Within their Vault, Vanguard defeated Vanguard Omega, only to discover that Dynamo, the legendary hero they had freed from Limbo, was in fact Doctor Change, the sinister, shape-shifting supervillain! He had been imprisoned within the form of his most hated enemy. And he had Eon the Eternal’s ultimate weapon!
Sentinel addressed Dr. Change again, “Give it up Change. The Ring of Eon isn’t what you expected and it cost you dearly… a lifetime of lifetimes. You know even now its effect on you is unnatural and beyond your control. You won’t be able to bend it to your will as you envisioned when you took it. Limbo proved that. Your continued possession of it will cost you even more dearly.” And Kirk continued to press their advantage of Change thinking they knew more than he did (and perhaps they did) …
Sentinel read Change’s surface thoughts again, hoping that their dialogue triggered new information that could betray some weakness that would help Vanguard in their hour of need!
Dr. Change’s mind thought with inhuman speed, “With Eon the Eternal’s ultimate weapon in my possession, the cosmos is laid out before me now, to explore… to conquer! Before long, I’ll have a complete understanding of the space-time continuum.
“But for now, that one is right. I dare not escape this battle by using the Ring to disappear in Time. Not after my last miscalculation. I‘ve waited too long for this moment, for freedom.
“I’ve no choice but to fight these self-professed “heroes,” find out from them exactly when and where I am, and then, without haste, examine and master the Ring of Eon.
“Then, the multiverse shall be mine. My original plan remains intact! My eternity in Hell will not have been in vain.” His dark, brilliant mind turned to Vanguard once more. “Enough assessment. Time to end this.”
Dr. Change glanced up at Clone and then he multiplied forty fold!!!
Avatar’s charismatic power helped prevent Vanguard’s morale from breaking at the sight of 40 Dr. Changes!
Sentinel and Menagerie could detect which Change had possession of the Ring. Menagerie used his thought-speech to inform Vanguard without Dr. Change’s knowledge!
Avatar paused beneath his nocked arrow to see what would happen next! (OOC: Save Action!)
Slingshot also waited, in order to set up a one-two attempt to get the Ring! (OOC: Save Action!)
The fortyfold Dr. Change appeared as a legion of white winged angels. Angels of Death.
And they did not move with the blinding speed of another timestream!
Vanguard deduced from this that Dr. Change’s incredible speed was not a power duplicated from Avatar, but instead a temporal power of the Ring of Eon that Change had somehow mastered, like his ability to age Symbiote Omega and the Vanguard Vault itself in a radius around him. Change clearly had some control over some aspects of the Ring.
This meant that only one Change, the one that held the Ring, could move within the faster timestream now, and he must have elected not to do so, in order to not betray the Ring’s position within the phalanx of evil white angels!
Confident that the overwhelming force of his multiple selves would soon end Vanguard, Dr. Change was content to wait a few seconds to conceal the Ring’s location!
Talon concentrated and regained control. His battle fury had passed!
Menagerie soared through the air in his Eagle form and attempted to contact the Ring again, and to guide it!
Vanguard heard his words in their minds: “Ring of Eon, restore the Natural Order to as it should be for this world!”
Nothing happened.
Sentinel desperately focused his telepathic mind upon similar commands, going so far as to command the Ring to return to this world after banishing Change to Limbo!
Nothing happened. And he did not make contact with a sentience within the Ring of Eon.
The Clones had come to realization that this monster of a man; that he and his comrades had unknowingly set free upon the world, might be even too much for Vanguard to defeat. The duplicates on the upper level all moved with a synchronicity that only a shared conscious would be capable of. They all collapsed to one knee and reach out their hands towards each other. Their hands clasped in unison as they formed a circle around the outer perimeter of the hole created by Dr. Change.
The lone Clone left standing by himself on the eighty-second floor called out to Dr. Change as his duplicates kneeling above him recited a barely audible pray. “You may be killing of us Dr. Change . . . but you will know that you are never breaking our spirits. Our souls are to be ours, and they are forever being free from evil.”
Nothing happened.
Avatar felt the cosmos compelling him (as per your Weakness, Fated) to join the effort to control the Ring.
Nothing happened.
Symbiote thought to himself, So this is it. Pity. I would have liked to have decoded the metagene. I would have liked to have figured out exactly what "magic" is, to find out if it's really just another form of science. And then there's that Really Big Project I had in mind. Sure would've liked to have seen how that would turn out.
He straightened up, looked at his sister. She seemed to have the same look on her face....resolved but determined. He wishes he had time to tell her how proud he was of her for taking up the mantle of Zephyr, how wrong he was to try to stop her at first. Hell, for that matter he wishes he could tell the rest of his teammates how proud he'd been to serve with them. Gentlemen and lady, it's been a privilege fighting the good fight alongside you, he purposefully thinks to himself, just in case Sentinel or Menagerie's odd telepathy could somehow convey it to the rest of the team.
And with that, the newly Fatalistic Fighter hurled a lightning bolt at the nearest Dr. Change! SHAKOW! The Change fell to the floor unconscious. One down. 39 to go.
Lightning Strike targeted the biochemistry lab equipment under the army of angels! SHAKOW!!
The chemicals reacted to the lightning and exploded! KRA-BOOOMM!
Five Dr. Changes fell, and others were injured but remained aloft. Six down. 34 to go!
Zephyr watched her brother and then closed her eyes and concentrated her mind, attempting to join the effort to reach the alien hyper-science of the Ring and help control it with her thought waves.
Nothing happened.
Slingshot stretched a long arm to the Dr. Change that held the Ring! Then the awesome amoeboid touched Change’s chest and used him as raw materials to regenerate! (Yuck! One Luck Point spent to increase your chances to successfully hit him. Gain two hit points!)
A small hole opened in Dr. Change’s chest, revealing the Ring centered among the solid, rubber like mass that was the interior of Dr. Change!
This one Dr. Change, now that the Ring’s location was known, used his preternatural speed (and saved action) to stop Scott! (and pre-empt his second action with a saved action)
Slingshot suddenly felt himself frozen in time! Motionless! His senses still worked, but his body was in complete stasis! With no other choice, he joined Vanguard in using his mind to control the Ring!
This one Dr. Change observed the Scott statue momentarily before he altered his molecules to close the hole in his chest, sealing the Ring again within him! He spread his great wings and prepared to fly when suddenly
…something happened.
Dr. Change was suddenly limned in white light! “Stop! NO!” he cried. “Not again!”
His chest grew brighter, like an engine awakening. The silhouette of the ring could be seen within him. Coming to life. “Please!” he pleaded. “I can’t do it again!”
The white light that engulfed Dr. Change suddenly became a beam that scanned the foreheads of Vanguard. The Ring knew what they wanted.
Thirty-four Dr. Changes suddenly shouted in unison, “Vanguard I shall return. You will suffer for this. Remember this moment! This is when your children and your world were forfeited to me!”
Then all forty of them, and the Ring of Eon, were suddenly gone!
The effort almost killed several members of Vanguard!
(OOC: 15 power points each, save Symbiote, Strike and Talon.
fyi, Clone lost 15 points from across his collective (~2 from each of his 8 bodies ) as if he was one organism in the eyes of the Ring, or one soul in the eyes of God.)
Slingshot was immediately restored to his normal timestream. Symbiote Omega and the Vault were not.
Menagerie sensed that the Natural Order was restored, except for the presence of Vanguard Omega!
Zephyr said in quiet astonishment, “What have we done?”
She looked at the shattered Digital Zone gate, the Datanaut suits, the dinosaur bones, and the impossibly aged wreckage of the Vanguard Vault. She looked at Hal, at Vanguard, and the defeated forms of Vanguard Omega.
“What are we going to become?”
(OOC: Replies to any of the above?)
Epilogue:
CHESS will soon move in and secure the unconscious forms of Vanguard Omega.
Dr. Change and the Ring of Eon were gone. The Ring of Eon was no longer in contact with any of you.
Lightning Strike Omega is not immediately found!
Avatar Omega had loosed the unholy powers of the Dark Pantheon into this universe! (Issue 142) Avatar could not sense them.
Clone still has the Clone Omega collective “inside” him. (see bottom of this document)
Sentinel has broken his vow of truth. (see bottom of this document)
Two days later, Silas Caine announces his candidacy for President of the United States
As the richest man in the world, he is the quintessential job creator. And the oppression he’s faced from the federal government (i.e. Vanguard) with their warrantless invasion of his property (see Issue 53) have made him a powerful symbol of the dire need for smaller government. He immediately leaps to the top of the polls.
Soon after, Soldier requests an official leave of absence from Vanguard. “Gentlemen, it’s been an honor and a privilege to serve alongside you. Given the things we’ve learned in the Omegaverse, and Silas Caine’s announcement, there are questions that need answering… and I need to do it on my own,” he said, thinking of his father’s involvement.
“I’ll remain in contact, and please alert me if you ever need my help,” he said glancing at his Vanguard communicator.
“I’ll always be proud of my service here, and of the name Vanguard,” he said with a solemn salute to the team.
At some point, Slingshot finds himself looking at the small, black framed photo of Nanite, smiling, overcome with emotion, holding a swaddled baby. He looked up at the calendar.
Three more months.
-------------------
OOC: This concludes the Vanguard Omega Saga!
Please now answer the following 3 things:
1) If you wish to leave the game for whatever reason, now is the perfect time in terms of our story. But I sincerely hope that none of you will leave. Those that stay, please continue:
2) Please let me know any major things you’d like your character to do immediately as well as over the coming weeks/months. Remember, your actions help steer this mighty, unwieldy saga! Your characters’ lives sow the seeds for future adventures.
3) Experience Point Time!
Experience is awarded for:
Experience is awarded for:
Battling/Escaping CHESS Omega and the Revolution with minimal harm to innocents: 500 points
Figuring out a way home: 500 points
Battling and Defeating Vanguard Omega! 1500 points
Battling and imprisoning Dr. Change: 1000 points
Thwarting Dr. Change’s master plan and saving the universe: 1000 points +1 Charisma point
The new totals:
Current XP XP Gained New XP Total Your Level
Avatar: 17000 4500 21500 6, a new level!
Clone: 10000 4500 14500 5, a new level!
Lightning Strike: 20000 4500 24500 6
Menagerie: 6000 4500 10500 4, a new level!
Sentinel: 20000 4500 24500 6
Slingshot: 20500 4500 25000 6
Symbiote: 16500 4500 21000 6, a new level!
Talon: 10000 4500 14500 5, a new level!
Zephyr: 6000 4500 10500 4, a new level!
Most of you gain a level but not you old-timers because each level requires more experience points than the last. If you didn’t gain a level, but still want to add a new ability, you may do so by losing an existing ability, or gaining a new weakness. Up to you. For those that did gain a level, see the game blog for what that means.
Once I get all this, in a week and a half, I’ll modify your sheets, have you approve them, and then begin the next thrilling adventure arc in our senses-shattering saga-rama!
Thanks,
Jeff
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Conditions at Issue’s End:
Avatar: Hit Points: 5, Power Points: 0, Manifesting: Hermes, Fatigued
Clone: Bodies: 8, Hit Points: 3, Power Points: 1, Hit Pool: (special)
Lightning Strike: Hit Points: 42, Power Points: 36
Menagerie: Hit Points: 3, Power Points: 7, Form: Eagle
Sentinel, Hit Points: 2, Power Points: 0, Creation Points: 0, Wall: 0, Shields: 0, Fatigued
Slingshot: Hit Points: 43, Power Points: 40, Invulnerability: 8
Soldier: Hit Points: 28, Power Points: 54, Invulnerability: 0, Regeneration deactivated, Unconscious!
Symbiote: Hit Points: 27, Power Points: 42, Charges: 0, Copied: Lightning Strike
Talon: Hit Points: 20, Power Points: 49, No longer enraged
Zephyr: Hit Points: 17, Power Points: 28, Charges: 8, Armor: 7 Evasion: til Issue 146
------------------------------
Clone and Sentinel:
Here are some thoughts about your down time:
Clone Level Advancement:
Option 1- Clone keeps Clone Omega absorbed within him!
a) Body Power: Double the maximum amount of duplicates that Clone can create!
b) Special Weapon: Duplicating staff
c) All memories of Clone Omega can still be accessed.
d) Weakness: Low Self Control: The Clone Omega collective is lurking somewhere inside the Clone Alpha collective. Their much lower willpower (Charisma) keep them suppressed, but they are there, just waiting for their chance to overthrow Clone Alpha from the inside!
Option 2- Clone expunges Clone Omega from him and Clone Omega joins Vanguard Omega in captivity.
a) Special Weapon: Duplicating staff
b) Memories of Clone Omega can no longer be accessed. But those already accessed remain.
Option 3- Anything else you dream up
Sentinel:
For breaking your oath, you lose 3 Charisma points! After gaining a point from this adventure that’s a net -2.
To prevent this from happening again, do you want to lose this Weakness by:
a) losing an existing ability, (Heightened Charisma might be apropos)
or
b) by gaining a new Weakness (Psychosis: Homicidal killer, perhaps? Just kidding.)
Or do you keep your Weakness? Please let me know. Thanks.
Best,
Jeff
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Avatar:
OOC:
Avatar: Hit Points: 5, Power Points: 0, Manifesting: Hermes, Fatigued
Clone: Bodies: 8, Hit Points: 3, Power Points: 1, Hit Pool: (special)
Menagerie: Hit Points: 3, Power Points: 7, Form: Eagle
Sentinel, Hit Points: 2, Power Points: 0, Creation Points: 0, Wall: 0, Shields: 0, Fatigued
WOW! This was close for several of us.
Jeff, do you remember what Avatar was training for? Was it Endurance or Strength or was that last level?
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GM:
OOC:
Hi Harold,
I don't recall. With my house rules for level advancement you don't have to call it ahead of time.
Only thing I can recall you mentioning in the past was the high Power Point cost for manifestations.
-You could train to bring that cost down as Avatar becomes more accustomed to manifesting. (Clone did a similar thing with the PR of creating duplicates.)
-Or you could add a brand new "Olympian god" to your manifestation pool (like Menagerie adds predators that he can become)
-Or something else, depending on what you see the Demigod of Destiny becoming over the coming years.
My general advice for level advancements is akin to advice I give my about careers: What do you want to be in 5 or 10 years?,,, and then how do you map the way there.
Examples:
Is Sentinel going to become more like a powerful Green Lantern in the next five years, or a master psionic telepath like Professor X. Or a little of both, like Phoenix
Is Menagerie going to become more like Alpha Flight's Shaman, Dr.Strange, Snow Bird, or Beast Boy?
Over time, will Talon become more like Wolverine, Batman, Hawkman, someone with the ability to control birds, or something else?
Is Symbiote going to become more like Reed Richards, Iron Man, the Atom or Rogue?
Is Slingshot going to become more like a rubber Colossus, Plastic Man, Mystique or all three?
Just some thoughts.
Have fun.
Best,
Jeff
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Avatar:
OOC: I'll go ahead and train for lower Power cost for manifesting, Jeff.
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Menagerie:
OOC: As GM how is it preparing for Menagerie?
Is he too weak that you have to work the villains around him?
Do you have to make sure most the villains don't attack Menagerie?
Are his hgt senses too powerful for you to work around?
Menagerie is going to become more like Alpha Flight's Shaman, Dr.Strange, Snow Bird, or Beast Boy.
I want a combination of Shaman and Snow Bird. Outside of combat I want to play Shaman and inside combat Snow Bird.
What I want to develop on Menagerie:
I want explore his mystical relationship with the natural order. I would like a NPC that could be a spirit guide to Menagerie. If human maybe a Shaman or a Druid but I don’t really have a set idea. If you have a prior NPC that would fit the bill or if you an idea of an animal spirit guide that would be wonderful. The purpose is to add roleplaying depth/interplay not new powers.
I noticed that there are levels attached to my animal forms and they are still at level 1. Is that correct?
Is it possible to trade a current animal form to a different one? The cougar and the wolf are too similar. I don’t really feel like they provide much of a difference in options.
When we first created them I thought the big distinguisher would be that cougar provided communication with the feline family and the wolf to the canine family. The ability to communicate with other predators hasn’t really factored in that much. I am not complaining, just pointing out why I thought they would be different and why they hadn’t.
If you agree I would like to remove the wolf and add the spider. (You were expecting me to say the T-Rex weren’t you? J)
I would be willing to add a weakness to get the spider, if you don’t like the trade idea.
If the spider being added by trade or weakness is okay then my Level Advancement choice is:
Heightened Charisma (Will) – 50% of level
CHESS can offer a training packet of the following skills:
· First Aid
· Tactics (lets you retro-actively call out trained maneuvers like the Cannonball Special, as well as increases your chance of Surprising foes, predicting their movements, etc.)
Jeff, you think this is the wrong path for Menagerie let me know. If any of Vanguard would rather Menagerie develop along a different path to be a better Vanguard team member please let me know.
Via Vanguard
Tom
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Sentinel:
OOC:
Tom:
I actually love and encourage the idea of you going towards the Shaman end of things. It seems like you've got the Snow Bird aspect for battles already (if I recall the power set as its been twenty years plus since I've followed that character) and our team is grossly lacking the mystic connection. I think its a great idea.
In my mind, I see Kirk tapping 'universal energy' for his power source. He currently manifests it in a very physical way. I see a mature Kirk closer in touch with the universal force and able to manifest it in other ways. This is WAY down the road (much beyond five years). However, given that our team lacked a telepath and Kirk ventured down that road, at some point I do see him manifesting that energy psionically ala Phoenix
However, I don't see Kirk going anywhere fast in this respect given he just lost an entire level advancement with the three point charisma penalty (ouch) (currently two full adventures and a year or two of game time) and will need to spend the next level advancement actually buying away the weakness (that for the most part I'd guess I'd still play anyway). But I'll address that and my choice in another email when I get a chance.
On your end, I think you are most geared towards being our team mystic and should go for it!
Seth
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Menagerie:
OOC:
Seth,
Cool and thanks.
Anyone else what to help me out?
Tom
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Clone:
OOC:
Hey Tom - seems you’re sincerely looking for some feedback/suggestions from the group on Menagerie - just remember these are just some ideas I had. In no way am I trying to dictate the terms of your character to you in any way – just trying to give you some thoughts I had like you asked for :)
1. The Willpower defense power you took – I was thinking; if Jeff would let you change it, I’m thinking Plant Control would be more fitting for a Druid/Shaman type character. It might also provide you with a completely different means of attack that none of the other characters currently in the campaign possess. As for it being an ‘even swap’ – I think it would qualify; again – only if Jeff approved it, since I can’t see it coming into play too often. Its been my experience in V&V gaming that very few adventures take place in wooded areas ( which is why I believe most players usually just re-roll that power out if they get it during random character generation ), so a swap for a decent, but seldom used power such as Plant Control might be an ‘even-steven’ trade in exchange for losing a more useful ability such as the defense granted by Willpower.
2. As for your next level advancement – how about Magic Spells? As its been mentioned already – the team is some what lacking in the way of ranged combat – Magic Spells would definitely be a step in the right direction for fixing that. It would definitely be in theme with your character and would easily provide you with a way to get abilities that might not otherwise seem to fit with your character. For example – Power Blast – probably not an ability that most would connect with a druidic type character, but what if it looked like this instead?
Nature’s Fury: Menagerie is able to conjure forth the destructive forces of nature into a beam of focused energy. The Spell attacks as Power Blast, 3d6 Damage, (S+E) divided by 2” = Range, PR=2.
I made it slightly weaker then the actual Power Blast ability since; as far as I know, spells aren’t meant to be as powerful as actual powers. Here’s another example of how a power that might not normally be associated with a shaman type character could be made into something that would definitely complement Menagerie.
Nature Walk: Using the dense foliage of a forest or jungle, Menagerie is able to create a portal that allows him; and anyone else within the immediate area, to travel to any other similarly wooded area within ???”, treat as Teleportation, PR=??
The portal is one square inch ( 5' x 5' ) in size, which anyone may use to travel by simply going through it. The portal's area can be increased by 1 square inch per point of extra power spent to do so. The portal will last until the end of the turn in which it was created, after that time expires the portal will simply wink out of existence. While it exists, characters can freely move back and forth through it as desired. Menagerie must spend one full action in order to successfully cast this spell.
As for swapping out animal forms, I think the spider would definitely be a good choice – I agree that the two other forms you mention do seem a bit redundant. As for a future animal form – I’m still thinking that ‘Killer Whale’ might not be a bad way to go. It would not only increase your area of mobility ( aquatic ), but would definitely be in line with a shaman-like character – the American Indians of the Pacific North West have a bunch of ancient stories that center around the Orca if I recall correctly.
TOM WROTE:
I noticed that there are levels attached to my animal forms and they are still at level 1. Is that correct?
- I think the ‘level 1’ thing is Jeff’s way of noting when a particular power/ability was gained - in this case - at Level 1, but I could be wrong on that.
Talk to you guys later,
-Kev
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Menagerie:
OOC: Thanks Kevin for the input.
I really like the Nature Walk Magic Spell, I am going to put it on my list of advancements, might use it instead of the Hgt CHA/Skills level. I need to think about it more.
I agree on the need for a Killer Whale/Shark creature. I think it will be after the Spider. There are more adventures where being tiny is an advantage than being able to swim. (Now of course, Jeff will make our next adventure Return of the Star Giant. I think that is what everyone called the starfish in Return of Dr. Swastika!)
Thanks Again,
Tom
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GM:
OOC Replies to Menagerie:
Preparing for Menagerie is no problem. Like the lower-level characters in Vanguard (Clone, Zephyr) he is lower powered but I don’t feel the need to work villains or plot around him.
His Nature Sense is not a problem, and something that makes him more useful.
Re: NPC spirit guide for more roleplaying: This could be the Mystic who could help him on the more Doc Strange/ Shaman side of things. Marksman is possible, but he’d be more colleague, less mentor, like the supernatural Avatar.
Oracle, Dr. Monster. Or the Natural Order itself, via Nature Sense. Or combo of this. Let me think on other possibilities and get back to you.
Sorry, animal forms are the same level as Menagerie. Level 1 is left over info. Will update with new sheet.
Trading animals is possible. Spider is approved. I AM surprised you’re passing up the T-Rex! Especially if you think you’re not tough enough.
Trading out Willpower (or any power, really) is always possible.
Personally, rather than more Charisma and CHESS training, I like Seth and Kevin’s line of thinking of getting into magic faster. It’s going to be a big, long transition. Better get started sooner.
-Plant control is great. With a name like Menagerie, it might be Animal summoning/ control?
-Maybe move abilities from "predators" to "animals."
-Ht. Senses: See through the eyes of any animal? Like Saruman’s crows, or Mirror Master’s mirrors?
-Adding the Shark / Killer Whale
-Nature Walk is great.
-Nature's Fury seems out of place currently, but could easily fit later in character's development path.
All up to you.
--------------------------------------------------
Menagerie:
OOC: My whole concern on being tough enough is the low number of hits points Menagerie has, not his HtH. While the T-Rex was a blast and teaming up with Slingshot to put the smack down on Slingshot Omega. Being one of the fiercest fighters isn't a goal. I will leave that to Talon, Symbiote, and Clone (10d6 HtH before his staff for just 10 clones isn't too shabby).
Okay, I will move toward the Magic Spell direction. I need to figue out how I want to address it. My biggest concern is to make sure that I create a situation where taking animal form is a step backwards.
On the NPC side I am really interested in a Dr. Mystic / Dr. Monster type but if the Natural Order itself is more unique/interesting for you to GM then I would like it to be the Natural Order itself via an animal spirit guide (whether only Menagerie can see it or not). I am wanting to be able to write up exchanges like Sentinel/Lancaster and Symbiote/Zephyr have done in the past.
Thanks the input.
Tom
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GM:
OOC: A quick way to do some of this on your character sheet is:
Use your level advancement to buy down your weakness: Special Requirement.
So the Transformation power becomes V&V 2nd edition Transformation: Creatures: All Earth Animals.(like Beast Boy)
And the lessened Special Requirement you just bought down restricts it to Earth Predators. So now you have Spider, T-Rex, Shark, Cougar, Pterodactyl, Snake, Wasp, etc., all at once!
This automatically affects your second power, allowing you to communicate with all earth predators, at no charge.
Then trade Willpower for Magic Spells and design your first spell. Spells should be castable in animal form, to avoid the 'step back' you mentioned.
Or trade it for Heightened Endurance if you’re worried about hit points.
Or make your first spell defensive?
Best,
Jeff
PS: On my list of predator examples I forgot to mention Honey Badger.
NOW whaddaya think?
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Menagerie:
OOC: LOL - I fear the honey badger.
Great advice, now I am really stumped on what to do.
A lot to think about.
Thanks
Tom
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Menagerie:
OOC: Thanks for all the wonderful input.
I have made a run a new character sheet. I did several things at once so this message is to walk you through the changes and my reasoning.
1. I bought down his Special Requirement, eliminating the mind link requirement and making the requirement to “Earth’s predator animals that are wild carnivores”. I did this for two reasons. The first is hoping it would take only 50% of the level advancement and the second (and most importantly) is to keep Menagerie unique. Earth because he is not Chameleon Boy. Wild Carnivores because he is not Beast Boy/Changeling (no Elephants, rabbits, house cats, or dogs)
2. I changed the Shapeshifter: to Earth’s Wild Predators and move the creatures to a new list in a different document to reflect the Weakness buy down.
3. I noticed the Weakness: Patron: CHESS sponsored team isn’t on his sheet. I don’t know if it will let me add more or not but it should be there. It might be an interesting story if Menagerie had a conflict in Patron requirements.
4. Created new power called Magic Spells (Level Four Advancement). I have it with the spell name: what the spell does, the Requirement for the spell – this is the V&V game mechanic of casting the spell, and Special Requirement for the unique limitation to Menagerie for the spell to work, like Zatanna has to be able to speak for her spells to work. I did this for two reasons. One is to make the four spells (only two new) worth 50% of a level advancement and the second (and most importantly) I think that magic in V&V show play and feel different than powers. That there is a way for a less powerful person to defeat the Wizard if the secret is known.
5. I moved “Magic: Ability to communicate with the animal family of the predators he can change into” to Magic Spells. It is now a spell.
6. I moved “Heightened Senses: Nature Sense: Menagerie has a magical form of psychometry involving wild animals” to Magic Spells. It is now a spell.
7. I created a new spell which is Emotion Control - Fear. See details in sheet.
8. I added the Nature Walk spell that Kev gave me. I added Requirements and a Special Requirement for it. The only impact of the special requirement would be it would take 2 actions to cast if Menagerie is in the wrong form. I wasn’t planning on the whole earth being the native habitat of Man, I was considering only the Urban environment
9. I keep Willpower, It just feels so right for my Shaman/Druid
If I am too aggressive and the new special requirement on all 4 spells plus the weakness for Patron: CHESS isn’t enough to buy down the Weakness and add the 2 news spells, I would rather add a new Weakness than give up Willpower. I required I would remove the 2 new spells if you don’t think a new Weakness is appropriate. They will be my level 5 advancement.
Thanks
Tom
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GM:
OOC: Menagerie,
Thanks.
Each level advancement is 0.5 Hero Points (points for building heroes)
This is approximately equivalent to half a super skill, or 1/4 of a full blown super power.
So your entire level advancemnt will be used up on buying down your weakness. But in exchange for that you suddenly have unlimited predator shapes! And can communicate with unlimited predators!
The Patron weakness (working for the US
So, if you want the Emotion Control spell or the Teleport spell, it would have to be a trade off with Willpower.
Given that your animal transformation power just became nearly infinite, I'd reco you keep Willpower, and add Emotion Control or Teleport at your next level advancement.
Have a look at the attached sheets (without new xp or cha factored in, just the powers), especially at how I continue the improved animal stat approach that we began with, and let me know your thoughts.
Thanks,
Jeff
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Sentinel:
Quickly after the battle, Kirk got with Alex regarding the Clone Omega collective. Although they’d wonthe battle, this time seemed different. The toll it took on Vanguard loomed and the victory seemed far from complete with their doppelgangers here in their world and with the narrow victory over Change …
and especially with him still in possession of the Eon Ring. And it felt like they’d lost Dynamo … again!
(OOC – Jeff: Any chance Kirk learned anything more, any additional clues about the whereabouts of Dynamo or the rest of the Freedom Force from the surface thoughts of Change – I’m expecting ‘no’, but figured it appropriate to ask)
Clone - Vanguard
“Alex. I can’t imagine what’s going on inside your head and heart right now. How are you? Can I help somehow?”
Kirk’s first thoughts are to be sure his friend is all right. After doing what he can to assist, he’ll then turn to the pragmatic role.
“Alex, however you decide to handle this, we’re here to help anyway we can. But one thing we do need you to do is to search your memories and try to recall everything you can about Caine and his actions. Exactly the actions he took. Anything you can recall about companies and resources and allies that he had. If any of our current allies turned on us to support him, we need to know about it. We cannot just react. We got this sort of information from the alternate world during the Animal Revolution, but this… this just makes it more real, more of a threat. We cannot sit idly by and wait for it to happen here. We need to garner our resources and be proactive to take steps based on what we know to prevent it… because he’s already started it here.”
Kirk will speak similarly with the rest of Vanguard and with Grey and Drake. Kirk’s suspicions of Drake in the past have been assuaged to a large degree given his positive interaction with Soldier and the fact that he chose the right side in the Omegaverse.
_________________
And now kiddies, as Count Floyd would say, ‘We’ve got a real scary one for you … real scary!’ I like to call this one ‘Talking with Gramps’ as Kirk deals with everything he has experienced in recent months and with the suspicions going through his head (yup, real scary). So for the men of team Vanguard break out the hard stuff to endure your way through it, if you dare, and Jeff, take your tranquilizers. You have been warned. And now … ‘Talking with Gramps’ … (run the clip)
Kirk visits Lancaster
They sit together sharing a single malt. Long it had been Lancaster
After some small talk, Kirk got to it.
“It didn’t seem like much of a victory this time Gramps. This cost us, all of us dearly.“ Kirk involuntarily looked at his shoulder to the place where he was scarred from the battle. He could feel its heat beneath his clothing like a brand. It still throbbed in the process of healing, but it wasn’t the physical pain that truly disturbed him. “And more things seem unresolved than resolved.”
“We need to talk. I know we always do. And I’m grateful for that. For you. For everything you’ve done for me. For all you’ve given to me. But this is different. And not this way, “ and Kirk pointed his index figure towards his head and then at Lancaster Lancaster
took. But so was this …
Kirk had been tempted to initiate his limited mental scanning abilities with Lancaster Lancaster
“After our last mission, with the Dark Avatar, there was something that I didn’t tell you about last time. Under an attack of the Dark Avatar, we had to overcome our greatest fear. Do you know what that was for me?”
He gave Lancaster
“It was that Swastika had taken you. That he did to you what he did to Myles, and that I didn’t see it until it was too late.”
And Kirk continued serene and focused in the discussion and the link. He knew that both Lancaster
(OOC: Jeff, this is the best setting and hope that Kirk could assuage his fears that someone what the Dark Avatar showed him was true. Frankly if we were talking a new weakness, it seems that paranoia about Swastika would fit the bill as Seth already has it … as you’ll see in more to come.
Assuming that Kirk gets nothing to indicate Swastika here, and I’m really hoping that is the case, he will continue to get to what he needs to talk to Lancaster Lancaster
“Can you tell me a bit more about when and how you embarked on your journey with the mental disciplines? How did you discover you had the talent? How did you progress? Can you use your mental abilities offensively, like a mental blast? (And if he indicates he can) How did you develop that ability?”
And then Kirk continued about what really concerned him, “After this last battle, I can’t put my finger on it. I feel,” and Kirk grasped for the word, “diminished somehow. Like something intangible, almost imperceptible has changed within me. And that concerns me in lieu of all we have learned from the Omegaverse and what we have to prevent. Gramps, I need to be better than I am. Vanguard needs it. The world needs it, and I’ve somehow taken a step backward, when I need to be taking leaps forward. I can feel it in my heart and I’m not sure what to do here for me.”
(OOC: Jeff, this is Kirk dealing with in character what has occurred in with him breaking his weakness and the game penalty, etc. I thought it appropriate and necessary given things)
After hearing any sage advice Lancaster
“This latest mission with our doppelgangers, their Kirk did have to face my greatest fear. And Gramps, it broke him. Perhaps beyond healing. Although I hope not. I… he became something … someone horrible. He lost his way. He chose the wrong path. He became exactly what you spent your life conquering. We have to shed our light over the dark things and overcome them, for the dark things cannot stand our light. Never can we embrace them.
And that brings me to what I need to talk to you about. He lost you. When their world turned on those with gifts, according to the reports, they murdered you. And it destroyed him. In my heart when we were there and I found the news I didn’t believe it. I thought for sure you’d survived somehow, perhaps had gone underground and were gathering support to try to set things right. But he certainly didn’t think so. And in our battle here, I told him that you’d spent your life fighting the good fight and that part of that path, part of that sacrifice, was knowing that at some point you might lose your life in that struggle. I told him we had to expect it.
They were strong words. Right words. Although I’ve tried to brace myself for that day, I honestly don’t know what I’ll do. How it would change me. I’m more determined than ever not to follow his dark road, but Gramps, I honestly don’t know if I could bear it … losing you. Is that wrong of me? Don’t we have to be prepared and willing to give up what we value most?”
And Kirk waited for some reassurance, some guidance.
And then he continued. “Part of me has been grateful to think you retired all this years. Safe. But part of me has always suspected it wasn’t true. In fact, I’d probably say that in my heart I knew I was fooling myself. And then the Odyssey Clue and secret societies… your close relationship with Grey when you told me I could trust him upon formally assuming the mantle of Sentinel, and when I was a kid all those months when you weren’t around and I spent months with the other ‘army brats’ in one location after another. ‘The life,’ it’s not over for you, is it? This isn’t something we can walk away from, can we? It’s part of who we are. You’re not in the limelight anymore, but you are still actively fighting the good fight in another way, aren’t you?”
And Kirk waiting to hear the truth.
“We need you fighting the good fight. No matter the cost. I need you as part of this. And not just on the sidelines. If anything the Omegaverse and the Animal Revolution taught me it’s that we can’t be overly prepared and that Caine seems to always be a step ahead of us.
I’m fighting against him outwardly in the public place. REACH is doing good for both individuals and the world while promoting the spirit of unity that it needs for the future. And that has to be my role. But Caine is still out there with his clandestine operations, trying to mold this world in his image. Someone needs to fight the good fight in the shadows. Someone has to shine their light where Caine thinks he can’t be seen. And while Vanguard is the public face of those with gifts fighting the good fight that he can rally against, it would be wise to have some players in place that he doesn’t know about. That escape his attention. I think you can establish such a network. With your old contacts, you likely have many of the pieces in place.”
As Kirk awaited Lancaster
After hearing what Lancaster
“There is something else I need you to look into here. Something we need to know. Something I’ve feared for some time, but which I can’t determine, but perhaps you can. I’d suspected that Caine was one of us for some time now. When fighting The Entity, and in the Digital dimension, I become sure of it. Not only that he was gifted, but mentally he was extremely strong. And I got to thinking about his agenda; it has always been to turn the world on those with gifts. That was what he did in the Animal Revolution. He did it in the Omegaverse and he continues to try to work that path in our world.
Does it sound familiar? Perhaps you’ll think me being paranoid here, but whose MO does that sound like to you?”
After waiting to see if Lancaster
What do you think? Do you think I’m off base here?”
After getting his opinion Kirk continues, “Sadly though, this isn’t anything I can actually determine. Do you think you’d be strong enough to do so? Or is there someone else that you know that might be able to make such a call if they got the opportunity?”
After hearing his reply Kirk broke contact and poured them another round.
“Even if I’m wrong about who is behind Caine, everything else I’ve said is true. We need more players on the board in our corner. We need to stop him from turning the world against us. We need to chart the path for a better future. Do you have anything more to say on any of what we’ve discussed? Any advice for me on how to proceed in the days ahead?”
As Kirk did this a thought occurred to him and he cursed himself for not having realized his ability to read the energy patterns of those with abilities sooner. Had he had done so, he would have known Swastika’s pattern and been able to recognize it with others … still he wondered, was it possible that when Swastika inhabited someone they would have two readings? The person and that of Swastika?
And as he thought that he casually looked towards Gramps and read his signature. Not expecting to find two, but making sure he knew EVERY aspect of it well. If Gramps did try to embark on a mission to figure this out about Caine, even clandestinely, Kirk may have just opened the door for exactly what the Dark Avatar had him envision. And he hoped knowing his pattern would alert him. In fact, he would be sure to know the energy patterns of ALL of Vanguard and close associates to the slightest detail. One could never take too many precautions.
“End Talking with Gramps”
(OOC: Jeff: If this is too much here we can discuss it further for his ‘canon’ discussion. With Caine doing all this stuff, we need to have some people in place that he doesn’t know about.)
Slingshot/Nanite:
Kirk continues to do all he can to support the team’s pending parents and help prepare for their firstborn. He’s exciting about the ‘next generation’ but concerned about what may happen. He'll continue to work along with Hal and monitor the energy patterns of all involved being careful to try to detect any changes or possible corruption from the Entity.
REACH:
Kirk will continue to do all he can to foster the REACH program and to assist those he can though it both through practical means and by promoting the spirit of unity and working towards a better tomorrow.
He’ll try to step in up wherever he can to combat the negative spirit being promoted by Caine. If he has advance notice by any means he’ll try to preempt it. Anytime Caine gets some negative publicity going, he’ll strive to have something positive accomplished by REACH to counter it.
Losing the weakness dilemma:
I’m done worrying about the steps backward and the delayed progress this will cause Kirk from a ‘game rules’ sense and as you can see from the above, back to focusing on the game and character himself.
However I do know I have to make some sort of choice here. My original intent was to use the character advancement and leveling up to handle it, but the rules got to me again in that it didn’t happen after this adventure. In essence, it’s already cost me a level of advancement (three points is all I get to add to a stat leveling up now and that was what I’ve already paid), so I don’t want to give that up a second time on what I already have. I’d still like to use the next level advancement so as not to weaken Kirk further. So I’ve two options for your thought, (1) we do nothing and wait until after the next adventure and use the next leveling to handle it. (2) However, I’d like to propose a slight variation, given that I’d
rather not think about it again, and given that I’ve dealt with the aspects of it in game terms now, how about I burn a luck point and we say that it’s done and handled now but that I’ve used my ‘next leveling’ to accomplish it.
Or if you have another suggestion, let me know.
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Menagerie:
OOC: We have agreed on Menagerie's level advancement and I have requested a NPC to start Menagerie's personal life / downtime activities. Anything required that I am missing?
IC: Menagerie will attend team meetings and team combat training. He will not make small talk with others. He will respond if the others in Vanguard approach him. When asked what is bothering him, he will respond "The Natural Order is troubled and so am I." If pressed, he will state "I praise the sacrifice of the T-Rex but I also mourn his loss".
He will spend all free time in meditation in his room or soaring about Vanguard Vault in Eagle form. He feels like his life has changed in the fight with Vanguard Omega. The T-Rex deciding to join him was significant and the T-Rex's loss has effected him significantly. Towards the end of his meditation he realizes he is searching for something. A mentor, spirit guide, or friend, it might be one of these he is searching for or is it all three?
Viva Vanguard
Tom
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Clone:
OOC:
JEFF WROTE:
Please now answer the following 3 things:
1) If you wish to leave the game for whatever reason, now is the perfect time in terms of our story. But I sincerely hope that none of you will leave. Those that stay, please continue:
Nope – not leaving
2) Please let me know any major things you’d like your character to do immediately as well as over the coming weeks/months. Remember, your actions help steer this mighty, unwieldy saga! Your characters’ lives sow the seeds for future adventures.
Clone wouldn’t mind finding out more about Doctor X - who he envisions as some kind of Dr. Frankenstein. I would imagine that Clone would feel drawn to him for some reason – not sure why exactly, but I do. His blind curiosity aside; I would imagine that Clone somehow thinks that Doctor X might hold the key ( or at least a few clues ) to the origin of his powers and know how to make him look ‘normal’. I personally have no reason to believe that this may be the case, but I could definitely see Clone seeing a connection somehow.
Aside from that – Clone is essentially a ‘good boy’ and would most likely want to spend some time with his family ( especially after seeing what happened to them through Clone Omega’s eyes ), spend some time with his church and its various group and events, and he would also spend some time with the various other community groups he’s involved with such as REACH.
Most importantly though he would insist on catching up on his ‘daytime soaps’ and his Rachael Ray shows, both of which he has TiVo’ed back at the Vault. lol ;)
3) Experience Point Time!
Option 1- Clone keeps Clone Omega absorbed within him!
a) Body Power: Double the maximum amount of duplicates that Clone can create!
b) Special Weapon: Duplicating staff
c) All memories of Clone Omega can still be accessed.
d) Weakness: Low Self Control: The Clone Omega collective is lurking somewhere inside the Clone Alpha collective. Their much lower willpower (Charisma) keep them suppressed, but they are there, just waiting for their chance to overthrow Clone Alpha from the inside!
Option 2- Clone expunges Clone Omega from him and Clone Omega joins Vanguard Omega in captivity.
a) Special Weapon: Duplicating staff
b) Memories of Clone Omega can no longer be accessed. But those already accessed remain.
Option 3- Anything else you dream up
I must have mulled this decision over in my head a thousand times this passed week, and I think as much as I think having two personalities trapped inside of Clone would be fun to role-play, I think Clone would want to go with 'Option 2'.
Talk to you all soon,
-Kev
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Sentinel:
OOC:
Tom: I'd like to have Sentinel try to help Menagerie along here (while working out some thoughts which leads to his 'Talking with Lancaster
IC:
Kirk knocks at Frank's door. "I wanted to catch up with you after our last mission. It seems like since your arrival things have been non-stop and taking an even darker turn than in the past. How are you holding up with adjusting to being here and with everything we've had to deal with?"
"That last mission has taken its toll on all of us, myself included. But for you, it was a bit different, wasn't it? I think we're all reeling from the encounter with our darker selves, but you lost more didn't you? The T-Rex? Your losing it. Your animal forms ... they are more than you simply assuming their image, isn't it? They are part of you in a greater way and part of your connection to the natural world ... to the being you've become, aren't they?"
Kirk wants to give Frank here the opportunity to open up and to reconnect with a friend and to people so as not to lose himself as he continues to discover who he has become.
He'll add, "I know I can't fully understand it, but I was thinking your connection with the animals must be to you, what my energy sense is to me ... that connection with everything around me, with the natural forces, with the universal energies around us. It truly sets us apart. The gift of my energy ... that runs in my family. My grandfather has it. Even before him, it runs in our blood. But my energy sense, that special connection. It is uniquely mine. Your connection with nature through these animal forms, it is a gift very unique to you, not merely shapeshifting, as impressive as just that would be?"
"Frank, I hope your not thinking about leaving us. We need you here. Now more than ever. Your connection to the natural order ... to the magical forces, it is something we lack. We'll need them in what lies ahead of us... And I think, I hope, you need us too."
"With everything that has come at us, with what we've seen with Caine and the darker future twice now, it seems like all of our efforts to thwart him have slowed his progress here, but that's all. I feel like I have to do something more, but I don't know what just yet. But I do know that your talents in the corner of those fighting for the greater good have to be good for us and good for the natural order. It is clear that Caine shaping the world is in the best interests of no one."
"I think that our encounter with the Omegaverse and the choices they made, however poorly, still gives us a needed slap in the face to push us to make some choices of our own. To determine who we want to be and what we are willing to sacrifice and to be sure we draw the line where we don't want to go. We need to be proactive and not simply reactive. What do you think Frank?"
Seth
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Sentinel:
OOC:
Hi Jeff.
Some other stuff I'd like Kirk to do during downtime that I'd run through my head, but didn't have time to write up entirely, maybe if I get some free time I can detail them - but I'll likely forget the stuff that ran through my head before that happens so at least this little list
(1) As Soldier prepares to depart Kirk drags him reluctantly for a parting drink between friends. When he gets to the Chess bar area its filled with Vanguard (Kirk invites everyone, each player can choose if he comes) as well as Chess agents that were friends with Soldier including the Knights, Drake & Grey, and of course, Sgt Stone. He toasts Matt's departing reminding him that he has family here and needing help runs both ways, if he needs us, call. (With the same sentiments of once a marine always a marine - same spirit) "To the best of us! To Matt! May our paths cross soon." Kirk wants Matt to know that and he wants to continue the positive synergy Soldier brought to Vanguard and Chess, drawing them closer together. Particularly Drake and the carriers Matt broke down both with Vanguard and with Kirk with him.
(2) A day 'off' in NY: Kirk takes one day as he flies around the city taking in the sights, observing a normal day, and lending just a small helping hand where needed. He rescues a puppy on the run in the street who got away from a little girl and her parents by sweeping into the street and flying it out of the way of a speeding car and returning the puppy to the happy little girl. Flying by a building being erected he prevents a problem with steel being moved from becoming a disaster that takes the lives of some of the workers. He stops at a NYC food truck to take in a quick lunch with other New Yorkers. Flying by another area he hears a street performer playing the sax well and hover over the gathering crowd listening ... as the performance ends he drops a $20 into his open case and says, "Bravo! Become your dream." and flies off hoping some of the crowd follow suit in their generosity. He flies by people in Central Park as they enjoy it and watches the kids playing, the dogs running, etc. All kinds of little things like that ... Just a full day reminding himself that this is HIS city and helping him to remember why he fights so hard and has to be willing to sacrifice much.
(3) A conversation with Hal over the whole Omegaverse thing. At this point, Hal is going to be the one he can talk most about his concerns, and he is absolutely concerned for him. He will stress to Hal that, the Omegaverse Hal is NOT him... and in fact, Kirk doesn't believe that they ever were the 'same person' who took a wrong turn. Although we could go down the wrong path, he believes that our Omegaverse counterparts were fundamentally different than us. That perhaps their inwardly their universe tilted people more on the wrong path. Everything we saw there certainly adds evidence to that theory. Kirk wants to be sure that Hal doesn't overly beat himself up over what his counterpart did.
Anyway, that was a few of the other things running through my head for downtime.
Seth
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Working off of Kirk's conversation with Hal...
IC: "Thank you, Kirk, but I think I'm OK. One thing about spending life looking at it through a microscope, a telescope, etc, etc....you develop a strong resistance to the idea of Destiny. Don't tell John, but I don't think anything is written. Probably not even for him, though his powers seem to require him to think so. We aren't destined to become those jerkwads. Caine is not destined to rule this country. The Entity is not destined to come through into our world," he says. "Though that doesn't mean we can't or shouldn't work hard to prevent those things."
And with that, Hal throws himself into his labs, working hours that make even Shelly and Doc Rocket a little nervous. Obviously, he'll be interested in giving input into the rebuilding of Vanguard Vault (particularly more security on the Digital Zone portal...he still believes a portal is needed, but he wants much stronger precautions in case there's a Vanguard Omega.2 out there somewhere). He'll continue to work with Slingshot and Nanite on their pregnancy (he feels a bit better that the baby in the Omegaverse was apparently not some sort of Trojan horse for The Entity. On the other hand, from what we learned, the Entity had already entered the world...still not out of the woods yet on this issue). And speaking of Vanguard Omega...
He'd like to go to CHESS Castle
But even when not busy with all these projects...Hal is still busy working in his lab. He doesn't say much about what, only that it's important....
OOC: I'm definitely looking at guiding Hal more towards the Reed Richards/Atom/Brainac 5 side of things, so I'd like to raise Hal's intelligence for this round.
Viva Vanguard,
Greg
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Slingshot:
OOC: Scott will continue his work with REACH but he will dial it down considerably. Depending on the elapsed time (days, weeks, months?), he will limit his involvement to a single weekly event.
He will be by his wife's side as much as possible, if not, he's one call away.
He will attempt to gain as much information from Clone as possible regarding Caine's ascension and the fall of Vanguard.
He will also do some research on his own regarding the multiverse and this Dr Change.
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Slingshot:
Private to GM:
OOC: I want to add one more on this list:
I want to have a conversation with Silas Caine. I apologize for not writing it out as IC as possible, but if you want we can have a few back and forth on this topic.
I want to appeal to him as someone who understood what The Entity was and fought along with him regarding to defend our universe and planet. I want to understand what his design is for his presidency. I want to see if there is anything that we can do to come to an understanding if not an agreeable relationship.
I'm not interested in doing anything in a public forum, a private conversation is fine with me. I would like to be able to record this either using my PDA or maybe a recorder of some form hidden on/in my person. If he request that I do not record it, I will pull the device out and not record it as an act of faith.
PS:
The way I was looking at it was Scott would have a chat with Silas and see if there's any way to work things out without involving the whole team (especially with the various enmities), then feed that back to them and see what we can work out.
He's going to be the president of USA
With regards to Multiverse/DrChange: Between the portal (and building one), the Entity and my "wife" I can come up with some theories and research. I also have some advancement left from last level up, so if I need to put something into a knowledge skill (multiverse theories). I'm willing to spend it as I have a feeling that we may have to start doing multiverse hoping at some point as our enemies are starting to come from them.
stephane
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Clone:
OOC: He's not sure if its because he just thinks it looks cool or because of the link he temporarily had with Clone Omega; but like it or not, Clone will be using Clone Omega's costume design as his own.
Could this be some kind of creepy foreshadowing of things to come? Only time will tell! =O
-Kev
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Menagerie:
OOC: Seth, this is a lot of fun. Thanks for sending this to me. I have taken yours and insert mine, so it is a complete read.
IC:
Kirk knocks at Frank's door. "I wanted to catch up with you after our last mission. It seems like since your arrival things have been non-stop and taking an even darker turn than in the past. How are you holding up with adjusting to being here and with everything we've had to deal with?"
“I don’t know”, Frank sighed.
"That last mission has taken its toll on all of us, myself included. But for you, it was a bit different, wasn't it? I think we're all reeling from the encounter with our darker selves, but you lost more didn't you? The T-Rex? Your losing it. Your animal forms ... they are more than you simply assuming their image, isn't it? They are part of you in a greater way and part of your connection to the natural world ... to the being you've become, aren't they?"
Kirk wants to give Frank here the opportunity to open up and to reconnect with a friend and to people so as not to lose himself as he continues to discover who he has become.
Frank looks Kirk squarely in the eyes, “Everyone thinks I am a Shaman but that is wrong. Kirk, do you know what a Revenant is? Have you ever seen the movie The Crow? That is a Revenant, an animated corpse that has returned from the grave to terrorize the living, usually to revenge the deceased’s killer. That is closer to what I am than any kind of Shaman.”
He'll add, "I know I can't fully understand it, but I was thinking your connection with the animals must be to you, what my energy sense is to me ... that connection with everything around me, with the natural forces, with the universal energies around us. It truly sets us apart. The gift of my energy ... that runs in my family. My grandfather has it. Even before him, it runs in our blood. But my energy sense, that special connection. It is uniquely mine. Your connection with nature through these animal forms, it is a gift very unique to you, not merely shapeshifting, as impressive as just that would be?"
Frank stood up and walked across the room. “You are correct. They are connected to me. This form I am in now is just one aspect of me. I don’t change shapes. I become them. I am Nature’s Revenant. You were correct about the T-Rex when you said I lost it. See I didn’t change into the T-Rex. I didn’t steal Omega’s ability to change into T-Rex. I asked the T-Rex to join me. I asked it to protect the animal kingdom with me and not rule it with Omega.”
“Kirk, it chose me.”
“Then I let it be destroyed by Dr. Change.”
“I believe I have been given the potential to be more than a Revenant. A Revenant has one task and then it is drawn back to grave. Because I have a collection of deaths to avenge, there must be a higher purpose to my task but I don’t know what it is. I am beginning to wonder if I am going to find it here with Vanguard”
"Frank, I hope you’re not thinking about leaving us. We need you here. Now more than ever. Your connection to the natural order ... to the magical forces, it is something we lack. We'll need them in what lies ahead of us... And I think, I hope, you need us too."
“Need - That is a powerful word. It can drive a man to greatness or to destruction. My Omega counterpart felt he needed control and certainty. Instead he found alienation and abandonment.”
“What do I need? I need a guide, to show me the path beyond my beginnings; from Revenant to Shaman. But that is not all I need. I also need friends to remind me why I want to take the journey on that path.”
"With everything that has come at us, with what we've seen with Caine and the darker future twice now, it seems like all of our efforts to thwart him have slowed his progress here, but that's all. I feel like I have to do something more, but I don't know what just yet. But I do know that your talents in the corner of those fighting for the greater good have to be good for us and good for the natural order. It is clear that Caine shaping the world is in the best interests of no one."
"I think that our encounter with the Omegaverse and the choices they made, however poorly, still gives us a needed slap in the face to push us to make some choices of our own. To determine who we want to be and what we are willing to sacrifice and to be sure we draw the line where we don't want to go. We need to be proactive and not simply reactive. What do you think Frank?"
“Yes, we have only traveled the path before us. What if we chose the path unseen?”
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Lightning Strike:
OOC:
Hi all,
Not too much to add to this turn as I have no level advancement to deal with. Needless to say, I am not dropping out of the game any time soon. I at least want to make it to the 200th issue.
Strike will spend his time delving into Silas Caine's campaign. Given what we saw in the alternate timeline, we can't let this guy be president. There is dirt somewhere to be found on this guy and I won't rest until it is dug up.
That's all for now.
Tony
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GM:
OOC:
Hey guys,
Unfortunately, Talon/ Denny is leaving the game due to real life stuff impacting his ability to play. He will be missed.
Updated character sheets should go out to everyone tomorrow or Saturday.
Best,
Jeff
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Menagerie:
OOC: Sorry, to hear it. It was fun playing with you Denny. Good Health and great times for you and your loved one.
Tom
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Slingshot:
OOC: sorry to hear, Denny. I hope you'll be able to get back to us at some point.
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Clone:
OOC: Darn, that a shame - gonna miss the guy. Hope everything works out well for him. With any luck he'll come back once; and if, things settle down a bit for him in his personal life.
-Kev
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Sentinel:
OOC: Tom, this is a lot of fun. Thanks for sending this to me. I have taken yours and inserted replies:
“Kirk, it chose me.”
“Then I let it be destroyed by Dr. Change.”
"You shouldn't blame yourself for that. You didn't 'let' anything, Change did that before we had an opportunity to do anything. Had it not been the T-Rex it would have been one of us gone. Look at what happened with Symbiote Omega! I hate what you lost there, and I hope you have the opportunity to regain that connection again, but make no mistake, your sacrifice that day saved one of us."
……
“What do I need? I need a guide, to show me the path beyond my beginnings; from Revenant to Shaman. But that is not all I need. I also need friends to remind me why I want to take the journey on that path.”
"I believe you are already more than you give yourself credit to be ... your choices have already made you more than simply nature's revenger. If you've determined that you want to take the path from Revenant to Shaman, then I know you'll find the guide you are seeking, or perhaps he or it will find you. That isn't something I can help you with, but being a friend, well consider that done; you can count on me for that.
……
“Yes, we have only traveled the path before us. What if we chose the path unseen?”
"You might have some sage in you too. Exploring the unseen path might be just what we need ..."
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Sentinel:
OOC: Hey Denny.
I echo the sentiments of the others ... real sorry to see you go and I hope that 'real life stuff' falls into the best place possible for you as soon as it can.
If the time comes you feel you can return, I look forward to it.
And thanks for being a part of the game while you could. Fly high and fast ...
Seth
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Sentinel:
Kirk was relieved to see that Hal was handling things as well as he was but a bit concerned about him perhaps overly focusing on his work and 'important project'.
He makes himself available to assist if Hal needs his help and takes an interest in things to the degree that Hal seems comfortable in allowing.
He will definitely go with Hal to interrogate the surviving members of the Omega crew, he was hoping that somehow they wouldn't end up in our world.
As part of that he will ask Hal and Strike what measures they think we can take regarding tracking, finding, and keeping Strike Omega from impersonating our Strike or infiltrating our headquarters ...
Seth
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