Re: World War II - The Vanguard Issue #10 The day after doomsday...

DavidMcMahon Sat Aug 11 2012, 04:37

Not sure what the difference between using Hero Points and Fate Points are at this point. Hero points gives me so many chances to get a double, depending on how many I spend and Fate Point guarantee a double but doesn't guarantee what that double might be - 1s or 10s or inbetween. If I understand that right. If I got it wrong, I will ask to redo what I'm about to write.

So trying for a lot of doubles and using the best one seem like the best idea. So I will use 8 Hero Points and hope for the best. What happens if I get a triple?

Admin Sat Aug 11 2012, 22:59

OOC you are right about the Fate points. An automatic double, but if you roll a double anyway, it's unused. Hero points give a much, much higher chance of rolling a double, and if you spend enough (rolling 11 dice in total) you are guaranteed a double. As it is, you are rolling an extra 8 dice, so 10 in total. I'm betting that you'll definitely get a double, but what it is will be critical. You *really* need two doubles to beat the Dark Emissaries total. Someone with a higher Ego (like Lionheart) would have a better chance.

Surprised you haven't gone for

"Increase Ego to protect against external attack: 1 for 1 basis for that attack only" as clearly stated in the 'Dark Power - and what it means for you' post

Ok, those dice rolls are: 5,3,8,1,10,9,7,5,10,3 (10,10 double, 20) plus roll 7,2 (9) means a total of 41. TEST FAILED. However... if you wish to spend Dark Power points from yourcurrent pool of 54, you can boost your Ego on a 1 per 3 Dark power points basis. Your call, or you can see what happens next...

Anyman
110 htc
88 htk
44 Hero Points, 9 Fate points
Dark Power XP 16/20 (level 3)
Dark Power Growth 7
Dark power points 54 (6fr before leaks away 1d10/round)
Life Sense 4Gr (4fr)
Flight (10 Gr 8x Lightspeed 2fr)
Health (vacuum, radiation) 2Gr (3fr)
Mental Powers Grade 7 (6fr)
Teleport Grade 6 (6fr) Planetary/Near space range

DavidMcMahon Sun Aug 12 2012, 01:16

spend the unused Dark Powers points

Admin Mon Aug 13 2012, 17:41

With a colossal effort of will (OOC blowing all remaining Dark Power points, so DPP=0) Anyman felt the Shadow Demon part of himself rush to the fore, and flood his mind with strength, unyielding and resolute!

The Emissary pulled his head back, the triumphant gleam from his eyes gone as his attempt to separate Anyman into three distinct beings (OOC Putty, Shadow Demon and Lance Allard) failed!

It occurred to Anyman in that moment that the being in front of him was, perhaps, not as powerful as Anyman or the others, in terms of what it could call on, but was more versed in its use. More efficient, smarter in the way it could convert and channel raw emotions into pure dark power.

Another thought occurred - where was the Devourer getting its dark power from? Was it powerful enough to draw it from across the known universe, or perhaps from alternate universes? What was its purpose?

'I can answer that, Allard' said the Shadow Demon inside Anyman. 'It wants power. For the likes of it and us that means feeding on misery and suffering. This planet that you live on its a rich food source. It also wants me, or more importantly, my life essence, to add to its own. I can sense millions of gathered Shadow Demons within its mass, even from here. Some of them are very familiar, as if they are all part of the same being divided into limitless pieces, and being gathered together to form a single all powerful whole. Imagine the Devourer as a gatherer, and it draws as many pieces of the puzzle into itself as it can. Eventually it becomes so powerful no single piece of the puzzle - like us - can resist it! Across time and space there will be limitless alternate beings such as us. In some, they are Lance Allard, the Alien Putty, or Trey Watson, Veronica Marshall, the Alien Klettuu, or the despot known as Allman. The last is one I came across in a dream. A glimpse, if you will, of the man you might become should you choose to subjugate the world.'

The Emissary sneered. "You are weak. Your limited knowledge of the vast power at your disposal will be your undoing! We are united, and gather the life experiences of all those like you we have gathered over eons of searching and devouring across time and space! Your planet, Earth, shall fall, and you with it. The resources required to subjugate you might be better spent subjugating them! Where then would you draw your sustenance from?"

The creature seemed to grow in size, towering over Lance Allard and pointing at him. "There will be a reckoning, and that right soon. We have looked into your heart, mortal, and see only fear, despair and terror! Why, you are a food source, for me!" he laughed!

With that, the Emissary vanished, and the lights came back on in the room, the wind dropped, and Anyman turned...

General Wynn sagged, exhausted. "My ...Shadow.. Demon.. could sense... even through its sheer greed and ... desire for power... that a loss of control would... benefit only our enemy... Now, more than ever before... we are closer and more allied to our darker selves..." The old man sagged against a console, looking wasted and worse - he looked his age.

Anyman looked around. They were still missing one. He wondered what had happened to Nowhere Boy...

DavidMcMahon Tue Aug 14 2012, 23:58

Teleporting my teammates and Hitler over to me - as per telepathic conversation. And if I can sense Nowhere Boy, bringing him back too.

Admin Wed Aug 15 2012, 21:23

With a simple thought and a gesture, Anyman summoned his friends from the site on the moon, as well as the shivering half frozen and asphyxiated form of Adolf Hitler - or at least the genetically enhanced clone of the man! The newcomers were at last able to breath real air instead of via space suits, and unclipped helmets whilst taking in the surroundings of the Robo carrier bridge.

General Wynn wheezed his way to his feet, spluttering, and took the time to straighten his clothes to maintain an air of dignity. In truth the quelling of the Dark power had taken all his mental strength, though he'd be damned before showing weakness to the rest of the team.

Sunburst hovered, transfixed by the image on the screen. Lionheart walked over to her, and the pair watched for a moment before Beth Carter called out.

"You'd better take a look!" she cried.

Anyman, unsure of quite what had just gone on - hadn't the Emissary had them at his mercy? - looked over, and his heart sunk. The Emissary had been just that - sent to test them, to send a message. It's power probably paled in comparison to the vast dark mass moving between the Earth and the sun! As the team watched, the sun began to shrink from view, eclipsed by the Devourer, and a shiver passed over the hearts of all those present. The Emissary had come, tested them, and gone back to report to its master.

Try as he might, he couldn't sense Nowhere Boy. The mysterious Vanguardian was perhaps beyond his range, or there might be something blocking Anymans power or... he might already be dead! Anyman shivered at the prospect. The Boy... and the man he had been, had always been a voice of experience and calm, seemingly helping out when needed and battling in the background to keep Britain safe. The Emissary had demonstrated his power, casually plucking the youngster from their midst and transporting him into the depths of that black seething mass out there in space, a mass so large it completely blocked the suns light!

The Devourer was coming. It would not be stopped, or reasoned with, or stayed from its course!

In less than an hour Earths solar system would be shrouded in impenetrable Darkness!

All of the Vanguard - those empowered by the Dark Power within - knew then what was to follow. Terror, blind panic, fear and suffering on a scale never before experienced on Planet Earth!

World War II was over.

The Vanguard and the Allies had won.

The Shadow War was about to begin...

And the world would never be the same again!

OOC END OF WORLD WAR II CYCLE! Awards and 'clean up' post to follow. Keep your eyes out for the SHADOWLAND cycle, issue 1 to be up tomorrow...

Admin Fri Aug 17 2012, 00:18

OOC Got caught up eventually... Current stats:

Frostbite
60htc
48htk
Dark power level 3
Dark power experience 0/20
Dark Power growth 4
Hero Points 52 +20 =72
Fate Points 10 +2 = 12

Silver Sentinel
92/110htc
88htk
65 Hero Points +20 = 85
10 fate points +2 = 12
Dark Power level 2
Dark power experience 4/10
Dark Power growth 3

Anyman
110 htc
88 htk
44 Hero Points +20 = 64, 9 Fate points +2 = 11
Dark Power XP 16/20 (level 3)
Dark Power Growth 7

Lionheart
150 htc
125 htk
75 hero points (the last time Lionheart used any hero points was with the 'classic' way of using them with GH i.e. +1 to a roll so updating his total to this)
12 Fate Points

NPCS:

General Wynn - currently fatigued (feeling his age) having overcome the Dark power within
Sunburst - an artificial body imprinted with the memories and thoughts of Peeler Agent Beth Carter
Nowhere Boy - the former Lore Knight/Current Vanguardian responsible (in part) for the Shadow Demon mess. Currently a 'guest' of the Devourer, current status unknown
Bullet Man - lost his powers when General Wynn temporarily lost his. Current status unknown
Boadicea - critically injured and currently recovering from bionic surgery aboard a V-Ship in England
Spartan - critically injured in battle and fighting for his life in hospital
Guillotine - still active, caring for her fallen comrades in England on a V-Ship
Justiciars - slaughtered by Ani-Men as they recovered in hospital beds. Those out on active duty at the time lost their powers when Gen. Wynn lost his
Kitten - Vanguardian lost in the realm of the Shadow Demons
Sky Eagle - believed to have fallen in combat after losing powers when the Dark power was 'driven' from the UK by Frostbites actions. Current status: unknown
Gravity Girl - injured in battle against the Ani-men. On board a V-Ship recovering. Lost her powers when Wynn lost his (currently powerless)
NoMan - helping clean up operations in London after recent bombing raid
Elesieth - Queen of the Faerie land in Morgana le fays stead. Displaced when that land was destroyed. Current status: unknown
Morgana le Fay - believed killed when her land was destroyed. Current status unknown
P'ertaria - killed in battle. Her people are allied with the British
Atlanteans - owe Frostbite for services he provided
Former Nazi Legion - battered in battle when Anyman fought Imperator. Stood no chance. Currently recovering though Major Hope was near death

Status of the World

Great Britain - changed by the Dark Power. Every man, woman and child feels and thinks positive, and all are near mechanically driven to strive to better themselves and each others lot. Hunger, poverty, crime and strife are eliminated. What though the cost in terms of human individuality, freedom and will? That remains to be seen. The Dark Power has no sway in Britain at this time. Regarded as triumphant in the war, with the Vanguard having smashed the Nazi menace.

Germany - smashed by the Vanguard and the Robo Carrier invasion. Lines of refugees snake through bombed cities, hoping for food handouts. Once proud, now broken. Adolf Hitler is a prisoner of the Vanguard. Hitler himself lives on in a genetically modified body courtesy of the time travelers Bentham and Trowers. They remain at large, last whereabouts the Moon base, now overrun by undead after a plague virus was unleashed. The Vanguard stopped the Nazis from unleashing the undead plague on the world, then stopped Hitler himself who had used the Spear of Destiny, an ancient artifact, to summon and bond with a race of ancient cosmic Cthulu like creatures. They are currently 'on ice' sealed in hundreds of tons of solid metal on the moon. Lunarium production has stopped, and the moon base is a dead, dark, evil place.

Axis allies - Japan, Italy and others quietly, and to save further bombing by Robo Carriers, surrender. A 'league of nations' meeting in Great Britain will decide on their punishment and level of reparations they must make.

USA - deeply distrustful of the power of the Vanguard, and perhaps rightfully so. Ramping up their military production, even though the war has effectively ended. People demonstrate in the streets that something must be done about the 'Imperialistic British'. Had agreed to join the war effort until the Robo Carriers appeared, then became fearful/jealous/determined that they would not fall under the rule of the Vanguard and their Robotic army

Other Nations - Russia withdraws her forces to her borders. Poland is in ruins. Most of France is the same, as is Belgium. The Nazi war machine still has rogue elements who refuse to surrender, including superhumans, who have gone into hiding.

Antartic region - an area protected by a huge dome of energy that creates a tropical world populated by genetic mutated creatures who walk and talk like men (lizard men, tiger men etc) and Dinosaurs, long since thought extinct. A crashed spaceship and the artificial Intelligence on board watches world events, and keeps the zone invisible to prying eyes through visual illusions.

P'utinarians - their world ship is on the other side of the solar system. They have detected the Devourer but can do nothing against an entity of that power and size. Currently unable to reach earth

K'atinarians - rogue P'utinarians with a taste for blood and evil to the core. Some are active on Earth

Skrall - smashed by Anyman, their forces have mostly withdrawn from the solar system, save for those techdrones operating on V-Ships as part of the crew

Qrii - the hive mind/ship destroyed in battle with Anyman and the Skralls. Currently status unknown, though they can quickly regenerate their numbers with a new queen

Imperator and the Star League - seat of power of Star League destroyed by Anyman under influence of the Dark Power. Imperator retaliated against Earth but withdrew when he realized the Devourer could more easily get his revenge for him

The Devourer - made contact with the Vanguard. Kidnapped Nowhere Boy, 'tested' Anyman and almost killed General Wynn. Having found out what it needed the Emissary departed. Now the Devourer, a vast stygian black entity half a solar system wide and high is blocking out the sun with a total eclipse. The next stage of its plan - to enslave and torture the people of Earth and capture the Vanguard, is about to start. It has been revealed the Devourer is in fact millions of Shadow Demon empowered future and past/alternate dimension selves of the Vanguard and others who have combined their forces to become one all powerful entity. That does not account for its size, however, and its true attributes are yet to be revealed.

The Shadow Demons - offered a truce to the Vanguard which was rejected. Some rogue elements are active on Earth, most have withdrawn with the arrival of the Devourer. Current status and goals - unknown.

Shadowland cycle Issue #1 to be posted later on when I get up (time to hit sack...)

smaug Fri Aug 17 2012, 23:38

OOC: God the vanguard npc's alone have taken a kicking, is there anyone left that isn't broken in some way?

Its interesting to see it laid out in bullet point form if only to see the carnage left in the wake. Very much looking forward to the next chapter.

Admin Sat Aug 18 2012, 12:13

OOC new chapter up today (later). I'ts my birthday so lots of people coming round and need making cups of tea for. I'd be happy with peace and quiet! Might go drive out in the middle of the moors with my laptop and internet connection

Steeple_jackuk Sat Aug 18 2012, 14:37

Admin wrote:OOC new chapter up today (later). I'ts my birthday so lots of people coming round and need making cups of tea for. I'd be happy with peace and quiet! Might go drive out in the middle of the moors with my laptop and internet connection

Have a great day Paul, no rush for the update, this is your day.

Sj

smaug Sat Aug 18 2012, 17:37

Too right, have a very happy birthday mate.

Admin Sun Aug 19 2012, 00:38

OOC Thanks chaps, had an 'ok' day, mostly spent running around after kids and walking dog. Business as usual then. 41 year old now though, clearly, the 'wrong' side of 40

New issue up here

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