Vanguard Roll Call!

Vanguard Roll Call!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Vanguard: Issue 123: Swords and Sorcery!



Vanguard had awoken from a madhouse into a strange, otherworldly landscape where they now fought the Crimson Coven for their team mate Avatar! The epic battle was total chaos!

The Witch spied Zephyr, who was the closest hero to her. The wretched old crone mumbled an ancient curse and pointed at Shelley!
Zephyr gasped in surprise! “Guys, something’s wrong. I can’t see. I.. I’m blind!”

Avatar hurtled at the Warlock with the blinding speed of Hermes! Avatar’s deadly sword, forged with the skill of Hephaestus and guided by the strength and skill of Ares, slammed into Warlock’s sorcerous screen of cobalt energy! SKRAASH K-k-k-k-kkkk. The energy shield shrieked and flickered (like a light saber when it hits a light saber). "Why do you seek your own doom?" the manifestation of mythology said.

Talon continued his aerial combat with the Fallen, slamming into her with speed, and raking at her with his claws! SLASHH!! His deadly talons sliced open her black, battle-damaged plate armor at the shoulder, revealing nothing behind it but absolute darkness!

Le Fou laughed and leapt up onto the chest of another Clone and gleefully crowned him between the eyes with his short staff! KRAK! The Clone fell over unconscious. Le Fou rode him down, and ended up comically pirouetting on one foot upon the unconscious Clone’s chest. “These men are made of balsa wood! They are one man, spread terribly thin. Bred, it would seem, to be victims of my tender mercies. How delightful!” The demented dwarf’s sadistic smile was a terrible thing to behold.

Demonoid barked at Sentinel like a rabid dog! “Come on, ya virgin. Let’s see how tough ya are!” The two were alone, away from the unseen pentacle, when Baron Samedi came screaming over them across the sky! Demonoid laughed so hard he had to catch his breath. Then he breathed fire at Sentinel! VROOOSSSHHHH!!!! (10 points of damage. Sentinel elects to take it all off shields!)
“You bloody wanker, come down here and fight me like a man!”

Soldier began to race to shield Zephyr from the Witch with his augmented frame! “Zephyr, I’ve got you, just stand where you’re at for a second.”

Black Dragon intercepted him in mid action! His right fist was enveloped in magical, translucent black energy that flowed like slow moving flames! The mystic master of martial arts had identified his nearest foe. The Dragon leapt, and in one motion struck Soldier in the chest with the black hand of the Dragon! ZVWA-POW!! (25 points of damage! 8 off Invulnerability. Roll with 7. Take 10 off Hits!) The dragon fire was extinguished upon contact! VOOF!

Soldier flew back 25 feet but remained conscious! Shaking off the blow, the patriotic powerhouse continued to shield Zephyr! Once positioned between them, he targeted her mouth at point blank range with his smart pistol to cease her spell casting. “Try chewing on this, you old hag!” BLAMM!
The special, taser-like round hit its mark and the wicked bride of Satan let out a red scream as she writhed on the ground! “RAAAAGGGHHHH!!!”

Symbiote tried to not rush to his sister’s aid. Instead he positioned himself to attack Black Dragon from behind with a lightning bolt so that his Dragon Fist attack could not be used again! SHAKOW! At the last second, the Black Dragon, turned and tried to dodge the lightning bolt!
But the lightning was too fast even for him and he was pierced in mid-air by the jagged arc of white hot electricity! The Black Dragon was injured. Breathing slowly, he resumed a defensive stance, facing Symbiote!

Superstition smirked as electricity from Symbiote’s attack again arced back at him! KRAKOW!
(12 points of damage again! 7 off Power. 5 off Hits!)

Zephyr said, “Thanks Ma-, uh, Soldier!” Then she put her arms at her side and concentrated. The wind shifted around her slightly. “I… think I’m okay!” Then she seemed to notice Plague, reforming.
“This guy again?!” she said as flew around Soldier and blasted Plague with another hurricane force gale, scattering his swarm form into the wind! “Bug off!” she yelled happily. Two superhero zingers!

The Fallen, meanwhile, met Talon’s fury, blow for blow! Her black blade struck the avian antihero as the two were locked in deadly aerial combat above the battlefield! KER-RANG! (14 points of damage and an additional 10 points off Power! Rolling with damage, Talon takes a total of 16 to Power, and 8 to Hits!)
From within the infinite blackness of her iron helm, the damned woman’s voice hissed, “Merely human.”

Sentinel used what remained of his fading energy constructs to throw Demonoid away from him and the battle! “Cowardly little @#$%&*!” the hateful hell creature spat as he hurled away!
Sentinel tried to reach Vanguard on his communicator and found it not working. There were no satellites in whatever place this was!
With that, the beacon of justice flew off in the direction of the mysterious energy trail he had detected! Sentinel’s ability to fly came from his energy constructs, which were now perilously low. He was not making great speed! From just above the ground, he turned around and sensed…

The Wraith, silently and invisibly coming for him! It seemed the intangible specter floated at a slow pace as well. She was gradually closing the distance, but could not attack at this range!

Lightning Strike stalked Demonoid! The electric avenger couldn’t locate any conductive materials, just broken masonry and stones! So he ran to where he lay wounded on the broken ground where he had landed from Sentinel’s throw. Demonoid saw Lightning Strike’s boots and looked up as SHAKOW! Lightning Strike blasted him, electrocuting the bestial devil into unconsciousness!

The Warlock, clearly concerned at the raw power facing him now in the form of the Avatar unleashed, snarled “I do not seek my doom, Olympian. I seek my transcendence…. my immortality!”
VOMMMmmmmm BOOM!! Blue energy exploded out from the Warlock’s forehead again and blasted the myrmidon of myth (18 points of damage! Roll with 4, take 14 off Hits!)

Menagerie stared at Mirage and snarled. Then with a quick spin, the man in wolf’s clothing focused his senses and will on Superstition! He sprinted and pounced up at her! His lupine jaws snapped hard on her torso and his weight pulled her down from her levitation to the ground, hard! WHAM!
“Merde!” she cursed as the big black wolf stood over her bleeding form. Menagerie tasted human blood and realized that a real wolf would now burrow his sharp jaws into Superstition’s soft exposed stomach!

Mirage was motionless and silent. Then he blinked out of existence.

Clone swarmed over the Golem again with all fourteen of his bodies! Blinding its vision, tangling in its trunk-like legs, throwing it off balance, the human flash mob managed to topple the Goliath a second time, this time steering him onto Le Fou!

Le Fou looked up as the Clone beneath him vanished, reabsorbed into the collective. The merry maniacal midget’s jaw dropped as the shadow of the man-monolith covered him. “Le yipe!” he said and then BOOMMM! He was crushed beneath the lumbering leviathan! Two of the many Clones that rode the Golem down hit their earthen adversary with sticks and stones, to little avail!

The Golem slowly, methodically pulled himself up again, revealing the unconscious and smashed Le Fou at the bottom of a Golem-shaped impression. Now the Golem was getting mad! The living mountain smashed a massive fist down onto a Clone, crushing it into unconsciousness! KRA-POW!

Slingshot meanwhile felt sickened by what he had done to Baron Samedi, but through the sting of the pain, he had reacted without thinking through the consequences. "Can't believe that I've just did that!" He said to Soldier, "They are setup to attack our weaknesses! I can handle electricity well, help Clone or someone else. I have to go after the Cajun."

Slingshot grabbed at a column in his patented move. He looked at Okmenhotep, "You and I, let's fly." He threw his other arm at the Egyptian and entangled him in it, and then launched himself in the air after Samedi! BOIINNG! The malleable man of might hurtled up high with the ancient Egyptian!

Okmenhotep calmly said something Slingshot didn’t understand, and then disappeared! The mystic left only vapors of dark green smoke that dissipated in the rushing air!

Slingy shrugged and gazed ahead to find Samedi, to save his life. He saw Sentinel far below him, travelling in the same direction. Then Scott looked ahead. In the distance, rising above the moonlit mists, he saw a pale silhouette. It seemed to be the soaring towers of a mighty city!

Avatar, meanwhile, continued his unrelenting assault on the Warlock! The blade of Hephaestus crashed down again into the cobalt shield! KRAASH K-k-k-k-kkkk. The energy shield moaned again and wouldn’t stop flickering. It wasn’t going to withstand much more of this!

The Warlock knew it. He yelled, “Crimson Coven! Now! Strike as one at the Avatar of the Pantheon, and the promised reward shall be yours!”

The Black Dragon glanced in the Warlock’s direction.
The Witch cried “Mine!” through bloody broken teeth!
The Fallen hissed “Mine!” from inside that terrible helm!
The Golem roared unintelligibly.
Sentinel saw the Wraith hesitate for a moment.
“Mine,” said the disembodied voice of a man.
Superstition, from beneath the bloody jaws of the wolf, cried, “Mine, curse you all!”

To be continued!

OOC:
Replies/Actions for one round of combat please. Avatar gets two attacks, due to Heightened Speed.

Below is the 'End of Issue' Map, with continued thanks to Tom!
The map marks your placement at the end of Issue 123, but not which way you are facing.
Sentinel, Lightning Strike, Slingshot, Demonoid, the Wraith and Baron Samedi are off the map, to the “north.”
Okmenhotep and Mirage’s placement are unknown to almost everyone.

Have fun!
Viva Vanguard!
Jeff



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

Current Conditions:
Avatar: Hit Points: 50, Power Points: 36, Manifesting: Heightened Strength and Speed
Clone: Bodies: 13, Hit Points: 1 each, Power Points: 30 each, Hit Pool: 13
Lightning Strike: Hit Points: 36, Power Points: 61
Menagerie: Hit Points: 14, Power Points: 48, Form: Wolf
Sentinel: Hit Points: 19, Power Points: 19, Shields: 28, Creation Points: 38
Slingshot: Hit Points: 44, Power Points: 74, Invulnerability: 8
Soldier: Hit Points: 19, Power Points: 67, Invulnerability: 0 til issue 125
Symbiote: Hit Points: 25, Power Points: 70, Charges: 13, Copied: Strike
Talon: Hit Points: 38, Power Points: 45
Zephyr: Hit Points: 13, Power Points: 59, Charges: 10, Armor: 25, Blind!

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

Avatar:
The Warlock yelled, “Crimson Coven! Now! Strike as one at the Avatar of the Pantheon, and the promised reward shall be yours!”

OOC: I don't like the sound of that!

As the Crimson Coven members look like they are going to attack me en masse, I'll try and slip around behind The Warlock, hopefully timing things well enough and being fast enough that any ranged attacks might have a chance of hitting him (looking at the map it seems that, if I'm behind him, he will be between Avatar and everyone else).

I'll try and grab him as an action, hopefully after his shields are down and I can actually touch him but, if not, then around the shields, and pick him up and run at Heightened Speed toward Golem, hopefully smashing into him with The Warlock and damaging both of them.

If that tactic doesn't seem to have a chance of working, Avatar will continue to work at the shield with his sword, still trying to keep The Warlock between him and the rest of the CC, still hoping that ranged attacks might strike the CC leader rather than him.

In any case, Jeff, have both of Avatar's actions focused on neutralizing The Warlock along the lines of those tactics. If it doesn't work initially, then Avatar will grab The Warlock as soon as the shield is down and attempt it later.

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

Symbiote:
Symbiote will again lash out at Black Dragon (especially since Superstition seems to be otherwise engaged with taking a piece of Avatar's skin at the moment).

IC: As Hal becomes more agitated, the Bronx begins to come out in his normally controlled voice. "Hey, Kung Fu!! I ain't done with you yet! Ya hear me?!? I'M TALKIN' TO YOU!!!"

With that, he hurls another lightning bolt at the Malevolent Martial Artist.

OCC: Native New Yorkers on the mailing list: I hope I got that right. Please feel free to correct if necessary.

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

Avatar:
OOC: Perhaps you should speak in OUR native dialect for them, Greg?

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

Symbiote:
OOC: "Y'all done opened a meth lab full of whup ass!!"

Nah, just doesn't flow as well.

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

Clone:
With all the villains making their way over to Avatar’s position, one of the Clones will turn to the others and say,”Our friend is in needing of us comrades!” At which point they will all start running over that way as well. Ultimately the goal of the ‘Clone Mob’ is to keep Avatar from getting mauled ( given Clone’s weakness ). He’ll intentionally throw himself in-between any ranged attacks aimed at Avatar or even act as a human shield for him if he can against HTH attacks. While running over to help Avatar , if the Clone mob can get a ‘cheap shot’ off ( a side or rear attack, aka - trampling, run-by haymakers, etc. ) against Black Dragon ( unless Symbiote has already taken him out ) they’ll do so. Judging from the map it looks like a side attack may be possible, but I’m not 100% sure of that. Any Clones that are not knocked unconscious, actively blocking attacks, etc . . . will attempt to attack The Warlock ( armed with sticks and stones . . . in order to break his bones lol )

OOC: Just for the record Jeff – the Clone’s are done trying to take out The Golem lol – that boy is just too damn tough – I can’t even scratch ‘em lol. Also – I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned this ( although you’ve been doing it any way ), if any of the duplicates get knocked unconscious, the others will automatically try to reabsorb him into the collective.

GREG WROTE: As Hal becomes more agitated, the Bronx begins to come out in his normally controlled voice. "Hey, Kung Fu!! I ain't done with you yet! Ya hear me?!? I'M TALKIN' TO YOU!!!" With that, he hurls another lightning bolt at the Malevolent Martial Artist.

OOC: Native New Yorkers on the mailing list: I hope I got that right. Please feel free to correct if necessary.

RESPONSE: As a native Noo Yawk’a that works in, on and under the streets of Noo Yawk, ya might wanna go with someth’n like this: Ay-oh! F*$k Face! Yeah – I’m tawk’n to you! I ain’t f*$k’n dun wit you yet! Then as you come with in hand-to-hand distance and go to throw that big right hand ( or in this case – power up a big juicy wad of deadly electricity ) with a look of complete distain and rage . . . Lets go moth’a f*$k’a!!!

Yeah – lol – unfortunately theres a lot of F-Bombs being dropped in the streets of Noo Yawk. I’ve met a bunch of people over the years that have come from over-seas to live here in Noo Yawk and they almost all say the same thing – one of the first words they hear ( or learn if English isn’t their first language ) as they leave the airport terminal, is the F-Bomb lol. Oh and before I forget . . . its not ‘The Bronx’, its ‘Da Bronx’ lol

Talk to you all soon,

-Kev

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

Menagerie:
OOC: Awesome issue!!

[OOC] Okay, I need GM help. The way I visual the scene, Menagerie is standing with his front two paws on Superstitution's torso. His weight is holding her down (like a pin). She can turn her head and move her arms and legs. She is bleeding. Is this a correct assessment?

Menagerie is going to fight off his "wolf instincts" to burrow his sharp jaws into Superstition’s soft, exposed stomach! but he still wants to knock her out cold.

What is my best option of doing that?

I have considered biting her neck to suffocate her into blacking out, but with his wolf teeth, that may not work well.

I have considered striking with both paws. If I did that. would I still get full HtH damage? I am not sure, because that is not how a wolf typically fights.

If I choose to rake Superstition's torso with the claws on the front paws, would that still fit the 4-color image or is it the equivalent to attacking the stomach. What would the HtH damage be for raking?

I have considered having Menagerie change into his human form and deliver a right cross to Superstition's jaw. Would there be any attack bonuses since Superstition is prone on the ground and Menagerie is above (on top of her)? Since he is so low on the initiative totem pole, if I choose this option would I need to provide a few If-then responses in case Superstition moves/escapes? I wouldn't want to change forms if that happened.

Menagerie's goal this turn would be to minimize the attacks on Avatar as possible, He believes removing Superstition from the fight is the best solution since she is able to use Vanguards' powers for her purposes. He is willing to evalate the lethality of his attack to the appropriate level of the setting (4-Color Hero protecting a teammate).

If you don't feel like responding with details on all the options I have listed, providing the best attack on Superstition and the details with it is all I really need. I trust your judgement on which option is best.

Protect the Avatar!
Tom

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

Sentinel:
OOC:
Hi everyone.

Things have been hectic, so I'll just get things in order quickly since Kirk seems to be in a position here to have little effect and out of the range of things.

Given that Kirk doesn't know much of what his happening his first priority is to get to the source of the energy flowing to the Coven and disrupt it if possible. He will continue at 'top' speed towards that source and hopefully stay out of the range of the Wraith. You haven't given me an idea at this point of the time frame to reach it, and I'm hoping that it won't be so long that Kirk does nothing to help further with the Battle, but at this point, Kirk has no idea on that distance and no idea on the battle circumstance, only that he is close to being totally powerless from the Wraith's attacks.

If Kirk gets any further energy reads to help him to determine the best course of action here, he'd take them. If he gets close enough to Slingshot to let me know the situation with the energy he is tracking he would do so. If he gets within range of Slingshot and things changed so that he needed help, he would certainly do whatever he could, even at minimum effectiveness.

If nothing else comes up for Kirk's action, unless his action could be used to speed his arrival to the source of energy somehow (which I'm assuming not, since he only has whatever speed he has left), you can use his action to evade in case of a sneak attack or in case Wraith gets within attacking distance... however, if he can reach the source, his attack would be to disrupt it.

It Wraith catches Kirk and it appears he has no other choice before being rendered totally powerless he would try to time his attack with the exact moment Wraith 'makes contact' with him figuring that if Wraith can touch him at that point, Kirk would have his best opportunity to have a physical effect on Wraith and at that point, giving it a shot that 'resummoning his energy' might open a portal to 'short circuit' the Wraith is all I can come up with at this point.

If I missed anything, let me know, and if any other situation comes up, Kirk would respond 'as heroically' as possible.

Best,
Seth

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

GM:
OOC:
Hey Tom,

Thanks.
Your assessment of your positions is correct.
The damage listed for Wolf is a bite attack. Paws / raking would be half that at best.
Thanks for considering the silver/bronze age feel of the campaign.
The Human-form right cross option works, and you get bonuses because she's prone. The transfomation could also surprise her, preventing her from rolling with damage.

Your initiative as Human or Wolf is the same, I think, so you may need if-then statements in any event. Thanks.

Best,
Jeff

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

Menagerie:
[OCC] Instead of doing a series of ‘If –Then’ statements, I am going to describe a situation and based on the situation give Menagerie’s action.
[IC]
Menagerie is standing where he is and Superstition is still lying prone below him. Menagerie will turn human and deliver a right cross to Superstition’s head.

Menagerie has been knocked off Superstition and he is flying in the air from the knockback. He uses his action to turn into the Eagle. He will use his movement to get the best location to survey the battle scene and use his senses to try to find a weakness in the Coven.

Menagerie has been knocked off Superstition and he is lying on the ground from the knockback. If Superstition is next him, Menagerie will charge attacking her legs. His goals will be to bite her leg and slam into both legs, hopefully knocking her down.

Menagerie has been knocked off Superstition and he is lying on the ground from the knockback. If Superstition is not near him, Menagerie will charge attacking her legs. He will turn and look for the easiest target to attack with order of preference: Superstition, Witch, Fallen, and Black Dragon. He will move to attack from behind attacking the target’s legs. Easiest to target is more important than preference. Preference is to break ties.

Menagerie has been knocked off Superstition and he is lying on the ground from the knockback. If Superstition is floating above him, Menagerie will charge her after he leaps up into the air he will turn into the Eagle. He will fly into her face flapping his wings to disorient her, if slamming into her doesn’t count as an action but just movement then he does that.

Menagerie is standing where he is and Superstition vanishes, he will turn and look for the easiest target to attack with this order of preference: Superstition, Witch, Fallen, and Black Dragon. He will move to attack from behind attacking the target’s legs. Easiest to target is more important than preference. Preference is to break ties.

[OOC] Let me know if you have any questions on this.

Thanks
Tom

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

Soldier:
Once Solider is able to get to his feet, he'll move toward Zephyr, continuing to try to place himself between any attacks. He'll call out, "Zephyr, it's me I'm going to take your hand, so don't panic, just stay close to me, and I'll do my best to get you out of here." As he does so, he' do his best to evade with Zephyr in tow, as he tries to get closer to the loose circle formed by his fellow Vanguard members, keeping Zephyr toward away from any possible attacks. He'll save his actions to respond to any attacks directed at him. If he's got time. He'll yell over to Clone, and ask for a little assistance, from one of his duplicates. "Clone, can you spare a body to give me hand?" If he can, he'll hand off Zephyr to one of his duplicates and concentrate on the Coven. In the event he's directly confronted, or another teammember is being attacked, fire a taser round at the attacker. If he still has an action, and can spot one one Crimson Coven along the outter perimeter, he'll fire off one of his explosive rounds trying catch them in the burst effect.

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

Slingshot:
So unfortunately.. I should have been asking a bunch of questions regarding this mighty city before this. My bad.

Instead, I'll be looking for that poor shlep of Baron Samedi.

What I will also do is: 1) Look for is any indication of what that mighty city might be. Being in contruction, I should have an eye for shapes, building and such. So I should be able to recognize any well known city, architectural details to a degree or another (could it be a somewhat olympian style city?). That sort of detail while I try to get to the human before he dies from my irresponsibility.

Also, are the communicators working?

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

Talon:
Talon will continue to attack The Fallen. He will press her in an effort to avoid her sword attack and claw at her armor, especially her helm.

Thanks,

Denny

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

Lightning Strike:
After taking out Demonoid, Lightning Strike looked around for another foe. He couldn't let them all gang up on Avatar so the best bet seemed to be to try to take more of them out before they coordinated the attack. Warlock seemed to be leading the group to some extent so Strike will target him with a blst of electricity. Hopefully the others will get discouraged if they see him go down.

Strike will take note of the city in the horizon but make no move to head to it yet. Usually cities mean some sort of conductive material.

Thanks for waiting.
Tony





Vanguard: Issue 122: To Battle the Black Arts!



Vanguard had awoken into a strange, otherworldly landscape where they now battled the Crimson Coven for their team mate Avatar!

Talon growled as he recoiled from the Fallen's black blade. Using his powerful wings to drive forward, the bestial bird man rammed the knight of darkness, tangling her up until he threw her at the Warlock! SMASH! The Fallen’s cursed armor crashed into the blue energy field that protected the Warlock, making it screech and flicker (like a light saber when it hits another light saber) KKKKK-K-K-K-k!
The Warlock was unharmed, but clearly concerned. Talon continued to keep control over his battle rage.

The Fallen was deflected to the ground in a loud heap. She looked up at Talon and swore a black oath to his death.

Black Dragon’s calm eyes regarded his right fist. The mystic master of martial arts concentrated and his fist was enveloped in magical, translucent black energy that flowed like slow moving flames!

Avatar suddenly manifested Hermes! His face and eyes took on a new countenance as he cried "εδώ είμαι!" The demigod of destiny hurtled toward The Warlock like a warrior borne!

Le Fou cackled, “I tried to tell you Warlock, but would you listen? Tick tock tick tock.” He tumbled backwards through the air with malevolent mirth and landed on an unsuspecting Clone, crowning him with his short staff! KRAK! The Clone fell to the ground and Le Fou mused, “Hmm. Don’t make ‘em like they used to.”

Demonoid turned back to Slingshot. “Hate to give the little bastard any help,” he snarled, indicated Samedi, “but I’m the one what’s been charged with sending yer lily white soul screaming down to hell! And I’m a man what loves his work!” ROOAAROOOSSHHH!!! Fire erupted from the hateful horrors’ jaws at Slingshot! (20 points of damage, as per Vulnerability! 8 from Power. 12 off Hits.) Slingshot was still not on fire!

Baron Samedi snapped at Demonoid, “Shut up, monster!” Then to Slingshot: “I warned ya, boy!” The voodoo master produced a small handmade doll from his coat pocket. Attached to it was a scrap of purple cloth that looked like it had been torn from Slingshot’s costume! A cigarette lighter appeared in his other hand. “I warned ya I did, aha ha ha ha!” he laughed as he set fire to the doll!

Slingshot felt intense heat as if invisible flames engulfed him! (18 points of damage, as per Vulnerability. Cannot be rolled with. All off hits! But Slingy retains consciousness!)

Soldier, after witnessing the devastating attacks on Slingshot, opened fire on Demonoid! BLAM! BLAM! Both bullets hit! Demonoid snarled as Soldier scanned the area with his thermal imager. He found that Mirage gave no heat signature! There was a human-shaped cold spot where Wraith is marked on the map! And everyone else was giving off a heat signature! Soldier reported this intelligence to Vanguard and moved up to help form the circle!

Symbiote also targetted Demonoid, trying to get him off Slingshot. "Hey, Ugloid!," he yelled at the Firebreathing Foe. "With that tongue I bet you'd be a hit with the ladies, if they could get past that trainwreck of a face!" With that, he unleashes a lightning bolt. SHAKOW!! The electricity struck Demonoid in his big twisted face and illuminated his entire inhuman skeleton for an instant! The savage hellion roared in pain and anger!

Superstition laughed coyly as electricity from Symbiote’s attack arced back at him wildly, and struck Symbiote as well! KER-ACK-KOW! (12 points of damage! 8 off Power. 4 off Hits!)

The Fallen did not bother standing. From the ground she launched herself upward upon her black, angel wings, hurling herself at Talon! The accursed blade barely missed him and she hissed, “Insolent mortal, I shall teach you respect!”

Zephyr, who was right next to Talon, gained altitude and then fired a wind blast down at the Fallen, driving her back to the ground with a crash of armor! CLANG! “Gee gruesome, you’re really earning your namesake today,” Zephyr said, beaming with pride that she had just got off a bonafide superhero zinger, in combat no less!

The Warlock watched Avatar charge him and said with steady determination from behind his cobalt shield, “Your fate is already sealed, Avatar! You will be broken, and your awesome power stripped from you. There is no escaping that. All you can do now is save the lives of your friends. Surrender to us, and we will spare them!” VOMMMmmmmm BOOM!! Blue energy exploded out from the Warlock’s forehead and formed a beam that struck Avatar’s chest! (17 points of damage! Roll with 4, take 13 off Hits)

Menagerie was released by Slingshot. In the form of Wolf, he raced through the battleground, hunting the scent of Mirage and the Wraith! The Wraith eluded his detection, but he believed he found Mirage! Menagerie picked up the scent of a nervous man floating 40-50’ above the battle! Unable to reach him, or to communicate this information (sorry Sentinel can’t pick up your thoughts), Wolf joined the mass attack on Demonoid! Barking and growling, the big wolf lunged at the hellish horror and sank his jaws deep into Demonoid’s shoulder! SNAP! Demonoid shook him off, and roared again, staggered now from the combined onslaught!

The Wraith silently drew more of Sentinel’s life force from him! (Lose 14 more Power Points!)

Sentinel threw insults at Mirage and charged him, Wraith, Demonoid and not Superstition! His hand-shaped energy construct ram passed harmlessly through Mirage and the Wraith! Both were insubstantial as ghosts! Superstition wasn’t targeted or affected, but the wounded Demonoid was pushed out of the battle area (and off the map, along with Sentinel!), cursing and conscious the entire way! Sentinel found that the mists reduced visibility at 100 feet, not that there was a wall of mist.
Away from the myriad energies of the battle, the beacon of justice detected an energy current that connected the Crimson Coven to something far beyond Sentinel’s energy range. The energy type was new, but reminded him of Avatar! Demonoid barked, “Come on, ya virgin. Let’s see how tough ya are!”

Le Fou laughed at Demonoid’s undignified departure. “Well, they’ve managed to carry off our trained gorilla.”

Mirage chuckled, “And not a moment too soon, for my tastes.” The mystical malefactor looked down and regarded the lupine Menagerie sardonically. “Although at times, the direct approach is what’s called for.” VWOOOM! Green flames leapt from Mirage’s hands and engulfed Menagerie! But the Wolf form was unharmed! The shamanic shapeshifter detected that this was merely an illusion!

Okmenhotep held his ankh aloft again and whispered more words that had not been heard by Men since the days of Ancient Egypt. A bolt of lightning fired from the ankh and struck Soldier unawares in the back! KABOOM!!! (24 points of damage, as per your Vulnerability! All off hits!) Soldier focused on Okmenhotep and saw his pulse hadn’t risen above a rested state. He seemed like a man contemplating well practiced chess moves.

Clone dogpiled Golem with ten of his bodies, representing nearly a ton of weight on the geologic juggernaut! “I am in needing of help here comrades!”
The remaining six Clones charged Baron Samedi and pummeled him through the webbing of Slingshot’s flesh net! POW! BAM! Two connected with punches! Two missed! One got possession of the Slingshot voodoo doll and extinguished its flames! And one wrested the skull topped cane from his hand! “Gimme dat, boy! Now you listen to me!” the injured Samedi demanded.

Slingshot said with a mirthless smile, "Cajun man, you might want to hear this instead. You have made a grave mistake by taking on Vanguard." Then the pliable powerhouse slungshot Baron Samedi into the sky! “No no no, wait!....” The skull-faced sorcerer’s protests and curses faded in the distance. (almost a mile of distance! He is off the map, and if he is human, will certainly die from the fall.)

The Golem stood up despite the Clone army that hung to him! The granite goliath pried one Clone off and threw him hard into the ground! RUNCH! (another Clone body unconscious)

Lightning Strike had been holding off, waiting for an opportune moment to attack. Now the electric avenger fired a blast of jagged electricity at the Golem! SHRA-KOW!! The bolt hit its mark, but its only effect was to attract the monolithic monster’s attention. The Golem methodically scanned the earth for a boulder or broken piece of architecture.

Plague began to reform his writhing, buzzing cloud-body as the scattered insects clustered again into a giant man shape!

The Witch spied Zephyr, who was the closest hero to her. The wretched old crone mumbled an ancient curse and pointed at Shelley!

Zephyr gasped in surprise! “Guys, something’s wrong. I can’t see. I.. I’m blind!”

To be continued!

OOC:
Replies/Actions for one round of combat please. Avatar gets two attacks, due to Heightened Speed.

Below is the 'End of Issue' Map, with continued thanks to Tom!!!
The map marks your placement, not which way you are facing. Also, Wraith is invisible, even tho placed on this map. Sentinel, Demonoid and Samedi are off the map, to the “north.”

Have fun!

Viva Vanguard!
Jeff



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

Current Conditions:
Avatar: Hit Points: 64, Power Points: 41, Manifesting: Heightened Strength and Speed
Clone: Bodies: 15, Hit Points: 1 each, Power Points: 40, Hit Pool: 15
Lightning Strike: Hit Points: 36, Power Points: 65
Menagerie: Hit Points: 26, Power Points: 64
Sentinel: Hit Points: 19, Power Points: 20, Shields: 40
Slingshot: Hit Points: 44, Power Points: 75, Invulnerability: 0 til issue 123
Soldier: Hit Points: 29, Power Points: 75, Invulnerability: 0 til issue 123, Evading til 123
Symbiote: Hit Points: 30, Power Points: 81, Charges: 13, Copied: Strike
Talon: Hit Points: 45, Power Points: 62
Zephyr: Hit Points: 13, Power Points: 60, Charges: 12, Armor: 25, Blind!

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

Menagerie:
[OOC] please tell me Superstitions position in relation to the ground (ie. standing, floating 4 feet off ground, flying 20 feet of ground).

Thanks
Tom

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

Avatar:
Sorry for no repartee, but Avatar will grimly plow into Warlock with his sword. Since energy came from Warlock to Avatar, it's obvious that he should be where he appears. Avatar will merely attack like the Stoic that he is.

"Why do you seek your own doom?", Avatar responds, hopefully at least matching the damage that Warlock did to him with the deadly sword forged with the skill of Hephaestus and guided by the strength and skill of Ares.

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

Slingshot:
[ooc] Sometimes the player doesn't think through the repercussions of the character's actions. Slingshot certainly would not have slungshot a human that high or that far. [/ooc]

Scott feels sickened by his actions, but through the sting of the pain, he reacted without thinking through the consequences. On the other hand, he might be able to use this as a bluff. He turns to Demonoid and his features exaggerated snarls his reply, "How do you feel about getting a little closer to heaven too?"

[depending on the talk back (if any) I'll take my actions]

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

GM:
Tom, Superstition is levitating 4 feet above the ground. Stephane, Demonoid was pushed 30 feet beyond the northern end of the map by Sentinel. Did you want to bluff another Coven member, or close with Demonoid? Thanks. Also if Slingy is that heartsick, he could slingshot himself after Samedi. He'll be flying/falling a long time. JBest,Jeff

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

Slingshot:
Yeah. I really should learn to read the whole thing before replying.. Here's what I would like to do, let me know if I can pull it off.

Scott feels sickened by his actions, but through the sting of the pain, he reacted without thinking through the consequences. "Can't believe that I've just did that!" He says to Soldier, "They are setup to attack our weaknesses! I can handle electricity well, help Clone or someone else. I have to go after the Cajun."

Slingshot grabs at a column in his patented move. He looks at Okmenhotep, "You and I, let's fly." He throws his other arm at the Egyptian in an attempt to entangle him and then launches himself in the air after Samedi.

[ooc]So, an action (grab) and a move (slingshot after Samedi).

Next round, grab Samedi (Assuming I'm close enough) drop them both in a pond or something and fly back.[/ooc]

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

Menagerie:
Menagerie stares at Mirage and snarls. Then with a quick spin Menagerie focuses his senses and will on Superstition. He sprints and leaps at Superstition. He is attempting to hit the torso. He will bite down and hope his weight and momentum will drive Superstition to the ground.

Regards,
Tom

PS: [OOC] What is the distance from Superstition to the Witch?

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

Clone:
Clone is getting frustrated with The Golem at this point, and is getting annoyed with the other members of The Crimson Coven bopping him over the head with canes, staffs and sticks. Time to take out the trash! The two unconscious duplicates will be reabsorbed back into the collective. One of the Clone’s standing in front of The Golem will charge him head-on and let loose a mighty battle scream, “YYeeeaahhh!!!”. He will attempt to jump onto the front of the stony giant and do his best to block his eye sight ( with his body, his hands, etc . . . whatever works essentially ) in order to keep him from seeing what the other Clone’s are about to do with him . . . The remaining duplicates will once again ‘bum-rush’ the earthen juggernaut in an attempt to topple him over for the second time. There is a twist though – they’re trying to knock him down in the direction of Le Fou! They’re hoping that their wolf-pack tactics will take out two birds with one stone . . . one really, really big stone. With any luck the ‘duplicating mob of dog piling mayhem’ will also be able to reabsorb the Clone attached to the front of The Golem before he gets crushed as well ( OOC which hopefully will also slightly increase the Hit Points of the other duplicates – hopefully ).
As with Baron Samedi, if Le Fou’s short staff falls from his hand one of the Clone’s will try to pick it up. If the duplicates still have any actions remaining after this attack they will start hammering away at Le Fou and The Golem with the chucks of marble that they picked up from the ground and the skull topped cane of Baron Samedi, and the short staff of Le Fou if one of them was able to grab it. The last two attacks ( with the cane and staff ) will be reserved for The Golem.

OOC:
I have to say – it feels REALLY great to be able to finally cut loose with Clone. Next time Clone levels up I’m definitely going to have to take that Telepathic Link we discussed last time Jeff – so if you want to start working it into the story line slowly to show its slow progression into a full fledged ability ( with my next level advancement ), by all means go for it. Also – if my little ‘wolf-pack / two birds with one stone’ tactic requires a Luck Point or something to successfully execute I would like to do so – I really want to see this move come off. I would love to see the expression on both their faces ( in slow motion ) as Golem comes toppling down upon Le Fou – that would just be too comical lol. Le Fou’s jaw hitting the ground as Golem’s shadow grows over him, and Golem’s ‘oh no!’ expression as he realizes just moments before he makes contact ( since one of the duplicates was intentionally blocking his view ) with the terrified Le Fou. I do have a question about that little maneuver, Jeff – if the Clone’s do manage to squash Le Fou with The Golem, will Le Fou be taking damage based solely on The Golems weight or the combined weight of The Golem and the horde of Clones attached to him? I ask because the duplicates definitely intend to ride the ‘big man’ all the way down in order to increase the damage done to Le Fou. If the duplicates get the impression that their combined weight won’t add to the damage that Le Fou would take, then they won’t bother going along for the ride – after all, why risk getting hurt if it won’t make a difference to the out come of the attack.
Talk to you all soon, -Kev

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

GM:
OOC Replies:

Stephane/Slingshot: Cool. If there is no body of water, I assume the best possible soft landing without slowing you down/costing an action?

Tom/Menagerie: Superstition is ~25 feet from the Witch.

Kevin/Clone: Gotcha. Only the Clones that will cause damage to Le Fou will ride Golem down if he topples.

Thanks.

Best,
Jeff

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

Slingshot:
Yes, but something wet would be nice. I'm not opposed to manure either. I like to add a little insult to the injury.

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

Symbiote:
Hal immediately perked up, ready to zap the bejeezus out of The Witch upon hearing about his sister's blindness...

...but then he remembered. While wearing that windsuit, Shelly didn't necessarily have to rely on her eyes. Probably she was startled to suddenly lose her sight, yes, but she was also putting on a show of weakness for the Coven so she could surprise attack one of them. Time to trust that she knows what she's doing, Hal. No matter how much it hurts, the Superheroic Simulator thought to himself. He could only pray that the blindness was temporary.

Besides, these distance attacks weren't working out so well, at least while Mirage (or whoever was responsible) was redirecting them back at the team. And there was another opponent that he might do more damage against.

Symbiote move is to throw a lightning bolt at Black Dragon (this "Iron Fist" power he appears to be about to manifest looks like it won't be pretty).

Viva Vanguard,
Greg

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

Menagerie:
Menagerie stares at Mirage and snarls. Then with a quick spin Menagerie focuses his senses and will on Superstition. He sprints and leaps at Superstition. He is attempting to hit the torso. He will bite down and hope his weight and momentum will drive Superstition to the ground.

[OOC] If PCs and NPCs acting before Menagerie makes it impractial to attack Superstition, then Menagerie priority of attacks are Witch, Warlock, and Le Fou.

Thanks
Tom

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

Sentinel:
A good weekend to all, here is Sentinel's post:

If anything surprised Kirk at this moment it was the continued attack and drain from the Wraith, he thought for sure if something like this was possible his energy senses would have alerted him, but he was wrong and it was costing him big time. He could sense his power all but gone and unless he broke that link he had only seconds of energy left and he could only guess what would happen to him beyond that. He turned his energy senses inward trying to isolate the presence of that putrid unnatural energy of the Wraith clinging to him like a parasite.

Kirk suppressed his panic with needed detachment and conveyed necessary intel to Vanguard. “The mists around us are not a wall and do not demarcate the ending or barrier encapsuling the area we have been brought to. I’m past them. I’ve detected an energy current connecting the Crimson Coven to something currently beyond my range … but with an energy type close to that of Avatar… ‘Avatar, apparently you and the source of your powers ARE the key to EVERYTHING happening here.’ I’m going to track that trail to its source.”

Kirk then turned his attention towards Demonoid knowing he had no time to waste with him. He took a superior tone of suppressed annoyance like a busy New Yorker brushing off the efforts of someone trying to solicit them in the street as they walked. “You haven’t been charged with sending my soul anywhere creature, and I wouldn’t want you to get in any trouble with your ‘masters’ so I’ll do you a favor,” and with that, Kirk’s energy pushing Demonoid formed back into a hand-like construct with the fingers performing a ‘flicking’ motion sending him careening into the distance, ridding himself of Demonoid’s presence like one would a crushed insect, and Kirk added, “and with all of your vaunted posturing I know what you truly are at your core and I find you to be a little man and I pity you.”

Kirk picked up his transmission to Vanguard this time with a tone of scientific detachment along the lines they’d expect of Hal describing an experiment he was witnessing, “Wraith has a continued energy lock on me which is draining my power. I’m working on cutting the flow. Beware his touch.”

Attempted actions:

Regarding Demonoid:
Kirk will continue flying towards the energy source at his current ‘top speed’. He will use any movement from the end of the last round to make sure that Demonoid is as far a distance as possible away from Kirk hoping to distance himself from the range of Demonoid’s attack before it hits. If Kirk gets a lock on the source of the Avatar like energy and it is within his travel distance at this point and the source appears to be a physical thing (device, physical presence of a cast spell, being) Kirk will flick Demonoid at it trying to disrupt it. If it appears that Kirk won’t be in range this turn, then he will flick Demonoid off into the distance in another direction away from both Vanguard and the source of the energy hoping that the damage from the flicking and fall, along with everything the team hit him with, will knock him out and if not, put him so far away that he will be out of the battle. He wants to be sure that he doesn’t have another ‘round’ with Demonoid near him as a threat.

Regarding Wraith’s ongoing attack:
Kirk’s approach here will be two-fold. First, he is hoping that his flight towards the energy source will get him out of the range of Wraith’s attack severing the link. Second, if he can sense the flow of energy leaving him, likely intermixed with the dark energy of Wraith, he will try to contain it from leaving him with his shields. If his shields can keep energy attacks from coming inward, he is hoping that now that he is aware of it, he can use them to contain the energy from leaving him and continue to draw upon it. I’m not sure if you allow something along those lines not knowing how Wraith’s power works, but at this point given that Kirk couldn’t physically touch Wraith with his energy (and I was hoping that Kirk’s energy would have interacted with Wraith’s energy allowing it) to take the battle to him, I’m grasping for anything here to keep Kirk going.

After ridding himself of Demonoid (hopefully), Kirk will continue to fly at top speed towards the source of energy but he will lower himself to flying just above ground level so that if he loses the balance of his power his fall will be minimal (and about the only benefit of the power drain would be the speed of his flight will also have disappeared with the loss of his power so his actual fall should produce little to no damage).

If Kirk rids himself of Demonoid before reaching the energy source, but does reach the source, and it is something he can disrupt, he would use movement with whatever means possible to do so.

Best,
Seth

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

Soldier:
Okay, after much procrastination on my part, here's Solder's reply.
After making his scan, and relaying the information on target’s to his teammates, Soldier will move to help sure up the circle, while looking for any targets of opportunity (he’ll save his action to either defend himself, or fire on one of the Crimson Coven villains if a target presents itself).

Upon hearing The Witch utter her curse, he’ll attempt to shield Zephyr from any attacks, by placing himself in the Witch’s direct line of sight. “Zephyr, I’ve got you, just stand where you’re at for a second.” He’ll then attempt to make a special attack targeting the Witch’s mouth with one of his Disruptor rounds. “Try chewing on this you old hag!” (He’s not trying to be brutal, or vindictive, but at the moment he needs to ensure that she’s taken out, and a round in the mouth should immediately incapacitate her).

If he’s unable to get a clear shot at her face, he’ll still fire on her, as he considers her the greatest threat at the moment. As he does so, he thinks to himself, “We’ve got to get organized. If we don’t they’ll pick us off one by one.”

If the shot is successful, he’ll attempt to move in closer to Zephyr and continue to take well paced shots at any target that presents itself, or providing cover for anyone who needs assistance. If his special attack misses, he’ll fire one of his explosive rounds at her can, as long as it won’t endanger the other members, hoping to break hear concentration, and keep her fixated on him.

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

Talon:
Talon will try to attack The Fallen before she has a chance to recover. He'll use the momentum gained from his flight to drive her backward then rake at her with his claws.

If she is able to right herself he will use his speed and agility in flight to avoid her sword and strike at her when the opportunity presents itself.

Thanks,
Denny

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

Lightning Strike:
Strike is beginning to get pissed off over his lack of effectiveness. It is time to kick ass!!!

Seeing that Demonoid was affected by a lightning blast, Strike takes the opportunity to light him up again, hopefully taking him out of action. After the attack, Strike will look aound for any conductors so that he can take electrical form and move to a more advantageous attacking position.

Take care all,
Tony