The Keepers
Posts 31
Power Level 19
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Post by criticalmass on Oct 20, 2016 13:38:23 GMT -7
Critical Mass was sitting outside of the old mine, waiting for his compatriots to arrive and assist him in his endeavor. This endeavor was to "retrieve" an artifact from a team digging near here to find it. Recently, they had succeeded in this, and were arranging transport for the object. The plan was for them to make away with it before the transport arrived. He was happy to have actual help in retrieving this artifact, as all the assistance he had received in retrieving the chinese sword had been wholly accidental. The specific item in question was an old flintlock rifle, not important for any research, but simply a very nice artifact from an older time that would be either sent to a museum for the masses, or auctioned off to some rich old collector. Personally, Mass believed this was a waste of it, and he wanted it for his personal collection. Of course, he may end up just selling it himself, for a much higher price on the black market, but that was only if his teamates considered notoriety to not be a big enough reward in itself. Now, they should be arriving any minute now.
Scheme: Steal the rifle before the transport arrives, and don't be stopped by any super silly do gooders.
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Emerald City Bulwark
That's Un-bee-lievable!
Posts 24
Power Level 20
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Post by Hivemind on Oct 20, 2016 14:09:15 GMT -7
During the recent Dragon attack, one of Hivemind's bees intercepted a message from the super known as Critical Mass. He's been told to meet him and another compatriot at the old mine in order to retrieve an artifact. Very little details were given to Hive, but he still went to see what this was all about.
While arriving at the mine, he noticed Critical Mass sitting outside the mine, and decided to formally introduce himself. From the look of the super, he didn't seem like the talkative type. "This is no time for pleasantries, let's get right down to business" Hivemind thought.
The mission was to enter the mine, find the team who recovered the artifact, and take it from them. This didn't feel like his normal cup of tea, and decided to trust his gut on this action. "No, whatever I said earlier is null and void. I am not helping you. Those researchers who found the rifle earned their keep and they should have it."
There was no way for Hive to tell what Critical Mass' reaction was, but somehow he could tell it was not a pleasant one.
Opposing: Finder's Keepers vs Losers Weepers
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Emerald City Bulwark
It is not the healthy who need a doctor... But the sentient plant life bent on destroying my home!
Posts 38
Power Level 20
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Post by Plague Doctor on Oct 20, 2016 14:31:26 GMT -7
Plague Doctor - who had been wearing an - Indiana Jones style hat purely by accident. - had followed Hivemind out of the Bulwarks HQ as he had been acting sort of suspicious, he felt it best that he should follow.
When Hivemind had arrived at the mine, he saw Critical Mass at the entrance. He had tangled with the other super before, he was highly dangerous. Why was Hive acting so strange? But then he realized. Maybe Hive was going to help the Archaeologists and keep Critical from his prize.
"Sorry to disappoint you Mass," PD said to the other super without much thought as he stepped out from the trees. "But that belongs in a museum." PD really wished he had gotten a whip. That would've cemented the illusion.
He adjusted his hat and readied himself for a fight.
Opposing: That belongs in a museum. *Imaginary Whip Crack*
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The Keepers
Posts 36
Power Level 20
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Post by Phenomenon on Oct 20, 2016 14:56:39 GMT -7
Phenomenon roared up to the old mine in his no-longer-quite-as-fatal truck. Now, it was just a pimped out, scarlet red truck. It was quite... It was probably the least subtle thing in a couple miles. Mass wouldn't appreciate the sentiment, he was sure. Neither would his almost roadkill victim. On his speedy approach, he saw the two Bulwarks in his way and had to stop on his brakes. This almost flipped the truck for the second time, rocking it onto two wheels before it settled back to the ground. He got out of the car yelling through his newer masks voice disruptor. "I try to be nice and help my friend, and you're all jumping in front of my car! The only reason you aren't pinned to the dirt is because you saved it." The latter also had him pointing at Hive, who had flipped the truck back over during the dragon fight. "That's a debt repaid. If you feel like getting in our way, you'll have some opposition." Phenomenon would, if allowed, walk to the side of his ally. He already established a telepathic link, and had started to plan for a fight should one erupt.
Supporting: Mass asked for help, the last time it didn't work so well; let's hope it goes differently now.
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Dead
Posts 47
Power Level 21
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Post by Gluttony on Oct 20, 2016 17:33:18 GMT -7
When there was someone even more short-sighted than the sins, they couldn't be allowed to run around unchecked and cause whatever the damage they wanted. Critical Mass was one such person; a super who was known for wasting time on stealing unimportant items for a personal collection of his. It did nothing for anyone, especially the faction that he swore loyalty to. All it did was make the Keepers appear to be petty thieves with no underlying goal.
When Gluttony heard rumors of the plan to steal an archaeological find that held little to no importance to the Keepers, he decided that he could stand to pull himself away from his research into the other factions. He doubted any of the other Keepers really cared, honestly. That didn't matter to Gluttony, though; if it weren't for the Keepers, he'd likely still be drifting aimlessly, penniless, and killing for the highest bidder. If he would still be alive at all. He wasn't going to let a spoiled, selfish little brat taint the name of the faction for absolutely no reason.
He arrived on site, already standing at ten feet tall. He found that it wouldn't be a complete waste of his time, either; a couple of the Bulwarks were already on the scene. He had no qualms with working with an enemy to achieve his goals, so it would simply be a way for him to learn some more about their powers. He grinned maliciously at the situation. He really couldn't be looking forward to this more.
OPPOSING: Gluttony won't abide someone being so unapologetically pointless
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The Keepers
Posts 234
Power Level 31
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Post by Azoth on Oct 20, 2016 20:10:48 GMT -7
Azoth was astounded she wasn’t asked to help with robbery jobs more often. Her powers were perfect for it - once she had used her powers to remove an object, it was all but gone; its make up stored in her mind for simple later retrieval. In essence, she could vanish an object into her head by simple proximity, making it inaccessible to anyone but herself until she decided to bring it back out again. It was how she gathered information; and today, she’d be employing it on a rifle.
She was expecting to get two favors out of this; one from Critical Mass, and one from Phenomenon. It was the later who’d had the foresight to ask for her aid, meaning she was being asked to help by someone who was being asked to help. It meant favors from both of the Keepers, so it worked fine for her. It’d been a goal of hers to get as many Keepers onto her side as possible. Should matters go… poorly with others of her faction, it was important she had as many allies - or at least favors - she could call upon as possible.
As she had little for transportation (besides Geata), Azoth had elected to ride in Phenomenon’s truck. She’d taken to sitting in the back as she was not in a particular mood for conversation, and wanted some time with her thoughts. From which she was jarringly awoken from with the sudden halt of the vehicle. She was gathering herself as Phenomenon exited and began yelling at two Bulwarks outside.
She glanced at the final Keeper on the scene, Gluttony. She had no allegiance to him, and not much more reason to build one with him than the two she was supporting today. It was not the optimal situation, but two in the hand was worth far more than one in the bush, and she was fine if this meant a single trespass against the Keeper. It was a trespass against her as well, so should they wish, she would be content to rectify this later.
Azoth sighed, opened the door beside her, and stepped out. She pushed up her spectacles as she strode towards the gathered supers, a gentle breeze picking up the length of her lab coat.
“It’s a waste of time to attempt negotiations with anyone fatuous enough to call themselves a hero.” Azoth muttered as she neared the other two Keepers, loud enough for the two Bulwarks to hear.
She did not stop beside her allies - nor did any of the opposing supers cause her any worry. She continued past the Keepers and towards the Bulwarks at an unhurried walk. It was a dare to stop her.
SUPPORTING: This is objectively a gigantic waste of time… but a gigantic waste of time she's getting two favors out of.
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Post by PANOPTICON Ver. 3.023 on Oct 21, 2016 6:16:05 GMT -7
PANOPTICON Ver. 3.023 online Running aberrant conflict search heuristic. Scanning satellite imagery... clear. Scanning public security footage... clear. Scanning private devices... anomaly detected. Beginning detailed analysis. Abnormal aberrant concentration detected on Malachite Isle, sector C-7. Aberrants have converged in isolated area, identity cross-reference yields 3.73% chance of peaceful meeting. Cataloging contents of sector... Detected: 170 unpowered humans. Detected: Six standard aberrants. See case files 1-4998, 1-5520, 1-5554, 1-5623, 1-5977, 1-6072. Conflict probability within next 60 seconds: 93.95% Beginning combat data collection. (Click here to send in your actions!) |
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The Keepers
Posts 36
Power Level 20
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Post by Phenomenon on Oct 21, 2016 17:50:23 GMT -7
"Support takes up the rear, I don't work as well up close and personal. You do." Phenomenon patted Critical Mass on the shoulder and headed to the hood of the truck. This little excursion was just that to him; an excursion. This was an errand that he had dedicated some value to, and he would be damned if it failed. He reached in the car and shifted it into neutral, not moving it anywhere but popping the hood. In the bed, bundled up, was a very large bundle of jumper cable. One end was hooked to the car battery, the other was left on the ground but separated carefully. He also produced a small pocket knife and laid it on top of a strange bundle of lines that didn't quite match up with any normal design, custom made. He took a step back from the truck and looked around it, at everyone else. "Are we going to be allowed to go retrieve our artifact? It's a bit meaningless, but I've been requested to be here; please don't make it harder than it needs to be."
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Dead
Posts 47
Power Level 21
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Post by Gluttony on Oct 21, 2016 18:39:36 GMT -7
Gluttony's grin quickly transitioned into a scowl of irritation as a third Keeper stepped out of the truck. He didn't have any interest in Critical Mass's entourage; given what he had heard of the young girl named Azoth, she was likely only helping for a favor. The same was likely true of Phenomenon. The large super didn't intend on being stopped from his goal, though, and if the two tried to get in his way he wouldn't let them, simple as that. It wasn't anything personal against them. If anything, he fully intended on apologizing to the two later. But he wasn't going to let them stop him.
"This entire thing is a waste of time," he said in response to Azoth's taunt aimed at the Bulwarks. He glanced at the mine and wondered how best to proceed. It would probably be easier to just break the prize. That, however, likely would be an even bigger waste of time. He doubted the idiot Mass would learn from that, and the point of this was to dissuade him from being an even bigger waste of time. No, Gluttony would instead have to enjoy his favorite pastime: breaking people. He started to walk towards the armored super, out of Azoth's way but on a path that lie directly parallel to hers.
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Post by PANOPTICON Ver. 3.023 on Oct 23, 2016 6:55:38 GMT -7
   PANOPTICON Ver. 3.023 analyzing combat data... --- Accumulation (Information) by Azoth against Aggression (Subdual) results in SUCCESS, +10% combat advantage Aggression (Destruction) by Gluttony against Azoth results in SUCCESS, +30% combat advantage Aggression (Confinement) by Hivemind against Phenomenon results in SUCCESS, +30% combat advantage Aggression (Subdual) by Plague Doctor against Azoth results in FAILURE due to suppression by the immunity granted by the equal-or-greater Accumulation (Information) Azoth used --- Current conditions: Azoth criticalmass and Phenomenon have immunity to Aggression (Subdual) granted by the Accumulation (Information) Azoth used Current advantage: Gluttony Hivemind and Plague Doctor have 70% Azoth criticalmass and Phenomenon have 10% Current openings: Gluttony may INJURE Azoth for 15% combat advantage, causing her powers to become unable to suppress for the rest of the battle. Hivemind may CAPTURE Phenomenon for 15% combat advantage, causing his powers to stop contributing combat advantage for the rest of the battle. (Click here to send in your next round's actions!) |
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The Keepers
Posts 36
Power Level 20
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Post by Phenomenon on Oct 23, 2016 13:46:07 GMT -7
Phenomenon had blanked out. There was a formation of a plan, but a telepathic dispute about what was in need of being done to eliminate their problems had occupied him so much he didn't actually attempt anything. This was most distressing, and now he was also coated in bugs. It seemed he was going to be developing a fond hatred for a great many things because of these disputes he continually found himself in. Rain, bugs. The majority of humankind was already on that list, it couldn't be getting much bigger now. Oh well, he would just have to deal with what happened for now. He was keeping his cool surprisingly well under the bugs, very much less than pleased and having already destroyed what plan he had but still calm. They wouldn't be allowing him into his car anytime soon though.
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Dead
Posts 47
Power Level 21
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Post by Gluttony on Oct 23, 2016 13:59:14 GMT -7
Gluttony looked at the two absent-minded Keepers and winced. Had he known they wouldn't have done anything, he wouldn't have gotten violent towards Azoth. He sighed and extended his hand down, offering to help her up to her feet.
"Yes," he said calmly, even apologetically. "They certainly seem to be worth the effort on your part. They didn't even raise a hand to prevent me from raising mine. I offer you a deal, Azoth of the Keepers. Leave me and my current allies to our task, and I'll owe you two favors in exchange for the two you'd lose. Do we have a deal?"
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The Keepers
Posts 234
Power Level 31
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Post by Azoth on Oct 23, 2016 18:13:24 GMT -7
The beginnings of a cold were familiar to Azoth, but this one’s onset was swift and oddly-timed enough that she could safely assume Plague Doctor was the culprit. As such, the equivalent of a flash bang grenade went off beside his ear.
The backhand, happening at that precise moment, was both unexpected and well-timed enough that Azoth didn’t see it coming until it hit her.
The blow might be weaker my most people’s standards, but Azoth’s were not most people’s standards. Though she remained conscious, for the moment after the hit her vision went out like when one plugged one to five blenders too many into the kitchen’s circuitry and everything goes down; and likewise, so did she. Her vision came back on just in time for her other senses to catch up with the fluids in her ears, and she realized the ground was directly right. She had only enough time to protect her head with her arm and shoulder - at the detriment at said shoulder.
There wasn’t a pop or a crack, but there was a deep throbbing that set into her arm (and side, and other shoulder and face where she’d been hit). Her body shook and didn’t want to respond to her commands. It took her several stunned seconds to regain first her spinning head and then basic bodily controls to a workable degree, and then a few more to roll onto her stomach and pull herself to her knees. Gluttony’s offered help was much appreciated, and Azoth gladly took it in getting to her feet. Sending a glance back to her teammates, who were just standing there as she was attempting to help them stop three supers - with a task she had very little investment in herself, at that, it was much more than either of them had done for her.
She huffed at his sarcasm, but he was right. “I am inclined to take your offer.” Azoth mumbled angrily, adjusting her skewed spectacles. She was covered in dirt, and unsteady on her feet, even with Gluttony’s support.
She was grateful for his help, but she could take care of herself. Azoth let go of his hand and took a step backwards- only for her head to cut in with its ineffectual attempts at balance, like someone who hadn’t the slightest what they were doing but too much pride to admit it. Her vision spun and threatened to make down upwards again, and she made one arm wave short of a flail’s attempt to grab onto something to prevent the internal gravity reversal. The nearest something happening to be Gluttony. The alchemist indeed.
It was taking his pity, and it was all but proving she couldn’t take care of this seemingly simple task without help. But of course she couldn’t stop three supers by herself. She was only one person, and these were supers, but what a joke, to walk up to them and be slapped aside like she was nothing. She half wondered if the other two keepers had asked her as an attempt to ‘knock her down a peg’. She wouldn’t put it past half of the faction.
She had given her word that she would help them, but they had done little to help her. Their end of the contract had been broken and a new one offered. Azoth sighed. “Very well. I accept, Gluttony. I will stand down.”
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The Keepers
Posts 31
Power Level 19
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Post by criticalmass on Oct 24, 2016 17:56:13 GMT -7
Mass wasn't used to the telepathic communication, and it seemed that one of his team mates had already made peace with the enemy. Oh well, like Mass said, this was simply an unimportant knick-knack to keep him busy so he didn't do anything too stupid. Using the telepathic link with Phenomenon, he would simply inform him that the mission was fully over and that he would be leaving, along with suggesting that he do the same. So, he would turn around and begin walking away on his air-stairs, simply leaving and waving his hand at the others. Without Azoth fighting, they would definitely have no chance (not that they had much of one after that first blunder on his and Phenomenons part).
Forfeiting and exiting.
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Post by PANOPTICON Ver. 3.023 on Oct 25, 2016 6:57:22 GMT -7
PANOPTICON Ver. 3.023 analyzing combat data... --- Gluttony takes INJURE opening against Azoth for 15% combat advantage, causing her powers to become unable to suppress for the rest of the battle Maneuver (Field) by Azoth against Plague Doctor results in SUCCESS, +25% combat advantage Aggression (Destruction) by Gluttony against criticalmass results in FAILURE due to suppression by the target's equal-or-greater immunity, +10% combat advantage Aggression (Confinement) by Hivemind against Azoth results in SUCCESS, +30% combat advantage Aggression (Subdual) by Plague Doctor against criticalmass results in FAILURE due to suppression by the target's equal-or-greater immunity, +10% combat advantage Gluttony Hivemind and Plague Doctor have reached 100% combat advantage! The heroes (and Gluttony) have control of the situation. All participants receive 10 Notoriety for their part in the battle! Phenomenon gets 10 additional Notoriety due to his Intimidation trait. --- Analyzing possible outcomes... 1. Chase the villains off with your powers!
The signs of battle will make this incident more notable to powered and unpowered people alike.
Effect: +45 additional Notoriety each for Gluttony Hivemind and Plague Doctor 2. Let the villains depart in peace.
With this show of civility, both factions will be more inclined to turn their attention toward their mutual enemies.
Effect: +20 Bulwark Prestige, +10 Keepers PrestigeAs the first to oppose, Hivemind gets the final choice. |
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