Supercape

Just for fun, how about an attack roll on that target? DC 10 to hit!

GM "I...I don't know that much" he confessed. "Archibald, drive us away from here..." he said, in a distracted voice. "Very good Sir" said the unflappable driver, clearly reading the signs that Mr. Trowell just wished to Drive, never mind the direction. "Ms. Wheatley, well, I have known her for years" started Mr. Trowel "and a fine upstanding woman she is too, make no mistake about it. I don't want any smut smeared over the gutter press, you understand. If I hear of any such nonsense, you will be hearing from my lawyers, my dear..." he said, momentarily serious. "Well, I woman of her charms, she really is delightful....well, over the last year, we got, close..." he coughed into his hand. "But you know, the thing is, she fraternised with so many people. I don't want you to get the wrong idea. She was no docks - lady. But everyone knew she played apon her charms, got to make friends with all sorts of rich and powerful people, from abroad often. " "Now, heres the thing, I think a certain bishop...bishop Innocente, become somewhat infatuated with Ms. Wheatley. I confess, initially due to her...charms and at her doing, but I fear it developed into something stronger. An obsession. And now, we have two Inquisition agents, here to what? silence her? capture her? whisk her away to a secret den of vice in Italy?"

Looks good. One concern: Using transfer in an array. Transfer is basically a linked boost effect, and putting boosts in arrays is considered a bit off form. There is some leeway in this as he is an NPC but it has generally be accepted a thing not to do. YOu might consider something like a vampiric strike, or Fatigue linked with healing, or even Drain Strength linked with Enhanced Strength, as an alternative?

"I certainly dare!" replied Lord Steam defiantly, noting the Strength of his foe. I'm not fighting fair with this one... "You underestimate your odds, arrogant one!" he said without flinching a muscle "Did you think we came without reinforcements?" he continued, before looking over the Lord's. " "He's all yours, Captain Thunder!" he said with a smug, confident look at the imaginary hero who was not-really advancing to his Lordship's Rear. If only for an instant, Brutus looked. An instant was all it took for Lord Steam's Cane to come crashing down on his head with a powerful blow. Not powerful enough he conceded, as the sturdy stick bounced off the head of Lord Brutus.

No, I would view that as Metagaming - I'll say the cane bounces off and Lord Steam learns he needs to hit harder! Post IC coming up.

Nothing too fancy for Steam then: Move Action: Feint 1d20+10=24 Standard Action: Attack! Shift +2 Damage, -2 Attack 1d20+9=16 Which is not so good, but may hit the mark if the feint is successful. If so, its DC 22 Toughness. I'll wait to see if that feint works before posting IC

"Goodness you are astute!" replied Supercape, arching an eyebrow. He realised he had underestimated Protectrons intelligence. Or rather, he had not really taken the time to estimate it at all... "The choice of colours is primarily because I like the colour blue" he replied. "Although I confess the particular molecular alignment does favour blue-purple hues..." "But no, its not made of quantum matter" he continued "this is Quantum matter" he said, holding up his hand and forming a cube of the flawless slightly purple crystal - like substance. "Very strong, very tough. Completely rigid, and thus impractical for any costume. And there is an additional problem. It doesn't technically exist. If you think about it too hard, or study it too much, it collapses on itself and properly stops existence. Err, its rather hard to explain in 3 dimensions. Or even six. Here, have a peek at it..." He pushed the cube towards Protectron. It floated in mid-air, completely oblivious to gravity. "My costume is made up of an unstable string array of atoms. This does exist, I would hate to suddenly be without it. And yes, it is protective, although nowhere near as strong as the Quantum matter you have before you. It also can realign itself according to my mental wishes, taking on different forms. It's every piece of clothing you ever wanted in one!" he smiled proudly "plus, some of the configurations act as an environmental suit. Very handy for the odd jaunt around the universe. "

"Very well then!" replied Rene, who weaved his brush in front of the King of Suits, its magic ink coating both man and corpse, until both completely faded from view. "Invisible Ink!" he explained with a smile. "Marcel and I will meet you back at Marcel's home, I hope you can remember the way. You always seem to have a good memory, so I hope that will be no difficulty for you. Just keep upwind of anybody. At this time of night, Paris is quiet, but these big cities never really sleep, do they?" With that, Rene and Marcel trudged off down the sewer.

"There is only one answer" said Lord Steam "...use your discretion. You all have a track record of trustworthy judgement, so you have my full confidence. By all means, you are welcome to speak to M and the ministry, who will supply you with all you need and back you as much as they are able. But we can hardly enforce any decision on you. And your discretion is probably as good as ours. " "We aren't out to crush Texas, we are out to stop Texas crushing itself, or doing something stupid. And by Texas, I don't mean necessarily mean their president or population, although that is possible, I mean one of the jumped up crooks running it who are only a few paces away from being a warlord. " "Personally" he added "I quite like Texas. The saloons are quite a blast and the gambling excellent!"

"Computer! Deactivate artificial gravity!" said Supercape with a great sense of relief. He straightened up and rubbed his back. I need to do something about high gravity he told himself, wondering if he could adapt his costume further to protect against oppressive gravity. It did rather cut down the planets he could explore. "Target practice!" he said in Reply to Kirsten's question. "Computer Deactivate artificial scenery" he ordered, and dutifully the forest and sunlight faded away. "Bet keep this one free of distractions, for now..." he said "Computer! Activate three floating targets, configuration twelve, position 1, in formation three!" Three red spheres of light, like three dimensional dartboards, appeared in the centre of the room. "Now, see if you can throw one of those weights through each of those holes..." he said to Glow.

Supercape was impressed with the Robots analytical capabilities that were accurate and succinct both. "Very good, Protectron, nothing wrong with your faculties..." The question caught him off guard. "Errr..." he replied hesitantly "...a very good question, that deserves a very good answer" he replied slowly, stalling for time as the front part of his brain sent out demands to the other lobes for that very item, only to be informed that no such answer was in stock. Ah well then, honesty... "The truth is, I have no good answer for that, Protectron. When I first came to this country, I ended up in a bit of adventure, and wore an impromptu cape to conceal my identity. I guess then, and now, I have never really felt that comfortable being a super hero. The cape, therefore, is my attempt both to fill the boots of that role, and to hide behind. It is both a comfort blanket and a mask, if that means anything to you. I don't know how your files on human psychology are, but that's about as honest an answer as I can give you, off the top of my head".

"Exactly" replied Steam, nodding at Catalysts answer in genuine sympathy. "But be clear, Earth Victoriana is not like here. There is no America over there - and to be honest, in many ways the nearest thing is the British Empire. Texas on the other hand, is more like your wild-west cowboy and Indian films I have seen. And not the rose tinted versions either. Throw in a bit of Mexican spice, add in the worst side of Industrialism, and round it off with the corruption of Las Vegas at its worst, and you have the Texan free states. Its free allright, in the same way that total anarchy is free..." "But look, I understand your concerns, and patriotism. That's exactly why I asked you. You can blend in and act Texan better than me, and many of the British. And its a rough place, but you can handle yourself I'm sure..." "So right now, you may ask yourself, why go?" He paused slightly, and stroked his chin. "Perhaps, in all honesty, there is nothing to be worried about. Texas has no intention of making war, as far as we know, only with each other. But the problem is not Texas the state, its the criminals and warlords in Texas. As I said, its a short train ride to Anarchy there. " "And we don't actually know what's going on down there. Rumours, to be sure. Gatling guns that are equal to the best British Artillery, hell, perhaps better. Engines of war. Now, who is producing these? where are they going? Is somebody else preparing for war? Is Texas going to explode in civil war?" "We don't need intervention - necessarily. We do need to find out why suddenly a relatively undeveloped chaotic little nation may have suddenly got its hands of a vast supply of cutting edge weapons and what the hell its going to do with it. As I said, the British Empire has no desire for war - any longer. Oh, certain states always prove an irritation, like Spain, and Italy, but war is never even on the menu. Trade and Industry are its concerns, and War is good for neither. Aside from that, I appeal to your humanitarian side - weapons of that calibre and that volume floating around mean human life in peril..." He leant back, somewhat puffed. "All of this might play out to be nothing. You have all displayed your heroic credentials here, at least if the papers are to be believed. So, whilst the British Empire will support and inform you, and, with your permission, you will be employed by them, something I advise, you are free to act as your own judgement dictates in the matter. Destroying said weapons certainly sounds an option, on face value. But the first thing to find out as what is going on. Then you can decide what to do about it. "

GM Gorsky was a hard drinker, used to his liquor. But drowning himself in the entire mini-bar had had the intended effect. He was sprawled on the bed, sweating, and half dead to the world. His head spinning, he clutched and unclutched the huge revolver in his hand, even in this state paranoia had not left him. The man was mumbling, incoherently at times, and not always in English, much of it Romanian, and even phrases in Latin. "God spare me!" "He said I could end all death...haha...haha!" "It's all gone wrong!" "I'm going to end up like Cartwright...oh God nooooOOOOO!" "A speaking clock....what was I thinking????"

"I do not think ze beast can attack us anywhere..." replied Rene thoughtfully "but on ze other hand, we have nowhere of knowing where it can strike us. However, I doubt ze sewers are a particularly safe spot. So! I concur with your plan, leaving here seems to be a most prudent idea..." Marcel nodded his agreement. "It must be said, however, we stink" Rene continued, and pointed at the corpse "And, that poor woman..stinks even worse. A big strong man like you can, no doubt, carry the creature to the surface, but a decomposing corpse is a bit...conspicious, even in ze middle of the night...It depends what you want to do with it. You know all about ze modern art of deduction, not me. I can, however, offer to paint you in ze ink of invisibility" he added, brandishing his paintbrush. "But that will not conceal ze smell, only ze sight!"

You can smell (but can't locate) what is best described as a filthy, feral young woman / teenager ahead.

"Indeed it is not" said Lord Steam, putting down his tea and pressing his fingers together. These chaps should do he told himself. "As for what this entails, the matter is a little delicate. Please do not get offended when I explain. In our dimension, northern america is a full part of the British Empire, and that includes votes, before you think it some enslaved colony. Yes, London is still the capital, I concede that point..." "Southern America is a mish-mash of other colonies and uncharted rainforests. Spaniards have sunk their teeth into much of it, and they are little more than the official state of the Vatican. French have several territories too. And a few other places, some of which have declared independence. It all kind of works out down there, albeit in a rather second rate way. " "Stuck in the middle is Texas. Or, to put it fully, the Texan Free State. Nothing against in personally, its just, how shall we say, a little...wild. The cowboys never died out there. Its unruly, hard drinking, gambling, dancing, and shooting from one border to the other with some equally wild Sherrifs who either enforce the law or corrupt it, and very often do both at the same time. We have diplomatic relationships with their president, although to be frank we never are quite sure how much authority and power he actually has, and to be blunt I am not sure how much he does either..." He paused, assessing his audience. "Quite different from here, you understand" he added. "In any case, we have reports of some serious weapons there. Serious. And in that...unstable region, it could explode..."

The weight was not fast, so Supercape managed to catch it, and take on some of its momentum, making him drift away from Glow slowly. "Very good. So, you can operate just as well in zero gravity, which may just come in handy one day" He tossed the weight to one side. "And, in this environment, we can see there is no reactive force on you. Which is handy for keeping your balance. However, it also means you are left adrift in this environment" "BUt remember it's all relative! If you can't move, then you can move everything else! In this case, moving the entire earth may be a bit beyond you, not to mention dangerous!" "Now, try this! Computer, engage double gravity!" he ordered. THe two heroes flopped to the ground, nearly bent over with the sudden oppressive weight of their bodies. A momentary giddiness hit them as their blood pressures crashed to their boots, before their bodies compensated. "Suffice to say..." said Supercape, wobbling slightly "not so popular, this setting. Still, worthwhile seeing if your powers are dependent on the mass, and the interaction with gravity..." he wheezed.

"Well done...that was...just over 1500Kgs" said Supercape, looking at the Grey weights. "Blood pressure, oxygen saturation, heart and respiratory rate, all indicating significant physiological stress. You were probably right to stop there. I would imagine you could lift more, but only by putting your body under what would be, frankly, dangerous levels of stress. In other words, don't do it unless you really need too..." Supercape took off the biometric bracelet and popped in a pocket. "And now, with those parameters established, we get to the interesting stuff!" he said with a grin. "So, you never know under what circumstances you might need to lift and push. And what that lifting and pushing could achieve. So for now, lets just play with one of these bricks..." He strolled over to the slightly dislodged piled of grey steel weights, and, with a little effort, took one into his arms. He wasn't unfit, but neither was he particularly strong. He could lug around the weight in a slightly ungainly way. I should go the gym more, now I am a hero... he told himself. "For starters...zero gravity!" he proclaimed. "Computer...Activate Zero Gravity!" As he said it, the two heroes felt gravity seep away, and, at a snails pace, they lifted gently off the floor. "Can you move this weight now?"

"Tweed and cotton!" said Lord Steam, nodding. "Spiffing! You might need a little more, er, style of course. This dimension does so lack it. But then again, so does Texas..." he mumbled to himself. "And in any case, I should properly introduce myself. I have already given you my name, although I also go by the code-name of Lord Steam. I am the official ambassador to this dimension, Earth Colonial Independence, or Earth Prime as you call it, from the dimension you have termed Earth Victoriana. A most excellent dimension, if I do say so myself!" He helped himself to another cup of tea. "We discovered your dimension about a year or two ago. We have excellent relationships with your dimension, a lot in common, despite your erroneous decision to declare independence from Great Britain. You seem to have done quite well for yourselves, nonetheless. In any case, we share very similar values, truth, justice, the English way, and all that..." "We have, on occasion, requested aide from the more...exceptional individuals in this dimension to help with the more...exceptional disturbances in our home dimension. A sort of hero-exchange programme, one might say. Our most frequent operative, Ms. Wendle, is unfortunately not available right now, so I have been asked by our government to seek out help from other quarters..." He raised his tea. "And invite them round for tea!"

Ok first off, you match Gauntlet in speed with it running all out and you at normal pace - so you could overtake it by sprinting - Ill let you decide that but it may involve some fudging and a CON check to avoid fatigue. Secondly, could you throw me a notice roll? the DC is 10 and the target is 1000 feet away - so only a -2 penalty for Arcturus' amazing Extended Olfactory senses!

GM The little dog, who looked like a mongrol hybrid of every breed of dog rolled into one, could keep pace. Gauntlet was not hard to track - he made no attempt to conceal his tracks, and it was doubtful he could if he had the inclination to do so. He did, however, move at a surprising pace, and tirelessly. Marcus could keep up, just about, but the Iron cage had a head start. He was heading towards Wharton forest, in an apparently straight line. "Where are you?" said Gauntlet, as it collided into the Forest, loose branches snapping and roots cracking as the metal creature collided into the forest without pause. The wood and bracken splintered like paper mache against the unstoppable force of Gauntlet.

"Nice job" said Supercape as he bent down to examine the scars "quite a handy little trick that. I'll be asking for a house call the next time some supervillain beats me to a pulp". Not for the first time, he berated himself on his lack of medical knowledge. Damnit, I may not need a medical certificate he berated himself but I should know something... Partly for his own interest, as a genius polymath, partly because, well, it would be useful, he resolved to familiarise himself with basic medical practice and knowledge. "I don't suppose you chaps have medical qualifications?" he asked politely. "I can only hazard a guess these folks have been experimented on. I'm not a doctor myself, but perhaps a drug? a chemical? I could take them back to the Lab, maybe, have their blood analysed..."

Edit made! Sorry!

"As much as you can!" said Supercape, feeling like a high school football coach, pumping one fist into the other Palm in encouragement. "Go for it!" Brick by brick, the automated trolley started addeding more weight, in 25kg blocks, to the load. "This time, lets push you to the limit. It could come in handy, knowing exactly how much you can hold. It could even save your life, or somebody elses. So don't hold back, take it as far as you can go, and further!" "But this time, just levitate it a few centimetres off the ground. The lab floor is pretty tough, it can probably take a fall of that short distance. I hope" Otherwise Dragonfly is going to be rather upset, he added to himself.

"Madame Zero?" queried Rene, furrowing his brow. "I think I remember something about her...in the seventies? Or was it fifties? Damn my memory..." "In any case it looks like ze mother is returning for ze child. I cannot say I blame her, but this is only going to end in tears. Frozen tears, at that" "So, how to get in? If I can get a picture of anything inside ze dome, I can paint us in!" said Rene, flourishing his paint brush. No doubt there were photographs of even paintings of various locations inside - not that he had any to hand...