Cubismo

Opposed Bluff Check: 14. Gauss thinks something's off about Mike's story. There's just something too causal about how he's talking right now. She might want to bring up her suspicions to her Forever Boy and Salvo, and even take the book back.

Opposed Bluff vs Sense Motive: 23. Sorry, RocketLord. Looks like Forever Boy sees nothing wrong with Mike either. Not that there's necessarily anything wrong to see in the first place... possibly.

Opposed Bluff vs Sense Motive: 30. With that whooping thirty, Salvo totally believes that Mike is telling the truth. Or at the very least she detects no tell-tell signs of deceit. Does @RocketLord or @Azuth65 wanna take a swing at seeing whether Mike seems shady?

Right, so a lot has happened. Thursday was pursing one of kidnappers trying to abscond with Corinne before the break and I'm not sure if she can see still her through with the gas attack. Do I have to make a roll to break through the concealment?

"Well, if you insist, Leroy," Astrid answered playfully. If one wanted to get the demigoddess interested in something, calling her a Battlemaid was a good way of doing it. Flattery was the opium of warriors after all. Taking a seat beside Leroy, Astrid took a look at the splendid art the gravity manipulator was taking about. Even though music was more her thing than art Astrid still recognized the piece as one of Caravaggio's famous oil paintings. "I guess having a Baroque era art puzzle is one way for Summers to remind us that we have a history exam soon. I wonder if that counts as low-key psychological torture?" She asked Leroy sarcastically, though, if she was being honest, she wouldn't put it past Claremont's headmistress to do such a thing. Astrid started to put a couple of the last reminding pieces to their rightful place. While she did, she idly listened to the conversations and music around her, relaxing into the positive atmosphere. It was nice, and exactly the thing she needed right now. She spoke up again when she heard Ashley, Abagail and Reina's conversation about the strange sites in Freedom. Astrid was still a stranger to the city, and although she had taken time to explore and visit some of the city's main attractions and sites, she still felt as if she didn't quite know it yet. "A skyscraper with a castle on top? Fancy. Any other weird or spooky locales in this city I should know about?"

With all three of the shadows demons defeated, the Claremont students exchanged information and quips before continuing on their way to the ritual site. As they did they noticed how the Underbelly tunnels weren't as poorly lit as they were before, and how the temperature wasn't as oppressively hot as it was when the shadow demons made their surprise attack. Was that a good sign that Baal's powers really were weakening after the defeat of several of his demons, or was the demon lord trying to lure the three young heroes into a false sense of security? The only way any of them would know for sure was by facing the prince of Hell in person and determining that by themselves. It wasn't a great solution, but demonic incursions weren't exactly known for being well-springs for easy answers. Than again, sometimes the universe just throws you a bone that makes things a whole lot easier. As they moved down the tunnels the trio of heroes heard the sound of someone running towards them. Immediately they prepared themselves to confront some fresh new Hell only to hesitant when they saw that the new arrival wasn't another demon, but a very pale-faced and lanky Claremont student. Like Sam, he was covered head to toe in sot and the expression of his face was one of both terror and hope. "I can't believe it! Sam actually managed to get help!" The boy looked like he was on the verge of tears but managed to compose himself. "I knew... I just freaking knew Sam had to have gotten help from someone. I thought it would be one of the teacher but who the Hell am I to look a gift horse in the mouth, huh." The student moved up to the trio and was about to give Pan a handshake (or hug) when he realized he was still covered in sot. "Sorry, I'm kind of an emotional wreck right now. I guess being possessed does that." He laughed but there was no mirth to it. "The name's Mike Carpenter. I'm guessing Sam already filled you in on, well, what we did. I know it sounds gross, and yeah it totally was, but that's in the past and we still got a demon to exorcise." Mike made a wide gesture with his arms indicating the entire trio. "Sam told you about us getting possessed, right? Well, you guys must have been kicking some serious ass because Baal's been getting weaker since Sam ran for it. That's how I was able to break my possession and escape. Thanks by the way." Mike paused for a moment when he saw the book in Salvo's hands. "You got Sam's book, too! Damn you guys are good. Ok, hand it over. There's something I have to show all of you."

Knowledge (Arcane Lore) I'm going to another scene transition in the next IC post, if that's alright with everyone. Before that though if anyone else wants to make a Knowledge roll they most certainly can.

Oopsies. Thought the Dark Elves were attacking Ms. Thursday from the ground using ranged attacks instead of being up and close with her on the Krampus. Disregard her using a Free Action and Move Action to fly towards them. Everything else though (basically just the Standard Action) still stands.

A lot had happened in the last span of a couple of minutes. That's what happens in battle. A whole lot happening all it once. Astrid knew that from experience but even so experiencing it still took her aback, though she would loath to admit that anyone. Dio was down but at least Nicole was able to blast the Hel out of their enemy. Astrid would have given her roommate the colossal props she so rightfully deserved for that attack if she wasn't already preoccupied with a trio of Dark Elves clawing at her and Porrklubba. She had spotted the monsters when she saw that they were gunning for Àjàṣorò, but now they were up and close and Astrid saw them for the ugly creatures they were. "<Vile little beasts aren't you,>" she grunted out in her native Norwegian as they attacked. The monsters swiped at her, and although she made to block or parry most of their blows, one managed to slip past her defenses and slash her right shoulder with its claws, drawing blood. The injury wasn't debilitating but Astrid cursed it all the same. Not out of pain, but because she allowed the Dark Elves to get the better of her, if only somewhat. Astrid decided to return the favor by finally going on the offensive. Not wanting to use her right arm immediately after her injury, Astrid made a fist with her left hand and drove at the Dark Elves prepared to clubber them one by one.

Toughness Save: 19. Bah humbug. It's not a terrible fail on my part so I'll refrain from using a HP and just take the Bruise. I, and therefore Thursday, has suddenly remembered that Takedown Attack is a thing, so... Free Action: Shifting the Porrklubba Array from Blast to Flight. Move Action: Flying towards the three Dark Elves on the ground that were firing at Thursday. Standard Action: Using Takedown Attack to try and knock out them all out with a series of Unarmed Attacks. I'm also Taking 10, so that's a DC21 (-2 from Entangled and +5 from All-Out Attack) on the Attack and Toughness DC23 for Damage.

That most certainly is a meet, Azuth. Gauss is in the clear. As for her attack... Gauss' Blast Attack: Hits! I can also confirm that is a Critical Hit! Mr. Cat's Toughness Save vs DC 27. 8. Failed. By a wide margin I might add. Mr. Cat fail his Toughness save by 19 meaning he's also Unconscious. Super Noice. Round 1 - Initiative Order 23 - Salvo - Fine and Dandy, 2HP 20 - Shadow Demons (x3) - Frog Demon - Unconscious/Banished - Cat Demon - Unconscious/Banished - Human Demon - Unconscious/Banished 14 - Forever Boy - Fine and Dandy, 2HP 14 - Gauss - Fine and Dandy, 4HP Go ahead a make your IC post @Azuth65. Combat is once again over for you three maniac demonslayers. Now Stage 3 can begin...

You end up seeing a lot of things when you fight literally monsters by night and go to a superhero school by day. Still, even with all that being the case, Astrid still had to rate a bunch of superpowered teenagers getting hyped to solve a puzzle to be pretty high of her list of weird things she'd seen in her life. It wasn't exactly her idea of fun times, but Claremont was a straight-laced school for straight-laced superheroes, and so Astrid causally walked to the growing crowd of puzzle-solvers with her hands in pockets and an amused look on her face. When in Rome do what the Romans do and all that jazz. "Ok, what do we have here?" She asked as saw all the puzzles on the table that everyone was sharing.

Mr. Man's Sense Motive Check vs Bluff. 17. Failed. Hugely so. Forever Boy's Attack counts as a Surprise Attack meaning Mr. Man loses his Dodge Bonus. Which means, that natural 20 is totally confirmed as a critical hit by a wide margin. I got a feeling that things aren't going to go well for Mr. Man... Mr. Man's Toughness Save vs DC 34. 18. Failed. Mr. Man failed his Toughness save by 16 meaning he's Unconscious aka Banished back to Hell. Noice. @Azuth65 is up next. Let's see if you guys can pull off a hat trick. Round 1 - Initiative Order 23 - Salvo - Fine and Dandy, 2HP 20 - Shadow Demons (x3) - Frog Demon - Unconscious/Banished - Cat Demon - Fine and Dandy - Human Demon - Unconscious/Banished 14 - Forever Boy - Fine and Dandy, 2HP 14 - Gauss - Fine and Dandy, 4HP

Replica Red Net (2) = 2 Posts = 1PP Ms Thursday Canon Texts (2) With Black Curtains (1) Giant Krampus 2: Krampus Campus (3) = 6 Posts = 1PP GM Fright Night at Claremont (3) x 2 = 6 = 1PP (That will spent towards Ms Thursday)

Ms. Thursday Astrid had only woken up about an hour ago and she felt it. Even Asgardian fortitude had its limits after all and she brought to its breaking point last night. "Helsike," she mumbled to her as she made her way across Kord. She had spent most of the late hours of last night cramping for a test she was going take today. It was a history exam on American expansion into the West and although Astrid usually found learning about historical factoids to be oddly interesting, studying for it felt downright miserable. Part of the reason had to do with her having a sneaking suspicion that the exam was glossing over some unsavory parts of the time period, but having to constantly drop everything to deal with an Agent of Midgard problem out in the world didn't make things easier either. By the time she finally let her body rest, Astrid was battered both physically and mentally, and couldn't help but won. And so, after walking up and realizing that she still felt Hel, Astrid decided that a happy distraction from said test and her lot in life was in order. She eventually found it when she saw that a bunch of Claremont students were using one of the common rooms. Astrid saw her teammates Abigail and Cornnie and gave them a hail as she made her way towards them. "Hey, guys. What's happening?" She managed to yawn out.

Mr Toad's Toughness Save vs Salvo's Flamethrowers (Lethal) DC 25: 10. Failed. Since he failed by 15 he is now Unconscious, which in this case means he's been banished back to Hell. Guess even demons can get roasted. His compatriots are going to attempt to avenge their lost comrade by taking down one of yours. Mr. Cat will use his Standard Action and attempt to Dazzle Gauss. Mr. Man will also use a Standard Action and try and blind Forever Boy with a Snare. They both make a Melee Attack of 22, meaning Forever Boy once again manages to avoid getting Hit while @Azuth65 has to make a Reflex Save that can beat DC 20. Round 1 - Initiative Order 23 - Salvo - Fine and Dandy, 2HP 20 - Shadow Demons (x3) - Frog Demon - Unconscious/Banished - Cat Demon - Fine and Dandy - Human Demon - Fine and Dandy 14 - Forever Boy - Fine and Dandy, 2HP 14 - Gauss - Fine and Dandy, 4HP

Demons were hardly sentimental by nature. They're creatures of pure, undiluted evil, and as such were inclined to mock and pervert humans emotions like empathy and camaraderie. This is especially true for the demonic servants of Baal, perhaps the most dispassionate legionaries of Hell. But when Mr. Cat and Mr. Man saw their brother in darkness Mr. Toad burned to oblivion only a few moments after leading the attack on their enemies, the two monsters felt something akin to grief for his loss. Of course, they couldn't express those feelings. They had reputation to uphold after all and an employer that wouldn't take to kindly to weakness. "Oh, what a shame," Mr. Cat purred as he tried and failed to disembowel Gauss with his claws. "He was a failure, of course, but he wasn't entirely worthless." Mr. Man gave Mr. Cat a solemn nod of acknowledgement in between trying to rip a chunk of Forever Boy's face off with his bare teeth. Having failed, he pulled back his huge, misshapen head and turned it. "Agreed, Mr. Cat. He must be horribly tortured for his failure but perhaps he deserves another chance in a couple thousand years?" Mr. Cat wouldn't help but bob its massive head in agreement. "I do concur, Mr. Man. Anyhow, let us finish what he started, eh." Giving his compatriot one last gentlemanly nod, Mr. Man raised his hands and pointed them at Forever Boy. Less than a second later black tendrils exploded from those hands and rushed towards Forever Boy like a viper alerted to nearby prey. Mr. Cat followed his the other demon's example. If purely physical means weren't proving effective than perhaps there was another way to hamper their foes. The demon began to speak a vile incarnation in a language long dead. When the creature reached the finale verse it gave Gauss a Cheshire cat smile. "If I cannot pluck your eyes out than maybe I can bind them in endless darkness. Wouldn't that be delightful?" His taunt was followed by volley of black needles bursting from his body towards Gauss' eyes.

Good to know, ZB.

Salvo's Melee Attack: Hits. Frog Demon's Opposed Grapple Check: 18. Failed. The Frog Demon has been literally roped in towards Salvo as per ZB's request. He is now Pinned, losing his Dodge Bonus and -4 to his Defense. Frog Demon's Will Save vs Salvo's Intimidate: 21. Just managed to Succeed. Round 1 - Initiative Order 23 - Salvo - Fine and Dandy, 2HP 20 - Shadow Demons (x3) - Frog Demon - Pinned - Cat Demon - Fine and Dandy - Human Demon - Fine and Dandy 14 - Forever Boy - Fine and Dandy, 2HP 14 - Gauss - Fine and Dandy, 4HP

Everybody passed their Fort saves. Congratz! @Zeitgeist Blue is up at bat first. Round 1 - Initiative Order 23 - Salvo - Fine and Dandy, 3HP 20 - Shadow Demons (x3) - Fine and Dandy 14 - Forever Boy - Fine and Dandy, 2HP 14 - Gauss - Fine and Dandy, 4HP

Count Ms. Thursday in!

Alright, let's get this thing going again! Since no one was able to beat the Shadow's Demons Stealth no one can act on this surprise around. Also, Salvo and Gauss are Flat-Footed while Forever gets to keep his Defense since he has Uncanny Dodge. All three of the Shadow Demons are going to use their Standard Action take a melee swipe at one of you. They got a 23 on that Attack which means that Salvo and Gauss got hit while Forever Boy's successfully dodges. Can @Azuth65 and @Zeitgeist Blue give a Fortitude throw that can beat a DC 19. Also, combats about to start again so can I also get Initiative from everyone as well.

Even in the confided, stuffy tunnels of the Underbelly there were places where things foul and corrupt could lay in waiting. Baal was not the type of demon to allow a setback to ruin his plans and always had contingency in case one of his servants failed him. In fact, on this occasion he had three. And they were more than ready to enact their master's will as they watched the teen heroes make their way to Baal's lair in the Underbelly. "They can't see us Mr. Toad," Mr. Man whispered in the dark to his compatriots. "Indeed, Mr. Man," Mr. Toad croaked out politely. The shadow demon turned its huge bulbous toad head a full 180 degrees towards the last member of its trio who was just behind him. "Do you concur, Mr. Cat?" Mr. Cat blinked with its massive feline eyes and examined the three heroes below him before turning back to meet Mr. Toad's grotesque face. "I believe I must, Mr. Toad. The children sense us not," he purred. Satisfied at the answer, Mr. Toad stretched its shadowy top-heavy body. "Then I believe its time we greet these children, my friends. Do you all agree?" Mr. Man's and Mr. Cat's answers were immediate and spoken in unison. "Yes." And with that, the three demons leapt off the tunnel ceiling towards each of their own selected prey. It would have been an impressive display of acrobatics to watch if not for the fact that the creatures in question looked like gross parodies of the human form. Each was a creature of pure shadow and smoke that's form shifted slightly this way or that as if it was perpetually caught in the wind. All of three had a massive oversized head on an otherwise spindly body that defied both physics and biology. Catching the Claremont students by surprise, the demons used their very bodies to attack them. Mr. Man dove at Forever Boy with his elongated teeth, Mr. Toad came at Salvo with its monstrous tongue which had the strength of a whip, and Mr. Cat swiped at Gauss with his razor-sharp claws.

Astrid shared Pan's enthusiasm but had to down play it. She had a cool girl reputation to keep after all. "Sure, why not? I mean, we only have class, but who cares about that. Lets ditch." The demigoddess shrugged. It wasn't as if he hadn't ditched all couple classes here or there while she was at Claremont. Sure she did it way less that she had when she went to "normal" schools in Norway but even Claremont had its share of mind-numbing classes that made Astrid want to gag on her pencil to escape. Besides, it looked like Dana had something serious going on and she figured a superhero would encourage its students to help those in distress. That would be her excuse if she got caught by Summers or any other faculty anyway. As she walked with Dana Astrid asked the obvious question. "Well? What or where is this super-duper important secret that you got for us, Dana? Please don't tell us that we just need to look at it to for ourselves. My eyes might roll out of skull if you do."

Astrid had been cursing up a storm in her native Norwegian the last couple of seconds now. How the heck could she miss a giant like this! It almost literally a giant target! But miss she did, the creature somehow managing to swift itself at just the right time to throw off Astrid's aim and avoid Porrklubba's swing. So much for doing something epic and worthy of entrance in the esteemed halls of Valhalla. Once Astrid had finally settled down from that failure, she readied herself for another chance at glory when the bedeviled Santa suddenly opened up a giant basket and unleashed a blast of ice that immediately hit Astrid as she getting ready. "What the..." Just like that she was overwhelmed by ice. The cold temperature itself wasn't a problem. That she could handle. It was the fact that she found herself partially encased in ice was the issue. She could still move but just especially well. "Great. Just great." It would take her while to finally break of the ice but it wasn't as if she was completely immobile. She could still try to land a blow on the monster's head if she just... That's when he she finally saw the creatures on the creature's back. There were at least four them from where she could see. And they all make their way to Àjàṣorò, had apparently all decided to take a stroll on the giant. "Welp. Guess I got to change my plans." She held Porrklubba up high to the sky as best as she could and did her best to concentrate. A second later Porrklubba was beginning to spark and glow with lightning. When it was brighter than a giant blue neon sign, Astrid pointed the weapon towards one of the small creatures and said the magic word. "Leiptr!"