Ari

So, Initiative: the Black Knight goes on 27.

GM As Earth shrank and then vanished from view, distant streaks took the place of the other planets and vague hazes suggested the asteroid belts, the voice of Mentor returned. 'He shall tell you himself. Admiral Kalf has taken this incident very personally, and would see even my aid as that of an unwanted and unneeded outsider, for all he would never say so. Passing your suit's transmission signal to the Blockade flagship...' For what felt like a long time, there was only silence, and the Star Knight's own breathing. Then suddenly the sharp hum of Lor subspace rang out in Kyle's ears, and a harsh, high voice spoke. ~Star Knight? Ah, link established, good! This is Fleet Admiral Kalf, chief representative and enforcer of the Lor Republic in this sector of space. I apologize for the sudden call to action, the Mentor tells me you were rudely awakened. But there is no helping that, a dangerous criminal has just seized an object of nearly unfathomable power, and unless we stop him and his accomplices, well...the risk to your star alone is hard to overstate. I've had the necessary data sent to your armor, should be there any moment.~ A faint chime and blinking message on the HUD's corner indicated this was so. First appeared a cross-section of a blue gemstone, vaguely similar to the Star Stone, but far smoother and with a darker heart shifting in the depths. A picture from what looked like archaeological dig shrank the Lor scientists examining it into insignificance besides its enormity. ~This is the object. The Blue Star of Sirius, Socil to the Lor. Found...eight months ago on one of the outer worlds of that system, in some kind of temple that outdated even some Preserver satellites we found around the main star. It generates tremendous amounts of energy( I understand some of your race would classify it as 'magical') by some sort of extradimensional link. There is no waste, and tapping it does nothing to reduce the output. In theory it could power our entire civilization.~ There was a long, slow breath. ~It is also easily destabilized unless in very specific surroundings, and we have reason to believe there is something alive and malicious living in it. Fortunately it's still asleep, but the longer it's unshielded the more likely that gem will crack and loose its cargo on the universe. We told the thief this before they escaped, but, well...~ Another beep, another flashing message, and the gem was replaced with the image of a well-built piratical green-skinned man in a vest with no shirt, an outstanding mustache, striking good looks, and the most maddening smile Kyle had seen outside of some really, really slimy second-hand ship salesbeings who had you in the palm of their hand, and knew you knew it. ~This is Prince Zanvir the Fifth of Teltross, a fiefdom of worlds recently conquered by the Star Khan who got kicked out of the family for being an insufferable troublemaker.~ Admiral Kalf's tone left no room for doubt what he thought about troublemakers ~He has been kicking up and down the borders and frontiers of the Three Powers for a while now, calls himself the Star Thief, the Ultra-Man, and has enough of the family powers to back it up. Lately he's been prowling around your system, but we kept him out until this happened. He's just careless and ignorant enough to think he can control the Blue Star. We need you to intercept him and his crew, and either get him to see reason or get that thing away from him!~ There was another pause for breath. ~Only a slight deviation of your present course will send you across his path. Are there any questions, Star Knight?~

So round 1 of Solvyrytter vs. 2 Dragons, Dragons(x2): Unharmed(x2)-GM Solvrytter: Unharmed, 1HP The Dragons make their respective attacks: #1 with electro-darts 27. #2 with cyber-staff 12. Two DC23 Toughness saves, please. and round 2 of Nevermore vs. Cyberdragon. Nevermore: Bruised(x1), 2HP Cyberdragon: Unharmed-GM

GM Even as Nevermore twisted and lunged away, the beast spun and lashed out with its whip-like tail, hitting him square just below the collarbone with a shuddering crack. Despite the force behind it though, the steel limb was no battering ram, and Aleksander nimbly rolled with the impact with only a dull throb in his chest to show for the cyberdragon's assault. Flowing into a crouch, the dragon began to prowl closer once again, face turned to Nevermore's with great intensity. The clear, dead eyes set in the narrow skull didn't seem to have much to do with its ability to perceive the world, if its elegant movements across the cable-strewn floor were any sign. Meanwhile, below Despite the deep sense of unease, Juno didn't see any cause for it besides the lights being off. And if a door was about to stop a teleporter...it wouldn't be that door, or that girl. Gunnar, however, was a little luckier. If 'lucky' was the right word for it. At the very least he looked in the right direction: up. There he saw, mere feet above him, two shimmering shapes that looked very familiar. When the shimmering stopped and both shades resolved to his eyes as the sentries from earlier, it was almost comforting. The feeling wasn't mutual though, as both Dragons showed by hurling themselves at him, electro-darts and cyber-staves cutting through the air at the young armored champion!

GM "Gah, what the heck?!" Gamma blurted out, starting backwards as the Grue rose to a towering height above him. "Maximus, and now you? How many giants are th-!" he began, cut off as the adaptive alien's hand swooped down and curled around him, the radioactive man only barely managing to keep his arms from being pinned by the enormous fingers! For a second she felt a Struggling furiously, the Atom-Smasher pried open a gap between Miss Grue's digits, launching out of her hand with enough desperate force to smash a dent into the floor. "Grah... you...inhuman thing!" Rolling and leaping to his feet, the transformed titan raised his own hand, glaring up at the alien girl as the atoms around it decayed, a harsh blue light announcing a sudden blast of radioactive energy!

DC36 Opposed Grapple check: 38. He escapes! Also, since Miss Grue hit, normally she'd need to make a Fortitude save, but with a +12 bonus it clears the DC11 automatically. That done, he shoots at Miss Grue with some tasty radiation: 27. Hits, DC27 Toughness save.

GM Even despite how little strength their was behind the impact, the black shield rang like a gong, the deep note echoing into the very bones. "I accept your challenge. Folly though it be." Getting up with alarming grace for someone encased in steel, the Black Knight took down the angular shield and strapped it onto his right arm "Do not mind, intruder, if I seem ungrateful for your charity. As for White-Hilt..." his left hand flexed, mailed fingers working as her enemy stared at the offered sword with deep hunger "my fingers still burn with his favour. I doubt I can get much honour now, aye? Faerie, not a good place for such uncourtly a thing." "What it does instill, however, is a sense of propriety. And place." With that, he put on the magnificent belt and scabbard, drew the black sword it held and struck the ground with his steeled foot. The helmet tilted a little "I think a forest glade is best. More space, pretty birds, sweet flowers, good for fighting a girl. Better than this noisome hole...no offense, Edgar!" he added with a wave at the horned man at the bar, who snickered and went back to polishing the dishes. All at once the world shifted under their feet and the cavern melted away; trees, a grassy meadow carpeted in dazzling flowers blue, green, yellow and purple, a distant stream and grazing horses supplanted it, including the coal-black animal the costumed crimefighters had seen at the cave's entrance. A merry spring sun shone down, and the sweet air was full of the faint twittering of sparrows and wrens as they flitted about the forest canopy nearby. Making an experimental slash with his heavy longsword, the Black Knight nodded in approval, and without another word dropped into a ready stance, shield out and ready to catch Dyrnwyn, his own sword off to the side and low for a deadly strike. His gray eyes glittered behind the visor.

Rolls and out-of-character discussion for thread. Cavalier has a rude awakening, and deals with a new take on jewel heists perpetrated by Captain Cerise.

GM Newtorch station, Inner Oort Cloud, Sol System Second orbit, fifth day, April 15th, 7.30AM Earth time. A brilliant crystal lance sailed through the void, mighty donut-shaped rings spinning endlessly around the haft, housing the several hundred scientists, staff, and guards keeping safe the future of Lor technology. There they lived and worked in strict, regular shifts, coming and going, eating and sleeping to refresh their tireless dedication. A phalanx of ships patrolled far outside the sight of any being, searching unceasingly for any sign of an approaching threat. At the lance's tip was a white diamond, where the force field was strongest and the gunnery lines were thickest. The size of several battleships welded together, that was where the most dangerous part of the station's mission was kept. Newtorch station was one of several throughout the Republic, uncovering new ways to draw energy from the world and power the bustling interstellar civilization. They often ended up examining things strange and powerful enough that risking star systems was all too possible. Inevitably they ended up on the fringes of inhabited space, far from either help or victims. Thefts were possible too. But the sheer danger tended to keep everyone away. Except, of course, the daredevils. "Next shift incoming, sir!" called out the surveillance monitor "and none too soon!" "Just the facts, Bey." replied the station captain with a wry twist of his purple lips. Hands clasped behind his back, the stubby Lor watched the small, regularly spaced dots draw near and allowed himself a slight note of self-praise: nothing had happened that had endangered the crew, the only faulty source had been safely ejected and destroyed, and they had a marvelous new subject: the gem from Sirius. It could power an entire fleet if they could get the transferal right, and then... "Bey, how many ships are in that convoy?" The sudden edge in the officer's voice got a puzzled look, and a quick response "Eleven, sir. Usual number-" "That's one too few! Alert the ships, tell them there's an infiltrator!" 'Sri Steward of Earth, you have an incoming message.' Mentor's voice had all the warmth and wisdom that came from the unthinkable eons it had seen, but it was still as commanding as a drill sergeant, clear as ice and cut Kyle off from sleep like a knife. 'Blockade Fleet Admiral Kalf has urgent news, and a request. Your system is in great danger.'

GM "He's been-" Leda checked herself, her frown deepening, lips pursed and eyes flashing from one of the wagons back to the young archer. After a long moment, the village elder nodded once "Yes. He's in the green tent nearest the medicine wagon," 'medicine' was just one of the things it held, but the oak cart held nothing else as valuable "speak as long as you like". Turning her attention to the crowd, Leda barked "Make ready! Questions can wait, the hour of our freedom draws near! Once you've been to your pere, Tona, meet me and the other elders, you know where we'll be." With that she was off, signalling to Arnaud and speaking animatedly with him as they passed out of hearing. The strange red sky of the Black Orbit meant the world was always in twilight, but without Nihlor and the Doom Coil to provide their Hell's lamp, things were cast even deeper into shadow. So it was a moment before Tona, as she walked through the familiar scents and sights of home, made out the huddled figure in the green tent. Her father was kneeling on the patched blankets, head bowed and turning something over in his hands, something oval and glinting like gold. Suddenly, when she was only a few feet from the tent flap he started. "Non, it's futile. Nothing we have helps, ma chere, just leave me be, I can..." as he spoke, his head had gradually moved up, until at last he looked with grim resignation up at the intruder. Robert Baudin had always had a good face, sly and with a quirk to the mouth like he was planning something. Even then, haggard and weary and drawn, a bit of the old fun was still there. The expression changed slowly to shock, and then to warm relief "Tona...oh, my little bird!" he began to rise, and his smile transformed into a grimace of pain "Ah! I...forgive me, my side is...hurt. What has happened, and who are these? Your friends? Are you all from the same place? Is-are we about to be rescued?"

That hits, especially as the Cyberdragon has no taken action yet and is Flat-Footed. Its Grapple check: 25. So close! It retaliates with a lash of its tail: 26. That hits Nevermore's DC20 Defence. DC25 Toughness save, though due to what it is(and this is the first round, come on) he can treat it like an Area effect and try to halve the DMG bonus with a DC15 Reflex save. Thunder King, Solvrytter manages to pierce the darkness and sees two flickering shapes above him. The two sentries were lying in wait! They leap in for the attack, Initiative roll please. Theirs is: 11. As a side note GooseInduced, the gangsters won't attack Polarity unless she attacks first. They're pretty sure their Cyberdragon is enough!

They are already inside the building for keeping-things-straight sake(they went in together), and as Polarity doesn't catch anything out of the ordinary, sure, go ahead. He could probably use some backup when facing the cyberdragon anyhow!

GM Flying to Marsha's turned out to be a quick(even accounting for the speed of the Ages Lost) trip, the mighty galleon soon soaring above Darwin and lowering into view of its mighty harbour's west wing. The bar itself, according to what Vector could recall of it, was mostly famous for being raided twice last year by police on suspicion of patronizing local crime family members, and for its ownership being passed down from mother to daughter, the name originating from the enterprising Irishwoman Marsha McCullough sometime in the 1900's who founded it. It was seated at what was now a conflux of roads spanning from one end of the city's ports to the other and drew considerable traffic, keeping the style and dinginess of a roughhouse bar mostly to cater to its exceedingly masculine clientele and tourists looking for an authentic Australian good time. Drifting serenely in the lower atmosphere, the outlandish starship was high up enough that most people outside wouldn't have noticed it even if they had thought to look up into the cloudy night sky. And nobody indoors would be any the wiser.

GM Starting a little at Blodeuwedd suddenly popping into view, Arnaud nodded slowly, eyeing the strangers dubiously despite Tona's word. "I am glad you have come" he said with a simple nod "and are willing to lend their might, skill and..." his eyes flicked over to Kit before gliding away "...gifts to our escape. But forgive me if I am not sure yet they'll be enough, so many of us have perished who had those and to spare." "Regardless, there is much to do. The village leaders will want to see you so we can make ready to leave this accursed place." Turning to the village, the hunter began his rapid, silent descent, halting for a moment to add over his shoulder to Blodeuwedd "There are some redwoods just to the west, on a little hill. They should let you see everything there is to see around here." Indeed, their top branches waved high above the pines in a large circle a quick run away. With that he beckoned to the other three and slid down the incline. The village was relatively evenly-spaced, but there was a cluster in the rough center where most of the trade was done. The hunter led the trio that way unerringly Almost as soon as they had come to the first ring of lean-tos, a voice that Tona hadn't heard in over a year called out hesitantly "Baudin? Is that...it's you!" and before they could could react a frizzy-headed little old woman with a mass of colored rope on one arm had burst from her leaning hut and flung her arms around Tona's shoulders, crying and laughing as she showered the teen heroine's forehead with kisses, soon drawing the attention of the rest of the village who quickly gathered in an eager circle around the new arrivals, giving the woman Tona had grown up calling 'Aunt Trip'(their unrivaled master of traps and an eager teacher) some space for her reunion. Her people looked little the worse for wear, some a little more tired and bent than before, but in many the fire of defiance still burned for all to see. And they smiled openly and with obvious relief at both a familiar face and her companions. They were curious too. "A splendid mask, Tona! I scarcely recognized the rest of you behind it!" "Who's that in red, she from Nihlor? Looks like the Mandragora's kind..." "That bow...who made it, and what did they want in return?" "Hey, you with the hood, are you from another village?" "Shut up. All of you" The torrent was suddenly and sharply cut off. A little sheepishly, the gathered tribe turned to see who it was...and the crowd quickly parted to reveal a a tall woman with graying hair scraped back into a ponytail. Favoring the new faces with a silent once-over, Leda Canaille nodded sharply at Blue Jay "You've come back...I am...glad you are well. If you're here, you must have a way to transport us too, right? What needs to be done?" The stand of redwoods was easy to find. A faint prickling on her skin had only grown stronger as she got closer to it, and at the base of the majestic circle of deep red and brown sentinels the air all but thrummed. Climbing was easy too, the branches quite thick even as they got to the top, and in no time at all the whole world seemed before Blodeuwedd's eyes. The sweep of the small valley, the dull glitter of the far-off sea....but when she looked there, darting black specks seemed to cross her vision. Specks circling something high up and far off.

Awesome! The Dragons have retreated, so it's just man and machine for now. A Hero Point given for the out-of-nowhereness of this. Nevermore: Unharmed, 2HP Cyberdragon: Unharmed-GM Commence, KnightDisciple.

Alright, GooseInduced and Thunder King, could you give me some Notice checks as you proceed into the second floor of the warehouse? KnightDisciple! Nevermore has the honor of meeting the Dragon gang's Cyberdragon. Could you give me an Initiative roll, please? The Dragon's: 15.

GM With the back door smashed from its frame and the generator overloaded, the young cavalier faced little opposition as he made his way into the warehouse, except for darkness and quiet. The floors were littered with the debris of some old goods that had come to rest in the brick and concrete tomb, from the look of things likely before Solvrytter was born. Old crates were everywhere, stamped with the sign of some old fishery, gaping empty or piled carelessly in heaps higher than their heads. As the knight made his way up to the second floor, where Nevermore had reported two sentries, he emerged to find...nothing. More crates and disused equipment lying in corners, but not a soul in sight. And the way upstairs was barred with another heavy-looking door. This one without any exterior way to open it. Gunnar felt the hairs on the back of his neck stiffen. The only thing worse than an enemy was one you couldn't see. At that moment, that was something of a comfort for Nevermore. He landed, arising to face the baffled circle of people in white and silver outfits with dragon masks far more sophisticated than the wannabes the Claremonters had just tangled with, the costumes bearing the tell-tale marks of hidden armor and shock-sticks on their belts. And face-to-face with the cold, dead stare of a mechanical dragon, easily twice his height, wingless but armored in steel and built like a viper. It began a slow, casual approach on silent legs and clicking claws, jaws opened to reveal teeth crackling with electricity. As one the gang members retread a couple of yards, though whether they were putting distance between themselves and the new arrival or their monster was unclear. A soft, crystal-clear voice spoke from behind the young crime-fighter, a deep voice bearing a sharp French accent "Brothers, let this valiant face our greatest work. He'll prove his worth or die trying. Dragon oh-nine, attack!"

A happy birthday to you Szinid! Here's to another quarter-plus century. Steer clear of terrible parties!

Not expecting a friendly voice, Marceau almost darted around when he heard Wesley and saw his nearby shadow grow until it loomed over him. Catching himself in time as the words clicked, the crime-buster tossed a hasty grin over his shoulder at the new arrival "That is good to know! Not really my element, this sort of thing." he indicated the swarm of massive apes with surly faces and plus-size hand cannons. An ally! Out of nowhere! Seemed tough and strong too. 'Just what the doctor ordered' sighed the young man inwardly, his aching legs relaxing just a touch and torso arcing just a smidgen forward. 'Yes, we're only two, but that's no account for my skill and his power...we can do this...we must...' If only his feet would stop complaining about the impact on the asphalt, and his hands would stop sweating, then he could really feel like they had a chance.

A very happy birthday to you, Electra. Especially so because it falls on a Saturday.

GM It took a few precious minutes, but after a while the once-mighty hunter's sobs slowed, growing deeper and fainter until only his trembling arms betrayed him. Wiping his face deftly with a scrap of hide he stood up, eyes still wet and gleaming in the dim red gloom. "The trees are not enough anymore. They used to go so high, sometimes you would only hear the roar of their monstrous engines. Now they come close enough to rustle the treetops. Only their numbers keep us safe, they can't get closer than five leagues without sounding like a hurricane." Shaking his head, Arnaud beckoned to the young heroines and led the way to the village Blue Jay had grown up in, passing countless signs big and small that told anyone who knew to read them who they approached. As he stalked noiselessly ahead, Arnaud went on with the grim news. "The Doombringers have a new weapon, like a shovel but vast enough to hold a thousand, it has some kind of engine in the base that lets it fly like the Drones, but even slower and clumsier. They use it to take our villages. I do not know how many are lost, but every day we hear it far off. And every month there are fewer at the meetings. I..." he stopped dead as they breasted a small hill, the village lying before them, a scattering of well-patched tents, formidable wagons like miniature houses, and countless lean-tos nearly invisible among the towering firs and oaks. In the dark a murmuring crowd of people could be seen going about the work needed to keep life going, moving with the quiet, speed and care of people who knew their enemies were never far away. "I...have seen where they are taken. A black tower full of fire and smoke in the east, near the shore. I think...I think, Tona, they are being made into Omegadrones. The Steam General was there, talking with somebody in a long coat. Now his soldiers harrow us more than ever before, and more than ever are taken alive." The older man shuddered and turned to Blue Jay, his once-iron eyes threatening to well over again "If you know what can be done, then please, save us from this Enferné!" Glancing at the others he added eagerly "Your comrades, what can they do? Do they have powers like your-" he bit his tongue and hesitated, then soldiered on "like your mother?"

Happy birthday EndlessFlight. Thanks for all you did to get this place off the runway, and I hope the year treats you well.

Alright, now to storm the urban castle! Nevermore: A DC17 Stealth check to keep from making any warning sounds while on the roof. Breaking the skylight is automatic(+2 toughness bonus), but the fall below is too confined for the wings and too full of enemies with unknown capabilities for the grapple-line. A DC19 Acrobatics check needed to let him land on his feet and ready for action. Polarity: To short out the generator will require a DC15 Knowledge(Technology) roll and a DC20 power check with her Blast. DC10 Climb check to get inside without using the door. Solvrytter: DC22 Strength check, taken with the bonus from his Super-Strength wielding Jarnskurer, to break down the door.

That works for me! There is totally a skylight on the roof, above the upper room where the light is strongest. It's broken and boarded-up, but shouldn't prove much of an obstacle to an especially determined entrance. The back door is just below an open window, within climbing distance(the bricks are crumbling, and offer plenty of handholds), and the door itself has an electronic lock but no physical one. The lower floors look wholly undefended besides two silvery figures on the second floor, looking out the window at the street. From what he can see there's a lot of loose wood crates scattered around the upper floors. A newish generator runs up the wall beside an adjacent building, cables running from it through the broken windows to the inside. They're nominally hidden by the darkness, but mainly because almost nobody would have any reason to get this close.

The aggressive apes were just about to leave, perhaps making a final threat or seizing a last piece of equipment, when a flash of red and black arced out of the sky, slamming into the pavement outside the store! Rising to his full height, the new arrival surveyed the gang of high-tech hoodlums with a critical blue eye. In a whirl of movement a square piece of metal was in his hand, weighted, and with a flick of the wrist sent hissing through the air! Quivering in a wall at eye-level to the one-eyed bruiser, the weapon revealed itself to be signed like a playing card, bearing a jolly-faced king and each of the four French Suits. "Good morning, visitors," the King of Suits said with a wan smile, "I do not see a bag or box for your purchases, but I do see firearms." Dropping into a ready stance, one hand hidden behind his flowing cape with the other poised to block, the young European crimefighter added sharply "Forceful seizure is unjust and unlawful, surrender your ill-gotten goods or pay the price!" Marceau had been passing through the decaying industrial district on his usual patrol route, having gotten off night-shift and a luxurious 5-hour sleep some time ago. He had been expecting something out of the ordinary when he'd overheard somebody running by yelling about 'space monkeys', but now...now that he was mere yards from several massive and well-armed apes with a distinctly military air, he admitted inwardly 'You're never really prepared for something like this'. The size of the cannons in the mighty paws alone made his armor feel so very thin and sparse.