The New Vanguard! Frostbite and Lionheart Issue #2

Admin wrote:Despite being a mile away or so, it was clear this was one of the biggest creatures Frostbite had ever encountered!

Frostbite was struggling to comprehend what he was seeing and momentarily wondered if the atmosphere was playing tricks on his senses. But to all intense purposes, the thing seemed as real as did anything so far in this crazy life that he called normal.

The question was what to do? Could such a creature even be stopped and if so how? What, more importantly, had caused it to emerge as it had in the first place? Questions aplenty but answers in short supply. And more urgently where was his quarry in all this?

Frostbite mentally signalled his onboard computer, asking for its read on the situation.

OOC: Oh boy the maxim the bigger they are, seems a bit wasted on this fella, trying to knock him down to fall hard might cause an environmental disaster, assuming his walkabout doesn't stamp half the jungle to bits!! Ok Frostbite will do what he can to scan and look for clues about the creature, seek to try and communicate if he can, but also keep a safe distance, he and fire don't mix so well.

Sj

'The heat given off by the creature is intense. Observe the snows melting on the surrounding mountains. In moments there will be torrents of water running from the mountains onto the plains and into the jungles beyond!' stated Frostbot.

'The creatures size is... impressive indeed. It appears to be formed of magma though how it forms a vaguely humanoid shape is unknown and it seems to be still growing... observe the volcano it is emerging from. It you were to somehow freeze around the base of its body where the volcano is formed it may cut off the supply to the rest of it. It would require the biggest blast you have ever applied to overcome the heat and sheer size. It would be ... inadvisable... to be struck by the intense magma.' added the computer within his mind.

Jarna swooped up and up to avoid the ever growing magma beast. It raised an arm and hand as if toi grab... or to level a hand to unleash a blast of pure heat!!!! She was a very skilled pilot, but could even she manage to keep the team from being fried?

Admin wrote:It would require the biggest blast you have ever applied to overcome the heat and sheer size. It would be ... inadvisable... to be struck by the intense magma.'[/color] added the computer within his mind.

Jarna swooped up and up to avoid the ever-growing magma beast. It raised an arm and hand as if to grab... or to level a hand to unleash a blast of pure heat!!!! She was a very skilled pilot, but could even she manage to keep the team from being fried?

Frostbite was concerned for the crew and their safety, the ship would have to be his first priority, and a blast towards whatever it used for eyes, might throw its aim.  He had to hope that despite the heat, snow and ice make for steam and that might obscure its vision and therefore throw its aim.  

Levelling his hands, he blasted hoping he had something left for the effort of trying to tap its supply.

OOC: OK so ice blast and try to aim where its face is if that is too far for a decent blast where its hand is so that the steam given off might make it throw its aim and miss.

Once I've done that Frostbite will tell Jarna to hold back, he may yet need help himself if he fails.  And then if having been successful with stopping the beastie, he'll see about trying to tap its flow.  I think for now we'd safely assume that HP is being tapped into at this point, but I'm happy to go with what you think, rules-wise might be best.

Sj[/b]

FROSTBITE HP 184

OOC Roll(2d10)+0: 1,1,+0 Total:2 BOOM! That's not good. Frostbite immediately takes 2 Body damage and is on 9/11 Body and Adrenaline Surge burns out for 24 hours.

He can still blast and use Hero Points despite the splitting headache...

FROSTBITE HP 171

Roll(4d10)+0: 10,1,9,10,+0 Total: 20 DOUBLE plus Roll(2d10)+0: 9,6,+0 Total:35 + Energy Blast 14 (39) vs Dex 3 + Roll(2d10)+0: 3,10,+0
Total:16 + Devastating Attack (+8) = 24. +5 Effect (to 19) vs Resistance Value 30 (!) - 12 (Dev Attack)=18. 1 Damage.

Frostbite unleashes a blast powerful enough to smash through a battleship... And creates an area about the size of a house that steams in the creatures house as it darkens its skin and turns to blackened lava. The Creature thrashes about and Frostbite needs to swoop low under a massive arm... The heat is staggering and his ice form IMMEDIATELY melts! Despite being intangible he is aware that just a single swat from one of those ultra hot arms would leave him in big, big trouble!

he swoops back up, instructing Jarna to keep clear... The creature shudders... and starts to collapse back in on itself, forming a blackened volcano with steam and smoke obscuring the Vanguard leaders vision. Up, up he flew, looking down... The creature had changed back into a volcano! It was fresh, with still glowing blackened crust but it was clear it was unused to being hurt, no matter how little. When you were as big as a mountain and used to being lord of all you survey, to get a 'bloody nose' might put you in your pla...

Uh oh.

Even from up here Frostbite could see Lava spitting from the volcano crust... It rolled over and over, like a black egg. Then it cracked with glowing hot lava inside, and a creature identical to that which had attacked the Wasp People hive staggered free, shaking off the lava! It looked about, then up...

Even as he watched Frostbite saw three more 'lava pods' spew forth... and glowing cracks started to appear in the 'eggs'! Uh oh, this was about to get tricky!

OOC Frostbite comes up with a massive blast and I didn't think he'd be able to dent the thing even with a Devastating Attack (the most powerful attack you can make). That said, a straight up fistfight against a volcanic mountain sized creature was only really going to go one way. Even Lionheart would find this thing a handfull! That said, he's caused it to retreat to recuperate and spit forth some of its stocky rocky creatures... Over to you!

Admin wrote:FROSTBITE HP 184
OOC Frostbite comes up with a massive blast and I didn't think he'd be able to dent the thing even with a Devastating Attack (the most powerful attack you can make). That said, a straight-up fistfight against a volcanic mountain-sized creature was only really going to go one way. Even Lionheart would find this thing a handful! That said, he's caused it to retreat to recuperate and spit forth some of its stocky rocky creatures... Over to you!

OOC: Wow what are the chances zero to hero, in two die rolls. Amazing. I still remember constantly staggering about after one bad roll after another.

Frostbite knew he had stopped...well stopped what? He didn't really have categories or classification for what he was seeing nor indeed how to work out what this was all about. Talking didn't seem to be possible, not in the way it was with the Wasp people who at least were willing. Frostbite didn't surmise that these creatures were of the talk first fight later kind.

But fighting more of them, wasn't an option, the team had managed to clobber one, but three was out of the question. So where did that leave them? With limited supplies and a beat-up space ship in need of repairs itself, the only thing he could think of was that they retreat. Tactical withdrawal, but to where and with whom? He had more questions than answers and no strategy to commence with. Its was like coming through a picture house movie halfway through, but only to find it was also in a foreign language.

Withdrawing the wasp people might provide the time, but then what? The bigger question was who gave them the gun, it alone held a notion of hope. Someone had given them the means to defend themselves, but whom? Frostbite made his mind up.

The team would retreat back to the wasp people and see if they could tell him more about how and who gave them the gun and where if they know, we might get more and ammo besides. A storm is coming and if they cannot defend themselves, they might well be wiped out. The only alternative would be to try and evacuate them to their 'planet' but that might take days. One problem at a time, he told himself and moved off to rejoin the ship.

OOC: I'm on leave this coming week, I should still be able to reply, but will only have a tablet which might make it a bit harder, so just a heads up, in case.

Sj

OOC Thanks for the heads up. David hasn't been on for a while so I'll try and give him a nudge but I can be patient after all the times real life has used me as an ice hockey puck...

Frostbite HP 171 Body 9 (of 11)

Turning tail wasn't usually his style but Frostbite knew when he was outgunned. Especially when more globules popped from the Volcano. They blackened, hardened, started to crack with orange lines almost immediately.

Dozens of them.

"Time to go!" he shouted over the comms and turned to fly towards the hovering shuttle.

"On it!" crackled Jarna as a reply. The shuttle roared as its engines fired and spun about. "You need a lift boss or ... BOSS!"

Frostbite spun...

TWO muscular rock/lava creatures were leaping at him! They seemed... less complete, less well formed than the one that had attacked the Wasp nest.

In fact, as they leapt the hard crust seemed to fall away and the rushing air sparked their superhot forms, immolating them!



OOC Frostbite wins initiative, is around half a mile up in the air and has TWO lava men leaping at him! Behind, on the side of the volcano, the others are cooling, forming, seemingly dusting themselves down with ash and dust. He hasn't time to take in any more details though as they will be on him in seconds! Your move...

Admin wrote:OOC Thanks for the heads up. David hasn't been on for a while so I'll try and give him a nudge but I can be patient after all the times real life has used me as an ice hockey puck...

OOC: I didn't know that about David, hope he is ok. He has been brought down by internet outage and other stuff, but hopefully its a minor blip

Frostbite HP 171 Body 9 (of 11)

OOC Frostbite wins initiative, is around half a mile up in the air and has TWO lava men leaping at him! Behind, on the side of the volcano, the others are cooling, forming, seemingly dusting themselves down with ash and dust. He hasn't time to take in any more details though as they will be on him in seconds! Your move...

"Jarna stay back, these guys can leap, but they can't yet fly..." Frostbite prayed that wasn't a statement that he was going to regret saying as he continued, "Head back to the Wasp people see what you can find out about that technology and or if they've got any more. I'm going to try and lead these guys after me. Before I rejoin you."

Thinking on the fly wasn't ideal, and Frostbite knew he had limited time keeping his breath, but he didn't know how much intelligence these beings had and so decided that having the bright shiny ship leave whilst he offered himself as a target, would let them get away and he could distract the others with his presence.

As he saw the arch of the creatures begin to head toward him, he got ready, his best bet he hoped was to bring down such terrible weather. Weather, that was terrible to see in, that might obscure his departure. He didn't fancing fighting these creatures, their heat alone would be enough to make it harder for him. He already felt drained and drawn fighting the mountain monstrosity and didn't need to fall at the last here.

Drawing up higher to make it so that he was tantalising but still far enough away he concentrated on drawing the unfamiliar elements of the weather around him to obscure and make it easier for him to disappear following the trail of the ship.

OOC:I'll spend HP on a die for both die to get a better result or hopefully a better result and then Frostbites plan is to high tail it out asap. Ok, will respond as I can.

Sj

OOC Frostbite has reduced Weather Control (his standard 8APs) at the moment because Adrenaline surge is down for 24 hours...

That said it's not a huge stretch for him to turn the Dry/Mild/Light Breeze conditions to Damp/Cool/Still (fog in other words).

Frostbite 165 Body 9/11

Roll(3d10)+8: 7,4,3,+8 Total:19 vs Roll(2d10)+6: 10,2,+6 Total:18

+1 EV (to 9) vs RV 6 = 3RAPs. For thirty seconds the weather will be foggy in the area.

With a gesture Frostbite cooked up a near blinding fog that had the red hot magma men floundering in the gloom! He saw a bright glare pass him on one side, and the other some way to his right.

Swooping up, up, he looked down at the cloud and knew he'd done just enough to throw them off the scent. For now.

He turned and headed for the distant dot that was the shuttle.

They'd found out where the mighty stone man had come from but encountered something far bigger and more powerful than he could have imagined! Maybe time to roll out the big gun - Lionheart - to give a helping hand... He sped on towards the Wasp Peoples dome like nest structure...

==========

LIONHEART

He swooped through near space in orbit around the planet. Without the space ship they'd called home for nigh on a year it felt like they were slumming it. The sentient planetoid had done a grand job of keeping them alive, transporting them, and being a place they could call home but communication was difficult and when the shuttle was away they were basically running silent without the shuttle to speak to via the earpieces.

The silence was peaceful, and he floated adrift in space for a few moments, looking at the inky blackness and wondering if any of the countless distant dots were the one they called home.

Ah well, time to head back. Frostbites rookies were fine minding the fort but got a little bit twitchy when he or Frosty weren't around to ...

He squinted. Did the stars there just... blur? What was out there?

He glanced at the planetoid in orbit and then back at the patch of distant space. He was fast but even so it would take time to get to where he thought he'd seen something strange... Still... could be something, could be nothing... Worth checking out?

==========

Frostbite HP 165 Body 9/11

Jarna set the shuttle down and was greeted by enthusiastic wasp people as Frostbite swooped into view and gently landed next to the ship.

"Lucky escape huh Boss?" she said as the back hatch opened and the team came out, dressed in their space suits.

Frostbite could only nod, but accepted with thanks a helmet and air supply from Probability. Giving a deep breath out and one in, he turned to see the Wasp woman with the rifle wave and come walking over. Using her halting English gleaned from the limited time they'd spent practising, she said "You kill enemy?"

Admin wrote:==========

LIONHEART

He glanced at the planetoid in orbit and then back at the patch of distant space. He was fast but even so, it would take time to get to where he thought he'd seen something strange... Still... could be something, could be nothing... Worth checking out?

But then when had nothing turned out to be nothing - especially given the vastness of space? He knew that it was probably 99% chance nothing but out here anything is something, given the little action they'd seen since escaping their microverse point of entry into the 'real' world.

But then again the distance involved, that was not a good thing. Who knew what was going on, on the planet or on their friendly alien? Being away, at a time like this he knew would be to spread things too thin. No, despite his better judgement, he'd go to the planet, check on the team, and then ascend again to see if he could spot anything else, before perhaps taking a low pass at the planet to see if the others were in sight at all.

==========

Frostbite HP 165 Body 9/11

Jarna set the shuttle down and was greeted by enthusiastic wasp people as Frostbite swooped into view and gently landed next to the ship.

"Lucky escape huh Boss?" she said as the back hatch opened and the team came out, dressed in their spacesuits.

Frostbite could only nod, but accepted with thanks a helmet and air supply from Probability. Giving a deep breath out and one in, he turned to see the Wasp woman with the rifle wave and come walking over. Using her halting English gleaned from the limited time they'd spent practising, she said: "You kill enemy?"[/quote]

Frostbite made a face, "That would be in an order of magnitude above what we could do, at least for now." He knew better than to never say never. But putting that aside he continued, "Tell me all about that weapon, those who gave it to you and any instructions or equipment of anything else they gave you?"

Frostbite waited for the answer, a hundred other questions forming in his mind. What had they stumbled onto? How could a planet at one end spew out a huge mountainous. literally, creature and then also be home to such a these and the one unstoppable force stamp its mark over the whole planet? And who could be sufficiently capable as to give these simple creatures a weapon capable of turning the creature back, when Frostbite's whole team could not.

He needed answers or these people would not be around for much longer to provide them, let alone he and the team if they didn't find out someway to figure out what was going on and how - if anything they could do to stop untold destruction.

OOC:Just been driving 8 hours to get back, but all good, waited till now to reply since it was just so much easier on a keyboard. Thanks for being patient. So is Dave ok, any response from the D man?

Sj

OOC Just jogged my memory to send David M a message. Hope he's ok. Last I saw he was having trouble with a dodgy thumb...

Lionheart headed down towards the planet

As usual his gut told him that the 'thing' he'd seen meant something. Essentially they were travelling around on a sizeable celestial body. Someone was bound to notice and take action. Whether they were friendly or not...? Well, that remained to be seen.

========

Frostbite

Asking his questions of the Wasp Woman, Frostbite waited for an answer.

She grinned. "The one who gave us life here gave us the gift to fight our enemies after they arrived to attack our home."

That didn't make sense. Gave us life here...?

"We..." she said, referring to all the Wasp People "were given life by our Queen and she was brought from her home to this place to make it our home. Others call it home now. We have defeated their attacks, but different creatures attack. Now these new ones come. They jump, they smash, they are too hard for our stings to penetrate. Many drones died. The one who brought the Queen here appeared. Bright light. The death stick helped us drive off the rock people. So did you. You are our friends, but your cold skin makes our wings brittle." she added.

Frostbites keen intellect pieced some things together. The Queen was brought to this place. A wasp Queen would lay eggs, make drones, they would create the hive and more drones would be churned out. Over time other creatures had challenged them. This... being.. this overlord that brought them there was playing some kind of cosmic game, perhaps. Testing and toughening up the Wasp People. For what reason?

Frostbot spoke up 'In theory these Wasp People could churn out thousands upon thousands of drones in a short space of time. Imagine dropping them onto a populated planet. Arming them. Everything that these creatures know and learn might be passed as part of a genetic code to the new drones if it is drip fed. A... ready made invasion force? Every challenge sent against them toughens them up, making them adapt and learn. Introducing technology in the form of weapons allows them to overcome creature their natural abilities cannot overcome. Perhaps the Rock People are also being tested and adapted. Maybe there are dozens, hundreds of other creatures and colonies on this planet being tested in the same way...'

Some higher power was using this place as a testing ground? Creating an army, an invasion force. Why? Who?

He looked about. There was nothing to suggest he was being watched, but he couldn't shake the feeling...

=========

Elsewhere...

(translated into English)

"Hello... what have we here? The scans are... off the scale!"

A viewscreen was focusing on Lionheart as he sped down through the atmosphere... A shadowy figure in cloak and hood cackled to itself...

Admin wrote:OOC Just jogged my memory to send David M a message. Hope he's ok. Last I saw he was having trouble with a dodgy thumb...

Lionheart headed down towards the planet

Although he knew that being on their "planet" wasn't where he ought to be, he couldn't leave the others without some leadership in Frostbite's absence. And since there was no way to get them up to help without the ship, he felt he had no choice but to meet them.

But it didn't mean he had to be down there long. A drop, stop, short hi and goodbye could be enough. Then he thought again, and time for inevitable questions, before taking off again. Possible with a side step to talk to the planet, just to be safe. It couldn't hurt to let it know that he had concerns and to be ready should anything appear to challenge them.

Meanwhile back on the planet...


========

Admin wrote:
Frostbite

He looked about. There was nothing to suggest he was being watched, but he couldn't shake the feeling...

Calling to Jarna, Frostbite lead her to the ship as he explained his thoughts.
"We're not liking this..." he offered pointing to himself so she knew about Frostbot evaluation.
"I'm going to offload Frostbot to the ship I want you to assist in looking for any coded messages, telemetry or anything else you can find...heck I'll settle for war drums or smoke signals. But I can't shake the feeling we're being watched, that this is some sort of giant training ground and we've landed smack in the middle of graduation. So I want to know whats to know before whoever set this up comes to check on who we are. I do not want them to have the element of surprise. Good, do good work." With that as they arrived at the ship, Frostbite touched the ship and transferred his partner over before nodding to Jarna.

Sj

LIONHEART

As he plunged through the cloud cover Lionheart became aware of something. A nagging feeling. Danger?

OOC Danger Sense 9 + Roll(2d10): 1,9 Total:19 vs Threat 8 + Roll(2d10): 6,7 Total:21 FAIL

It couldn't have been much. The feeling passed as quick as it had occurred. More than likely it was a reminder that this planets atmosphere was corrosive to humans. Whilst it contained some of the elements required for humans to breathe it would burn the lungs from the inside and prove to be a painful way to die! No breathing in then... With his keen mind he estimated he still had at least four hours of air left, assuming he didn't burn through it in some brawl. The sprawling purple jungle below went on for miles, broken only when mountains rose from the edge and a vast inland sea spread out in the other direction before the curve of the planet took away the visible sightline.

With a scan of telescopic vision he saw the glint of the shuttle as it landed near... what? Some dome like structures? Zooming in... wasps? No, humanoids like wasps. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of them, in and out of the place constantly. He was too high up, even from him, to pick out details but felt sure the shuttle had landed near the domes and the team had gotten out.

He sped off in that direction.

Unaware he was being followed...

=========

Frostbite

Passing Frostbot into the ships computer he heard his companions voice over the speaker. "It feels good to have some semblance of freedom but a cyborg may have been less restrictive. Given the nature of the atmosphere however, its organic parts may not have survived for long. Perhaps this IS the safe bet."

"Scanning through all available bands. This may take some time."

Jarna turned to Frostbite. "If these Wasp people aren't as friendly as they seem, we're going to find ourselves outnumbered in a very, very short space of time!" She popped a sidearm from a cupboard and clipped it to her belt. "For reassurance, though I'm not sure it will even make a dent on them!"

"Boss!" came a call from outside. "You'd better take a look at this!" shouted Steph/REFLEX.

Shooting a glance at Jarna, the pair hurried out.

Immediately he saw clouds gathering on the horizon. They seemed localised, in a roughly oval area. And they were getting bigger.

Reflex walked over, clad in her environment suit, as all the others were. "What's the chances that bad weather is forming up and heading directly for us?" she asked. Then she thought for a moment and added "Come to think of it, it would be unusual for it NOT to head straight for us, given all that usually goes on." with a roll of her eyes.

The cloud was purple, and darkening with every moment.

One of the wasp people looked where the team were look and its eyes widened in alarm! With a hasty BUZZZZZ BUZZZZ of its wings it took to the air and started heading for the domes. Others heard/felt the buzz and turned, then they too started heading for the domes.

The Wasp Woman with the rifle looked up in fear. "We are being tested again! Our fire stick... " she looked at the rifle. "May not be enough!"

=========

Lionheart

Soaring down towards the shuttle/domes (which were huge now that he could get a better sense of their scale from less than a mile away) Lionheart saw hundreds of wasp people simultaneously heading for shelter, then looked up and saw why. A cloud bank was looming large... and heading this way? Zooming in, he saw lightning crackle about it and felt sure he saw clouds swoop in and about its mass, each crackling with lightning! What the...? This planet was becoming less and less hospitable, it seemed! He glanced down again to where Frostbite and the others were gathered near the shuttle. He could swoop to his friend or head to intercept the cloud...

Admin wrote:LIONHEART

Soaring down towards the shuttle/domes (which were huge now that he could get a better sense of their scale from less than a mile away) Lionheart saw hundreds of wasp people simultaneously heading for shelter, then looked up and saw why. A cloud bank was looming large... and heading this way? Zooming in, he saw lightning crackle about it and felt sure he saw clouds swoop in and about its mass, each crackling with lightning! What the...? This planet was becoming less and less hospitable, it seemed! He glanced down again to where Frostbite and the others were gathered near the shuttle. He could swoop to his friend or head to intercept the cloud...

Lionheart could take on the weather mass, but when it came to that ability, he knew Frostbite was better enabled than he. Swooping down quickly he made sure the others knew what was amiss, without going into detail. He had to hold his breath after all. Before indicating that he and Frostbite shot off toward the mass, to see if they could forestall it.

One way or another something lethal was coming, and if he and Frostbite didn't do something to hamper it, not only this strange wasp-like people, Frostbite was talking with moments before, but the whole team could end up the worse for wear.

Frostbite meanwhile was pleased to see his friend swoop in, but equally wondered what had brought him all this way. Especially with the rest of the team left to fend for themselves on their 'transport' alone. Having read the concern and understood the problem, which was clearly worse than they'd imagined. Frostbite agreed, telling the others to try and help the people ride this out, and to make sure the craft was secure. It was, after all their only sure way of getting free from the planet and keeping everyone alive.

Frostbite and Lionheart, speed off toward the weather front, Frostbite truly unsure as to if he had the means to do what was required, but mindful that once again impossible might just be a simple word that meant, untried. Untried or insane that seemed to be their way and means. But it was the life of a hero, you don't get to choose the heroics you perform, you just perform and hope when the adrenaline stops your still breathing.

OOC:Ok looks like we are going to try and stop this storm front, I'll start easy, no HP, see what I can do. But if it clearly looks as if this isn't going to make a dent in this thing, we'd best position ourselves strategically and use HP to do what needs to be done. Apart from wanting to avoid the loss of life, the shuttle, with Frostbot and its necessity for the wellbeing of the team is paramount as well.

Sj

The purple cloud was HUGE! Crackling with lightning and boiling furiously, it raced across the sky to darken it above the heroes...

Frostbite and Lionheart sped together towards the cloud, wondering what new threat awaited them...

Smaller clouds broke away and swooped at incredible speed through the cloud towards the hero, two separate clouds for each hero!

Frostbite felt the wind whip up and rued the temporary loss of his ability to boost his superhuman powers... He could have whipped up a storm to battle against the cloud, perhaps blow it away... instead he knew that whatever he attempted to blow the cloud away was doomed to fail. Perhaps the direct approach was required...

Lionhearts danger sense told him that the danger to himself - at least immediately - was moderate. That huge cloud though...

With the wind howling so hard it was impossible to make his voice heard. He was about to pulse a thought when his danger sense warned of a more immediate danger.

It began to rain... ACID!!!

The others back at the shuttle dived inside and Jarna started the fire up sequence for the engines. The shuttle was already damaged. Concentrated acid might finish it off!

OOC You have two clouds about the size of a house each heading towards Lionheart and Frostbite, so four in total. And the big overhead cloud has started to rain deadly concentrated acid! Lionhearts forcefield should be able to protect him. Frostbites intangibility might... but to affect the clouds he must have at least one part of his body, like a hand, solid. The clouds are moving in. You have initiative...

Admin wrote:It began to rain... ACID!!!

[color=#0066ff]

This didn't look good on any order of scale, and somehow things had just gotten a whole lot worse. It was as if the training wheels had been kicked off and someone was out to make a show of humbling them. It was all too convenient and all too orderly that this cloud should come right now. That smaller clouds should break off that acid should rain down...but this wasn't the time for abstract deductions, it was the time for action. And though not in Lionheart's league by any stretch of the imagination and thought somewhat hampered by his earlier failure, nonetheless, Frostbite had to hope he could do something with the oncoming clouds.

Lionheart meanwhile, was concerned for the team, the strange people below and Frostbite, that his own shield meant he need not worry his friend's intangibility wasn't going to stop all the effects of the acid. They had to finish this and quick, for all their sakes. Lionheart took the opportunity to probe the clouds, was there a mind to attack behind this strange, almost planned malevolence? He had to know, before kicking things into high gear, how else could he know how best to attack.

OOC:Frying pan fire escapes come to mind in this situation. Ok as you say Frostbite will try and remain intangible whilst he then figures out how to attack. I am thinking Ice production in that if I can turn the acid into something less harmful, or else if that is looking like a bust I will have to go for Weather control and seek to amp things up with HP to cover my loss through the failed adrenalin surge.

Lionheart will mind probe see if there is a mind to attack, if not I guess martial arts are like bringing a steel sword to a ghost dance, in which nadda happens. So I might think about seeking to fly really, really fast and try to create a counter vortex a bit like the Flash or something. I'm open to suggestions, but this ain't looking good.

Sj

LIONHEART (goes first)

Lionheart could 'tell' that the creatures were intelligent and therefore had a mind to both probe and attack. Not knowing how effective their resistance would be, he sought out one target and unleashed the 'energy lion' that was his trademark and calling card upon an incoming Cloudman.

Even as he did so, he knew that the sheer... 'alienness' of the creatures they faced, without a physical form as such but still able to exert their power on physical targets, would mean that his powers might be less effective than usual.

OOC mental Blast 13 + Roll(2d10)+0: 4,3,+0 Total: 20 vs Int 7 + Roll(2d10)+0: 10,10,+0 Total:27 (BOOM! DOUBLE!) + Roll(2d10)+0: 1,4,+0 Total: 32 MISS!

The 'energy lion' seemed to pass through the cloud without actually effecting it! Lionheart wasn't sure whether it was his poor aim or the creatures ability to simply sidestep his attack but in any case, he figured if he tried again he'd have to try a little harder!

FROSTBITE

Seeing his friend fail wasn't something he was used to. Without a physical form as such these creatures might not be subject to the same laws Frostbite and his team mates obeyed... this planet.. .the whole place, the creatures on it, seemed somehow... manufactured, or carefully stocked. As if something was being made, tested or improved. A testing ground? And right now, the Vanguard were being tested!

OOC Frostbites Energy attack is his most potent weapon... but his idea of turning the cloud creatures acid into harmless crystals may have merit. Or would have, if he could boost to his usual levels!

Frostbite HP 152 Body 9/11

Buying two dice to use on Ice Production...

Ice Production 9 + Roll(2d10)+0: 3,10,+0 Total:13 and HP dice Roll(2d10)+0: 3,3,+0 Total:6 DOUBLE (close run between taking the 13 or the double 3, but figured you'd want the double...) plus Roll(2d10)+0: 6,6,+0 Total:18 DOUBLE plus Roll(2d10)+0: 4,6,+0 Total:28 rolled plus 9 =37 vs

Dex 10 + Fluid Form 10 + Roll(2d10)+0: 3,5,+0 Total: 28

+4 Effect (to 13) vs RV10 + Fluid Form 10 -8 (vulnerable to weather extremes, wind, cold etc)= 12 RV ... 13-12= 1RAP damage.

Had you not temporarily lost your adrenaline surge ability that would have been rather more potent, and may have even one shotted the creature! As it is, barely any damage!

The creature swerved to the side and seemed discouraged, confused even. Perhaps for the first time in its life it had experienced... pain!

The others swooped in, vaguely seeming to take on humanoid forms like their targets!

OOC Two attacks on Lionheart, trying to touch him with acid...

Power Reserve to Superspeed (to 22) for Lionheart

Cloudman 1 attacks Dex 10 + Roll(2d10)+0: 8,6,+0 Total:24 vs Lionheart Dex 22 + Roll(2d10)+0: 3,8,+0 Total:33 MISS
Cloudman 2 attacks Dex 10 + Roll(2d10)+0: 10,4,+0 Total:24 vs Lionheart Dex 22 + Roll(2d10)+0: 1,5,+0 Total: 28 MISS

Easily sidestepping the attacks, Lionhearts incredible speed found it somewhat hard to judge whether these creatures were agile or not. To him, they seemed like they were moving in slow motion!

One attacked Frostbite from a distance with a lightning bolt which seemed to grow from within the cloud whilst the other attempted to touch the Frosty hero with its acid touch!

OOC Lightning 16 + Roll(2d10)+0: 1,7,+0 Total: 24 vs Frostbite Dex 9 + Fluid Form 3 + Roll(2d10)+0: 8,4,+0 Total:24 HIT (just) 16 Effect - Resistance 14 = 2 Damage

FROSTBITE ON 7/11 BODY state if you want to absorb the two points with HP or take it...

Acid attack Dex 10 + Roll(2d10)+0: 7,9,+0 Total:26 vs Dex 9 + Fluid Form 3 + Roll(2d10)+0: 4,8,+0 Total: 24 HIT +2 Effect (to 22) vs Resistance 14 = 8 Damage!

You'll have to absorb some of the damage to stay up. Two separate attacks so you can absorb damage with the following cost in HPs...



So to absorb the 2 damage costs 3HP
To absorb all 8 of the Acid damage costs 36HP...

Your call. Without his Adrenaline Surge Frostbite has definitely been taken down a notch!!!

Lionheart and Frostbite up next (assuming Frosty is still on his feet!)

Admin wrote:So to absorb the 2 damage costs 3HP
To absorb all 8 of the Acid damage costs 36HP...

Your call. Without his Adrenaline Surge Frostbite has definitely been taken down a notch!!!

Lionheart and Frostbite up next (assuming Frosty is still on his feet!)[/i][/color]

OOC: Hmm sadly this is what I expected from this fight, I can see that if this is the small fry the big guy/cloud giant perhaps, is going to easily best Frostbite and perhaps even make it hard for Lionheart, although I imagine its a battle that could just go on forever till one or other side was worn down completely.

Anyway, Frostbite will rally his efforts and absorb the full damage, 36 HP, he intends to stay and fight for as long as he can. I think both go again, but this time Frostbite on the offensive with his Ice beam and Lionheart trying to catch the Cloudmen with his Psi attack until something else suggests itself. On a defensive note, both will attempt to stay clear, so as to not get caught in close proximity. If this is them at a distance, then close up is going to be far worse.

I am I reading a Thor Ragnorrok vibe going on here, just "Meta gaming" ;-)

Sj

Frostbite HP 113 Body 9/11

Diving aside and rolling at the last second Frostbite knew he was in for a fight! At his full strength he'd feel much more confident... as it was? If he failed Lionheart might well be overwhelmed, and how would the team then... NO! He couldn't think like that. He had to battle on, and so he swooped up and away after firing off a blast at the creature ... he needed to make it count though!

OOC Maybe taking liberties here but it sounds like you really want to even things up so I will *assume* you want to spend 13HP to buy two dice to attack with and go for a Critical Blow to take one of these guys down.

If not I will recalculate the attack with a fresh roll...

I will also pause on calculating the Cloudmens attack to see if you want to spend HP on extra dice to Avoid any/all incoming attacks.

Energy Blast 14 + Roll(4d10)+0: 2,9,5,2,+14 Total:18 (DOUBLE, but the 9 and 5 might have been the better option, we'll see... ) PLUS Roll(2d10)+18: 5,10,+18 Total:33 as your Acting Value Total

The Cloudman tries to avoid with Dex 10 + Fluid Form 10 + Critical Blow 4 + Roll(2d10)+24: 6,3,+24 Total:33... as the Opposing Value Total

Looking on the table that is a HIT (JUST!)

No addition to Effect Value so EV14 - Resistance Value 20 - 6 (Critical Blow) - 4 (vulnerable to cold attacks) = 4 damage

Frostbite blasts again, injuring the already injured Cloudman who now decides that discretion is the better part of valour and flies off to vanish into the mass of the distant larger crowd!

FROSTBITE HP 100 Body 9/11

LIONHEART HP 152

Encouraged by seeing his friend drive one Cloudman away he turns his energies to blasting both his attackers with his Mind Blast. This time he POURED it on to ensure he nailed his targets and felt it was time for the gloves to come off!

OOC Again, I will *Assume* you chuck Hero Points at this. 30HP buys four extra dice for his Mental Attack. He'll then do a multi attack on the pair of them...

Lionheart Mind Blast 13 + Roll(6d10)+13: 7,7,2,8,5,4,+0 Total:27 DOUBLE plus Roll(2d10)+27: 8,1,+27 Total: 36 is Acting Value Total vs

Cloudmen Int 7 + Multi Attack 2 + Critical Blow 4 + Roll(2d10)+0: 1,3,+13 Total:17 as Opposing Value Total

+6 Effect Value (to 19) vs Resistance Value 15 + Multi Attack 2 - Critical Blow 6 (11) = 8 damage apiece!

Despite smashing through their incredible Alien mind defences, both Cloudmen were reeling... and on their last legs, albeit still conscious. They both took off for the protection of the main body of the crowd.

That left one Cloudman who was determined to take down Frostbite!

LIONHEART HP 122

OOC Want to buy any defensive dice? The Cloudman is swooping in to attack Frostbite by touch - it's fast enough to keep up.

Admin wrote:LIONHEART HP 122

OOC Want to buy any defensive dice? The Cloudman is swooping in to attack Frostbite by touch - it's fast enough to keep up.

OOC: Yes happy with all actions taken thus far and yes Lionheart will go for the other cloud man. Assuming he can take him down or stop him in his tracks then both can face off against the monster of all storms.

Lionheart will go for another mind blast since its likely that their physical forms are intangible like Frostbite's would be.

Lionheart saw Frostbite's exposed flank and dove quicker than most eyes could follow, to intercept the last Cloud creature before it laid into his friend. Bursting forth from his chest, from his heart, the Lion of Psy energy leapt forward eager like its namesake for the chance to pounce. Meanwhile, only partially aware of his exposes flank, Frostbite knew he was fighting with one arm tied behind his back. He'd not known such a difficult set back in a while, and it was only his sheer dogmatism and determination or dumb luck that seemed to be helping him so far. Even with Lionheart both of them would need some extra if they were to drive back this oncoming cloud. But more importantly, find out what or who is behind all this elaborate setup.

Sj

The Cloudman swoops in to attack Frostbite!

OOC Dex 10 + Roll(2d10)+10: 7,10,+10 Total:27 (Crikey!) Action Value Total vs

Frostbite Dex 9 + Roll... Roll(4d10)+9: 10,4,4,7,+9 Total:8 DOUBLE plus Roll(2d10)+0: 7,1,+0 Total:16 + Dex 9 + Fluid Form 3 (28). Not often a Double fails to be better, but its only a point out. However...

MISS! (just!)

(Spending 13HP to buy two extra Opposing Dice)

Frostbite HP 87 Body 9/11

Frostbite dives aside and Lionheart swoops down to help his friend!

LIONHEART HP 109

OOC Buying two extra dice... Going for Critical Blow

Mind Blast 13 + Roll(4d10)+0: 7,5,1,8,+0 Total: 28 Action Value Total vs

Int 7 + Roll(2d10)+0: 10,7,+0 Total:17 + Crit Blow 4 (21)

+4 Effect (to 17) vs RV 14 - 6 (Crit Blow) = 9 Damage

The Cloudman spends 1HP to absorb 1 damage and stay on 1 Mind (conscious) but is STUNNED and cannot attack this round, but can try to retreat

Frostbite sees the Cloudman reel and turn as if to escape. Does he press the attack?

OOC As I see it, your best option is:

1) Attack with Energy Blast 14 and hope for a lucky roll
2) As 1) but buy a couple of dice and hope for decent roll
3) As 2) but go for a critical blow to really stand a chance of KOing one of these guys. Need a HIGH roll though.
4) let it go
5) as option 3) but spend more HP. You are burning through them quite fast as these are opponents individually on a par with Frostbite in his current state. In his usual state (with Adrenaline Surge) he is just better all round.

In any case if it is still conscious the Cloudman will fly back to the large mass to lick its wounds and vanish if Frosty can't one shot it somehow.

Admin wrote:
1) Attack with Energy Blast 14 and hope for a lucky roll
2) As 1) but buy a couple of dice and hope for decent roll
3) As 2) but go for a critical blow to really stand a chance of KOing one of these guys. Need a HIGH roll though.
4) let it go
5) as option 3) but spend more HP. You are burning through them quite fast as these are opponents individually on a par with Frostbite in his current state. In his usual state (with Adrenaline Surge) he is just better all round.

In any case if it is still conscious the Cloudman will fly back to the large mass to lick its wounds and vanish if Frosty can't one shot it somehow.[/i][/color]

Frostbite nodded his thanks to his friend as once again the wordless unspoken bond of friendship came to the fore in their effort to help one another in need. Although even on a good day, let alone now minus his full range of ability, Frostbite was ever the one indebted to Lionheart. Still, they were a team and more; friends forged in the heart of adversity and conflict. But now wasn't the time to speculate. Frostbite aimed at the creature, hoping to finish it off with the minimum of effort, minded that he had to save himself for what would undoubtedly prove to a far more demanding foe.

OOC:Thanks for the options, I am going to just try my best shot, with no extra die, as I think I am going to have to use them for the big un. So if this doesn't do it, then so be it. I'd rather go for a half-decent shot that try to hit with a KO as I think the odds of getting it aren't great.

Sj

OOC Something that didn't occur given how smart Frostbite (and Frostbot) are...

'There may be another option' said the voice in Frostbites head that normally stayed quiet during intense fights so as not to distract.

'If this creature becomes intangible like you, it stands to reason that a small part of it, what you might consider a hand or pair of eyes or similar, MUST remain solid in order to interact with the solid world. Just as you have to do. Because of this there may be a part of the creature that can be targeted and struck as if it were solid, just as would happen to you. Stare at the creature. Intensely.' suggested the sentient program.

OOC Int 8 + Roll(2d10)+0: 6,6,+0 Total:12 DOUBLE plus Roll(2d10)+0: 7,2,+0 Total: 29 vs

Int 7 + Roll(2d10)+0: 1,9,+0 Total:17

+5 Effect (to 13) - 7 = 6 Result APs. Success.

There was nothin... wait!

The creature swirled about, a formless cloud. And yet, it boiled and convulsed, swirling and changing shape apart from one part of it which occasionally protruded, though not always to the fore. Could THAT be a target worth shooting at? It wouldn't be easy to target one specific part but ... worth a shot?

OOC Worth a shot? it will be a called or 'trick' shot in the game but a hard one at that. No harder than trying to hit something made of smoke mind. You may want to use a few HP to buy some dice.

Check out the table at the bottom of every post (just click on it) and see in the yellow column how many HP/Dice you wish to use... if any? If you do hit...? Well, it might be the answer to your problems with these things...

Admin wrote:worth a shot?

OOC Worth a shot? it will be a called or 'trick' shot in the game but a hard one at that. No harder than trying to hit something made of smoke mind. You may want to use a few HP to buy some dice.

Check out the table at the bottom of every post (just click on it) and see in the yellow column how many HP/Dice you wish to use... if any? If you do hit...? Well, it might be the answer to your problems with these things...

OOC: considering all the variables at play here, let's go for it, I am going to buy two die, but put them both on accuracy and hope the other die fall favourable if I get a good shot.

Sj

Frostbite narrows his eyes and levels an arm...

OOC TRICK/CALLED shot against the Cloudman to affect the near intangible form.

Frostbite HP 74 Body 9/11

Bought two extra dice

Energy Blast 14 + Roll(4d10): 9,10,2,6 Total: 19 + 14 = 33 Acting Value Total vs

Dex 10 + trick shot 6 + Roll(2d10): 1,9 Total:10 +16 = 26 Opposing Value Total

Success! Bypasses the Fluid Form and Trick Shots in future against the Cloudmen will be at +4 Opposing Value not +6

7 difference, +4 Effect (to 18 Energy Blast Effect Value) vs Resistance Value 10 = 8 Damage

With a FWASH!!! Frostbite lands a blast against the swirling cloud

Somewhere in that intangible mass was something solid as the Cloud seems to 'stiffen' and spins on its heels (so to speak) to fly back to the main body to lick its wounds.

After seeing off four of its offshoots in a successful albeit not fully conclusive encounter, the main body of the cloud stops advancing.

Not a moment too soon. Acid rain stops short of landing on the shuttle by a matter of twenty feet or so. The heroes look down to see their team mates scrambling aboard and Jarna manages to get the damaged shuttle up off the floor, rotating it and turning the nose upwards to start for the skies.

The cloud boils outwards, spreading, but the shuttle will be clear in moments. They were at an impasse for now it seemed. The cloud looked angry, darkening overhead. Lightning crackled overhead.

A single cloud broke from the mass, flying slower this time. Without a mouth or humanoid form was there any way to communicate to this... being? Thing? Alien?

Admin wrote:A single cloud broke from the mass, flying slower this time. Without a mouth or humanoid form was there any way to communicate to this... being? Thing? Alien?

Looking toward Lionheart, who understood wordlessly he sought to try and communicate with the cloud-like humanoid and see if they could make some kind of connection. Whilst he concentrated and attempted to 'speak' telepathically, Frostbite kept a close eye on things. He was aware that this might be some trap or indeed if this wasn't the source of this planet's woe, there may yet be a more direct intervention from them who were the real trouble makers behind it all.

OOC: So Lionheart will see if he can communicate mind to mind...without blowing up in the process.

As an aside, regarding the whole running another character in Dave's campaign, I'm really looking forward to the task with someone else. Should be fun to see how the two very different characters, Haunt and Steeplejack hit it off.

Sj