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 EUROPA Needs YOU! Established in the Golden Age as a response to the rising threat of Para-human violence and crime spreading across Europe the European Union Regulatory Office for Para-human Activities is a multi-national law enforcement team made up of the best and brightest heroes the continent has to offer. For decades we’ve protected western Europe from super-criminals alien invaders, and the occasional communist backed Para-Human .However since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the massive expansion of the EU it brought with it Europa is being stretched thin and is finding it difficult to meet all the threats the continent faces. It needs the next generation to step up and make a difference. It needs you. Whether it’s fighting Aliens in Athens or Zombies in Zurich serving with us will take you all over Europe and possibly even beyond. . We offer generous scholarship packages and great careers for any budding heroes out there, so don’t be shy Enlist today! What is Masks? Masks is a PBTA game about being a teenage superhero. It’s about being a hero and getting a date with that hot girl/guy/alien thing from another dimension. About saving the world (or at least the continent) and overcoming your teenage angst. It’s a system that is pretty straightforward to learn and fairly narrative heavy. But if you need any help don’t be afraid to ask. If I’m not around there’s likely to be plenty of veterans to help you out. Misc stuff Fiddling with and reskinning powers is absolutely fine as long as they make sense and match the theme of the playbook. I.e. no beacons with godlike powers or no Bulls that couldn’t fight their way out of a paper bag. The discord is here if you want to ask any me any questions. I also have PM’s but you’ll probably get a quicker response on the discord. All playbooks are available although keep in mind that the backer playbooks are still a work in progress and may not be properly balanced or play tested yet. Recruitment will last about a week until the 28th of January and I’m looking for around about six players. Now good luck and have fun apping! Ferrosol fucked around with this message at 12:46 on Jan 21, 2018 |
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Jan 21, 2018 11:25
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 La Hoguera, the Bull "It's not what you are, it's what you do. If I tell myself that enough times, hell, I might even start believing it." quote:• Who changed you? Well, as you've probably guessed, I wasn't always a walking weapon. I mean, hell, just a few months ago I was sitting for my Bachillerato. I killed it! I was going to have my pick of universities. And... now I'm this. I'm still a little fuzzy on what happened. Why it happened, even, but I do know this: There's this group in Spain, they call themselves Cero Miedo. No Fear. Funny, huh, that a bunch of super-powered lunatics would go by that. What the hell do they think they're doing? It sure as hell isn't eliminating fear. More like the opposite. A couple of their guys jumped me when I was walking back home from a coffee shop. I don't know what I did to get on their radar. Maybe I pissed off the wrong guy, maybe I just had the right genetics. Can't really ask the lab guys now and, uh, honestly I'm just hoping I never see them again. quote:• How did you escape from them? Heh. Are you kidding? I am — was — a model student. I know a thing or two about pretending to do what's expected and picking your moment to do something else. Alright, alright, so when I woke up... I was like this. After a couple of days just solidly freaking the gently caress out — can you blame me? — I finally calmed down enough to figure out a plan. I've got more than enough power to blow through pretty much anything in my way. All it took was pretending to be onboard with the whole death machine gig long enough for them to clear me to go mess around in the proving grounds. Classic mistake. The moment they cut off my limiters, let me tap into my reactors' full potential? I annihilated my way up and out of the underground complex. It was built to withstand a EUROPA assault. Hell, it probably even could have stopped some of them from escaping. But me? I was like a wrecking ball. Walls? Gone. Guards? Not a chance. I came up in the middle of Barcelona, not too far from where they grabbed me, come to think of it, and the local EUROPA affiliates showed up a few moments later. quote:• Who, outside the team, tries to take care of you now? Dr. Fuego offered to watch out for me, once EUROPA was satisfied, and he's been helping me get used to... Well, you know. Being a cyborg. There are all sorts of systems and gear options, too, and we need to figure out which ones are okay to keep and which ones need to be removed. What kind of hero needs nerve gas dispensers? Definitely not me. Oh and, um, I can't go home. Like... legally speaking. I'm basically under extended probation which, okay, sure, I get that. They want to make sure I'm not some sort of sleeper agent. But on the other hand... what the hell? It's not like I asked for this. If they did their goddamn jobs, I wouldn't have to worry about blowing up a building or two when I got worked up. quote:• Why do you try to be a hero? Well, I'm not going to make it as a psychologist. That's... not an option I have anymore. It's been made pretty well clear that I'm either going to live a life of quiet isolation, somewhere where I won't "endanger the lives of others" or I'm going to prove to them that I can control all this. When they put it like that, it's not really a choice. I'm going to do it. I'll convince whoever the hell gets to make that choice. I'll play their game. I'll earn the right to have a normal life again. And then... I don't know. Maybe finally go to university. quote:• Why do you care about the team? Here's the thing: how many friends do you think I still have? Well, if you guessed anywhere north of zero... you're a goddamn optimist. So here I am. With a bunch of weirdoes, would-be heroes, and whoever else EUROPA found for their teen hero squad. I dunno about you, but given that I'm trying to get to have friends again... a life... This is as good a place as any to start. quote:Name: Isabel Rubio Torrero Tricky fucked around with this message at 21:45 on Jan 22, 2018 |
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Jan 21, 2018 11:27
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Edit: I can't make up my mind, apparently, so here's a Star! Glacia, the Star Theme Song Glacia walks into the interview room about half-an-hour late, and more than a bit hung-over. "Right, here I am," she sits down on the chair in front of her, and very rudely kicks her feet up on the desk, "You already know who I am, so let's just get this interview over quickly, yea?" quote:• When did you first appear onscreen? Glacia looks up from her phone, and gives you an ice-cold glare, "...Isn't it your job to know these things? Ugh, fine. If you really wanna know, I made my singing debut about a year ago, but I didn't really hit it big until I debuted as a hero. It happened a few months ago, when some guy who called himself "The Golden King" was causing trouble at the local mall. Him and his gang were smashing up the stores, stealing stuff, and just doing whatever it is villains do. I guess all the big "heroes" were busy that day, cuz it was looking like nobody was going to stop him, so I decided to step in, and stop him myself." "Didn't take me that long, either. Froze him dead in his track, and yea, sure, I might've ended up freezing over half the mall, too, but whatever," she shrugs, "I stopped him, and that's all that matters." "Guess I must've really left an impression, cuz I was all everybody could talk about for a while, and more and more people would come to see me perform. "The Cool Rockstar Hero" is what they'd call me. My name was getting big in the music and the hero scene, and I've got entire fan sites dedicated to me, so yea, I'm kind of a big deal now." quote:• What do you tell people about how you got your powers? "I give them one of these," she raises up one of her fingers in a rude gesture, "And then I tell them to mind their own drat business." "...Alright, fine, I'll tell you. It's not like it's a big secret anyways." "I was born with them. Remember Ice Master? That washed-up, joke of a villain? I'm his daughter, and the only good thing that came out of him." "Dad's a joke. If you ever mention his name, people are going to laugh, and tell you how pathetic he was, and how he hasn't won a single fight. He was a lovely parent, too. Left me and my mom when I was still a kid." "Let me make one thing clear; we might share the same powers, but I'm not anything like him. I'm not a complete failure like he is. That sorry excuse for a man is no "dad" of mine." quote:• Who, outside of the team, supports your burgeoning star in every way possible? Glacia is barely looking at the interviewer at this point, focusing all her attention on her phone instead, "My manager, and PR agent, Silvia Clarington. She's the one who set up this interview in the first place, said it'd be 'good for my image' or whatever." "Silvia and her team have been putting a ton of effort into me, setting me up with gigs, and even encouraging me to continue with the whole hero business. She thinks I can get even bigger than I already am, and joining EUROPA would help give me more "exposure." So I thought, hell, why not? Gives me a chance to play my music, and kick some rear end." quote:• Who, outside of the team, loathes what you represent? "...My mom. She thinks all of this is a huge mistake. Mom's been discouraging me from using my powers since I was a kid, and when she found out what I did at the mall... yea, she wasn't exactly happy about it. We got into a fight, a big one. A lot of things were said, things that can't really be taken back anymore, and it ended up with me leaving. Do I regret it? Kinda, but I've come to far to back down now. Mom wants me to live a "quiet, boring life," and that's just something I can't do. I have all these powers, and I have all this talent, and there's no way I'm letting it all go to waste, and turn into a nobody like my 'dad.'" "...I send her half of my paycheck, just so she could still support herself. We might not have a great relationship, but she's the only one who looked after me for all those years after dad left us. Just don't tell anybody I told you that, alright? I've got a reputation to keep, and I don't want everybody thinking I'm actually soft." quote:• Why do you care about the team? Glacia gives a one-shoulder shrug, "Dunno about 'caring' about them, but it's not like I can get far on my own. I need my "band" to support me, and that's what they are to me; my support. Nothing more, nothing less. A little cold, yea, but that's the truth. I could give you some BS answer about how "friendship is important" and blah blah blah, but I won't." "...Alright, fine, I guess I like a few of them, and I guess they can be fun to hang out with, but that doesn't mean I actually care about them or some crap like that." "...Okay, I might care a little." The Star posted:Hero Name: Glacia Tardzilla fucked around with this message at 22:51 on Feb 4, 2018 |
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Jan 21, 2018 11:34
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  A door bell rings. "Good morning! My name is Liliel, and I am your guardian angel. May I come in?" thud Well, that didn't work... What do I do now? Maybe the guidebook has an answer... "Uhm... I can cook...?" quote:Where do you come from? Heaven. No, I'm serious. I am an angel. Look, I have wings, and a halo. The halo allows me to stay in contact with heaven, you see. You probably have many questions about heaven, but I'm afraid I'm not allowed to talk much about it. I can tell you that it doesn't work quite like how you humans think. quote:Why did you come to Earth? I was sent here by the high council to be someone's guardian angel. I am sure you are aware of the concept. But you probably weren't aware of the fact that they are in fact real. Usually, however, they don't work visibly - but with the advent of superpowers, this has become harder and harder to uphold, until the council just told me not to bother with it. That might have something to do with the fact that our guardian angels are heavily overworked recently. I'm not actually a fully trained guardian angel - most of my training was as for to be a cupid - an angel of love. I've been switched over fairly late in my training. Thankfully, I received a very helpful guidebook to compensate for my lack of training, so it should be fine. quote:Why do you want to stay here (for now at least)? Well, for one, it's my assignment, and of course I want to fulfill it. It's also my very first assignment, and I am very excited to work with humans. I have heard a lot about your species, but I never had the chance to interact with you before. Now that I am here, I have realized just how different humanity and its cultures are from us angels! I am very intrigued by that fact, and I would very much like to learn more. I am assured it would help my complete my task a lot better. quote:Why do your people want you to come home? The truth is, opinions on how to interact with humanity have been greatly divided as of late. There are some that say we angels should not interfere at all, some that say we should have continued to work unseen, and obviously some that chose the current path. Now, I was given this assignment by the high council, so I can't exactly just come home, but there are quite a few people that don't agree with my presence here, especially since it is visible. But I have no intention of letting it deter me - after all, I am simply doing as I was ordered. quote:Why do you care about the team? They are the comrades of my charge. It makes sense to help them - after all, they are helping me do my job! It is only natural that I return the favor. The truth is, I'd prefer my charge wasn't in such a dangerous profession, but that is something I am not allowed to interfere with... quote:Name: Liliel Yami Fenrir fucked around with this message at 15:39 on Feb 4, 2018 |
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Jan 21, 2018 12:02
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Might try and revive a previous concept as a Newborn or Outsider, depending on what other folks do.
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Jan 21, 2018 12:03
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 Scavenger, the Beacon (Real Name: Mahavira Sharma) Okay, so first off: I didn't choose this name. It's what some reporter for the local paper gave me. Not a great start to a superhero career, but names aren't permanent right? Admittedly I don't look particularly great either - I put together my outfit out of what I could find, used dye to get the right colors, and then when it went into the wash the first time either the dye or the soap or who knows what messed it all up so now it kind of looks like loud garbage. But I assume that's also fixable. Really, the biggest issue is being a hero without superpowers. I'm not completely helpless - I know how to fight (had kind of a martial arts phase when I was younger) and I'm pretty athletic. Still: in this group full of people with crazy awesome powers, I kind of stand out. I've applied to EUROPA but Celestial Knight keeps trying to discourage me. She says she's worried about my safety, but I've already proven myself. I don't care what she thinks and she's not going to stop me from joining. Anyway, the reason I'm doing all this is because the world needs heroes. And I'm not just going to sit around and do nothing while some ridiculous villans go around terrorizing everyone and everything I care about. Like I said, I made my own costume. It's not great but it'll do as a way to keep my identity a secret. I first went out a few months ago, mostly as practice. I've gotten the hang of things now. And it's be neat to be on an actual team with people who have the same interest as me. And honestly? I'd be lying if I didn't say despite all the danger and judgement and pain - being a superhero is cool as hell. quote:
Heliotrope fucked around with this message at 07:44 on Jan 25, 2018 |
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Jan 21, 2018 12:21
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As posted on discord: 1.A newborn, who is basically frankenstein (could be transformed, but she is a new being with no prior life) 2. An innocent who has time warping powers. During a fight, s/he flashforward into current day and finds out his/her adult self took the mantle of the villian who killed his/her parents. 3. A transformed who bears the resemblance of a villianous monster that nearly decimated the city. Thus, he or she is not only judged by appearance, but undue reputation as well (and it doesn't help that there is a temper to go along with it). Will give this a day to marinate, then I'll begin fleshing out one of these skeletons.
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Jan 21, 2018 13:51
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Circense, the Protege Pronounced cheer-cen-se, with the last two "e"s pronounced like the e in set. It means "related to the circus" in Italian. Real name: Federico "Fede" Khadra. He's a first-generation Italian whose parents came there from Algeria. Labels Danger -1 Freak 0 Savior +1 Superior +2 Mundane +1 Looks Ambiguous, black, athletic body, casual clothes, colorful costume  This is Circense’s mask. Their costume follows a similar color pattern, and is in the style of the commedia dell’arte characters, sometimes called “masks” themselves.  Something along these lines, except the scraps of colors are fewer but bigger. Mentor  Pulcinella, champion of the people of Napoli and nemesis of mafiosi everywhere. He disrupts their operation, reveals their hideaways and stashes to the general public, and mocks them mercilessly, because there is no better weapon against those that rule by fear than laughing in their face. Some people believe that he's a genius loci, the incarnation of the city itself; personally, I think he's just a very, very good acrobat. Only recently acknowledged by EUROPA, he has been working with them to bring down internation organized crime, both powered and non, but is still often seen in his old Napolitan stomping grounds. Embodies Mundane, denies Superior. Abilities: Shared ability: Parkour and acrobatics Mentor ability: Stealth and larceny Circense's ability: Gadgets and weapons, shaped like a circus performers' props. Moves: *Been reading the files: You’ve learned about the superhuman world through your mentor’s resources. When you first encounter an important superpowered phenomenon (your call), roll + Superior. On a hit, tell the team one important detail you’ve learned from your studies. The GM will tell you what, if anything, seems different from what you remember. On a 10+, ask the GM a follow-up question; they will answer it honestly. On a miss, the situation is well outside your base of knowledge; the GM will tell you why. *Venting frustration: When you directly engage while you are Angry, you can roll + the Label your mentor denies and clear Angry. *Be mindful of your surroundings: When you assess the situation before entering into a fight, you may ask one additional question, even on a miss. Backstory quote:• How did you first meet your mentor? quote:• When and why did you choose to train with them? Growing up in Italy, especially in a poor neighborhood, I got to see up close how my state fails us. You get to see kids my own age that know that there is no honest work for them in the future, to know that they have no way of making it into the job market without connections or a decent education. And so they throw themselves to the only institution that works as intended in Italy: the mafia. I've lost three friends this way. Jacopo, Carmela, Sandro. Kids like me. Sandro disappeared two weeks ago, and the other two have been playing lookout long enough that soon they'll be "promoted" to bigger crimes. They're not bad people. I know nobody believes that their friends can be bad, but... I'm serious. They are good kids. They're just desperate. It's not that they enjoy it, either. You know what Carmela said, when... when we talked the last time? "We're going to die anyway. At least now we'll die with a full stomach and a new phone in our pockets." She was already cynical before working with them; now she's downright callous. I... I want to stop this from happening. This is going on with thousands of children throughout Italy, throughout the world. I want to save my friends, too, and save them in such a way that whoever's payroll they are on isn't going to put an hit on their families for disobeying. And training with Pulcinella is the only way to have a shot at that. quote:• Why did they agree to train you? And the next time that I saw Pulcinella cavort through the roofs, I climbed a wall and followed him. He lost me, of course. Like I said, he's very good, and he has no compunctions about dropping in a house and hiding there until his pursuer has lost track of him. It took me three tries to catch up with him on the roof of a church, and to ask if he would take me as his sidekick and train me. He said: "Oh come now, guagliò! What have I been doing all this time?". Yeah. He's like that. quote:• Who else, outside of the team, knows about your training? Sorry, sorry. Apart from them, nobody knows that Fede and Circense are the same person, not even Pulcinella. quote:• Why do you care about the team? Plus, I'm hoping that if we do a good enough job with EUROPA, I might just convince them to channel some resources into the superpowerd Italian community's fight against organized crime. We could really use the help. paradoxGentleman fucked around with this message at 02:04 on Jan 25, 2018 |
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Jan 21, 2018 18:50
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 An unassuming black hoodie. Jeans, slightly worn but clearly out of use rather than stylistic choice. Small bags under the eyes but not remarkable ones, a slightly sullen demeanor. Terseness and somewhat flat affect one could easily put on the tab of him being Finnish. Indeed, there was nearly nothing remarkable about Jaakko other than occasional spells of aloofness and a gaze prone to wandering. But nevertheless, though there was not much to actually put your finger on, his very presence seemed to radiate an oppressive aura of unease. As per Jaakko, all he ever wanted was to be a plumber. But not much of a future in that anymore, now was there?  Gloom, The Doomed quote:When did you first learn of your doom? Jaakko furrowed his brows. Then, slowly, deliberately, he started to answer, "It was after grandpa died", his accent was extremely thick, the words massively overpronounced. It was the English of someone clearly not very good at the language and extremely uncomfortable speaking it, "I found the shaman drum in his attic. He collected all kinds of weird things", there is a pause, "I tried to play it. But there was an evil spirit inside and it got freed on accident." "Whoops", he said in an obvious attempt to make a joke, but he did not smile or laugh, leaving the whole thing a bit flat.  The shamanic drum in question, of Sami make "It tried to take me somewhere but only took me halfway. I call it 'harmaamaa' but you can just call it The Grey. Because it is very grey", Jaakko nods, as if to pronounce the point, "I can go there. And do things with it. Really, all of my powers are based on me pushing and pulling on it to inflict it on other people. For some reason I can do that, I don't know why." There is a pause, during which Jaakko shoots several quick glances around himself, "But the spirit is there too, I call him Kalma. He is too far away for me to know what he looks like, and sometimes I see him only from corner of my eye, but he is there. I don't know what he wants other than to pull me in there completely, for whatever reason." "And once I am in fully I can never come back", again he furrowed his brow, "I don't know how I know that. I just do." quote:Where did you get your sanctuary? "Harmaamaa is my sanctuary. So I suppose in a way that spirit gave it to me? With effort I can go there", he furrowed his brow, as if trying to remember the right word, "physically with my body and other things. Even other people. Nobody can follow. Nobody but me can get out. Even the Polar Wizards or the Scarlet Circle don't know what that place is, it's something new." "But what you need to know is I can go there from anywhere. It just looks like wherever we are currently but its... decrepit and wrong. Very spooky version of the real world. Scary and depressing and screwed up, all foggy and grey", a pause, "You'll know it when you see it", he added, a knowing grin as if he were amused at some private joke lingering on his face for just a bit before his usual, sullen expression returned. quote:Why do you oppose your nemesis? Jaakko shrugged. "He wants to pull me out of this world to that other, creepy world with nothing but sadness and nightmares in it. I think that is good reason?" quote:Who, outside of the team, is crucial to defeating your nemesis? "I already mentioned Scarlet Circle, yes? The guys who study all the occult magics on the hero side so that they don't get surprised by demons and things like that. One of their inner triumvirate, Voidgazer I think his hero name is, has talked to me many times. He sometimes gives me weird things to take to Harmaamaa that I don't understand at all, but I think it's magic research stuff to help him understand what the deal with it is. I don't think he knows yet." "And sometimes he looks at me weird. And he mutters to himself all the time." "It's creepy and I don't like it." "But he helps me and that is good, I think? Not like I really understand any of the theory of what is going on myself."  Voidgazer, Triumvir of the Scarlet Circle quote:Why does the team matter to you? Jaakko gave a sad sort of smile. "It's nice to be with other people. Can't be with my old friends since Harmaamaa keeps leaking around me on occasion creeping everyone out all the time. But heroes will understand, I think. I hope. They can just go 'ohohoo Gloom I saw phantasm of childhood trauma but it's fine, I get that just happens sometimes in the hero business', right? So that's why I care." Jaakko was quiet for a bit, averting his perpetually gloomy gaze to the wall, "And is nice to help I guess. Even if the powers are really creepy, they can be used for good things, yes? Would be nice to be relied on people who understand that." quote:Hero Name: Gloom Theantero fucked around with this message at 15:44 on Jan 23, 2018 |
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Jan 21, 2018 22:25
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Platonicsolid fucked around with this message at 19:25 on Jan 23, 2018 |
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Jan 21, 2018 22:49
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 Le Loup Blanc, the Deliquent Le Loup Blanc, the mysterious thief who has plagued the salons and museums of France for centuries, is a mantle passed down from generation to generation, always leaving the rich nervous and the poor cheering. His or her cavalier attitude towards authority has proven a thorn in the side of the forces of law and order as far back as has been recorded, with the latest incarnations giving INTERPOL a major headache, striking in Brazil, Japan, South Africa, and Micronesia, just to name a few. The latest inheritor, however, seems to have joined up with a group of young teen heroes, after successfully stealing the Motherland Monument from Kiev, and using it to flatten the Munich headquarters of SoySat International, making off with a reported 2.3 billion Euros in platinum via submarine. The statue proceeded to walk back to Kiev. No fatalities were recorded, but it did walk directly through the financial district of Vienna. --- • How did you get your powers? Powers? Ah, such a quaint notion. We have traditions, my friend, traditions. I learned from my mother, who learned from her father, who learned from her uncle, who learned... Well, you get the picture. Most people, they think, ah, he has a bag of tricks, he has a magic wand, he has a special ring? No, no. These are things which I possess. Things which I have built myself. Tools. That which I have improved upon. My mother, she still carries her wand. It is a thin black thing, with a white tip to draw the eye. Mine, as you can see, it is a built up piece of metal, with the extrusion diode at one end, and the transmitter mounted on the other, near the focusing crystal. It glows a pleasant blue. But the wand? It is nothing. I can build another from the parts found in a prison cell. It is what is inside, what I know, the continuity of self, that is what’s important. I speak, a teleport. I gesture, I am shifted to another place. I twist my ring, I am moved. All chicanery, all legerdemain, all to keep them thinking that the source lies inside something that could be taken away, could be neutralized. • What do you do for fun? For fun? I enjoy a sunlit day on the veranda, a cold drink, the company of another beautiful human being who can speak of art and history and culture. But then, inevitably, I grow weary and bored, and the desire to test my mind comes again. What can I locate? What can I acquire? What is so carefully guarded that its host boasts that it can never be taken? • Who, outside the team, thinks better of you than you do? As praiseworthy as my achievements are, the journalist Aimee Sartre is perhaps a little too effluvient in her praise. While I will not deny that I am impressive, and that I am a genius second to none, the tone of her writing verges on mockery from its overuse of adverbs, its purple prose, and its reverent style. • Why do you try to be a hero? The boredom, my friend, the boredom. There comes a time when one has stolen all that is worth stealing. Alas, it is true. Burned out at age fifteen, and possessed of that great ennui which takes all thieves one day! But so young! The years still stretching further ahead! Ought I waste my time getting jewels from royalty with a flick of my fingers? No. No. This is not a challenge. There is no art, no craft to it. It is like beating a child at football; it is simply not fair. You weigh so much more, your legs are so much longer, you have had so much more experience. If you are not ashamed of yourself, you ought to be. Better to let the jewels rest in their museum, where they can be enjoyed by the masses. And, more challenging still, to think of all the ways in which one would steal them, then reinforce the security, to keep them safe. Sometimes playing for the other team, it is interesting as well, non? New ideas, new tactics, new approaches... Already the ennui is lifting! • Why do you care about the team? They are in need of my help, badly. They do not think like us master criminals do. But... they don’t all seem to feel that way. All these attempts at reform, and these suggestions about how I should act... Don’t they understand that I’m doing them a favor? --- quote:Hero Name: Le Loup Blanc Toph Bei Fong fucked around with this message at 19:10 on Jan 24, 2018 |
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Jan 22, 2018 18:38
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  quote:Hero Name: Gael The first thing you notice about me - well, I call her Cai. Caillagh Bhéarach, Queen of Winter, the Veiled One, Spectre of Ben Cruachan. My own personal goddess. It all started, well probably centuries ago. As my grandfather would tell me, as his grandfather told him, back before the Romans, we used to be among the ruling class in Scotland, lords of a place called Ben Garrán. Doesn't exist anymore, I looked it up. One day, the story goes, a lone old woman arrived at the gates of Ben Garrán seeking refuge from a terrible storm. She had been attacked on the road by wayfarers - they took everything she had and left her with cuts and bruises. My ancestor, Lyell Ross, took her in and fed her, provided a shelter from the storm and poultices to care for her wounds. Then, in the morning, after the storm had passed, she was gone. The next year, a similar storm arrived, and on the coldest night, the woman appeared again, hungry and ragged. She claimed to have been lost in the woods for a time, unable to find her way back home. Again, Lyell took her in, gave her new clothes, and threw a feast in her honor. Again, the next day, she had disappeared. This continued for decades. Each year, she would appear in need, and Lyell would care for her. When Lyell passed of old age, his grandson continued the tradition. When he died in a duel with a rival from across the valley, his grandson in turn took over the duties. On and on, my ancestors cared for the mysterious, unaging woman that appeared but one night a year. And again and again, she took and took and then left without a trace. Eventually, her visits became viewed as a curse. And so, several hundred years B.C., Leod the Brown, Lord of Ben Garrán, chose not to open the door. As the story goes, with each knock on the door, the storm outside grew louder and more violent. The rain fell harder, the wind grew more and more angry. Finally, he could take no more, and threw open the doors. There stood the old woman - but this time, she was angry. As the storm raged, she lifted her crooked finger and stared directly into Leod's soul, and cursed him and his ancestors. A gift given freely should have no ties, she said, and a curse given freely shall have no end. With that, she disappeared into thin air - and soon a flash flood came and wiped Ben Garrán into the sea. Our brush with lordship was over - destitute, they traveled elsewhere and scraped together what they could. Of course, all that is ancient history. What does it have to do with me, you ask? Well, everything. My family has always been cursed - whether or not the old woman was responsible depends on who you asked. But if it's something bad that can happen to you, it's happened to us. Uncle Ben's house disappeared when he was at work one day when a massive sinkhole opened up in his kitchen. Grandma Rose? Got hit by a pizza delivery van crossing the street on her 74th birthday. Cousin Jamie - lost his legs when an industrial feeder went haywire. My father - Afghanistan. My mother - Stage IV breast cancer lymphoma. For a while there, it was just me and my grandfather. He and his... loving stories. He was certain that we were cursed - it was all the old woman's fault, he said. I'll never know why I agreed to try to break the curse. Probably just to make him happy on his deathbed. So, with all of the family's precious valuables in my back pocket (about £100), I followed an old map that my great-great-grandfather had drawn - the way to Ben Garrán. I hitchhiked most the way, walked the rest. Of course, my luck would have it, big storm breaks out sending me running for cover. Just before the wind managed to throw me into the ocean, I find the old hut out near where the map was pointing to. Some lights in the door and a shadow moving inside - hell yeah I'm going to knock. quote:Bang. Bang! My knocking on the door rattles the hinges and shakes free a fresh mist of rainwater onto my face. Grunting, I wipe my eyes and shake off my jacket. The narrow overhang shields me from most of the rain, but just barely. I wait a few more seconds - no response. I knock again, this time taking care to shield my face with my other hand. Still no response. What the hell? Somebody was just there... So yeah, I made a deal with the devil - or whatever Cai really is. To say the partnership is equal or even peaceful most times would be a lie - she's always pushing me to go visit ancient ruins somewhere, cleansing them somehow, preparing them for her return - but half the time I get the sense that even she doesn't know what she's doing. As for me - well, I'm going to use this power for good. When she said a vessel - cuach - she meant it. It's like we share a consciousness, only I can still fully control my body. But when she wants to, she can appear by my side - tree form and all. And, trust me, her punch packs more than just a wallop. Comes in handy, too, because whatever she did to me, this white stuff seems to have replaced my actual body and it's not actually fully corporeal at times, like I'm floating away in a river gripping onto reality through sheer force of will. Half the time, when I go to grab things, my hand just passes right through. Honestly... I try not to think about it too much. My old life is gone. My new life... a weird hybrid of doing what she wants - a.k.a. visiting ruins and reminiscing about its thousands-years-gone inhabitants - and trying to find a place in the world where I can belong. Of course, I figured Europa would come calling at some point. What's not to like about a boy that can hit with the force of a truck, then absorb bullets since he doesn't even maybe actually have a body. At least it would have made my grandfather happy. quote:Who were you before? Laine Ross - regular secondary school nobody turned monster boy complete with weird white goo body and personal goddess/tree person that can appear on a whim (her own, of course). I had a friend reach into my body as far as they could once just to see what would happen. They said it felt kind of like pudding and now I can't eat that anymore. quote:When did you change? What caused it? Cai - ancient deity residing in some hut on my ancestor's ruined castle property that was just waiting for somebody of the family to come back and hijack their body for nefarious purposes. Honestly, she's not that bad in small doses - except for that she seems to really enjoy it when I eat raw fish and it's already hard enough to get a date what with the previously-mentioned weird white goo body. quote:Who, outside of the team, is helping you understand your new body?  Agent Callie Morgan - former secret agent, former super spy, current local chapter leader of Europa. In a sense, my recruiter and current direct supervisor, though she's been hinting something big is up. She usually puts up a cold front but seems to have taken a special interest in me as of late. Likes to talk about how I'm feeling, what Cai's up to - you should see the two of them go at it. Stuff like that. It helps. quote:Why don’t you just try to hide yourself away? For one, Cai wouldn't allow it - "Out and about" she's always prompting. For another... I don't know. I can't let this thing - I can't let it end who I am. I know some day it will end, and I don't want to just be an empty shell. I want to be able to stand tall and proud and know that I made a difference. quote:Why do you care about the team? Because they see me. Not the weird white goo body me, but the one that is trying to make sense of an incomprehensible situation. At least... I hope that's what they see. Frgrbrgr fucked around with this message at 07:46 on Jan 27, 2018 |
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Jan 22, 2018 20:34
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e: made a new post downthread!
TheFireMagi fucked around with this message at 04:48 on Jan 27, 2018 |
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Jan 22, 2018 21:41
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Futuria the Harbinger AKA Sonya  quote:• How did you travel from the future to the present day? The Institute for Temporal Studies sent me! Time travel is dangerous, sure, but it's a great way to learn about history. The ITS usually uses its Temporal Manipulators just to view various past events - which is harder than it sounds! They use known history to try to hunt down specific moments, or even better, things that have been lost. It works better for artwork you can image, rather than books. I mean there's been talk about pulling the books through, even that might be dangerous. So then why did they send me, a whole human being, you ask? Because they found...something. Evidence somebody - something? someones? - was already actively trying to subert the timeline! Can you imagine? Why would you want to destroy paradise!? Some people, I swear. Anyway, somebody had to go back and stop it, and I volunteered. It just made sense, quote:• What keeps you from returning to the future? Well I haven't found the Meddler yet, have I? Anyway, I'll need a lot of power into my implants to be able to jump back. Where would I get antimatter around here? quote:• Why don't you have perfect recollection of the future? Safety. Playing with time is dangerous! Since nobody had been sent back before (at least not from the ITS), the team thought it was best to kind of...scramble my memory some. There's a backup copy in my neuro-implants, and it'll unlock over time as I need it. It's a strange feeling. I can picture my parents, but I don't know their names. I know my brother's dating an alien, but I don't know what kind. But I can tell you all about growing up in Epsilon Cylinder or getting my first implants. quote:• What is the one thing you know for sure you've already changed for the better? quote:• Why is this team the one you must join to achieve your mission's goals? The potential, and what it stands for. Less than a hundred cycles ago this continent tried to destroy itself. Twice! Now it's reached a turning point, learning to worth together and shed all those old horrible human habits that held us back....if it's willing to do it. This team is going to help show the way. quote:Real Name: Syntho-Organic Neutralizer of Yesterday's Apocalypse (But you can call her Sonya)
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Jan 23, 2018 22:43
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Questions for the people with mostly complete apps. La Hoguera the Bull Nerve gas canisters, fusion reactors, an assortment of weapons. Cero Miedo really set up you up to be a walking tank didn't they. But what system did they install that seems out of place? Also I understand you've been keeping up with your studies despite everything, that's to be commended but what subject have you found easier to do since you were... changed? and have you found any subjects harder? Lilel the Outsider Wow! an actual real life angel I didn't think those were real or that they'd be so adorable. Umm where was I? Oh yes questions. So you said you trained as a Cupid before you trained as a Guardian which role would you prefer to do if you had a choice? Also you're very definitely not from Earth, it must be strange getting used to us humans. What have you found most puzzling about us? Gloom the Doomed drat that's a heavy burden to bear kid. I hope we can be of some help to you. But anyway questions. I'm guessing most peoples fears and trauma's are pretty mundane but what's the oddest one you've seen when you've gazed into their Harmaamaa? How are you coping in yourself anyway? There must be some hobby or interest that you have that's keeping you going. What is it and why does it help? Futuria the Harbinger Holy poo poo you're from the future! I don't suppose you managed to bring back next weeks winning lottery numbers did you? drat I thought not. Anyway do you have any sort of lead on who your time travelling Menace is? Are they tall or short fat or thin male or female. Anything at all that could help us narrow down the manhunt for them? One more question if you don't mind. What's one thing you've found in the past that's better than what you remember about the future?
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Jan 24, 2018 03:13
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Ferrosol posted:drat that's a heavy burden to bear kid. I hope we can be of some help to you. But anyway questions. I'm guessing most peoples fears and trauma's are pretty mundane but what's the oddest one you've seen when you've gazed into their Harmaamaa? Jaakko's face stayed largely still at the show of sympathy, sullen frown unmoving except for a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth as he attempted a forced smile. Nevertheless, you get the feeling he appreciated it, deep down. "Yeh. Sometimes it is rough. Thanks." A moment of awkward silence. Or perhaps only silence? Jaakko didn't seem to mind it. "But anyways. Harmaamaa is unique for all as I said. And is true that most fears and traumas are banal, and often are shown so in their Harmaamaa. Often if there are webs or spider monsters, person is afraid of spiders, yes? But it is not always so simple, sometimes Harmaamaa can be more metaphorical. One person had all these ravens in the distance, always leering creepily, yes? Blocking paths and stealing things, looking ready to swarm and attack at any moment. People's heads in pictures replaced by raven heads. That sort of thing. Thought she was scared of birds at first, but on further looking turns out she was for years bullied by this other kid nicknamed raven for black clothes and hair. Depends on person how steeped in mystery their Harmaamaa is", Jaakko looked to the side, face growing grim, "Sometimes you look at something that only seems a little creepy or even... innocuous but then you uncover something really heavy behind it. Not the kind of thing I want to talk about, yes?" "But what is oddest? Is not such a simple question. What do you mean by oddest? Is it an odd trauma if it is about something other people think would be silly to fear? Had one Harmaamaa where there were walls painted in faded pastels, all cutesy, except there were a lot of insectile monsters that were hyper-detailed, and most foods were chewed up. There were other things too, it is really rare for only one thing to define a person's Harmaamaa, but those were caused by her fear of butterflies when she accidentally got one in her mouth when she was little. Is that odd? To be scared of butterflies? Maybe you think so. But I don't think so. Fear is not so simple, often chance and bad timing and circumstance is more important than some... intrinsic scariness of a thing", Jaakko quieted for a bit, as if in thought, "Is it an odd trauma if it is about something petty? Saw a Harmaamaa where all small objects shattered immediately on touch, because the person's mother had thrown away a small toy they had because they had thrown it at their sister as a child. Was not an expensive or remarkable toy, mother probably did not think much of this punishment. But was important to the child, and it had lingered in their mind, at least subconsciously. As I recall, they tended to hoard a lot of knick-knacks like that later in life, yes? So is that an odd trauma? I don't think so, people are not simple, and even small things can matter a lot. Perhaps you mean odd in the sense that their Harmaamaa is wrapped in mystery. I had one where there were lots of layers, starting with mysteriously locked doors, shifting landscapes, clues moving out of reach, all kinds of cryptic hints, and clouds formed into giant, judging faces that cried lightning. Spent many hours piecing it together. Turns out they were traumatized because they missed a flight once for a variety of reasons and lost their job, yes? Is it odd for a mind to be wrapped to so many knots because of a missed flight? Not in my mind. It is not for you or me to decide how important other people think their experiences are to them." "So what is an odd trauma? Things you think are odd are not odd to others, things you think are small can be big to them. Things you think should be simple are often not in their minds, but have many angles and emotional aspects you do not even consider as outsider." Jaakko grimaced. He shook his head. "It is not a question I think I can answer, because I do not understand the question. Sorry." Ferrosol posted:How are you coping in yourself anyway? There must be some hobby or interest that you have that's keeping you going. What is it and why does it help? "Better than you might think. Thanks for asking. I was very scared at first, yes, but I got used to it soon. Weirdly soon, should be in a psychiatric ward somewhere with powers like this yes", Jaakko gave a dry, short laugh, in an attempt to twist this into gallows humor, "Don't know why that is. Maybe I am hard to scare. Maybe there is some other reason? Maybe my connection sort of... dulls me to the worst of it?" Jaakko shrugged, "But no point to wallow in something you don't know answers to, yes? Just makes you anxious and crazy in the head." "Really, best way to deal with my condition is to distract myself with other stuff and not think about it too hard. I have a hunting license, hunt a lot with my dad. Pretty popular here in northern Finland. But nowadays the woods can get a bit oppressive when I am around, soo..." Jaakko smiled sadly, "I do other things nowadays. Sometimes I play computer games, even if I'm not super big into them. Not like some of the nerds I used to know", Jaakko chuckled, "And also I play drums in a band. But most of the time I just hang around with my friends, or at least used to. I kinda creep them out now. Maybe I can hang around with my new hero friends in the future? Try new things with them. I know I can be bit of a bummer sometimes even without noticing, but is important for me, yes?"
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Jan 24, 2018 14:59
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Forseti, the Outsider My name is Forseti, called Fosite by some. I come to you in the name of law, of justice, of peace. I am a god, the speaker of laws. And... And I can't keep this up. I'm sorry, it's a family tradition, the god thing. Look, I'm not...from around here. Except that I kind of...am. Let me explain. quote:Where do you come from? You come from Europe. I come from the Old Country. Once, you called us gods and heroes. I know Lugh and Merlin...Lugh's okay. Merlin is kind of a dick. My father is Baldr, my uncle is Thor. I have seen my father face Czernobog in battle. Where, you ask, is the Old Country? It is and it was and it will be, half a step behind you and three stars left. It is across the Rainbow Bridge, it is beneath the hill, it is far beyond the moon. The Old Country is a space beyond this space, a place that is like Earth, but is not. We have our own lands - mine, Asgard. Eire. Bereginia. Rus. Other, farther lands. It is a place of wonders! But, ah, perhaps somewhat behind the times in some ways. Television was new. We didn't have that. We have lots of other stuff, but not that one. In the Old Country, your tales are true - not always fully correct, but true. The Baba Yaga hunts, and my family prepares to defend the world against the dark storms of Ragnarok, and the Tuatha de Danaan rule their emerald isle...that kind of thing.   The Baba Yaga and the Walking House, terrors of Rus and perennial foes of Forseti. quote:Why did you come to Earth? Well, it's kind of...we had a disagreement. See, I am - I'm supposed to be the peacemaker. The negotiator. But I've never really been able to get people to listen. Everyone's set in their ways, in the Old Country. They've - we've - known each other a long time. Makes it really hard to keep Uncle Thor from breaking some heads when Uncle Loki gets in trouble and needs the help, or when the Dagda gets drunk and falls asleep on dad's lawn. I know all our laws and the ways we can make peace, but they never listen to me.  Uncle Thor, in a moment of calm. So I figured...maybe if I ran off to Earth, I could get them worried, and I could learn something from you humans. I mean, our family's been here before, and Uncle Loki always says we learned a lot about the world from how humans acted. So maybe they'll be worried enough to put off their feuds...and if not, well, maybe I'll learn a better way to get them to listen to me. I'm not about to say it was the best plan, but it's what I've got. quote:Why do you want to stay (for now at least)? Well, I mentioned. But even beyond that...you humans, you...you need me. The me I'm going to become, anyway. You fight as much as my family, but there's so many more of you. So much more to negotiate. They say there's nothing like real world experience to teach you how to do something. So I figure, I get hands-on, I help people out, I make peace...and that'll teach me what I need to know. I can't go back home until I'm ready. Besides, you guys are...interesting. I mean, at home, there's not so many people. Humans are weak and fragile, but you've made such incredible societies, with such complex laws and systems...well. quote:Why do your people want you to come home? Well, uh, I am kind of my father's only child. And my father is kind of everyone's favorite guy. And... ... ...okay, yeah, I didn't really think this all through at the time. But I needed to do something, and I'm not going back now. They've accepted it, kind of - they're upset, but Grandfather declared that I must be allowed to make my own mistakes for now. No one ever goes against Grandfather. I just hope that none of my family's enemies get the bright idea to come after me. See, my dad's...invulnerable. Completely. I'm, uh, I'm not. It could be an issue. But it's okay! It's okay. I can handle it. I've been trained.  A fire jotun, fully armored and ready for battle. quote:Why do you care about the team? In the abstract? Because we're peacemakers. We help people. But more than that...I don't know anyone here. I'm...I'm not exactly normal. I'm not human at all. But at least with these guys, I feel like I belong here on Earth more. They help me when I get confused by your society. quote:Name: Forseti Mors Rattus fucked around with this message at 01:41 on Jan 25, 2018 |
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Jan 24, 2018 15:03
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quote:Liliel the Outsider "Thank you!" Liliel replies with a smile. "I've received a lot of compliments of that kind. I do wonder though, is looking 'adorable' really something I should strive for when acting as a protector? Hmm..." Drifting into thoughts for a moment, it takes her a moment to realize you're still around. "Oh, my apologies. I was lost in thought for a moment. Hmm... definitely Cupid. Love is a wonderful thing, is it not? From what I've heard and seen, humans have many phrases dedicated to it. To give the gift of love to humans is to create something wonderful, I'd say. Guardians, on the other hand, protect what was already created. But they can't do anything about the fact said protection is needed in the first place. She takes a bit longer to think about an answer for the last question. "Hmm... there are many things about humans that I don't quite understand, but so far the most puzzling has been the aggressiveness humans display towards their own species. There are many animals that are territorial or otherwise competitive, but none can match the damage humans have done to their own species on a regular basis. Wars are the most obvious example of this, but even now, where there aren't as many wars, there are still so many ways humans hurt each other." Liliel explains. "So many conflicts of opinion are needlessly 'solved' with violence. Sometimes, it feels like some humans even enjoy it, and actively seek out new ways or reasons to hurt someone else, physically or mentally. Even children, of all things, partake in this. Wouldn't it make more sense to unite as a species and achieve much greater things? But, instead, you artificially seperate yourselves from each other. Hmm... Maybe this behavior is a byproduct of evolution. As an angel, a lifeform that never partook in the evolutionary process, I simply cannot relate to that line of thinking." Yami Fenrir fucked around with this message at 01:51 on Jan 29, 2018 |
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Jan 24, 2018 15:40
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Ferrosol posted:Holy poo poo you're from the future! It's nice to meet you too! Ferrosol posted:I don't suppose you managed to bring back next weeks winning lottery numbers did you? I don't understand your time's absolute fascination with games of chance. There's no skill to a lottery. What's the point? At least your football or hockey or curling, even if it's incredibly primitive, is a test of skill. And no, I don't have them. That's...not how it works. Do you think one string of numbers would be preserved for ten thousand cycles? Why? Even with all the academicians at the ITS we've barely started to scratch the surface of human history - let alone the thousands of other species! Ferrosol posted:drat I thought not. Anyway do you have any sort of lead on who your time travelling Menace is? Are they tall or short fat or thin male or female. Anything at all that could help us narrow down the manhunt for them? Oh, yes, the Menace. It's hard to triangulate, really. The Institute could detect minor ripples in time. It's as if....humm....as if you could see the waves of a stone thrown into a lake, but couldn't see the impact. You'd know it was out there, maybe the direction, but you wouldn't really know the color of the rock. I'm in the right time. Earth is the right place. I'm equipped with temporal distortion detectors and some basic temporal shielding - I won't go disappearing if the Menace makes a change. I know that's all vague and less helpful than it should be. This is...well, the first time we've done this. Ferrosol posted:One more question if you don't mind. What's one thing you've found in the past that's better than what you remember about the future? Strange question. I'll have to think about it. You know what's kind of cool? Earth. Nono, Earth still exists in my time, it didn't blow up or anything. It's just less...varied. Humans are humans, and Earthers are Earthers, but nobody worries about countries or regions. In this time, I can come around a corner and find a parade for some country nobody remembers in my time, or a restaurant with cuisine from one tiny village in some mountain valley somewhere. It's neat. This Earth is more...detailed. Platonicsolid fucked around with this message at 17:18 on Jan 26, 2018 |
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Jan 24, 2018 19:29
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Ferrosol posted:La Hoguera the Bull Mm, when you put it like that... well, there's the life function replicating system. Its sole purpose seems to be mitigating some of the factors that otherwise make it evident that I'm a walking weapon. Or, as you said, a walking tank. So, though I don't need to, I can eat, modulate the temperature of a thin layer of synth-flesh to replicate normal human temperatures, and... you know, other normal human things. Whatever those are. I guess that's what separates me from the people who got an even worse lot. If I get the all-clear to be normal again? Well, I could be. At least make a decent attempt at it, I guess. I'd still be all robot-y on the inside, but the average joe on the street wouldn't see it. That's maybe not as weird as you want though, so... I have an espresso maker in my left index finger? I can only imagine that the lab techs had a lot of free time and not a lot of supervision. Ferrosol posted:Also, I understand you've been keeping up with your studies despite everything, that's to be commended but what subject have you found easier to do since you were... changed? and have you found any subjects harder? Well, anything with calculations is easy. My brain has all sorts of robo-bits now that calculate velocity and all that poo poo, plus they work out equations that I look at. So, theory-wise, it's still a bit of effort to figure out the why of things, but the mechanics? Those are a breeze. And harder subjects... hm. Some of the social sciences. Like that ethics class I'm taking? God, it's so hard. Part of my brain is just like "well, here's the tactically optimal solution" and, uh, let me tell you. It's not exactly a legal solution, let alone an ethical one. Sometimes when I get in a groove writing an essay, I reread what I've got down and I'm maybe suggesting some minor war crimes. Or... not so minor, in one case. Let's just say I didn't pass that assignment.
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Jan 24, 2018 21:39
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More questions! Scavenger the Beacon Oh it's you, I don't know how you got on the list but since your here we might as well ask you some questions. As you so helpfully pointed out you've got teammates with incredible powers that can reshape reality or punch through brick walls. What can you offer that they can't? Also I haven't heard all that much about your crime fighting career tell me about how you took down the last villain you fought. Le Loup Blanc the Delinquent The White wolf? I thought you were a myth. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't arrest you right now? You're wanted for crimes across half the world after all. And while we're on the subject What did Soysat do that upset you so much your crimes are usually much less visible shall we say? Gael the Transformed. I've heard about curses before, but i've never seen such an unusual one. We'll see what we can do to help but I can't make any promises magic is not my area of expertise. How does Cai feel about your work with EUROPA? Does she see it as a distraction or a means to her ends? As for you yourself what would you do with your life if you could somehow free yourself from the curse? Forseti the Outsider So you're an actual god, and all the other gods exist as well. Huh. Well personally I think I'll stick with Atheism but whatever. Just a few questions for you if you don't mind. Tell me about one dispute between your people that you did manage to successfully negotiate how did you do it? What's the one thing you want to take home with you if and when you do return to the Old Country? Circense, the Protege Oh you're Pulcinella's new sidekick, He was in here the other day but I didn't know he had a sidekick again. What did he tell you about what happened to his last one? Also I'm impressed if you really can keep up with him let alone if you can make your own gadgets. Which gadget are you most proud of creating?
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Jan 25, 2018 02:45
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Ferrosol posted:Forseti the Outsider ...sure, we'll go with that. Gods. I don't really understand the word. You go with what you like - just keep in mind, we exist and don't really care what you believe. Now...as for negotiations...well. My family's always been an argumentative lot. A lot of the people in the Old Country are. It happens, when you get a lot of people like us around. So, this happened when we went to visit Freyja. Freyja is...well, she's not family, but she's close enough, and she's terrifying. One of the best fighters in the world, and she's practically carved from ice. She lives near some giants, including this one called Vala, who...well, who is a very proud man, as giants go. He caught me and my cousin Thrud as we were out hunting, because he envied Thrud's strength. Thrud's much stronger than I am, physically. I mean, she's Thor's daughter and all. So, Vala demands that Thrud either promise to marry him or serve him before we can go home. Thrud won't have anything to do with it, and she was getting ready for a fight. There's just one problem - Vala's a giant. Full grown. Thrud's not grown up yet, she's even younger than I am. There was no way she could take Vala on in a fair fight. I knew that, and she knew that, but she was ready to fight anyway. So that's when I got involved. I speak the Law - I enforce it. That's...well, that's the main tool I have right now, for negotiations. I invoked the Law of Hospitality, meaning that Vala couldn't fight us unless we started it. That's when we got to negotiating. See, I could tell there was more to this than just Vala wanting to control Thrud. Vala was too clever for that. So by getting him to play a game with Thrud - tafl, it's like chess - I got him talking. It turns out he was actually trying to get some leverage to get Freyja to leave his magic hogs alone, and he thought using Thor could do it. That's why he went for Thor's daughter. He needed those hogs to protect his castle. Now, having learned that, I used my power to speak in minds to tell Thrud to make a bet on the game. If she won, we could both go free. If she lost, she would be Vala's champion for five days. And then...well, I convinced her to throw the match. See, Vala wasn't wrong. And I wasn't sure Thrud would win. So by losing on purpose, she became his champion - which kept us safe, and let us go back home. There, we explained how things were to Freyja, and I explained what she could get out of it - by protecting the hogs, she could endebt Vala to her and get him to turn against the other jotnar, giving us a spy in their courts. It's not the way we often do things, but...I'm the negotiator. When they listen, I can do things, I can be amazing. I got lucky - Thrud's got a pretty level head, and backed my play. But she's one of the kids, like me. The adults barely listen most of the time - even this time, it was only because we came as champions of Vala, which they had to address. Now, as for what I'd take back to the Old Country from Earth? That's hard. I mean, I like a lot of the stuff here. TV, movies, the music. But...that's not quite it, you know. What I think I like most, out of everything you've got here that we don't have? Podcasts. I mean, we have books and songs and stories, but this idea that you can just share what you're interested in for the world to hear, or not, or jokes, or movie reviews, or just...anything? I mean, we can do poetry and make things at home, but that's so not the same thing. We can tell stories, we can easily rig up something to make movies if we wanted to - it's just illusions putting on a play, really - but we have nothing like a podcast. My favorite one? Oh, Serial is good, so is Song Crimes, but my favorite's hard to pick. I'm going to say...this week it's 99% Invisible. Last week it was the Dollop. Next week, who knows?
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Jan 25, 2018 03:09
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Ferrosol posted:Oh it's you, I don't know how you got on the list but since your here we might as well ask you some questions. As you so helpfully pointed out you've got teammates with incredible powers that can reshape reality or punch through brick walls. What can you offer that they can't? Yeah cool nice meeting you too. Anyway, I might not have powers but I'm pretty good at understanding people, understanding what's going on, and improvising in all kinds of dangerous situations. There's a reason I got this name - I can find uses for all the various gadgets and artifacts and whatever the super villains like to have on hand. No hero can do everything all the time, we need to work together and my talents can help my more powerful teammates deal with the threats they'll be facing. And I chose this life. It's fun and all, but in the end I'm here to help people. That's what being a superhero is all about, isn't it? Ferrosol posted:Also I haven't heard all that much about your crime fighting career tell me about how you took down the last villain you fought. Recently Dark Warrior teamed up with Nullifer. Some other heroes I was with didn't listen when I pointed out that the weird guy in the corner seemed to be waiting, and boy were they surprised when suddenly their powers didn't work. Of course I couldn't exactly take on Dark Warrior either but I had lifted some flashbangs from one of his other henchmen earlier and just threw one at them. I ran to Nullifier, dodging Dark Warrior's attacks and just started punching him. He isn't actually that tough which is why he works for other villains. Once he was down the other heroes got their powers back which Dark Warrior wasn't expecting. I suppose that's not exactly me taking down a villain by myself but I was definitely instrumental to it, and that's pretty much how it always goes. A certain hero might be the one to strike the final blow or figure out how to take down the threat but it was because they were working together and had the help of their teammates to get to the position where it's possible to win.
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Jan 25, 2018 07:46
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Ferrosol posted:Circense, the Protege Circense takes a deep breath. "Colombina, yes. He told me that she stepped out from the superhero life, that it got too hard for her. I've heard a different story. They got to her boyfriend. They sent her his ear and told her to step down or they'll send the rest of him to her, one piece at a time. That's why we're so paranoid about secret identity, and why not even Pulcinella knows of mine. If we give those monsters a way to get to us, it's over." quote:Also I'm impressed if you really can keep up with him let alone if you can make your own gadgets. Which gadget are you most proud of creating? The young man relaxes the slightest bit. "Oh, thank you. It's nothing much, really, they're tricks more than anything else, but I like to think they give me the edge I need. I've got a retractible stick that helps with balance, and can be used as a combat staff when needed; it's probably the one I end up using the most. Lately I've made a torch that ignites with the flick of a switch, and with another switch it sprays fuel wherever I'm pointing it at. I pretend to put it near my mouth and spit fire. It's not really all that great a weapon, but people get scared when they're at risk of getting burned; it flicks a switch in your lizard brain. It's a great distraction! Right now I'm working on a ribbon grapple hook, but I'm still working out the kinks. It needs to be much stronger to hold up my weight."
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Jan 25, 2018 10:27
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 Europe, huh? Europe. Euro P! Euro P! What? Yur R P. It's a little early to be taking swings at the fourth wall, isn't it? Tout compte fait tu es simplement une autre brique dans le mur? ... ... How are you different from normal humans? Othering me? Already? Te prends pas la tête, c’est qu’un jeu... Fiiine, I'm art. Maybe not, like, your high art, your museum art, your snooty fine art, but I'm art. A drawing. A rendering. A sketch. Which breaks all sorts of laws!... but only the physical ones. I bend instead of bust, I stretch instead of snap. All of you see inside-out, I see more... outside-in. So I see a lot more, and I can see how to move within your world like it's art too, between the panels and how to move around the lines in ways you can't. Um. Take my word for it. I may be a little crazy, but you're a little blind. We all have limitations. They call me a cartoon. I guess. Better than an autotune, right? Who created you, and why? Well, geez, look at the post header, bam, question over! That was easy. Next question! Fiiine. One day, Dr. Möbius created animatter, a fancy science particle that could bring art to life, and threatened to destroy all of Paris with her "art bomb"! Or, at least, she threatened to make a really big mess when she animated all of the paintings. And when it went off, I was... aliiiive. Of course, the hoity toity Louv-ee would never have me in a place of honor, and so I had to put them in their place! I'd teach Mona Lisa not to be so smug! Venus de Milo, get this "never too late to lourve" t-shirt on, there are children somewhere! Now I'm bapping St. John! Because... he's... a Bap... tist? Anyway, I helped show them a thing or two and get things handled because all of the living art was causing a ruckus, and so was I, but their ruckus was like a double ruckus, so it evens out. But when it was over, somebody was like "Thanks for your help! What was your name?" Help? Huh? I guess other people were trying to also teach fine art a fine thing or two, but... well... actually they thought I was being a hero. Eh, sure, big shrug, why not both? That's how I met heroes like Équilibre and the rest of the Le Corps des Etoiles, and they taught me how to be a hero. Or how to cause less trouble. Look, um, I'm still a work in progress. Get it? Because I'm art?  Who, outside of the team, is your caretaker?  Anyway, I didn't come from the Louvre, but from a manfra being carried around by a kid on a field trip. That's manga + French, or so I'm told by Pénélope Boilet, the artist for "Alice déteste le pays des merveilles", who says she's my creator. "You're not my real mom!", I say, but she just thinks that's funny. But it's factual! But she lets me stay with her, when I stay in one place. She worries about me... which is nice when it's not absolutely demeaning, insert indignant French phrase here! Um. I mean. J'en ai ras le bol! What about humanity fascinates you the most? Food! No, music! No, movies! Poppin' culture! The total ability to enjoy live in the light of a faceless, uncaring void that swallows all feelings and accomplishments! But it's like I'm kind of tuned into knowing about a lot of things in art? I don't really know, it's not like I've watched all the games and movies and memes, I just... know. Maybe I'm tapped into a some kind of De Ars Mundi. I don't even know what those words mean! It just comes to mind. I don't know what Jon Snow doesn't know, or why doges are so wow, or who Luke is other than I might be his father? I guess? Je ne sais pas! But mostly the food. You guys invented videogames, so I can't hate you guys, except when you beat me at the videogames. Then you're the worst. Just saying, if I destroy the world one day? Remember that it was because slampicking Hanzo is some bullBEEP! Oh, I guess I can't curse. Beep? Beep. Seriously you made waffles, what BEEP would ever what to destroy a world with waffles on it, nobody, that's who! Why do you care about the team? Because they don't just stare at me, well, anymore, anyway. Well, they still stare at me, but usually because of something I said or did instead of being. They treat me like I'm real. Most people just think I'm a joke or a bother or... fake. Like I'm not as am as they are. And you know. I do make jokes. And I am a bother. Just between me and you. I need to be heard. And they hear me. The real me that is real. Um, more to come when we get to "when our team first came together"! Look forward to it in a future post! What do I mean by post? Nevermind that! pre:Hero Name: White Rabbit Real Name: Non révélé! Abilities: Cartoon Physics, Fourth Wall Playbook: Newborn Look:
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Jan 26, 2018 07:14
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Freak +3 Danger +1 Savior +0 Superior +1 Mundane -2
Newborn Moves
Blank Slate: You were created with basic understanding of the world. When
you learn something that helps you make sense of the world, write it down
as a lesson. Fill in two lessons when you create your character; fill in
the other two when you've learned those lessons during play.
■ I am a living cartoon.
□ A superhero should _____
□ Always _____
■ Never hurt anybody who hasn't earned it.
When you embody one of your lessons, shift 1 label up and 1 label down,
your choice. If you cause misunderstanding, collateral damage or
unintended consequences, mark potential.
When you reject one of your lessons, reject its influence as if it were
an NPC. If you choose to have it lose Influence over you, erase that
lesson and write a new one.
When you approach your creator or caretakers with a problem, tell them
what obstacle you face or what you need to achieve, and they will offer
you something you need. The GM chooses one:
● secret information
● access to instruments, weapons, or resources
● a way to temporarily boost or expand your powers
● official and explicit backing
Not From Around Here: When you act clueless, goofy or confused to get out
of a sticky mundane situation, roll +Freak. On a hit, you create an
opportunity, a distraction, or a plausible excuse. On a 7-9, in addition,
you feel all the weight of playing the clown, and of the people staring at
you. The GM will shift one of your labels up, and one down.
Regeneration: When you’re taken out, you can trigger an emergency
regeneration process. If you do, your body undergoes an unpredictable
transformation, and in mere moments, you’re back on your feet and ready
to fight. Clear three conditions, and choose three from the list below:
● Change your gender identity or presentation
● Change your physical appearance
● Forget all your lessons
● Lose an important memory of a teammate; they lose Influence over you
● Swap an ability with another one from the Newborn playbook
Team Moves
When you share a triumphant celebration with someone, ask them what makes
them proud or happy about the actions they took, and write down a new
Lesson based on it, either filling an empty slot or replacing an existing lession
When you share a vulnerability or weakness with someone, if their response
helps you understand human feelings and problems, mark potential. If their
response confuses or offends you, shift your Freak up and your Mundane down.
Moment of Truth: Something snaps into focus, and you’re free of all the
pressure and expectations and doubts. You know what to do, and your body
and powers evolve to give you the strength to see it through. You’re new,
exceptional, amazing. Of course, when something like you appears, there’s
always someone who wants to control it.
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 Shadow Stalker the Legacy Let’s make this quick. I don’t mind being in the spotlight, but my family would consider it in poor taste for me to be there for long. We go by Shadow Stalker, after all. Meant to stay there in the shadows unless necessary. quote:When did you officially become a part of your legacy? Hm? No, of course I can’t share details. That would defeat the purpose of us operating in secret. Well, ‘secret.’ The days of the Shadow Stalker being a lone vigilante is long over. It does mean we face far less trouble from various international forces and other heroes, but it also makes our job a good deal more challenging. I mean, a spy that announces that a spy is nothing short of ridiculous. Fortunately, we’re damned good. quote:What’s the greatest accomplishment of your legacy? For the unenlightened, the ‘Jekyll’ brother is the brains of the two, and while I couldn’t say if he’s a practicing doctor or not, there’s no denying that his schemes have caused a great deal of mayhem across the continent. Really, rather than Jekyll, it would be more appropriate to call him ‘Moriarty,’ I’d say. He is a talented manipulator with unnatural foresight, with many speculating the latter to be some sort of power. Whether it is, or if he’s ‘merely’ highly intelligent, the man is a threat. ‘Hyde’ on the other hand is a brute true to his name, though he can and has hid it well when he must. Yes, he may not be at the level of his brother, but Hyde is no fool. Otherwise, I doubt the duo would have continued to go free as long as they have. At least his power is a simple if dangerous one: pure, inhuman strength and endurance at odds with his lanky structure. If he has a limit, I’m afraid I couldn’t say what it is. He might only have brawn, but with his brother working alongside him, that’s all Hyde needs, it seems. quote:How does the public perceive your legacy? That is part of the reason our family has attempted to participate in interviews such as this one more often. To get our name out to the world, and make certain they understand we’re not villains. Because we’re not. The confusion has happened before, in case you’re wondering. Thankfully, most individuals higher up in the various international governments seem to recognize us now at least, so there are usually no issues there. Usually. quote:How does your legacy tie into your reasons for being a hero? That’s why seeing him beaten and battered after the incident at Buckingham Palace, realizing he would never walk again, left me… frustrated. At ‘Jekyll and Hyde.’ At the world for letting something like that happen to a good man. Even at my grandfather for getting involved in the first place. At the end of it all, however, I came to a realization: if my grandfather, superpowers and all, could fall like that, what chance did your ordinary citizen have against villains like that? If us heroes gave up, or never bothered in the first place, where would the world be? So, I took his place, or am trying to anyways. It feels somewhat odd to say, considering, but if it wasn’t for what happened to my grandfather, I doubt I’d ever have wanted to take up the name Shadow Stalker. quote:Why do you care about the team? My family have always been skilled at infiltration, but when it comes to sealing the deal on capturing villains, we prefer to rely on other heroes to finish the job. Not to say we’re incapable of taking down a criminal on our own, but there’s no shame in admitting there are others with more skill in that aspect than us. With how dangerous they can be to us and society as a whole, there’s no reason to take half-measures when dealing with villains. Besides, there are a number of… interesting figures among the community. It’s not your average Joe who’s willing to go to bat for the entire world, after all. They make for good company, if nothing else. Legacy posted:Legacy Name: Shadow Stalker TheFireMagi fucked around with this message at 07:21 on Feb 3, 2018 |
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Jan 27, 2018 04:48
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quote:I've heard about curses before, but i've never seen such an unusual one. We'll see what we can do to help but I can't make any promises magic is not my area of expertise. To be honest, I'm not expecting relief anytime soon. And... if Cai really can heal my mom - well, then it'll be worth it. Not easy... but worth it. quote:How does Cai feel about your work with EUROPA? Does she see it as a distraction or a means to her ends? I suppose she sees it a little of both. Half the time, she's nagging and complaining that I should get back to my real job - digging under rocks somewhere off in the highlands. But then, when I get deployed somewhere really cool, like last month in Germany, she'll come up with "bonus missions" like going to see the Black Forest. I'm still struggling to figure out how much of what she says is real and how much is just a cover for her being stuck in a hut for 3000 years waiting for me to show up... No, Cai, I'm not doubting you... just saying... Hang on, this will take a while... quote:As for you yourself what would you do with your life if you could somehow free yourself from the curse? I guess that answer comes in two flavors. One - Cai gives up or the curse breaks somehow and I just... go back to being my regular old self. No more heroing so I... just get a job? I don't even know what I'm good at. Maybe running support for a hero or a team or something? Of course, ideally, there's two - I meets Cai's lengthy demands somehow and she frees me and heals my mom. I'd... really like that. At that point, who cares about the curse? I guess I could still do that hero support stuff but... that's why I'm in this. Family. That's what matters.
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Jan 27, 2018 07:56
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 Tyrfing, the Nova My name? Oh, I thought the Norse legend of the magical sword Tyrfing was more well known. Yes, I realize it's been like a thousand years since those old stories were relevant, but when me and my brother were little children we used to love sitting down and listen to our grandmother amaze us with those sagas over and over again. She was a great storyteller and it was something of a family tradition, I guess. Father's side of the family has lived on Iceland for as far as anyone can remember and can trace their ancestry all the way back to the first viking settlers, so they're a bit stuck in their ways. ...I miss those days. Sorry, I didn't mean to get sidetracked. The legends of Tyrfing tell of a powerful weapon, the most beautiful sword the world had ever seen, with a hilt made out of gold and a blade that shone like fire. It could cut through iron and solid stone just as easily as cloth, and it would never miss its mark. But it also suffered from a terrible curse. Three great evils it would bring about, and each time the blade was drawn, it would take a life. It would end up being the source of many tragedies for those that wielded it... That's why I picked my name, to serve as a constant reminder to me that my power is both a wonder and a curse. I just hope that I'll be able to wield it in a way where the positives outweigh the negatives. So far, it's not going so great... quote:When did you first use your powers? If you're asking about the first time I truly unleashed my powers, well... quote:Who was the first person you accidentally hurt with your powers? Is this really necessary? Don't you have this in a file somewhere that you can read instead? Fine, I'll continue... I sat down and started sobbing. I was scared, I could tell something odd was happening to me. He called me a crybaby and said I couldn't have my doll back until I stopped crying, but he walked up to me anyway. Looking back at it he probably felt sorry, that he had taken it too far and wanted to apologize, to comfort me. But the sudden outburst of searing fire and jagged rocks ensured that he would never get the chance. I hope that's enough of an answer, because I'm done talking about this. quote:Who, outside the team, helps you control your powers? Grandma was the one who managed to find me. She would not have any of my nonsense, she said, but she also didn't make me go back to my parents, and she took me in. I think my parents were just relieved when they found out. She's a strong woman, in that way only one of your elders can be, but there's also something more to her. She seems to know much more about my powers that she has any right to, and I don't know why. She won't tell me when I ask her about it, either. With her help I've gotten better at controlling my powers, and I owe her a lot for that and everything else she has done for me. quote:Why do you continue to use your powers? quote:Why do you care about the team? quote:Hero Name: Tyrfing Sockerbagarn fucked around with this message at 23:09 on Jan 28, 2018 |
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Jan 27, 2018 18:07
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The White Rabbit the Newborn You're not getting yellow boxes you know, they're copyrighted by another fourth wall breaking hero? villain? whatever the hell deadpool is these days. Welcome, welcome, nice to meet you. So let's see if I've got this straight your powers are cartoon physics and you claim to be able to see what you call a "dead gay comedy forum" where "goons" manipulate us all. How are either of those useful for dealing with villains? Also I understand giving your umm animated origins you've had some rather creepy fans how did you deal with the last group to approach you? Shadow Stalker the Legacy I'm actually a huge fan of your grandfather, He inspired me to join EUROPA in the first place, do you think you can get me his autograph? Anyway enough about him let's talk about you. I've heard varying accounts of your last mission about how it very nearly turned into a disaster. What did you do to salvage it? If you encountered Jekyll and Hyde in the field would you be able to keep your cool or would we have to worry about you flying off the handle? Tyfing the Nova Oh, well you certainly have the powers to be a hero. The question is do you have the guts and the discipline and the willpower to be one. We'll have to see. Tell me which hero is the one that inspires you most and why? And to return to your powers which element do you have the easiest time controlling and which is the hardest for you to control?
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Jan 27, 2018 20:52
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quote:Tyrfing the Nova quote:Tell me which hero is the one that inspires you most and why? quote:And to return to your powers which element do you have the easiest time controlling and which is the hardest for you to control? As for the remaining traditional elements, I'm somewhat skilled at controlling water, but mostly when it's either frozen or close to boiling. Air is definitely the hardest, and I avoid wielding it as much as possible. My grandma keeps forcing me to practice it, though. It's a pain. Don't tell her that.
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Jan 28, 2018 02:45
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Ferrosol posted:You're not getting yellow boxes you know, they're copyrighted by another fourth wall breaking hero? villain? whatever the hell deadpool is these days. "Dead... who? I think those boxes have jaundice, gross. I'd turn green but um, that'd be a different copyright dare. That's right, greenie, I know you think you're better than us since you became a serious character, but I know where you grew up, Walters." Ferrosol posted:So let's see if I've got this straight your powers are cartoon physics and you claim to be able to see what you call a "dead gay comedy forum" where "goons" manipulate us all. How are either of those useful for dealing with villains? "Vous êtes folle ou quoi! Don't poke the goony bear! It seems cute at first, but... it just goes all stupid newbie on you. But you want a demonstration. Like... see this bucket of water? Slam it over a villain's head, remove the bucket, water stays! What, you say the water should just fall? That's not how sight gags work, y'know. Or I could pull a cord like this, and - look out! Whew, wouldn't want that to fall on you. Or moustache and a badge, and suddenly I'm a police officer! What, you don't think so? Most people fall for it..." "And I can move between panels or posts, or sometimes I know a thing or two about how the real-er world works. I mean, not to go tvtropes, but comics have patterns you can use if you know how... but you can't use them too much. Otherwise, you risk becoming what you're parodying... ah.. homaging? Homages are more polite. But I can know how things work from the outside, which means I know when big events are happening, or what a playbook is, sometimes notice really dopey secret identities... stuff like that. Glasses and a spit-curl doesn't cut it with me. You gotta work at your narrative justifications! You can't just be sloppy because we're fictional, buster!" Ferrosol posted:Also I understand giving your umm animated origins you've had some rather creepy fans how did you deal with the last group to approach you? "As for fans... um... are we really going there? I didn't... is that in the script? Huh." Rabbit holds up a copy of the script that just says in big, bold letters across a whole page: YEP, WE'RE GOING THERE. "Hey it's good to meet you did you know I'm having a twitter contest and if you untweet this neat pic of my feet you can win a prize, guys! Let's see what you won. It's a trip to Guadalupe! Taxi! Vous êtes libre? Très bien. Oh, don't worry, I drive taxis this crazy all the time, don't worry. Hurry, hurry, you'll miss your boat! Here's your tickets, and your luggage, and a notification of a protection order signed by a judge. Careful - and good luck on your trip! I Tu vas me manquer aussi mais pas vraiment! Gua-da-lu-pe! Bon voyage!" "... or if I don't have two shakes of a lamb's tail-" Rabbit produces a card that simply says I have Influence over my team's Bull.
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Jan 28, 2018 05:59
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quote:Shadow Stalker the Legacy Well, I’m glad to hear that grandfather has fans other than myself. He’s not what I would consider the most approachable sort, and that was before his injuries left him rather antsy, shall we say. As for an autograph, I can certainly try, though I wouldn’t get my hopes up. As I said, Grandfather has never cared to be the center of attention. He’s loosened up somewhat in that regard since retiring from heroic affairs, but he’s still not the height of personability. quote:Anyway enough about him let's talk about you. I've heard varying accounts of your last mission about how it very nearly turned into a disaster. What did you do to salvage it? Ah. Yes, um, that is a rather blunt way of putting it, but you aren’t wrong. I will admit that I had grown quite complacent when it comes to stealth, and that it almost led to failure right from the beginning. To be able to shroud yourself in shadow, plus warping from one dark corner to another in but a few seconds, it is rare that a member of my legacy is noticed when we do not want to be. But I am inexperienced. Still am, really. So I did not shroud myself as thoroughly as I could or should have when I was investigating the whereabouts of Darkwraith. A villain in the same vein of powers as my own, if you are unaware. A recent arrival on the criminal scene, I doubt he has even a year on me in this field of ‘work.’ But when my inexperienced self unexpectedly came across the villain as I was approaching one of his hideouts, well, he nearly detected me. He might have but a year on me, but that is enough to recognize the signs of another who can manipulate shadows. So, I acted. Very thoughtlessly, admittedly. When I realized he had begun to notice my presence, I panicked. I was not prepared for a capture operation, but the warehouse we were in was filled with a variety of tools and instruments. I hurled, a wrench or a crowbar or something else that was laying nearby, that barely caught him before he warped through the shadows. Going through the darkness requires a great deal of mental concentration, you see, unless we want to end up somewhere we would much rather not. Pain is a simple but effective way of preventing said concentration. My mother and grandfather can warp through the pain, but neither I nor Darkwraith have that level of fortitude. Anyhow, with the villain down, I, er, gave him a few stomps before he could recover. It was not exactly sporting, but it got the job done. I sent in a call to some other heroes that were in the city while making sure Darkwraith was in no state to warp, and that was that. quote:If you encountered Jekyll and Hyde in the field would you be able to keep your cool or would we have to worry about you flying off the handle? I have asked myself that question more than once since I have taken up the mantle of Shadow Stalker. And the truth is, I don’t know. Just a year ago, I could never imagine myself being a hero. Yet here I am now, standing here before you and the world. So I can’t say I know myself all that well, honestly. But as your question deserves an answer, I will say this. Of my many selfish wishes as a person, seeing Jekyll and Hyde brought to justice is high on the list, and I will do whatever it takes to see them behind bars. Whether that means cooperating with the team or… elsewise.
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Jan 28, 2018 08:25
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Glacia the Star So glad you could finally join us. If we can't count on you to turn up to your interview on time how can we trust you'll be reliable in the field. But still since you are here we might as well get this over with. What's the most impressive thing you've done with your ice powers? Also I heard you got into a very public feud with another Hero, who was it and what was the argument about?
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Jan 28, 2018 10:32
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Ferrosol posted:Glacia the Star "Hey, I had something important I needed to do, alright? Lay off me," And by "important" she means nursing the huge hangover she woke up with this morning, "And as for me being reliable, who's the one who shows up first whenever there's signs of danger? That's right; it's me. I've never slacked off on being a hero even once, so you don't have to worry about how 'reliable' I am." quote:What's the most impressive thing you've done with your ice powers? "Most impressive? Hm..." Glacia crosses her arms, and leans back on her chair, "I guess it was the time I fought Kamitachi. She's like this big-named super-powered mercenary with a big samurai thing going on. She's even got a cursed blade, too. There was a huge crowd around at the time, so I decided to put on a little 'show' for everybody around us. It wasn't enough for me to take her down. Nah, I had to take her down in style, so I used my powers to create the perfect 'stage' for our fight. I filled the area around us with ice and snow, and turned the whole place into the same kind of snowy battlefield you'd see in Samurai movies, and then I created a suit of armor made of ice for myself, and a ice katana. It was pretty sweet, and I don't know how I did it, but I somehow managed to make it snow, too." "The thing is, doing something like that takes a lot out of me. I ended up winning our little 'duel,' but barely. I realize there's no real point to doing anything like that, but hell, why not have a little fun with it? And according to Silvia, people were loving the whole samurai battle thing we had going on. The video of our fight's got almost 5 million views by now, so I'd say it was worth all the strain I put into creating that 'stage' for us." quote:Also I heard you got into a very public feud with another Hero, who was it and what was the argument about? "Oh, right. Her. Do y'wanna know who wasn't impressed by my big stunt? It's Nova Star. She's one of those heroes who focus on gadgets and poo poo, and she's never been my biggest fan, and when she saw what I did to the park, she was pissed, and she started going off on me, calling me irresponsible, dangerous, and a whole bunch of other things I never bothered to remember. I was all ready to blow her off and leave, until she said something she shouldn't have. "They all call you a hero, but the way I see it, you're nothing but a troublemaker, just like your father!'" "...And that's what set me off. I blasted her away, and we were all ready to duke it out against each other, but the other heroes who were around broke up the fight before it even started." "Screw her. I don't care what she thinks, I'm nothing like my dad, and it's not like I need her approval anyways. I'm the big star around here, not her."
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Jan 28, 2018 14:33
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It's time for the hard part. While there were some amazing apps I could only take six of you and it was a very hard choice. Still without further ado and in no particular order. La Hoguera, the Bull Played by Tricky Shadowstalker the Legacy Played by TheFireMagi White Rabbit the Newborn Played by Alien Rope Burn Tyrfing, the Nova Played by Sockerbagarn Glacia the Star Played by Tardzilla Liliel the Outsider Played by Yami Fenrir Congratulations to everyone who made it in and commiserations to everyone who didn't I hope there will be more mask games along soon. For the lucky few the influence spreadsheet is here so get sorting your relationships and put them up there if you would please. Ferrosol fucked around with this message at 17:59 on Jan 28, 2018 |
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Jan 28, 2018 14:49
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also sorry to double post but start thinking about answers for your questions. For La Hoguera posted:1. We defeated a dangerous enemy. Who or what was it? for Tyrfing posted:2. We destroyed our surroundings in the fight. Where was it? What did we destroy? for White Rabbit posted:3. They found you, and you saw the outside world for the first time and helped in the fight. Where and how did they find you? Which one of them gave you your first nickname? for Liliel posted:4. We didn’t trust each other at first, but that changed. How? Why? for Shadowstalker posted:5. All things considered, we did well and impressed an established hero. Who was it? For Glacia posted:6.We, as a team, attracted the attention of a major media outlet , thanks to our efforts. Who are they? Why do they support us?
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Jan 28, 2018 18:08
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I'm making an opinion post and you can't stop me!quote:La Hoguera, the Bull I have to admit, Isabel is a little bit unsettling to look at. Angels can see the life force of living beings innately, and that makes me all too aware of just how little *Isabel* is left. To reverse something like this is beyond my healing abilities. However, her strength and durability can't be denied - it would make my job so much easier if only I can convince her to assist me. Other than that, she is very smart as well, and has in fact been teaching me about earth! She showed me what I have come to see as humanity's greatest invention: Coffee. Personal notes: Where do I even hit her with a cupid arrow...? There's got to be an opening somewhere... Or maybe conjure a stronger arrow? quote:Glacia, the Star Glacia is a strange person. The guidebook describes her as a 'teenage rebel', a young human doing acts against the culturual norm because the see it as too restricting, but usually those are against the law. Glacia, on the other hand, is the daughter of an apparently notorious supervillain (I have not been seen, or heard, of an Ice Master, yet, but it sounds like someone that would work in an ice cube factory), but instead chose to become a hero. I find that very admirable. Isabel showed me an interactive documentary called 'Skyrim' a while ago, and it had a quote I think applies to her: "What is better, to be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?" While I wouldn't say Glacia is evil in any way, she's certainly overcome the influences of her father. As a side note, I have not felt secure in asking the question yet, but her lack of pants perplexes me. Is this perhaps part of her culture? Personal notes: Everytime I try to speak with her, my face feels warm and my voice (and vocabulary) starts to fail me. Is this perhaps a power of hers? Have to investigate further. Perhaps if ask for one of these 'automatic graphs'? quote:White Rabbit, the Newborn I don't understand. No, seriously, I do not understand. Everytime I try to look up White Rabbit in my guidebook, I only get information on albino lagomorphs.If I try to look up The White Rabbit, the entire page is a giant question mark. And then White Rabbit usually appears out of nowhere. In addition, I am fairly certain her blatant disregard for the laws of physics is an actual crime in one of the celestial courts of law. Or maybe that doesn't apply to if it's natural to the life form? What is she...?! Personal notes: I'm almost certainly going to be ordered to write reports on this newly discovered lifeform, so I'm going to pre-emptively make notes on White Rabbit. quote:Shadow Stalker the Legacy He seems odd. Unlike most heroes, he prefers to do things quietly, and stealthily, a type of strategy that seems more akin to a villain. When I first heard about him and his behavior, I mistook him for a type of jumping spider. Unlike Glacia, he's one to follow in the footsteps of their forefathers - which generally is a fairly wise thing to do. It allows one to make the most of the experience of those that came before you. His control over shadows is also very intriguing - but most certainly would have gotten him burnt as a witch in earlier times. Personal notes: I don't understand why people pretend they can't see him so often. Could it be that humans have really bad eyesight? Or is it just bad manners to notify someone attempting to hide that they are, in fact, visible? quote:Tyrfing, the Nova Katla is my charge. I was incredibly worried when I first came to her, given how fragile humans are. Thankfully, I appear to have gotten a rather easy task - Katla is incredibly powerful, and quite durable, due to her superhuman powers. However, it seems she doesn't quite have her power under control, and sometimes damages herself with it. Still, nothing I can't fix with my healing - not that any of this means I should become careless. In addition to sneak attacks or simple accidents, I am also a bit worried about her mental state. She appears to be quite troubled by what happened to her brother, and her powers, as a whole. While I don't fully understand human psychology, I will still do my best to try and help. If only I could convince her to wearsome armor. I mean, her entire stomach area is exposed! That is simply irresponsible... Personal notes: I cannot believe saying that I can cook was all that was needed for Katla to accept me into her home. I was led to believe that cooking was a vital skill in human society. Why do so many people seem to not have it?
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Jan 29, 2018 01:07
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Here's mine!quote:La Hoguera, the Bull She's really great to hang out with, and as an added bonus she's both fire and shrapnel proof. quote:Shadowstalker, the Legacy It was really flattering that he would confide in me and tell me a secret about his lineage, especially so seeing how well known those that bear the name Shadow Stalker are for their secrecy. And how did I repay him for trusting me? Why, give him a nasty burn when my powers flared out, of course! I feel horrible, I hope he'll forgive me... quote:White Rabbit, the Newborn quote:Glacia, the Star quote:Liliel, the Outsider I guess I don't really mind her presence though, she's very sweet and pretty useful to have around. For example, she's a great cook! I mean, I enjoy cooking too, it's fun... It's just that I always end up burning my food each time I try, so I kinda gave up on it after a while and stuck to microwave dinners ever since. I really hate microwave dinners. It's so nice to eat real food again! She seriously needs to back off and stop trying to tell me how to dress though! I think she'd have me wear a full suit of medieval knight armor if I let her. Well, that's not going to happen. I like my costume, both the way it looks and how it lets me feel the elements all around me.
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Jan 30, 2018 00:11
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La Hoguera Hey, scary. Dangerous. A living weapon. Threat or menace. But don’t listen to me. No, seriously, don’t, she’s got a good head on her shoulders. That… may be all she has left, but look at the bright side! No, seriously, she’s pretty bright, but that’s why I pay attention. And maybe I can help her feel better, since I don’t exactly stay hurt in the same way. I don’t want to get hurt, don’t go getting any weird ideas! I just puff up my chest and say, “It’s okay if I get exploded today!” Please don't boom, though. Glacia I thought she'd be nicer. Niiicer. Tu n’as pas à te creuser la tête. Anyway, she's cool. I mean, I thought she'd be more chill, but she always seems ready to snap... don't say that kind of thing around her, she doesn't warm to it. I mean, I think reminding her of her D A D makes her real hot under the collar. I dunno. At least she has a dad... But those are just my frost impressions, snow you know, based on what I thaw- help i think i'm stuck this way Lilliel I, um, I think she took the wrong turn at the pearlies, don't you? Got pushed out of the nest too soon? Mmm, I shouldn't say the word "fell", though. I thought eternity would have better schools, anyway. Well, she means well! I don't know why something in me wants me to make it hard on her sometimes. Devil on my shoulder, maybe? Oh, sup, devil! You're right, I think it's easier if she learns about tough folks from me, though. Otherwise she's going to really get hurt. What, no, you're awful! But... maybe right? And if you think I'm tough on her, if somebody messes with her, I'll show them tough I can be!... I will go full Clampett, I swear. Shadow Stalker Together, we stalk the night with vengeance and... okay, he's not accepting me as a partner in shade. That's okay. He's not so spooky after you see his costume with breakfast on it (seriously it wasn't me). Still, maybe I can help! You know, around the borders. Make spooky sounds. Cause stuff to crash at the right time. Just help him work on his routine. It is just a routine, right? He's not serious, right? It's just a scam for the crooks, the cowardly, the superstitious. Let's do some masked avenging! Tyrfing Ah, La Soufrière... so, um, she definitely summons lava, also drama. I have a fire extinguisher for the first but I don't know what puts out the other one. Maybe a drama extinguisher? I should put in an order to la société Acme. I don't know, I don't know, I don't know where I'm-a gonna go. I really wish I could just put her out. 
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Jan 30, 2018 03:48
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Glacia +Influence Yeah, she comes off as icy as her name suggests, but she's... She's got a lot in common with me. Not being a killer cyborg or anything, no, but having her life shaped by forces that she couldn't control. Can you blame her for being a bit distant? I can't. As much as she's been there for me, I'll be there for her. Oh! And her music is really, really good. I picked up her first album after that whole mess in France and... maybe I stayed up way late listening to it on repeat. The lyrics really resonated. ...Is it weird if I ask her to sign it? It's probably weird, huh. Lilliel Yeah, so we have our very own guardian angel. Or, I guess, Tyrfing does. Figures, doesn't it? I go to church every Sunday, live a good life, and not only do I get turned into this... Tyrfing gets the spiritual protector. Though, uh, having seen her in action... Maybe that's not a good thing. Lilliel has more than a few screws loose and keeps pinging me with those dumb arrows when she thinks I'm not paying attention. It's all I can do to give her a few pointers to go from ultra-weirdo to, like, regular weirdo. Shadow Stalker +Influence Nobody's weirded out by the guy that, as a point of pride, uses their superpowers to be some sort of James Bond superspy? Okay, sure, maybe that's not their bag anymore, but let's just say if I still had much modesty to protect, I'd be a little concerned. Plus he's so santimonious. "Oh no, I can't believe you needed to use that much power to beat up the person that was giving us all a run for our money! Think of all the damage you could have done!" Really? Did I blow up the Eiffel Tower? Nope. Did Tyrfing get the talk? Nope. I swear, I'm going to get him to relax and take that stick out of his rear end if it's the last thing I do. Tyrfing Katla's cool. We get along just fine. I mean, yeah, maybe she could blow up and ruin someone's day... but it's not like I don't get that. More than a few of us are working with 'gifts' that we'd rather not have. Besides! If we keep her happy, healthy, and sane? No reason to think she'll erupt. Plus, you know, it's pretty nice having a friend. Not a lot of those since my makeover. White Rabbit Wow. Wow. I mean, sure, I liked cartoons about as much as everyone when I was growing up, but... she is a lot to handle. In a well-meaning, overly-caffinated sort of way. I appreciate that she thinks I'm an expert on, y'know, everything. I'm not. I was a good student, yes, but that just means I knew how much I didn't know. But for her? I think I can fake it. --- quote:1. We defeated a dangerous enemy. Who or what was it?  Nægling. I'll admit I don't have a firm grasp of the more mystical and mythological side of villainy, particularly given that my prior experiences have been more technologically focused, but there's certainly no shortage of inspiration nor ancient myths for horrors to step forth from when it comes to Europe. For her specifically... If my subsequent research is to be believed, I think she is — or claims to be, at least — Grendel's sister. Yeah, the same Grendel that Beowulf was supposed to have taken down. I can certainly say this: she was a powerhouse. It took the lot of us pulling together, plus a fair bit of luck, to send her packing. Tricky fucked around with this message at 21:15 on Jan 31, 2018 |
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Jan 30, 2018 07:53
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