N/A

"Not without tripping the alarms. I suppose I can find campus security and pluck the codes out of their heads. That will take a minute. Can you keep the shadow occupied while I make sure the bystander doesn't get himself killed?" The Scarab flies off the roof and down to the perimeter of the Beaumont Building. She lands next to Terhune. "I'm afraid your appraisal will have to wait. It's not worth getting hurt over, and there's a situation inside. And come to think of it, shouldn't this sort of thing take place earlier in the day, during business hours?"

Notice Check: I got a 27 (it's what I do ) Sense Motive Check: I got a 21 (and I do what I do, when I do what I do)

When we get to Dr. Archeville's place, I plan to ask for his help analyzing the hair evidence. If Diplomacy is required, I get a 6 (ugh). Once we're done with Archeville, I blindfold Slamdance and use Telekinesis to carry him along as I fly home. Once we get close to the entrance, I switch over to Concealment and screen us both from outside observation. And yes, once we're back at my place, I plan to assist Slamdance with the hard drive. I get a 20. I'll also be using my library to take 20 (24) on Knowledge (Arcane), Knowledge (History), and Knowledge (Theology) checks regarding our mysterious killer (her name and nature), and the symbols (both the ones that summoned her and the ones she left behind).

"Fair enough. But blindfolds later. First, we head to Hanover. Follow me." With that, The Scarab takes off into the air and begins flying north. Slamdance can feel her voice inside his head. "Let me know if you lose me." At one point during their journey, Scarab stops by a payphone, and makes a quick call to Sofia. "Don't come down to the Lair tonight. I'm having guests over, and they're not on The List yet." Then she quickly makes another call, this time to a taxi cab company, and she hangs up as soon as they answer. No "redial" for you, Mr. Hypothetical Spy...

I'd have to say "No." Scarab's street contacts are about 30 years out of date, and she hasn't put any time toward renewing them. She doesn't have her finger on the pulse yet.

And since you have to fail a Toughness save by at least 5 (Stunned or worse) to suffer knockback, attacks with a damage bonus of +9 or less won't even move him. So no, a .45 slug or a shotgun blast wouldn't knock him off his feet. Note that this doesn't apply to dedicated Trip or Rush attempts. Or lifting and throwing him in a Grapple - that would depend on the Strength of the grappler and Hellbound's (considerable) weight. To expand on what Ecalsneerg said: It's up to you whether your Impervious ranks mean that a bullet just bounces off your skin, or if it punches through but the wound heals up instantly behind it, or if it punches through and leaves a hole but you just don't seem to notice or suffer for it.

Megalodon is a homage to both. Look at his name: Connor Kirkstrom. Curt Connors + Kirk Langstrom.

You mean in Scotland, you have to work on Labor Day?! Why, that's just un-American! Oh, wait... At least Gecko and Quark are still quite the dynamic duo.

Switching array from ESP to Telepathy and contacting Avenger. Since Avenger has 1+ in all 3 mental Abilities, he can receive Mental Communication. But since he doesn't have Mental Communication himself, he can only "reply" by letting Scarab scan his surface thoughts. If he wants to prevent that, he can make a Will Save against my Mind Reading check (14). He "hears" the Communicated message regardless. And just so everyone knows, I'm leaving town for 5 days on Thursday. I don't anticipate any major disruption in my posts, since the place I'll be staying at has internet access. But forewarned and all that.

The Scarab's eyes widened at the sight of the living shadow. He won't like this. But I don't have much of a choice. She let her consciousness snap back inside her mortal shell, and sought out what was hopefully a like mind. "Avenger, this is The Scarab, knocking at the door to your mind. Is that you in the Beaumont Building? Because if so, you have company, of the super variety. An incorporeal entity. Looks like a shadow. The Nacht-Krieger, or someone like him. As soon as I 'looked,' it phased through the vault floor. And what looks like a professor coming in to work late is about to become a bystander at best, a hostage or casualty at worst. Avenger, this is bad. Beaumont had half a dozen pieces in his collection I can recall of the top of my head that are potentially a disaster-in-a-can in the wrong hands, chief among them being the ceremonial dagger that created Nacht-Krieger in the first place!"

Just so everyone knows, I'll be leaving town for 5 days this Thursday. The place I'll be staying at has internet access, so I don't expect a major disruption in my posting, but forewarned and all that.

"Heh. No, I fly. If you can't, I can carry you, or you can follow on the ground. You certainly seem to move fast enough. While in my home, you will have full access to the facilities. But entry comes with one condition: either Trust, or Anonymity. Either you arrive and depart blindfolded, or you open your mind to me on one of two levels: Either a superficial level so that I can surgically erase your memory of the location, or a deeper sharing so I can verify that you can be trusted. The choice is yours. Of course, if you have alternate access to supercomputer, and require no assistance, then we can just meet up later. In either case, once we're through here, I'm off to see The Wizard."

Don't look at me. *points to Avenger* It was his idea.

...Is there something wrong with taking a page from Batman? Because I have a hard time thinking up a scenario where taking a page from Batman is anything but AWESOME. WW :bat: D?

Knowledge (History) check to remember the details of Beaumont's collection. I got a 14. Not a great roll.

Scarab has Concealment activated until she touches down on a roof that will shield her from most prying eyes. Then she switches to ESP and scans the library. Assuming "1000ft" is the closest measurement on the Extended Range Table to the diameter of the Beaumont Building, an extended search usually takes 20 minutes. With Rapid 3 on her ESP, Scarab can perform a normal search of that area in 1.2 seconds. She'll take 20 on the Search check (20+15=DC35), so it will take her 24 seconds (4 rounds), barring any GM rulings regarding the volume of the search area. If it's like most university libraries, the building is several stories tall, so it's your call whether or not it takes longer (and by "your," I mean "whichever inmate is running this particular asylum"). Avenger and Darkstar are already on-scene. I'm fine with my scan taking place after Belphegor's entrance, so I'll be the last one to the party. Everyone inside gets a DC20 Notice check to see if they get that creepy "I'm being watched" feeling. And if your Stealth roll is less than 35, I see you! :D

It took only a passing thought for The Scarab to hide herself from the eyes and minds of what few students and faculty still prowled the university grounds as she flew by. She came to rest on top of the dining hall nearest to the library where the break-in occurred. Gotta love this flat-roof architecture that took the academic world by storm 30 years ago. Makes it so much easier to hide in the middle, where gawkers below can't see you. She dropped her cloak, directing her power away from the eyes of others and toward her own, pushing them past the boundaries of her body and into the library. Let's see what there is to see...

I was going to leave this one for other people, but since you basically invited me via PM, I'm in. Avenger, am I correct in assuming that this story takes place after TMIRR? The implication being that Avenger and Scarab are already familiar with each other at this point.

Elena read the article with a mixture of disgust and concern. This isn't a typical burglary. Professional or amateur, thieves don't steal what they can't sell, and I can't imagine a fence stupid enough to think he could move these items. If we're lucky, that means a private collector. If we're not, then someone's playing with fire. And I'm not sure which would be worse - a fool toying with powers beyond his understanding, or a monster who knows exactly what she's wrought upon us. When she remembered the centerpiece of Beaumont's collection, she almost choked on her coffee. Oh no. Not the dagger. I can't let them create another abomination like that psychopathic scumbag Meinhoff. The morphic molecules of her costume expanded out from under her shirt, wrapping her in a second skin of gleaming red and gold as The Prince flew out of her modern palace, ready to do battle once more.

I'm making in-character references to the following HQ features of The Scarab's Lair: Communications, Computer, Concealed, and Library. The Concealed feature states that the penalty applies to all skill checks to locate the HQ. I assume that includes attempts to trace its location by backtracking use of the Communications and Computers features. The fact that Dædalus installed the tech doesn't make it any more effective than any other HQ with the same features. That's just fluff (and goes a long way toward explaining why the features would be on par with modern technology despite having been installed in the '60s or '70s). I don't know to what extent the optional Wealth rules are in use. I imagine it varies depending on the GM, the GM's mood, the phase of the moon, and the day of the week. But I figure if we're paying points for the feat, we should get some mileage out of it. Scarab hands Avenger $10,000. Since that's more than enough to buy a new computer, but not enough to purchase a new car, it fits comfortably within her +25 Wealth bonus. Thus, she doesn't spend enough to (temporarily) decrease her score. Unless anyone has any objections, I believe this is the part when Avenger starts prowling the city busting heads and bribing snitches, while The Scarab flies over to Archeville's house in Hanover, then back to her Lair to do some research. Slamdance is welcome to come along, or go his own way.

"Now that you are both known to me, I can contact you anytime. Not a perfect method, since only I can initiate it. And it can be unsettling for those not accustomed to such...direct communication. But still useful for logistical purposes." Scarab reaches into a pocket and pulls out a 3-inch-wide roll of white paper, perforated at every inch of length. A different 9-digit number is printed on each sheet. "And this should also help coordinate our efforts." She rips off two sheets and lets them rest in her outstretched palm. Predictably, they begin gliding through the air, one floating toward each of her new allies. "My lair is equipped with a state-of-the-art communications array, installed by Dædalus himself. You each have one of many different phone numbers that can reach me there, with almost no chance of the call being traced in either direction. If I don't pick up, just leave a message. And don't get too attached to your number. It's disposable, and will expire after a couple uses." Scarab turns to Avenger. "Once you're done beating the grass to startle the snakes, call me and we can set up our next rendezvous. Oh, and before I forget." She reaches into another pocket, pulls out a bank-fresh bundle of cash, and tosses it to Avenger. Flipping through it reveals that it's made up of $100 bills. 100 in a standard bundle equals $10,000. "In case you need a carrot, to offset that big metaphorical stick in your other hand." Then she turns to Slamdance. "Dædalus also installed my computer system. If you wish to accompany me, we can pool our resources, time, and effort toward analyzing these clues. But first, I have a pit-stop to make at the house of a certain internationally-renowned scientist..."

Oh no. Thank you. ;)

Personally, I wouldn't think this would be worth more than a Power Loss Drawback. And Triggered is a feat, not an extra.

Scarab uses her Telekinesis to collect the hair evidence and bag it without ever physically touching it, and gives half to Avenger. Doc, while I could pop a hero point for a few ranks of Investigate or the proper Knowledge skill, my HQ doesn't have a laboratory anyway. So I'm planning on taking this evidence to some scientist/techie type, who isn't Dædalus (Scarab is still avoiding her "old friends"). How famous is Viktor Archeville? Do you mind him making a cameo in a scene or two as a "consultant?"

After 3 minutes of silence and stillness, The Scarab uncoiled and looked up with a start. "Found something..." She turned and flew upstairs, then back down a few seconds later, into the kitchen. She waved at a drawer, which opened of its own accord. A pair of plastic zip-lock bags floated out."When you go 'hitting the shops,' here's something you can take with you." She waved her other hand, and a few strands of long brunette hair fell into the bags. The bags sealed themselves, then dropped, one into her hands, the other next to Avenger. "Our killer is as vain as she is sadistic. She stopped to clean herself up, and left us some trace evidence. I'll try to find a scientist who can check these for DNA. If 'hitting the shops' implies that you have contacts in the occult world, they might be able to divine something from those hairs."