handsomely-weathered man, with a gentle face lined by care and worry, and not a little sadness. He wears a sleeveless brown-and-white form-fitting spandex article; with a golden segmented 'Y' emblazoned on a brown triangle over his costume's chest, a brown and golden belt, a majestic white cape, and brown boots and gloves rimmed with white piping. His hair is long, black and streaked with slight grays, and his startling green eyes stand in contrast to his lightly tanned skin. He's a man bursting with energy and kindness, with a smile for anyone. His voice is a soft baritone tinged with a Siberian accent. Aleksander Solokov, conversely, is a stooped nuclear scientist with a withdrawn and quiet nature, thick glasses and a rather solemn mien. A quiet, nondescript sort of guy who blends in well with the crowd. Power Descriptions: (Nuclear, Radiation) Protonik is infused with nuclear power by his very soul, and manifests it as a soft green glow when using his powers, especially his ability to fire nuclear lasers from his eyes, and breath radiation that seals wounds and repairs damage on the atomic level to the body from his mouth. History: Aleksander Solokov was born in the far northern city of irkutsk, a place with a long history as a site for transporting those who fell under the wrath of the old Czars. His parents, engingeers Artur and Isidora Solokov, were both loyal to the Soviet Union, and did their best to instill similar patriotism in their son. To their credit, Aleksander soon showed himself to be an exemplary young man; quick-witted, even-headed and brave, he soon made a name for himself with regards to his scholarly aptitude, especially the study of nuclear physics, in which time even then there were still some mysteries to be solved. At an astonishingly young age, he even became a laboratory assistant to some of the Union's greatest nuclear phsycists, who he impressed deeply by his command and understanding of the field. Working beside lumnaries such as Dr. Mina Kosmova in the near-legendary Science City, when the Russian government was heavily invested in "creating" superhumans while still in his teens, he discovered a hypothetical process that could enable one to split atoms at will should they be exposed to psionically-treated substances that had been bathed in the radiation of the unleashed atom. In June 1978, the necessary equipment, including a vat of heavy water, was carefully moved to the Kola Peninsula, and was lowered with great care by crane into one of the boreholes that had been drilled there. The SG-3 borehole, at around 12, 260 metres(40,230ft.) deep, it had been practically tailor-made for the experiment, which Aleksander and his associates wished to make as non-threatening to surface life as possible. At 6.43 P.M., June 23rd, Aleksander Solokov was lowered into the tank of psionically-charged heavy water. Fifteen seconds afterwards, a column of nuclear fire blasted out of the borehole, reaching a height of five-hundred feet above the ground before dissipating as quickly as it had coalesced. To the shocked eyes of the crew, the dozens of scientists, engineers, platoon of soldiers and the small squad of powers who had taken the equipment to its resting place, the young physicist arose out of the borehole, glowing a vivid emerald color, a smiling mouth shining with a healing light, and a pair of smouldering eyes from which the unleashed power had surged. For a short time Aleksander reveled in his new power, good-naturedly calling himself 'The Proletarian', in reference to the Centurion and to honor his still-humble parents(to whose well-being a substantial amount of his wages goes to), who he wished to honor through good works. The Party considered the gallant young man a perfect symbol, and had him touring the Union regularly to present to its citizens an example of what any who tried could become, carefully eliding over the fact that not a single other test of the process had had any effect whatsoever, none knowing that in the menacing days of the Cosmic Mnd's control of the City, the notes Aleksander had worked off of had mysteriousy vanished. The dissolution of the U.S.S.R. a little more than a decade after he had begun his heroic career meant that he was soon forced to focus on keeping his normal life together instead of going around righting wrongs, though he did manage to assist the newly-forming Russian Guard in defending people from attacks by rogue superhumans and jilted geniuses. The Terminus invasion in 1993 brought him into the public eye once again, when Omegadrones poured into the world, including the city of Buynaksk on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, sent there to obtain a powerful and ancient weapon sunk into the water. In a furious battle that lit up the sky for dozens of miles around, the nuclear physicist turned the invading force into a softly glowing pile of shattered metal and bodies, and rocketed off to join the fight Omega had forced upon the world. He wasn't in Freedom City when the Centurion struck the blow that cracked open the extradimensional tyrant's armor(hordes off the coast saw to that), but he managed to attend the funeral of the man who had partially inspired his own attempt at heroics, and there met many other heroes who were glad to have the powerful Russian on their side, and to whom he introduced himself by the name 'Protonik'. He became firm friends with most of the Freedom League over the years after the Invasion, and has become a well-respected source of information on the European powers scene, especially young metas who needed instruction in using their abilities. For all that, he mostly keeps to his homeland, soaring through the Russian skies looking for peril, often accompanied by young powers he instructs. Personality & Motivation: Aleksander is an honest, kindly man in or out of costume. He devotes himself rigorously to the upholding of the rights and privileges he believes all humanity ought to have, holding the view that the law exists to support rather than limit freedoms, something he kept to himself for many years and is happy now to say openly. For all that he remains tinged with sadness from the long weary years he's seen of the dull side of evil, which he's found far more durable effect on the world, much more pernicious than the flashier supervllainy he vastly prefers combating. Powers & Tactics: Protonik prefers to come hurtling out of the sky into an opponent, slamming his body into theirs as hard as he can to set the mood for the rest of the battle. If taken by surprise himself, he will attempt to keep more powerful close-range opponents at bay and close the distance with ranged fighters. If needed, he quickly assumes the roll of a combat medic, healing injured allies(and if their hurts are great enough, enemies too). He tends to use his Nuclear Vision as his sole ranged option, his power to split the atom something he keeps close to the vest and tightly-controlled, rarely using it unless surrounded by enemies and with not a single ally within its range. Abilities: 10 + 2 + 8 + 8 + 2 + 6 = 36PP Strength: 40/20 (+15/+5) Dexterity: 12 (+1) Constitution: 18 (+4) Intelligence: 18 (+4) Wisdom: 12 (+1) Charisma: 16 (+3) Combat: 18 + 12 = 30PP Initiative: +13 Attack: +9 Base, +11 Melee, +11 Nuclear-Vision / Atom Splitting Grapple: +16/32 w/Super-STR and Enhanced STR Defense: +11 (+6 Base, +5 Dodge Focus), +3 Flat-Footed Knockback: -7 Saving Throws: 9 + 5 + 9 = 23PP Toughness: +15 (+4 Con, +11 Protection) Fortitude: +13 (+4 Con, +9) Reflex: +6 (+1 Dex, +5) Will: +11 (+2 Wis, +9) Skills: 48R = 12PP Computers 5 (+7) Diplomacy 10 (+14) Drive 1 (+2) Knowledge (Current Events) 5 (+6) Knowledge (Physical Sciences) 15 (+17) Language 2 (English, French, Russian[Native]) Sense Motive 10 (+11) Feats: 14PP Attack Focus (Melee) 1 All-Out Attack Dodge Focus 5 Elusive Target Fearless Improved Initiative 3 Power Attack Precise Shot Powers: 14 + 14 + 41 + 11 = 80PP Flight 7 (1000mph) [14PP] Immunity 14 (Life Support, Radiation Powers [Damage]) [14PP] Nuclear Power Array 18 (36PP Array, Power Feats: Alternate Power 5) [41PP] BP: Blast 15 (Power Feats: Accurate, Affects Insubstantial 2, Homing 1, Ricochet, Split Attack) [36PP] Nuclear-Vision AP: Blast 15(Extras: Area (Targeted, Shapeable; 15'x15'), Flaws: Tiring; Power Feats: Accurate, Incurable) [32PP] Splitting the Atom AP: Enhanced Strength 20 (Extra: Linked [with Super-Strength]) [20PP] + Super-Strength 6 (Effective STR 70 (Max. Load: 1000 tons); Extra: Linked [with Enhanced Strength], Power Feats: Groundstrike [600'], Shockwave [600'], Super-Breath [L&W 600', DC35], Thunderclap [60']) [16PP] [20+16=36PP] AP: Healing 11 (Power Feats: Persistent; Extras: Total) [34PP] Healing Nuclear-Rays AP: Nauseate 15 [30PP] Radiation's Touch AP: Nullify 13 (Radiation Powers [All at Once]) [26PP] Commander of the Atom Protection 11 [11PP] DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC30/20 Toughness(Staged) Damage(Physical) Nuclear-Vision Ranged DC30 Toughness(Staged) Damage(Energy) Radiation's Touch Touch DC25 Fortitude Nauseated Splitting Atom Ranged(Area) DC30 Toughness(Staged) Damage(Energy) Totals: Abilities (36) + Combat (30) + Saving Throws (23) + Skills (12) + Feats (14) + Powers (80) - Drawbacks (0) = 195/195PP

Okay, DC30 cannons vs. +13 TOU hull. 33...I say thee nay! Ruling it fails. Okay, the ship now has several large holes in it.

The King of Suits watched in silent awe as Jubatus neatly raced over to the fallen winged woman, picked her and was gone in a blur of yellow and black. Saluting his ally's efficacy, he examined his options. These creatures are quite sturdy he thought, glancing with a worried eye at the massive beasts still prowling around them I will not be able to knock them out easily, it will take a group effort. whipping a bulkier than normal smoke card from his belt, he tossed it in the air twice, seized it between his thumb and forefinger and threw it onto the ground following it with a razor card that let the chemicals inside start attaching to the air molecules. In moments a thick harmless smoke field was rolling over the fair grounds, completely concealing the three heroes from the eyes and ears of the giant cats. Dashing several yards from his original position, the King of Suits prepared himself for the inevitable counter-attack. Wait... his head whipped up with a look of deep concern ...aren't cats very good at smelling things out?