April

Will Save DC 20: 1d20+8 11

Cool.

Init: 1d20+2 3

She sighed and gestured at the teapot, indicating that 'Keith' could pour them two cups of tea.

"Wouldn't dream of it," Ardent answered which was not a lie.  She picked a seat, noting that like their hosts the back was low enough to allow her own wings to remain clear.  The hellspawn accepted the offered tea and sniffed at it delicately, taking a tentative sip before setting the cup down in front of her and wrapping her hands around it.

"You, of course, understand why we might be cautious," she said.  "The sentients of this plane aren't exactly thrilled when someone from Throne visits."

The subtext was, of course, that Phaedra herself was wearing a mortal shell.

"In a manner of speaking," the half-breed quietly answered, turning her head slightly to give Cathy a faint smile.  "Much like I could claim Heyzel to be kin."

Though she was uncomfortable with the situation, predominantly with the threat to Cathy's wellbeing, Phaedra was reassured by her presence.  She glanced at Auld Reekie's head and raised an inquisitive eyebrow.  "You are a bit far from home," she observed.  Which was true, but also wasn't.  Planar travel is like that.

"Why?"

Ardent

Pop Quiz: That Long Tongue Liar

Blue Fox

Nightingale

Soul Food

Willow

In order to make sure the Refs accurately count all your IC posts and award you the due amount of power points, please post with a list of all the threads in which your player character, NPC or sidekick posted IC this month (including the News forum). This topic will automatically close on the seventh day of the following month at Midnight EST.  Also list any threads which you are GMing. GM posts count as double and can be assigned to whichever of your characters needs a 'push'.

1-14  IC posts = 1PP
15-24 IC posts = 2PP
25-49 IC posts = 3PP
50-99 IC posts = 4PP
100+  IC posts = 5PP

When you make your list, post a link to your first post for the month for each IC thread so we can jump right to it.

When you start a thread, make sure IC is the first tag and topic prefix of the In Character thread, and OOC is in the first tag and topic prefix of the Out Of Character thread.  It's not required, but additional tags including the major players and locations are viewed as a courtesy.

• Please list your threads in alphabetical order.
• Please clearly note any threads in which you are both player and GM/running an NPC.
• Please list your threads in a timely manner. Extending the deadline one week into the following month is already a grace period.

If you've done any "extracurriculars" -- artwork, HellQ, 20 Questions, NPC, vignettes, guidebook pages, etc. -- please be sure to list them along with your active threads. For more information on ways to earn power points, see Character Advancement and Awards in the House Rules section of the Guide.

Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in your post counts being postponed or skipped completely. If you missed the deadline, see this thread.

Will Save DC 12: 1d20+8 10

...

Ardent glanced over at Frostbyte.

"Well that makes me even more worried," she remarked and then translated the graffiti for her her girlfriend, keeping her voice low.  Tapping into her infernal heritage, the half-demon called up her ability to open a Gate but kept it at the ready.  She flashed a quick smile at Cathy, her eyes already shifting to a familiar red-black, and then on impulse leaned forward and kissed her.

Then she was through the skylight, flaring out her wings to land gently in the warehouse below.

Ardent nodded.

She had her "puppy punting face" on, as her swordsman instructor called it, all business while her soulglaive was already out and held loosely in one hand.  Her stony demeanor cracked slightly and she favored Frostbyte with a nervous and every-so-slightly cocky grin.  

"We have this," she declared.  "But it would be nice to have Sparkler here, better to have the firepower than not need it, than need it and not have it."

She looked around for, and spotted, a skylight that she had hoped would allow them to peer about inside.  Unfortunately it was painted over, which caused Ardent to frown.

"I can pop inside," she said, tilting her head at the skylight, "And if it's too much Gate out."

Was just an idea I had kicking around in my head for the past... however long Willow has existed.  I figured someone would eventually catch up to her and try to seek justice.

I don't know if she can avoid it either.  Like, yeah, she did it.

"Broken."

Min had turned her head to address Mara and her question, the immortals voice was hard and her eyes were harder.

"Broken," she repeated, "Bound and buried."  She gave Talya a gentle squeeze on the shoulder completely at odds with the coldness of her words.  "None may threaten what is mine.  And since mortal methods have proven inadequate it is time to... improvise a solution that can contain something that can not die."

She gave Erik a look, her features softening and she gave him an apologetic smile.  "I am sorry, my love.  You have tried to teach me the right way of this world, but I do not think that will work here."

Answering smile with smile, Phaedra stepped up onto the icy platform and pressed herself up against Cathy's back.  She wrapped her arms around her waist, for support, and resting her chin on her shoulder which conveniently put her lips near Cathy's ear.  "I might be able to pick something up," Phaedra murmured, keeping her voice pitched low just to be careful.  "Some demons leave a lingering presence, like smoke.  Most people can't see it, but they can feel it.  It's that 'walked across your own grave' feeling."

She figured that between the two of them they should be able to ferret out if anyone is down there, and what sort of being they are. 

Ardent looked up from her surveillance, her eyes glowing a faint crimson in the darkness of the rooftop, and considered the question.

"Keep the range open and wear him down?" she offered as a suggestion, her red-tipped black wings ruffling slightly.  It was a cautious approach, and had the chance of drawing out the confrontation but it also exposed them to less risk.  Ardent assumed anyway, she didn't really know what Auld Reekie could do.

She cocked her head to the side, waiting for Frostbyte's decision.  She wanted to tell her girlfriend how beautiful she was at that moment; her ice form, the way the light sparkled off it and her determined expression (and the accent, of course) but it wasn't the right time for that.  Later, when they were done, she'd have the rest of the night to say something.

Echoing the above.

Chance Lebeau
Power Level: 8/12 (180PP)
Unspent PP:  5
Trade-Offs:  +5 Attack / -5 Damage, +4 Defense / -4 Toughness

In Brief: Your new best friend.

Alternate Identities: Chance Lebeau (Secret)
Birthplace: Somewhere
Occupation: Gambler, Nightclub Owner, Grifter
Affiliations: The Fix, Pier 6 (Nightclub)
Family: Child (Deceased)

Age: 179 (DoB: 1837)
Apparent Age: Early 30s
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 200
Eyes: Green
Hair: Blond

History:

Personality & Motivation:

Powers & Tactics:

Complications:

Abilities: 2 + 8 + 4 + 4 + 8 + 10 = 36PP
Strength: 12 (+1)
Dexterity: 18 (+4)
Constitution: 14 (+2)
Intelligence: 14 (+2)
Wisdom: 18 (+4)
Charisma: 20 / 30 (+5 / +10)

Combat: 8 + 12 = 20PP
Initiative: +4
Attack: +4 Base, +7 Melee, +13 Unarmed, +4 Ranged
Defense: +12 (+6 Base, +6 Dodge Focus), +3 Flat-Footed
Grapple: +8
Knockback: -2

Saving Throws: 4 + 4 + 6 = 14
Toughness: +4 (+2 Con, +2 Defensive Roll)
Fortitude: +6 (+2 Con, +4 Base)
Reflex: +9 (+4 Dex, +4 Base)
Will: +10 (+4 Wis, +6 Base)

Skills: 128R = 32PP
Bluff 10 (+20) [Skill Mastery, Second Chance]
Diplomacy 10 (+20) [Skill Mastery, Second Chance]
Disable Device 8 (+10)
Disguise 10 (+20)
Drive 6 (+10)
Escape Artist 11 (+15)
Gather Information 10 (+20) [Skill Mastery]
Intimidate 5 (+15)
Knowledge: Art 3 (+5)
Knowledge: Business 3 (+5)
Knowledge: Current Events 3 (+5)
Knowledge: Popular Culture 3 (+5)
Knowledge: Streetwise 8 (+10) [Skill Mastery]
Language 2 (English [Native], French, Russian) 
Notice 6 (+10)
Profession: Gambler 12 (+16)
Sense Motive 6 (+10)
Sleight of Hand 6 (+10)
Stealth 6 (+10)

Feats: 37PP
Attack Focus: Melee 3
Attack Specialization: Unarmed 3
Connected
Contacts
Defensive Roll 1
Distract: Bluff
Dodge Focus 6
Equipment 4
Fascinate: Bluff
Fascinate: Diplomacy
Luck 2
Quick Change 2
Second Chance 2 (Bluff, Diplomacy)
Set-Up
Skill Mastery 1 (Bluff, Diplomacy, Gather Information, Knowledge: Streetwise)
Taunt
Teamwork 3
Ultimate Effort 2 (Bluff, Diplomacy)
Well-Informed

Equipment: 4R = 20EP

HQ: The Warehouse & Pier 6 (Size: Large [2], Toughness 10 [1], Communications, Computer, Concealed (Warehouse DC +15) [2], Cover Facility (Pier 6 Nightclub), Fire Prevention System, Garage, Gym, Holding Cells, Infirmary, Laboratory, Library, Living Space, Security System (DC30) [3], Workshop) [20EP]

Powers: 10 + 10 + 6 + 10 = 41PP

Device 1 (5DP Earbud; Flaws: Hard-to-Lose, Feats: Subtle) [5PP]

Communications Link 4 (Other Earbuds; Feats: Subtle) [5DP]

Drain Wisdom 8 (Extras: Range 2 [Perception], Alternate Save [Will], Flaws: Action [Full], Sense Dependent [Auditory], Feats: Subtle, Insidious) [10PP] (Razzle; infernal)

Enhanced Charisma 10 [10PP] (Dazzle; infernal)

Mind Reading (Extras: Action 2 [Free], Flaws: Distracting, Limited [Surface Thoughts], Limited [Requires Interaction], Feats: Subtle 2) [6PP] (Cold Read; training)

Variable Power 1 (5PP Variable Pool, Any Combination of Traits, Extras: Action 2 [Free]) [10PP] (Cantrips; magic)

Preset 1

Preset 2

Drawbacks: -0PP
None

DC Block:
ATTACK              RANGE        SAVE                           EFFECT
Unarmed             Touch        DC 16 Toughness                Damage
Drain Wisdom        Perception   DC 18 Willpower                Drain Wisdom
Mind Reading        Perception   DC 18 Willpower                Mind Reading (Surface Thoughts)

Totals: Abilities (36) + Combat (20) + Saving Throws (14) + Skills (32) + Feats (37) + Powers (41) - Drawbacks (0) = 175/180 Power Points

Ardent

Pop Quiz: The Long Tongue Liar

Blue Fox

Nightingale

Willow

Interceptors: Sounds of Silence

In order to make sure the Refs accurately count all your IC posts and award you the due amount of power points, please post with a list of all the threads in which your player character, NPC or sidekick posted IC this month (including the News forum). This topic will automatically close on the seventh day of the following month at Midnight EST.  Also list any threads which you are GMing. GM posts count as double and can be assigned to whichever of your characters needs a 'push'.

1-14  IC posts = 1PP
15-24 IC posts = 2PP
25-49 IC posts = 3PP
50-99 IC posts = 4PP
100+  IC posts = 5PP

When you make your list, post a link to your first post for the month for each IC thread so we can jump right to it.

When you start a thread, make sure IC is the first tag and topic prefix of the In Character thread, and OOC is in the first tag and topic prefix of the Out Of Character thread.  It's not required, but additional tags including the major players and locations are viewed as a courtesy.

• Please list your threads in alphabetical order.
• Please clearly note any threads in which you are both player and GM/running an NPC.
• Please list your threads in a timely manner. Extending the deadline one week into the following month is already a grace period.

If you've done any "extracurriculars" -- artwork, HellQ, 20 Questions, NPC, vignettes, guidebook pages, etc. -- please be sure to list them along with your active threads. For more information on ways to earn power points, see Character Advancement and Awards in the House Rules section of the Guide.

Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in your post counts being postponed or skipped completely. If you missed the deadline, see this thread.

The vampire looked thoughtful for a moment, then shrugged.

"Suit yourself." Nicola had expected this, or something like this at least.  Though she thought it was going to be her that broke things off.  This is a bit of a change, she thought. "Look, it was nice.  But I am a blood drinking monster.  You were going to leave at some point anyway, out of fear or self-preservation."

She flashed Anna a fanged smile.

"Still, you're safe under this roof.  And I respect your decision."

Nicola was writing in a notebook when Espy and Anna returned.  Cocking her head to the side she gave Anna a measured look before nodding and setting her pen aside and closing her journal.

"I did not expect you to return," Nicola admitted.  Which was true.  She figured the moment the two of them got out of eye and earshot they'd be long gone.  Not that she wasn't ready to offer them a place to crash; she wouldn't have made the offer otherwise.

"But yes, I have a minute."

"It is such a mess," she acknowledged with a grin.  "But then I am too, so it's like the city and I were made for each other.  It's a festering pit of dying dreams and I'm a former thief-in-law.  Not to mention what I am now, monstrous parasite and all but there are some good folks in Bedlam."

"And if it is going to take a monster to keep the decent folk safe, then that's what it takes."

The acid bite that usually laced her tone when she talked about what she was was gone from Nicola's voice.  Lucy knew her well enough that the vampire would never like what she was, but at least she had evidently come to accept it.

Nicola took a pull from her drink and shrugged.

"It's been alright," she said.  "Did you know that Freedom City has a Vampire King in it?" she asked, quirking an eyebrow.  "Bit on the heroic type, so a nice change of pace.  Somehow I ended up working for him, in exchange for resources in tracking down the one that made me and... ending him."

A frown flickered on her face before she was all smiles once again.

"Path took me to Bedlam, which is pretty much awful.  But I think I can do some good there.  Or some better, at least."

"What about you?  It's been aaages, and you look gorgeous, as always."

"Let them think they succeeded."

Minerva Espadas stood in the doorway to the kitchen and to those less familiar with her, she looked and sounded calm and composed but Erik and Talya knew different.  It was her posture, like a snake coiled to strike, and the narrowing of her eyes to betrayed her fury.

"Let them think they succeeded," she repeated, walking into the kitchen and resting a hand on Talya's back.  "And then they can spend the rest of eternity crippled.  Danger did not come to our doorstep, dear heart.  It lives here, and our enemies are about to learn this."

Nicola gave Lady Horus an odd look.

"You both are welcome to stay here," she said.  "Until you are ready to move on."  It was the least she could offer, and she had the feeling that Hope and Anna would want to move on as soon as they can.  Which the vampire understood, she'd been that way before she ended up in Freedom City.

"May not look like much on the outside," she continued.  "But The Mill is quite comfortable and has more than enough room. Just, ah.." she hesitated a moment.  "Going to need groceries.  I don't have any food.  For you all."

Phaedra had settled in next to Cathy, prepared to spend much of the night in her close company.  That was the extent of her ambition that evening, content to sit on the periphery and just watch how people do people.

But now she wanted to dance.

The half-demon seldom questioned her impulses.  She put a great deal of effort into controlling them at times, but the idea of questioning why she was feeling or acting in a certain way was against her nature.  She simply was, and did.  And now she was leading her girlfriend, who also wanted to dance Phae noticed, to the dance floor.

Will Save DC 15: 1d20+8 10
Sense Motive DC 25: 1d20+5 23
Notice DC 20: 1d20+5 24