Corsecjedi

When the villain failed to make a threatening move or any action, Shadowblade moved instantly to press her advantage and the attack. She ran forward and then vanished into a blurring series of shadow-jumps. She swung her blade at him high, low, from behind, and from above in a series of strikes, hoping to keep the man off-balance and struggling. He grunted from the bruising force of her blows but seemed to be coming back back into the fight. She bit back a curse and dropped into a guard position once more as the fight went on.

Alright, going to move into range and then use my Autofire alternate power as the standard action for the round and try to up the DC on the save. Attack roll: 26 Base DC is 21, plus 1 for every 2 I go over his Defense.

Shadowblade smiled slightly as the villain moved away from her. Even if he had not been foolish enough to be lured from his hostages, she had the advantage now, if only for the moment. She launched herself forward once more. This time, she did not try any flourishes or maneuvers; she focused entirely on her strike, and her rapier struck him with the force of a hammer. He reeled from the blow even as she vanished and reappeared back down the hall near the cloud of smoke. While her foe hadn't dropped to the ground, it was obvious she had dealt him a nasty knock. "Sooth, man, t'will be my pleasure to 'come and get' thee."

Attack on the boss (power attacking for +2/-2): 29 Going to go with increased effect for the critical; with Power attack and surprise attack, DC is 30!

Shadowblade grunted as his blow struck home. That's going to leave a mark tomorrow. She needed to change the scenario and give herself room to work. Her hand shot to her harness and pulled one of her smoke grenades free. She lobbed the grenade down the hall at the leader; the distraction struck the ground at his feet, and he vanished in a cloud of smoke. Shadowblade shadow-jumped down the hallway and hid in the shadows as best she could; the villain would likely try to negate her advantage somehow. She needed to get a step ahead of him.

Ranged attack to hit the proper square: 15 Stealth check to hide during the distraction: 25

Hmmm. Notice is the only one I have ranks in at present, and the others aren't allowed untrained. Notice check: 18

Ouch. That's a bruise, I believe. Toughness: 21

Shadowblade bit back another curse as the man spotted her. If only she'd been faster, that loudmouthed guard wouldn't have alerted his boss. Still, there was nothing for it, then, but to face the man in combat. "En guard, villain! Avaunt!" she cried, and she shadow-jumped. She appeared behind him, but instead of swinging her blade, she scythed her leg in a low, sweeping kick, trying to knock the man off his feet. She struck him solidly, but he deftly managed to keep his feet. She vanished again, finishing her shadow-jump, and appeared several feet in front of the leader. "God's blood," she swore under her breath - the boss, apparently, was made of much sterner stuff than the hired help. She raised her blade to guard position again and prepared for a fight.

Alright... I think I'm doing this right, but if not feel free to correct me! Turnabout teleport, letting me move to him, standard action, then a bit away. Going to go for a trip attempt with that standard action. First, the melee attack roll: 25 Next, the dexterity roll (with a +4 bonus from Imp. Trip): 14 Yeah... I'm going to need him to roll SUPER low.

Stealth check: 19

Initiative: 29 Holy crap, why can't I roll my attacks that high?

Shadowblade swore under her breath as she dodged the guard's frantic swing; so much for surprising the leader of this sordid operation. She needed to finish this now. Her blade flashed in the dim lights as she faked an attack, pulling the guard out low. She instantly swept the blade up high and dealt him a blow with the flat of her blade. Already off-balance, the strike sent him reeling, and he, too, dropped to the floor. She spun toward the office door the moment he fell, hoping against hope that whoever the "boss" was, he would take at least a moment or two to react and give her time to vanish and plan.

They couldn't have set up her entrance any finer than that. Shadowblade said in a low, carrying voice, "Thou should have paid heed to thy companion." The guards jumped, obviously startled, and she leapt to the attack. With a soft sound of displaced air and a puff of smoke, she appeared behind the alert guard. Her blade flashed, and he fell to the ground in an unconscious sprawl. She vanished again, appearing once more down the hall, and the remaining two guards spun about, trying to track her as she shadow-jumped about them. But she was quicker, far quicker, and she vanished again. Another popping noise, another puff of smoke, and another groan: the second guard doubled over and then fell to the floor in a boneless heap. The final guard spun again to find Shadowblade pressing him closely. "Let us dance, then, thee and I," she murmured and raised her blade in high guard.

Leading off with an acrobatic bluff (move action): 17 Follow up attack: 27 TOU save DC 21, 23 if I got him with the feint.

Initiative: 27! Super fast! Going to Power attack for +2/-2 again on both. Attack on guard 1: 19 Attack on guard 2: 25 DC is 23 for both, since they're aware of me.

Shadowblade chuckled at Foreshadow's answer to Gabriel's comments about fists and thunder and then took the proffered glass of cider and drank deeply - the drink was crisp and full of flavor, and she had to stifle a sigh of satisfaction. She'd also noted Foreshadow's slight pause before responding and decided to moderate her archaic speech at least a bit. "Many thanks for the cider; tis my favorite," she said with a friendly smile and then added, "And I would be delighted to compare notes with thee. If duty ever takes me to the Southside, be sure I shall attempt to call upon thee." She swept the room again with her amber eyes; the pleasant taste of the cider mingled with the relief of having met a few heroes without embarrassing herself and allowed her to relax a bit. She took in the sights and sounds of the gathered powers, her emotions tinged with just a bit of wonder and more excitement. Her polite, formal smile became warmer and more genuine and she dropped another curtsy to the heroes near her. "Friends, if you wilt pardon me for but a moment, I feel the need to sample the delicacies and acquire another glass." She moved off toward the tables which seemed almost full to groaning with food and drink and helped herself to a small plate.

Elanor had felt flattered and a bit surprised when she read her email that morning. She was just getting established as Shadowblade and had cooperated with the authorities periodically since her arrival, but this would be the first time Doctor Churchill had been asked to consult on a case. This must be a very strange case, if they need someone who knows about the Dark Ages, she'd thought to herself half a dozen times throughout the morning. Each time, her mind had leapt down a dozen theories, but each of them seemed more improbable then the last. She'd settled into her office with the door open and tried to distract herself from the idle speculation with the last of the semester's grading. Still, she'd looked up at the door every few minutes, wondering when this Cobalt Templar would arrive. She looked up when she heard a slight commotion in the hallway. She also heard, almost felt, the heavy, slow tread of something enormous moving around in the hallway of her floor. A swift smile flashed across her face; somehow, she just knew this must be her visitor. She moved to the open door and saw a massive figure in blue-plate armor and a bright red cape moving carefully through the halls sized for people built on a much smaller scale. She waved to get his attention and gestured to her office. "Please, come in, sir," she invited as he drew closer. "I must say, it is not everyday that a mere history professor is able to render aid to a hero." She preceded him into her office and turned to face the big man as he followed behind. "Allow me to introduce myself, Templar: I am Dr. Elanor Churchill. Given that you are here on a rather serious business, I say we begin immediately. Officer Washington indicated that you needed my help on a case, but he was quite vague on the details beyond 'the Dark Ages.'"

Shadowblade chuckled at his jest about the sin of not being born Irish - at least, she thought it was a jest. Gabriel clearly had that easy skill with new acquaintances that she'd always seemed to lack, and she was grateful for his introductions and relaxed manner. She turned her attention to the two other heroes as Gabriel introduced them and dropped them each a curtsy. "Gentlemen," she said, admiring their festive costume additions. The one called Cannonade seemed to be drinking deeply of the occasion, as it were - she hoped the stock of drinks included a good cider or two. But she pushed the idle thought aside for the moment and smiled warmly. "Tis an honor to greet you both, good sirs." She turned toward Foreshadow and nodded respectfully, "Friend Gabriel hast the right of it. I have some small talent for the clandestine and affinity for the shadows. Yet no skill is such that it cannot be bettered. Certes that thou hast more skill than I, and happy would I be to learn some small measure of thy craft." She paused and suddenly realized that she might have been too forward for a casual meeting. She blushed slightly and hurried to add, "If, of course, thou art even willing to speak to me again, after being so uncouth at such as festive occasion! Pray, forgive my boldness."

Shadowblade gave him a swift smile as she heard the trace of an Irish accent creep into his voice. "I hope thou wilt not hold my homeland against me, sirrah," she said as she inclined her head. "In sooth, tis most pleasant to meet one of our brothers from the Emerald Isle." She followed his slow movement away from the doors and glanced around the hall again; her eyes brightened as she looked toward the hall Gabriel had identified as leading to a public museum. "Greatly do I desire to view the museums thou spake of, but t'would not be courteous to spurn thy fellows' company so." She hesitated for a moment then added, "I pray thee, if thou hast other duties to attend, do not tarry for my account. But, if thou art free, greatly would I appreciate the honor of some few introductions. I confess, I am acquainted with few of thy fellows, having only recently arrived in fair Freedom City." A small smile touched her lips as she added, "And, as thou said, networking is of great import."

Shadowblade smiled as the man in bright silver armor and white cloth greeted her, eyes twinkling as she took in the obviously added-for-the-occasion Santa hat. She took his proffered hand in hers. "Tis a pleasure and a privilege, friend Gabriel," she said in her archaic speech. "Sooth, I have heard much of thee. Canst hardly abide in this fair city without hearing oft of silver-tongued Gabriel. And permit me to name myself in turn; I am Shadowblade." She dropped him a full, courtly curtsy as she introduced herself, just as her governess had taught her so many years ago - her manner as Shadowblade was far more courtly than she ever bothered to behave as Elanor. Her smile became warmer for a moment as she added, "Thou hast my gratitude for the greeting, as well. Certes, I was seized with trepidation about joining such an august gathering whilst still so untried and unproven. Yet fair Velocity was kind enough to extend the invitation, and t'would take one far stronger than I to refuse." She smiled again and gracefully waved a hand about the room. "If it please thee, accept my compliments on the livery of thy hall. The decorations are bravely done."

OK - I'm betting I can't really get close enough to do my burst again, so what I'd like to try is a turnabout jump - teleport out behind the guy who seems focused (the "Shut up and keep your head straight" guy), hit him hard and fast, then finish the teleport by going into the cafeteria (if it's open and accessible) or near a corner I can duck around, if not. Attack roll on the alert guard (power attacking for +2/-2): 14 (yeesh, not a great roll) Toughness save, DC 25 if I hit.

Shadowblade stepped gracefully out of the cab and shivered in the cold air. Given the pains she’d taken to look her best, she’d elected not to simply shadow-jumped her way across town to Freedom Hall - the exertion would have left her dress and hair in a frightful mess. She’d chosen to wear a formal gown of black with dark gray accents. The dress fit her closely above the waist, sleeveless with a high front but open to mid-back; it flowed about her legs and fell nearly to the ground. She’d worn her dark hair up with a few tresses falling free to frame her face. She’d kept her mask, though; the stylized black mask covered her eyes and the right half of her face and, hopefully, would continue to shield her identity. But her cloak and gown were inadequate protection from the wind - one little jump hopefully wouldn’t muss her too much. She teleported to the main doors and stepped inside with a flutter of nervous tension. She’d only recently begun her work as Shadowblade here in Freedom City and would never have expected an invitation. Indeed, if not for a chance encounter with some members of the Freedom League while she had been out patrolling, she never would have been invited. But the yellow-clad speedster named Velocity had personally delivered the invitation, much to Shadowblade’s surprise and delight. Still, she felt very much the interloper, as she had not really met any of the heroes she saw moving about the room. Still, she knew how to behave at a formal event, and she tried to keep her nervousness from her face as deposited her cloak in the cloakroom and entered the main lobby of Freedom Hall. She smoothed a few creases out of her gown and had to stop herself from checking her hair for the umpteenth time. She took a deep, unobtrusive breath, donned a polite smile, and stepped in the impressively festive warmth and light of Freedom Hall and moved unhurriedly toward the clusters of people chatting and laughing around the room.

Elanor looked up from her paperwork in surprise as she heard the distant clanging of old-fashioned alarms. She’d only returned to Freedom City from visiting her family yesterday, and she'd chosen to spend the evening in her office on campus to make a few last minute adjustments to her syllabus for the upcoming semester instead of her usual nocturnal activities as Shadowblade. Fortunately, though, the gym bag with her gear lay under her desk. She stood and looked out her tiny window; the commotion seemed to be coming from the physics building. She frowned in thought - the campus was quiet and sleepy in the midst of the holiday lull, and campus security might well be slower than normal in responding. A swift smile flashed across her face; apparently, Shadowblade would be venturing out into the night, after all. She hastily closed the blinds, crossed to door, and locked it. She grabbed the big, black gym bag from under her desk and pulled out her gear. She donned her gear as quickly as possible; she tied her hair back into a braid with ruthless haste and hurriedly removed the contacts from her eyes. Finally, she buckled her sword belt about her waist and moved back to the window. She peeked out of the blinds and then shadow-jumped out into the night towards the sound of the ringing alarms. As she drew closer, she slowed her headlong pace and began to look for the cause of the commotion.

I'd be interested in getting Shadowblade involved in this, which might not be overly helpful if the group is already pushing power level limits. The theme of battling corrupt people is definitely one that resonates with Shadowblade, and she kinda grooves on the whole sneaky vibe.