Cubismo

Here's an idea. Four Claremont students meet a mysterious punk and decide to help rescue her misfit friends from the clutches of some very, very bad people. Oh, and they also go back in time to the 1980s. Expect copious amounts of "subtle" references and 80s nostalgia porn. If any of that sounds at all interesting and not a nightmare to you than feel free to submit one of your Claremont PCs for play! 

Power level requirements are loose. I'd prefer PL 10, but PL 7 and everything between the two is more than acceptable. There are no especially vital skills in this, but Computer, Disable Device, Knowledge (Cosmology), Knowledge (History) and Stealth can be relevant and useful at certain points, if not fundamentally necessary for the overall adventure. 

Feel free to ask me any questions either here or on the Discord. Recruitment will stay open until I have four players and will work on a first come first served basis. 

Astrid raised an eyebrow at Veronica's orders. It was an instinctual reaction. She was never a fan of taking orders from anyone, even when it was more than warranted. Still, this was Danger's place and it wasn't as if Vegas seemed to be really in control of the unfolding situation. Also, she was relieved to hear that they wouldn't just going to get locked in some safe room while gods knows what was happening all around them. They needed to be useful. She needed to be useful. 

As she moved to follow Vegas, Astrid motioned to Micah. "How about it, Micah? Both of us up front behind Vegas in case things get a little hairy," she asked seriously, before breaking into a rakish grin. "First ones into battle are the first ones to glory, and all that."

Oh, wow. Thanks for this, ZB. I really it appreciate it and will keep in mind for the future, especially in regard keeping things difficult and on theme.

And that's a wrap folks! It was a pleasure GMing for y'all. Any thoughts, feeling or criticism are more than welcome. 

Stayed tuned for a possible sequel in the future. Baal ain't exactly someone who'd take a loss gracefully.

Until then, adios!

The cavalry Crystal-Gazer brought worked fast and methodically. Baal may have been gone but the wards were still severely damaged and needed to repaired before another unwelcome visitor attempted to gain entrance into the school. Powerful abjuration spells were woven and cast to reinforce the weakened magical barriers that protected Claremont while fresh wards were put in place to replace the ones that had failed altogether. Healers, both magical and mundane, rushed forward and attended the three prone members of the Indigo Team. They were in bad condition, spiritually and physically, but at least in regard to the latter they were stabilized and quickly moved out of the cavernous Underbelly for further medical treatment. 

As for the three heroes of the day, they told Crystal-Gazer and several of Claremont's senior staff their story, up to and including their final cutthroat "negotiations" with Baal. When they reached the part that mentioned Mike's betrayal of both them and his own intramural team, the boy literally fell to the ground before the crowd and started openly weep before them. Mike made a dozen different excuses for his actions with the span of a minute, blaming everyone and everything from his family to his powers to a recent break up. Claremont's teachers were hired apparently for their patience and compassion but they didn't buy Mike's insincere whining anymore than Forever Boy, Salvo or Gauss had. When it became clear once again that no one was listening to his lies, Mike slumped down into defeat. Forever Boy and Salvo were right about him. With his head bowed down in shame, the self-proclaimed Prince of Claremont was taken away by two members of the faculty, his hands cuffed and his powers sealed away by binding spells. It was over. He was over.

With Mike dealt with and in custody the trio were finally given their well deserved praise. While  some of the teachers were more than a little concerned that they had gone off to fight a demon lord by themselves without immediately trying to find one of the few remaining adult staff on campus, none of them could argue that hadn't dealt with the situation extraordinarily well and far and way beyond their expectations. They'd be a longer debriefing of course, and all of them would have to be vetted by on-call warlocks and daemonologists to ensure that none of them had been corrupted by Baal's presence, but beside that unpleasantness they were heroes of the evening!

As all four finally left the cavern with their heads held high a concerning thought couldn't help but come into their minds. What if Baal was right? What if there other students like Mike who would be willing to sell out their classmates for power and importance? Demons lie. That was obvious, but if Mike and the rest of the Indigo Team could be tempted was it too ridiculous to assume there were others just like them waiting for their chance at power? If that was the case, they'd be ready for it. That was the hope anyway...

- Fin 

The moment Astrid heard the sirens go off and the saw the blinking red lights blast the room her whole body turned tense. Whereas before she was as causal as could be looking around the faculty for things that caught her fancy, now the demigoddess had her guard was up and her eyes focused.

Trouble wasn't far ahead. She could feel it in her bones. Porrklubba was with her as always but Astrid didn't draw the weapon quite yet even though she was itching too. 

There was still a chance this was wrong but Astrid's instincts told her that Micah was probably right on the money. Weird magic artifact from another world starts ticking and immediately afterwards the alarms start going off?  That was way too much of a coincidence for her liking. 

She turned towards Forever Boy. "Right, so. These things are super powerful and plenty of people would want one if they found where it was. Can you think of anyone from Neverworld who would have the balls to try to take one from here?" She asked.

With Baal gone and the idiot classmates saved we're finally heading towards the end of this. Did y'all have fun? I hope so!  

If @Heritage is willing than perhaps Crystal-Gazer can show up having brought some of Claremont faculty as the cavalry. If not, than I'll end it with something similar happening. 

Anyways, let me know if you want me extend this epilogue further by letting your PCs talk amongst themselves for a bit (and get more juicy posts for PP) or cut to the chase and end it.

GM

Fright Night at Claremont 3 posts x 2 = 6

6 = 1PP

Ms Thursday

Spy Pirates 2 posts

The Red Will Rise 1 post

Giant Krampus 2: Krampus Campus 3 posts

6 = 1PP

GM point goes to Ms Thursday.

It wasn't everyday that someone got to see a Prince of Hell furious, and those who did rarely got the opportunity to speak of it, but this night was filled with many uncommon and downright strange occurrences. Two of Baal's heads revealed their razor teeth. He hissed with one and gritted his teeth with the other. The sounds of his anger created a discordant cacophony of hissing, growling and screeching that made the very roof of the cavern shake and dislodge a couple of stones. 

That's when he moved. For a spiderlegged abomination with three oversized heads Baal could move with impressive speed that left the three heroes offguard for a second before they rose to attention and readied their weapons and powers. But Baal did not strike. He simply glowered at the trio with six eyes so filled with hate and venom that they literally started to burn in his skulls. "YOU PATHETIC FEY STRIPLING!  YOU DARE TRY TO THREATEN ME. ME! BAAL OF THE SEVEN. BAAL OF THE EAST. BAAL OF THE SIXTY-SIX LEGIONS. I AM A GOD, BOY. SECOND ONLY TO THE FALLEN. YOU HONESTLY THINK YOU COULD BLACKMAIL ONE SUCH AS I!" The demon lord huffed and bellowed, his eyes never leaving the heroes and his form almost right on top of them. 

It was an impressive performance. Not that it mattered. Pan was right and Baal knew that. It was entirely possible that Asmodeus could have caught wind of the attempted succubus summoning despite Mike's manipulations and if that was the case he would definitely wish to know who had cheated him. Baal could not let that happen. If Asmodeus learned what had transpired this time it would inevitably mean that he would learn of his recent losses in the endless wars in Hell. The thought filled the demon lord with dread and fear, so much so, that the tongue holding Mike tightened. Baal heard Mike's desperate squirms for release and with a contemptuous glare and a careless throw he did just that, tossing him aside to the feet of the heroes.

"TAKE THAT TRAITOROUS WORM. HE IS WORSE THAN USELESS AND HIS SQUEALING SICKENS ME." Baal did not stop there. With his toad head finally free, all threestarted to suddenly gag and choke. Salvo, Forever Boy and Gauss prepared for an attack but it was unnecessary. Instead of fire, acid or lightning, three boys were suddenly puked up from the head and spat out besides Mike. All three boys were unconscious and breathing slightly. "TAKE THOSE REVOLTING PAUPERS AS WELL. THEY'RE SOULS AREN'T WORTH THE EFFORT. CALLOW AND PERVERSE AS THEY ARE."

Baal was done here. The risks to remaining was too high and even trying to kill these youths out of spite wasn't an option. Still, he refused to go with his dignity completely torn asunder. "YOU PETULANT MORTALS THINK YOURSELVES CLEVER BUT YOU ARE DAMNED. YOU HAVE MADE ME YOUR ENEMY TODAY AND I AM RELENTLESS IN MY VENGEANCE. THIS SCHOLOMANCE ISN'T AS PURE AS YOU THINK, CHILDREN. THEY'RE ARE OTHERS JUST LIKE MICHAEL WHO WILL SERVICE ME IF TEMPTED. TRUST CAREFULLY, CHILDREN. FOR YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW WHO IS FRIEND AND WHO IS FOE HERE."  And with that Baal vanished in a torrent of flame and brimstone that temporarily filled the room with red, hot light. Where he once stood there was nothing but a massive crater with tiny embers to show that the demon was ever there to begin. 

Mike ungracefully got up to his feet and started desperately to suck in air after so long without it. After catching his breath he instinctively looked back behind him, as if to make sure that Baal was really gone and just wasn't playing a trick on him and the others. When he felt assured that wasn't the case he shamelessly looked back to his saviors and started to lie.

"I'm free at last!" he said, shaking his head theatrically. "I was totally under Baal's control the whole time! He must have possessed me weeks ago so he could plan this entire night! If not for you guys everything would have..." Mike stopped when he realized that they buying absolutely none of it.

"I'm in a lot of trouble ain't I." It wasn't a question.

Corinne was draped less than gracefully over Astrid's shoulder. The awkwardness didn't come from the weight, Corinne had to be at best 160 pounds soaking wet by Astrid's rough assessment, but from the fact that Astrid only had two arms and was finding it more than a little difficult to steady Corinne on her shoulder while also keeping Porrklubba in a effective weapon position. 

Moving around with someone heaped over your shoulder was a hassle. Moving while panicking people were running around screaming with thick, toxic smoke covering the whole room was damn near impossible. Oh, and she needed to avoid the bastards who just tried grab Corinne while all that was going on around her. 

Astrid would have started cursing again if it won't be aforementioned toxic smoke. Her body had managed to tank the noxious gas when it was first unleashed by the villain in red but Astrid wasn't sure that Corinne would be able to do the same. The smoke had to go. For Corinne's sake and everyone's else in the exhibit.

She wracked her brain on how she could deal with that the problem. She preferred just beating the Hel of the red lady but with the smoke everywhere it was impossible to know where she was to begin with, which just brought her back to her first problem. 

That's when she heard the skylight break. Moving her head up on instinct, Astrid saw a mess of broken glass where the skylight once was. An idea immediately came to her  and she couldn't help but crack a smile. She had never done something like this before and a small part her feared that her plan could well just make everything worse. Still, she had to do something and running around in the dark wasn't looking any smarter of a plan.

Astrid moved back to a corner of the exhibit, away from anyone who could block her way and from the smoke cloud itself. Steadying herself, she took in a massive breath that would have been possible for a mortal. Another perk of being half a god. When she expelled it a rush of cool breath came into existence. Aiming the rush to just the right angle that it would hit the cloud and push it out towards the skylight wasn't exactly easy, but Astrid managed to do just that, sweeping the gas out of the exhibit.  

Astrid made sure to give Micah a "Thanks" and a thumbs up for his calming breeze before she followed their guide into a seriously cramped elevator. The desert sun hadn't bothered her in the slightest but she was glad to be inside regardless of the current circumstance, if only for the sake of her hair which definitely did not need the humility even if the rest of her body seemed to take it stride. 

As they descended down to their destination Astrid couldn't help make a long whistle of astonishment as they passed floor after floor. Sure, the institute looked vast from the outside but this was something else. To think that the whole place was filled from top to bottom with all kinds of magical artifacts and technological wonders took her aback and reminded her of the treasure vaults of Asgard. Both them and the Institute had that overwhelming sense of scale that could someone both parts giddy and awestuck.

Astrid lightly nudged Veronica's shoulder. "Not gonna lie, you Dangers found some pretty interesting stuff. I think I even spied one of researchers hauling around a singasteinn. Nice find that." Before she could continue gushing over what she saw their elevator came to a stop and they were escorted by Vegas to two similarly attired security guards. Apparently they needed to know everyone's names, which made Astrid move her lips to the side. Wouldn't they already know them and that they were with Vegas? 

The demigoddess shrugged. Given that this place was probably filled with stuff that could be labeled a weapon of mass destruction she couldn't really blame them for wanting to be a bit cautious and thorough. Still, giving up her identity to people in uniform rarely sat right with her. "The name's Astrid Torsten. I hope I'm on whatever list you got because I really don't want to go back to that sandstorm you got brewing outside."

Cool. Since Super Breath is a Power Feat for Super-Strength I'm going go ahead an assume that Thursday's power ranks in it are five, sooooooooo...

Move Action: Thursday's first going to try and move out of range of the Nauseate for Corinne's sake. 

Standard Action: Power Check: Super-Breath vs Obscure: 1d20+5 19

@RocketLord Given the severity of the situation I think it would be appropriate for Forever Boy's complication to go off here, which would bring you back to 2HP. 

@Heritage Welcome back! If your game on returning I got no problem with that. You can go about explaining Lulu's return by saying she followed the metal "breadcrumbs" Gauss left behind straight to Salvo's portal, but it's up to how you want to describe it, of course.  Maybe Lulu's used her psychic powers to find them instead? 

Well that... wasn't what she expected. Astrid couldn't help it. She blinked at the recognition in Summer's words. It could have been some mindgame, she suspected. Give the complaining teen a false platitude right now so that later she'd come to the Headmistress' defense next time shit hits the fan. Plenty of other authority figures had tried that on her before and she had seen through for what is but right now Astrid wasn't so sure. And that scared her.

Astrid responded back to Summers as causally and nonchalant as possible. "Yeah, well, thanks for that, but," She waved her hand across indicating all the other students that were nearby, "It literally took all of us to bring that thing down, though Nicole was the big hero who gave it the final blow. Soooooooooo, I'm thinking we all deserve a big 'thank you' and high-five once everything is nice and proper again."

I'm assuming that Thursday can't see the Red Death through the Obscure. 

If that's the case is it possible for her to use Super Breath to blow the gas out of the room through the broken skylight?

For convenience sake I'm going to say that Asmodeus perfectly fits the bill for both of those criteria. 

@RocketLord And with all that new information Forever Boy can end the negotiations with one last Bluff against Baal's Sense Motive. If he succeeds he'd be able to trick Baal into believing that Asmoedus could catch wind of his scummy deal, which would make him just decide to call it quits and go home, weapon or no weapon. Of course, it's obviously up to you how you want Forever Boy use this info. So go wild with those creative Bluffs! 

"Strålende!" Astrid unabashedly screamed out the word into the winter sky as the Krampus dissolved into red-black empyreal ash. It was a war cry for a battle victory that had blood pumping from start to finish.

A what a battle in what was! Several teenagers fighting a monster that very well could pass as a Christmas-themed kaiju and beating it without the help a single member of Claremont's faculty had to be legendary act that would immortalize them all in the school's history forever!

The idea of that glory almost made her forget all the collateral damage around her and the fact that she wasn't sure whether Dio was alright. What if he's...

The argument between Summers and other students snapped her out of that thought. She used Porrklubba to rush over to the crowd and give the Headmistresses at part of her mind. 

"You're not even going to give us a good job kids thanks for holding down the fort while we're gone?" Astrid facepalmed. Even to her ears that sounded petulant.She tried to push down on the attitude, but it was a up hill battle for her as always.

When she spoke again her voice was softer, if only a little. "Everyone's already talked about the collateral but some of us are dinged-up too. Especially Dio, but Leroy said he's going to go deal with that. Other than him everyone is still standing."

The colossal demon would have preferred for the heroes to accept the deal right on the spot, but Forever Boy was right that Infernal protocol demanded that all possible signatories be given time to read the contract in full and truly understand what they were bargaining with and potentially losing if they didn't fulfill the contract's terms. 

Still, he was none to happy about it. Nor was he happy that he was still to weak from his summoning to read their minds. That would made this negotiation far more easier but alas that option was not available.

One of his heads made a low growl of contempt while another made his thoughts known. "Fine, fine," he bellowed. "Have your time if you need it but I assure that this deal is the best you can get given the circumstances."

That huge Arcane Lore roll of 34 means that Salvo knows the contract is blatantly asking way to much of her and is lopsided towards Baal's benefit. By the complicated metrics of Hell, the human souls of four relatively weak warlocks simply do not equal the value of a magical weapon that Salvo could make. In essence, he's obviously trying to cheat you and is greedily trying to further con you into giving up your soul as a form of collateral. 

For a lower ranked demon that's typical business behavior, but Baal is a Lord of Hell is supposed to have more class than that, especially when dealing with youths who haven't lived a long life of sin yet and likely won't. 

Salvo knows that if any other Lord of Hell learned that Baal had stooped so low they'd probably assume that he was desperate for more souls and weapons to gain advantage in wars in Hell. Many of them would see that as a sign of weakness and attack him on en masse which is something Baal does not want. 

Ms. Thursday

As Astrid took in the massive building before her she couldn't help but break into a smile even if it risked getting a gust of sand in her mouth.

It had finally happened. An honest to the Gods field trip to someplace interesting in America that she had never been before. She had started to doubt whether it would ever happen with Summers seeming pretty determined to have them all cooped up in Claremont for the whole school year. 

Astrid couldn't be more happy to be wrong, though she could leave the sand. She turned to the rest of her classmates before making her way to the entrance. "Alright. Looks get the Hel in there before this storm blows us all over the desert, ja!"

Are you wavering using such bonuses?

Opposed Sense Motive: 1d20+20 22

Salvo has the contract already but your Bluff does get Baal to give you more time to read the contract over.

FYI: The contents of the contract can be summed up as having a lot of unfavorable clauses on what constitutes to making a difference in the wars of Hell. A civic or arcane roll can give you more details and ways to maneuver around it, though. 

Baal's broad grin didn't leave his monstrous face. He was starting to like these clever children. 

"You speak truth, the both of you. A few extras souls wouldn't make much of a difference in the grand scheme of but add a few more pawns to the Great Cressboard in Hell." 

Baal's admission made Mike relax if only a little in the demon's grip. His next words though made him try to cry out again. 

"You're armor is quite impressive. Yeeeessssss. I can smell the arcane power coming off of it. Having something of a similar make at my disposable would be fine addition to my war crest. Besides," He gave Mike a knowing sideways glance, "Even without direct ownership of their souls chances are the fools who summoned me will be damned to Hell for their stupidity anyway, especially this failure."

He laughed at Mike's flailing before returning his focus to the three heroes before him.

"I am willing to agree with your proposal. An item of your own design, a spear or a suit of armor for one of my champions would be preferable, for the freedom of four human souls. BUT! I'm going to need a bit more assurance that whatever item you create for me won't be somesort of dud or trap at my expense. I believe the most prudent way to do that would be with a contract as a your fey friend suggested. 

A long contract form made out of some type of hide immediately appeared in Salvo's hands along with a quill. 

"By signing that contract you will hereby promise that your weapon will serve to make a difference in the Great Wars in Hell. If it does not or proves faulty in anyway you forfeit your soul and that your companions to me. Rather fair if I do say so myself.

@Zeitgeist Blue

OK. Salvo can get away with not having to sign that rather unfair contract by making an Intimidate check or either a Diplomacy, Arcane Lore or Civics check if she would prefer. Remember she has +10 to the roll. 

She can also just decide to try and blast Baal in the face. That's totally still an option. 

Just as Astrid was finished pummeling one group of Dark Elves another decided that taking was a fine and healthy idea.  "<Of bloody course!>" She cursed loudly in her native tongue. The suicidal arrogance of minions never failed to not astonish her but even this was getting annoying. 

"<I just destroyed the last sortie of you fools with my bare hands. You really think your going special compared to the last!>" She said in Old Norse hoping that they'd be able to understand her but when they didn't reply and charged at her Astrid cursed once again and readied Porrklubba with her recovered hand. 

When the dark elves finally closed the gap between them and made their attacks, Astrid had to burst out laughing. She wasn't as nimble as she was brawny but even she could avoid their uncoordinated strikes with ease, docking a swipe there and dodging a bite there. "<Freya be good. You poor sods need training something fierce.>"

Her plan of attack was going to be beautifully simple in her mind: Hit them with Porrklubba until they stop. A tried and true strategy that usually worked but Astrid had sudden reservations he as he prepared to strike the dark elves. The Krampus was the true enemy. His underlings were small potatoes. She needed to get into the thick of it with the Big Bad and avenge that shameful miss that she made at the beginning. 

But Astrid hesitated. In the corner of her eye she saw Alex take a hit from one of the dark elves and for a split second wondered if he needed her help. His immediate words after reassured her that he had things well in hand.

"<Alex I know you got things thing here I'm going after the Big Guy!>" And with that Astrid turned away from the dark elves and made a beeline towards the weakened Krampus with Porrklubba held high above her head while she screamed out a Aesir battle cry. When she finally got to the feet of the monster she stroke downwards with all her might.