Lone Star

Sorry about that, Ecal! I've got everything fixed up for ya.

By sheer chance, the gunmen managed to duck out of the way of the flying boomerangs, and the room returned fire on the King of Suits. The men were notably shaken, and they knew they were probably going down. The men in the room shouted to them from the PA system. "Why isn't he dead yet?!" Mad Dog leapt in a predatory way out of the shadows, and his flying kick collided with the head of one of the strongmen. He held his head and staggered back, his ear puffed up and bleeding. "Goddamn this bastard hits hard." he said, standing back a little bit. His friend screamed a battle cry and launched his earth-shattering fist at him, but Mad Dog nimbly dodged out of the way. "Really, guys. The only person you're hurting is yourself."

Alright, the Gang Leaders have a Toughness of +5, so let's roll. Darn, both of them make the save with an 18 and a 24. They'll all take another shot at the King, of course. They roll a 8, 11, 19, 19, and 10. As you know, that's a DC 19 for the King. Gunman 1, unharmed Gunman 2, unharmed Gunman 3 unharmed King of Suits, unharmed Gunman 4, unharmed, disarmed Gunman 5, unharmed Gunman 6, unharmed Now for Mad Dog. He'll go for the one he just Stunned. He'll do a +5/-5 Power Attack. Yesss, a critical! So that hits the first Strongman, and that's a DC 35 Toughness for him. Crap, he rolled a 30, so that's another round of being Stunned and a Bruise. His friend will attempt to punch Mad Dog again...And it doesn't get past his Toughness. Strongman 1, staggered, stunned, bruised Mad Dog, unharmed Strongman 2, unharmed

Blake held her hand the whole way, glad to be close to his girlfriend. The Louvre was a dream come true for Blake. He had dreamed of the museum since he was a young boy, and it was everything he could have hoped for and more. They walked through the galleries, Blake managing to keep his head on as his eyes lit up with excitement. It was the perfect day for him. They eventually ended up in a cafe at the end of the evening, and Blake ordered a small quiche. "You're probably right." Although he would admire the French countryside from an artist's perspective, he realized not everyone looks at things like he did. He sipped his coffee at the mention of the Riviera, and his eyebrows raised. "Oh wow, the Riviera? That sounds fantastic, babe. Will we go to the beach?"

Blake made a vague attempt to push back the covers, and sort of fell off the bed. "Mrrh. Too much sandwich. I'll get in there, though." Blake said, making a dramatic exit to the bathroom. He was out of the shower shortly, and dressed sharply in a black polo shirt with matching slacks. "So which art museum will we be visiting, darling?" He paused for a moment, then checked his pockets. "Sorry. I wanted to be sure if by some slim chance we're attacked by a supervillain for the third day in a row, I'll at least be prepared. You know what they say though, lightning never strikes twice in the same place, unless you're just a really unlucky bastard. Something like that, yeah."

Blake rolled his eyes and sighed. He took the last half of the sandwich from the plate, and placed it next to her. "I'll make myself another sandwich...wait a second. Is this role reversal?" he said, pausing for a moment. "Nevermind." he said with a grin, and went to the fridge to make himself another sandwich. After a few minutes, Blake returned to the bed, with a sandwich even larger than the one he had made before. "So, you were in a boat and got attacked by an octopus? Babe, you need to stop reading that 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea slash-fiction. It's really getting to you."

The first one hits, but the second doesn't. I'll assume the thug doesn't make the save, since he's a thug. The five still armed will open fire on the King, though. They rolled a 5, 12, 19, 16 and a 15 as their totals. If any of them hits, that's a DC 19 Toughness. Gunman 1, unharmed Gunman 2, unharmed Gunman 3 unharmed King of Suits, unharmed Gunman 4, unharmed, disarmed Gunman 5, unharmed Gunman 6, unharmed Mad Dog is currently hidden, and he'll All-Out Attack/Power Attack one of the Strongmen. Noice! He rolled a 26. That hits, and a DC 30 save from the Strongman is required. Alright! He rolls a 20 total. Our first Strongman is Staggered and Stunned. The other Strongman will retaliate by punching Mad Dog in the face! He rolled an 18, so that's a miss. Strong Man 1, staggered/stunned Mad Dog, unharmed Strong Man 2, unharmed

Blake walked back into the bedroom, clad in boxer shorts with hearts on them. In his hands was a plate with a massive sandwich on it, and Blake took a big bite out of it. "What's wrong, babe? I just got the munchies." He set his plate down on the nightstand, and the covers rustled as he climbed into bed. "I'm right here, baby. I'll always be here for you." Blake sighed happily as he cuddled up next to her. "Now, what's the matter? Did you have a bad dream?"

Blake moved around so he was on top of her, and smiled back at her. "Well." he said, moved his lips to her neck. "That is true. Europe has some fantastic art museums. I bet we could visit some science museums too." He kissed her neck again, smiling. "Either way, this whole vacation isn't shot because we run into a few super-criminals. We've got each other, haven't we?" He sat up, and removed his shirt, and quickly leaned back down again, and kissed her lips with passion. "Plus, these beds are really comfy. Great for fooling around."

Blake took a moment to observe the room, then promptly plopped down on the bed beside her. He put an arm around her shoulder, and pulled her close to him. "Jessica, it's still a vacation, even though we seemed to be plagued by super-criminal activity. I think we can still make the best of it." Blake adjusted himself so he was laying on his side, and he put his arm around her waist and cuddled closer. "I know it sucks. It sucks for me, too. It's almost like being back home in Freedom City. But there's still a lot of country to see." He blinked once, and looked up at her. "Although I do have a solution for our problem. Why don't we go to somewhere out in the country, away from the big cities? I imagine the worst crimes we'll find there are bar fights and goat-stealing. What do you think?"

Blake capped the potion and put it back in his pocket. "Suit yourself, babe." He took a long swig as well, sighing with relief. "I'm glad we were able to help. I'm just sorry we couldn't do more." He looked down a little, a concerned expression appearing on his face. Blake realized he hadn't done very much in the fight, and his girlfriend had gotten hurt as a result. It was one thing to fight an enemy up close, but Blake barely had anything that would help with opponents far away. "Are you doing alright, Jessica?"

The men paused for a moment, looking around. "Where the hell did he go?" One of them asked. One of the men in the suits grabbed a microphone, and shouted into it "I don't care if he's hidden. This whole operation might sink if you morons don't find him. Now look for him!" The gunmen spread out, holding their heavy submachine guns at their sides. The stealthy King was safely hidden, for now. The ventilation shaft he was in led down safely to the bottom stories. ------ One of the strong men cracked his ham-sized knuckles. "We're gonna take off your head and use it to scrub our toilets. You don't know who yer messin with." The other one chuckled in a deep rumbling voice, and cracked his neck. "Please, don't flatter yourself. I think you're the one who doesn't know who they're messing with. Ah, the cops have arrived." The strong men turned around. "Wha? Where?" and as they turned back, Mad Dog had seemingly vanished into thin air. The men looked at each other in unison. "Uh-oh." the second one said.

There's no possibility of them making the save, so on your next post, go ahead and make an attack on any of the gunmen. Mad Dog, however, still has trouble on his hands. The first Strong Man will attempt to Intimidate Mad Dog. He has a +15 to Intimidate, so here it goes. 24. Mad Dog's highest out of his Intimidate, Sense Motive, and Will is his Sense Motive, to which he has a +16. Mad Dog easily makes the save with a 36. For Mad Dog's turn, he'll use his Hide in Plain Sight to...well...yeah. He has a +16 to Stealth so...Wow, 33. Not too bad. Here's the Strong Men's Notice checks.Fantastic! None of them see him. Mad Dog will get to attack one of them flat-footed his next turn.

Hmm, go ahead and just make a Stealth check. If it succeeds, they have no idea where you are.

I'm saving the last five points to hopefully buy him an awesome underwater headquarters. Why? Because it is awesome, that's why.

Three of the quicker gunmen fired their heavy submachine guns into the smoke, but their shots evaded the King of Suits. The men shouted orders at the others, and the entire factory began to move at once. The two young men in suits immediately stopped their conversation, and hid in a back room. From the corner of his eye, the King could see them calling someone. The fight was on, and the men clicked ammunition into their guns. ------ Just outside the factory, two heavily muscled men were guarding the wrought-iron entrance. Mad Dog attached the grappling cable at the top of the building, and slowly slid down. As he hit the ground, one of them men turned around. "Who the hell are you?" Mad Dog thrust his fist forward, but the man dodged the blow, and returned with a powerful punch. Mad Dog ducked the blow, and his fist left a huge dent in the door. "Woah, looks like you've been eating your spinach!" he said, hiding the fact that sweat was pouring down his brow. "Shut up, you leather freak. We're gonna show you new worlds of pain."

Alright, so the initiative order for your fight will be as follows: Gunman 1: 19, unharmed Gunman 2: 16, unharmed Gunman 3: 15, unharmed King of Suits: 14, unharmed Gunman 4: 11 unharmed Gunman 5: 11, unharmed Gunman 6: 10, unharmed Gunman 7: 10, unharmed Gunman 8: 8, unharmed Gunman 9: 8, unharmed Gunman 10: 5, unharmed The gunmen will attempt to fire at the King of Suits...we'll see how it goes. Good rolls, but no one hits. Mad Dog will attempt to sneak up on the strong men. I'll be using AA's Street Avenger for the two men. He'll spend a Hero Point to gain a grappling hook, which he will use to get down the side of the building. He'll then use Hide in Plain Sight to avoid detection, and use Skill Mastery to get a 26. Now for the Strong Men's Notice Checks. One of them spots him with a 27. Durn. So Mad Dog and the guy who spotted him will roll for initiative. Mad Dog gets and 8... And the Strong Man goes first with a 10. The initiative order in Mad Dog's fight is as follows. Strong Man 1: 10, unharmed Mad Dog: 8, unharmed Strong Man 2, surprised and unharmed The Strong Man is going to Power Attack Mad Dog. And he misses! Mad Dog will retaliate by wisely Power Attacking his unaware friend. Durn, that's a miss too!

Alright! So we've got the King of Suits and the ten armed men. They're just Gang Leaders from the Corebook with submachine guns. Here's their initiative. Their initiatives are 8, 15, 5, 11, 8, 19, 16, 11, 10, and 10.

Blake held Jessica close, both arms around her waist. "Are you alright, Jessica? Here, have a bit of this." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a glass vial of red viscous fluid. "Drink up, babe." He raised his eyebrows, surprised that she knew his secret identity. "That would be just fine, ma'am. Just defending the city, and all that. Nothing unusual, right?" His hands reached up to his forehead and wiped off what felt like a pint of sweat. It was admittedly physically taxing to use his psychic abilities, even when he was Kid Cthulhu. "Could we have a glass of water, though?"

Although he knew he could try to establish a mind control connection with the gargoyle, he knew that the gargoyle wouldn't be able to hear him worth anything. Taking a moment to think, Blake then looked to his shoes. He clicked his heels together, and quickly dropped eight hundred feet down the Eiffel tower. The young wizard landed in the middle of a crowd, and the French citizens he disturbed looked very angry. "Sorry, okay? I can't help landing where I can't see."

Player Name: Lone Star Character Name: Kid Cthulhu Power Level: 11 (160/170PP) Trade-Offs: +0 Attack / +0 Damage, -2 Defense / +2 Toughness Unspent PP: 10 Progress To Gold Status: 65/90 In Brief: Kid Cthulhu’s back, y’all. Lovecraftian boy wonder. Alternate Identities: Blake Salazar Identity: Public Birthplace: The West End, Freedom City Occupation: Superhero Affiliations: Family: Herbert Salazar (father, deceased), Lavinia Salazar (mother, deceased) Age: 18 Apparent Age: 18 Gender: Male Ethnicity: White Height: 5’10†Weight: 150 Eyes: Green Hair: Brown Description: Blake, in his human form, has managed to keep up his physical training. The formerly thin and skinny Blake is now in excellent shape. His eyes are a calming shade of green, and his brown hair is down to his shoulders. He always has a ready smile on his face and his sharp features show his intellect. As Kid Cthulhu, Blake decided to redesign his costume. When he went as Kid Cthulhu the first time around, his costume was not unlike a standard superheroes' outfit- green and black, with the Elder Sign as his insignia. However, the newest incarnation of his powers has created a new Blake- one that thinks before he acts, and his costume reflects this. He wears a slate-grey cape, and heavy robes of a lighter grey underneath. His physical appearance is essentially the same as his first time as Kid Cthulhu: green skin, tentacles around his face, and scales on his arms and legs. All in all, the new Kid Cthulhu is shocking to behold to anyone he meets, but a welcome burden on the sanity of his old friends. Power Descriptions: Blake’s powers come from a pseudonatural source. His otherworldly fire burns with a strange green glow, and does not require oxygen to activate. His mental abilities warp the air around him, as if it is compensating for the eldritch strangeness Blake gives off. However, when Blake activates the power of "Chaotic Presence", huge glowing runes beyond comprehension appear in the air before him, confusing and baffling anyone who observes them. History: After the events of the July vignette, Blake Salazar found himself with his strange Cthonian powers again. It was a lot easier to adjust with his new powers this time around, and although he enjoyed his brief time as the "normal" wizard Warlock, he took up the mantle of Kid Cthulhu once again with only mild begrudging. Designing a new costume to reflect his attitude towards the change, he found himself happy to be back as the green kid once again. When he went to test his powers, he was glad to find his strange psychic abilities had grown, and he had gained a few new tricks. Personality & Motivation: One thing his journey with mystic forces and unearthly cthonian powers had taught him is to take the punches that life throws you. The formerly insecure and awkward Blake is gone, replaced by a sober and relaxed personality he finds he is much happier with. No matter what form he takes, Blake is committed to protecting Freedom City to otherworly and arcane threats, no matter what the hour. He is still apt to joke around, but he takes his continuing heroic occupation very seriously. Powers & Tactics: Blake's powers are of a psuedonatural nature. His eldritch fire burns with an eerie green glow, and does not affect flammable objects as earthly fire does. His psychic assaults bend the air around it in a strange way. However, his tentacle summoning powers open a mystic portal, where grabbing tentacles take hold of the nearest thing they can find, and hold fast. Complications: It's Still Not Easy Being Green: Despite the fact that Kid Cthulhu/Warlock has made a lot of friends in the city, his appearance can still be shocking to behold. Lady's Man...Well...One Lady, Anyway: Blake's is responsible for his girlfriend Ironclad, and will run to her rescue should she need any help. For Magic! Blake also has a responsibility to his fellow magicians, and will answer their calls for help at a moment's notice. Defender Against the Odd: Being one of the few magic-users with otherwordly mystic abilities, he feels an obligation to make sure nothing from another world sneaks into Freedom City. Abilities: 2 + 6 + 4 + 4 + 6 + 4 = 26PP Strength: 12 (+1) Dexterity: 16 (+3) Constitution: 14/32 (+2/+11) Intelligence: 14 (+2) Wisdom: 16/36 (+3/+12) Charisma: 14 (+2) Combat: 10 + 12 = 22PP Initiative: +7 Attack: +5, +11 Pseudonatural Powers Grapple: +6 Defense: +9 (+6 Base, +3 Dodge Focus), +3 Flat-Footed Knockback: -6, -5 flat-footed; -2, -1 flat-footed without powers Saving Throws: 0 + 6 + 0 = 6PP Toughness: +13 (+2 Con, +2 Defensive Roll; +9 more from Enhanced Con); +11 flat-footed; +4, +2 flat-footed without powers Fortitude: +11/+2 (+2 Con, +9 more from Enhanced Con, +0) Reflex: +9 (+3 Dex, +6) Will: +13/+3 (+3 Wis, +10 more from Enhanced Wis, +0) Skills: 52R = 13PP Concentration 4 (+7, +16 with Enhanced Wisdom) Craft (Artistic) 13 (+15) SM Knowledge (Arcane Lore) 13 (+15) SM Knowledge (Art) 10 (+12) SM Notice 4 (+7, +16 with Enhanced Wisdom) SM Search 8 (+10) Feats: 13PP Beginner's Luck Defensive Roll Dodge Focus 3 Environmental Adaption (underwater) Improved Initiative Luck 2 Power Attack Skill Mastery (Craft [Artistic], Knowledge [Arcane Lore, Art], Notice) Ritualist Ultimate Save (Will) Powers: 41 + 18 + 20 + 1 + 3 = 83PP Psuedonatural Array 16.5 (33 points, Feats: Alternate Powers 5, Accurate 3) [41PP] Base Power: Blast 11 (Eldritch Fire; Extras: Autofire) (magic, pseudonatural) {33/33} Alternate Power: Mental Blast 8 (Mind-Shattering Contact; psychic, magic, pseudonatural) {32/33} Alternate Power: Drain Wisdom 9(Sanity Drain; Extras: Ranged) {18} + Mental Blast 5 (Flaws: Ranged (psychic, magic, pseudonatural) {15} {15+18=33/33} Alternate Power: Emotion Control 11 (Primordial Fear; Extras: Ranged Flaws: Limited to Fear) (magic, pseudonatural) {22/33} Alternate Power: Snare 11 (Summon Tentacles; Extras: Area [55-ft. Burst]) (, psychic, magic, pseudonatural) {33/33} Alternate Power: Teleport 9 (900 feet/Anywhere on Earth; Extra: Accurate; Power Feats: Change Velocity, Easy, Progression 2 [500 lbs], Turnabout) {32/33} Enhanced Constitution 18 (to 32/+11; Otherworldly Constitution) [18PP] Enhanced Wisdom 20 (to 36/+13; Wisdom from Beyond the Outer Planes) [20PP] Immunity 1 (underwater drowning) [1PP] Flight 2 (25 MPH / 250 feet per Move Action; Drawback: Power Loss [if wings are bound; -1PP]) (unnatural wings) [3PP] Drawbacks: (-3) + (-0) = -3PP Normal Identity (free action to say "Cthulhu f'thagn", Frequency: Uncommon, Intensity, Major) [-3PP] DC Block: ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Eldritch Fire 110 ft. DC 26 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Magic, Fire) Mind-Shattering Perception DC 26 Will Damage (Psychic) Sanity Drain 110 ft. DC 21 Will Drain Will 110 ft. DC 25 Will Damage (Psychic) Primordial Fear 110 ft. DC 21 Will Shaken/Frightened/Panicked Summon Tentacles 110 ft. DC 21 Reflex Entangled Abilities (26) + Combat (22) + Saving Throws (6) + Skills (13) + Feats (13) + Powers (83) - Drawbacks (-3) = 160/170 Power Points

Mad Dog nodded. Sounds fine to me, good sir. Whenever you're ready, I'm good to go. I think if we catch the strongmen off guard, I'll be able to get in the advantage I need." Mad Dog tied his hockey mask tighter around his head, and cracked his neck. "Besides, it's been a while since I've been in a good fight. I imagine we'll be able to take 'em. If not, then I have a backup plan. Don't worry, my friend. We'll come out of this alive. Besides, we're superheroes. What are guns to us?"

Blake was panicking, and started pulling things out of his pockets. His electricity wand didn't have such a good range, and nor did his sleeping powder. He racked his brain, and contemplated rushing something together, when a lightbulb appeared over his head. Rather, he remembered he was still wearing his Helm of Mind Controlling. He reached out, and found the mind of the woman firing arcane bolts at his girlfriend. Blake leaned over the edge, and pointed at the mystic. "YOU THERE! DROP YOUR WEAPONS!"

He'll use the Mind Control Helm, which is Perception Range. DC 21 Will save for Ghost Fox Killer.

The sound of a powerful Harley engine filled the air, and Mad Dog pulled up onto the scene. He hopped off the bike, looking quite dapper in a brand-new tuxedo. He wore his black hockey mask over it, and his leather gloves contrasted highly with the rest of his outfit. His bike was taken by the valet service, and Mad Dog grinned beneath his mask. He reached in his pocket, and checked for any new text messages. His girlfriend, Gossamer, was supposed to be here soon. "I'll be inside" he sent her, and the tuxedo-clad superhero entered the Secret Bar. He sat down at one of the tables, and waited for Gossamer. A hand reached at his collar- he was never one for formal wear.