Multiple Settings Metro City

palmtree219 · Jan 6, 2025

METRO CITY

NEWS

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<[!! MCSCD Official Statement - March 3rd, 2024 !!] - 5:20 PM>

[WTF is going on in the river?] - 5:01 PM

[Smoke rising from Ironrock Prison] - 4:59 PM

[Anyone else just get a random migraine?] - 4:52 PM

__

!! MCSCD Official Statement - March 3rd, 2024 !!

{MCSCD_Official} - {SCD} - {Metro City}

At 4:38 PM, March 3rd, 2024, Ironrock Island was attacked by a cephalopod-type mega-parafauna. Initial reports conclude that the creature went completely unnoticed by the guards until the island’s automated defense systems opened fire.

By 4:45 PM, the MPF reached the island’s walls, forcing its way through them and over the island. In the process, Ironrock Prison sustained extreme damage along with multiple breaches to its superhuman containment systems. The death toll is currently unknown. It is unknown how many, if any, prisoners escaped.

The MPF then traveled from Ironrock Island to the mouth of the Black River, again unnoticed by any civilians, police, or superhumans in the area. At 4:50, the SCD received reports that Southgate Bridge had collapsed for unknown reasons. Reports quickly followed over the next three minutes regarding the mysterious collapse of the Black Bridge, Parkview Bridge, Market Plaza Bridge, and Metro Central Bridge. The SCD and MCPD have responded to all events.

At 4:54 PM, the MPF, having sustained wounds from its assault on Ironrock Island, seemingly bled out between the Metro Central Bridge and the Haverston Memorial Bridge. Upon its death, the Stranger power preventing its observation failed, revealing a hybrid squid-turtle mega-parafauna measuring over 115 feet in length.

It is advised to all city residents to avoid the Black River until further notice. Please report any unusual emotions, head pain, visual artifacts, or similar effects to the SCD immediately.

Further information will be made available during the official SCD press briefing at 6:30 PM on all major news networks.

Affected area noted below:

MCSCD Internal Report

-March 3rd, 2024

The attack of the cephalopod-type MPF, code-named Shoggoth is believed to be the first of multiple potential MPF attacks over the next couple of months. Though the exact mechanics behind MPF targeting are unknown, it has been noted that locations receiving their first attack are often hit multiple times in the same year.

Additionally, Shoggoth is missing a small portion of its interior shell mass, damage from Ironrock Prison’s guns notwithstanding. It is unknown what this means, but there is precedent for MPFs to carry smaller parafauna on or within them, resulting in further attacks. Due to the nature of Shoggoth’s power, all SCD and MCPD forces are to be placed on high alert. Patrols will be increased around the riverside areas, and all reports of unusual headaches or mental effects are to be prioritized.

Metro City- the last holdout for superhumans looking to remain free from government regulation. For decades, it has lagged behind other, better funded cities in America, having to stretch its police forces thin to manage the large number of superhumans residing within its borders. This seemed to be turning around in the last few years as Director Amelia Treadwell worked tirelessly to increase funding and introduce new programs. Unfortunately, the Director is currently recovering from a failed assassination attempt, and the city itself is in turmoil due to its first monster attack catching it completely unaware.

For the first time in a very long time, the SCD is completely occupied, presenting a massive opportunity to enterprising capes. Villains have room to maneuver and take ground for themselves, provided they don’t step on the Court’s toes. Independents have many opportunities to profit from the chaos. And heroes are soon to have many opportunities to prove themselves and become a household name.

ThatWhichShouldBe · Jan 6, 2025

STARSIGN - TURN 1

He'd known something was really wrong the moment the third bridge was down. It was all in the timing. He could feel it, the ratios, instinctively- whatever hit the first and second was on a path of progression, a steady one. He doesn't know what it is. He gets these terrible *headaches*, trying to wrap his mind around it- just the timing and distance alone was difficult for him to grasp. But he knows it's nothing good. And he can feel it in the city's heartbeat. That pulse of cars and conversations, pedestrians and hawkers- That great *flow* of people through the city. Panic. Fear. The feeling of something terribly unsettling.

Yes. It was a time for heroes.

Starsign slips his mask over his head, the rest of his costume already on. He takes a deep breath as he leaps from the rooftop- entering that body that felt so much like his own and yet so strange.

Time to get to work.

Action 1 - First Contact; Get in touch with local heroes to establish connections in the hero community, try and set up lines of communication. With the possible prison break at Ironrock, every Hero operating in the city was potentially at risk of taking on things far worse than they expected. He wanted to open channels so in the event that any hero found themselves in trouble, they wouldn't have to face it alone- that they would be able to call for *someone's* help. And hey, it'd help make progress towards his dream of forming a team of his own.

Relevant to Note:

2 Fame, Celestara as a Contact to vouch for him, Fellowship +3
Aspect: Eldritch Paragon of the New Generation
Aspect: Nothing But The Cape Life
Aspect: Spirit of a True Hero

Action 2 - Disaster Response; If there is anything dangerous coming out of the 'Shoggoth' corpse, Starsign would call up Mab to head over to help confront and deal with it, aiding any SCD cordon around the massive corpse. If they need help investigating the corpse, Starsign is happy to provide the required 'muscle'. If there's no need for him there, he'd see if there was any secondary 'disaster' for them to respond to- such as a hero taking on Ironrock Prisoners they couldn't otherwise handle, a local villain seizing the oppurtunity to do some harm. Something where his and Mab's skills would be put to the best use, though the number 1 priority is saving civilians. As it always, always is.

Relevant to Note:

2 Fame, Celestara as a Contact to vouch for him, Fellowship +3
Aspect: Eldritch Paragon of the New Generation
Aspect: Nothing But The Cape Life
Internet Darlings

Passive Action: Flight Training - Work on training his flight speed as much as possible, honing his innate grasp of space and time in the use of propelling himself. He knows he can warp space, and from his days with the Constellations testing his powers in a lab, that they can warp time to a limited degree as well... Perhaps he could 'accelerate' his own time, or warp space to make the distance he traverses shorter? However he accomplishes it, he works on improving his ability to go from A to B. Considering recent chaos, he's likely to have to rush around the city all the time.

Relevant to Note:

Athletics +3, Basic Flight
Aspect: Eldritch Paragon of the New Generation
Aspect: Nothing But The Cape Life
Power Theme: Scion of Yog-Sothoth - Your powers are either the product of an unnatural body, or an expression of eldritch laws of physics, centered around the manipulation of space and time. Such powers can be uncanny and terrifying... but none deny their potency. It is the Cape who makes the powers, not the powers that make the Cape- What will you choose, in the days ahead?

Mechking · Jan 6, 2025

Steel Legion
Turn 1

Albrecht Altstadt woke up feeling old. Well, he was old, but he felt older than usual. His joints creaked and popped and his bones ached with every move. Slowly he shuffled to his trusted life support armor and donned it. Now he felt a lot more refreshed.

Albrecht knew that he was likely the oldest living cape and the only thing keeping him alive was this armor. It was pretty much the only thing that he had left from his homeland and if it ever were to break, he was soon to follow. So it was time to get to work...literally.

He couldn't exactly wear his armor at work, so Albrecht was thankful for the elevators in the Robotics Lab. Once he passed security, he made a quick...slow round to see what everyone was up to and then went into his office. As advisor he didn't have many tasks, but the ones he did have were quite important. And while the lab couldn't rival his own powers, it was fulfilling work...on the surface.

In reality, Albrecht needed money and connections, as well as parts. And the Robotics Lab was the best option. Plus he could always siphon some ideas for his own creations, if needed. Nothing that could give away that it was him, of course. Still, he always ended the day by bringing a bunch of broken parts back home and filing away anything that may make them recognizable. He had to be more cautious after all.

While his discovery in Germany was unfortunate, it was also inevitable. And so Albrecht took it as a lesson to learn from. Nothing to trace back from his work, nothing to trace him back to his home, nor his homeland. His suit, his mask, his creations all needed to look distinctly different from when he fled..Though he feared that once it gets discovered that he's using androids that a certain gang will be able to connect the dots. They already have made connections in this city, somehow. Seems like Albrecht underestimated the Iron Talon.

All the more reason to be cautious. Especially as he was currently browsing the dark web for weapon dealers. Tazers he could get easily, sure, but untraceable handguns, or more lethal weapons? Just filing the serial numbers from them won't be enough, sadly. And he needed the means to defend himself. And a reliable black market weapons dealer should go a long way...Considering his many future plans.

And so after a lot of searching and contacting Albrecht finally peeled himself out of his armor and went to sleep. He felt his age seep into him as he drifted off...

"WEEUUU WEEEUUU WEEEUUU"
"CRASH"
"BEEP BEEP BEEP"

Albrecht jolted awake with a massive headache. Sirens blared loudly through his window, mixed with whatever chaos set off a dozen or more car alarms. He put on his glasses and looked out of the window to see smoke in the distance. Great, another superpowered dipshit interrupting his sleep.

Though once he read the news, it seemed he was quite wrong. Some kind of seamonster broke the prison island as well as a ton of bridges. Great, Albrechts commute to work just got longer.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Action 1: Get a weapons dealer contract and buy a taser and pistol from them, with the promise of further business

Action 2: Find a hideout for a workshop, preferably at the outskirts of either the slums or the Utilities districts

Free action: Work Overtime

LadyOfStars · Jan 6, 2025

Mother

Turn 1

"How's your head feeling?" Kerrigan sat beside one of the shelter's newest guests, a mask covering his face and gloves upon his hands as he took the elderly man's temperature. When the thermometer beeped he laid it on the desk and recorded the number that it showed.

"My head feels fine sir." The old man replied.

"Good. Your temperature is good as well. Make sure you come back early tonight to get back in and in the meantime you stay safe." With the news of the attack on the prison it was only natural that Kerrigan warned his people of the dangers outside, the risks that this new day brought. To say nothing of the competition if any of the villains locked up in there managed to break out in the commotion.

"Next!" Checking for sicknesses as guests went in and out of the shelter was an added precaution to avoid the spread of disease and illness. It was extra work, but it kept the building healthy, added a layer to Kerrigan's cover, and kept his food source clean.

Later

"See ya later, have a good day." Having clocked out, Kerrigan waved goodbye to the incoming manager as he finally headed out for the day. His first day off in two weeks meant that he'd have a busy night. But with all the commotion from the monster attack it was going to be extremely risky and that was just a risk he'd have to take.

After he got home and the sun started to set, Mother donned his mask and black garb, then headed out for the nearest sewer entrance.

Action 1: Hunt for bio-material/food - Mother will use his intimate knowledge of the city sewer system to hunt unseen in the slums.

Action 2: Patrol Critters - With heroes and law enforcement on high alert Mother will send out a mantis swarm to patrol slums from the skies.

Weekly Activity: New Specimens - In the hopes of finding new species Mother deployed a snake to search the Slums for bats.

Cosmo · Jan 6, 2025

The Carlock Salesman
Turn 1

-----------------------------------

Jasper hummed a random verse from an SOS song as he tapped his long fingers against the glass counter before him. He had been manning the register of his small shop for some time, but he had yet to have much success. Even his 'usual' customers; people coming in looking for 'enhancements', either physical or sexual, or the occasional junkie, were not coming in today. It was oddly quiet and almost peaceful, well, if the ability to ignore the 'sounds of the city' had been mastered. His dark eyes slid over his store, to the dusty shelves that held numerous glass jars and bottles filled with various liquids and regents, the smell of solvents and herbs that hung heavy in the air and could almost be nauseating to someone unaccustomed to it. It was a peaceful day, even the night before hadn't been all that bad, comparatively speaking, yes, Jasper was in a right good mood even if he was a bit bored. What few cases he had were mostly tied up or awaiting further development, either way, they could wait until later. The only true thing he had planned for the day was the arrival of one of his favorite return customers, the mysterious Siren. It was that day which meant it was payday for him even if most of that pay would be going to keeping the light and water on, still, it would be nice to have a bit of pocket change for once even if he would instantly blow it all because neither Marcus or Kerrigan could seem to take care of themselves. There was something oddly enjoyable at seeing a beautiful woman who looked so out of place in this part of the city, in his small rinky-dink shop, that just amused him to no end. She had her reasons, he was sure, but he could only wonder what outfit she would be wearing today, maybe some fancy dress that could get covered in dust? Maybe she would dress up in one of those pants suits, that would certainly make his day.

Such thoughts had Jasper doing a quick once over of himself, of his worn loafers that were three steps from falling off his feet, the faded blue jeans that had been around more then a whore at a high class parlor and his dark grey shirt that had a small stain near the hem that, for the life of him, he had no idea what it was or where it was from. It simply was. As always, Jasper was dressed to impress the great people of the shit hole of a city they called MC. A small jingle caught his attention and pulled his mind back to reality as he spotted an older man in a faded brown blazer step into his store. The man looked to be in his sixties, perhaps seventies, after all, once someone went over the hill, it was rather hard to see how far over it they had gone. His skin was pale and while he wore a faded brown blazer, it was clean and pressed. The trousers were in similar shape, but it was the shoes.. the shoes that gave the unknown man away. Shiny, clean, pressed. In just a few moments, Jasper took his measure of the man. A man who came to his small store in a bad part of town in order to buy something he was not supposed to, a man who had picked out his worst and oldest clothes to try and blend in but could not bring himself to wear rags on his feet. A silly thing to do that could get the man mugged if he took the wrong corner after leaving this fine establishment.

"Good day," Jasper said as he offered a sly smile, "How may I help you?"

"O-Oh, yes," The older man said as he ran his fingers through one another as a rather nice watch clung to his thin wrist, his eyes darted back and forth in the store, Jasper almost pitied the man, he looked so out of his element, "Hi there, I am looking for some stuff and I was told that you are the best in town."

"Oh, you flirt," Jasper said as he waved the compliment away, "You're already in my house, you don't have to butter me up, but you're right, we are the best in town.. For those on the lower end budget, you know, your crackpots, your crazy cat ladies, the right kind of people, but anyways, how can I help?"

"So, its my anniversary coming up," the man looked down at the glass counter between them, desperate to avoid eye contact, "And its been awhile so I was wondering if you had anything that could help..."

"Help free willy? Help man the oar? Sail the ol' titanic?" Jasper finished for him, it was a common request, honestly. People thought tinkers sold deadly poisons and special potions, but when push came to shove, most people wanted the same shit. Something to make them feel better, something to make their 'performance' better, it was almost depressing. He wasn't sure what this old man did, perhaps a retired banker? Someone with money and a bit of power who wasn't used to being out of his element. But more to the point, it should have been easy for such a man to get some pills from his doctor to take care of it... which meant his doctor wasn't letting him. Something wrong with his heart, no doubt.

"I wouldn't have said it like that," The older man said, his lips tight in a frown.

"I mean no disrespect," Jasper said as he held his hands up in mock surrender, "How long y'all been together?"

"Long time, only been married for six years though," he said, a small smile flittered its way across his face and his eyes lit up. A smile found its way onto Jasper's face too, he knew that face. He mourned that face.

"So what's his name?" Jasper asked as he let his chin rest in the cup of his hand.

"James," the name was said with a bit of pride and yet a hint of possession as if the man was ready to fight him over the very use of it.

"Lovely name, my own anniversary was last week," Jasper said, the words flowing out like a gentle stream, "Divorced now though."

"That's a shame."

"Right shame. Good old Janet. Was fucking our neighbor. Good guy, that Bill. Used to loan tools to me. You know we once went to a cowboys game together? Crazy right, out drinking a warm beer and watching the game, next thing you know, he is doing push ups on your wife in the bed you've shared for eight years," Jasper said, almost wistfully.

"T-That's a shame, but... About m-," the man started again but Jasper cut him off, "And the divorce was brutal. Man, her lawyer was better the mine. She got the house, both kids, she even got our dog. Our dog! She didn't even like her! But, hey, its okay, sure I may pay out the ass for her and Bills new place, but I am living it large here in MC in this fine mansion of mine. Can you smell that?" Jasper asked as he sniffed the air, the air clogged with the sent of musk and an assortment of herbs, "That is the sweet aroma of victory."

"I'm glad you are... Happy, but about my-" The man tried again, his eyes almost pleading for someone, anything, to save him from this story form a strange man that was vastly oversharing.

"Yea, your penis meds, I know," Jasper said as he let out a defeated grunt, "See on that shelf right there? Those dark bottles filled with that red stuff? Bring one to me please."

As the man did as he was bid, Jasper fished out another, smaller, bottle from under the counter. When the man returned, Jasper took it and placed it next to the other. He made a show and waved his hands over the bottles and uttered random gibberish and nonsense, the words meant nothing, there was no magic or spell he was doing, it was all just showmanship that 'normal' people expected to happen. After a few minutes to let the magic 'cook', Jasper held up the two bottles, "Alright, see this one," he said as he shook the larger bottle filled with red dust, "this is for your lil buddy. Sprinkle a bit of it on your food before you eat, and yes, you better eat with it, trust me. It'll happen quick, so make sure you eat quick too so you still have time to brush your teeth before you dive in, got it?" Jasper demanded and didn't continue until the man nodded.

"Now this one," Jasper said as he held the other, the small bottle was filled with an odd, almost mercury-like liquid that seemed to glimmer in the light, "Is for your heart. Put a tiny drop of it in your water, coffee, tea, whatever the hell you drink in the morning. Do not use the powder unless you have used the potion, the last thing I wanna do is see your picture in the obituaries, you get me?"

As the man once again nodded, Jasper smiled, "After a few days, you'll feel a lot better, but just because you feel better doesn't mean you stop taking the potion, you get me? When you are about to run out, come back and get a refill. Now, it goes without saying, but you didn't get this from me, okay?" Honestly, it was crazy for Jasper to offer it. The elixir was.. expensive, to say the least, and he was giving it to some old man so he could get laid. A small part of him screamed at his stupidity, but it was also nice. Somewhere in this shit filled city, two people would be happy and that was two more people then there was this morning.

After they settled up and Jasper put the pittance of cash away, he gave the old man a wink, "By the way, my name is Jasper, tell James I said hey, if your erection last for more then four hours, you're welcome. Now skedaddle, I am expecting a call from my ex about Jim."

"You mean Bill?" The older man asked, his brow furrowed with confusion.

"Nah, Jim," Jasper lied smoothly, "Jim was our FedEx guy, my wife had a voracious appetite... I never had the heart to tell Bill."

-----------------------------------

Weekly Action - Tinker around with Tinker to learn some new recipes or maybe make a few tonics

Action 1 - Shopping Spree! Also going to dinner with the boyz.

Action 2 - Look for a new Private Investigation Case to pass the time and pay the bills.

Crocodile · Jan 6, 2025

Archon
Turn 01

Simon Nadek sat in his comfortable university apartment, watching the news from his couch with a glass of Metro Soda in his hand as he took in the newsfeed and scrolling chat logs showing up along the side. He frowned deeply as he saw the carnage and wondered how many people had been on those bridges when that monster just tore through them like that. The prison was bad enough, who knew what sorts got out or survived that incident. The bridges made his internal academic scream, knowing the chaos about to erupt across Metro City. His entire field was the study of powered beings and their effects on society, he'd written papers and even a book about it. It was a pity it was well read but did little for his income beyond ensuring he could be comfortable if he lost his position at MCU.

"What the fuck." Those were the only words that Simon could manage to manifest as he continues to take in the destruction as he rolled through several more news stations before switching to news apps and forums.

"A Stranger that big... I wonder if it was designed? Bred? Spawned?" Simon muses aloud to himself. Something he did now and again as he worked through problems. He starts to pull out a notepad and pen, beginning to scribble down questions and data points to collect for the university. This was going to have to be an update to his paper: Powered Incidents and Historical Precedents. At this rate he might just have to make it into a book with how these sort of things could trigger societal changes.

Sometime later, Simon was at his kitchen table, laying out a map of Metro city with colored pens and his Archon helmet resting nearby. He eyed it warily, feeling like it was finally time for his alter ego to step forth. That would require various things, but first he would need some minions and a lair to operate from. He couldn't risk his university seat being taken from him due to his super antics. Archon would need somewhere else to operate from. He could already see the logistical nightmare imminent and how he could profit from it, but that would mean he needed manpower and a place to store his ill-gotten gains.

"Hmmm, someplace still close but far enough that it won't be too obvious about any links to MCU," Simon muttered as he makes several marks on the map for scouting and recruitment planning. There were people in need of feeling empowered. He would tap into that hunger and desperation to gather a cadre of those he could empower. Perhaps small, keep the power focused. A small crew would work better for now, more impressive as well for the schemes he would set in motion.

Action 1: Seek out minions to recruit and empower in the disconnected part of Metro City

Action 2: Seek out and acquire a Lair in the same region in preparation for future plans.

Weekly: Professor of Socioeconomics - Analyze current crisis against previous events.

Twist · Jan 8, 2025

The Cavalier Captain Cheer
Issue 1

Francesa sat at her vanity, the small, cluttered surface lit by a warm, yellow desk lamp. The glow reflected off the mirror, framing her in soft light. She slid her glasses off and set them beside a textbook from her law class, which in itself sat on a stack of books from politics, psychology and communications. Her nose stud came next, carefully removed and placed in its small box.

She looked around cautiously, getting off her small chair and double checking the lock on the door. Locked. Her gaze drifted to the empty side of the room, Felicity’s half. Her ever-cheerful and impossibly outgoing roommate, was out as usual. Out at another party, suspected Fran but such a situation worked out well for the fresh faced superhero. Though she was thankful Francesca realized with a twinge of guilt that she barely knew her. Maybe next week, she could set aside some time to hang out with her roommate but this week she had definitive plans, her annual visit to see some schoolmates.

She crouched down by her bed and pulled out a small chest, the padlock rattling in her hand. Putting in the combination, she unclasped the metal lock, opened the chest and picked up the blonde wig. Walking back to her vanity, she put the wig over her head, it's golden pigtails shining in the dim light, and secured it over her neatly pinned black hair. The domino mask attached to the wig fit snugly, securing the hairpiece to her head and covering her eyes. Wearing her custom cheerleader uniform and with her blonde wig, Francesca certainly looked the part of a cheerleader, an image that never failed to bring her thoughts to her school chums in the hospital.

Sophie Sharpe, Gemma Greenfield, Tabitha Tamm, Wanda Wilkes Their smiles had always lit up the gymnasium Fran could still hear the cries and the chaos when the stink bomb detonated. She had breathed too much of that awful green haze. What had that bomb been made with? She didn’t know, but the powers she woke up with afterward were impossible to deny. The memory of those girls—now bedridden—fuelled her resolve. She would inspire people like they had. It was her reason to be there on that fateful day, and it was now her reason to do what she did now.

With practiced precision, Francesca picked up a makeup pen and dotted a beauty mark on her chin. Now she was ready for her night classes with the SCD. An idea from a new 'friend' and one she had taken to heart. She looked towards the window of her room, her door to her new world. With an attached fire escape, Fran counted herself lucky, able to come and go if need be without walking the halls of the dorms. Something she gratefully took advantage of.

Captain Cheer took one last look at herself in the mirror, now fully in costume, a smile gracing her lips, before sliding open the window...

Actions
1. Patrol University District (Planned Route: Roof Access)(Contact(s) Metro PD, Lt Brasch) (Aspects Protect and serve)
2. Take classes with the SCD

Activity: Visit her schoolmates in the hospital.

LucasGhost · Jan 8, 2025

E ?
Turn 1

?????????????????????????????

"So, what seems to be the problem? Can't remember? Hm? Your name? Oh, well. Let's check the list, shall we?" Marcus leans back in his worn out office chair, reaching across the desk to pluck one of the scraps of paper from its perilous place between two half painted French soldiers.

He removes the ink pen from behind his ear, and taps it lightly on the paper, "Electronic? No, too tacky. Much too tacky. Mister Mystery? Everyone loves a sequel. Ha. They always complain that’s it’s never quite as good.” He thinks it over for a moment. Fun, but not dramatic by any means. “A bit on the nose, don't you think? Then again, you're mostly nose, aren't you?" He looks up to the leather mask sat on the stained desk beside him. It had sat tucked away in the back of his closet since the zoo, and it wasn't like he had much time for going out and dressing up for the fairs these days.

"Me?" Marcus raises an eyebrow at the silent mask, "I'm doing fine. I'm more worried about you. All that dust, can't be good for you." He smiles, a grimace of teeth as he looks back to his list. He knows he's not hearing anything back; it's just a little game. A reason to say anything when Jasper and Kerrigan are away. It's fun. Harmless fun. And Marcus did all his best thinking out loud, so it was marginally better than talking to his shoddily painted miniatures.

"Oh, I like this one, 36. Though, if things go well, we'd have to bump it up to 37, and that might lose a bit of the intrigue then." Marcus scratches out the name as he speaks, the paper covered in more scribbles than words at this point. "Same problem with Six Squared, but the clone idea was pretty funny."

Marcus taps his desk and squints at the tiny window of his apartment letting in the last bit of evening sun. It was a long day at work again, some extra items got shoved on him at the last minute, and he didn't want to bother Jasper right at closing time. Marcus had gone right home, took a glance at his cupboards to confirm that dinner was a nice idea and nothing more, and had been sitting here ever since.

Mister Mystery. That had some issues of course, besides the obvious social ones. Marcus was a bit fond of 'M's, perhaps best not to give so clear an indication to his civilian name. There could be something done with that though. M? would have been perfect, if he had picked anything besides Marcus. Not anything, no, lots of names started with 'M', but that was no good reason to make it so easy. 'M' Mystery. M? it felt right. Drat.

Marcus puts the list down and rubs at his eyes. Anything too clever and they'd cry horseshit when they found out. Too blunt and the SCD would be breaking down his front door. "I told you, I'm fine. It's you we have to get patched up," he can't help that he gets a little snappy. He really thought he almost had it with this one. He slowly tears the paper up into tiny pieces. Some will get thrown out today, some next week, and the last, the week after. Best to space these things out.

Task complete, he reaches into the drawer and pulls out a fresh piece, writing a single large 'M' on it. He holds it up, looks over it to the mask, then back to the letter.

M

He flips it upside down, and his face immediately gets pulled into a frown.

W

No, that felt too obvious still. It had its perks, sure, the start of many questions. But it was hardly better than 'M' when he got down to it. He flips it back and forth a few times.

M

W

M

W

M

W

E

M

E

W

E

"Does look a bit like an 'E', right? The side effect of shoddy penmanship. It's funny though," Marcus looks up again, as if the mask would suddenly be nodding in approval. "Very funny."

Picking up the pen, he draws a question mark to compliment it. Yeah. That felt right. 'E ?' not quite Miss Mystery but not Mister Mystery either. Something a bit sideways. "There we go, all patched up. Now we'll let that sit for a few days, see how it heals." The paper gets torn like the rest, and when the scraps get properly distributed he sighs and drags out his ancient laptop.

Marcus pauses, the lid still closed as a thought dawns on him. He picks up the mask in his hands and runs his thumb across the old leather, angling the old thing to catch the last bit of sunlight to give the lenses a proper glare.

“Every map has me in spirit though I may not be named, yet I am not a place that is famed. Still, some have said they were going my way, but once you stop moving you will never stay. Of the first or the last I am not there, but of the middle you will find I share. I am in your dreams, hopes, and cares; and still it is likely that you see me in pairs. Thirty showings up until this spot, and not again until its conclusion I do jot. ”

With that, the mask gets set back down. Soon, yes, but not too soon. "Alright, that's that. Good chat, but it's time to get moving." He had way too much to do, that was for sure.

?????????????????????????????

Weekly Action: Working overtime at the office (accounting job).

Action 1: Broken Man Searching For Parts. Marcus will take to the web with his mundane hacking knowledge and see if he can't find if all the chaos has left something that would help Jasper's or Kerrigan's tinkertech arriving unexpectedly at port at the city's dock. If not, he will just look for good leads on where crafting items for the cluster trio might be procured (stolen).

Action 2: We Could Do Better. With Jasper (hopefully) finding them a place to set up a workshop, Marcus will begin crafting some equipment for the trio. Mundanely he is trying to make some secure earpieces for the trio to use to communicate with one another. With tinkertech he is trying to make further improvements to his mask, and if it goes well he may try to make something small for Kerrigan or Jasper. (Not sure what the scale of crafting per turn is allowed at, if the workshop gets set up and I can do more, let me know.)

You gain intrinsic knowledge regarding mundane hacking and hacking equipment. You may also use Craft to create tinkertech related to remote-hacking. This includes both hardware and software. However, tinkertech software must be delivered through the use of some form of tinkertech hardware. You require a a workshop and the appropriate tools to create tinkertech.

Scatterbrain · Jan 9, 2025

Unicorn Girl
Issue 1

The late afternoon sun warmed the study of the Cornwall family brownstone, casting golden light over shelves filled with relics from a thousand distant places. A jagged obsidian dagger rested beside a weathered journal, its cover scrawled with arcane symbols, while a brass astrolabe sat atop a stack of maps, marked with various notes and shapes. On a pedestal in the centre of the room, sat a mystical crystal ball, a mist swirling restlessly within its glassy depths.

Allie paced nervously, her horn glimmering faintly in the light. She stopped, smoothing down her skirt as she tried to work up her courage. “Okay, Allie,” she mumbled to herself. “It’s just Dad. He’s… what, halfway across the world? In a jungle or a desert or... actually, let’s not think to hard about where he is. He's probably surrounded by hundreds of ancient booby traps or something but he always answers when I call. Just… focus.”

She brushed her long blonde hair back, took a deep breath and placed her hands gently on the orb. The mist inside the crystal seemed to react to her touch and Allie leaned in, concentrating on the mental image of her father. "Dad? Are you there? It’s me!"

The mist inside the crystal ball thickened, rippling like waves, before pulling back to reveal an image of Aslan Cornwall. He stood at the base of a massive stone ziggurat, a vast expanse of jungle stretching out behind him. His golden mane blew in the breeze as he held an ancient-looking artifact in one hand. Around him, a small group of awed locals gawked at his presence, muttering reverently in a language Allie didn’t recognize.

Aslan paused, tilting his head as though hearing something faint. “Allie?” He turned slowly, his orangey-brown eyes scanning the area. "Is that you?"

"Dad! Up here!" At the sound of Allie’s voice, the clouds above the ziggurat seemed to shift. Slowly, her face materialized in the sky and the gathered locals gasped, some dropping to their knees, while others pointed in astonishment. Aslan glanced at them, mildly embarrassed, raising a hand to reassure them.

“Don’t worry!” he said, calmly. “It’s just… family."

Allie gave him a sheepish smile. “Sorry, Dad! I didn’t mean to spook your, um…” She squinted at the figures near the ziggurat. “...friends?”

“They’re villagers from the Tikal Basin,” Aslan said, gesturing with the artifact. “Lovely people, excellent craftsmen. You’d love their textiles. Now, is everything alright, princess? You don’t usually contact me unless it’s important.”

Allie fidgeted with a lock of her hair. “It’s just... well, something happened at school today. It’s probably not a big deal, but I thought you should know.”

Aslan straightened slightly, brushing dirt from his hands. “Go on.”

“Well, um…” Allie hesitated, glancing at the villagers behind him. “Are you busy? You’re not in the middle of saving the village from, like, an evil warlord or anything, right?”

Aslan chuckled softly. “No warlords today. Just some routine excavation work... nothing that can’t wait. What’s going on?”

Allie let out a breath. “The SCD came to my school. My teachers called them because, uh… they were a little worried I might be danger to the other students.”

Aslan’s brow furrowed. “Worried? Did they send a whole team?”

“No! It was just one person, Whiteout. She was surprisingly nice, actually! She said I wasn’t dangerous, but…” Allie trailed off, biting her lip. “She wants to run some tests. You know, just to make sure everything’s okay. They, um, also want you to come to their HQ.”

Aslan nodded slowly. “That makes sense. They’re just being cautious.”

“I know,” Allie said quickly. “I mean, I get it. It’s not like I blame them or anything! But, uh…” She hesitated. “I kind of wish you were here. I’m not really used to talking to people like her and it’s all a bit… a lot.”

His face softened. “I understand, Allie. But you’re stronger than you think. You’ve faced more in your life than most people ever will and you came through it all with a kind heart and a clear mind. I’ll see what I can do. If not, you’ll handle it like a true Cornwall, won’t you?”

Allie nodded, trying to look brave. “Yeah. Totally. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen? It’s just some poking and prodding. Probably.”

“Right.” Aslan’s voice was calm and steady. “But I’ll do my best to be there. If I can’t, just remember... you’re not alone. If you need help, ask for it. And if they give you a hard time…” He paused, a faint twinkle in his eyes. “Well, remind them your Dad has a very particular set of skills.”

Allie giggled. “Like charming ancient villagers?”

Aslan laughed, glancing at the group behind him. “Something like that.” He took a step forward. “You’ll be alright, Allie. I’m proud of you.”

Her smile grew, a little more confident now. “Thanks, Dad. I’ll let you get back to your… whatever it is you’re doing. And, um, don’t get cursed or anything, okay?”

“I’ll do my best,” he remarked. “Take care, sweetheart. I’ll see you soon.”

As Allie’s face faded from the clouds, Aslan turned back to the villagers with an apologetic smile. “Sorry about that. Where were we?”

Actions
1. Go on patrol.
2. Visit SCD HQ with Dad for tests.
Weekly Activity: Homework.

palmtree219 · Jan 11, 2025

ThatWhichShouldBe

Nothing says "this city needs a hero" more than a giant monster attack. Its almost too bad that the thing was already dead, since your fight would have been legendary. Still, its rampage caused a great deal of infrastructure damage and a whole host of casualties.

With any luck, this is a one off event, but anyone who's kept track of these things knows that this is probably just the start.

First Contact

Despite the city having a thriving cape ecosystem, there's surprisingly little cohesion amongst the heroes outside of individual teams, such as the Bookclub or the SCD. Some attribute this to the Court's meddling. Others say that a strong effort to form a unified hero community just hasn't taken place yet. Regardless, any attempt to begin something like that must start somewhere, and a post on SuperNews isn't the worst first step.

Unfortunately, that post didn't gain near as much traction as you'd have hoped, even with your relative fame. A couple of replies expressed a bit of interest.. some {JellyBellyFromHelly}, {xXUntamedSteelXx}, {Voice_Of_The_Divine_Doom}, and {MommottiRagazza}. Both Voice and Mommotti provided further contact info, but no other information.

A short search through the forums shows that your post was quickly buried under a landslide of "What's Going On?" posts.

Disaster Response

Unfortunately, Mab was unavailable. She'd taken a job just outside of town that morning, leaving before the attack happened. She's be back tomorrow, but wished you luck and told you to stay safe.

As for looking for a way to help, the SCD quickly took you up on your offer, stationing you on the floating scaffold being set up around the monster corpse. Not the most glorious of jobs, but they don't want any civilians getting too close to the thing, and the workers trying to disassemble the creature need support in the event the MPF has more surprises inside of it.

(Potential Scene).

Flight Training

Messing around with powers can be dangerous. Especially powers that mess with fundamental forces and Laws. Unfortunately for you, your experimentation did not go well. Accelerating your own time stream seemed promising, but when you attempted to do so, something... broke, for lack of a better word.

Decision Point:

1) Receive a Moderate Mental Consequence Input Lag. Your mind and body are moving at normal speed, but your mind's signals to your muscles are arriving with a variable amount of lag, slowing your reactions. However, your experiment wasn't a total failure. Gain 1 progress towards a new [Basic Flight] related power stunt.

2) Spend 1 Fate Point. A location of your choice (Wherever you were power testing) gains the Aspect Minor Spatial Distortion.

palmtree219 · Jan 11, 2025

Mechking

For a tinker such as yourself, there's much to put into place before you can truly start building your base of power. Of course, you know this, having had a wonderful workshop back in your homeland. But that was long ago and far from here.

Now, you find yourself with an opportunity as the city itself seems to erupt into chaos at the most recent disaster.

Weapons Dealing

Independent weapon dealers aren't incredibly common in Metro City. Most are employed in some way by the Court, both legal stores and less legal sources, but unaffiliated dealers do exist on the outskirts of the city.

You found one on the edge of the slums that's willing to sell you a taser and a 9mm handgun for cheap without running a background check or filing any official documents. Of course, you can't guarantee that he'll be quiet about the purchase, but it seems likely.

He did give you a card with his contact info and tell you to call him ahead of time if you wanted to custom order anything.

Gain 1 taser.

Gain 1 9mm handgun + ammo.

Gain Contact - shady weapons dealer

Workshop Search

Your search was fruitful, to say the least. While everyone else was either hiding in their home or swarming the MPF, you were able to scout a handful of very promising locations for a workshop.

The Utilities District is a treasure trove of old industrial buildings, abandoned tools, machines, and maintenence sheds, and underground maintenance tunnels. Most of the more modern buildings that are still in use are closer to the city itself, but traveling around the northern half of the district reveals many promising hideouts.

The Slums, on the other hand, are dirty, run-down, and covered in sheet metal and plywood huts in an attempt to increase the amount of housing available in this badly over-populated district. Its possible to find a good hideout here, hidden beneath the chaos that is the Slums, but finding a proper location to act as a workshop is another thing altogether.

Decision Point:

1) Walking through an overgrown, trash-strewn lot, you tripped over a small pile of garbage. A second look revealed that hidden under a layer of plastics, old bottles, and assorted refuse was a trapdoor. The trash itself seemed to be glued to the trapdoor like a layer of camoflague. You'll need to come back with bolt cutters to get the trapdoor open, but its obviously something that someone didn't want to be found.

(Potential Scene)

2) As you searched through the slums, a detour down a cramped alley revealed an open space in the wall, hidden behind a partially-secured section of sheet metal. Just beyond this space was what appears to be an abandoned autoshop, lost to time as the Slums were built up over and around it. It could use some work and definitely some sound proofing, but it could be a good hidden workshop.

3) Just as you were heading home for the day, you came across another possible hideout within the Utilities District. Just along the edge of the river, hidden behind a sheet metal fence, was the outflow tunnel of the old water treatment plant. Defunct as of 30 years ago, replaced by a much newer, much more efficient structure closer to the city, the old plant was leveled and forgotten. Of course, leveling a building doesn't always fill in its maintenence tunnels and deepest basements. It would take some work, but you might have the start of an underground lair here. Of course, first you'll have to remove the bars blocking the tunnel.

(Potential Scene)

Overtime

Gain +1 on your next Resources roll. You also manage to pocket 4 units of scrap electronics across your normal work hours.

Decision Point:

1) Gain 1/3 Progress towards a promotion.

2) Gain additional tinker resources

LecternOfJasper · Jan 12, 2025

MANTICORE
Turn 1

Quinn Quigley sat on her small balcony, eyes closed, the sounds and smells of Old Town washing over her. The smell of the bakery offers a continuous- if small- distraction from the fumes of the traffic that goes on seemingly forever. On the street below, two construction workers were having a final chat in front of Juan's Squeeze before heading home, just discernable over the traffic and the cries of Juan's runners.

With the destruction of the first five bridges up the Black River, all the inner district's traffic has begun pouring through Old Town and the suburbs. And with a situation like this, while some (those in the cars, at least) might despair, the enterprising corner store owner saw only opportunity. Now the rumbling of the engines and honking of the horns are undercut with shouts of "BEEF ON RYE! FRESH CUT!" and "EGG SALAD! YOU WANT IT OR WHAT?!" as the new employees hawk their wares - the only dinner the drivers will see for hours.

At least someone around here appreciates three hour traffic jams, I suppose.

A faint smell crept through the kaleidoscope of scents to meet her nose, unfamiliar, yet fishy- Geospiza septentrionalis.

The blare of a novelty truck horn jolted her from her reverie, and she realized she was now standing, looking out over the street below, searching for something. And there he was, watching from the back of her mind. What?

Your biologists' system of classification is just as ridiculous as your inability to remember. The Manticore was as ill-natured as ever, a good mood beyond its capabilities. The chittering insect you call Juan has seen fit to feed on the false blood of his neighbors, marooned in a tide they cannot control. How quickly does your Darwin's finch turn to such genial cannibalization.

He's selling sandwiches. It's not that complicated.

It truly is not. The FaT TiCkS that cannot bear themselves beyond their stinking chariots have their false lifeblood taken in turn, trading their day's servility for the trappings of their own design. How rare for a BUG to be its own parasite. The conquering WoRMs have despoiled the ends of the earth and invented new blood to spill of one another, new lines to draw and cross. See how it CuRdLes tHe AiR-

Quinn staggered back into her apartment, reeling, and forcing herself to take deep breaths as the Manticore struggled to take hold. Something has set you off. What is- then it dawned on her. The monster. That smell. Was that it?

And so they are reminded of the true blood.

Quinn considered this. The beast crawled up the river, over the Ironrock, through the bridges... and for what? Would it have stopped, had it not died before reaching... whatever it was? She pulled up a map and considered it. Probably not the SCD headquarters. It went right past it.

Upriver? What was there? A power plant? The suburbs?

Did it... have a destination at all? It's not like Ironrock couldn't be avoided....

And so they are reminded of the true blood....

We'll see what we can find.

Action 1: An Eye on the Zoo Staff - The first monster attack in Metro City is sure to have a slow response, but it's not as if this sort of thing hasn't happened elsewhere. Quinn will see if anyone at the zoo has any knowledge or experience with these sorts of attacks in other places, through subterfuge or, shudder, conversation, masking her investigation behind the current zeitgeist that's sure to spring up around this topic.

Action 2: An Eye on Appearances - In an effort to not appear, uh, weird, about this, Quinn will try to pull some extra shifts at the zoo to help ingratiate herself with her coworkers. And, hey, if it gets the Manticore to calm down for a while, all the better.

Weekly Activity: Patrol the Riverside (Old Town) - The monster has stirred up trouble along the river up to Old Town. If most of the damage and attention is focused down the way, then Manticore will watch the places further up river. To see if something is missing from the puzzle, perhaps, or if anything important has gone neglected in the chaos.

palmtree219 · Jan 15, 2025

LadyOfStars

Every day it seemed like the shelter grew more and more crowded. It wasn't that more people in the slums needed the shelter, but rather that people seemed to be flocking to the city for whatever reason. Over a quarter of the shelter's population were now outsiders, coming to Metro City but finding that getting out of the Slums and moving into the city proper was far more difficult than expected.

Hunt For Food

The sewers themselves may not be the best place to find a good meal, but here in the Slums, even the sewers are inhabited. A few parts, the larger sections of the old sewer system, are full underground communities, complete with sheet metal housing, vendors of stolen goods, and shacks of ill repute.

Even staying away from these more populated section, its not hard to find a lone hobo sleeping in an alcove.

Gain - A single hobo, on the lean side. If used for tinkering, gain 1d3+1 generic biomaterial

Patrol Critters

Your bond with your minions is tenuous, but still strong enough to use their senses with difficulty. Though they can't travel too far from you, they still extend your perceptive range by a good bit. Enough, in fact, to catch an individual tagging a brick wall a couple streets over. Now, this is normal in the Slums, but your critters picked this one out in particular. Mostly due to the fact that he- or she, you can't really tell through your minion-sense, is wearing what seems to be a tribal-inspired outfit sparsely adorned with bright red feathers. They've also got a bright red bandana covering their nose and mouth, hiding their identity. Though you can't make out the details, they seem to be covered in intricate, brightly colored tatoos.

The Tribe has been quiet the past couple months, but even then, people would've heard about a cape like this joining up. Perhaps they're a new recruit?

New Specimens

Your snake was bound to similar range limits as your critters, but a week of searching high and low wherever you went proved fruitful. Through a crack in the wall of the old sewer system, a good distance from any interlopers, your snake found a partially collapsed chamber long lost after its entrance was apparently cemented over. The crack is large enough for your snake and the bats to get through, but you'd probably need a sledgehammer or something similar if you wanted to get inside.

(Potential Scene)

palmtree219 · Jan 15, 2025

Cosmo

Another day, another sucker. Sometimes, the money really just makes itself. Of course, other days your shop didn't see a single customer, but thats just part of life for an odd business like yours. Really, you've settled in quite well in this "land of opportunity", as they call it. Just last week, Bastion of the SCD stopped by. Didn't buy anything. Or really talk much at all. Or anything. Just stepped in, looked around, then walked out. If anything, the Tribe are better customers, occasionally stopping by for Smoke Juice.

Shopping Spree!

Your shopping spree really amounted less to a spree and more to traveling around the looking for *something* affordable. Unfortunately, there really weren't many places you could find that would work for your (Marcus') needs.

Luckily, you did manage to pick up a cheap sledgehammer (more like free, it was sitting abandoned in an alley), as well as a couple brushes while out looking for a house. You don't really know why you grabbed the brushes, but your power seemed to be pulling you towards the bristles.

Gain - Sledgehammer

Gain - Horse Hair Bristles

Decision Point

1) You managed to find a small apartment not too far from your shop. Its... well, its small and its seen better days, but it could be used as a workshop if you sacrificed pretty much all creature comforts. Probably could only safely fit one tinker, however. You doubt anyone will come knocking if they hear weird noises here. (Decrease current Resources by 1)

2) There was a two-person apartment a good distance from your shop that would also fit. Enough room for two to tinker if you sacrifice one of the bedrooms. However, its in a slightly nicer neighborhood, so odd noises, smells, or sights will garner a raised eyebrow or two. And possibly a police visit. (Decrease current Resources by 1)

Private Eye

Finding a new case was actually pretty easy. There's always something going wrong around the Slums or the Projects. Of course, the one you found came from the Slums. Or, to be more specific, a thug from the Tribe, who call the Slums home.

Apparently, there's some old man they want you to find. They didn't say why, but you can guess that its got something to do with their gang. Apparently the guy is pretty skinny and tends to sleep in the sewers, away from those who might mug him.

(Potential Scene)

Tinkering Around

Throughout the week, you spent a good deal of free time prodding your mind and power for new ideas. Oftentimes, they came to you just by thinking of something you'd like to make. Other times, you'd see something "out in the wild" and just know it would be a good material. But rarely did you experience this...

Ever since the arrival of the monster in the river, you've been experiencing a... draw- a need -to go there and steal as much of it as you can. Something like that doesn't come around all that often, and for a power like yours, its parts are pure potential. Just thinking about it, your power floods your mind with ideas about clouds of confounding gas, memory wiping potions, and something- No, that thought hurts, burns, screeches. That thought was never a thought for a mortal mind.

(Potential Scene)

palmtree219 · Jan 18, 2025

Crocodile

If there’s one good thing about a monster attack, school is canceled for a few days. For a professor, especially one so esteemed as you, any extra time to work on… extracurriculars is valuable.

Recruiting Drive

Recruiting gang members as a new villain is slow work. Reputation is everything, and while being a cape has its own weight, you’re an unknown name. Still, you managed to find a few people looking for purpose. Or at least, for a direction to point their anger.

Decision Point:

1) You tracked down a small group of delinquents that happened to drop out of college recently. They aren’t the smartest, but also not as dim as normal thugs. What they are, however, is pissed off at the system. A few smooth words has them willing to work for you, so long as you can provide an outlet for their anger.

2) There’s always folks down on their luck in the city. It just so happens that, this close to the business district, many of them are office workers stuck in dead end positions. Or worse, office workers that just got fired. You managed to speak with a few, swaying them to your side by playing on their lack of purpose in life. They aren’t particularly fit, or well versed in combat, but they have the spread of knowledge you’d expect from mid-level cubical slaves.

Mastermind’s Lair

Searching for a lair in what is, perhaps, the most built up, busy part of town isn’t the easiest. Unlike the north or the outskirts, most buildings here have some degree of paperwork or oversight attached to their sales. However, that isn’t an insurmountable obstacle.

Decision Point:

1) During your search, you came across an old theater for sale on the border between the business district and university district. The building itself is old, from when Metro City was first becoming urbanized. The inside is even worse. Even a short examination shows that no one has worked to keep it clean in years if not decades. There’s a few signs of habitation over the years by the homeless, but nothing recent. Your research shows that the owner is a company based in the other side of the country, likely with little interest in the property itself. You could try purchasing it (Resource roll of difficulty 1, costs 1 Current Resources) giving you some legal protection, or you could just move your operations inside and deal with problems if or when they occur.

2) One of the people you just recruited is actually somewhat well off. Not in that they have a lot to spend, but that they inherited the family business when their last remaining family member died last month. That business, specifically, is a small meat packing plant just within the docks. While the floorspace is mostly dedicated to just that, the building used to be part of an early dry dock. The dock itself was long since cemented shut, but the space itself is now used as an unofficial storage basement for the plant. It’s not on any recent blueprints, but if someone looked far enough back, they’d know there used to be a space below the plant. This recruit is happy to let you use the plant as your lair. Of course, in return for a bit of privilege compared to your other recruits. (One of your recruits from above is turned into a named NPC)

3) It’s a bit pricy, but there’s a half-constructed office building for sale. The owners filed bankruptcy a few months prior, and the construction crew walked off, leaving a partially constructed office with the first few floors mostly complete and a multi-level basement for both utilities and parking. Not that the utilities are in yet. (Requires resources roll against difficulty 3. Costs 2 Current Resources). The owners want to get rid of it, so are selling it under the table. Of course, a city inspector may catch on eventually. However, the building has a huge amount of room to work with, and the basement levels connect to the new sewer system for maintenance.

Professor

Whether it was a stroke of luck, or a result of skill and experience, you received a phone call within two hours of the monster attack. Not just any phone call either. The SCD’s acting director, Assistant Director Matthew Harlow was on the line, wanting to bring you on as an MCSCD civilian contractor. Specifically to help plan for and deal with the fallout of events such as this. While it puts your civilian identity on the map, your soft power has just been boosted to a major degree.

Gain Contact - SCD HQ
Gain Contact - Assistant Director Harlow

You may now be requested for meetings, opinions, and advice by the SCD. You may also directly contact the SCD to provide advice, which, assuming it sounds like it makes sense, will be seriously considered by the SCD. This privilege may be revoked if your civilian persona falls out of good standing with the SCD.

(Potential Scene)

deer · Jan 19, 2025

turn one

Anessa Black · Daughter of Alexander Black · Socialite and Singer

Hush little baby, don’t say a word,
Papa’s gonna buy you a mockingbird. . .

"Tag! You're it!"

Loud giggles echoed around the playground. A flurry of colour and motions swirled as everyone dashed and darted, avoiding Anessa from being caught.

"Come on, Nessie! Catch us if you can!"
"Run! She’s coming!"

Her dark hair fell to her back, moving with her as she ran through the chaos. Anessa’s gaze was focused, chasing after her targets. She didn’t run much, but the small adrenaline of the game was thrilling. She’d been included.

When the game of tag finally came to an end, the other kids gathered, breathless and excited, quickly suggesting a new game: hide-and-seek.

However, Anessa was chosen to be the seeker.

"Alright, I’ll count to fifty," she murmured softly.

"No peeking, Nessie!" One of the kids wagged their finger in front of her.

With a nod, Anessa turned around, using her hand to shield her eyes and keeping a small distance from the tree. The giggles faded, replaced by a whispering quiet.

"50… 49… 48…"

The rustle of feet, the soft shuffle of bodies—she could hear them scattering, but their whispers seemed distant, barely there. They were good hiders. She wondered if they were trying a little too hard to hide this time.

"…3… 2… 1…"

Anessa opened her eyes slowly, blinking as the sunlight hit her face. She turned around, expecting to see at least someone behind the swings or crouched by the jungle gym, ready to be found. But the playground, as far as she could see, was empty.

Her brow furrowed. She stood still, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face. She glanced over the empty space again. They must be hiding very well. But… there was something odd in her chest, a nagging feeling she couldn’t quite place.

. . .And if that mockingbird don't sing
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring

The in-between moments, from the waking city's first light to sunrise, had always been soothing to Anessa. She derived comfort from the atmosphere, which tingled with a sense of childlike wonder as her eyes wandered over the landscape and architecture of Old Town. It felt like a hush-hush secret to find peace in the calm and quiet of the bustling city, but the River called to her. The Black family had businesses that needed attention, and she would not mess up the responsibilities bestowed upon her by her father.

For now, Anessa took this time for herself, deciding to face the chaos later. It was part of her ritual, a practiced dance she had to keep for herself—routine, as her therapist would remind her. Time seemed to stand still whenever she was alone. Anessa didn't have to wear pretense or smiles to uncover secrets and deception. Humans were curious creatures. While capes and others alike were supposed to have found their haven in Metro City, the appearance of the monster's disruptions—ones that went unnoticed, right under their noses—was worrisome.

A hum escaped her lips as Anessa continued to gaze out her window. She felt softness and fluff reach her fingertips, catching her senses, as she looked down to hear Kaira's purrs.

"Good morning, Kaira. We're overdue for another outing, but I must check in with the businesses before pleasure. Hope you don't mind. I'll bring extra treats back for you, okay?"

Kaira hopped onto her cat tower, licking her paws as she meowed once more. Her tail wrapped around her frame as she meowed again.

It had become routine for Anessa to speak to her cat; their conversations, after all, were enlightening.

As she glided across the wooden floors barefoot, her cover-up loosely draped over her shoulders, exposing her soft skin to the sunlight. Light filtered through the drawn silk curtains as Anessa refilled Kaira's water and food bowls, contemplating her next move. It didn’t go unnoticed by her—nor did it escape her senses—the overwhelming emotions swirling within the people surrounding not only her building but the entire town. She could only imagine the intensity in the busier parts of Metro City, where an attack on emotions could be even more severe to her well-being. With the chaos that occured, Anessa made sure to send text messages to both Lucille and Sasha, making sure they were well.

Though Anessa wasn't a detective, her curiosity often got the best of her. She knew it didn’t do well to dwell on things beyond her control. For now, Anessa decided to remain under the radar, refusing to draw attention to herself. However, another thought came to mind, it didn't mean, Siren couldn't resurface. After all, the girl had a mission, and she wouldn’t stop until it was finished.

turn one

Siren · Rogue | Ties with The Court · Master [Pathokinesis] · Blaster [Sonic]

With each step she took, she felt as if she was walking on pins and needles. A hiss threatened to escape her lips. However, she bit her lips before she could let out a noise. Is it that time already? Siren should have known nothing last forever. McKaine often explained the side effects of the ointment, however, Siren rarely heeded the warning signs. She pushed forward, refusing to let her body control her. With each breath she took, sharp, shocking pains ignited through her veins as she continued her trek.

Once Siren walked closer towards McKaine's Tonic, Materials, and Investigations, Oh my! shop, she noticed an older man leaving the shop. Judging from his facial expression, Anessa assumed McKaine gave him what he needed. His face appeared flush though his eyes filled with mirth as he stared at the two bottles. One bottle filled with red dust while the other sparkled in the light, mercury in color and beautiful. At the corner of her eye, Anessa noticed his entire face beamed bright red, feeling his stare at her back and perhaps, her clothing choice. Cute.

A small hysterical giggle had escaped Siren's lips before she opened the door of Mckaine's shop. From the moment she walked in, the smell of herbs and liquid-filled the air. The sound of the door bell gained her attention as she looked up. Tilting her head, Siren curiously tapped on the bell, listening to the noise before mimicking the sound. Her nose twitched as she tried getting accustomed to the scents. Keeping the odor in the back of her mind, Siren shook her head and made her way around the shop, eyeing the different tonic and potions displayed on the shelves. However, what caught her eye the most was pressed leaves and herbs in smaller jars.

"Jasper!" She shouted, eyes searching for the shopkeeper.

While waiting, practically impatiently, she continued browsing the shelves, her fingers delicately touching the jars as she passed. Siren found a mirror and immediately frowned as she noticed how pale she looked. The color drained from her face. Her lips cracked. Was it thirst? Or, had her ailment caused this? Every few week was a new symptom. However, Siren brushed her thoughts aside.

"Could you brew some tea? Something to numb.. the pain."

Siren didn't wait for an answer. Instead, she took a stool in the corner of the shop and moved it to the counter. She sat down gently careful to not make any more sudden movements. Her pain alleviated for a brief moment since she wasn't walking though she kept her retracted embellished cane hidden in her back pocket, just in case. Collapsing wasn't on her list of things she wanted to do, truly, it was bothersome. No, she wanted to drown the Good Doctor.

actions

𓅪 WEEKLY: Legacy Management: Anessa takes it upon herself to diligently manage the business-related responsibilities entrusted to her by her father. She will focus on overseeing the needs of her employees and the buisness itself. However, she will pay special attention to the shipping warehouse and investment bank.
𓅪 ONE: Song of the Waters: As Siren. suited up in her black leather attire, with hints of purple and a mask that covers her eyes, she will head to the Black River areas to investigate the waters, searching for any signs or clues to help prevent the spreading headaches and unsettling emotions in the air. If possible, she plans to bring back samples to Jasper to examine due to her curious nature to want to experiment.
𓅪 TWO: Soothing Song: As Anessa, she would like to start a fundraising event to help children and young adults find their "voice." In times of uncertainty and fear, she believes that music and the ability to safely express emotions can bring healing. Using the Performing Arts Center her father gifted her, Anessa wants to organise a small event where everyone can learn music, sing, or even perform. She aims to uplift spirits. Through this, she hopes to raise donations to assist those in need.

other

tags:

Cosmo
theme songs: Paint It Black - Ciara · Wicked Games - Lusaint · Control - ZITA

codebydeer

palmtree219 · Jan 20, 2025

Twist

Monster attacks suck. Everything in the city seemed to come to a standstill as the chaos was handled. Of course, this also means that your college classes also came to a halt, giving you a week off to focus on your caped life.

Patrol

Rooftop patrols were far more demanding than you'd thought before you gained powers. While it seems like a staple of heroic patrolling, if you don't have a power that makes it easy, the height difference between buildings and the space between them slows your patrol to a fraction of what you'd cover on the ground. Of course, it does, however, give you a wonderful view of the surrounding area, which makes up for its shortcomings in some ways.

It was during a short rest on one of the taller buildings that you spotted your first activity of note. Two different events, in fact. Far enough apart that you could only check out one of them.
Decision Point:

1) To the southeast, you could barely make out what seemed to be a witch with glowing cats floating around her. She was jogging eastward, but otherwise didn't seem to be doing anything nefarious.

(Potential Scene)

2) To the northeast, a man seemed to be creating crows and launching them into an alleyway, from which you could hear cries of pain.

(Potential Scene)

Class Time

The SCD offers many classes for the inexperienced cape. Unfortunately, those classes are secondary to the agency's primary duties. With the MPF attack, you're informed that all classes are currently on hold until the situation is contained. The receptionist you spoke to *did, however, give you a packet full of various regulations, laws, and other advice to peruse at your leisure.

Gain Item - SCD info packet (You may use this once to gain +1 to fellowship or deceit rolls when convincing someone that you followed proper procedure or have the proper authority to handle a criminal matter. After being used once, this item loses any additional effects.)

Visitation Rights

Visiting your old classmates was... difficult, to say the least. You had the misfortune of visiting when the Tamm family was in. Unlike most of the other parents, the Tamms blamed you for being awake and thriving, while their child was stuck in a bed, hooked up to machines. The mother and father duo kicked up enough of a fuss about you being there that all three of you were booted from the hospital for a week. Which, of course, the Tamms blamed you for as well.

Gain Enemy - Tamm Family (A middle class family. Mrs. Tamm is a real estate agent at Horizon Real Estate. Mr. Tamm is an assistant manager at a hotel along the river.)

palmtree219 · Jan 20, 2025

LucasGhost

What does it take to put one's name on the map? Strength? Intelligence? Doing something great or terrible? No matter the answer, you're still a ways from being there. But you can create, and that means something in a city like this...

Broken Parts

The chaos created by the monster attack leaves many opportunities for an enterprising villain. A bit of searching through the web reveals a lot of possible targets for a tinker.

Decision Point:

1) With the prison being hit so hard, its not out of the question that *some of the tech used to defend it would have washed ashore following the wake of the turtlesquid. Of course, most of it is probably ruined by the saltwater, but even just a little bit of functioning tech would be a major boon to your operations.

(Potential Scene)

2) Before the cleanup of the disaster even started, calls went out to neighboring cities for aid. Through methods best left unspoken, you've tracked down a shipment coming in from Darkhaven City. Most of the shipment will be useless to you or any of your cluster, but the manifest you just so happened to access notes that there's a small supply of electronics within the shipping crate that would be used to help handle replacing the traffic lights and cameras around the bridges.

(Potential Scene or Future Heist)

3) You'd need a lot more time planning it, but rumors on the web- rumors you confirmed with a bit of coding magic- say that there's a hidden supply of materials for the prison to use to quickly get back on its feet after a disaster. You'll have to move quickly (by the next turn) since the prison will be accessing the supplies soon, and the warehouse absolutely will have a dedicated guard of SCD Quarantine Division, but the potential tech inside makes even the most skeptical tinker's mouth water.

(Potential Future Heist)

Doing... Better?

Tinkering... Creating... the urge takes you as you stare down at the tech you've long since built into your mask. Possibilities swirl in your mind, but so too do the costs. Built-in, secure two way communications with another device? Easy. You find one hand has already moved to your cellphone, the other grasping a screwdriver. No, no, you need that. The phone goes back in your pocket.

You glance at the earbuds you recently acquired. A few adjustments here and there would improve performance by 36%. You find your eyes being drawn to the microwave. To the components within. But then, how would you heat up dinner... You pull your gaze away from it.

So much to do, but so little to work with... But perhaps you could manage something with the scrap you have laying around...

Gain 3 Bluetooth earbuds (Capable of 2-way communication)

Decision Point:

1) The toolkit you've got on the workbench nearby is nice, but you need something with a finer touch. You cannibalize a couple of your tools to create something that doesn't fully respect reality. But its wonderful for the fine detailing you need for smaller electronics. (Lose the ability to create larger tinkertech items, but gain the ability work on or create tiny tinkertech items. You may create larger items if you replace the tools you cannibalized.) (Requires Craft roll)

2) You've got your mask and a cellphone, maybe you could do without one of the earbuds and just give the other two to Kerrigan and Jasper. Cannibalize one of the earbuds, but in return, increase the range of your Netfinder by 1 zone. (Requires Craft roll)

3) Just... No. Wait till you find something you can actually work with. Maybe you could just draw up some plans for now? (Describe 2 different tinkertech items you'd like to make. The GM will inform you of what you need to make them. You also gain +1 to your Craft roll to make those items, but only for the first instance of each. There is no time limit for this bonus.)

Overtime

Your boss was quite appreciative of the effort you've been putting into work lately. Gain 1/3 progress towards a promotion.

Decision Point:

1) Gain +1 to your next Resources roll.

2) Swipe a malfunctioning Laptop from the IT department's trash bin. (Roll Stealth against difficulty 2. This will give you 3 units of scrap electronics for tinkering)

palmtree219 · Jan 20, 2025

LecternOfJasper

A creature that size coming into the city was bad enough, even if it was killed quickly. It having Stranger powers that gave people headaches was even worse. But, then, you experienced even more. Your power, already so talkative, felt the moment of its death. Just a slight... glitch in the Manticore's voice. Unnoticeable, save by one who had spent so long with it in their head.

Left Eye

A little more time spent observing your colleagues and... dare it be said... socializing with them... reveals that a few actually have a good deal of knowledge about these attacks. Nothing particularly in-depth, but enough to give you a bit more context.

Through a mix of "casual" conversation, eavesdropping, and basic deduction, you learned that these kinds of attacks have been happening since the start of the New Age in all corners of the world. From what your coworkers have heard, once a city is attacked for the first time, more attacks generally come in a relatively short period of time.

The monsters themselves tend to be large, monstrous versions of animals, or hybrids of them. The largest seem to be the least intelligent, oddly enough. Usually just moving in a direction until something stops them with no ulterior motives. One of your coworkers, John, swore that it was the smaller ones you had to look out for. House-sized to car-sized monsters were apparently the most dangerous, with intelligence greater than the base animal instincts their larger cousins had.

Another coworker, Yasmin, pointed out that the corpse sitting in the river was apparently one of the largest on record. MPFs rarely have enough time or food to grow that large before they run afoul of humans. She also showed you all an article during lunch that spoke about another attack on the other side of the country in New Liberty, where the monster carried smaller versions of itself which clung to its underside, making the whole cleanup affair much messier and much more costly.

Right Eye

Extra shifts at work can be tiring, but extra shifts as a vet at the zoo can be exhausting. There's always another animal needing aid in some way or another. On the bright side, more hours means more money, and helping animals makes you look good to the other zoo employees.

Gain Contact - Yasmin Hamlen (Zoo employee)
Gain Contact - John Delavin (Zoo employee)

Gain 1/3 progress towards a promotion

Patrol

Right now, the riverside is chaos. An equal number of people are running away in a panic as they are running towards the monster with their phones out for a good video to post on social media. This kind of environment is the exact kind where a hero is needed.

People here and there are pushing and shoving to get where they need to go, but the true commotion seems to be based around the body of the monster itself. Perhaps that calls for a closer look?

(Potential Scene. May enter TWSB's scene after 2 turns.)

palmtree219 · Jan 22, 2025

Scatterbrain

You didn't have any more issues with the school faculty or the SCD after you spoke with Whiteout. In all honesty, other than incessant questions from classmates who'd never seen a cape in person, life went on as normal. At least, until your father returned home for the MCSCD HQ visit. It was almost unsettling, how easily you were able to slip into normal, everyday life, even with your very obvious horn. But perhaps that was for the best.

Patrol

Patrolling is a fact of life amongst heroically-inclined capes. Some Patrol in dangerous areas looking for a fight while others patrol in safe, crowded places to boost their own reputation. Your patrol in the area around the SCD headquarters definitely fell into the later category. Granted, with the attack, any patrol at that time was more risky than normal.

Decision Point:

1) Your patrol was rather uneventful, other than an initial rush of people asking for your autograph as you passed a crowded plaza.

Gain **Burgeoning Popularity** until the end of the next turn.

2) Your patrol was rather uneventful, up until screaming started from the direction of Market Plaza.

(Potential Scene)

Testing

Your time at the SCD headquarters was far simpler than you may have thought. Your father went to speak with a couple of officials while you were herded off to the testing chambers. The tests were fairly simple, all things considered. A battery of basic physical tests similar to what you've done in gym class at your school. A solid half hour of questions regarding the capabilities your power grants you. Another round of tests regarding the piercing capabilities of your horn. And finally, an offered round of testing regarding your regenerative capabilities. But only if you and your father both approved it.

In the end, your own understanding of your capabilities was far greater than when you started the day.

Decision Point:

1) 1/2 Progress towards a semi-random Athletics or Physique stunt

2) Unknown amount of progress towards a semi-random Power-related stunt

Homework

Life with powers can make the mundane parts rather forgettable. But even young heroes still need to go to school. Your diligent studies did not go unnoticed.

Decision Point:

1) Gain +1 to your next Resources roll due to you father giving you an increased allowance.

2) Gain +1 to your next Lore roll relating to learning new information or applying high-school level knowledge in the real world.

Kent · Jan 22, 2025

Yves Saint Laurent - Turn 1

Money is power. It is a force that bends the will of even the strongest. Some wield it to shape the world around them, buying influence where persuasion falls short. Even emperors and kings, shrouded in the illusion of authority, are bound by the weight of their coffers. Yet, true power lies with the one who supplies the gold. A mere whisper from their lips becomes commands, their shadows present in every decision.

This is the philosophy of Yves Saint Laurent. His truth. Yet unlike others who revel in wealth, Yves is extraordinary. For him, money is power—literally.

Saint grinned as the diamonds in the briefcase dissolved into motes of light before surging into his body. With arms spread wide, he inhaled deeply, as though reveling in their energy. His body glows in power before abruptly retreating within him.

The world around him seemed to hold its breath. The air distorted as if time itself was bending, warping under his command. Shadows stretched unnaturally, and the tick of a distant clock slowed, each second dragging like molasses.

"Well," Saint murmured, his voice low and laced with dark amusement, "that’s expensive." He straightened, brushing his hands down his immaculate suit. A faint glow lingered in his eyes, the aftershock of time's energy bubbling within him.

He looks down at the empty briefcase before frowning. "It seems like it's time to raise more funds."

Weekly Activity: Saint will network with members of the High Society to raise funds.

Action 1: Establish a Partnership with SCD and the Government

Saint will use his connections with the Mayor [Contact: The Mayor] to help him connect with the SCD where he offers a partnership. The Cape Analysis Center will help the SCD research the capabilities of capes and potentially come up with countermeasures. In exchange, for money, of course! With new capes popping left and right, information and any assistance on how to deal with them is something the SCD desperately needs. Not to mention that they could also use their services to recruit heroes into their fold. And consequently, this will also help him establish contacts within SCD administration.

Fame: 4 (Had a history of assisting the government against the The Court)

Action 2: Establish the Hero Star Agency

Saint will rebuild the Hero Star Agency from the Golden Age. He will use the same office as the Cape Analysis Center and only hire employees.

- Trust Fund Baby will be used (+2 to Resource Roll)
- 1 Fate Point will be expended for the aspect: [Rich Connections]
- 1 Fate Point will be expended for the aspect: [Money is Power]
- 4 Fame

palmtree219 · Jan 27, 2025

deer

The last few weeks have been relatively calm for you. Unlike the rush of events after your recovery, you've mostly been left to your own devices lately. Your father is more than happy bringing you into business in a more official capacity if you ask, but until then, he's left you to make your own decisions. Granted, you know he's got people keeping tabs on you, making sure nothing bad happens, but that's just a fact of life for a Black. Its likely that you'll be assigned a guard of some sort with that monster having attacked, though, so unless you can convince your father otherwise, you'd best take care of whatever you don't want him to know about sooner rather than later.

Patrol

Your patrol turns up little of note outside of the main disaster area. It seems that reports of headaches went away once the monster died. Furthermore, there doesn't seem to be any biological material drifting around upriver. If anything, any loose flesh or blood has already drifted out to sea. Its likely that you'd have to examine the creature itself if you want any other answers.

(Potential Scene)

Fundraiser

Though the fundraiser was planned and executed in a rather short period of time, it quickly garnered major attention from local news. Event attendance was perfectly within the bounds you were planning for, and the event itself was praised nearly universally by those in attendance.

Near the end of the event, you received a voicemail on your business phone from the independent known as Mab. Apparently, she was currently in Darkhaven City with S.O.S., acting as their local cape guide. The heroic idol group had heard about your fundraiser, loved the idea, and wanted to help you organize an even larger one in the near future, while they're in the country. Interestingly enough, just before receiving a message on your business phone, you received another message on your business phone from your father, indicating that he'd appreciate if you strengthened the group's currently non-existent ties to Metro City.

Gain 1 Fame (Civilian identity only)

Gain Contact - Mab
Gain Contact - S.O.S.

Family Legacy

Ever your father's daughter, you slotted yourself back into the family business and family business with ease. Thankfully, operations seem to be running smoothly, currently. Most of the shipping and investment bank operations seemed to be rather mundane at the moment. However, you did see that the shipping warehouse will be safeguarding a shipment of materials intended to help the city and prison recover from the monster attack. Though it's part of your family's business, it wouldn't hurt you or your father if someone learned of the shipment and hijacked it before it left the warehouse. After all, everyone knows that crime is rampant in Metro City.

Regardless of whether you decide to do something with that information, your father noted your diligence with a commensurate bump in allowance.

Gain +1 to your next Resources roll.

(Potential Future Heist)

palmtree219 · Feb 13, 2025

Kent

Partnership

The mayor had little issue passing on a meeting request to the SCD on your behalf. Of course, you had spoken with him on that matter just a day before the monster attacked. In the chaos that followed, the mayor just seemed to have... forgotten. It took him until the end of the next day to remember, shooting off a quick email to the assistant director.

With everyone so busy, you never actually got a meeting with the assistant director or any SCD officer, for that matter. You did get an official email, sent to the mayor and then passed on to you, requesting that you fill out forms 43a, 582j, and 122h. Doing so would set you up as an SCD contracted advisor, though how the SCD uses you would be up to what you provide them and what your handler decides once you actually meet them. Speaking of, the email also noted that you'd have an SCD officer to act as your handler, acting as the go-between between you and the SCD. At least until your Cape Analysis Center is more trusted.

Gain Contact - SCD Handler (currently unknown).

You may receive information requests from the SCD. You may also offer information and analysis of capes and powers to the SCD without them requesting it. If the information is relevant and valuable, you may receive additional rewards. The number and value of requests, types of accepted information, and rewards will increase as you become more trusted by the SCD.

If you fall out of good standing with the SCD, you may lose these benefits.

Hero Star Agency

Your attempt at starting up your Hero Star Agency once more almost died in the crib, with only your connections and reputation keeping it afloat. A few words in the right ears found you with a handful of employees, each relatively skilled, but also relatively distrusting of the likelihood of success for the future of your Agency. Still, you got your employees, and you were able to slot them into the same building your Analysis Center operates out of. Its not the most comfortable setup, but its cheap and its functional.

Gain Hero Star Agency - This job allows you to hire other capes as clients, handle PR concerns, and set up merchandising operations. Due to the fact that you are sharing the HSA's office with the Cape Analysis Center, you can't effectively operate both simultaneously. When performing one or more turn actions that utilize both organizations, the overall effectiveness of both organizations will be lower for those actions. If only one organization is used as part of your turn action(s), it operates at normal levels of effectiveness.

(Resources Roll required)

Networking

The world of the influential, wealthy, and powerful never stops moving, even when the city teeters on the brink of chaos. You may have fallen from your old heights, but you still have enough connections and knowledge to work your way back into those circles. Though some were, in fact, too busy with the current chaos to speak with you, you did manage to acquaint yourself with a couple people of note.

One of them was Margaret Holme, owner of Metro City News. She promised to invest 1 Resources worth of money into your Hero Star Agency immediately and 1 Resources worth at the end of turn 2, assuming she gets exclusive rights to interviews with your clients.

Gain Contact - Margaret Holme

Kloudy · Feb 26, 2025

- I -
UNIVERSAL
~ The Hero Killer ~

"Hmm... take me down? You'd better try harder."

Personal File

Name
Leville De'Mante

Status
Golden Age Villain

Power
Kinetikinesis

Aliases
Universal, The Small Force

Reputation
3/3 [V]

Refresh
3/3

Specs

- Will [4]

- Notice [3]

- Investigate [2]

- Physique [1]

- Deceive [1]

- Shoot [4]

- Fight [2]

- Lore [2]

- Fellowship [1]

- Stealth [1]

Vitals

Physical Stress
- [ ] 1

- [ ] 2

- [ ] 3

- [ ] 4

Mental Stress
- [ ] 1

- [ ] 2

- [ ] 3

- [ ] 4

Consequences
- [ ] 2

- [ ] 4

- [ ] 2 (Mental)

- [ ] 6

Abilities

- [Basic Force Absorption]

- [Basic Telekinetic Flight]

- [Basic Telekinesis]

- [Basic Kinetic Tremor-Sense]

- [This Is Mine Now]

- [Kinetic Battery]

- [Kinetic Efficiency]

- [Telekinetic Might]

- [Danger Sense]

- [Killing Stroke]

- I -
Shadow Of Ironrock

A deep rumble tremored the earth.

Within the smooth grey concrete halls of the SCD's Ironrock Supermax prison, alarms blared as every surface was bathed in fluorescent red light. Numerous heavy footsteps reverberated down every corridor. A prerecorded voice droned regulatory directions to the nearest security checkpoint.

The ground quaked again, dust falling from the ceiling with each movement. Shouting distantly echoed through the sirens. The tremors grew more frequent and intense, like a chain of explosions drawing near. Lights flickered uncertainly and died as the emergency lighting failed haphazardly. Calls for help came from the reinforced cell doors; calls for answers, calls for release, for help.

From every cell but one.

The faint thudding footfalls were almost audible now. Down the hall emerged three uniformed men carrying rifles and a smartly dressed woman with a clipboard. Swiftly turning the corner they all but ran ahead, ignoring the cries of inmates and the klaxon drowning them out.

"Remember, he's dangerous even without his powers." The officer sternly reminded her entourage.

"Do not let him out of your sight."

The group stopped abruptly at one cell and the woman gestured for one of the guards to open the door. The man hesitated briefly, glancing between the cell and his superior before complying and engaging the locking mechanism with a keypad code. A sharp hissing cut through the chaos as hydraulic clamps released from their fixtures and four heavy beams slid back into the wall. With a heavy groaning the massive door slowly swung open.

"Face the wall and kneel! Nice 'n easy now..." The guard who had opened the door cautiously stepped into the cell, returning a few moments later with a much smaller figure in a straitjacket. Keeping a firm grip on the inmates shoulder, the pair entered the hallway as another rumble shook the facility.

"Inmate 066: Leville De'Mante, you are being moved in accordance with emergency protocol: Article 6.52b," The officer looked the boy up and down with a dubious expression, "Comply or excessive force will be used."

Behind the steel mesh mask the tiny prisoner grinned, his eyes slowly drifting up to meet her gaze, "Is that a threat, or a promise Ms Channing? It has been so long since our last disciplinary meeting."

Ms Channing's hand drifted to her neck, unconsciously rubbing a large scar as if a chunk had previously been bitten out. The memory invoked a chill that made her skin crawl. She hurriedly gestured to the guard holding the boy, "Let's move, quickly."

The group broke out into a rapid forced march as it became exceedingly obvious that it was no geological event affecting the facility. An ear-splitting bestial roar shook the foundations of the building, causing most to wince from the shock. By now the emergency lighting was knocked out in many places and the PA system had changed its message to a simple 'remain calm and seek shelter' loop. Gunfire echoed in the distance, accompanied by the sound of concrete crumbling and falling.

After a minute of travel they came across a collapsed section of hallway, "Shit, we'll have to go around. Move to the low-priority holding cells."

The officer led the group to the right and they swiftly made their way to a heavy shutter-panel door. She inserted her ID keycard and the door began to open. It reached a third of the way when an earth-shattering crash knocked everyone to the ground, the ceiling behind giving out and collapsing into rubble.

The checkpoint door stopped opening, but there was enough of a gap to squeeze through. A flash of terror passed over Ms Channing's face momentarily before she regained her composure and pressed on.

A couple more minutes and they reached the general holding cells. It was a scene out of an action-thriller. Multiple cell doors were open, the walls and ceiling had sustained much structural damage and several bodies lined the floor - not all inmates. Jailbreakers capitalising on the chaos. Small fires had broken out in places, not yet large enough for immediate concern but concerning all the same.

Ms Channing nodded to the others and the two unoccupied guards fanned out, scanning the way ahead for threats as they moved up. Sure enough, two such individuals sprung from around the corner of a corridor entrance on the far right, one levelling a security-issue rifle at them. A third emerged from the corridor on the left, similarly aiming a stolen rifle at the group.

The ringleader brandished a long length of pipe at them, "Give us your ID card! I know you have one. We're not fuckin' around here!"

The guards took up positions behind crops of rubble and even Ms Channing took cover and drew her sidearm. But before she could respond or any shots fire, another primordial roar blasted right above them that shattered all the nearby glass.

Clutching their ears in pain, the escaped inmates had time only to glance around in fear before a terrible rending sound carved through the building and collapsed the ceiling above them. Dust rushed everywhere and through the murk Ms Channing could make out what seemed like a wall of cracked scaly skin lifting from where the convicts had just been.

Daylight broke through as the flattened space gave way to sunny open air. She stared with her mouth agape for a moment, realising a good 30ft area of the facility had just been demolished, before recovering with a determined grimace, "At least that takes care of the escapees..."

"Sorry, Ms Channing. It seems that won't be the case."

- II -
The Small Force

Another cold chill ran up her spine as she felt a dropping sensation in the pit of her stomach. Slowly turning around, the officer watched in horror as the previously restrained boy now hovered before her: free from the straitjacket and mask. Something in that last bout of destruction had apparently knocked out the cape power-jamming devices stationed across the prison - and with the worst possible timing.

The guard that had been ordered to keep Leville in check was now writhing on the floor, desperately attempting to fight off the straitjacket that was wrapping itself around his body. His eyes bulged as the sleeves began choking the life from him. The two other guards darted to their superior's side, rifles at the ready. The boyish cape grinned evilly again, slowly floating forward with menace.

"It's a shame, Ms Channing, you did help stifle the boredom of this dull place. But I cannot be held any longer..."

The boy's expression turned malicious as his tone shifted from conversational to serious, "So step aside."

Her teeth grit and hands shaking, the officer pointed her pistol at the child, "Y-You know I can't do that, Leville. Release that man a-and surrender!"

The hovering cape's gaze softened and he smiled ruefully, shaking his head with a small chuckle, "Truly, you never listen, do you? I told you to use my real name. Perhaps you need another reminder?"

Ms Channing gasped, hand once again touching the scar on her neck. Alarms blared wordlessly. Breathing heavily, she cocked her pistol and took aim, "Take him down, lethal force!"

Several gunshots cracked the tension as a flurry of bullets fired off in the inmate's direction. They kept firing until an inevitable clicking sound signaled the end of the volley. Ms Channing shakily went to reload, but stopped as she realised the futility. The rounds that would have hit Leville had stopped just short of his face.

"Hmm... take me down? You'd better try harder." Another shark-toothed grin.

With a flick of his wrist the guard on the right gasped as his head turned sharply, breaking his neck instantly. He crumpled to the ground like a ragdoll and Ms Channing began backing up fearfully, fumbling her reload. The last guard completed rearming his rifle and started shooting into centre-mass vainly, screaming in defiance as he did. Another small gesture and the man was sent crashing into the left-most concrete wall, impacting a crater into it with his body. He struggled against the invisible pressure, which only increased as he was crushed into the wall, ribs shattering with a wet crunch. Upon release his body remained indented into the concrete.

Having never removed his gaze from Ms Channing, the young cape continued his slow approach with unsettling focus. The officer stumbled and lost her footing, feebly trying to backpedal away.

"What was it you said earlier? Comply, or excessive force will be used?"

Clutching at the air with a hand, Leville gave an excited laugh as he levitated a large slab of concrete the size of a car into the air. Tears streamed from Ms Channing's eyes and she desperately scrambled to get away.

With a resounding thud the chunk of rock fell upon her legs, trapping her against the floor with a pained cry. Leville came to a stop beside her and floated down to lightly perch on the edge of the slab.

"Since you've lost the will to fight, I'll leave it at this. Just one thing though..."

He leaned in close to her face, "Say. My. Name."

"Uni-Universal..." Ms Channing replied between breaths.

Universal smiled wide, clearly pleased, "There! That wasn't so painful, was it?"

Getting up from the slab, he took a moment to survey the scene. Where 'whatever it was' had crushed the previous escapees, an exposed conduit of electronics lay bare from a torn-up square of panelling. While the components themselves were uninteresting, some bore insignias different to the typical SCD branding. Perhaps it was related to the tinker Universal had overheard was responsible for the power-jamming devices? A long shot, but worth it all the same. Ripping out a hunk of the electronics, he caught it in his hand and rose off the ground once more.

"It's been fun, Ms Channing. I'll see you around..." Moving into the exposed sunlight, Universal caught a proper glimpse at the destruction wrought across the entirety of the prison and smiled, "Or maybe not."

And with that the villainous cape shot into the sky, soaring away at gale-speed. Directly towards Metro City.

Summary - Turn 1

1st Action - [Find A Tinker] After escaping Ironrock Supermax, Universal brings the chunk of electronics he stole to a tinker in hopes of tracking the one that made the power-jammers.
2nd Action - [Hostile Takeover] Having been shut off from his powers for so long, Universal wants to get some practice in. A local gang should do, plus it comes with a free hideout!
Weekly Action - [Power Training 1] Something is... different. Universal can feel a shift in the kinetic energies. Perhaps if he continuously uses his powers now, they might grow...

palmtree219 · Mar 21, 2025

Kloudy

Find A Tinker

Grabbing a handful of unknown tech during a massive, chaotic breakout is no easy task. Grabbing a handful of unknown tech that has any real value is even harder when you can't tell what's what. Somehow, you managed to grab something good. Finding a tinker that could tell you anything of value about the scraps you grabbed is no easy task, even in a city packed with capes. And yet, luck would have it that you tracked one down within days of your escape. A tinker specializing in androids and armored suits known as Steel Legion seemed willing to meet with you.

Gain 1d3 Unknown Scrap and 1 Power Suppression Device Scrap. For each Unknown Scrap, roll 1d100 to determine value.

Hostile Takeover

Finding a gang hideout to take within the Projects was not a difficult task. The place was somehow worse than the slums when it came to turf wars and two-bit thugs trying to make names for themselves. With just a little bit of research, you managed to nail down a couple of good targets for your new and improved powers.

Decision Point:

A) The Block Boys - A relatively new gang that popped up in and around an apartment complex in the uninspired shape of a large, concrete block with windows. They don't seem to have much in the way of numbers or weapons, but they also don't seem to have much wealth. Taking them out would leave you as the sole thug-in-charge of an overcrowded apartment block in the center of the Projects.

B) The Ratcatchers - This gang has been around for a while, mostly just staying within their lane and not pissing off anyone near their strength. They've not got great numbers, but they are relatively well armed. They're based out of a long-since abandoned sewer maintenance building. Their territory is right between a handful of larger gangs, and mostly acts as a buffer between them.

C) The Redcaps - A rather strong gang for the area, the Redcaps, named by others for their violent tendencies and red ballcaps, are the most numerous and most heavily armed of the three options. They have taken an abandoned strip mall and turned it into a small fortress. Sheet metal walls, watchtowers, guard patrols, if the cops actually patrolled in the Projects, these guys would've been spotted and taken out within days. Unfortunately, they don't, so the Redcaps have grown like a cancer within their neighborhood.

Power Training

After spending so long with your power suppressed, being able to flex your "telekinetic muscles", so to speak, almost overcame your senses. You didn't notice any change over your years in prison, but something about those power suppressors really gave your powers a workout. The moment you make it to the mainland and start practicing with your powers, you realize that you can do more now than you could back in the old days.

You may request a telekinesis-related power stunt. The DM will generate 2-3 options based on your request, of which you will be able to choose 1.

Multiple Settings Metro City

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Sleeper of Endless Eons Whence Death May Die

All machines only listen to one master!

Tu'er Shen the Rabbit God

Does Not Know Kung-fu

Mister Zero

And turns. But some delightful ^

A lovely day in the demiplane of dread

Trying really hard to stay focused

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Breathe gold. Think light.

MANTICORE Turn 1​

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sul sul

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Imagination will bring us everywhere

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The Lore Savant

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