Ari

GM As the two got closer to the footpath where the first disappearances had happened, they quickly saw the small group of park workers, police officers and concerned citizens talking in huddled clusters, cringing dogs laying flat on the ground, staring fearfully at the woods sparkling around them. The dull light of the sun cast a pall over the place that darkened the mood considerably more than it already was. Four officers, seeing the approach of the two civilians, walked quickly over to them, a middle-aged man with a iron-grey hair called over to them "Hey! If you haven't lost a family member or a friend, we'll have to ask you to keep your distance. There's been trouble keeping people ba-" *WHRUM*, a sound felt more than heard spread through the air, sending the dogs bolting off, dragging their startled handlers along with them, a mass of birds soaring frantically into the sky and even a deer came rocketing past, followed by several raccoons, voles and a few foxes. As the wildlife departed, a clopping of hooves gradually made itself heard, and with a jingling of bells a rider came out of the enchanted forest. he was all in red, bearing a red cap with three tassels, a red robe, red trousers and red boots. A belted sword hung at his waist. He looked like no determinate age, with a long, curly black beard and smooth face, similar hair hung from his head, wrapped in a red net. His horse was tall and white, with a plain leather harness and sturdy saddle, its golden tail cut short. About him walked three others, with red cl=oaks over their entire bodies, even their heads. They bore pikes in their left hands, which were also shrouded. Seeing the assembled humans, the man smiled kindly at them, raising his cap which revealed pricked ears "A good day to you, O Earth-dwellers" he said in a rich voice and light tone "I am Parsinkle, a prince of the Redcaps. I fear," he said with sudden solemnity "that a hunting party seems to have taken it into their heads that some wanderers from this world were their prey, and are transporting them back to their castle. I have no wish to ferment more bad blood between our kinds, but my numbers are few; if you would lend me some assistance, I am certain I could reclaim your lost people" he smiled kindly at the shocked humans, resting easily on the back of the horse and awaiting their response.

Drifting about the coast of Freedom City was so far one of Nochehuatl's favorite hobbies. It allowed time for reflection on and planning for the future, he got a chance to chat with passing boaters(many of whom were only initially nervous when he appeared bside them), and he had stopped several small smuggling runs, a few attempted kidnappings, and even a ritual summoning a giant octopus for some reason. For all that, he was still in a dour frame of mind, and the crunchy shell and tough flesh of the giant crab he was mnching on did little to help. Speaking around a mouthful he answered the bleeding creature cooly: "Hello little dolphin, I see whoever sent you was..strict in your teaching. I hope you did not have to dodge any sharks on the way here in such a state. Am I good in the water? Ha!" he smiled with a mouth full of fangs "I am a power in the water. Lead on, little dolphin, if I am needed, I will help." He swallowed the mouthful loudly, tossing aside the carcasss of the crab into the darker depths and following closely his mamallian guide.

Tagging with sea-foam.

Diplomacy roll(optional): 26.

Decking the two who had begun laying about him with their hammer and tongs(and distantly wondering if the two had got them as some kind of personal joke) with two swipe of his mighty arms, Subito shrugged ay Young Britannia's apology "In honesty, YB, I thought they would listen to reason myself several seconds ago. I also thought they would be awed by a gift of repaired clothing, so I think you're one up on me there" he added with a rueful smile "Aside from that, it is scarcely your fault our chase has led us to such a place and to such sights. I would be moody too if I was a little older in this situation. I think." He gave that serious consideration, wondering if getting older really would lead to such a changed perspective on the world as it seemed it had with Agnes. YB sounds like she's had a way different life than me too, might be part of it. He took up a ready stance in the air, the Banner held loosely in his gloved hands to more easily bring it to bear. "Also,I have quite forgotten what my plan was, so we'll have to figure out something new for next time!" The words of the townspeople earlier still weighed in his mind. "Salvation", they said. being rescued..from what? The wrath of this false god Set? Such a spirit as this should be forced from the world by the Pact, someone must have summoned its power for some purpose With any luck, we'll be able to send him back whence he came! ...Yes, luck would be a great assistance such a battle

"Quite understandable, from what I recall Mrs. Veronica McFeery had quite a promising career and rising life until..this happened. Small wonder she's in such a sorry state" agreed the King of Suits, with a twirl of his fingers as he slipped the grapple gun back into its holster. He carefully went over what he knew about Colm McFeery and his dealings. A crime lord of a sort that lurked wherever he seemed to be, with an extorting finger in every business he could cow, and some unfortunate on every other street who were all but owned body and soul by him. The costumed crime-fighter had been building a case against the man for the last few months now, and while he deeply regretted the man's death partially because of how horrible and(in his view) perilous to the soul it was, he felt a deeply uncharitable and prideful dismay that he hadn't had the chance to bring Colm to Justice. "I will do what I can to talk to her" the lean cowled man told the hulking Penitent "but she is in considerable distress, as you noted. She might be wholly unwilling to help in such misery. I'll return shortly. if you like, you can listen in with this" he tossed Bram a small circular metal device with a trio of colored buttons the underside. "I'll put another around my collar, quite inconspicuous. I'll be right back" and with that he slipped an identical device under a fold in his grand cape collar, and walked on long, heron-like strides up to the reclining Broadway singer. Making sure to step loudly on a patch of gravel to alert her to his approach, he sat down next to her on the ground. "Mrs. Veronica McFeery? I'm helping to investigate the murder of Colm, could you answer a few questions, please?"

"Gotcha" acknowledged El Heraldo quietly, in a louder voice translating the message to the Mexican refugees. <"Do not fear, we came to see how you were being treated and shall now depart, to do our best to keep you from being shipped back into the j-..unbearable circumstances you fled from"> he declared firmly, cringing inwardly at the figure of speech that had tried to insinuate itself into the sentence <"Take heart, neither of us would ever willingly abandon you to that creature. We will return when we have done what we can, if we will succeed or fail God alone knows. Evil is set against us, and it will not give way without effort, so again I say..take heart!"> he proclaimed, the Bandera shining forth with a radiant glow, filling the soul and mind with a vision of goals attained, victory won and evil destroyed, with a marching of a thousand feet and a lusty cry of ten thousand voices raised in triumph! "Alright," said Subito to Kristin as he turned away with a bow to the emigrants "I say we see the lawyer first. If this Willams guy is involved I wanna know a little more about how he got the lawyer to do this, it might help stop a blackmailing or whatever it is." He hoisted the flagpole over his shoulder, glancing at the address on the paper "Shouldn't be hard to find...ready when you are Glow" he said with a fierce smile.

Dazzle attack on the shadowstuff. 27. Which hits..let's say a weak spot in the mass. Fortitude save, DC14(seeing as they come from a place that saps life, and are currently in a place that is abundant with it, +4 bonus): 14. Hahahahahaha!

Subito stopped mid-stride. Turning around back to Serge he walked up and put his arms on the other boy's shoulders. "Surge? Stuff like that makes me glad we're friends. That's a great idea, buddy! I'll help you get the stuff together, if there's anythin' you don't have right here." After the signalling device was built, the two soared back to Freedom City, the chill winds whipping at them harshly. Subito was impervious to the cold, and lent Serge his coat and scarf to help keep him comfortable. In a matter of minutes, the two landed discreetly in a street not far from the Academy, and walked casually through the gates. Luckily, Headmaster Summers was still in his office and accepting student visitors. After a brief wait in the reception room, the two arrived at his door... Knocking politely before entering, Subito waited on nervous feet for a reply. "Er...you think we missed anything we shouldn't have? I can't think of anything else we could really do" he muttered to Serge uneasily. He glanced at the large robot leaning next to him against the wall. At least we didn't forget about that he thought in relief.

Blinking a little at the old man's outburst, Marceau's cheerful(and only partially false) expression faltered, though quickly schooling itself back into order. "I think you remember the good times you two had more fondly than Art does" he advised sagely, with a grin pulling at the corners of his mouth "That tormented relationship aside, from what I've gathered some kind of mystical power is in these new woods, snaring trespassers somehow. I confess to having little direct experience with magical matters like this, Ace would be much more knowledgeable" he added the last in a soft murmur, as if he meant it largely for himself. Speaking up he concluded "So, seeing as this deficiency is quite made up for in your inestimable self, I say we tackle this treachery in concord. I assure you, I won't slow us down." Glancing at the painting and noting the gravity-defying drops he added politely "Ah, one of your far-seeing pieces." While speaking, he gave a few tugs around the edges of his warm ochre coveralls, making ready for disposing of it and advancing into the woods in his guise as the costumed King of Suits. This done he got sharply to his feet, light and ready to advance on the mysterious woods.

Knowledge(Streetwise) roll to know something helpful about the McFeerys. 33. How fortunate!

GM "Ha! As if ano-GARRGH!" This time the whirlwind of razor air struck home, slicing several cuts clean through the Amber Curse's armor, and making an ominous crack appear in the floating disk, which wavered almost out of existence before being bolstered by its originator, who shouted something unintelligible as he staggered slightly under the assault, glaring vengefully at his assailant. He wasn't much hurt though, except perhaps in his pride. The Eye was reacting much more strongly, pulsating, and a stream of power linking it to the disk was getting erratic.

Heraldo currently still kinda sorta his Impervious TOU 8. So unless you're going to count the Edit I put up as his actual stats, or have them break through anyhow via Fiat, they can't really hurt him with rank 5 weapons.

The day had been going rather badly, and rather unusually Marceau Suvou, stretched out on the Grand Lawn with a hat over his face, was in a foul mood. Everything had gone wrong. He had had to deal with a wall that had been slowly rotting away right next to the office manager, in which had been found innumerable coffee cups that had been secreted there by the morning shift and promptly forgotten, fallen over when the wall was bumped into several times a day by the very large and friendly guard dog's wagging tail, and doused nearly every timber in the wall. That and the fire scare at Monkey Towers, the grueling battle last night with some loony in a bird costume who for all their obvious instability was still a dangerous fighter, the near-bankruptcy after paying for Jackie's medication...it was enough to try the patience of a saint, but it had been the banana incident that had pushed him nearly over the edge. Now, lying on the warm grass and glaring at the mercilessly dull sky, he wished bitterly he could at least have not kicked at the dog as he'd left, it certainly hadn't deserved it. The rumors of the enchanted woods reached his ears quite quickly, though at first he gave it little thought. It was about when the reports of people going missing started going the rounds that his leaped to his feet and began making his way to the woods, determined to get to the bottom of this. He was stunned to see, quite nearby the path leading up to the woods where the first disappearances had begun, a familiar beret'd figure at an easel. He instantly changed course, as much out of joy at seeing him as a desire for an ally in this case. Coming near he raised his cheerful rumble(though an attentive listener would have no trouble seeing it was a little strained) "Rene! Mon grande ami! What a pleasure to see you again!" sitting lightly down next to the old man he smiled up at him, adding with a sudden seriousness "Have you heard the rumors? Some unfortunates seem to have gotten lost in the woods. I wish to try and help find them, will you lend your skills?"

"Quite incorrect!" exclaimed El Heraldo hotly, filling his lungs with air, landing, and expelling the breath from his lungs in a miniature hurricane of wind that spiraled into the ranks of the townsfolk, with an extra breath for the tall man. What strange affliction could be causing this? These people are like none I have ever encountered! he thought to himself ...What? Are you being quite serious, Subito? Yes, O Dame. Why? You-! You will learn shortly what is causing them to look and act this way, I fear. Now, focus on the fight! at this admonishment, he drove a foot into the muddy ground to stiffen his posture, and provide a little resistance to the outflow of air barrelling out of his body.

Okay, time to sweep the leg. Using Super-Breath to blow them all down. Strength roll: 13. ...Welp.

OOC for this thread. Rene de Saens and Marceau Suvou deal with a feyrly dire situation in Liberty Park.

Startled by the reappearance of the two so quickly, Wave-Eye looked at them sharpy, inwardly deeply relieved neither seemed to have been hurt. He didn't show it much, though. "You were both lucky. From what this fellow" he jerked his head towards the prisoner "tells me, everyone aboard this ship is related to two ancient human tribes, one from around what you call England, the other a tribe of invaders who came from Asia and conquered much of your Europe. For ease, we shall call them what he does: the conquered, who from what I recall were fond of building and..tearing down, are the First Ones, their conquerors are referred to as the Horseriders, for obvious reasons" he shrugged his large shoulders, watching the prisoner closely "It seems they follow some mighty and terrible sea powers, stronger than many gods, who will wreak an awful vengeance on their ancient Horserider foes, namely by bringing back the spirits of those slain by them to possess the bodies of their descendants, their priest-leader was returned to life by their..patrons.From what this fool is babbling they will devour the flesh of those on board descended from the Horseriders, and then their patrons will eat the divinities the Horesriders worshipped." He looked at the others and added drily "Sadly, this isn't as unusual as it ought to be. At least our path is clear: discern who is from the First Ones and who is from the Horseriders, separate them, and then deal with this wretched curse." He began neatly sharpening his hard nails on each other, wondering if he would be required to use them. He certainly had little intention of flooding a human ship with water.

GM June 9th, 2012, Liberty Park It was a gloomy day, overcast and with a slow breeze that combined with a warm breeze from the sea to make a humid, dull environment throughout the city. The suffocating feeling that pressed down on the inner city was enough to make even the coolest tug at their collars, and it was no surprise that the parks, a welcome respite even in the clearest of days, were filled with people wanting to get at least a little of the dreary atmosphere out of their systems. The trimmed grass and majestic oaks of the Grand Lawn were dotted with picnickers, idle games of Frisbee and football, and even a few kites soared quietly through the air. The Green Man had just been deal with yesterday, when he had tried to call up an army of vines to tear down Freedom City U, and the smattering of other plant-themed villains hadn't been heard of in a while. Everyone was thus quite at ease, making the discovery of the beautiful forest that much more alarming. First it was just a nodding willow where there had not been one, its branches and drooping leaves casting a faint glow over the river, filled with a soft chorus of birdsong none of the Freedonians had ever heard before. Then it was a stand of towering and silvery cedars that stood among a group of lesser trees gold among dross. Soon hikers wandering the trails found that the woods they had seen time and again were replaced by a forest both elegant and pristine, among which branches sunlight wholly at odds with the stormy skies they saw above. As might be expected, after a short period of vague suspicion, some adventurous souls decided to examine these woods more closely. Taking the precaution of tying a rope about their waist and leaving one end in the hands of a buddy, three hikers went in, returning after a few tense minutes to report that the new forest both had a much more agreeable atmosphere and weather than the world outside, but seemed enormous even from what little they could determine of it. After THAT news spread, even blockades and clear warnings from the police did little to stem the tide of civilians who wanted to get away from the terrible day they were having. This was complicated further when search parties were sent it, and they couldn't find a single one of the forest tourists, the place was deadly quiet and still, despite the constant pleasant birdsong. A quick test with police dogs had almost less luck, with the search dogs resistant and whining every step of the way into the tree line, and unable to pick up the scent once they were in. Panic began to spread, rumors began to fly, and one question was on every tongue: "Who's going to save them?!"

Depends! Does Sil want to investigate the strange stuff, find a way around it, get its attention? Kingy is going to try and drive it off with a few flash grenades for his part.

Ohnonononoooo! thought El Heraldo in near-panic, wind racing through his hair, leaving his hat sailing morosely far behind. Catching his breath in gulps, the world swaying beneath him dizzily, he stared for a terrified second into Strongarm's ruthless eyes... Speak to him What could we possibly talk about?! A great deal. Talk to him about how it feels to fly, if he's ever hit a bird by accident ...I wish I knew why I'm going to do that "Say," the young paragon asked casually, swinging gently in the powerful breeze between the three mighty holographic pillars of steel, glass and concrete "have you ever flown into a bird while you were thinking of something else?"

GM "It is not over-complicated" said Hrnnngsh a little archly "and I developed this setup only after I learned how quickly the radiation degrades, and left free it somehow accelerates the decay of its environment, something that so far I have had little success in curtailing. I confess it is a trifle circular, but I need to both maintain the overall shape and size of the entryway and power a vast complex with a largely depleted reactor at the same time, which as you might imagine is quite energy-intensive!" it said, a rumbling like hippos echoing behind its sentences. Slithering a little higher to get a few tubes under its main neck, it continued "Indeed, a lot of the power I expend on this thing is to keep it from growing to(if my calculations are to be trusted) a size greater than this entire room. Pushing both against that and the decay factor makes every attempt to shrink or collapse is..-Pyrrhic- at best" there was a strange tingling in the ears at the word 'Pyrrhic', and all of the heroes understood that it was a translation of some similar term "so, regrettably, pulling the plug, deactivating the power systems in place, that will have a very detrimental effect, rather than with conventional portals that tend to dissipate once no longer being acted upon." With a squishing noise very at odds with its appearance, the lava creature removed a tube from the wall, revealing a cylindrical energy port "That will give you a few thousand -joules- to work with, I hope it is enough," it said earnestly "I need quite a bit of current to keep my containment field from collapsing."

Gah! Crazy cult towns and their dark secrets and their... Initiative roll: 15.

Turning sharply at the sound of his pal's facepalming, Subito shook a stern finger at him "Hey, don't go doing that! You learn from mistakes, not from hittin' yourself. But yeah, that's a good point, it would be a little hard to find the place after going all the way back then returning here...how about this: we go back to the lodge and use the phone, I'll stick my backpack up on..that tree there" he pointed to a lofty pine waving above their heads "then we just follow this trail back, and look for the tree with my backpack at its top, how's that for a solution?" he asked with a bizarre sense of triumph.

"I am uncertain he will say anything, no matter how much any of us prod him" commented El Heraldo the tall man, walking back over to the group and feeling very foolish indeed(partially because of how easily the reverend had got him out of the fight, and how easily Young Britannia had beaten the man, and partially because of how little impact his attempt at persuasion had been), "He was just defeated, and that married to his antipathy for us before the fight even began tells me the mixture of anger, imjured pride and fear will make him uncooperative at best. Besides," he added, putting the Bandera back in its loop "if our man is in the house it will be easy for us to capture him, and if there is some hidden tunnel leading out of town the house is next to, we shall apprehend him and then capture him." he turned to Agnes with a smile "What say you, O Vanquisher of Evil Priests?" Not much he can do to escape now! he wthought confidently.