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ICC Thread Three generations of heroes have existed before you. Three generations of paragons of virtue who protected Halcyon City from crime, both mundane and super. The first, the Gold Generation, were simple people. Their powers were not grand and their enemies down to Earth, but their virtues were simple and sharp. Good was good, bad was bad. On the surface. The desire to paint everything in idealized paint is strong and respect is owed for the foundation they set, but the heroes of the era were no more immune to prejudice than anyone else. Women and minority heroes were often ignored, mocked, or ridiculed. Any Gold generation heroes and villains still running around are rather advanced in age and likely seeking to regain former glory. The second, the Silver Generation, were giants. The Gold Generation rarely dealt with threats greater than heists or gangs, but the Silver Generation routinely dealt with universe-wide threatening conflicts. To match it, their powers were great and mighty. While they initially dealt with more earthly affairs and even championed social issues, their attention turned to the skies above and they left the more pressing concerns of the average person to the back of their thoughts. They are still very much around, but nearing the end of their time. Many seek successor, but just as many have trouble giving up their control. The third, the Bronze Generation, were victims. A death sparked the bronze generation: a supervillain learned of their arch-nemesis' identity and attack their loved ones, resulting in their death. The ripples this sent throughout the superhero community sparked introspection and disillusionment. The Silver Generation were so focused on grand gestures that they never bothered to solve any real problems. The world was full of strife, but they played their games in the sky. Not only that, but they left no room to grow. The Silver Generation held onto their positions with iron fists and left nothing for their next generation. The Bronze Generation took many new directions to heroing -- murderous vigilantes, politicians, secret agents -- and even questioned the concept of superheroes. They are still very much around. And, now, begins the fourth generation, the Modern Generation. What will they be? They lack a name yet. "Modern" is just a placeholder, afterall. So little is known. Some have made a splash as celebrity heroes. Others have followed in the footsteps of older heroes, but nothing has yet defined them. All that can be said is that they possess both greater hope and greater skepticism than those who came before them: a desire to do good mixed with the reality of the failures of those who came before. They are just now coming around. The Modern Generation is you! -- This is a play-by-post game of Masks done on the Somethingawful forums. Players will be expected to post at least once a day and to abide by the rules of the game. We will use orokos for dice rolls. Please link your orokos results to your dice results. Please do not re-roll to try to get a "desired" result. Any playbook from core or the Halcyon City Herald is acceptable. Core Playbooks. Halcyon City Herald Playbooks. I am going to ask people to NOT make characters yet. As PbtA only has "one character to one playbook" it is simply easier to make characters after I've picked people to join the game. Instead, tell me what you like about Masks, teenage superheroes, and powered by the apocalpyse. Also, tell me what you'd like to see in this game and why you want to play it. Please keep the response to a couple of sentences. Afterwards, I'll recruit 4-6 people to play. Recruitment will end 9/27/17 at 11:59:59PM EST The deadline is extended to 10/4/2017 at 11:59 PM EST. Zoro fucked around with this message at 19:03 on Oct 19, 2017 |
# ? Sep 20, 2017 06:29 |
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# ? Apr 23, 2024 14:26 |
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What you like about Masks This answer bleeds into why I like powered by the Apocalypse games as well. Typically, these games are heavily fictional and less mechanical. I used to be a huge Mutants and Masterminds nerd, but then I played Masks and it was all over. The ability to do super heroic actions and not be limited by technicalities (You don't have enough strength to jump over 20 stories, so forget about catching the helicopter that is 20 and a half stories above you...). I can make characters and for the most part, that character is who I made them. No complex math needed to ensure that I can have the character I want. Further more, stories can get quite dynamic and unpredictable, and those twists and turns are determine by my actions and not by dice or because I chose to have 20 strength instead of Agility. I loved Teen Titans and Young Justice cartoons. I've also read Runaways, Young Avengers, Avenger's Academy and Avengers: Initiative. The drama of growing from what you think being a hero is into actually becoming one is a solid theme that is not only entertaining to read, but is something Masks encompasses very well. What I would like in this game is pretty much what we would see in the cartoon series I mentioned. Action and serious Drama with light, fuzzy moments when the time calls for it. Romance (both tragic and real), friendship and betrayal, coming of age, rivalries, you know, pretty much what you would see in a typical teen angst super team comic.
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# ? Sep 20, 2017 06:51 |
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Masks: Simply put, Masks understands its subject matter. It understands how to weld the genres of adolescent drama and superheroes, and I think it's approachable to people who aren't hip-deep into one particular series. Teen Supers: I enjoyed Young Justice, I've watched Flash and Arrow on the CW. I've never read some of the "classics" of the subgenre like Runaways, but I have read a lot of Bat-Family and Flash and some Legion comics where legacy, maturity, and relationships between the young and old were big themes. I also loved the 2010 Avengers Academy series and I was pissed when it got crumpled up into a ball and fed to yet another lovely crossover. C'est la Big Two. PbtA: PbtA is basically the perfect system for a game run in the format of a television drama where the characters are part of a team, but have their own thing going on, and their attitudes toward each other inform whether or not they can meet their goals individually or as a group. What to Do: A major thing I'd like is to not just use crime-fighting and supervillain fighting as a springboard for character moments, but to have the PCs' character development reflected in the City. Superheroes are exciting because they're individuals with the power to change the world, so whether they embrace the role of outcasts, paragons, or bogeymen should determine what kind of world they're creating and how people see them. (Okay, yes, I'm gunning pretty hard to play a Legacy, I admit it.)
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# ? Sep 21, 2017 19:36 |
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Hey, I see that there's only two of us apped so far, but there were three superhero recruit threads posted in rapid succession. If you extend the deadline a bit, there can be some spillover from the other Masks thread and the Marvel Heroic thread.
Halloween Jack fucked around with this message at 02:23 on Sep 24, 2017 |
# ? Sep 24, 2017 02:19 |
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I'm always interested in games with nonstandard app processes without setting gimmicks, but I have some other games taking priority. I'll try to hit the established deadline though.
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# ? Sep 24, 2017 02:33 |
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Halloween Jack posted:Hey, I see that there's only two of us apped so far, but there were three superhero recruit threads posted in rapid succession. If you extend the deadline a bit, there can be some spillover from the other Masks thread and the Marvel Heroic thread. Alright, sure. The deadline is extended to 10/4/2017 at 11:59 PM EST.
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# ? Sep 24, 2017 03:37 |
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I like Masks and games that involve teenagers in general as a way to explore characters that are going through transition - especially because you never know where they are going to end up. My favorite Masks app so far was a Reformed that found herself romantically involved in an alien princess, all while trying to hide the horrible atrocities she'd done from the whole team.
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# ? Sep 27, 2017 00:37 |
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Zoro posted:tell me what you like about Masks, teenage superheroes, and powered by the apocalpyse. Also, tell me what you'd like to see in this game and why you want to play it. I spent most of my teenage and young adult life reading comics like X-Men and Teen Titans and more recently Boka no Hero so i really enjoy the dynamic of teen supers with their drama and discoveries. I enjoy Masks because it gives me the chance to explore those dynamics in an active way. I am still fairly new with Masks (only played it once and that game didnt last long) but the systems and the personas are interesting and fun As for what i would like to see.. Drama.. Action.. Romance.. awkward romance.. and the most important thing is that everyone is having fun doing it
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# ? Oct 3, 2017 21:03 |
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Oh poo poo, it's already 10 / 5. That totally flew by me. Well, let me review everything and I'll say who got in
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# ? Oct 6, 2017 01:19 |
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Alright, here is who is in the game:
The new step is simple: let's all make characters, y'all!
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# ? Oct 6, 2017 04:22 |
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Ooh, gonna do a Legacy or a Protege, can't decide which fits the concept best.
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# ? Oct 6, 2017 05:30 |
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I'm thinking of a protégé or a janus. Protégé concept is basically a streetwise and street tough teenager being raised by a family friendly role model (think of the mentor being "Adam West" Batman trying to raise Jason todd). Janus is traditional. Civilian life she is popular , but powerless, as a hero she save lives but us nor so popular since she also fights against coruption in the government (think zorro). Which seems more appealing to the rest of yoy?
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# ? Oct 6, 2017 19:53 |
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quote:Hero Name: Spectra I guess you could say I was a bully, growing up. Encabrona, they called me en mi barrio vieja. poo poo... good times. But still - doesn't make you any friends. Worse, puts you in with the wrong crowd. "You're going to Halcyon," my parents told me. Packed me up, shipped me out. Boarding school. poo poo. Still, it wasn't long before I was back with the bad types. Local street gang, by the name of Fuegos Grandes. Mostly small time, but rumor was the leader was some sort of super villain. I didn't really care, just wanted to get off campus every so often and do... something. I've always loved running - and when people're chasing you - poo poo, it's the best! Still, got the attention of some loving sub-lieutenant who wanted to make a name for hisself. Drugged me one night, took me to the Fuegos' headquarters. And... Enfuego. quote:Who changed you? Enfuego Sadistic cabron, this guy right here. Enfuego, true to his name, is on fire 24/7. Drove the fucker mad - half the time, he's just cackling with laughter. Other half, though, he's running the Fuegos, sending 'em out on missions, doing his dirty work. Mostly small-time stuff but... well, what people don't know is, he experiments on people. Messes with their DNA - searching for a cure to his own hosed up life, is my guess. So he orders his people to grab anybody that nobody will miss - and one of the Fuegos, knowing I was in boarding school, figured it wasn't a stretch to just say I ran away. Only, it was to Enfuego that he took me. And... quote:How did you escape from them? ... sorry I don't really want to talk about it. Lots of pain - nothing good. Whatever he did, whatever chemicals he used - it didn't work, just messed with my nervous system or something. Before he really knew what he did, Enfuego cast me out like garbage, his test didn't work. Left me by the side of the road to die, just outside of town. Lucky, some kids found me, called an ambulance. Hospital brought me back, numbed the pain. But it's still there - even now, sometimes when I think about it. Feels like... like every nerve is on fire. quote:Who, outside the team, tries to take care of you now? They discharged me soon enough - but I... I knew I couldn't go back. Not to school, not home... So I just... wandered for a bit. Eventually ended up in a youth home, Sunrise House, over on 15th St. Run by a nun, Sister Paula. She... she treats me nice. Makes sure I get food. Talks me through the pain. And... she's the first one that saw that I was... different. A few months after the incident... she was there when I jumped straight up on the roof the first time. And again, when I smashed a baseball over St. Henry's Cathedral. And again when I stopped that dumpster from hitting little Kyle. She says it's a gift from God - but I know better. It's Enfuego's work. Slow acting, maybe - or an unintended side effect. quote:Why do you try to be a hero? So, once I felt better, felt whole again, I listened to Sister Paula's advice. Use my powers... to help people. Right the wrongs of my past, eh? Stop the Fuegos. Stop Enfuego. Justice. It has a nice ring to it. And... well - I've found something else I like, more than running. More than running from the cops. It's chasing people. Bad guys. Catching them. Beating them. Justice. Not bad, eh? quote:Why do you care about the team? Haha - they're a little silly sometimes, or taking things too serious. Froggy, I like, she's a bit goofy. Crimson is all flashy, sometimes tries a little too hard. Midnight - eh, she's all business. But we work together, get the job done. Trust. That's what it's all about. Frgrbrgr fucked around with this message at 19:59 on Oct 13, 2017 |
# ? Oct 6, 2017 20:46 |
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SKINer posted:I'm thinking of a protégé or a janus.
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# ? Oct 7, 2017 03:16 |
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quote:THE JANUS quote:• When did you first put on the mask? Why? It was when I was twelve. I put on a silly novelty mask and Halloween costume, and then proceeded to leap into a burning building to save several trapped people. Been Frog Girl ever since. quote:• Why do you keep a secret identity? Well... I pissed off the wrong people. The Mayor of Halcyon is crooked. He backed the science contractors who were the rivals of my Father's research group. My father's study into lizard DNA to cure diseases was sabotaged by them (which lead to me gaining my powers). They are kindof after me because of the fear that I can bring them down. If they knew who I am, they could get at me through my parents. Or worse. This is, of course, on top of the normal reason why a Superhero wears a mask. quote:• Who, outside of the team, knows about your dual identity? My father's aide, Dr. Victoria Williams, knows who I am through simple deduction: she knew I was at the center of the explosion and yet survived it. Then, weeks later, she learns that a new hero leaped several feet in the air, lashes out with her tongue and had quick healing? Two plus two equals four. quote:• Who thinks the worst of your masked identity? The Mayor of Halcyon. He managed to turn the Halcyon Times (where I'm currently an intern) against me. Be cause of this, half the city considers me a bit of a menace. This guy is crooked and I discovered that he is also quite protected. I foolishly tried to take him down head on, but that didn't go so well. quote:• Why do you care about the team? Like minded individuals, for the most part. Roughly the same age, same ambitions, and as I've learned the hard way, it's tough being a hero alone. SKINer fucked around with this message at 04:15 on Oct 20, 2017 |
# ? Oct 7, 2017 07:20 |
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I'll post my Legacy in the morning; I just spent way too much time looking for a decent picture!
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# ? Oct 8, 2017 04:28 |
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Halloween Jack posted:I'll post my Legacy in the morning; I just spent way too much time looking for a decent picture! I know dat feeling.
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# ? Oct 8, 2017 04:29 |
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Crimson Demonquote:The Beacon quote:When did you first put on your costume? quote:How did you gain your skills? My village cut its self off from the outside world several generations ago.. something about the modern society clashing with our way of life .. i dont know .. but i can see how a village that forces all its male members to undergo such almost cruel training sometimes can be a bit suspect. We started early about six learning to balance hide and climb things and learning how to hold a sword or throw knives.. by twelve you are expected to go on jobs with adults as support to get you used to what we do .. and by sixteen you are considered a full fledged member of the village and get sent on solo assignments quote:Who, outside of the team, thinks you shouldn't be a superhero? quote:Why do you try to be a hero? quote:Why do you care about the team? animedragonfly fucked around with this message at 03:34 on Oct 10, 2017 |
# ? Oct 9, 2017 00:42 |
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quote:The Legacy You wouldn't understand. Everyone has their own reason for doing this, but mine runs through my veins. The Sable family lineage expresses a certain mutation--I dislike using this word because of the common related assumptions--involving a particular combination of genetic traits. A much-reduced need for sleep and, particularly at night, increased adrenaline response (leading to sensation-seeking personality traits), increased mental acuity, increased reflexes and reaction time..."nocturnal predators," as my father put it. Major crime investigation outside the structure of a law enforcement division--that is, vigilantism--is our natural occupation. My family has been fighting super-criminals in this city since The Midnight Rider chased The Crooked Man here during the Civil War. What you've heard is true. My brother is dead. My father is retired. It doesn't make a difference--I am who I am.
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# ? Oct 9, 2017 05:03 |
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Updated Frog-Girl. Any takers for her Relationships? As for influence, I'm thinking Miss Midnight since she is a Legacy, and thus her reputation would definitely invite heroine worship. Still space for one more person to have influence over Frog-Girl.
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# ? Oct 9, 2017 06:11 |
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SKINer posted:Updated Frog-Girl. I'd imagine Spectra fits the mold as having heroing figured out - just punch things til they stop hurting other people. As far as mine... quote:Frog-girl is your love. You’ve opened up to them about the worst parts of your past. Backstory done now, should give a sense of the character. Spectra comes on strong. Probably gets awkward. Frgrbrgr fucked around with this message at 07:26 on Oct 9, 2017 |
# ? Oct 9, 2017 06:58 |
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Frgrbrgr posted:I'd imagine Spectra fits the mold as having heroing figured out - just punch things til they stop hurting other people. I may have Syd be a bit shy to balance things out. She is coming off as more of the cliche Janus, but that should be cool for the game. Yeah, looks like Midnight and Spectra gets the influence. quote:Relationships (Tentative, as I want to see Crimson Demon's backstory before finalizing) Any ideas why Frog-girl is Spectra's love? Friends? Crush? I ask because perhaps Spectra knew Frog-Girl when she was just Sidney. Same boarding school, perhaps? It seems to make most sense narrative wise, barring Crimson Demon's backstory. As for refusing to tell someone her identity, that may have to go to Midnight. I could imagine an investigation in the past that involved Frog-Girl and Midnight wanted to know who she is for the good of the investigation (perhaps to establish an alibi or something), and because Frog-girl is a bit over sensitive about her secret identity, she flat out said no. Sounds good?
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# ? Oct 9, 2017 17:06 |
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SKINer posted:Any ideas why Frog-girl is Spectra's love? Friends? Crush? I ask because perhaps Spectra knew Frog-Girl when she was just Sidney. Same boarding school, perhaps? It seems to make most sense narrative wise, barring Crimson Demon's backstory. I like that. Frog-girl is Spectra's love because of the shyness - at this point, it's friends but could blossom (we'll see how the game goes) - Something in Syd reminds Spectra of how... maybe how she should have been. Not being a bully. Part of Spectra feels bad because Syd is just like the people she used to pick on. Maybe Spectra did pick on Syd, at the boarding school, and regrets it now and tries to make it right by being friendly and helping whenever. quote:Frog-girl is your love. You’ve opened up to them about the worst parts of your past. Definitely at some point, Spectra confided in Syd about the bad things - maybe as a way of trying to say she was sorry for bullying her at the school (which probably needs a name... Halcyon School for Girls?). So Frog-Girl knows about the Fuegos and what happened with Enfuego. quote:Miss Midnight is your rival. They tried to control you at a crucial moment. Open to ideas. Spectra is definitely combative and would respond poorly to being told what to do. Which I'm sure Midnight has no problem giving :p
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# ? Oct 9, 2017 18:57 |
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Oh, I thought we were posting all the sheets before doing questions and filling out relationships. I'll add mine.
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# ? Oct 9, 2017 19:29 |
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Finished mine up I was thinking Spectra to prove myself to the other is completely open to who ever wants it
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# ? Oct 9, 2017 21:41 |
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quote:Backstory Halloween Jack fucked around with this message at 03:07 on Oct 15, 2017 |
# ? Oct 9, 2017 21:56 |
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Everyone sound off with I AM READY so I know we can do the backstory of the team dealio.
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# ? Oct 10, 2017 01:10 |
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Some more thoughts: Perhaps what frog girl and midnight did to shame her legacy might be connected to the mayor itself. The two nearly proved his corruption, but fell short when that last piece of criminal evidence was required . This in turn allowed the mayor to lower midnight 's reputation as well. Feel free to add something to that, Jack. As for Crimson remaining relationship, I'll volenteer frog-girl, if for no other reason than to have a connection between them. So Crimson wants to hangout with frog girl more cause he thinks she's awesome. So yeah... I AM READY
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# ? Oct 10, 2017 02:58 |
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SKINer posted:
Sounds good to me then I am ready
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# ? Oct 10, 2017 03:22 |
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I think all I need is the secret Midnight trusted Spectra with. I AM READY
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# ? Oct 10, 2017 04:12 |
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editing done I AM READY
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# ? Oct 10, 2017 19:41 |
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Are we doing the questions in order, Or do we post them ourselves?
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# ? Oct 11, 2017 08:01 |
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Alright, let's do this: “When Our Team First Came Together…” Spectra: We defeated a dangerous enemy. Who or what was it? Frog Girl: We saved the life of someone important, either to the city, or to us. Who was it? Why are they important? Miss Midnight: All things considered, we did well and impressed an established hero. Who was it? Crimson Demon: We found signs that this incident was just the start of something bigger. What were the signs? SKINer posted:Are we doing the questions in order, Or do we post them ourselves? Yep, in order. In the same post, assign your influence. Zoro fucked around with this message at 19:42 on Oct 12, 2017 |
# ? Oct 12, 2017 17:39 |
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Zoro posted:We defeated a dangerous enemy. Who or what was it? "Our first time out? Yeah, I remember. Was supposed to be just a cruise around the city, get to know the sights and sounds, you know? But then - I mean, it was pretty cool to see but I kinda feel bad - this guy literally just smashed through a wall right next to us! So we're all just standing there and he's staring back at us. And I see him - big muscles, black outfit, dozens of henchmen behind him - and I just know... this dude is looking for a fight! So I took him on, you know, single-handed-like. Punch here, smash there, kick! Yeah! It was a lot of fun, even though I think my teammates were mostly dealing with the henchmen or maybe just keeping bystanders outta our way. Anyways, I eventually beat him up - he tapped out after I smacked him with a sedan. Found out later his name was Blackjack and his henchmen were the Diamond Club." quote:Give your love and rival Influence over you, but that’s it. Frog Girl & Miss Midnight
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# ? Oct 13, 2017 20:05 |
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(I think I should do my part on this one last.)
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# ? Oct 13, 2017 21:19 |
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Halloween Jack posted:(I think I should do my part on this one last.) Crimson Demon is a beacon and beacons go last according to the Editor's sheet.
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# ? Oct 13, 2017 21:26 |
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Zoro posted:Alright, let's do this: ...riiight. Okay, before I answer this question, I need to say something... Spectra can get a bit... hot blooded. I mean, yeah, she told the truth about Blackjack... especially the Sedan part. She smacked him. Hard. But she also skipped some details. See, it wasn't all a big brawl... a chase was involved as well. See, Blackjackass, or whatever his name was called, ran away from us. We were forced to run him down... and he was not a subtle escape artist. He specialized in running things, people, and places over. See, before we had to deal with his henchmen, Midnight, Crimson and yours truly had to deal with collateral damage. So while we were saving lives, that jerk, Blackjack ran right through a local office where a tabloid was produced. This tabloid is pro-Meta, Known to put us heroes under bright, positive lights and when we saved the lives of several writers and reporters there, the Editor, Samuel Worthington, took a liking to us. So yeah, he is a pretty good source of info for us when we need to investigate something. He also assumed we were an established team... Which reminds me, I really need to nag Midnight on what our name should be... quote:Influence Spectra, Miss Midnight
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# ? Oct 14, 2017 01:47 |
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Zoro posted:Miss Midnight: All things considered, we did well and impressed an established hero. Who was it? I hate chases. Rule number one is, control the situation. Difficult to do on the move. The Diamond Club had a simple but clever strategy: because Blackjack can simply run through walls, they pull a smash and grab and Blackjack starts "tunneling" through surrounding city, with his minions following after. Police don't know to follow their movements in a straight line through the devastation. After a few blocks, they disperse. Now, when you travel by swinging between skyscrapers, you see these things. Spectra engaged Blackjack, drawing fire away from us and civilians. Sometimes simple move is the right one. Then started throwing cars around. We should discuss that. Blackjack smashed into office lobby. I threw smoke bomb to force him to turn back--didn't use on henchmen because they were armed. Never encourage a gunman to fire blindly toward civilians. Crimson took position in broken doorway. Shouted for him to hold the line. He did. Never seen assault rifles cut in half before. For that matter--never saw someone disarm pistols with tongue. Frog-Girl very impressive. I took out sole gunman guarding exit door. Knocked him through it with my Nightstick to save time. Began evacuating staff. Completed before Blackjack began using furniture as weapons. Once he realized his thugs weren't flanking for him, Blackjack began to panic. Spectra landed right hook. With a car. Crimson contacted police on comms, only to be told they'd been called. That's when we saw the Super Sergeant. In uniform, but not on patrol. Unless the bag of groceries with an Italian loaf sticking out of the top is an undercover gimmick. I think he lives in the neighbourhood. Ninety-eight years old. Looks mid-50s. He's not exactly full-time, but still one of the Immortals. Still highly respected by the most powerful metas in the world. In 1974, when he defeated The Terrror, he was likely the most widely respected meta in the world. Storming the Fuhrerbunker will do that. "Nice work. Very professional," he began. It is extremely gratifying to hear "that's how we did it in the war" from the man who defeated Der Totenkopf in hand-to-hand combat. quote:Influence
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# ? Oct 15, 2017 04:55 |
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Zoro posted:Alright, let's do this: It wasnt till the dust cleared and the cops came filtering the civilians out did we find out what they stole.. or were trying to steal. It was some sort of developmental tech to do some science stuff i didnt really understand ... some sort of power source.. maybe? But it was not something that could be dangerous on its own. It only took a bit of arm twisting on one of the henchmen to find out what they wanted it for. It seems the Diamond Club is putting together some kind of weapon and that there would be much more of these kind of incidents to come quote:Influence
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# ? Oct 15, 2017 05:46 |
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# ? Apr 23, 2024 14:26 |
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Sorry guys, somehow this vanished from my mind. I'll start the thread tonight or tomorrow.
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# ? Oct 19, 2017 01:52 |