Avenger Assembled

Aquaria laughed nervously, wondering what they were teaching the children at the Surfacer school. She tried to make eye contact with their teacher but she was busy checking on the boy in the back, the one from space? but no the little one with the handsome tail was from pace, she remembered that. 

 

"Hah-hah, nooooo!" she throbbed, her throat bulging as she wrapped her long fingers around each other. "You wouldn't want to go there. The ones who live Below would not be friendly to you! No indeed!" She looked away, her mind seeming to take in some distant scene, before she shook herself all over and . "No indeed. We will be visiting a place where a tribe has settled. They hunt the fish and whales that live in deep waters, but they live close to the Surface! Not as close as me though!" She considered what to say next, then said, "Do any of you speak Lemurian - or perhaps its - ah, sister tongue, Atlantean?" 

 

As she spoke, she raised her trident and seemed to poke the air, producing a startling magical effect as a portal _wriggled_ open - there was no better word for it, an iris made of tentacles writhing open to reveal a sickly green gateway. "I know it looks strange to your eyes!" she croaked, "but do not worry! It is the magic of Mother Hydra, who is not bad! She is just very strong!" 

"See you at the top!" declared Owain ebulliently. Flapping his wings, he flew leisurely up the higher cliffs, taking advantage of the warm updrafts nearby. He was in no particular hurry and was looking forward to watching his friends climb, so he took his time, at the same moment trying to not seem that he was lording it over them. So he kept his distance, though he stayed without shouting range. 

 

Neko muttered something that sounded rude but affectionate in Japanese as she watched Owain fly away, calking her hands too as they got ready. She showed no hesitation in heading for the easier cliff, though she did kick off her shoes and tie them to her belt before she started actually climbing, seeming to be equally nimble with both hands and feet. 

Neko cursed inwardly and considered, bold as brass, taking out her notebook and telling the sophomores that she'd be watching them closely. But of course she couldn't just abandon her friends to that fate, especially when it would no doubt be a black mark on her record. "Beasts like that can smell you even if they do not see you," she added with a nod towards the thunderhorns? was that the right word? well maybe if she didn't say it aloud nobody would know she didn't know. "So be careful even if you are using superpowers." 

 

"I am going to check the water for something we can eat - and to make sure nothing there will eat us." She considered her options as she padded down towards the water, giving the water and the area around it a close inspection. She did not normally care for water as such but this offered some opportunities, especially if there was something alive in it that wasn't so toothsome that it wanted to eat her. 

Owain takes 10, hits 18 (which hits the Omegadrone in the FC book, IIRC) and keeps on hitting as many as he can w/Takedown Attack for a DC 23 Tou save

Neko /Owain

 

Neko's eyes flicked over to Blue Bolt and she moved quickly, her kimono blocking sight of her diminutive alien classmate. She bent low and smiled respectfully at her, unfolding her hands to reveal a tiny version of Blue Bolt that looked perfectly human, albeit with the strong jaw and short limbs that Blue Bolt associated with the few humans she had met who were actually her size. She raised a questioning eyebrow and made as if to pull the disguise over the small alien's head. Given the chance, she was able to make an illusory covering for the other girl that made her appear a perfectly normal, albeit perfectly small human. 

 

Vaguely aware that he was blushing profusely, Owain said, "Y-yes, I've been known to toss around the old - pigskin myself, but my favorite sport is saber fencing. There's nothing quite like taking out your blade and testing your strength and metal against another's - mettle." He thought desperately of what another boy might like to do for fun, decided it was probably not magic or horse-racing, and said, "My friends and I could - show you around town? They have lived here many a year and they know - many things!" Was he sweating? Maybe just a little... 

Good points, thanks SC! And yes, I figure it and his costume are all of a piece. 

The OOC! @RocketLord@Thevshi@Kaede Kimura@Poncho@Dracostern

Notice: 26

When he caught sight of the comely fellow in the other group - and the name of their school, Owain decided to "shoot his shot" as the saying went. He looked over at the table where the other students sat. "Ah, St. Isidore!" he exclaimed. "A fine patron for a school, eh?" He beamed at the Hawaiian-looking boy, then looked at the others. "Owain Celliwig, a pleasure to meet you all." To his friends, he added, "St. Isidore saved much ancient learning when the age of darkness closed over Hispania. Even the Arabs revered him as a sage and scholar." Rather hard on the Jews, of course, but there's no reason to bring that up right now. "Your pardon, I am a bit of a medieval - nut! Hahaha!" he added cheerfully. "What do you - all like to do?"  

Sea Devil 

 

"I have many things to tell you!" Aquaria told Iris ebulliently. "All of them true!" she added firmly with a wave of her hand. With none of the children screaming or voiding their bowels - or for that matter looking hostile, she made a gesture with her left hand and her armor cracked open. In a cascade of brackish water, she stepped out and faced the young heroes. She was taller than some of them and squat-bodied, her white belly and green skin adorned with blue tattoos and scars that looked ritual in nature; her mien somewhere between fish and frog but closer to the latter than the former. She didn't quite look like the Deep Ones who had invaded Freedom City - but she was close. 

 

She looked around, casting goggle eyes at everyone. "Hello! Hello! You are all so well-mannered!" she thrummed. "Your elders must teach you well. Verrry different from young Deep Ones!" she added cheerfully, not sounding that bothered by the manners of her own young people. "Much less biting!" She studied Blue Bolt for a moment and sniffed the air, the sound like the snorting of a large seal. "You are from the Sea of Stars!" she exclaimed, almost infrasonic delight in her voice. "I have been there! That is where I got this!" she said, banging loudly on the side of her armor with her trident. "It belonged to a Star Knight, but he is dead now! A lot of bad robots killed him! It was very sad," she throbbed, her throat visibly bulging. "But I use it for good!" 

 

Hopping from foot to foot (green and three-toed, just like her fingers) she double-bent her knees and said "Today I am going to take you through a magic portal so you can see how Deep Ones live. And I will tell you about me, and how I live! I live in an apartment with my best friend. And her dog! Do you have any questions?" 

Neko joined the boys backstage, kissing Leon on the lips before linking arms with him. She was flushed and happy, looking content as she leaned warmly against him. "That should hold them," she said proudly, her voice an audible purr. "Hi Charlie," she added with a smile. "Do you like the show?" She closed her eyes for a moment and relaxed, making a definite audible purr that rumbled in her throat and chest. Everything was going well, and honestly she could enjoy the concert more than usual when she was back here and no longer in the line of fire of all those speakers. "What do you want to do after this?" she asked Leon softly. 

bring the Patriot please

for Owain: https://orokos.com/roll/1003568

 

15

Initiative: 12

Neko 

 

"Fire will help you boil the water," Neko added, closing her huge yellow eyes as she spoke, though her big ears never stopped twitching. "Otherwise you will have - dysentery. You can lure the plant-eaters to you," she said, "and frighten away the meat-eaters. Look for familiar plants to eat, or plants you see the plant-eaters eat." Neko did not particularly enjoy eating grass herself, but she could if necessary.

 

She opened her eyes and looked doubtfully up at the sky. "If you lack an experienced navigator, hold your position - if you must move, follow the river - but not in the valleys. And so will everything else." She smiled thinly, showing teeth. "I can sleep in a tree, especially one this big. In a group like this, you find the person with the strongest senses, or best training to be your guide." 

 

She sniffed the air, and added, "If you kill, use the meat to lure insects away from you - and predators too." Unconsciously licking the back of her other hand, she now ran it through her hair. "Or so I have heard." 

The van led away from the more upscale parts of the Waterfront, Mrs. Harcourt stopping to peer at her phone's MAPS app a few times before they reached their evident destination. 

 

At first it didn't look terribly promising. This part of the Waterfront was mostly abandoned, with one dockside warehouse obviously burned down recently and its outbuildings looking long abandoned. There was graffiti here, some of it good, some of it of indifferent quality - and grass growing up through the cracks in the sidewalk. Once she'd parked and rounded everyone up, however, Mrs. Harcourt didn't look put off by the strange surroundings. "Come along, she shouldn't be far away..." 

 

Walking out onto the wooden dock at the edge of the water, for a moment it appeared they had no company other than the gulls and particularly hardy fish that might be swimming around the brackish, dirty water here where the river merged with the sea and the subsequent mix mixed with the detritus of a large city. 

 

And then something climbed out of the water. The armor was no taller than a man but thick and barrel-chested, with a massive torso and glowing blue fingers (three on each feet), without the obvious humanoid shape of the usual armored hero like Daedalus or Dragonfly. The armor gleamed like iridescent pearl, seeming to catch and reflect in all the colors of the rainbow. A massive iron trident hung from its black, dark wrought iron that tipped in strange spirals. Dripping wet and muddy, the armored heroine spoke in a booming, electronic buzz like a cross between the buzzing of a bee and the booming of a gigantic bullfrog. There was no sign of a face behind the armor, not yet, and the voice said 

 

"Hello, young ones! Did you have a good trip?! I was just down in the water!" 

 

"A pleasure, Ms. Innsmouth," said Mrs. Harcourt. "Thank you for meeting us." 

 

"It is okay! I like to be here! I don't live here though!" she added to the teens. "It is too dirty for that! Oh, I forgot-!" 

 

She snapped one of her three-fingered hands and a plate in the upper center of her armor seemed to slide open. There was the distinct smell of water and sound of sloshing, revealing a face that looked like nothing more than a gigantic green-and-white frog's with two bulging eyes, a snout, and a mouth that was full of sharp, serrated teeth like a shark's. "I will not smile so that I do not frighten you! But I am happy to see you!" Even without the armor's voder, she boomed and buzzed as she talked.  

 

 

APPROVED

Approved

Immunity 2 (No need to breathe, Vacuum; Flaws: No Permanent Flaw (+1)) [4PP]

 

I don't know what this means 

Alternate Form 4 (20 PP Container, Extras: Continuous - hmm - this should be 6PP per rank with the Extra, which may be a math thing.

Initiative: 

 

7

 

 

Abilities: 8 + 14 + 8 + 8 + 8 + 6 = 52PP

Strength 18 (+4)

Dexterity 24 (+7)

Constitution 18 (+4)

Intelligence 18 (+4)

Wisdom 18 (+4)

Charisma 16 (+3)

 

Combat: 20 + 16 = 36PP

Initiative: +11

Attack: +10, +11 w/Hatchet, +14 with bow

Grapple: +14/+22 w/Escape Artist

Defense: +14 (+8 Base, +6 Dodge Focus), +4 Flat-Footed

Knockback: -3/-2/-1

 

Saving Throws: 5 + 5 + 5 = 15PP

Toughness: +6/+4 (+4 Con, +2 Defensive Roll)

Fortitude: +9 (+4 Con, +5)

Reflex: +12 (+7 Dex, +5)

Will: +9 (+4 Wis, +5)

 

Skills: 156R = 39PP

Acrobatics 13 (+20)

Bluff 7 (+10)

Climb 7 (+10, Skill Mastery)

Craft (chemical) 1 (+5) 

Craft (mechanical) 6 (+10)

Craft (structural) 1 (+5) 

Drive 3 (+10) 

Escape Artist 15 (+22)

Gather Information 7 (+10)

Handle Animal 2 (+5) 

Intimidate 13 (+16)

Investigate 1 (+5) 

Knowledge (cosmology) 1 (+5) 

Knowledge (history) 1 (+5) 

Knowledge (streetwise) 1 (+5) 

Knowledge (tactics) 6 (+10)

Knowledge (technology) 6 (+10) 

Languages 2 (French, Spanish, Base: English) 

Medicine 2 (+6, Skill Mastery) 

Notice 15 (+19, Skill Mastery)

Search 6 (+10)

Sense Motive 11 (+15) 

Stealth 15 (+22, Skill Mastery)

Survival 11 (+15) 

 

Feats: 31PP

Acrobatic Bluff 

Attack Specialisation (bow) 2

Beginner’s Luck

Challenge 2 (Fast Acrobatic Bluff, Fast Startle)

Defensive Roll 1

Dodge Focus 6

Equipment 3

Evasion 2

Hide In Plain Sight 

Improved Initiative

Jack of all Trades

Luck 

Master Plan 2

Power Attack

Quick Draw

Skill Mastery (Climb, Medicine, Notice, Stealth)

Startle 

Takedown Attack 

Track (visual) 

Uncanny Dodge (auditory) 

 

Equipment: 15EP

Hatchet (Damage 3, PFs: Masterwork, Mighty) [5EP]

Motorcycle [9EP]

 

Powers: 22PP

Device 5 (25PP, Woodsman Costume, Flaw: Hard to Lose, PF: Subtle [Concealable]) [21PP]

Bow Array 8 (16PP, PFs: Alternate Powers 2) [19PP] 

BE: Blast 6 (crossbow, PFs: Improved Crit, Improved Range 1 [75 ft increment], Variable Descriptor 2 [any physical]) [16PP] 

AP: Damage 10 (bomb, Extra: Area [Burst], Flaw: Limited [5 uses a day], PFs: Subtle 2, Triggered 2, Variable Descriptor 1 [any chemical]) {15/16}

AP: Damage 10 (bomb arrow, Extra: Area [Burst], Range [Ranged], Flaws: Action [Full], Limited [5 uses a day], PFs: Improved Range [75 ft increment], Subtle, Triggered 2, Variable Descriptor 1 [any chemical]) {15/16]

AP: Obscure 4 (all senses, 10 ft) [8] + Super-Movement 4 (Slow-Fall, Swinging, Wall-Crawling 2) [8+8/16]

Enhanced Feats 4 (Improvised Tools, Second Chance 2 [Toughness vs. Bullets, Toughness vs Falling])., Ultimate Save [Toughness]) [4PP] 

Super-Senses 2 (Extended Vision, Infravision)  [2PP]

19 + 4 + 2  

 

Features 1 (Temporal Inertia [not from here]) [1PP] 

 

22 + 31 + 39 + 15 + 36 + 52

Spring 2024 

 

Freedom City teenagers in 2024 had been small children when the Deep One invasion of 2011 had happened. Some of them had seen Deep Ones themselves, or heard stories of the terrible consequences of their invasion in the years growing up. Mindless cannibals, demented fanatics, terrible fiends - and certainly their lessons at Claremont about the poorly understood race of psychopathic cannibal abominations that shared the ocean with Atlanteans and who sought the doom of all Surface-Men had been little reassuring on the subject. 

 

This made it all the more exciting, then, that they'd been offered a chance to meet Sea Devil, widely known in the hero community as the only good Deep One. Here they were in the back of a school van being driven out to the Waterfront by Mrs. Harcourt, a veteran classroom teacher who generally brooked no nonsense but had a reputation for fairness. "Remember," she was saying, "Ms. Innsmouth has been living away from her people for many years, but this may be a shocking experience for some of you. I'm counting on all of you to show her the best traditions of our school and the spirit of our students." Aquaria had come to campus a few years ago and there'd been something of an - altercation, the students had all heard - so now seeing the Deep One was strictly voluntary. They'd had to get their parents and guardians to sign off on it, even. 

And then the ceiling vanished. There was no other word for it, it didn't rumble away, it didn't open - it simply vanished.

 

A low gasp went through the crowd as the naked stars above shone down on them - not the scant handful of stars visible on a Tokyo street at this time of night but a vast heavenly panoply only visible in the remotest, most rural parts of the country most of them called home. Soft, distant music like the tinkling of a temple's bells played and a flight of birds flew overhead, visible against the stars and a silvery full moon that shone down with limitless mystery and wonder. 

 

From everywhere and nowhere came a voice. To those in the audience it was an old voice, like something out of time, a country girl from Tokushima with the kind of tone they might have heard from their great-grandmothers - if their great-grandmothers had been a young woman approaching twenty. Just off-stage and behind a curtain, Neko was counting down on her fingers as she said: 

 

"In moon's silver glow,
Dreams dance, nightmares softly creep,
Night's veil, both shall know." 

 

And then she was visible on-stage as if she'd always been there, smiling at the crowd, so familiar and yet so alien, her ears and tail marking her as different than any of them but the faces, the voices, almost made her want to let them carry her away - 

 

"Ladies and gentlemen. I am Neko Musume, and my dream is to bring you the greatest American super-group - my dream come true -" 

 

When  she said the last word it seemed to explode in the air with fireworks and electricity, the sky overhead shifting to the shifting faces of the band before it became Neko herself, blown up to fantastic size as she shouted a word that promised an infinite wonder of possibilities to the audience below: 

 

"MULTIPLICITY!" 

 

By the time the audience could see the stage clearly again, the cat-girl was gone - but the stage was by no means empty! 

A cat breezed right past Charlie, hard at work. "It is time to smile!" Neko was in full kawaii promoter mode, wearing a blue bodysuit under a red and gold kimono, her ladybug following her everywhere she went. She stepped right into the middle of Multiplicity, throwing her arms around shoulders and pulling everyone into camera range for the group selfie. "Everyone say 'Big bucks!" Red flashed a light as she displayed a 150-million-yen smile of her own before stepping back to study the band. "Are you ready?" she asked seriously. "I have arranged everything as we planned," she added, "but the show is up. to. you," she went on, with a seriousness that belied her feline appearance. 

 

"Hello, friends!" said Owain as he pulled up a seat next to Sam and Michael. He was looking quite relaxed; having traded in his usual Claremont outfit for a tanktop bearing a Progress pride banner with a gold cross on it. "This will be quite a show, eh?"