trollthumper

"On it, Paradigm," said Cavalier. He rerouted the power focus of his armor into external systems, and he was glad he did. Muscle, steel, and other things he didn't really want to know about - these convicts were not lacking in these things. It was a simple matter of lifting, hauling, and depositing, and Cavalier was very good at maintaining a fireman's carry at this point. Even during three-dimensional movement. When he was done with that, he spent a few seconds recalibrating the settings on his blaster. This was usually meant for singular targets, but if he could get it right, they'd have a temporary measure of security. And he really did not want to have to do all this over again, in case someone woke up. With one pull of the trigger, a hemisphere of energy formed over the incapacitated targets, keeping them secure. "There. Temporary detainment. And if we need to keep it up, I've got the settings programmed in. Can't make it mobile, though. That would make transport a hell of a lot easier."

All right, The Sidhe has not acted, so I am holding his action. Grim is up next.

That will hit. I assume Ruby is using her Blast w/ Autofire, so that will be DC23 TOU. The critter manages to take the blow. Roulette is up next.

My apologies. I blame this on brain frag and distraction from getting my LARP off the ground. The Player Progress tracker has been properly updated for all.

The fey hounds were not nearly as ebullient about tangling with the black dogs. They snarled and barked as the hounds of death danced among them. Two of the ones that remained standing were too graceful - almost unnaturally so - dodging out of the way of their counterparts. The last, however, got hit head on, slamming directly into the hound's flank. It hit the ground, tangled and on its back. Its compatriots charged on, seemingly uncaring about their pack mate's distress. "Lots of talk about loyalty in dogs," said Cannonade. "Looks like that's crap here." He charged forward, meeting the dogs as they raced ahead. He brought his fist down on one of the hounds, surprised by the crack it let out. Twisting with the blow, he lashed out with his foot, driving a size 12 boot into the other hound's jaw. It went off its feet, slamming right into the thorn wall and not getting back up. "Anyone else feel like donating to the ASPCA when we get out of here? Just on general principle."

Sadly, that also misses. Singularity: 33, Unharmed, 0 HP Ruby Voxx: 15, Unharmed, 2 HP Roulette: 14, Unharmed, 4 HP Cavalier: 12, Unharmed, 3 HP Titan: 9, Unharmed, 0 HP Bliss: 6, Unharmed, 3 HP Sea Devil: 6, Unharmed, 0 HP Ruby Voxx is up next.

Cannonade is. And I am so sorry about the delay. The Cu Sidhe gets tripped by a rushing mass of dog. Crow: 26, Unharmed, 2 HP Woodsman: 22, Unharmed, 1 HP Grim's Puppies: 20, Unharmed, 0 HP Cannonade: 18, Unharmed, 3 HP The Sidhe: 11, Unharmed, 1 HP Grim: 8, Unharmed, 2 HP Gabriel: 7, Unharmed, 6 HP Cu Sidhe (3): 5, Unharmed, Prone (1), 0 HP So Cannonade closes in with the doggos, and punches one of them. Oh my. So that's going to be a DC31 TOU save, which... it cannot even. So it is a busted doggo. And now Takedown Attack! That hits, but not so hard. It's still a DC26, though, so that dog gets busted. Crow: 26, Unharmed, 2 HP Woodsman: 22, Unharmed, 1 HP Grim's Puppies: 20, Unharmed, 0 HP Cannonade: 18, Unharmed, 3 HP The Sidhe: 11, Unharmed, 1 HP Grim: 8, Unharmed, 2 HP Gabriel: 7, Unharmed, 6 HP Cu Sidhe (1): 5, Unharmed, Prone (1), 0 HP That leaves the one that is still down. The Sidhe is up next.

angrydurf Phalanx: 1 PP [rollover to be assigned] Ace Danger: 1 PP and is now PL15 Ouroboros: 2 PP Savant: 1 PP Bisexuhell Psy Strike: 1 PP Blarghy Adept: 3 PP Leviathan: 3 PP Curious Key Warp: 6 PP and is now PL12 as well as a Bronze member Darksider42 Ruby Voxx: 1 PP Rosethorn: 4 PP Fox Dragonfly [maxed]: 1 PP (rollover to Eclipse) Wraith: 1 PP Eclipse: 2 PP Grim: 1 PP Gremlin: 1 PP Gizmo Jack of All Blades [maxed]: 1 PP Midnight [maxed]: 1 PP Ghost Girl [maxed]: 1 PP Rock/Nae-Dae: 1 PP Reagent/Alkahest: 2 PP Lou: 1 PP GranspearZX Amorph: 1 PP Heritage Grimalkin [maxed]: 4 PP Miracle Girl: 2 PP and is now PL13 Slither: 5 PP KnightDisciple Cobalt Templar: 1 PP Gabriel [maxed]: 1 PP Judex: 1 PP Nevermore: 2 PP Sun Walker: 1 PP Thoughtspeed: 1 PP macabreengel The Sidhe: 3 PP MCBE Hammer: 8 PP olopi Bonfire: 4 PP Bird of Arms: 5 PP Sha'ir the Spellsmith: 1 PP Nick Ardent: 2 PP Blue Fox: 1 PP Willow: 1 PP Quinn Crow: 1 PP Outlaw: 1 PP Sailor Endeavor: 2 PP Sophistemon Presto: 1 PP Upgrade: 1 PP Punchline: 1 PP Tiffany Korta Blodeuwedd: 1 PP Emerald Spider: 2 PP FrostByte: 1 PP Merge Trois: 2 PP Miss Grue: 1 PP Ms Britannia: 1 PP [to be resolved] The Traveller: 1 PP Dr. Thorne: 1 PP Triakosia: 3 PP Voin Zhenschina: 1 PP

Wow. Either someone's cocky, or someone got tired of the tortoise shell tactic. Either way... Cavalier swept around, rechanneling the energy running through his armor. Cor was rushing up his own construct, sweeping at Mater Vrynda with his gigantic club. As someone who'd recently been engaging in melee, Cavalier could not deny the appeal of swooping in to deliver a crushing blow. After all, that's exactly what he was going to do. "Hey. Industrial Light and Morons." The blaster hummed to life. "I know you put a lot of pride in your construction, but... here's an object lesson in not skimping on materials." He opened fire, aiming right for Cor's most exposed areas.

The thing is deceptively swift for its size, as if it is casting a larger image than it may be. What would Singularity like to do with that HP?

"Can't complain," said Joe. "Asli and I have been working on a few things. Figuring out the best way to move forward. I mean, not saying that like we're weaving around a minefield, just saying... things are in motion. And I'm happy with 'em." Joe cringed internally at the words. He didn't feel like making any big statements, but the way he said it, it sounded like he should have a smile pasted so hard on his face that it silently screamed, "Help me." But that wasn't where he stood. He really was happy with how things were going. That was why he mostly traded in small talk, then stood silent as Corbin, Erin, and Trevor arrived. It was going to be a nice quiet brunch, and -- Oh. Oh, man. After the dust cleared and it took time for the weight of the statement to register, Joe leapt off the couch, whooping with joy. "Congrats!" he said. "I mean, I know this is, uh, kinda sudden... but... you two are gonna be good parents." Joe was surprised to realize how much he actually meant that. "And, if you guys need anything... I mean, Mark, I'm sure you can take care of it, but if you need an extra set of hands or work putting together the nursery or something... I'll be there."

Cavalier decides Cor needs to go the hell down, so he will move into range and open fire with his Blast w/ Autofire! 20 base to hit, DC26 TOU + Autofire.

All right, then. The dogs will get hit with the smoke bomb, and while that will screw their visual, it doesn't seem to flag them all that much. However, Woodsman's bomb may switch that up... Only one of them makes the Reflex save. And... they all fail their TOU saves. As Minions. I'm going to say that three of them manage to weather the blast, so that the others have something to do. Hero Point for Woodsman. Crow: 26, Unharmed, 2 HP Woodsman: 22, Unharmed, 2 HP Grim's Puppies: 20, Unharmed, 0 HP Cannonade: 18, Unharmed, 3 HP The Sidhe: 11, Unharmed, 1 HP Grim: 8, Unharmed, 2 HP Gabriel: 7, Unharmed, 6 HP Cu Sidhe (3): 5, Unharmed, 0 HP Grim's doggies go next.

The obscenities raging through Temperance's head could not be constrained by mere English. That was nothing compared to the reaction of the people outside, however. Several were screaming, and many of them were fleeing. One woman, dressed in a manner that suggested a long lunch break, found herself tripped up and backed up against a trash can, one arm upraised in fear. "The - the firemen?" she asked. "I... I saw them go in! Inside! They said something about a fire check in the offices!" "Which ones?" asked Temperance. "Tower 2, I think... Floors 46 on... they were coming in as I was going out for lunch..." Temperance turned to Sea Devil. "Come on. Let's go." As in all fire hazards, taking the elevator would have been a bad idea. Especially since they'd likely be switching out every so often. Fortunately, they had alternatives. Temperance rode her sledge up to the 46th floor, taking a look into the office. The tint to the windows made it slightly hard to perceive the action... but she could clearly make out the office worker who lay unconscious on the main floor. Sea Devil, meanwhile, could pick up broadcasts over the radio waves. "This floor's clear. Everyone's in position. All Highest, you're certain they're supposed to be like this? I mean, bound and gagged would've been more effort, but we can handle it..." "What matters is that they're alive. Whether or not they feel His caress is just flavoring. Besides, last thing we want is somebody wriggling for their cell phone and spoiling the ritual." "I understand. Is everything in position?" "The others are placing the charges. They will be the last to go. First, the flames must lick, and for that to happen, the thermite must burn as bright as it can. Once the ceremony reaches his apex, He will bless us. And there will be a new sun over the skies of Freedom, one that will light the way to a better tomorrow."

All right. The Sidhe will go on 11, for now. Here we go: Crow: 26, Unharmed, 2 HP Woodsman: 22, Unharmed, 1 HP Grim's Puppies: 20, Unharmed, 0 HP Cannonade: 18, Unharmed, 3 HP The Sidhe: 11, Unharmed, 1 HP Grim: 8, Unharmed, 2 HP Gabriel: 7, Unharmed, 6 HP Cu Sidhe (6): 5, Unharmed, 0 HP Crow is up first.

All right, here's our order: Singularity: 33, Unharmed, 0 HP Ruby Voxx: 15, Unharmed, 2 HP Roulette: 14, Unharmed, 4 HP Cavalier: 12, Unharmed, 3 HP Titan: 9, Unharmed, 0 HP Bliss: 6, Unharmed, 3 HP Sea Devil: 6, Unharmed, 1 HP Singularity is up first.

Joe hoped he'd gotten it right. He'd learned a lot more about cooking since he and Asli had gone steady, seeing his tastes expand outwards - and not always in disaster. Asli had been there to offer pointers for this dish, but hadn't taken an active hand. She was staying behind today; she and Nina never got along, and Joe didn't want to drag her along in the name of a happy Liberty League family gather if it would result in passive hostilities. Instead, she was spending her day with family. Family. The thought echoed in Joe's head. They'd started making some real considerations about what came next. He hadn't sprung for a ring yet, but... there was the matter of what would come next. Something would - it wasn't like they were hitting a wall - but... No. Don't think about the heavy stuff today. Just... have some fun. Hang with your friends. You can have one day away from considering your future. Joe entered, carrying enough mac and cheese to fill a cauldron. "Hey, Mark!" he said. "Hope you don't mind if I brought something to the table. With some Andouille chicken sausage - halal certified, I made sure."

"I don't need to be told twice," Temperance said as she ran for the door. The water swept out from her camelback, forming into the familiar ice sledge already. "Come on. I'll lead the way." In mid-air, Temperance wondered whether she should have said that. Despite her... potential issues blending in, there was nothing that said Aquaria couldn't have gotten a sense for the city. Why did she feel the need to point out she could lead the way to Pyramid Plaza? Because time is of the essence, we couldn't afford to get lost, and you didn't feel like being PC. It happens. You can buy her a coffee when this is all done to make up for it. Or a milkshake. Or... whatever she drinks. Pyramid Plaza shone in the distance, catching the afternoon sun. Sure enough, two ladder trucks were parked on the street outside... but their lights weren't on. In fact, they seemed to be parked on one of the side streets, in the bus lane. And despite all the foot traffic outside, there was no great mass of humanity that might suggest an evacuation. "They're likely going in under the guise of a practice drill," she said. "Whatever they're planning, they want to have an audience."

Temperance flew through the woods towards the scream. As did Rosethorn, coming the other way. "Wait," said the dryad, as she and Rosethorn drew closer. "It's not them. Not a spirit. It's... flesh. It's --" A vast barrage of angry words - Temperance couldn't quite make them out, but she had a very good idea - cut through the air, matched by just as angry, but less anguished, shouting. "...out of the way!" "He swung! He ****ing swung! I was right there!" "You didn't hear him?" "Couldn't hear **** over that damn saw! Christ, my hand..." Temperance slowed down, trying to sneak up on the party. One man - looked like he was in his mid-thirties, fairly beefy - was clutching his hand, which was fountaining blood. He was joined by two friends, one of whom was still clutching the bloody chainsaw. Despite the injury, neither party seemed concerned. The man not holding the chainsaw shook his head. "You're useless to the project now. Go home and sleep it off." "Sleep it off? They're my goddamn fingers!" "No..." The man who seemed in charge picked the severed fingers up from the ground, clutching them in his fist. He lifted the fist to his mouth and - to Temperance's disbelief - bit down on the index finger, gnawing it off at the first knuckle. "They're your idiot tax. Ray, keep going. We've got a lot further to go..."

The older fireman just stared, defiant, into the eyes of the Deep One. "There is no love. No hate. There is only fire. The ecstasy of the spark. The great ignition that devours and reseeds. We pit ourselves against it every day, showing that we are worthy of his glory. We have been caressed by His touch, and shall repay --" The younger one, however, snapped like a twig in the face of Aquaria's sharp teeth. "Okay!" he yelled. "Okay, fine." His colleague shot him dagger. "James, don't you dare --" "We would crumble before His gaze anyway, Harold. We're already damned." James looked to Aquaria. "They're at Pyramid Plaza. They're supposedly there doing a routine safety check." "But they're planning to..." The sheer scale of it caused Temperance to blanch. Then again, under her mask, that was hard to tell, so she just maintained the icy temper as best she could. "To turn it into an altar to your god." "An inferno of that scale... a most sanctified holocaust... how could He resist?"

All right, these guys aren't exactly stoic, so let's see who breaks... The senior guy holds off. The younger guy cracks like an egg.

APPROVED

all right, first combat. The Cu Sidhe will be represented by AA's Hellhound as statted, as Minions. The Cu Sidhe, all 6 of them, go on 5. Cannonade goes on 18.

The hounds raced ahead, merrily loping through the darkened maze, the scent of other dogs drawing them forward. They raced around a nearby corner, letting up excited barks... which soon turned to loud growls. And they weren't alone. As they rounded the corner, Grim got a good look at the source of their fervor through their eyes. A pack of dogs lay waiting on the other side, clustered tight. Between the relative darkness and the swirling mass of fur, it was hard to distinguish numbers; he could guess maybe half a dozen. One raised its head from the scrum, revealing ruby eyes and blood-caked lips. At the center of the mass, Grim's dogs could see - and now smell, as if the dogs were eating up the scent itself - a bloodied wreck, of something that like but not entirely like venison. And then they broke, as one, from the fresh kill, charging towards Grim's dogs with fangs bared. Cannonade gestured the others forward when he heard the din. He did not want to shout himself, and he didn't quote know what Grim's dogs were like... but he didn't like the idea of leaving them behind to get devoured by whatever was making all that barking.

For today's monster, we are using my Living Continuity Error at PL13. It looks to be bigger than it is, of course. The Titan goes on 12. Cavalier goes on 9.